Obedience to God is the "outflow of Calvary'' in the heart and soul of a believer in Christ. Obedience is man's subjection of the will - to his Saviour and Redeemer, the one who forgave all the past sins, and removed guilt from the human conscience. Subjection is an act of man's faith; obedience to God is the outflow of this action. The language of the Bible teaches in the Greek text that obedience "springs" from faith...Romans 1:5. You show me a man that truly trusts Christ. I'll show you a man that's obedient to God! Glory!
Man is born with a heart full of disobedience to God. Man is unrighteous by nature. Man from birth is in natural rebellion to Christ and; the truth of God's Word.
The power to "do right" is a God given power to man from God. This power is simply the power of God's amazing Grace. It's the power of God granted to man "when" man believes and trusts in Christ alone for personal forgiveness. God's power flows from Calvary and is granted to the heart of man through belief. Belief causes man to act. The action of a believer in Christ is to do right. Righteousness is a gift of God's Grace. Righteousness produces obedience to God. The Bible teaches that man believeth unto righteousness.
Romans 10:10...with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What is sin?
There are two types of sin taught in the Bible. One type of sin is a noun...the other type of sin is a verb. A distinction can be made between these two types of sin, in the following words...
First sin is a violation of the law of God...which is an act of sin committed against God. This type of sin is an act...or what man does against God. For this type of sinful conduct every man is accountable to God for these violations.
Secondly, sin is the depraved nature of man inherited from the fall of Adam...This propensity to sin is the make-up every human being. This type of sin is what man is from the heart. Man is not accountable to God for the inherited depraved nature. Man is however; accountable for his actions and violations.
For this very reason the Bible teaches two types of sin! For this very reason Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit show man how to be delivered from both types of sin! For this very reason God called me by His Gospel and made me a minister of such truth! For this very reason I write this Blog! If you readers of this Blog, are not already blessed...May the Lord bless you richly with the power of His Divine Grace that keeps the Holy Spirit present in our lives!
First sin is a violation of the law of God...which is an act of sin committed against God. This type of sin is an act...or what man does against God. For this type of sinful conduct every man is accountable to God for these violations.
Secondly, sin is the depraved nature of man inherited from the fall of Adam...This propensity to sin is the make-up every human being. This type of sin is what man is from the heart. Man is not accountable to God for the inherited depraved nature. Man is however; accountable for his actions and violations.
Through "trust alone" in the death of Christ man can be forgiven from all his transgressions...by the Grace of God. Through the work of the Holy Spirit's witness this saved man can realize that there is "more" of God's Blessing and he can be delivered from all of self by the same Grace that saved and forgave him. Realization of what man is (carnal by nature) and who Christ is can allow God to rid man from inherited sin. Getting rid of inherited sin, "like salvation, is the complete work of the Grace of God in the life of the beleiver in Christ". Sanctification from the Old Adam can only be performed by the Grace of God. The reason is, "The Adamic nature cannot be confessed or forgiven"..."It must be destroyed!" How? By the purifying work of the Holy Spirit's baptism. This baptism does not deal with the "acts of sin". It deals with the inherited sinful nature.
For this very reason the Bible teaches two types of sin! For this very reason Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit show man how to be delivered from both types of sin! For this very reason God called me by His Gospel and made me a minister of such truth! For this very reason I write this Blog! If you readers of this Blog, are not already blessed...May the Lord bless you richly with the power of His Divine Grace that keeps the Holy Spirit present in our lives!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
1000 year reign of Christ with Saints...never told in the Old Testament... Why?
The word "millennium" is a Latin word that means a 1000 year time period. Old Testament prophecies were never foretold of the 1000 year reign of Christ with the saints...Why? The reason is, "Israel had to accept Christ first". Israel as a nation never accepts Christ until the Great Tribulation and the beginning of the 1000 year reign of our Lord.
