Lake of Fire Series Part I

By

L. Ray Smith

Table of Contents
Revelations A Book of Symbols ....................................................... 5 Origin of Satan, Evil and Sin ............................................................... 39 Judgment By Fire .................................................................................. 79 Understanding Spiritual Things ......................................................... 123 A Scriptural Explanation of the Lake of Fire..................................... 157 Two Judgments by Fire ........................................................................ 205 The 7 Symbolic Churches of Revelation ........................................... 243 Where is the Church that Jesus Built? ................................................ 285 The Lucifer Hoax & the Mission of Satan .......................................... 327 The Synagogue Of Satan ...................................................................... 363 The Depth of Satan Who Is Antipas? .............................................. 393 God Judges the World in a Pond ........................................................ 429 Who Is the Beast? .................................................................................. 463 The Beast Within ................................................................................... 493

Revelations A Book of Symbols A Scriptural Journey Through the Lake Burning with Fire and Brimstone, Which is the SECOND DEATH Sometime in the last half of the first century AD, the apostle John (whom Jesus loved) was on the Isle of Patmos when he found himself "in spirit on the Lords day." Among his many remarkable visions he saw this: Revelation 19:20, "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." Rev. 20:10, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." Rev. 20:14-15, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev. 21:8, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Concerning the "Second Death," John also has this to report: Rev. 2:11, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Rev. 20:6, "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." And finally this one: 5

Rev. 14:10, "...and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb." These are all the Scriptural references in the entire Bible that mention the "lake of fire and the second death." Theologians and clergymen by the thousands have been telling the world that this lake of fire is little more than an eternal torture chamber. It is the final HELL of eternal separation from God accompanied by unfathomable pain, torture, and despair. We have been told that there is absolutely no possibility of ever being rescued from this hellhole of suffering and human misery where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth, as real fire barbecues their bodies, and while worms will be eating their flesh. This hideous scene is to continue day and night for trillions of billions of quadrillions of centuries upon centuries--for EVER! We are told that those who will spend eternity in this prison of pain have themselves chosen to spend eternity there - that God doesnt send anyone to hell, but that people actually choose, themselves, to go there. Even a fool knows that no person would ever choose such a fate, but theologians must somehow get God off of the hook of responsibility, for surely this place exists and will continue to exist for eternity they assure us. Famous TV preachers like John Hagee tell us that "...every boy and every girl who dies without knowing Jesus Christ spends an eternity in a city where the fire is never quenched and the worm dieth not." And Mr. Hagee adds, "AND ITS JUSTICE!" World renowned pastor, educator, and theologian Dr. James Kennedy tells the world that for a man in India who told a lie, and for a man in the Islands who stole chickens by night to feed his family, their sins will put them into the tortures of an eternal hell, even if they never heard of the name of Jesus Christ their only possible Savior. And Dr. Kennedy adds, "HELL IS FAIR!" Does the Word of God actually and literally teach such a hellhole of eternal torture in fire from which there is no redemption ever? Dont 6

be too sure till you have read this paper and compared it with Scripture. That the Scriptures do speak of a "lake of fire which is the second death" there is no denial. However: What is it? Where is it? When is it? Why is it? Who will go there? Is it an actual place? And How long will it last? What actually takes place in this lake of fire which is the second death? Is Johns vision to be taken literally? Does this lake of fire and second death serve no purpose other than to vent Gods frustration and vengeance on most of humanity which He Himself created? Would a loving God really create billions and billions of people which He knew in advance He would torture for all eternity? If ninety to ninety-five percent (a ballpark statistic used by many theologians) of humanity is destined for this atrocious destiny, how could any sane person worship a god who would design and carry out such a vile and eternal nightmare on so many billions of helpless and weak creatures?

The Scriptures answer all of these questions, and the answers are not even in the same universe with what has been popularly taught by theologians. Some have even taught that God and His Saints will actually derive happiness and pleasure from this fabled eternal torture and misfortune of the majority of all humanity that has ever lived. Men are bold and audacious in how they characterize the very nature of God Almighty. I heard just tonight on one of the major news channels that Saddam Hussein enjoys his leisure by watching videos of men being tortured! Most of us shudder at the very thought of anything so satanic and evil. And yet ... and YET, many theologians (and Christian lay members as well) would put God Almighty and our Lord Jesus Christ in the base company of such depraved minds! God have mercy on them all; they know not what they say! FIVE GENERAL SCENARIOS Lets look at five general possibilities for the interpretation of this lake of fire and second death. 1. The teaching comprising the largest number of adherents (Christian Fundamentalists) state that the lake of fire is indeed literal fire, but that the second death part is figurative or symbolic seeing that its victims never actually become literally dead or even unconscious, but rather they interpret this second death as separation from God. Their explanation of their belief, however, contradicts the idea that the lake of fire is literal. They teach that the lake of fire is literal fire that burns like real fire, but they then contradict the literalness of this fire by teaching that it doesnt actually burn up anything: It just causes INSANE PAIN. But really, can a fire that doesnt actually burn up physical, material things, be called a literal fire? And although Ive heard many state that this metaphor is literal, this group certainly denies the literalness of the second 8

death because they dont believe they ever die and lose consciousness. It is a physiological impossibility for a literal fire to cause pain on the nervous system of a person and yet never actually kill them and burn them up if the fire is applied etrnally. Furthermore, real fire does not cause symbolic or figurative death--real fire causes real death.

2.

Others (as the Jehovah's Witnesses) teach that both the lake of fire and the the second death are symbolic and not literal. They believe that this metaphor is a "word picture" that does not represent a place or condition of literal torment in literal fire. However, they believe that it does picture or represent the total annihilation of all those who are judged and are not granted salvation. This teaching is certainly billions of times more merciful than the Christian fundamentalist theory, however, it too is unscriptural as we shall see. Not to mention the fact that it would prove our heavenly Father either unable or unwilling to save most of His own children. What kind of an eternal example would that be for those who are saved? Does God really teach us to "train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6), but that God Himself is incapable of training His children in the way that they should go and that most of them WILL DEPART FROM IT? Does God really teach us to "LOVE OUR ENEMIES" while God Himself "HATES OUR LOVED ONES" by destroying most of them for all eternity? This teaching is also blasphemous.

3.

Still others teach that the "lake of fire" is figurative, but that 9

the "fire" part of the symbolic phrase "lake of fire" is literal fire which will burn up its victims. So they interpret this as a symbolic "lake of fire" which is made up of a literal lake and literal fire. And that the second death is literal death so that its victims will be killed by this literal fire in a literal lake, which then becomes a symbolic "lake OF fire." However, this group has a unique twist to their teaching. They believe that when the victims are thrown into the lake of fire, they have already gone through the white throne judgment and have turned to God, are now righteous, have accepted Christ as their Lord, but they must die a second time anyway. Why? I dont know!! I am at a loss as to how Rev. 21:8 would fit into this theory, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, SHALL HAVE THEIR PART in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death." They dont sound too converted to me at this point in time when they enter the lake of fire. This group then believes that at the consummation of the ages (just as they have died a second time), they will be resurrected a second time, but this time to immortality and life with God in His Family. Though maybe not quite as blasphemous, this teaching is still unscriptural and foolish.

4.

I know of no group who teaches that the lake of fire is figurative, but that the second death is literal. Such a doctrine would be akin to literally drowning in symbolic water.

5.

And so that leaves one more combination, and that is that the lake of fire is figurative or symbolic and that the second death is also figurative or symbolic. I am one of a very tiny

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group who is of this latter persuasion. It is the only way that these Scriptures on the lake of fire and the second death will harmonize and not contradict the rest of Gods Word. Furthermore, God plainly tells us in chapter one, verse one, that an angel "signified" this whole "Revelation of Jesus Christ" contained in this book. He "SYMBOLIZED" it, for that is what "signifies" means--to make known by signs, and signs are symbols. Therefore it cant be literal. THREE FALSE ASSUMPTIONS Fundamentalist Christians are the largest group who hold three bedrock doctrinal teachings, which are really only assumptions, regarding the lake of fire: 1. The "lake of fire" part of this verse must positively be taken LITERALLY.

2.

This lake of fire and second death are just other terms for HELL.

3.

All the wicked, unsaved, and unbelieving sinners will be consciously TORTURED in this lake of fire hellhole by having their flesh barbecued FOR ALL ETERNITY, which is said to be "the second death."

Are any of these three assumptions true or Scriptural? Absolutely and unequivocally NOT! In our journey we will clearly see that these verses are NOT to be taken literally, and they do NOT represent a place called hell, and God will NOT torture anyone for all eternity. We will also see from the Scriptures that God never punishes for the sole purpose of torturing. God always punishes and chastises for the ultimate purpose of correcting, righting, amending, changing, fixing, 11

rectifying, redeeming and saving. That God can and will accomplish these things with every creature in heaven and earth is fully substantiated by hundreds of Scriptures in His Word. And there are no Scriptural doctrines or teachings to the contrary. NONE! This IS the Good News Gospel which precious few on this earth have ever heard. It is Gods "WILL" that all mankind be saved (I Tim. 2:4), and Gods "will" WILL be done (Matt. 6:10 and Isaiah 46:10-11)! But seriously, dont these Scriptures (at least in the King James Bible) sound like the beast, the false prophet, Satan, and all who are not found written in the book of life will be tortured for ever and ever in the lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death? Granted, in King James translation, it does definitely sound that way. But when we remove a few unscriptural assumptions, a few pagan traditions, and a couple of totally mistranslated words, words that never appear in the Greek manuscripts, we will discover an even more profound love that God has for His creatures, rather than some monstrous god of eternal hatred which has been concocted by theologians and promulgated through bad translations for centuries. LITERAL OR SYMBOLIC? In many cases it is not difficult to determine whether a verse is literal or not. But, since we use figures of speech so often we tend to forget that much of what we say daily is not literally true. Many of us would hardly be able to carry on a conversation if we had to drop out of our vocabulary every word and every phrase we speak that is NOT LITERALLY TRUE. The English language, as well as all other languages, is just filled with symbolic and metaphorical phrases. The first eleven verses of Chapter one in Revelation are an introduction regarding where, how, and what John is going to record for us. Much of this introduction can be taken literally, however, not all. Beginning with verse twelve, we are confronted with one symbol after another for the remainder of the entire twenty-two-chapter-book.

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Everything written in Revelation is true, but most is not literally true. The fact is there are many many truths in the Bible that are not literally true. Jesus "said" that the bread He gave His disciples at the Lords supper was His body. Yet, Jesus Himself explains in other places that this was not literally true. He gave them literal bread, and not His literal physical flesh. What that bread represented, and symbolized, was indeed, His body--but not his physical body. Jesus said that the words that he spoke were SPIRIT (John 6:63). Jesus Christ changes not. His words are STILL spirit and they certainly were spirit when John wrote the words of Christ regarding His unveiling or revelation. Just as we physically feed on physical bread for PHYSICAL LIFE, thus also we spiritually feed on Jesus Christs spiritual body for SPIRITUAL LIFE. Understand this! Some think that by accepting the Scriptures as they are given (in the case of Revelation that means AS SYMBOLS), that somehow this "spiritualizes away" the teaching. What? It is the "spiritual" aspect of these symbols that IS THE REAL THING; THE REAL UNDERSTANDING! Physical things "pass away" whereas spiritual things are eternal! The very FACT that this book is written in "symbols" is proof positive that the understanding of them is SPIRITUAL and not physical or literal. Symbols, metaphors, and parables ARE NEVER LITERALLY TRUE! But they powerfully demonstrate SPIRITUAL TRUTHS! "This is the second death--the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15 and 21:8) is a metaphor that is no more literal than "Jesus taking the bread...said, Take, EAT. This IS My body" (Mat. 26:26). Paul did not instruct Timothy to "STUDY" the scriptures if a mere casual reading is all that is necessary to comprehend its many deep and profound teachings. On the other hand, I believe that those who have "studied" Gods Word are able to open up much understanding to those who are not called to teach (even babes, or minors as our 13

Lord stated). I want to quickly show my readers just how impossible it is to assume most of Gods word is literal. Again I state: All Gods Word is TRUE, however, much of it is figurative language which is not literally true to fact, but rather in what the figurative language of symbols, metaphors, and parables represent. If the following section is too heavy for you, just skip to the next heading. BIBLICAL FIGURES OF SPEECH Here are some of the fully substantiated figures of language used in Scripture. I borrowed many of these examples from an appendix in the back of The Concordant Literal New Testament. We will begin with FIGURES OF LIKENESS which include: similes (when something is like, or as something else, it is a simile rather than a metaphor) metaphors (where one thing is said to actually be something else) as in, "all life is grass" I Pet. 1:24. Therefore, the subject of this paper IS a metaphor and CANNOT be literal: John says, "...the lake of fire, This IS the second death" (Rev. 20:14), and "...the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which IS the second death" (Rev. 21:8) implications parables (there are many, the shortest one being, "Physician, heal Thyself" Luke 4:23) allegories (as in the two women standing for two covenants, Gal. 4:22-28) visions (as in a sheet let down from heaven, Acts 10:11-16)

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signs (as in the sign of Jonah the prophet, Matt. 12:39) types (as in Adam corresponding with Christ, Rom. 5:12-21) shadows (as in the law being a shadow of good things to come, Heb. 10:1) examples (as in the tabernacle vessels being examples of what is in heaven , Heb. 9:23) images (as Christ is the image of God, Col. 1:15) impersonations or personifications (where things are spoken of as persons) condescension's (as where God takes on human attributes) diminutives (as in "little women, heaped with sins" II Tim. 3:6)

There are FIGURES OF ASSOCIATION which include: association or metonymy's appellations (as when a quality or office is used instead of a proper name, as in "Son of Mankind" instead of saying Jesus Christ) compound associations (as "the word of the cross" I Cor. 1:18, which has to do with Christs shameful and agonizing death) near associations (as in a phrase that is partly literal, "Then went out to Him Jerusalem [that is the people of Jerusalem]", Matt. 3:5) retention's (this one is too complicated to explain, but Ill give you an example, "the tablets of the heart" II Cor. 3:3) circumlocutions or periphrasis (what is "circumlocution"? Well, its a descriptive phrase in place of a name in order to 15

emphasize the association. Examples, "the product of the grapevine [though not named is, wine]" Matt. 26:29, "the city of David [though not named is, Bethlehem]" Luke 2:11, enigmas, and symbols (where a known object or something else is used to typify something else, or even an intangible quality such as love, power, beauty, etc.)

Here are many of the words from the book of Revelation used as SYMBOLS: candlesticks horses locusts beasts birds animals dragons heads horns teeth tails eyes mouths wings hair feet hands foreheads odours books gold seals crowns names cities nations kings tongues 16 book of life tree of live water of life hours days months seasons rod of iron sickle bow blades swords reap harvest grass trees thrones garments robes signs images wonders marks numbers vials trumpets winds rivers hails songs winepresses grapes wine balances wheat barley oil eyesalve pebbles manna wreaths palm fronds whores harlots fornications keys doors temples synagogues pillars rich poor blind naked hot cold

Nicolaitans Antipas Armageddon Balaam Balak Abaddon Apollyon Babylon Sodom Egypt Jezebel

lakes seas waters clouds floods mountains islands lightnings voices thunders earthquakes

lukewarm blood deaths fire sulfur brimstone smoke sun moon stars

And even heaven and earth are used as symbols in this great book of symbols. There are also FIGURES OF OMISSION which include: omitted nouns (as in "the wicked [people is understood]," "the blind [people]," "the rich [people]," "the poor [people]," "the twelve [apostles is omitted but understood]) omitted verbs (as in incongruous omissions like, "Milk I give you to drink not solid food" The omission of "to eat" is understood, as one does not "drink solid food" I Cor. 3:2) unfinished sentences (the King James usually finishes sentences that are unfinished in the Greek, such as, "As I swear in My indignation, If they shall be entering into My rest___!" Heb. 3:11) omission or non-sequence (as in "These which you are beholding___there will be coming days..." Luke 21:6)

I did not include this basic listing of "figures of speech" in the Scriptures, just to fill another page. It is most important to understand that the study of the Scriptures is not the same as studying a high school or college text book. It is far different. School text books, as a rule, would not contain even one percent of the figures that I have presented here. And if we do not have even an elementary understanding of these many and varied figures of 17

speech, we will hardly be in a position to TEACH Gods Word to others. It is the height of naivety to believe that whenever someone shouts, "My King James Bible SAYS... ", that what follows will be nonrefutable Scriptural proof of that persons doctrinal preference. Thank God that: "...no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation" (II Pet. 1:20). The Scriptures themselves really do interpret other Scriptures. This is true for interpreting prophesies and doctrinal issues. PARABLES ARE NOT LITERALLY TRUE STORIES The parables of Jesus are certainly true, but they are not literally true. Example: one cannot possibly put a "beam" (a large piece of lumber) in or out of ones eye, Mat. 7:3-5. The moral of this parable is certainly a great truth. The symbols used to teach that truth (namely a large piece of lumber in ones eye) is, of course, not literally or possibly true. The beam represents a huge character flaw, not foreign matter in ones eye. Its a figure of speech. We also use such figures dozens of times a day without even realizing it. We say such things as "Dont cry over spilt milk" although we are not literally speaking of crying, nor are we speaking of milk, but rather of a disappointment that has caused sadness. When we show our respect for our country's flag, we are not even thinking about respecting a piece of cloth, but rather the nation that the flag represents. A flag is a symbol that represents a nation. A band of gold is just a band of gold, but a wedding ring is symbolic of something much larger, something huge, something GRAND! Who "wears the pants" in your family? Has "the cat taken your tongue" lately? Can you "carry a tune in a bucket?" Do you follow the "spin doctors" with their commentary on the "movers and shakers" in Washington, DC? Where do you stand when "the tire hits the road?" Do you know for a fact that "the early bird gets the 18

worm?" Does "a stitch in time save nine?" Are any of your friends "square?" Is it "cool" to eat chili on a hot day? Do people turn "blue" when they are sad? Do cowards really have "a yellow stripe down their back?" Are you "worth your salt?" Do you know people who are "pigeon heads" and "hot heads?" If people realized that "silence is golden," maybe they would stop "breaking your ear drums." Do you think that I am just "pulling your leg?" And just when will "hell freeze over?" All languages have many, many figures of speech that are not literally true. And God also uses symbols, figures, idioms, metaphors and parables, over and over in His Word--hundreds and hundreds of times! I know of very few who will believe it, but it is true nonetheless, that Jesus taught the masses in parables and parables ONLY so that they would NOT understand the message He was giving them (See Matt. 13). Figures, parables, metaphors, and symbols are in many ways like poetry. Take the phrase, "No man is an island" from one of my favorite poems. How wonderfully worded and true are those words? Or this line, "Every mans death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind." How many unsaved friends do you have? Will YOU not be diminished for all eternity if they are not saved? Will GOD not be diminished for all eternity if billions and billions of His creatures are not saved but are rather separated and tortured in some hellhole of fire? Elementary school children are not likely to understand such a poem as "No man is an island." They would say, of course no man is an island, neither is a man a house or a car or a telephone pole either. Yet this is the same childish mentality that many theologians use in interpreting Scripture such as the lake of fire and second death. For all too many, these marvelous Scriptures have no meaning beyond the literal meaning of the literal words. And so, for most, the 19

Word of God remains a giant enigma. How sad! Right now, here in Miami, it is "raining cats and dogs." Or is it really? It sometimes rains real fish, but cats and dogs? But if it ever does rain cats and dogs, Ill eat my hat. Some of these things are extremely elementary and others are extremely complex. God told Daniel that the wise will understand. It is not wise, but foolish to insist that countless symbols in the Bible are literal. With that all said, let us now see that most of what is said in this marvelous book called Revelation is not literal, but symbolic. My King James Bible says: "The Revelation of Saint John the Divine." And then verse one says, "The revelation of Jesus Christ..." Which is it? It is, of course, the latter, seeing that the title is merely mans interpretation which is obviously wrong. The book of Revelation is a revelation OF Jesus Christ. It is not just a revelation from Jesus Christ, but a revelation of or about Jesus Christ. It is a revelation of HIM! Most of my life I believed that the book of Revelation was a literal prophecy about events that will happen at the END OF THE WORLD! Prophesies that had virtually no meaning for those who have lived during the past two thousand years since it was written. But for most of my life, I WAS IN ERROR! Now for a most important understanding. Just how was this revelation to John to be recorded and preserved? Notice it: "...and he sent and SIGNIFIED it by his angel unto his servant John" (Rev. 1:1) What does it mean to "signify?" Certainly this prophecy of the revelation or unveiling of Christ was written down (ver. 19), but it 20

means more than just that. To "signify" has to do with signs and symbols. From my Webster's Twentieth Century Dictionary p. 1541, first definition of signify: "to make known by signs or words" First definition of sign: "any symbol ...that represents an idea" That which, being external, represents or signifies something internal or spiritual. The synonym for sign is: symbol. There is no mistaking this language. The book of Revelation is written in SYMBOLS! So what is written externally, on paper, in symbols, has a SPIRITUAL meaning and application. Let us now see the symbolism of this prophecy. I will pick out some of the most obvious things that would be impossible to understand literally. Notice that in verse ten John informs us that, "I was IN THE SPIRIT on the Lords day..." And then he begins to tell us what he hears and sees. Now the very fact that he was "in the spirit" on the Lords day conclusively proves that he was not literally there! Let us never lose sight of this fact: John WRITES what has been SIGNIFIED (WITH SYMBOLS) the things that he SEES and HEARS IN A VISION--IN SPIRIT! Beginning in verse twelve John starts to tell us what he saw and heard, "And I turned to see the voice that spake with me ... his eyes were as a flame of fire, and his feet like unto fine brass ... And he had in his right hand seven stars and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword..." NONE of what I underlined is literal. Have you ever "seen a voice?" All these things are symbols that stand for other things. And God 21

immediately gives us proof positive of this in verse 20, "The mystery [this is not literal--it was a mystery until God tells us that one thing really means or represents another and DIFFERENT THING] of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars ARE THE ANGELS OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest ARE THE SEVEN CHURCHES." The stars are not literal and the candlesticks are not literal. In the first 20 verses of Revelation we can find eleven statements that are not literal, but rather symbolic. They represent truths that are presented in symbols. The literal language is not the literal truth being presented. The statements themselves do not teach us the truth OF the statements. We must look elsewhere in the Scriptures for the interpretation. Now chapter one was pretty easy as God told us just what some of those symbols represented. But there are dozens and dozens more symbols in this book of Revelation that are not explained in the verses that follow immediately. How shall we understand all those symbols. First of all, without the spirit of God, the answer is we will never understand these symbols. But guided by Gods spirit, God can show us in other places in His Word what these mysterious symbols represent. It is God Who provides us with "ears to hear and eyes to see." Now look at chapter two: Verse 5, Will God literally punish the church of Ephesus by removing a literal candlestick? NO! Removing a literal candlestick would be no great loss to anyone. But from what we learned in verse 20 of chapter one, the candlestick IS one of the churches . So Christ is threatening to REMOVE THE WHOLE CHURCH, not some piece of furniture or candlestick from the building of a church. Verse 7, Is the tree of life a literal tree that one literally eats? Verse 9, Was the church in Smyrna literally in poverty and literally rich at the same time? Does "synagogue of Satan" mean a literal synagogue where Satan has a Rabbi teaching the Law to a 22

congregation every Sabbath day? Verse 13, Is a name something that one literally holds fast to with ones hands? Verse 16, Will Christ literally do battle by using a literal sword which He literally keeps in His mouth? Or do we not read in another place in Gods word that this "sword" IS Gods Word? (Heb. 4:12). Verse 17, Will Christ reward the faithful with a literal little white stone? Cant we see that the stone and the name written in it represents something else? Something of much greater value? Verse 20, Was the harlot Jezebel literally in the Thyatira church? Literal Jezebel died CENTURIES before this book was written by John. Jezebel in the physical represents or symbolizes a SPIRITUAL condition in the church of Thyatira. Verse 22, Will Christ literally throw literal Jezebel into a literal bed where she will literally commit adultery with literal men? Verse 23, Will Christ kill literal children of the literal harlot, Jezebel? Verse 27, Will the saints beat the nations with a literal rod of iron into literal small pieces like broken pottery? Verse 28, Will Christ give the literal morning star to His saints? Where would they put it? What would they do with it? Chapter 3:1, Was the Sardis church literally alive and literally dead at the same time? Verse 4, Were members of the Sardis congregation wearing literally soiled clothing? Verse 7, Is there literally a metal key of David that is needed to open a literal lock? Verse 12, Will Christ literally turn people into stone pillars in the temple? 23

Verse 16, Will Christ literally spit the church of Laodicea out of His mouth? Verse 17, Were the members of the Laodicean church literally poor and literally blind and literally naked without clothing to wear? Are there not other Scriptures that tell us what it means to be SPIRITUALLY "poor, blind, and naked?" Verse 18, Did Christ try to sell Laodicea literal gold? What would they do with the gold? What, pray tell, would Christ do with the money? Verse 20, Does Christ literally knock at the doors of our homes and then come in and eat a literal home cooked meal and pecan pie with us? Is it necessary for me to go through this entire book verse by verse before we can fully realize that this book is written in figurative, symbolic, and metaphorical language? Lets look at just a few more: Chapter 4, Was a literal trumpet "talking" with John? Chapter 5, Is Jesus Christ literally a "Lion," an "animal?" Chapter 6, Are these literal "horses?" Do the literal stars of heaven fall on the earth? The smallest known stars are a million times larger than the earth. Chapter 7, Were angels literally holding back four "winds" on four literal "corners" of the earth? I thought the earth is round without corners? Can one literally wash his clothes "white" in red "blood?" Chapter 8, Will an angel cast a literal mountain burning with fire into the sea? Chapter 9, During the fifth trumpet will it literally be impossible for mortal men to die? Will there be literal locusts shaped like "horses?" Locusts that literally 24

have "hair like a woman, teeth like a lion, and breastplates of iron?" LOCUSTS with breastplates of "iron?" Chapter 10, Did John eat a literal book? That was literally sweet in his taste buds, but literally bitter in his stomach? Why would anyone "eat" a literal book? Chapter 11, Are Gods two witnesses that prophesy, literally two olive trees and two candlesticks? But if we study Zechariah 4 we can determine what is meant by "two witnesses." Chapter 12, Will there literally be a pregnant woman "clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars?" Was this same woman able to literally "fly into the wilderness with wings of an eagle?" Chapter 13, Will there be a literal lamb that will speak like a dragon? Just how do dragons "speak" anyhow? Will people be literally tattooed with marks (bar codes, swastikas, Social Security numbers, implanted with computer chips or one of a hundred unscriptural marks being suggested by fundamentalist prophets) in their hands and on their foreheads so that men cannot buy or sell ice cream or automobiles without these marks? Selfappointed prophets of doom havent a clue as to what this mark of the beast really is or the number of his name. I have already been barred from buying and selling recently because I refuse to brandish this "mark of the beast"! Chapter 14, Does Babylon cause all nations to literally drink of the wine of the literal wrath of her fornication? I thought wine came from grapes not wrath (of course there is that famous novel, The Grapes of Wrath). Chapter 15, Are the seven last global plagues and catastrophes really contained in seven literal tiny gold vials or bottles? Chapter 16, Is Jesus Christ going to return to this earth as a literal "thief"? Will every island and mountain on earth literally disappear? 25

Chapter 17, Will there really be a woman who will ride a literal scarlet coloured beast, having seven heads and ten horns. Can whole nations literally fornicate with a harlot? But here once more in this chapter God does reveal to us who this beast is and what the symbolic horns represent which again proves that ALL OF THESE THINGS are not literal but symbolic and represent things other than what is being described. Chapter 18, Will the entire social, political, and economic system of the world literally collapse in just one hour because one literal city (Babylon) is destroyed? Chapter 19, Will a literal prostitute "corrupt" the entire earth? Will a literal "lamb" marry a literal "wife?" Will the King of the universe really wear clothing dripping with literal "blood?" Is Gods wrath a literal "winepress?" Will literal armies of heaven follow Christ to earth riding on literal "flying horses?" No, NONE of these things are literal! Any theologian or preacher on international television would be laughed to scorn if he were to preach a sermon trying to prove that all of the above Scriptures are to be taken absolutely literally. Such a sermon would be seen as foolish by nearly everyone. No educated man in the Word of God would ever dare to present anything so STUPID! And yet ... and YET, when we come to verse 20: will a literal beast and a literal false prophet be cast alive into a literal "lake of fire burning with brimstone?" How do these same theologians and preachers answer? They answer: "Yes, of course they will be thrown into a literal lake of fire, because THIS IS LITERAL." Chapter 20, Will the devil, the false prophet and the beast be cast into a literal lake of fire and be literally tortured day and night "FOR EVER AND EVER"? And will all those not found written in the book of life be cast into a literal lake of fire? Answer: "Yes, THIS TOO IS LITERAL, ABSOLUTELY LITERAL," shout our fundamentalist friends once 26

more. Chapter 21, And will the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, be cast into a literal "lake of fire burning with brimstone?" "Yes, Yes, A THOUSAND TIMES YES, THIS IS SOOO LITERAL, ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY LITERAL" shouts every redblooded fundamentalist worth his salt! Amazing. Absolutely amazing--the power of the carnal mind to selfdeceive. Why are fundamentalists totally sure that these verses on a lake of fire are literal? Well, of course, they aren't sure; they just pretend to be sure. They desire with their whole heart and being that this lake of fire is real fire. Why? Because the eternal torture of billions of men and women and boys and girls in some fabled hellhole doesnt "diminish" them one iota! They want people who dont believe as they believe to have their flesh barbecued over fire and brimstone for all eternity. The very idea gives them great joy. And it makes them proud. They have no love for sinners as God does. They hate sinners. They hate unbelievers. They love only themselves. They pronounce CURSES on me for quoting Scriptures that show God will save everyone. They highly disapprove of God being the saviour of the whole world. They wont hear of it; they wont have it! They dont approve of a God Who would save everyone by bringing them to repentance, and purging them, and turning their hearts to God. If God were to save everyone through the purging of his SPIRITUAL FIRE, then they could not wag their fingers at all these people sizzling and popping like bacon in a hot skillet saying, "I told you so, I told you so..." for all eternity. Hussein and Bin Laden are not the only ones out there with depraved religious minds. God did not write nineteen whole chapters of Revelation giving us symbol after symbol and metaphor after metaphor, and then in chapter 20 switch to writing in literal language with literal meanings. The book of Revelation was "signified" by the use of signs and symbols. Signs and symbols always represent or mean something other than the sign or symbol itself. We are all familiar with symbols 27

and signs so that we should never be confused as to what a sign or symbol is or is not. A red and white striped barbers pole is not a barber shop, neither is it a barber, but it is a sign or symbol that immediately conveys to our understanding what it represents-namely a barber shop with a barber. There are many more Scriptures that will prove that this lake of fire has a much more benevolent purpose than barbecuing human flesh for all eternity for the sheer sick and depraved entertainment of Christian Fundamentalists. Be it known however, that the lake of fire and the second death DO INDEED picture something spiritual that relates to or has some properties of, LITERAL FIRE and LITERAL DEATH. Without some similar properties, the metaphor would be meaningless. I have read some extremely complex definitions of a metaphor which were totally wrong. A metaphor is where one thing is said to BE something else. Heres a Scriptural example: "All flesh is grass" (I Pet. 1:24). Thats simple enough. Now then, is that statement by Peter true? Yes, of course, it is true. Is it literally true? No, it is not literally true. Then how do we know for sure what there is ABOUT this metaphor that is true? If a metaphor is not literally true, how is it true at all? MAKING THE SIMPLE COMPLICATED Reading some theories about the meaning of metaphors causes me to think of the man who when describing the feats of a circus performer stated: "He performs feats of ease with the greatest of difficulty." It is absolutely amazing how theologians can make relatively easy to understand principles seem most difficult. I will now show you an exercise of just such grammatical gymnastics. Its just three very short paragraphs, so indulge me and I will try to simplify the whole thing immediately thereafter. Here then is a complicated example from "Concordant Studies--The Lake of Fire" page 9: "The lake of fire is the second death. That is, the lake of fire is the cause of, or the agency which produces, the second death. This 28

represents that. The idea is, the lake of fire--by figure of association in which the cause is put for the effect--represents the second death. This is a compound figure. That is, it incorporates more than one figure of speech. In such a case as this, is itself is also a figure of speech. Instead of its literal significance (which denotes existence), is, as a symbolic metaphor, means represent. The concept is this: Part A represents Part B; thus Part A symbolizes Part B. As a symbol of Part B, Part A itself has become a figure." From page 10: "The lake of fire, which, by virtue of being its cause, thus, represents the second death." "In the interpretation of a metaphor, the goal is to take note of the essential way in which the symbolic subject is like the literal predicate. Indeed, if in the presence of a symbolic, subjectexpression, the meaning of the predicate-expression were itself unknowable--which would be the case if the predicate expression were a figure of speech--it would be impossible to note the likeness between the two." And finally, from page 11: "When one thing (or things) which represents another thing, is finally said to be that other thing, whether or not the representative thing itself is a literal entity, in any case, that which it finally represents consists in a literal expression and is a literal entity." (Italics is authors throughout). Okay, did you get all that? I want to just borrow a few statements from the above explanation of a metaphor and see if these things be so or not. Trust me, we will get through this quickly: 1. "The lake of fire, which, by virtue of being its cause, thus, represents the second death.

2.

"...the symbolic subject [the lake of fire] is like the literal predicate [the second death]."

3.

When one thing (or things) [in this case the lake of fire] 29

which represents another thing [in this case the second death], is finally said to be that other thing [the second death], whether or not the representative thing itself is a literal entity [second death], in any case, that which it finally represents consists in a literal expression and is a literal entity [a LITERAL second death]." KEEPING THE SIMPLE , SIMPLE Must we all be theologians with a 150 IQ to understand these things? That leaves me out. Lets just take a couple of very simple metaphors from the Scriptures and apply the above conclusions to them. Heres a simple one: "All life is grass" (I Pet. 1:24). Can we apply the first deduction made by the author quoted above? Lets try it: "All life is [that is, REPRESENTS] grass." No, this is clearly not true, anymore than all life REPRESENTS trees, or all life REPRESENTS worms, or any other thing! We can certainly use the word "represents" with reference to metaphors, but not in the way the above author does. It is wrong to say that the subject of a metaphor "represents" the predicate, and it is equally wrong to say that the predicate of a metaphor "represents" the subject. Neither is true. However, both the subject AND the predicate TOGETHER, do "represent" something. And THATS why it is called a metaphor rather than a statement of fact! What about number 2: The subject of a metaphor is symbolic, while the predicate is literal Lets try this out on our sample metaphor: "All [SYMBOLIC] life [the subject] is [LITERAL] grass [the predicate]." No, that doesnt work either. How in the world can "symbolic life" BE "literal grass?" And now number 3: Is it true that the subject of a metaphor must 30

"represent" something that "...consists in a literal expression and is a literal entity"? Nope. Not true. All life is not LITERALLY grass! PEOPLE are not grass, ELEPHANTS are not grass, BIRDS are not grass, FISH are not grass, BACTERIA are not grass, and a thousand other forms of life are NOT literal grass! Am I going too fast for anyone? Earlier I stated that most believe one of the following: The lake of fire is literal and the second death is literal, or the lake of fire is literal but the second death is symbolic, or the lake of fire is symbolic (with literal fire) but the second death is literal. I believe that the lake of fire AND the second death are both symbolic and figurative language. Is it true that one part of a metaphor must be literal or there is no way to understand the metaphor? No, that is not true. Let me give you an example that I doubt many have really meditated on: "Now at their eating, Jesus, taking the bread, and, blessing, breaks it, and, giving to the disciples, said, Take eat [this bread], This [bread] IS my body" (Matt. 26:26). The greatest minds in theology have haggled for hundreds of years over this metaphor that Christ used at the last supper. Does the bread literally turn into the body flesh of Christ when we eat that bread as the Catholic faith demands? What a silly question. ITS A METAPHOR! And the idea that one of the two parts of a metaphor must be literal is likewise silly. In this metaphor, the bread is a symbol. Is there anyone who cannot recognize that Christ used bread from the table as a "symbol" of something? Then when used as a symbol, neither can it be any longer literal. Is there anyone who cannot recognize that Christ used His own body as a "symbol" of something? Then when used as a symbol it neither can be any longer literal. That being said then, the bread is symbolic AND Christs body is also symbolic! Jesus used literal "bread" from the table and used the literal words "my body." 31

When Jesus picked up the bread and broke it, no one thought that He was talking about CHEESE! When Jesus said, "my body," no one thought He was speaking of His clothing or His shoes. Everyone at that table knew what "bread" was and what Christs "body" was. However ... HOWEVER, Christ used the words "bread" and "my body" in a METAPHOR! He said, "Take eat, this [bread] IS My body." That my friends is a METAPHOR! And as a metaphor, neither the bread nor Christs body is to be taken literally! "I am the BREAD OF LIFE..." (John 6:35). We do NOT eat physical bread to partake of the symbolic or spiritual life-giving food of Christs body. Nor would we be partaking of spiritual or symbolic bread by eating Christs literal flesh and blood body. Can we not see that neither part of a metaphor must always be literal. The bread is used as a symbol because literal bread is called the staff of life. Christs body is used in this metaphor because our spiritual nourishment comes from no other source but Jesus Christ. They say that we are what we eat. When we partake of the real staff of life--the spiritual food of Christs body, we ourselves BECOME the very body of Christ ourselves! Heres the Scriptural proof: "I am the BREAD OF LIFE..." (John 6:35). "For we, who are many, are ONE BREAD, ONE BODY, for we all are partaking of the ONE BREAD" (I Cor. 10:17). "The Jews, then, murmured concerning Him, that He said, I AM the Bread which descends out of heaven." (John 6:41). "I am the living Bread ... Now the Bread also, which I shall be giving for the sake of the life of the world IS MY FLESH" (John 6:51). But just as most are totally blind regarding the meaning of Scriptural metaphors today, they were also ignorant of Christs words when He spoke them: "The Jews, then, fought with one another, saying, HOW THEN CAN THIS ONE GIVE US HIS FLESH TO EAT?" (John 6:52) 32

They also thought that metaphors were LITERAL! Christ is the Bread that came down FROM HEAVEN, not the bread that comes from wheat out of the ground. Christ is NO LONGER flesh and blood. He has been raised with a SPIRITUAL BODY I Cor. 15:44, "...it is raised A SPIRITUAL BODY." Besides "flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the Kingdom of God." We partake of Christs spiritual body, not literal flesh, blood and muscle protein. If we fight and argue as the foolish Jews did over what part of metaphor must be literal, we will learn nothing. If we cant understand a simple metaphor as "Take eat, this [bread] IS my body," how will we ever understand "The lake of fire which IS the second death?" I dont wish to belabor this point, but it is of paramount importance and sometimes if we would hunger and thirst after righteousness, there is definitely some labor involved. The easiest way I know to explain a metaphor is to simply state how metaphors are used, and it all becomes rather simple. If Peters statement that "all life is grass" is not literally true, then why say it? Why use it? Because when we understand metaphors, they speak volumes about a subject in just a very few words--much like poetry. "All life is grass" means that all life is like grass IN CERTAIN WAYS. Thats it! Thats just how simple it is. Life is like grass in certain ways, in that it is fragile, easily killed, short-lived, here today; gone tomorrow, etc. But, on the other hand, ALL life is NOT like grass in certain other ways. Not all life is attached to the ground, unintelligent, and colored green! Am I going too fast for anyone? PHYSICAL FIRE VERSUS SPIRITUAL FIRE Without realizing it, those who defend a literal fire in this judgment of God will have a very hard time showing that anyone can be "tormented day and night for ever and ever" in a literal fire. If the fire is literal, then the idea that anyone could be tormented for ever 33

and ever is totally impossible! How so? We will see. Notice who is thrown into this lake of fire: 1. "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet ... These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Rev. 19:20). If the beast and false prophet are humans, then a real lake of fire would BURN THEM UP making it impossible for them to be tortured for ever and ever! If the beast and false prophet are supernatural, superhuman, or spirit in nature, then physical fire CANNOT HARM THEM in any way. So, if the fire is literal, it can serve NO useful purpose! 2. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire..." (Rev. 20:10). As this is Satan, he is a spirit, and therefore CANNOT be tortured with REAL FIRE! Real, physical fire has NO effect on SPIRIT! Since God "makes His angels SPIRITS; His ministers a FLAMING FIRE" (Psalm 104:4), it isnt likely that the Head of the "sinning angels" would be the least bit hurt by literal fire! 3. "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:12 & 15). "The dead, small and great" are mortals resurrected to judgment and are still mortal. Therefore physical fire will BURN THEM UP, hence there can be NO torture or torment for ever and ever. So now what will our fundamentalist friends do with this evidence? 34

Real, physical, literal fires, BURN UP physical bodies! And, real, physical, literal fires CANNOT burn or harm spiritual bodies! Sorry, but thats just the way it is! But these verses say that there is "fire" and that those in it are "tormented." So what kind of fire are we talking about and what kind of torment are we talking about? First, the fire. If this lake of fire is not real, physical, literal fire, is there then such a thing as "figurative fire" or "spiritual fire?" Im so glad you asked. As a matter of Scriptural fact, yes there is such a thing as "figurative and spiritual fire." Lets start with the most profound Scripture regarding spiritual fire. As we all know, "God IS SPIRIT" (John 4:24). But have you never read: "For our God IS A CONSUMING FIRE" (Heb. 12:29)! God has shown Himself to be not only a fire, but a CONSUMING FIRE all through the Scriptures. You will be amazed how often God speaks of fire in bringing judgment on humanity. ALL IS OF GOD, II Cor. 5:18, Rom. 11:36, Eph. 1:11, etc. God IS a consuming FIRE. God IS this lake of fire! But since it is not literal fire, what does it burn? What does it consume? -- It is the "works of the flesh" that made sinners of those thrown into the lake of fire in the first place. And we shall see from the Scriptures that it is these very works of the flesh that are consumed in this lake of fire. And dont think for a moment that it is not a most painful and tormenting experience to have ones carnal mind with all its ungodly passions, thoughts and deeds, burned clean and pure by the consuming fire of Gods Holy Spirit! God doesnt change. He will use the same method in the day of judging at the white throne as He uses on US. Although the intensity will get considerably more severe for those who blaspheme till the end. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). However, that does not purge us from all our filthy thoughts and deeds. No, there is 35

more. There is also a consuming FIRE that God uses on us: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is JESUS CHRIST. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, WOOD, HAY, STUBBLE; Every mans work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed BY FIRE; and the FIRE shall TRY EVERY MANS WORK of what sort it is. If any mans work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any mans work shall be BURNED, he shall SUFFER LOSS; but [pay close attention to this BIG BUT] BUT HE HIMSELF [the one who had his works burned and consumed in Gods consuming fire] SHALL BE SAVED [What will save him?], yet so AS BY FIRE" (I Cor. 3:11-15)!!! Ah dear readers, can we begin to understand the workings of God? God consumes with fire, the wood, hay and stubble in our lives. The things that dont deserve to continue. But he REFINES the gold, silver, and precious stones (those doctrines and godly character traits of Gods spirit that abide the fire). It is figurative language, it is an analogy, it is a parable, it is metaphorical (where one thing is called another thing). Our lives have either qualities of character (which are likened to gold and precious stones, things of value to refine and retain), or gross lacks in character (which are likened to wood, hay, and stubble and which are not worthy to retain or preserve). And just as real literal fire is used to refine and purify gold and precious metals, so Gods SPIRITUAL FIRE refines and purifies us from our sinful and carnal nature. And likewise, as real literal fire is used to burn up wood and stubble, so Gods all consuming SPIRITUAL FIRE will consume and burn up all the impurities in our life. These things MUST DIE. This purging is the SECOND DEATH. And whether the person God subjects to His consuming fire has many good qualities or none, the person himself shall be purged, purified, and SAVED BY GODS ALL-CONSUMING SPIRITUAL FIRE!!! We just read it in Gods Holy Word. How can any deny it? Every person who has ever lived will be subjected to the cleaning fire of Gods spirit. God is the JUDGE (Rev. 20;12). NOT Satan. This judgment throne is 36

"WHITE" not black! God judges in righteousness. "He shall judge the world with RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Psalm 96:13) "Because He [God] hath appointed a day, in which He will judge the world in RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Acts 17:31) Next I present a Scripture that many fundamentalists hate. Ill bet if you attended a fundamentalist church, you never heard a sermon on this verse. We read that God has appointed a day (a period of time) in which He will "JUDGE" the whole world. Revelation 20:10-15 IS THAT DAY OF JUDGMENT! Now we know that those not found in the book of life will be put into FIRE, and they will be TORMENTED. This is certainly part of this judgment. But it is not literal fire. Literal fire burns up physical things and literal fire cannot harm spiritual things. So what does the fire do or accomplish? MUCH! This judgment in Revelation 20 IS that worldwide judgment spoken of in many prophecies. But is the purpose of this worldwide judgment to torture people by burning their flesh in real fire for all eternity? Is that HOW God judges in "righteousness"? Absolutely not. We just read where God burns up our fleshly WORKS, and this is "tormenting" for sure. But God does not torture our flesh for all eternity. Dont get me wrong, there will be severe chastisements on those who despise God and His Savior and His Gospel. But out of their ashes will come salvation. Here is another marvelous Scripture which answers what happens to sinning humanity when God JUDGES THE WORLD in righteousness. "For he [GOD] bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low, HE LAYETH IT LOW, even to the ground, he bringeth it even to the dust" (Isa. 26:5) Make no mistake, God will judge the wicked with great severity. However, ALWAYS FOR A BENEVOLENT PURPOSE: "With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when Thy judgments are in the earth, THE INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Isaiah 26:9)!! 37

There will come a time when those who only knew how to blaspheme the name of God, will come to LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS. They will not just "hear" of righteousness, no, they will actually "LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS"! The whole book of Isaiah speaks of judgments on Israel and on the nations. But the end of all these judgments is SALVATION TO ALL. Notice Isa. 45:22-23, "Look unto me, and BE YE SAVED, ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness [as in, For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth, I Tim. 2:3-4] , and shall not return, That unto me EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW, EVERY TONGUE SHALL SWEAR" (See also: Phil. 2: 9-11 & I Cor. 12:3). Gods words will NOT return empty or void. When God speaks, it will be done. When God wills, it will be done. When God desires, His desires WILL BE DONE: "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, MY COUNSEL SHALL STAND, and I WILL DO ALL MY PLEASURE ... I have spoken it, I WILL ALSO BRING IT TO PASS; I HAVE PURPOSED IT, I WILL ALSO DO IT" (Isa. 46:10-11). Oh the blasphemy of those who teach that Gods most heartfelt desires WILL NOT COME TO PASS, but will utterly fail!!! Jesus Christ is not the potential Savior of the world; He IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD!!! HE WILL SAVE THE WORLD!!! How many self-appointed, bible-thumping, doomsday, fire and brimstone, eternal torture in hell preachers believe these verses in Isaiah? Not one that I know of! Most Christians have never been taught the Scriptures that I am giving you. These things are despised by many who call themselves "Christian." And yet, Gods Word is FULL of such statements of Gods salvation to all. 38

Origin of Satan, Evil and Sin I heard a world-famous televangelist say in his sermon that it was never Gods intention that Adam and Eve disobey His command and sin by eating of the forbidden tree. Most Christians would agree. They think God did not want Adam to sin; and Adam did not need to sin. If Adam had not sinned, we would all be living in a giant Garden of Eden to this very day. We would be in perfect health, there would be no sorrow, we would have pleasure twenty-four hours a day, we would never die, we would be happy and God too would be happy. If Adam had shown just a little restraint the world wouldnt be in the giant mess it is in today. Oh really? Well, why then didnt Adam exercise restraint. What went wrong? Did the first humans malfunction? Was there a flaw in their original design. God was the Designer; is God the blame? Not according to Christendom. Is He at least responsible? Not according to Christendom. But why not? Now listen carefully. Here is wisdom beyond its years. When a scientist creates an experiment or machine that malfunctions, is he responsible for the malfunction? Yes. Does he hold the experiment or machine responsible? No. Does he hold God responsible? No. Okay. Now then, according to Christendom, when God creates an experiment or machine that malfunctions, is He responsible for the malfunction? No. Does He hold the experiment or machine responsible? Yes. Does He hold man responsible? Yes. See the wisdom? I have just shown you one reason why God calls the WISDOM of this world, STUPIDITY! "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness [Greek: stupidity] with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness" (I Cor. 3:19). First, Christendom assumes that Gods creation of humans malfunctioned -- they did NOT! 39

Second, they assume that God is not responsible and does not take responsibility -- He DOES! One unscriptural assumption added to another unscriptural assumption does not equal a Bible Truth! Few indeed have ever stopped long enough to consider that just maybe God intended for the world to be in the hellish mess that we find it. Not for all eternity, but for the present, for a period of time, for a great purpose. It just seems so wrong to Christian thought to believe that God would have purposed such an evil and unhappy world. But look at the alternative. Are we to believe that God tried (albeit unsuccessfully) to make a good creation, but was unaware of its potential to run amok? And ever since, God must therefore either lack the love for humanity to straighten it out, or He lacks the power and ability. But either way it disowns Gods sovereignty and presents us with a God Who either CANNOT or WILL NOT STOP THE INSANITY! They would have us believe that Gods solution to rid the world of sin and evil is to torture most of humanity in fire for all eternity. The whole idea is blasphemous. If a carnal-minded human can take responsibility for an invention that malfunctions, I submit, that God is bigger and more responsible than puny man. Be it known to all that God takes full responsibility for His creation, and absolutely nothing in His creation is malfunctioning. Heres the proof: If a thousand Christians were given the assignment to write an essay describing the world as it was after God completed it, but before man sinned, I am positive that we would get one thousand essays describing the unbelievable beauty, harmony, and perfection of all creation including man and beast. However, would such essays be based on the Scriptures? Lets look at a little understood Scripture. "For the creature [and/or creation itself] was MADE subject to VANITY NOT WILLINGLY, but by reason of Him [thats God] Who HATH SUBJECTED the same in hope. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For 40

we know that the WHOLE CREATION groans and travails IN PAIN until NOW" (Rom. 8:20-22)! Wow! Did you know that Scripture is in the Bible? Have you ever meditated at length on its meaning? This one Scripture does much damage to Christian doctrine. From a strictly carnal-minded approach, this Scripture is devastating. Lets see what these words entail from Strongs GREEK DICTIONARY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT: VANITY: empty, profitless, vain, transientness [temporary], depravity [wickedness]. BONDAGE: slavery, subjection, subserviency. CORRUPTION: shrivel, wither, spoil, ruin, deprave, defile, destroy, decay, perish GROAN: moan, calamity, be in straits, murmur, grief, grudge, anguish. TRAVAIL: pangs, to pain together, travail as in birth. PAIN: anguish, toil for daily subsistence, starving. The force of these verses in Rom. 8:20-22 is inescapable. It was God HIMSELF Who subjected the whole creation to vanity, and He didnt ask anyones permission before He did it. And it is only God Himself Who will deliver the whole creation from the bondage of corruption, pain, and suffering. Make no mistake about it: God is the Creator of evil, and He takes full responsibility for the deliverance from the consequences of all the evils that have caused the creation to "groan and travail in PAIN until NOW" as Paul describes. God takes responsibility for the temporary failures of creation so that He can take all the credit and glory for its successes. And most of the glory that God will receive is from the glory that He gives to all mankind.

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It was not possible for Satan NOT TO SIN -- he was created for the express purpose of being Gods Adversary, and so, of course, he was a sinner "FROM THE BEGINNING"! It was not possible for Adam and Eve NOT TO SIN -- they were created for the express purpose of being molded into the "image of God," and so of course, they had to eat of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil or they would have NEVER reached this first spiritual step in becoming LIKE GOD (in His IMAGE), a step of paramount DIVINE REQUISITE: "And the LORD God said, Behold [consider, to perceive, to know, to understand], the man is BECOME AS ONE OF US [Hebrew for God is elohiym which is the plural of elowahh, hence us], TO KNOW GOOD AND EVIL..." (Gen. 3:22). Knowing "good and evil" is one of the most essential requisites in being formed in the image of God. To truly "know" both good and evil they HAD to partake of its source, which was the "TREE of the knowledge of good and evil," which then DEMANDED that they SIN in order to obtain this "knowledge." NO OTHER TREE IN THE GARDEN POSSESSED THIS NEEDED KNOWLEDGE! And so it was GOD, and none other than GOD, Who intended from the beginning that Satan and man SIN! That does not make God a sinner, for a sin is a "mistake," a "missing of the mark," a "falling short of the glory of God," and God has NEVER MADE A MISTAKE OR FALLEN SHORT OF TOTAL PERFECTION! God knew what He was doing and how things would turn out BEFORE He created ANYTHING! "Declaring the end from the beginning..." (Isa. 46:10). Satan and man are "accountable" for their sins, because they sinned willingly from their heart, but God takes "responsibility" for their sins, and therefore had already provided them a Saviour BEFORE the foundation of the world: "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was FOREORDAINED BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, but was manifested in these last times for you" (I Pet. 1:19-20).

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"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb [Christ] slain from the FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD" (Rev. 13:8). Is anyone so naive and blind as to believe that God had prepared a Lamb, a Sacrifice, His SON, to be slain for the sins of the world at a time when theologians would have us believe God didnt even KNOW there was shortly coming such a thing as SIN? God knew; God is smart! It was God Who created the tree of the knowledge of good and evil It was God Who placed it right in the middle of the garden to catch Eves eye. It was God Who made the tree particularly attractive and desirable. It was God who placed in the humans the desires and passions that would CAUSE them to partake of the forbidden fruit. It was God who placed Satan the serpent in the garden to tempt Eve and fill her head with the glories of enlightenment. It was God Who had ALREADY made preparation for their salvation through the slain Lamb of God. Only ignorant and foolish theologians would ever charge God of being ignorant of the conduct and behavior of His own creation. It was not the temptation or deception entering INTO Eve that caused her to sin and bring separation from her Creator and God. It was what was already in her that caused her to sin. Proof: "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Mat. 15:19). Notice it: "And when the woman saw [in her heart] that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eye [in her heart], and a tree to be desired [in her heart] to make one wise [an idol of the heart], she took [For out of the heart proceed ... thefts...] of the fruit thereof, and did eat" (Gen. 3:6). Did you notice that last phrase "...and did eat"? It was not the "eating" of the fruit that made her a sinner -- she had ALREADY sinned by looking, lusting, and fantasizing about her potential wisdom. It was AFTER she sinned that she "did eat." The good news is that all of our suffering is for a grand purpose and will ultimately bring huge rewards. Just two verses before, Paul tells 43

us how God subjected the whole creation to these many evils and he gives us this comforting thought: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [groaning and travailing in pain together until now Ver 22] are not worthy to be compared with the GLORY which shall be revealed in US" (Ver. 18). ONLY GOD IS RESPONSIBLE I am going to cover considerable Scriptural material in this series that many may not think directly relates to the Lake of Fire-Second Death. Trust me, it does. It will be of little value for me to just technically prove from the Scriptures that God does not eternally torture anyone in the lake of fire-second death, or anywhere else for that matter. In the light of today's spiritual darkness and global apostasy, it is most needful to understand some basic spiritual truths before launching into a word-for-word explanation of the dozen or so verses related to the lake of fire-second death. We will do that, but before we do, we are going to learn a great deal about God, life, death, the Scriptures, the purpose for our existence, and the destiny of the whole human race. All in one paper? Ill try to hit the high spots. Most Christians have a one-sided and often evil concept of judgment. They think of it primarily as a negative and horrible thing that wicked people must go through before being sentenced to some fabled fiery hellhole of torture and eternal damnation. Judgment is not reserved exclusively for the wicked, nor is it a onesided sentence of doom. There are many problems with the orthodox teaching of judgment. Much emphasis is placed on a few Scriptures taken out of the context of all of Gods counsel regarding judgment. The subject is too large even for this paper, however, I will try to present both sides of judgment. Judgment has both a positive and a negative side. That is judgment itself contains both. The result of the two faces of judgment, 44

however, I am happy to report, will not perpetuate the dual masks of comedy and tragedy for all eternity, but rather a "smiley face" for all. If people could only see that God is not a carnal-minded human as themselves. He is GOD -- The Great Creator, Sustainer, and Saviour of all -- GOD! God has a plan, a procedure, and a purpose for this creation. Precious few have even a basic understanding of what it is. Nothing in creation is out of control from Gods perspective. Nothing ever surprises God or catches Him off guard. God does not view the activity of His creation from His celestial vantage point unaware of what people will do next. God knows all in advance. God doesnt just know what "will" happen in the future, He causes all that will happen in the future. God IS the future. God is the Alpha and the Omega -- He IS the beginning; He IS the end, and nothing can be different from what God says MUST BE. We have got to get away from the "God allows certain things" mentality and syndrome. God CREATES, God DESTROYS, God HEALS, God KILLS, God CAUSES, God BRINGS ABOUT. God SAVES. God does not "allow" things that He has not foreordained to be! This popular doctrine among the religions of the world is utter unscriptural foolishness. The teaching suggests that man does things that God had no previous knowledge of, does not approve of, wishes would have never happened, but nonetheless, He "allows" them. Certainly He "allows" them in as much as He does not "disallow" them, but this still begs the question as to their true origin. God is the Creator, not Satan. "For OF Him, and THROUGH Him, and TO Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen" (KJV Rom. 11:36). "Seeing that OUT of Him and THROUGH Him and FOR Him is all..." (Concordant Version). Does this also include EVIL? "That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me, I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace,

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AND CREATE EVIL: I the LORD do ALL THESE THINGS" (Isaiah 45:6-7). There are many many things in life that are very hard to accept and deal with in our weakened spiritual state. I cannot, after all this time, get the images of the Twin Towers collapsing on thousands of people, out of my mind. Or maybe even worse, the men, women and children in the four planes that knew they were destined to a violent disintegration in fire! I get teary-eyed every time I think of it. It is extremely traumatic to contemplate. And now another shuttle disaster! One at the hands of evil terrorists; the other an accident, fate, providence? But what is gained by trying to take all of these things out of the realm of Gods responsibility? God and God only has the "ability-to-respond." Man is not running Gods creation, God is. How can any doubt it? We all have our own personal financial, health, social, mental, and spiritual trials in addition to thousands of other problems in our home, community, state, nation and world which can easily overwhelm us if we are not well grounded. Do we think all these things just invented themselves and brought themselves into existence? I tell you No; these are all the design of an all-wise God. People freely admit that God knows every sparrow that falls, the individual names of one hundred billion billion stars, and the number of hairs on five and one half billion peoples head at any given second of the day, but that He is, nonetheless, just not concerned with the smaller details of your life. FATE OF THE SHUTTLE VICTIMS Lets reflect for a moment on the Space Shuttle. It was heartwrenching to say the least in realizing that there were seven astronauts in that shuttle which we all watched dozens of times from different videos tracking its re-entry. Some of them on board were professed Christians. But for sure one, Col. Ilan Ramon, was a Jew who did not profess Jesus as His Saviour. So when the rubber hits the road, where does Christian doctrine stand on Col. Ramons eternal destiny? 46

Did not all of Israel show extreme remorse over their fallen Son and Hero? Yes they did -- I saw them myself! Did peoples from all around the world show remorse for his death? Yes they did. Did people all over America show remorse and profound sorrow over his death (along with the others, of course)? Yes, we all saw it on national TV. Did you show remorse for this Jewish Astronaut who gave his life in service to his country? I am sure you did. And I can testify to the fact that I certainly did and still do. Regardless of his religious affiliation, was not Col. Ramon a brave, smart, loving, astronaut and family man? Now then, what about God? Does God love Col. Ramon as much as his family, friends and country did? What happens to fine young Jewish men like Col. Ramon when they die without accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour? According to Christian theology, where is Col. Ramon now that he is dead? You will now see some of the reasons why I breathe and why I write these papers. A FAMOUS THEOLOGIANS VIEW OF THE GOSPEL Christendom teaches that when a person dies in his sins, without repenting or accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, that person is then doomed to the damnation of the fires of hell for all eternity! And it matters not whether that person was a loving husband, a loving father, or a fearless hero for his nation. According to this immutable Christian doctrine of eternal torment, Col. Ramon is right now burning and suffering unspeakable torture in the fires of some eternal hell. Why? Because he was Jewish and not Christian by religion, thats why. Would these Christian theologians and preachers get on international television and tell their audiences that since Col. Ramon was Jewish that he is now burning in the fires of an eternal hell, and that God will never, ever let him out or ever show the slightest mercy on him? Not in a million years. Does anyone believe that the words "hypocrite" and "coward" are inappropriate here? Let me give you a few quotations regarding the gospel from world famous preacher, teacher, author, and theologian, Dr. James Kennedy. All italics are Dr. Kennedys. 47

"This is the light of Christ. It is the light of grace, and it is not incumbent upon God to extend it to everyone. Let us make it very clear that it is not incumbent upon God to extend it to anyone." "Therefore, the light of Christ is not extended to everyone..." "And thus we see the exclusivity of the Gospel..." "But because God extends it [the light of Christ] to some does not mean He must extend it to any other." "He [God] doesnt have to be gracious or merciful to any guilty sinner..." "So the idea that God owes to everyone some offer of mercy is totally foreign from [to?] the Bible." "The great Charles Spurgeon said that the amazing thing is not that everybody isnt saved; the amazing thing is that anybody is saved." "Heavenly Father, I pray that your Spirit will give us a clear vision of the plight of the lost -- those who are on their way to eternal perdition, to damnation forever." The above quotations are from a Sermon by James Kennedy, A.B., M.Div., M.Th., D.D., D.Sac.Lit., PhD., Litt.D., D.Sac.Theol., D.Humane Let., entitled: What About Those Who Have Never Heard? Without a doubt, this is the most blasphemous and evil sermon I have ever heard in my 62-year life! But are we not learning that even these bad sermons that blaspheme Gods character, are also Gods intention? His greatest enemies and adversaries always included "the shepherd," the "Scribes," the "priests," and those inimitable religious leaders in every era -- The Pharisees! I thought that it was fitting and a nice gesture of our President to state that although the astronauts did not make it back to earth, his prayer was that they are "ALL SAFELY HOME!" He is of the Christian faith, but he did not assign Col. Ramon to the fires of hell for his Jewish non-Christian faith. I believe there are many Christians that wouldnt touch the despicable doctrines of a James Kennedy with a ten foot pole. Its true, they are safely home. They are all in 48

Gods keeping. They are all asleep (there are dozens of Scriptures that say that the dead are sleeping until resurrection) awaiting the resurrection of the dead. And those that were not believers will be judged. That judging will involve the lake of fire which is the second death. But does that mean that Col. Ramon and any other nonbelievers will be tortured for all eternity? Remember that fateful day when all of our hearts went out to Col. Ramons and his six companions? Remember how that NASA and our whole nation would have done ANYTHING at ANY expense if we could have saved them? Remember how you felt? But the big question to answer now is how will GOD feel when Col. Ramon stands before the judgment seat of Christ? Will God hate Col. Ramon for being deceived and not accepting Christ as his Saviour? Will God teach Col. Ramon His truths so that he too can know the Truth (Jesus) and be set free? Or will He throw Col. Ramon (along with ALL his Jewish family members and the WHOLE NATION of Jesus rejecting Jews) into a lake of fire that will torture their flesh with steel-melting fire for all eternity? Do the high priests of Christendom really have Scriptures that contradict the hundred or so Scriptures I have quoted in this present paper? Is there a single Scripture in the entirety of the Bible that actually says God will torture anyone for all eternity? There is NO such Scripture and NO such thought. You will all see the proof before this series is finished. The fate of Col. Ramon according to the teaching of Christendom is inescapable. Since he rejected Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, he is right now this minute screaming his guts out in the fires of hell in agonizing pain and terror fare worse than the horrors of his space shuttle breaking up and burning in re-entry into the earth's atmosphere! That, my dear readers, is what their teaching demands. Will Col. Ramon go from burning up in reentry, to burning in hell until judgment, and then be transferred to the lake of fire to burn for all eternity? Is this mercys destiny? This is unscriptural insanity. I am not out of touch with the realities of real life. I would be happy to swap war stories with any of you. I know that there are many 49

things in life that are hard, and painful, and difficult to endure. Why are these things here, who is responsible, and where will it all end? There is a way to understand these things from Gods perspective. He has not left us in the dark as to the source, meaning, and purpose of all the evil in the world today even though things are often difficult to emotionally and spiritually accept. I do not hesitate to add however, that there are also many wonderful and beautiful and loving things in the world as well. I trust most of us dont have too much trouble dealing with the beautiful and loving side of life. It is the painful side of our human experience that is sometimes difficult to believe has a reasonable purpose for its existence. Even our Lord, Who was involved in the creation of all things (Col. 1:15-20), and knew the purpose of all things (Eph. 1:11), and knew that He was to be the Savior of all mankind (I Tim. 2:4), and the Saviour of all creation from vanity, slavery, and corruption (Rom. 8:21), nonetheless, when seeing Jerusalem headed for utter destruction because of rejecting Him and His gospel, He WEPT over it (Luke 19:41)! God has pity on weak and foolish humanity, whom He Himself has created that way. Either God Himself is the Creator of good and evil and all that is and will bring about a total healing, restoration, and perfection of all there is, or, God is not the Creator of good and evil and all that is, and therefore is not responsible for the mess the world is in today which supposedly will end with most of humanity going to hell in a hand basket to suffer -- insanely suffer -- for ALL ETERNITY! All Scripture and sanity itself tells us the former is the Truth. Christendom and insanity tells us that the latter is the truth. DID GOD CREATE AN UNPREDICTABLE WORLD? Here is one of the most profound Scriptural Truths that you will ever learn. GOD is the originator and Creator of the entire universe and everything that is in it! GOD is responsible for the entire universe and everything that is in it! And to say otherwise in both unscriptural and foolishness.

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There are only three possibilities as to why things are the way they are; Why there is evil and tragedy in the world; Why people do evil things to other people; Why the innocent must suffer at the hands of the wicked; Why people are born with debilitating defects; Why the whole world lies in spiritual darkness and paganism; Why billions live and die without ever hearing the name of Jesus Christ their Creator and Saviour; Why men are often tortured by providence and nature itself which operates completely and independently apart from any man. When we understand these things we will understand the lake of fire and second death, and a thousand other things that happen in our lives today as well as in the lives of all humanity since Mother Eve! THREE POSSIBLE ANSWERS 1. ACCORDING TO ATHEISTS: The human race is the byproduct of a blind, unintelligent, accidental, evolutionary process started billions of years ago by a humongous cosmic BIG BANG. Therefore NO HIGHER POWER is responsible for anything. If anyone believes this, then the Scripture speaks to YOU when it says: "The FOOL has said in his heart, There IS NO God" (Psalm 53:1). 2. ACCORDING TO CHRISTENDOM: The human race and angelic messengers are the perfect creation of an all-wise, allpowerful, all-knowing, undeceivable, untrickable, unfoolable, intelligent, and loving GOD. Thats the good news. Heres the bad: Gods first and most perfect specimen created out of the combined intelligence, power and wisdom 51

of a perfect God, was a great spirit archangel they call, Lucifer. (Incidentally and Scripturally, "Lucifer" was never a proper noun or name for anyone)! The Christian teaching is that before God ever created the first man, this perfect archangel whom Christians call Lucifer, went bad! He was perfect but he turned bad! He turned into a bad angel (excuse me, archangel). Did God create him to turn bad? No. Did God know that he would turn bad? No. Did God wish that he hadnt turned bad? Yes. But was there anything God could do about it? No. Why did Gods first and greatest creation to that time, malfunction? How can a PERFECT creation by a PERFECT Creator ... malfunction? "Houston ... WE HAVE A PROBLEM"! God doesnt have a problem; Christendom has a problem. And it is the BIGGEST single problem in all Christendom! It is huge. It is this very Satanic LIE that has given birth to the most evil doctrines on the face of the earth in the history of the world! According to this Christian theory [hypothesis], the very first thing that The Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Creator God made, not only malfunctioned, but turned into a DAMNABLE, DIABOLICAL DEVIL! This devil has ever since, relentlessly wreaked havoc on every facet of Gods creation which will consummate with a lake of fire that will continue to insanely torture most of the human race for all eternity! Salvation is pictured as Gods nearly vain attempt to salvage but a few from the grasp of this colossal cosmic experiment gone amok! Gods Spiritual Frankenstein Monster has turned on Him and His children. And it has already been predetermined that Satan will be the final Victor when all the marbles are counted. Not a pretty picture. This is the god that the world of paganism is supposed to put their eternal confidence in! A god who cannot or will not protect his own children from this cosmic wolf in sheep's clothing. (Small "g" intended). And you think I am too hard on the doctrines of Christendom? You have no 52

idea. Hence it is Satan that is supposedly responsible for introducing evil into the world. Satan supposedly chose to disobey God and therefore we also must choose, on our own, by our own power, as to whether we will follow and obey Satan; or follow and obey God. This is the Christian position on this matter of good and evil. 3. ACCORDING TO GOD AND THE SCRIPTURES: Dont get me wrong, Christendom did not originate this theological problem (Satan did); they merely continue to parrot the original author. Satan LIES! Yes he does. He is a LIAR, and the FATHER of lies and he has ALWAYS been that way since his CREATION (John 8:44). Satan was NOT "Lucifer" (a supposed perfect archangel) from the beginning; Satan was "Satan" from the beginning. Satan is an EVIL creature. He has been an evil creature from his very creation. Satan is not the result of a Godly experiment gone wrong! Satan is functioning PERFECTLY as Gods adversary. Satan is essential to the purpose and salvation of the whole human race. That is why God created him in the first place. WHENCE SATAN THE DEVIL? According to Christendom, Satan created himself. He was supposedly a perfect archangel and then CHANGED HIMSELF INTO A DEVIL. Is this Scripturally true? Who created Satan? 1. You are of your FATHER the DEVIL [the GREAT DRAGON, OLD SERPENT, the DEVIL, and SATAN {Hebrew for Adversary -- I Pet. 5:8} Rev. 12:9], and the lusts of your father ye will do... He was a murderer FROM THE BEGINNING, and abode not in the truth [from the beginning], because there is no truth in him [from the beginning]. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar [from the beginning], and the father [the beginner] of it" (John 8:44).

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2.

"Now the SERPENT was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD GOD had MADE..." (Gen. 3:1) God "made" this serpent which TALKED with Eve as an articulate, intelligent, creature. Satan did not possess this serpent of the field, Satan was this serpent! Satan doesnt possess snakes! Satan himself was CREATED A SERPENT. Even Paul acknowledges that it was "the SERPENT" that deluded Eve, and not some other creature possessing a snake (II Cor. 11:3). "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between THY SEED and her seed, it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Gen. 3:15). This serpent that shall bruise the heel of Eves seed (singular seed -- Christ) is clearly Satan the Devil who also has seed, "thy seed." Jesus said, "You are of your father the Devil...?" (John 8:44). Satan the Devil has "seed"; he is a "father": a father has children and followers of like nature. No literal snake ever produced a seed that bruised the heel of Jesus. Snakes do not "eat dust" but Satan dines on mankind "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour [Greek: (lit. or fig.) gulp entirely, swallow up] I Pet. 5:8). And he seeks to devour mankind who are "dust" of the earth ("...for dust thou art...." Gen. 3:19).

3.

"By HIS SPIRIT He hath garnished the heavens; his HAND has FORMED THE CROOKED SERPENT" (Job 26:13). God garnished the heavens by His SPIRIT, because they are a thing of great glory, beauty, and splendor. But the crooked SERPENT God formed by His "hand" -- at ARMS LENGTH. Thus indicating it was something necessary, but not of His HEART AND SPIRIT! Satan is called "the crooked serpent." This word crooked comes from a Hebrew word that is not translated "crooked" anywhere else in the Bible. The word in Hebrew is bariach, and it means "a fugitive," Strongs #1281. And "fugitive" is from the Hebrew word

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nuwa, Strongs #5128, among its several meanings are: "to [go] up and down," and "to and fro," and to "sift." Remember that God names things according to what they are and what they do: (A) "And the LORD [is this a high enough authority for everyone?] Said unto SATAN [not a heretofore archangel], Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going TO AND FRO in the earth, and from walking UP AND DOWN in it" (Job. 1:7 and 2:2). It is the "crooked [fugitive] SERPENT" SATAN who goes "TO AND FRO" and "UP AND DOWN" in the earth! God created Satan for this purpose. (B) "And the LORD said [is this a high enough authority for everyone?], Simon, Simon, behold, SATAN [not a heretofore archangel] hath desired to have you, that he may SIFT you as wheat" (Luke 22:31). It is the "crooked [fugitive] SERPENT" SATAN who "SIFTS" men like wheat! God created Satan for this purpose. 4. "Behold, I have created the smith [thats me] that blows the coals in the fire, and that brings forth an instrument for His work, and I have CREATED THE WASTER TO DESTROY" (Isaiah 54:16). ["waster" -- Hebrew: shachath, decay, ruin, batter, cast off, corrupt, destroy, lose, mar, perish, spill spoil -- UTTERLY WASTE, #7843, p. 115, Strongs Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary]. God created the "WASTER," not the archangel who later supposedly became Satan, but from the BEGINNING God said He created "The WASTER" and He created him "TO DESTROY" Now then, WHOS role is it to "destroy" the flesh of man so that the spirit may be saved? 55

"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one UNTO SATAN for DESTRUCTION of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (I Cor. 5:4-5). It is SATAN who was created from his very beginning to be "the WASTER to DESTROY" mens flesh (carnal mindedness) so that they learn not to blaspheme (I Tim. 1:20). Satan started with Adam and Eve and he isnt finished YET! 5. "And no marvel [Gk: to wonder with ASTONISHMENT]; for Satan himself is transformed [Gk: meta schematizo, transfigure -- to change the outward form or appearance, to make GLORIOUS] into an ANGEL OF LIGHT" (II Cor. 11:14). I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded you, though you have not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there none beside Me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, AND CREATE EVIL: I the LORD do ALL [even the creation of evil and even the creation of Satan] THESE THINGS" (Isaiah 45:5-7). Satan is evil, God created evil, God CREATED SATAN! 7. "He that commits sin is of the DEVIL [Gk: Adversary, Satan] for the Devil SINS FROM THE BEGINNING. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the WORKS of the Devil" (I John 3:8). So was it AFTER a supposed "Lucifer archangel" metamorphosed into Satan that he sinned, or did Satan the Adversary sin "from the BEGINNING?

6.

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Can the high priests of Christendom ever get anything Scripturally correct? They cite Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 (I will write a paper on these two chapters in the near future) as proof that Satan was once a perfect and glorious archangel. They claim that a PERFECT AND GLORIOUS LIGHT-BRINGING ARCHANGEL CHANGED HIMSELF INTO SATAN THE DEVIL, whereas we just read in the divine, inspired, infallible Word of God that contrariwise, it is SATAN THE DEVIL WHO HAS TRANSFORMED HIMSELF INTO A PERFECT AND GLORIOUS ANGEL OF LIGHT! The Scriptures teach the diametric opposite from what Christendom is teaching. But it is mandatory that they teach this lie, because it is mandatory that they deny every Scripture that says GOD CREATED EVIL or EVIL CREATURES! It doesnt fit their theology. They must find a way that allows God to torture billions of people in fire without being evil Himself or even responsible for doing so. The origin of sin and evil must be placed on the creature rather than the Creator. This way the creature is responsible for everything and the Creator is responsible for nothing! And so it is stated that men CHOOSE to go into the lake of fire and suffer eternal pain, and Gods hands are tied by a doctrine that Satan has planted into the hearts of all men everywhere. An idol of the heart of such magnitude that men will DIE to preserve it. Deceived humanity has perceived this idol to be of the greatest value of anything that can ever reside in the heart of man including the Holy Spirit of God! And just what is it, specifically, that gave this fictitious archangel the ability to metamorphose himself into a devil? Which thing also then permits God to torture humanity eternally in fire, without it being His fault? Which thing also empowers man with the ability to thwart the VERY WILL OF GOD ALMIGHTY? THE ILLUSION OF FREE WILL Here it is, the magical source of mans imagined deity. It is, of course, "HUMAN FREE WILL." Or, as in the case with Satan, "SATANIC FREE WILL." And just what is human and satanic free 57

will? It is a fictitious power that Satan and all humans imagine they have, which gives them the power to make choices that have NO CAUSE. Do not mistake what I have said. Choice is not the power to MAKE choices. We all have that power. Choice is a power of the brain, mind, and spirit. It is a logical functioning mechanism. Even a sophisticated computer can "make choices" based on other data at its disposal contained in its memories. But making choices is not ... I repeat is NOT, judging, determining or selecting something BASED ON NOTHING!!! The first edict of the physical universe is "CAUSE AND EFFECT." There cannot be an effect anywhere in the universe, on earth, in a laboratory under strict controls, or in the mind of a human being that does not have A CAUSE! It is axiomatic! It is not debatable! It is a LAW OF GOD! And therefore, the most lawless of all lawless conceptions possible is that man can make choices and decisions that are NOT BROUGHT INTO EXISTENCE BY EITHER INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL CAUSES AND FORCES!!! It is, in fact, an attempt at nihilism of the very laws of physics. And so theologians, philosophers and the worlds greatest wisdom thinkers would have us believe that free will is a power even greater than God Himself, seeing that even God does not think things, or create things from NOTHING! God does NOT operate the universe by decisions based on nothing and therefore having no cause. "In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who works [Greek: is operating] ALL things after [after what? His free will?] ... After the COUNSEL of His own will" (Eph. 1:11)! Nor does God create things out of NOTHING: "...IN [Greek is in not by] Him [Christ] is ALL CREATED, that in the heavens and that on the earth..." (Col. 1:16). "For OUT [the Greek is out not of] of Him and THROUGH Him and FOR [Greek is for not to] is ALL" (Rom. 11:36). So creation is "IN Christ," but "OUT of God." Not, out of "nothing." The universe consists of the things of Gods already eternally 58

existing SELF. God is SPIRIT (John 4:24). And what is matter but invisible spiritual power and energy? "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that THINGS which are seen [physical matter] were not made of things [were they then made of nothing? NO] which DO APPEAR" (Heb. 11:3). There it is. God made everything out of things that DO NOT APPEAR [invisible things] not out of things that do appear [physical things], and this is because GOD HIMSELF IS INVISIBLE! "Now to the King of the eons, the incorruptible, INVISIBLE, only, and wise God..." (I Tim. 1:17). God follows His own spiritual laws. "Free will" sounds like a marvelous and magical thing -- it is rather, however, the god of stupidity. It is the height of mans foolishness and human wisdom. It is both ungodly and unscriptural! It is an affront to the Sovereignty of God. Man and Satan are not deities that can operate independently of the Creator! The theory is a hoax, a farce, a sham. Its only reality is as an IDOL OF THE HEART which will be burned out of every son whom God scourges. Of course all theologians are quick to point out that man does not possess total free will. Man's will is obviously limited we are told. Oh really? So it is "limited free will" that Satan and all humans possess is it? Does no one ever bother to question the contradictions of Christian doctrine? "Iimited, a. restricted," Websters Twentieth Century Dictionary, page 963. "free, a, without restriction," Websters Twentieth Century dictionary page, page 682. Does everyone know the meaning of the word "contradiction?" Only Satan could convince otherwise intelligent people that they have a "limited" -- restricted, "free" -- without restriction "will." For sure man has a will, however, it is anything but FREE!

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"For it is GOD which works in you both to WILL and to DO of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). "To will" requires a "work" of GOD! We all choose as we choose because there are things and forces and situations by the millions beyond anyones control that CAUSE US TO CHOOSE AS WE DO! It matters not that you cannot see or feel the cause. It is there and it does its work on you. And when causes make you choose, then that particular choice could not have ever been otherwise. God is the great CAUSE of all there is. I know Christians by the hundreds of millions deny it and deny God's Word that teaches it. That unbelief and lack of faith, however, does not change the facts of Gods Word or the laws of physics. That God creates good and peace, there is no question. That "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James. 1:17), There is also no question about it among Christians. That God is the creator of evil and preordained the sin of Adam, however, is believed by virtually no one. And so it is that neither man nor Satan can do anything contrary to the intention of God. God has a will that includes a final destiny of total perfection of His whole creation. God has set man and Satan (his very name means adversary) AGAINST HIS OWN WILL for a period of time. But during this period when everyone goes against Gods will, God INTENDS them to do so. And when God no longer "intends" for there to be any more adversaries or enemies opposing Him or His will, He will remove all such opposition (See I Cor. 15:2128). ALL OF GODS WILL, WILL THEN BE DONE! Therefore it should come as no shock to us when we learn that even the destruction and crucifixion of His own Son was Gods INTENTION from before He even created the world: The Kings of the earth stood up, and the Rulers were gathered together against the LORD, and against HIS CHRIST. 60

"For of a truth against Thy Holy Child JESUS Whom THOU [God the Father] hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel [God anointed them ALL for this purpose], were gathered together, For to do whatsoever THY HAND [the very HAND OF GOD], AND thy counsel [God works ALL according to His counsel Eph. 1:11] determined BEFORE [God predestinated His Sons crucifixion before the foundation of the world Rev. 13:8] to be done" (Acts 4:26-28). And so we see that ultimately, behind the scenes, it was really God the Father Who planned and brought about the Crucifixion of His Own Son! We are all accountable for the death of His Son, because He died on OUR BEHALF and for OUR SINS which we voluntarily sinned, but it is God Himself Who is RESPONSIBLE for His Son's Death. And God takes responsibility. And He takes responsibility for EVERYTHING that happens in His creation and universe! Therefore God will bring all things back to restoration and perfection. It is so sad that this grand truth is so violently opposed by the enemies of the Cross. There are three Scriptural reasons for this evil doctrine of eternal torture in a lake of fire: 1. "The heart [of carnal unconverted mankind] is DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, and DESPERATELY WICKED: who can know it" (Jer. 17:9). "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which DECEIVES THE WHOLE WORLD..." (Rev. 12:9). "Because the carnal [natural] mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7).

2.

3.

The inconsonant, incongruous, inconsistent teachings of Christendom are bewildering. All my life I have heard that God hates SIN, not the SINNER. Why then, according to Christendom, doesnt God save the sinner and abolish the sin? Wasnt that the purpose of God in the first place? "Behold the Lamb of God, which 61

takes [Greek: is taking] away the SIN OF THE WORLD" (John 1:29). "And He is the propitiation [to be favorably inclined to the sinner because of the sacrifice for him -- merciful] for OUR sins: and not for ours only, but also THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD" (I John 2:2). As Christ died for the sake of all sinners and paid the penalty for all the sins of the whole world, why does Christendom teach that these same sinners for which Christ died, must still be tortured for eternity? Now dont all e-mail me at once, telling me that they go to hell in a hand basket because they DID NOT REPENT OF THEIR SINS for which Christ died. It is concluded by modern religious theory that most of humanity have DIED IN THEIR SINS, neither having repented nor accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour. And this is their simple (albeit totally unscriptural) answer as to why most of the human race will be tortured in a hellhole of fire for all eternity! For they know not the Scriptures, nor the Plan of God, nor the Wisdom of God, nor the Power of God, nor the Sensibility of God, nor the LOVE OF GOD. I know that many people think I am too hard on Christian heresy. Thats because I love them. Would you not show a little "hard" tough love to your children if they were taking mind-destroying DRUGS? Well it is my opinion that Christian heresies are mind-destroying drugs as well. This ministry is a love/hate ministry -- love for all Gods creatures and hate for all the spiritual mind-destroying heretical drugs out there on the streets and on the air waves around the world. Trust me when I say: When one learns the Truth about our All Wise, All Powerful, All Loving God, the unscriptural theories regarding an eternal hellhole of eternal torture will vanish like the dew in the morning Sun. I believe there will be some who will already come to know the truth about the lake of fire-second death long before we ever get to chapters 20 and 21 of Revelation. Before we get there I want to teach you a few things about God and His love for humanity. NEVER FORGET THE LORDS PRAYER 62

I am now going to give you a Scripture to ponder while you read the remaining installments of this paper. A Scripture that most clergymen avoid like the plague. A Scripture that even if they quote it, they will not explain it. A Scripture that debunks the heresy that a sin against an infinite God demands infinite punishment. A Scripture that should shut the mouths of all those who continually condemn me for ever suggesting that God will eventually save all sinners, even the Hitlers and Bundys of the world. A Scripture that proves God loves sinners even while they are yet sinners. A Scripture that proves one doesnt have to prove himself "worthy" of Gods love before God gives His love. A Scripture that proves God knows in advance that He will save the very worst of sinners and indeed ALL sinners long before they ever even think of repenting. First we have to find the worlds worst sinners -- no, even worse than you. Check these out: "I am innocent of the blood of this JUST PERSON" (Mat. 27:24) "They ALL [priests & citizens] say unto him" (Ver 22) "WHY, what evil hath He done?" (Ver. 23) "Jesus answered ... The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them" (Matt. 11:4-5) "Come unto me, all ye [sinners] ... I will give you rest" (Mat. 11:28) "I [Jesus] have compassion on the multitude [of sinners]" (Mat. 15:32) "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost" (Mat. 18:11)

"let Him be crucified" "let Him be crucified"

"crucify Him"

"crucify Him"

"crucify Him"

"crucify Him" 63

"And great multitudes followed Him; and He healed them" (Mat 19:2) "Suffer little children...to come unto Me" (Mat. 19:14) "Who can be saved?...with God all things are possible" (Mat. 19:25-26) "I am the Good Shepherd..." (John 10:11) "God anointed Jesus...who went about doing good..." (Acts 10:38) "And the multitudes ...cried... Hosanna to the SON" (Mat. 21:9) "And they [same multitudes as 21:19] all say ... (27:22) "...to you all ... the entire people of Israel ... Jesus Christ ... whom" (Acts 4:10) "Then answered all the people ... His blood be on US... (Mat. 27:25) "And they [everyone -- you, me, all of us," (Mat. 27:35)

"crucify Him"

"crucify Him"

"crucify Him" "crucify Him"

"crucify Him"

"crucify Him"

"let Him be crucified" "you crucify"

"crucify Him"

"CRUCIFIED HIM"

Now then, are you ready for the Scripture? Are these cruel murderers of the very Son of God evil enough to be counted the worst of the worst sinners who have ever drawn breath? Even more evil than Ted Bundy? First, does anyone doubt that God the Father ALWAYS heard Christs prayers? "Father, I thank thee that Thou HAST HEARD me. And I knew that thou HEAREST ME ALWAYS..." (John 11:4142). Okay then, heres the Scripture: 64

"And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they [everyone -- you, me, the WHOLE WORLD] CRUCIFIED HIM..." But before our Saviour died, He prayed this prayer: "FATHER ... FORGIVE THEM ... for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:33-34). Meditate on that verse for a few hours -- or years! My prayer is that not one person reading this paper will ever forget this verse and Christs prayer for the forgiveness of the world's worst of the worst sinners, before any of them even thought to repent. Now if any of you, in your holier-than-thou self-righteousness, feel that you had no part in the death of your own Saviour, Who died for you and your sins, you will still have to contend with the fact that God honored Christs prayer by forgiving those who did, literally, crucify Him, before they ever repented or accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour. Do you think that just maybe our Lord knows something about the future judgment of these, as of yet unrepentant murderers, that is not taught in Christendom today? "FORGIVE THEM, for they know not what they do." Was this just a benevolent gesture on Christs part that has no real meaning? Do we believe that Jesus God and Father turned His back on this prayer? Will God answer "THE LORDS PRAYER?" Dont the theological giants of Christendom have Scriptures written in figurative, metaphorical, and spiritual symbolism, that if ignorantly taught to be literal, will contradict our Lords prayer? If it is not possible for God to forgive sinners before they repent, then our Lords prayer is doomed. It was then a prayer in vain. Jesus prayed in vain. His Father never heard Him. Doesnt it just grind on your spirit to even hear such stupid and unscriptural conjectures? Millions of times a week people around the world repeat what they believe to be "The Lords Prayer" (Mat. 6:10-13). Matt. 6 is not the "Lords prayer." He didnt "pray" that prayer. It was a very short outline of what we are to pray for. But this verse in Luke 23:34, really is, "The Lords Prayer!" Jesus really DID ... PRAY ... THIS ... 65

PRAYER! Unlike the hypocritical Pharisees, Jesus did not make a habit of praying in public. He commanded us to pray in the private closet of our hearts. Other than blessing the bread when feeding the multitudes, Christ seldom prayed in public. But hanging in total agony on that Passover cross, He prayed in public. He prayed for the whole world to hear. And that is because His prayer was not for Himself, but for the whole world! I will make a wager right here and now that the figurative symbols and metaphors in Revelation are obviously not to be taken literally, but that our Lords Prayer in Luke 23:34 IS to be taken literally. Do I have any takers? "Forgive THEM..." There is no mistaking who the "them" are in this prayer. World famous preacher John Hagee teaches the world that the Jews did not crucify Jesus, but rather the Romans did. Is that who the "them" is in our Lords Prayer? The ROMANS? Give me a break. Maybe thats why Christians everywhere believe that had they been in Jerusalem on that fateful Passover nearly two thousand years ago, they would have never consented to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ! Peter too thought that he would never deny his Lord (Mat. 26:34). Since Christendom refuses to do it, I will now show you the real meaning of The Lords Prayer. WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS? True, the Romans did crucify Christ, but so did the Jews, so did you, so did I, and so did John Hagee as well, and I will now Scripturally prove it. "For he is NOT a Jew, which is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" (Rom. 2:28-29).

