Part 7. The Various Theories Concerning The Rapture, And Millennial Reign Of Christ. And, The Belief And Teachings Of The . . .

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1. Read { Zephaniah 3:8- TO -20 }! Just before the prophecy in {Matthew 24:29-30 - & - Zechariah 14:4 } takes place, the Lord states . . .

2. {V. 8} Scripture: "Therefore wait you upon Me, says the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for My determination is to gather the nations [ for the battle of Armageddon ], that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them My indignation, even all My fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy, { Zephaniah 3:8 }."

3. { V. 8 } above paraphrased: "Therefore earnestly wait for Me, says the Lord, waiting for the future day of tribulation when I will rise up to the attack . . . I will be He Who is a witness, and the accuser, and the judge, and a true testimony. For My decision and determination and right it is to gather the nations together to assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them My indignation, even all the heat of My fierce anger; for in that day all the earth shall be consumed with the fire of My zeal and jealousy."

4. This above { V. 8 } concerns the exhortations in the knowledge of the future "Day Of The Lord." In this explanation Jehovah identifies four things He will accomplish: [ 1 ]: He will gather the nations for judgment, {Matthew 25:31-46}. [ 2 ]: He will purify His people. [ 3 ]: He will remove pride. And [ 4 ]: He will provide for His covenant people.

5. { V. 9 } Scripture: "For then [ changing their impure language ] will I turn to [ and give ] the people a [ clear ] pure language [ a pure speech from pure lips ], that they may [ all ] call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one [ unanimous ] consent [ and one united shoulder bearing the yoke of the Lord ].

6. Commentary . . . The people in view are the remnant of the Christians whom had been saved out of the Gentiles, and who survived the Lord's judgment because of their conversion. Jehovah will bless them during Christ's reign. There is no indication that the linguistic diversion visited upon the human race at the tower of Babel will be reversed or, that they will join Israel in speaking Hebrew, but maybe they will speak the Hebrew language? One thing we can be sure of, their language will be purified from all of the oaths and prayers used in placating their idol gods. They will use a pure language, which is a fitting way to call upon the true Messiah. The life that follows will be consistent with their call; for they will serve the Lord with one consent. The Hebrew: "shekem," means 'shoulder:' a figure drawn from the use of a yoke whereby two animals could be linked together and serve as one. All Saints in the nations will be unified in their worship of the Lord and will address Him in praise and supplication with a language purified of all heathen terminology.

7. { V. 10 } From beyond the rivers of [ Cush or ] Ethiopia My suppliants [ those who pray to Me ], even the daughter of My dispersed [ people ], shall bring [ and present ] My offering [ because I the Messiah, will personally be reigning in their midst ], {Zephaniah 3:9-10}."

8. Commentary . . . The purification of the Gentiles will effect what they do. Those from the south of Israel in Ethiopia will gather together the Hebrews that are dispersed among them and return them to Israel as an offering to the Lord. The suppliants are the Gentile Ethiopians, NOT the Hebrews that are still living in their land. They are the ones who the Lord states "Will bring My offering," which is in opposition to even the "daughter of My dispersed," that is mentioned in the verse above. Thus, the conversion of the Ethiopians is demonstrated by their deeds, returning to Jerusalem the Jews that are still in their country. Because their minds are made right toward the Messiah, they therefore, returned to Messiah that which is rightfully His.

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9. { V. 11 } Scripture: "In that day shall you [ the congregation of Israel, ] not be ashamed for all your doings [ your past deeds ], wherein you have transgressed [ in rebellion ] against Me [ in unbelief ]: for then I will take away out of the midst of you them that rejoice [ exult in your majesty and ] in your pride, and you shall no more be haughty [ and carry yourselves arrogantly on or ] because of My holy Mountain [ in Jerusalem where the Temple sets ],

10. { V. 12 } [ For ] I will also leave in the midst of you an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust [ seek refuge and be confident ] in the name of the Lord.

11. { V. 13 } The remnant of Israel [ that is left alive after the great Tribulation Period ends ] shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid, { Zephaniah 3:11-13 }." .

12. Commentary . . . These 3 verses { 11-13 } above go together and concern the cleansing of the world's nations, and also refers to the cleansing of Israel. There will be no cause for shame for the Lord will have dealt in judgment with every ungodly person and deed. Messiah will remove all vestiges of sinful pride from Israel. The pride, which was characteristic of the false priests and the false prophets of their past, all the pride they have had will be removed. Pride will no longer effect either the worship of the Lord or the environs in which that worship is conducted.

13. In the place of the proud, Messiah will bless those who are truly humble and trust in Him completely, and they will be exonerated from past wrongs they have committed. The remnant of Israel will be purified of their sins, whether in work or of word; and they will be at peace and in fellowship with the Lord, and each other. When a nation is spiritually right, it will be physically secure, Christ will provide for and protect His people, and they will dwell in perfect peace and security.

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Be Sure to Read And Study Part Eight Of Theories!

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1. { V. 14 } Scripture: "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice [ be in high spirits and glory ] with all the heart [ mind, in that Millennial day ], O daughter of Jerusalem:

2. Commentary . . . In view of such restoration, peace, and security, all of Israel can rejoice and praise the Lord. The nation is exhorted to give heartfelt expression to singing, shouting, being glad, happy, and rejoicing, as the above verse signifies! What do you as a reader comprehend about exhortation? Four causes for rejoicing are given, [ 1 ]: Christ has removed His judgment { Vs. 15-16 }; [ 2 ]: Messiah dwells among His people, { Vs. 17-18 }; [ 3 ]: Jehovah will deal with all enemies, { V. 19 }; and [ 4 ]: Jesus will restore His people back to their own nation, V. 20 }, { Zephaniah 3:14 }.

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3. { V.15 } Scripture: "[ For then it will be that ] The Lord has taken away your judgments [ against you ], He has cast out your enemy: [ the Antichrist, false prophet, Satan, and Satan's followers - therefore, ] the King of Israel, even the Lord [ Messiah Himself ], is in the midst of you, [ and after He has come to you, He will be reigning as the King on His throne in Jerusalem, and ]: you shall not see evil any more.

4. { V. 16 }: In that [ Millennial ] day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear you not, and to Zion, let not your hands be slack [ never become a sluggard ].

5. Commentary . . . The Lord has taken away Israel's judgments because her sin has been punished and she has been purified. All enemies, including the spiritual enemy of idolatry which had infected the nation for so long, have been cast out; and Messiah Himself reigns forever within and there will never again be any spiritual defection. Because of Messiah's presence and the purification of His people, the nation need have no fear of enemies from without or within their borders as it is today with the Palestinians encroaching upon Israel's land. They will then be able to give their time and effort wholly to the worship of the Lord.

6. { V. 17 }: [ In that Millennial day ] The Lord your God [ will dwell ] in the midst of you [ and He ] is mighty; He [ is the one and only Saviour and He ] will save [ multitudes ], He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [ in silent satisfaction and ] in His love, [ He will be silent and make no mention of past sins, or even recall them ] He will joy [ with exultation ] over you with singing.

7. { V. 18 } I will gather them [ the Hebrew tribes ] that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of you, to whom the reproach of it was a burden, { Zephaniah 3:15-18 }."

8. { V. 18 } above Paraphrased: "I will gather those belonging to you . . . those Israelis who are the captivity of the nations . . . who yearn and grieve for the solemn assembly and the festivals, on whom their exile and inability to attend services at Jerusalem have brought derision and the reproach of it is a burden. .

9. Commentary . . . Once again, the redeemed nation is assured in these two verses of the personal dwelling presence of Messiah. He is, and always will be powerful, and an able deliverer. His presence will abide upon the Hebrew nation forever, not in judgment but in rejoicing. He will actually rest in His love; there will never again be any cause in Israel to alicit judgment or rebuke them for anything. Messiah will have removed all that from the nation at His Second Coming, now all is pure bliss, thus, now there will be only joy and singing.

10. Above { V. 18 } focuses upon the Hebrews of the former exile who because they had been prohibited from celebrating the peace to Jehovah during their time of exile. They will be gathered and Messiah will rejoice over them. This future restoration during the Millennial reign of Christ, is a type of that restoration which followed the Babylonian captivity since a remnant of the Israelites had been restored back to their land, but their happiness did not last as it will in the final restoration.

11. { V. 19} Scripture: "Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict you: and I will save her that halteth [ the crippled and sickly ], and gather her [ the Hebrew remnant of saved Hebrews ] that was driven out [ of the land of Israel ]; and I will get them praise [ a magnificent name ] and [ tremendous fame ] in every land [ every country: ] where they have been put to shame.

12. Commentary . . . Before Messiah can exalt over His people, He must destroy every enemy that has afflicted them. This He will do, so the Jew haters had better repent and remember that the Jews are still the Lord's holy people. All should remember, that Christ's mother and foster earthly father Joseph were also Jews the same as He was in His physical body. The enemies of His people are also the enemies of Himself. These Jew haters have in the past and will in the future, cripple the Lord's people. They have driven them out of their rightful land that the Lord Himself had wholeheartedly given them as an eternal inheritance. His people have been an object of scorn, ridicule, and mockery. But Messiah will deliver them, and they will be purified and restored. Instead of being objects of shame, they will be objects of praise. And the Lord God Who has shown Himself in their behalf will glory in them.

13. { V. 20 } At that time [ after the second coming ] will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a [ praise ] among all [ the nations and ] people of the earth, when I [ reverse and ] turn back your captivity before your eyes, says the Lord, { Zephaniah 3:19-20 }."

14. { V. 6 } Scripture: "In that { Millennial day ], says the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth [ is lame ], and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;

15. { V. 7 }: And I will make her that halted [ those who are lame ] a remnant, and her that was cast off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even "for ever," [ Notice these words "forever." Notice also the similarity between this verse and { V. 20 } above ].

16. { V. 8 }: And you, 'O tower of the flock; [ the hill ] and the strong hold of 'the daughter of Zion,' unto you shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem, { Micah 4:6-8 }."