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"For WE ARE THE CIRCUMCISION, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" (Phil. 3:3). Who are the true circumcision which then becomes the True Jew? Paul says "we." As soon as we know who the "we" is, we will also know who is the "them." Paul was writing to the Phillipians, who lived in Phillipi, a Gentile city in N-central Macedonia. So these Phillipian converts were both Gentiles, and true Jews ("we [Phillipian Gentiles] are the circumcision -- Phil. 3:3, which are the true inward Jew -- Rom. 2:28-29, the true "Israel of God" -- Gal. 6:16). Now then, let us see the plain Scriptural truth as to who the "them" are that Jesus asked His Father to "forgive." For whomever the Father "forgives" will certainly not be tortured in an eternal hellhole of fire. In Acts 3:6-8 Peter asks Christ to heal a man. The whole city was privy to this miracle. Peter speaks to the crowd: "Ye MEN OF ISRAEL [thats us, WE are the "Israel of God" the "True Jew"] ... Jesus, Whom ye [thats US] delivered up, and DENIED [along with Peter] Him ... For ye [thats US again] DENIED the Holy One and Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and KILLED the Prince of life ... And now, brethren, I am aware that through IGNORANCE [for they know NOT what they do] ye did it, as did your rulers ... The priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees ... Annas the high priest, and Ciaphas, and John, and Alexander ... Ye RULERS of the people, and ELDERS of Israel ... Be it known unto YOU ALL, and to ALL THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom YE CRUCIFIED..." Why did the HEATHEN rage, and the PEOPLE imagine vain things? The KINGS OF THE EARTH stood up, and the RULERS [see I Cor. 2:8] were gathered together AGAINST the Lord, and AGAINST His Christ ... "For of a truth AGAINST thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, WITH THE GENTILES [thats US, ALL NATIONS] and the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL [thats also 67

US], were gathered together, For to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done [CRUCIFY HIM]" (Acts 3:12-4:28). Sorry, but John Hagees "Romans only" theory has just bit the dust. So again: Who crucified our Lord and Saviour? And who is it that are to be forgiven because they know not what they do? "YOU ALL," "ALL THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL," "THE HEATHEN," "THE PEOPLE," "THE KINGS OF THE EARTH," "THE RULERS," and "HEROD, PONTIUS PILATE, WITH THE GENTILES!!! Do you still think your name is left out of this list somehow? The whole world is accountable for crucifying their Saviour Jesus Christ. But as it was done in "ignorance" (for they know not what they do), the whole world will be forgiven. So what do these things have to do with the lake of fire? Everything! I am trying to show you the mind of God. This is the way God thinks, and feels, and forgives, and LOVES! Since you havent learned these things in Sunday School, or Wednesday night Bible Study, or Sunday sermons, or even theological seminary, I am showing you them now. Weigh Gods Words very carefully. The worst sin ever committed by the worst sinners in the history of the universe, was the cruel beating and crucifixion of Jesus Christ -the Perfect Man and Son of God! Does anyone really believe that Ted Bundys crimes were worse than Crucifying the Son of God? Did the men immediately responsible (ultimately Ive shown that we ALL were responsible) for His crucifixion show any remorse or repentance except Judas? Yet, Jesus Christ asked God to "forgive them" at the very time that they showed no remorse whatsoever. Will the Father HEAR these words and ANSWER these words of Christs prayer? Are these just the sentimental words of Jesus that will not be heard or answered by a HARSH God in Heaven? Just Whose "words" are these, anyway? Where did these words of Jesus "forgive them" really come from? "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the FATHER IN ME? The WORDS that I speak unto you I speak NOT OF MYSELF; 68

but the Father that dwells in Me, HE DOES THE WORKS" (John 14:10). Or was this doctrine of "forgive them for they know not what they do" before they ever repent, a doctrine of Christ that God did not approve of? "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is NOT MINE, but HIS THAT SENT ME. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of GOD, or whether I speak of myself " (John 7:16-17). Any questions as to WHOSE words these were? It is not only our Lords prayer, but it is the will of God the Father to forgive them all (US all) for none of them "knows what they do." My detractors cry out, "They do TOO know what they do; they have REJECTED their Saviour; they deserve to BURN IN THE LAKE OF FIRE FOR EVER"! But you see, God is not like men who DELIGHT in the eternal death and torture of the wicked. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have NO pleasure in the death [including the second death] of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?" (Ezek. 33:11). Killing people for their sins is NOT PLEASURABLE FOR GOD! But it is needful -- for a season. "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die ... a time to kill, and a time to heal..." (Ecc. 3:1-3). God does not delight or take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that he TURN from his way and LIVE! But neither Israel (nor the Gentiles) knows how to "turn" from their ways. It takes the "goodness of God" to "turn" people. I know that all the billions of "free-willers" in the world poke fun at such an idea that man of themselves can do nothing: "...for without Me ye can do NOTHING" (John 15;5). But as for me, I dont believe men anymore; I believe God. "Turn, turn, turn" says the Lord God. But how shall 69

Israel "turn" when they have no such power or ability? Will Israel (all Israel) ever "turn" and be saved and LIVE? Not by anything they can conjure up in their phantom of free will. Enter GOD: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant [but the WORLD is ignorant and deceived -- God created a special creature to accomplish this very purpose, Rev. 12:9] of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until [remember there are seasons?] The fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED [how so, I thought they have to turn from their wickedness and sins, Who will turn them?] As it is written, There shall come out of Zion The Deliverer, and shall TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS [evil ways Ezek. 33:11] from Jacob [thats Israel]: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS (Rom 11:25-27) [it will be pretty hard to torture people for all eternity for sins that they NO LONGER HAVE!!!] Am I going too fast for anyone? This is not rocket science. These Scriptures are easy! Who is it that "turns away" ungodliness from Israel? Must sinners really, by themselves, by their phantom "free -will," by their own power, by their own choice, by the goodness that lies within them (I speak as a fool), by their self-concocted love of God -- "turn away from ungodliness"? Get serious. What is the only thing in the universe that can ever bring a person to repentance? Ill tell you, if you promise to never ever forget it! "Or are you despising the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing [heres that ignorance thing again - Satan who DECEIVES the whole world] that the GOODNESS OF GOD leads you to REPENTANCE" (Rom. 2:4). Once again we are brought back to the CAUSE OF ALL -- GOD! And so, it is the "Deliverer" (Christ the Lord), not mans free will, which "turns away ungodliness" from Israel. Lets continue the thought:

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"As concerning the gospel, they [Israel] are enemies for your sakes [the casting away of Israel, Ver. 15]: but as touching the election [the sure thing that God had predetermined long before there ever was an Israel] they are BELOVED for the Father's sake. For the GIFTS and CALLING OF GOD are without repentance [changing]" (Vers. 28-29). "Forgive them" are the very words and the doctrine of GOD THE FATHER! So the truth is we have Jesus Christ and God the Father BOTH agreed that "FORGIVE THEM, for they know not what they do" WILL BE ANSWERED, ACCOMPLISHED, AND DONE ! Gods words went out of Gods mouth in this prayer for the whole sinful world to hear, and Gods words do not return to Him VOID (see Isaiah 55:11)! Are you believing all these Scriptures that I am giving you? Or are you one of those who thinks he has other Scriptures that contradict all these Scriptures I am giving? My whole purpose is to point you to Gods Words. When I come to a Scripture that is not properly translated, I will point that out also. So far, I believe, all of the Scriptures I have presented speak for themselves. And it is self-evident that these Scriptures contradict a plethora of doctrines being taught by the high priests of Christendom. Will God somehow change his mind toward this world of sinners which crucified His Son when they are raised at the great white throne to be judged? Forget all the Scriptures for the moment that some of you just "know" contradict this prayer. Concentrate on this prayer, and we will go to the thers later. Right here IS the mind of God. Right here IS the attitude of forgiveness and love that God has for sinners -- the worlds worst sinners! Why does most of the world of Christendom refuse to believe our 'LORD'S PRAYER' which really has its origin in the will of the Father? Because it is TOO GOOD! Many will not tolerate a God THIS GOOD! Is God fickle? Is God all-forgiving one day at the cross, but then CHANGES into an unforgiving Indian-Giver at the white throne judgment by taking it all back? 71

"I am the LORD, I CHANGE NOT; therefore ye sons of Jacob [Israel] are NOT CONSUMED" (Malachi 3:6). "But He [God] is in ONE MIND, and who can TURN HIM? And what His soul desires [I Tim. 2:4 & Isa. 46:9-11], EVEN THAT [whatever He wills or desires] HE DOES" (Job 23:13). "Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday, and today, and for ever [Greek: for (into) the eons also]" (Heb. 13:8). No, God is not fickle: forgiving today; cursing tomorrow. Forgiving the worst sinners in the whole while they are yet sinning is the mind, attitude, and love of God! Any theologian who tries to tell you that there are Scriptures that contradict this Scripture (whether it be a Scripture on the lake of fire or any other Scripture), is a liar and a deceiver. "Forgive them [even the theologians who deny the Christ Who died for them] for they know not what they do." And so our Lords Prayer WILL ... BE ... DONE! Thank God! A FEW THOUGHTS REGARDING CHRISTENDOM Understand that when I use the word "Christendom" I am making reference to Websters second definition, "The world of Christianity." World in the Greek New Testament is kosmos meaning the system or orderly arrangement of the whole or some part of human society. And so it is this world or system of doctrines and beliefs promulgated by the clergy and theologians of the institutionalized church that I make reference to when using this term. I am not making specific reference to individual members of the "Christian" church who may or may not hold dear to their hearts all of the doctrines of mainstream Christendom. It is sadly true that many who profess Christianity do not know or understand the doctrines of those they follow. So let it be known that Christendom is made up of dozens of millions of wonderful, sweet, loving and kind people. Many if not most of our neighbors, friends, relatives, and immediate family members are professing Christians. And we love them all! God loves them all! Sadly, however, much of their doctrine and religious beliefs have no basis whatsoever in the Sacred Scriptures. At times I fear 72

that some might mistake my total aversion toward unscriptural Christian doctrines as a sign of my feelings toward those who promulgate these teachings. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you could look down into my heart, you would know that I harbor no ill toward any brother or sister. All will be in Gods Family; All will be purged, purified, and perfected, so why have any animosity toward any during this process? We must ALL be processed -- "there is NONE that does good [before God processes him], no, not ONE" (Rom. 3:12). Much of Christendom is a religious system of beliefs that are both unscriptural and contradictory -- at times even evil. Often when I quote a Scripture (even without commentary), people will say to themselves, "Well that cant be. OUR church teaches something totally different." And so they will reject the words of God and continue to cling to the traditions of men. For that reason, let me give you just a few examples of the unscriptural contradictions of traditional Christendom in the hope that God will open the minds of at least some of my readers. Trust me when I say that all this information is going to be most helpful in understanding the lake of fire and the judgments of God. THEY SPEAK WITH FORKED TONGUE Most all Christian theologians would claim to believe the first statement of Scriptural Truth that I present below, especially when I cite a Scripture verse with it, but they will then contradict and refuse to teach the second statement of Truth. Here are a few examples: Do they believe the fire in I Cor.3:15 burns mans works, but not the man himself? Yes. But do they teach that this same fire in Rev.20:15 also burns works, not the man? No. Do they believe that God is the Creator of ALL? Yes. But do they teach that God created EVIL as He says in (Isa. 45:7)? No. 73

Do they believe that God is absolutely and totally sovereign (Eph. 1:11)? Yes. But do they teach that God exercises sovereignty over mans supposed "free" will? No.

Do they believe that Jesus Christ IS the Saviour of the whole world (I Jn 4:14)? Yes. But do they teach that Jesus Christ will SAVE the whole world? No.

Do they believe that presently Christ only has immortality (I Tim. 6:16)? Yes. But do they teach the truth therefore that mens souls are mortal and not immortal? No.

Do they believe that the original manuscripts of Gods Word were inerrant? Yes. But do they teach us that the King James translation, which they say is "inerrant" has gone through THOUSANDS of error corrections since 1611? No.

Do they believe that the soul that sins shall DIE (Ezek. 18:4)? Yes. But do they teach that souls of deceased sinners are actually DEAD? No.

Do they believe there are many cults today that need exposing? Yes. But do they teach that Christendom, by its OWN definitions, is also a cult? No.

Do they believe that Sodom is "suffering the vengeance of eternal [aeonian] fire? Yes.

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But do they teach that Sodom will be restored to their former estate (Ezek. 16:55)? No. Do they believe in a future resurrection of dead people back to life (John 5:29)? Yes. But do they teach that a resurrection is imperative for dead people to live again? No. Do they believe the first half of I Cor. 15:22 that "For as in Adam ALL die?" Yes. But do they teach the last half, "even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive?" No. Do they believe that "...the end of the world [Gk: aion -- age]" ends in Mat. 24:3? Yes. But do they teach that this same "aion -- age" in Matt. 25:41 & 46 will also end. No. Do they believe that Jn 3:13 & Acts 2:34 are truthful Scripture (II Tim. 3:16)? Yes. But do they teach this truth that "NO man," including David, has gone to heaven? No. Do they believe ALL God purposed, spoke, and willed (Isa. 46:10-11), He will do? Yes. But do they teach that Gods "will" to save all, I Tim. 2:4, etc., will be done? No. Do they believe that Satan lied when he told Eve, "thou shalt not surely die?" Yes. But do they teach the truth that sinners really do DIE at death as God has stated? No.

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Do they believe that the Apocryphal books do not belong in the Bible? Yes. But do they teach us that the 1611 so-called "inerrant" King James Bible contained fourteen such books, including "Tobit," "Judith," "The idol Bel and the Dragon"? No.

Do they believe that Christ is totally responsibility for our salvation? Yes. But do they teach that "no man can" come to Christ of himself (John 6:44)? No.

Do they believe that Satan is the greatest sinner of all? Yes. But do they teach Jn. 8:44 which states that Satan "sinned from the beginning?" No.

Do they believe Christ really died for the sins of the world? Yes. But do they teach that Jesus Christ was dead when they placed Him in the tomb? No.

Do they believe the many Scriptures that liken death to "sleep?" Yes. But do they teach that dead people are unconscious, "sleeping" till resurrection? No.

Do they believe that the last enemy to be destroyed [Gk: abolished] is death? Yes. But do they teach that ALL death, including the second death, will be abolished? No.

Do they believe that all things are possible with God (Mark 10:27)? Yes.

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But do they teach that it is possible for God to save nonbelievers after they die? No. Do they believe that every tongue in heaven and earth will confess Jesus as LORD? Yes. But do they teach that the Holy Spirit inspires this sincere voluntary act (I Cor. 12:3)? No. Do they believe that good and evil are both in the same tree of knowledge? Yes But do they teach that good and evil both come from the same root source? No. Do they believe that God absolutely "knows all" (I John 3:20)? Yes. But do they teach that God knows in advance ALL who will reject Christ? No. Do they believe that Gods love will never fail (I Cor. 13:8)? Yes. But do they teach that Gods love will never fail in saving the world He loves? No. Do they believe the apostles spoke in foreign languages in Acts 2:4-11? Yes. But do they teach that of the hundreds of thousands who claim to speak in tongues today, not one of them can speak in multiple languages which they did not already study? No. Do they believe that the masses did not understand Christs parables (Mat. 13:13)? Yes. But do they teach that Christ purposely didnt want them to understand, (Vs. 14-17)? No. 77

Do they believe the Old Covenant contained the Ten Commandments (Deut.4:12)? Yes. But do they teach a New Covenant which contains a much higher law (Heb. 8:8-9)? No.

Do they believe that God created all the spirits and messengers of heaven? Yes. But do they teach that God also created Satan who was always His adversary? No.

Do they believe that loving our enemies means doing good and not evil to them? Yes. But do they teach that God will never subject His enemies to eternal torture and evil? No.

There seems to be no end to the Scriptural contradictions of Christian beliefs. But we can learn from their mistakes. It is good for us that God makes us dig deep for the precious gems of His word. It really is like searching for hidden treasure. And I have never found a hidden treasure in Gods Word that has disappointed me. Each new discovery brings more appreciation for God and His plan of salvation for all.

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Judgment By Fire GODS TWO AREAS AND ERAS OF JUDGMENT Before God brings a final judgment on the entirety of the world, He must first perform another judgment on another group of people. This judgment is going on right now. The world is totally unaware of this judgment, although it has been going on for two thousand years. It is happening behind the scenes. Only a relative few are participating in this judgment by fire, and they are all volunteers! We know for a fact that there is coming a WORLDWIDE judgment on mankind, for Scripture has stated such: "Because He hath appointed A DAY, in which He will JUDGE THE WORLD [Greek" inhabited earth] in righteousness ..." (Acts 17:31). Most have at least heard of this judgment even if they have no solid understanding of what it is all about or its primary purpose. We will have a great deal to say about this judgment later. But first we will take a look at another judgment almost universally unknown in the world of Christendom. It is a judgment that involves believers, NOW! Peter, who was given many keys to the kingdom, introduces this judgment to us: "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For [heres the reason] the TIME IS COME that JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD ..." (I Pet. 4:16-17). What do you know about this judgment on the house of God. Do you know anything specific? Well, dont feel too badly, most people dont. Apparently theologians and clergymen dont know too much either, seeing that it is not a popular subject to teach. If they had even a superficial understanding of Gods judgments on 79

the house of God, they wouldnt interpret the great white throne and the lake of fire as some hideous act of divine eternal terrorism. These two judgments have much in common. Just what is this human life on earth for, anyway? -- Why are we here? -- What is our purpose? -- What is Gods purpose for the Christian? As children we are taught that Christian people live; they die; their souls go to heaven. Bad people live; they die; their souls go to hell. Live, die, go to heaven or live, die, go to hell. So I guess this earth is a giant "soul factory." But the truth is that Christian souls do not go to heaven at death, neither do wicked souls go to hell at death. Contrary to all Christian belief, the Bible reveals (as does elementary science), that dead people are DEAD. What a revelation! Thats right, boys and girls, living people are "ALIVE" and dead people are "DEAD." This is not rocket science! If ALL the dead are either alive in hell or alive in heaven, who, pray tell, is God going to resurrect back to life from the dead when He returns to judge the world in righteousness? How can the dead be living in heaven or hell when they havent as yet been judged as to where they should be living in the first place? THE BELIEVERS JUDGMENT BY FIRE Well, yes, it does appear that there is a judgment on the house of God, but certainly not a judgment by FIRE, is there? Doesnt God judge non-believers with fire, but not believers? This only sounds strange to you if you have never been taught the Scriptures. "Beloved, think it NOT STRANGE concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some STRANGE thing happened unto you" (I Pet. 4:12). Peter makes it sound as though going through fiery trails is the norm rather than the exception. The New Testament is filled with the fiery trials of the Saints. 80

Now I hope that none will be offended at my next few statements, but if so, so be it. Unless God Almighty through the purging power of His FIERY SPIRIT, is BURNING OUT the lusts and passions and vanity and haughtiness and greed and selfrighteousness and laziness and weakness and hypocrisy and wickedness and pride and materialism and cynicism and depravity and carnality in your life, then Jesus Christ is not choosing you to reign with Him as the Sons of God in the Kingdom of God to bring all Heaven and Earth to repentance and salvation! And I will tell you on the authority of Jesus Christ and all the Holy Scriptures, that anyone who teaches and takes delight in thinking that God would ever torture anyone for all eternity, will NEVER BE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH SUCH AN ATTITUDE! Such damnable character flaws of the mind and spirit are going to be burned out of us all! God will either BURN OUT these filthy impurities from our hearts and minds NOW, or He will BURN THEM OUT IN THE LAKE OF FIRE, but either way, make no mistake about it, THESE THINGS ARE COMING OUT!!! JOHN THE BAPTIST: John the Baptist said that Jesus would be baptizing repentant believers with fire. "I indeed baptize you with water unto REPENTANCE: but He that comes after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, AND WITH FIRE" (Matt. 3:11). JESUS CHRIST: "For EVERY ONE [sinner and saint] shall be salted with FIRE" (Mark 9:49). APOSTLE PETER: "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it [your faith] be TRIED IN THE FIRE, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the 81

appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 1:7). APOSTLE PAUL: "Every mans work [including believers] shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed BY FIRE, and the FIRE shall try every mans work of what sort it is" (I Cor. 3:13). With such noble and august witnesses, does anyone deny that the repentant, converted, dedicated, believing Christian will escape being "revealed," tried," "salted," and "baptized" by FIRE? These Scriptures are undeniable! Whatever this "fire" is, it is going to be used ON EVERYONE. These four Scriptures have the believer specifically in view, but it says and includes "EVERYONE shall be salted with FIRE," and "EVERY MANS WORK ... shall be revealed by FIRE." And there is absolutely NO DIFFERENCE when it comes to the non-believers: "And I saw a great white throne ... And I saw the dead...and the dead were JUDGED ... according to their WORKS ... and they were judged EVERY MAN according to their WORKS" (Rev. 20:11-13). And are these non-believers judged differently from believers who are "revealed, tried, salted and baptized IN FIRE?" Just HOW are these non-believers judged in the book of Revelation? How are the "...fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars..." JUDGED? Answer: "... In the lake WHICH BURNS WITH FIRE ..." (Rev. 21:8)! Is this "fire" in the book of Revelation DIFFERENT from the fire that tries the works of believers in the book of I Corinthians? NO. The word "fire" used in the four examples above concerning believers, is the SAME word "fire" used in the book of Revelation concerning non-believers: STRONGs Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, page 219, #4442, 82

pur; a primary word; "fire" (literally OR FIGURATIVELY. Pur is used (besides its ordinary natural significance): (1) of the holiness of God, which consumes all that is inconsistent therewith, Heb. 10:27; 12:29; cf. Rev. 1:14; 2:18; 10:1; 15:2; 19:12; (1a) similarly of the holy angels as His ministers, Heb. 1:7; (1b) in Rev. 3:18 it is SYMBOLIC of that which tries the faith of saints, PRODUCING WHAT WILL GLORIFY THE LORD; (2) of the divine judgment, testing the deeds of believers, at the judgment seat of Christ I Cor. 3:13 and 15; (3) of the fire of DIVINE JUDGMENT upon the REJECTERS of Christ, Matt. 3:11 (where a distinction is to be made between the baptism of the holy Spirit at Pentecost and the "fire" of divine retribution; Acts 2:3 could not refer to baptism); Lk. 3:16." End of quotation, (All CAPS emphasis are mine). I was quite amazed to see this broadened definition in Strongs Concordance. In my Strongs Exhaustive Concordance that I purchased over forty years ago, it has but one line after the Greek word pur. It states that pur is "fire" either (literal or figurative), fiery, lightning. Thats it. So when I purchased the NEW Strongs Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible last week, I was pleasantly surprised to see the expanded definitions, especially with reference to this word "pur" -- FIRE. I learned the use of the word "fire" in Scripture the hard way -- I had to research. We could easily spend twenty pages just commenting on the examples used in this expanded version of Strongs. I wont do that, but lets take a brief look at a few enlightening items: First, we learn that this word can be, and is, used "figuratively." And in fact, the first five examples given in Strongs ARE examples of figurative usage of the word fire. And of the 500+ times the word 'fire' is used in the Bible, hundreds of times the word 'fire' is used in a figurative or symbolic sense. 83

I call your attention to the statement in Strongs (1b) "In Rev. 3:18 it [fire] is SYMBOLIC, of that which tries the faith of saints, PRODUCING WHAT WILL GLORIFY THE LORD"! (CAPS emphasis mine). I just love it when Christian Scholars will occasionally just absolutely "nail" a Scriptural Truth. Notice this beautiful and profound Scriptural Truth: The symbolic fire of Rev. 3:18 tries the faith of the saints, and PRODUCES what will GLORIFY THE LORD! ASTOUNDING! Carefully note that it is not the "believer" who "produces" these glorious things, but it is the "SYMBOLIC FIRE" that produces them. And just Who is this "symbolic fire?" It is, of course, GOD -"For OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE." (Heb. 12:29)! Therefore it is GOD who "PRODUCES" qualities in the saints that will GLORIFY HIMSELF! Gods consuming SPIRITUAL fire (remember that "GOD IS SPIRIT" Jn. 4:24) does the "producing," not the saint, "For HIS ACHIEVEMENT are we, being created in Christ Jesus ..." (Eph. 2:10). "Now what have you which you did not OBTAIN? Now if you OBTAINED it also [from GOD] why are you boasting as though [you are] not obtaining [it from God]?" (I Cor. 4:7 Concordant Literal New Testament). "All is of God" (II Cor. 5:18). "The One Who is operating ALL in accord with the counsel of HIS will" (Eph. 1:11). Etc. In statement (1) the editor of Strongs cites seven more Scriptures that are used symbolically and figuratively to demonstrate "the holiness of God, which CONSUMES ALL that is inconsistent therewith." It doesnt consume their physical bodies, nor does it 84

burn their physical bodies to produce pain, but it "CONSUMES" all that is not consistent with Gods holiness. And these are the things of the heart, mind and spirit! It is not the "body" that needs chastisement and purification, it is the MIND, HEART, AND SPIRIT that needs purification from unholiness. You cannot burn pride and vanity out of ones heart with REAL FIRE (besides the advocates of torturing with real fire for all eternity admit that it accomplishes NOTHING). It takes the fire of Gods spirit to burn away evils that have their origin in the realm of spirit. This teaching is so absolutely elementary that it seems strange to even have to explain it. And yet, many of the greatest minds in theology today have not a clue as to these simple spiritual truths. All over the world Christian leaders continue to teach that the way God will deal with people who have wicked and carnal hearts, minds, and spirits, is to BURN THEIR FLESH IN REAL FIRE FOR ALL ETERNITY! And what, pray tell, does this infinite mountain of eternal pain accomplish? Why it is "justice" cry the high priests of Christendom! Websters Concise Dictionary p. 392, justice n. 1. The quality of being just, fair, or impartial; evenhandedness. So first and foremost we are told that burning billions and billions of men and women, and boy and girls, in fire for all eternity is "QUALITY!" - QUALITY? HELL IS A PLACE OF "QUALITY?" Just how sick can the human mind get, and just how low can the human heart sink? And this not from infidels, but from the leading advocates of the Christian Faith! BACK TO SPIRITUAL BASICS God gives us perfectly simple and understandable examples of HOW He deals with our sins and faults. In Hebrews 12:6 we read: "For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?"

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Of course when we ask this question today, the answer is not so obvious as back when the writer of Hebrews asked it. Less and less children are chastened by their fathers today, and look at the disastrous results. But ideally a son should be chastened -chastened, not BEATEN! Maybe I need to investigate this matter one day. Just maybe those who teach the hardest for an eternal hell of pain are those who were physically molested and beaten as children, rather than lovingly chastised. Continuing: "Furthermore we have had fathers of our FLESH which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of SPIRITS, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His HOLINESS. Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Heb. 12:9-11). This is not difficult to understand. Our fathers in the FLESH have corrected us with rods, straps, belts, sticks, paddles, and the back of their hand. This was done for our teaching and correcting. And it worked, "... we gave them reverence ..." Now then, "... shall we not MUCH RATHER be in subjection unto the Father of SPIRITS ..."? Our Heavenly Father is NOT FLESH, but is the Father of SPIRITS! God is SPIRIT. God is working with our SPIRITUAL life. God does not chasten and correct us believers in Christ Jesus with physical rods, straps, belts, sticks, paddles, and the back of His hand! So how is it that God our Father of spirits accomplishes on a spiritual level what our physical fathers tried to accomplish on a physical level? Verse 29 gives us the answer: "For our God is a CONSUMING FIRE !" As trash is burned and precious metals are purified by the use of LITERAL and PHYSICAL fire, so God burns our spiritual trash 86

and purifies those qualities of character worth saving by His SYMBOLIC and SPIRITUAL fire. Physical fire is inanimate and uncaring. Gods spiritual fire is caring and loving. There it is. Theres the gospel; theres the purpose for human existence; theres the plan of God. God is forming man into the very image of Himself. This requires not only a knowledge of good and evil, but an experience of good and evil. God provides both. He is calling just a few select ones out of this world now, and He will call the remainder of the human race later. Some sinners are called, given faith, brought to Christ, repent, receive Gods spirit and are being saved NOW. All the rest of the worlds sinners will also be called, given faith, brought to Christ, repent, receive Gods spirit and will be saved LATER. And God uses the same method to convert and save both groups of sinners. Thats because God CHANGES NOT and God is NO RESPECTER of persons, and God WILLS to save all mankind, and God will perform ALL HIS WILL, PURPOSE, AND PLEASURE!! All of the above verses regarding fire are used in a figurative and symbolic manner. Christ does not literally "baptize" (IMMERSE) His saints in REAL PHYSICAL FIRE. It would burn them all up, and there wouldnt be any saints or believers! Likewise we saw in Part I that the "lake of fire" is also symbolic and used in a metaphor to describe a SPIRITUAL TRUTH. More on this later. And so we are assured that EVERYONE will be "revealed," "tried," "salted," and "baptized" "in FIRE." And these fiery trials as Peter calls them go on for a lifetime. If it were real, physical fire, all believers lives would be short indeed. God is SPIRIT, and God is a CONSUMING FIRE. It is Gods SPIRIT that is likened to fire. The spiritual teaching in this symbol is to recognize what real fire accomplishes and to then use that as an analogy as to what God DOES TO US (or more properly FOR US). Fire does a number of things: 1. Fire CHANGES things. Fire brings about molecular 87

changes in the materials that are burned. Gods spiritual fire will make changes in our mind, heart, and spirit. 2. Fire PURGES. In times past if a building were diseased and rat-infested, they would purge away the filth by burning it down. We are to be purged from all our diseases of sin and carnality. Jesus Christ paid the penalty of sin for us, but now God wants to get at the root and core of what caused us to sin in the first place. We all need desperately to be CHANGED and PURGED. Fire BURNS UP combustible materials that have no value in saving. God will burn out of all of us the straw, grass, and stubble, which represent evil and wrong doctrines, idols of the heart, and philosophies that exalt themselves against God. Fire PURIFIES things of value which we do want to retain. The analogy is used in the Scriptures of purifying gold by fire to make it more beautiful and more valuable. Gold represents the highest doctrines of spiritual understanding such as the Love of God and the Sovereignty of God, and salvation of all.

3.

4.

No one teaches us more regarding the fiery trials of life than the apostle to the nations, Paul. Paul was "revealed, tried, salted, and baptized" in Gods "CONSUMING FIRE," and yet never a single hair on his head was ever singed. THE CALL OF PAUL When Jesus desired to ask the worst sinner who had ever lived (that would be Paul): "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to SAVE SINNERS; OF WHOM I AM CHIEF," I Tim. 1:15) To volunteer to teach the gospel to the Gentiles, He merely shined a bright light in Pauls face to get his attention. Here are just a few 88

revealed events in the life of Saul before God turned him into PAUL: "Now Saul [Paul], yet breathing out THREATENINGS and SLAUGHTER against the disciples of the Lord. . ." (Acts 9:1): "And I [Paul] persecuted this way unto THE DEATH, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women" (Acts 22:4). "And I PUNISHED them OFT in EVERY synagogue, and compelling them To BLASPHEME; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them unto strange cities" (Acts 26:11). "For I am the LEAST of the apostles, that am not meant to be called an apostle because I PERSECUTED the church of God" (I Cor. 15:9). "For ye have heard of my conversation [behavior] in time past in the Jews religion, how that BEYOND MEASURE I persecuted the church of God, and WASTED it" (Gal. 1:13). Most people believe that when Paul said he was the "chief of sinners" he was just blowing hot air--trying to play super humble or something. That he was so spiritual that he equated persecution of the church with being the grossest sin of all time. Not so. Gods Holy Spirit did not inspire Paul to "blow hot air" to make himself look artificially humble! Paul (Saul before his conversion) really was THE WORST SINNER THAT HAS EVER LIVED IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD! (Including Hitler!) There is a very important reason for understanding how gross a sinner Paul really was. There is a paramount reason why you will NEVER be able to out-sin Paul. NO ONE has ever been able to out-sin Paul. Men like Hitler and Hussein may even come close, but no one will ever hold that infamous distinction of being the "chief, preeminent, foremost sinner of all time" but the apostle Paul. Jesus Christ had to fill that position two thousand years ago for our understanding of upon whom the ends of the ages are come! Heres the proof: 89

The phrase "beyond measure" in the KJV (Gal. 1:13) is translated from the Greek word hyperbole and has two primary usages: 1. "TRANSCENDENT" as found in Scriptures such as II Cor. 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL [eonian] WEIGHT of glory." The Greek translated "exceeding" is huperbole, and means TRANSCENDENT. Transcendent describes something that is highest, incomparable, consummate, matchless, preeminent, sublime, perfect, unequaled, unparalleled, and unrivaled! In other words the highest possible degree. Nothing is higher than that which is huperbole -TRANSCENDENT! 2. "INORDINATE" as we read in Gal. 1:13, "For you hear of my behavior once, in Judaism, that I INORDINATELY persecuted the ecclesia [church] of God and ravaged it." (Concordant Literal New Testament). Inordinate describes something that is excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, unreasonable, and too much. Now heres the kicker: "Inordinately" is translated from the SAME GREEK WORD huperbole which is also translated "transcendently"! (For more details on this see my paper entitled Pauls Thorn in the Flesh Identified). Here then is the Biblical truth of this matter. To the degree that "transcendently" describes the HEIGHT of Gods goodness and glory, so likewise does the word "inordinately" describe the HEIGHT of evil that Paul perpetrated on the Church of God. Gods transcendent (huperbole) goodness and glory are UNPARALLELED! Likewise, Pauls inordinate (huperbole) slaughter (murders) and threatenings are also, UNPARALLELED! 90

Gods Word does not say in vain that Paul was the CHIEF, FOREMOST, PREEMINENT (very, very WORST) of ALL SINNERS WHO HAVE EVER LIVED! He really WAS. Now then, what do we read next after all these "threatenings and slaughter?" "And as he [Saul] journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth ... And he TREMBLING AND ASTONISHED, said, LORD, WHAT WILL YOU HAVE ME TO DO?" (Acts 9:3-6). By all Scriptural indications, it probably took no longer than 30 seconds before Paul was fully committed to His New Lord. Do you reckon Jesus could ever do such a thing again? Or, was this incident a mere fluke? Dont you fancy that Jesus could possibly convert one of the lesser sinners of the world (say Ted Bundy) in maybe 29 seconds? Or 28 seconds? Then why do you suppose that the High Priests of Christendom are teaching the world that there are billions and billions of LESSER sinners that Jesus CANNOT convert in 29 seconds or 29 QUADRILLION CENTURIES? I did not use up a couple of pages here just to tell an interesting story from the Bible. It is more than just an interesting story, it is an amazing and marvelous story, and it portends profound hope for a lost and sinning world. Why does Paul tell us that he was the chief of ALL SINNERS? Why did our Lord choose this worst of sinners to be His apostle at this particular time in history? Why didnt He choose a mediocre sinner like James or John to be His apostle to the Gentiles? Why did it have to be THE WORLDS WORST SINNER? What did our Lord prove by using the worlds worst sinner that He couldnt have done by using a lesser sinner? MUCH! I have heard people say already that "God wont save me; I have committed too many horrible sins for God to ever save me!" And I have heard and had people personally tell me that God will never save men like Ted Bundy or Adolph Hitler because their sins were so evil and so many. Oh, how we humans love to put 91

limitations on an INFINITE GOD! Heres the answer as to why God needed to chose the worlds WORST SINNER to be the apostle to the rest of the world: "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting" (I Tim. 1:16). The King James really does not do justice to this verse at all. Most have read right over this verse and never saw the profound, universal, all-embracing teaching in this verse. Let me quote it from the Concordant Version: "But therefore was I shown mercy, that in me, THE FOREMOST [the worst sinner ever] Jesus Christ should be DISPLAYING [publicly] ALL HIS PATIENCE [yes God has patience with even the worst of sinners], FOR A PATTERN, of those who are about to be believing on Him for life eonian" Jesus Christ chose Paul, the WORST, CHIEF, FOREMOST, PREEMINENT SINNER THAT EVER LIVED (huperbole), to be put on PUBLIC DISPLAY for the whole world to see Jesus Christ demonstrating ALL HIS PATIENCE, for a "PATTERN" that will be repeated over, and over, and over again billions and billions of times for all those that Christ will likewise bring to repentance at any second He so desires!!! Heres the lesson: If Jesus Christ can bring to repentance, and convert, and save the WORLDS WORST SINNER THAT HAS EVER LIVED in about 30 seconds, then that drunken cussing uncle of yours (the one you believe is going to hell for all eternity), is NO MATCH FOR THE CONVERTING POWER OF JESUS CHRIST! And ALL OF THE LESSER SINNERS of the world also are no match for the converting, saving power of Jesus Christ. Once the Giant of all sinners has been conquered, converting the sinning MIDGETS will be an easy task! Has no one ever considered what would happen if God were to strike down Hitler with a BLINDING LIGHT FROM HEAVEN? 92

Do you really think he would shake his fist toward heaven in total human defiance? Well, if you do, you think as a fool! Paul despised the Church of the Loving God. He hated it with evey fiber of his being. He went to great length and personal hardship to seek out and TORTURE the Saints of God. But when God struck him down with a blinding light from heaven, Paul "trembled" (Greek, tremo, dreadful and terrifying FEAR), and was "astonished" (Greek: thambeo, to stupefy, astound, amaze, astonish), and melted like jelly in the noonday SUN! And some would suppose that Hitler or any LESSER sinner would do otherwise? Well, God didnt strike down Hitler with a blinding light from heaven, but guess what? HE WILL YET DO IT! And when He does, Hitler will sob like a babbling idiot! He will violently shake and tremble in UTTER DESPAIR AND TERROR, and he will REPENT, make no mistake about it! OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE! God has ways to MAKE carnalminded, God-defying men and women VOLUNTEER real fast! I am wearied by the countless times people have told me: "God will NEVER make anyone do anything against their own free will." Oh, really? Show me the Scripture. Show me the SCRIPTURE!! Are any so STUPID as to believe that on the very day that Paul was on his way to Damascus to persecute and torture the Saints of Jesus Christ with nothing else on his mind, but he paused for a moment in the middle of the road and thought to himself, "You know, I think that I will not go to Damascus today and persecute Christians. I believe that I will right now exercise my free will and repent of all these sins and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ Whom I have been persecuting. Yes, I think I will do that right now, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE." Is THAT what the Word of God says? IS IT? Or rather did not Christ MAKE His will PAULS WILL in mere SECONDS? So many ignorant people just do not see that they are BLASPHEMING the very name, nature, and character (LOVE) of God by their demeaning and hate-filled accusations about what God can and cannot do! God went AGAINST the will of Paul (Saul), and God MADE His will PAULS WILL in a matter of 93

SECONDS. But Christendom teaches that God doesnt do such things. It just isnt right. It just isnt Gods way. WELL, YES, IT IS RIGHT, AND IT IS GODS WAY, AND HE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL ALL HUMANITY IS SAVED! And so we learn that God converted the worlds worst sinner in a matter of seconds. We learned that The Father inspired Jesus to pray: "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." We also learned that the "them" in this prayer includes the whole world, for the Scriptures plainly tell us that it is the whole world that is accountable for Christs Crucifixion, even though it was performed by the express foreordained will of the Father. Now then, what do these marvelous and profound Scriptures accomplish in the hearts and minds of those who are teaching "eternal torment?" Nothing. Absolutely NOTHING! These Scriptural truths have NO effect on the hearts of those depraved persons who delight in the prospects of an eternal hellhole of torture for most of humanity. But at Gods choosing, they will all melt as Paul did in the blinding light of Gods noonday Sun! For those few of you whom God is beginning to speak to through His spirit, it should now start to become clear that nothing can thwart the will of God which is to SAVE ALL HUMANITY. God has spoken it; He has willed it; He will perform it. FOR WHAT DID PAUL VOLUNTEER? All who will have a part with Christ when He comes to rule this earth in His kingdom must volunteer for judgment now! Remember how Paul volunteered: "What will You have me to do?" But just what was Paul volunteering to do? Was he volunteering to be praised and adored by the public? Was he volunteering to wear thousand-dollar suits, $500 shoes, $20,000 Rolex watches, drive $80,000 automobiles, live in multi-million dollar multiple homes, fly in private executive jets, and collect millions and millions and

94

millions of dollars of poor peoples money to promote the gospel of prosperity and worldliness? Did our Lord tell Paul that his ministry and calling would be a "walk in the park" with never-ending comforts and pleasures, having medals and honors bestowed upon him by the leaders and dignitaries of pagan nations, living in a five and a half-million dollar mansion large enough to be a luxury hotel, while feasting like a fat king in the opulence of Babylonian extravagance? Is this the description of a successful minister of the Gospel? Was Pauls message to all the Gentile nations that they had to give to him (or they would be ROBBING GOD) ten percent of all their gold, silver, salaries, or money, so he could flaunt his worldly and lavish lifestyle in the faces of these poor Christian converts.

Lets "get real" as they say. "For I will shew him [Paul] how GREAT things he must SUFFER for my names sake" (Acts 9:16). In II Cor. 11:22-28 we learn that Paul suffered the following: jails blows thirty-nine lashes flogged with rods day & night in stoned shipwrecked swamp journeys dangers of rivers dangers of robbers dangers of the dangers of his race dangers in the city nations dangers from false dangers in dangers in the sea wilderness brethren toil and labor vigils famine and thirst cold and fasts nakedness Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me weariness deaths 95

DAILY, the care of ALL THE CHURCHES! Add a little "fire" to the above scenario and we might conclude that Paul was being tortured and punished in a Christian hell. But Paul was not being "punished," he was being "JUDGED," and there is a world of difference. Paul was being made STRONG. Paul was being molded into a SPIRITUAL GIANT! And being trained, educated, purged, perfected into a spiritual giant is NOT a walk in the park! Was it just Paul that God singled out to endure such hardships and trials? No, we too must partake of the same: "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that WE [Christians, followers of Christ] MUST through MUCH TRIBULATION [Greek: thlipsis-affliction, troubles, burdens, persecution, anguish] enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Does your pastor teach that you must go through such things if you are to be a follower of Jesus Christ and rule with Him in the Kingdom of God? Or does he teach that if you are going through just such things that you probably need to get your life in order and repent because you obviously have many, many sins in your life that are bringing on all these troubles and therefore, you are not being blessed of the Lord? Their prosperity gospel of worldliness and gross materialism is a travesty of the gospel of Jesus Christ! I hear this prosperity gospel of worldliness and materialism every time I turn the TV on. But what do the Scriptures say? Before I continue this train of thought, let me interject that although we are to go through extreme hardship, persecution, and tribulations, God nonetheless strengthens us so that we can endure these things. It is not Gods purpose to discourage us. We have this promise from God: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted 96

above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape [Gk: sequel] that you may be able to bear it" (I Cor. 10:13). I'll let you check all the many Scriptures of comfort that God gives us even while we are undergoing all our trials and sufferings. Heres one more good one, however: "Blessed [Gk: HAPPY] is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the CROWN OF LIFE, which the Lord has promised to them that love Him" (James 1:12). It is most important that we consider, however, some of the many Scriptures that relate to our suffering, afflictions, and persecutions. This is necessary if we are to ever acquire a deep spiritual understanding of Gods judgment on the world in the lake of fire and second death. As we go through these many Scriptures, be aware of the fact that we are not going through all these things as punishment. God is not punishing us, He is chastening us, and there is a BIG difference. "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" (Rom. 8:17). "That no man should be moved by these AFFLICTIONS: for yourselves know that we are APPOINTED thereunto" (I Thes. 3:3). Paul suffered much to get the gospel to the Thessalonians, "... Suffering ... being outraged ... a vast struggle ... [why?] ... We have been TESTED by God to be entrusted with the gospel ... God, Who is TESTING our hearts" (I Thes. 2:1-4, Concordant Literal New Testament). Then he tells them that they too are "appointed" to such like sufferings and afflictions. Paul praises the faith and endurance of the Thessalonians because of: "... all your PERSECUTIONS and the AFFLICTIONS with which you are bearing ... which you are SUFFERING ... you who are being AFFLICTED ..." (I Thes. 1:597

7). Now then, was this because the Thessalonians lived in a bad part of town, or bad part of the world, or that they lived at a bad time in history? Or does God bring these things upon all who would follow Christ in all ages? "Yea, and ALL [in every era] that will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION" (II Tim. 3:12). But arent all these persecutions and afflictions at the hands of evil men rather than God? For sure wicked men commit many wicked deeds against the true followers of Jesus Christ, but who is ultimately responsible for ALL things, including the tribulations and persecutions of believers? It is, of course, GOD "Who works ALL things after the counsel of His Own WILL" (Eph. 1:11). "So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in ALL YOUR PERSECUTIONS AND TRIBULATIONS that ye endure; Which is a manifest token [display] of [of WHAT?] ... OF the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT [Gk: just judging] OF GOD!" And for what grand purpose? "... that ye may be counted WORTHY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, for which ye also SUFFER" (2 Thes. 1:4-5). Just how much are we expected to give up and suffer for Christ in order to be worthy? "And a mans foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than Me is NOT WORTHY of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is NOT WORTHY of Me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, IS NOT WORTHY OF ME" (Matt. 10:36-38). What does God consider a "reasonable" sacrifice to become members of the Family and Kingdom of God? "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that 98

ye present your BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1). Make no mistake about it; if you will follow Jesus Christ, you will experience many of the hardships spoken of in these Scriptures. I am not saying that it is necessary to teach youngsters in Sunday School these deeper truths of God, but if we adults are to ever go on to maturity in Christ, its time to get our heads out of the sand! The good news is that if we have a volunteering heart and accept the judgments of God on our lives now, we will be sure to avoid the harsher judgment on the whole world reserved for "that day." "For if we would JUDGE [Gk: diakrino=THROUGH JUDGE, separate thoroughly, to withdraw, discern, judge] OURSELVES [members of the called-out House of God], we should not be judged [Gk: krino=judge, set right, decide, to try, condemn, punish]. But when we are judged [the same Greek word krino as used above with reference to judging the wicked world] we are CHASTENED of the Lord, that we should not be condemned [Gk: katakrino, an adverse sentence] with the world" (I Cor. 11:32). Pay close attention to the three Greek words, diakrino, krino, and katakrino, used in this verse. There is so much contained in this verse. There is a judgment now on Gods saints. We are judged by being "chastened of the Lord." What does that mean? "Chastened" is from the Greek word paideuo and here is what it means: "to train up a child, i.e. educate, or (by impl.) discipline (by punishment): -- chasten (-ise), instruct, learn, teach" (Strongs Greek Dictionary p. 54). Are you following this amazing use of words? You will now learn a marvelous truth of Scripture that is not being taught in any theological seminary that I am aware of anywhere in the whole world. We are "judged" by God, and the vehicle that God uses to do this judging is "chastening." In other words, we are "judged" by God 99

by being "trained up" like a child, by being "educated," by "discipline" involving "punishment," "instructed," by which we "learn," and all these "teach" us WHAT WE SHOULD BE. There is no doubt that some of this chastening can be harsh, sorrowful, and painful. Much of it is not very pleasant and God admits as much to us. And it is not possible for one single son of God to avoid this chastisement! Lets read it: WHEN GRACE IS A VERB Grace means favor, a gift, to be cheerful, well, happy, graciously, freely, deliverance from danger, and a dozen other benevolent qualities of peace, joy, goodness, and salvation. It is one of those truly wonderful words of blessing. But just how does it operate in "the real world" as we say? A definition does not tell us everything about a word. We can, likewise, define "love" as, a deep, tender feeling of affection. But does that definition tell us how love actually functions? We learned that "... when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord" (I Cor. 11:32). Chastening defines how it is that God judges us. Now then, we are about to learn one of the most remarkable spiritual truths in the whole Bible: "For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men , teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world [eon or age]" (Titus 2:11-12). Here then is the remarkable parallel between Gods judgment and His grace: God "judges" us by "chastening" us! "chasten," Greek: paideuo (I Cor. 11:32) #3811 God "graces" us by "teaching" us! (Titus 2:12) 100 "teaching," Greek: paideuo #3811

WOW! Do you even begin to understand what you have just read? Whether God "JUDGES" us (and later the wicked world), or "GRACES" us, He does it THE SAME WAY!! "Judging" is CHASTENING (Strongs #3811), and "gracing" is CHASTENING (Strongs #3811). It is the SAME WORD! "Grace" is not a stagnant feel-good noun -- it is also a verb -- that is, it does something; it accomplishes something; it produces something of great value in the believer. "Teaching" accomplishes something essential in making man into Gods very image. The next verse tells us what it "teaches" us: "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts ... living soberly, righteously, and godly!" Just the words "living godly" will cover every single thing that God EVER ASKS OF US -- EVERYTHING. "Living GODLY" covers every possible act of faith, love, and obedience that anyone could ever conceive of. When God uses the SAME WORD to describe something that He wishes to accomplish, it behooves us to study deeply what that word means, especially when that word has to do with the very destiny of all peoples who have ever lived. The subject of I Cor. 11:32 is JUDGING. The subject of Titus 2:11 is GRACE AND SALVATION. HOW does God "judge" us? BY CHASTENING (#3811, paideuo)!. HOW does God's "grace and save" us? BY CHASTENING (#3811, paideuo)! God JUDGES by chastening (I Cor. 11:32), and God GRACES by chastening (Titus 2:11). By GRACE GOD JUDGES US and by JUDGING GOD GRACES US! Gracing us by means of chastening, TEACHES US TO LIVE GODLY and brings salvation. Judging us by means of chastening, 101

also TEACHES US TO LIVE GODLY and brings salvation! It is high time we dispense with the hypocrisy. When God JUDGES US THROUGH CHASTENING (I Cor. 11:32) it is for our good and for our benefit and for our salvation. Why then do we think that God changes character when He likewise judges the wicked, unjust, and non-believers at the great white throne? Why? God changes NOT! God is NOT a respecter of persons. You read all of these Scriptures. Do we think the Scriptures LIE? If you are not rejoicing over these profound and marvelous revelations, then you must be spiritually asleep. I have just shown you one of the most remarkable truths in the entirety of the Bible! You would do well to not read any further until you thoroughly grasp what has been presented here. And again I ask, "What does this have to do with the lake of fire?" EVERYTHING! I am not going to go into detail on this aspect of judging yet, but suffice it to be said here that the "judging" (Greek: krino in I Cor. 11:32 by chastening that brings godly living and salvation is also the very same "judging" (Greek: krino) used in Revelation 20:12 with reference to the lake of fire. Seriously, do many believe that these God-inspired Greek words have one meaning when applied to God judging and gracing believers now, but then have a totally different meaning when applied to as yet non-believers in the day of judging? Do you? Well, regrettably, many do think that God is fickle, inconsistent, and a respecter of persons. Can you for once in your life begin to use your God-given mind to think for yourself? This is an absolutely marvelous teaching. God "judges" us by "chastening "(paideuo) us, which means, teaching, training, learning, disciplining, punishing, instructing, and educating. And God "graces" us also by this same "chastening" (paideuo) which does not change meaning from one Scripture verse to another. Notice how other translations render this word paideuo in Titus 102

2:11-12: "Teaching us..." King James "Instructing us..." American Standard Version "Disciplining us... New Testament (Henry Alford) "And schooling us..." The Centenary Translation (Montgomery) "Training us..." The New Testament in Modern Speech (Weymouth) Now it is true that the Greek word paideuo #3811 can also mean "punishment." But punishment is not the main force of this word. Notice that none of the above translations (nor any that I know of) translate this word, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, PUNISHING us that denying ungodliness ..." No, the force of this word is to DISCIPLINE, TRAIN, INSTRUCT, SCHOOL AND TEACH. Lets at least have the sensibility of a ten year-old. Of what value is "disciplining, training, instructing, schooling, and teaching" if it goes on forever and ever and ever, and while being burned with fire, for ALL ETERNITY? Gee, do we think they will EVER "learn their lesson?" I, of course, speak as a fool. All of these aspects of paideuo are with a view to amendment, correction, and setting right, not merely punishment for punishments sake. A father chastens his children with a view to amendment and correction, not for the sole sake of CAUSING PAIN! Why do we think carnal-minded human fathers are a billion times more noble and merciful in the disciplining of their children than God is in the disciplining (chastening -- judging -gracing) of HIS children? There is a need for much repenting in the teaching of this vile doctrine of eternal torment. This doctrine of eternal torture blasphemes the name of our Loving Father. It is heresy on a level with hypobole -- inordinate -- TOO MUCH! It is a damnable teaching. And it is among the filthy trash of wood, straw and stubble that will be purged out and burned out in Gods Lake of 103

Fire from every person who teaches and delights in this most disgusting of all disgraceful theologies of depraved men and women. Oh yes, there are things that are going to be burned out of existence in Gods "lake of fire," and this deplorable doctrine of eternal torment will be the first to be abolished and death will be the last to be abolished--and so, let it burn ... LET IT BURN! Remember that Jesus Christ does not change and that He does not respect (have partiality) with regards to persons. With those two thoughts in mind, what is accomplished by the "chastening" of the Lord? He "graces" us by chastening and He "judges" us by chastening. What does it always accomplish? Answer: "For the grace of God [that chastens us] ... BRINGS SALVATION" (Titus 2:11)!! And all of this is of God. God judges, God graces, God chastens, and God brings SALVATION! Perhaps you have a shortcut-formula which bypasses all these hundreds of Scriptures I am presenting and makes them all void and of no effect? I have heard of such short-cut formulas, but Gods Word knows nothing of them! Notice: "Being CONFIDENT of this very thing, that He [thats Christ] which hath begun a good work in you WILL PERFORM IT until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). And when Christ's "... JUDGMENTS are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world [the whole world] WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Isa. 26:9). As far as Christian theory goes, this Scripture in Isaiah might just a well be a lie, for they say it will never happen. They teach that the whole world will never ever learn righteousness and receive salvation. Thats because they neither believe the gospel nor teach it. And so rather than bring the gospel of universal salvation, they 104

threaten the world with universal damnation in the fires of eternal hell if they dont follow their short-cut-formulas to material wealth and spiritual salvation. And thus the name of God is being blasphemed among the nations (Rom. 2:24) to this very day. PUNISHING VS. CHASTENING While considering all of the hellfire and brimstone material disseminated by Christian teachers, preachers, writers, and educators around the world, just how many hundreds of times do you suppose the word "punishment" is used in the entire New Testament with regards to sinners? Hundreds? Would you believe less than fifty? Would you believe less than ten? Would you believe ONCE? Thats right, the answer is one time. "Of how much more punishment [Gk: timoria], suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" (Heb. 10:29). I can assure you that those who have committed the above crime towards the Lord are few indeed. Most of humanity that will be judged in the lake of fire have NEVER EVEN HEARD of Jesus Christ, let alone, "trodden underfoot the Son of God, and counted the blood of the covenant, an UNHOLY thing, and done DESPITE unto the Spirit of grace." Most have never even heard of such sins, let alone committed them. This is a most powerful Scripture to be sure, but it does not speak of "eternal" punishment, and it is the ONLY SCRIPTURE IN THE ENTIRETY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT that uses the word "punishment" with reference to punishing sinners! There are three other places in the KJV that the word "punish" or "punished" is used correctly. They are Acts 4:21; 22:5; and 26:11 where it Saul (later Paul) is punishing not sinners, but members of the church, the followers of Christ. 105

II Thes. 1:9 should be translated, "eonian extermination" and not "punished ... everlasting." II Peter 2:4 & 9 should both be "chastening" as it is the same Greek word kolazo and not timoria which means punish. The KJV uses "punished" in verse nine, which should be "chasten," and ironically it doesnt even translate the Greek word kolazo (chasten) in verse four -- the KJV translators left it out completely. I suppose the translators thought that it was redundant to say, "chastening judging." But then again, they didnt bother to look at II Cor. 2:6 which should read "rebuke" (another Greek word, epitimia), not "punish." And lastly, I Pet. 2:14 should read "vengeance" ( still another Greek word, kdikesise), and not punishment. So in the case of "punishment" we have but ONE Scripture to deal with, and we will deal with it. This next fact doesnt necessarily "prove" anything, its just the way my mind works. Jesus Christ said: "O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the ABUNDANCE of the heart the MOUTH SPEAKS" (Mat. 12:34). I think we all understand that statement: What is heaviest and most dominant on our heart is what we talk about the most. Now then, my observation. We learned of the one time that punishment is used in reference to sinners. Would you all be interested in knowing how many times the opposite of punishment is used? Okay, the word "mercy" (-ies, -iful) is found in the Bible over THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY times! Could it be that the "abundance of Gods heart" consists of many more MERCIES than it does of vengeance and punishment? Where do you suppose we find nearly a hundred of these occurrences? Thats right, in the writings of King David. No 106

wonder blind Bartimaeus ... "began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son OF DAVID, have MERCY on me" (Mk. 10:47). God promised to give His Son "... the sure MERCIES OF DAVID" (Acts 13:34). You see, Davids heart spoke such an abundance about Gods mercies, that God said of him: "... I have found DAVID the son of Jesse, a man AFTER MINE OWN HEART which shall fulfill all my will" (Acts 13:22). Three hundred and thirty to ONE! Probably doesnt mean a thing. Just an observation. By the way, even among those who love the doctrine of eternal torment, no Scripture in the Old Testament has ever been brought forth which even vaguely defends their theory. PUNISHMENT AND THE GOSPEL For all those who have never heard the real Gospel of God, here it is: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publish peace; that brings GOOD TIDINGS [that means gospel] of GOOD [not evil tidings of a Lord who administers infinite acts of eternal terrorism], that publishes SALVATION [not DAMNATION] ... The LORD hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of ALL THE NATIONS [thats the whole world], and ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH [thats everyone] SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF OUR GOD" (Isa. 52:7 & 10). I am wondering if most of my readers have ever even heard of this verse or knew that it is in their Bibles. Now I am aware of the many Scriptures that speak of death, destruction, and perishing of wicked people. And we wont forget the one Scripture with regards to punishment. All those Scriptures are true. They are not, however, Gods final judgment on the wicked. The final judgments of God will bring salvation to 107

all and there are no scriptures that contradict those saving declarations of Almighty God. God has declared it; He has spoken it; His Word has gone forth: He has willed -"Who WILL have ALL men to be SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (I Tim. 2:4). Here then is a declaration of God from His own inspired Word. It is found in all Bibles and in all languages on earth for all to see and believe. But the Church of Babylon has tried to destroy this declaration and make it of no effect in the minds of millions and millions of people around the world. They teach that this verse and declaration of Almighty God WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN! Well, be it known, that they LIE! Heres what God says about His own words and His own declarations. "So shall MY WORD BE that GOES FORTH OUT OF MY MOUTH [as in I Tim. 2:4 and a hundred Scriptures like it]; it shall NOT return unto me void [unfruitful, negated, ineffective, ineffectual, inoperative, invalid, null, worthless, vain, unsuccessful], but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH THAT WHICH I PLEASE, AND IT SHALL PROSPER [bear fruit, benefit, do well, flourish, increase, multiply, progress, make good] in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11). Oh, the audacity and blasphemy of those who proudly teach that God cannot and will not ever accomplish His own will, save five percent! Does Isaiah 55:11 sound like only a FIVE PERCENT gospel that Christendom is preaching around the world for TEN PERCENT of your money? Like those who crucified our Lord, they know not what they say, and God will forgive them too. But for those who are ready to learn and believe, lets see how God answers such utter foolishness: Remember the former things of old: For I am God, and there is none else; I AM GOD, and there is none like Me, "Telling from the BEGINNING, the HEREAFTER, And from AFORETIME, what has NOT YET been done, 108

Saying, ALL MY COUNSEL SHALL BE CONFIRMED, And ALL MY DESIRE WILL I DO. Calling from the sunrise, a bird of prey, From a land far off, the man of My counsel. Indeed, I SPEAK! INDEED, I WILL BRING IT ABOUT! I formed. Indeed, I WILL DO IT" (Isaiah 46:9-11). Nothing can hinder Gods words or declarations. Even the things that are perceived to be hindrances to Gods will (such as the lake of fire and the second death), are not hindrances at all, but rather are the very instruments for the accomplishment of His will. God has a ONE HUNDRED PERCENT GOSPEL, AND ITS FREE! GRACE AND JUDGMENT "For whom the Lord loves He CHASTENS ..." (Heb. 12:6). There is no escaping it. If you are to be a "son of God" you will be chastened. Now I dont want to pile too much on you at once here, but theres more. As you can see from the definition above, the word "chastened" is paideuo, and is not too severe. Even if involving some punishment, the whole thrust of the word is to train, educate, discipline, instruct, etc. These are all good things not to be feared. But there is more, so we might just as well read it and get our attitudes adjusted to it. The rest of the verse: "For whom the Lord loves He CHASTENS, and [AND] ... SCOURGES every son whom He receives [or is assenting]" (Heb. 12:6) "SCOURGES?" No, not scourging! Does God show His love toward us by scourging us? It is absolutely necessary. Scourging is definitely even more severe and harsh than chastening. The word "scourge" in Heb. 12:6 is from the Greek word mastigoo and heres its definition: "to flog (literally or figuratively) -scourge" Strongs Greek Dictionary, page 46. And what does "flog" mean? "flog 1. To beat severely with a whip or rod." Page 531 American heritage College Dictionary. 109

This word "scourge" in Heb. 12:6 which God performs on us, is the very same word found in John 19:1 where it says they took Jesus and "scourged" Him. Now then, will God literally "BEAT SEVERELY WITH A WHIP OR ROD" every son that He receives? No, not necessarily, even though they did literally do so to Paul and many other followers of Jesus Christ. Remember that the definition said it can be "literal OR figurative." Many people have come to know Christ in their senior years, and God does not literally beat every little old lady with whips and rods when they turn to Him. However, the chastening of Gods grace which we read about in Titus 2:11 can certainly seem like a real flogging. God will chasten us until He drives out the beast in us. The beast of supposed "free will" which is really self-will does not want to leave peaceably! It takes the very presence of Jesus Christ to dispel the beast of humanistic self-determinism, commonly called "free will." Although we are not condemned when God judges us, we nonetheless must be chastened. "If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? But if you be without chastisement, whereof ALL are partakers, then are you bastards, and NOT sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection into the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for OUR PROFIT, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but GRIEVOUS: nevertheless afterward it yields the PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS unto them which are exercised thereby" (Heb. 12:7--11). So it is essential that we accept Gods chastisement which is how He "judges" us. The reason we are not "condemned" with the world is because we accept Gods judgment in our lives 110

"There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). But can we compare the judging that believers go through with the judging that the wicked receive at the end of the age in the lake of fire. Surely there is no comparison, is there? Trust me when I say, "For there is no respect [Gk: partiality] of persons with God" (Rom. 2:11). Doesnt the "second death" part of the "lake of fire" seal their fate forever? Isnt it true that God will never, ever pressure anyone to accept Jesus Christ? Isnt it true that even God Himself doesnt know why some people reject His Sacrifice? Didnt God predestine us to be saved but predestined those in the lake of fire to be damned? Isnt the reason why some people choose Christ and others Reject Christ an eternal mystery? Is there something about death itself that prevents God from saving a non-believer after death? Does Rom. 8:38-19 substantiate the teaching that death separates God from sinners, eternally? Isnt the lake of fire the most dreadful thing that God Almighty has ever created? Will billions of sinners purposely choose to be tortured in fire forever rather than accept Christ? Lets face it, isnt the lake of fire something we will never understand until it comes? Is God as stupid and depraved as the theologians who try 111

to bring Him down to their level? I will now answer all these questions in order: No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, and NO! KEEP THESE SCRIPTURES IN MIND I dont want us to lose track of the verses we are endeavoring to explain from other Scriptures. So lets take a quick review. There are only a half dozen things that we should keep ever present in our minds as we journey through the Scriptures: "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast [what is THAT?], and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone [does brimstone make the lake of fire burn HOTTER? Is fire without brimstone not hot enough to burn and torture human flesh?]" (Rev. 19:20). "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire [I thought a lake contains water] and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented [does that mean TORTURED? Can spirit beings be tormented by physical fire?] day and night [but there shall be NO NIGHT, 20:25] for ever and ever [how long is THAT? Is ever AND ever something like TWICE as long as eternity?]" (Rev. 20:10). "And I saw a great white [not BLACK] throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away [where did they GO?]; and there was found no place for them [if this is literal, then where pray tell did God PUT THEM?]" (Rev. 20:11). "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand [stand WHERE, both the heavens AND THE EARTH fled away Verse 11] before God; and the books [are these books like a daily DIARY from Walton Books?] were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life [why is this only ONE book?]: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, 112

according to their works" (Rev. 20:12). "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it [is this speaking of dead sailors who drowned in the ocean?]; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them [is death and hell a place or a realm? And how can HELL deliver up their DEAD -we are assured by Christendom that those in hell are VERY MUCH ALIVE and SUFFERING?]: and the dead were judged [does judge mean SENTENCED TO HELL FOR EVER?] every man according to their works" (Rev. 20:13). "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire [wait just a minute; Christendom tells us that death {separation from God} and hell represent what the lake of fire actually IS, so how pray tell can they be cast INTO the lake of fire?]. This is the second death [Ah, here is the real key to understand this whole enigma -the SECOND death is not a repeat performance of the FIRST death]" (Rev. 20:14). "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire [where they are BURNED UP? TORTURED FOR ETERNITY? Or JUDGED -- set RIGHT?]" (Rev. 20:15). "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake of fire which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8). One can check a hundred translations of the Bible, and there will be little deviation from the verses cited above. The King James Version is about as accurate a translation of these verses as there is. Most versions are very close to the KJV, word for word. But there are about a dozen Bible Translations that differ most significantly on five little words. The most heretical and damning doctrines of Christendom completely melt away with a proper translation of these five little words: eis tous [for the] aionas ton [of the] aionon. So we have "for the (something?) of the (something?)." When we find out what the aionas and the aionon is, we will have 113

totally demolished the most vile, evil, damnable religious doctrine in the history of the world! Later in this series I will prove this so completely, so understandably, so simply, that a child will be able to understand it. You should never be deceived by Mystery Babylon the Great ever again. Now we learned from Scripture that if we would volunteer to have God judge us now that we would not need to be condemned with the world in the lake of fire. And Peter tells us that this judgment (like the one the Thessalonians were going through) must begin at the HOUSE OF GOD. We saw that it involves much tribulation, sorrow, affliction and suffering. These things are Gods judgment on believers to try their hearts and prove them worthy for the Kingdom of God. Christ told us that if we do not forsake all (even give our very bodies as a living Sacrifice, according to Paul) and take up OUR cross and follow Christ into persecutions that start in our own household, then He doesnt want us in the kingdom with Him -- we are NOT WORTHY (at this time)! Now if you are following these Scriptures closely you will see that we are to give our bodies as a living sacrifice and endure suffering, affliction, and persecution. But there is MORE! Oh NO, how much more can we take? What else? TRIALS. There are trials! The word "trial" in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word dokimion and means TESTING. God is going to TEST us. Are you excited about that? Me neither. However, it must be done. We must go through it. Peter tells us the many trials and temptations are a heaviness to your hearts, but because we know why we are going through it, we can, nevertheless, REJOICE! "Wherein ye GREATLY REJOICE, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in HEAVINESS THROUGH MANIFOLD TEMPTATIONS" (I Peter 1:6). Ah, yes, how sweet it is in the mouth (REJOICE), but how bitter it is in the belly (HEAVINESS) (Rev. 10:10). But say, did you notice 114

how LONG these trials last? For eternity? Or for "a season"? Remember there is NO partiality with God. Later we will see that those in the final judgment of lake of fire will also be there for just "a season" not eternally! BECOMING PERFECT Jesus Christ DIED FOR OUR SINS, and that accomplishes the SALVATION OF THE WHOLE WORLD, because God will eventually bring every creature in HEAVEN AND IN EARTH to repentance and humble submission to Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:9-11, Rom. 10:9, I Cor. 15:25). But forgiving sin, pardoning sin, justifying our sinful past, or even redeeming our bodies and giving us incorruptible and immortal bodies, does NOT make us perfect in deed and character! God is PERFECT! And God wants His children to BE PERFECT! And believe it or not God WILL. . . MAKE ... US ... PERFECT! "He [God] chooses us in Him [Christ] before the disruption [foundation] of the world, we to be HOLY and FLAWLESS [PERFECT] in His sight ..." (Eph. 1:4). "You, then, shall be PERFECT as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mat. 5:48). "I in them, and Thou in Me, that they [thats US] may be made PERFECT in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent me, and hast loved Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me" (John 17:23). "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man PERFECT in Christ Jesus" (Col. 1:28). People are quick to say, "Well, NOBODY is perfect." Thats not true: "For it became HIM, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many [thats us and the rest of the world] sons unto glory, to make them the CAPTAIN of their salvation 115

PERFECT [how?] Through SUFFERING" (Heb. 2:10). Yes, maybe no one but Christ is perfect now, but it wont always be that way. Paul knew that it was a process and that it would be ultimately Gods achievement: "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12). "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; For the PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS ..." (Eph. 4:11-12). Say, did you notice that Christ was perfected through "SUFFERING?" Are we not to bear our own Cross? If they hated and persecuted Christ, will they not do likewise to us? Do we think the Scripture says in vain, "Herein is our love made PERFECT, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He [Christ] IS, SO ARE WE in the world" (I Jn. 4:17). Paul tells us in I Thes. 2 and II Thes. 1 that suffering and persecutions are a big part of the judgment that God uses to test us and to deem us worthy of His kingdom and salvation. There is a giant reason why most professing Christians do NOT suffer persecutions. They may have social, health, and financial problems, but persecutions? Hardly! Why is that? Do you know that more people suffer persecution from their families BEFORE they become Christians than they ever do AFTER they become Christians? Why do you suppose that is? Could it be that as Christians they blend INTO society rather than STICK OUT? I can tell you on the authority of Jesus Christ, Gods Word, and the Apostle Paul, that unless you are SUFFERING real PERSECUTION, you are NOT a follower of Jesus Christ nor are you living godly in Christ Jesus! "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not 116

greater than his lord. If they have persecuted ME, they will also persecute YOU; if they have kept MY saying, they will keep YOURS also" (John 15:20). "And at that time there was a GREAT PERSECUTION against the church ... and they were all scattered abroad ... except the apostles" (Acts 8:1). "YEA, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION" (II Tim. 3:12). GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE God has a way of making imperfect people perfect. It is called FIRE! Whether purging or clearing a garbage dump, or refining gold and silver, there is nothing like the purifying, purging, and perfecting power of FIRE! What a marvelous metaphor God uses when He compares Himself and His Holy Spirit with that of "FIRE" -- "For our God is a consuming FIRE" (Heb. 12:29). There are so many marvelous qualities and mysteries of fire that multiple books are needed to elaborate upon them. However, let me just interject a couple of points here. Fire CHANGES things. This fact is most important in understanding the purpose for the "Lake of Fire." 1. Fire changes combustible things (even undesirable things) into useful heat and energy. Fire changes the quality of precious stones, gold and silver by purging out the impurities, thus making them perfect.

2.

It is automatically assumed without any Scriptural proof whatsoever, that when one is "thrown into the lake of fire" that (1) It is literal fire that causes physical pain and torment. And/or (2) It causes physical death and annihilation. And/or (3) There is no escape and it lasts for all eternity Lets be precise now and see what the Scriptures actually tell us about all those sinning people AFTER they are thrown into a lake 117

of fire. Rev. 20:10 only mentions the beast and false prophet along with Satan the Adversary as being cast into the lake of fire. No sinners are thrown in at this point. But after we are presented with the great white throne in verse 11, and all the dead being judged in verse 12, we come to verse 15 where sinning people are cast into the lake of fire. Lets read it: "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was CAST into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15) Are they TORTURED by this fire? It doesnt say. Are they KILLED, do they die? It doesnt say. Do they ever COME OUT? It doesnt say. How LONG does this lake of fire last? It doesnt say. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall HAVE THEIR PART in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8). Is this group of sinners TORTURED by this fire? It doesnt say. Are they KILLED, do they DIE in this lake of fire/second death? It doesnt say. Do they ever COME OUT? It doesnt say. How LONG does this lake of fire/second death last? It doesnt say. So from these verses alone, what do we know for sure happens to these sinners AFTER they are cast into this lake of fire? Nothing. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Do either of these two verses SAY ANYTHING WHATSOEVER about what takes place in this lake of fire/second death or how long it will last? NO! NO IT DOESNT! NOT EVEN ONE SINGLE 118

SOLITARY WORD -- NONE, ZERO, ZILCH! Then HOW ... HOW PRAY TELL ... do all these Christian religions of the world know for sure that the sinners cast into the lake of fire/second death, actually do suffer in unbearable torture, and that this torture lasts for all eternity, or as others say, they are annihilated for all eternity from which there will never be a resurrection? How do they KNOW all this stuff for sure? Well, of course, THEY DONT KNOW! They ASSUME! They SPECULATE! And some of them lie. So there you have seen it with your own eyes. These Scriptures in Revelation 20 and 21 do not really, actually, factually, literally, say what theologians claim, do they? No, they DONT! You have all heard of things being "waterproof" and "fireproof," well now I am attempting to make my readers "LIE-proof" forever! One only needs to understand a half dozen absolute spiritual truths, and that person will be "LIE-PROOF" for ever! Let me give them to you quickly, and we can discuss them in greater detail as we go: GOD IS LOVE GOD IS SOVEREIGN CHRISTS WORDS ARE SPIRIT MANS WILL IS NOT FREE AND INDEPENDENT OF GOD THE GREEK WORD AIONIOS NEVER MEANS ETERNAL GOD WILLS TO SAVE ALL MANKIND GOD WILL PERFORM ALL HIS WILL These seven spiritual truths will protect you from all unscriptural and heretical teachings. And as you mature in Christ Jesus our Lord, you will only be required to understand and believe one of the above spiritual truths. That would be the first one which covers ALL: GOD IS LOVE ! But there are other Scriptures in other parts of the Bible stating 119

that God will either torture or annihilate people for all eternity in real fire, are there not? No. There are not. Now I am sorry if this disappoints some of you, but No, there are not! Now dont start e-mailing me just yet -- Ill cover all those verses that some of you still think are real fires that torture or annihilate people for eternity. And I do not want anyone to draw the erroneous conclusion that since we must go through a plethora of trials, tribulations, suffering, and persecution, that all God is interested in is putting us through a living hell. This is not the case at all. Each and every trial and persecution that comes upon us is designed to MAKE US SPIRITUALLY STRONG. And with spiritual strength comes PEACE, FULFILLMENT, TRUE HAPPINESS, AND JOY. How would you like to be "supremely blest" "well off" "fortunate" and "happy" for the rest of your life? Well, believe it or not, going through all the trials and tribulations and persecutions that Christ outlined in the Scriptures for all those who would become His followers, is exactly how all of these good things can become yours! I think all of my readers are mature enough to understand and firmly believe that happiness does not come from the abundance of things we possess (although those things have their place too). True happiness is from the inside out. Happiness is produced from within, and not by things from without. True happiness is a heart and mind at PEACE! Have you ever noticed that every single epistle that Paul penned has in the salutation: "GRACE to you and PEACE from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ?" We have already learned that "grace" is God's gift of not only salvation, but a training, schooling, disciplining, chastising power that changes our character from carnal to godly! And what is the result of all this? PEACE! Peace of mind, peace of heart, peace of spirit. When God grants us "PEACE," we are truly blessed, fortunate, well-off and very HAPPY!

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I am really excited about installment IV coming next. I will show you a Scriptural formula that will guarantee our understanding of such verses as "the lake of fire which is the second death." Without this formula given by Christ and restated by Paul, one will never understand the truth or purpose of the lake of fire. In fact, Christian theologians, and many Christians themselves Im afraid, do exactly the OPPOSITE of what these Scriptures tell us we must do if we are to understand SPIRITUAL THINGS.

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Understanding Spiritual Things I received e-mail from a detractor this week that said, "You will never understand the Bible until you come to see that everything in the Bible must be taken literally." The truth is that it is hard to read more than a few verses in most parts of the Bible without coming across some figurative, symbolic, idiomatic, or metaphorical language, none of which is literal. Matt. 1:1, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the SON OF DAVID, the son of Abraham." Was Jesus literally the "son of David?" No, (literally) He was more like the twenty-sixth great-grandson of David. So even in the very first verse of the New Testament we are met with language that is not completely literal. And in the last book of the New Testament, Revelation, we have a whole book of symbols, figures, and metaphors. And the material between Matthew and Revelation is a mountain of spiritual instruction and teaching. PARABLES, PARABLES, AND MORE PARABLES Christ spoke ONLY in parables when talking with the masses, "ALL these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in PARABLES; and without a parable spake He NOT unto them" (Matt. 13:34). We need to pay strict attention to the Words of God. They are precise and pure (in the original manuscripts), but so many just refuse to believe what they read. Jesus only taught to the multitudes IN PARABLES! Nothing else, just PARABLES! How many believe that? Of course, any who would contend that much of what is written in the Scriptures is figurative rather than literal language will be accused of "spiritualizing away" the Scriptures. In reality, by not understanding spiritual things, it is they, the accusers, who are guilty of MATERIALIZING AWAY the Scriptures! It is the physical that passes away. Only the Spiritual is eternal. And so it is impossible to spiritualize "away" anything, because once something is spiritual it is eternal and never goes away. And so the grand teaching and spiritual understanding of such things as the "lake of fire" are literalized and materialized down to 123

something ghastly and horrible rather than something marvelous and glorious. How can any human being with even an ounce of human compassion believe that our Heavenly God and Father is going to operate some hellish version of Saddam Husseins torture camps for all eternity? Every parent who had a POW in Iraq is worried sick over the condition and treatment of their son or daughter in Saddams camps. Seriously, do we think that these same parents would be happy and filled with godly joy if one of their sons or daughters were in some fabled eternal torture chamber, of Gods Hell? Do any who delight in such satanic teachings ever really meditate on these demonic teachings? No, of course they dont. No one is THAT evil. PARABLES ARE SPIRITUAL What were those parables that Jesus taught? A parable is a story that contains in figurative or symbolic language a higher moral or spiritual truth. Parables are HIGHER, SPIRITUAL, GLORIOUS teachings of ETERNAL things. Literally they are of little consequence; spiritually they are of enormous consequence. But without knowing what the symbols represent in a parable, no one could ever understand the higher meaning. Therefore the multitudes of people did not understand the teaching of Jesus Christ, because He did not explain the meaning of the symbols to the masses, only to His disciples in private. Many people have tried to tell me that parables are to be taken literally. What they dont realize is that they are talking about square circles. The very reason a parable is called a parable is so that we will know for sure that whatever is contained in the parable IS NOT LITERAL. Parables require spiritual understanding. Some require little (albeit some) spiritual understanding. Example: The Parable of a Beam in Ones Eye. There are few believers who would not understand the meaning of this parable, although they might not practice its teaching. Others such as The Parable of the Prodigal Son requires much more spiritual understanding, as there are many more spiritual truths contained in this story. And probably the most complex of all parables is the parable of Lazarus and the Rich man. (See my 124

fifty-page explanation of this parable on this site). I remember seeing Charlie Brown cartoons many years ago that had two levels of humor written into them: One very simple and easy to follow for little children; and another higher more sophisticated level of humor to keep the adults entertained as well. Unfortunately all too many Christians can only view parables on the level of very little children viewing Charlie Brown cartoons. The higher meaning is totally missed, and/or not believed. A simple example: "Another parable spoke He unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened." Jesus didnt explain this parable, so what does it mean? Most certainly understand that leaven (like yeast) put into dough will cause the dough to rise through fermentation. But what is the spiritual application of this parable? Paul tells us that, "Know ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump" (I Cor. 5:6). But who believes this parable? According to Jesus, the kingdom of God is like this parable of the leaven and the lump. The kingdom of God moves and works throughout the entirety of the universe until the WHOLE of Gods creation is brought under its influence. But who believes it? The time comes when Jesus Christ will turn over the kingdom of God to His Father: "Then comes the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power that GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL" (I Cor. 15:24 & 28b). Then the whole lump will be leavened with God! EveryoneALL. This parable is not literal. The kingdom of God is not literally "leaven in a lump of dough! These teachings are SPIRITUAL! They teach GREAT SPIRITUAL TRUTHS! Every parable teaches a spiritual truth. Unless you understand the parable of the leaven and the dough, you dont understand the gospel. Because the leaven in the dough is like the kingdom of God and Jesus came preaching the "GOSPEL" OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD! You see, if the leaven does NOT leaven the WHOLE lump, then it is NOT "like the kingdom of God." Anything that does not involve the whole 125

(everyone) cannot be "like" the kingdom of God. For anything to be "like" the kingdom of God it must involve the whole, the all, everyone, all mankind. Therefore Jesus said that the kingdom of God is "like" leaven that leavens the WHOLE LUMP! Arent these little parables just MARVELOUS? ISAIAH WAS NOT A FALSE PROPHET It is paramount that whatever Isaiah prophesied, that it be true and be fulfilled. Jesus did not contradict the prophecies of Isaiah by coming up with a game plan to thwart the original purpose for God giving Isaiah the prophecy in the first place. Yet there are those who would suggest just such a thing. Christ spoke in parables only so that the multitudes would not and could not understand his words! I heard popular TV personality and film-maker, Matt Crouch (son of Paul Crouch, president of TBN), state that Christ taught in parables so that the people could and would understand and perceive, and therefore could repent and be healed. In other words, it would mean that Christ came to contradict and nullify Isaiahs prophecy! But no, Christ came to "fulfill" the prophecies, not MAKE VOID and NULLIFY the prophecies. Listen to His own words: "Because it is given unto YOU to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to THEM it is NOT GIVEN" (Matt. 13:11). Now then was it "given" or "NOT given" to the multitudes to "know the mysteries of the kingdom"? Thats right, it was NOT given. Continuing: "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing SEE NOT; and hearing they HEAR NOT, neither do they UNDERSTAND. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye [ye means everyoneall of you, not just the singular you] shall hear, and shall NOT understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall NOT perceive: For this peoples heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be CONVERTED AND 126

I SHOULD HEAL THEM. But blessed are your eyes [the disciples only] for THEY SEE: and your ears, for THEY HEAR" (Matt. 13:13-16). Jesus then explains the parable to His disciples only, "Hear ye [all of the disciples only] therefore the parable of the sower" (Ver. 18). Jesus had just told the multitude this parable of the sower and his disciples heard it also, but neither group understood the parable, so He turned to His disciples in PRIVATE and instructed them in the meaning of this parable. "ANOTHER parable put He [Jesus] forth unto them..." (Matt. 13:24) "ANOTHER parable put He forth unto them..." (Ver. 31). "ANOTHER parable spake He unto them..." (Ver. 33). "ALL these things spake Jesus unto the MULTITUDES IN PARABLES; and without a parable spake He NOT unto them: That it might be fulfilled [FULFILLED, not NULLIFIED, as Matt Crouch contends] which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in PARABLES; I will utter these things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus sent the multitude AWAY, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, DECLARE UNTO US the parable of the tares of the field. He said and answered unto them [the disciples only] ..." (Matt. 13:34-37). Not only the multitudes, but the apostles and disciples also did not understand Christs teachings. They had to be instructed in private. And yet ... and YET, we are told continually like a broken record that the whole Bible must be taken LITERALLY. What is NOT literal cannot be taken LITERALLY. How hard can this be? A parable is still a parable (that is, figurative and/or symbolic words and language which point to a higher spiritual truth than the words themselves portray) even if the words themselves sound like they could be taken literally. The Scriptures say that Christ spoke to the multitudes in parables ONLY. We should stop fighting the Scriptures and believe Him. 127

"To him that has an ear to hear, let him hear" is the declaration throughout the Scriptures, but only those whom God has granted hearing and understanding will ever grasp the meaning. People dont understand the spiritual, they are afraid of the spiritual, and therefore, they want everything to be literal so that their carnal mind can be satisfied. DISCIPLES DID NOT UNDERSTAND CHRISTS PARABLES Notice this: "And He [Jesus] called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Even though Jesus said, "hear and understand" neither the multitude NOR the disciples understood! Once again: "Then answered Peter and said unto Him; Declare [Greek: decipher, explain] UNTO US THIS PARABLE" (Ver. 15). Peter didnt understand this parable, the apostles didnt understand, the disciples didnt understand, the Pharisees didnt understand, the whole multitude DID NOT UNDERSTAND! Now not all parables are explained in the Scriptures as this one is. Did Jesus ever explain a parable by stating that it is to be taken literally just as His words are stated? No, NEVER! Parables are not literal stories of historical events or literal stories of prophetic events. Parables ALWAYS have a higher meaning than the literal words themselves. In those few parables that our Lord explained and preserved for us in the Scriptures, He always assigned another and different meaning to each word or part of the parables. Every word or part of each parable stood for something other than the meaning of the literal words. Why then does the church today (ignorantly or intentionally) teach that those parables for which we were not given an explanation, are to be taken LITERALLY? The parable of Lazarus and the Rich man in Luke 16 is only one of the parables for which Jesus gave us no explanation at the time He taught it. These hypocritical Pharisees were spiritually BLIND and the multitudes that followed them were also spiritually BLIND! Jesus said they were "BLIND leaders of the BLIND." Should we expect that things would be any different in our day and time? Are not 128

many of the religious leaders in the world today blind? And are not the followers of these blind leaders also blind? Shall they not "both" therefore "fall into the ditch?" The main thing that I want you to see in these Scriptures regarding the parables is that Jesus Christ did not go around the countryside teaching huge crowds of people spiritual truths by the use and means of simple little farming analogies. He taught, they listened, they understood NOT, they went back to their homes, and their lives were affected very little. Although Jesus did not heal most of them of their spiritual sicknesses, he did heal them of their physical diseases, and for this, many were most thankful and thought of Him as a great and godly man. The Pharisees and other such ilk, of course, only despised our Lords every word and deed. Now then, why would Jesus Christ spend years traveling the countryside teaching in parables so that the multitudes of people He reached would not understand a word He was saying? Consider if Jesus had either (1) Explained His parables and teachings so that they could and would understand, or (2) Just simply taught them in plain language what He wanted them to hear and know without all the parables and symbolic figurative language, then they would have heard and understood and perceived and repented and been converted, and Jesus would have healed them and saved them. But Jesus didnt want them to repent and be converted and healed and saved (at that time)! Why? Doesnt Christ realize that according to Christian teaching, no person can be saved after he dies without being saved before death. Has no one ever told our Lord about this adamant, unmovable, unrelenting dogmatic divine doctrine of Christendom? Apparently not, seeing that our Lord is going to save many times more sinners after death than before death! SINNERS SAVED AFTER DEATH Receiving salvation after one dies is a total impossibility according to Christian teaching. The Scriptural reality is that most of humanity will be saved in judgment after death. It is only the Firstfruits that are saved in this first life before the resurrection to 129

judgment Now there were many who did believe that Jesus was a man sent from God, and they followed Him. But why? Mostly because of His miracles and healings. They were taken in by His miraculous works. On one occasion Jesus said the multitudes were more interested in the miraculous bread that filled their belly rather than any spiritual food they could have received. But, just as quick as many were to follow Jesus, likewise, many quickly turned from Him. When Jesus told them that, "the flesh profits NOTHING" and "the words that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT" (John 6:63), they decided they had enough of this Man: "From that time MANY of His disciples went back, and walked NO MORE with Him" (John 6:66). And what do we see happening today? I heard again last night Creflo Dollar giving yet another version of the only sermon I believe he has, on how to get rich on this worlds materialism! Over the past year or two I have come upon Mr. Dollar probably thirty or forty times while flipping through the channels. I have never once heard anything pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ come out of his mouthonly messages of how to cash in on worldly materialism! Albeit, I must confess that I cannot take more than about five minutes of his preaching at a time. Apparently he believes that materialism is spiritualism! I have nothing against Mr. Dollar. He is a fine looking young man with lots of energy and personality, but I do not believe that he has a clue as to what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. The "treasures" that Jesus spoke of were not houses, cars, jewelry, and money. The treasures of heaven are SPIRITUAL. And so we have those who were called of God and understood some of the good things of the kingdom of God, but then turned away from Christ. We have whole multitudes that heard Christ preach for years and never understood a word He said, and died that way in their sins. And we have whole nations of people who have never heard of the name of Jesus Christ. What will happen to all of these multitudes and nations that died in their sins not being worthy of the kingdom of God? God will JUDGE them, and they will all be saved! Thats what Jesus Christ isHES A 130

SAVIOURHE SAVES! Hes the best Saviour there ever was or ever will be. Contrary to popular Christian teaching, Jesus Christ is very good at what He does. He is a PERFECT SAVIOUR. No one will be lost when Jesus sets His hand to SAVE THE WORLD! You can take that to the bank. TWO STUPID ARGUMENTS I hate to waste precious space and time on stupid things, but I feel an urge to tell you about an argument and an analogy that Christian detractors of the Truth continually send to me. I often mention in my writings and in answer to e-mails, that Jesus Christ is THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD, and therefore, WILL SAVE THE WORLD. This should be axiomatic to even the youngest and newest minor in Christ, but sadly many Christian veterans of a half-century do not and cannot believe it. One analogy that I have been given several times to prove that Christ can be the Saviour of the world, and yet NOT SAVE THE WORLD, goes like this: "When a fireman goes into a burning building to save trapped people, what happens if these trapped people refuse to be saved? Is the fireman not still a fireman simply because some do not wish to be saved?" Here we see the foolishness of the carnal mind at work desperately grasping for straws to support an unscriptural theory that Christ TRIES to save everyone (just like a fireman tries to save those trapped in a burning building), but is unable to save everyone because many REFUSE to be saved. Therefore Christ is STILL a Saviour even if He doesnt save everyone. See the logic in this analogy? See the utter foolishness in this analogy: 1. Only an insane person would prefer to be burned in literal torturing flames of fire rather than to be saved by a fireman! I have been told by Christians many times that most of humanity will CHOOSE to be burned in the pain of literal hell fire for all ETERNITY, rather than to be saved by Jesus Christ! THEY LIE! 2. Any fireman worth his salt will save men, women, 131

children, and even cats, dogs, and other pets, WHETHER THEY WANT TO BE SAVED OR NOT. Imagine a mother being told by a fireman that he left her little girl back in a burning building because the little girl didnt want to be rescued by a fireman? 3. Jesus Christ does not suffer the limitations of a fireman! Jesus Christ IS GOD! God does what He WILLS, and God wills to save all humanity (I Tim. 2:4 and Isaiah 46:9-11). Such stupid analogies themselves condemn the wicked and carnal minds of those who purpose them. And I have a whole folder full of this inane argument from detractors of the Truth (I will paraphrase as different ones contain different aspects of the same argument): "Well if everyone is going to eventually be saved, as you teach Mr. Smith, then why should those of us who are following Christ now, not just go out and live it up? Why shouldnt we go out and fornicate, get drunk, steal, kill, or do anything we want? Why not just enjoy life and have a happy time? Why should we obey God or pray or go to Church, or be concerned for other people now if we are all going to be saved later anyway?" This is not an isolated argumentI get many such e-mails. Sometimes I just reply by saying: "Sir, it is not even necessary for me to answer your questionsyou have answered them YOURSELF! You yourself have condemned your own darkened and unintelligent heart by the very stupid and foolish questions you ask. You prove to yourself by asking such things, that you do not really love your fellowman or God. You would PREFER to live a wicked life of selfish carnality and a continuous quest for physical pleasures of the flesh. You truly do not see the value of living a righteous, godly, and spiritual life. You condemn yourself as being unworthy of the Kingdom of God." So here we have people who claim to believe in Jesus Christ and the goodness of God, who nonetheless, utterly condemn my teaching that Jesus Christ will SAVE THE WORLD, and often 132

state that it is "I" who will be tortured in hell fire for all eternity for denying that there is such a place of eternal torture. Yet they themselves would prefer to live an ungodly life of sin and pleasure rather than to serve God from the heart out of love. I believe I have the mind of Christ when I say that all such attitudes will be judged in Gods consuming fire. TURNING THE SPIRITUAL INTO THE PHYSICAL Who really believes that "the flesh profits NOTHING?" or that "the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT?" I am sure that most of my readers are answering, "Well I believe these statements of Christ!" Well I hope you do, but I am afraid that many still think that "the lake of fire which is the second death" is literal even though we just read where Christ Himself says, "the WORDS that I speak unto you, THEY ARE SPIRIT?" Who do you think spoke those words, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death?" Was it not CHRIST? If you have a King James Bible, open to the book of Revelation. Here is what my KJV says in big bold letters at the top of the page: "THE REVELATION of St. John the Divine." But you see that title for this book is the invention of the translators. There is no such title in the Greek manuscripts. Now then, read the first verse of Revelation one: "The Revelation of JESUS CHRIST..." So we see that this book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and NOT that of "St. John the Divine." Furthermore, I dont think John would approve of anyone calling him "DIVINE." The words that the lake of fire is the second death are a revelation of Jesus Christ, and Jesus told us that His words are SPIRIT. Not only are the words "lake of fire" and "second death" figurative, symbolic, and metaphorical, but since this is a revelation of Jesus Christ Himself, they are of necessity also, SPIRITUAL! Christendom thinks it understands the words of SPIRIT which Jesus spoke, but does it really? Notice the context of these statements of our Lord. Jesus told the Pharisees and multitudes and disciples that He was the bread of life come down from heaven. Jesus again used bread at the last supper to SYMBOLIZE His FLESH which we are to eat in order to have life. The real, 133

literal bread was a symbol of HIS SPIRITUAL FLESH. So what is it that Christians by the millions do every morning in churches around the world? They take communion by eating real physical bread, which they have been told has now been turned into real physical flesh protein of our Lords physical body! First of all, Christs BODY IS SPIRITUAL, not physical, ("It is sown a natural body; it is raised a SPIRITUAL BODY" I Cor. 15:43, and "Now this I say, brethren, that FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD" 15:50). In other words, they take something physical (bread); magically metamorphose it into something else physical (namely flesh); and think they have comprehended and achieved something SPIRITUAL. Christ gave us word symbols to show us a higher spiritual teaching, namely that eating bread which gives physical life is symbolic of eating the real bread of life from heaven, the SPIRITUAL FLESH OF JESUS ("eating" and "flesh" also being symbolic of something else), which imparts SPIRITUAL LIFE. The large crowds of people who listened to Jesus speak have long since died, and they died in their sins never having understood what it is to be converted, healed, and saved. They never have eaten of Christs spiritual body. One of the main reasons why, "...for WIDE is the gate, and BROAD is the way, that leads to destruction [not eternal torture], and MANY there be which go in thereat" is because Christ did NOT open up to the multitudes the "narrow way" to understanding, repentance, and salvation. THE THREE FESTIVALS AND THE SALVATION OF ALL There is a beautiful type in the Old Testament that clearly demonstrates when and in what manner all these Unsaved masses will be saved. This Old Testament type is illustrated all through the New Testament, but the blind and unperceiving eyes of Christendom have for the most part failed to see it, believe it, or teach it. The American Heritage College Dictionary: "type n 6. A figure, representation, or symbol of something to come, such as an event in the Old Testament that foreshadows another in the New Testament," p. 1485. There are many such types beginning back in 134

the the first chapter of Genesis. Here are just two examples: The Passover in ancient Israel was a type of its true fulfillment to come in our Lord's crucifixion, "Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened [but now speaking spiritually]. For even Christ our PASSOVER [Lamb] is sacrificed [crucified] for us " (I Cor. 5:7). And James 1:18 clearly demonstrates the foreshadowing of the firstfruits harvest by saying: "Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a KIND of firstfruits [of the Spring Harvest] of His creatures [not farm products]." It is also important to note that whenever the word "first" is used, it always suggests more to follow -- there is never a Spring harvest without a following Fall harvest. We will now consider three of the Old Testament types that center on the harvest seasons. In ancient Israel there were three times in the year when all men were to appear before God: 1. THE WAVE SHEAF (Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover): "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf OF the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest ... And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the FIRST year for a burnt offering unto the Lord" (Lev. 23:10-12). COMMENT: This wave sheaf of the very first of the firstfruits is a type of our Lord Who was the perfect Lamb without blemish offered in the Spring on Passover. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the FIRSTFRUIT of them that sleep" (I Cor. 15:20). Jesus is not the entire firstfruits but rather "the firstfruit OF them that sleep." He is the firstfruit OF the firstfruit or more 135

precisely the "wave sheaf OF the firstfruits." Firstfruit is a term that pertains to agriculture and harvesting. It was never a theological term until introduced into the New Testament with regards to a small number who would be saved prior to a much larger number to be saved later. 2. THE FIRSTFRUITS (Feast of Weeks): "All the best of the oil , and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the FIRSTFRUITS of them which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee ... And whatsoever is FIRST RIPE in the land which they shall bring unto the Lord, shall be thine..." (Num. 18:12 & 13). "And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, has given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God" (Deut. 26:10). COMMENT: The type in the New Testament of this Old Testament symbol is the Believer. Notice what James tells us, "Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of FIRSTFRUITS of His creatures" (James 1:18). Now a very important point: How far down the road in prophecy can we go until we reach the end of the firstfruits? In Rev. 7:4-8 we read of the sealing of the 144,000. These are a different group from the great innumerable multitude, which no man could number, from every nation and tongue spoken of beginning in verse 9. In Chapter 14:1 & 4 we are told specifically who these 144,000 are: "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand [notice that the innumerable multitudes from 136

all nations is not mentioned here] ... These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins [as in the Bride of Christ]. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, BEING THE FIRSTFRUITS unto God and to the Lamb" (Rev. 14:1 & 4). So every believer from the Apostles to the 144,000 just prior to the return of Jesus Christ to establish His reign on the earth, is called and likened to FIRSTFRUITS! So what does this have to do with the lake of fire? EVERYTHING! Everyone saved before the Day of Judging is likened to firstfruits, so there will be no more firstfruits after the white throne judgment. Paul tells us in Rom. 8:23, "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the FIRSTFRUITS of the Spirit..." Nowhere do we read of the "LASTFRUITS," but whenever something is FIRST we also know there is something to follow. Nor are there any references to any "ONLYFRUITS." The firstfruits are clearly not the ONLY fruits! Follow this very closely now, for you are in for a big shock when you understand the type in the fall festival of Tabernaclesthe great fall harvest. 3. THE END-OF-THE-YEAR FEAST OF INGATHERING (Feast of Tabernacles): "And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou has sown in the field and the FEAST OF INGATHERING, which is in the END OF THE YEAR, when you have gathered in thy labours out of the field" (Ex. 23:16). "Thou shall observe the FEAST OF TABERNACLES seven [number of perfection] days, after that you have 137

gathered in your corn and your wine: And you shall REJOICE IN YOUR FEAST, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the widow, that are within your gates [thats just about EVERYONE, wouldnt you say?]. Seven days [heres that perfect number again] shall you keep A SOLEMN FEAST [a very important feast to God] unto the LORD your God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless you in all your increase, and in all the works of your hands, therefore you shalt surely REJOICE" (Deut. 16:13-15). Here truly was a festival in which EVERYONE, every single person in all Israel, and also did you notice, "the STRANGER" who was NOT an Israelite could really REJOICE! THIS FESTIVAL WAS THE HAPPIEST TIME OF THE YEAR! Do we think it will have no fulfillment in Gods grand plan of salvation? "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, the fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the FEAST OF TABERNACLES for seven days unto the LORD. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein. Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the EIGHTH DAY shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by FIRE unto the LORD: it is a SOLEMN assembly; and you shall do no servile work therein" (Lev. 23:34-36). Why is the profound and marvelous truth of this festival not taught in its proper chronological order by the prophets of Christendom? How is it even possible to avoid seeing the powerful and glorious consummation of Gods salvation in this Fall Harvest Festival? Why is the truth of this GREAT FEAST 138

being hidden from the eyes of the world? What is it that they are trying to hide from us? Gods Word will show us. JESUS TAUGHT THE PURPOSE OF THE FALL HARVEST The eighth day of this Feast of Tabernacles was called "The Last Great Day of the Feast." Jesus Christ Himself came to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem and spoke on the Last Great Day: "In the last day, that GREAT DAY OF THE FEAST, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If ANY MAN thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of LIVING WATER" (John 7:3738). At what point in future prophecy, will Jesus Christ CUT OFF the invitation to all and any who are athirst to drink of His LIVING WATERS? Our Lord NEVER cuts off the invitation to drink of the living waters. These waters (a symbol for Gods SPIRIT) will be available until every creature in heaven and earth is saved: "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the FOUNTAIN OF THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY" (Rev. 21:6). "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And WHOSOEVER WILL, let him take the WATER OF LIFE FREELY" (Rev. 22:17). And this declaration is made just five verses before the END OF THE BIBLE! But dont be deceived, Jesus Christ IS the "tree of life" in the Garden, and NO ONE can partake of that tree of life except he first pass the through the "FLAMING SWORD" that points in all directions and guards the tree of life. Remember, "Our God is a CONSUMING FIRE" (Heb. 12:29). So Tabernacles celebrated the great Fall harvest, the largest harvest of the whole year. It was this great Fall harvest that would sustain Israel through the winter months. There were far more products to be harvested in the END of the year than in the Spring of the year. Therefore this same type must carry over into the New 139

Testament. So here is where we are. There were THREE great festivals in the yearly calendar of Israel: "THREE TIMES in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread [which included Passover], and in the feast of weeks [firstfruits], and in the feast of tabernacles [the time of the great fall harvest]: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty" (Deut. 16:16). First comes the wave sheaf, the very first of the firstfruits, on Passover, during the feast of unleavened bread. This represents CHRIST, the very first (wave sheaf) OF the firstfruit, our Passover sacrificed for us. Second was the Feast of Weeks when the firstfruit of the land was harvested. This represents US, the FIRSTFRUIT to enter Gods Kingdom. James says WE are the firstfruit of God (James 1:18). Third came the great Fall harvest, the Feast of Tabernacles, a much much larger gathering, where ALL THE FALL HARVEST was gathered in! What does this Feast picture? This was the time of true REJOICING FOR EVERYONE. Absolutely EVERYONE. No one was left out of this great and final festival of the year: "And thou shalt rejoice IN THY FEAST [of Tabernacles, the fall harvest], YOU, and your SON, and your DAUGHTER, and your MANSERVANT, and your MAIDSERVANT, and the LEVITE, the STRANGER [GENTILES], and the FATHERLESS, and the WIDOW, that are within your gates" (Deut. 16:14). NO ONE was EXCLUDED! EVERYONE was INCLUDED! And so we see in the New Testament that these three festivals of ancient Israel are really TYPES in Gods master plan of salvation. Christ the FIRST of the firstfruit. Then believers, the FIRSTFRUITS. And then the great FALL HARVEST. But wait a minute. We know that Christ was the First of the firstfruit to be resurrected to life. We also know that all the believing saints who are to reign with Christ at His coming are the rest of the firstfruits. So where then does the great fall harvest of 140

souls come into Gods family? When have you ever been taught about the great fall harvest, which excludes no one but includes everyone? There is a reason why you havent heard the truth of these Scriptures in Christendom. According to Christendom THERE IS NO GREAT FALL HARVEST OF SOULS at the end of the ages! Thats right, they say there will be NO Fall Harvest in Gods Kingdom. Just how do they account for such a thing? Is God such an inept and unskilled Farmer that He has a total crop failure when Fall harvest time comes, or will He just BURN THE ENTIRE HARVEST in the eternal fires of some fabled hell? ENTER THE PROPHET BENNY An interesting thing happened yesterday when I was scanning the channels looking for the latest news. Benny Hinn popped up on one of the channels, and so I stopped momentarily and heard the announcer say that Mr. Hinn was ready to complete his study on the Feast of Tabernacles. Now how coincidental can this be? Of course it was no coincidence at all as God is operating all according to the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:10-11). Since I was writing on this very theme myself, I thought that I would listen to what Mr. Hinn had to say. I then heard something that I have never heard before. I am well aware of the fact that Christian doctrine does not teach that God will bring in the entire Fall harvest of humanity, but how do they explain it away? I had never heard the orthodox answer to this problem. Well, dont you know, Benny Hinn (teacher, author, evangelist, healer, prophet, and raiser of the dead) had the answer. (Cant say for sure that his answer is the orthodox one or not, but Ill pass it on anyway). He said to his audience that what he was about to tell them would shock them. Even I was on the edge of my seat. I could hardly wait for this new revelation. What could it be? First he quoted from Daniel nine about the 70 weeks prophecy and from Amos, and then came his shocker. He said that God was going to do something that He had never done before. God was going to do something completely unheard of heretofore. He was 141

going to perform a most unusual miracle. And just what is it that God will do? His audience was just glowing with anticipation. I could hardly wait myself. He next quoted his proof text for this most unusual miracle from God. And here it is, King James Version, Joel 2:23: "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." Well there it is! Did you catch that most incredible and momentous miracle of miracles? You dont see it? Well, actually, I didnt either until he explained it. The key to his marvelous revelation is found in the words, "...the former rain, and the latter rain in the FIRST MONTH." I will now present to you Prophet Bennys insight into this phrase. He said that in the near future, God will send the former rain and latter rain, all in the FIRST MONTH of the year. Thus, (and here Prophet Benny takes a little interpreters license) the former rain really represents the former harvest or Pentecost (firstfruits) and the latter rain represent the Fall harvest (Tabernacles), so both the spring harvest of firstfruits AND the fall harvest of ingathering will BOTH TAKE PLACE IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR! So therefore there will not be a separate huge fall harvest, just one harvest in the first month only. And both of these harvests combined will NOT include all the produce of the field, ONLY THAT PORTION which is lucky enough to get harvested. This supposed spring and fall harvest combined, in the first month, will be but a small portion of the entire crop! Wow! What prophetic understanding! What a fantastic miracle! What divine revelation! What spiritual insight! WHAT A CROCK!! I am afraid I will now have to Scripturally depose Benny the prophet. (Actually, I kinda like Benny; hes a charming guy with a pleasant personality, and always seems to have a smile on his face; but dont believe everything he says). Notice that I italicized the word month in each reference above. If 142

you have a King James Bible you will notice that the word "month" in Joel 2:23 is in italics. This means that in the Hebrew manuscript from which this verse was translated, there is NO WORD "month" in verse 23. The translators inserted the word month thinking they would make the meaning of the verse clearer, when in reality, they turned the verse into a contradiction. It should read, "the former rain, and the latter rain as in the first." Period. It is not speaking of "the first month," but "as in the first" or "as before" or "as in the beginning." Notice a few credible translations of this verse: "Rejoice in the Eternal One your God, for the early rain He has given you amply, the winter-rain he has poured upon you, and sent the latter rain as of old" (A New Translation By James Moffatt). "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice In the LORD your God; For He giveth you the former rain in just measure, And He causeth to come down for you the rain, The former rain and latter rain, at the first" (The Holy Scriptures, The Jewish Publication Society). "And, you sons of Zion, be joyful and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for He will be bound to give you the autumn rain in right measure, and He will bring down upon you people a downpour, autumn rain and spring rain, as at the first" (New World Translation, By New World Bible Translation Committee). "Then, sons of Zion, exult! And rejoice in the LORD, your God! For He will give to you the former rain in just measure, And He will bring down for you the downpour, The former rain and the latter rain as at first" (Concordant Version By Concordant Publishing Concern). "Rejoice, O people of Jerusalem, rejoice in the LORD your God! For the rains He sends are tokens of forgiveness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as those of spring" (The Living Bible, Holman Illustrated Edition). "And you, O children of Zion, rejoice, and be joyful in the Lord your God: because He hath given you a teacher of justice, and he will make the early and the latter rain to come down to you as in 143

the beginning" (The Holy Bible, Douay Confraternity). "Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before" (New International Version). "O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he has given the early rain for your vindication, He has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before" (The New Revised Standard Version). Does anyone see the word "month" in any of these translations? Thats because God never inspired the word "month" to be used in this verse. So clearly this verse is not speaking about having a spring and fall harvest all in the same first month of the year! How conveniently Prophet Benny thought he had wiped out Gods whole Fall Harvest of billions of souls by extrapolating a false prophecy and unscriptural doctrine from one non-existent word! No, my dear readers, the firstfruits are but the beginning of the harvest, and there is to follow the full fall harvest of all humanity. God said that this end of the year fall harvest was a time of REJOICING. One could hardly rejoice over throwing the entire fall harvest of humanity into some hellhole of eternal fire! THREE TIMES there was a great festival to God wherein, by the use of types, God showed mankind His plan of salvation. The PASSOVER, the FIRSTFRUITS, and the FALL HARVEST. These three festival types in the Old Testament were to have their fulfillment in future realizations of these types. EVERY MAN SAVED IN HIS OWN ORDER I Cor. 15:20, 23, 24 presents us with the type and fulfillment of the three harvest festivals: 1. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the FIRSTFRUITS OF [the rest of the firstfruits awaiting resurrection in His presence] them that slept ... But EVERY MAN [all mankind, the WHOLE human race] in 144

his own ORDER: Christ the firstfruits..." (The Wave Sheaf of the very first of the firstfruits). 2. "Afterward they that are Christs [those who are now saved] at His coming [the rest of the firstfruits that are sleeping and those alive waiting]. (The Firstfruits, the Spring Harvest). 3. Then comes the END [The Fall Harvest, the Feast of Tabernacles]. "and the feast of INGATHERING [of the Fall Harvest], which is in the END..." (Ex. 23:16). What did Jesus say would happen in "the end," at the "end of the Feast," "the last day," "the last great day of the feast?" "In the last day, that GREAT DAY OF THE FEAST, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If ANY MAN thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of LIVING WATER" (John 7:37-38). THEN COMES THE END I Cor. 15:24 says, "Then comes the END" "The end" of what? Just what is it that "ends" in "the end?" Does the earth end? Does the universe end? Do we end? What ends in the end? "Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christs at His coming [Gk: His presence]. Then comes THE END..." (II Cor. 15:24). Lets look at a few verses before we come to "the end" in verse 24: Verse 20: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." Comment: Contrary to popular teaching, there was no heavenly welcoming committee of men and women who became firstfruits BEFORE Christ became the FIRSTFRUIT. No, there were no saints welcoming Christ back to heaven. Christ taught: "And NO MAN has ascended into heaven, but He that came 145

down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven" (John 3:13). Jesus Christ was the FIRST. Ask your pastor if this verse really is true, that "NO MAN" has ascended into heaven. This would then mean that Lazarus and Abraham in the Rich man parable also were NOT IN HEAVEN as most teach that they were, wouldnt it? Among the very last few words that Christ uttered on this earth were these: "I am Alpha and Omega, the BEGINNING and the END, the FIRST and the LAST" (Rev. 22:13). So yes, Christ is the first of the firstfruits. He is the first of EVERYTHING, He is the very Creator; and He is the last, the end, the CONSUMMATION of Gods plan of universal salvation. Ver. 21-22: "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For AS in Adam ALL die, EVEN SO in Christ shall ALL be made alive." Comment: First I want to show you that the word "alive" in this verse is a word that is used with reference to imparting immortality, and not just mortal life. The Greek word is zoopoieo, and it means to give life beyond the grasp of any future death. Notice how it is used in Rom. 8:11, "But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead [Christ was raised to immortality, not back to a mortal life] dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [zoopoieo] your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you." So clearly God does not give "mortal" life to our "mortal" bodies, seeing that we already have mortal life. No, He imparts IMMORTALITY to us. And this is exactly what Paul tells us in I Cor. 15, "For this corruptible [body] must put on incorruption [spiritual], and this mortal [dying or dead body] must put on IMMORTALITY [Gk: DEATH-LESSNESS]" (Verse 53). And to whom does Christ grant immortal "zoopoieo" life? Answer: "ALL." The very same "all" who die in Adam are the very same "all" who are given life IN CHRIST. It is also noteworthy that it is "IN Christ ALL" and is not restricted to only, "ALL IN CHRIST" as many have tried to 146

twist this verse to mean. They say it is only all those who are "in" Christ. But that is not what this verse says. It says "in Christ ALL." That is the order of words. This verse is not speaking of those just the "all believers" who are said to be "IN Christ." No, this verse is speaking about the very same "in Adam ALL" who die become the very same "in Christ ALL" who are made alive. And although this particular verse does not say that "all" are now "IN Christ," it does most definitely say that "in Christ," the "ALL" shall be shall be "made alive." "Made alive" does not prove they are "in" Christ or that they are "saved," only that they have been given immortal life. Then comes JUDGMENT. But dont think that therefore there is no Scripture that says they will eventually "ALL" be "IN" Christ, because there is: "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one ALL [things is not in original] IN Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even IN HIM" (Eph. 1:10). Christ first raises ALL to immortal life. At a later date He gathers this same ALL into Himself. The "in Christ ALL" (I Cor. 15:22) then becomes the "ALL IN CHRIST" (Eph. 1:10). Every creature in heaven and earth will be ONE IN Christ! I hope you can believe that. Ver. 23-24: "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christs at His coming. Then cometh the end" The King James starts a new sentence and a new verse with the words, "Then cometh the end" It should, however, be a continuation of the previous sentence. There are three items in view here, not just two. The Concordant Version has a better rendering of this: "Yet each in his own class: the Firstfruit, Christ; thereupon those who are Christs in His presence; thereafter the consummation" One, two, three. So there are three orders or classes that synchronize with the three festivals of harvest, and not just two classes that synchronize with Prophet Bennys first "month" of the 147

year only theory. Notice them: 1. "The Firstfruit, Christ" (The Passover, The Wave Sheaf).

2.

"Thereupon those who are Christs" (Pentecost, the Firstfruits)

3.

"Thereafter the consummation [the end]" (the final Fall Harvest of Ingathering in the end of the year).

These three match perfectly with the three types of harvest in the Old Testament. So yes indeed, there will be a fall harvest at the end, at the CONSUMMATION. Now the rest of verse 24: "thereafter the consummation when He [Christ] shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power." Notice that Christ does not rule "forever and ever" as is popularly taught, but rather delivers up the kingdom to GOD His Father. But He does this after He puts down ALL RULE AND ALL AUTHORITY, AND ALL POWER. Who/Where? EVERYONE/EVERYWHERE! "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together [just like the fall "ingathering of the harvest"] in one ALL [things is not in the Greek] in Christ, both which are IN HEAVEN, and which are ON EARTH, IN HIM" (Eph. 1:10). And so here is our Scripture which clearly states that "ALL" in both heaven and earth will become "ONE IN Christ." Now they are no longer just given life in Christ, but now they are SAVED, they are "one in Christ!" Notice that there is coming a "GATHERING TOGETHER OF ALL IN ONE [Christ]." And that this gathering together of all in one consists of ALL IN THE HEAVENS AND ALL IN THE EARTH! Who then is left out? NO ONE! These ALL in heaven and 148

earth are not gathered "under" Christ, but "IN Christ!" Lets read it again. A verse this important and all encompassing cannot be over emphasized: "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together IN ONE [just as in harvest time] ALL IN Christ, BOTH WHICH ARE IN HEAVEN, AND WHICH ARE ON EARTH; IN HIM." Now then, when "ALL" in both heaven and earth are gathered into one "IN Christ," absolutely no one is left out. This is also in perfect harmony with other Scriptures regarding the salvation of everyone in both the heavens and the earth, and even those dead and six feet UNDER the earth. Next book, Phil. 2:9-11: "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE should bow, of [those] in heaven, and those in earth, and those under [all who have died] the earth: And that EVERY TONGUE should confess that Jesus Christ IS LORD to the glory of God the Father." Sometimes when something is important God gives us a SECOND WITNESS: "I HAVE SWORN BY myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me EVERY KNEE shall bow, EVERY TONGUE shall swear" (Isaiah 45:23). And when something is really important God even gives us a THIRD WITNESS: "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, EVERY KNEE shall bow to me, and EVERY TONGUE shall confess to God" (Rom. 14:11). It is futile to say that I Cor. 15: 22 means only the all who are "in" Christ will be saved, even though the order of words is clear in all translations. It is not "all IN Christ" that is spoken of in this verse, but rather "in Christ ALL" that is spoken of. But later, after resurrection, after judgment, "in the dispensation of the fullness of times," we learn that, indeed, it is "ALL in Christ" and now the "ALL" is EVERYONE IN HEAVENS AND ON THE EARTH 149

ALL OF GODS CREATURES! By the way, for all those ultra-stubborn ones who say that, yes, all will bow their knees, and if they dont God will break their knees and force them to confess that "Jesus is LORD," let me present this Scripture: "no man CAN SAY that Jesus is the Lord BUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT" (I Cor. 12:3b). Oh that Christians would learn to stop fighting and contradicting the Scriptures. So then, "in Christ ALL" shall be made alive with immortal and incorruptible life; ALL both in the heavens and in the earth shall be judged (set right), and then all in the heavens and all in the earth will bow and confess that Christ is LORD of their lives; and ALL in both heaven and earth will be gathered together in ONE "IN Christ." This is the great fall harvest. This is the meaning of Tabernacles. This is the grand and glorious note on which the ENDS OF EONS climax! TO BE "IN CHRIST" IS SALVATION What does it mean to be "IN Christ" seeing that ALL IN HEAVEN AND EARTH WILL BE "IN Christ?" "Therefore if any man be IN Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL things are become new." How many will be reconciled "IN Christ?" "To wit, that God was IN Christ, reconciling THE WORLD unto Himself, NOT IMPUTING THEIR TREPASSES UNTO THEM" (II Cor. 5:17 & 19). Of course, how could it be otherwise? Jesus doesnt make just "some" new creatures from the old, no, He makes "ALL THINGS NEW." And we all know this verse: "There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are IN Christ Jesus" How many will be IN Christ? We read it: "ALL." There is coming 150

the time when there will be no more condemnation IN ANYONE ANYWHERE! Praise God and BELIEVE IT! WHEN IS IT TOO LATE TO BE SAVED? But are these Scriptures believed? In the "the end," in "the last day ," in that "GREAT DAY OF THE FEAST," can "ANY" man really and truly drink of Christ if he is thirsty, or will it be TOO LATE? "If ANY MAN THIRST, let him come unto Me, and DRINK." What about the Rich man in the parable who said, "...be merciful to me [is God a God of mercy?] and send Lazarus that he should be dipping the tip of his finger in water and cooling my tongue..." (Luke 16:24). Can this Rich man come to Christ and "drink"? Ask your pastor. The answer will probably be, "NO, he cannot come to Christ and drink, because for him IT IS TOO LATE." "TOO LATE?" The "END," the "END of the Feast," "the LAST day," "the LAST great day of the Feast," is, "TOO LATE?" NO! The LAST great day of the feast is NOT too late. The LAST GREAT DAY OF THE FEAST IS WHEN Jesus said let "ANY MAN" freely come and drink of the water of life: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the END ... I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the WATER OF LIFE FREELY" (Rev. 21:6) "In the LAST DAY, that GREAT DAY OF THE FEAST, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If ANY MAN THIRST [even the Rich man] LET HIM COME UNTO ME, AND DRINK" (Jn. 7:37-38). In the parable of Lazarus and the Rich man, we find the Rich man being Judged, so he has not as yet partaken of the water of life, but he will. And so the church today has relegated this marvelous type of the fall harvest of rejoicing into an eternity of grieving. They see no need to SAVE the harvest. Their message is to BURN AND DESTROY THE HARVEST! To them the Fall Harvest is not worth saving; to them the Fall Harvest is EVIL, and needs to be burned in fire for all eternity. This is decidedly not the way God views humanity in the end time of harvest. It seems that the 151

greatest minds in theology today cannot understand the simplest analogies, types, and parables in the Scriptures? GOD THE FARMER Think about these things with a little bit of sensibility and reverence for Gods desires. Oh how we demean the very God we claim to worship. For millennia man has tilled the ground, planted seed, cultivated, sweat and toiled in anticipation of a GOOD CROP. You cant count the times that Scripture talks of food, produce, oil, olives, figs, corn, wine, cattle, milk, honey, seedtime and harvest. The ideal setting being a land filled with happy children , peace, health, and PLENTY! Our Lord said that God His Father is a "Farmer" ("My Father is the Farmer" John 15:1) Now it is indeed acknowledged by the church that God will have a small spring harvest of firstfruits, but when it comes to the FALL harvest, the really BIG harvest, The Greatest Farmer in the Universe, will not have a bumper crop but will rather have a TOTAL CROP FAILURE! Or more precisely, He BURNS THE ENTIRE FALL HARVEST. Does this blasphemous teaching sound to you like God is being exalted as the Greatest Farmer in all the earth? An all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving Farmer Who can cultivate and produce a perfect and complete Fall Harvest? Why would our Fathers Son, Jesus Christ, liken His Father to a Farmer, knowing in advance that His Farmer Father will produce fall harvest that is worse that the worst of human farmers? The spring harvest is the harvest of those firstfruits that have entered into the straight and narrow gate. The fall harvest is the harvest of all those who went the wide and broad way into destruction. Destruction is not the final destiny of the nonbeliever. Being DESTROYED, PERISHED, and LOST are all conditions awaiting SALVATION, and are not conditions to be eternally punished! All, absolutely ALL, who are not in the first resurrection are in a condition likened to: "lost," "perished," or "destroyed." Contrary to orthodoxy these conditions are NOT hopeless: 152

DESTROYED, PERISHED, AND LOST DESTROYED: Is being destroyed a condition from which there is no salvation? Jesus said, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to DESTROY both soul and body in hell [the Greek is "gehenna" NOT hell. It is gehenna fire, Mat. 5:22, not hell fire]" (Matt. 10:28). Is there no salvation from this "destruction" in gehenna fire? Notice that they are not "eternally lost" in gehenna fire, but they are "DESTROYED" in gehenna fire. Their condition is that of being DESTROYED. This is not a hopeless condition or even our own Lord would have been put into a hopeless condition. "Jesus answered and said unto them, DESTROY this temple, and in three days I will raise it up ... but He spake of the temple of His BODY" (John 2:19 & 21). Later they did destroy Jesus Christ and sure enough three days later God SAVED Jesus from that destruction. Notice what Job said with relation to being "destroyed": "Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet Thou dost DESTROY me" (Job 10:8). Yet Job knew that God would yet save him. In Jeremiah 18 God tells Jeremiah to go down to the Potters house and observe him at work. Jeremiah sees the potter destroy a marred work in his hand and refashion it into something useful. This we learn is an analogy of how God would "destroy" Judah (Ver. 7), and yet save him in the end. God will refashion all of marred (destroyed) mankind into glorious sons of God! PERISHED: Can a person perish and still be saved? Of course. Even "righteous" men can perish, "All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a JUST MAN that PERISHES in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in his wickedness" (Ecc. 7:15). One more, 153

"The RIGHTEOUS PERISHES, and no man lays it to heart..." (Isa. 57:1). Perishing is not something that can cut off Gods arm of salvation. LOST: Can a person sin, be lost, die, and then be saved? Certainly. Lets look at one of those parables of Jesus that Christendom thinks of as easy to understand little stories, when in fact they dont even begin to understand. You all know the story contained in the parable of the Prodigal son so I wont read it all, but let me give you the "truth" of this parable. God is the "Father" in this parable, and the Prodigal is EVERY SON WHO HAS GONE ASTRAY. "And when he had spent all ... And when he came to himself ... I will arise and go to my father ... I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight ... And am no more worthy to be called thy son ... But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf ... For this my son was DEAD, and is alive again; he was LOST, and is found. And they began to be merry" (Luke 15:14-23). This man SINNED, he was LOST, and he SPIRITUALLY DIED! Do we ALL spiritually DIE? "AND AS IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE..." But isnt this speaking of the PHYSICAL death of our bodies? No it is not. The second part of the verse gives us the answer as to which death this is, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but AFTER this the JUDGMENT" (Heb. 9:27). Notice that "judgment" comes after this death, and not before. We already learned that JUDGMENT is upon the house of God NOW! Each individual Christian in every generation is judged NOW, in THIS life, BEFORE he physically dies! And so the "death" that all men must partake of before judgment is SPIRITUAL DEATH. Notice: "And I saw THE DEAD, small and great, STAND before God" (Rev. 20:12). 154

How pray tell can the physically dead, stand, if they are dead? So here then is the order of things. The Prodigal Son SINNED, he was LOST, he spiritually DIED, and then? And then he was JUDGED! Where and when was he judged? In the hog pens of a far alien country, thats where. God had to bring him out of this alien county (Mystery Babylon the Great) with all its "riotous living" (Luke 15:13). And so it was that God JUDGED this Prodigal with the beasts and swine of Babylon until he "came to himself." (Ver. 17). Seems to me that God sent King Nebuchadnezzer into the fields with the beasts to live like a beast, so that he too "came to himself." God has not warned in vain to "Come out of her [MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH] my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 17:5 & 18:4). He that has an ear, let him hear. And so this Prodigal SINNED, was LOST, and spiritually DIED. Surely he is outside of the realm of salvation now. No, he is in the perfect realm FOR SALVATION. How many millions of times this parable of the Prodigal Son has been read, but how many times has its truth ever been understood and perceived? This prodigal was, according to his father, "DEAD." And it was after his father said that he was "dead" that he welcomed him back, forgave him, exalted him, and rewarded him! Now who says one cant be saved after death. It is after death that most of humanity will be saved. May God finally grant you to SEE SOMETHING SPIRITUAL! Parables are NOT literal, thats why they are called "parables" instead of "history." This parable pictures the carnal mind going the way of the flesh. What are the wages of living a riotous life in the alien land of lustful Babylon? Is it "life and joy in the holy spirit?" I speak as fool. Here is the wages of riotous and carnal living in the hog pens of Babylon: "For the wages of sin is DEATH..." (Rom. 6:23). SPIRITUAL DEATH! What must happen AFTER we spiritually DIE? "JUDGMENT!" The spiritual DEAD must be JUDGED. Does judging CORRECT the spiritually dead sinners? Yes it does. That is what the parable of the Prodigal Son 155

is all about. Gods "ways and means" ALWAYS WORK! "...For when Thy [Gods] JUDGMENTS are in the earth, the INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Isa. 26:9)!

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A Scriptural Explanation of the Lake of Fire We will now delve into some spiritual matters"yea, the DEEP things of God." How does the Church decide just what the lake of fire is, what happens there, why, to whom, and for how long? Remember back about thirty pages where I showed you that the Scriptures in Rev. 20 and 21 do not actually say what happens to a person who is thrown into the lake of fire? It does not say they are burned or tortured. It does not say if they are killed. It does not say how long they are in this fire (there is an indication as to how low the beast, false prophet, and Satan are in this lake of fire, however). So how then does the church decide that those who are thrown into this lake of fire are tortured, in their physical flesh, by real fire, for all eternity? A detractor recently e-mailed me and asked how I could say that a certain thing Jesus said was "spiritual?" He told me, "Ray, these things that Jesus spoke of are REAL!" Wow! As though "spiritual things" are NOT REAL? I never thought about this before, but just maybe that is what scares people about spiritual thingsmaybe they think spiritual things ARE NOT REAL! I assure you that the lake of fire IS REAL. It is, in fact, MORE REAL being spiritual than if it were physical, material, and literal! Let me share a practice that I have seen applied to the explanation of Scriptures. It is a common practice to compare physical things with physical things in an endeavor to prove that the thing in question is indeed physical and literal. Ironically, those who practice such things believe that they have accomplished a spiritual undertaking. God, on the other hand, tells us that even all the physical things in creation are signs of His spiritual divinity (Rom. 1:20). Contrary to human logic, physical things are not made out of solid matter. God says they are made out of things [things not out of nothing] which "do not appear"invisible things, things of God. God is invisible and therefore "visible things" are made out of the invisible Creator God (Heb. 11:2). Scientists know this for a fact. Physical, tangible, 157

material substances can be reduced down to atomic and subatomic invisible energySPIRITUAL ENERGY, if you will! Theologians say that "the lake of fire" is physical, material, and literal. They compare this phrase with similar phrases in Scripture thinking that they have proved that the lake of fire is literal. Here are a few examples that they believe proves that the "lake of fire" is physical, material, and literal: "cast into everlasting firecast into hell fire," (Matt. 18:8-9). "cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark. 9:45-46). "cast into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 13:42-43). "Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels," (Matt. 25:41). "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever," (Rev. 20:10). "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:14-15) and "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death," (Rev. 21:8). I will add one more, not because it mentions either hell or fire, but because it is often used to establish the length of punishment in hell. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment" (Matt. 25:46). There are other verses and parables that mention "burning" and "fire," but these are the most frequently and strongest verses used to establish the Christian doctrine of eternal torment by literal fire. The 158

proof that these are all literal, however, is found in the carnal mind, and not in the Scriptures. Some of these verses regarding "fire" may sound like they can be taken literally, but that is not the test of whether something is literal or figurativewhether it sounds like it could be literal. Some of the parables of Jesus sound like they could be literal, but NONE OF THEM ARE LITERAL, they all have a higher spiritual truth than is ever conveyed in the literal example or story. Well, what about it? Do all of these verses combined establish that the lake of fire is a literal fire that burns literal physical bodies as an eternal punishment for unbelieving sinners? No, they do not. They in fact prove something quite opposite from that of eternal torture in real fire. They have NOTHING to do with physical bodies! They have NOTHING to do with physical torture! And they have NOTHING to do with eternity! You have been lied to long enough: it is now time that you know the TRUTH. I am now going to rock some boats! "THE FLESH PROFITS NOTHING / MY WORDS ARE SPIRIT" When Jesus Christ said in John 6:63: "It is the SPIRIT that quickens [gives life]; the FLESH PROFITS NOTHING: the words that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are life" The Scripture then tells us in verse 66: "From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him." Why did Christs words so offend His own disciples? Because they were carnal and unconverted, thats why. They did not, could not, and would not understand "spiritual things." They could understand and believe physical, material, and literal things. They could not understand "spiritual" things, and therefore they walked with Christ NO MORE! So whats new? Has human nature changed over the past two thousand years? I think not. After reading this next section, many of 159

you may decide that you too have had ENOUGH. You may feel that these things are getting just too "spiritual" for your liking. Maybe you too will doubt the existence of spiritual things, and that if you cant have things in their natural, physical, material, carnal and literal way, then you will have none of it! Jesus Christ asked in Luke 18:8, "Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall He find FAITH ON THE EARTH?" Orthodoxy would answer, "Why YES, He will find lots of faithno less than a BILLION or two, filled with the faith of God." Oh really? Does anyone believe that Jesus would have asked such a profound question if He already knew and believed that there would be no less than a BILLION or two believing Christians on the earth waiting to prove their faith to Him? Many professing Christians do not believe God; they do not believe Jesus Christ; and they do not believe the Scriptures! I didnt say they dont believe there is a God or that there is a Christ or that there is a book of Scripture; I said they dont believe God or Christthey dont believe what They have said in the Scriptures. Dont think that I am always trying to be hard on the Christian Church; I am not. I am trying to get people to BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES, BELIEVE GOD, and BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST! I hear a lot of lip service, but I fear that all too many have a heart that is far from God. We claim to believe the Scriptures, but do we really? We may believe part of a Scripture, one word of a Scripture, someones interpretation of a Scripture, our own interpretation of a Scripture, but do we believe ALL THE SCRIPTURE? How am I to prove to someone that the lake of fire is not Gods eternal version of a terrorists torture chamber, if they do not believe in the credibility of Scriptures? If I give a Scripture and someone says, "Well, I dont believe that! Thats YOUR interpretation," how are we to ever establish the truth of the Scriptures in such minds and attitudes? There really is simplicity in the Scriptures. But who believes them? We SAY, we TALK, we AFFIRM, we SWEAR, we PRETEND, but do we really believe the Scriptures? "GOD IS LOVE" (I John 4:8). How 160

many believe it? Do YOU believe it? Not if you also believe that God will torture the majority of mankind unmercifully in real fire for all eternity, you dont. The two thoughts are incompatible and incongruous. One cannot hate ones enemies while claiming to love them. One cannot torture someone while at the same time insisting that this is showing love. One cannot lie to his children while claiming to be truthful. Little children understand these concepts; why cant adults? Heb. 12:6-8, "For whom the Lord LOVES He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for which son is he whom the father chastens not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye BASTARDS, and not sons." There isnt a theologian alive who can explain this Scripture if he also believes that God will torture most of humanity in a literal lake of fire for all eternity. God chastens EVERY son, but He does not torture him in literal fire for all eternity. If we endure chastening, then we know that God is dealing with us as SONS! But. . . .BUT, if any are "without chastisement" then they are "bastards, and NOT sons." Now then, does God LOVE all His sons whom He scourges and chastises? Yes, of course He does, He says He does. But heres the sixty-four thousands dollar question: "Does He also LOVE the bastards, or does He HATE the bastards and enemies of the cross?" Dont be too hasty to answer, as your answer has huge and eternal consequences. Well, some may say, "Love," while others may say, "Hate." Okay, lets look at both: 1. If God "Loves" the bastards, then He will eventually HAVE TO CHASTEN THEM, because.He chastens "EVERY son whom He loves." And God then "receives" all that He chastens. No exceptions here. So God cant burn any whom He "Loves" in a literal lake of fire for all eternity.

2.

But if God "Hates" the bastards who are enemies of the crosswait a minuteGod cant "HATE His enemies!" Jesus Christ said we are to, "Be ye therefore perfect EVEN AS your Father which is in Heaven is perfect." A great part 161

of becoming perfect is to LOVE ONES ENEMIES! Jesus said we are to, "LOVE YOU ENEMIES, BLESS them that curse you, DO GOOD to them that hate you." No exceptions here regarding any enemies that we are allowed to hate. This is HOW ones becomes perfect like the Father. "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES!" (Matt. 5:48 & 45)! And so God cant burn any of these enemies in a lake of fire for all eternity, either, and still be Our PERFECT Father Who LOVES HIS ENEMIES, just as we are to LOVE OUR ENEMIES! Bastards are born bastards and did not create themselves or choose to be bastards"!!! By the way, just what does God do with those who are "enemies of the cross" (Phil. 3:18)? "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES of the cross of Christ: Whose end is DESTRUCTION" Need I remind you of the Scriptures we covered in the last installment on who Christ came to SAVE: those who are "lost, perished, and destroyed?" So by Gods Own Words He prevents Himself from hating or torturing enemies for all eternity in a literal lake of fire. You see, GOD REALLY DOES LOVE HIS ENEMIES! But many of us do not, and so we make God into a carnal-minded image of ourselves, which is IDOLATRY! God has never said in His Word that He will torture anyone in literal fire for all eternitycarnal-minded theologians have come up with such utter rank blasphemy! Let me get frank for a moment (as if I am not normally frank). Not many people "LOVE their enemies." No, they dont. Dont even try to tell me that they do. A few do. Not many. I myself struggle with the command at times. DO YOU LOVE YOUR ENEMIES? How many prayed for the seven POWs held captive in Iraq? I myself prayed earnestly for them. I hate the thought of being tortured, and I had no idea how badly our POWs were being 162

treated. Millions upon millions prayed for them. But how many prayed for not only Jessica, but for her enemy captors who "cursed her, and hated her, and despitefully used her, and persecuted her?" How many? Thats what I thought. How many would like to see her captors BURN IN HELL? (That is, were there such a place). I rest my case. We do NOT believe the Scriptures. We pretend! We boast! We LIE! By the way, "and ALL LIARS [do you see any exceptions in that statement, ALL liars?"] shall have their part in the lake which BURNS WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8)! How many still desire that this lake should be a LITERAL FIRE that tortures the flesh for all eternity? So maybe you think youre not "a murderer, or whoremonger, or sorcerer;" maybe you are just an occasional "liar who hates his enemies?" Think about it. So you are one of those who "Believes the Scriptures," are you? And you believe that billions upon billions of human beings "shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death?" And do you believe that they will be tortured there for ALL ETERNITY? Do you? Do you really? Is this what you think the "lake of fire/second death" is? An eternal torture chamber? Well, then you must also concede that if you or anyone you know is "fearful" (same verse) ("fearful" in the Greek here is "timid"), or a "liar," then you and everyone you know who is either "timid" or a "liar" is going to burn and burn and burn in literal fire in this lake of fire for ALL ETERNITY. Are you ever "timid?" Do you ever tell a "lie?" Are you ready to go to Hell and be burned in real fire for all eternity? Why does God lump such relatively minor character flaws such as "timidity (fearful)" with "murderers" and "sorcerers?" Have you ever had the reason for that explained to you? Ask your pastor, I am sure he will be able to explain it to you. (On second thought scratch that last statement. I believe that statement is a "lie." I dont believe your pastor can explain it to you, and I dont want to burn in Hell for all eternity for being a "liar"). I can see it all now: Satan is standing at the Rusty Gates of Hell welcoming all newcomers: 163

SATAN: "And why are you here, young man?" YOUNG MAN: "In my life I was ABOMINABLE, committed MURDERS, practiced SORCERY, and was an IDOLATER!" SATAN: "Throw this young man into the burning lake of fire for all eternity!" SATAN: "And why are you here, young lady?" YOUNG LADY: "I have never done anything abominable or committed murder or practiced sorcery, nor was I an idolater. But when I heard all those Hell-fire and brimstone sermons on television by all those worldly millionaire preachers of doom, I became a little "fearful" as I am timid by nature." SATAN: "Throw this evil sinner into the burning lake of fire for all eternity!" SATAN: "Demon Scribe, how many fearful and timid young ladies have we thrown into the lake of fire thus far? DEMON SCRIBE: "Your Unholy Corruptness: that last one makes four billion, six hundred and eighty-nine million, five hundred and seventy-eight thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine!" SATAN: "Very good! Next.." WE MUST BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES Here is another verse that will test your faith in the Scriptures: "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Rom. 10:9). Is not this Scripture so absolutely fundamental to our faith that every Christian on earth believes every word of this Scripture? Let us see. Test yourself: First we must "confess Jesus." Not just saying the name of Jesus as a real historical Figure, but EVERYTHING THAT HIS NAME STANDS FOR! Jesus means "Jehovah-Saviour." Saviour of what? Saviour of whom? Heres a Scriptural answer: 164

"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [JesusJehovah - SAVIOUR] TO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD" (I John 4:14)! Do you know of a verse anywhere in the Bible that says Jesus will FAIL at being "The SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD?" Do you then completely believe Rom. 10:9 as the infallible Word of God? Do you believe that Jesus IS what His name SAYS He isSaviour of THE WORLD? Do you believe that His Father gave Him a commission that could only be hoped for, but never accomplished? Do you believe that Jesus Christ will FAIL TO LIVE UP TO HIS NAME? Well, then, if you believe that Jesus IS the Saviour of the world, then you certainly cannot believe that He will NOT save most of the world but rather torture most of the world for all eternity in a lake of fire. Jesus gave a parable about a father who commissioned one of his sons to do a job. The son said he would do what his father commissioned. However, he lied and did not do what his father commissioned. Jesus told those Pharisees that harlots would enter the kingdom before someone with an attitude like that, (Matt. 21:2831)! Are we to believe that the very Son of God Himself is no better than this failing servant in Christs own parable? What will it take before we really BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES? We hear a great deal these days about "THE GREAT COMMISSION," (as though those talking about it have a clue as to what it is). Teaching the gospel is certainly commanded by our Lord, but the greatest thing about the gospel is never taught by most evangelists. That Jesus Christ died to save a small fraction of sinners is only a small fraction of the gospel. And the gospel is not the Great Commission. Would you like to know what The Great Commission really is? Okay, here it is: "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent [Gk: apostello, to send out on a missioncommission] TO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD" (I John 4:14)! See Second Witness in John 3:17. Now if anyone knows of a GREATER mission or commission than this, I am sure we would all like to know what it is? 165

Now it would only be fitting that such a Dignitary ought to have a name that exemplifies so great a commission: "Wherefore God also has highly EXALTED HIM, and given Him A NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME: That at THE NAME OF JESUS [Jehovah-SAVIOUR]" (Phil. 2:9). See Second Witness in Eph. 1:21. Okay then, we have the "commission," and we have "a name" befitting that commission, but do we have a Son Who will do the works of that commission or will He fail? "the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I DO, bear witness of Me." (John 5:36). A second witness: Did Jesus take the works ("to be the SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD") seriously? "I MUST WORK THE WORKS [SAVE THE WORLD] OF HIM THAT SENT ME." (John 9:4)!!! What power might Jesus lack that could disable or frustrate this august commission of His Father? "ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME in heaven and in earth" (Matt. 28:18)! See Second Witness in Dan. 7:14. Has Jesus already proven that He has enough power to overcome all the "free wills" of the world? "Be of good cheer; I have OVERCOME THE WORLD" (John 16:33). See Second Witness in I John 4:4. Maybe God doesnt want the whole world to be saved? "Who WILL have all men to be saved" (I Tim. 2:4). Second witness: "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Saviour of ALL MEN, especially [but not exclusively] of those who believe" (I Tim. 4:10). 166

Doesnt God will that most of humanity will eternally perish in the lake of fire? "The Lordis NOT WILLING that ANY should perish [eternally]" (II Peter. 3:9). Second witness: "And I, if I be lifted up [on the cross] from the earth, will draw ALL MEN UNTO ME" (John 12:32). But doesnt the whole world need first to have their sins atoned for? "And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD" (I John 2:2). Second witness: "The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD" (John 1:29). Hasnt the Church proven by their interpretation of the "lake of fire" that it is "impossible" to save all mankind? "Who then CAN be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE" (Matt. 19:25-26). See Second Witness in Job 42:2. Isnt it up to each individual to "CHOOSE CHIRST" in order to be saved? "You have NOT CHOSEN ME, but I have CHOSEN YOU" (John 15:16). But didnt Billy Graham say at one of his crusades that "we must come to Christ all on our own?" To not even pray for those making that decision, because that decision to "come to Christ" must be theirs and THEIRS ALONE?

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"NO MAN CAN COME TO ME [by his own free will choice] except the Father which has sent me DRAW HIM [Greek: DRAG HIM] and I WILL raise him up at the last day" (John 6:44). See Second Witness in Verse 65. Are you telling me that I never did seek God ON MY OWN? "There is NONE that seeks after God" (Rom. 3:11b). See Second Witness in Psalm 14:2. But what if I believe that I can and I do WILL to serve God on my own. "For it is GOD which works IN you both TO WILL and TO DO of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). See Second Witness in I Cor. 15:10. Well I know for a fact that it says in Heb. 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God, so surely we must work up our OWN FAITH in order to please God? "For by grace are ye saved through FAITH; and that [that FAITH] is NOT OF YOURSELVES [well where does it come from then, if not from US?]; it is the GIFT OF GOD" (Eph. 2:8). Second Witness: "and what have you that you did not RECEIVE.?" (I Cor. 4:7). But surely everyone will have to acknowledge the RISEN Jesus Christ as their Lord and their Jesus [Jehovah-SAVIOUR] before they can ever be saved, so when does that happen? "That at the name of Jesus [Jehovah-SaviourTHEIR Saviour] EVERY knee should bow, in heaven, and in earth, and under the earth; and that EVERY tongue should confess [That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised Him from the dead, THOU SHALT BE SAVED, Rom. 10:9)] that Jesus Christ [The Christ that God raised from the dead. Christ was already RISEN when this was written in 168

Phil. 2:11] is Lord [Lord means masteracknowledging Christ as Master of their lives], to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11). But doesnt this sound like ALL that we do to be saved is OF GOD, and not of ourselves? "God is operating ALL in all" (I Cor. 12:6) "Yet ALL is of God" (II Cor. 5:18) "For OF Him, and THROUGH Him, and TO Him, ARE ALL THINGS: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen" (Rom. 11:34) "being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who works ALL THINGS after the counsel of His OWN WILL" (Eph. 1:11). This almost sounds like we can do absolutely NOTHING on our own to bring about our own salvation. "I am the vine, you are the branches for without me you can do NOTHING" (John 15:5). All these Scriptures make it sound as if the Church has many worship practices that are nothing but the philosophies, commandments, and traditions of men rather than Scripture. "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of menFull well you reject the commandments of God, [like: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES] that you may keep your OWN TRADITION" (Mark 7:7 & 9). Am I failing to find even a single Scriptural excuse for Christ to FAIL in His Great Commission? I hope so! Perhaps your pastor knows of a Scripture that will justify the Christian concept that Jesus Christ will FAIL to fulfill His commission. If anyone finds such a Scripture, be sure to e-mail me immediately. Maybe your pastor will say that I am being too negative and expecting too much of our Saviour. Shouldnt I be content that Jesus saves at least a few? The small flock? The narrow gate? The firstfruit? Is not a FIVE PERCENT success rate something to be praised and awarded even if NINETY-FIVE PERCENT of humanity are to be lost 169

and eternally tortured in a lake of fire? Is FIVE PERCENT considered a GOOD RETURN on His investment according to our Heavenly Father? Jesus gave another parable about a Lord [God] who gave five, two, and one talents to each of his servants ("But made Himself [Jesus] of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a SERVANT.," Phil. 2:7), and later reckoned with them about how well they did with their talents. The two servants with five and two talents were praised and rewarded. The one with one talent (TWENTY PERCENT as much as the one with five talents) gave his Lord back his one talent to which the Lord commanded: "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 25:14-30). The servant gave back to his Lord ALL that He had given him. Did the Lord consider that something to be praised and rewarded? DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT GOD THE FATHER EXPECTS NO MORE THAN THIS FROM HIS OWN SON, JESUS [JEHOVAH-SAVIOUR] THE SAVIOUR OF THE WHOLE WORLD? God the Father commissioned HIS OWN SON to do a job, which His Son agreed to DO. How many of you parents would be content with your children if they achieved the SAME PERCENTAGE OF SUCCESS, as the Church attributes to Jesus Christ in saving the world? Are five or ten percent test scores from your children in school acceptable to you as parents? What about if they get FIFTY percent? If they always achieve at least a fifty percent grade on their papers, will you consider that ACCEPTABLE? Fifty percent is considerably higher and better than what is attributed to Jesus Christ for the work God has set before Him! Do you think that if Jesus saves FIFTY percent of humanity that it will be "good and acceptable" to His Father? NO! NO! A thousands times, NO! Ill show you what percentage is "good and acceptable" to God the Father: "For THIS is GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have ALL men [What percentage? Five percent? Fifty percent?] ALL men to be saved..." (I Tim. 2:3-4).

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Jesus DIED FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD. That part of the commission is finished ("IT IS FINISHED" Jn. 19:30). The sins of the whole world are already forgiven, "And He [Jesus-SAVIOUR] is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD" (I John 2:2) And, "To wit that God was in Christ, reconciling THE WORLD unto Himself, NOT imputing [reckoning] THEIR TRESPASSES [SINS] AGAINST THEM" (II Cor. 5:19). Why then is not the whole world saved, NOW? Because "dying for the sins of the world" is not the total commission. Well what pray tell could still be remaining? Answer: JUDGMENT and KNOWLEDGE! "And as it is appointed unto [all] men once to die, but after this the JUDGMENT" (Heb. 9:27) "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come into the KNOWLEDGE of the truth" (I Tim. 2:4). "For the EARTH shall be FILLED with the KNOWLEDGE of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14). "For when Thy [Gods] JUDGMENTS are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will LEARN [thats KNOWLEDGE] righteousness" (Isaiah 26:9). Rest assured that Jesus [Jehovah-SAVIOUR] will not fail to fulfill His commission and become an unprofitable Servant to His Father. And dont let anyone tell you that Jesus is only the "potential" Saviour of the world and that actually getting saved is up to man! One cannot even be the "potential Saviour of the world," and yet NOT save the world, because that would be proof that the "potential" was not really there in the first place? One cannot be the "SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD," and yet, NOT SAVE THE WORLD! Am I going too fast for anyone? 171

All that we covered here is the meaning of the name itself, "Jesus=Jehovah Saviour." Believing in the name of Jesus also means believing the dozens and dozens of godly character traits of our Lord. We could certainly spend many pages going through all of the qualities of character, virtue, godliness, and love, contained in the person of "Jesus." But hopefully many of my readers are beginning to see the light. Why should I have to spend paragraph after paragraph trying to persuade people that Rom. 10:9 and I John 4:14, and I Tim. 2:4 and dozens and dozens of Scripture just like these, really are TRUE? Why? Because many Christians DO NOT BELIEVE THESE SCRIPTURES, THATS WHY! Back to our Scripture, second part of Rom. 10:9, "that God has raised Him from the DEAD?" Do you believe that? Do you really? Or do you believe as orthodoxy does that Jesus (Himself) NEVER DIED! Thats right. Jesus Christ (the REAL Jesus) Himself, is said to have never died. Theologians teach that only His body died. That Jesus Himself was not DEAD, but was rather on a preaching mission, somewhere in a place called Hell, during the time He was supposed to be dead, and was supposed to be in the heart of the earth, and was supposed to be fulfilling the sign of Jonah, and was supposed to be paying for the sins of the world by suffering death, and supposed to be fulfilling prophecy, all in accord with what His Father ordained for Him to do. Do you believe "JESUS" died or that only His "body" died? But some will protest: "How can GOD die?" God can die IN THE FORM OF A MORTAL MAN! Jesus emptied Himself, lowered Himself, gave up His glory to BECOME A MAN for the express purpose of DYING! "But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the SUFFERING OF DEATH" (Heb. 2:9). Remember that just as we have a spirit in us that gives us life and at death preserves who we are, Jesus likewise had a spirit that He gave up to His Father when He died. The life of Jesus was preserved in 172

that spirit even though He, Himself, was unconscious and DEAD for three days. Please understand that what I am saying does in no way negate the faith of those who believe that Christ DIED for them, but do not as yet understand that Jesus Himself died, and not just His shell, His housing, His clothing of a physical body. It is essential that one believe the Gospel, that Christ died for them and that God raised Him again from the dead in order to be saved. This is the gospel, of course, and one doesnt have to "understand" a thousand and one other facts surrounding the gospel in order to be saved. But lets also understand that the faith to believe and the faith to be saved is as much a GIFT from God as is the very GRACE by which we are saved. It isnt that we provide one (faith) and then God will provide the other (saving grace). No. God provides BOTH (Eph. 2:8). Here is what we must believe in order to be saved: "That if thou shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, YOU SHALL BE SAVED" (Rom. 10:9). "Sirs [Paul and Silas] what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and YOU SHALL BE SAVED" (Acts 16:31). "We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we SHALL BE SAVED" (Acts 15:11). "whereby you and all your house SHALL BE SAVED ... God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 11:14 & 17). "that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the deadNeither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST BE SAVED" (acts 4:10 & 12). "I [Jesus the Christ] am the door: by ME if any man enter in, HE SHALL BE SAVED..."(John 10:9).

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"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED" (Acts 2:21). And, of course, EVERYONE in heaven and earth will ultimately believe this gospel: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, and in earth, and under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Ask a hundred pastors or theologians if your mother, lets say, were to bow her knees in the name of Jesus [Jehovah-Saviour] Christ and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, will she be saved? I am pretty sure all one hundred would say, "YES, OF COURSE!" Next ask the same one hundred whether all those in heaven and earth who will also bow and confess Jesus as Lord will be saved, and I am pretty sure all one hundred would say, "NO, OF COURSE NOT!" See the difference? Me neither! Ever consider how the thief on the cross was saved? It doesnt say whether he was Jew and circumcised, or Gentile and baptizedall it says is that he was a sinner and he acknowledged it, (remember that it was for just such sinners that Jesus was commissioned by God to come into the world in the first place). Did the thief on the cross believe on the name of Jesus Christ? Did he acknowledge Christ as his Lord and Master? Did he believe that God would raise Him from the dead? Yes, he did: But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, seeing you art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 22:40-43. The thief believed that Jesus was the Christ and the Saviour (this Man has done nothing amiss). He acknowledged Him as his Lord and Master (calling Him Lord). He knew that in order for Jesus to "come into" His kingdom, God would have to resurrect Him from the dead, for soon they would all be dead. Simple, isnt it? I will give

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you my shortest possible statement as to how one is saved: "BELIEVE THE SAVIOUR!" Thats it. I dont want anyone to draw false assumptions from the things that I teach. I firmly believe that God will save ALL. But I have never said that anyone HAS to believe that the salvation of all order to be saved, anymore than one must believe that his faith to believe God in the first place came from God and not himself. Again, the Scripture says we must "believe," but does not say that we must know "where" that faith came from in the first place. I believe that we are all in for lots of surprises when God reveals all. My papers are trying to show people the wonderful Truths of God and His plan for the salvation of the entire human race, and the entire heavenly host. God sent and commissioned His Son Jesus [Jehovah-Saviour] to save the whole world. Do you believe the following Scriptures: "For God sent NOT his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that THE WORLD through Him [Jehovah-SAVIOUR] might be SAVED" (John 3:17)! "the Lamb of God [Jehovah-SAVIOUR], which takes away the sin of THE WORLD" (John 1:29)! "And He [Jehovah-SAVIOUR] is the propitiation for our sins [satisfactorily covered all sin] and not for ours only, but also for the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD" (I John 2:2)! "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [Jehovah-SAVIOUR] to be the SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD" (I John 4:14)! "for when Thy [Jehovah-SAVIOUR] judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of THE WORLD will learn righteousness" (Isaiah 26:9)! "for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, [Jehovah-SAVIOUR], the Saviour of THE WORLD" (John 4:42)!

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"To wit that God was in Christ [Jehovah-SAVIOUR], reconciling THE WORLD unto Himself, NOT imputing their trespasses unto them" (II Cor. 5:19)! "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation [will you accept it?] that Christ Jesus [Jehovah-SAVIOUR] came into THE WORLD to SAVE SINNERS" (I Tim. 1:15)! "And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge Him not, for I [Jehovah-SAVIOUR] came not to judge the world, but to SAVE THE WORLD" (John 12:47)! How then can one believe all of these Scriptures and yet believe that Jesus [Jehovah-SAVIOUR] will NOT SAVE, but will eternally torture in the lake of fire, most of THE WORLD? My prayer is that many of you will, for the first time in your lives, repent of your stubbornness, and start believing these marvelous Scriptures. Now it is no secret that I firmly believe that there are a dozen or two Scriptures in the King James and other modern English Bibles that are not translated correctly, and that those dozen or two Scriptures are of such paramount importance that many false doctrines can be attributed to them. I also know that there are a dozen or so English translations that DO translate those dozen or two Scriptures correctly. However, setting those few Scriptures aside for the moment, let me say this: When I present the really powerful and spiritual Scriptures to orthodox Christians, they invariably will either disagree with the verse or try to contradict it with another Scripture! I present a Scripture to prove a vital point, my opposer then presents another verse, which he says proves my Scripture wrong. In other words, he thinks he has found a Scripture that contradicts my Scripture, which only proves that this person believes the Bible is a book of CONTRADICTING SCRIPTURES! Unbelievable! DO YOU BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES? Test yourself now with another classic prophetic verse that I firmly believe, but that I have had many Christians tell me will never be fulfilled. The verse I am referencing is correctly translated; it is 176

profoundly and simply stated; and yet is believed by virtually NO ONE! Most Christians dont believe it because THEY DONT WANT TO BELIEVE IT. If I were to show you a Scripture that says God will NOT torture most of humanity in an eternal lake of fire, would you believe it? What if I showed you a dozen such Scriptures? What about two dozen? Lets just try one and see how serious you are about believing the Scriptures. We cannot believe that God will save ALL mankind while, at the same time, torturing most of the mankind in an eternal lake of fire, now can we? Here then is just one profound and beautiful statement of Good News from God that virtually none of the Christian world teaches or believes: "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour: Who WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (I Tim. 2:4). Now I dont mean to be continually picking on the World of Christendom, but understand that it is ONLY Christians (lead by Christian theologians, clergymen, pastors, and teachers) that teach the whole world that Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the Whole World (I Jn. 4:14), WILL NOT SAVE THE WHOLE WORLD. It is only THEY, who teach the world that this prophecy in I Tim. 2:4 will NEVER COME TO PASS. And so in being obedient to Titus 1:9, I expose them for their heresy. If atheists and pagans and heathens had a billion-dollar campaign to tell the world that I Tim. 2:4 will never come to pass, then I would expose them as well! Understanding the colossal and far-reaching implications of such a verse, many translators have tried to water down this Scripture. People have told me personally many times that this verse doesnt mean that God really "will" save all men, but that He only "desires," "wants" "longs" and "wishes" that if only He could save all mankind, it would "please" Him. And I have four translations that use the words, "desires, wants, longs, and wishes" in this verse! NONE of which are a correct translation of this verse. Consider for a moment if this verse had said in the original Greek manuscripts that, "God our Saviour Who desires and pleases that all men be saved." Would such a translation open the door to possible failure as most contend? Is there a verse of Scripture 177

somewhere that declares that God cant have or bring about things for which He only desires or pleases? IS THERE? WHERE? SHOW ME? Before we can believe that God will actually and factually DO WHAT HE SAYS, is it necessary and mandatory that He say something like this: "I swear on a stack of Bibles that I absolutely, positively will do, accomplish, and carry out 100%, totally and completelysuch and such." So why make such unscriptural and stupid statements that if God only "desires or pleases" for something He cant always have what He wants? After all, HES ONLY GOD!!! Lets now look at a few verses where thelo has to mean something that absolutely is going to be, rather than only wished for: 1. I will [thelo] not send them away fasting... (Matt. 15:28). Jesus not only desired to not send them away, HE absolutely was not going to send them away famished.

2.

To whom our fathers would [thelo] not obey... (Acts 7:39). Is anyone so silly as to assert that Israel only DESIRED to disobey God, but maybe they really wouldnt disobey?

3.

What will [thelo] this babbler [Paul] say? (Acts 17:18). Where these Greeks only interested in what Paul desired to say? If Paul would not actually say anything, but only desire to say something, then the Greeks would have to be mind-readers to know what Paul only desired to say, but maybe wouldnt actually say audibly. No, they wanted to hear what Paul would say, not what maybe Paul desired to say.

4.

For I will [thelo] not see you now... (I Cor. 16:7).

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Was Paul really telling them that he had no desire to see them now? Of course not, he had a very strong desire to see them, but it just was not possible to see them now. Paul was clearly stating a physical hindrance to seeing them now rather than that he had NO EMOTIONAL DESIRE to see them now.

5.

For it is GOD which works in you both to will [thelo] and TO DO... (Phil. 2:13). When Gods Word adds to DO to the word will/thelo, it becomes a contradiction to say that the will part does not have to come to fruition. The and TO DO makes the thelo/will an absolute necessity rather than a mere wish.

6.

If any would [thelo] not work, either should he eat (II Thes. 3:10). Imagine Paul stating that if anyone has a desire not to work then he shouldnt eat? Why that would include just about everyone, even those who do work. Most people in the world have no DESIRE to work when the alarm clock goes off, but they go to work anyway, because they know that is the only way they will eat.

7.

Yea, and shall that will [thelo] live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL suffer persecution (II Tim. 3:12). Can we even imagine Paul telling us that if we dont actually, but only desire, to live godly in Jesus, we will, nevertheless, suffer persecution? Do people suffer persecution for what they think or desire in their heart, but dont actually live out in their Christian walk? Absurd. Thelo will be fulfilled just as thelemo will be fulfilled.

Well, thats seven, a good number to stop. 179

God is not obligated to even state whether he "wills" or "desires" something or not; all He has to do is SPEAK IT! God "SPOKE IT" in I Tim. 2:4; thats all that is necessary for it to be accomplished. Are we so blind that we cannot see that it is blasphemy for mere mortals to diminish, disparage, degrade, and derogate the desires of VERY GOD into watered-down, wish-washy, unattainable, weak wishes? The SAME GOD Who created the entirety of the universe with its TWO HUNDRED BILLION GALAXIES EACH HAVING TWO HUNDRED BILLION STARS? And pious, carnal-minded theologians tell us that God WILL NOT accomplish His Own desires? ! Must we assume that if God had said: "I will [Gk: thelema] that there be light" that then there WOULD be light?" But had He said: "I will [Gk: telo] that there be light" that then there WOULD NOT be light? It is foolish and demeaning to try to relegate a POSITIVE statement of intent by God into a NEGATIVE and unattainable reality. All God had to say was: "LET there be light and there WAS light"! God is not obligated to preface everything that He says He plans do with such words as, I will, I wish, I desire, It pleases me to, etc. Has not the Lord also "spoken it" in I Tim. 2:4? All God has to do is SPEAK THE WORDS AND IT WILL SURELY COME TO PASS. Now then, are there any who doubt that I Tim. 2:4 ARE THE WORDS OF GOD? Then why do so many insist that it will NEVER HAPPEN? They have not a love of the Truth. They do not believe God. They do not believe Jesus Christ. They do not believe the Scriptures! They are traitors of the Truth. More proof: We have shown that God doesnt need to use a strong word such as "WILL" in order for His word to be fulfilled. But on those occasions when God uses a word such as "pleases," "desires," or "wills," does not that word then contain within its meaning the possibility of negating Gods whole statement? No, absolutely NOT. If it merely "pleases" God to do something, it will be done just as assuredly as if He had "WILLED" it, "So shall my WORD be that goes forth OUT OF MY MOUTH [just as in I Tim. 2:4 and everywhere else] it shall NOT return into me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH THAT WHICH I PLEASE, and 180

it SHALL PROSPER IN THE THING WHERETO I SENT IT" (Isaiah 55:11). Here then is an opportunity for everyone to stand up and be counted. Is Isaiah 55:11 TRUE or is it FALSE or is it only sometimes true and sometimes false? The only negative in that verse is: "it shall NOT return into me void." That is the only thing that can NOT happen in this verse. Notice Gods Word, "SHALL go forth," "SHALL accomplish that which I please" and it "SHALL prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." This is not rocket science. This is 1, 2, 3, elementary deduction: 1. "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration [Greek: God-breathedout of His mouth] of GOD" (II Tim. 3:16).

2.

I Timothy 2:4 IS " SCRIPTURE"!

3.

Therefore what God has inspired (breathed) in I Tim. 2:4, "SHALL go forth," It is has gone forth for nearly two thousand years and is going forth over the whole internet on this very printed page that you are reading. It also "SHALL accomplish that which I please," Is the word "will" weaker than the word "please"? And finally, it "SHALL prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

So here we have just one more Scripture that says God, SHALL, SHALL, SHALL, while at the same time Traitors of the Truth tell us that God, shall NOT, shall NOT, shall NOT! So again I ask, if God only "pleases" that something prosper in the word that He sent fort to accomplish, shall it "prosper" or shall it not "prosper?" Theologians say if God only "pleases" that all men be saved, then THEY WILL NOT ALL BE SAVED, but God says if He "pleases" to do something, "IT SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it." Who ya gonna believe: men or GOD? 181

More proof: I Tim. 2:4 says that God "wills" that all mankind be saved. What determines Gods will? Answer: "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who works [operates] ALL THINGS after the COUNSEL of his own WILL" (Eph. 1:11). Now then, will Gods "counsel" stand? Answer: "There are many devices in a mans heart; nevertheless the COUNSEL of the LORD, that SHALL STAND" (Prov. 19:21). Will Gods "will" be done both in the heavens and on the earth? YES: "Our Father Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10). More proof: When God speaks something, is He so weak and incapable as mortal men who make great boasts and are unable to accomplish their boast? "God is NOT a man, that He should LIE [do we think God LIES when He says that He WILL save all mankind in I Tim. 2:4?]; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not DO IT? Or has He spoken [as in I Tim. 2:4 and many other places], and shall He not MAKE IT GOOD?" (Numbers 23:19). Well? Those of you who contend with your Maker: "Hath God SAID" in I Tim. 2:4 that He "WILL have all men to be saved?" Well then, "SHALL HE NOT DO IT?" (Num. 23:19). Has "He [God] SPOKEN" in I Tim. 2:4 and many other places, that He "WILL have all men to be saved?" Well then, "shall He NOT MAKE IT GOOD?" (Num. 23:19). More proof: "Let God be TRUE [Who says He "WILL save ALL MANKIND"], but every man a LIAR [who says He WILL NOT "save ALL MANKIND"]! More proof: 182

"Remember the former things of old: for I am GOD, and there is none else; I am GOD, and there is none like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel SHALL STAND, and WILL DO ALL MY PLEASURE [as in I Tim. 2:4 and everywhere else]: Calling a ravenous bird from the east [Cyrus?], the man that executes my counsel [just as the king of Assyria] from a far country: yea, I have SPOKEN IT [as in I Tim. 2:4 and everywhere else] I WILL ALSO BRING IT TO PASS [as also in saving all mankind]; I have PURPOSED IT [as also in saving all mankind] I WILL ALSO DO IT" (Isaiah 46:9-11). God says, "I WILL DO IT," and He will also do EVERYTHING ELSE that He has , said, declared, spoken, desired, counseled, willed, decreed, or pleased in His Word! By the way, God NEVER, EVER "wishes" or "hopes" for ANYTHING! He "desires" things that absolutely are certain to come about, but God never wishes or hopes for things that may or may not come about! The very thought of God "hoping" for something, blasphemes His sovereignty! Now then, how many of my readers still believe that God will NOT save all mankind as He says He "WILLS" in I Tim. 2:4? It is foolish and stupid to insist that God will not perform and fulfill and do His Own WILL in I Tim. 2:4. I have PROVEN it by the Scriptures. I have given you the absolute proof from both the etymology of words and the many Scriptures regarding the fulfillment of Gods will, pleasures, word, desires, etc., etc., etc. Anyone who denies that I Tim. 2:4 will be fulfilled also must deny HUNDREDS of other Scriptures as well. But yet I sense in my spirit a dozen carnal minds out there in computerland that are anguishing over a new approach to prove that I Tim. 2:4 will never be accomplished and that this verse is at best a never-to-be-fulfilled pipe dream of our Great Creator God and Saviour. Consider this: Suppose I Tim. 2:3-4 did not say what is in our Bibles, but suppose it said the following: "For this is good and acceptable 183

in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will NOT have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." Would not every single detractor who teaches that God will NOT save all humanity then use this Scripture to PROVE THAT GOD WILL NOT SAVE ALL MEN? YES OF COURSE THEY WOULD; YOU KNOW THEY WOULD! They would be delighted to show from the Scriptures a statement saying that God "WILL NOT" save all men? And this Scripture would then be the one most profound statements in all Scripture to back up their doctrine that all men will NOT be saved. This would be their "proof text" that God most assuredly WILL NOT (pardon my redundancy here, but I am attempting to make a point of major consequence) save all men. Now then, the ONLY difference between the fabricated verse above and the real verse found in all Bibles in I Tim. 2:3-4 is the addition of the word "not." So if the addition of the word "NOT" would prove that God will not save all men, then the deletion of the word "NOT" would have to prove that God WILL save all menthis is axiomatic! So if this verse had said that God "WILL NOT" save all men, then it would definitely mean that all men will NOT be saved. I dont think there is a theologian alive who would deny that! But here is the unbelievable irony of their teaching: since it says that God "WILL have all men to be saved" (according to theologians), this phrase also MEANS THAT GOD WILL NOT SAVE ALL MEN! Excuse me, but am I missing something here? When Christians dont want to believe that God will save all humanity, it doesnt matter what God says. They will believe what they want, not what the Bible says. If anyone believes that Gods statement that He "will" save all mankind really means that He "will NOT" save all mankind, then maybe they had better click off this site and listen to some Jack Van Impe tapes prophesying that according to his newly revealed knowledge of the length of a Biblical generation, Jesus Christ will return to set up His kingdom in the year 1996! Yes, you saw that correctly, I said NINETEEN NINETY-SIX! In 1990, when I heard Jack say that, I PROPHESIED that Jack didnt have a clue as to what he 184

was talking about. It is now, 2003! Ill say this, however, Mr. Van Impe certainly has a lot of Scripture verses memorizednow if he only he knew their meaning. (Excuse my little diversionjust trying to relax your intense concentration for a moment with a little humor). Imagine if I Tim. 2:3-4 really did say that "God will NOT save all men," and then I would try to argue (using the same stupid scholarship as theologians use) that this verse doesnt really mean that God will NOT save all men, but that it means He only "DESIRES" that all men "NOT" be saved when in reality they WILL all be saved, even if God were to say He "will NOT" save all men. Would not my detractors try to laugh me to scorn over such inane reasoning? OF COURSE THEY WOULD! YOU KNOW THEY WOULD. EVEN THEY KNOW THEY WOULD. Well, guess what? The word "NOT" is NOT in this verse. So God really "WILL save ALL men!" Here then is true Christian scholarship: If God will NOT save all men, then He will NOT save all men, and if God WILL save all men, then He also will NOT save all men!! Do you see now why it has become popular to say that: "You can prove ANYTHING from the Bible?" And HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of Christians do not see a problem with kind of inane and insane reasoning! Does anyone think that the word "HYPOCRISY" is too strong to describe the way Gods word is slanderously perverted to maintain such evil doctrines as eternal torment in a lake of fire for those whom theologians say God wont save even though God says He WILL save them? Do you still believe that the "lake of fire" contradicts I Tim. 2:4, and that when God says He WILL save all men, what He really means is that He will NOT save all men, but will rather torture MOST men for all eternity in a lake of real fire? Is that what you still believe? Lets not neglect the first part of the sentence which begins in verse 3 of I Tim. 2: "For this is GOOD and ACCEPTABLE in the sight of God our Saviour" 185

That God will "have ALL men to be saved" is both GOOD and ACCEPTABLE in Gods sight. These verses do NOT say: "For this is GOOD and ACCEPTABLE in the sight of God our Saviour; Who WILL NOT have all men to be saved, and WILL NOT have all men come unto the knowledge of the truth" now does it? Theologians tell us that the reality of this Scripture is that all men WILL NOT come into a knowledge of the truth and that all men WILL NOT be saved. THAT they tell us is the reality and truth of the Scriptures. Now then, if the reality is that all men WILL NOT BE SAVED, but rather most men will be tortured in a literal lake of fire for all eternity, I ask: Is this "GOOD and ACCEPTABLE in the sight of God our SAVIOUR? Again I ask: Is it "GOOD and ACCEPTABLE" that most of humanity be tortured for all eternity? If it is "GOOD and ACCEPTABLE" that God DOES save all mankind, then it CANNOT also be "GOOD and ACCEPTABLE" that God DOES NOT save all mankind! Am I going too fast for anyone? I believe that our Christian friends have been once more painted into their little theological corner from which the only way out is repentance! God says in I Tim. 2:3 that it is "good and acceptable" that all men come to a knowledge of the truth and that all men be saved. This is a fact. This is not debatable. We know for sure the answer to that question. However, theologians tell us that most men (and women and teens) will be tortured in a lake of fire for all eternity, so they will NOT all be saved. Hence my next question: Is it "good and acceptable" in the sight of God our Saviour that most of humanity be tortured in a literal lake of fire for all eternity? If we say: "Yes," we blaspheme! If we say: "No," then God is compelled to do what IS "good and acceptable!" Does anyone have a third alternative to this question? Do we really believe the Scriptures?

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I can give you much more proof on this one verse, but more proof is not what we need. What we need is FAITH! FAITH to believe God; FAITH to believe Christ; FAITH to believe the Word! So that was my little "test verse" to see how many truly believe the Word of God and have a love of the Truth. If you will not and can not believe I Tim. 2:4, then what need have I to show you more verses that you ALSO WILL NOT BELIEVE? If you still believe that I Tim. 2:4 will NEVER be fulfilled, then you have just proven to yourself conclusively that you will NEVER accept ANY VERSE OF SCRIPTURE THAT DOES NOT AGREE WITH YOUR OWN PRECONCEIVED PERSONAL AND CARNAL DOCTRINES! There are only two options for those who claim that I Tim. 2:4 will NEVER come to pass: (1) You must prove that this verse is WRONGLY TRANSLATED and has a different meaning from what is stated, or (2) You must confess that YOU REALLY DONT BELIEVE that the Scriptures are the divinely inspired Words of God. You have now been painted into your own little theological corner, and the only way out is REPENTANCE! There is NO WAY AROUND this verse in I Tim. 2:4 (and a dozen just like it). I have book-ended this verse so that no one can Scripturally contradict it. Anyone who attempts to do so is a LIAR and attempts to make God a LIAR! Now then, with that said: "and ALL LIARS, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8)! But know this: all liars enter the lake of fire, but after going through it, they emerge honest as the day is long! I will prove that! For those of you who still have a love of the Truth, lets continue: Now for all of those who insist that all of Gods Word must be taken literally, I have another problem verse for you. Jesus Christ said in John 6:63b: "the words that I speak unto you, THEY ARE SPIRIT and they are life." Even this simple statement is a metaphor! Condensed, it says this: "[my] words are spirit." Thats not literal; thats figurative. Heres the 187

proof: If all the words that Jesus spoke were "literally" "spirit," then no one could ever READ THEM. You could never see them on a printed page because THEY WOULD BE INVISIBLE! SPIRIT IS INVISIBLE! GOD IS INVISIBLE! Maybe here is the place that I should explain what I believe a metaphor represents. I have heard many and complicated theories as to what the components of a metaphor are and represent. Here are a few: "The lake of fire, which, by virtue of being its cause, thus, represents the second death. Not true. "In the interpretation of a metaphor, the goal is to take note of the essential way in which the SYMBOLIC subject is like the LITERAL predicate." Not true. "Indeed, if in the presence of a symbolic, subject-expression, the meaning of the predicate-expression were itself unknowablewhich would be the case if the predicate expression were a figure of speechit would be IMPOSSIBLE to note the likeness between the two." (All CAPS are mine). Not true. "Meaningful, metaphorical usage entails a literal, predicate nominative." Not true. Not one of the above definitions of a metaphor is true. Interestingly, the same person who says that the subject of a metaphor must be "symbolic" and the predicate "literal" or there would be no real comparison to determine the meaning of the metaphor, also goes on to say that the people thrown into this lake of fire are LITERALLY burned up and DIE. So they would have to die 188

and be burned by SYMBOLIC FIRE? Give me a break. Symbolic fire does not literally burn up physical matter! The reverse is also true: LITERAL FIRE cannot burn up SYMBOLIC BODIES! No, the subject AND predicate of this metaphor are BOTH symbolic! Nor does one part of a metaphor "represent" the other part as stated above. The above definitions of a metaphor just wont work in the real world. Lets try a couple: "All flesh is grass" (I Pet. 1:24) "All flesh represents grass"In no way does "all flesh" represent "grass"! "All symbolic flesh is literal grass"In what way is "symbolic flesh," "literal GRASS? Or, in what way is literal grass like symbolic flesh. This is nonsense. "All flesh" is itself a symbol for "life" and specifically HUMAN LIFE. "Grass" is ALSO a symbol for a very fragile FORM OF LIFE. BOTH are symbols! And it is not "impossible," but rather very easy to see the likeness between them. For the benefit of my critics, let me get technical here for just a paragraph and then we will move on. Even a metaphor must be understood in the context that we find it, as no Scripture is its OWN interpretation. In our example "all flesh is grass," it does not say whether it means, "all living flesh is living grass" or "all living flesh is dead grass" or "all dead flesh is living grass" or "all dead flesh is dead grass." Is it important for us to know which it is? Well, yes it is, and God tells us in the verses that follow: "All flesh is grass, And all its glory is as the flower of grass. Withered is the grass, And the flower falls off Yet the declaration of the Lord is remaining" (I Pet. 1:24-25). This clearly shows a flowering grass in the "process" of dying, contrasted with Gods declarations which "remain" and do not die. In Isaiah 40:6-8, we also have the phrase, "the PEOPLE is grass," so again, we are speaking of living people who will rather quickly become like "dying grass." 189

Now then, is there a simple way that we can at least represent all metaphors in an intelligent, understandable statement? I think so. I have come up with a statement that seems to represent ALL metaphors correctly and honestly. Here is how it works: Take ANY metaphor and apply this principle to it: A. "The WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT." Or condensed: [My] Words ARE Spirit. Next, add the words "like" and "in certain ways," and state the metaphor like this: B. "The WORDS that I speak unto you, they are [like] SPIRIT [in certain ways]. There it is. Simple. Christs words are not literally spirit, but like spirit, but not in all ways, only in certain ways. And so far I have found this principle to work in all metaphors. Christs words are not like spirit in that they can be audibly heard by physical ears. They are not like spirit in that we have them on physical paper imprinted with physical ink, etc. But they are like spirit in that they have INVISIBLE POWER. Jesus Himself gives us an explanation of this very sort of thing, "The wind blows where it will, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it comes, and where it goes, SO IS every one that is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). Jesus could have used a metaphor here and said something like this: "Those born of the Spirit are wind." But He didnt. He explained in what "certain ways" they are "like" the wind. And that, you see, is what a metaphor really is. Now lets try this principle to other metaphors and see if it does not simplify them: A. "Take, eat: this [bread] is my body" Or condensed: "Bread is Body" B. "Take eat: this [bread] is [like] my body [in certain ways]"

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As physical bread gives nourishment to the physical body, the Bread from heaven is spiritual nourishment to our spiritual life as if we were eating Christs spiritual body. A. "All flesh is grass" (I Pet. 1:24) Or condensed: "Flesh is Grass" B. "All flesh is [like] grass [in certain ways]. Flesh, specifically that of humans, is very fragile like grass. It is short lived. It is easily killed or destroyed, etc. A. "The lake of fire. This is the second death" (Rev. 20:14). Or condensed: "Lake of fire is Second death" B. "The lake of fire is [like] the second death [in certain ways]." But before we can see in what ways the lake of fire is like the second death, we must determine what this lake of fire is and what the second death is. This metaphor is, admittedly, considerably more complex than most for a number of reasons: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The subject contains the addition of an adjective. The Predicate contains the addition of an adjective. The phrase "lake of fire" is used nowhere else in Scripture. The Phrase "second death" is used nowhere else in Scripture. A lake is a body of water not fire. Nowhere do we find a counter-balancing phrase such as "the first death." Satan is thrown into this metaphorreal fire cant hurt him. Why are the beast and false prophet thrown in to this metaphor before Satan? Although it is called the "second death," NO ONE ACTUALLY DIES! 191

7. 8.

9.