17. Commentary . . . pay particular attention to { V. 8 } above as the verse mentions: "This daughter of Zion" [ Israel, is here portrayed in the feminine gender, ] and Jerusalem, is a reference to the new revived nation of Israel during the millennial reign of Messiah and, therefore, has now become the Bride of Christ the Messiah in all her glory. In Jerusalem on His throne the Bridegroom will be sitting, and the nation therefore, is classified as the daughter of Jerusalem. The prophet addresses the tower of the flock [ Hebrew migdal-'Elder, tower of Elder' ] and the stronghold [ Hebrew 'opel,' high place ] of the daughter of Zion. The former was located about a mile from Bethlehem and is indicative of King David's birthplace [ and also of his son, Messiah, of { Ch. 5:2 } and the latter is indicative of Jerusalem where David reigned and where Messiah will reign. These places that have enjoyed prominence in the past, because of their connection with King David, will once again enjoy a much greater prominence under "Jesus the Messiah" Who is typical of David's son ].

18. That glorious city of Jerusalem, is looked upon as being the tower of the flock that watches over the nation of Israel as a shepherd watches his sheep from the tower. The Millennial Kingdom will be far greater in extent than David's or Solomon's first dominion { see Genesis 15:18 }. Ultimately, Messiah will restore His people, and all wrongs committed against them will be righted. Their restoration back to all the land promised them in God's Word will mean future blessing from on high. Not only for them, but for the redeemed of all nations of the earth. As we have said, this prophecy was a type of what took place after the Babylonian captivity when the Jews returned to rebuild their temple and the wall at Jerusalem. But, when one studies the complete text, he will understand as our commentary explains, that the final fulfillment of the prophecy will not be fulfilled until the Lord's returns to punish evil men in judgment, and then set up His Millennial Kingdom Administration on this earth.

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19. We now ask the question does the above sound as if the A-millennialist are right in their interpretation? We wonder just how they would interpret the above texts. We believe that they would tear it all to pieces and contradict everything we have said about it. The Beatitudes in { Matthew Ch. 5 }, and the model prayer in { Chapter 6 }, all refer to the future Millennial Kingdom and the reign of Messiah on this earth. And we have to say: that if this is not understood, then the student certainly does not rightly comprehend the study of eschatology. Any theology student should be able to see that there has never been a world wide earthly Kingdom, such as is predicted in the Scriptures, that has been in existence up to this time. If what the Bible states concerning the Kingdom is just an allegorical teaching and really doesn't mean what it says, would this not mean that we have been fooled all this time, and the Lord had all these prophetic events prophesied to fool us?

20. There is a tremendous amount of prophecy that concerns the 7 year Tribulation period, and the literal Millennial reign of Christ to take place upon this earth. How on earth could it be believed that this is all fiction? Why would the Lord have all these prophetic events predicted if it wasn't true? Why would the Lord waste so much space in the Bible on events that cannot take place? Does this make any common sense at all to you? A-millennialist say that we are spiritual Israel. Lets consider this somewhat: as all must be aware, when we get to Heaven, we will all be in unity, that is, all in oneness with Christ our Head. Since this is so, could this mean that a few men among us will be set apart by the Lord to judge the rest of us? Will there be this type of Judgment in Heaven?

21. Scripture: "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that you which followed Me, in the regeneration 'when the Son of man shall sit in the throne' of His glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, { Matthew 19:28 }."

22. Commentary . . . Again we repeat the above text . . . according to this text, Christ's original 12 Apostles are going to sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. If we are spiritual Israel as many of the various millennialists teach, then this means that we are evidently going to be judged by these men after we go to Heaven. They certainly aren't going to judge us while we are presently on the earth! The question is, why would the Heavenly Saints be judged while they are in Paradise? Does any of this make any sense? We have already explained this above text in this message. Notice that the Apostle Paul will not be sitting on a 13th throne helping the other 12 judge Israel. Paul is the one Apostle for this present Grace period and isn't included with the other 12 who had journeyed with Jesus during His ministry.

23. But, the A-millennialists it seems, will never accept any doctrine, even though it comes directly from the Word of God, if it contradicts their own denominational doctrine! "When the Son of man shall sit on His throne," Scripture makes clear that these words have not as yet been fulfilled. The Father is on His throne. Christ is at the right hand of the Father, but Christ will not sit on His throne until after the Rapture has taken place. Then afterward, we see Messiah coming in His glory to take over the earth as part of His rightful inheritance. Notice we said part of His inheritance, actually the whole universe belongs to Him! See { Revelation 5:6-7 }, where the Father is still sitting on the throne, and the Lamb of God [ Jesus ], came and took the book from the One Who was sitting on the throne. Any student should realize that the above prophecy is yet to be fulfilled in the future!

24. Commentary . . . Notice { Luke 19:11-27 } which concerns a parable, in this parable, Jesus Himself is referred to as a man traveling to a far country.

25. { V. 12 }: this is speaking of the time when Christ has gone up into Heaven to acquire permission and authority from the Father to establish His earthly Kingdom.

26. { V. 13 }: While the Lord was away, His followers were to occupy their places as His workers until He returned back to the earth.

27. { V. 14 }: The people that had been witnessed to, on the average, refused the Lord and would not receive Him as the future King.

28. { V. 15 }: When Christ as the King returned, He inquires about the people, whether they had been witnessed to, and if so, did they receive Him after the witnessing program had taken place.

29. { Vs. 16-19 }: These who had ministered to the people . . . said to Him that they had gained some converts for Him, and He made clear that He was satisfied about this. Of course, He wanted everybody to become Believers but, as we know it doesn't work that way!

30. { Vs. 20-27 }: refers to folks who have been lazy and have set their witnessing program aside, they ignored the Lord's teaching and failed to teach His doctrine. If these people taught at all, much of their doctrine was false. And so they will be judged, see { V. 26-27 }. When one changes the Word of God to mean something it doesn't, even though he might be a Christian, he will lose out on blessings. The blessings that one might have received for good works will not be administered to a slothful servant, but will be bestowed upon him who has carried out the Lord's commandments. And, of those who refuse sound doctrine and continually reject Christ, they can only inherit eternal damnation as these last two verses seem to illustrate. The reader should be advised, that the Pre-millennialist teach the truth about this! A-millennialism teaches that Christ's Second coming will result in the end of human history upon the earth:

31. Scripture: ". . . for there shall be great distress in the land [ of Israel ] and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of [ by ] the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled, { Luke 21:23-24 }."

32. The times of the Gentiles began with the domination of Israel by King Nebuchadnezzar in about 605-6 - B.C. till the Second Coming of Christ, which goes all the way through the Tribulation Period. In no way will the Heavenly Jerusalem be trodden down by anyone, thus, the above text only refers to an earthly event. Any one in his right mind is strongly aware that the Gentiles still have control of Israel in part, for the Palestinians who are Gentiles, are controlling part of it at the present time. And also, at the present time the U.S. and some of the other nations are still telling Israel how to run their nation, and are practically forcing Israel to trade their land to their enemies for a so-called peace. During the Tribulation Period, Antichrist will reign over the land of Israel for seven years. On the other hand, this text makes clear that a time is coming when Jerusalem will no longer be subject to any Gentile administration. Therefore, the nation will be free to be governed by the Messiah alone! And, this can only mean that Jerusalem here on this planet will be restored, and Israel will become a sovereign nation in its completeness from there on. [ At the present time, all those who are not Hebrews are classed as Gentiles unless they are members of the Body of Christ ]!

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33. { V. 19 } The Apostle Peter stated . . . Scripture: "[ So ] Repent you therefore [ change your mind and purpose; turn around and come to the Lord ], and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out [ completely ], when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

34. Commentary . . . To be converted means to make an about face and turn away from sin. Turn away from the wiles of Satan and turn back completely to the Lord as Messiah. The times of refreshing and the restitution of all things in { V. 21 } naturally has reference to the futuristic earthly Millennial Kingdom that is to come.

35. { V. 20 }: And He [ God the Father ] shall send [ to you ] Jesus Christ, which before was [ designated and appointed and ] preached to you:

36. { V. 21 } Whom the heavens must receive [ and retain ] until the times of restitution [ the completion and restoration ] of all things, which God [ Jehovah- Jesus ] has spoken by [ and through ] the mouth of all His holy prophets [ in ages past ] since the world began, { Acts 3:19-21 }."

37. Commentary . . . The A-millennialists mistakenly teach that the prophetic utterances of the prophets in a spiritual sense are right at this time being fulfilled in the Heavenlies, and has nothing to do with a future earthly administration. I don't know about you, but I don't agree with the A-millennialists, I believe that the above texts are futuristic! In other words, I believe that the Pre-millennialists are right in their interpretation of the text. The Apostle Paul stated . . .

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38. { V. 1 } Scripture: "I say then [ and ask this question ], has God [ totally rejected, disowned and ] cast away His [ Hebrew ] people? God forbid [ by no means ]. For I [ myself ] also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin," { see 1- Samuel 12:22; - Jeremiah 31:37: - & - 33:24-26 }.

39. Commentary . . . In the above verse, Paul proves that the Israelites will not be cast away by referring to Himself. He is an Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin. If the Israelites were to be cast away, then he along with the 12 Apostles, many of the other followers of Paul, Timothy, Titus, Barnabas plus many of the new Testament prophets would all be cast away in their entirety. Paul is appealing to salvation as proof that the Lord has not completely abandoned Israel.

40. { V. 2 }: "[ NO ]: God has not [ rejected and ] cast away His people which He foreknew [ i.e., whose destiny He had marked out and appointed and fore-known from the beginning ]. 'Wot [ I say,' know ] you not what the Scripture says of Elias [ Elijah ]? how he makes intercession [ and pleaded in times past ] to God against Israel saying, { see Psalm 94:14. } . . .

41. { V. 3 }: Lord, they have killed your prophets, and digged down [ and demolished ] your altars; and I alone am left, and they seek my life. See { 1- Kings 19:10-18. } . . .

42. { V. 4 }: But what says the answer of God to him? I have reserved to Myself seven thousand [ Hebrew ] men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. See { 1- Kings 19:18. } . . .

43. { V. 5 }: Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant [ a small believing minority of Hebrews set apart by the Lord, who are selected and chosen ] according to the election of grace.

44. { V. 6 }: And if [ it is ] by grace [ Christ's unmerited favor and graciousness, salvation ], then is it no more [ conditioned by or ] of works [ or by anything man has done personally ]: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works [ that people have performed themselves ], then it is no more of grace: otherwise work is no more work, { Romans 11:1-6 }."

45. Commentary . . . The A-millennialist teach that Israel was cast away for good thus, as we of the Body of Christ are spiritual Israel, the Jews today are really a counterfeit, and are lying when they say that the land they claim today is theirs, because, it really belongs to us. It is utterly ridiculous to think and teach that the nation of Israel has been entirely rejected by the Lord, for even at the present time, as { V. 5 } states. This remnant is not saved by her line of descent, neither have they been saved by personal righteousness, but in the same way that Gentiles are converted.

46. No claim to special merit can be made even by this remnant, { V. 6 }. They are mutually exclusive. If works are to be added to grace, as most of the Jews thought, and as many A-millennialist seem to think today, then grace is completely canceled out. Salvation: since the Body of Christ first began is a free gift, and no payment at all can be made to receive it, otherwise, it ceases to be free!

47. { V. 7 } Scripture: "What then [ shall be concluded ]? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks for [ The Lord's favor by obedience to law ]; but [ only ] the election [ election of those chosen few who ] has obtained it, and the rest [ of them became callously indifferent and ] were blinded [ hardened and made insensible to it ].

48. Commentary . . . The word "he" in the verse, is because Jacob's name was changed to Israel, and the verse refers to Israel exclusively here in the feminine gender.

49. { V. 8 }: ( According as it is written, God has given them the spirit [ an attitude ] of slumber [ of stupor ], eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; ) . . . [ that has continued down ] unto this day, { Romans 11:7-8 }."

50. Commentary . . . This above verse is quoted from { Deuteronomy 29:4; - Isaiah 6:9-10; - & - 29:10 }, which gives reference to the unseeing eyes and unhearing ears of those who refuse to recognize the truth of God's Word. Each of the N.T. writers used this expression to indicate the Hebrews,' and, Jesus of course will be Israel's anointed Messiah during the Millennial reign, { see Matthew 13:14; - Mark 4:12; - Luke 8:10; - & - John 12:40 }. The spirit of slumber in the verse refers to "stupor or torpor" and literally means . . . "the spirit of stinging." The word [ Greek- 'katanyxis' ] is used for the numbness which is the result of a bite or poisonous sting. Israel had refused to seek righteousness after the manner of the Lord and had attempted to establish her own righteousness as many try to do today through- so called- good works. Therefore, the Lord gave them over to a blinding stupor and a poisoning insensitivity toward the truth of God's Word.

51. { V. 23 } Scripture: "And [ i.e., those others: the fallen branches of the Jews ] they also, if they abide not [ that is, if they still do not persist in clinging to - or ] in [ their ] unbelief [ they ], shall be grafted in: for God [ has the power and ] is able to graft them [ back into their original state ] again.

52. { V. 24 }: For if you were cut out of [ or from what is by nature ] the [ wild ] olive tree which is wild by nature and [ against nature ] were grafted contrary to nature into a good [ cultivated ] olive tree; How much more [ easily ] shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted [ back ] into their [ original parent stock of their ] own olive tree? { Romans 11:23-24 }."

53. Paul gives a strong warning to Gentiles about what has happened to Hebrews who are not Believers. The lesson here in { Vs. 18-24 }, is that Jews of the O.T. became overly proud, assuming that they alone knew the Lord, the same thing may happen to Gentiles in the N.T. era. Christian Believers must not yield to the temptation to disrespect the Hebrews. If it had not been for the grace of God, Saints who beforehand had been Gentiles - would never have been grafted into the life of the Lord which the Hebrews enjoyed. The new life which enables them to produce fruit grows from the same root that the old stock of Israel grows.

54. N.T. Christians must not assume that they are better than the Jews because they were cut off for their unbelief. Those in the Body of Christ must never forget their reliance upon the Divine grace of God or else their end could be the same as the Jewish

branches. The process of being grafted into the life of the Lord finds its basis in the grace of God. We must never lord the grace of God over those who have been cut from the tree, for it is much easier to put the natural branches back, than to graft different branches in their place. We therefore must rest totally on the grace of the Lord for our salvation, as the Hebrew remnant does.

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55. Charles Baker states, [ Quote ]: "Paul teaches in { Romans 11 } that at that time only a remnant of Israel was being saved, so that he could say that Israel as a nation was blinded and fallen and had become enemies of the gospel. Now it would hardly do for the A-millennialist to spiritualize Israel here to mean the saved members of the Body of Christ. All must agree that Paul is talking about actual Israelites in the flesh. Paul declares that . . .

56. { V. 12 } Scripture: "Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?" { Romans 11:12. See V. 25 }."

57. { V. 12 } Paraphrased: "Now if their stumbling . . . their lapse, their transgression . . . has so enriched the world at large, and if Israel's failure means such riches for the Gentiles, think what an enrichment and greater advantage will follow their full reinstatement!

58. Commentary . . . Paul here speaks of a future fullness of this Israel which is now fallen and diminished. There is no place for this in the A-millennial scheme.

59. Paul continues by stating that he does not want us to be ignorant of this secret and that this blindness of Israel is only partial and temporary, and that when God's present purpose with the Gentiles is fulfilled, all Israel, that is, Israel as a nation, will be saved. This salvation of Israel will take place when the Deliverer comes out of Zion and turns away un-godliness from Jacob [ Israel ]. Paul bases this statement on God's covenant with Israel. Regardless of the interpretation of modern theologians, there can be no doubt but that Paul believed that God would honor the covenants of promise to saved Israel and restore to them their kingdom!

60. Although many other evidences might be given from the New Testament, only one other will be given here. { Revelation 5:10}: states that the saints are going to reign on earth. Naturally, we believe that this refers to the O.T. Saints, the Tribulation and Millennial saints . . . as the Body of Christ inherits the Heavenlies. A-millennialism claims that the saints will never reign on the earth. Hence to avoid contradiction, "on earth" must be spiritualized to mean "in heaven." But the word "heaven" is also used in the same context. If earth means heaven, what does heaven mean? The so-called spiritualizing interpretation robs Scripture of any positive meaning. If earth means heaven or Israel means the Body of Chist or the throne of David means the throne of God, what does hell mean, or sin, or salvation, or virgin birth or a host of other basic Bible words and doctrines?

61. It is true that the thousand year duration of the kingdom is mentioned in Revelation, but this does not invalidate the whole Kingdom concept. It is also true that Revelation employs numerous symbols and figures of speech, but these are clearly indicated. For example, John saw seven stars in Christ's right hand and seven golden candlesticks { Revelation 1:12, 16 ). Are we to take these literally or figuratively? How can we tell? John interprets for us:

62. Scripture: ". . . the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, [ Assemblies "Greek:" Ekklesia ]; and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches [ Congregation's 'Greek Ekklesia' ]" { Revelation 1: 20 }." [ End Quote ].

63. This word "Church" is derived from the Greek and cannot be found in our Greek text. The word is "Ekklesia," and we have researched it in the Greek everywhere it is mentioned in the King James Bible. In the Greek language of which the Bible was translated from, there was a gross misinterpretation of this word into the English language. It is our understanding that in the middle ages when the Bible was translated into English, there were various houses of worship in England that were called Churches. Because of this, the word "Ekklesia" was interpreted to mean Church.

64. This word "Ekklesia" can mean several different things and yet be synonymous in its meaning, for instance "Ekklesia" refers to the word [ 1 ]: "Assembly," [ 2 ]: "Assemblies plural," [ 3 ]: "Congregation or Congregation's- plural," [ 4 ]: "Local Assemblies or Congregations, such as the Assemblies of Rome, or any other city," [ 5 ]: or- "The called out Body of Christ." The terrible thing about the mistake of interpreting this word to mean "Church," is that many denominations take this word Church to refer to their own denomination, and because of this they sometimes teach that if one does not belong to their denomination they cannot be saved.

65. We visited a local Assembly [ Church of Christ, which is an A-millennial denomination ], and the "A-millennial" Church of Christ minister taught, that anyone who were members of another Church group were not saved, and could not be saved unless they were Baptized in water, and made members of his own denominational group. Some groups believe this way because Christ said to Peter that: "Upon this rock [ Myself ] I build My Church," which meant, His [ "Ekklesia" . . . Called out Hebrew Kingdom Congregation ]. It must be remembered, that the Body of Christ was not in existence at the time Jesus uttered these words!

66. Because of the mistranslation of the word "Ekklesia," many different groups apply the word "Church" that Christ spoke of as referring to their own Denomination. When Jesus spoke these words He was referring to the Kingdom Ekklesia [ Assembly ] and not to the Body of Christ! If a Minister used the correct word "Assembly" wouldn't it sound silly to say that any person would remain lost if he didn't belong to the preacher's Assembly or Congregation? And, the truth is, many Ministers do voice these words! And some of them are not A-millennialists!

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67. Baker goes on to say: [ Quote ]: "When it comes to stating the duration of the Tribulation this is given in days, and months and years, and in each case the time agrees with Old Testament predictions. It would appear that if John wanted to make it absolutely clear that he meant three and one half literal years he could not have chosen a better way than to express it also as 1260 days and 42 months. And if he meant three and one half literal years in { Revelation Ch. 11 }, why did he not mean 1000 literal years in Chapter 20? [ End Quote ]

68. When one states that the Body of Christ will enter into the Reign of Christ, they are voicing thoughts of teachings they have taken from the O.T! By doing this, they are placing "one Body doctrine" in the O.T. where there is no doctrine found concerning the Body of Christ. Or, perhaps they will take words and phrases from the first 4 books of the N.T. completely out of context where there are no references to the Body of Christ either! The reader can see how easily it is to add covenant theology to our Mystery Gospel of today!