10. Why would we find "brimstone" or sulfur in this metaphorbrimstone is not something that is used to torture? ( 11. Death and hades are thrown into this metaphordeath and hades are not living creatures. 12. Many humans are thrown into this metaphor, but we are not told that their bodies are either "burned" or "killed." 13. Being only "fearful" (Greek: "timid") is cause to be thrown into this lake of fire. Even my detractors might find eternal torture rather excessive punishment for merely being "timid." There are Scriptural answers to all these enigmas. How then shall we interpret this metaphorical Scripture? Or is this the enigma of all enigmas? The riddle of all riddles? Actually the Scriptures tell us exactly what this "lake of fire/second death" really is. But let me be quick to reassure you that we will never come to an understanding of this metaphor by applying the principles of Christian Theology. This metaphor is NOT physical, material, or literal, but SPIRITUAL in every way! We must look to the spiritual, through spiritual eyes if we are to ever comprehend this enigmatic metaphor. THE KEYS TO SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION We will consider four guiding Scriptures: 1. "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" (II Pet. 1:20). The KJV is not the best translation of this verseit is neither by far the worst. The word "private" tends to fog the understanding of this Scripture. If no Scripture is to be of a "private" interpretation, are we to look for a "PUBLIC" interpretation? That sounds silly. This is a profoundly important verse when it comes to interpreting Scripture. Yet, I doubt that there are many who understand this verse. 192

The Greek word translated "private" in the KJV is the word idios, and although it can mean private or separate, more specifically it has reference to "ones OWN" or "his OWN" or "their OWN" or "your OWN" or "OWN." In this case, it would mean "ITS own" as a prophecy is non-personal and inanimate. See Strongs Greek Dictionary p. 119. Now notice a couple of translations that retain this definition: First from the Concordant Greek Text in an "Ultraliteral English Sublinear": "this BEFORE-most KNOWING that EVERY BEFORE-AVERment OF-WRITing OWN ON-LOOSing NOT ISBECOMING." Rendered in the Translation as: "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture at all is becoming its OWN explanation." Concordant Literal New Testament Next from the Emphatic Diaglott English Interlineary: "this first knowing, that all prophecy of a writing, of its OWN loosing not it is." Rendered in the Translation as: "This first ascertaining, That All Prophecy of Scripture is not of its OWN Solution"The Emphatic Diaglot, A New Emphatic Version. I go to all these extra efforts of showing you the Greek so that you can be convinced yourself and not just believe that this is "my interpretation" of how a verse can or cannot be "interpreted." So now we can make sense out of this verse, and how profound it is. It destroys the carnal minded approach to Scriptural interpretation. So here is what God is teaching us. No prophetic statement (Revelation is prophecySee Rev. 22:18, "the words of the prophecy of this scroll") has within its OWN statement the explanation and fulfillment of that statement. Therefore it is wrong and unscriptural to insist that the very verse that contains the prophecy (such as "the lake of fire. This is the second death") has within itself the interpretation of itself. Thats what God has now taught us in II Pet. 1:20! Therefore, we must go elsewhere to find the correct interpretation. But how do we do that without making 193

blunders and mistakes? We have three more Key verses that will keep us on the right track. 2. "It is the spirit that quickens [makes alive]; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, THEY ARE SPIRIT and they are life." We touched on this verse already, but it is an important part of our four-verse key. Again I ask: Who believes this verse? If the words that Jesus spoke are "spirit," then how can anyone suggest that everything He said must be taken "literally?" Christ taught in public by parables only. Parables are spiritual, not literal. The book of Revelation is the "Revelation of Jesus Christ," therefore the words of the book of Revelation are SPIRIT! The book of Revelation was "signified" (that is SYMBOLIZED). It is a whole book of symbols, metaphors, and figurative language. Therefore the metaphor: "the lake of fire which is the second death" must be spiritual! But how do we discern things that are "spiritual?" We need another key. 3. "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED" (I Cor. 2:14). And so when I explain spiritual things, I get a lot of e-mail from Christians who condemn me in not too flattering tones, because they are carnal and cannot possibly receive spiritual things. They truly are FOOLISHNESS to them. They ask me if I cant read. They tell me the verse ITSELF tells us what it means. (But isnt that just what Peter said cannot be done? That no verse of prophecy explains ITSELF)? There are reasons God put these verses in the Scriptures. Remember earlier when we discussed how theologians compare physical things with physical things thinking that they will accomplish something spiritual? Show me a Scripture where God instructs us to compare physical things with physical things for spiritual understanding? SHOW ME! David said "A good understanding have all they that KEEP Gods commandments." The 194

problem with all too many is that they dont obey God ("Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed CAN BE" Rom. 8:7), and they dont believe God. We MUST believe God when we are told that the book of Revelation is the words of Jesus Christ and therefore is SPIRIT! Next I will give you one of Gods commandments we are to follow if we are to ever understand such things as "the lake of fire." The Scriptures dont command us to compare physical things with spiritual things or spiritual things with physical things or physical things with physical things, so why do we do it? That is exactly how theologians have come to believe that the lake of fire and second death are literal physical tortures for all eternity. They have compared physical fire with physical fire and came up with the conclusion that the lake of fire is physical, material, literal FIRE! God never instructed us to learn spiritual lessons in this manner! Next we will see how God does instruct us to understand SPIRITUAL MATTERS. 4. "Which things also we speak, not in words which mans wisdom teacheth [not by comparing physical things with physical things], but which the HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES; COMPARING [OR MATCHING] SPIRITUAL THINGS WITH SPIRITUAL" (I Cor. 2:13)! This is really quite profound. This marvelous Scripture, plus the three prior Scriptures will open up understanding to us that has been closed to many Christians for two thousand years. Lets recap what we have discovered about "the lake of fire" so far, not according to mans wisdom, but according to Gods declarations in the SCRIPTURES: 1. "The lake of fire is the second death" is FIGURATIVE language.

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2.

"The lake of fire is the second death" is composed of four word SYMBOLS.

3.

"The lake of fire is the second death" is a classic example of a METAPHOR.

4.

"The lake of fire is the second death" was written in a book that was SIGNIFIED which makes something known by a sign, and a sign is a symbol.

5.

"The lake of fire is the second death" is a statement of prophecy and cannot be its OWN INTERPRETATION according to II Pet. 1:20.

6.

"The lake of fire is the second death" is a prophecy by Jesus, and Jesus has told us that His words are SPIRIT!

7.

"Things of the SPIRITare SPIRITUALLY discerned" (I Cor. 2:13). The "lake of fire" cannot, therefore, be PHYSICALLY discerned.

Here are seven proofs that "the lake of fire is the second death" cannot possibly be physical, material, and literal, as many claim to deduce from the verse itself. Now back to our fourth key verse: "comparing spiritual things with spiritual." Several translations make this "matching spiritual things with spiritual." And that word "matching" clarifies this verse even more. Notice the next verse which we have already quoted above, "But the natural [carnal, Greek: animal man] receives NOT the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither CAN he know them, because they are SPIRITUALLY discerned." Now I have heard that verse quoted as many times as any of you, but how many quoting it had even a clue as to what they were quoting? It is often used by charismatic preachers to insinuate 196

that they have special powers of spiritual discernment, and can therefore read your mind and heart and know whether you are in a bad attitude or maybe have a demon, etc., etc. But notice that God tells us exactly how to have "spiritual discernment." We are to follow the instruction in the preceding verse: "comparing [and/or matching] SPIRITUAL things with SPIRITUAL!" So we have SEVEN proofs that this "lake of fire-second death" is FIGURATIVE language SIGNIFIED IN SYMBOLS, taking the form of a METAPHOR witnessed by John in a VISION and written in a BOOK OF SYMBOLS that is prophetic and therefore cannot be its OWN INTERPRETATION, being a revelation of Christ Whos words are SPIRIT! And therefore we know two things to be absolute Scriptural truth: (1) This phrase is SPIRITUAL in meaning and not literal. (2) This prophecy cannot be its OWN INTERPRETATION as God commands in II Pet. 1:20. But if one doesnt believe these seven spiritual proofs (or even ONE of them), how is he to have a spiritual understanding of spiritual things? To find the true interpretation of this spiritual metaphor we must compare it with other spiritual teachings of the same nature until we find a MATCH! Before we look for something spiritual to match this metaphor, it will be helpful to know just what it means to be "spiritual." There is a giant different between something sounding spiritual and something that actually is spiritual. WHAT DOES "SPIRITUAL" MEAN? The American Heritage Dictionary, p. 1335, spiritual adj. 1. Of, relating in, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; NOT TANGIBLE OR MATERIAL. Strongs Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, "spiritual" #4152, pneumatkos, "Pneumatkos ALWAYS connotes the ideas of INVISIBILITY and of POWER" p. 205. (All CAPS are mine). THE "LAKE OF FIRE-SECOND DEATH" IS NOT TANGIBLE OR MATERIAL OR LITERAL, BUT RATHER IS AN INVISIBLE POWER! THE LAKE OF FIRE IS SPIRITUAL! 197

Thats right: the lake of fire is spiritual and therefore invisible. No one will ever SEE the lake of fire; just as no one will ever SEE Gods Spirit; and just as no one will ever SEE Gods "consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29). But make no mistake about it; the lake of fire is REAL, and it is very HOT, and it BURNS things, and its effects are ETERNAL all, of course, SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING. We need also to understand that not everything that is "spiritual" is holy and good. There is also "spiritual wickedness" (Eph. 6:12). Many believe that the impartation of "immortality" and "incorruption" automatically impart holiness and perfection as well. This is obviously not true, as there is much "spiritual wickedness" in high places among those who do possess incorruption and immortality. We must understand that something "spiritual" can also be extremely wicked, as this has much to do with the purpose and function of the lake of fire. Not only is the lake of fire itself "spiritual," but, everything that is thrown into the lake of fire is either spiritual or at least inanimate or intangible (as with "hades and death"). Okay, fine; the lake of fire is spiritual, but what about these questions: Who are thrown into it? When is it? Where is it? Why is it? What does it accomplish? How long will it burn, and how can you escape it? Now I could answer all those in one sentence, but it wouldnt be very detailed, and I am sure you would want to know more. I think most of my readers by now realize that I dont believe for one second that the lake of fire is some hellhole of real fire that burns and tortures human flesh for all eternity. So we will now concentrate on just what the lake of fire is, what it accomplishes, for whom, and how long will it take. To do this we must follow Gods four keys to understand spiritual things. God has provided these Scriptural keys so that the wise can and will understand His Word. We need to compare this SPIRITUAL lake of fire with something else SPIRITUAL that will tell us exactly what it is and what it does, to whom, and for how long. Is there such a spiritual Scripture in the Bible that matches the spiritual lake of 198

fire? Yes, there is. There is but one other section of Scripture that fits that of the lake of fire and actually tells us what happens there. A SPIRITUAL MATCH In Rev. 20:11 we read of "a great white throne." In Verse 12 the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books are opened, and God presents us with a double witness that "every mans work" shall be judged by "fire": 1. "and the dead judged ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS," (Rev. 20:11). And they are judged in "FIRE," Vers. 14, 15 & 21:8.

2.

"they were judged every man ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS." (Rev. 20:13). And they are judged in "FIRE," Vers. 14, 15 & 21:8.

Now then, is there another Scripture that speaks of the judgment of "every mans WORK?" and every mans work judged by "FIRE?" Yes, there is, and only one other: 1. "EVERY MANS WORK shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by FIRE" (I Cor. 3:13a).

2.

"And the FIRE shall try EVERY MANS WORK." (I Cor. 3:13b).

We have now located our "two witnesses." These are the only two places in the entirety of the Bible that speak of: 1. "EVERY MAN,"

2.

"Every mans WORK,"

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3.

"Every mans work, JUDGEDMANIFESTED, DECLARED, REVEALED, AND TRIED...,"

4.

"Every mans work judgedtried BY FIRE."

We have proven by SEVEN proofs that the lake of fire in Rev. 20 is not physical, material, or literal, but SPIRITUAL. We shall now prove conclusively that the fire of I Cor. 3 is likewise, not physical, material, or literal, but SPIRITUAL as well. These two sets of Scriptures will explain each other. Remember that we learned there are two groups of people to be judged: (1) The whole world in the day of judging (Acts 17:31), and (2) The house of God NOW (I Pet. 4:17 & I Cor. 11:32). Since God is no respecter of persons, He judges both groups by the same means. EXAMINING THE METAPHORS AND SYMBOLS OF I COR. 3 "I [Paul] have planted, Apollos has watered; but God gave the increase" (I Cor. 3:6). "Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor [works]. For we are laborers together with God: ye are Gods husbandry [garden], ye are Gods building" (Vers. 8-9). Comment: Paul didnt plant carrots in a garden, which Apollos then watered, and God made them grow. This is not speaking of produce in a vegetable garden. This is figurative, symbolic language concerning the spiritual growth of PEOPLE! Paul says "YE" are Gods garden, and "YE" are Gods building. Now then, people are no more buildings than they are gardens. "Ye are Gods garden" is a METAPHOR and "Ye are Gods building" is a METAPHOR. Remember my aid to understanding metaphors: "Ye are [LIKE] Gods garden [IN CERTAIN WAYS]; "Ye are [LIKE] Gods building [IN CERTAIN WAYS]." WE ARE GODS GARDEN In what "certain ways" are we "like Gods garden?" Remember we must compare spiritual things with spiritual. Answer: 200

"My Father is the Farmer "I [Jesus] am the grape vine. You [thats us] are the branches. He who is remaining in Me, and I in him, this one is BRINGING FORTH MUCH FRUIT" (John 15:1 & 5). I snt this easy when we stop fighting Gods Word with our own preconceived doctrines? And trust me; this is as hard as it get, if we will just allow Gods spirit to TEACH US spiritual things! Now then, WHAT KIND of fruit are we talking aboutapples and grapes? Lets again, compare spiritual things with spiritual. Answer: "But the FRUIT of the SPIRIT [in Gods spiritual garden, which we are] is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control" (Gal. 5:22-23). All of these character traits from Gods Spirit are invisible and they are SPIRITUAL. But does that mean that they are not real? Of course not. In fact, we can SEE the results of these invisible, spiritual character traits of the spirit just as Jesus told us we can see the results of the invisible wind. WE ARE GODS BUILDING In what "certain ways" are we "like" Gods "building?" "Know ye not that YE [thats us] ARE the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells IN YOU" (I Cor. 3:16). "For ye are the temple of the living God" II Cor. 6:16). Notice that "ye are the temple of God" is another metaphor. In what certain ways are we like the temple of God? Answer: "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief corner stone; in Whom ALL THE BUILDING fitly framed together grows unto AN HOLY TEMPLE in the Lord: In Whom YE [that's us again] ALSO ARE BUILDED TOGETHER for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph. 2:19:23).

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The Lord of heaven and earth "dwells not in temples made with hands" (Acts 17:24). Where does God then dwell? Are you ready for this? This is heavy stuff! "If a man love Me, He will keep My words: and my Father will love him, and WE [both Jesus Christ AND His Father] WILL COME UNTO HIM [this is US if we love God], AND MADE OUR ABODE [our home] WITH HIM" (John 14:23)! WOW! LOVE IS THE KEY TO DWELLING WITH GOD And how does God make His abode with us? The key is to LOVE GOD! "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not knows not God; for GOD IS LOVE. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, GOD DWELLS IN US, and His love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that WE DWELL IN HIM and HE IN US, because He hath given us of His SPIRIT" (I John 4:7-13). Now for those who are glorying in the above marvelous Scriptures (to the exclusion of about FIFTY BILLION brothers and sisters whom they think will never experience any of this LOVE OF GOD), let us not neglect to read the next verse: "And we have SEEN and do TESTIFY [so apparently this is more than just pious, unattainable, wishful thinking] that the Father SENT [COMMISSIONED] THE SON TO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD"! Do we need a second witness on this: "We trust in the living God, Who IS THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MANKIND" (I Tim. 4:10)! LOVE YOUR ENEMIES 202

DONT BE DECEIVED! Those who glory and delight in the doctrine of eternal torment do NOT have the Spirit of God, and God does NOT make His abode with them! Such persons have a darkened heart, and what fellowship has light (God) with darkness? If you have been deceived into believing that God is going to torture most of humanity for all eternity in fire, but have hated the whole idea with all of your heart, then God will have mercy on your ignorance. But if you gloat in your pious self-righteousness, and eagerly await the day when those who do not follow your religion will be thrown into some hellhole lake of fire, then you have some serious repenting to do. Here is where this evil doctrine of eternal torment brings out the evil in those who endorse it. Obviously if one feels that God is justified in TORTURING billions of precious human beings in literal fire, then certainly it must seem okay for us to have disdain now for these people that we just know are on their way to hell. I understand that one of the Queens of England justified burning people at the stake by stating that she was only doing NOW what God will be doing to them LATER. Sick! And so Paul tells us that we are His "garden" where there will be fruit produced, and we are His "building" where God Himself will dwell. But He also tells us that we will have our old man pulled down and humbled while the fire of His spirit burns the wood, straw, and stubble till all such evils and destroyed. And at the same time, God builds man up by refining and purifying gold, silver, and precious stones (the very character traits of God Himself). First comes the physical, the carnal, the Old man that must be destroyed. Then comes the Spiritualthe man of God. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a NATURAL body; it is raised a SPIRITUAL body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body" (I Cor. 15:42-44). First we are born into mortal bodies with carnal minds by which we build a plethora of straw, hay, and stubble. In judgment these things are burned up and destroyed by the Gods spirit, which is a 203

CONSUMING FIRE. At the same time the qualities pictured as gold, silver, and precious stones are purged and purified by the fire of Gods spirit and made even better. And so Gods instructions to Jeremiah in chapter one verse ten, are applied to each and every individual whom has ever lived: "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms [of every man and every mans work] to root out [For it is a FIRE that consumes to destruction, and would ROOT OUT all mine increase Job 31:12], and to pull down [And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall He PULL THEE DOWN Isaiah 22:19], and to destroy [To deliver such an one unto Satan for the DESTRUCTION of the flesh, that the spirit may be SAVED in the day of the Lord Jesus I Cor. 5:5], and to throw down, [And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and THROW DOWN all thy strong holds Micah 5:11, And the idols in their heart Ezek. 14:7, CASTING DOWN imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and brining in to captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ II Cor. 10:5], TO BUILD [And now, brethren, I command you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to BUILD YOU UP, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified Acts 20-32], and TO PLANT [Thou shalt bring them in, and PLANT THEM in the mountain of Thine inheritance {heavenly Mount Zion} in the place, O Lord, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which Thy hands have established Ex. 15:17]!"

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Two Judgments by Fire Only two sections of Scripture speak of judging every mans work in fire. They are Revelation 20 and I Corinthians 3. Earlier in this series we covered many Scriptures showing that Judgment is on the House of God NOW (from the time of the Apostles until the return of Christ), and that there is coming a later judgment at the Great White Throne. All humanity and all angelic messengers will be judged in one of these two judgments by fire. In Part V we saw how God likens believers to a garden that is to produce fruit. God also likens our spiritual development to that of a building. We are to produce much "spiritual fruit" which will also make us "living stones" in a great temple prepared for Gods dwelling place. We will now continue our study beginning with the Foundation upon which all this spiritual structure is to be built. JESUS CHRISTTHE ROCK "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which IS Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation" (I Cor. 3:1012). We already saw that we are Gods building of living stones that are to produce garden varieties of spiritual fruit. Paul gives us an even clearer description of this spiritual building process in Eph. 2:19-21, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are [being] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed [being connected together] grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: In Whom ye also are built together for an habitation [dwelling place] through [in] Spirit." 205

Gods Word portrays a far different and higher spiritual destiny than the Christian candy-coated heaven of a Disney World Magic Kingdom with pearly gates, streets of gold, fluffy clouds, and chubby-cheeked cherubs strumming their little harps while huge choruses sing rock-n-roll gospel music and the saints practice rapping with the angels in a land of endless mountains of chocolate and candy where everyone has his own mansion in which to live in the lap of perpetual luxury, laziness, and non-accomplishment, catering to the lusts of the flesh while delighting over a vision of countless billions writhing in unspeakable torturous pain of an eternal lake of fire. What a HELL that would be! Maybe it is time we rid ourselves of all the fabled fantasies of pagan nirvanas. Saints are never going to a geographical location on a huge rock or planet in outer space called "heaven." There will never descend out of heaven a literal city with pearly gates or streets of gold. We will never live in such a literal, physical, material city! These are symbols, metaphors, and word pictures to describe SPIRITUAL REALITIES. Gods kingdom is SPIRITUAL. All in Gods kingdom will be SPIRITUAL. And all this is being build on a huge SPIRITUAL ROCKThe CHRIST. Jesus Christ is the "Chief Corner Stone," the "Foundation," the "ROCK!" I live in Miami, Florida where they have recently completed twin towers of forty-five stories each right on the sand of Miami Beach. That is they appear to be built right on the sand. They are, in fact, anchored on many pilings driven down to solid bedrock. No one is foolish enough to spend a hundred million dollars on skyscrapers that would have sand for their foundation. Jesus Christ is the spiritual bedrock upon which we are to become a spiritual and fit dwelling place for God. In times past God made His presence known within the physical temple at Jerusalem. But the physical tabernacle in Jerusalem is long gone. The Levitic priesthood is long gone. But there is still an high Priest: "But Christ being come an HIGH PRIEST of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, 206

that is to say, not of this building For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are figures of the true; but into heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God FOR US" (Heb. 9:11 & 24). WHO IS THIS MAN, THE CHRIST? Just Who is Jesus Christ? Many have but a superficial knowledge of the real Jesus. And those who have studied the Scriptures deeply, are but scratching the surface of the real Christ. Jesus Christ is a whole lot more than the humble carpenter from Nazareth, Who was born of a virgin and died on a cross. JESUS CHRIST IS EVERYTHING! Everything that ever was, is, or shall be is found in Christ! He is the very CREATOR, SUSTAINER, AND ALMIGHTY GOD OF THE UNIVERSE. God the Father has never directly made Himself known to humanity. It was Jesus Christ Who came to reveal the Father to mankind. God the Father, "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; Who being the BRIGHTNESS OF HIS GLORY, and the EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON, and upholds 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" (Heb. 1:2-3). "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power or darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of HIS DEAR SON: In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were ALL THINGS CREATED, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM [Jesus Christ], AND FOR HIM [Jesus Christ]:

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And He is BEFORE ALL THINGS, and by Him ALL THINGS CONSIST. And He is the HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH: Who is the beginning, the firstborn form the dead, that in ALL THINGS HE MIGHT HAVE THE PREEMINENCE. For it pleased the Father that IN HIM SHOULD ALL FULLNESS DWELL. And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to RECONCILE ALL UNTO HIMSELF; by Him, I say, whether in earth or in heaven" (Col. 1:12:20). "I am Alpha and Omega, the BEGINNING and the ENDING, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, THE ALMIGHTY" (Rev. 1:8). "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. ALL THINGS WERE MADE BY HIM: and without Him was not any thing made that was made. IN HIM WAS LIFE; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:1-3). "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham WAS, I AM" (John 8:58). "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shall thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me to you" (Ex. 3:14). Jesus Christ was the GOD of the Old Testament! Jesus Christ was JEHOVAH! Moses SAW and HEARD Jehovah, yet John tells us that, "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, HE HAS DECLARED HIM" (John 1:18). And this, "And the Father Himself, which hath sent me, has born witness of Me. Ye have neither HEARD HIS VOICE at any time, NOR SEEN HIS SHAPE" (John 5:37). "For the Father judges no man, but has committed ALL JUDGMENT UNTO THE SON" (John 5:22). "And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH" (Matt. 28:18). "Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through 208

the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST" (I Cor. 10:1-4). And contrary to popular Christian tradition, Jesus did NOT say that He would build His church upon Peter. "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter [Greek, petros, a piece of detached stone or rock], and upon THIS ROCK` [Greek, petra {a different kind of rock}, a mass of rock that cannot be moved as in Matt. 7:24 and 27:60, which is distinct from petros which is a smaller detached rock that can be moved] will I built MY CHURCH; and the gates of the unseen [hades] shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). Jesus named Simon, "Cephas"(Peter is the Greek translation of Cephas which is Chaldee): "And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, He said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone" (John 1:42), that is, a smaller detached stone or rock in contrast to Himself Who is a huge unmovable mass of foundational BEDROCK. See Luke 6:48. The Church of the Living God is build upon CHRIST, not Peter! And so it is upon this SPIRITUAL, unmovable, foundational, bedrock of Jesus Christ that we are to be built into a new spiritual creation. TAKE HEED HOW YOU BUILD Constructing a building is a process that requires time and activity. Since God likens the building of His spiritual temple to the assembling of a physical building, then this process, likewise, requires time and activity. Time and activity is what we call living our lives. Now then, when does judgment begin at the building of this house of God? Answer: "For the time IS COME that judgment must begin at the house of God" (I Peter 4:17). And so it clearly has already begun with the Apostles and New Testament Church nearly two thousand years ago. And it is still 209

going on in the Church of God today, in every believers life, as he lives his life. Therefore, Paul warns: "But let every man take heed HOW he builds [his building] thereupon" (I Cor. 3:10). And so judgment is upon the building of Gods house as each individual believer is framed and fitted for the calling that God has for each individual. This judgment began in the days of the Apostles after the resurrection of our Lord. It continued generation after generation down through the age until today when it yet continues. And it will continue still further until the entire harvest of firstfruits is completed. Remember we already learned that if we would judge ourselves now, Paul said we would not be condemned with the world later (I Cor. 11:32). It is while we are living and building that our works are being tried and judged BY FIRE according to HOW we are building. What fire? Gods fire. Gods "CONSUMING [spiritual] FIRE" (Heb. 12:29)! God is SPIRIT and likewise His fire is SPIRIT. I have never heard a minister or teacher preach on the good and beneficial side of Gods FIRE. Fire is usually portrayed as bringing about pain, evil, and destruction. Since God is GOOD (Luke 18:19), and God is SPIRIT (John 4:24), and God is INVISIBLE (Col. 1:15), why does the church teach the world that God as a CONSUMING FIRE (Heb. 12:29) is visible and not invisible, literal and not spiritual, and bad rather than good? "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones [valuable traits of Godly spiritual character] wood, hay, stubble [carnal traits of no value]; Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because IT SHALL BE REVEALED BY FIRE; and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is" Every thought, every word, and every deed that proceeds out of the heart and mind of man is his "WORKS." And every thought, every 210

word, and every deed of man will come into the judgment of Almighty Gods "CONSUMING FIRE." Notice that it is both our things of great value: "gold, silver, precious stones," and our things of no value: "wood, hay, stubble" that are tried in the fire, Gods Consuming Fire. Every person possesses knowledge, therefore, every person is a combination of both good and evil (for knowledge can only be a combination of both good and evil knowledge). EVERYTHING IS RELATIVE Everything in the universe is a contrast with or to something else in the universe. Nothing can be known about anything without contrasting it with other things. You cannot think a thought nor can you perform a deed without a working knowledge of these contrasting factors. If I should say that a box is big, you could not have any conception of what I am saying unless you also know what it is for something to be small. Something is only smooth in contrast to it being rough. Up is only up in relation to down. Without the contrasting relationship between two opposites "up" could just as easily be "down." And all big boxes might be perceived as small were it not for the fact that there would be no concept of small without a knowledge of big. Therefore, in the physical universe, all things are what they are by contrast and relativity. Very hot stars are only very hot relative to cooler stars. If there were no knowledge of cooler stars, there could also be no hot stars. Things are either hard or soft, or harder or softer (but harder or softer than WHAT?always, something else). Things are light or dark (or somewhere in between, (but the in between can also only be known by gradations of relativity as well). Things are heavy or light, sharp or dull, big or small, tall or short, strong or weak, hot or cold, left or right, north or south, in or out, new or old, beginning or end, fast or slow, fat or skinny, straight or crooked, up or down, high or low, moving or still, positive or negative, visible or invisible, etc. You get the idea. Now then, this same law of knowledge pertains to inanimate things and things of a spiritual nature as well. Again it is only by understanding one thing relative to another or one thing contrasted with another that enables us to intelligently communicate and live our lives. Lets look at a few of 211

these: happy or sad, giving or stingy, build or destroy, kind or cruel, energetic or lazy, haughty or humble, intelligent or stupid, wise or foolish, right or wrong, true or false, good or evil, righteous or wicked, love or hate, life or death, temporary or eternal. Having a working knowledge of these relative and contrasting terms and concepts is absolutely essential in living our lives. We must all come to know and to experience both good and evil. The universal teaching that God "never intended" for man to eat of "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" is as false and unscriptural as anything could ever be. It was both essential and paramount that man should eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Knowledge of both good and evil is an attribute of God Himself. If we are to be the "sons of God," we too must partake of this quality of Gods nature. How could man ever be fully made into the very image of His Creator God if he did not possess even the basic fundamental attributes of his Creator and Father? Let me make one thing clear at this point, lest my detractors think they have discovered a major flaw in my teaching. "Evil" is not good nor is it eternal. Nonetheless, a "knowledge of evil" is good and is eternal. All evil will take its place in the lake of fire, but a knowledge of evil is eternal just as sure our God, Who possesses a knowledge of evil, is eternal. And so mans life consists of a combination of both good and evil thoughts, words, and deeds. The most saintly of men have had their flaws and the most evil of men have possessed at least a few qualities of good. I am sure that even Adolph Hitler loved his mother and was kind to his dog. But loving your mother and being kind to your dog will not get you into the kingdom of God. And let me be quick to add that hating your mother and being cruel to your dog will not eternally keep you out of the kingdom of God either. Oh that the church could have the faith to believe that God Almighty is able to accomplish His will for humanity: "For this is GOOD [not evil] and acceptable [but NOTHING SHORT OF THIS IS ACCEPTABLE] in the sight of God our Saviour; Who WILL have ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come 212

to the knowledge [both the good knowledge and the evil knowledge] of THE TRUTH" (I Tim. 2:3-4). "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation [so here is another statement that is worthy and acceptable in the sight of God]. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God Who is the Saviour of ALL MEN [and nothing short of all men IS worthy or acceptable to God], specially [specially does not mean exclusively] of those that believe" (I Tim. 4:10). (THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, SPECIALLY BELIEVERS) A little digression: For the past couple of weeks I have been wasting my time exchanging emails with a man who took great exception to my treatment of I Tim. 2:4 in Part V of this series on the lake of fire. He concluded that I have not a lick of knowledge concerning proper interpretation, homiletics, hermeneutics, or exegesis. He proceeded to explain to me the king of all theological seminary theories on interpretation, which is "context, context, context" (sort of like the real estate theory of property value: "location, location, location"). He pointed out that the "context" of "all men" found in I Tim. 2:4 is found in I Tim. 2:1-2, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for ALL MEN; For kings, and for ALL that are in authority" He informed me that in my ignorance I failed to see that the "all men" that God wills to be saved in verse 4 is speaking of kings and those in authority of verse 2 ONLY! Oh really? I asked him if the "all men" of verses 4 and 5 also pertained ONLY to the "context" of verse 2. Lets read it: "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men [all mankind], the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for ALL [mankind], to be testified in DUE time" (I Tim. 2:5-6).

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I asked him if Jesus Christ gave Himself a ransom for "all kings and all in authority" ONLY (in keeping with his theory of "context, context, context")? I never heard from him again. "Alleging themselves to be wise, they are made STUPID" (Rom. 1:22, Concordant New Testament). Let me kindly point out that the "kings and authorities" of verse 2 are only two categories of the "all men" in verse 1. Do we really think that what Paul was actually meaning to say is this: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all kings and for all that are in authority, ONLY?" NO! The supplications, intercessions and giving of thanks were to be made "for ALL men." Paul then gives us two categories of men out of "all men" that should be included. Namely kings and those in authority, because these have the power and authority to make our lives miserable if they become our enemies, and Paul desired that the saints live a "quiet and peaceable life" as much as is possible in this wicked world. I was kind of sad that my detractor did not answer back my last email to him, because I was holding I Tim. 4:10 in store for my next rebuttal to his inane arguments. Now this truly is a remarkable Scripture. I have had many traitors of the truth tell me that when God speaks of "all" being saved it always means "all saints" or "all in the context" or "all in Christ" or some other "all," just as long as it can never ever mean "all of mankind." But dont you just know that it is Gods way to shut the mouths of deceivers. Lets look at I Tim. 4:9-10 in any context you wish: "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who IS THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, specially of those that believe." Now had God left off that last phrase, "specially of those that believe," then maybe our detractors could once again say that, "Well, yes, God is the saviour of all men, its just that He doesnt actually save all men." Let me now show you how my Pennsylvania farm boy mind works when it comes to a Scripture like this one. God has so 214

tightly book-ended this verse that it is absolutely impossible for even the most devious minds of detractors and traitors of the truth to misrepresent this verse with an ounce of intelligence. This verse is IRON CLAD! Notice that this verse does not say: "God is the Saviour of ALL MEN, specially ALL MEN," does it? No. And this verse does not say: "God is the Saviour of ALL THAT BELIEVE, specially ALL THAT BELIEVE," does it? No. The "specially of those that believe," BELIEVE. The rest of the "all men" do NOT BELIEVE. These are two different groups(1)Believers and (2)NON-believers. Since the "believers" are "specially" saved, in relation to the saving of the "all men non-believers," then they will be saved also. See it doesnt say that God is the Saviour of all men but will ONLY save believers. No, the "all men" ARE SAVED and the "believers" are SPECIALLY SAVEDBOTH will be saved! The word "specially" does not mean "exclusively." The word "specially" is translated from the Greek word malista, which means "in the greatest degree or particularly" (Strongs Greek Dictionary p. 155). It is translated "specially," "especially," "chiefly" and "most of all." In every single usage of this word in the New Testament it is used in relation to others who are not excluded, but included in the same subject. Let us notice a few of these so that we can be absolutely convinced in our own minds that the "specially believers" can in no possible way exclude the "all men" of the same verse. "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, SPECIALLY [Gk: malista] they of the circumcision" (Titus 1:10). Is it even necessary that I point out that this verse does not in any way insinuate that the "unruly and vain talkers and deceivers" are ALL from the circumcision ONLY? "Not now as a servant but above a servant, a brother beloved, SPECIALLY to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?" (Philemon 16).

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This verse says for sure that Onesimus was "special" to more than just Paul. And so it is with every single use of this Greek work in the New Testament. It is absolutely clear and irrefutable that the believers of I Tim. 4:10 are saved in a special way, that is, they are saved before the rest of humanity, and they are given the gift of eonian (age-abiding) life reigning with Christ in the Kingdom of God, ages before the rest of humanity are saved. Only those called and chosen NOW will EVER reign and rule and bring salvation to the rest of the world and to the universeTHIS is a special gift of God to believers being called in this age ONLY. But BUT, the rest of humanity WILL ALSO BE SAVED (albeit by way of the lake of fire in the great white throne judgment). And so it is that long before the rest of humanity is purged through the lake of fire, believers must also be purged through FIRE. It is so sad that these things are not taught in Sunday school or church. Salvation is by grace through faith. But if we isolate these two words "grace" and "faith" from all the thousands of Scriptures that show us how grace and faith operate in the real world, then we will fail to see or understand the most fundamental of New Testament teachings. GAL, 2;20. THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER Lets see again just what is involved in living the live of a believer: 1. "For by GRACE are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship [Gk: achievement], created in Christ Jesus unto [unto what?] unto GOOD WORKS, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). We are not saved by OUR WORKS, but we are preordained to walk in GODS GOOD WORKS, nonetheless. "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3;3). Notice that Eph. 2:10 says

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that we are "created IN Christ." Something new happens when we are "IN" Christ. There is a NEW birth and there is a NEW creation, "Therefore if any man be IN Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE [Gk: creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Cor. 5:17). Albeit, this new creation has its perils as we will see in the next verse. 3. "Yea, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus [as a new and different creature] SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION." (II Tim. 3:12). This is not just a possibility; it is an absolute PROMISE. "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through MUCH TRIBULATION [pressure, afflictions] enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). "For if we would JUDGE OURSELVES, we should not be judged. But when we ARE JUDGED, we are CHASTENED [Greek: paideuo, to train, educate, discipline, punish, chastise, instruct, learn, and teach] of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world [at the great white throne judgment]" (I Cor. 11:31-32). "And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My Son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. For whom the Lord loves He CHASTENS [Prov. 13:24] AND SCOURGES [see I Pet. 5:9] EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES. But if you be without chastisement, whereof ALL are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons" (Heb. 12:5-8). "Every mans work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be REVEALED BY FIRE; and the fire shall try EVERY MANS WORK of what sort it is" (I Cor. 3;13). "Fear NONE of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that 217

4.

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you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a CROWN OF LIFE" (Rev. 2:10). "To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the TREE OF LIFE [eternal, immortal life]" (Rev. 2:7), "He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev. 2:11), "And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give POWER OVER THE NATIONS" (Rev. 2;26), "He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment [righteousness] and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life [Christ is the book of life] but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Rev. 3:5), "Him that overcomes will I make a PILLAR [a main and vital support in the very government of Almighty God] IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD" (Rev. 3:12), "To him that overcomes will I grant to SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, even as I also overcame [see John 16:33], and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev. 3:21). There we have a very brief overview of the life of a believer. Is it not obvious that the life of a believer consists of a whole lot more than just "believing" that Jesus is the Christ? God has bigger plans for the human race than just "saving" them. God can "save" chickens, but God doesnt want chickens for sons! God wants sons that are PERFECT as He is perfect! Wouldnt you all agree that becoming perfect might just require a whole lot more than singing gospel music once a week? Perfection requires many things that only God can perform in our lives. We are, after all, His workmanship, His achievement. Having ALL OUR WORKS tried in the fire of His Holy Spirit is no small part of becoming perfect. REVEALED AND TRIED BY FIRE "Now if any man build upon this [spiritual] foundation [Christ] gold, silver, precious stones [godly character traits], wood, hay, stubble [carnal character traits]; Every mans work [thoughts, words, and deeds] shall be made manifest [become known, come to light]: for the day shall declare it [make it evident], because it shall

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be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is" (I Cor. 3:12-13). The fire in these verses is no more literal than are the gold or stubble suggested as building materials. People do not construct large buildings out of gold, neither do they set them on fire after completion to see how well they will fare. This is all figurative and symbolic language to instruct us in much higher spiritual development. We are not literaI gardens of God neither are we literal buildings of God. But we are like gardens in certain wayswe are to produce good spiritual fruit. We are like buildings in certain ways we are to be a spiritual dwelling place for God. We have works that are like gold and silver in certain wayswe have thoughts, words, and deeds of good and lasting value. We also have carnal and evil worksbad thoughts, crass words, and evil deeds that are of no lasting value and are only fit for destruction. Only Gods SPIRITUAL FIRE can burn away spiritual wickedness and evils of the heart. All of these material items are used as symbols of spiritual things. Therefore, of necessity, the fire that tries these material symbols is also SPIRITUAL. It is not possible to burn up with fire an inanimate character flaw without burning up the person who harbors it. Likewise, it is not possible to purge and purify the good qualities of character in a person with literal fire without burning up the individual that possesses them. But spiritual fire, Gods all consuming, purging and purifying fire is perfectly suited to do just that. This trying and purging is not always pleasant, however, it is not a torture chamber either. Does this fire harm the person being purged in this fire? SALVATION BY FIRE No, our merciful and graceful loving God and Father does not eternally torture humanity IN fire, but rather eternally saves humanity BY fire. Lets read it and rejoice: "Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try 219

every mans work of what sort it is. If any mans work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any mans work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; YET SO AS BY FIRE" (I Cor. 3:13-15). Does everyone understand this? NO ONE is tortured, killed, or annihilated in this fire! This fire of God SAVES people who go through it! There is salvation BY means of this fire. This fire is part of Gods judgment and grace! SCRIPTURE MUST INTERPRET SCRIPTURE Pay close attention to what I am about to say. There are but two places in all Scripture that speak of "EVERY MANS WORK" being tried and judged: Twice in I Cor. 3 and twice in Rev. 20. And there are but two places in all Scripture where every mans work is tried and judged "IN FIRE." And again those two places are I Cor. 3 and Rev. 20. Now then, earlier we learned from the Apostle Peter that, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture at all is becoming its OWN EXPLANATION" (II Pet. 1:20, Concordant Literal New Testament). So I Cor. 3 cannot completely answer all that is contained within its verses without the aid of the ONLY other such Scripture in the Bible, Rev. 20. And Rev. 20 cannot completely answer all that is contained within its verses without the aid of the ONLY other such Scripture in the Bible, I Cor. 3! Paul tells us in I Cor. 2: 12-13 that, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might KNOW THE THINGS that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak [in only twelve more verses Paul Himself speaks of just such spiritual things concerning the judgment of mens works in fire] not in the words which mans wisdom teaches [not the same physical torture in physical fire taught by the foolish understanding of the church] but which the Holy Spirit teaches; COMPARING [OR MATCHING] SPIRITUAL THINGS WITH SPIRITUAL." 220

By comparing these two spiritually matched Scriptures with one another we can come to the truth of Gods intention for BOTH of these fires that judge and try EVERY MANS WORK in their own order. The fire of I Cor. 3 accomplishes the very same thing as the fire of Rev. 20 accomplishes. Both of these fires are symbolic. Literal fire does not burn up inanimate flaws (wood, straw and stubble) of human character. But AS literal fire does burn up literal wood, straw and stubble, SO ALSO does Gods spiritual fire burn up human character flaws. We are not told of this "wood, straw and stubble" in the lake of fire, nor of the "gold, silver and precious stones." We learn from I Cor. 3 that this is the case with the lake of fire also because these two sets of Scripture are the ONLY spiritual match in the entirety of the Bible. And just as we learn new things and additional things about the lake of fire in I Cor. 3, we also learn something new and different in Rev. 20:10 that is not mentioned in I Cor. 3. In this lake of fire of Rev. 20 we find a most unusual thing-brimstone. BRIMSTONE? OH NO! NOT BRIMSTONE! Isnt this lake of fire going to be painful enough without adding "brimstone?" First we learn from Christendom that the non-believers and wicked will be tortured for all eternity in literal white-hot fire, and now we read in the Scriptures that there is going to be BRIMSTONE in this lake of fire! Whose idea is it to add brimstone to this fire? Is this a cruel curse from Satan? That doesnt seem plausible seeing that this is GODS WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT, and not Satans BLACK THRONE JUDGMENT. But why then would God be putting this cursed brimstone into this fire? Wait a minute Maybe the brimstone isnt a cruel curse from God, but rather a marvelous blessing. Is that possible? With God all things are possible. BRIMSTONE IN THE LAKE OF FIRE What is brimstone anyway? Everything in the book of Revelation is "signified" (SYMBOLIZED). We know that there is literal fire and there is spiritual fire; and there is literal brimstone, but is there also spiritual brimstone? Ask any nominal Christian why there is brimstone in the lake of fire, and he will probably tell you that it is 221

there to make the fire hotter and more painful. Oh really? Is there something about brimstone that is caustic to the skin that would cause great pain? Does brimstone somehow cause fire to burn hotter and hotter? Does brimstone make the flesh hotter? Or is it corrosive material that eats away at the skin and flesh thus causing even more intense insane pain. The very sound of the word brimstone has come to represent something Satanic. Nothing could be further or diametric opposite from reality. For those of you who have never learned the meaning and derivation of the word "brimstone," you are in for a real shock. Look up the word "brimstone" in any dictionary and you will find it defined as "sulfur." Brimstone is sulfur. What then are the properties and uses of sulfur? I have known the Scriptural meaning and uses of sulfur for years, but I had never looked up the word sulfur in my Encyclopedia Britannica beforewhat a revelation. SOME PROPERTIES OF SULFUR SULFUR: "It is often called brimstone (burning stone) and ignited sulfur is mentioned in the earlier records of many countries as having been used for religious ceremonies, for PURIFYING (fumigating) buildings and for bleaching cloth" (Encyclopedia Britannica, page 536d). Gee, I wonder if spiritual brimstone might be used to PURIFY and fumigate people and bleach their darkened hearts to a bright white? Under the caption: "Methods of ProductionAncient producers described their method of obtaining sulfur from its ore as PURIFICATION BY FIRE" (Page 537a). (All caps emphasis is mine). "Purification by fire." That sounds very Biblical. Does God "purify" good and wonderful things by "fire?" Yes, He does: The WORDS of the Lord are pure words: as silver [silver? Isnt the silver qualities of our character also tried in fire, I Cor. 3:12-13?] tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times" (Psalm 12:6). Now we all know that the very "words" of God are not burned in a literal fire. But "AS" silver is tried in literal fire, so SPIRITUALLY Gods words are tried in spiritual fire. But surely, according to what we have been told by doomsday prophets of eternal hell, sulfur must cause great torturing pain when 222

brought into contact with human skin, and wouldnt the smell alone be enough to suffocate all in its presence? Continuing: "Physical PropertiesSulfur is TASTELESS and ODORLESS. IT HAS NO ACTION ON THE SKIN" (Page 537d)! So maybe its just the heat that is intensified by the use of sulfur, and that is its purpose in the lake of fireto increase the intensity of the fires heat to cause more insane pain? Continuing: "Physical PropertiesSulfur is A POOR CONDUCTOR OF BOTH HEAT and electricity" (Page 538a)! Imagine thata POOR CONDUCTOR OF HEAT! Theoretically, if God were to put enough brimstone into the lake of fire it would protect those in the fire like an asbestos suit! Is anyone beginning to see the sheer folly in the churchs teaching that the lake of fire and brimstone are literal? I sure hope so. NO, brimstone is not the demon of hell fire that it has been portrayed. Sulfur rather has hundreds and hundreds of beneficial uses (my Twentieth Century Dictionary says, innumerable uses) not the least of which are purification and medicines. But wait, theres more. Why do we find sulfur in the lake of fire? If it serves no detrimental purpose, is it possible that it serves a beneficial purpose? I think that we can all agree that the Bible uses the word "fire" in a figurative way on many occasions. I am certain that none would consider the following verses as using fire in a literal way: SCRIPTURAL USE OF FIGURATIVE FIRE "His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were as a flame of FIRE" (Rev. 1:14). "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes though it be tarried with FIRE, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 1:7). "And the tongue is a FIRE" (James 3:6). "And of the angels He says, Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of FIRE" (Heb. 1:7).

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"Every mans work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by FIRE; and the FIRE shall try every mans work of what sort it is" (I Cor. 3:13). "For our God is a consuming FIRE" (Heb. 12:29). "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing you shall heap coals of FIRE on his head" (Rom. 12:20). "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with FIRE" (Luke 3:16). "For EVERY ONE shall be salted with FIRE, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt" (Mark 9:49). "But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appears? For He is like a refiners FIRE, and like fullers soap" (Malachi 3:2). "for all the earth shall be devoured with the FIRE of my jealousy" (Zeph. 3:8). "For in My jealousy and in the FIRE of My wrath have I spoken" (Ezek. 38;19). "From above has He sent FIRE into my bones" (Lamentations 1:13). "Is not My word like as a FIRE? saith the Lord" (Jer. 23:29). "Who makes His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming FIRE" (Psalm 104:4). SYMBOLIC BRIMSTONE And there are, of course, many more such Scriptures. Fire is often used in figurative language. But what about the "brimstone?" Why, oh why, is there brimstone in the lake of fire? It isnt caustic to the 224

skin; it isnt noxious to the smell; it isnt ugly to look at, and its a poor conductor of heat, how can brimstone (sulfur) be detrimental to humans who are thrown into this lake of fire? Consider that sulfur is used to make medicines. Remember how many were saved with the famous sulfa drugs back in World War Two? Are there "spiritually sick" people in this lake of fire? THEY ARE ALL SPIRITUALLY SICK! EVERY ONE OF THEM! They certainly need a good medicine. We also learned that sulfur has been used since the beginning of time for PURIFICATION! Are those thrown into this lake of fire "pure?" I speak as a fool. THEY ALL NEED PURIFICATION! EVERY ONE OF THEM! Since physical medicines cannot cure the spiritually sick, and physical sulfur cannot purge spiritual impurities, it follows that the sulfur in this lake of fire is also being used symbolically. But the physical benefits of physical sulfur used as a spiritual symbol of healing and purification is only the tip of the iceberg. What is the real origin of this word brimstone (sulfur)? Lets notice carefully the first few times that brimstone is used in the Scriptures: "Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah BRIMSTONE and fire from the Lord out of heaven And he [Abraham] looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace" (Gen. 19:24 & 28). Now in this historical event there is nothing in suggest that this destruction was figurative. No, it was a literal destruction, however, it most certainly is a spiritual and symbolic message in this destruction for our admonition TODAY! "Now ALL these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (I Cor. 10:11). Notice that this destruction of these cities comes from God, but not only did God burn the cities, but the WHOLE PLAIN AND COUNTRY as well. This destruction from the Lord was so complete that even the location of these cities is a matter of conjecture to this

225

day! But why the "brimstone?" Could God not destroy these cities with fire ALONE? Why was there brimstone in this fire? "So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sickness which the Lord has laid upon it; and that the WHOLE LAND thereof is BRIMSTONE, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor bears, nor any grass grows therein, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah" (Deut. 29:22-23). Notice once again that this destruction comes from the Lord and that it is a complete and total destruction so that even grass would not grow on this land. Half of the occurrences of the word brimstone in Scripture are found in the book of Revelation. Every single time the word brimstone is used in Scripture, its source is GOD out of heaven. Satan is NEVER connected with the use of brimstone. Brimstone is as far removed from the nature of Satan as unrighteousness is removed from the nature of God. Now then, what is brimstone, REALLY? Are you ready for this? After all the centuries of rank paganism being interjected into Gods pure Word, its time we blow the lid off of this heresy being published and preached by the church around the world, blaspheming the very name and nature of our Great God! ORIGIN OF THE WORD BRIMSTONE Strongs Greek Dictionary of the New Testament: brimstone, #2303. theion. We are told that "Theion originally denoted fire from heaven." This word theion #2303 comes from the Greek word theios #2304, of which we read the following: Theios means : (1) DIVINE, and is used (1a) of THE POWER OF GOD (2 Pet. 1:3), and (1b) of HIS [GODS] NATURE, (2 Pet. 1:4), both of which proceed FROM HIMSELF. 226

(2) In Acts 17:29 it is used as a noun with the definite article, to denote THE GODHEAD, THE DEITY, THE ONE TRUE GOD." (Caps and underline emphasis are mine). WOW! What a marvelous revelation of Spiritual Truth! So, again, why is there brimstone in the lake of fire?" BECAUSE GOD ALMIGHTY HIMSELF IS IN THIS FIRE! God IS this fire, this spiritual "CONSUMING FIRE" (Heb. 12:29). THIS FIRE IS NOT ONLY SPIRITUAL; IT IS DIVINE! THE LAKE OF FIRE IS DIVINE SPIRITUAL FIRE FROM GOD OUT OF HEAVEN TO PURGE, PURIFY, CLEANSE, AND HEAL ALL IMPURITIES OF ALL HUMANITY!!! Is this not the best news youve heard all day? JESUS CHRIST DID NOT DIE ON THE CROSS, IN VAIN! JESUS CHRIST WILL NOT FAIL TO SAVE THE WHOLE WORLD! JESUS CHRIST SO LOVED THE "WORLD" THAT HE DIED FOR ITS SALVATION! JESUS CHRIST WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO HIMSELF. JESUS CHRIST HAS BEEN GIVEN ALL POWER AND JUDGMENT IN BOTH HEAVEN AND EARTH. EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, EVER TONGUE WILL CONFESS, EVERY PERSON WILL REPENT, EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD WILL BE PURGED AND PURIFIED BY GODS ALL CONSUMING DIVINE FIRE FROM HEAVEN! Make no mistake about it. It is by means of FIRE that all mankind will ultimately be saved! God has spoken it: "Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by FIRE [Gods DIVINE {spiritual} CONSUMING FIRE, Heb. 12:29] and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is. If any mans work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any mans work shall be BURNED, he shall suffer loss; but HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; YET SO AS BY FIRE" (I Cor. 3:13-15)!! You say, "I dont believe it! We are saved by GRACE, not FIRE." Does "fire" contradict "grace?" Does "grace" contradict "fire?" NO, they do not contradict. "For BY GRACE are you saved" (Eph. 2:8). 227

How so? "For the GRACE of God that brings SALVATION has appeared to all men [but notice how it does something more in ADDITION to bringing salvation], TEACHING [Greek: paideuo, TO TRAIN, EDUCATE, DISCIPLINE, PUNISH, CHASTISE, LEARN, INSTRUCT. (P. 186, Strongs Greek Dictionary of the New Testament). Such words as "discipline," "punish," and "chastise," are great TRIALS that we are to go through and endure. These things are not fun, but wearisome. Peter has instructed us with the following wisdom: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto SALVATION [yes, and by grace] ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you GREATLY REJOICE [rejoice, Yes, but also with a heavy heart], though now for a season, if need be, you are IN HEAVINESS through MANIFOLD temptations [trials]: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes though it [your faith] be TRIED WITH FIRE [fire is an important aspect of saving grace], might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:5-7). Salvation involves the trying of our faith "with FIRE." This Peter calls our "FIERY trial," "Beloved, think it not strange [this is not some unusually or rare thingwe ALL must go through it sooner or later] concerning the FIERY TRIAL which IS [certain] to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you [or you only]" (I Peter 4:12). But Peter is not speaking of literal fire, but spiritual fire, Gods all CONSUMING spiritual fire. There was a reason for the brimstone in the fire that destroyed Sodom and there is a reason for the brimstone that is in the lake of fire judgment. Are we so nave as to think that God could not have destroyed Sodom and the neighboring cities with fire alone? Was the brimstone necessary to destroyed Sodom? Not only didnt God need to use brimstone to destroy Sodom: He didnt even need to use fire. God could have just made Sodom DISAPPEAR! If Mrs. OLeary cow could burn down Chicago without any brimstone, but merely by knocking over a lantern, 228

surely God could have burned down Sodom as well without any brimstone. Just as there are properties of "fire" that God wants us to understand in the spiritual, there are properties of brimstone that God wants us to understand in the spiritual! Can we not get it into our heads that GOD IS SPIRIT and that all He is building and creating is SPIRITUAL. We will have SPIRITUAL bodies, we are SPIRITUAL temples, we are to produce SPIRITUAL fruit, we will live in SPIRITUAL Jerusalem, in SPIRITUAL Zion, in SPIRITUAL heaven, as members of a SPIRITUAL kingdom, Headed by a SPIRIT GOD! The physical and natural will all pass away. The two laws of thermodynamics are at work on every piece of matter in the physical universe. EVERYTHING PHYSICAL is growing older, colder, and darkerit will all come to an end one day. Let us learn another great and profound spiritual lesson from the Scriptures. FIRST THE PHYSICAL AND THEN THE SPIRITUAL "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural [soulish, physical]; and AFTERWARD that which is spiritual" (I Cor. 15:46). But this is not what the church teaches. They teach that first came the natural, the soulish, the physical, and AFTERWARD will come A BETTER VERSION of the natural, the soulish, the physical! That is unscriptural nonsense. God is not building a better version of our physical bodies. We will be given SPIRITUAL BODIES: "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; [Adam was destined to DIE from the time of his very creation:] "For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willing, but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself [this certainly includes Adam] also shall be delivered from the bondage of CORRUPTION" Rom. 8:20-21. [Adam was created in the bondage of corruption]; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; 229

it is raised a SPIRITUAL BODY. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul [subject to death and corruption]; the last Adam was made a quickening SPIRIT [NOT subject to death or corruption]. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is SPIRITUAL" (I Cor. 15:42-46). Make no mistake about it, what God is creating is SPIRITUAL and eternal. But first He created the physical and the temporary. He has dealt with the physical and temporary in the past, and will get do so in the future, but the time will come when God will do away with physical things, and then all will be spiritual. There was an OLD Covenant and now there is a NEW Covenant. The first was based solely on the physical and temporary promises, whereas the second is based on SPIRITUAL AND PERMANENT promises! The reason there was "brimstone" in the fire from heaven when God destroyed Sodom and the cities of the plain is that brimstone is a purging and purifying agent. And brimstone means DIVINE! This purging of the plain of these evil cities was a DIVINE purging fire from the God of heaven. God so "divinely purged" those cities of the plain that their very location is a matter of speculation for archeologists. To show Gods utter disdain for the sins of that land, God did not merely destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring cities, but He rather WIPED THEM OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH! That land was then pure! It was fumigated. It was made white. It was purged of every and all wickedness of its inhabitants. Poor Sodom. Are they lost forever? Are all Sodomites right now burning in the fires of some fabled hell? What do you suppose might have been the fate of Sodom had Jesus preached His message there and performed His healing miracles there? We dont have to suppose or guess, because Jesus has already told us exactly what would have happened if He had taught and healed in Sodom: "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shall be bought down to hell [Greek: hades the unseen]: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, IT WOULD HAVE REMAINED UNTIL THIS DAY" (Matt. 11:23). 230

So by Christs own words we have witness of the fact that all it would have taken for Sodom to remain a city right down to our very generation today, was some healings and miracles in their city (Luke 10:13)! Is a whole race of people worth a few healings and miracles? Not according to the stupid and evil doctrines of the church. They will tell you (if you corner them) that God opted for an eternity of torture for the Sodomites rather than Salvation at the cost of a few healings and miracles! No, Sodom is dead! But like all peoples of the world who have ever died (both the righteous and the wicked), they will be resurrected back to life and will be judged and purged in the loving, consuming, spiritual, divine fire of God. Jesus did not come to eternally destroy the Sodomites nor to torture them for eternity. "The Lamb of God, which takes away the SIN OF THE WORLD" (John 1:29). "we trust in the Living God, Who is the Saviour of ALL MEN, specially of those that believe" (I Tim. 4:10). It is just amazing to me how the Christian churches rally around the state of Israel and its capital Jerusalem, as though Jerusalem is a "holy city" to be adored and protected at all cost. A popular Jewish Christian who appears on international television always closes his program by asking everyone to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." Let me ask candidly: "Are those prayers being answered?" Turn on your TV or look at this mornings newspaper and then tell me if these prayers are being answered! Is the orthodox religion of Judaism the way to Gods heart? Is this the one religion by which men can be saved WITHOUT Christ? Well, according to one famous and rich international evangelist, the answer is YES! Christless Judaism is a means to salvation. Oh really? "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name [that name is JESUS] under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved" (Acts 4:12). 231

It is one thing to be anti-Semitic (which, of course, is wrong, and for all I know I may be a Jew myself), but quite another thing to suggest that God is well pleased with the state of Israel, or its capital, Jerusalem, or its dominant religion, Judaism. Maybe here is the time for a little reality check concerning this matter of Jerusalem and the state of Israel. Israel probably has the highest per-capita Christrejecting people in the western world (if we might include them in the western world). Did you know that the future salvation of Jerusalem is directly connected to and contingent upon the resurrection, restoration, and salvation of SODOM? Even if you are a "Preterist" and believe that everything in the book of Revelation has already been completely fulfilled by the end of the first century AD (which it clearly has not), you will still have to acknowledge Gods attitude toward Jerusalem both historically and prophetically as recorded in His Word. As these things I am about to show you in Gods Word are not generally taught anywhere in the world of Christendom. Let me caution you that what I am about to show you is not a pretty picture. Parental discretion is definitely advised for any minors reading the next section of this paper. First, let us see what God Himself calls Jerusalem: "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called [remember that the spiritual is more real and significant than the physical and literal] SODOM AND EGYPT, where also our Lord was crucified [our Lord was crucified in JERUSALEM]" (Rev. 11:8). So God Himself calls Jerusalem "Sodom and Egypt." Not exactly an accolade of spiritual endearment. So prophetically God calls Jerusalem, Sodom and Egypt. How does God view Jerusalem historically leading up to this shameful appellation of "Sodom and Egypt?" "Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her ABOMINATIONS" (Ezek. 16:1). Throughout chapter 16, God likens Jerusalem as a young virgin bride that He takes to Himself: 232

"Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon you, behold your time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over you, and covered your nakedness: yes, I swore unto you and entered into a covenant with you, saith the Lord God, and YOU BECAME MINE" (Verse 8). "And I put a jewel on your forehead, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head. Thus were you decked with gold and silver; and your raiment was of fine line, and silk, and broidered work; you didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and you were exceeding beautiful, and you did prosper into a kingdom. And your renown went forth among the heathen for they beauty: for it was PERFECT through my comeliness, which I had put upon you, says the Lord God" (Verses 12-14). Was Jerusalem thankful to God? Did Jerusalem worship and adore God as a Perfect Husband? No: "But you did trust in YOUR OWN beauty, and PLAYED THE HARLOT because of your renown and poured out your FORNICATIONS on everyone that passed by and played the HARLOT and did commit WHOREDOM with them Is this of your WHOREDOMS a small matter And in all your ABOMINATIONS and your WHOREDOMS you have not remembered the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, and was polluted in your blood. And it came to pass after all your WICKEDNESS (WOE, WOE unto you! Saith the Lord God opened your feet [spread your legs] to every one that passed by and MULTIPLIED YOUR WHOREDOMS. You have also committed FORNICATION WITH THE EGYPTIANS your neighbours You have played the WHORE also with the Assyrians You have moreover multiplied your FORNICATION in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea How weak is your heart, saith the Lord God, seeing you do all these things, the work of an IMPERIOUS [a female fox, arrogant, malicious] WHORISH WOMAN as a wife that commits ADULTERY, which takes strangers [heathen religions and gods] instead of her husband [God] but you give your gifts to ALL WHORES; but you give your gifts [of sexual favors] to ALL YOUR LOVERS, and hire them, that they may come unto you on every side for your WHOREDOM" (Verses 15-32). 233

God is not pleased with His harlot wife, and pronounces terrible woes upon her: JERUSALEMS SPIRITUAL SISTER IS SODOM "Wherefore, O HARLOT, hear the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord God; Because your FILTHLINESS was poured out, and your NAKEDNESS discovered through your WHOREDOMS with your lovers, and with all the IDOLS OF YOUR ABOMINATIONS" Etc., etc. (Verses 35-36). But it gets WORSE: "thou art your mothers daughter, that LOATHES her husband and her children; and you are the sister of your sisters, which loathed their husbands and their children: your mother was a Hittite, and your father an Amorite. And your elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at your left hand: and your younger sister, that dwells at your right hand, is SODOM and her daughters." (Verse 45-46). JERUSALEM IS FAR WORSE THAN THE VERY WORST "Yet have you not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, YOU WERE CORRUPTED MORE THAN THEY IN ALL YOUR WAYS. As I live, says the Lord God, Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as YOU [Jerusalem] HAVE DONE, you and your daughters" (Verses 47-48). "Neither has Samaria committed half of your sins; but you have MULTIPLIED YOUR ABOMINATIONS MORE THAN THEY, and have justified your sisters in all YOUR ABOMINATIONS which you have done. You also, which have judged your sisters, bear your own shame for your sins that YOU HAVE COMMITTED MORE ABOMINABLE THAN THEY: they are MORE RIGHTEOUS [imagine God saying that Sodom is more righteous than Jerusalem?] than you" (Verse 52). What do you imagine would happen to me if I were to stand up in one of the international churches that supports Israel and Jerusalem and even teaches that they can be saved WITHOUT Jesus Christ, and I told them that the wicked City State of Sodom WAS MORE 234

RIGHTEOUS than Jerusalem, Israel? On second thought, dont imagine it. OH the deceitfulness of the church! I have heard two messages on international television this week wherein Jerusalem was mentioned again as Gods chosen city of His chosen people, and how we must back Israel and Jerusalem. This corrupt city is praised and praised daily by the church as though God just really does love this corrupt city with their corrupt religion! God HATES what is going on in Jerusalem and Israel. God is NOT blessing Jerusalem. God is NOT protecting Jerusalem. There is NO PEACE in Jerusalem. God certainly loves the people of Jerusalem, but they have some deep deep repentance ahead of them. OPEN YOUR EYES! Where have you ever read anywhere in the Bible such condemnation on ANYONE as we have just read regarding Jerusalem? OH how the church applauds Jerusalem, when the reality is that their sins are reaching to high heaven. Recently 60 Minutes presented a documentary on how Russian girls are being sold around the world as full-time live-in harlots. Thousands of Russian girls are being sold for sex slaves (and many by their own will for a better financial life). Well it just so happens that there is a location that acts as a clearinghouse for brokering these girls around the world. Just where do you suppose that brokering center is located? Would you believe, JERUSALEM? This past week one of the news channels covered a huge gathering of homosexuals. They had a bandstand set up like rock stars have from which they paraded their cross-dressing transvestite regalia and paraphernalia. Speeches were made regarding homosexual life styles, etc. Where do you suppose this meeting was being held? Los Angeles? New York? San Francisco? NO! JERUSALEM! There is a reason why God goes into such detail and allots so much space in His Word for such small cities as Sodom and Jerusalem. They were but the fore-runners of a much larger deception of the same ilk! This same HARLOT system permeates the world today through a huge organization and worldwide work.

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"And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto you the judgment of the GREAT WHORE that sits upon many waters [not just one city or one people, but MANY WATERS OF NATIONS AND PEOPLES]: With whom the kings of the earth have committed FORNICATION, and the inhabitants of the EARTH [the ENTIRE WORLD!] have been made DRUNK WITH THE WINE OF HER FORNICATION" (Rev. 17:1-2)! Take another look at what you have just read! According to the Word of God, there is to come (and has already come as we speak) a WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION that will spread her spiritual whoredom and fornication AROUND THE ENTIRE INHABITED EARTH and will make ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH DRUNK on the spiritual intoxicating wine of her doctrine! And what is the name God gives this system of spiritual whoredom? Lets read it: "And the woman [woman represents a church in Scripture] WAS ARRAYED IN PURPLE AND SCARLET COLOUR, AND DECKED WITH GOLD AND SILVER AND PRECIOUS STONES AND PEARLS [this church is not poor] and a golden cup in her hand full of ABOMINATIONS AND FILTHINESS OF HER FORNICATION." Gee, sounds like the exact description of the harlot woman in Ezekiel 16, doesnt it? (Rev. 17:4-5): "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" This church system is the apex, the zenith, the epitome of ALL THAT IS DECEITFUL, AND WICKED! IT ALL BEGAN AT BABEL This worlds counterfeit religious and political systems began at BABEL (Babylon). "And the whole earth was of one language they found a plain in the land of Shinar [Iraq--Babylon] And they said, Go to, let us 236

build us a CITY and a tower and let us make us a NAME, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the WHOLE EARTH And the Lord came down to see the city Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the FACE OF ALL THE EARTHY" (Gen. 11:1-9). God confounded their languages and He scattered them over the face of all the earth, but they took their rebellious, self-centered, godless religion and government WITH THEM. Have we forgotten how that later mankind once again regrouped under one central government? There was a time in ancient history when officials gather the educated and scholars from around the world, and once again shared philosophies, religions, laws, sciences, and other academia at a central location which they would then once more take back to their respective countries and share, worldwide? And what was that great nation called? Thats right, BABYLON! But that great Gold-Headed Kingdom also came crashing down under the Medes and the Persians. Well guess what? Babylon is rising once more. This time God calls it: "MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (Rev. 17:5). Notice that this Great Whore is a "mother of harlots." She is a mother who has harlots for daughters. This is the very same thing that we read in Ezekiel 16: 48, "As I live, saith the Lord God, Sodom thy sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you [Jerusalem] has done, YOU [Jerusalema MOTHER] and your DAUGHTERS." Any woman who has "daughters" is of necessity, a "mother." Now for a real shocker! From where does God call HIS people? The answer shocked me. "BABYLON THE GREAT is fallen, is fallen For ALL NATIONS have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come OUT of her, MY 237

PEOPLE that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:2-4)! Wow! Can you believe it? God calls HIS PEOPLE, HIS SAINTS, HIS ELECT, HIS CHURCH, OUT OF "MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH"!! Thats where the Apostles came from, thats where Paul came from, thats where the small persecuted church down through the ages came from, that where every believer I know came from, and thats where I came from. I, in fact, followed and obeyed several of her harlots in the process of coming out of Babylon. I was no better than the worst of sinners. It is only by Gods grace that we are able to escape this system. And God will continue to call His elect out of that very system until He destroys it in His presence. So clearly, the Mother Whore Jerusalem has HARLOT DAUGHTERS! And of the great religious system spoken of in Revelation 17 we also clearly see that MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, is a Mother Whore of Harlot Daughters! One has to be spiritually blind as a bat to not see that when we compare "Spiritual with spiritual," these two are a "spiritual MATCH!" More proof: The one True Church of the Living God has a "Father" and a "MediatorJesus Christ." But does Gods Church have a "Mother?" Ah, Yes, it surely does: "For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory [a representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters] for these are the TWO COVENANTS; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar IS [now a metaphoris like, in certain ways] mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to JERUSALEM which NOW IS [at the time Paul wrote this and continues to this day] and is in BONDAGE with her children. But Jerusalem which is ABOVE ["The HEAVENLY JERUSALEM" Heb. 12:22] is free, which is THE MOTHER OF US ALL" (Gal. 4:22-26). 238

What amazing Scriptures these are. The New Covenant Church of the Living God has a MOTHERHEAVENLY JERUSALEM ABOVE. And the giant Old Covenant Whore Church also has a motherEARTHLY JERUSALEM BELOW. The New is FREE, whereas the Old is in BONDAGE. But how can I say that the Old Covenant Church is "huge?" Arent there only a relatively few orthodox Jews around the world who keep the "Old" Covenant? No, there are BILLIONS of people who keep the "Old" Covenant around the world. There are almost no Christians that understand and keep the "New" Covenant. To the world of Christendom, the Old Covenant IS THE NEW COVENANT! The New Covenant is merely keeping the Old Covenant, BETTER! Thats right. To most, the New Covenant consists of keeping the Old Covenant, better. They say that they now keep the Old Covenant "in the spirit." Just how, pray tell, does one keep the "physical" in the "spirit?" Such a doctrine is utter unscriptural contradictory nonsense. You cannot keep the "physical" in the "spirit." THERE IS NO SPIRIT IN THE PHYSICAL, SO HOW COULD ONE KEEP IT IF IT DOESNT EXIST? We are all born with a physical [carnal] mind. It is possible to keep physical [carnal] laws with a physical carnal mind (Paul did it to near perfection when he was Saul!). But one CANNOT keep Gods spiritual laws with a physical carnal mind! "Because the carnal [natural physical] mind is enmity [deep seated HATRED] AGAINST God; for it is NOT subject to the [spiritual] law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7). "For to be carnally minded is DEATH; but to be spiritually minded is LIFE and peace" (Rom. 8:6). Lets be sure that we are perfectly clear on these Scriptural facts: Paul said that there ARE RIGHT NOW, TWO Jerusalem's in existence. One answers to the New Covenant, which is HEAVENLY JERUSALEM ABOVE.

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One answers to the Old Covenant, which is EARTHLY JERUSALEM IN ISRAEL. If you think that you can spiritually keep the physical laws of Moses, then your mother is the Old Covenant which answers to "Jerusalem which now isIN BONDAGE." But if you are keeping Gods spiritual laws through the spirit of God, then your mother is "Heavenly Jerusalem ABOVE which is FREE." Of course the fact that Jerusalem is TWICE as wicked and abominable as Sodom does not in any way justify the sins of Sodom. No, God will deal with both Jerusalem and Sodom. And that is the whole point of this discussion. So even though the sins of Jerusalem are twice as abominable as the sins of Sodom, God will, nonetheless, SAVE JERUSALEM! And just when will God save Jerusalem? AT THE SAME TIME THAT HE SAVES SODOM. Yes, Sodom WILL BE SAVED, and she will be saved at the same time that doubly corrupt and abominable Jerusalem will be saved. Now least anyone think that I harbor ill feelings toward Jerusalem for writing these things, let me make it abundantly clear where these things came from. It is GOD, and not I, Who calls Jerusalem, Sodom and Egypt, and not only historically, but prophetically as well. "When your sisters, SODOM and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then THOU [JERUSALEM] and thy daughters shall return to YOUR former estate" (Verse 55). "Then you shall remember your ways, and be ashamed, when you shall receive your sisters, your elder [Samaria] and your younger [SODOM]: and I will give them [Samaria and Sodom] unto you for daughters, but not by your covenant. And I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall KNOW [for the first time] that I am the Lord: That you may remember, and be confounded, and never open your mouth any more because of your shame, when I am PACIFIED [make atonement, to pardon, to placate, to cover, to condone] TOWARD THEE [Jerusalem AND her sisters, Samaria and

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Sodom] for all that you have done, saith the Lord God" (Verses 6163). When God purges the hearts and minds of the wicked with His allconsuming spiritual fire, they will be UTTERLY ASHAMED! Notice what God says in Revelation 14:10 regarding anyone who is a part of this one world religious system: "The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God [seeing that "For ALL nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of HER fornication" Rev. 18:3], which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented [UTTERLY ASHAMEDspiritual and mental torment] with the fire and brimstone [God DIVINE spiritual fire] in the presence of the holy angels, and in THE PRESENCE OF THE LAMB" (Rev. 14:10). They are going to have to face their sins and wickedness and hypocrisy, NOT in the presence of GOD ALMIGHTY, but in the presence of "the LAMB!" How embarrassing and shameful it will be for all those being purged in the Gods spiritual consuming lake of fire to see and acknowledge their whole life of sin in the very presence of the Lamb of God Who DIED FOR THEM! Every heart in the universe will melt like snow in a furnace when they face the LAMB OF GOD in their judgment! So, is Sodom right now suffering in some fabled hell fires? NO. Is Jerusalem of old right now suffering in some fabled hell fires? NO. Will Sodom and Jerusalem be saved TOGETHER? YES, in the second resurrection, at the white throne judgment, in the lake of fire. The lake of divine spiritual fire will bring salvation to ALL THE NATIONS! "but he himself [whomever of the billions of people purged in Gods spiritual fire] shall be SAVED; yet so as BY [Gods spiritual consuming] FIRE"! (I Cor. 3:15). Remember that there are two administrations of Gods purging fire: The first is on the House of God consisting of those whom God is calling to be overcomers and sons of God. The second will be at the second resurrection and white throne judgment in the lake of Gods divine purging fire. All the children of the bondwoman, the Old Covenant, the Mother Whore with her harlot daughters, will one day 241

be the children of Heavenly Jerusalem Above, which is the MOTHER OF US ALL! God truly is NOT A RESPECTER OF PERSONS. GOD IS ABLE TO BRING ANY PERSON TO REPENTANCE. How could anyone deny it? There is no such thing as a person being so evil that he cannot be converted by the spirit of God. But God has a timetable, and He will follow that timetable. There is great wisdom in what God does and how He does it and when He does it and to whom He does. If you have never experienced COMING OUT of Babylon the Great, then maybe you are being called to respond to Gods plea: "Come OUT of her MY PEOPLE." It is a great and wonderful thing to be called by God at this time to be prepared as the very SONS OF THE LIVING GOD to bring salvation to the rest of the world and the entirety of the universe!

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The 7 Symbolic Churches of Revelation FIRST: A SPIRITUAL SIDEBAR Maybe by now some of my readers are beginning to say to themselves, "Hold on a minute, Ray, time out! All this stuff about symbols, and figurative language, and allegories, and parables, and metaphors, and devils and serpents, and monsters from the sea having seven heads and ten horns, and fires in a lake which is not really a lake, but is a spiritual lake and not literal fire, and heads that are not heads, but mountains, and the mountains are not mountains, but rather kings, etc., etc., etc., is beginning to wear on me. It all sounds like some endless scavenger hunt or some ancient version of Dungeons and Dragons, or maybe Gods version of Who Done It?" Yet others of you are saying to yourselves: "Wow, this is MARVELOUS stuff! It is amazing how God has hid the truths of His plan of salvation for the world, from the world, and yet when one follows His instructions in unlocking these mysteries, IT ALL MAKES PERFECT SENSE AND ALL THE SCRIPTURES HARMONIZE BEAUTIFULLY!" Or maybe you are somewhere in between these two examples. WHY DOES GOD WORK THIS WAY? Why doesnt He JUST SPEAK CLEARLY AND WITHOUT PARABLES AND METAPHORS AND SYMBOLS AND EVERYBODY WOULD UNDERSTAND HIM? There wouldnt be a thousand religions and five hundred Christian denominations! We would ALL KNOW THE TRUTH and WE WOULD ALL BE SAVED WITHOUT ANY LAKE OF FIRE! NOT MANY WISE ARE CALLED Maybe if you or I created the human race, we would have done it that way. But we didnt; God did; and He didnt do it our way. God never intended for everyone to understand His Word or His Plan except for the few that He calls in every generation. He is not even trying to save the whole world in this lifetime or even in this age. The prophet Habakkuk tells us this, 243

"For the earth shall be FILLLED with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Hab. 2:14). Oh it "shall" shall it? WHY NOT NOW? Wouldnt it be better NOW if the earth were FILLLED with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord? Why later? Because it is Gods way. Let me quote Hab. 2:3 from the Revised Standard Version: "For there is still a vision for the APPOINTED TIME; it speaks of THE END, and does not lie., If it seems to tarry, wait for it, it will surely come, IT WILL NOT DELAY." Gods ways take time and He does everything according to His schedule, trust me, EVERYTHING IS RIGHT ON SCHEDULE. Why God hasnt even called whole categories of people during the past two thousand years: "For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, ARE CALLED" (I Cor. 1:26). And of those called, only a "few are chosen." And those few are admonished to search, and hunt, and dig for the truth. None of this is an accident nor is it Gods plan gone amuck. Gods plan is on schedule to the millionth of a millisecond. God knows how many hairs were lost on your head today because He had already planned how many you would lose, a long time ago. God is considerably smarter and more powerful than most people could ever conceive (including myself). Who but God would have designed and created the Hebrew and Greek languages. (People the world over are still saying, "Its GREEK to me")! God caused these languages to die out. Later God revived these two dead languages in Italy, France, and England during the period of time God preordained to be called the Renaissance. Before this, no one spoke Hebrew or Greek in Europe, and very few scholars understood these languages. God planned that this alone would be a major barrier to understanding His Word. And when God finally put it within the hearts of men to translate His word out of the Greek, it was found to 244

be jam packed with metaphors, parables, figurative language, and ancient idioms, difficult to translate. NO ERROR-FREE BIBLE TRANSLATIONS By the way, the idea of an "inerrant" or flawless translation is not even possible. It just isnt possible to translate one language into another language PERFECTLY. It cannot humanly be done! There are many words, idioms, and colloquial sayings in many languages that simply HAVE NO EXACT EQUIVALENT in other languages. But thats okay. It is possible to understand Gods Word even with these difficulties, differences, and imperfect translations. That is because the real understanding is in the SPIRIT and not in the LETTER. Certainly God uses both, but the emphasis is on the former and not the latter. The strange languages we find on earth today are the inventions of God Himself. Yes, they are. God confounded the languages of mankind at the Tower of Babel. He really did a number on the Chinese, didnt He? God knows that understanding His Word is not a casual task that can be accomplished without great effort. Paul told Timothy to "STUDY," rather than just casually read the Scriptures. Even with the aid of God Spirit, we must study, God does not miraculously cause His saints to memorize and understand all Scripture. When I was young and ignorant (okay, more ignorant than I am now), I wondered why so many translations. Why not just one perfect one? Why dont those who understand Hebrew and Greek just get together and whatever the word in Hebrew is, translate it into an English word that means the same thing, and we will have a perfect translation with no errors? There is no such thing, my friend. There is no such thing as a "perfect" word for word translation from one language to another. If you doubt my statement, just ask a few experts, and they will enlighten you. Every nation and every culture has its own ways and customs. Add to this problem, the fact that the languages of Scripture were dead for centuries and had to be rediscovered. Add to this, customs that 245

no longer exist. Add to this, words that have gone out of use, etc., etc., etc, and you will see the colossal task of translating 3500 year old Hebrew into modern English or 2000 year old Greek into English. Let me give you a simple example of how the very same thought or idea is expressed in two modern and very similar languages. A TRANSLATION ILLUSTRATION My wife Manuela, is German. I asked her if they have a saying in Germany that is the same as one that I gave to her in English. She said, "Yes, but we dont say it that way." Well, I asked her how they do say it, and she replied: "WAS DU NICHT WEISST MACH DICH NICHT HEISS" Okay. What is that in English? First she informed me the Germans choose these specific words to express this old colloquial saying, because it rhymes so nicely. Here is an exact word for word translation into English: "WHAT YOU DONT KNOW MAKES YOU NOT HOT" Thats a word for word translation, but as you can plainly hear, in English the rhyme is gone. And we dont normally speak that way in English either, so the second line of word order must be changed: "WHAT YOU DONT KNOW DOESNT MAKE YOU HOT" Now we might contend that this is an accurate translation, but certainly not a good translation. A few of you might not as yet even know what the English counterpart of this saying is. And that is because translating also involves INTERPRETING. We do, in deed, have a similar saying in America, to this saying in Germany. But in the American version, many would not understand 246

it unless we change a word or two. Now we do have a similar saying in America with the same general thought and wording, and so we would properly translate this old Germany saying as follows: "WHAT YOU DONT KNOW WONT HURT YOU" It sounds just as strange to Germans when they hear our version: "wont hurt you" as it sounds strange to us when we hear "doesnt make you hot." Actually the German version of this colloquial saying is more precise to the truth than is our American version. There are many things that you might not know or be aware of that can hurt you. One could have cancer and not know it, but it sure could be hurtful to your body. But in Germany they are more precise in that what one doesnt know doesnt make one "hot." Or as we might say in English: "hot under the collar." Or make us flush or blush by raising our blood pressure. The emotional reaction of getting "hot" comes from knowing something, not from not knowing something. Anyway, I hope that everyone reading this paper can see, from this simple example, that a perfect error-free translation of Hebrew and Greek into English is NOT POSSIBLE! There will always be minor or major changes in the interpretation when translating. This is one reason why Peter tells us that no Scripture is its OWN INTERPRETATION. We must compare Scripture with Scripture. Likewise, we must have TWO witnesses of Scripture before a binding truth is established. IS THE KING JAMES BIBLE INERRANT? Many feel that the King James Bible is "inerrant" (incapable of error). It is, in fact, a doctrine of some denominations. There have been over ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND changes in the King James Bible. Most of them are relatively minor changes such as spelling, grammar, etc. Nonetheless, I think all should agree that any translation requiring a hundred thousand corrections hardly could be called perfect and inerrant. In the front of my 1611 Edition of the King James there is an eleven-page dissertation entitled: "THE 247

TRANSLATORS To The Reader." And in it the translators freely confess their inability to translate the Scriptures flawlessly. This 1611 KJV also has notes in the margins. Unfortunately, these have all been removed from most modern printings. Hundreds of times you will find in the margin, notes stating what the Hebrew or Greek literally said even though they saw fit to translate it otherwise. I am not criticizing this practice. Often it is necessary because it is not possible to translate word for word and have it make sense in English. Most of the corrections made over the centuries have been positive, however, there still remains a few major errors that desperately need correction. Example: the words "hell" and "eternal" have no equivalent in either the Hebrew or Greek manuscripts! (Read the first ten pages of my Letter to John Hagee on this site). THERE AINT NO HELL IN THE MANUSCRIPTS Lets consider the use of the word "hell" in Scripture. The Jewish Publications avoid the word "hell" in their translating. And just maybe Jewish scholars understand their own language better than others. In the KJV we regretfully still read "hell" in a number of Old Testament Scriptures: "The wicked shall be turned into hell [Hebrew: sheol], and all the nations that forget God" (Psalm 9:17). Next from the most popular selling Bible today, The New International Version: "The wicked return to the grave [Hebrew: sheol], all the nations that forget God." Many modern English translations are dropping the word "hell," more and more from their translations. Why? Because it should have never been used in the first place, and honest scholars are beginning to see that clearly. This is one area where the KJV translators are really inconsistent. The translators of the KJV translate the Hebrew word sheol, 31 times as, "hell." But ... BUT, did you know that they also translate this same word sheol, 31 times as, "grave?" Oh really? Yes, really! And 3 times, 248

"pit." That looks like a toss of the coin, doesnt it? Thirty-one, "hell" and thirty-one, "grave." Do you think that maybe that is how they determined which it should be"heads for hell" and "tails for grave?" And maybe three times "pit" when they dropped the coin? Now let me show you how you all can have greater wisdom than even the modern translators. The same New International Version that I quoted above has this in Luke 16:32: "In hell, where he was in torment" But by the word hell there is a superior letter "c" indicating a marginal notation which says: "23 Greek Hades" I thank these translators for their partial honesty. Why "partial honesty?" Because hades is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word sheol, which these same translators translated into the English word "grave" in Psalm 9:17 (and other places), but in Luke 16:23 they revert back to the unscriptural word "hell." By the way, the Holy Spirit inspired the Hebrew word sheol to be translated into the Greek word hades, so we know for sure that they are equivalents: "Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell [Gk: hades from Heb: sheol] neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." That, my friends, is a quotation from the Old Testament Hebrew Psalm 16:10. Therefore, hades and sheol are synonymous and should never be translated "hell." ERRORS IN THE KING JAMES Those who claim that the KJV is inerrant are not aware of the fact that one edition of the King James left out the word "not" in the seventh commandment. There were, in fact, three different corrections and revisions of the KJV in its very first year of publication. FIRST KILL THE CHILDREN There have been countless mistakes in all the editions of the KJV. I will give you just a few. The 1716 Edition had Jesus commanding the adulteress to, "sin on more" instead of "sin no more" In a 1795 249

Edition Jesus is reported to have said to the Syro-Phoenician woman, "Let the children first be killed" instead of "Let the children first be filled." They called that Edition "The Murderers Bible." In the 1792 Edition of the King James Bible has Phillip denying Jesus instead of Peter denying Him. STRAINING "AT" A GNAT? And there are still obvious errors remaining in the KJV after four hundred years of corrections, revisions, and editing. In Matt. 23:24 we read this in the KJV, "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel." So whats wrong with that? Its incoherent! Its "apples and oranges." Christ is speaking of "swallowing," as in "swallowing a camel." But "straining at a gnat" has nothing to do with swallowing a gnat. In four hundred years, the revisers of the KJV have not caught that slip. Most other translators have caught it and translate it properly: "strain out the gnat--American Standard Version. "Blind leaders! You filter your wine to get rid of a gnat, and you swallow a camel"C. H. Rieu. (Although Mr. Rieu uses too many uninspired words, he nonetheless, does translate the idea properly). "strain off a midge, yet gulp down a camel"New English Bible "you call yourselves leaders, and yet you cant see an inch before your noses, for you filter out the mosquito and swallow the camel"Phillips Translation. (Again, Mr. Phillips uses too many uninspired words, however, he too nails the meaning quite well). JESUS OR JOSHUA? One more: Two obvious mistakes that were made in the 1611 Edition of KJV also have not been corrected to this very day. In both Acts 7:45 and Heb. 4:8, the name "Jesus" appears where "Joshua" is actually meant. Actually Jesus and Joshua are spelled the same in Greek, but, nonetheless, the translators were inattentive or they would have caught this error. THE KING JAMES AND WILLIAM TYNDALE 250

I do not point out these errors to disparage the KJV. Not at all, but to merely show that those who claim "inerrancy" in translations are just plain ignorant of the facts. The truth be known, if the words sheol/hades, and olam/aion, were properly translated the King James would be maybe the finest translation of all time. To me the rhyme and meter of the King James is unparalleled. And this has been accomplished without sacrificing accuracy. It is a masterful work of translating. Of course, the 1611 Translators shouldnt get the lions share of the credit for this accomplishment. Perhaps as much as 90% of the KJV is the work of Translator William Tyndale, irrespective of the fact that the KJV translators do not even acknowledge his contribution to their work. And so it was Tyndale who accomplished this magical rhyme of Scriptures and yet stayed very precisely to the original Hebrew and Greek wording besides properly interpreting the meaning of thought. Of course, we all know, it was really God Himself Who intended the most popular version of His Word on earth, to have that special quality about it. Sadly, Tyndale translated only about twelve books in the Old Testament before the Church thought it necessary to strangle him and burn his body for his sin of making the Word of God available to the common people. We will learn more nasty little habits of the Church in the pages that follow. If translators attempt to translate thought for thought rather than word for word, then the translators become, of necessity, interpreters. In those cases where a word, thought or idiom cannot be translated perfectly, the translators attempt to do the best they can. This is the reason that I use many translations and I find them all helpful. Although the translators of The Living Bible may have gone a little far when they translated Job 41:30 thus: "His belly is covered with scales as sharp as shards; he drags across the ground like a steamroller!" I am sure by now, that you have noticed how I go to great pains to explain one statement in Scripture by one or more other statements 251

in Scripture, so that the meaning can be understood even if the translations are less than perfect. But this takes a great deal of work. If we had to read popular novels this way, there would be very few novels purchased. I have spent hours and days on one verse. And then, dont you know, God would reveal the truth of the verse to me days later while driving down the Interstate. THE DISCIPLES STRUGGLED WITH CHRISTS WORDS I just love the subtle humor that God gives us in His Word. If the apostles had trouble understanding the words of our Lord, when they were right there with him, and no language translator was needed, seeing that they all spoke the same language, is it little wonder that we have trouble 2000 years later, speaking totally different languages? On the evening of the Lords Supper, Jesus was teaching His disciples many things. At one point in the evening the disciples said: "Then said some of His disciples among themselves, What IS THIS that He says unto us?" (John 16:17). "They said therefore, What IS THIS that He says, A little while? we CANNOT tell what He says. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask Him, and said unto them, Do you enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?" (Verses 18-19). Jesus then explains His statement more thoroughly in verses 29-31, "His disciples said unto Him, Lo, NOW SPEAKEST THOU PLAINLY, and speakest NO PROVERB. NOW are we SURE that Thou knowest all things, and needs not that any man should ask you: by THIS we believe that you came from God. Jesus answered them, DO YOU now believe?" To avoid open embarrassment, the disciples said in effect: "Oh, okay, now we get it now Youre talking Lord, now its all plain. Now that you arent speaking in parables and proverbs and symbols, we see now what Youre talking about. NOW we understand." Oh really? Jesus let them know that they didnt understand at all! 252