69. Baker says [ Quote ] that the Post-millennial belief is that the Church of this dispensation will finally convert the world and thus bring in so-called millennial blessings, after which Christ will return, bring an end to the world, and then bring in the consummation through a general resurrection and a general judgment. Postmillennialists differ on certain details, but all agree that there will be a millennium on earth before the second coming of Christ. [ End Quote ]."

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70. Hodge states his type of Post-millennialism in these words. . . [ Quote ]: "Prophecy sheds a sufficiently clear light on the future to teach us, not only that this alternation is to continue to the end" "alternation between times of depression and seasons of exaltation and prosperity." But, more definitely, that before the second coming of Christ there is to be a time of great and long continued prosperity, to be followed by a season of decay and suffering, so that when the Son of man comes he shall hardly find faith on the earth. It appears from passages already quoted that all nations are to be converted; that the Jews are to be brought in and re-in-grafted into their own olive tree. And, that the Jewish restoration is to be the occasion and the cause of a change from death unto life; that is, analogous to the change of a body moldering in the grave to one instinct with joyous activity and power.

71. Of this period the ancient prophets speak in terms adapted to raise the hope of the Church to the highest pitch. . . . This period is called a millennium because in Revelation it is said to last for a thousand years, an expression which is perhaps generally understood literally. Some however think it means a protracted season of indefinite duration, as when it is said that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years. Others, assuming that in the prophetic language a day stands for a year, assume that the so-called millennium is to last three hundred and sixty-five thousand years. During this period, be it longer or shorter, the Church is to enjoy a season of peace, purity, and blessedness such as it has never yet experienced, [ End Quote ]."

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72. Strong, another Post-millennialist, states his belief . . . [ Quote ]: We may therefore best interpret { Revelation 20:4-10 } as teaching in highly figurative language, not a preliminary resurrection of the body, in the case of departed saints, but a period in the latter days of the church militant when, under special influence of the Holy Ghost [ 'Spirit Greek '], the spirit of the martyrs shall appear again. True religion will be greatly quickened and be revived. In short, we hold that { Revelation 20:4-10 } does not describe the events commonly called the second advent and resurrection, but rather describes great spiritual changes in the latter history of the church, which are typical of, and, preliminary to the second advent and resurrection, and therefore, after the prophetic method, and are foretold in language literally applicable only to those final events themselves, [ End Quote ]."

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73. Strong again states . . . [ Quote ]: "our own interpretation of { Revelation 20:1-10 } was first given for substance, by Whitby, [ End Quote]."

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74. Daniel Whitby [ 1638-1726 ], was a Unitarian minister, and is generally credited as the inventor of the Post-millennial view, and is well known along with his followers as a religious cultist in like manner as is the Jehovah's witness.

75. Dr. Walvoord a Pre-millennialist states . . . [ Quote ]: "He [ Whitby ] was a liberal and a freethinker, untrammeled by tradition or previous conceptions of the church. His views on the millennium would probably have never been perpetuated if they had not been so well keyed to the thinking of the times. The rising of the intellectual freedom, science and philosophy, coupled with humanism, had enlarged the concept of human progress and painted a bright picture of the future. Whitby's views of a coming golden age for the church was just what people wanted to hear." [ End Quote ].

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76. Dr. Baker goes on to state . . . [ Quote ]: "Post-millennialism has suffered great set-backs in the face of two world wars, continuing cold wars, threats of nuclear destruction of the human race, and environmental pollution. The world at large is very pessimistic about the future of the human race. However, there are those in liberal circles who are still intertaining the hope of bringing about utopian conditions through ecumenism and their activist movements of forcibly overthrowing the establishment and bringing in the new social order.

77. Marxianism, operating on the principle of dialectical materialism, hopes to bring about a synthesis which will produce the same results. Neither of these systems can be called Postmillennialism, for they are not based upon the Bible and have no place for the second coming of Christ. But they do represent the vain hope of mankind that man will finally be able to bring about millennial conditions apart from Christ. The Postmillennial view must be rejected for the following reasons . . .

78. 1. Its advocates admit that it was first taught in the seventeenth century. It is surely not taught in Scripture. Scripture must be allegorized and spiritualized and distorted to make it fit in with this scheme.

79. 2. The Scripture indicates that just the opposite conditions will exist in the last days: perilous times, apostasy, etc. { 1 Timothy 4:1-3; - & - 2-Timothy 3:1-13 }.

80. 3. The Scriptures are made ridiculous. Just as an example, consider the binding of Satan for a thousand years in the abyss that he should deceive the nations no more { Revelation 20:2, 3 }. What does this mean? According to Matthew Henry . . .

81. "A prophecy of the binding of Satan for a certain time, in which he should have much less power and the church much more peace than before. The power of Satan was broken in part by the setting up of the Gospel kingdom in the world; it was further reduced by the empires becoming Christian; it was yet further broken by the downfall of mystical Babylon; but still the serpent had many heads, and, when one is wounded, another has life remaining in it."

82. 4. Postmillennialism has no Scripture to support its teaching. [ End Quote ]."

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83. Dr. Chafer a Pre-millennialist states. . . [ Quote ]: "Doubtless the stress upon Bible study of the present century has served to uncover the unscriptural character of the "Post-millennialism system." Its advocates have not been able to meet the challenge made to them to produce one Scripture which teaches a millennium [ i.e., a thousand year reign of Christ ] before the advent of Christ, or that teaches an advent of Christ [ Second Coming ] after the millennium [ i.e., after the Millennial Reign of Christ ], [ End Quote ]." [ I.e., a word from the writer of this message: Post-millennialism like the Jehovah Witness, the Mormon, Christian Science, and a huge number of other religionist cults, do not believe that Jesus Christ is truly the second person of the Trinitarian Godhead! This alone keeps all such believers as children of Satan. Absolutely, NO person or persons can become a Child of God when they reject Christ Jesus as being God the Creator of all things!!!!!

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1. Commentary . . . The question must be asked: "are you tolerant of unsound teachers?" In this message we have found that a great deal of unsound teaching has been taught to multitudes of folks by changing the Scriptures to satisfy the program of various systems of belief. An excellent picture of unsound doctrine is shone us by John the Revelator when he penned the letter to the Assembly of Pergamos in { Revelation Ch. 2 }:

2. { V. 12 } Scripture: "And to the angel [ messenger ] of the Church [ Assembly: Greek ] in Pergamos write; these [ are the ] things says He which has [ wielded ] the sharp sword with two edges;

3. Commentary . . . Pergamos, was about 45 miles north of Smyrna, it boasted one of the finest libraries of antiquity and was the place where parchment was first used. It had once been the capital of the Roman province of Asia. The library housed over 200.000 books and was second only to Alexandria. The word parchment is derived from the name of the city.

4. { V. 13 } I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan's seat is [ and where he is enthroned ]: and [ yet ] you hold fast My name, and have not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My [ witness and ] faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells, { Revelation 2:12-13 }."

5. Commentary . . . The words "where Satan's seat is" literally means: "Where Satan's throne is." This is a reference to Pergamum's worship either of the Roman Emperor or of the False god "Zeus" at his altar on the local acropolis or both.

Pergamos gives us the Assembly which was settled down in the world, where Satan's throne is. See { Ephesians 6:11-12 }, where the devil and his host are said to be the rulers of the darkness of this world. But, there were some folks, even in this Assembly, who still held fast to the Lord's name, and had not denied the faith, even in the time of persecution and martyrdom.

6. Scripture: "But [ nevertheless, ] I have a few things against you, because you have [ some people ] there . . . them that hold [ to the teaching of ] the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to [ set a trap and to ] cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel [ to entice them ], to eat things [ that had been ] sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication [ giving themselves up to sexual vice ], { Revelation 2:14 }."

7. Commentary . . . Even though the Lord commends them for holding fast His name in perilous [ troublesome ] times, yet He blames them for their tolerance toward false teachers. The Bible certainly does not teach us to be tolerant toward everything that comes in the name of Christ, or with a religious label. It must be understood that "religion and Christianity" can consist of many beliefs such as those we have mentioned before in this message! Christianity is set apart from all a-cultic doctrine! And, any false doctrine can be construed as coming from the mind of Satan and his followers. Naturally Christians can be caught up in many brain washing organizations and made believers in false Assembly ritualism, foolishness, and covenant theology, which practically every denomination is guilty of teaching to a certain extent. Christians must be on their toes by being true Bereans while searching the Scriptures for the truth. Do 'NOT' be afraid to ask questions and test those who teach you, you may be surprised at the answers you will receive.

8. The way of Balaam, refers to one who is so covetous that he hires himself to do religious work for personal gain, see { Numbers 22:7, 17; - & - 2- Peter 2:15 }. In Ephesus there was one cause of censure; here Christ says a few things. Pergamos was one of the fulfillments of Paul's warning in { Acts 20:29-30 }. Notice the decline from Ephesus where the deeds of the Nicolaitanes were hated, to Pergamos where their teaching was held and tolerated. It appears that the teachings of Balaam and that of the Nicolaitanes are distinct, but have the same disastrous results. { Numbers 25:1-9 } gives a clear picture of the union of church and state. Balaam taught Balac how to draw Israel away from their position of separation { Numbers 23:7-12 }.

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9. { V. 9 } Scripture: "Who ever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ [ who is not content with what Christ taught ], doesn't have God [ indwelling them ]. He that abides [ continues to live accordingly ] in the doctrine [ and teachings ] of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son [ indwelling his person with the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Christians physical body has become a Temple of the triune God ].

10. Commentary . . . This means that he is a true Saint rather than one of the impostors. Even though the Christian is indwelt by the Spirit of God, it has to be understood that 'the Spirit,' is God just the same as the Father and the Son, the "Three in One".

11. { V. 10 } "If there come any [ one to ] you, and bring not this doctrine [ of Christ and is disloyal to what Jesus taught ], receive him not into your house [ do not receive, accept or admit him into your home ], neither bid him God speed [ or give him any encouragement whatsoever ]:

12. { V. 11 } For he that bids him God speed [ or success and encourages him in wishing him good luck in his false teachings ] is partaker of his evil deeds, { 2- John 9-11 }."

13. Commentary . . . Instead of being tolerant toward every thing which comes along, we are to keep ourselves separated from them, and to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the Saints. This does not mean that we should have nothing to do with any unbeliever, otherwise how could we witness to them? But If we should continually keep lost folks as best friends, this will makes us guilty of having fellowship with unbelievers. What we should do, is make clear to a false witnesses that we will never accept their interpretation of the Scriptures!

14. Scripture: "So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate, { Revelation 2:15 }."

15. { V. 15 } above paraphrased: "You also have some in your midst, who in a similar way are clinging to the false teachings of the Nicolaitanes, those corrupters of the people, which thing I hate and repudiate."

16. Commentary . . . The deeds of the Nicolaitanes in the Assembly at Ephesus had now become the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. False practice eventually leads to unsound doctrine, have you any Nicolaitanes in the Assembly you attend?. This is further evidence of the prophetic nature of these letters to all seven of the Assemblies. Enough time had elapsed from the period represented by the letter to the Assembly at Ephesus and the time represented by the letter to Pergamos to permit the false practice to become false doctrine.

17. The Lord said that He hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. This shows that the Lord is not pleased with any and every kind of preaching. Neither should we be. It is necessary to take a stand against things that are taught contrary to Scripture, thus, not allowing false teachings to cause us to be drifted into all kinds of error. We need to believe something, and, if that for which we stand is Scriptural, then we should not compromise with that which is false. Compromise eventually leads to surrender of the truth.

18. Scripture: "Repent [ then ]; or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth, { Revelation 2:16}."

19. Commentary . . . The call to repent is both to the Assembly which tolerates the false doctrine, and for those who teach the same. In the above passage we have both the second personal pronoun and the third person. "I will come to YOU [ second person ], and will fight against THEM [ 3rd person ] with the sword of My mouth. Here is both a condemnation of those who tolerate the false doctrine, and of the ones who teach it. Remember, if you hear any type of false doctrine being taught in your Assembly, this false doctrine is likely being accepted by your family!

20. Unless these falsehoods are being taught continually we would never say that you should change Assemblies. But, how much are you going to take of this doctrine before you decide to do something about it? One thing you must do, is teach your family the difference after you leave the Assembly, so as to not allow them to become brain-washed by something that is untrue. Also it would be wise to have a talk with your Assembly leaders about any false doctrine that has been taught.

21. Scripture: "He that has an ear [ and is able to hear ], let him hear [ and heed ] what the [ Holy ] Spirit says to the Assemblies; to him that overcomes [ who conquers:] will I give to eat of the hidden manna [ truth ], and will give to him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written [ engraved ], which no man knows [ or understands ] saving [ except ] he that receives it, { Revelation 2:17 }." { See Psalm 78:24; - & - Isaiah 62:2 }.

22. Commentary . . . The 'hidden manna' in some cases may refer to the sufficiency of Christ for the Believer's needs, as manna was for the Hebrews during the wilderness wanderings. Hidden Manna can also refer to the sweetness implied to the Word of God. By admonishing the reader over and over to hear what the Spirit says to the Assemblies, the Lord is stressing the importance of the message which He is giving His servants in this book. Some do not have an ear to hear what the Spirit says in the book of Revelation. Their ears and their Minds are closed to what the book teaches. We are going in disobedience to the Holy Spirit if we ignore the message of the book.

23. There is hidden manna, or truth, in the Word of God. It enriches the lives and souls of those who partake of the same. But many are unconscious of this hidden manna or "Hidden Truth of the Lord". They are content to stay on the surface all the time. If a preacher begins to feed them the strong meat of the word, then the complaint comes "He is preaching over our heads." The question is: "Are we to be content with remaining babes in Christ the rest of our lives?" How can it be expected of Assembly members to grow strong in the word of God if the preacher stays on the surface all the time. "Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ, advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belongs to spiritual maturity, "think deep, not shallow" { see Hebrews 6:1 }." The one who does not do this will remain a babe in Christ, and he will be tossed about with every wind of doctrine.

24. Manna can refer to more than one thing, and it literally means- "what is it?" in the Old Testament it was not hidden manna. For 40 years the Lord rained this bread from heaven for His people. It was later preserved {see Exodus 16:33; - & - Hebrews

9:4 }. Notice the contrast between the hidden manna { type of Christ, John 6 } and the public glory of union with the world. To go to the place of separation with Christ, the hidden manna, is greater gain than consorting with the world. The white stone speaks of the custom of casting such a stone into a voters urn with the name of a candidate, indicating the approval of the one who cast it. Special Divine approval will be the portion of the godly nucleus in Pergamos. Notice how people voted in { Acts 1:20-26 }.

25. { V. 8 } Scripture: "Therefore He says, When He ascended upon high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

26. Commentary . . . of the above verse, because the living Lord distributes His grace by sovereign love to each member of the Body of Christ and thus makes them fit to be His gifts for service to men. "When He ascended up on high:" this is a quotation from { Psalm 68:18 }, a messianic psalm of victory in which God is praised for deliverance. "He led captivity captive," this is a victory in itself, the captives refer to the old Testament Saints who had been in the Paradise section of Sheol in the lower parts of the earth, but now are led up into the third Heaven. In other words: Christ at His own resurrection, changed Paradise from the lower parts of the earth, and placed it in the 3rd Heaven where all Saints go hence-forth at the time of their deaths. "And He gave gifts unto men:" what greater gift than spending eternal life with Christ our Head? [ Read our messages concerning Heaven and Hell ]

27. { V. 9 }; [ Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? See { Matthew 12:40 }. { Sheol, see Genesis 37:35; - Ezekiel 32:21; - & - Psalm 30:9 }.

28 Commentary . . . Each of these three texts, referred to in the above verses, refers to Sheol. Read our message concerning Sheol "the place where souls go to after death whether it is Heaven or Hell, the reader may be surprised!" The Lord's ascension back to Heaven after accomplishing the purpose of His incarnation. "The lower part of the earth" refers to Paradise of Sheol in Hades, where Christ's soul and spirit dwelt while His body lay in the tomb.

29. { V. 10 } He that descended is the [ very ] same [ Jesus ] also that ascended up far above all heavens [ into the third Heaven ], that He [ His presence ] might fill all things. [ The purpose and plan of Christ is to fill all with His presence and His Spirit ].

30. { V. 11 } And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

31. { V. 11 } above paraphrased: "And His gifts were [ varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us, ] some to be Apostles [ special messengers ], some prophets [ inspired preachers and expounders ], some evangelists [ preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries ], some pastors [ shepherds of His flock ] and teachers, { Ephesians 4:8-11 }." and again we repeat . . .

32. Commentary . . . And He gave gifts to men { V. 8 } above, this has more than one meaning,

[ 1 ]: eternal life- certainly.

[ 2 ]: But, He also gave gifted men to the Body of Christ and is still doing so today.

[ 3 ]: Some were Apostles such as the 12 Apostles, [ special messengers ].

[ 4 ]: And, prophets, [ inspired preachers and expounders ].

[ 5 ]: And, most important to us: He gave us the Apostle Paul.

[ 6 ]: And, then we have Pastors, [ shepherds of His flock ].

[ 7 ]: Evangelists, [ preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries ].

[ 8 ]: And teachers, { Ephesians 4:8-11 }."

[ 9 ]: And yes, Scribes [ Writers ].

Some of these were only temporary offices. And, nowhere does God's Word teach apostolic succession. To the contrary, God's Word in some ways indicts many of those today who lay claim to the title of apostle as deceivers { Revelation 2:2 }. It is always according to the way the word apostle is translated!

33. As to Prophets, these men received their message from the Lord and delivered it for the Lord and to man. They were given deep insight into spiritual truths as they interpreted the Lord's message under the power of the Holy Spirit. The Evangelists were the itinerating [ journeying, traveling, lecturing ] missionaries who preached the Gospel to the unconverted, primarily in new areas, see { Acts 21:8; - & - 2- Timothy 4:5 }. Evangelists also refer to every Member of the Body of Christ today who persuade lost souls to become Christians. All Christians during this grace age are really a part of the evangelistic membership of the Body of Christ, and the term that is used for us, are ambassadors. This is because of the fact that each of us are counted as ministers and ambassadors in our own right, { 2- Corinthians 5:14-21. } When we come to Pastors and Teachers, this refers to one office with two functions, i.e., "teaching Pastors." The word "Pastor" is used by Jesus referring to Peter, { John 21:16 }; by Peter referring to Ministers in: { 1- Peter 5:2 }; and by Paul referring to Elders [ overseers, Bishops ] of Ephesus, {Acts 20:28}, these 3 words are synonymous. They were to shepherd the sheep "other Christians" and train them.

34. { V. 12 } Scripture: "For [ His intention was ] the perfecting [ and for the equipping ] of the Saints [ His consecrated people ], for the work of the [ i.e., their personal ambassadorship of ] ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: { 2- Corinthians 5:18-20. }

35. Commentary of above verse . . . With a view to equip Believers for service. The purpose of the Lord's gifts is not making Believers sinlessly perfect, but of completely outfitting them to be vessels unto honor, set apart and used for the Lord's use, { 2- Timothy 2:21 }. For the most part, Saints of God are to be used for special service to others. Not performing the other Saints works for them, but preparing other Saints for Christian works ahead of them. With the end in view of building up spiritually the whole Body of Christ, our Lord is interested in bringing more lost folks to Him. He is also interested in the work we Christians do to lead the lost to Him. All the Saints are to be equipped for the work of edification and then be engaged in the work of edification.

36. { V. 13 } Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [ Notice here: that we - "the Body of Christ' is referred to in the masculine gender ] see { Ephesians 2:15. } . . .

37. { V. 13 } above paraphrased: "[ That it might develop ] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of the Son of God; that [ we might arrive ] at really mature manhood . . . the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection . . . the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ, and the completeness found in Him, { Ephesians 4:12-13 }."