UNDERSTANDING COMES ONLY FROM THE SPIRIT In John 16:4 we read this, "But these things have I told you, that WHEN THE TIME SHALL COME, ye may remember that I told you of them." Verses 12-15, "I have yet MANY THINGS to say unto you, but ye CANNOT bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into ALL TRUTH: for He shall not speak of Himself [Jesus IS this Spirit of Truth]; but whatsoever He shall hear [from His Father], that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father has are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall show it unto you." So why didnt the disciples understand these things when Jesus first taught them? Because they werent converted as yet. They did not have the Spirit of God as yet. That is the ONLY way we can ever understand these deep symbolic mysteries of God: "But God has revealed them unto us BY HIS SPIRIT: for the Spirit searches ALL things, yea, the DEEP things of God" (I Cor. 2:10) "But we have the MIND of Christ" (Verse 16). I believe we need to beware of those who claim to know Gods Spiritual Truths, but know preciously little about Gods Word, the Scriptures. Gods Spirit never contradicts His Word, but the Churchs teaching contradicts Gods Word in hundreds of places. God has hid these mysteries from the world and even from the Church, I am sad to say. Not that I am the only one to begin understanding these things. There have always been some in every generation that God gave this understanding to. And there are now people scattered around the world that understand these deep mysteries of God and His prophecies for the future, but they are relatively few in number. Notice Revelation 5:10, 253

"And has made US unto our God KINGS and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." Now Proverbs 25:2, "It is the glory of God to CONCEAL a thing: but the honour of kings is to SEARCH OUT a matter." And so if we are to be kings, it is our honour to "search out" these things. You must want it more than anything in the world; more than anything in life, more than life itself! If you want life, you must SACRIFICE your life. WEALTHY YOUNG MAN TURNS DOWN APOSTLESHIP A young man came running to Jesus and fell down before Him intently desiring to inherit the kingdom with Jesus. He was a commandment keeper, but he was also rich. Then we read this: "Then Jesus beholding him LOVED HIM [how many times have you read this verse and never saw those two little words loved him?], and said unto him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and FOLLOW ME." Many have failed to see in this verse that Jesus offered this young man the opportunity to not only inherit the kingdom of God, and to have eternal life, and to have treasure in heaven, but to be Christs apostle right then and there! Would you have taken Jesus up on such an unbelievable opportunityto be His very apostle? They wouldnt have needed to cast lots to replace Judas with MathiasJesus would have already had the twelfth man. But the young man sadly turned Jesus down. Oh yes, it was sadly, but he did turn Jesus down. He said, "Thanks but no thanks the cost is too great!" Say, did you forget that phrase already, "Jesus LOVED him?" Yes, and Jesus loves him still, and He will always love him, even if this young man will probably have to go through the lake of fire to be purged of his wicked "idol of the heart." 254

COUNTING THE COST Would you have taken up Christs invitation to become an apostle with Him? Oh really? And just what idol of your heart are you willing to give up? You say, "I am not rich, or I would give it up to be an apostle of Jesus Christ." Well then, I guess we can eliminate "wealth" as one of the idols of your heart. But what is still left in your heart that you idolize? I believe that I have the mind of Christ when I say that there are many readers of this paper on the lake of fire that have as their idol their own false religious doctrines. And they are not willing to give them up, not even for Christ. And, many will not even go away "sadly" after reading this paper because they are so spiritually blind that they do not recognize their idols as idols. Many spiritually blind believers think that they truly are disciples of Christ, but they go out telling the world that Jesus Christ will not take away the sin (singular SINALL SIN) of the world, as John the Baptist plainly said under inspiration of God, that He would (John 1:29). And that Jesus Christ is NOT the SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD, even though His Father plainly said that He is (I John 4:14). And that God will not have all mankind to be saved, though God inspired Paul to say that He WILL save all mankind (I Tim. 2:4, & 4:10). Are such deceivers worthy to be called disciples and apostles of our Lord? I speak as a fool! IDOLS OF THE HEART These evil and unscriptural doctrines are idols in the hearts of millions! And until they repent and get rid of these "idols of the heart" (Ezek. 14:4), they cannot be Christs disciples or apostles. They may say that they are "apostles," but they are not. The very church of God where Jesus Christ "walks" in their midst and "holds the seven angels of the seven churches in His hand," nonetheless, has in its midst, "them which say they are apostles, and ARE NOT but LIARS." They say that they are circumcised in heart Jews, but they are NOT, "I know the BLASPHEMY of them which say they are [circumcised in heart] Jews, and are NOT, but are the SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN." (Rev. 2:1, 2, 9). 255

Is that strong enough for you? While Im at it, let me give you a little more, seeing how paramount this knowledge is to our understanding of Gods plan. It is God Who has created this universe as we see it. God has determined the best path in bringing about His purpose. Sharks, weeds, spiders, and poison mushrooms are all part of Gods master plan. As are hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts, earthquakes, and disease. We may not always understand it, but we cannot deny its existence. My only son died of encephalitis when he was only seven and a half years old. Doctors believe that he was bitten by a disease-carrying mosquito. I dont like mosquitoes! But God also made sunsets, starlit nights, white clouds on blue sky, trees, delicious foods, cool water, kind-hearted people, puppy dogs, and kittens. I love puppy dogs and kittens. I see a kind and gentle loving God in the face of a kitten. SELDOM A SERMON ON THE 7 CHURCHES OF GOD Have you ever heard a sermon on the seven churches of God described in Revelation 2 & 3? Probably not. Especially if your pastor has even the slightest understanding that these seven (Gods number of completeness) churches represent the WHOLE CHURCH OF GOD down through centuries to our very day. I dont believe there are very many clergymen that would want you to know just what evil lurks in their hallowed halls of heinous heresy. Lets find out. God is about to show you some mysteries and secrets that have been withheld from most Christians for centuries. The understanding and overcoming of these mysteries is also a huge part of Gods master plan for those whom He is enlightening in this dark, dark world. God is calling out (for that is what the word church means) a people that are desirous of knowing His will at all cost. Locked within the symbolic language of the seven churches of Revelation is one of the most intriguing revelations of the spiritual weaknesses of mankind that we could ever discover. Out of these spiritual weaknesses, God is calling a people that will have great strength. Much of the strength and character and godliness are 256

acquired by the very act of coming out of this corrupted system. It is akin to the pains of childbirth. You women are asking how I would know anything about that, seeing I never gave birth to a child. Okay, then, the pain can be horrific like an abscessed tooth (I have experienced that). The tooth must come out. And if the infant does not come out, it will die and the mother as well. THE 7 CHURCHES ARE GODS CHURCHES Make no mistake, the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 are the churches of the Living God! They are not pagan churches, neither are they Satans churches, but they are GODS churches! It is none other than Jesus Christ Himself Who "...walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks [which are the seven churches]" (Rev. 2:1). "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit [of GOD] says unto the churches" (Rev. 1:7, 11, 17, 29, 2:6, 13, 22). We must understand what the Spirit says, which Christ interprets to mean having an ear (an spiritual ear) that can understand. This is not some game of Dungeons and Dragons. This is real life. This is the way God has designed it. God has shrouded the mysteries of life in parables and metaphors and symbols. When Adam and Eve could lazily pick their fruit and food with little effort, they had little appreciation for them. God wants us to desire His way above life itself. He wants us to sell all that we have so that we can purchase the pearl of great price. He wants us to buy a field that has hidden treasure in it. God wants us to use our body, mind, and spiriteverything we have, to acquire the HIGH CALLING. Paul said, forgetting the things that are past, he pressed onward and upward. I am not trying to sound melodramatic, but thats just the way it is. We really do wrestle with "spiritual forces of wickedness" (Eph. 6:12). "THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING"

257

"Oh, sure, the Creator God is using jerks like L. Ray Smith to unlock and mysteries of the universe and show us how we should live by interpreting ancient symbols in a book written in ancient Hebrew and Greek." I know, it sounds foolish to the carnal mind. That God should die on a wooden cross might also sound foolish, but nonetheless: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish FOOLISHNESS; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew NOT God, it PLEASED God by the FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING to SAVE them that believe" (I Cor. 18 & 21). Its just Gods way. And it is a grand way. Back to the churches: Jesus Christ offers both, commendation and condemnation to His Churches. But notice what Jesus Christ says to John: "What you see, write in a book, and sent it unto the seven churches..." (Rev. 1:11). This is not L.Ray Smith speaking here, but Jesus Christ to the seven churches (seventhe complete church of God from the time of Christs departure until the time He judges the world). IS THE BOOK OF REVELATION A HISTORY OR A PROPHECY? Has everything in the book of Revelation been already fulfilled as taught by the Preterist theory? Or is there much to yet be fulfilled in this prophecy? Here is some wisdom concerning the prophecies of Revelation. John wrote in a book what he saw at the time of the vision. The seven churches of Asia Minor already existed at the time of his vision. But the vision is not all history to those who read it down through the centuries, not at all. The things written in this book are both present and future to the reader: (1) "to show to His servants things which must shortly [Greek: quickly or swiftly] come to pass" (Rev. 1:1), and 258

(2) "For I testify unto every man that hers the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things [written in this prophecy], God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book" (Rev. 22:18). Now then, if this book has already been completely fulfilled, how would it be possible for me or anyone else who reads this book down through the centuries, to "add to" or "take away from" the prophecy of this book? Such an admonition would be meaningless if everything in this book were already completely fulfilled by the end of the first century. The contents of this prophecy started with the vision of John on Patmos two thousand years ago and will continue until the return of Christ and the judgment of the world, and continues even beyond that until the end of the ages spoken of in this prophecy! DEFINING: "COME QUICKLY" What does Christ mean when He says, "I come QUICKLY?" By the way, the word "shortly" in Rev. 1:1 is the same Greek translated "quickly" everywhere else in Revelation. "things that must quickly come to pass" (Rev. 1:1) "I will come unto thee quickly" (Rev. 2:5). "I will come unto thee quickly" (Rev. 2:16). "Behold, I come quickly (Rev. 3:11). "the third woe comes quickly (Rev. 11:14). "Behold, I come quickly (Rev. 22:7). "And, behold, I come quickly (Rev. 22:12). "Surely I come [Greek: am coming] quickly (Rev. 22:20) From the first verse in Revelation to the last verse, we are told of things that must com to pass "quickly." But all this was written two thousand years ago and it has not as yet all come to pass. If two 259

thousand years is "quickly," I would hate to know how long it would take if it came about "slowly." A contradiction in the Scriptures? Hardly. But is rather a contradiction in mens interpretation of this prophecy. I have had Preterists write me and ask if I couldnt see that all of Revelation was already fulfilled in the first century AD? Oh really? Has "EVERY mans work" been judged already in the lake of fire? And is it a fulfilled reality today that, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away"? (Rev. 21:4). Have you seen the world news in the past two-four hours? Am I missing something? I see tears, death, sorrow, crying, and pain, everywhere, every day! All scholars agree that Revelation was written late in the first century AD. Are we to believe that God caused the most profound book in the entirety of the Bible to be written and fulfilled BEFORE virtually a single person had an opportunity to even read it? Thats absurd. WHEN IS THE TIME AT HAND THAT JESUS COMES QUICKLY? What and how then, does anything in this book come about "quickly?" Good question. Obviously not everything in the whole book has come about "quickly," because there is much yet to come about and be fulfilled. Just what then does come about "quickly?" When Jesus tells John that He wants His servants to see what must "quickly" (or shortly, if anyone insists on using that word), He does not say that everything in this book must quickly or shortly, come to pass. Notice it: One time we are told that the third woe comes "quickly." And all of the other six times it is Jesus Christ Himself that comes "quickly." "The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe comes quickly" (Rev. 11:14). 260

That is, it comes quickly behind the second woe. We have the first woe, then the second woe, and right on the heels of the second woe comes quickly the third and final woe. And so this use of the word "quickly" proves nothing concerning how long it takes to fulfill the whole book of Revelation. So really then, the only use of the word quickly that we need to understand is how it is used with reference to Jesus Christ "coming quickly." Six times we are told, "I will come I will come I come I come I come I come" So it is JESUS CHRIST that "comes quickly," rather than all of the prophecies of the book being fulfilled quickly in any ONE generation. Nowhere in Revelation does it say that every prophecy in the book will be fulfilled, quickly in any one generationeither past, present, or future. It is not just in one end-time generation that Revelation is fulfilled quickly! NO! It is fulfilled "quickly" in each and every person who "READS AND UNDERSTANDS" this prophecy, through all generations, even though there is an eventual culmination at the lake of fire and final white throne judgment. SEVEN MEANS COMPLETE The Sabbath or "seventh day" COMPLETES the week. Daniels famous prophecy was "SEVENTY weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish [complete] the transgression, and to make an end [complete] of sins" (Dan. 9:24). Seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven plagues complete Gods wrath on mankind. Seven is used over six hundred times in Scriptures. Check if your wish, to see how many times seven shows completeness. Therefore, how many churches complete THE WHOLE CHURCH OF GOD? "write in a book and send it unto the SEVEN churches which are in Asia" (Rev. 1:11). 261

Were there not churches (congregations) also in Judea as well? Even in Rome? Why only the seven churches "in ASIA?" Because these seven congregations completed all that Jesus had to say to all congregations, everywhere. This is a COMPLETE revelation for ALL CHURCHES. These seven congregations had within them all of the sins, weaknesses, and shortcomings of all congregations everywhere during ALL TIME. I will make this abundantly and Scripturally clear. But on the positive side, all of the churches had at least a "few names" that were not spiritually defiled, and who will be in the first resurrection as Sons and Daughters of God to bring the rest of the harvest, the great fall harvest into the Kingdom. These churches that personify in symbol all of Gods church for the past two thousand years, are in fact, the training ground and the proving ground for the elect. Coming out of this carnal system puts one among the called and the chosen and the VERY elect. Paul called it "the HIGH CALLING." When you go through the messages to the seven churches, you will see a reiteration of the same problems in all the congregations. It would take me twenty pages to reiterate all the similarities of both sins and rewards found in all seven church congregations, which represent the whole church of God throughout all generations. Here are just a few things that absolutely prove that these seven churches represent Gods complete church though all generations. This is not a dissected church divided up into particular or separate dispensations, ages, or eras. THE SEVEN CHURCHES ARE ONE CHURCH 1. Jesus says that the seven messengers and the seven churches are all, "in My right hand" (Rev. 1:20). ONE handthey are all ONE.

2.

"These things say He thatwalks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks [addressed to Epheus, but for ALL SEVEN CHURCHES]" (Rev. 2:1).

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3.

"He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto[unto WHOM? Unto Ephesus only? No, read it] unto the churches" [ALL SEVEN CHURCHES]" (Ver. 7). God wants ALL the churches to hear what He addresses to Ephesus. And He wants Ephesus to hear what He addresses to Smyrna, "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches" (Ver. 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22). All the churches are to hear what is spoken to ALL the other churches.

4.

To Ephesus, we find, "HeWho walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks [plural]" (Rev. 2:1), must mean that He also walks in the midst of Smyrna too, and Pergamos, and Thyatira, and Sardis, and Philadelphia, and Laodicea ALSO.

5.

Of Ephesus we read, "to him that OVERCOMES will I give to eat of the TREE OF LIFE" (Ver. 7). Do those who "overcome" in Smyrna get "a crown of life" (Ver. 10), but are NOT allowed to "eat of the tree of life?" Can those in Pergamos who overcome "eat of the hidden manna" (Ver. 17), but are NOT allowed to "eat of the tree of life" as are those in Ephesus? Does neither Ephesus nor Smyrna get "a crown of life" as do the overcomers of Pergamos? Are the overcomers of Thyatira given "power over the nations," albeit, they will NOT be allowed, "to sit down with Me [Jesus] in My throne." as will the overcomers in Laodicea (3:21)? Are the overcomers in Pergamos given "a new name" (Ver. 17), but do NONE of the other churches also get this new name? The overcomers in Sardis have Christs promise that, "I will NOT blot out his name out of the book of life" 263

(3:5). Is it Sardis ONLY that has this promise? How could Smyrna not have her name in the book of life, since she is given "A crown of LIFE?"

6.

Are not "thy works" mentioned in ALL seven churches? Is not "overcoming" mentioned in ALL seven churches? Are not rewards promised in ALL seven churches? How could Laodicea be "lukewarm" (Rev. 3:16), except that she also "left her first love" (Rev. 2:4)? Or how could Sardis be spiritually DEAD (3:1), except that she also "left her first love?"

7.

Does Jesus "walk in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks [plural] (Rev. 2:1), but speaks by the words of God, "He which has the sharp sword with two edges [Heb. 4:12]" to Pergamos only (Ver. 12)? Does Jesus Christ, Who has "the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars" (3:1), which are the seven messengers of the SEVEN churches (plural), speak by only one Spirit to one church (Sardis)? NO! Every church is admonished to "hear what the Spirit says unto the churches." Why should Smyrna or Pergamos listen to the Spirits message to Ephesus who "left their first love?"

Is any so foolish as to think Jesus tells all seven churches to "hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (all the other plural churches), so that they can compare themselves among themselves and see which one Jesus thinks is the holiest of them all? That is nonsense! ALL seven churches individually, have ALL the problems and ALL the strengths of all the churches combined. It is ONE prophecy, of ONE church, in ONE hand of Jesus, which combine the characteristics of seven churches in Asia that shared all of the good 264

qualities and all of the shortcomings. Some think that Smyrna and Philadelphia did not have any shortcomings. They did. The Scriptures prove it. We will cover that in Part VIII. All seven churches were spiritually "lukewarm," which is like being spiritually "dead," because they all "left their first love," and they all had a members who "say they are Jews [spiritually circumcised and converted], and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan," and all the congregations of the churches of God down through the generations have been ruled over by the "Nicolaitanes." ALL SEVEN CHURCHES HAD ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT EACH OTHER HAD, AND ALL OF THE CHURCHES OF GOD DOWN THROUGH THE GENERATIONS HAD ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION HAD. IT IS A PROPHECY OF THIS VERY CHURCH THAT EXISTS AROUND THE WORLD TODAY! And that my dear readers is how these churches in Asia are all SYMBOLS for what the Church of God would be like from the time John saw this vision, down through two thousand years of Church history, and out into the future when Jesus purges all evil from His Church and brings them all into the Family and Kingdom of His Father! PRETER WHO? For centuries theologians have written books on such unscriptural prophecy theories as, "Preterism," (all has been fulfilled in the past), and "Futurism, (all is yet to be fulfilled in the future). I get emails all the time asking if I am a Preterist or a Futurist? I tell them, "No, I am a Jesus-ist" (just kiddingI think I coined a new word). Why, oh why, dont they just listen to Jesus? Can you not all see from what I presented above, that the book of Revelation is neither "Preterist" nor "Futurist?" THE BOOK OF REVELATION IS TO ALL CHURCHES, IN ALL GENERATIONS, FOR ALL WHO READ THIS PROPHECY, WHEN 265

JESUS OPENS IT TO THEM, IN THEIR OWN LIFETIME (which comes quickly and is over shortly)! I ask, "Why?" But, of course, I know the reason: "He that has an ear, let him hear [SPIRITUALLY] what the Spirit says unto the churches" (Rev. 2:7). "He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches" (Ver. 11). "He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches" (Ver. 17). "He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches" (Ver. 29). "He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches" (Rev. 3:8). "He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches" (Ver. 13). "He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches" (Ver. 22). JESUS OFTEN REPEATED HIS SELF So why did I repeat the very same sentence SEVEN TIMES? I cant take credit for that; it wasnt my idea. Why would JESUS tell us the same thing SEVEN TIMES in just two chapters (I submit to you that they is only ONE chapteronly men would see the wisdom in breaking up the seven churches into two chapters). When Jesus repeats something, it is because it is VERY important. When Jesus wanted to emphasize something, He prefaced His statements by repetition: "Martha, Martha" "Simon, Simon" "Verily, verily" And when Jesus says something three times, you have got to know that it is something EXTREMELY important: 266

"And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let his cup pass from Me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou will Again the second time And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying THE SAME WORDS" (Matt. 26:39, 42, 44). What might it imply that Jesus has said seven times, "He that has an ear, let him HEAR " This has got to be MOST important for Him to repeat it to all seven churches. Not only are the individual churches to hear what Jesus points out to them, but everything pointed out to the individual churches to be heard by ALL THE OTHER CHURCHES AS WELL. "let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches [all the churches]." Doesnt everyone have ears? Then why cant they "hear" what Christ has to say to the seven churches? Because I already showed you very clearly in previous installments why people cant understand Jesus. Why they cant understand His parables such as Lazarus and the Rich man. Why they dont believe MANY of the plain statements of Gods Word, such as I Tim. 3:4 and 4:10. It is because you cant hear the real meaning of Gods words with physical and carnal ears! And many of the leaders are among themost carnal in the church. THE DEVIL MAKES MAN MINDFUL OF PHYSICAL THINGS The devil has always been mindful of physical, literal, material things. Thats what Satan "dines" on "DUST [of man] shall you eat all the days of your life" (Gen. 3:14). "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour [Greek: swallow up]" (I Pet. 5:8). Yes, the Adversary eats "dust" and we, mankind, ARE "dust" of the ground. Satan does not feast on spiritual foodit would choke him! 267

Satan dines on the carnal [flesh/meat] mind of men. While Jesus was physically starving for forty days, He was feasting on spiritual food from heaven! Satan thought he could trick Jesus into satisfying His need for physical FOOD before He was finished dining on spiritual food with His Father! "Then was Jesus led up of THE SPIRIT into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered" [and so was STARVING, The Four Gospels By C.H. Rieu]. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If you be the Son of God, command that these stones be made BREAD" (Matt. 4:1-3). Satan should have realized that one doesnt tempt a Spiritual Giant with a loaf of physical bread. IT TAKES SPIRITUAL EARS TO HEAR SPIRITUAL WORDS Listen to Jesus (with your SPIRIT): "WHY do ye [all of us] NOT UNDERSTAND MY SPEECH? EVEN BECAUSE YE CANNOT HEAR MY WORD. Ye are of your father THE DEVIL He that is of God HEARS Gods words [words of SPIRIT, WITH HIS SPIRIT]: ye therefore hear them not, BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF GOD" (John 8:43-44 & 47). "But the natural [soulish] man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are SPIRITUALLY discerned" (I Cor. 2:14). Practically the whole Church believes and teaches that Jesus spoke literal little stories about physical people, places, and things, so that everyone could understand Him. One cannot hear words of spirit with physical ears. All they heard were the physical vibrations in the air against their physical eardrums. Their heart and mind and spirit didnt hear a thing! We just read the Scriptures above, where the greatest theologians and thinkers in the law could not "hear" and understand Jesus. Little has changed in two thousand years! 268

As long as people think what Jesus taught was physical, and material, and literal, then they will never understand. Were the parables given to enhance understanding? I speak as fool (read Matt. 13). Were the teachings of Jesus, temporary, physical, literal? Let Him answer: "the words that I speak unto you, THEY ARE SPIRIT, and they are LIFE" (John 6:63)! Parables have a SPIRITUAL meaning, and all of Christs teachings are SPIRITUAL. And that is because His very "words" ARE SPIRIT! Remember that Revelation is the "revelation OF Jesus Christ," it is HIS testimony. The "words" of His testimony are therefore, also, "SPIRIT." So once again: "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says" What "who" says? Just "who" is doing the speaking here in Revelation? "hear what THE SPIRIT says" It is "the SPIRIT" speaking to the churches, and the words being spoken are those of Jesus, which "words are SPIRIT," and "the LORD [Jesus Christ] is that SPIRIT" (II Cor. 3:17). BEHOLD I COME QUICKLY But just how is it that Jesus Christ "comes quickly?" Ah, now we are getting into the marvelous revelation of this grand book. The key is found in the very first use of this word "quickly." "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto THEE quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent" (Rev. 2:4-5). Does Jesus come "quickly" to rule for a thousand years, or to set up the white throne judgment? Notice in what way Jesus comes "quickly." Here is the first verse in which Jesus says He will come "quickly": "repent and do the first works or else I will come unto THEE quickly" (Rev. 2:5). 269

Who is this, "thee?" It is the CHURCH! But more specifically it is the members that make up the Church. It is, of course, the members of the church that have "left their first love." Here is absolute proof that the churches of Revelation personify the whole Church of God down through the centuries until the great white throne judgment. Whatever is found in the seven (the complete) churches of Revelation is also found in the Churches from the time of Johns vision until the judgment of the world. This vision shows not only the conditions in Gods Church at the time of Johns vision, but of the condition of the Church right down till the judgment of the world. Revelation is "The Revelation OF Jesus Christ." It is not just a revelation from Jesus Christ. It is a Revelation OF Jesus Christ HIMSELF! If we can only believe what Jesus says of Himself: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." Therefore the book of Revelation also contains what WAS, IS, AND IS TO COME! Read and understand: "Blessed is he that READS and they that HEAR the words of this PROPHECY, and KEEP those things which are written therein: for the time IS AT HAND." John to the seven churches which are in Asia "Write the things which you HAVE SEEN [past], and the things WHICH ARE [present], and the things which SHALL BE HEREAFTER [future]" (Rev. 1:2-3 & 19). There it is. Can you see it? The "time is at hand." For what? For, "he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy" When would that be? Whenever the "he that reads and they that hear" are alive and reading this prophecy. 270

Here then is how Jesus comes quickly to "THEE." People have lived, read this prophecy in Revelation, and then at some time thereafter, died. They have lived, read, and died. Millions upon millions have already, lived, read this prophecy, and later died. When does Jesus Christ come to the readers of this prophecy? When they are alive. How long is that? "For what is your LIFE? It is even a VAPOUR, that appears for a little time, and then VANISHES AWAY" (James 4:14). If Jesus is to "come to thee," dear reader, He must come "quickly," because I dont care how many years you may live; your life will be over "SHORTLY!" ALL OVERCOMERS RECEIVE ALL REWARDS The whole book of Revelation is a book about the LIFE OF JESUS written for: "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To HIM [any individual member of the churches] that OVERCOMES will I give to eat of the tree of life" (Rev. 2:7). Is this the sole reward of "HIM that overcomes?" NO! Theres more; theres MUCH MORE: "He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev. 2:11). "To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it" (2:17). "And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations" (2:26). "He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raimnent; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels" (3:5). "Him that overcomes 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 271

of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name" (3:11). "To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne" (3:21). No, the overcomers in one congregation, in one generation, dont get one reward, while the overcomers in a different congregation, in a different generation, gets a different reward. No, a thousand times, "NO"the overcomers in ALL congregations, in ALL generations, get ALL these rewards. Therefore the prophecies to these churches are written for all the churches of God through all generations. Perhaps ALL can rejoice over the good news concerning our grand rewards. However, there is a dark side to the Churches of God darker than Darth Vaderdarker than midnight! "Whats good for the goose is good for the gander" (I wonder how easily that translates into other languages). Just as all the rewards are promised to all the overcomers in all generations of the Church, so likewise, do all the sins and shortcomings apply to all the churches throughout all generations. And the sins and shortcomings of Gods Church are monstrous! "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. For her sins have REACHED UNTO HEAVEN, and God has remembered her iniquities" (Rev. 8:5). Yes, God is talking about His people, who are in His church, but BUT, who must nonetheless, "REPENT" (Rev. 2:5 & 5, 16, 21, 22, 3:3, 19seven times, COMPLETE REPENTANCE), and "COME OUT OF HER." Coming out of her is no small part of this "repentance." A LITTLE HISTORY OF GODS CHURCH There is great debate over when the Church of God really started. I dont see the problem myself, because the first mention of "the 272

Church" is in Acts 7:38 where we read: "This is He [Christ, I Cor. 10:4] that was in the church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38). That is the first historical identification of a "church" in the Bible. As you are all aware, the church came from the wilderness and finally had a permanent home headquartered in the Temple in Jerusalem. But, was as it a holy, righteous, God fearing church? No, contraire. It was utterly corrupt. Lets see what our Lord had to say about the Church of God in His day. Remember that the Scribes and the Pharisees were among the most zealous for the Law of Moses and they were the leading, ruling class of the day, along with the Chief Priests. They did indeed "sit in Moses seat." Here then is what Jesus had to say regarding the religious leaders of Israel: THE SCRIBES, PHARISEES, SADDUCEES, AND CHIEF PRIESTS First John the Baptist: "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O GENERATION OF SNAKES, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matt. 3:7). "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, YE SHALL IN NO CASE enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). "But the Pharisees said, He [Jesus] casts out devils through the PRINCE of the devils" (Matt. 9:34). "And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners?" (Matt. 9:11). "Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against Him, how they might DESTROY HIM" (Matt. 12:14). "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow [Jesus] does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils" (Matt. 12:24). "Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from you. But He answered and said unto them, An EVIL AND ADULTEROUS GENERATION SEEKS AFTER A SIGN" (Matt. 12:38-39). 273

"Then came His disciples, and said unto Him, Knowest Thou that the Pharisees were OFFENDED, after they heard this saying?" (Matt. 15:12). Me thinks that maybe more than just a few modern day Pharisees will also be offended after reading these accounts of their past, present, and future evil shenanigans. "Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the LEAVEN [the false doctrines, ver. 12] of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" (Matt. 16:6). "And when the chief priests [oh yes, the very chiefest of the clergy was included with the evil Pharisees] and the Pharisees had heard His parables, they perceived that He spake of THEM" (Matt. 21:45). In verse 43 Jesus said that, "The kingdom of God shall be TAKEN FROM YOU [you Chief priests and Pharisees]." I believe I have the mind of Christ when I say that the kingdom of God shall be taken from the chief priests and Pharisees of our day as well. They will not escape the lake of fire, although it will be the best thing that has ever happened to them. WOE, WOE, WOE "But WOE [deep distress, misery, grief, misfortune, calamity, sorrow, dismay] unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES!" (Matt. 23:13). "Woe unto, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES! (Ver. 14). "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES" (Ver. 15). "Woe unto you, YOU BLIND GUIDES" (Ver. 16). "You FOOLS AND BLIND" (Ver. 17). "You FOOLS AND BLIND" (Ver. 19). "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES" (Ver. 23). "You BLIND GUIDES" (Ver. 24). 274

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES" (Ver. 25). "You BLIND Pharisees" (Ver. 26). "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES" (Ver. 27). "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES!you are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers your serpents, ye generation of vipers [venomous SNAKES], how can you escape the damnation of hell [the judgment of Gehenna]" (Ver. 29-33). And hundreds have criticized my paper "Exposing Those Who Contradict" as being too harsh on our modern Pharisees. So you think maybe this is just "history," do you? "Wherefore, behold, I SEND [future] unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them you shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall you scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city" (Ver. 34). And just when we think it couldnt possibly get any worse than this: ENTER THE CHIEF PRIESTSTHE HOLIEST OF THE HOLIES "Then assembled together the CHIEF PRIESTS, and the SCRIBES, and the ELDERS of the people, unto the palace of the HIGH PRIEST, who was called Caiaphas, and consulted that they might KILL HIM" (Matt. 26:3-4)! "Now the CHIEF PRIESTS, AND ELDERS, AND ALL THE COUNCIL [I believe we use that same word council today] sought FALSE WITNESS against Jesus, to PUT HIM TO DEATH" (Matt. 26:59). Imagine that? The CHIEF priests, and elders, and ALL the council sought FALSE WITNESS to put their own Saviour TO DEATH! Thats pretty low, dont you think? You reckon such a thing would ever happen today? "When the morning was come, ALL THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND ELDERS of the people took counsel against Jesus to PUT HIM TO DEATH" (Matt. 27:1). 275

"But the CHIEF PRIESTS AND ELDERS persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabas, and DESTROY JESUS" (Matt. 27:20). Even many of the Pharisees that "believed" on Jesus, because nothing but trouble-makers in the congregations of Judea. Look at what we have just read! This is the very CHURCH OF GOD we have read aboutthe Council, the Elders, the Scribes, the Sadducees, the Pharisees, the Priests, and the very High Priests! And we just saw what Jesus Christ had to say about them. You didnt see anything quoted above from I Ray 1:1. Those Scriptures are in your Bibles just as surely as they are in mine. The church leadership in the day of our Lords ministry was corrupt! Utterly corrupt and evil! What about AFTER our Lords ministry? Were there still Pharisees and church leaders doing the abominable things that our Lord accused them of in Matt. 23? Even WORSE! Shortly thereafter, there arose the GREATEST PERSECUTOR in the history of the church. You will recognize him quicklywe already discussed his evil deeds in a previous installment: PAUL THE PHARISEE "I AM a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee" (Acts 23:6). "after the most straitest [very strictest] sect of our religion I live a Pharisee" (acts 26:5). "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, PERSECUTING THE CHURCH; touching the righteousness which is in the law, BLAMELESS " (Phil. 3:5). Moffatt translates this word blameless, "immaculate." And An American Translation by Goodspeed translates this verse, "and by the Laws standard of uprightness, NO FAULT COULD BE FOUND IN ME." BLAMELESS ZEAL 276

Probably not one person reading this verse in Phil. 3:5 has spotted one of the most unbelievable statements in all Scripture! It is almost beyond comprehension! It will blow your mind when you see it. You will think about it for days and wont be able to fully comprehend what you have read in this verse. Talk about the "deep" things of GodHold on to your hats, because we are about to make a quantum leap into one of the deep things of God. Paul was not bragging or exaggerating when he said that concerning the keeping of the Law of Moses with its Ten Commandments, that he was nearing TOTAL PERFECTION! You must believe that that statement is true. Now then, what was one of the ways that Paul PROVED his "zeal" for God? Not just his duty. Not just what was required of him as a keeper of the law of Moses. But what did Paul do to go WAY ABOVE AND BEYOND the call of duty and service to God? What did he do to show his "ZEAL" The American Heritage Dictionary: zeal n Enthusiastic DEVOTION to a cause, ideal, or goal, p. 1592. What did Paul do, not to just be obedient, but to absolutely PROVE his devotion for God? What did he do to demonstrate this? Let Paul tells us, "Concerning zeal PERSECUTING the CHURCH" (Phil. 3:6). Paul showed his zeal for God by "persecuting the church." But wait, theres more. HIGH PRIEST ENDORSES SLAUGHTER OF CHRISTS CHURCH Did Paul act on his own, or did he have CHURCH AUTHORITY to persecute the church? He had authority: "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the HIGH PRIEST, and desired of him LETTERS to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem" (Acts 9:1-2). "As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders, from whom also I RECEIVED LETTERS unto the 277

brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be PUNISHED" (Acts 22:5). So Paul had church authority to carry out these persecutions from the High Priest, himself! Here are a few of things that Paul did with regards to persecuting the church: PAUL HATED THE CHURCH OF GOD "And Saul [Paul] was CONSENTING UNTO HIS DEATH. And at that time there was a GREAT PERSECUTION AGAINST THE CHURCH which was in Jerusalem; and they were ALL scattered abroad through the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock [DEVASTATION] on the church, entering into every house, and hauling men and women committed them to prison. "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter [MURDER] against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9:1). "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Ciliia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the PERECT MANNER OF THE LAW of the fathers, and was ZEALOUS [and just how did Saul prove his zealousness?] toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way UNTO THE DEATH, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women" (Acts 22:2-3). "For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews religion, how that BEYOND MEASURE [Greek: INORDINATELY] I persecuted the church of God and WASTED IT [Gk: RAVAGED IT]" (Gal. 1:13). But wait a minute. How could Paul be blameless in the law of Moses if he "hated" the church of God? Because the Law of Moses permitted (even COMMANDED) hating ones enemies, even Jesus said so, thats how! How can killing something be showing "zeal" to God? Its IN THE LAW OF MOSES! Notice how Jahu showed his zeal for the Lord: 278

"And he [Jahu] said, Come with me, and see MY ZEAL for the Lord. So they made him ride in his chariot. And when he came to Samaria, he SLEW ALL THAT REMAINED UNTO AHAB in Samaria, till he had DESTROYED HIM, according to the SAYING OF THE LORD, which He spake to Elijah" (II Kings 10:16-17). IS THE NEW COVENANT THE OLD COVENANT IN YOU HEART? Now we are coming down to it. The church today teaches that the NEW Covenant or testament is keeping the OLD Covenant better. Thats right. They say that the New Covenant is keeping the OLD Covenant in your heart. That is clearly NOT what the Scriptures say. The New Covenant is decidedly, "NOT IN ACCORD with the [Old] covenant which I made with their fathers" (Heb. 8:9). "In that He says, A NEW covenant, He has made the first OLD. Now that which decays and waxes OLD is ready to VANISH AWAY" (Heb. 8;12). And many more such Scriptures. Now we already have clearly seen that Paul kept this Old Covenant Law of Moses contained in Ten Commandments (Deut.4:13), and he kept it BLAMELESSLY! And so Paul may be the only person who has ever came close to keeping the law "blamelessly" or perfectly. Most of Christendom would love to say that they keep the law of Moses "blamelessly!" They would be sooooo proud. THE CHIEF OF SINNERS WAS THE PERFECT LAW KEEPER Now then for the shocker! In I Tim. 1:15 we read this: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation [in other words, what Paul is about to say is the absolute truth and worthy of considerable contemplation] that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, OF WHOM I AM CHIEF"!! I covered these verses in great detail in a previous installment. Paul REALLY WAS the WORST, PREEMINENT SINNER THAT HAS 279

EVER LIVED. Paul was truly "CHIEF of sinners"!! And we read where Paul was once "BLAMELESS in the keeping of the law of Moses." Now then, WHEN was Paul (1) "BLAMELESS IN LAW KEEPING"? And WHEN was Paul (2) "the CHIEF OF SINNERS"? The answer: AT THE SAME TIME!!! WHEN PAUL HAD REACHED THE ZENITH OF TOTAL OBEDIENCE AND ZEAL TO GOD UNDER THE OLD COVENANT LAW OF MOSES, IT CAUSED HIM AT THE SAME TIME TO BE THE WORLDS WORST SINNER!!! Paul was both THE MOST PERFECT LAW-KEEPER AND THE WORLDS WORST SINNER, AT THE SAME TIME!!! NO WONDER PAUL WROTE: "Who also makes us competent dispensers of a NEW covenant, NOT of the letter, but OF the spirit, for the letter KILLS but the spirit gives LIFE" (II Cor. 3:6). The Old Covenant written in Ten Commandments on stone tablets was an "ADMINISTRATION OF DEATH" (Ver. 7). And the letter will ALWAYS KILL: "They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time comes, that whosoever KILLS YOU will think that he does God service [by following the law of Moses under the Old Covenant]" (John 16:2). To prove to God his GREATEST ZEAL, Paul persecuted and slaughtered the church, which was legal for him to do under the authority of the High Priest, Chief Priests, Elders and Council at the Temple in Jerusalem, of whom Jesus Himself said, "They SIT IN MOSES SEAT." And it was this very ZEAL FOR GOD that also made him the worlds WORST SINNER! Unbelievable! UNBELIEVABLE!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! But we must believe itit is the Word of God!

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PHARISEES ALWAYS COMMAND KEEPING THE LAW OF MOSES "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed [yes, they were Christian Pharisees] saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to KEEP THE LAW OF MOSES" (Acts 15:5). Did the church and the elders and disciples now under the Apostles care agree with these Pharisees that the Gentles must "keep the law of Moses?" No, they absolutely did not. Read chapter 15 of Acts for yourself. Paul came OUT of the religion of the Jews COMPLETELY. "Yea doubtless, and I count ALL THINGS but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of ALL things, and do count them but DUNG, that I may win Christ" (Phil. 3:8). The Christian world is teaching and striving to KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF MOSES IN THEIR HEARTSThe Apostle Paul already accomplished that feat and he called that great accomplishment of perfect commandment keeping"DUNG"! It was at this stage of Pauls spiritual development and accomplishment that God labeled Paul "THE CHIEF OF SINNERS." Need I say more? Does anyone reading this "have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches?" And so the Pharisees today are still commanding everyone, everywhere to "KEEP THE LAW OF MOSES?" The Church does not understand that Jesus Christ is the REALITY of what the Old Covenant Laws of Moses were but the shadow. In a previous installment I showed you how that God converted Saul into Paul in a giant flash of light. God took Paul from the worlds greatest law-keeper and the worlds greatest sinner into the reality of Jesus Christ in a matter of SECONDS! Paul was shaken to his very foundation on that glorious day on the road to Demascus. 281

Paul had to COME OUT of the mother church of which he was totally dedicated all the days of his life. Paul was a good Jew, but he was a bad Christian. Many things that the Church today aspires to are the very things that Paul repented of and called "dung." The "Jews religion" as Paul called it was the true Church of God that settled in Jerusalem after coming out of Egypt and out of the Wilderness. But within a short generation after our Lords crucifixion and resurrection, the Church of God, at the temple in Jerusalem, came to an end. And to this day, there is no more sacrificing, there is no more a temple and there is no more a Levitic Priesthood. Ironically, in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, "church" is mentioned in but two Scriptures. In Matt. 18:17 Jesus refers to "the church" and in Matt. 16:18 He refers to "My church" which He said HE would build. And the seven churches in Rev. 2 & 3 are representative of and the personification of the church that Jesus Christ built. It was THAT church that Jesus built, that Paul the Judaic Pharisee, persecuted. Jesus prophesied that the church would be persecuted and scattered: "And Jesus said unto them, ALL YE shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd [the Christ], and the sheep shall be SCATTERED" (Mark 14:27). The church multiplied in numbers very quickly after the Resurrection, but persecution multiplied also: "And Saul was consenting unto his [Stephens] death. And at that time there was a GREAT PERSECUTION against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were ALL SCATTERED ABROAD throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles" (Acts 8:1). GODS PEOPLE ARE STILL SCATTERED AND PERSECUTED Well dont think that the persecution of the Church stopped just because God converted Saul/Paul, the chief persecutor. It did not. Following Christ is synonymous with persecution: 282

"Yea, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer PERSECUTION" (II Tim. 3:12). Dont be deceived into thinking that this persecution will come from the world of godless atheism. God is creating Sons that bear His Name, have His Spirit, have the Mind of Christ, and are the express image of our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ. It is the highest calling in the universe! Although the sacrifices are great, the rewards are FAR GREATER! If God is calling you to be a Son, you must come out of "Mystery Babylon the Great, mother of harlots, and the abominations of the earth." When you see the truth of the seven churches of Revelation in our next installment, it may be the most troublesome truth you will ever encounter. There are few things in this world more bizarre or shocking than the truth of the Seven Churches of Revelation!

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Where is the Church that Jesus Built? PERSECUTED AND SCATTERED ABROAD Jesus Christ said, "I will build MY CHURCH and the gates of hell [hades/ unseen/ grave] shall not prevail [be prevailing] against it" (Matt. 16:18). Prevail means to be of greater strength, to overcome, or to win out. So clearly from this statement, our Lord is telling us that His church will be under GREAT ATTACK AND ADVERSITY, however these evil forces will not prevail or be victorious in totally defeating His Church or bringing it to naught. Lets see just how the "gates of hell" have been attempting to annihilate the Church of God ever since its inception. And maybe even more important to my readers: Will everyone in the Church that Jesus built be in the first resurrection and rule and reign with Him in His kingdom? I will state right here, that the majority which make up the Seven Churches of Revelation will, most assuredly not, be in the first resurrection. Lets pick up at our parting Scripture from Part VII of this Series: "And Saul [Paul] was consenting unto his [Stephens] death. And at that time there was a GREAT PERSECUTION AGAINST THE CHURCH which was at Jerusalem; and they were ALL SCATTERED ABROAD throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles As for Saul, he made HAVOCK of the church, entering into every house, and hailing men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were SCATTERED ABROAD went every where preaching the word" (Acts 8:1,3-4). "THE" CHURCH VS. "MY" CHURCH During Jesus ministry, He spoke of "the" church and "My" church. There already existed "the church" (Matt. 18:17), at the very time that Jesus said He would build "MY CHURCH" (Matt. 16:18). For fifteen centuries God established Israel as a church: 285

"This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear. This is HE, that was in the CHURCH in the wilderness with the angel which spoke to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers who received the lively oracles to give unto us: To whom our fathers WOULD NOT OBEY, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt" (Acts 7:37-39). We could, of course, trace the church back through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, back to Noah, and indeed, back to Adam. DEFINING "CHURCH" Just what is a "church?" Strongs Greek Dictionary, #1570. ekklesia, a calling out. (1b) Ekklesia, from ek, "out of," and klesis, "a calling" So the church is those whom God has CALLED OUT to be His "called out ones," hence, Jesus said, "So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last [sorry, dont have time to explain this unique statement of our Lord]: for many be called, but few chosen." I will take the time to explain this second statement, however. Notice that the "called" and the "chosen" cannot be the same group, as one is "many" and the other is "few." God has given us a general statement as to whom He has called and whom He has not called. We already know the number of those called is "many." Now we will see the two general classifications of those called: THE "CALLED" AND THE "NOT CALLED" "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many [some, but not many] wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things [many translations do not insert the word "things" in these verses] of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And the base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and

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things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence" (I Cor. 1:26-29). So we see that God calls MOSTLY those who are: weak, base, despised, nothings! Are we to believe that God is going to build a SPIRITUAL ARMY of Sons and Daughters by which He will conquer and SAVE THE WORLD? Hard to believe, isnt it? I think we can all agree that there is a great deal of work to be done with and to these "nothings of the world" whom God is calling to such a formidable, once-in-an-eternity task! But of the "many called," we are told, "few are chosen" (Matt. 20:16). Why is that? God has intended it to be such. We are given the parable of the "sower of seed" where much of the seed fell by the side of the tilled soil, and the birds ate it; some had no depth and withered in the sun; still more fell among thorns and were chocked, but some fell upon good soil and produced much fruit. Many seed are sown, but few seed produce good fruit. "Seed" we see everywhere in the Church; "fruit" of Gods spirit is more rare. These few have the added designation of: "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful" (Rev. 17:14). These are the "very elect" who cannot be deceived any longer by the Great Whore, "Mystery Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots, and the Abominations of the earth." One more important verse regarding our calling, that I will cite out of the Concordant Literal New Testament because I believe they translate the Greek aorist tense properly, whereas the King James uses the past tense: "Now we are aware that GOD [it is unfortunate that the King James leaves out "God" even though it is in the manuscripts. Most translations do put "God" in this opening phrase. Things dont just work together without GOD doing the working] is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, who are [being] 287

called according to the purpose that, whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be Firstborn among many brethren. Now whom He designates beforehand, these He calls [not called as all are NOT YET called, it is the aorist tense] also, and whom He calls, these He justifies, also; now whom He justifies, these He glorifies also" (Rom. 8:28:30). Now, pay attention: All which God foreknew, He then designates beforehand (He hand-picks them, if you will). And therefore, since He has already designated them beforehand, when they are born in whatever generation God designates; He then calls them. Now it is true that God calls MANY OTHERS whom He has NOT designated to be "conformed to the image of His Son" AT THE TIME that each generation appears in history. There are many more "called" in each generation than are actually, "chosen" to be conformed to the image of His Son at that time. All that are not chosen will be in the second resurrection/white throne judgment/lake of fire. These will go the "broad way into destruction" from which they will await judgment at the great white throne. But, those which God foreknows and designates beforehand, He definitely does call, but these designated ones GO ON to be JUSTIFIED AND GLORIFIED. They are not just the "called," but the "called AND CHOSEN" which will go on to glorification in service with Christ, as the manifested Sons and Daughters of God, in the Kingdom of God, to bring the rest of heaven and earth to SALVATION! When Jesus says that, "Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity" (Matt. 722-23), He is not speaking of a minority but a majority. The "many" NEVER means the minority!

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We will see it conclusively proved from Gods Word that the majority in the Church today are going the "broad way," and not the "straight and narrow way." And I am not just preaching to the choir when I say that only a "FEW" will be in the first resurrection and rule and reign with Christ, I am speaking to all the church and to myself as well. I know these arent the "soft" words that tickle peoples ears, but what I am telling you is a "hard saying" of the Scripture that is absolutely true. Jesus Christ Himself said that "THE MANY" must "DEPART from Me." Jesus doesnt "know" the many, in a spiritual relationship, because they are too carnal to be spiritual. ARE YOU "CALLED AND CHOSEN" OR JUST "CALLED?" Let me first state that there is an order in the process of being called to Sonship. First you are called, and then you are chosen from among the called. And we have already learned that the "chosen" are also the "few." Quite frankly, not unlike a casting call. Many are called to come to the casting rehearsal, but only a relative few will be chosen for the actual performance. Which are you? I will not be your personal judge, however, as we progress in this series, you will be confronted with dozens of Scriptures by which you can JUDGE YOURSELF by the aid of Gods Spirit. THE CHURCH OF GOD FROM OUR COMMON ERAYEAR "0" A.D. Actually there never was a year "0"there was "1" B.C. and "1" A.D., but no one apparently ever thought of a year "0" for the starting point of our Common Era (anno Domini, The Year of Our Lord). But then again, Jesus was not born on what would have been year zero anyway, do to the fact that Jesus was born a few years BEFORE our A.D. or Common Era which means Christ was born B.C. or (BEFORE Christ). (My friend, the late Dr. Ernest Martin, wrote a book entitled The Birth of Christ Recalculated, which will straighten this all out for your). But, anyway, as our Lord was growing up in His fathers carpentry shop, there already existed a Church of God in Judea, headquartered at the temple in Jerusalem.

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The church headquarters in the wilderness was a portable Tabernacle. When they settled the promised land, it was given to Solomon to build a fabulous permanent temple in Jerusalem. It went through various reconstructions, one of which was by king Herod. It was Herods temple that existed at the time of Jesus ministry. And as we have already clearly seen, Jesus Christ did not speak many kind words toward the leaders of the church of God headquartered in Herods temple, in Jerusalem, in the first century AD. JESUS GOES TO CHURCH Perhaps you never thought of Jesus going to Church, but He did. The first time that something is mentioned in Scripture, it is often very instructive. Although it was the habit of Jesus to attend local synagogues during His life, the first time the Scriptures mention Jesus going to the temple as a adult is in Matt. 21:12: "And they came to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to CAST OUT them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And He taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the House of Prayer? But ye have made it a DEN OF THIEVES [Gk: burglars cave]. And the SCRIBES and CHIEF PRIESTS heard it, and sought how they might DESTROY HIM: for they feared Him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine" (Mark 11:1518). What a revelation of the church of God we have in these three verses! Jesus was so angry with the leaders at the temple for turning it into a money-making flea market, that he: 1. 2. "cast out them that sold and bought in the temple" "overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and seats of them that sold doves"

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"suffered no one to carry vessels [of merchandise] through the temple"

Jesus said that they "made the House of Prayer a DEN OF THIEVES"! Say, did you notice that they were buying and selling "in the Temple?" Do you think that just maybe this has anything to do with the fact that, "NO MAN might BUY OR SELL, save he that had the MARK OR THE NAME OF THE BEAST, or the NUMBER OF HIS NAME" (Rev. 13:17)? We will cover the Mark of the Beast in a later installment. But this is all ancient history, isnt it? The modern Church of God has not been turned into a "den of thieves" has it? Were the High priests and Scribes, going against the law of either their own religious beliefs or of Rome? No. No, they werent. So they were not "thieves" according to the Church or the Roman government. But were they thieves, nonetheless? Yes, they were, Jesus Christ SAID THEY WERE THIEVES, a whole "DEN OF THIEVES"! At least the modern Church of God is not a "den of thieves," is it? Im sure not all; you can be the judge: One of the major factors in the Reformation was the disdain over the practice of the Church selling INDULGENCES. The American Heritage College Dictionary, "indulgence n. 6. Roman Catholic Church The remission of temporal punishment still due for a sin that has been sacramentally absolved." Make no mistake about it: "For the love of money is the [Gk. a] root of all evil" (I Tim. 6:10). Before the Reformation, it was thought by some that one could practically "buy" ones salvation.

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Jesus "CAST OUT them that sold and bought in the temple." Is there, "buying and selling" going on in the Church today? Excuse medoes a cat have a tail? Now dont think that I am against money. Jesus Himself used money in his ministry (but he never sold in the temple, neither did He ever collect a penny in tithe money). I couldnt count the number of e-mails I have received in response to my article on tithing being unscriptural under the new covenant, in which they ask how they should pay their church utility bill if the people dont tithe? I tell them to pay it with a check backed by money in the bank. All those interested in paying the utility bill should contribute voluntary offerings of money for that expense. This is not difficult. But no one under the New Covenant is obligated by law or conscience to pay ten percent of their salaries to a church! People under the Old Covenant, likewise, were not under law to pay ten percent of their salaries to the Levites. And, Yes, they did have money back then. UNSCRUPULOUS PEDDLERS OF GODS WORD After Jesus THREW OUT those who "bought and sold" in the temple, did they ever return? Not only did they return to the temple after Christs resurrection, but they also came into the very Church, which Jesus said HE WOULD BUILD. The whole temple system in Jerusalem was so utterly corrupt that they corrupted the people of Jerusalem and Judea as well. In and around 70 AD the armies of Titus surrounded Jerusalem and there was an awful slaughter. You can read of these horrible events in the writings of Josephus. But even before the temple with its corrupt religious system was demolished, it had already spread its ugly tentacles into the Church which Jesus built. A QUICK HISTORY OF THE CHURCH BEFORE REVELATION Jesus Christ said, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter [a movable stone], and upon this rock [Christ, the immovable boulder] I will build MY 292

CHURCH; and the gates of hell [Greek: hades, the unseen realm of the dead] shall NOT prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). What did Jesus mean that the "gates of hades would not prevail against it?" This word "prevail" was translated from the Greek word katischuo and it means, "to overpower." It is used but one other time in Scripture and here we shall see exactly what this word means: "And they [the chief priests] were instant with loud voices, requiring that He [Jesus] might be crucified. And the voices of them of the chief priests prevailed And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they CRUCIFIED Him" (Luke 23:23 & 33). The chief priests "prevailed" [katischuo] by putting Jesus Christ TO DEATH. But Jesus said that the "gates of hades [realm of the DEAD] will not prevail [katischuo] against it." In other words, His Church would NEVER be overpowered to death. And so, the Church that Jesus Christ built is still around today. On Pentecost, Jesus Christ came back to His disciples just as He said He would. He came back as the Comforter. Jesus said that they absolutely could NOT receive the Comforter until He went away. Why? Because Jesus Christ IS THE COMFORTER, but not in the flesh, but in THE SPIRIT! It was on Pentecost that the first members of the Church of Christ received the Holy Spirit Comforter, just as He symbolized to them when He blew on them, showing that He Himself would come to them in spirit by the will of God. Now for the first time, His disciples were truly converted, baptized in Holy Spirit, possessing the mind of Christ, lead into all Truth (Jesus) by the ComforterJesus was NOW BUILDING HIS CHURCH! "But the Comforter [Greek, parakletos, also called the Consoler, and in I John 2:1, Advocate in KJV, and Entreater in the CLNT] which IS the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26). 293

The Advocate or Entreater in I John 2:1 IS the parakletos, The Comforter or Consoler of John 14:26 IS the parakletos,. and we are told that it is Jesus Christ Himself. Furthermore, the "Holy Spirit" that is said to come AS the Comforter is also Jesus Christ, "Now the Lord IS that Spirit: and where the Spirit OF THE Lord [Jesus Christ] is, there is liberty" (II Cor. 3:17 THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST GROWS The next mention of the Church that Christ said He would build is found in Acts 2:46-47: "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord ADDED to the church DAILY [3000 in one day, Ver. 41] such as should be saved" (Acts 2:46-47). PERSECUTION COMES QUICKLY "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Tim. 3:11). Those are the words of Paul, and he should know, HE WAS THE CHURCHS BIGGEST PERSECUTOR! "And Saul [Paul] was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was A GREAT PERSECUTION AGAINST THE CHURCH which was at Jerusalem, and they were ALL scattered abroad through the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles" (Acts 8:1). And just who was behind this persecuting of the Church of God? Answer: The other Church of God that was also headquartered in Jerusalem!!! "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter [murder] against the disciples of the Lord [that would be Christs Church], went unto the HIGH PRIEST [of the OTHER Church of God, in the TEMPLEremember back in Acts 2:46 where the Church of Christ was continuing daily with one accord? Yes, that temple!] 294

And [Saul] desired of him LETTERS [letters of authorization from the highest level of Gods Churchthe HIGH PRIEST] to Damascus" Letters for the purpose of continuing his persecution and slaughter of Christs New Church. I told you it is not pretty picture. "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a mans foes shall be they of his OWN HOUSEHOLD" (Matt. 10:34-36). Do you think that maybe a mans foes could even be of his OWN CHURCH? But Jesus Christ, being the Masterful Genius of EVERYTHING THAT HE DOES, chose His GREATEST ENEMY (Saul), to become His GREATEST APOSTLE (Paul), and to save time, He converted Paul in about two-and-a-half seconds. ONE FLASH OF BLINDING LIGHT! And todays Church doesnt think that Jesus can convert such mediocre persecutors such as Hitler in a trillion centuries. Just wait until Jesus puts him UNDER THE LIGHT! I dont think he will last two-and-a-half seconds. How then, after getting rid of the greatest sinner and persecutor and turning him into a great apostle, does the church fare? THE APOSTLE TO ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS "But the Lord said unto him [Ananias], Go thy way: for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how GREAT THINGS HE MUST SUFFER FOR MY NAMES SAKE" (Acts 9:1516). "Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that HE IS THE SON OF GOD. But they were all AMAZED But Saul increased the more in strength and CONFOUNDED the Jews 295

which dwelt at Damascus, PROVING THAT THIS IS THE VERY CHRIST" (Acts 9:19-22). PAULS TWENTY-FIVE YEAR GOSPEL TOUR Paul taught BOLDLY in the synagogues of the Jews: From Damascus, going in and coming out of Jerusalem, down to Caesarea, to Tarsus, throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, to Antioch, unto Seleucia, to Cyprus, at Salamis, the isle, unto Paphos, to Perga in Pamphylia, to Antioch in Pisidia, unto Iconium, unto Lystra, and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lies round about, Pisidia, to Pamphylia, Perga, into Attalia, and back to Antioch, and up to Jerusalem again, then back to Antioch, through Syria and Cilicia, to Derbe and Lystra, Iconium, throughout Phyrgia, the region of Galatia, to Mysia, into Macedonia, from Troas, to Samothracia, to Neapolis, to Philippi, through Amphipolis and Apollonia, to Thessalonica, at Berea, unto Athens, to Corinth. In Corinth, "Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I WILL GO UNTO THE GENTILES" (Acts 18:6). "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and MANY of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. Then spoke the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with you, and no man shall set on you to hurt you: for I have MUCH PEOPLE in this city. And he continued there a year and six months" (Acts 18:8-10). Paul continues teaching among the Gentiles, Sailing into Syria, to Ephesus, at Caesarea, down to Antioch, over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia, to Achaia, back to Ephesus, and all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought SPECIAL MIRALCES BY THE 296

HANDS OF PAUL. Paul called unto him the disciples [in Ephesus], and departed for to go into Macedonia, and when he had gone over those parts, he came into Greece, into Asia, Troas, from Philippi, to Troas, unto Assos, to Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogylium, Miletus, unto Coos, unto Rhodes, unto Patara, Phenicia, Cyprus, into Syria,Tyre, to Ptolemais, unto Caesarea where Paul said, for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus, and after those days he went up to Jerusalem, for the last time. It is not my purpose to freighten anyone or to discourage anyone. Neither do I wish to white-wash the difficulties in walking the walk of faith with our Lord. Hopefully we will not all have to endure everything that the Apostle Paul endured, but rest assured, that if you begin your walk with Christ in earnest, you will have to endure considerable hardships and persecutions. "Yea, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Tim. 3:12). But always remember that there is a promise attached to this suffering: "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also REIGN WITH HIM" (II Tim. 2:11-12). "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through MUCH TRIBULATION enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). And this tribulation comes with a promise also: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord DELIVERS HIM OUT OF THEM ALL" (Psalm 34:19). Twenty-five years Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. Well did Paul say, "From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus" (Gal. 6:17).

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"Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren: In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings, often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches" (II Cor. 11:23-28). Remember that Paul was "chief [preeminent] of sinners." God predetermined that Paul was to suffer much, and many things for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul never complained. He rejoiced in his weakness because that is when God used him mightily. Paul knew that much of his labor in the gospel would fail to bring most of the saints to spiritual maturity. Paul came out of the Great Whore Church, the Mother Church of Judaism. Paul knew that the Church of Jesus Christ would likewise become corrupted and commit spiritual fornication with the world. And so, just as Paul came out of religious Babylon, everyone reared in the daughter harlot churches, must likewise, "Come out of her My people." PAUL SAW THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Only a few years into Pauls ministry, he told the Corinthian Congregation of the corruption already in the Church: "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ" (II Cor. 2:17). Now I hope you all know that I love the King James, and it is true as stated in this verse that they "corrupted" the word of God, but this verse tells us much more than the King James translators present in this verse. Lets read a few other translations of this same verse: 298

"For we are not, as THE MANY, driving a PETTY TRADE with the word of God" (A New Translation, By J. B. Rotherham). "For we are not as the MAJORITY, who are PEDDLING the word of God" (Concordant Literal New Testament). "For I seek not PROFIT [LIKE MOST] by setting the word of God TO SALE" (The Epistles of Paul, By Conybeare). "Unlike MANY PEOPLE, we are not in the habit of MAKING PROFIT out of Gods Message" (The Twentieth Century New Testament). "For I am no PEDDLER of Gods message LIKE MOST MEN" (An American Translation, By Goodspeed). "For I am not like MOST, TRAFFICKING in the word of God" ( The New Testament in Modern English, By Montgomery). "For we are not like THE GREAT NUMBER who make use of the Word of God for PROFIT" (The New Testament in Basic English). "For we do not, like SO MANY, PEDDLE [for profit] an adulterated message of God" (The Berkeley Version of the New Testament, By Gerrit Verkuyl). ADULTERATING HUCKSTERS OF GODS WORD Does anyone have any doubts now, as to what this verse is saying? I hope not. But there is still more in this verse that does not meet the eye of understanding unless we check the Greek. The word from which "corrupt," "profit," "peddling," and "trafficking" was taken, is the Greek word kapeleou, and it means much more than simply selling for a profit: Strongs Greek Dictionary of The New Testament: #2585. kpeleuo (a huckster); to retail, i.e. (by impl.) to adulterate. This word means to be a retailer, to peddle, to hucksterize; hence, intentionally to get base gain by dealing in anything, to do anything for sordid personal advantage." (P. 128). WOW! But wait heres one more definition:

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From Greek-English Keyword Concordance, "peddle [kapeleuo], sell at retail, with the insinuation of improper profit, either by overcharging or adulterating"(P. 220). Can you even begin to understand and believe what you are reading? Paul said that it was the MAJORITY that were retailing, selling, peddling, huckstering, an adulterated version of Gods word by overcharging improper profits far beyond rational living expenses for their own base gain and sordid personal advantage! Not only was this practice CORRUPT, but, it was being done by "THE MANY," "THE MAJORITY!" Tell me that you cant see this being done in the church today? MODERN TV RELIGIOUS SIDESHOW AUCTIONEERS Turn on your TV. The majority are selling, peddling, hucksterizing an adulterated version of Gods word for improper profit and personal gain! Your will hear sermons on such subjects as, "Planting Seed", or "Seedtime and Harvest," or "Making a Financial Covenant with God," or "Becoming a Faith Partner," or "Tithing on the Gross," or "Your Welfare Check Belongs to God," or "At What Age Should One Tithe?" or "Tithing Your Way to Financial Freedom," or best of all, "Will a Man ROB God?" etc., etc., etc. At various times during the show, you will be offered: BOOKS, TAPES, PAMPHLETS, VIDEOS, STATUES, PINS, TRINKETS, MEMBERSHIP CARDS, PLAQUES, CANDLES, CERTIFICATES (always suitable for framing), COMMEMORATIVE COINS, BAGS OF SALT, VIALS OF OIL, DIRT FROM THE HOLY LAND, WATER FROM THE SEA OF GALILEE, AND EVERY CONCEIVABLE PIECE OF RELIGIOUS JUNK AND PARAPHERNALIA IMAGINABLE, all for big bucks, (plus shipping and handling)!! Or maybe you could catch one of Pastor Shambachs "God Told Me" sermons. Pastor Shambach has been coercing people on international television for the past several years to send two thousand dollars to TBN. He said that GOD TOLD HIM THAT EVERYONE WHO IS IN DEBT AND WANTS TO GET OUT OF DEBT NEEDS TO SEND to TBN TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS (and 300

if you dont have two thousand dollars, then you are to send it in by smaller installments)! And if you have money left over, you can go to a thousand web sites where these same religious hucksters have whole stores of religious accouterments for which you can spend your money. I opened one site this week just out of curiosity. They boasted over ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND items for sale. Sorry, I got carried away. Continuing: 1. God started the church in the Wilderness by bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt (out of sin). Only a few entered the Promised Land because of unbelief (they wanted to go back to Egypt, back to sin). From the Promised Land, God drove both Israel and Judah into captivity by the Assyrians and Babylonians respectively. Under Ezra and Nehemiah along with priests and Levites, they returned and rebuilt Jerusalem. Jesus Himself, tells us how utterly corrupt the religious leadership was in His day. Paul tells us that it was the MAJORITY in his time that were making merchandise out of Gods word, corrupting and selling it for a personal profit! In 70 AD all of Jerusalem including the whole temple system was totally destroyed, but the Church that Jesus built continued on.

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THE CHURCH AFTER PAULS DEPARTURE While in Miletus, before going to Caesarea and then up to Jerusalem, Paul gave us a profound prophetic statement regarding the direction the church would take immediately after his departure: "For I have not shunned to declare unto you ALL THE COUNSEL OF GOD. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to ALL THE 301

FLOCK [the entire Church of God, and remember that ALL of Pauls epistles were read and distributed by Peter as well to the Jewish saints, II Pet. 3:16-17], over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed THE CHURCH OF GOD, which He has purchased with His own blood. FOR I KNOW THIS, that after my departing shall GRIEVOUS WOLVES enter in among you, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK. Also of your OWN SELVES shall men arise, speaking PERVERSE THINGS, to DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEM. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day WITH TEARS [Paul knew and could see how horribly deceived the Church of God was to become]. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:27-32). WOW Not a pretty picture, is it? It gets worse. Paul knew that just as he had to come out of religious Babylon, those under his evangelism would also have to one day come out of the New Testament Church of Gods Babylonian practices. In our next installment we will see just what these practices and doctrines of the Seven Churches are, that we must "Come out of" Peter witnessed and prophesied of the same conditions in the Church. Listen to Peters powerful words of admonition in his last epistle for us: "But there were false prophets [teachers] also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers AMONG YOU, who privately shall bring in DAMNABLE HERESIES, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And MANY shall follow their pernicious [lascivious, licentious, wanton] ways; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be EVIL spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU" (II Pet. 2:1-3). Paul again parrots Peters warning in his last words to Timothy in the very last epistle he wrote for us: 302

"But evil men and seducers [in the church] shall wax WORSE AND WORSE, DECEIVING, AND BEING DECEIVED" (II Tim. 3:13). So Paul didnt say that the horrible things already in the Church would get better and better, did he? No, he said they would get "worse AND WORSE!" Corrupt spiritual leaders produce even MORE corrupt leaders as well as followers. Didnt our Lord Prophecy of this very thing: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte [convert], and when he is made, ye make him twofold MORE the child of hell [Gk: Geenna the realm of the dead, which Jesus here uses to represent the spiritually dead] than yourselves" (Matt. 23:15). We shall now see that Jesus, Peter, and Paul certainly did tell the truth that things in the church would get WORSE AND MORE WORSE, or as some translations have it, "from bad to worse." Peter says there would be false teachers that would bring in DAMNABLE HERESIES. ARE THERE DAMNABLE HERESIES IN THE CHURCH OF GOD? Or did Peter LIE? Paul tells us that evil men and seducers (Gk: wicked men and swindlers) would go from BAD TO WORSE! Did Paul LIE? Notice how bad Jesus Christ said things would become: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, [a prophet is also a teacher and prophesying is teaching], and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive THE VERY ELECT" (Matt. 24:24). WHO ARE THE FALSE CHRISTS? Who are they who almost deceive the VERY ELECT and DECEIVE MANY? We read that they are "false Christs" and "false prophets." But WHO are these false Christs and false prophets? How will we know them? What IDENTIFIES them as false prophets, liars, and deceivers? I WILL MAKE THIS SO SCRIPTURALLY PLAIN THAT A TEN YEAR OLD CAN UNDERSTAND IT! At this time I will give you just two Scriptures where Jesus gives us the IDENTIFYING SIGNS of the these false teachers, and deceivers: 303

1.

"MANY will say to me [Jesus] in that day, Lord, Lord [Master, Master], have we not: A: PROPHESIED [taught, preached] in Thy Name [Jesus]? B: In Thy Name [Jesus] have CAST OUT DEVILS [demons]? C: And in Thy Name [Jesus] done MANY WONDERFUL WORKS [miracles]? And then will I profess [plainly, openly, tell them to their face] I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME YOU THAT WORK INIQUITY [lawlessness]" (Matt. 7:22-23).

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"For MANY shall come in my name, saying [that], I [Jesus] am Christ, and shall deceive MANY" (Matt. 24:5).

Who are the "MANY" today who, (1) Teach and preach in the name of Jesus Christ? (2) Cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ? (3) Do MANY (not a few, but many) WONDERFUL WORKS (not evils works, but good and wonderful works), in the name of Jesus Christ? Who? The Russians? The Chinese? The Muslims? The Hindus? The Confucianists? The Buddhists? The Shintoists? The Zoroastrians? The Jews? The QUARTER BILLION Ethnic Religionists? The HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION Athiests? Do ANY of these worldwide religions "teach, preach, cast out demons, and do many wonderful works IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST?" No, they dont! Well then, WHO ARE THESE "MANY" who do these things? Do "MANY" of the TWO BILLION CHRISTIANS in the world today, "teach, preach, cast out demons, and do many wonderful works IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST?" Then I would say that we have identified the "many" that Jesus warned us about. It is not enough to preach, teach, heal, and cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ. One has to also OBEY the commandments and teachings of Jesus 304

Christ. Jesus said that it is the "many" who do good words, but are guilty of "iniquity" which means "lawlessness." Next, who are the "MANY" today who say that, "Jesus IS THE CHRIST, THE MESSIAH?" No, dont be deceived; it is not those few who occasionally claim that they themselves are "Jesus the Christ." They dont deceive the "many." Only some fool would ever be deceived into believing that some carnal idiot really IS the Christ. Besides, there are NOT "many" who make such a claim in the first place. But there certainly are "MANY" who say and teach that JESUS is the REAL CHRIST! And so it is not only those who "teach and preach and cast out demons and do many wonderful works in the name of Jesus" who are DECEIVING THE MANY, but also there is a large group (many) who teach that "Jesus really IS THE CHRIST" and yet Jesus said it would be these that are also DECEIVING THE MANY! Millions of Christians have heard these Scriptures quoted all their lives. But, God forbid that they would pause a minute or two to consider WHO REALLY ARE THESE PEOPLE THAT JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT THAT REALLY DO THESE MANY WONDERFUL THINGS AND YET DECEIVE THE MANY!! GODS FINAL PROPHECY TO, FOR, AND ABOUT, THE CHURCH OF GOD Sometime in the second half of the first century, God appears to John on the Island of Patmos in a vision, and instructs him thus: "What you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia" (Rev. 1:11). I spent a lot of time in our last installment showing and proving that the Seven Churches represent the whole church down through all generations of this church age. It would be absurd to think that the book of Revelation was written to and for seven churches in Asia that have virtually disappeared off the map. Most modern maps do not show the locations of these ancient church cities. My Encyclopedia Britannica World Atlas shows 305

Ephesus and Smyrna, only. Why print billions of Bibles in virtually every language on earth for people to read of seven churches that havent existed for CENTURIES and have no application to our lives today? No, this prophecy contains in symbols the spiritual condition of the entire Church of God all through its history in every generation. As all of Revelation is a book of symbols, it shouldnt surprise us that the message to the seven churches is also composed of dozens of symbols. But those symbols represent SPIRITUAL REALITIES. We must compare spiritual with spiritual to determine the meaning of these symbols. REVELATION IS TO AND FOR THE SEVEN CHURCHES The book of Revelation is to and for the Seven and ChurchesFirst chapter: "What you see write in a book and send it unto the seven churches" (Rev. 1:11), Last chapter: "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches" (Rev. 22:16). If you are a professing member of the Church that Jesus built, then you need to know what Jesus has prophesied concerning that very Church. I dont mean to weary my readers by repeating myself, but I fear that no matter how many times I say something and quote Scriptures to prove it, there will still be many who will not have clue as to what God is teaching us. The words that Jesus spoke were "spirit" "the words that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT" (John 6:63). Jesus taught the multitudes in parables only "All these things spoke Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spoke He not unto them" (Matt. 13:34). 306

All parables have a SPIRITUAL lesson. Not one of Jesus parables was to be taken literally. But to understand spiritual parables, and words of spirit, one must HAVE THE SPIRIT "for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God the things of God knows no man but the Spirit of God the Holy Spirit teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned But we [believers in Christ] have the [spiritual] mind of Christ" (I Cor. 2:10,11,13,14,16). Notice what Jesus said when His disciples asked Him concerning the parables: "And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they UNDERSTAND" (Matt. 13:10,11, & 13). Having "ears to hear" means having spiritual discernment in UNDERSTANDING what one hears. Notice that we must "see with our eyes, and hear with our ears, and should understand with our HEART" [then God would] convert us and HEAL [save] us (Matt. 13:15). I have no doubt that some reading these messages from the Scriptures, are beginning to understand. I mean REALLY UNDERSTAND and thank God for this spiritual understanding. If you are such an one, then GOD IS CALLING YOU! You are beginning to "taste" of the good and spiritual things of God. In Chapter 13 of Revelation God introduces us to, a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns with ten crown with the name of blasphemy, and another beast coming up out of the earth which had two horns like a lamb, but spoke as a dragon, commanding to make an image to the beast and caused all to 307

receive a mark or name or number 666 in their forehead or right hand. Midway through the chapter God says this: "If any man have an ear, LET HIM HEAR." What does God mean by "let him hear?" We just read it. Only those with Gods Spirit can discern spiritual things, and the Book of Revelation is a book of Symbols, given by Jesus, who always speaks to the multitudes in parables, plus His words are always "spirit." "Let him hear" means let him SPIRITUALLY UNDERSTAND! We already learned that "7" is a number of perfect completeness in Gods Word. SEVEN TIMES Jesus says to the Seven Churches, "He that has an ear, LET HIM HEAR" (Rev. 1:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). Here is Gods complete message to the Church down through the centuries. Those who have ears to hear [to understand] will understand the spiritual message to these churches. MORE INSTRUCTIONS ON HAVING EARS TO HEAR Who specifically is speaking the words of Christ through John to these Seven Churches: Notice it, for it is most revealing: "He that has an ear, let him hear what THE SPIRIT says" (Rev. 1:7). It is "the SPIRIT" which is speaking to John and the Seven Churches. How are we going to hear a "SPIRIT" if we dont have spiritual ears to hear? I am overwhelmed by the arrogant ignorance of theologians who are constantly informing me that the "unquenchable fire," "furnace of fire," "gehenna fire," and "lake of fire" are physical, material, and literal! Parables, metaphors, allegories, and symbols are NEVER LITERAL! Try this: Jesus Christ (SPIRIT), gives John this Revelation which God (SPIRIT), gave and signified (symbolizedthings with SPIRITUAL meanings), by an angel (a SPIRIT), while John was in the SPIRIT, and wrote Christs words (which are SPIRIT), and were spoke by "the SPIRIT," in a book, that can only be understood by those with an "[spiritual] ear to hear." And theologians believe that most of this book of Revelation is literal?

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The Spirit speaks to each church congregation individually, starting with Ephesus and ending with Laodicea. However, notice this: although the Spirit speaks individually to the various congregations, God informs each individual congregation to "let him hear what the Spirit says unto churches [plural]." Herein is a most profound truth, which I have never heard anyone explain. God is saying, in effect, "Ephesus, here are your strong points and your weaknesses, but now it is also necessary that you hear what I have to say to THE REST OF THE CHURCHES!" Why should Ephesus be concerned about the problems or virtues of the other churches? It is because what applies to one applies to ALL. Ephesus "left her first love." Are we so nave as to think that Pergamos followed the doctrine of Balaam, and the Nicolaitans, but did NOT leave their first love? Do we think that Laodicea was "luke warm," but did not leave her first love? Do we think that most of Sardis "art DEAD," but that they didnt leave their first love. Absurd! THEY ALL left their first love! But even "dead" Sardis "had a few names which did not defile their garments [spiritual character]." And thus ALL the congregations also had "a few names," not the majority, who had not defiled their garments. Some think that Smyrna and Philadelphia had "no faults." I have a large chart that I purchased in a Bible Book Store that lists the seven churches on the top and then has categories underneath. For the category labeled "Faults," the boxes for Smyrna and Philadelphia, say: "NONE." Thats not true, the chart is wrong. The churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia were composed of many who "say they are Jews [spiritually circumcised and converted in heart], but are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." I dont think that any church that has "the synagogue of SATAN" in their congregation could be said to have NO FAULTS! THE SPIRIT PROMISES SPIRITUAL REWARDS TO OVERCOMERS

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Jesus Christ tells ALL THE CHURCHES to listen and hear [spiritually understand] what the Spirit says to ALL THE CHURCHES, because everything in the individual churches applies to ALL THE CHURCHES. It is essential that we understand this. All "overcomers" in each of the Seven Churches are given promises of rewards. We will now see that when one possesses one of these rewards, he will possess ALL OF THEM, for ALL of the rewards are the SAME reward! You heard me correctly with your ears, now "hear" me with your heart of understanding. All of the rewards are the same reward for all of the rewards are CHRIST! What is the "prize" spoken of in the Bible? What is the "crown?" What is our "justification?" What is the "high calling?" What is our hope of "glory?" What is it that Paul wanted to "win?" They are all CHRIST! The word "overcometh" as used in the KJV is a good word and descriptive of what we are to do. However, "conquers" is a more precise word, and adds the dimension of being "victorious," as in battle, as our Christian walk is most definitely a battle. Notice what "overcomers or conquerers" in the Seven Churches are promised: THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS "To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life" (Rev. 2:7). (1) Thats CHRIST. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and [I am] the LIFE (John 11:25). The KJV translates "tree" in this verse from the Greek word xulon. Here is Strongs definition of xulon: "timber (for fuel or material); by impl. a stick, club or tree or wooden art. or substance xulon, wood, a piece of wood, anything made of wood." The word "tree" does fit 310

what is spoken of in this verse, but when we come to Rev. 22:2, "tree of life" does not seem to fit as well. "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life" (Rev. 22:2). How do we have one tree of life on BOTH sides of the river? One translation translates both of these verses as "wood of life." Another has, "log of life." Interestingly, one translation has this footnote, Wood is the primary significance of zulon, and may here denote, as in Rev. xxii, an aggregation of dendra, or trees, commonly called a wood, or forest; a xulon of life, occupying a place on both sides of the river." What a marvelous word picture God has presented to us in these words. Jesus Christ is first and foremost, "The" [singular] Tree of Life. This is the Tree of Life spoken of in the Garden of Eden. That tree grew out of the earth, just as Jesus (the source of lifefrom His Father) came in the flesh (the "earth") to bring life (immortality deathlessness, eternal life) to all humanity. Interestingly, the first time xulon is used in Scripture is where Jesus said, "For if they do these things in a green [living] tree [Gk: xulon wood] what shall be done in the dry [dead wood]?" (Luke 23:31). Jesus Christ is the "green living tree." Jesus met His death by being crucified. The "cross" of Christendom was really a post, pole, or upright stake that is fastened or planted in the ground manuallyit did not grow from that spot. It is not a living xulon or wood or tree. Jesus died on a DEAD wood or dead tree. But Jesus is now raised from the dead and is the Live Tree, the Tree of LIFE. We get a "taste" of this life when God gives us of His Holy Spirit. But we receive only the "ernest" or down payment in this life: "you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the ernest of our inheritance UNTIL [at a later date] the redemption of the purchased possession" (Eph. 1:13b-14). At the resurrection we will be changed: 311

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: for we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be LIKE HIM, for we shall see Him as He is" (I John 3:2-3). Jesus also said this: "As Thou [the Father] has given Him [Jesus] power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life [eonian life, which for the believer includes immortality] to as many as Thou has given Him" (John 17:2). And so, as Jesus has life in Himself, He will give us that same life. And just as Jesus is the Singlular "Wood [tree] of life," we too will become the Plural "Wood of Life" spoken of in Rev. 22:2. Remember a "wood" is a gathering of trees as in "woods" or "forest." Where do we read of such a gathering of "living trees?" "And He showed me a pure river of water of life [this is Gods life giving spirit] clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God [the Father has life] and of the Lamb [the Father gives life to Jesus to give to as many as God has given Him]. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river [of life], was there the tree [xulon, wood, or woods or forest] 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" (Rev 22:1-2). Jesus is the source of all life because His Father gave Him life to disseminate to others. "For as the Father has life in Himself, so has He given to the son to have LIFE IN HIMSELF" (John 5:26). So in Revelation 22 we see the river of life flowing from God and Christ, through the middle of the forest of trees of life (thats US), and we in return "heal the nations" just as Obadiah prophesied of the coming of "saviours" (plural) to Mt. Zion (Gods headquarters of government throne) to judge the nations. THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA (2) 312

"He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death" (Ver. 11). Thats because they now have CHRIST, the "tree of life Who abolishes death." Those who are being judged NOW, will not go through the lake of fire judgment, or be hurt by the second death. THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS (3) "To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna" (Ver. 17). Thats CHRIST, the bread of life from heaven, (John 6:48 & 58). I believe that even most nominal Christians would be agreeable to the fact that Jesus Christ IS this "hidden manna," and that it certainly is not literal food for the physical body! But when we come to things like "the lake of fire which is the second death," the shout goes out, "ITS LITERAL; ITS LITERAL." Everything in the Book of Revelation is symbolic and spiritual. I will take a little more time on this next reward to overcomers, just to show how much spiritual teaching and understanding there is in every single word of Revelation. And, "a white stone." Thats CHRIST. How is a "white stone," "Christ?" This "stone" is SPIRITUAL. Of what earthly (or heavenly) value is "a white stone" if it is a "literal white stone?" It is foolishness to think that these symbols and metaphors of Revelation are literal! Of what eternal value is a white stone with a name written in it? First of all, "stone" is not even the proper translation in this verse. I once thought it represented Christ, "the Stone rejected by Israel, that became the "Chief Corner Stone," but that is not the teaching of this verse. The Greek word here is "psephos" and not "lithos" which is a large stone such as a millstone, tombstone, or building stone. A psephos is not a stone per se, but rather a "pebble." Gee, that sounds even less 313

valuable than a stone. Its a SYMBOL! It stands for something SPIRITUAL AND LASTING OF UNFATHOMABLE VALUE! This particular psepos pebble was used in casting a secret ballot. Now notice what a definition of ballot by the American Heritage College Dictionary: ballot n. 6. A small ball [or pebble] once used to register a secret vote. Next notice this amazing definition in Strongs Greek Lexicon, #5586. psepos, "a pebble (as worn smooth by handling), i.e. (by impl. Of use as a counter or ballot) a verdict (of acquittal) or ticket (of admission)." A BALLOT, a VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL (not guilt) or ticket of ADMISSION (not rejection)! The opposite of this white ball or pebble of acceptance, is to be rejected and turned away by being "BLACK balled." Maybe this doesnt excite you, but this little "pebble" is just pregnant with Scriptural and spiritual Truths! Here is an example where the symbols of Revelation shine like giant beacons in the night. No, this is not just some ordinary "stone" promised to the overcomers in the Churches, but a "ballot pebble" of "acquittal and admission" which has "a new name written which no man knows (Rev. 2:17)," which is "My [Christs] new name" (Rev. 3:12), and "a name written which no man knew" (Rev. 19:12). This is a pebble ballot, cast in secret ("The Lord knows them that are His," even if the world doesnt), to pronounce an acquittal. Acquittal means a judgment of NOT GUILTY! If we are truly, SPIRITUALLY, BAPTIZED into Christs death, then we are "JUSTIFIED from Sin" (Rom. 6:3-7). And "Freely JUSTIFIED in His grace" (Rom. 3:24). Justify means, "to declare free of blame; absolve. Theology To free (a human) of the guilt and penalty attached to grievous sin," The American Heritage College dictionary. Thats ACQUITTAL! Whom ever possesses this white pebble is ACQUITTED OF ALL SINS AND ALL GUILT! This pebble also signified "admission." An "admission is both the permission to enter something, and the price paid for the admission or entrance. Again, Jesus Christ is BOTH! Jesus Christ paid the ultimate penalty for our sins, 314

"But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US. Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED by His blood, we shall be SAVED from wrath through Him" (Rom. 5:8-9). And we can only gain admission and entrance into the kingdom of God through Him. Jesus said, "I am the DOOR" (John 10:7 & 9), and there is no other. Jesus said to, "Enter ye in at the strait [narrow and cramped] gate" (Matt. 7:13), and Jesus is the "door" of that gate. And so this apparently, insignificant little white pebble takes on enormous spiritual value. Our pebble is "white," signifying the purity of both the Giver (Jesus) and the recipient (the overcomer). It is like a spiritual ticket that proves the bearer has been washed clean, forgiven, justified, acquitted of all guilt, and has a paid admission into the Kingdom of God, which Jesus verifies and signifies by His Own written Name! But it is not a literal white pebble with a literal name engraved in itIT IS A SYMBOL of all of the SPIRITUAL benefits attached to being an "overcomer IN Christ." "A new name written, which no man knows except he that receives it." [Thats CHRIST, Who] "had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself and His name is called The Word of God" (Rev. 19:12-13). Thats CHRIST, Jesus is "The Word of God" (John 1:1). The world often treats Gods saints as if they were heretics. Only those who possess the Name of Jesus Christ truly "know" what the name is and all that it represents. Not all who speak of the Name, have the name "written" within them. Mens lips are often far far from their heart. I already covered how that "name" is representative of THE PERSON WHO BEARS IT. To believe in THE NAME of Jesus Christ is to believe ALL THAT JESUS IS! And the reason we have a "new" name is because all whom are "IN Christ" are "NEW creatures [new creations]: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW" ( II Cor. 5:17). We not only have a new name, but we become and ARE A NEW NAME as well. 315

THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA (4) "And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations" (Ver. 26). Thats CHRIST, Christ is the power over the nations, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL POWER is given unto Me in heaven and [over the nations] in earth" (Matt. 28:18). "And I will give him the morning star." Thats CHRIST. "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" (Rev. 22:16). THE CHURCH IN SARDIS (5) "He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment [Christs righteousness in His saints, Rev. 19:9 vs. Phil. 3:9]; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life" (Rev. 3:5). Thats CHRIST! Jesus Christ IS "The Book of Life!" This is not a literal, physical book with names written on pages of paper. No indeed, this is not merely "the book of life," this is the book OF SOMEONES LIFE! Whose life? Lets read it and believe: "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [Satan, the dragon, the devil, the serpent], whose names are not written in THE BOOK OF THE [the is in the Greek manuscripts] LIFE OF THE LAMB [THATS CHRIST] slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 13:8)! Your "name" (thats YOU, your name IS WHO AND WHAT YOU ARE), YOU must be "IN CHRIST," Who IS LIFE, or your name is "not written in the book of life." 316

Oh how much we lose when translators both translate and interpret wrongly. I realize that this was not intentional, however, it was wrong of them to leave out the article "the" in this verse, as it is IN the Greek manuscripts. It is not merely "the book of life of the Lamb," but rather, "the book of the life of the Lamb!" WOW! What a difference a simple three letter article makes in the meaning of this most profound verse! This book is not merely a list of the names of the saints in alphabetical order or by chronological number. The "book of life" is the book of SOMEONES lifeJesus Christs LIFE! Oh that we would have ears to SPIRITUALLY hear: "Therefore if any man be IN Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Cor. 5:17). This is the new, converted, believers life "IN Christ." And when God comes to judge the world, we will have no fear of judgment for we are being judged now "IN Christ." Highlight this verse in your Bibles: "And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and He that dwells in love dwells IN GOD, and GOD IN HIM. Herein is your love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: BECAUSE [get ready; here it comes] As He [Jesus Christ] IS [right now, this minute] SO ARE WE in this world" (I John 4:17). And just how is that? We just read itbecause we live IN CHRIST, and Christ lives IN US!!! Our names are written in "the book of THE LIFE OF THE LAMB" only if WE TOO LIVE "THE life OF the Lamb," IN THE LAMB! "Abide in Me, and I in you" (John 15:4). I pray for God to give you spiritual eyes to see these grand Truths that have been hid from the blinded eyes of the Church today. A stern warning: How many does Jesus say through His Spirit, will He "not blot out his name out of the book of life?" Lets read it:

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"Thou has A FEW names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy" (Rev. 3:4). Dear readers it is always, just the FEW who will be in Christ in His glory in the first resurrection. All of the rest, ALL of them, will come up in the Second Resurrection, and white throne judgment with its "lake of fire and second death." I feel it necessary to show you just how sobering our Lords statement to the churches really is. Not many escaped the flood that came on the world in Noahs day because the thoughts of men were only evil continually, "while the ark was a preparing, wherein FEW, that is, eight souls were saved" (I Pet. 3:20). Are things better now? NO, Paul said things would get worse AND WORSE. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and FEW there be that find it" (Matt. 7:14). "So the last shall be first, and the first last: and many be called, but FEW chosen" (Matt. 20:16). "For many are called, but FEW are chosen" (Matt. 22:14). THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA (6) "Him that overcomes will I make a pillar [a position of great spiritual responsibility] in the temple of my God" (3:12). Thats CHRIST, "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; In Whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD" (Eph. 2:21).