38. Commentary . . . This verse has reference to the whole Body of Christ. We are not to neglect one single person. The goal is that we attain unity, not uniformity; and our essential work is far from being accomplished. Paul speaks here of true, accurate, and full knowledge which enables Saints to cooperate with one another in working out the Lord's plan and purpose. "Unto a perfect man," refers to a perfect Body of Christ [ as in the masculine gender ]. As long as our faith is imperfect we cannot be full-grown, mature Christians. No under- shepherd has finished his work while the sheep fall short of this goal, a full grown man in Christ. This fullness, this Christ-likeness, is that which belongs to Christ and that which is imparted by Christ. God predestined His Saints:

39. Scripture: "For whom He did fore-know He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son [ again referring to the masculine gender ], that He might be the First-Born among many brethren, [ masculine ], { Romans 8:29 }." [ It would be wise for all of us to cry out with John and say ] . . .

40. Scripture: "He must increase, but I must decrease, { John 3:30 }."

41. Commentary . . . As long as we have a factious, contentious, immature Body of Believers, we will not make much headway in evangelizing this world.

42. { V. 14 }: Scripture: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight [ cunning ] of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive,

43. { V. 14 }: paraphrased: "So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [ like ships ] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching, and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine [ the prey of ], the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [ gamblers engaged ] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. { Ephesians 4:14 }."

44. Commentary . . . Sometimes this writer is led to believe that some preachers are either mentally lazy, or they have so burdened themselves with such a multiplicity of Assembly organizations and social functions that they have little time left for study. If they did study as they should, they would comprehend the above verses!

45. The white stone in { Revelation 2:17 } above that we have before mentioned refers to approval. We are to study to show ourselves . . . "Approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." When Assembly members come to their pastor seeking help on such subjects as election, security, the coming of Christ and the teachings concerning the resurrections, and many other things, and he has to turn away with an avasive answer, that pastor needs to be ashamed. There would not be much confusion among us if some preachers had delved into the word of God as they should have done.

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Part 10 . . .

1. Commentary . . . According to Berkhof concerning his own A-millennial . . ., and the Pre-millennial doctrine of others, he states that . . . "Both systems recognize that the preaching of the gospel will not result in the conversion of the world."

2. Commentary . . . Berkhof is right in what he just said above, and then we have the Post-millennialist. The trouble with Post-millennialism, the average person in that sect believe and teach that everybody on earth will eventually become Christians. They also believe, that in time all humanity will become better and better throughout the age, and that saved humanity will greatly prosper, then when this finally takes place, the Lord Jesus will come back. Thus, from that time on there will be perfect peace in the universe. The trouble with this type of teaching, the Bible contradicts this type of belief! One thing all these folks believe is that there will still be rough times ahead until things get better. They all know that there will be tribulation in the future for all mankind.

3. Berkhof again states, [ Quote ]: "It [ 'the Word of God' ] stresses the fact that the time immediately preceding the end will be a time of great apostasy, of tribulation and persecution, a time when the faith of many will wax cold, and when they who are loyal to Christ will be subjected to bitter sufferings, and will in some cases even seal their confession with their blood, [ Unquote ]."

4. Commentary . . . One thing that all millennialists believe, is that we are living in the last days of the Body of Christ Period. On the other hand, the Post and A-millennialist both believe that there are many signs of things to take place, and these signs or predictions must be accomplished before the Lord's return at His Second Advent. But, the Pre-millennialist are much better aware of the fact that signs were meant primarily for the nation of Israel. The Body of Christ is not to look for signs but for the return of the Lord in the air to Rapture His Body of Saints into the Heavenlies. This will be the climax of our waiting, wondering, and praying for that blessed hope to finally be accomplished! { See Titus 2:13 }.

5. When all the various systems of doctrines are viewed according to the Scriptures, the well-studied student, we believe, will come to only one true conclusion, and this is, that the Pre-millennialist are right in their interpretation concerning these subjects.

The Controversy Concerning Judaism and Christianity, And Some Popular Errors Concerning The Teachings Of Christ: By Robert C. Brock . . .

6. [ Quoting Robert Brock a Pre-millennialist ] . . . "The most important book in the world is the Bible. The Bible is centered around the most important Person in the world, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is important because He is God manifested in the flesh. Christ came to reveal the purpose of God the Father. These purposes are written down in the Bible, thus revealing the mind of God. The teachings of Christ are related to three different time periods - - - past, present, and future. He is [ the Triune ] God's spokesman to the human race. We must notice the contents of each order to understand the Bible [ End Quote ].

7. [ Quote ]: The Lord Jesus was born under the Law of Moses { Galatians 4:4 }. When He ministered to Israel, and it was exclusively to them { Matthew 15:24 }, everything He did and said was according to this Law { Matthew 5:17 }. The Law of Moses was given to Israel some 1500 years earlier, and it regulated the whole life of the Jew as well as the nation of Israel. God's good news to Israel was called the Gospel of the Kingdom. Various miracles attended its preaching, and remission of sins was by water baptism. The feast days, the various commandments, the many sabbaths were all part of the Jews religion which is called Judaism.

8. Commentary . . . The ministry of Christ did not stop with His ascension in the first chapter of the book of Acts. Christians have failed to realize that when Saul is saved in { Acts Ch. 9 }, a NEW ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ is begun by God, and this NEW ministry ushers in the present age of grace. Saul's name is changed to Paul, and he is designated as the Apostle of the Gentiles { Romans 11:13 }. He is given revelations from the risen Christ, and these are the revelations embracing Christianity. Christianity presents:

9. [ 1 ]: A New Gospel . . . the Gospel of the Mystery of the grace of God. This gospel is completely separated from water baptism, it presents faith in Christ as the only requirement for salvation:

10. { V. 17 } Scripture: "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect, { 1- Corinthians 1:17 }."

11. { V. 17 }: above paraphrased: "For Christ, the Messiah, did not call me into the Ministry to water baptize, but to evangelize by preaching the glad tidings of the Gospel of the Mystery of the grace of God; and that not with verbal eloquence, lest the cross of Christ should be deprived of force and emptied of its power and rendered vain . . . fruitless, void of value and of no effect, { Ephesians 1:17 }."

12. Scripture: "But to him that works not [ by law ], but believes [ fully and lays all his trusts ] on Him [ Jesus Christ ] that justifies the ungodly [ by ], his faith [ he ] is counted [ that is, it is credited to him ] for righteousness [ his standing is acceptable to the Lord ], { Romans 4:5 }."

13. Scripture: "For you [ who are Christian Believers, you: ] are all the children of [ the triune ] God by faith in Christ Jesus, { Galatians 3:26 }."

14. { V. 8 } Scripture: "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

15. { V. 8 } above paraphrased: "For it is by free grace [ the Lord's unmerited favor ] that you are saved [ delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation ] through your faith. And this [ salvation ] is not because of your so-called good works or anything else that you have done, but it is strictly by the love and a free gift from almighty God."

16. { V. 9 } Not of works, lest any man should boast [ glory ], { Ephesians 2:8-9 }."

17. { V. 9 } above paraphrased: "Not because of works [ i.e., not the fulfillment of the laws demands ], lest any man boast. . . . It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do personally, so none can pride themselves in it or receive glory for it, because the Lord only brings salvation and must receive all the glory!"

18. [ 2 ]: A New Organism . . . the Body of Christ [ i.e., that is called the Church today is ], composed of all Christians saved by the grace of God in this present dispensation.

19. [ 3 ]: A New Body of Divine Truth . . . known as the revelation of the mystery, it was kept secret, hid in God until revealed to Paul. This is how Christ is to be presented today. [ And Paul stated again ] . . .

20. { V. 25 }: Scripture: "Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the Mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, { Romans 16:25 }."

21. { V. 25 }: above paraphrased: "Now to Him [ Christ Jesus ] Who is able to strengthen you in the faith which is in accordance with my [ Paul's ] Gospel and the preaching of that which concerns 'God': the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the revelation . . . the unveiling . . . of the plan of redemption for anyone on earth, and which was kept in silence and secret for long ages until revealed to the Apostle Paul."

22. [ 4 ]: A New Period Of Time . . . the Dispensation of the Grace of God, also known as the Dispensation of the Mystery, this is the Bible name for today's Gospel.

23. { V. 2 }: Scripture: "If you have heard of the Dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

24. { V. 2 }: above paraphrased: "Assuming that you have heard of the Dispensation, [ Stewardship, or Administration ] of the lord's grace [ His unmerited favor ] that was intrusted to me [ Paul - the Apostle of the . . . and for the Gentiles ] to dispense to you for your benefit";

25. { V. 3 }: How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery [ as I wrote before in few words, . . .

26. { V. 3 }: above paraphrased: "And how the Mystery Gospel and the [ secret of the Body of Christ Dispensation, "time period" ] was made known to me, and I was allowed to comprehend it by direct revelation, as I have already briefly wrote you."

27. { V. 9 }: And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ, {Ephesians 3:2-3, 9 - King James Bible }."

28. Commentary . . . { V. 9 }: above paraphrased: "And, to enlighten [ by making known and plain to ] all men, what the fellowship- [ Greek. "Oikonomia," Dispensation, Administration, or period of time ] . . . that this great Mystery consists of, regarding the Gentiles. Therefore, providing for their salvation during this grace age when this Dispensation of which the Mystery and its Gospel is now revealed and taught. . . . Which is . . ., that wonderful knowledge that has been kept concealed and hidden until now in the mind of God Who from the beginning of the world has created all things by Jesus Christ, { Ephesians 3:9 }."

29. [ I.e., it could be that this following verse in the Old Testament alludes to both the Body of Christ that was later revealed to Paul and was still hidden in God, and to Israel in this present Dispensation" ]? . . .

30. Scripture: "They [ No- 1: the enemies of God . . . No-2: enemies of Israel . . .and No-3: the enemies of the Body of Christ in our own age, and they ] have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted against Your hidden [ and precious ] ones, { Psalm 83:3 }."