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Christ is our Temple for we live in Him as HIS BODY, and we are the temple of Gods Holy Spirit that lives and dwells IN US, and Christ IS that Spirit"abide in Me, and I in you." And "he shall go no more out" Thats CHRIST. We are IN Christ, we are the Body of Christ, Christ is our temple, our house, where we dwell "IN Christ." We abide and dwell in Christ and Christ abides and dwells and lives HIS LIFE in us, so that we will "go no more out," till at the consummations of all the ages, "God may be ALL in All" (I Cor. 15:28). "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 comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him MY NEW NAME." Thats CHRIST! These are honors and rewards bestowed upon us by Christ. The 144,000 (12 x 12, complete foundational kingdom of Gods government for the new world) are given the Fathers name in their foreheads (Rev. 14:1 & 22:4). Not a tattoo on the forehead skin, but inside their foreheads, in their hearts and minds. New Jerusalem is the heavenly Jerusalem spoken of in Heb. 12:22, where "the general assembly and church of the firstborn [Christ and His anointed body of believers], which are written in heaven" is found. It is from New Jerusalem and heavenly Mt. Sion that the government of Christ will proceed in bringing Salvation to the Earth and the Universe (Isa. 2:2). I will write upon him My new name. This is the same new name that we discussed in the Church of Pergamos. THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS (7) "To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." 319

And, of course, thats CHRIST also. Sitting with Christ in His thronethis is the ultimate in rewards for the overcomer. This means that we share Christs Priesthood, Lordship, and Kingship over all the universe! "And SAVIOURS [plural] shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORDS" (Obadiah 21). "Savioursthats US, if we are "overcomers." We will be saviours ("as He is, so are WE in the world") with our Lord from heavenly Mt Zion and New Jerusalem! FROM GLORY TO GLORY There is a progression in the rewards promised to the conquering overcomers in the Churches that is vital for us to see and understand. If one is "saved" (past tense, finished, completed, with absolutely no possibility of losing that salvation at any time before we die), then there are indeed some Scriptural contradictions to such a theory. We need to get very serious for a moment. Salvation culminates for the believer in the First Resurrection to spiritual life and immortality. However, before that time, during the life of each believer, there are warnings in the Scriptures about ways that one can become disqualified from being in the first resurrection. Lets notice just a few of them: 1. "Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed LEST HE FALL" (I Cor. 10:12).

2.

"If they should FALL AWAY, to renew them again unto repentance" (Heb. 6:6), and "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of JUDGMENT and fiery indignation [the lake of fire] which shall devour the

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adversaries" (Heb. 10:26-27).

3.

"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are FALLEN FROM GRACE" (Gal. 5:4).

4.

"Looking diligently lest any man FAIL OF THE GRACE of God" (Heb. 12:15).

5.

"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation FALL AWAY" (Luke 8:13).

6.

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a FALLING AWAY first" (II The. 2:3).

7.

"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should A CASTAWAY [Gk: disqualified]" (I Cor. 9:27).

8.

"Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (I Tim. 4:1).

9.

"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING [before they were converted]. For it had been 321

better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, TO TURN FROM the holy commandment delivered unto them" (II Peter 2:20-21).

10. "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough [having begun to follow Christ] and looking back [desiring his old sinful life again] IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD" (Luke 9:62). Dont think that these verses were written in vain. Jesus said that "many" would say to Him in that day, "Lord, Lord," but Jesus will tell them to "depart." It is not enough to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and go no further. You must continue growing spiritually. We must CONTINUE following Christ all the days of our life. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If you CONTINUE in My word, then are you my disciples indeed" (John 8:31). There are some encouraging words in the Scriptures, however, that tell us that there is a way to know in your walk with Christ whether you are SAFE from ever falling away, and the message to the Seven Churches contains this same teaching. Peter tells us how we can be SURE that we will NEVER FALL: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brother kindness charity [LOVE] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for IF YOU DO THESE THINGS, YOU SHALL NEVER FALL (II Pet. 1:5-7 & 10). In closing we will now look at this same teaching in the rewards to the Seven Churches. First I want to call your attention to a most important fact concerning the word "overcometh" in the KJV. Notice that it is not in the past, as in "has overcome" or "overcame." It is in the Greek aorist tense. It 322

shows a CONTINUING ACTION. The Greek is "to the overcoming" or "to the one overcoming" or "to the one conquering." I point out this continuous action to show that Christ does not want any to start and then stop. We must always continue "conquering and overcoming." We have learned that when we repent and turn to Jesus Christ, He gives us of His Holy Spirit (the earnestthe start, the beginning, the down payment, if you will). Look now at the first reward promised the Churches: TO HIM THAT OVERCOMES "To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of LIFE" (Rev. 2:7). That is the beginning of real spiritual life. If we continue in this new spiritual life, we will not be hurt by the "second death" which is the "the lake of fire." "He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev. 2:11). Now we are safe, right? We can now rest on our laurels, right? Wrong. "To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna" (Rev. 2:17). We cant grow spiritually unless we eat SPIRITUAL FOOD. When we eat of Christs spiritual body, we grow spiritually; when we stop eating spiritual food we spiritually starve and spiritually die. If we eat spiritual food, we grow, we mature, we are "continuing in Christs word" and Christ word is spirit and therefore spiritual food. What is our next reward if we "continue" overcoming? "and will give him a white stone and a in the stone a new name" (Ver. 17) Now we learned that this stone is really a pebble which is a symbol for a ballot, which acquits us of guilt and justifies us, allowing for our admission or entrance into the Kingdom, signed and signified by 323

Jesus Himself. If we continue to overcome, this white signed, ballot stone of entrance into the Kingdom is waiting for us with OUR NAME on it. Remember "as Jesus is, SO ARE WE" His name is OUR name. If we continue to overcome, we will be given another great reward. "And he that overcomes and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations" (Ver. 26). Say, did you notice that most important phrase, "keeps my works UNTO THE END?" Do you suppose there was a purpose for adding those words at this place in the rewards? You know there was. We must "keep on, keeping on." We cannot look back. We cannot fail to continue in Christs words and works. We must take up our cross. We must suffer persecution. We must "fight the good fight." We must "keep the faith." We must "pray without ceasing." And we must make it to the end, "And you shall be hated of all men for my names sake: but he that endures TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED" (Matt. 10:22). THEN we will be qualified to have "power over the nations." But reigning requires that we be RIGHTEOUS. We must reign the nations with spiritual power, not with military might. Our motives and our love must be PURE. "He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment" (Rev. 3:5). The "white raiment" is the same "clean white, fine linen" of Rev. 19:8, "for fine linen is the righteousness of the saints" (Ver. 8). When we attain to this degree of overcoming, God makes an absolute promise to us: "I will NOT blot out his name out of the book of life" (Ver. 5). Just how high do the rewards of Jesus to the overcomer go? "Him that overcomes will I make a PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD" (Ver. 12). A pillar is a main support in a temple. It speaks of a position of GREAT DISTINGUISHED RESPONSIBILITY at the Spiritual 324

Headquarters of the entirety of the universe in Mt. Zion. But if He is going to give us ALL THAT HE HAS, He expects us to do as He DID and become what He IS. "To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me on My throne, EVEN AS I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne" (Ver. 21). We are to overcome "even as" Jesus Christ conquered and overcame. What was it that Jesus Christ "overcame?" John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!" Jesus Christ overcame EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD, INCLUDING THE WORLD! And here is Gods command to the believer who would become an overcomer and conqueror in Christ Jesus: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world [which MUST be overcome and conquered!]" (I John 2:15-16). We are to also "overcome the world" just as Jesus did. Not by ourselves, but by Jesus "Christ IN us, the hope of GLORY." Christ lives His life IN the believer, and in the believer Christ will, "overcome the world," over and over again in each new believer. And then one day, Jesus Christ will say to YOU, "Sit with Me on My throneWe are going to save the Universe together." We already read in Romans 8 that the whole creation is groaning for the manifestation of Sons and Daughters (saviours) to free this world from its vanity and corruption. And so, there is ONE church, and all overcomers from that church receive ONE reward, the SAME reward, and that reward is CHRIST and all that His many symbols and names represent, all that He IS ("as He is, so are WE in the world"), and in the Kingdom of God as 325

well. These are the highest and most glorious honors ever to be bestowed upon a man or woman of the human race!

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The Lucifer Hoax & the Mission of Satan THE LIFE AND MISSION OF SATAN THE SERPENT DEVIL In Installment II of this Series I covered considerable material on the origin of Satan. At this point in our study of the Seven Churches, it becomes necessary, once again, to look more closely at the activities of Satan as they relate to the Church and the lake of fire. If Satan the Devil is going to be cast into the lake of fire, then those whom he has fathered will also be cast into the lake of fire. Jesus told the Pharisees of His day that they were of their father the devil: "Ye [Gk: all of you] are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not [does not stand] in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not" (John 8:44-45). To listen to the Church, one would think that Satan is some silly clown that can be poked fun at and tossed around like some rag doll. I have heard televangelists make statements similar to this: "Tonight we are going to take hold of that Old Serpent, Satan the Devil, by his tail, and toss him out on his ear!" Oh, really? Most such preachers would not recognize Satan if they were shaking hands with him and starring him in the eyes. They know not his appearance; they know not his doctrines; they know not his location; they know not his plan; they know not his influence on their church or his deceptive powers over their own minds. But God has told us these things in His Word. Prepare yourself for a startling revelation in the Book of Revelation! Satan is located in the very last place the churches would ever look. Satan is indeed a power to be reckoned with!

SATAN ALWAYS SHOWS UP WHERE HE IS NEEDED Satan entered Eden as "that Old Serpent [Satan]" and deceived Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. Satan didnt sneak into the garden 327

against Gods will. He performed a needful task with our first parents. God knew what Satan was going to do to Adam and Eve. God did not try to prevent it. It is all part of Gods master plan. Just as God has provided food for mankind, He has also provided food for Satan. And just what kind of food does Satan dine on? Satan dines on mankind. "And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon your belly shall you go, and DUST SHALL YOU EAT all the days of your life" (Gen. 3:14). This is, of course a parable. That "serpent" in the garden was none other than "that OLD SERPENT, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world" (Rev. 12:9). And this is the same serpent that "deceived" Eve. Man is the "dust of the earth" upon which Satan dines: "The first man [Adam] is of the earth, earthy [dust]" (I Cor. 15:47). Man IS dust. "for DUST you are, and unto DUST shall you return" (Gen. 3:19). When God told the serpent devil Satan that he would eat DUST, He was telling him that he would eat MAN (adam). And this is exactly what Peter tells us in his epistle: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour [Gk: swallow down/eat]" (I Pet. 5:8). Satan dines and thrives on the meat of the "carnal [Greek: sarx; flesh] mind [which] is enmity [hostility/hatred] against God: for it is not subject to the [spiritual] law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7). Satan does not seek to devour everyone for food; only those who are carnally [fleshly] minded represent a great steak dinner to him. 328

Satan even had King David for dinner: "And SATAN stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel" (I Chron. 21:1). But always remember, Satan never operates beyond his God-given parameters as we will see in the case of Job. God gave Satan charge over Job, his body, and all his possessions, to try him severely before God: "And the Lord said unto SATAN, Behold, he [Job] is in your hand; but save his life" (Job 2:6). It was GODS idea to severely try Job, not Satans. But Satan took strict orders from God as to just how he could try Job. Satan got permission from God at each and every step of this severe trying of Job. Do we think God does it differently today? Do we think Satan now has "free reign"- "free will?" Do we think that God "changes?" Nonsense: "For I am the LORD, I change not" (Mal. 3:6). David prayed for God to use Satan in judging his enemies: "Set you a wicked man over him: and let SATAN stand at his right hand" (Psalm 109:6). Are not these activities of Satan necessary? Does God use Satan for no good purpose? Then why cant men see that God also CREATED Satan for these very purposes? Satan is constantly finding fault with Gods Chosen ones: "And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and SATAN standing at his right hand to resist [accuse] him" (Zech. 3:1). Remember, Satan can do NOTHING without Gods approval. When God completed His creating, He said "And God saw EVERY THING that He had made [including Satan, the Adversary], and, behold, it was VERY GOOD" (Gen. 1:31). Satan was not only necessary, but he was, in fact, PERFECT for the 329

job that God created him to fulfill.

SATAN ATTEMPTS THE IMPOSSIBLE Satan tried to disqualify Jesus at the beginning of His ministry: "Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil" (Matt. 4:1). Notice that it was the spirit of God that led Jesus to be tempted of the devil. Can we not see that Satan serves a needful purpose in Gods plan? It was absolutely needful that Satan tempt Jesus. If it werent needful, God wouldnt have done it! And so Satan tried to bribe Christ into worshiping him: "Again, the DEVIL takes Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and says to Him, All these things will I give You, if You will fall down and worship me" "Matt. 4:8-9). Lets notice a few things overlooked by most Sunday school teachers (and most of the worlds greatest theologians as well). Ready? Are you sure? Okay, here goes: ALL THE NATIONS OF THE ENTIRE WORLD BELONG TO SATAN THE DEVIL!!! Heaven and Earth are Gods possessions, however, God has delegated the nations to Satan. Satan could not offer all these kingdoms of the world to Jesus if he did not possess them to offer them in the first place. They are Satans ignorant kingdoms: "In whom the god [SATAN] of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the Image of God, should shine unto them" (II Cor. 4:4). Oh, that the Church would believe the Scriptures. Why are there billions who "believe not" in the world? Is it because they CHOOSE to believe not? Thats what well-intentioned Christians tell me all the time. "Ray! these people CHOOSE to go to hell." How, pray tell, can they "choose" to go to hell, when they "believe NOT" in the first 330

place. They dont "make a choice," the choice is made for them, because they "believe not." And JUST WHY do they "believe not?" Will you insist on the Churchs answer or will you humbly accept Gods answer? "In whom the God of this world has BLINDED the minds of them that believe NOT" Thats why they cant "see" to make the right choiceTHEY ARE BLIND! Now then, what would happen if God were to REMOVE that Satanic blindness? Would they STILL choose to reject Jesus Christ and His gospel? We dont need to speculate, lets read it: "In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, LEST the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, SHOULD SHINE UNTO THEM" (II Cor. 4:4). When the deception is taken away, people will understand. When the blindness is taking away, people will see the truth. Next, notice what Jesus Himself says would happen if this Satanic blindness were removed: "For this peoples heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed [Why? Why are their eyes closed? Because, "the god of this world has BLINDED them" Thats why] lest at ANY TIME they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should BE CONVERTED, and I should HEAL them" (Matt. 13:15). This is not rocket science. When Satan blinds the minds of people, they "believe NOT." And they cannot repent, be converted, or saved until the blindness is lifted and they are given a knowledge of the Truth. But is it Gods will that such a thing will ever happen? "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savour; Who WILL have all men to be saved [and just how might that come about?], and to come unto the KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH" (I Tim. 2:4). But doesnt the Church teach that God is the Saviour of "believers 331

ONLY?" Dont the non-believers GO TO HELL? Lets read it: "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Saviour of ALL MEN [but doesnt that mean believers exclusively? No] of ALL MEN, specially of those that believe" (I Tim. 4:10). Will everyone reading this last paragraph now believe God, and believe these Scriptures, and turn to God and be saved, seeing how simple and clear these verses are. NO! Why not? Because Satan has SPIRITUALLY BLINDED their eyes. True, they can read the words, but they cannot see the Truth in their heart, mind, and spirit. Jesus said, "the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFE" (John 6:63). No one can "see" words of "spirit" with eyes of flesh. If you are beginning to see the big picture of Gods salvation of all, and rejoice in that Truth, then God has given you "spiritual eyes to see spiritual words." We coin the phrase, "In God We Trust," and parrot the phrase, "One Nation Under God," but how can that be, seeing that we have just read in the Scriptures that all the kingdoms of this world belong to Satan who has blinded the minds of these same nations. Now surely someone will say, "But Mr. Smith, Satan has blinded the minds of only those who believe not." Well, if they are not blinded, then they will believe the above Scriptures that say Satan is the god of this world and Satan owns all the nations of this world! But the so-called "believers" dont really "believe" the Scriptures that I just quoted, DO THEY? No, of course they dont. Do you see how Gods Word is a "two-edged sword?" Thank God that Jesus was not intimidated in the slightest by Satan: "Then says Jesus unto him, Get thee hence SATAN Then the DEVIL leaves Him" (Matt. 4:10-11). Does Satan obey Christ by leaving and never to return? Is this the end of Satan? No. Lets see what else Lukes account adds to this 332

drama, "and when the devil had ended all the temptation [Gk: testing], he departed from Him for a season [Gk: until an opportune time]" (Luke 4:13). So Satan left our Lord only for the moment. However, Satan would be at the heels of Jesus wherever He went. After attacking Jesus, Satan attacked His head Apostle, but only Jesus recognized whom it really was talking through His apostle: "But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, SATAN..." (Matt. 16:23). And again, Satan leaves, but only "for a season." Some might wonder why Jesus wouldnt just command him to leave and never, ever return again? Because, Satan is needed. Satan was created for the very purpose that he fulfills. Jesus tells us in a parable that wherever His Word is heard, Satan is there to do his dirty work: "And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown, but when they have heard, SATAN comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in the hearts" (Mark 4:15). I have no doubt but that this is happening right now to some who are reading this Series on the Lake of Fire. Some will see in their heart that these things I am teaching from the Scriptures must be true, but quickly Satan plants doubts and visions of persecution in their minds, and so some will immediately reject these grand truths because of Satans influence over their carnal minds. Satan is a very powerful spirit being. This is not a one time only parable by Jesus. This parable is true every single time that Gods Word is preached. Satan is always there to "take away" Gods words of Truth from the heart of the hearer. This parable is just as true today as it was two thousand years ago when Christ first gave it. Wherever the Word of God is being heard, there will be Satan also. 333

Jesus instantly knew the cause of a womans infirmity that caused her to be bowed over: "And ought now this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom SATAN, has bound, low these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?" (Luke 13:16). Much of the evil in this world can be laid at the feet of Satan. Sickness and disease are directly related to the powers of Satans tyranny. "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and; healing all that were oppressed [tyrannized] of the devil" (Acts 10:38). Again, Satan attacks Peter. Like many in the Church today, Peter thought that he was a spiritual power that could handle any situation, when in reality he was weaker than water. He was not even converted. He rejected Jesus three times before he ever knew what he was doing or saying. "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when thou are converted, strengthen your brethren" Luke 22:31). Peter was only 53 days away from becoming converted, and from then on Peter was a powerful spiritual witness for Jesus Christ. Let me reiterate here once more, that what I am doing in this Series to twofold: 1. I am exposing those whose teachings contradict the Word of God I am attempted to present the unadulterated Truth of Gods Word.

2.

Remember always as we attempt to enlighten those whom God is calling, that we are NO BETTER than those whose doctrines we condemn. God loves and DIED for these heretics of the modern 334

Church. They are precious to Godand they had better be PRECIOUS TO US, or we too will receive a great condemnation for feeling anything but LOVE TOWARD THEM! They may be, in fact, our enemies, but Christ instructs us to: "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES"!! When Satan wants a job done that is of utmost importance to him, he does it himself. Satan wanted no loose ends in his scheme to destroy Jesus, and so he personally entered into the body of Judas and performed his dirty deed: "Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray Him unto them in the absence of the multitude" (Luke 22:3-6). Judas was totally helpless in fending off Satan. Jesus did not pray for Judas to be protected from Satan. Why not? He prayed for Peter when Satan came after him. Why not Judas? Did Jesus not like Judas? The idea being taught today is that Satan is not a necessary part of Gods purpose, but is rather a fly in the ointment. In fact, it is taught that God never created Satan in the first place. Thats right, Satan supposedly created himself, or at least became Satan by himself. Wasnt Satan once a bright and shining star, a light-bringer, the "anointed cherub that covers?"

ONE OF THE BIGGEST LIES IN ALL CHRISTENDOM ("How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer") Theologians have been teaching for centuries now that Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 give us a perfect explanation of how a perfect Lucifer changed himself into Lucifer the Devil. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! 335

How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." (Isa. 14:-12-14). "Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus says the Lord God; Thou seal up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of your tabrets and of your pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created. You are the anointed cherub that covers; and I have set you so: you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you" "By the multitude of your merchandise they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned: therefore I will cast you as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, and they may behold you" (Ezek. 28:1217). This, we are told, is a perfect description of how perfect Lucifer, a shining light bringing archangel/cherub, became Satan the Devil. Is there any truth to this theory? We will see. This theory suits Satan just fine, and more so, it fits Christendom even finer. With this theory (or more correctly hypothesis), Christendom has the perfect solution to how they can justifiably consign billions of humans to an eternal lake of fire. With their "free will" firmly established in their deceived minds, Christendom can now teach the world that Satan CHOSE to do evil and has not 336

repented, and most of mankind has also CHOSEN to do evil and not repent, therefore they are all thrown into an eternal lake burning with fire, and God is not the least bit responsible. The Church believes it has accomplished a most marvelous thing: they have gotten God off the hook of responsibility for all of the sickness, disease, pain, suffering, sin, evil, terrorism, and death in the world. You see, without free will, God could never know who is for Him and who is against Himits the only way, the only "fair" way, and God is fair and God is good. Doesnt this make good carnal sense, and everyone is happy? It is rank heresy at the highest level; that is what it is! Prepare yourself for a revelation: Satan was never perfect and then decided by his phantom free will to become a devil, neither has a single human started out perfect and then decided by his free will to become a sinner! Now I am well aware of the fact that people are deceived about these things, as was I. But the Scriptural truth of these matters will set us free from centuries of unscriptural traditions. The problem with this "Lucifer fell" theory is twofold: poor translation and poor interpretation. Lets go through it. First Isaiah 14. To whom is God addressing Himself in these verses we quoted above? "That you shall take up this proverb against the KING OF BABYLON..." (Ver. 4) God is speaking of and to and about, "the King of Babylon," not Lucifer, not Satan, not a cherub. And God tells us the end of this mans reign: "Your pomp is brought down to the grave [Satan never died or was put in a grave], and the noise of your viols [harps or lutes]: the worm [or maggots] is spread under you [can maggots eat a spirit body], and the worms cover you" (Ver. 11). But is not this "Lucifer" of verse 14 Satan the Devil?

337

WHO OR WHAT IS LUCIFER? This next verse is where theologians believe God stops speaking of the King of Babylon and begins speaking of the origin of Satan. What pray tell, does the end of the King of Babylon have to do with the beginning of Satan? Really nothing, but lets check out their hypothesis anyway, as it is believed by the Church worldwide. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations"! (Ver. 12). Notice that back in verse 4 God says to take up this proverb against the "king of Babylon." Next lets pick up this proverb in verse 10 after all the "trees" (different people which feared the king), are at rest because of the kings demise, and see if this "Lucifer theory" fits into these verses without doing irreparable damage to the kings English: "All they shall speak and say unto thee [king of Babylon], Art thou [king of Babylon] also become weak as we? Art thou [king of Babylon] become like unto us [mere mortals and not gods from heaven]. Thy [king of Babylon] pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy [king of Babylon] viols: the worm is spread under thee [king of Babylon], and the worms cover thee [king of Babylon]. How art thou [king of Babylon] fallen from heaven, O Lucifer"?!? What is this? How can, the king of Babylon, the king of Babylon, the king of Babylon, the king of Babylon, the king of Babylon, the king of Babylon, the king of Babylon, the king of Babylon (made reference to eight time in two sentences), suddenly turn into "Lucifer" in the middle of a sentence? And where are we ever told that "Lucifer" is a proper name for Satan? So just where did this proper name, "Lucifer" suddenly appear from in the middle of this sentence? Is "Lucifer" a proper name? Is it even a noun? Is "Lucifer" another name for the king of Babylon? Is "Lucifer" an English word? Is there a Hebrew word that can be translated "Lucifer?" 338

I am going to shine some LIGHT on this "O Lucifer, son of the morning star" business, and we can all watch Lucifer disappear in the dawns early light. It is but another heresy from the Dark Ages that crept into the hallowed halls of the Church. This is a little lengthy, but it is also one of the most intriguing bits of deception your will ever see exposed, so I will take the time to debunk it.

THE UNTOLD ORIGIN OF "LUCIFER" From my American Heritage College Dictionary, Lucifer n. 1. The archangel cast from heaven for leading the revolt of the angels; Satan. < OE, morning star, Lucifer < Latin Lucifer < lucifer, lightbringer: lux, luc-, light" (page 821). The very next word under "Lucifer" is, luciferase n. An enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin." Hmmmmm. What have we here? "Lucifer + in." And the word that follows "luciferase" in this same dictionary is: " luciferin n. A chemical substance present in the cells of bioluminescent organisms, such as fireflies that produce a bluishgreen light when oxidized. [Latin Lucifer, light-bringing; see LUCIFER + -IN.]" (page. 821). There it is! Lucifer is the chemical bioluminescence in the cells of FIREFLIES! WOW! With that in mind, we should all sleep better tonight.

LUCIFER IS A CHRISTIAN HOAX And so what do fireflies have to do with the King of Babylon or Satan the devil? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Was Satan once a "light-bringing firefly"? No, no he wasnt. Then how in the world did we get this Latin word "lucifer" as part of Isa. 14:12, in so many English Bibles? 339

First, just who was it that fell from heaven, and does the phrase "fallen from heaven" prove that this person had to have been in Gods throne room, or at least in interstellar space in order for him to "fall from heaven" therefore proving that this must be a spirit being only? No, of course not. It is a figure of speech. Here is proof from none other than Jesus: "And you, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down [from heaven] to hell [Gk: hades]" (Luke 10:15). So here we have a whole city being thrown down from heaven to hades, their grave. And so it is with the King of Babylon whose "pomp is brought down to the grave" (Isa. 14:11). These two Scriptures are exact parallel thoughts. Now then, back to "lucifer." Just what is the Hebrew word found in the manuscripts that the translators turned into the Latin word Lucifer? It is very interesting. All of you with a Strongs Concordance, look up this word Lucifer. Right after the word Lucifer we are given a definition before we ever go to the Dictionary to find the meaning. Here is what you will find: Lucifer (lusif-ur) {1} Title applied to king of Babylon. Clearly the editor of Strongs Concordance realized that this word (whatever it means) is to be applied to the "king of Babylon," and NOT TO SATAN THE DEVIL! We are told that the word in question is Strongs #1966 which is heylel, from 1984 [halal] (in the sense of brightness); the morningstar:--Lucifer. What a web of deceit is woven in this "light-bringing-brightnessmorning-star-Lucifer" theory. This word "Lucifer" appears no other place in Scripture. Was Satan ever spoken of as a "light-bringing perfect archangel"? No. What saith the Scriptures? "And no marvel; for Satan himself is TRANSFORMED into an angel of light" (II Cor. 11:14). Satan is NOT an angel of light, neither has he ever been! It is the 340

"false apostles, DECEITFUL workers" Ver 13, that DECEIVE people into believing lies. Satan appears as an angel of light to the world; he is transformed into an angel of light, but it is an illusion, it is not true, it is a deception! Paul expels any such theory that Satan knows anything about "light": "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against the RULERS OF THE DARKNESS of this world" (Eph. 6:12). Rev. 16:10 is but the continuation of the same Babylonian beast that we read about in Isa. 14: "and the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast [Babylon] and his kingdom was FULL OF DARKNESS" So what is this heylel/halal of Isa. 14:12? Here is the problemtoo many translations of previous translations without checking the Hebrew manuscripts first. Lucifer is the Latin Vulgate translation of the word "xosphoruos" in the Septuagint, which is a Greek version of the Hebrew of Isaiah 14:12, which the King James translators then translated over into the English as "Lucifer." The Latin and the Greek, as well as a supposed form of a "Hebrew" word in verse 12 mean "bright shiner" or "shining one." The problem is, however, that Isa.14:12 was not written in Latin or Greek, but Hebrew. And I assure you that "lucifer" is not a Hebrew word, nor is it an English translation of a Hebrew word. Lucifer is Latin, and is related to a group of Latin derived English words including lucid, luciferin and luciferose, as we saw defined above, all of which suggest brightness or shining. Likewise xosphoros in the Greek derived English words such as, fluorescence and phosphorescence. But, there seems to be no Hebrew or Aramaic text in which there is a word in this verse to correspond. What we find in all such texts is the word "hehlehl, eill, which is a form of the Hebrew stem "yah-lahl," ill. And what is the meaning of "ill"? Are you ready? It means HOWL. Thats right, "Lucifer" turns out to be nothing more than a 341

"howl" (maybe of hot air)! It has been suggested that the translators of the Septuagint (Hebrew into Greek) could have overlooked the smallest of the Hebrew letters or been using a copy in which it had been inadvertently omitted. Thus if the form of the world eill, as it occurs in this particular text, were shortened to ell its meaning would be derived from a different root, in fact would be itself a different root, and the sense given in the Septuagint and the Vulgate would be at least understandable, with one giant exception. There is still absolutely no reason or rule of grammar for turning this word into a personal name! It could possibly mean "a shining one," but not a personal name such as "Lucifer." Doubtless the translators followed the Vulgate as they did in most of their translating. Even such an eminent translator as Rotherham seemed to follow the Septuagint in this verse, however, from his comments within parenthesis, it is clear that he was fully aware of the fact that whatever this word meant, it was referring to none other than the context of these verses which is Babylon and not Satan: "How has thou (Babylonsee context) fallen from heaven, O Shining One (O howl)Son of the Dawn! (Babylon conspicuous as Venus). Hewn down to the earth, O crusher of nations." Clearly the reference is to Babylon and none other. It was Babylon which was exalted to heaven (as conspicuous as Venus, the brightest star of the morning) in her wealth, power, and glory. Yet just as Capernaum, God says she is brought down to the earth, the one who was a "crusher of nations." Next I will list the King James renderings of the word that is found in the "Hebrew" texts and transliterations of its various forms in every occurrence in the entire KJV Bible. Now you can be the judge. In all Hebrew or Aramaic texts of Isa. 14:12, the only word found is "heh-lehl," eill, which is a form of the Hebrew stem "yah-lahl," ill, meaning howl. Here is Kittels Hebrew Text for the Hebrew Stem ill"yah-lahl"HOWL: Isa. 13:6 342 eiliu Howl ye

Isa. 14:31 Isa. 15:2 Isa. 15:3 Isa. 16:7 Isa. 16:7 Isa. 23:1 Isa. 23:6 Isa. 23:14 Isa. 52:5 Isa. 65:14 Jer. 4:8 Jer. 25:34 Jer. 47:2 Jer. 48:20 Jer. 48:31 Jer. 48:39 Jer. 49:3 Jer. 51:8 Ezek.30:2 Hos. 7:14 Joel 1:5 Joel 1:11 Joel 1:13 Amos 8:1 Micah 1:8 Zech.11:2 Zech.11:2 Isa. 14:12

eili iilil iilil iilil iilil eililu eililu eililu eililu eililu ueililu eililu ueill eilili ailil eililu eilili eililu eililu iililu ueililu eililu eililu ueililu uailile eill eililu eill

Howl shall howl shall howl Howl shall howl Howl ye Howl ye Howl ye make to howl shall howl Howl Howl and shall howl Howl will I howl They shall howl (Howl ye) Howl (Howl ye) howl Howl ye They howled And howl howl And shall be howlings and howl howl ye Howl howl howl Lucifer (??)

Zeph. 1:11 aililu

I dont believe one has to be a Hebrew scholar to see at a glance that 343

"Lucifer" is totally out of place in this list. The meaning of this word is clear; eill is a verb that means "HOWL", and not a noun than can be twisted into a personal name such as "lucifer"! Is there no end to the religious lies fostered on the naive Church? I assure you there is an end, and that end may be soon in sight! And notice carefully that the Hebrew verb eill in Isa. 14:12 is the identical form of the first verb eill in Zech. 11:2. Now try substituting the personal noun "Lucifer" in place of the verb "howl" in the two places it occurs in Zech. 11:2. Here as in many Scriptures, the trees are likened to people who are crying out because of the death and destruction: "Lucifer, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: Lucifer, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the ventage is come down." Such a translation would be nonsense. Or lets try it back in Isa. 14 where we find the word Lucifer in verse 12, but notice how this word is translated in verse 31: Instead of "Howl, O gate; cry, O city" We would have, "Lucifer, O gate; cry, O city" Again, such a translation would be nonsense, as it is also nonsense in Isa. 14:12. Kittel in a footnote informs us that it is only the Septuagint (which, remember, is the Greek Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) that we find this word ell instead of eill. This word was translated into eospearos, which Jerome translated into Lucifer with a capital "L," which the King James translators carried over into English without checking the HEBREW manuscripts, which would have solved this dilemma. All Hebrew manuscripts have eill in Isaiah 14:12, and remember that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, NOT Greek or Latin! Well, there you have it. There aint no Lucifer who was supposedly perfect before he supposedly turned into Satan. Lucifer is a Christian hoax! What a difference a Hebrew "yode" (iiota) makes. We dare not LEAVE OUT THE IOTAS. "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or 344

one tittle shall in NO WISE PASS from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Mat. 5:18). A "jot" is a Greek "iota" and in Hebrew a "tittle" is a "yod," which is the very smallest stroke in a Hebrew letter. And just how important are those little iotas? The difference between the absence of "i", or the presence of "i", is the reason why, we have the Lucifer LIE! Now back to Isa. 14. With "Lucifer" out of the way, lets read a couple versions other than the KJV and see how they dealt with this strange word ell which comes to us by way of the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate: "How you are fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn!" You are hacked down to the earth, destroyer of nations" (New International Version) "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! (New Revised Standard Version) There is absolutely no reason to capitalize "day," "star," or "dawn" in this last version. Here is how the Concordant Literal Old Testament translates this verse by following the Hebrew Manuscripts rather than the Catholic Latin Bible: "How you have fallen from the heavens! Howl, son of the dawn! You are hacked down to the earth, defeater of all nations." It is the king of Babylon who elevated himself to high heaven in the heavens of his own mind, and it is the same king of Babylon who has "fallen from the heavens," and it is the same king of Babylon who is "hacked down to the earth," and it is the same king of Babylon who was the "defeater of all nations," and not a "perfect Satan."

GOD GIVES US THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE ARE TOLD TO HOWL We will now see what every single verse of Scripture that uses the 345

word "howl" has in common with Isa. 14:12: "Howl, son of the dawn." There is a reason why God tells the people in thirty some verses, "To HOWL" And it is the very same reason that the "son of the dawn" is to "Howl" rather than to "lucifer" or light up like a firefly or some other silly unscriptural nonsense! Lets look at just a few: Isa. 13:6, "Howl ye [why?]; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a DESTRUCTION from the Almighty [thats why]"! Isa. 14:31, "Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou; whole Palestina, are DISSOLVED" Isa. 23:1, "The burden of Tyre, Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is LAID WASTE" Isa. 23:6, "Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle" [why?] "the Lord has given a commandment against the merchant city, to DESTROY THE STRONG HOLDS THEREOF" (Ver. 11). Isa. 23:14, "Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is LAID WASTE." Isa. 65:14-15, "Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but you shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. And you shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord God shall SLAY YOU" Jer. 25:34 & 37, "Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the day of your SLAUGHTER and of your DISPERSIONS are accomplished: and ye shall FALL like a pleasant vessel And the peaceable habitations ARE CUT DOWN because of the fierce anger of the Lord." Jer. 51:8-9, "Babylon is suddenly FALLEN and DESTROYED: howl for her for her JUDGMENT REACHES UNTO HEAVEN" Amos 8:3, "And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, says the Lord God; there shall be MANY DEAD BODIES IN EVERY PLACE" Micah 1:8-9, "Therefore I will wail and howl I will go stripped and 346

naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls. For her WOUND IS INCURABLE" If you wish, you may check every single Scripture that contains the word "howl," and you will find the same declarations of death and destruction. Now then, is there anything in Isaiah 14 that is similar to what we have found in these 30-plus Scriptures that use the word "howl"? In other words, is it not obvious that the word "howl" fits perfectly in verse 14, whereas lucifer/firefly does not make the least sense? Isa. 12:4, the subject is, "the king of Babylon," and not Satan or some Lucifer of mans imagination. An interesting point: In Zech. 11:2 when the destruction comes upon Gods people, God says, "Howl, fir tree; for the cedar IS FALLEN; because the mighty and spoiled; howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest [of people] of the vintage is COME DOWN." But when the shoe is on the other foot, and it is Babylon who is brought down because she did, "weaken the nations" and "did shake the kingdoms" (Isa. 14:12 & 16) We read just the opposite: "Yea, the fir trees REJOICE at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since you are laid down, no feller [tree cutterdestroyer of people] is come against us" (Verse). In a few of the above verses using "howl," we saw the following: destroy, destroyed, destruction, fall, fallen, judgment reaches heaven, cut down, laid waste, dissolved, etc. And in Isaiah 13 & 14 we find the following words and phrases regarding the destruction of Babylon: Howl ye for the day of the Lord is at hand it shall come as a DESTRUCTION from the Almighty every mans heart shall melt they shall be afraid, pangs and sorrows they shall be in 347

pain cruel wrath fierce anger desolate destroy the sinners I will punish the world for their evil shake the heavens remove the earth day of His fierce anger flee every one thrust through fall by the sword dashed to pieces their wives ravished dash the young men to pieces no pity as when God overthrew Sodom never be inhabited their houses shall be full of doleful [pain causing] creatures brought down to the grave cut down to the ground brought down [from visions of heaven] to hell [Heb. sheol/grave] cast out thrust through go down slaughter cut off besom [the clean sweep of a broom] of destruction etc., etc. Anyone see why God would suggest that the king of Babylon should, "howl"? And you think maybe these verses are talking about the fall of a heavenly firefly, do you? No, Babylon, the greatest kingdom of nations in the history of the world is COMING DOWN TO THE GRAVE! Just like Capernaum, Babylon was EXALTED TO HEAVEN, but is being brought down to HELL (the grave of death and destruction). And theologians and translators would try to deceive us into believing that all this is a statement about "How art thou fallen from heaven, O lucifer [firefly]." Does everything spoken of in these two chapters sound like it refers to some chubby cherub (named firefly) who lost his chubby wings when he got kicked out of heaven? What is actually spoken of in these two chapters of Isaiah 13 & 14 is the history of world religion and government from the creation of man, through the destruction of man, and the realization of Gods spiritual Mt. Zion filling the universe. All the religions and governments of the world in the history of the world are personified in these two chapters. Isa. 13:1 begins with, "The burden of Babylon" (organized religion and government against God), and ends with Isa. 14;32b, "That the Lord has founded Zion" (The spiritual capital of the Universe governing all mankind). Its all right here for those who have "ears to hear and eyes to see." 348

Let me give you the history of the world including all future prophecies, in one sentence: God perfectly planned and recorded His creation of the heavens, angels, the earth, and carnal humanity, who sinned wickedly and were all drowned (save a few); who then reached for their own heaven at the tower of Babel in rebellion to the God Who then scattered them (save a few); who later built Babylon into a great pagan empire which God destroyed (save a few); who have since built many wicked and fornicating Babylons collectively called, Mystery Babylon The Great, whom God warns before utterly destroying again (save a few); and of the Few God is creating a New Spiritual Humanity of Son-and-Daughter Saviours like unto Jesus, in New Jerusalem on spiritual Mt. Zion, were ALL will be redeemed (NOT just a few); that God may be "ALL in All"! Maybe I could shorten it down a smidgen, but there it is. The reality of most of the symbolism of Revelation is contained in that one sentence. "But Mr. Smith, I dont see 666 anywhere in your sentence." You dont? I do. I see 666 followed by 777 in nearly every phrase of that sentence. "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches!" So far then there is no sign of Satan in the verses covered in Isa. 14. Lets proceed with verses 13-14: "For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation [appointment] in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High" This language should not surprise us seeing that this is a continuation of Babylon, the same system that started at Babel, where they first thought to build "a tower whose top may reach unto heaven" (Gen. 11:4). Now verse 15: "Yet you shall be brought down to hell [sheolthe grave], to the 349

sides of the pit [cistern, hole, dungeon, or possibly crypt]" The only time that Satan will be put in a prison is during Christs reign. This is speaking of the demise of the king of Babylon, not the death of Satan. Lets see if we see any sign of Satan in verse 16 "They that see you [no man has ever seen Satan!] shall narrowly [gaze] upon you, and consider you, saying, Is this the man [man? This is no Satan, but a MAN] that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms." Just like the Pharaohs and many many rulers of nations who taught and thought that they were "gods" represented in the stars of heaven, and who exalted themselves and their throne to heaven, likewise, this king of Babylon is nonetheless only "a MAN." And God Almighty tells him to "HOWL" because God is going to bring him "DOWN TO HELL." And that is just what God did, and the archeological digs in Iraq prove it! The fictitious story of Lucifer is a Christian hoax that needs to be relegated to the likes of the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Santa Clause. No, Isaiah 13 and 14 are not a description of the some fabled fall of Satan; only a pompous king who dies in infamy without even a proper burial.

MAYBE THE PRINCE OF TYRUS IS SATAN Ezekiel 28:12, "Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus says the Lord God; You seal up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty." Although theologians tell us that Ezekiel 28 also records the fall of Satan from a perfect cherub, it is the king of Tyrus and not Satan who is being addressed in this lamentation. The fact that he was called full of wisdom and perfect in beauty by no means suggests 350

that this is speaking of Satan. Perfect is used in a relative sense when not speaking of deity. God is merely shoving this in the kings face, as it was Tyrus who earlier attributed to herself this claim of perfect beauty, not God! "Now, you son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus; And say unto Tyrus, O you that art situate at the entry of the sea, which are a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus says the Lord God; O Tyrus, YOU HAVE SAID I am of perfect beauty" (Ezek. 27:2-3). This is exactly the same situation as our Lord dealt with in the city of Capernaum. In fact He says it will be more tolerable for boastful Tyre in the day of judgment than for Capernaum: "But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum which are exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell [hades/grave]" (Luke 10:14-15). Notice in both cases it is not God Who believes Capernaum or Tyrus is perfect and heavenly, but the carnal-minded people of these two city states. The word "perfect" is used many times in Scripture to mean that there is no outward imperfections (as in a perfect animal for sacrifice, without any outward blemishes). Inside, however, the one who may appear perfect outwardly, can be totally corrupt. It certainly does not mean "sinless." Here is Scriptural proof: The Scriptures say that Noah was perfect in his generation, (but need I remind you of a slight imperfect problem he had with the grape juice after the flood?) And God said that Job was perfect in Job 1:8 (which makes us wonder why Job had to abhor himself and "repent in dust and ashes," Chapt. 42:6). And David said of himself that he was perfect in Psalm 18:32, (perfect maybe if we forget about his numbering of Israel in rebellion to God, and perfect if we forget that little incidence with Bathsheba and her husband Uriah). Continuing with verse 13: "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God in the day that you were created." Here we are told is even more proof that this is speaking of Satan. 351

After all, wasnt Satan in the garden of "Eden" and wasnt Satan a "created" being? The word translated "Eden" in this verse is the same word or root translated Eden 20 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Sometimes it has reference to the "garden" that God planted in the area of the country called Eden. Sometimes it has reference to other lands near the area of Eden, and not the garden of Eden. Sometimes it refers to the "children of Eden" as in II Kings 19:12. And I think everyone is aware of the fact that Adam and Eve had NO CHILDREN in the "garden of Eden." Amos 1:5 speaks of the "house of Eden"very same Hebrew word translated "Eden" in every occurrence of this word in the Hebrew Manuscripts. And Eden is also the name of several persons in Scripture. Now back to verse 13 and Eden the garden of God." And so, we see that "Eden" can mean various things, even though Eden is always translated from the same Hebrew word, which is Strongs #5731, Eden, ay-den; the same as #5730, eden, ayden; from #5727, pleasure. #5727, adan, aw-dan; to be soft or pleasant to live voluptuously. And so we find that this is a word that has a meaning, and that this word does not need to be capitalized. Neither is it capitalized OR translated "eden" in other Scriptures:

WAS ABRAHAMS WIFE, SARAH IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN ALSO? "Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure [Hebrew translated pleasure here is eden, ay-den] my lord being old also?" (Gen. 18:12). "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house; and you shalt make them drink of the river of your pleasures [Hebrew translated pleasures here is eden, ay-den!]" (Psalm 36:8). So why should it be capitalized in Ezek. 28:13? It shouldnt. Here are a couple of translations that dont (1) Capitalize it, or (2) Translate it "eden." 352

"Thou wast in the pleasures [Heb. eden, ay-den] of the paradise [or garden] of God" (Ezek. 28:13, The Holy Bible, Douay Confraternity) "In the luxury [Heb. eden, ay-den] of the garden of Alueim [God] you come to be" (Ezek. 28:13, The Concordant Literal Old Testament). Although the KJV often italicizes words in a verse that were not in the original manuscript, but that are often needed to make the English read better, they do not always do so. Here are the actual translated words for which there is an Hebrew equivalent in verse 13 of Ezek. 28: "In luxury of garden of God you come be." "In the luxury of the garden of God you come to be." Now if we retain that word "of" and insert it into the KJV, we would have this: "Thou hast been in Eden of the garden of God." If, as the KJV translation suggests, eden IS the "garden of God," then it cannot ALSO BE "OF" that same garden! Furthermore dont think that "has been" is necessarily correct either (suggesting that this is speaking of an event long ancient to the lamentation being presently given to Ezekiel), seeing that the Hebrew language, strictly speaking, has no verb forms which express either past or future. Now please dont think that I am inserting all this detailed information to make my paper more complicated and boring. I am not. I am considering the spiritual welfare of some of you who will, undoubtedly, be challenged by so-called "experts" in the field of translation, grammar, and language. I want you to be prepared. But isnt this verse speaking of a "created" being, and therefore couldnt it mean Satan, as opposed to the King of Tyrus who was "born" rather than "created" as was Adam and Satan? Not at all!

353

ARE BABIES BORN, OR DOES GOD CREATE THEM? Whether one is born of a woman or created directly out of the dust of the ground as was Adam, they are both "creations of God." Here is Scriptural proof that created can be applied to those born of a woman: "But now thus says the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed you, O Israel" (Isa. 43:1). "bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him; yea, I have made him" (Isa. 43:6-7). "Thus says the Lord God concerning the Ammonites I will judge you [Ammonites] in the place where you were created" (Ezek. 21:28 & 30). "Have we not all one father? Has not one God created US [ALL mankind]" (Mal. 2:10). So much for that part of the theory. Verse 14: "your pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covers; and I have set you so: you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire." Well, there it is! What further use of arguing? Surely this is not a human, but a cherub. This verse clearly proves that this is speaking of Satan and not some human, doesnt it? Wrong paleface! It proves no such thing. Actually it proves to be a very bad translation. Lets notice a few variations: "On the day you were created, I placed you beside the kherubs on the sacred hill of God; you walked amid the flashing thunderstones" (A New Translations by James Moffatt) "In the day of your creation they established the anointed cherubs booth. And I bestow you in the holy mountain of Alueim [God]" (Concordant Version of the Old Testament) "With an anointed cherub as guardian I place you; you were on the 354

holy mountain of God; you walked among the stones of fire" (The New Revised Standard Version) "With the Cherub I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God, walking among the fiery stones" (The New American Bible) Two things should be abundantly clear from these translations: (1) These verses are certainly a challenge to translate, and (2) The prince of Tyrus was NOT the cherub, himself, but rather the cherub was placed as a guardian BESIDE OR WITH the prince of Tyrus. A further proof that the prince of Tyrus cannot be, himself this cherub, is found in the grammar. Where KJV translates, "Thou art the anointed cherub" the word translated "Thou" is the Hebrew word "ath" which can be either a pronoun or the object of a verb. But in Ezek. 28:14, it cant be a pronoun because it is not the same gender as "cherub." The Hebrew word ath is feminine while the Hebrew word kruwg translated cherub, is masculine.

WHAT ARE CHERUBS? Arent cherubs those cut little cubby babies with tiny wings holding bows and arrows with which to shoot people in the heart and make them fall in love? Actually, they are not. Cherubs or cherubims are spirit creatures of great power with wings. God placed cherubims at the garden of Eden to guard the way of the tree of life. Cherubim were carved and made of gold, then placed on the cover of the ark of the covenant. Their wings were to be outstretched over the ark casting a shadow over it. Their wings were to touch signifying that the divided messengers of God will ultimately be united into one. Also they were to face each other with their eyes looking down at the shadow-cast ark, signifying that they desire to look into these deep spiritual things, but can as yet not comprehend any more than the shadow. "And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the 355

cherubims be" (Ex. 25:20). They desire to know the mysteries of God, but as yet, they do not: "Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us thy did minister the things, which are now reported unto you in them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; WHICH THINGS THE ANGELS DESIRE TO LOOK INTO" (I Pet. 1:12). It is an interesting fact the messengers deliver messages on many occasions in the Scriptures, but they DO NOT TEACH! That is because it is we that shall teach them and judge them: "Know ye not that WE shall JUDGE ANGELS?" (I Cor. 6:3). There are now two groups of spiritual messengers. One group is obedient to God and the other is not. One group carries out acts of good while the other carries out acts of deceit and wickedness. That is why we find in I Kings 22:19 that the host (a huge number, a heavenly army of innumerable beings; cherubim in Hebrew means, AS-MANY) of heaven is divided on Gods right side (the good) and His left side (the wicked). But ultimately they will all be ONE. "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in ONE all things in Christ, both which are in HEAVEN [the heavenly host which is now divided], and which are on earth; even in Him" (Eph. 1:10). Cherubim are associated with the mercy seat, the decorations of the tabernacle and later the temple, and are associated with the Throne of God in Ezekiel. The possibility that there is cherubim associated with the throne of world leaders also seem plausible. Whatever their earthly function, there was a cherub associated with the king of Tyrus. He was with or beside the king, but he was not the king, himself, neither was he Satan. Next we read a remarkable thing in the KJV in the last part of verse 16 of Ezek. 28: "By the multitude of thy [king of Tyrus] merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and you have sinned: 356

therefore I will cast you as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O COVERING CHERUB [??], from the midst of the stones of fire." Wait just a minute. This is nonsense! God is going to destroy the king of Tyrus, not the SPIRIT CHERUB! Spirits cant be destroyed. WHY WOULD GOD DESTROY HIS CHERUB WHEN IT IS THE KING THAT SINNED, NOT THE CHERUB? The king wasnt the anointed cherub, neither was Satan the anointed cherub. Satan is nowhere mentioned in these Scriptures. There was iniquity found IN THE KING (Verse 15). It was THE KING that got rich by trading merchandise (Verse 16), not the Cherub. Cherubs dont trade merchandise. God is casting THE KING out of His mountain (high position of government), not the cherub. God will destroy THE KING (Verse 16), not the cherub. God will bring to "ashes" THE KING, not the cherub. Spirit creatures cannot be turned into ashes as human flesh can. And all the people that knew THE KING will see this happen to him. The people didnt know the cherub. And finally we read this, "and never shall you` be any more" ( Verse 19). Think how absurd it would be to say that Satan would "never be any more." Satan is still (27 centuries later) alive and well on planet Earth. Well, there you have it. Satan was ALWAYS Satan. He was never an archangel/cherub/light-bringing/Lucifer/firefly. Here is what the Scriptures teach: So was Satan the devil really "perfect in his ways until iniquity was found in him?" NO: "He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins FROM THE BEGINNING" (I John 3:8). But the Church teaches us that there was a time when Satan the devil was righteous and would have never thought to murder anyone. So didnt Satan the devil change into a murderer at some later date? NO: 357

"You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer FROM THE BEGINNING" (John 8:44). Maybe its time we give this all up. There is no "Lucifer," and there never was a "Lucifer." There is no righteous light-bringing Satan, and there never was a righteous light-bringing Satan. Lucifer the lightbringing sinless Satan is a Christian Hoax! "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches."

I BEHELD SATAN AS LIGHTNING FALL FROM HEAVEN Now for one of the most amazing symbol identifications found anywhere in the Scriptures. What did Jesus mean when He said: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Luke 10:18)? Did Jesus see Satan fall from the sky? Did Satan fall from outer space? Did Satan fall from the throne of Gods heaven? From what "heaven" did Jesus see Satan as lightning FALL FROM? If only we can believe the Scriptures.

GODS HEAVEN IS HIGHER THAN MANS HEAVEN Satan is the god of this world (II Cor. 4:4). Satan possesses ALL the kingdoms of the world (Matt. 4:8-9). Satan appears to the heads of his nations as an angel of light (I Cor. 11:12). It was Satan who appealed to the heaven of Eves mind. It was Satan that caused the people to build a tower that would reach MANS concept of heaven. The heaven of the minds of those conceiving of such lofty things. It was Satan who caused the king of Babylon to be lifted up in his own heaven, his own mind. Listen to his own words: "At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. The king spake, and said, is not this GREAT BABYLON, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of MY power, and for the honour of MY MAJESTY?" 358

The king of Babylon had a dream, and in the dream his kingdom was likened to a tree: "The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached into HEAVEN" (Dan. 4:11). The kingdom of Babylon didnt grow into GODS heaven, thats for sure. No, Daniel identifies who the tree represents: "The tree that you saw It is YOU, O king, that are grown and become strong: for your greatness is grown, and reached unto HEAVEN" (Dan. 4:20a & 22). The king of Babylon reached the same heaven that the city of Capernaum reached: "And thou Capernaum, which art exalted to HEAVEN, shall be thrust down to hell [hades/death/the grave]" (Luke 10:15). Sinful Capernaum was never exalted to GODS heaven, but to their OWN HEAVEN, the heaven of their own minds. Their city never left the surface of the earth, but IN THEIR MINDS they thought they had reached "heaven." Now then, with this in mind, let us move ahead two verses and see how all these Scriptures tie in and harmonize together. Verse 17: "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the DEVILS are subject unto us through your name. And he said unto them, [I know] I BEHELD Satan as lightning fall from heaven [when and as it was happening through the commands of His disciples]." Christs disciples were filled with JOY over the power that Jesus had given them so that even spirits were subject to them. Jesus had just said that He would thrust Capernaum down from THEIR HEAVEN, their high place in their own mind. Next the disciples report back that they were able to cast down spirits (demons) from mens minds, from their own heavens. They were excited to tell Jesus what they had done. They had the power to cast down DEMONS from mens heavens, from out of their MINDS. And Jesus answered them back by saying, YES, I KNOW, I BEHELD Satan (prince of the devils and 359

demons), fall from the heaven of mens minds while you were doing it! And then even Jesus "rejoiced" (Verse 21). God has a heaven. It is a SPIRIT REALM. It is where God lives and has His Being. Men too have a heaven. It is likewise, the REALM where they live and have their beingthey spiritually live in their own minds, their own heavens. Notice Prov. 23:7, "For as he THINKS in his heart, SO IS HE." The heart is the innermost seat of our deepest emotions, but it is accessed through the MIND. It is what one thinks that determines what one is. When the king of Babylon THOUGHT that he had ascended into heaven in his mind, then that is where HE WAS, "so IS he." But ... BUT, it was mans heaven and not Gods. No man, no carnal man has ever ascended into Gods heaven of spirit, "And NO MAN has ascended up to heaven [Gods heaven], but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man WHICH IS IN HEAVEN [right at the very time He was speaking these words]" (John 3:13). Jesus could live "on earth" and "in heaven" at the same time! But carnal men live in the heaven of their minds all the time. Mans heaven is a place of spiritual delusion; whereas Gods heaven is a place of spiritual enlightenment. "And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the EARTH [of man] and the HEAVEN [of man] fled away; and there was found NO PLACE FOR THEM And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. And I saw a NEW heaven and a NEW earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." (Rev. 20:11, 16 & 21:1). It would be mind-boggling enough to think that the entire UNIVERSE could "flee away," but it would be quite another to then suggest that, "there was found NO PLACE FOR THEM." That would be absurd if taken literally. ALL THESE THINGS ARE SPIRITUAL! In the white throne judgment there will be no more a place for the flesh, for the carnal mind, for mans heaven. There will 360

truly be no place found for them. They will be annihilated in Gods "CONSUMING FIRE" (Heb. 12:29 & I Cor. 3:15)! God will give man a new earth and a new heaven, and as for the great sea of carnal, God-defying humanity, "and there was NO MORE SEA." Hi Ray, I hope all is well. While reading Part 9 of the Lake of Fire Series, I came across the enjoyable quote from the Adam Clarke Bible commentary. I wanted to pass it along in case you hadn't seen it. It notes very clearly how incorrectly this passage has been translated. Isa 14:12 O Lucifer, son of the morning - The Versions in general agree in this translation, and render heilel as signifying Lucifer, , the morning star, whether Jupiter or Venus; as these are both bringers of the morning light, or morning stars, annually in their turn. And although the context speaks explicitly concerning Nebuchadnezzar, yet this has been, I know not why, applied to the chief of the fallen angels, who is most incongruously denominated Lucifer, (the bringer of light!) an epithet as common to him as those of Satan and Devil. That the Holy Spirit by his prophets should call this arch-enemy of God and man the light-bringer, would be strange indeed. But the truth is, the text speaks nothing at all concerning Satan nor his fall, nor the occasion of that fall, which many divines have with great confidence deduced from this text. O how necessary it is to understand the literal meaning of Scripture, that preposterous comments may be prevented! Besides, I doubt much whether our translation be correct. heilel, which we translate Lucifer, comes from yalal, yell, howl, or shriek, and should be translated, "Howl, son of the morning;" and so the Syriac has understood it; and for this meaning Michaelis contends: see his reasons in Parkhurst, under halal. 361

362

The Synagogue Of Satan

SATANS ROLE IN SALVATION Satan does play a role in the salvation of the human race. Satan is just one more "evil" that God uses in bringing many sons into glory. The very reason that the above heading might turn some heads is not because it isnt true or completely Scriptural, but rather because the world has been deceived about most of these spiritual things. God "created evil" (Isa. 45:7). God does not create things that do not serve a good purpose. By the way, the word translated into "evil" in Isa. 45:7 is the Hebrew word ra, and it is the very same word translated hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of times as "evil" throughout the Old Testament. Now the word ra does not have a conscience and therefore has no moral bias. Evil is not SIN. God created evil; God Himself is not evil. And strictly speaking, God did not create sin, nor has God Himself ever sinned. What God has done is created humanity in a spiritually weakened state that is totally incapable of even understanding spiritual laws and principle, let alone being capable of obeying them. And this was not a sin or mistake on Gods part, this was weakness by design. Therefore, God is responsible (certainly not accountable), but responsible for all sin. And God has already taken responsibility for all sin by Sacrificing His Son, Jesus Christ: "Behold the Lamb of God, which TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD (John 1:29); "And He [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD" (I John 2:2). Some have tried to show that Isa. 45:7 is speaking of "calamity" and not "evil." Of the nineteen times that the word "calamity" appears in the Scriptures, it is never translated from the Hebrew Word ra, but usually is translated from the Hebrew word, ade. Adam and Eve did not sin because they wanted to sin. No, they 363

sinned because they were too spiritually weak to resist sin. True, they did volunteer to sin, but again, that was because they were to weak to resist the temptation to sin. It is an incredible thing how many people fault our first parents for sinning. They believe that all the problems of this world and all of the problems that we individually suffer would have never come about if our first parents, Adam and Eve, had not been so stupid and had not sinned. How utterly foolish and unscriptural is such a thought. God never intended for our first parents to live perfectly in such a weakened spiritual state. THE REQUIREMENT FOR PERFECTION I cant remember how many times I have read or heard that God created Adam and Eve as perfect spiritual specimens of the human race. They were PERFECT in spiritual character, we are told, until Satan deceived Eve and she and Adam then both sinned. And just where do you suppose they discovered such profound wisdom and knowledge regarding our first parents? Not from the Bible, I can assure you of that. It is but more stupid wisdom from the carnal-minded leaders of the Church. How pray tell, was Adam and Eve Perfect specimens of Gods spiritual character? They were NO SUCH THING! Heres the proof: Were our first parents a thousands times more holy, perfect, and righteous in character than our own Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ? Read all the accolades that the Father lavishes upon His Son Jesus in the first chapter of Hebrews. Jesus is very GOD! And yet and YET, we read this: "For it became [was fitting for] Him [Jesus], for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation PERFECT through suffering" (Heb. 2:10). And this: "Though He [Jesus] were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He SUFFERED. And being MADE perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him" (Heb. 5:8-9). 364

Jesus was, MADE perfect through suffering, LEARNED obedience through suffering, and was MADE perfect, but theologians would have us believe that Adam and Eve were ALREADY PERFECT FROM THEIR CREATION AND DIDNT NEED TO SUFFER ANYTHING!! Humans cannot be spiritually perfected instantaneously, or by magic. Even the Son of God was required to be perfected [made spiritually mature] through "suffering." This requires time and circumstances--God, therefore, creates time and circumstances. God did not overlook the fact that humans require clothing. God created Adam and Eve naked and then left them naked in the Garden. Why didnt God just leave them naked after they sinned? Because nakedness is a parable of our SPIRITUAL CONDITION. Adam and Eve thought that they were okay by their own powers. They were NOT. They were in the very same spiritual condition as the Church of Laodicea (which is a picture of the whole Church today, except for a precious few): "Because you say that I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing [Did not Adam and Eve feel that they were rich and in need of nothing?]; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and NAKED" (Rev. 3:17). Are we to believe that our first parents, Gods VERY FIRST attempt at creating Sons and Daughters in His very own Image, FAILED? Do we think that Adam and Eves creation was FINISHED before they even drew breath? That they started out, PERFECT, IN GODS OWN IMAGE, WITH GODS SPIRIT, TOTALLY MATURE, AND THEN MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED? And God did not see it coming? Was God shocked at this unforeseen bungled attempt at creating obedient children? Did He figure out what went wrong? Did He have a plan to "fix" the malfunctioning humans? Or would He just try over and over and over again billions of times until He got it right? Is this the kind of blasphemous insults we should level against your own CREATOR? NOTHING HAS EVER MALFUNCTIONED ACCORDING TO GODS PLAN! If anything in the universe has ever malfunctioned contrary to the 365

intention of the Creator and Designer God, then the flaw is in the Inventor, not the invention! GOD IS THE POTTER: WE ARE THE CLAY! "Has not the Potter [God] power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto DISHONOUR?" (Rom. 9:21). Only theologians believe that vessels of "dishonor" malfunction, when in reality they were designed by their Creator for the very PURPOSE of malfunctioning. A malfunctioning, carnal-minded, God-hating, immoral, human slob, is of great value to God. Paul was just such a person before God called him out of Babylon the Great. And now, PAUL IS GREAT! Marvel of marvels, the things that God can do with dung. And so, if you or I or any other human who has ever lived or ever will live (save Jesus) would have the same opportunity as Adam and Eve had in the garden, we too, every one of us, would have also sinned just as they did. Any person who would argue otherwise is either deceived or a liar. Adam and Eve were not weaker than most people who have ever lived. If anything, they were stronger, but not strong enough to resist the temptation of sin. This garden scene is not a drama over whether or not free will, will, or will not make the right choice. The theory of "free will" is not only totally unscriptural; it is a physiological impossibility. With the same set of circumstances as Adam and Eve faced, every single person who has ever lived would have done the very same thing and sinned. Now then, if free will were a reality, surely at least ONE person would have resisted and willed NOT TO SIN. Do we have proof of what I am saying? If any man or woman who has ever lived, possessed this thing called "free moral agency" (the ability to make uncaused choices), then surely somewhere at some time at some place on this big broad earth, there would have had to be at least ONE out of the billions and billions of people who have ever lived, who would have used his or her "free will" to choose and will to not sin. There has never been such a person save one, Jesus Christ. "For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 366

3:23). What is even more startling is the fact that every person who fights for the right of his "uncaused choices," must still admit that after knowing the truth, having then chosen to stop sinning, nevertheless, continues to sin, day after day after day. Does no one think seriously about the total impossibility of these stupid, stupid, God-defying theories that we call "wisdom?" "If we say that we have NO sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (I John 1:8). We can come to the place where sin no longer controls us, motivates us, or makes us its slave, but we are still not totally free from all and every sin. THE PHANTOM OF FREE WILL REVISITED Is there anyone who doesnt understand that last verse? Is there anyone who doesnt believe it? Then how is it possible that man has "free will?" If humankind has just as much of a "free will" to choose GOOD as they have a "free will" to choose BAD, then why oh why has not one of the fifty billion, in the history of the world, used his free will to choose good and to not sin? What earthly or heavenly good is it to claim that mankind has free moral agency if not one in fifty billion people has ever been able to successfully use his free will in choosing not to sin? Therefore, God is obligated to have a better solution to the "all have sinned" reality than to burn most of them in a lake of fire for all eternity. Am I going to fast for anyone? Am I making sense to anyone? Is there someone who wishes to counter these facts by continuing to cling to this idol of the heart and still insist that we really do have free will, but its just that it malfunctions in 100% of the people who possess it? I can see the emails already: "Well Ray, (you Scriptural idiot), we need Gods spirit in order to use our "free will" in a godly way. Therefore, you must repent, and be baptized, and have hands laid on you, etc., etc., and then God will freely give you His holy spirit so that you can "freely" choose to do right!" Oh really? And just how, pray tell, does one "freely" choose to repent and receive Gods Spirit, when it admittedly first requires Gods Spirit to repent and then receive His Spirit in the first place? 367

There are no arguments that favor the phantom illusion of "free will." None. And the Scriptures totally disprove any such folly. We have a "will" but it is anything but "free" to make UNcaused choices. And when the human "will" does choose what is right and good, there is a God-given cause behind it: "For it is GOD which works in you both TO WILL and TO DO of HIS good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). Let me assure you that there is no Scripture in the Bible that states or endorses the message that is parroted millions and millions of times around the world throughout all generations of Christendom, that: "For it is YOUR OWN FREE WILL (FREE MORAL AGENCY) which works in you both TO WILL and TO DO of HIS good pleasure." (Sorry, but no scriptural reference can be found for this antiscriptural statement). Now then, the above statement regarding "free will" is taught by the Christian community throughout the world, but it is not, I repeat, not, found anywhere in the Bible. However, the statement above it, which says that it is "GOD which works in you both TO WILL and TO DO of His good pleasure" IS found in all Bibles in (Phil. 2:13)! Everyone reading this paper can now choose [freely?] which statement they will continue to believe. The statement that is taught to the world by the church, but, is not found in the Bible, or the statement that is not taught to the world by the church, but is found in the Bible? I do believe that I have just presented my readers with a theological dilemma of colossal proportions! If you dont see it, let me spell it out for you: Phil. 2:13 contradicts the statement that man has his own "free" will that enables him to both "will" and "do" Gods "good pleasure." The teaching of the Church states that man, by his own "free" will, independent of God, can both "will" and "do" Gods "good pleasure." But Phil. 2:13 contradicts this heresy of the Church by stating that it is "GOD [and not mans free will] which works in you both to will 368

and to do of His good pleasure." It was reported that Billy Graham once told his audience not to pray for those making a decision to turn their lives over to Christ and come forward to the stage. It was stated that every individual has to make that decision on his own. Pray for them before the meeting and after the meeting, but at that moment now, the decision must be theirs alone. What unscriptural foolishness. No, we sure wouldnt want God to help us make the most important decision of our lifetime. No, we should want to trust in ourselves for such an important decision! Do not even these words grate on your spirit when I state them this clearly? Man must be MADE to come to Christ and to seek God and live righteously and godly. It is the function of Gods grace that teaches us and chastens us to live godly, not our own supposed "free" wills. "As it is written There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understands. There is none that seeks after God There is none that does good, no, NOT ONE" (Rom. 3:10, 11, 12b). "there is NONE GOOD BUT ONE, THAT IS GOD" (Matt. 19:17). Well, okay, maybe we do lack the power of "free" will to actually do good and be righteous, but surely we possess enough "free" will, of our own, independent of Gods causal forces, to at least "come to Christ" and "choose Christ" so that He can then help our "free" will to do a little better job? Not! "No man CAN [by his own phantom free will] come to Me, except the FATHER which has sent Me draw him [Greek: drag him]: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:44 & 65). "You have not [by your own phantom free will] chosen me, but I have CHOSEN YOU" (John 15:16). So now how many reading this paper who have a hostility toward Gods Word will at last see the simple Scriptural Truth that I have just presented, and will forsake their old heretical teachings regarding "free" will? None. Only "the few" whom God is calling to be "overcomers" of such rebellion will at last see the Truth with new spiritual eyes. So lets drop the grudges we might have inadvertently harbored 369

against our first parents thinking that they ruined our lives by their sins. As for me, I cant wait to meet Adam and Eve, up close and personalthey are kin, you know? And dont think for one second that they wont be in the Family of GodI guarantee you the Scriptures say that they will, albeit by way of the purifying spiritual pond of spiritual fire, which is the second spiritual death. Adam and Eve will have a position of high honor throughout all eternity. Without the First Man Adam, there would never have been the Second and Last Man Adam, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of ALL. "For as in Adam, ALL; so in Christ, ALL." A FEW OF THE EVILS THAT GOD USES IN SAVING THE WORLD The Scriptures assure us that God did not create things that had no purpose for existence in the first place. All that God created was "very good." God "created evil," how can evil be good? That sounds like something God Himself said that we should not say: "Woe unto them that call evil good" (Isa. 5:20). First let me clarify that it is God Who says to US not to do this. In Gen. 1:31 it is God Who says: "And God saw every thing that He had made [I make peace, and create evil Isa. 45:7] , and, behold, it was very good" Is this a contradiction? No, but it takes a bit of wisdom beyond childhood to properly understand it. God makes things that are "good," even "very good," that are not inherently good. That is, they are not good in and by themselves, but they are very good, in fact, PERFECT, for the purpose for which they were created. Here are a few that existed before our parents sinned: 370 The spiritual weakness of Adam and Eve Satan the serpent devil No protection from the serpent devil The Tree of the knowledge of good and EVIL Nighttime and darkness

Human emotions of greed, lust, and vanity

God created all of these things, and yet not one of them is "good" in and by its self. Yet they are all perfectly good for the purpose for which they were created. But since they are not inherently good, they will all be changed or discarded after they have fulfilled their purpose. In the kingdom of God there will be, no weakness, no insecurity, no devils, no night, no emotions of lust and vanity, and nothing ugly. All of the things that I listed are TEMPORARY tools that will be discarded when the human race is perfected. Next, lets see a few of the evils that God Himself has used after Adam sinned: "I create EVIL" (Isa. 45:7) Out of Gods mouth "proceedsEVIL" (Lam. 3:38). "an experience of EVIL has God given to the sons of man" (Ecc. 1:13, Concordant Liter Old Testament). "I [God] will raise up EVIL against thee" (II Sam. 12:11). "has not the Potter [God] the right to make one [vessel] for DISHONOR?" (Rom. 9:19-25). "I [God] created the waster to DESTROY" (Isa. 54:16). "The Lord has madethe WICKED for the day of EVIL" (Prov. 16:4). "I [God] will bring EVIL from the north, and a great DESTRUCTION (Jer. 4:6). "Hear, O earth: behold, I [God] will bring EVIL upon this people" (Jer. 6:19). God told a "lying spirit" to "go forth, and do so [lie]" (I Kings 22:22). "He [God] turned their heart to HATE His people" (Psalm 105:25). "Behold I [God] frame EVIL against you" (Jer. 18:11). "For God locks up all together in STUBBORNNESS [thats an evil]" (Rom. 11:32). 371

"O Lord, why have You MADE us TO ERR from your ways" (Isa. 63:17). "so shall the Lord bring upon you ALL EVIL THINGS" (Josh. 23:15). "shall there be EVIL in a city, and the Lord has not done it?" (Amos 3:6). "Yet He [God] is SCOURGING [severely beating] every son to whom He is receiving" (Heb. 12:5). "What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive EVIL" (Job 2:10). "Thus saith the Lord of hosts go and SMITE Amalek DESTROY SLAY both man and woman, infant and suckling" (I Sam. 15:2-3). "God shall send them strong DELUSION, that they should believe A LIE" (II Thes. 2:11). I do not take delight in presenting these Scriptures to you. They are hard saying, for sure, but they are the truth; they are Scriptural; and they are all done by God; and they are "very good" in accomplishing the desired end result that God has planned from the beginning. God is justified in all that He does. All is out of love and for the advancement of turning every human creature into the very "Image of God." Christian theology will not allow or tolerate the Scriptural teaching that God Himself created evil and uses evil continuously down through history and out into the prophetic future to accomplish His will. BILLY GRAHAM DEFENDS GOD AGAINST EVIL I dont mean to continually pick on Billy Graham, as he is, after all, a fine and respected man. Nonetheless, he does personify fundamental religion, and he does teach heresy. I heard Billy Graham deliver a message televised to the entire world, from the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. shortly after September 11th, wherein he stated that, God is not the Creator of evil. I also have an old newspaper clipping from a Billy Graham question and answer column in which 372

he again denied that God is the Creator of evil. He quoted Habakkuk 1:13 as proof of his statement. I think is will be helpful to check this Scripture to see if it indeed backs up Billy Grahams assertion: "Thou [God] art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?" (KJVI left in all the archaic English and italics to show added words not found in the manuscripts). First of all, one is immediately struck by the fact that Habakkuk unwittingly charges God with a contradiction of characterif we are to accept this Scripture as translated by the KJV and many others. I paraphrase Habakkuk: Since your eyes, O Lord, are too pure to behold evil and you cant look at iniquity, why do you then do it? Interestingly, of the nearly three hundred times the word "iniquity" is found in the Bible, Habakkuk 1:13 is the only time it is the translation of the word amal which means "wearisome toil" and not "iniquity" at all. Lets notice a more literal translation of this verse: "Thou art of cleaner eyes than to see evil, And to look at toil Thou art not able" (Concordant Literal Old Testament). Even this translation does not help a great deal in our understanding of the verse. Is the meaning of this verse that God absolutely cannot (is unable) with His clean eyes, to "see evil or look at toil?" Sometimes it is necessary to translate the meaning rather than just the words. I apologize for the fact that the translation nearest to the implied meaning of this verse that I could find is The Living Bible, which is not necessarily among the most precise or accurate translations in many areas. However, sometimes they really do nail the obvious intention of the verse. And yes, I realize that is a value judgment on my part. But anyway, take a look at their rendition of this verse: "We are wicked, but they far more! Will you [God], Who cannot allow sin in any form, stand idly by while they swallow us up? Should You be silent while the wicked destroy those who are 373

better than they?" (Habakkuk 1:13, The Living Bible). Now we can make sense of Habakkuks cry for a more just judgment from God. Notice verse two in this same chapter with our new understanding: "O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear! Even cry out unto Thee of violence, and you will not save!" And so, this verse says nothing with regards to God being or not being the Creator of evil. But the verses prior to verse 13 clearly show what evils are to come upon the people by means of the Chaldeans: "They are TERRIBLE and DREADFUL more FIERCE than the evening WOLVES They shall come all for VIOLENCE they shall deride [laugh at] every strong hold Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, IMPUTING THIS HIS POWER UNTO HIS [the Chaldean] god" (Habakkuk 1:7-11). GOD NEEDS NO DEFENSE FROM EVIL Notice very carefully that the Chaldeans are "imputing" this fierce and evil power that they possessed, to their god. And I guess that Billy Graham would say, Amen to that. However, what saith the Scriptures? Who is, admittedly, the source and Creator of this evil Chaldean slaughtering-machine? Habakkuk 1:5-6 answers: "Behold you among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously; for I [GOD] will work a work in your days, which you will not believe, though it be told you. For, lo, I raise up the Chaldean, that bitter and hasty [Heb: fierce and impetuous] which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs." And there is the plain truth of this Scripture. It was God Himself Who was responsible for "raising up the fierce and impetuous Chaldean." And they were a great evil against those whom they slaughtered! And so the very verse that Mr. Graham used to prove his doctrine turns out to prove just the opposite. The Scriptures are quite clear on this subject. And the twenty some verses I quoted above should be sufficient proof to even the most stubborn reader, that God is both the Creator and User of many forms of evil, and yet is without sin and not evil, Himself. God uses 374

evil for good. And this is a prerogative that only God uses righteously 100% of the time. Why do I spend so much time on this subject of evils Authorship? Because it is one of the most import truths in the whole world! It is the answer to maybe the most colossal enigma in all creationWhy is there, and must there be, evil in the world? Let me state with all humility that no theologian who believes that Satan is the author of evil, can ever explain why God put evil in the "tree of the knowledge of GOOD"!! They might attempt a feeble explanation if God had put evil in its own tree, but not when God put it in the same tree with good! God is responsible for not only all the evil in the world, but God is responsible for EVERYTHING IN THE UNIVERSE, and God is the most responsible Being in the universe. Just Whos responsible for this mess? God is! And just Whos going to clean up this mess? God is! NOTHING HAS EVER GONE AGAINST GODS PLAN OR INTENTION No thing, and no body, in the entirety of the universe have ever gone against Gods "intention" or His preordained "plan," even when God Himself has caused many to go against His stated "will." Gods will is going to be completely realized at the consummation of all His intentions and plan (will and intention are not one and the same). It is Gods intention that men go against His will. So what may appear to be a failure in Gods dealing with mankind is nothing of the kind. All that happens was intended to happen, and all that does not happen was not intended to happen. Here is wisdom. We have seen that not even Satan can go against Gods intentions. Satan needs permission from God to do his dirty work. Since God is responsible (but not accountableseeing that nothing He does is without a great and beneficial purpose), God takes responsibility for His whole creation, and that is why everything will turn out perfect for every one of Gods creatures. SATAN WAS CAST OUT INTO THE EARTH Satan is a carnal-minded spirit. That may sound like a contradiction of terms, but I assure you that it is not. Carnal means fleshly, material, temporal. Satan deals with the flesh, material things, and 375

temporal gratification. Satan is a spirit who thinks like a carnalminded man. Although spirit by nature, Satan eats "dust." Why do you suppose we read this in Matt. 16:23: "But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, SATAN!"? Because Satan was looking for lunch. And Peter was going to be Satans lunch! Satan dines on the "dust" of mans carnality (which is enmity against God). In Luke 22:31 we read this: "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you [laid claim on you], that he may sift you as wheat." Satan was sifting Simon out of the chaff as a morsel of fine food to make a meal of him! Only Jesus could have seen it coming and prevented it. How often has Satan made a fine dinner of your carnal mind? Satans domain is the carnal mind, the flesh, the "dust" of this earth: "Now the serpent [Satan, that old serpent, Rev. 5:9] was more subtle than any beast of the field" (Gen. 3:1). "And Satan stood up against [physical] Israel in the land of Israel" (I Chron. 21:1). "And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth" (Job 1:7). And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea all that a man has will he give for his life. But put forth your hand now, and touch his bone and HIS FLESH, and he will curse you to your face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in your hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown" (Job 2:4-7). "Then entered Satan into Judas [flesh, earth]" (Luke 22:3). "But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie" (Acts 5:3). "And behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity 376

eighteen years And ought not this woman whom Satan has bound" (Luke 13:11 & 16). "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet" (Rom. 16:20). "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour [Gk: swallow down]" (I Pet. 5:8). "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of of Satan to buffet me" (II Cor. 12:7). "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not" (Rev. 3:99). "who was slain among you, where Satan dwells" (Rev. 2:13b). "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth" (Rev. 20:7-8). "Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom [their flesh] I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme" (I Tim. 1:20). "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh" (I Cor. 5:5). That should be enough to make it abundantly clear as to where Satans domain isin the flesh of man, on the earth. SATANDESTROYER OF FLESH Notice particularly the last two references. Paul used Satan to teach Hymenaeus and Alexander "not to blaspheme," and the man in the Corinthian congregation who was fornicating with his fathers wife, "for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." Paul used Satan for the "destruction of the flesh" of the fornicator in Corinth, just as God Himself used Satan for the "destruction of the flesh" in the book of Job. Were these not beneficial purposes for which Paul used Satan? Is not 377

Satan still alive and well on planet Earth? Do you doubt that Gods True Servants can yet turn blasphemers over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh? SATAN DECEIVES THE WHOLE WORLD "And the GREAT DRAGON was cast out, that OLD SERPENT, called THE DEVIL, and SATAN [Heb: Adversary], which DECEIVES THE WHOLE WORLD and he was cast out into THE EARTH, and his angels were cast out with him" (Rev. 12:9). Hardly a person alive would admit to being deceived by Satan the devil, and yet God tells us that Satan, "deceives the WHOLE WORLD." The "whole world." Isnt that just about everybody? Well, who pray tell, are NOT deceived? Answer: "The very elect" (Matt. 24:24). And how many is that? Answer: "Few" (Matt. 20:16). Who are the "Few?" Answer: "He that overcomes" (Rev. 3:21). Overcomes what? Answer: The same thing that Jesus overcame"the world" (John 16:33). "The World?" Could you be a little more specific? Answer: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is NOT in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is NOT of the Father, but is of the world" (I John 2:15:16). And so it is that Satan always shows up when its dinnertime. But Satan is like a voracious lion who seem to never get enough to eat. When Satan is not walking to and fro up and down in the earth, does he have a home, a throne of power, a seat, a workshop, a business address, a dwelling place? As a matter of fact, he does. Satans sphere of influence is not that different than say the president of a great nation such as the United States. Our presidents throne, if you will, is located in Washington D.C., although he is at home anywhere in America. But his influence doesnt stop with Americanshe uses the power of our nation anywhere it is needed, as he has recognition, power, and influence all over the world. The same is true of Satan. Satans throne is at a specific location. From there he resides in a much larger arena of control and domain. And 378

from that grant system of power, he influences the powers of the whole world. THE FOLLOWING FOR MATURE READERS ONLY I stated that Satan has his part in the spiritual salvation of mankind. When God created our first parents in the Garden of EdenSatan was there. When God called out the nation of IsraelSatan was there. When God wanted to test Job, one of the most perfect and righteous men who have ever livedSatan was there. Whenever God chose to show mercy rather than condemnation on His peopleSatan was there. When our Lord was being tested in the wilderness in preparation for His ministrySatan was there. When Jesus chose Peter to possess the keys to the kingdom of GodSatan was there. Wherever Gods true gospel is preached in the world Satan was there. Whenever God first shines the light of His Truth in mans heavenSatan was there. When God wanted to Sacrifice His Son for the sins of the worldSatan was there. When Ananias and Sapphira lied to Gods Holy SpiritSatan was there. When Paul needed assistance in correcting a fornicator and a blasphemer Satan was there. Whenever saints are tempted to disobeySatan was there. When Paul himself was in danger of being lifted up because of transcendent spiritual revelationsSatan was there. Whenever, even the saints are fooled by great power and lying signs and wondersSatan is there. When we look for the source of all the lying deception of the whole worldagain, Satan is there. BUT WHERE IS SATAN NOW? In previous lessons I spent a great deal of time proving that although the Seven Churches of Asia had specific characteristics, nonetheless, all of these characteristics are representative of ALL the churches down through the centuries. It is stated that Ephesus "left her first love." Did not Sardis also "leave her first love." How could the Sardis church be "dead" except that they too, left their first love? And so, they all left their first love, and they ALL committed ALL of the sins that all the rest of the seven churches committed. Likewise, Ephesus was promised the "tree of life" for those who repented and "overcame." ALL OF THE CHURCHES ARE PROMISED THE "TREE OF LIFE" if they repent and overcome. What applies to one 379

church applies TO ALL! THE THRONE AND SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN LOCATED I have a nice laminated chart of the Seven Churches of Revelation that I bought at a Bible Book Store. On this chart each Church is identified and followed by four categories: (1) Strengths, (2) Faults, (3) Instruction, and (4) Promises. There are two boxes that have the word "NONE" written in them. They are: Faults of the Church of Smyrna"NONE" and Faults of the Church of Philadelphia"NONE." This chart is wrong. The truth is that Smyrna and Philadelphia each had the same giant spiritual weaknesses. And what is true for one and two is also true for all. They all had this spiritual sin in their congregations. Lets notice what, spiritual sin IS, and also WAS in the Church at the time John wrote this prophecy, and which therefore is yet TO COME in future generations of the Church. SMYRNA: "I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN" (Rev. 2:9). PHILADELPHIA: "Behold, I will make them of THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN, which say they are Jews and are not" (Rev. 3:9). I had a Klu Klux Klan member write me saying that this means there are people claiming to be of the Jewish race, but are not of the Jewish race. Ridiculous nonsense. The Book of Revelation is spiritual and symbolic. This is not speaking of literal people claiming to be literal Jews of the literal tribe of Judah. Besides, what "spiritual" lesson would there be in such a statement in the first place? No, these are people who claim that they are Jews, but what kind of "Jews?" Why, "spiritual Jews," of course.! Who is a "spiritual Jew?" Let the Scriptures answer: "But he is a Jew [who is born of the Tribe of Judah? Who practices the religion of Judaism?], which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men but of God" (Rom. 2:29). Well, if according to the Scriptures, a real Jew is one who is a Jew 380

"inwardly," then who is a person who practices Judaism and is literally of the Tribe of Judah? Again, lets have the Scriptures tell us: "For he is NOT a Jew, which is one outwardly [one who is physically circumcised the eighth day, one who physically practices Judaism, and one who is physically from the tribe of Judah, and who may even physically live in Jerusalem, Israel], neither is that circumcision, which is outward [made by the cutting off of physical flesh with a physical knife] in the flesh" (Rom. 2:28). Remember in previous lessons how we learned that it is only by matching spiritual with spiritual that we can understand Gods Word? Gods "WORD"! Jesus Christ is "The Word" of God (John 1:1). And Jesus Christ said that the WORDS that He spoke were "spirit." The book of Revelation is the "Testimony of Jesus Christ." The book of Revelation is, therefore, also spiritual. These people in the Church of Smyrna and Philadelphia claimed to be spiritual Jews, who are spiritually converted. Anyone and everyone who is spiritually converted to Jesus Christ is a spiritual Jew. Paul tells the Gentile Galatians that they are the children of the promise made for the Jews through Abraham. Even Jesus tells us that the children of the kingdom (the literal line of physical Israel) will be cast out and the Gentiles from the east and the west will sit in their place in the kingdom of God. (Matt. 8:10-11). These people in the Churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia lied. They claimed to spiritually converted (for that is what Gods definition of "a Jew" really is). And a natural man or woman from the natural physical tribe of Judah is not a real Jew at all. The derivation of the name "Jew" comes from yadah and it means, "to give thanks, laud, praise." But the natural [carnal] Jew CANNOT give thanks, laud, or praise to God because, "Because the carnal mind [the natural physical mind of every Jew from birth, and certainly Gentiles as well] is enmity [hatred] against God: for it is not subject to the [spiritual] law of God, neither indeed can be [or is able]" (Rom. 8:7). When will we begin to understand that the teachings of the New Testament are not carnal, not physical of the flesh? We are to come out of carnality and be converted, and become spiritual Jews, a 381

people who truly worship (give thanks, laud, and praise) God IN SPIRIT? So if one has religion, but is not converted, what is he? The Scriptures plainly tell us that he is a member of "THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN." HIM WHICH IS, AND WHICH WAS, AND WHICH IS TO COME When God wants to emphasis something, He repeats it. When He really wants to emphasize something, He repeats it again. When He really, really, really wants to emphasize something, He repeats it multiple times. Lets count the times God uses this phrase: 1. "Him which IS, and which WAS, and which IS TO COME" Rev. 1:4). "I AM alpha and Omega, the BEGINNING and the ENDING, which IS, and which WAS, and which IS TO COME" (Re. 1:8). "I am Alpha and Omega, the FIRST and the LAST" (Rev. 1:11).

2.

3.

4.

"I am the FIRST and the LAST" (Rev. 1:17).

5.

"I am He that LIVES, and WAS DEAD; and, behold, I AM ALIVE" "Rev. 1:18).

6.

"the FIRST and the LAST, which was DEAD, and is ALIVE" (Rev. 2:8).

7.

"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME" (Rev. 4:8).

8. 382

"Oh Lord God Almighty, which ART, and WAS, and ARE TO COME" (Rev. 11:17).

9.

"Thou art righteous, O Lord, which ARE, and WAS, and SHALL BE" (Rev. 16:5).

10. "I am Alpha and Omega, the BEGINNING and the END" Jesus Christ is the BEGINNING and the END; He IS, WAS, and WILL BE. The book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, therefore, the book of Revelation tells us what "IS [or ARE], WAS, and WILL BE." Everything spoken to the churches is, was, and will be. But not everything that "is, and was," "will be" eternally. Virtually everything in the Bible pertains to the ages [Greek: aions]. All of these ages will come to and end, as will some things that are only used during eonian times or the times contained in the ages. One of the prime examples of something that is only used during the ages, is JUDGMENT. When judgment brings about righteousness among all mankind, judgment will become a thing of the past, never to be used in the Kingdom of God again. No, something's "will be" NO MORE. Not until later in the book of Revelation are we told of NEW things to come and OLD things that "will be" no more. Thank and praise God that one day the most dreaded and painful things in the universe will be NO MORE: "And God shall wipe away ALL TEARS from their eyes [no, there will be NO ONE in a fabled Christian hellhole of terror with tears running down their fire-scorched face for all eternity]; and there shall be NO MORE DEATH [not a first death, nor a second death, nor a spiritual death, nor any death whatsoever, the last enemy being ABOLISHED is DEATH, (I Cor. 15:26)], neither SORROW, nor CRYING, neither shall there be a ANY MORE PAIN: for the former things ARE PASSED AWAY" (Rev. 21:4)! How many times must this verse be quoted before we actually believe it? "And He that sat upon the throne said, BEHOLD! I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW" (Verse 5)! 383

These are truly the most profound promises by God Almighty in the entirety of Scripture! Lets try reading a few verses together with this spiritual understanding of what is "spiritual," and what still, "is, was, and will be": "The [spiritual] Revelation [that is, was, and will be] of [spiritual] Jesus Christ [who is, was, and will be], which God gave unto Him, to show unto His [spiritual] servants [which are were and will be] [spiritual] things [which are, were, and will be] which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and [spiritually] signified [what is, was, and will be] by His [spiritual] angel [which is, was, and will be] unto His [spiritual] servant [which is, was, and will be] John. Who bare [spiritual] record of [what is, was, and will be] of the [spiritual] word [which is, was, and will be] of [spiritual] God [who is, was, and will be], and of the [spiritual] testimony [which is, was, and will be] of [spiritual] Jesus Christ [Who lives, was dead, and am alive; Who is, was, and will be; the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end; Who is, was, and is to come], and of all [spiritual] things [which are, were, and will be], that he [spiritually] saw [things that are, and were, and will be]. [Spiritually] Blessed is he [who is, was, and will be] that [spiritually] reads [what is, was, and will be], and they that [spiritually] hear [what is, was, and will be] the [spiritual] words of this [spiritual] prophecy [which is, was, and will be], and [spiritually] keep those things [which are, were, and will be] which are [spiritually] written therein: for the [spiritual] time [that is, was, and will be] is [spiritually] at hand" (Rev. 1:1-3). If anyone thinks this is funny, he is laughing at God, not at me. Once one thoroughly understands this spiritual truth of what is, was, and will be, it is not necessary to read the entire Book in the way I have stated it above. However, that is the truth of how this book must be understood. But we read of no "Third Death." There is NO THIRD DEATH. Adam is called "the first man." Jesus is called "the second man." Therefore the "Second Death" is the culmination of ALL DEATH, seeing that 384

"The last enemy being abolished is DEATH," (I Cor. 15:26) and, "there shall be NO MORE DEATH" (Rev. 21:5). More on this later. When we come to our study on Gehenna, hell, hades, unextinguishable fire, the furnace of fire, lake of fire, death, second death, etc., we will go into great detail explaining these things from the Scriptures. No Scripture on any of these subjects will be a problem for your understanding ever again. And thus we, today, members of the Church of God of the TwentyFirst Century, are to "hear what the spirit says [not what the spirit said, past tense only, as this is in the Greek aorist tense and is still saying these same things to every generation] unto the churches." If you cant or wont see this, then you probably need read no further. If you dont understand what I have presented, then God has not opened your mind to the spiritual understanding of this Revelation prophecy, or all of Jesus parables, or all of the rest of the Bible. THE BIBLE IS A GIANT PARABLE Not only is the Bible a giant parable, but, all creation is a giant parable. Is it not real? Oh, it is real all right. But what we see, hear, and feel, in this physical universe, is not the lasting spiritual reality of Gods purpose for creation. In parables, the literalness of the words is but a symbol that stands for something spiritual and grand. The physical words of all parables will pass away, however, the spiritual fulfillment of those physical words will never pass away. This is another marvelous spiritual principal of understanding and wisdom. I have covered this before, but it certain warrants repeating. Paul presents us with this grand parable of creation, life, and the final destiny of the entire universe: "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory. 385

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in INCORRUPTION. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in GLORY: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in POWER. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a SPIRITUAL BODY. There is a NATURAL BODY, and there is a SPIRITUAL BODY. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [Christ] was made A QUICKENING [vivifying, living, immortal] SPIRIT Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterwards that which is SPIRITUAL. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from HEAVEN [the realm of spirit]. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are HEAVENLY. And as we [all humanity born of physical Adam] have born the image of the earthy, we [all humanity born of spiritual Jesus, the Christ] shall also bear the image of the HEAVENLY [Christ]" (I Cor. 15:41-49). Can we even begin to comprehend what we have just read? But we are not there as yet. The physical part of this parable is still being played out on this physical stage of the universe. The final curtain of this heavenly play will not come down until all of the Acts have first been performed. And the drama is building as we near the climax. A TRUTH NO LONGER TOLD IN SUNDAY SCHOOL OR CHURCH John tells us that Satan has a "synagogue." Synagogue means "a gathering together, an assembly, a congregation." This should not sound strange to our ears, seeing that we have already learned from Pauls writings: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed as into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the minister of 386

righteousness; whose end shall be according to their work." And so Satan has "false apostles," and "ministers of righteousness." Where then would we expect these false apostles and ministers of righteousness that belong to Satan, to reside? Why in "The synagogue of Satan," of course! And what do Satans ministers do that enables them to "deceive the whole world?" Paul again tells us: "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." And just where might we find such a "synagogue of Satan, with false apostles, and false ministers of righteousness, witnessing to the world with power, and signs and lying wonders?" Certainly not in some macabre-looking, haunted-house structure with a giant marquee out front reading: "COME AND WORSHIP WITH SATAN AND HIS DEMONS"! WHERE IS THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN? The synagogue of Satan is located in the churchesin The Church! "you have tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars" (Rev. 2:2). Where did the Ephesians try those false, lying, apostles? In some pagan temple or church down the street, or across town, or in some foreign land? Or maybe in the pagan religion of the Roman occupation? No, in the Church. Jesus Christ says: "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write thou have tried them which say they are apostles [in the church of Ephesus], and are not" (Rev. 2:1a & 2b). Where did Jesus know these lying apostles? Why, in the Church, of course. Of what consequence would "lying apostles" of some pagan religion be to the churches of God in Asia? And where did Jesus say the synagogue of Satan is located? Same placein the Church: "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews [in the Smyrna church], and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan And to the 387

angel of the church in Philadelphia write I will make them of the synagogue of Satan [in the Philadelphia church], and are not but do lie" (Rev. 2:8 & 9; 3:7 & 9). All seven of the churches were well aware of many pagan gods and pagan religions. These seven cities in Asia were filled with MANY PAGAN GODS. The non-believing Ephesians worshipped Diana, who was associated with Artimis. Smyrna had temples to Apollo, Asclepia, Aphrodite, Cybele, Emperor Tiberius, and Zeus, and maybe most important of all, the Temple of Athena. Pergamum worshiped, Zeus, Olympus, Athena, Dionysus, Asclepius ("The Saviour"), and also the GodSerpent and the God-Bull. Thyatira worshiped the Emperor, Thyatiran, Tyrimnos, and Pallas Athena. Sardis worshiped the goddess Artemis, and both goddesses Artemis and Cybele were commemorated on their local coinage. Philadelphia worshiped the sun god and serpent gods, although Dionysis was their major god. Laodicea worshiped Zeus Azeus and Men Karou. Were these the false apostles and lying Jews of the synagogue of Satan. Was it the priests of these pagan gods and religions of the seven cities in Asia that God was warning the churches about? Since when are the priests of paganism called APOSTLES? Since when are the followers of pagan religions and pagan gods called, LYING JEWS? Since when are the temples of Zeus and Athena and Diana called, SYNAGOGUES? No, these false apostles and lying Jews of the synagogue of Satan are in the churches of God. And isnt it ironic that in the two congregations that religious chartmakers tell us had NO spiritual flaws whatsoever, we find those residing who are specifically called, lying Jews? No, Smyrna and Philadelphia, down through the centuries, have exactly the same spiritual flaws and heresies as did all of the other five churches of Asia. THE THRONE OF SATAN THE DEVIL ALSO LOCATED Now then, as the false apostles, and lying Jews, and synagogue of Satan are all located in the Church, where do you suppose we would find Satans throne, and Satans dwelling place to be located? Yes, 388

thats right: In the Church. Here is the Scriptural proof found in the messages to the church at Smyrna and Pergamos: "Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison" (Rev. 2:10). "I know your works and where you dwell, even where [the same place where] Satans seat [Greek: throne] is were Satan [also] dwells" (Rev. 2:13). Satan cannot imprison members of the Church unless Satan is in the Church. His throne is in the Church. His dwelling place is in the Church.. His synagogue is in the Church. And think not that Satan merely makes an occasional visit to the Church. No, Satan is permanently in the Church until God removes him. The Greek word from which the translators give us "dwelleth" in the KJV is kataoideo, and its meaning is: "To house permanently" (Strongs Greek Dictionary, page 136). Satan not only has his false apostles in the Church, and his congregation of unconverted lying Jews in the Church, and his synagogue in the Church, and his very throne in the Church, but Satan himself dwells permanently in the Church. WHERE IS PERGAMOS TODAY? Why would God choose the church of Pergamos/Pergamum as a physical type of the spiritual city where Satan really dwells and has his throne? We read this historical account of Pergamum: "Pergamum, founded no later than 399 BC, became the capital city of the Roman province in Asia giving the traveler the impression of a royal city, the home of authority. Located about 60 miles north of Smyrna and 15 miles from the Aegean Sea, Pergamum was a center of learning, medicine, and religious books. The library, rivaling the Alexandrian library, drew many princes, priests, and scholars. Noted for marble carving, it excelled the other six cities in architectural beauty." A royal city of authority with maybe the greatest library in the world. A city of learning, medicine, and religion. More excellent than all of the other Six Church Cities. Clearly, this city had all of the physical attributes that would make it suitable for the throne and 389

dwelling place of Satan. But remember: Revelation is a signified book of symbols that stand for spiritual things. The physical city of Pergamus was only a symbolic representation of something higher, something more profound, something of grand proportions. Satan does not reside or dwell or have his throne and his synagogue in West Asia in a demolished old city name Pergamus? Pergamus mean fortified. It comes from the word purgos (Strongs #4444, which means "burgh; a tower or castle" page 219). Satan dwells (permanently resides) in the Church. But Satan dwells in a city that is, was, and will be. We will later identify this city described in Rev. 2:13. This then brings us to Satans final and grandest achievement in The Churchthe very "DEPTH of Satan." Something more evil and vile than anything ever conceived of by man or demon! But not to worryfor if you have been chosen to understand these things, then you will, "Come OUT of her My people" and "He that overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be My SON" (Rev. 18:4, & 21:7).

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The Depth of Satan Who Is Antipas? "But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine and which have not known the DEPTHS of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden" (Rev. 2:24). "But as it is written, What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him--these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the DEPTHS of God" (I Cor. 2:10, Revised Standard Version). Just what is, "the DEPTHS of Satan" and "the DEPTHS of God," and where do we find them? There are two main issues found in both the depths of Satan and the depths of God: 1. 2. What is the true nature and character of God? What is the purpose and destiny of the human race? The depths of Satan and the depths of God both answer these two questions.

The DEPTHS of Satanteaches that what God does mostly, is HATE! He is a God of eternal hatred and vengeance. He is pictured as the chief of hypocrites. He tells mankind to love their enemies, but shows His perverted love toward mankind by torturing most of our loved-ones in fire for all eternity. Gods weak wish of saving all humanity is thwarted by the sovereign power of mans supposed free will, and thus most of the human race will eternally hate and despise and curse their Creator for ever making them. This teaching of Satan has absolutely no redeeming value to it. God will be remembered eternally for being the greatest failure in the history of the universe. This doctrine is both the most evil and the most stupid teaching ever conceived. The DEPTHS of Godteaches that what God does and is, is LOVE! He is a God fully capable of bringing the whole human race to 393

repentance through judgments that cause man to learn righteousness. The purpose for mans creation is to teach him obedience and love, so that he can be molded into the very Image of God Himself and thus be manifested as the Eternal Sons and Daughters of God in the Family of God. Gods plan brings unspeakable happiness to and pleasure to every creature in heaven and earth. Gods plan will be totally successful down to Gods very last wish and desire. Possessing the very character of God and His love for all His creatures is the most marvelous plan ever conceived by our all-wise and Loving God. Ironically, The Christian Church writes books about, teaches in her seminaries, and preaches from her pulpits, in a most vigorous manner, The DEPTHS of Satan. Contrariwise, she avoids teaching The DEPTHS of God, and accuses those who do, of being false prophets and of the devil. Seminary professors and theologians, religious writers and movie makers, clergymen and teachers, the world over, attribute to Satan powers and victories that he does not deserve or possess, and they likewise attribute to God weaknesses and failures that He does not deserve or possess! Their theology is turned backward, upside down, and inside out! Satan will not be victorious over the human race by bringing the majority of mankind down into a living eternal hellhole of torture, nor will God be a disgraceful failure in saving the world! It is time now for God to reveal some startling truths to those who have ears to hear. Little wonder that the Church worldwide does not acknowledge the whereabouts of the depths of Satan. Yet, this is no secret for those who have eyes to see it. "The DEPTHS of Satan is found IN THE CHURCH itself. Satan does not attack the Church from without, but from within: Where do we find them who "say they are apostles [of Jesus Christ] and are not?" Why, IN THE CHURCH (Rev. 2:2). Where do we find them who have "left their first love?" Why, IN THE CHURCH (Rev. 2:4). 394

Where do we find them which "say they are [spiritual] Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan?" Why, IN THE CHURCH (Rev. 2:9 & 3:9). Where do we find "Satans seat [throne]?" Why, IN THE CHURCH (Rev. 2:13). Where do we find "where Satan dwells?" Why, IN THE CHURCH (Rev. 2:13). Where do we find "the doctrine of Balaam?" Why, IN THE CHURCH (Rev. 2:14). Where do we find "them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I [Jesus] hate?" Why, IN THE CHURCH (Rev. 2:15). Where do we find "that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols?" Why, IN THE CHURCH (Rev. 2:19). Where do we find them that "have a name that you live, and are dead?" Why, IN THE CHURCH Where do we find them that "are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked?" Why, IN THE CHURCH (Rev. 3:17). And were do we find "the DEPTHS of Satan?" Why, IN THE CHURCH, of course Rev. 2:24). Is it possible that the "depths of God" can co-exist alongside of the "depths of Satan" in the same church? Are not both taught in the Church? No, they are not. However, let me make myself perfectly clear on this matter. I am not suggesting that nothing but the depths of Satan is taught in the Christian Church. That is certainly not true. There are numerous truths of God that are taught in the Church, and there are doctrines and practices of demons that are not taught in the Church. But, therein lies the reason why there is much confusion and contradiction among the different denominations. Error mixed with some truth can be more deceptive than error alone. 395

THE GREATEST DEPTH OF EVIL IS FOUND ONLY IN THE CHURCH There is no greater evil taught in the Church today that the doctrine of "eternal torment." This doctrine has no validity in the Scriptures. Even though this doctrine has its origin in paganism, most pagan and heathen nations have long forsaken this hideous teaching. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that can be conceived by the mind of man or demon, that is more deplorable, detestable, and disgusting than the thought of being physically, mentally, and spiritually tortured for all eternity. The thought is inconceivable. The thought of eternal torture is far beyond all known evil, immoral, corrupt, damnable, deprived, heinous, hideous, loathsome, nefarious, obscene, repugnant, reprobate, vile and wicked sins of all the universe combined. There just arent enough adjectives to describe this doctrine. It can be compared to nothing. The very thought, the teaching, the doctrine, of eternal torment, is the greatest evil than can ever be conceived. Eternity has NO END! When totally reprobate men want to commit the ultimate evil, they torture. Torture is outlawed in international warfare. Even the vilest despotic leaders in the world agree in principle (if not always in practice) that torture should be a forbidden practice. All humans who torture others are considered the lowest form of humanity. Saddams two sons were inventors of new forms of human torture. Yet their joy of putting people through tree shredders was childs play compared to the evils envisioned by the great theologians of Christendom. Theologians picture men, women, and children, being engulfed in real fire while being forced to drink molten hot lead! As for me, I would take the tree shredder any day! At least that quickly comes to an end. But the theologians vision of torture by fire in hell, never, ever, ever comes to an end. And they call it "FAIR"! And they call it "JUSTICE"! I heard them with my own ears. John Hagee said on international television that, hell is "JUSTICE"! And I heard James Kennedy say on international 396

television, that hell is "FAIR"! NO, ETERNAL TORTURE IS NOT JUSTICE AND NO, IT IS NOT FAIR. It is insane rank demonismit is The DEPTHS of Satan!! IT IS INORDINATELY EVIL: IT IS THE ULTIMATE SIN: IT IS THE BLASPHEMY OF ALL BLASPHEMIES! It is a doctrine that demeans and debases the very character of God Almighty below that of the vilest humans who have ever lived. And I would also add that it is one thing to reluctantly accept this doctrine because one has been deceived into believing that it is in the Bible, but it is quite another to meditate on this theme and come to embrace in into ones heart, mind, and soul, as something that is "JUSTICE AND FAIR!" David said that he preferred the judgment of God over that of men. But if eternal torment is a true doctrine, a person would be a fool to prefer the judgment of God over that of men! This doctrine says that God is evil and unjust beyond any sane comprehension. This doctrine says that the God, who saved the worst sinner that ever lived in a flash of light, cannot save most mediocre sinners in a trillion centuries. This doctrine says that God is a trillion trillion trillion times more evil than He is loving. This doctrine makes God out to be less caring and merciful and the worst of sinners. This doctrine contradicts hundreds of Scriptures. This doctrine makes God out to be a hypocrite when He tells us to love our enemies, but does not following His own teaching. Will the same God Who says to us, "Love your enemies" be the one that will ultimately torture OUR friends, neighbors, and loved ones? Is this the reward we get for loving our enemiesGod will torture our loved ones? What kind of an incentive is that? What kind of doubletalking, unscriptural nonsense is that? It would make more sense to hate our enemies and love our loved one, wouldnt it? Do you hate your loved ones, when they die not knowing Jesus as their Saviour? Do you attend their funerals and curse their name, so as to be in harmony and keeping with the God that you believe is also cursing them in hell at that very moment? You see, this doctrine is so evil that even carnal human nature rebels at there being any reality to this damnable heresy. No, here is the reality: God wants us to love our loved ones and love our enemies, 397

because we are growing into His image, and God loves our loved ones and He also loves His and our enemies. You cannot show your love to your enemies by torturing them, and neither can God! Am I going to fast for anyone? Just this week, again, I heard John Hagee parrot his little phrase something to the effect: "You say you dont believe in hell? Well its still there and YOURE GOING"! The camera then zoomed in on a lady who smiled and gave out a laugh! They think that making a big joke out of being tortured in fire for all eternity is funny? INHUMAN TORTURE IS FUNNY? His statement was intended to elicit laughterhence the quick response by the cameraman to the reaction of the audience. Some of these heretics will be laughing out of the other side of their face one of these days, and it wont be a pretty picture. "And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searches the reins and hearts [one cannot have the mind and spirit of Christ and yet think it a fair and just thing to torture people for all eternity]: and I give unto every one of you according to your works, But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as HAVE NOT this doctrine, and which HAVE NOT known the depths of Satan, as they [the teachers and preachers] speak; I will put upon you NONE other burden" (Rev. 2:23-24). And so the modern Church is filled with the depths of Satan and his evil doctrines, but of the "depths of God," precious little is taught. The doctrines that are Scriptural, such as the fact that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the whole world, and that God will save the whole world, and all that God has created is here for the express purpose of training humanity to becomes sons and daughters of God, in the very image of God, are not taught in most churches. Jesus Christ will not judge the Church for all the good things that they do, but for their INIQUITY! "Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that does the will of My Father which 398

is in heaven. MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils [demons]? And in Thy name done MANY WONDERFUL WORKS? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye [ye means ALL of you] that work INIQUITY [lawlessness]" (Matt. 7:21-23). What is more "lawless" than the teaching of "free will?" It contradicts all the laws of physics in the universe. Nothing happens without a cause. The cause of all is God. But the wisdom of men says that man can make uncaused choices. Therefore man can choose to save himself or he can choose to send himself to eternity in hell. The decision is his and not Gods. Human free will sovereignty is the ultimate example of lawlessness. Plus, it contradicts God and His Word in hundreds of places. We dont choose Christ; Christ chooses us. We cant come to God unless and until He draws [drags] us to Christ. We have no faith of our ownit is a gift of God. No man seeks after God. No man is good. Without Christ we can do nothing. It is God Who even causes us to will in the first place. And yet, the Christian Church has a doctrine of "free" will which contradicts all of these plain teachings of the Bible. So when we begin to see these grand Truths, we desire to fellowship with others who also see and believe these marvelous Truths of God. Which church should we attend? WHERE SHOULD I GO TO CHURCH? Maybe the most frequently asked question that I have received over the past three years since we started this web site is this (I will try to paraphrase dozens into just one question): Dear Ray: Since coming to your site and learning so many Truths of God right in our own Bible, we believe that we are only getting at best, the milk of the word and not the meat, at our local Holier Than Thou Church of the Self Righteous. Could you tell me where there is a church that doesnt teach or require: tithing our salaries, belief in a 399

trinity, mumbling in unintelligible gibberish, observing the physical Sabbath day, falling on ones back and shaking violently while foaming at the mouth, the imminent anticipation of a (to hell with everybody -- lets get out of here and save our own necks) secret rapture, a do-nothing heaven of singing gospel rock, eating chocolate and sweets at The Big Rock Candy Mountain, participating in heavens most popular spectator sport of watching our unfortunate children fry in hell, and other such unscriptural teachings? We live in Deception City, but we would be willing to drive many miles to meet with believing brothers and sisters of like mind. Can you tell us where we can find such a church? Desperate for fellowship, David and Wilma Jones MY LAST DAY OF CHURCH I usually tell them that I am in the same position as they. My last encounter with an institutionalized church of men was rather interesting. About ten years ago, for a number of Sundays, I attended a very large Baptist church near my home in Miami. There were a number of reasons why I did this. I wanted to see firsthand what is being taught in mainstream Christianity, and I wanted to see if anyone was truly interested in the real Gospel of Jesus Christ. The pastor seemed above average in his knowledge of the Bible. He held a Bible Study in the chapel before the regular Sunday service. Sometimes he came very close to teaching something that is actually Biblical. I got to know him a little, and once related to him that I believe all that happens is part of Gods plan, even if it involves evil. He ridiculed the whole idea. On one particular Sunday, the pastor approached me, and I guess I was a little teary-eyed. He asked if there was a problem. I said that I was sad because my only son, Blake, who was born on my birthday, died recently, and the reason I was so emotional was because this Sunday was our birthday. He remarked: "Well, I thought you believe that everything that happens is part of Gods plan, and you ought to be happy about it?" I assured him that it was part of Gods plan, and 400

at the same time thought to myself, "Im out of here!" How insensitive! I have never gone "to church" again. I probably had already overstayed my welcome anyway. It was enjoyable to sing hymns with a full live orchestra. But once one matures spiritually, there are other "Hymns" that one can sing in spirit to God. But back to the question: "Where does one attend church where heresy is exposed and the Truths of God are taught? This will continue to be an enigma to thousands until they learn that there are two aspects of "The Church." One is physical and the other is spiritual: One is for babes and the other for the mature. I will show you the difference, and why they are both necessary for our spiritual development. CHRIST AND THE SYNAGOGUES "And when He [Jesus] was departed thence, He went into their synagogue Then said He [Jesus] stretch forth your hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against Him [Jesus] how they might destroy Him" (Matt. 12:9, 13, & 14). "And when He [Jesus] was come into His own country, He taught them in the synagogue And they were offended in Him" (Matt. 13:54 & 57). "and He [Jesus] went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read And ALL they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath [rage], And rose up, and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong [over the cliff]" (Luke 4:16b, 28-29). Does anyone believe that Jesus enjoyed Sabbath services in the Synagogues? Jesus didnt go to the synagogues to worship God: Jesus worshiped God twenty-four hours a day, every day. Jesus didnt go to the synagogues to have a good time. Jesus when to the synagogues to teach the truths of God! And many hated Him for it. 401

STEPHEN AND THE SYNAGOGUE "Then there arose certain of the synagogue And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he [Stephen] spake. Then they suborned [bribed] men which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God" (Acts 6:9-11). PAUL AND THE SYNAGOGUES "And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews And when there was an assault [violent attempt] made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them" (Acts 14:1 & 5). "they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures But the Jews which believed not. Moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd [evil] fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company [mob], and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted [attacked] the house of Jason" (Acts 17:1 & 5). "And he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks Paul was pressed [compelled] in the spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads, I am clean: from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles" (Acts 18:4-6). "And he [Paul] went in to the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them" (Acts 19:8-9). CHRIST PROPHESIES REGARDING THE SYNAGOGUES "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge [severely beat] you in their synagogues" 402

(Matt. 10:17). Jesus repeats this unbelievable prophecy: "Wherefore, behold I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues" (Matt. 23:34). "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time comes that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service" (John 16:2). From the above Scriptures it would appear that the synagogues housed some rather dubious and evil men. And for sure that is true. However, there were also those who did listen to Jesus, the Apostles, and Paul in the synagogues, and turned to God. In some cities such as Thessalonica, there were large numbers both of men and women, Jews, Hellenists, and Gentiles. And so it was good for those whom God called that they were in the synagogues to hear the Truths of God preached. And just as the synagogues served a purpose historically, the churches of Jesus Christ have served a purpose down through the centuries, continue doing so today, as well as into the future. THE FUNCTION OF THE SYNAGOGUE Was there one overall purpose carried out in all of those many ancient synagogues in Judea and other parts of the Roman Empire? Yes, there was. "For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him [Moses], being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day " (Acts 15:21). By "Moses" is meant the "books of Moses," the "Law of Moses," and the "Religion of Moses." And one other purpose for the synagogue and temple, "My house shall be called of all nations the House of Prayer" (Mark 11:17). But the truth of the matter was, that they had already "made it a 403

den of thieves." We also saw in a previous installment that this "den of thieves" continues on in the Church today. Paradoxically, hundreds of millions of dollars collected by the fraudulent vehicle of tithing, is invested by many large denominations into such manufacturing as the Defense Industry. And whereas our Lord instructed us to "LOVE your enemies," the Church helps finance weapons of human destruction! Do you ever think about these things? Now then, is "Moses" still taught in the churches of God, today? Yes, of course he is. The Law of Moses is virtually worshiped by many in the Church. Many believe that observing the seventh day Sabbath is the identifying sign that sets them apart as the only true believers and followers of God. They even make granite idols of the Ten Commandments and bow themselves down to them. I saw them with my own eyes on national television at the courthouse steps in Birmingham, Alabama. While they were removing this Ten Commandment Monument, one man was heard crying out, "You are taking away OUR GOD!" Todays Church teaches Moses and Christ. Nearly every person on earth that has ever heard of Christ has heard of Him through the Church. Can a deceived Church, "Teach Christ?" Well, they can, and they do. Is this a good thing? Yes, it is, even if their motives are not always perfect. Notice what Paul said regarding this: "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence or in truth, CHRIST IS PREACHED; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice" (Phil. 1:15-18). But do they teach the truth regarding the gospel, grace, faith, resurrection, judgment, and a dozen other paramount doctrines? Well, not too well. One of the most simple and profound proofs that the Church is not teaching consistently and Scripturally on these subjects is conclusively proved by the very fact that there are so 404

many hundreds of disagreeing denominations in Christendom. How are individual untrained truth-seekers supposed to believe all that a particular church denomination teaches when the educated trained leaders of these denominations cannot even agree among themselves as to what is Truth? Regardless of what our particular denominational bent might be, I hope that we can all agree that Paul and the Apostles had the Truth. Although I know of quite a number of believers around the world who believe that Peter and Paul were virtually enemies to each other. Nothing could be further from the truth. Did new converts to Christ continue to attend synagogues to be edified in their new-found-faith? NO! They were persecuted in the synagogues! They left the synagogues. They left the mother Church. Remember our lesson where Jesus said, "I will build My church..." (Matt. 16:18). Jesus didnt say that He would purify or purge the existing Church. No, Jesus built a New ChurchHis Church, "MY Church" Jesus called it. And so it was in the religion of Judaism that the people learned of God and the Law of Moses. But when they learned of the gospel of Jesus Christ, they were forced to "COME OUT OF HER" When we read the history of the Apostles in the book of Acts, they and their new converts to Jesus did not continue to worship Jesus in the synagogues. They now began to meet among themselves and in private homes. Pauls habit was to go to the synagogues of whatever city he was evangelizing to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul did not go to these synagogues to worship Jesus Christ, but rather to teach that Jesus was the Christ. And those who were truly called of God left the synagogues and met with believers of like mind in private homes. It is true that the Apostles continued for a time to go up to the Temple (not the local synagogues), but they were warned under threat of death that they should discontinue teaching in the Temple. But Peter, who denied Christ three times just weeks earlier, now spoke fearlessly: 405

"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to TEACH AND PREACH Jesus Christ" (Acts 5:42). THE CHURCH OF GOD IN PRIVATE HOUSES There was a transition period where the disciples still went up to the temple, but Gods intimate dealings would now be found in more humble surroundings. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the first Saints of Jesus, it was not in a synagogue, but in a house: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all THE HOUSE where they were sitting" (Acts 2:1-2). Church services were held in houses: "Likewise greet the church that is in their house" (Rom. 16:5). "The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house" (I Cor. 16:19). "Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house (Col., 4:15). "Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in your house" (Philemon 1-2). When we come to the famous Jerusalem Conference in the fifteenth chapter of Acts, we read that Paul and Barnabas were "being brought on their way by the CHURCH" (Acts 15:3). This is the Church of Jesus Christ, not the church of the synagogue system. Notice that in this conference their determination was to not force the Law of Moses on new Gentile converts: "Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with THE WHOLE CHURCH" (Acts 15:22). The High Priests did not attend this conference. This was the first 406

ecumenical counsel, if you will, of the Church of Jesus Christ, consisting of only those who believed, who formulated policy which would be binding on the whole church. The Jews had "synagogues"church buildings. The newly converted Christians came out of those synagogue church buildings and their doctrines, and met in homes. Why? Mostly because Christ was not taught or tolerated in these synagogues. In order to worship and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, it became necessary to "come out of her"the synagogue system of religion. Jesus Christ, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the followers of Jesus Christ were hated and despised by most leaders of most synagogues. Do we think that anything has changed regarding this in todays churches? If Jesus Christ returned to virtually any Christian church in the world today, unrecognized in a business suit, and began teaching His own Gospel, the leaders of the churches would throw Him out. And I say this without the least hesitation as to what the implications of my statement are. THE MILK BUT NOT THE MEAT The "DEPTHS of God" in Christ Jesus are not tolerated in the Church today. They may teach the name of Jesus. They may teach that Jesus died for you. They may teach that there is forgiveness of sins in Jesus. They may teach that Jesus ONLY is your Saviour. But is the teaching of "Christ crucified" the "DEPTHS of God"? No, it is not. Paul did teach the Corinthians about "Christ crucified" (I Cor. 1:23). Paul also admitted that this was merely the "milk and not meat [solid food]" (I Cor. 3:2). The Corinthians had the "milk of Gods word," but this did not make them spiritual. Notice what Paul says: "For ye [Gk: ye means, all of you] are yet CARNAL" (Verse 3). And what does it mean to be "carnal"? Answer: "For to be CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH (Rom. 8:6)! Paul DID NOT; Paul COULD NOT, teach the Corinthians (and others) the "meat" of Gods word, because, "ye are yet carnal." Am I 407

going too fast for anyone? Are you looking up these Scriptures that I am presenting? Have I misrepresented anything that Paul has written for "OUR admonition upon which the ends of the world are come" (I Cor. 10:11)? The Church as a whole has never understood the deep and spiritual things of God! Only "The FEW" the "called" and "chosen""the ELECT." The Galatian congregation was equally carnal to those of the Corinthian congregation. Paul asks them: "Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect [mature] by the FLESH? " (Gal. 3:3). They had a "first love," but they "LEFT thy first love" (Rev. 2:4). I, and everyone that I know, have sometime in their life, "LEFT their first love." If you have never "left your first love," I have serious doubts as to whether you ever had a first love. It is the natural progression of our maturing, according to the Scriptures. I received an email this week from someone who said that I both slander and call Jesus a liar when I teach that He will not torture people for all eternity for their sins. How much of the Gospel of Jesus Christ do you suppose his church would tolerate from me before throwing me out on my ear? DOES JESUS RESIDE AND DWELL IN THE CHURCH? Does not Jesus dwell and reside in the Seven Churches of God mentioned in the Book of Revelation? Actually, He does not. Lets read it: "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things says He that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who WALKS in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks" (Rev. 2:1). Jesus Christ "walks" in the midst of the churchesHe does not dwell there; He does not reside there; He does not have His throne there. But someone else does: SATAN has his "seat [Greek: throne]" in the Churches (Rev. 2:13) SATAN "dwells" in the Churches (Rev. 2:13). 408

SATAN still has his "synagogue" in the Churches (Rev. 2:9 & 3:9). SATANS "depths" of doctrinal evils are in the Churches (Rev. 2:24). It is Satan who has his "throne" in the Churches--the Throne of Jesus Christ is in Heaven with His Father (Rev. 3:21), not in the church. He is not enthroned in the Church; He merely "walks" in the Churches. CHRISTIANS DID NOT GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD IN THE SYNAGOGUES "Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you is Christ. And some of them, believed But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy and assaulted the house of Jason" (Acts 17:1-5). When Paul later writes to these saints in Thessalonica, does he address them as "The synagogue of the Thessalonians?" Hardly: "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto The Church of the Thessalonians, which is IN GOD the Father and IN the Lord Jesus Christ" (I Thes. 1:1). Were the saints in Judea gathering to worship in the synagogues? "For you, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are IN Christ Jesus" (I Thes. 2:14). A FEW DEFINITIONS "Synagogue" [Greek: sunagoge means "an assemblage of people, a gathering place for the Jews" "Church" [Greek: ekklesia] means "a calling out." "Called" [Greek: kletos] means "invited." The word called is found over six hundred times in Scripture, but the word kletos appears 409

only about a dozen times in Scriptures and always refers to those whom God has invited. "Chosen" [Greek: eklektos] means "select, chosen out; by implication favorite." Translated "chosen" sixteen times and "elect" seven times. Can we not easily see the progression in how God uses these words? God first GATHERS all His peoplethere was a synagogue in every city. He then CALLS OUT a people (a church) from that huge gathering, and many others from among the Gentiles. He then INVITES many of the called out ones (from the Church) to be His True Followers. But in the end only those whom God SELECTS OUT of the INVITED, of the CALLED OUT, from the gathering of the whole ASSEMBLY will be in the First Resurrection to reign with Christ in the Kingdom of God. And thus we start with a huge number and end up with but a "FEW"! "For MANY are called [invited from the called out church], but FEW are chosen" to reign with Christ as Judges, Priests, Lords, and Kings. (Matt. 22:14). "But Ray, are you telling us that if we should be chosen from among the invited ones in the called out church, that we are no longer a member of the Church?" I was hoping some one would ask that question. For most of Church history, clergymen have been trying to materialize away things that are spiritual. And then in their spiritual ignorance, they accuse Gods servants of spiritualizing away things that are supposedly literal and physical. Never mind the fact that it is impossible to "spiritualize away" material things. Material things pass away on their own, whereas spiritual things never pass away. TO WHICH CHURCH DO I BELONG? When asked, "Ray, which church do you attend, what denomination do you belong to?" I always give them the same answer as I will now give you. I tell them that I am not a member of, neither do I attend any institutionalized church of men and that includes all the Churches of Christendom. 410

I am a member of: "The Body of ChristThe Church of the Living God." Yet if I were invited to any church to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I would gladly go! I do not, however, hold my breath waiting for such invitations. How I would love to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ right behind these televangelists after they have delivered their Sunday message. The Church is an assembly of "called out" people. Within the Church there are then, the called and the chosenthe invited and the selected. Remember my analogy of a screen testmany are called to try out, but only the few are chosen to actually perform. The giant difference between the physically called of God and the spiritually Chosen of God is that the first are immature babes, and the second are spiritually mature sonshaving the mind of Christ. The physical Church knows Christ only "after the flesh." The carnal believe that Jesus Christ was "crucified" for themwhich is true. But the mature know by experience that, "I am crucified WITH Christ." The carnal-minded Christians "will be saved," but they will not be in the first resurrection, nor will they reign with Jesus Christ as the manifest sons and daughters of God in the Kingdom of God throughout the oncoming ages. Our Apostle Paul did not teach in vain that, "For if we would JUDGE OURSELVES, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world" (I Cor. 11:31-32). This is the reality of the "overcomer." Anyone going through very severe trials, problems, tribulation, judgment, chastening, and scourging is considered by the Church to be a gross sinner under a curse. Yet what does Gods Word tell us: "For whom the Lord loves He CHASTENS, and SCOURGES every son whom He receives" (Heb. 12:6). Do we think this Scripture lies? If God calls you to be a son, then He 411

will SCOURGE you. There are absolutely no exceptions and there is absolutely no way around these Scriptures. I have heard professing Christians of 70 years confess that they never suffered persecution a day in their life. One remarked how lucky we are to live at this time and in this country where people no longer persecute Christians. Unbelievable. "Yea, and all that will live godly [devoutly] in Christ Jesus SHALL suffer persecution" (II Tim. 3:12). These verses of Scripture do not conveniently go away or disappear just because we have already read them ten or twenty years ago. But you say, "I do live godly in Christ Jesus, but I am not persecuted." Oh really? Perhaps you have overlooked a thing or two. Do you love your enemies? Or do you love your army whom you applaud for killing your enemies? Do you turn the other cheek when someone does your wrong, or do you call your attorney and have him sued? Do you believe and teach that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, or do you believe and teach that most of the world is going to hell? Do you no longer have a "lust of the flesh, and lust of the eyes, and a pride of life," or are these the very things that dominate most of your time? It is futile to profess Christ without living godly in Christ! CHRIST AFTER THE FLESH VERSUS CHRIST AFTER THE SPIRIT "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after [according to] the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, YET NOW HENCEFORTH KNOW WE HIM NO MORE [after the flesh]" (II Cor. 5:1). "Therefore if any man be IN Christ, he is a new creature [creation]: old things are passed away; behold ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW" (II Cor. 5:17)! How many Christians believe that "IN Christ" we are a NEW creation and that ALL the old things have passed away and that ALL things are become NEW? How many pastors teach the NEW Covenant? 412

Christians sing: "Give me that OLD TIME religionits good enough for me." There was an OLD covenant, and now there is a NEW covenant. Do you know what the NEW COVENANT is? Theologians teach that the New covenant is keeping the OLD covenant, BETTER! That is unscriptural nonsense! They teach that we are to keep the law of Moses, BETTER, and we will fulfill the NEW testament. Is the New Covenant patterned according to the Old Covenant? Lets read it: "For finding fault with them, He says, Behold, the days come says the Lord, when I will make a NEW covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah [he is a JEW who is circumcised in his heart and spirit, Rom. 2:29]: NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT that I made with their fathers" (Heb. 8:8-9). So then, is the NEW covenant "according" or "NOT according" to the Old covenant? Then why does the Church continue making the Old Covenant binding on Christians? Christendom is attempting to believe in the New Covenant, while at the same time trying to live in the Old Covenant. This cant be done. In fact, Jesus sternly warned against attempting to do such a contradictory and damaging endeavor: "And He [Jesus] spoke also a parable unto them [the Pharisees]: No man puts a piece of new garment upon an old: if otherwise, then both the new makes a rent [tear], and the piece that was taken out of the new agrees not with the old [NOT according with the covenant which I made with their fathers (the OLD Covenant, Heb. 8:9)]. And no man puts new wine into old bottles [wineskins]; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish [be RUINED]. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desires new; for he says, The OLD is better" (Luke 5:36-39). 413

This is a parable! Jesus is speaking of the Old and New Covenants. We cannot, we dare not, try to put the old with the new. BOTH WILL BE RUINED! Why dont we believe Jesus? We cant put the Old and the New together. And true to Jesus words, when people come into a knowledge of the New Covenant, they PREFER THE OLD BETTER! Did you also notice that when we put these two covenants in their proper places (the Old is for babes to bring them to Christ, while the new is for those maturing into Sonship), that they are BOTH PRESERVED? Yes, both are preserved, but only if we dont MIX THEM. Could anything be clearer. The "Chosen" live by the New Covenant: The "Called" try to live by the New and the Old Covenants. They have never learned this simple lesson: "No servant can serve TWO masters" (Luke 16:13). The two covenants are not even in "according" with one another they are not to be "unequally yoked together," seeing that they are not equal. If you want to be a New Testament Christian, then you need to learn and know what the New Testament is all about. THE OLD COVENANT VERSUS THE NEW COVENANT Here is the most concise Scriptural description of the Old and New Testament that I can give you: "For the Law was given by Moses [that would be the OLD Covenant], but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ [that would be the NEW Covenant]" (John 1:17). Law is good, but grace and truth is better. Grace and truth is a much more demanding and much higher calling. If you aspire to be among the "chosen" you must learn what the New Covenant really is. Here is a chart I prepared for a paper on The Law, which shows some of the many differences between the Old and the New Covenants between Moses and Jesus: Old Mosaic Covenant New Spiritual Covenant

414

OLD CovenantII Cor. 3:14

NEW CovenantII Cor. 3:6 SECOND CovenantHeb. 8:7,10:1-9 Came by ChristHeb. 8:6,9:15

FIRST CovenantHeb. 8:7,9:1

Came by MosesJohn 1:17

Law of God in STONEII Cor. Law of God in HEARTHeb. 3:3 10:16 Law of MOSESActs 13:38-39 Law of the fleshRom. 7:5-6 NOT of faithGal. 3:2 Yoke of BONDAGEGal. 5:1 Law of CHRISTGal. 6:2 Law of the SPIRITRom. 8:2 Law of FAITHRom. 3:27 Law of LIBERTYJames 1:25 Law of RIGHTEOUSNESSRom. 9:30-31 Law of LIFEGal. 3:11, 6:8 Christ enacted the NEWHeb.10:9 The REALITYHeb. 10:1-18 NOW IN FORCEHeb. 8:6,10:9 UNCHANGEABLE PriesthoodHeb. 7:24

Law of SINRom. 7:5-6

Law of DEATHII Cor. 3:7 Christ removes OLDHeb. 10:9 A SHADOWCol. 2:14-17 FULFILLEDMatt. 5:17-18 Priesthood CHANGEDHeb. 7:12

MANY sacrificesHeb. 9:12-13 ONE sacrifice for sinHeb. 10:12 415

IMPERFECTHeb. 7:19

PERFECTHeb. 7:19

Blood of ANIMALSHeb. 9:19 Blood of CHRISTMatt. 26:28 CircumcisionEx. 12:48 UncircumcisionRom. 4:9-12 NOT of works but GRACEEph. 2:8 FORGETS sinsHeb. 10:17 PERMANENT atonementHeb. 10:4 SINLESS priestHeb. 7:26 MELCHISEDEC priestHeb. 5:510 HEAVENLY tabernacleHeb. 8:2,11 Out of JUDAHHeb. 7:14 POWER of ENDLESS LIFEHeb. 7:16 ETERNAL inheritanceHeb. 9:15

WORKS of lawGal. 3:10

REMEMBERS sinsHeb. 10:3 YEARLY atonementHeb. 10:3 SINFUL priestsHeb. 5:3 AARONIC priesthoodHeb. 7:11 MANMADE tabernacleHeb. 8:5 Out of LEVIHeb. 7:11 WEAK, UNPROFITABLEHeb. 7:18 NO inheritanceRom. 4:13 Sacrifice of ANIMALSHeb. 9:13

Sacrifice of CHRISTHeb. 9:28

Purified the FLESHHeb. 8:13

Purged the CONSCIENCEHeb. 8:14

416

PRODUCES wrathRom. 4:15 SAVES from wrathRom. 5:9 Perfected NOTHINGHeb. 7:19 NO MERCYHeb. 10:28 NO justificationActs 13:39 BRINGS a curseGal. 3:10

Perfects BELIEVERSHeb. 10:14

COMPLETE MERCYHeb. 8:12 BELIEVERS justifiedActs 13:39 REDEEMS from curseActs 3:13 CONTINUES IN GLORYII Cor. 3:11 Brought RECONCILIATIONII Cor. 5:18 ALL MANKINDMark 14:24, II Cor. 5:14-19

ABOLISHEDII Cor. 3:13

Brought DEATHII Cor. 3:7

ISRAEL ONLYDeut. 4:7-8,5:3

This chart by no means exhausts all the differences between the Old and New Covenants. Can you not see how totally different the New is from the Old? As Gods Word says, the New Covenant is, "NOT ACCORDING to the covenant that I made with their fathers" (Heb. 8:9). When will we believe God instead of the traditions of men? I hope that you will not just look at this chart, but look up every Scripture and read it for yourself. If you believe in Jesus Christ, you are in the Church. But if you are in Christ Jesus, then you are no longer in the physical carnal church, but in Gods spiritual Churchthe very Body of Christ. Let me assure you on the authority of all the Sacred Scriptures that carnal [enmity filled hatred] minded Christians are not members of the spiritual body of Christ. Jesus Christ is preparing a "bride"a VIRGIN bride. Our Lord will not marry a whore or prostitute. A TALE OF TWO JERUSALEM'S 417

"Him that overcomes 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" (Rev. 3:12). What is this "New Jerusalem?" It is a "Mother." Mothers are women who have given birth to children. We have all been birthed by a physical womana mother. In order to be "born again," we must be birthed by a spiritual mother. And just who is that spiritual mother? "For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage [through the DEPTHS of Satan] with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is THE MOTHER OF US ALL" (Gal. 4:25-26). Our spiritual mother is Jerusalem above. Dont be deceived by the phrase, "of us ALL," seeing that Paul himself puts a disclaimer at the end of chapter 5 showing specifically who the "all" includes here: "For IN Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a NEW CREATURE [creation]. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the [spiritual] Israel of God" (Gal. 5:15-16). And what is this "rule" that Paul is speaking of? Why those who are living by the spirit, and not the flesh and letter of the Law of Moses. Those who live by the "Law of the SPIRIT" which is what the New Covenant is all about. "LOVE your enemies!" "Love NOT the world, neither the things that are in the world" The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life! "I am crucified WITH Christ!" These are the spiritual laws of the New Covenant. They are far superior to the laws of Moses under the Old Covenant. MOUNT SINAI AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS ARE BONDAGE 418

Paul tells us how Abraham had two sonsone was born of a bondwoman after the flesh, and the other born of a freewoman by promise. Paul says, "which things are an allegory: for these ARE THE TWO COVENANTS; the one from the Mount Sinai [Mt Sinai is where the Ten Commandments and Laws of Moses were given. What is Gods attitude toward the Laws of Moses, the ten commandments, the Old CovenantMt. Sinai?] which genders [gives birth] to BONDAGE, which is Agar" (Gal. 4:24). Notice how this whole Mosaic, Ten Commandment, Old Covenant, Mt. Sinai system is categorized: "For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in BONDAGE with her children" (Verse 25). "But Jerusalem which is above [spiritual Jerusalem] is FREE, which is the mother of us all Nevertheless what says the scripture? CAST OUT the bondwoman AND her son [her children, Ver. 25]: for THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREEWOMAN" (Gal. 4:26 & 30). And I believe we all understand that what being "heir" to, is the Kingdom of God. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR THE MOSAIC LAW? Can boys become men on their mothers milk? Neither can men become spiritually mature on things of childhood. Paul said when he was a child, he thought and acted as a child, but when he became a man, he said he put away childish things. The Christian Church today refuses to put away childish things. Here is the purpose for the Law of Moses in the Church: "Wherefore the law was [it was not past tense for Paul because he had matured] our schoolmaster [Gk: tutor or guardian] to BRING US UNTO CHRIST, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come [faith HAS now come] we are NO LONGER under a schoolmaster [the law of Moses]" (Gal. 3:24-25). 419

How is it that all the educated theologians with all their PhDs cant understand this simple analogy. The lawthe law of Moses, was our "schoolmaster." It WAS, it isnt any more. Why not? Because mature adults are no longer children. We have all had schoolmaster in our youth. We were under them, subject to them, disciplined by them, taught by them. I am now 62 years old. Am I still under my grade school teachers? Of course not. Do I, however, try to remember the things I learned from my teacher? Why yes, of course. But as a man I am now subject to higher authorities. A person will never acquire a college degree if he never gets out of grade school. What happens to those who are so foolish as to think that they should remain forever in grade school under a tutor/schoolmaster? "Now I say, That the heir [the potential, prospective, heir to the kingdom of God in the first resurrection], as long as he is A CHILD [wants to remain a minor under the Old Covenant Law of Moses] differs NOTHING FROM A SERVANT, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors UNTIL the time appointed of the father" (Gal. 4:1-2). Do you follow this? An heir to the Kingdom of God, as long as he does not mature, will never inherit his Fathers Kingdom, but is in no better position that a "servant" who will never be heir to his masters household! Let them who have ears to hear, HEAR. You cannot mature on mothers milk. The Church furnishes mothers milk to children and corrupts their minds with "the DEPTHS of Satan." We must "come out of her" if we are to be Gods people. NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER In Hebrews 10:25 were are admonished as follows: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching." That this is speaking of believers congregating together to worship and study Gods Word, there can be no doubt. However, there is a 420

much deeper meaning to this "assembling" that few have ever seen. I never saw it myself until I read a paper by J. Preston Eby, entitled: "FORSAKE NOT THE ASSEMBLING." I will quote an excerpt or two from his paper: "The Greek word for assembling is EPISUNAGOGE. The word, literally, is a verb meaning to synagogue. It is a compound of the Greek prefix EPI with the word SUNAGOGE from which we get our transliterated English word Synagogue. EPI means super imposition that which is above, higher than, highest, upon. SUNAGOGE means a meeting, assembly, or gathering. Putting these two words together, EPI-SUNAGOGE means THE ABOVE SYNAGOGUE, THE HIGHER MEETING, THE HIGHEST ASSEMBLY, THE HIGHER-THAN-ALL-GATHERINGS! It bespeaks of something far greater than merely collecting so many breathing bodies together in one place. It is a meeting in a higher realm, on a higher plane, in the high places of the Spirit, and in the heights of Truth. It is a gathering together in a dimension above. It indicates an assembling IN THE SPIRIT" (All Caps belong to Mr. Eby). This Greek word episunagoge is used only one other time in Scripture, and that is in II Thes. 2:1: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together [Gk: episunagoge] unto Him." In Hebrews 10 we are admonished to "assemble" in an high meeting, a meeting in the SPIRIT! In II Thes. 2 this meeting in the Spirit will become a literal meeting with our Lord. And so, back to our question once more: Which denomination should we join? Where should we go to Church? Where should we "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together?" In a physical building of some physical denomination? No. WE are to episunagoge (assemble) on a higher plane, in a higher realm, in a spiritual assembly, IN THE SPIRIT! 421

This is not something new. This is exactly what Jesus Christ taught regarding where and how we are to (go to church) worship God. "The woman said unto Him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye [all the Jews] say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus said unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour comes, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the TRUE worshippers shall worship the Father in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is Spirit: and they that worship Him MUST worship in SPIRIT AND TRUTH" (John 4:19:24). We have got to get out of the depths of Satan if we are to worship God in Spirit and Truth. The Church is filled with the depths of Satan. That is not the place to go to worship God in spirit and truth. Did Jesus go to the synagogues to worship His God? "And when He [Jesus] had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart [Gk: by Himself] to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone" (Matt. 14:23). Amazing, isnt it. Jesus "assembled [Gk: episunagoge]" with His Father BY HIMSELF, ALONE. We can do the same. Not just on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening, with a crowd, in a building, but on every day of the week, and we can do it while we are ALONE. How often church buildings and temples are referred to as "The House of God." This is nonsense. God does NOT dwell in houses, buildings, churches, or temples made with hands. "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells NOT in temples made with hands." And "Howbeit the Most High dwells NOT in temples made with 422

hands" (Acts 17:24 & 7:48). How often Jerusalem is called, "The Holy City." People want to visit Jerusalem because they think it is HOLY GROUND. There is nothing holy about it. Constantly Satans ministers refer to Jerusalem as the Holy City, and how we should pray for "the peace of Jerusalem." Let me assure you that all of those prayers are going to go unanswered because, "for the son of the bondwoman [Jerusalem that now is-under bondage] shall not be heir with the son of the free woman [Jerusalem which is above and free]" (Gal. 4:30b). THE SEAT / THRONE AND DWELLING PLACE OF SATAN LOCATED "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified" (Rev. 11:8). That city wherein our Lord was crucified was JERUSALEM! "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Rev. 14:8). This great Babylonian city is JERUSALEM, not Rome, as many theologians believe. When Peter referred to "the church that is at Babylon" he was referring to Jerusalem, not the ancient demolished city on the Euphrates River. The Mother Church of Judaism (called, "the Mother of Harlots") was headquartered at Jerusalem, not the ancient city of Babylon, neither Rome. When Peter wrote his epistles from Jerusalem, he knew he was living in the city Babylon. Jerusalem personifies, Egypt, Sodom, and Babylon. It is from Jerusalem that the depths of Satan entered the Church. Satans throne "is, was, and will be" in Jerusalem. I will now present one 423

final proof. WHO IS ANTIPAS? "I know your works and where you DWELL, even where SATANS SEAT [throne] is: and you hold fast My name, and have not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr [Gk: witness], who was slain among you, WHERE SATAN DWELLS" (Rev. 2:13). But how do we know that this is Jerusalem, and not the literal city of Pergamos to whom this message is addressed? Because God gives us the same proof as when He tells us that, "their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, WHERE also our Lord was crucified" (Re. 11:8). And "where" was that? Jerusalem. Where ever "Antipas" was martyred, is where Satan dwells and has his throne. But just who is Antipas? "Antipas" is not translated. It is the same word in the Greek Manuscripts. It is a compound word: "antee" and "pas." Antee carries the meaning of being in place of another, and pas is from pater meaning father. And so Antipas is speaking of one who is here in the place of his father. Who might that be? "I came forth FROM the Father" (John 16:28). "Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come FROM God, and went to God" (John 13:3). "But now I go My way to Him that SENT ME..." (John 16;5). "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is IN THE BOSOM of the Father, he has declared [unfolded or revealed] Him" (John 1:18). "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I PROCEEDED FORTH AND CAME FROM God; neither 424

came I of Myself, but He sent Me" (John 8:42). "God has in these last days SPOKEN UNTO US BY HIS SON" (Heb. 1-1-2). It is absolutely Scripturally clear that it is Jesus Christ who came "in the place of" His Father to reveal His Father to us. Jesus Christ is the Antipas. The phrase "faithful martyr" is a proper translation, however the word translated "martyr" is from the Greek martus and is translated martyr only three times, but is translated "witness" twenty-nine times, for that is what its meaning isa witness. So Antipas, has come in the place of the Father. And Antipas is Gods faithful witness. And Who does the Scripture tell us is the "faithful witness" of God? Answer: "And from JESUS CHRIST, Who IS THE FAITHFUL WITNESS" (Rev. 1:5). And Antipas, Jesus Christ, was martyred IN JERUSALEM. Satans throne and dwelling place is in JERUSALEM! IN THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS It is no coincidence that Jesus tells us in the first message to the first church that, "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things says He that holds the SEVEN stars in His right hand, Who walks in the MIDST of the SEVEN golden candlesticks" (Rev. 2:1). And whatever Jesus does, says, approves, condemns, admonishes, rewards, etc., to any ONE of the seven churches, He does to ALL Seven. "And I will kill her children with death; and ALL the [seven] churches shall know that I am He which searches the reins [minds] and hearts [of ALL the seven churches]: and I will give unto every one [ALL seven churches] of you according to your works" (Rev. 2:23). 425

Can anything be clearer? These seven churches personify the strengths and weaknesses of ALL THE CHURCH, that "are, was, and will be." Whatever Jesus speaks to any one church, He speaks to all the Churches through all generations of the Church of God. Have you noticed that God likens the Church throughout this church age to that of the "seven golden candlesticks" found in the holy place of the tabernacle and temple of God? There is much that can be learned from this physical furnishing that God likens to the Church. We see that there are seven churches, but they are a type of the seven candles of the lamp stand mentioned in the Old Testament: "And he made the candlestick of pure gold and six branches going out of the sides thereof all of it was ONE beaten work of pure gold. And he made his SEVEN LAMPS " (Exos. 37:17-24). Notice carefully, the seven lamps which picture the seven churches of Revelation are all made of ONE piece of pure gold. The Seven Churches are ONE. If you have ever seen a diagram of the Tabernacle, you know that the lamp stand was placed in the holy place between located between the courtyard and the holy of holies. First came the altar of burnt offering, then the holy place where the seven-candled lamp stand stood, and then the holy of holies. The picture again, is quite clearin order to enter the holy of holies where the presence of God was found, one had to leave the holy place. One had to come out of the holy place in order to enter the holy of holies! The Seven Churches are not in the holy of holies. But we are now invited in to the very presence of God where the high priest only could previously enter once a year on the day of atonement. Another point of interest that figures into the seven candlesticks is the fact that candles do not give very much light. For sure they do give light, but it is not very bright. They teach the candlelight of the gospel, but not the full sunlight, and certainly not full radiance of "The Father of Lights" (James 1:17), which can only be found in the holy of holies. 426

And although the Church has the milk of the word, they also have "the DEPTHS of Satan" in their "minds and hearts." It is but the remainder, the few, "the rest in Thyratira," and therefore, the rest in the seven churches, "which HAVE NOT this doctrine, and which HAVE NOT known [in their minds and hearts] THE DEPTHS OF SATAN." Virtually all Christian Churches worldwide have within their doctrines, the depths of Satan. And that is why the cry goes out from God Almighty: "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:4). Come out of who? Who is the "her?" Her is a WOMAN. A woman in Scripture is a symbol for a CHURCH. Who is to "come out?" Answer: "MY people." Where are they? In her, in the CHURCH. What Church? The MOTHER CHURCH. Who is the MOTHER CHURCH? The church that appears to be so good, with good doctrines, and good teachings and spiritual appearing good works and righteousness, which in reality are abominations: "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto you the judgment of the GREAT WHORE that sits upon many waters [many nations of people]: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication [intimate religious/political/economic relationships], and the inhabitants of the earth have been made [spiritually] DRUNK with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of ABOMINATIONS and FILTHINESS of her FORNICATION: And upon her forehead [where WE should have 427

the name of God our Father, Rev. 14:1, but this mother church has instead] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON, THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (Rev. 17:15). So here is the worldwide mother church with her many catholic and protestant daughters, that sits upon many nations of people, holding a spiritual looking gold cup that when one partakes of it and drinks it down inside, it is really filled with, "abominations and filthiness"instead of being the marvelous spiritual "DEPTHS of God" it is rather, "the DEPTHS of Satan. We are not asked by God to "leave His Church," but rather to move from the carnal Jerusalem church under bondage to the spiritual Jerusalem church which is free. We certainly make every effort to fellowship with believers of like mind, but let us never forget where our true fellowship is. "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (I John 1:3). And we fellowship with God by assembling ourselves in the HIGHEST assembly, in a spiritual, heavenly assembly: "But we are come unto [heavenly] mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus the mediator of the NEW COVENANT, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel" (Heb. 12:2224).

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God Judges the World in a Pond WHENCE THE WORD LAKE? Interesting word, this word "lake." The word lake in Rev. 19, 20, & 21 is "limen, which comes from Strongs "[#3040--limen] (through the idea of nearness of shore); a POND (large or small) -- lake." And the word limen means "a harborhaven, the fair havens" (Strongs Greek Dictionary, p. 151). A pond? God judges the world in a pond? Yes, God judges every unrepentant, unbelieving, wicked person that has ever lived (billions and billions and billions of people) -- The WHOLE WORLD OF HUMANITY (who are not in the first resurrection) in a pond. A pond of divine, purifying SPIRIT. This word limen has the word "fair" before it in Acts 27:8, in the King James Versionthe "fair havens." Other translations render this verse as "safe harbor." (My father helped build Safe Harbor Dam in Pennsylvania). Is not even the definition of this word and its root, comforting? And so even in this most solemn setting of Gods judgment there is a hint of safety and security. SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE DIVINE LAKE OF FIRE Perhaps one reason that God describes this place of judgment as a "pond" or "lake" rather than a "harbor" is because a lake is landlocked, thus preventing a return to the perilous winds and waves of the deep sea from which these occupants have figuratively come: "And the SEA gave up the dead [spiritually dead people] which were in it" This is not speaking of the physical waters of the worlds oceans, however. Remember that just as the "lake of fire" is symbolic in Revelation, "the sea" is likewise symbolic. This is speaking of the 429

SPIRITUALLY DEAD from the great sea of humanity, not the relatively few literal flesh souls who have unfortunately drowned to death in the oceans of the world. Many have also drowned in rivers and other waterways dont you know. The very reason that the "fair haven" of Acts 27:12 "was not commodious [suitable] to winter in" [is because of its position to the sea] "the more [majority] part advised to depart thence also if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven [harbor] of Crete, and lies [opens] toward the south west and north west." The American Bible Union Version translates this verse: "was not well situated for wintering in" The Living Bible translates this verse: "And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor" ONLY GOD IS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEA Various nations in the past were called "the sovereignty of the sea" because of their great naval domination. But there is only one which is truly the Sovereignty of the sea, and that is God. Forty years ago I cut from a book and pasted into the inside cover of my Bible the following: "O God, Thy sea is so great and my boat is so small." This is really a parable of the salvation of the world. The "sea" in Scripture is a symbol for mankind, humanitythe sinning human race. Scripture often speaks of (1) the sea, (2) the earth, and (3) the heaventhe sea being the lowest, and the heaven being the highest. Remember the Scriptural principle that first comes the physical and then the spiritual. There are many physical types in the Bible that represent spiritual realities. God saved Noah and his family from the raging waves of the sea in an ark. When we come to understanding spiritual things, we will clearly see that the ark represents Christ. We also have examples of 430

Jesus saving His disciples from the raging waves of the Sea [lake] of Galilee. "And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was COVERED WITH THE WAVES [and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was already filling, Mk 4:37]: but He was asleep. And His disciple came to Him, and awoke Him, saying Lord, save us: WE PERISH. And He said unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea: and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!" (Matt. 8:23-27). Does anyone have the slightest doubt that Jesus possesses the power to calm the sea? Is any man or group of men more powerful than the sea? Then why, oh why, do we allow theologians, clergymen, pastors, preachers, teachers and authors to tell us that Jesus Christ is POWERLESS TO CALM THE SEA OF HUMANITY? That man possesses a raging power of "free will" that even God Himself cannot and will not penetrate or calm? No, my friends, "the winds and the sea OBEY HIM!" On another occasion we read this: "And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, TOSSED WITH WAVES" (Matt. 14:22-24). In both cases Jesus SAVED His disciples from the raging waves of the sea. JESUS CHRIST IS OUR COVERING We just read where the Apostles were on a boat on the sea of Galilee and were, "COVERED with waves" I see another type here. What do the "raging waves of the sea" symbolize? Jude tells us that, "filthy dreamers," who "defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities," "brute beasts," those who 431

have "gone the way of Can," and are after "the error of Balaam," and those who "perished in the gainsaying of core," these are "spots in your feasts of charity RAGING WAVES OF THE SEA" (Jude 8-13). Say, did you notice where these "filthy dreamers, brute beasts, raging waves of the sea" are located. Thats rightIN THE CHURCH. These evil people are eating right along with the rest in the Churchs "feasts of charity." These are those who, "say they are apostles [of Christ], and are not," and those who, "say they are Jews [spiritual Jews -- converted Christians], and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." The disciples were literally "covered with waves" of the sea, but they were also covered with the "raging waves of the sea" spoken of in Jude, because they were, as yet, unconverted. Actually, the Sea of Galilee is really a lake, also called, The Lake of Gennesar [et] and Lake Tiberias. Jesus Himself called Galilee a "lake" (Luke 8:22). Notice that the carnality of man symbolized in "covered with waves" (raging waves of the sea) needed salvation"Lord save us, WE PERISH." What did Jesus become to His disciples at that very instant? Answer: "a covering shelter." Whereas they were covered by the raging waves of the sea, Jesus now became their "covering." Jesus SAVED His disciples from the "raging waves of the sea that covered them," in the middle of the Sea [lake] of Galilee. But this was a literal physical event. They were not spiritually converted as yet, but this event pointed to just such a conversion of the spirit. Will not Jesus also become a "covering shelter" for others? If so, for whom, and for how many? JESUS CHRIST IS THE COVERING SHELTER OF THE WHOLE WORLD "And He [Jesus] is the propitiation [Greek: hilasmos, signifies "an expiation, a means whereby sin is COVERED and remitted" Strong, p. 121] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD" (1 John 2:2). 432

It may come as a surprise to realize that Jesus started His work of propitiation in a "lake"the Lake of Galilee, and He will finish His work of propitiation in another lake, "the Lake of Fire." In Romans 3:25 we read: "Whom God has set forth to be a PROPITIATION through faith in His blood to declare His righteousness for the remission [passing over of] sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." In Heb. 9:5 this same word hilcsterion (propitiatory) is used for the COVERING LID OF THE ARK. Jesus Christ IS the ark. When the disciples were "covered by the raging waves of the sea" Jesus Christ became their "covering," and (physically) SAVED THEM! In Hebrew, "haven" comes from cowph, and it means "to COVER; a cove (as a sheltered bay, Strongs Hebrew Dictionary p. 32). Jesus not only "propitiatesCOVERS," He IS the Covering, "IS the Propitiation" (I John 2:2). Likewise, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever," does not just "cover" IN the lake of fire: HE IS THE LAKE OF FIRE! Jesus Christ IS the Judge of the world, and the world is Judged not only BY Jesus Christ, but IN Jesus Christ. These words and their meanings that God chooses for our understanding are not accidental coincidences. Every word of God is purified to perfectly fit its application: "The WORDS of the Lord are PURE WORDS: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times" (Psalm 12:6). Do any really believe that God wants to play just one more insane cruel joke on the majority of humanity which are supposedly destined to an eternity of torture in fire, by telling us that this insane pit of torture is going to take place in a SHELTERED PLACE OF SAFETY? Is God Almighty going to torture the majority of humanity in a place He jeeringly calls: a pond, a lake, a "SHELTERED PLACE OF SAFETY?"

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It is true that, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God" (Heb. 10:31), but that does not negate the fact that there is also "safety, shelter, and covering" in Gods Divine Pond of Spiritual purifying FIRE. FIRE IN THE LAKE The lake of fire presents us with another enigma if taken literally. A literal lake is a body of water, not fire. We learned that the Divine purifying presence of God is in this lake in the form of spiritual brimstone. If it were water in the lake, we might conclude that those thrown into this lake are to be washed. The Bible does use water as a symbol of washing away our dirty sins. However, giant spiritual character flaws need more than washing, they need to be obliterated if they are "wood, straw, and stubble." And even the "gold, silver, and precious stones" need to be purged and purified if they are to be perfected. One cannot wash away the impurities of the carnal mind any more than one can wash away the impurities in gold ore by water. It takes power, and heat, and the molecular separating qualities of fire to purify gold ore. And likewise, water has little effect on eliminating wood, straw, and stubble. But put fire to this same wood, straw, and stubble, and it will be obliterated, annihilated, eradicated, and exterminated. This is the lesson we are to learn from Gods spiritual fire. Spiritual fire will purify good qualities to total perfection but will obliterate character flaws to total extinction. And so it is that God uses spiritual fire to produce the greatest possible good, not to cause the severest possible pain and torture. GOD IS CALLING YOU TO BE A PART OF HIS MARVELOUS PLAN Here is Gods plan: "And God said, Let us make man in OUR IMAGE" (Gen. 1:26).

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"Ye [ye means all of you] therefore shall BECOME [its a process] perfect even has your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to BECOME [its a process] the SONS OF GOD" (John 1:12). "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the SONS OF GOD" (Rom. s8:14). "The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the CHILDREN OF GOD: 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. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature [and the whole creation] waits for the manifestation of THE SONS OF GOD" (Rom. 8:1618). "And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ye ARE the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell IN them, and walk IN them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them [my people Rev. 18:4] and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, says the Lord Almighty" (II Cor. 6:16-18). "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the ADOPTION OF SONS. And because ye ARE SONS, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying Abba, Father. Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a SON; and if a SON, then an HEIR OF GOD through Christ" (Gal. 4:5-7). "That ye may be blameless and harmless, THE SONS OF GOD, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:15). 435

"For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing MANY SONS UNTO GLORY, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Heb. 2:10). "According as He has chosen us in Him before the disruption of the world, we to be holy and flawless in His sight, in love designating us beforehand for the place of A SON" (Eph. 1:4, Concordant Literal New Testament). "Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called THE SONS OF GOD: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not" (I John 3:1). Now then, did God plan to call these sons? Did He have it all worked out in advance? Is there any chance of failure in bringing these Sons to glory? Lets read it: For whom He [GOD] did FOREKNOW, He also did PREDESTINATE to be conformed to THE IMAGE [Remember Gen. 1:26"Let us make man in OUR IMAGE"] of HIS SON, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did PREDESTINATE, them He also CALLED; and whom He called, them He also JUSTIFIED: and whom He justified, them He also GLORIFIED" (Rom. 8:29-30). It should be noted that the verbs in this verse are in the Greek aorist tense and should more properly be translated, PREDESTINATES, CALLS, JUSTIFIES, AND GLORIFIES. This is not a past and completed act only, but a continuous process into the future. God is calling Sons and Daughters into Glory! All that He "foreknew" He will bring to fruition. But for what purpose? To roll round heaven all day? To play harps and sing gospel music for all eternity? To glut ourselves on dainty foods like some fat monarch? What is Gods first order of the day when all these SONS of God are manifested? Just what will they do? Or will they do nothing? We read part of the answer in one of the Scriptures quoted above. Lets read a little more. There is a GRAND CHALLENGE AND MARVELOUS WORK waiting to be accomplished by the manifested SONS OF GOD: 436

THE WORLD IS GROANING FOR IT KNOWS NOT WHAT "For the earnest expectation of the creation waits FOR THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD" (Rom. 8:19). Notice this verse in a few other translations: "For the EAGER outlook of creation ARDENTLY awaits the revealing of the Sons of God" (The Emphasized New Testament). "For the LONGING of the creation LOOKS EAGERLY for the time when [the glory of] the sons of God shall be revealed" (The Epistles of Paul by Conybeare). "All creation is YEARNING, LONGING to see the manifestation of the sons of God" (The New Testament in Modern Speech). Or the creation waits with EAGER LONGING for the revealing of the sons of God" (The Revised Standard Version). "THE WHOLE WORLD IS ON TIPTOE to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own" (Phillips Translation). To be sure, it is GOD Who is telling us that the whole creation is groaning in earnest expectation. It is groaning for it knows not what, but GOD KNOWS! In other words, God is telling US, who are growing in spiritual truths, what it is that the whole world and indeed the whole creation is in desperate need ofthe saving power of the Sons of God. We ARE the BODY OF CHRIST! What Christ does, he DOES THROUGH US! WHY? Why are they waiting for the manifestation of the Sons of God? Of what value will these Sons be to them? We can see why the Sons themselves would want to be manifested as such with God their Father and Elder Brother Jesus Christ, but why would all the wicked humanity of the entire "CREATION" be "waiting in EARNEST expectation?" What in the world is taking place here? The church teaches that after all the Sons and Daughters of God are in their glory, the rest of the world will be tortured eternally by real fire in a terrorist hellhole of hopeless doom (never mind the fact that

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God says "there will be NO MORE DOOM") (Rev. 22:3, Concordant Literal New Testament). Seriously, when all the Sons and Daughters of God are manifested IN THEIR GLORY, why would the ENTIRE CREATION be awaiting this event with almost uncontrollable bated breath, excitement, and anticipation? WHY? What is it that the churches have never told you? What is God going to do with all these glorified Sons and Daughters? You have heard enough lies, now lets read Gods Truth. Here is one of the most profound and all-encompassing Scriptures in the entirety of the Bible: "For the earnest expectation of the creature [creation] waits for THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD. For the creature [creation] was MADE subject to VANITY [surely, EVERY MAN IS VANITY-- Psalm 39:11], NOT WILLINGLY, but by reason of Him [GOD] Who has subjected the same in HOPE. Because the creature [creation] itself also shall be DELIVERED from the bondage of corruption [corruption includes DEATH] into THE GLORIOUS LIBERTY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. For we know that THE WHOLE CREATION GROANS AND TRAVAILS IN PAIN together until now" (Rom. 8:19-22). WOW! Let me point out a few marvelous things in this verse. Notice the chronological order of things in this Scripture and see how it contradicts the terrible teaching of orthodox doctrine: First the Sons of God are manifested or shown to be what they really areSPIRITUAL SONS OF GOD (and DAUGHTERSII Cor. 6:18)! No longer flesh and blood. No longer subject to the pulls of a carnal mind, but True Sons in the very IMAGE OF GOD and His Son, Jesus Christ. But what happens next? What happens to all the rest of humanity who are not sons and daughters and are not saved? What will happen to them? Just why, pray tell, are they eagerly awaiting the manifestation of these Sons and Daughters? Of what value is the 438

salvation and manifestation of the few chosen saints to those left behind who are not saved? The Church teaches the world that the rest of humanity will be tortured for all eternity in the lake of fire. Is that true? Is that the purpose of the lake of fire is? Next we read what the condition of the rest of humanity is, how they got that way, and what is the solution to the problem. "For the creature [creation] was made subject to VANITY, not willingly, but by reason of Him who has subjected the same in hope" (Rom. 8:20). God MADE man subject to vanity. God did not ask mans permission to do this. God did it for His own wise purpose. But God is not a fiend that takes pleasure in the failures of weak humanity. God did not make man in a condition of vanity so that most of humanity would fail of the ideal, and God would then torture most of his creation eternally, when it was He Who created them weak and subjected them to every form of vanity in the first place. God created the whole creation subject to vanity. It is, therefore, Gods responsibility to get man out of this mess. God supernaturally made a way for the "manifested Sons of God" to conquer the flesh and the carnal mind and be formed into the very image of God with the very mind of Christ! They will be no longer subject to vanity when they are manifested. They will be no longer subject to "the BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION." They will be FREE! And it is they who will then FREE the rest of humanity from their bondage! What was the purpose for this subjection to vanity? So that they will eternally fail and God would eternally torture them for their failure? No! Lets read it: God has, "subjected the same IN HOPE" (Verse 20). Wait a minute, am I saying that all of humanity, who fail to be in the first resurrection and become the manifest Sons and Daughters of God, will nonetheless still have "hope?" Is there really hope for all the lost and unsaved? How can this be? Arent they going to be subjected to 439

the "lake of fire?" Yes, but there is "hope" in the lake of fire. In fact, the lake of fire is their ONLY HOPE! They will not be eternally tortured just because they did not attain to the first resurrection, but will rather be "DELIVERED!" Lets read it: HOPE AND BLESSED ASSURANCE IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT "And as it is appointed unto men ONCE TO DIE, but after this THE JUDGMENT" (Heb. 9:27). So all creation spoken of in Rom. 8 will ultimately die. And "after" death comes "judgment." Who is in charge of this judgment and when will it take place? "Because He [God] has appointed A DAY, in which He will judge the world [how?] IN RIGHTEOUSNESS [eternal torture is NOT righteousness] by THAT MAN Whom He has ordained [For the Father judges no man, but has committed ALL judgment unto the Son, John 5:22]; whereof He has given ASSURANCE unto ALL MEN [Gee, could this assurance to ALL men in the WORLD" be the same as the hope for all creatures in ALL CREATION that we just read about in Rom. 8:20? And just how can there be hope and assurance for all these lost, unrepentant, unbelievers of the world? Read on], in that He has raised Him [Jesus] from the dead" (Acts 17:31). Notice the reason given that THE WHOLE WORLD, or the WHOLE INHABITED EARTH as some translations have it, is given "assurance." It is because Jesus Christ ROSE FROM THE DEAD! Paul plainly tells us that if Christ has not been raised from the dead, then even WE are still in our sins: "And if Christ be NOT raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep [died] in Christ ARE PERISHED" (I Cor. 15:17-18). And so it is because of Christs resurrection that we have HOPE and ASSURANCE for a future life with GOD! And now you also have Scriptural proof that the ENTIRE CREATION which was SUBJECTED TO VANITY and CORRUPTION, NOT WILLINGLY, 440

has "HOPE" in the same risen Christ. And the whole inhabited earth, in that day of judgment, ALSO has full ASSURANCE because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead! Do you even begin to comprehend what you are now reading in Gods Word? Gods day of judgment is a time of "hope" and "assurance." We read that all judgment has been given unto the Son, Jesus Christ. But Jesus is not the only Judge in that day. Here is where the manifested Sons and Daughters of God come into their most important role in the salvation of all mankind, all creation, and the entirety of the creation in both the heavens and the earth: THE SAINTS SHALL JUDGE THE WORLD The called and chosen were born to be Judges: "Or are you not aware that the saints [the manifested Sons and Daughters of God] shall JUDGE THE WORLD? And if the world shall be judged by YOU, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" (I Cor. 6:2). "And I saw thrones and they sat upon them, and JUDGMENT was given unto them [the saints, the manifested Sons of God]" (Rev. 20:4). Every man will be judged and the Saints will do the judging: "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it: and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were JUDGED EVERY MAN according to their works" (Rev. 20:13). JUDGES, LORDS, PRIESTS AND KINGS The called and chosen were born to be Judges, Lords, Priests and Kings: "If we suffer, we shall also REIGN with Him" (II Tim. 2:12). "And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall REIGN on the earth" (Rev. 5:10). We are the church of the Living God, and what is the church in relation to Christ? 441

"And has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the church, Which IS HIS BODY, the fullness of Him that fills all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23). "For we are members of HIS BODY, OF his flesh, AND OF his bones This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and THE CHURCH [the heavenly, not the carnal church]" (Eph. 5:30 & 32). Whatever Christ does, WE DO ALSO, because we ARE HIS BODY! Yes, WE, the manifest Sons and Daughters of God, will JUDGE THE WORLD! But are the saints ready, equipped, and experienced to actually judge the world by the mere fact that they accept Jesus as the Priest, Lord, King, and Judge of the world? We are part of this world until God takes us out of it. We too have need of a Priest, a Lord, a King, and a Judge. All too many Christians accept Jesus as their Priest, Lord, King, and Judge in ceremony only. In fact, I doubt that many accept Jesus as their "JUDGE" even in a ceremonial way, let alone by actual experience OF that judgment in their daily lives. We must first be judged ourselves if we are to became the judges of the great sea of humanity. THE SYMBOL OF THE SEA One will never understand the Book of Revelation until he understands the meaning of the symbols. This is a huge study which would take more time and space than is being devoted to this paper on the lake of fire. However, to understanding the lake of fire alone, we need to understand the meaning of numerous symbols. One important symbol used throughout the Bible and in Revelation is the word "sea." As the whole book of Revelation is symbols and figurative language, we should hardly believe that when God speaks of the "sea" that he has reference to the literal oceans of the world. This will be clearly seen as we let the Scriptures interpret for us the meaning of sea used as a symbol. 442

MANY WATERS "Mystery Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth" sits upon "many waters" we are told in Rev. 17:1. Anciently God also referred to the nation of Babylon as, "O thou that dwells upon MANY WATERS" (Jer. 51:13). And these many waters are explained in Rev. 17:15 as: "The WATERS which you saw, where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Since all of Revelation is symbolic and metaphorical language, the "sea" represents the vast sea of humanity, not the watery oceans of our planet. It is fitting that if ancient Babylon dwelled upon "many waters" that the end-time Mystery Babylon would also sit upon "waters" which are clearly defined as "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." And just where are we told that the beast that carries the great whore comes from? "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a [wild] beast rise up OUT OF THE SEA [the vast sea of humanity]" (Rev. 13:1). THE SEA God uses "waters" and "sea" interchangeably in the Scriptures. Babylon was: "O thou that dwells upon many WATERS" (Jer. 51:13). Notice that Babylons "waves do roar like great waters" (Ver. 55). But then in verse 36 we read this: "Therefore thus says the Lord; Behold, I will plead your cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will DRY UP HER SEA" Anyone who followed the war in Iraq knows that there is no sea in Iraq. This is not speaking of a large body of water, but of PEOPLE! Notice further proof in verses 42-43: 443

"The SEA is come up upon Babylon, she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof. Her cities are desolation A DRY land, and a wilderness" After the establishment of Babylon as a nation, it was never entirely flooded by a literal sea of water. Besides, if a land were "flooded" it could hardly be called "a DRY land," could it? Notice what the "sea" and the "waters" represent: "And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of her mouth that which he has swallowed up: and THE NATIONS [the waters of peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues Rev. 17:15] shall not flow [like waters] together any more unto him, and the wall of Babylon shall fall" (Verse 44). It is the wicked that are generally associated with "the sea." In Jude 4 we read of "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." In verse 13 these same ungodly men are called, "RAGING WAVES OF THE SEA" "Come hither; I will show you unto you the judgment of the great whore that sits UPON MANY WATERS." And the "many waters" are defined as, "The waters which you saw, where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." The whore is a great church, and it sits on a wild beast (a great political system), and John, "saw a wild beast rise up OUT OF THE SEA (Rev. 13:1). This beast does not rise up out of one particular sea, that is one particular nation or people or multitude or tongue, but out of ALL OF THEM. "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives THE WHOLE WORLD" (Rev. 12:5). 444

And the waters on which the whore sits are called, "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." In other words, the whore sits upon ALL THE SEA; ALL THE PEOPLES AND MULTITUDES AND LANGUAGES AND NATIONS OF THE ENTIRE EARTH! And she RIDES the wild beast that came up out of this same great and vast sea of humanity. THE SEA OF GALILEE VERSUS THE LAKE OF FIRE Lets look at Matt. 14 next, and learn a great lesson from this physical type of a spiritual reality. "And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst" Jesus always operates, teaches, and saves, from the midst. Matt. 18:20"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the MIDST of them." Luke 2:46 "they found Him [Jesus] in the temple, sitting in the MIDST of the doctors" John 19:18"Where they crucified Him, and two other with Him, on either side one, and Jesus in the MIDST." Rev. 1:13"And in the MIDST of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man" Etc. Now then, where do you suppose that it is that WE, the Body of Christ, the Sons of God, receive our trials, training, and experience of overcoming this world? Answer: "That ye [all of you] may be blameless and harmless [innocent], the SONS OF GOD, without rebuke [fault], in the MIDST of a crooked and perverse nation [generation], among whom ye shine as lights in the world." It always amazes me how so many people when they truly want to become holy, go off somewhere in an isolated monastery to get away from the world. Yet Jesus trains us right in the MIDDLE of this crime-ridden and sin-sick worldin the MIDST. 445

"But the ship was now in the midst of the sea [or lake] TOSSED with the waves" Was this a good thing that the disciples were being "tossed" with the waves? Not according to them. They were frightened! But Jesus wanted them to experience this "tossing" with the waves. Jesus did not come to them until the "fourth watch" (between 3 and 6 am), when they were now "in the MIDST of the sea." And the winds and waves were very strong so that they were being "TOSSED." Notice that it was Jesus Who commanded them to take this ship to the other shore: "And straightway Jesus constrained [Greek: compelled] His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away" (Matt. 14:22). Why did Jesus need to "constrain or compel" them? The word "constrained" in this verse is translated from the Greek word anankazo, and notice its definition: "Anankazo denotes to put constraint upon, to constrain, to compel, whether by threat, entreaty, force or persuasion." Strongs Greek Dictionary p. 18. Wow! "To compel, whether by THREAT, ENTREATY, FORCE or PERSUASION." No one with a carnal mind ever desires the judgments of God. We arent told exactly how much threat, entreaty, force or persuasion Jesus used on the disciples to get them to take their boat into the sea, but we know for sure from the word itself, that it took more than a casual suggestion that they go. Likewise, we read that those who must go through the lake of fire, are "CAST into the lake of fire," "CAST into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:10, 15). They will not want to go voluntarily. And so it is true that: 446

"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31) But it is still far better to be "in the hands of the Living God" than to be anywhere else! Even the of worst of scoundrels who have ever lived will fare far better in the hands of the Living God than anywhere else. The Church thinks that this verse says, "It is a fearful thing to fall UNDER THE FEET of the Living God" rather than, "It is a fearful think to fall INTO THE HANDS of the Living God." It sounds to me like His disciples DIDNT WANT TO GO! Jesus didnt just say: "You go on, fellows, and Ill catch up with you later." No, He COMPELLED them to go! They obviously didnt want to go. The sea was probably ALREADY turbulent and scary, and I am sure they realized the further they went from shore the worse it would be. They were afraid to go, but Jesus "COMPELLED" them to go; they had to go! And so they went. Do you not see yourself in this scene? Do you not picture yourself being compelled by our Lord to enter the dark and scary trials of this life? Do you not feel TOSSED by the frightening trials and tribulations of this life? Let me give you a verse that I have never heard quoted in my life. It is not a popular verse. I doubt that very many will even remember having read it. Christian teachers like to avoid verses like this: "Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you WHERE YOU DO NOT WISH TO GO" (John 21:18, New Revised Standard Version). All of the apostles came to understand this verse experientially, as am I "TOSSED." The word "tossed" appears but four times in the New Testament, and all four times it is translated from a different word. In this verse, tossed is translated from the Greek word basanizo, and here is its 447

definition: "#928. basanizo, to torture:--torment. Basanizo, as a verb, properly signifies in Greek (1) to test by rubbing on the touchstone [basanos, a touchstone], then, (1a) to question by applying torture; hence (1b) to vex, torment; (2) in the NT in the passive voice, (2a) to be harassed, (2b) distressed; (2c) it is said of men struggling in a boat against wind and waves: But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed (bazanizo) with waves: for the wind was contrary (Mat. 14:24; Mark 6:48)." (Strongs Greek Dictionary, p. 51). And where have we seen this word basanos before? In my paper on "Lazarus and the Rich man" we saw that the Rich man was also, "in torments (Greek: basanosa touchstone)" (Luke 16:23). This is mental, emotional, spiritual torment. The Rich man was not physically tortured by the flames anymore than the disciples were physically tortured by the waves, or that Mary and Joseph were physically tortured when they couldnt find the young boy Jesus. "And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto Him, Son, why has thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing (Greek: basanos)" (Luke 2:48). I assure you that Joseph and Mary were not physically tortured! Neither were the disciples (basanizo) physically tortured. Nor those who go through the fire of I Cor. 3:15, nor those who go through , "the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Strongs Dictionary tells us that basanizo can mean: "to question by applying torture."

448

It ought to be apparent to anyone that for God, "to question" someone by "applying torture" is silly. God ALREADY KNOWS what is in man. He doesnt need to torture him to learn the truth. But it is absolutely necessary for man to go through this bassnizo, or torment because it is part of his spiritual development and spiritual perfection. WHAT SINS ARE TORMENTED IN THE LAKE OF FIRE? Here are the character flaws and sins that need "tormenting" in the lake of fire: "But the fearful [timid], and unbelievers, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers [paramours], and sorcerers [enchanters], and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8). Were the Apostles of our Lord "idolaters?" No. Were the Apostles of our Lord "sorcerers?" No. Were the Apostles of our Lord "whoremongers?" No. Were the Apostles of our Lord "murderers?" No. Were the Apostles of our Lord "abominable?" No. Were the Apostles of our Lord "unbelieving?" YES. Were the Apostles of our Lord "fearful [timid]?" YES. And were the Apostles of our Lord "all liars?" YES they were. Is it absolutely necessary that even the "fearful and unbelieving" and all tellers of little white lies, must be cast into "TORMENT?" Yes yes it is. "And straightway [immediately] Jesus constrained [force, entreaty, threat, persuasionnot too dissimilar from being cast into the lake of fire] His disciples to get into a ship" (Matt. 14:23).