31. Commentary . . . Contrast these "hidden ones" with { V. 9 } above. Concerning Christianity . . . the Body of Christ was hid in God till revealed to the Apostle Paul! Also, these hidden ones can be pointing to that future tribulation week, when the Israelis are hiding from the Antichrist in "Petra" during the last 3 1/2 years of the Antichrist's reign. "Many things written in the Old Testament consist of things that allude in "type or shadow form" to have a complete fulfillment during the New Testament period, and afterward! [ Petra: see our message concerning the "Song of Solomon." The little book of Micah foretells a little of what has happened to the people of Edom in the past, and what will become of the remainder of the Edomites in the future Tribulation Period. ]

32. [ 5 ]: A New Apostle . . . Paul. He is our Apostle, NOT Peter nor John or any other. The authority of the Mystery Gospel of Christ for this age has been comprehensively, fully, and dogmatically committed to the Apostle Paul, and to no other! "Read again the above verses in Ephesians."

33. [ 6 ]: New Blessings . . . spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ, this is according to the Mystery.

34. Scripture: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places in Christ, { Ephesians 1:3 }."

35. Commentary . . . All of this truth came from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself { Galatians 1:11-12 }, and Paul was chosen by Christ to write down His revelation TO US in Paul's thirteen epistles, "Romans through Philemon." This body of truth is complete in itself. There are hundreds of commandments contained in Christianity to guide Christians in their lives. And, only in Paul's writings do we find that the entire Law of Moses, the past teaching for Israel, has been ABOLISHED by Christ on the cross { Ephesians 2:15; - & - Colossians 2:14 }.

36. Commentary . . . The Book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible, primarily concerns the teaching of Christ concerning the future of Israel and the world. The majority of the events of this book will begin AFTER this present age is brought to a close at the Rapture of the Body of Christ. The bulk of Revelation contains the judgments of God upon the human race because of unbelief. All the rebels against God will be purged out beginning with the unsaved Israelis and reaching to all the Gentiles. Christ revealed this to the Apostle John { Revelation 1:1-2 }. The book closes with the new heavens and new earth of { Isaiah 66:22 }, and the prophecies in the book will have been fulfilled.

37. Commentary . . . Much error has been propagated in respect to the teachings of Christ. This has caused a lack of Bible study and has made the visible church [ the Body of Christ - somewhat of ] a weak witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. Some of these errors are . . .

1. The idea of a Judeo-Christian heritage. Christianity is not an outgrowth of Judaism. Christianity is entirely separate from Judaism.

2. The idea that Christ preached Christianity to Israel. This is utterly false. He preached Judaism to His earthly people.

3. The idea that the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John present Christianity because they deal with the earthly life of Christ.

4. The idea of only one gospel in the Bible. The Bible never states there is only one gospel. The Gospel of the grace of God is far different than the Gospel of the Kingdom. Those that preach the Gospel of the Kingdom are misleading the public, for they are really preaching Judaism rather than Christianity, see { Galatians 2:7 }.

5. The idea of resurrecting the Law of Moses and forcing it on the Gentiles as a way of life.

6. The idea that being Pauline in doctrine and practice is an extreme interpretation. Many times Paul told the early Gentile believers to follow him { 1- Corinthians 4:16; - 11:1; - & - Philippians 3:17 }. Following Paul is following Christ.

7. The idea that we are to follow Christ in His earthly life. Paul plainly stated that we are not to know Him after the flesh { 2- Corinthians 5:16 }. This would be glorying in the flesh { 1- Corinthians 1:29 }.

8. The idea that the Law and Grace should be mixed together and make believers strong in the Lord.

9. The idea that the Bible only presents the eternal, changeless principles of God. Some of God's principles have changed, and this makes all the difference in the world.

10. The idea that Judaism and Christianity are to be harmonized into one religion.

38. Commentary . . . The only way revival can come to any Congregation is to get back to Pauline truth. This happened in the past, Martin Luther being the prime example as he saw the light on Paul's presentation of justification by faith alone in Christ. If your Pastor is not preaching the Lord Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery, he is not preaching God's truth for today. All the world is going to be judged by Paul's Gospel { Romans 2:16 }, and you better make sure you have been saved by CHRIST ALONE or you will have no hope of spending eternity with Him.

39. Christian friend, we must believe what God has revealed to the Apostle Paul before you go to be with the Lord or we will lose rewards at the judgment seat of Christ. If you have to change your mind about some interpretations as being Bible truths, you will profit immensely by it. Don't let a closed mind and attitude keep you from enjoying the spiritual blessings of Christianity found in Paul's writings, [ End Quote from Robert C. Brock }. [ As to the Judgment seat of Christ, i.e; you as a Christian will inherit Heaven but you can loose rewards for what you have done on the earth before going there. Paraphrased verses are phrased by the writer of this message ]!

40. Scripture: "Your Kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven, { Matthew 6:10 }."

41. We have written various things concerning this prayer in other messages, but again we will have another look through it in order for folks to perhaps gain more knowledge from its message. This prayer is not a prayer for folks to continually re-pray. It was uttered by Jesus only as a "model prayer," and was given only to teach the Hebrews how to conduct a prayer. Naturally the people were not to literally repeat this prayer but to recognize the wording in it to emphasize the things applicable to the future Millennial Kingdom. This prayer has no real benefits for the Body of Christ, and was not meant for us to pray, because, we today are not looking for the earthly Kingdom reign of Messiah but for the Rapture!

42. This prayer is generally called throughout Christendom "the Lord's prayer." Where is the authority in Scripture to call it by this name? If any prayer can be called the Lord's prayer it certainly is the one contained in { John Ch. 17 }. the model prayer is not the Lord's prayer, but the disciples' prayer. This model for prayer has become the formal prayer, the ritualistic prayer of every sect in Christendom. That which the Lord forbids, as vain repetitions, is practiced with the divine model by those who call themselves Christians. { See Matthew 6:7 }. [ I.e., vain repetitions refers to praying the same thing over and over repeating the same words in each prayer. This can also refer to those who use chanting in their services. By praying the model pray over on most occasions is certainly using repetition! ]

43. In the Roman and Greek Assemblies, it becomes a good work to repeat so many "Our Fathers," and the poor deceived souls expect blessing in this world and in eternity from the mechanical repetition of so many prayers, this of course is very little different from the prayer machines of Thibet [ Tibet ], upon which a certain number of prayers written on paper are placed and unwound before some god or goddess. In "evangelical" denominations it is not much better. We remember well in childhood, how constantly this prayer was used. In sickness, in pain, in danger, at mealtime, in the morning and at night, in sever storms, etc; it was ever always as if a miraculous power indwelt these words sufficient to dispel sickness, deliver from danger and bring blessing which otherwise would not come.

44. It is one of the rags which Martin Luther brought away from the old Roman sepulcher. Yet it is the same in other denominations. In one of the strongest it is used at the burial of the dead, sprinkling of infants, Lord's supper, "ordination" of deacons and elders, "consecration" of bishops, and it is repeated in public by the congregations over and over. All this practice, the use of this model for prayer, as the Lord's prayer given to the Body of Christ, to be used by the Congregations, is wrong, decidedly unchristian, nor can it be proven from the New Testament that it is intended for the Body of Christ.

45. In the Acts of the Apostles we read of the breaking of bread, the gifts of the Spirit, to the Assembly Christians and etc, . . . but do we read anywhere in the divinely inspired record of the beginning of the Body of Christ that the so-called Lord's prayer was used by the apostles or by the primitive church? Is there a hint anywhere in the New Testament that the prayer is to be repeated in public and used by Christians?

46. Not even the faintest hint that this should be so, but there are many strong proofs and arguments that it should not be so. Centuries passed before it became a settled custom to make the prayer the King gave to His disciples the prayer for Christians and use it in the form and in the way it is used today. An unknown hand then added something to the last petition, "Deliver us from the evil one." The words, "for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever . . . Amen," are an interpolation. They do not belong in your Bibles, for the Lord never uttered them. The revised version [ though so imperfect in many of its revisions ] has done well in omitting them altogether. When it was decided to use the model for a prayer as a prayer, this ending was written by someone and added to it and thus making it a prayer with the "Amen" attached to it. No such "amen" belongs there.

47. From [ The Englishman's Greek New Testament ]," this model prayer is written as follows . . .

"Our Father who in the heavens, sanctified be thy name; let come thy kingdom; let be done thy will as in heaven, also upon the earth; our bread the needed give us today; and forgive us our debts, as also we forgive our debtors; And lead not us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. "For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory to the ages. Amen," { Matthew 6:9-13

48. "This perfect model of prayer was given by our Lord to His disciples to be used by them individually and previously to the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was then all on Jewish ground; they were Jewish believers and as such they received this model prayer and used it in the "transition state." There came a day when our Lord said another word to the very disciples who had come to Him with the request, "Lord teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples." [ See our message concerning "Transition Periods." ]

49. It was in the upper room where He spoke all the precious words concerning the comforter, all that which was so new, altogether new, that which would take them upon a new ground. He said, Scripture: "Hitherto [ 'up to this time,' ] you have asked nothing in My name; ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full, { John 16:24 }." * * * Read { John 16:24-27 }, { V. 26 }: "At that day you shall ask in My name." This message alone ought to give perfect light and understanding to any of our readers who are in doubt about this matter. "Hitherto [ 'up to this time,' ] you have asked nothing in My name."

50. This shows two things [ 1 ]: They asked of God, [ 2 ]: They asked not in His name. They had then used the model prayer He had taught them, and it was a prayer not asked in Christ's name. Now He tells them that they were to ask in His name. This, then, is how we should pray by asking God our heavenly Father our petitions in the name of God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. . . . The Christian, knowing his perfect standing in Christ Jesus, prays in Christ's name, and that is prayer in the Holy Spirit, Who now joins His help to our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for that is fitting, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession with groanings which cannot be uttered { Romans 8:26-31 }.