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At this time in Christs ministry, the apostles were still unconverted. It will shock most people to realize that Jesus went to the cross, never having converted a single disciple! They were not truly converted until the Day of Pentecost when they received the Holy Spirit of God WITHIN themselves. They were not, however, all, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, and idolaters. But they ALL possessed two or three of the character flaws mentioned in Rev. 21:8they were all "fearful [timid] and unbelieving." Jesus specifically points out these character flaws to them all by an ACTUAL EXPERIENCE! In other words, the disciples proved TO THEMSELVES that they were fearful, unbelieving, and liars: "and they cried out for FEAR" (Matt. 14:26). And they all doubted that it was Jesus walking on the water, so Jesus both reprimanded and encouraged them: "Be of good cheer; it is I; be NOT afraid O you of little faith, wherefore did you DOUBT" (Vers. 17 & 31). "And Jesus said unto them [His apostles], ALL YE shall be offended [turn against me, desert me, fall away, fall from your faith] because of Me this night" (Mark 14:27). And so we read that they were "tossed [TORMENTED] by the waves." They were being TRIED UNDER PRESSURE as when using a touchstone. We have already proved that "the fire shall try every mans work" in I Cor. 3:13 is a spiritual match with Rev. 20:13 & 15 where "they were judged every man according to their works in the lake of fire" And in both cases the "fire" is Gods SPIRIT. Gods spirit burns spiritual character flaws out of the hearts of mankind in a similar way in which literal fire burns up and abolishes wood, straw, and stubble. And since we are the Body of Christ and we too are made "flames of fire," then we also judge the deeds of mens hearts. CALMING THE RAGING WAVES OF THE SEA What is the final outcome of a humanity that is likened to, "Raging Waves of the Sea?" Will they spew out their raging foam of hatred and wickedness forever? No, certainly not. There is a cure for every 450

disease, a solution to every problem, a Saviour for every lost soul. The "raging waves of the sea" are not match for Him Who walks on water. "And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, PEACE, BE STILL. And the wind ceased, and there was a GREAT CALM. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? [How is it that Christendom has NO FAITH?] And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of Man is this, that even the WIND AND THE SEA OBEY HIM?" (Mark 4:39-41). Has Jesus lost His touch? Do we think that Jesus no longer can make "the wind and the sea OBEY Him?" "And the SEA gave up the dead [spiritually dead] which were in it [these spiritually dead are also called, "raging waves of the sea" who are "foaming out their own shame" Jude 13] and they were judged every man according to their works And whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:13 & 15). Will these wicked "raging waves of the sea" continue foaming out their or shame for ALL ETERNITY, in a place of eternal torture? Or will Jesus once again walk on the waters and cause a "GREAT CALM" to come over all humanity? The spiritual fire in the lake of fire is a powerful, powerful remedy for the sins of humanity, and this Fire from God will work a great work on the "raging waves of the sea." There is coming a great calm on all humanity: "And I saw as it were a SEA OF GLASS mingled with FIRE [yes, the fire of Gods spirit is a necessary part of this sea of glass]: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass [ah, they too can now walk on water which is now smooth and calm as glass], having the harps of God" All of the "raging and foaming" has been calmed SMOOTH AS GLASS by the fiery spirit of God. They now sing praises to God, 451

symbolized by their harps! Jesus will yet calm the great sea of humanity. Be not deceived, the sea will yet "OBEY Him!" (We will explain the symbols of "the beast," "his image," "his mark," "the number of his name," "the man of sin," "the two witnesses," "the second death," "the antichrist," etc., in upcoming installments of this series). GODS MINISTERS ARE FLAMES OF FIRE I showed you earlier that Jesus Christ is not only IN the lake of fire, He IS THE LAKE OF FIRE. He is the Divinity in this spiritual fire. Ponder this: Like Christ, we too are raised with a "SPIRITUAL body" (I Cor. 15:44). We are in fact called, "the BODY of Christ" (Eph. 1:23). We will literally "be LIKE Him [Christ]" (I John 3:2). God will make us into "ministers [of] FLAMING FIRE" (Psalm 104:4). We too then will be like our God, "a CONSUMING FIRE" (Heb. 12:29). God promises us that, "the saints shall JUDGE THE WORLD" and "we shall JUDGE ANGELS" (I Cor. 6:2-3)! God tells us WHERE this judgment will take place: "they were judged every man according to their works," and "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into THE LAKE OF FIRE" (Rev. 20:13 & 15). Therefore, we, the Saints, the Body of Christ, the consuming fire ministers of God, the saviours of Mt. Zion, the manifested Sons and Daughters of God, along with our Head, Jesus Christ, also ARE THE LAKE OF FIRE! 452

THERE IS NO LITERAL LAKE, AND THERE IS NO LITERAL FIRE. Jesus Christ and His Body of Saints ARE THE LAKE OF JUDGING, PURIFYING, CONSUMING SPIRITUAL FIRE!!! The lake of fire is a metaphor written in symbols that stand for what is being symbolized, not the symbols themselves. The lake of fire is composed of Jesus Christ the Judge of the world, Christs divine spiritual fire and brimstone, and the Sons of God who are the body of Christ who are also FLAMES OF FIRE (Heb. 1:7). And the whole world will be judged BY US! After death, all the dead will be resurrected, they will all be judged, they will have to pass through the purifying lake of fire, they will have to PASS THROUGH US! WE will be their judge along with our Lord. "Know ye not that the SAINTS SHALL JUDGE THE WORLD?" And so, the GREAT SEA OF HUMANITY will be judged in the safety and security of the LAKE OF SAINTS! NOT YET IN THE IMAGE OF GOD Most of Christendom have been taught and believe that God created (past tense) man in the very "image of God." Oh really? So if we want to see what the "image of God" really looks like, all we have to do is look at the vast sea of evil, sinning humanity? Or maybe you believe like many that Adam and Eve WERE (past tense) in the absolute, very IMAGE of God when they were created, but then lost that "image" when they sinned? Few indeed realize that being made into the image of God is much the same as being savedIT IS AN ONGOING PROCESS! Check all the verses in the original: "now saving," "to save," "shall save," "might save," "are being saved," etc. "For by grave ARE ye saved through faith" tells us HOW we are being saved, not WHEN (Eph. 2:8). Verses such as I Cor. 1:18 in the King James, "but unto us which ARE saved it is the power of God," is not a faithful rendering of the Greek. Check an interlinear. The words are thus: "to-THE YET ones-beING-SAVED US" Yes, often the 453

original manuscripts have only endings and not the complete word, as in "ING." It clearly shows and uncompleted action. Creating man in Gods image: King James Version: "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; make and female created He them" (Gen. 1:26a & 27). Concordant Version: "And saying is the Alueim [Hebrew: elohiym, gods or used of the supreme God--plural of elowahh, a deity or the Deity], Make will We humanity in Our image, and according to Our likeness And creating is the Alueim humanity in His image. In the Image of the Alueim He creates it. Male and female He creates them" (Gen. 1:26a & 27). So we see here the same thing we have already discussed with regards to the Greek aorist tense of verbs, as in "For God so lovED the world" versus "For thus God lovES the world." Gods love for the world CONTINUES! And creating man in Gods image also CONTINUES! Lustful, carnal-minded, sinning, Adam and Eve were no more in the complete image of God at their physical creation than the Apostles were completely converted during the schooling under Christs teaching. It is all an ongoing process. We are even still being converted, and still being perfected, and still becoming more and more like God. How often I have heard preachers remark how Adam and Eve where in the very IMAGE OF GOD. THE TRUE IMAGE OF GOD DOES NOT SIN! "For whom He did foreknow He also did predestinate TO BE conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we SHALL also bear the image of the heavenly" (I Cor. 15:49). Presently, only Jesus Christ is the true "Image of God" (II Cor. 4:4). FOR YOU SEE YOUR CALLING BRETHREN 454

Isnt it strange that there are whole categories of people who are not even called in this church age (I Cor. 1:26)? And only a very few of those who are called, are finally "chosen." They are, of course, chosen for a grand and glorious purpose. If one wants to die in their sleep during a peaceful dream and then float up to a fluffy cloud in heaven over the rainbow where they will then spend eternity plucking a harp, it is evident that that wouldnt require much prior training (except for possible harp lessons). But if one desires the "HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14), then brace yourself for a little more vigorous preparatory program. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that NOT many wise men after the flesh, NOT many mighty, NOT many noble, are called: But God has chosen the FOOLISH things of the world to confound the WISE; and God has chosen the WEAK things of the world to confound the things which are MIGHTY; and the BASE [insignificant] things of the world, and things which are DESPISED, has God chosen, yea, and things which are NOT, to bring to nought [nothing] things that ARE. That no flesh should glory in His presence" (I Cor. 1:26-29). God is choosing the FOOLISH, WEAK, BASE, DESPISED, NOTHINGS of this world to CONFOUND the WISE and MIGHTY of this world! And you dont think that will take any particular specialized training? You think that you are already fully equipped and suited for such a task? You feel that with your "acceptance" of Jesus Christ, that you are fully equipped to not only debate and take on the WISE and MIGHTY of this world, but to utterly CONFOUND THEM? Oh really? Take heed that you do not end up like William Jennings Bryan in the infamous Scopes case, dubbed "the monkey trial," later made into a play and film entitled Inherit the Wind. The American Civil Liberties Union sent lawyer, Clarence Darrow, an agnostic lecturer, to defend a teacher, by the name of Scopes, for teaching evolution in the school. William Jennings Bryan, a Bible believer who was also Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson, led the prosecution. This agnostic lawyer, Darrow, however, humiliated the 455

professing Bible expert, Bryan, in a cross-examination that made him look like a religious fool! That Bryan was a believing Christian there is no doubt. That he was NOT READY "to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear [reverential awe]" (I Pet. 3:15), there is also no doubt! Peter thought that he was ready to conquer the world at Jesus side, long before he was even converted: "Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him [JESUS!], saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord; this shall NOT be unto thee" Jesus said: "Get thee behind Me, SATAN." (Matt. 16:22). "And he [Peter] said unto Him, Lord, I am ready to go with Thee, both into prison, and to death." Jesus said: "I tell thee, peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that you shall thrice DENY that you know Me" (Luke 22:33-34). "Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priests servant, and cut off his ear." Jesus said: "Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (John 18:10 and Matt. 26:52). "And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be You, bid me to come unto You on the water But when he saw the wind boisterous [violent], he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me." Jesus said: "O you of little faith, wherefore did you doubt" (Matt. 14:28-31). And so it was with Peter (who personifies all of us), that he was not ready to take on the world with his carnal mind. He needed converting, training, experience, testing, and purging, before he (or we) would be ready to "Judge the world." "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through MUCH TRIBULATION enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). COUNTING THE COST 456

God has already outlined a training course for those who would be Sons and Daughters of God. It involves a whole lot more than just enunciating a phrase of faith in Jesus. Acknowledging Jesus as your Saviour is certainly the starting point, but it is far from the complete requirement for those who would reign with Jesus as Judge, Lord, Priest and King. Here are just a few of the things that God requires of us. There are, of course, dozens, even HUNDREDS more declarations and admonitions to those who would become manifest Sons and Daughters of our God and Father: 1. "LOVE your enemies, BLESS them that curse you, DO GOOD to them that hate you, and PRAY for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you [Why?]; that ye may be the children [Greek: SONS] of your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:44-45)! "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, DO YE EVEN SO TO THEM: for this is the law and the prophets" (Matt. 7:12). "For I say unto you, That except YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL EXCEED righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in NO CASE enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). "Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let Him DENY HIMSELF, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS, and FOLLOW ME" (Matt. 16:24). "Jesus said unto him, You shall LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matt. 22:37-40). "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall ENDURE UNTO THE END, the same shall be saved" (Matt. 24:12-13).

2.

3.

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7.

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then are ye my disciples indeed" (John 8:31). "Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but HE THAT DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). "COME OUT OF HER [Mystery Babylon the Great and all of her evil teachings], My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:4).

8.

9.

10. "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. IF YOU ENDURE CHASTENING, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons" (Heb. 12:5-8). 11. "Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as YE ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRISTS SUFFERINGS; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (I Pet. 4:12-13). 12. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it BE TRIED WITH [SPIRITUAL] FIRE, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 1:7). 13. "LOVE NOT THE WORLD [that is the social system of this world, we are to love the people of the world], neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride 458

of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (I John 2:1516). 14. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a LIVING SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: but be ye transformed by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:1). 15. "But Jesus called them unto Him and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But IT SHALL NOT BE SO WITH YOU: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister [servant]" (Matt. 20:25-26). 16. "Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each ESTEEM OTHER BETTER THAN THEMSELVES" (Phil. 2:3). 17. "Let this MIND BE IN YOU, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:5). 18. "SUBMIT yourselves therefore to God. RESIST the devil, and he will flee from you. DRAW NIGH to God, and He will draw night to you. CLEANSE your hands, ye sinners; and PURIFY your hearts, ye double minded" (James 4:7). 19. "REPENT ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15). 20. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but ALSO TO SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE" (Phil. 1:29). 21. "But I say unto you, That ye RESIST NOT EVIL: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matt. 5:39).

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22. "Then said Jesus unto him, PUT UP AGAIN YOUR SWORD into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matt. 26:52). 23. "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die, but if ye through the Spirit do MORTIFY THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, ye shall live" (Rom. 8:13). 24. "WALK IN THE SPIRIT, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16). I know that it sounds overwhelming that we should actually live by all of these commandments. And actually, there are many more like commandments in Gods Word. How are we to perform all these impossible tasks? Well certainly not by our own will and power. ALL THESE THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD Thankfully, we dont have to accomplish all these many commands by our own power. God also gives us many promises to be with us in every way necessary to assure our success: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me [I have strength for all things in HIM which GIVES ME POWER {Henry Alford}, Nothing is beyond my power in the strength of HIM Who MAKES ME STRONG {The Twentieth Century New Testament}, I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who LIVES WITHIN ME {Phillips Translation}]" (Phil. 4:13). "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP" (James 4:10). "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST LIVES 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" (Gal. 2:20). "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you though the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord 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. And besides this, giving all diligence, 460

add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity [LOVE]. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ Wherefore the rather, brethren given diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, YE SHALL NEVER FALL" (I Pet. 1:2-10). "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season WE SHALL REAP, if we faint not [Gk: do not lose heart]" (Gal. 6:9). "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto ALL THEM ALSO THAT LOVE HIS APPEARING" (II Tim.4:8). "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment [remember that, judgment is upon the House of God NOW, I Pet. 4:17] : because as He is, SO ARE IN THIS WORLD" (I John 4:17). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP [Gk: ACHIEVEMENT], CREATED IN Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:8-9). "If God be for us, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? (Rom. 8:31). "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angles, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD" (Rom. 8:38-39). And likewise, there are many more such Scriptures of comfort and assurance that God is able and willing to see us succeed once He has begun a work in us.

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Who Is the Beast? This installment of "The Lake of Fire" will possibly be the very most shocking to most of my readers. That everyone wants to know "WHO IS THE BEAST," there is no doubt. That most will be totally shocked and dumbfounded when they find out, there also is no doubt. If any wish to stop right here and search another site for a milder and more palatable interpretation of "Who is the beast," there is no shortage of material. My Web Master has found on the four or five most popular search engines, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of papers on "The Beast of Revelation." And, NO, I havent read one of them. THE BEASTS OF REVELATION The word "beast(s)" is found 356 times in the King James Bible59 times in Revelation alone. Most of these beasts are literal four-footed animals, albeit, all 59 of the beasts in Revelation are symbols for something other than four-footed animals. The four beasts made reference to 7 times in the singular from Rev. 4:6 to 6:7 should be translated "living creatures" and not "beasts." And all references to "beasts" in the plural (15 times) from Rev. 4:6 to Rev. 19:4 should be also translated "living creatures," with the exception of Rev. 6:8 and 18:13 where "beast" is correct. The Greek word which should be translated "living creature(s)" these total of 22 times (7 singular plus 15 plural), comes from zoon (do you recognize the word "zoo" in there?), and it means "a living creature or living animal" and can includes ALL creatures that live on earth including man. That leaves 59 minus 22 or 37 times that the word "beast(s)" is translated properly. Well, almost properly. The remaining 36 of the remaining 37 times that we find the word "beast(s)" in the King James it is from the Greek word, therion and it, "almost invariably denotes a WILD beast." (Strongs #2342, p. 116). The one occurrence 463

of "beasts" in Rev. 18:13 is from the Greek word ktenos, and it means "beasts of burden" or domesticated animals. All of the occurrences of the terms "living creatures" in Revelation have reference to the creatures associated with the throne room of God. These are benevolent creatures. All of the remaining beasts with the exception of the two "beasts" already mentioned in the plural, have reference to a "WILD beast," in the singular and should be translated such as numerous translations do. These are clearly not benevolent creatures, but ferocious "wild beasts." The remaining 35 references to "wild beasts" in Revelation all concern one "wild beast" and his mirror "image of the beast." WHENCE THE BEAST WITH SEVEN HEADS AND TEN HORNS? "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a [wild] beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy [Gk: 'a blasphemous name']. And the wild beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion, and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat [throne], and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded [as if it had been wounded] to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the wild beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the wild beast: and they worshipped the wild beast saying, Who is like unto the wild beast? Who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power [authority] was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 464

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power [authority] was given him over all kindreds [tribes], and tongues, and nations. 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. If any man have an ear, let him hear." (Rev. 13:1-9). Who or what is this Wild Beast? ANOTHER WILD BEAST Theres more: "And I beheld ANOTHER wild beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercises all the power [authority] of the first wild beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the FIRST wild beast [the one from the sea] before him [in his presence], and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first wild beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the wild beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an IMAGE to the wild beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the wild beast, that the image of the wild beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the IMAGE OF THE WILD BEAST should be killed. And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a MARK in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 465

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the MARK, or the NAME of the wild beast, or the NUMBER OF HIS NAME. Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the number of the wild beast: for it is THE NUMBER OF A MAN; and his number is SIX HUNDRED THREESCORE AND SIX [666]" (Rev. 13:11-18). Let me recap this just a little for you. First comes a wild beast out of the sea with seven heads and ten horns. A second wild beast comes out of the earth like a lamb with two horns speaking like a dragon and he calls down fire from heaven and deceives the whole world by miracles. This second wild beasts makes everyone worship the first wild beast. This wild beast from the earth then causes everyone on earth to make an image of the first wild beast from the sea and makes everyone worship this image of the wild beast from the sea or be killed. This image of the wild beast from the sea then causes everyone to worship this image, and causes all to receive a MARK of the first wild beast from the sea in their right hand, or in their foreheads. They can have either a mark or the name or the number of his name, and that number is said (albeit not correctly said) to be the number of a man, and it is the number 666. Now repeat all that back to me in your own words! Okay, lets try this shortened version: a beast from the earth causes all to worship a beast from the sea and to also make an image of this beast from the sea, who then causes all to receive either a mark, name, or number. Got it? *the image, name, and number of the wild beast" all have reference to the one beast that comes up out of the sea and is the wild beast made reference to for the remainder of the book of Revelation. It is this very "wild beast" along with the "false prophet" which is ultimately "cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Rev. 19:21). Who is this WILD BEAST? 466

It behooves us to know just who or what this wild beast is, and especially his image. It is a force and a power to be reckoned with by every human that has ever lived or ever will live. On the one hand we have this: "Who is like the unto the wild beast? Who is able to make war with him? And it was given unto him to MAKE WAR WITH THE SAINTS And all that dwell upon the earth SHALL WORSHIP HIM, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb" (Rev. 13:4, 7, & 8). On the other hand we have this: "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the wild beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the WRATH OF GOD, WHICH IS POURED OUT WITHOUT MIXTURE" (Rev. 14:9-10). Talk about finding oneself between a rock and hard place! Apparently we can either be AT WAR with this wild beast, though we were just warned: "who is ABLE to make war with him"? Or, we can partake of "THE WRATH OF GOD poured out without mixture" Either prospect is extremely frightening. But I would rather be on Gods side than on the side of the wild beast. However, how well will we fare in war against this wild beast, seeing that God warns us, "Who is ABLE TO MAKE WAR WITH HIM?" Before I was yet a teenager, my older brother read to us one time from this section of Revelation. Even at that early age, I quickly realized that this book of Revelation was an hard book. For I immediately saw that if we didnt follow the beast it would kills us and if we did follow the beast, God would kill us. My brother did not have an explanation for this, and it bothered me somewhat for many years to come. It was, in fact, the only thing that I never forgot in this mysterious book of Revelation. I wondered just how fair can God be if we are left with two fatal choices such as that. Maybe Ive even frightened you by now. That is not my objective. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you FREE." 467

Like everything in Revelation leading up to the consummation of all things, this wild beast is the wild beast that "is, was, and will be." This wild beast has been around from before John received his revelation, and will be around until the consummation. However, that is not to say that these things that "are, were, and will be" do not build into a giant and violent CRESCENDO in these end times: Evil men have always been with us. And so "evil men are, were, and will be." But notice what Paul tells us will happen as the consummation of the age is upon us: "But evil men and seducers [imposters] shall wax [grow] worse and WORSE, deceiving and being deceived" (II Tim. 3:13). And so too, this wild beast that comes up out of the sea is the beast IS (at the time John wrote of it), WAS (before it was introduced to John), AND WILL BE (down through the centuries until our time and beyond until the consummation of this age). You will never understand the book of Revelation as long as you try to make it either "Preterism"of the past or "Futurism" of still-to-befulfilled events for the first time. The events of Revelation are neither, Preterism or Futurism, but rather things that "are, were, and will be." I STOOD UPON THE SAND OF THE SEA I mediated and prayed long and hard on this phrase "sand of the sea" before God opened my mind and spirit to it. So many many times in Scripture we find little phrases (apparently, insignificant little phrases) that seem to add nothing to the meaning of the verse. And yet, there they are. I have come to realize that NOTHING in Scripture is insignificant. But here again, we find one of these little phrases: "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw" (Rev. 13:1). Why doesnt it just say, "And I saw a beast rise up out of the sea"? What does it matter from "where" John saw this vision? Oh, but it matters a lot. 468

The wild beast out of the sea is not making its first appearance at the very time that John writes about it in a book. Oh, no. Remember that this book is "the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1:2), and Jesus Christ said: "I am Alpha and Omega, the BEGINNING and the ENDING, says the Lord, which IS, and which WAS, and which IS TO COME, the Almighty" (Rev. 1:8). And so our Lords testimony of a beast out of the sea is a beast out of the sea, "which IS, and which WAS, and which IS TO COME." For just once in your life BELIEVE your Lord, and just maybe you will begin to learn and understand the truly "DEEP things of God." But how can I say that this beast out of the sea is something that already existed at the time of Johns writing? Was he not to write about "things which must shortly COME TO PASS"? (Rev. 1:1). Is this not then making all that John sees, things that are all in the future from the time of his vision? No. Everything in this book is part of Christs testimony, "which IS, and which WAS, and which IS TO COME." It is needful that we read several verses now to catch the significance of, from what perspective it was that John wrote this prophecy: "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ [which IS, WAS, and WILL BE]. I was IN THE SPIRIT on the Lords day, and heard BEHIND ME a great voice, as of a trumpet [a trumpet is a symbol for a POWERFUL MESSAGE], Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are [they ALREADY existed at the time that John writes about them] in Asia And I TURNED to see the voice that spoke with me. And BEING TURNED, I saw seven golden candlesticks." (Rev. 1:9-12).

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Ah yes, John heard this trumpet (or message) "behind him" and therefore, had to TURN BACK in order to see, hear, and understand the message! And so John writes about the things he sees "BEHIND" him (1:10), and "things which must be HEREAFTER." And so it is in this context that John said: "I stood upon the sand of the sea" Did you not notice what we just read concerning John and ourselves? Lets read it again: "I John, who ALSO am YOUR BROTHER, and COMPANION IN TRIBULATION [persecution], AND IN THE KINGDOM AND PATIENCE [endurance] of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1:9). The very elect are all "companions and brothers" in our quest for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Where Jesus walked, WE WILL WALK. Where John walked, WE WILL WALK. Where John stood, we all have stood or will yet stand. We all must walk the walk that Jesus Christ walked! We must all "take up our cross." We must all "OVERCOME even as I [Jesus] also OVERCAME [overcame the WORLD, John 16:33], and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev. 3:21). Back to the sand of the sea. Why was John standing on the sand of the sea? Why must we at some time in our lives, also, stand on the sand of the sea? This is where John was standing when the wild beast first makes its appearance to John, not when the beast first came into existence. THE SPIRITUAL SYMBOL OF THE SAND I have already stated a dozen times or so in this paper that we must all "follow Christ." Peter puts it this way: "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an EXAMPLE, that we should FOLLOW HIS STEPS: Who did NO SIN, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judges righteously: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on 470

the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto RIGHTEOUSNESS: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now RETURNED unto the Shepherd and Bishop [overseer] of your souls" Notice that we are all to follow His steps. But Jesus "did NO SIN," and we ALL sin. There is the giant difference. We have to KEEP WALKING in His steps until we STOP SINNING. But the point to be made here is, that we must and WILL "follow His steps." John "stood on the sand of the sea," and I said that we must ALL stand on the sand of the sea. Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness [a desert waste placesand] and was tried and tested there by the Adversary. Jesus appeared to be alone with the Adversary and the sand. Nothing to eat and nothing to drinkjust sand. But Jesus was only alone in this physically desert of sand. Spiritually Jesus was IN HEAVEN with His Father. Jesus had built a spiritual house. His house was about to be tested to see if it could withstand the rain, and flood, and wind. Satan would do all in his power to bring down the spiritual house of Jesus. But His house did not fall under the temptation of Satan, for he was FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD, and His spiritual house was built upon THE Rock (John 3:34). The spiritual house of Jesus was to DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER: "I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gave Me to do" (John 17:4). "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34). "For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (John 6:38). And just what is it that we also must do if we are to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven? "Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does THE WILL OF MY FATHER which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).

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Jesus said that many would profess Him, but were really workers of iniquity and did NOT do the will of His Father. Jesus says, "Therefore" in verse 24. The Therefore refers back to what He had just told them about "doing the WILL of His Father." "Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a wise man, which build his house upon a [Gk: THE] Rock [Jesus is THE Rock]. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house [yes, it is through MUCH tribulation that we enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Acts 14:22]; and it fell not: for it was founded upon The Rock. "And every one that hears these sayings of mine and does them NOT, shall be likened unto a foolish man [yes, there are foolish saints], which built his house upon THE SAND; And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and IT FELL: and GREAT was the fall of it" (Matt. 7:24-27). Now I am sure that we all would like to declare that we have built OUR spiritual house upon The Rock of Jesus Christ, and that certainly WE are not among the foolish saints who have build our spiritual house upon the sand. Make no mistake about it; if your spiritual house is built upon sand, IT WILL FALL! ALL spiritual houses built upon the sand, will fall. The Great Church in Revelation is called: "Mystery BABYLON THE GREAT, The Mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth" (Rev. 17:5). This great church decidedly does NOT spiritually dwell in the heavens, but is of the earth, earthy. This great church is built upon the spiritual sand of this worlds doctrines. And being built on sand, SHE WILL FALL: "And there followed another angel, saying Babylon IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN, that great city [For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is and is in bondage with her 472

children Gal. 4:25], because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Rev. 14:8). And this "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities" (Rev. 18:5). And so, dear reader, if you have built your spiritual house upon the sand of this worlds great Church, you are warned to COME OUT OF HER, because she is going to fall, and "GREAT will be the fall of it." This then, is the condition of ALL the saints at some time in their life, as they along with John, "stood upon THE SAND OF THE SEA, and saw a wild beast rise up out of the sea" Now Jesus does not leave us in the dark as to just what the sand represents in this set of parables. Jesus says, "And everyone who hears these SAYINGS OF MINE, and does them NOT, shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand" (Matt. 7:26). What is missing in this house that we built upon the sand? Why it is a solid foundation, of course. JESUS CHRISTTHE ONLY LASTING AND SURE FOUNDATION 473

"For we are laborers [Gk: fellow workers] together with God: ye are Gods husbandry [Gk: field] , ye are Gods building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation [A] gold, silver, precious stones, [B] wood, hay, stubble [straw]; Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every mans work of what sport it is. If any mans work abide [endures] which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any mans work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (I Cor. 3:9-15). We could spend an entire Installment on the two categories of things with which people build in their spiritual houses. These works apply every bit as much to what we believe, what is our faith, what are our doctrines of Scriptural Truths. This is so because out of "the abundance of the heart" flows ALL of our actions, deeds, thoughts and workswhether they be good or bad. And BAD works, acts, actions, thoughts, teachings, etc., will be burned up. But GOOD works, acts, actions, thoughts, teachings, etc., will be refined in the fire to be made even more pure and more valuable. These Scriptures clearly show that those taking part in this particular judgment by fire, MUST be building on the ONLY POSSIBLE foundation that will lead to salvation [he himself SHALL BE SAVED]. But notice that it is possible to build on something other than "this foundation""Now if any man build upon this foundation" So clearly it is possible to build on another foundationa foundation of SAND. And every spiritual house built upon the sand will fall.

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Now then, what are the options for all those who build their spiritual house upon the sand? 1. They can continue to build upon the sand until they die in their sins. They can build upon the sand until it falls, but forego any further spiritual house building and die in their sins. They can repent when their spiritual house falls, turn back to God, and begin building again on the only sure foundation, The RockJesus Christ, and be "SAVED; yet so as by fire" NOW, IN THIS LIFETIME, and "Inherit the Kingdom of God" with all of its colossal blessings and rewards in the "FIRST resurrection."

2.

3.

These are they which are being judged NOW: "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey NOT the gospel of God?" (I Pet. 4:17). "That the trial [Gk: genuineness] of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it [your faith] be tried [tested] with FIRE, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 1:7). "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the FIERY TRIAL [testing, judging] which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you" (II Pet. 4:12). THERE IS HOPE FOR THE BUILDERS ON SAND Yes, there is HOPE for all those who build their house upon the sand? But there is hope only according to Gods choosing. Remember, "many are called, but FEW ARE CHOSEN." Every one who is chosen out from the called, will have first built their spiritual house upon the sand, and it will FALL! Every one who is of the chosen FEW will leave his "First Love" (Rev. 2:4). There is a time when all of the chosen will "look back," and see a time 475

when they were not, "FIT for the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). It happened to Peter, it happened to the other eleven apostles, it happened to Paul, it happened to Pauls followers, it happened to the entire early church, it will happen to US! 1. "Surely you [Peter] also are one of them: for your speech betrays you. Then began he to CURSE AND TO SWEAR [Gk: call down curses, damning and swearing], saying I DO NOT KNOW THE MAN [Jesus Christ]" (Matt. 26:73 & 74). How true: at that very moment in Peters life he TRULY DID NOT KNOW Jesus Christ! HIS HOUSE OF SAND FELL!

2.

"But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then ALL THE DISCIPLES FORSOOK HIM AND FLED" (Matt. 26:56)!

3.

And just as all the disciples forsook Jesus, so did all the believers forsake Paul: "At my first answer no man stood with me, but ALL MEN FORSOOK ME: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge" (II Tim. 4:16). Paul could not resent their leaving him, after all, Paul himself (who once studied under Gamaliel) hardened his heart and left his first love also: "And Saul [Paul] consenting unto his death As for Saul, he made havoc of the church and Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 8:1, 3; 9:1). All Asia forsook Paul, "This you know, that ALL THEY WHICH ARE IN ASIA BE TURNED AWAY FROM ME" (II Tim. 1:15).

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4.

ALL who are called and chosen, will at some time in their walk, be attacked and will temporarily fall: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to ALL THE FLOCK over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the CHURCH OF GOD [the WHOLE Church of God], which He has purchased with his own blood. For I KNOW this that after my departing shall grievous [savage] wolves enter in among you, not sparing THE FLOCK [the WHOLE flock]" (Acts 20:28-29).

Everyones first house (the house built upon the sand) FALLS! It is just part of the process in our suffering to learn obedience, that God has mandated. "MANY [the called but not chosen] will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not 1. 2. 3. prophesied in Thy Name? And in Thy Name cast out devils? And in Thy name done MANY WONDERFUL WORKS?" (Matt. 7:22).

These are "Christians" (Lord, Lord) who BELIEVE in the Name of the Lord, and they do MANY WONDERFUL WORKS in the Name of the Lord. But what happens to them? Their house on the sand FALLS "DEPART from Me, you that work iniquity [lawlessness]" (Ver. 23). Jesus then goes on to show how those who do not build on the foundation of Jesus are building their house upon the sand, even though they do MANY wonderful works. Their house falls, not because of the super structure itself. No, the super structure is composed of MANY WONDERFUL WORKS. The house falls because it is not build upon the ROCK of Jesus Christ who is the ONLY FOUNDATION that will support a spiritual house. The "wonderful works" part of Christendom is good. Jesus doesnt say that all of their works are bad. No, they are wonderful, however, their house will not stand and therefore it must come 477

down. A Christians personal good works will not forgive his personal SINS! These must be REPENTED of and OVERCOME. Now for all of you whom God is calling only, you will not believe what I am saying, you will not do what I am teaching you, and you will not recover (in this lifetime) from the disaster of building your spiritual house (life) upon the sand. But what about those of you whom God is calling AND choosing? What are you to do when you see that your spiritual house has fallen with a GREAT FALL? Answer: 1. "Remember therefore from whence you ARE FALLEN, and REPENT" (Rev. 2:5)!

2.

"RETURN unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts" (Mal. 3:7).

3.

"For ye [all of you, the whole flock, the whole church, the whole house of God] were as sheep going astray [Isa. 53:6]; but are now RETURNED unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls" (I Pet. 2:25).

4.

"And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous [prodigal or wasteful extravagance] living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine [a spiritual famine] in that land [in his land, his earth, for his thoughts were not in heaven]; and he began to be in want [and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked Rev. 3:17]. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of the country; and he sent him into his fields to FEED SWINE [his spiritual house has FALLEN, has FALLEN].

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And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he CAME TO HIMSELF [remember from whence you are fallen, and REPENT] he said, How many hired servants of my fathers have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise, and GO TO MY FATHER [RETURN UNTO ME, and I will return unto YOU], and will say unto him, Father, I have SINNED against heaven [I have left my first love] and before Thee 5. Seven times Jesus says to the Seven Churches who had LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE; that they should "REPENT!"

And so after we repent of leaving our first love, and all the sin and corruption that goes along with it, what are we to do? Why we begin building our spiritual house upon The ROCK of Jesus Christthe FOUNDATION of Jesus Christ, of course. THE HOUSE UPON THE ROCK "Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon THE rock; And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and it fell NOT; for it was founded [foundationed] upon THE ROCK" (Matt. 7:24-25). Oh yes, the rains and floods and winds of trials and persecution will surely come, but we have this absolute assurance of God: "Now unto Him that is able to KEEP YOU FROM FALLING, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord, be GLORY and MAJESTY, DOMINION and POWER, both now and ever. Amen" (Jude 24). I love this verse. Read it over a half dozen times. It is sheer spiritual poetry! This is one of those absolutely POWER-PACKED Scriptures

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that should make our hair stand up! It is in verses like this that the King James Version really shines. WHO IS ABLE TO MAKE WAR WITH THE WILD BEAST? It is at this pivotal time in our walk with God, when our spiritual house has fallen, and we are alone standing on the sand of the sea, that the wild beast from the sea makes war with the saints (thats US) and OVERCOMES them (this wild beast overcomes us because "WHO is able to make war with him?") (Rev. 13:4). Even we, who are saints of God, are NO MATCH for "the WILD BEAST that comes up out of sea." But I have already shown you that God gives us a way out of this dilemma. We are to COME OUT OF HER and REPENT of leaving our first love, and for building our spiritual house upon the sand. WHEN FIRST WE SEE THE BEAST Why is John standing on the sand of the sea when he first sees the wild beast rise out of the sea? Why isnt he standing on solid rock when first he sees this wild beast? Because standing on the sand of the sea depicts our spiritual condition at the time that we see a wild beast come up out of the sea. When we see the wild beast, God shows us our vulnerability. We are standing DEFENSELESS on the sand of the sea! There is a spiritual process that God takes His called and elect through that only the few ever experience. The common opinion seems to be that one can become sick and tired of his sinful ways, and so turn to Jesus Christ to get him out of his mess. Once he has accepted Jesus as his Saviour, it is presumed that all will begin to go well with the new convert. Finances will improve, health will improve, our social life will improve, and certainly our spiritual life will improve. As we study and pray and go to church, it is believed that one will progress further and further until ones life is nearly perfect. In fact, if one is still having trials and tribulations after decades in a church, it is 480

assumed by all that that person is not living right and that God is cursing him for some sin or disobedience. I showed you in a previous installment that the very first thing that Jesus pointed out as a spiritual flaw in the first of the Seven Churches, was that they "LEFT their first love." This is referred to in fundamental circles as "backsliding." But, supposedly, only a few ever "backslide." Most, it is assumed, just keep growing and growing from grace to grace until they die a happy death of old age. The Seven [COMPLETE] Churches of God represent the WHOLE CHURCH OF GOD in all generations. And so, what is it that God says those who are ALREADY IN THE CHURCH have to do if they are to overcome and be in the Kingdom of God? Answer: "Remember therefore from whence you are FALLEN, and REPENT" (Rev. 2:5). Repent of WHAT? Repent of "leaving your FIRST LOVE." But you say, "I have never left my first love." Well then, this Scripture isnt speaking to you. But everyone who does make it into the Kingdom, does leave his first love. There are those, however, who have left their first love, AND DONT EVEN KNOW IT! Repenting will come especially hard for them, as they see nothing to repent of. Whenever someone is called of God and he repents, is baptized, confirmed, initiated, or whatever, it is into a church. And sooner or later that particular church will bring you to the point where you will leave your first love for God and turn to the church and its religion as the idol of your heart. God calls His people OUT of the Babylonish System of Religion which has a strangle hold on The Church. "Mystery Babylon the Great" is a CHURCH! But it is also A SPIRITUAL WHORE:

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"For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to JERUSALEM which now is, and is in bondage with HER CHILDREN. But Jerusalem which is ABOVE is free, which is the MOTHER OF US ALL" (Gal. 4:25-26). Jerusalem above is our MOTHER. Jerusalem below is also a MOTHER with children in bondage. Revelation speaks clearly of this Mother and her Children: "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto you the judgment of the GREAT WHORE that sits upon many waters [peoples and nations and tongues]: With whom the kings of the earth have committed [spiritual] FORNICATION, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a WOMAN [a church] sit upon a scarlet colored WILD BEAST, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls [possessing many of the blessings of God including the pearls of Gods Word], having a gold cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (Rev. 17:1-5). And now for one of the most amazing Truths in all Revelation: "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her [Mystery Babylon the Great], MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:4). GOD CALLS HIS PEOPLE OUT OF THE VERY CHURCH THAT HE CALLED THEM INTO! 482

"Many are called but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:14). Few realize that there is a "church WITHIN the church." When God chooses us FROM AMONG the called, we become separate from their doctrines and sins. We are still "The Church of the Living God," but we are a peculiar people that no longer follows the traditions of men, which the many called who are building the house upon the sand continue to follow. Therefore, WE WILL SEE THE BEAST that comes up out of the sea. We will be forced to WAR with the beast from the sea. And we will be OVERCOME by the wild beast. This really is serious business. SEA, EARTH, AND HEAVEN There are three realms spoken of in Revelation: sea, earth, and heaven: "And the angel which I saw stand upon the SEA and upon the EARTH lifted up his hand to HEAVEN, and swore by Him that lives for ever and ever, [for the eons of the eons], who created HEAVEN, and the things that therein are, and the EARTH, and the things that therein are, and the SEA, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer [no longer a time of delay]" (Rev. 10:5-6). The angels [messengers] of God communicate things from heaven to both the earth and the sea: "And the voice which I heard from heaven spoke unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the ANGEL which stands upon the sea and upon the earth" (Rev. 10:8). There are three realms of humanity and three realms of spiritual understanding. The lowest of all is the sea. Those with at least some spiritual understanding are those who dwell in the earth. And those who have the very mind of Christ are those who dwell in heaven. ALL REALMS will give honor and glory to God: "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, [need I explain that fish 483

do not have the mental capacity to comprehend what is being taught herethese are MEN, MANKIND, HUMANITY] and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and upon the Lamb for the eons of the eons" (Rev. 5:13). Is this not saying the identical thing that Paul teaches in Phil. 2:10-11: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should BOW, of things [them] in heaven, and things [them] in earth, and things [them] under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." More proof: "Therefore rejoice, ye heavens and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and [inhabitants] of the sea! " (Rev. 12:12). Next notice that: "And when the dragon saw that he was cast into the earth , he persecuted the WOMAN [the Church] which brought forth the man child [the manifest sons of God]" (Rev. 12:13). Where is the Church? Does she dwell in the spiritual realms of heaven? No. Is she located in the sea? No. She dwells in the earth. She is higher than the sea, but lower than heaven; she dwells in the earth. These are the three realms spoken of in Revelation. If we cant get our thinking above the symbols themselves, we will never ever understand the book of Revelation. The saints have left the earth in their spiritual walk with God. Those who are now spiritually-minded; dwell in heavena much much higher realm than that of the earth. And yet and YET, of the wild beast that comes out of the sea in Revelation 13, we are told: "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle and them that [spiritually] dwell in heaven. And it was given unto Him [the wild beast] to make war with the saints, and TO OVERCOME THEM: 484

and power was given him over ALL KINDREDS, AND TONGUES, AND NATIONS" (Verses 6-7). Now maybe you dont catch the significance of these verses. Here is a wild beast that not only has power, "over ALL KINDREDS, and TONGUES, and NATIONS," but also can, "make war with the SAINTS, and to OVERCOME THEM" Is it possible for Satan to OVERCOME THE SAINTS? How can this be? Where? Show me? "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because GREATER is He [Jesus] that is in you, than he [Satan] that is in the world" (I John 4:4). Does this verse sound like there is some wild beast OUT THERE somewhere, who can make a mockery of this verse, because this wild beast really can "make war with the saints, and to OVERCOME them?" What ever happened to: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. RESIST the devil, and he WILL FLEE FROM YOU" (James 4:7)? Is there, OUT THERE SOMEWHERE, a power for evil that is even GREATER than Satan the Devil, himself? Why havent we been warned about him before we come to Rev. 13:7? Did Jesus ever warn us of this wild beast? Did the apostles? Did Paul to the nations, warn of this evil power? How could the saints themselves, be deceived by this wild beast? I thought that the very elect of God CANNOT be deceived: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matt. 24:24). Ah, but it is NOT POSSIBLE to deceive the very elect! Will someone tell me whats going on here with this wild beast? WHO ARE THE SAINTS? If the very elect cant be deceived, is it possible for saints to be deceived? Yes, there is a difference. One can be a saint long before he 485

becomes the VERY elect. Were the believers in Ephesus called, saints? "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, TO THE SAINTS which are in Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 1:1). So, Yes, the believers in Ephesus were called saints. But were they perfect? Were they spiritually mature? Were they the VERY elect? No, they werent. "Unto the angel of the church of EPHESUS write I have somewhat [somewhat is not in the Greek texts] I have against you, because you have LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE" (Rev. 2:1 & 4). Is Jesus accusing the whole church at Ephesus of leaving their first love, if in reality, there were only a few? But there were NOT just a fewthe WHOLE CHURCH of Ephesus "left their first love." And furthermore, since the Seven Churches are ONE CHURCH, THE WHOLE CHURCH left their first love! Believe it or not, leaving ones first love, is part of the process of "going on to perfection" (Heb. 6:1). "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH JOHN TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES" Jesus said, "upon this Rock [Himself] I will build My church" And the testimony of Jesus Christ is "unto His servant John" and then "John TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES" (Rev. 1:1 & 4). Jesus began to build His church when John was yet a carnal-mined, unconverted follower of Jesus. And, as the messages in Revelation "are, were, and will be," then certainly the message to the Seven Churches also must be a message that "IS, WAS, and WILL BE." John sees a "wild beast come up out of the sea" when John himself "stood upon the sand of the sea." This had to be at the time when John "heard BEHIND ME a GREAT VOICE, as a trumpet" (Rev. 1:10). JESUS CHRIST IS THE SOUNDING TRUMPET 486

"AND HEARD BEHIND ME A GREAT VOICE, AS OF A TRUMPET, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" The Alpha and Omega is CHRIST. This "voice of a trumpet" is Christ. There is something most interesting about this statement of Johns. John says he "heard behind me a GREAT voice, as of a trumpet." You will be interested to learn that the word "great" is used 72 times in Revelation. But only five times is it said to be a "great VOICE." We will look at the last four and then come back to the first: The second time a "GREAT voice" is trumpeted or announced as a powerful, earth-shaking message or event is in Rev. 16:1: "And I heard a GREAT voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials [bowls] of THE WRATH OF GOD upon the earth." This is a GIANT event, unparalleled in the history of the world. But remember, although this prophecy may also crescendo toward the consummation, it to is also, the "wrath of God" that "IS, WAS, and WILL BE." The third mention is when this horrible wrath of God is over in Rev. 16:17: "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a GREAT voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, IT IS DONE" The fourth mention is also an event of heretofore, unequaled glory: "And after these things I hear a GREAT voice of much people in heaven, saying ALLELUIA; SALVATION, and GLORY, and HONOR, and POWER, unto the Lord our God for He has judged the great whore ALLELUIA for the Lord God omnipotent REIGNS. Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him: for the MARRIAGE of the Lamb is come Write, BLESSED ARE THEY which are called unto the MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB" (Rev. 19:1, 2, 6, 7, 9) 487

Now it is pretty honorable to just be "called unto the marriage of Christ," but to ACTUALLY BE THE BRIDEWell, thats something else! Well take that subject up some time later. The last time we have the mention of a "GREAT voice" is in Rev. 21:3: "And I heard GREAT voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He WILL DWELL WITH THEM, and they shall be His people, and God HIMSELF SHALL BE WITH THEM, and be their GOD!" I am sure that we all agree that these four mentions of a GREAT voice are among the greatest events and proclamations in the history of humanity. But we have yet one to look at: "I was in the Spirit on the Lords day, and heard behind me a GREAT voice, as of a trumpet" (Rev. 1:10). What POSSIBLE thing could John have heard, that happened "BEHIND him," that was in the same league as the four GIANT events portrayed by the other four GREAT VOICES? What was it that John saw "BEHIND him" as he "stood upon the sand of the sea" and "saw a WILD BEAST rise up out of the sea?" What did this wild beast mean to John? What will it mean to the world? What should it mean to US? Whatever this wild beast from the sea is, it is among the five greatest pronouncements that bring in the "end of the world" the "consummation of the age." This wild beast from the sea is the only thing in all Revelation that "makes war with the saints" AND "OVERCOME them." Seven times in Rev. 2 & 3 were are told to OVERCOME seven categories of sins. Yet here we read that it is the saints themselves that are overcome. Lets make some sense out of all this. ALL FALL AWAY

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I showed numerous times that all: leave their first love, forsake Jesus, look back, blaspheme, build a spiritual house upon the sand, etc. It is when John is standing on the sand of the sea that he first sees the wild beast come up out of the sea. Now the questions become: "WHEN did John stand upon the sand in HIS life? WHEN do we stand upon the sand in OUR lives? Answer: When the spiritual house that we all build falls down with a GREAT FALL. When (notice I did not say, IF)when our spiritual house built upon the spiritual sand falls, WE ARE LEFT STANDING ON THE SAND OF THE SEA. We are only INCHES above the very sea itselfthe masses and multitudes of humanity who do not have any knowledge of God AT ALL. It doesnt mean that we have no knowledge of God at all at this quandary in our spiritual lives; it just means that we are no closer to God than all the humanity in the sea. Hence, we are not IN the sea, but rather standing on the SAND of the sea where out spiritual house just FELL! And since God is not only calling some of us but choosing us also, God begins to teach us anew. And the first thing He begins to show us is the WILD BEAST coming up out of the sea that is the CAUSE of our being overcome and the CAUSE of our spiritual house falling! This wild beast will be reckoned with by all humanity sooner or later. THERE MUST COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST I have shown you that John, Paul, Peter, ALL of the apostles, the whole church in Asia, the Seven Churches of Revelation, the entire flock of Gods called, all built their houses upon spiritual sandin other words EVERYONE ever called by God, falls, falls down, falls away. The Proverb tells us that, "For a just man falls seven times" Thats a COMPLETE fall. But strange as it may seem, this is necessary in Gods plan. What happens to a just man after he falls seven times? "and RISES UP AGAIN" (Prov. 24:16). When he completely falls, 489

he falls from grace. But for those whom God is both calling AND choosing, they will RISE UP AGAIN, for "Who are you that judges another mans servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be holden up [made to stand up]: for God is able to MAKE HIM STAND" (Rom. 14:4). We will ALL FALL! But afterwards, God "raises us UP AGAIN," and "makes us STAND." And from that time onward we have this sure promise of which we read before, but I want to read again: "Now unto Him that is able to KEEP YOU FROM FALLING, and to present you FAULTLESS before the presence of His glory with EXCEEDING JOY, To the Only Wise God Our Saviour, be glory and majesty, and dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen" (Jude 124-25)! When Johns spiritual house built upon the sand fell down, he was left, standing on the sand of the sea by himself alone with God, and it is then and only then, that he is able to see the wild beast that came up out of the sea. This wild beast is further identified in Rev. 13:14 when we are told this "beast, which had the wound [deadly wound, Ver. 3] by the sword, and DID LIVE." He was wounded to death, but the wound was healed and he again lived. He also has a mark, and a name, and a number. What is this mysterious number that has baffled scholars, theologians, and saints for centuries? I will not give you the complete answer to this at this time, but will only show you that it is the number of mankind humanity. THE NUMBER 666 "Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the NUMBER OF THE BEAST: for it is the NUMBER OF A MAN; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six [666]" (Rev. 13:18).

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Is this indeed what the Greek manuscripts of Rev. 13:18 state? No, it is not. The Greek word used when only man is meant (always excluding woman), is aner. But the Greek word translated "man" in Rev. 13:18 is not aner, but rather the word anthropos, which means "a human being, male or female." Strongs Concordant. Furthermore, it is not the number of "a" anything. It is just the number of human or of mankind! Even the Revised Standard Version translators saw this and therefore, states, "Its number is six hundred sixty-six." The number of the wild beast is not the number of "a" man, but rather the number of "man" or "mankind." With this in mind lets read II Thes. 2:3: "Let no man [let not any person, RSV, Let no ONE] deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a FALLING AWAY first, and that man of sin [Gk: the lawless one] be revealed, the son of perdition [Gk: the one destined for destruction]. Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God [a god], or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" Whenever man builds his spiritual house upon the spiritual sand, his spiritual house will fall. And it is then that God reveals to him the wild beast that comes out of the sea. What does Paul tell us happens when there comes a FALLING AWAY first? What follows? When our house on sand falls, what is then revealed? Why "the LAWLESS one" is "REVEALED." When the falling away occurs, then the man of sin, the lawless one the one destined for destruction is REVEALED. And what a revelation it is! What a blast of the trumpet it is! What a shock to all humanity when at long last this wild beast is revealed to EVERYONE! Trust me when I tell you that it is a hard pill to swallow. It will shake you to your sandy foundation. As I am now at the end of this Part XIII, I dont want to close without revealing just who it is that constitutes the wild beast of Revelation 491

13 and the lawless one of II Thes. 2. I did title this Installment: Who is the Beast? And so I will tell you. "So okay Ray, enough, TELL US WHO THE BEAST IS. Who? Tell us WHO?" The beast is you!

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The Beast Within In our last installment, I said that "YOU are the beast." That is, "I" am the beast, "we" are the beast, "all humanity" is the beast. I marvel that any would deny it. Of course women have always known that "all men are beasts," but I am afraid I must be the bearer of bad news and report that "all women are beasts" as well. God is no respecter of gender. Everyone in religious circles is looking for the beast, OUT THERE somewhere. If we are to find the beast OUT THERE, we might question whether he was ever IN HERE? That there "is, was, and will be" a beast OUT THERE, I have no doubt. But of what great concern is that to us? The only beast we need to concern ourselves with is the beast "within," "the man of sin." Just as the manymember beast comes "up out of the sea" [of humanity], we too came up out of the sea of humanity. Ten times in Revelation, Jesus Christ is spoken of as "The First and the Last," The Beginning and the Ending," the "One Who IS, WAS, and WILL BE." Do we think that the Scriptures speak these ten times in vain? Is the beast of Revelation something with which only the last generation at the end of this age needs concern itself? Was the book of Revelation written for the last generation only? Of course not. The book of Revelation, which is the testimony of Jesus Christ was given to the Seven Churches of AsiaAsia representing the whole world and seven representing the complete and total church. Some will retort: "Beast? What beast? I dont see any beast within myself. I am not perfect by any means, but I am certainly not a beast." We shall see.

EXCEPT THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST What an astonishing truth it is, that God CAUSES all those destined from the foundation of the world, to be chosen in Christ, that they should "fall away" from the Truth and "leave their first love" before 493

they can be truly spiritually converted. Yet this is the plain declaration of Scripture. Peter fell away: "Jesus said unto him [Peter], Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice [three times]" (Matt. 26:34). All the apostles fell away: "Then said Jesus unto them, ALL YE shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad" (Matt. 26:31). "And they ALL forsook Him, and fled." (Mark 14:50). Paul fell away: "As for Saul [renamed Paul], he made havock of the church" (Acts 8:3) [while at the very same time he was "blameless" in keeping the Law of Moses] (Phil. 3:6). ALL the Churches in Asia fell away after being in full support of Pauls ministry. First: "The churches of Asia salute [greet] you" (I Cor. 16:19). Later near the end of Pauls ministry: "This you know, that ALL they which are in Asia be TURNED AWAY FROM ME" (II Tim. 2:15). Paul warned the Ephesian Elders about the "flockchurch" falling away: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock [the whole flock]." (Acts 20:29). Jesus prophesied that all who will become overcomers will have first fallen away temporarily by leaving their first love:

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"Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you [the seven-in-one golden candlestick church of God that is, was, and will be] have LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE" (Rev. 2:4). Jesus Himself calls this leaving of our first love, a falling away: "Remember therefore from whence you ARE FALLEN, and REPENT" (Rev. 2:5). Whenever we "fall," we leave our "first love." For spiritual falling IS, LEAVING LOVE. Jesus said that when we leave our first love we are to remember from whence we are FALLEN Love itself has not failed us, but we have failed love, for true love is not capable of failure or falling: "Charity [Old English for love] never fails" (I Cor. 13:8). Jesus reprimands us for "falling" from love in Rev. 2:5. Interestingly, the word translated "fails" in I Cor. 13:8 is the very same word translated "fallen" in Rev. 2:5. And so, "love never FALLS," but before we are saved, we will fall. Why is it that this Scriptural truth is not taught in the Church? Simple: Most in the church have not as yet experienced "leaving their first love." Therefore, they are still deceived, and CANNOT see the beast within. They are still in the process of constructing their spiritual house upon the sand. Most will never see the beast in this lifetime.

ALL SCRIPTURE IS FOR OUR ADMONITION Why should the Scriptures preserve for us the falling away of Peter, Paul, all of the disciples, all of Asia, and all of the church (Rev. 2:4), if none of these things pertain to us or none of these things will ever happen to us? I have said many times in this series that there are "the called" and there are the "called AND chosen." We see it in every example: Jesus called Peter 495

"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter and He said unto them, Follow Me" (Matt. 4:18-19), and so Peter followed Jesus "And they straightway left their nets, and FOLLOWED Him." (Ver. 20) And so Peter followed Jesus for three and one-half years. But Peter was not converted: "And the Lord said, Simon [Peter], Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and WHEN YOU ARE CONVERTED, strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31-32). And later Peter denied Jesus three times in the same night! The question presents itself: "If we truly had "love" why should we have to "fall" from it or "leave it" in the first place? Ah, herein lies one of the grandest Truths found in all Scripture! From our first parents onward, God has always allowed men to believe that they are able of and by themselves (by their supposed phantom "free" will) to love God and be obedient to His laws. Despite Gods plethora of testimonies to the contrary, theologians and philosophers alike have taught mankind that they are indeed ABLE TO CHOOSE and, ABLE TO DO and to carry out that choice, because they have the "free will" within them to do so. What they have within them is a "beast" that is no more able to choose and obey God than any literal beast of the field.

TURNING OUR IDOLS OF THE HEART INTO POWDER In Ezekiel 14:7 we read: "For every one of the house of Israel [WE {Gentiles} are now the circumcision of God, Phil. 3:3. WE {Gentile believers} are the true Jew, Romans 2:28-29. WE {Gentiles & a remnant of racial Israel} are 496

the spiritual Israel of God, Gal. 6:16] or of the stranger that sojourns in Israel, which separates himself from Me, and sets up HIS IDOLS IN HIS HEART" We all have "idols of the heart." Whenever we disobey God, we are giving allegiance to and manifesting idols in our heart. When ancient Israel turned from God, they too manifested the idols in their hearts by building a literal golden calf idol with which to worship. And what did God do through Moses? "And he [Moses] took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire [dont forget I Cor. 3:15], and GROUND IT TO POWDER, and scattered it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it" (Exodus 32:20). How many understand our Lords statements in Luke 20:17-18? "And He beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The Stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the Head of the corner? Whomsoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever It shall fall, It will GRIND HIM TO POWDER." When we fall on the Stone (Jesus), we are broken. Or as John tells us in Revelation, "And I saw one of his heads as it were WOUNDED TO DEATH" (Rev. 13:3). Yes, when we fall on Christ we are broken, we are wounded (by the "sword" of GodRev. 13:14 vs. Heb. 4:12). This is our human attempt at salvation. But then we fall, and our "deadly wound [which we received by the Word of God] was healed" (Rev. 13:3), we went back into the world, back into Babylon, thus leaving our first love. When the wound of the Sword of Gods Word that had slain us, is healed, we fall from the love of God, and we again turn our love to the world from which we came. But heres the good news concerning this stone. If we are among the chosen that overcome, then the Stone falls ON US, and our spiritual house built upon the sand comes crashing down. And when Jesus 497

falls on us, He GRINDS US [along with all of our idols of the heart] TO POWDER! Remember we are but "clay" in the hands of the Master Potter, and clay consists of particles of sedimentary silicates of aluminum less than two-thousandth of a millimeter in diameterin other words, very fine powder. In Ancient Israel, the sin offering, the peace offering, the meat offering, and thank offering all had to be made with fine flour. All of the universe is composed of very fine things. All of the instructions on what was to be offered to God in the service of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, who was to offer it, and how it was to be offered is not just quaint little stories of history: "Now ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENED unto them for ensamples: and they are written FOR OUR ADMONITION, upon whom the ends of the world [ages] are come." (I Cor. 10:11). Christ is representative of all and every one of these sacrifices. And "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He [Jesus Christ] IS, SO ARE WE in this world" (I John 4:17). So, when we read of the fine flour, oil, salt, and frankincense in the Old Testament offerings, we must understand that WE TOO are to be like fine flourspiritually humbled and ground fine like powder, oilhaving the Spirit of God in us, saltwe are to BE the "salt of the earth," and frankincenseour very lives becoming a sweet smelling incense to our God. Some of the things we must go through seem bad on the surface. But as in all of Gods dealings, what appears at first to be something horribly bad, is in reality, only a necessary stage in the process of overcoming sin and self so as to be qualified to reign with Christ in bringing the rest of humanity into a knowledge of the Truth, redemption, salvation, and finally, glory.

GODS WORD SAYS THAT MAN IS A BEAST 498

"Nevertheless man being in honor abides not [does not endure]: he is LIKE THE BEASTS that perish" and "he is LIKE THE BEASTS that perish: (Ps. 49:12, 20). "One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, EVIL BEASTS, slow bellies [lazy gluttons]. This witness is true" (Titus 1:12-13). "But these, as NATURAL BRUTE BEASTS, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption" (II Pet. 2:12). "So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as A BEAST before thee" (Psalm 73:22). "But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, AS BRUTE BEASTS, in those things they corrupt themselves" (Jude 10). "I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves ARE BEASTS" (Ecclesiastes 3:18).

THE BEAST WITHIN / THE MAN OF SIN / THE SON OF PERDITION I showed from the Scriptures in our last installment that we only become aware of the beast when we are standing on the "sand of the sea." AFTER our spiritual house built upon spiritual sand FALLS DOWN, and WE fall down. And this is precisely why Paul tells us that the "day of Christ shall not come [to US] except there come a FALLING AWAY FIRST" (II Thes. 2:1-2). This "fall" by the way is not a little slip or a little stumble. It is a complete and total SPIRITUAL FALL! We all come to Christ with a simple childlike innocence. But BUT, once we are in "the church of our choice," we start to get educated in the ways of Christendom. We 499

learn of many rules based on the unscriptural traditions of men. We delight in many of these rules and traditions (sometimes not all of them), and before we know it, our new religion sooner or later TAKES US RIGHT BACK INTO THE WORLD that we thought we came out of.

IF YE BE CIRCUMCISED, CHRIST SHALL PROFIT YOU NOTHING To me it is a thing of overwhelming amazement that what most Christians around the world aspire to BE and ACCOMPLISH in their spiritual walk with God, is the very thing that our Apostle Paul called: "DUNG"! Christians claim that their bondage to physical commandments and traditions of men, are really spiritual. Some make an idol of the heart out of keeping the Saturday Sabbath; others make an idol of the heart out of claiming they are "tithing" when they give money to the church; others make an idol of the heart out of physical circumcision; others make an idol of the heart out of being baptized in the name of Jesus ONLY; others make an idol of the heart out of believing in the unscriptural teaching of a trinity or rapture, others make an idol of the heart out of demonic gibberish and tongues speaking; others make an idol of the heart out of drinking poison and handling poisonous snakes; others make an idol of the heart out of Christian Politics;

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others make an idol of the heart out of their own church affiliation or pastor or choir or a plethora of church activities; others (many) make an idol of the heart out of some pet, little-understood and little-believed Bible prophecy, which only they understand; others make an idol of the heart out of much speaking using spiritually-sounding words and phrases (of which they understand little or nothing); others make an idol of the heart out of joyfully condemning all those who do not subscribe to their brand of Christianity, to an eternal torture in hell fire (I am the brunt of a lot of these); and others just flat out worship themselves.

What does Paul have to teach us regarding these many barriers to truly understanding the excellency of Jesus Christ? "Circumcised the eight day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church [Paul counted persecuting the true believers as something of which to be proud]; touching the righteousness which is in the law, BLAMELESS [irreproachable, faultless]. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whom I have suffered loss of all things, and do count them but DUNG, that I might win Christ. (Phil. 3:5-8). Now then, notice what Paul also says in Gal. 5:1-4: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled gain with the yoked of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, [sounds important] that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you NOTHING. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do THE 501

WHOLE LAW [Abraham was circumcised, but Moses taught it AS A LAW that HAD to be obeyed]. Christ is become of NO EFFECT unto you, whosoever of you are [Gk: are should beattempt to be] justified by LAW; ye [ALL of you] are FALLEN FROM GRACE." We learned that leaving ones first love is falling from love. But theres more. Whatever one puts in place of true worship not only displaces us from our first love, but it also causes us to FALL FROM GRACE! Listen, as long as we obey the beast within, we are not aware of just how evil this beast really is. As long as we obey our carnal mind, we are not aware of just how evil our carnal mind is. MOST Christians are carnal. And how can I say that with certainty seeing that I cannot read the hearts of most men? Because the Bible tells me so: "MANY are called, but FEW are chosen." The carnal minded are called, but the carnal-minded are not as yet chosen: "And I [Paul], brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. "For ye ARE yet CARNAL: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not CARNAL, and walk as men [Gk: according to man]? "For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos [and another, I am Church of Christ, I am a follower of Billy Graham, or John Hagee, or Benny Hinn, or Paul Crouch, or T.J. Jakes, or Joyce Myers, etc.]; are ye [ALL] not CARNAL?" Through the years I have had many people say to me that they are followers of this or that religious personality, or that so and so, is "My Man." Well let me inform you that you cannot fight a spiritual warfare by standing behind a carnal man. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood [carnal enemies], but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12). Can we fight these spiritual enemies with carnal weapons or the teachings of carnal men? 502

"For the weapons of our warfare are not CARNAL, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (II Cor. 10:4).

JUST WHAT IS CARNALITY What then is it to be carnal or carnally minded? Its not good, I can tell you that. Its a monsterITS A BEAST: "for to be carnally minded is DEATH" And just why is that? "Because the carnal mind is enmity [DEEP-SEATED HATRED] against God: for it is NOT SUBJECT to the [spiritual] law of God, neither indeed CAN BE [Gk: is ABLE]. So then they that are in the flesh [carnal-minded] CANNOT please God" (Rom. 8:6-8). Have YOU ever seen yourself as the man of sin? Do you believe that YOU were once the son of perdition? Have YOU ever been carnally-minded in your walk with God? Have YOU ever left your first love? Have YOU ever put your hand to the plough and looked back? Has the spiritual house YOU built upon the sand fallen yet? Have you fallen from grace since first believing?

No? You say, "NONEVER"! Then the chances are great that "ye are YET carnal."

WHEN WILL I SEE THE BEAST WITHIN?

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Paul wasnt telling the unbelieving world that "ye are yet carnal." Nor was Jesus telling the world that they had "left the first love." No, Paul and Jesus are both telling THE CHURCH that they are "yet carnal and have left their first love"! In other words, AFTER coming into a church, AFTER they have accepted Christ, AFTER they have pursued their walk with God, AFTER they have built a spiritual house upon the sand, AFTER they have become indoctrinated with the commandments of men and the traditions of men, can one fall away and be in a position to actually spiritually SEE THE BEAST WITHIN! SEE the man of sin and the son of perdition. See your carnal-minded, God hating, SINS. You and I and all who have be enlightened by Gods word and our own failures in life, can surely see that we are all spiritually, WILD BEASTS. If you insist that: "Ray! I dont see myself as a spiritual BEAST, or a man of SIN, or the son of PERDITION [destruction]." Well, all I can to say is to parrot Paul: "YE ARE YET CARNAL."

AFTER WE FALL AWAY And what does Paul tell us will be revealed AFTER we fall away? "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, THE SON OF PERDITION" (II Thes. 2:3). The beast, the man of sin, and the son of perdition are all one and the same: "BEASTS": We have seen from Gods word that God calls mankind "beasts"Psalm 49:12 & 20; Titus 1:12-13; II Pet. 2:12; Psalm 73:22; Jude 10; & Ecc. 3:18). There is not just one prophetic beast OUT THERE, somewhere. We are ALL beastswithin! "MAN OF SIN": This phrase can be translated: "lawless one" or "man of lawlessness," as numerous translations do. But it can also be sin. Are we to believe that there is only ONE "man of sin?" or only ONE "man of lawlessness?" 504

"For ALL [all mankind] have sinned, and come [Greek: fall] short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "MANY [not few] will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord... And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity [margin: lawlessness]" (Matt. 7:22a & 23). "But the scripture has concluded ALL UNDER SIN" (Gal. 3:22). "Man of sin" is by no means the sole description of some one man that appears at the end of the age before the return of Christ. "SON OF PERDITION": This phrase should really be "son of destruction." Again, my King James has "son of destruction" in its margin. Is this speaking of just ONE person at the end of the age who will be called "son of perdition?" Hardly. Jesus called Judas "the son of perdition [destruction]" in John 17:12. So maybe there are only two people who are ever given this designation? Fraid not. Notice what Peter says: "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition [destruction] of UNGODLY men" (II Pet. 3:7). So are only the "ungodly" men at the end of the age "reserved unto fire against [until] the day of JUDGMENT and perdition [destruction]?" Notice what else Peter tells us in his epistle: "it is the era [now] for the judgment to begin from the HOUSE OF GOD" (I Peter. 4:17). But are we, who are members of the "house of God" considered "ungodly" people? Either we are "ungodly" sometime in our lives, or Jesus Christ didnt come to justify us or to die for our sins: "But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the UNGODLY, his faith is counted for righteousness" and "For when WE [believing Christians] were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for THE UNGODLY [thats us, thats everyone, thats ALL believers who will have their works tried in the fire, I Cor. 3:15]" (Rom. 4:5 and 5:6). 505

A word study will clearly show anyone that Jesus came to SAVE those who are and will be destroyed. And do I have a Scripture on that? I am glad that you asked. Here is a beautiful lesson that will show us just how important it sometimes is to know from what original word a word in our English translations came. Here is the temporary fate of most humanity: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to DESTRUCTION, and many there be which go in thereat" (Matt. 7:13). Did Jesus come to SAVE all those who enter the broad gate to "destruction?" YES HE DID: "For the Son of man is come to SAVE that which was LOST" (Matt. 18:11)! There it is! There is what? Where does that verse say that Jesus came to "SAVE that which was DESTROYED?" Why right in the verse, of course. You see, the New Testament was written in GREEK, and in Greek, here is what Matt. 18:11 says: "For the Son of man is come to SAVE that which was apollumi." And just what does apollumi mean in English? Strongs Greek Dictionary of the New Testament: "#622 {92x} apollumi to destroy, to perish, or lose" (page 37). Ninety-two times in the New Testament we read of "destroy, destruction, destroyed/perish, perishing, perished/lose and lost, and they are all translated from the same one word, apollumi! So whether one is destroyed, perished, or lost, it matters not to JesusHE SAVES THEM ALL! Old Testament too: "O Israel, you have DESTROYED yourself; but in Me is your help I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death" (Hosea 13:7 & 14)! "The righteous PERISH, and no man lays it to heart" (Isa. 57:1) And concerning lost Israel God says, 506

"I will seek that which was LOST, and bring again that which was driven away" (Ezek. 34:16). Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost [apollumilost, perished, destroyed], but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. Oh the whole church world will sing about it, but they dont completely believe the words they sing. They will appropriate the word "sinner" and "lost," but few will confess to being "the man of sin" or "the son of perdition [destruction]." So there are innumerable Scriptures that show that you and I and all humanity are or have been apollumilost/perished/destroyed. We all spiritually die once. The called and chosen are then judged in this lifetime, while the many called but not chosen (and all unbelievers) will be judged in the second resurrection white throne judgment. We all fit this description of "the man of sin, the son of perdition" of which Paul speaks. And when Paul tells us where this man of sin and son of perdition" resides, he removes all doubt of whom he is speaking.

THE MAN OF SIN IDENTIFIED Paul gives us three revealing factors concerning the man of sin (II Thes. 2:4): 1. "Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;

2.

so that he as God sits in the temple of God

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3.

showing himself that he is God"

These three traits of the man of sin are not reserved for some one superhuman that comes on the scene at the end of the age. Every man in every generation since John and Paul first penned their prophecies, have manifested these three traits of "the man of sin." Well why then havent more people seen this man of sin through the ages and reported on him? For one thing, only those who leave their first love, who are called and chosen, and have had their house build upon the sand come crashing down, are able to see the man of sinthe BEAST within. And the other reason is that the man of sin and beast within are invisible, while the church world is always looking for the physical. I have been teaching for a long time that the crime of "iniquity LAWLESSNESS" of Matt. 7:23, is primarily the belief in ones own sovereigntycommonly called "free will." Lets look at these three identifying signs one at a time: 1. "Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped" And just how does every man do this? In what possible way does the average church-goer or man in the street actually do this? Why by his supposed, "free" will of course. According to Church teaching and most all teaching of all religions in the world, man has a "free" will that enables him to THWART the very will of God. He may not consciously feel or acknowledge that he has this power, but try and talk him out of it and see what happens. If you or I or anyone can actually and factually THWART THE VERY WILL OF GOD, then we indeed can "oppose and exalt ourselves above all that is called God, or that is worshipped" But this thing we call "free" will is an illusion, a phantom, an idol of the heart. It has no real existence other than in the minds of all those clinging to this form of iniquity. I will prove to everyone from the Scriptures in the pages to follow that this idol of "human free moral agency" called "free will" is the greatest single SIN that must be 508

removed from our consciousness in order to be truly spiritually CONVERTED! 2. "so that he as God, sits in the temple of God" Is this really speaking of some one superhuman future person who will literally and physically sit in a temple called "the temple of God" and declare to the world that HE IS THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE? Would ANYONE of normal intelligence be deceived by such an absurd boast? I think not! But this man of sin of which Paul speaks certainly has "DECEIVED THE WHOLE WORLD" (Rev. 12:9). Jesus Christ has taught us that, "the words that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT" (John 6:63). Why then would we conclude that the words that Paul spoke unto us are NOT SPIRIT? After all, Whose words did Paul speak, anyway? Answer: "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words [what wholesome words? Whose wholesome words?], even THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST" (I Tim. 6:3). "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (II Tim. 3:16) The words of Paul that have become Scripture were inspired of God, and they were the same words as "THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST" Now then, with this spiritual Truth in mind, why oh why would anyone be looking for a man of sin to be sitting in a LITERAL TEMPLE claiming himself to be God? No one man of sin sits in the temple of God claiming to be God, but ALL MEN EVERYWHERE AND IN ALL GENERATIONS have sat in the temple of God claiming themselves to be God!

WHAT DOES PAUL MEAN BY "THE TEMPLE OF GOD" What "temple of God" is Paul speaking of? We read in Acts that Paul went into the literal, physical Temple in Jerusalem, but when he 509

wrote to those in his charge in his epistles (which later became Scripture), what kind of a Temple of God did he talk about? "Know ye not that YE ARE [1] THE TEMPLE OF GOD, and that the Spirit of God DWELLS IN YOU?" (I Cor. 3:16). "If any man defile the [2] TEMPLE OF GOD, him shall God destroy; for the [3] THE TEMPLE OF GOD is holy, which temple YE ARE" (I Cor. 3:17). "What? Know ye not that YOUR BODY IS [4] THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (I Cor. 6:19). "And what agreement has the [5] TEMPLE OF GOD with idols? For YE ARE [6] THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD: as God has said, I will dwell IN them, and walk IN them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (II Cor. 6:16). "For through Him WE both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household [family] of God: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In whom [the SAINTS] all the building fitly framed together grows unto [7] AN HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD: In Whom YE also are built together for an habitation of God through the spirit" (Eph. 2:18-22). Seven times Paul assures us that, YE [we] ARE the Temple of God, the habitation for His Holy Spirit. Seven, the number of completeness, of total spiritual truth. Do we suppose that after speaking of us, we, our bodies, being the temple of God seven times, that he all of a sudden he has reference to a PHYSICAL TEMPLE MADE WITH STONES? Absolutely not! This is parable. Dont think that Paul (just as his Lord) did not speak in parables, he did: "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them partakers of the foot and fatness of the olive tree" (Rom. 11:17). Paul is not teaching us about horticulture in this verse. It is a parable. 510

"Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that plows should plow in hope; and he that threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope" (I Cor. 9:10). Paul is not teaching plowing and threshing methods here, but a spiritual truth. It is a parable. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Gal. 6:9). Paul isnt speaking of reaping crops in a field. It is a parable. Paul used dozens and dozens of parables in His teachings. II Thes 2 is a parable with profound spiritual meaning. THE MAN OF SIN SITS ON THE THRONE OF HIS OWN CARNAL MIND, IN HIS OWN BODY CLAIMING POWERS THAT RIVAL THOSE OF GOD HIMSELF! Our man of sin claims a spiritual power so great that it believes it can literally thwart and dethrone God Himself from our hearts. This super-natural power of the will is assumed by nearly everyone in the whole world. 3. "showing himself that he is God." Even when we realize that Pauls teaching is spiritual, that this man of sin is representative of all humanity, we might feel that there is a problem with the third part of this description. What individual actually believes that he is, himself, the Creator God of the Universe? Even the most vanity-filled egotist would hardly claim to "BE God." I believe this phrase should be translated "showing himself that he is a god." Notice how the Emphatic Diaglott translates II Thes. 2:4 (from the interlineary): "the son of destruction, he opposing and lifting up himself above all being called a god or an august object, so that him into the temple of the God to be seated, openly showing himself, that he is a god"

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The Epistles of Paul by W. J. Conybeare has "a God" with a capital G, although I dont see the reason for the Capital: "even to seat himself in the temple of God, and openly declare himself a God" The New American Bible also translates this phrase as "a god": "who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship, so as to seat himself in the temple of God, claiming that he is a god." And therefore, if anyone could: (1) bring about thoughts or actions that have NO CAUSE, that is thoughts and actions that were created by the person himself and were not influenced, caused, made, forced, or in another way brought about, and that (2) such a person would then have the power to THWART THE VERY WILL OF GOD, by thinking and doing things that God does not approve of, but would never interfere with, then, indeed, that person could claim to be "a god"!! And it is this very "god" that sits on the throne of mens hearts, which throne was created for Jesus Christ to be seated in the power of Holy Spirit. And just how powerful is this "god" that sits on the throne of all unconverted men? It is so powerful that those who presume to possess this will of the mind that is absolutely "FREE" from any and all causality, can either bring about their own salvation or choose to reject their own salvation, AND NO POWER IN HEAVEN OR EARTH CAN THWART THEM. THEY can thwart Gods purpose, but GOD cannot thwart their purpose. That my friends is "OPPOSING and EXALTING oneself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that such an one as God sits in the temple of God [which temple our bodies are] showing oneself that he IS a god" (my paraphrase).

THE DAY OF THE LORD AND II THESSALONIANS II 512

Most of us not unlike the Thessalonians of Pauls day are aware of a prophetic time spoken by the prophets known as "The Day of the Lord." The Thessalonians knew somewhat of this day and what it portended, as Paul spoke to them earlier about it. Now he has to tell them in this second epistle, "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that THE DAY OF CHRIST is at hand" (II Thes. 2:2). Never forget that Jesus Christ IS The LORD, and so the Day of Christ and the Day of the Lord both represent the Son of God. Notice what Paul had instructed them in his first epistle concerning the coming of the Lord: "and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the Living and True God; And to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come" (I Thes. 1:9b-10). Paul tells them of his suffering: "For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had SUFFERED before, and were SHAMEFULLY ENTREATED, as ye know with MUCH CONTENTION (I Thes. 2:1-2). Then Paul speaks of their suffering and the reason for sending Timothy to them: "That no man should be moved by THESE AFFLICTIONS: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto" (I Thes. 3:3). Paul states that: "Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our AFFLICTION and DISTRESS by your faith" (I Thes. 3:7). And so Paul tells them of his afflictions, and also acknowledges their afflictions. Again Paul assures these Thessalonians that: "For yourselves know perfectly that THE DAY OF THE LORD so comes as a thief in the night For God has NOT appointed us to 513

wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Thes. 5:2 & 9). Well Timothy reported back to Paul that they were having even more tribulations and persecutions to the point that they were thinking that they must be in that period of time of "The Day of the Lord," and that they themselves were suffering wrath from God. Once more Paul acknowledges these tribulations and suffering: "So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in ALL YOUR PERSECUTIONS AND TRIBULATIONS THAT YE ENDURE" (II Thes. 1:4). But rather than wrath from God, Paul assures them that this suffering is really a token of Gods righteous judgment and that God will be punishing those who are persecuting them: "Which [suffering] is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be COUNTED WORTHY of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God recompense tribulation to them that TROUBLE YOU" (II Thes. 1:5-6). Then Paul gives them one more giant promise of rest from all of these sufferings: "And to you [and to US as well] who are troubled REST with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction [eonian extermination] from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) IN THAT DAY" (II Thes. 1:7-10). And next we come to the Scriptures of our present study. Paul comforts them in their persecutions and tribulations. He assures them that endurance in faith will account the worthy to be in the Kingdom of God, and that they will have rest at the coming of our 514

Lord to be glorified in His saints and admired in ALL THAT BELIEVE. This is the way of the believer leading up to the coming of the Lord and the "Day of the Lord," when all will be changed and glorified. But Paul tells them that that day is not here yet. Listen carefully: Generation after generation after generation of believers and saints of God have lived, suffered and been persecuted, and then DIED. This "Day of Christ" or "Day of the Lord" not only did not come in their lifetime, but it will not be a reality to any of them WHEN IT DOES COME, unless something else happens in their lives FIRST! Unless this experience happened to them in their lifetime, whenever they lived, they will not be in the First Resurrection and see the Coming of the Lord in the Day of the Lord. Something had to have happened to themall of them. Something HAS to happen to YOUALL OF YOU who expect to see the Coming of the Lord and the Day of the Lord and be accounted worthy to be in The Kingdom of God. Yes, we already read in II Thes. 1:10, "When He shall come to be glorified in His saints" And He will be glorified in all His saints at that time, but not unless something has happened in all of His saints FIRST! Until and unless the thing that I am going to mention next is an accomplished FACT in your PRESENT life, you will not see The Coming of the Lord, neither will you be in the First Resurrection of spiritual rest and glorification. I kid you not, this is deep and heavy stuff!

BEFORE THE DAY OF THE LORD CAN COME TO YOU Here then is what must be accomplished in your life before you die: "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power: THAT the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be GLORIFIED IN YOU [IN YOU], and

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YE IN HIM, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (II Thes. 1:11-12)!! How then does our Apostle Paul tell us this MUST be accomplished? What must happen? What must we do? Or rather what must Jesus do IN US? Here is the Scriptural answer: "Now we beseech YOU, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him. That ye be not soon shaken in mind or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that THE DAY OF CHRIST [The Day of the Lord] is at hand [FOR YOU...]. Let no man deceive YOU by any means: for that day shall not come [TO YOU] except there come a FALLING AWAY FIRST [BY YOU], and the man of sin be revealed the son of perdition [IN YOUTO YOU]; Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped [IN YOU]; so that he as God sits in the temple of God [which temple YE ARE II Cor. 6:16] showing himself that HE IS [YOU ARE / I AM] a god Remember ye not, that when I was yet with YOU, I told YOU these things? And now ye know what withholds [is restraining, is detainingthe falling away FIRST] that he [the man of sin be revealed, the son of perditionYOU] might be revealed in his time [in YOU and TO YOUindividually, not collectively] in his time [his {particular} time]FOR YOU and FOR ME and for ALL BELIEVERS IN ALL GENERATIONS UNTIL JESUS COMES TO US ALL, COLLECTIVELY, AS THE MANIFEST SONS OF GOD]." Long before Jesus can have a COMPANY of manifest SONS and DAUGHTERS of God, there has to be individual begettals by the Holy Spirit of God in chosen individuals in every generation leading up to the coming of the Lord at the end of this age. "For the mystery [secret, hidden truth] of iniquity [lawlessness] does already work [is inwardly working The Emphasized New Testament: A New Translation (J. B. Rotherham)]: only he who now lets

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will let [only he who restrains will do so], until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked [Lawless One] be revealed IN [IN YOU] and TO YOU, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit [breath] of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; Even him [not original], whose coming [the man of sin called son of perdition IN YOU] is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders" (II Thes. 2:1-9).

HOW CHRISTENDOM PERCEIVES THE COMING OF THE MAN OF SIN Lets take a little break here and consider a few extraordinary revelations in the last verses we just covered. The world of Christian theology overwhelmingly teaches that the things presented in verses 1 through 9 are for the END OF THE WORLD ONLY, and that they are ABSOLUTELY LITERAL and that this man of sin called the son of perdition will DECEIVE the whole world. This is so absurd that it becomes almost humorous when we try to picture or imagine such a literal, one-time, worldwide deception, scenario. Here is what we are told to believe by self-appointed end-time prophets of doom: 1. A literal TEMPLE will soon be built in Jerusalem.

2.

A MAN [a physical mortal man] will, at some period thereafter, enter this TEMPLE, and SIT down.

3.

This MAN, SITTING IN THE TEMPLE, OPPOSES AND EXALTS HIMSELF ABOVE ALL THAT IS CALLED GOD OR THAT IS WORSHIPPED. 517

4.

SHOWING HIMSELF THAT HE IS GOD.

BEHOLD, THE MAN OF SIN ON INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION As Sophia on Golden Girls would say: "Picture this" A thousand cameras are all rolling and beaming the following event to every spot on earth via satellites. A man (a physical, mortal man, with possible body odor, thinning hair, and a pimple on his nose) approaches a newly built, incredibly beautiful, temple somewhere in Jerusalem. He is dressed in an all white, pure silk Hong Kong suit, with his collar on backwards signifying great religious piety, and having a huge gold cross around his neck. With unbelievable pride and pompous vanity, he enters the temple (followed by a couple dozen cameramen). He then sits (well, I dont know where he sits, seeing that the Temple in Jerusalem did not have a "throne" in it, as even the Jews knew that the Temple was built for God and not for some man to sit in itmaybe he sits on the floor). He then announces to those present and to the world via the cameramen, that He HIMSELF IS GOD. Yes, GODthe Creator of billions of galaxies having billions of stars that are billions of times larger than the earth. And, although he speaks with imperfect grammar and has a rather small vocabulary, the ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE EARTH (save the Hagee/Lindsey readers) will actually BELIEVE that this man IS THE VERY GOD OF THE BIBLE AND THE GOD OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE. The presidents and leaders of whole countries, taxi drivers, housewives, scientists, atheists, Moslems, WILL BE TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY CONVINCED (albeit it also totally deceived) that this mortal man in the white silk Hong Kong suit, really IS, THE ETERNAL CREATOR GOD OF THE UNIVERSE!! And all the while, sales of "Official Man of Sin dolls" will sell like hotcakes in all the religious junk stands surrounding the temple. 518

Give me a break! How stupid do they believe the average earthling really is? Would YOU be deceived by such an one? I should say NOT! But how many earthlings might be deceived by this man of sin were he to hide in the hearts and minds of men in a way that they themselves would be completely at home with this man of sin, the son of perdition? How many? ALL OF THEMEVERY LAST ONE OF THEM (including ME)! I have been completely deceived by this man of sin in MY LIFE, for MOST of my life! But NO MORE! Back to our "prophets of doom" scenario. Lets read onI will repeat verses 8-9: "And then shall that Wicked [Lawless One], whom the Lord shall CONSUME, with the spirit of His mouth, and shall DESTROY with the brightness of HIS COMING [Christs coming/Christs presence]: "Even him [not in original] whose [the man of sin] coming [or presence] is after [in accordance with] the working of Satan" Make no mistake about it: SATAN is completely involved in the coming, presence, manifestation, and even EXISTENCE of this man of sin. Satan knows all about sin, seeing that: "He that commits sin [as in the man of sin] is OF THE DEVIL; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works [or WORKINGS] of the devil" (I John 3:8). I am now going to make an observation that I believe is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. One can easily see that if we removed the words "whom the Lord shall consume, with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming" and connected the remaining words (leaving out the two words Even him, which are NOT in the original Greek), the sentence makes perfect sense: "And then shall that Wicked [Lawless One], be revealed, whose coming is after the working of Satan" 519

We can immediately see that the extra words (added by the King James Version) are quite unnecessary. It became obvious to me that not only could "whom the Lord shall consume, with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming" be set off by parentheses, but that it is mandatory that this clause be set off by parentheses. I then, after seeing this consulted the Concordant Version to see how they handled this verse, and I was pleasantly surprised to read the following: "[and] then will be unveiled [or revealed] the lawless one (WHOM THE LORD JESUS WILL DISPATCH WITH THE SPIRIT OF HIS MOUTH AND WILL DISCARD BY THE ADVENT OF HIS PRESENCE), whose presence is in accord with the operation of Satan" (whom the Lord shall consume, with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming) is a PARENTHETICAL STATEMENT regarding HOW this man of sin, will be taken care of and rendered harmless, IN THE BELIEVER ONLY (the Emphatic Diaglott also puts this clause in parentheses). So why do I say that it is mandatory that this clause be a parenthetical statement rather than a necessary part of the sentence, which contains this clause? Answer: Because of what follows next. Verses 10 through 12 prove conclusively that this man [singular] of sin, son [singular] of perdition, he [singular] as God, and showing himself [singular] is NOT JUST ONE SINGULAR PERSON revealed ONCE at the end of the age ONLY. Lets read it: "And then shall that Wicked [Lawless One] be revealed [opening parenthetical statement], (whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming) [closing parenthetical statement]; whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in THEM [plural] that perish; because THEY [plural] received NOT the love of the truth [as believers do receive the love of the Truth], that THEY [plural] might be saved [as are believers in the first resurrection are 520

saved]. And for this cause God shall send THEM [plural] strong delusion, that THEY [plural] should believe a lie: That THEY [plural] ALL [plural] might be damned [condemned] who believe NOT the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" The man of sin/son of perdition is UNIVERSAL and found in ALL MANKIND. THAT is how Satan deceives THE WHOLE WORLD (Rev. 12:9). Men are looking for the BEAST (the man of sin/son of perdition) OUT THERE somewhere, when all the while he has been present INSIDE OF US ALL!

THE PARENTHETICAL STATEMENT IS FOR BELIEVERS ONLY (whom [the beastly man of sin/son of perdition] the LORD shall consume with the spirit of His mouth [IN USWE, believers and lovers of the Truth], and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming [IN US, making His presence known IN US, destroying the beastly man of sin/son of perdition IN US, making the Day of the Lord to be at hand FOR US, and IN US] )! Lets read it: "But WE [Paul and believers. NOT them and they, but WE Lovers of the Truth] are bound to give thanks always to God for YOU, brethren beloved in the Lord, because God has from the beginning CHOSEN you [called AND CHOSEN you] to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth: Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the OBTAINING of the GLORY [That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be GLORIFIED IN YOU Chapter 1:12] of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting [eonian] consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work" (Verses 13-17).

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WE ARE ALL PRODIGAL SONS You all know the parable. The son of a rich man wanted his inheritance NOW. And so he went into a far country and wasted his inheritance with riotous livingdoing what seemed RIGHT in his own eyes. Enjoying life, having a good time. When he was physically and morally broke, he took a job slopping the pigs, and finally eating the slop of the pigs, himself. His selfish, carnal, house built on shifting sands FELL! "And GREAT was the fall thereof." He had "left his first love" of his Father who obliged him in his "free will" decision to pursue his own happiness. But now, with his face in the watery slop of the pigs, he sees his reflection looking back at hima BEASTa man of great sina son in the state of spiritual perdition. What will he do? He said: "I will arise and go to my Father, and will say unto Him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before Thee, And am no more worthy to be called Thy son: make me as one of Thy hired servants But the Father said to His servant, Bring forth the best robe [for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints,' Rev. 19:8], and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand [And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Josephs hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt, (Gen. 41:42-43). "To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me {second chariot from Christ}" (Rev. 3:21), "And to he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations {ALL of them, not just Egypt}] For this my son was [spiritually] DEAD, and is alive again; he was LOST [pollumilost, destroyed, vanished] and is found. And they began to be merry" (Luke 15-11-24).

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LET ME KNOW Are you beginning to SEE IT? Is God giving you understanding? Do you see the grand and marvelous wisdom of it all? Drop me an emaillet me know. I want to know how many out there in computerland are beginning to have ears to hear and eyes to see. THANK GOD, that I (L. Ray Smith) had fallen away, left my first love, looked back, forsook the Lord, and watched my house upon the sand come crashing down! Only then was I able to stand upon the sand of the sea, and see the beast within, the man of sin, the son of perdition, and Satan the devil who DECEIVED ME! But NOW, "I am crucified WITH Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ lives IN ME: and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by the faith OF the Son of God, who loved ME [and YOU], and gave Himself for ME [and YOU]" (Gal. 2:20). In conclusion: "I was in the Spirit on the Lords day, and heard BEHIND me a great voice, as of a trumpet And I turned to see the voice that spoke with ME. And being TURNED, I saw seven gold candlesticks; [the complete church of God in all generations, with MY sins outlined in each and every one of them] And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; [PURGING all who look upon Him] And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned [refined] in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was as the SUN SHINING IN HIS STRENGTH [no longer a physical body with HOLES in it]. And when I saw Him [in my SPIRIT] I fell at His feet as DEAD. And He laid His right hand upon ME [as He will upon YOU], saying unto ME [and unto YOU], 523

FEAR NOT" (Rev. 1:10-17). Truly: "We have seen the enemy and he is US."

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