51. Why is prayer such a powerful instrument in our lives? We need it in the midst of the groans, the sorrows and sufferings which we are surrounded with, and which is our lot as long as we are in this mortal body. And, prayer is our refuge, the expression of our dependence upon God and our utmost confidence in Him. But, while we know how to pray, we often do not know "what we should pray for as we ought to." Then the Holy Spirit Himself makes intercession with groanings that cannot be uttered. "Prayer is most commonly the witness of out infirmities. The burdened heart [ mind ] may find itself too full for speech, too much perplexed, for the explanation of its thoughts."

52. But, "there is an utterance of supplication that makes no sound. It is the Spirit of God, as the helper of our infirmities, Who makes these desires known to our Heavenly Father. Groaning in sympathy with the tried and longing heart, He makes His intercession for the Saints according to the will of Almighty God." Therefore, the mind of the Holy Spirit in us is known of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . . . and is positively heard by the Father. And then, we must remember that besides this intercession of the Holy Spirit there is the intercession of Christ at the right hand of the Father { read V. 34 }. The Child of God is therefore hedged about and made secure and if he walks in the Spirit, constant peace and joy will be his or her daily portion.

53. We glance but briefly at a few of the petitions to show how a Christian believer could not use the model prayer as a form. However, we desire to state once more the perfection of the prayer. Every word here is as divine as He Who spoke it. There could be no imperfection about anything He uttered. Many volumes have been written on it and many more might be written to show the perfection of every petition. As Christians we know that our Lord gave the promise and has fulfilled it by the gift of the Holy Spirit,

54. Scripture: "Jesus answered and said unto him if a man love Me, he will keep My Words: and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him, { John 14:23 }."

55. Commentary . . . We are brought near to the Father by the blood of Christ, and in the person of an adorable Lord we are in heaven seated with Him in the heavenlies. The "Our Father who art in heaven" does not give expression to this nor could it be before the death, resurrection and ascension of our Lord. "Hallowed be thy name" is Jewish. Indeed, the Jewish ritual uses the phrase very often. The Christian exalts "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Him whom God has exalted and made head over all things." "Thy kingdom come."

56. This petition is for the coming of the kingdom, the kingdom of the heavens, the future Millennial Messianic Kingdom, which is followed by the doing of the will of God on earth as it is done in heaven. Here Christendom is the most confused, expecting a kingdom now; a spiritual kingdom without a king. What our Lord taught His Jewish disciples to pray for is the kingdom of the heavens to come, that which John the Baptist preached, and also the Lord up to the time of His rejection. As Children of God we do not wait for the coming of the King and the establishment of the Millennial kingdom on the earth, but we wait for the coming of the Lord to take us out from off the earth in the Rapture so that we will be present with Christ in His Celestial Kingdom.

57. The prayer of the Body of Christ should always be: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus, { Revelation 22:20 }." . . . Without enlarging on the other petitions or attempting a full expression of them in their full and perfect meaning we wish only to say that this model prayer will be heard once more in the earth and will then be used as it was once used by the Jewish disciples when they were sent forth by our Lord. When the Body of Christ is taken from the earth a believing Jewish remnant will give the witness and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom once more.

58. They will undoubtedly use the prayer during the great tribulation through which they will pass, the tribulation in which the evil Antichrist and his false prophet lord it over them on this earth, and famine and many temptations will abound. Then can they truthfully ask, Give us this day our daily bread . . . lead us not into temptation . . . deliver us from the evil one," which is the ungodly false christ. "Your kingdom come." This prayer will be answered with the setting up of Messiah's Millennial Kingdom on this earth, deliverance will come for them from Heaven in the coming of Messiah the eternal King.

58. When the Holy Spirit was given, and the child was able to draw near to the Father in the name of Christ, you have something different. The Lord's prayer so-called does not even clothe the Lord's Saints with the name of Christ. What is meant by asking the Father in that name? Can it be merely saying "in His name" at the end of a prayer? When Christ died and rose again, He gave the believer His own standing before God, and then to ask the Father in the name of Christ is to ask in the consciousness that my Father loves me as He loves Christ; that my Father has given me the acceptance of Christ Himself before Him, having completely blotted out all my evil, so as to be made the righteousness of God in Him. [ When one confesses their sins to the Father while meaning to never give in to those sins from then on . . . see what is said concerning confessed sins, { Psalm 103:12, 17 }.

60. To pray in the value of this is asking in His name. Is there a soul using the Lord's prayer as a form that has a real understanding of what it is to ask the Father in the name of Christ? I believe they have never entered into that great truth. . . . We pass over the petition, "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." This is a legal, an Old Testament petition. Our forgiveness does not depend upon our relation to each other..

61. The 'hidden manna' in some cases may refers to the sufficiency of Christ for the needs of the Saints, as manna was for the Hebrews during the wilderness wanderings. By admonishing the reader over and over to "hear what the Spirit says to the Local Congregations, { Revelations 3:22 }, the Lord is stressing the importance of the message which He is giving His servants in this book. Some do not have an ear to hear what the Spirit says in the book of Revelation. Their ears and their Minds are closed to what the book teaches. We are going in disobedience to the Holy Spirit if we ignore the message of the book. The book of Revelation is the only book in our Bible that calls the reader "blessed," if he will read it and do what it teaches him to do, { Revelation 1:3 }. The most important question we can ask you is . . .

62. Scripture: "Are you and your loved ones ready if death overtakes you? God is ready. Christ has prepared a home for you in Heaven. He wants you there. I believe that you want to go there. The Word of the Lord states . . .

63. Scripture: "He, that [ i.e., 'who' ] being often reproved [ and ] hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy, { Proverbs 29:1 }." [ I.e., If you will not listen and believe before the Resurrection of the Body of Christ, look again what the Lord says about you ] . . .

64. { V. 10 } Scripture: "And with all deceivableness of [ unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception to ] unrighteousness in them that perish [ and are going to perdition, perishing ]; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [ They refused to believe the truth of God's Word ].

65. { V. 11 }: And for this cause God will send them [ a working error of ] strong delusion [ a misleading influence, of some type of idol worship ], that they should believe a lie [ of what is false ].

66. { V. 12 }: That they all might [ be judged and ] be damned [ condemned ] who believed not [ and refused to adhere to trust and rely on ] the truth, but [ instead ] had pleasure in unrighteousness, { 2- Thessalonians 2:10-12 }."

67. In order to be positive of your own Salvation, we would ask you to "Please" read and pray the following prayer and if you really believe and accept in your heart [ mind ] what you have read and have spoken these words in this prayer with a contrite mind to God the Father, you will have become a Child of God! This prayer is "NOT a model prayer," it is a heart warming prayer to God your Heaven Father . . .

68. Heavenly Father, I know that I'm a lost sinner and that I cannot save myself by good works. I believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son Who came down from Heaven and took on a human body of flesh and blood, and was born of the Virgin Mary. I believe that Jesus shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary and died paying the price for my sins with His death so that I can receive salvation because and through His sacrifice. I believe that after Christ's sacrifice and death, He arose from the tomb after three literal days and nights. That Jesus ascended into the third Heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. I believe that Jesus will return for all Saints who belong to the Body of Christ in the Resurrection [ Rapture, 'Rapere' ] according to His own promise! I know that I have been up to this time a lost sinner and deserved to go to hell. So I beseech you Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit at this very moment into my heart and save me for Jesus Christ sake as has been promised me by Your Holy Word. I am receiving Jesus Christ at this very moment as my personal Saviour, my Lord and as my only blessed hope for salvation. Thank You Lord for now I am saved by Your wonderful grace. Amen!

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69. Scripture { V. 16 }: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. { V. 17 }: For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved, { John 3:16-17 }."

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70. Scripture, { V. 8 }: "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God . . . { V. 9 }: Not of works, lest any man should boast, { Ephesians 2:8-9 }."

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71. Scripture, { V. 9 }: "But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him,

72. { V. 10 }: But God has revealed them to us by His [ Holy ] Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God, { 1- Corinthians 2:9-10 }."

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73. The signs indicating the seven years of tribulation has already become evident before the Tribulation on a smaller scale, while increasing in intensity as the tribulation approaches. The signs serve the purpose of a clarion call to the Body of Christ to prepare for the coming of Christ as the Head of the Body in the air, and also to the unrepentant world not to continue shunning the grace of God { Heb. 2:3 }. When the signs that indicated the Tribulation Period only begin to become evident, people were to ready themselves for the Rapture. Plus, the Israelis are to ready themselves for the Second Coming of their Bridegroom Messiah { Luke 21:28 }. Both classes of people, the Body of Christ first and later Israel and the nations are to lift up their heads because their redemption is drawing near. We have given a list of final signs that indicate the nearness of the Rapture first, and seven years later the Second Coming, at the end of the seven year-long tribulation. Are you waiting and watching for this time to culminate?

74. Today, do not postpone your decision for Jesus Christ. Remember, it may be indeed too late tomorrow. Make use of it today, because if you really want the harmony and peace of the Lord in your heart, then you must prepare now. There must be a change of authority in your mind and that change will determine eternity. To put it briefly, you either will spend eternity in everlasting, never-ending punishment or in never-ending eternal glory with your Lord.

75. We have used excerpts from such ministers as "Dr. Jerry Falwell; Dr. Harry Ironside; Dr. Dwight Pentecost; Dr. C. I. Scofield; Dr. Arno Gaebelein; Dr. John F. Wolvoord; Dr. Carl Armerding; Dr. Lewis S. Chafer; Robert C Brock; Elder G. E. Jones; Charles Baker; Martin Luther; John Knox; Loraine Boettner; Alexander Reese; William Kelly; Daniel Whitby; Norman B. Harrison; John Calvin; John N. Darby; Henry C. Thiessen; Berkhof; Shedd; Latimer; Hodge; Thayer; Buttmann; Westcott; Ellicott; Strombeck; English; Strong and etc. [ Please read our message concerning "The Days Of Noah," in which there are many signs mentioned that concern these last days. ]

In regard to our readers, we would deeply express our thanks to those who will re-copy this message and pass it on to others that they too may find Salvation and knowledge from it.