Rev 20:4-6... And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The 1000 year reign of Christ is predicted by John in his revelation of the return of Christ with all the saints. In order to understand the "millennium" or the "1000 year reign of Christ with the saints" you must see the distinction between the Church and Israel. The Church was never prophesied. Israel's destiny to inherit the Kingdom on Earth was! The Church Age was birthed at the death of Christ. The calling out of the Church (the saints of God) to meet Christ in the air was never prophesied in the Old Testament but was predicted by the Apostles Paul and Peter. This calling out (or the Rapture of the saints) is the Churches escape of the Great Tribulation prophesied to come upon Israel. This Jewish Tribulation was prophesied by Daniel the Prophet.
After the Church is caught up (Raptured) for seven years, Christ and the saints of God return to Earth to set up the 1000 year reign of Christ with all His saints upon the Earth. Christ's return to the Mount of Olives will allow Him to reign on the Earthly Throne as did His father David in the days of Old. Renovation with fire takes place at the beginning of the Millennium. God purifies the Earth so the saints (the Bride) can reign with Christ (the Bridegroom) upon physical Earth for 1000 years. Israel accepts Christ on Earth at the beginning of this 1000 year reign. The Promised Kingdom was established in Jerusalem as foretold by the Prophets. For 1000 years the Church (kings and priests) and Christ reign on Earth to minster the Messiahship of Christ to the Heathen nations.
Restoration of the Earth is the picture of the 1000 year reign. Israel's blessing of the promised land being touched by the Divine hand of God will bring the "latter rains". Rain upon the land and agricultural life of Israel will allow the crops upon the Earth to flourish and prosper. It is prophesied in the Old Testament that the entire Earth will be blessed as the Law flows from Zion which is the geographical place where David throne was . Isa. 2 and Micah 4. The Law flowing from Zion is Israel's outreach ministry to the Heathen nations and mixed multitudes. As the Heathen nations accept Christ as Messiah and Redeemer they will receive the "rains" that will allow their crops to flourish and prosper according to the blessings of the Law of Moses in Duet. 28. This initial stage of the promised Kingdom on Earth is "confined" at the beginning 1000 year reign but spreads throughout the renovated Earth as the Law of God flows through Israel and the saints of God. Divine Law according to God, Israel's witness, and Israel's faith in Christ ministers to Tribulation Saints and their offspring that reproduces throughout the 1000 year Reign of Christ on Earth. Both glorified saints (eternal) and mortal saints (temporal) live during the 1000 year reign of our Lord. Of course mortals live, reproduce, and die during the 1000 year reign.
Isa 65:20-25... There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
The land upon "all" Earth is gradually restored as promised by God. The agricultural life, the plant life, the animal life will gradually be restored as well. The earth is purged from all dross as men and women from all nations and different walks of life will be able to accept the Messiahship of Christ who reigns physically in Jerusalem. Many people will accept Christ during the Millennium reign. Many will receive the blessings of the Law with faith in the Messiah as promised in the Old Testament Scriptures.
When the 1000 year of Christ with the saints of God or the Church on Earth expires...the Church will flee (go back to the Father) as the Final Judgment of the Great White Throne is carried out according to the Revelation of John, Rev. 20. The graves of the nations will be resurrected and judged as the wicked dead are raised, punished, and cast into the sea of fire for everlasting damnation. This final Judgment and last war between Russia and Israel will allow death and Hell to be destroyed and cast into the sea of fire. The Church in Heaven will descend to Earth as promised. After this last and final act of God and Christ there will be no more need for Judgment or Redemption. The whole earth will be completely restored like the Garden of Eden.
Israel will be blessed spiritually, physically, and eternally. Then the descension of the Church from Heaven (the Lambs Bride) will allow God to pour out His Spirit upon "all" flesh as promised in Old Testament Prophesies. The new Heaven and New Earth will render the fullness of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in "complete restoration" of the whole earth and everything in it!
Rev 21:1-21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 20:4-6... And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The 1000 year reign of Christ is predicted by John in his revelation of the return of Christ with all the saints. In order to understand the "millennium" or the "1000 year reign of Christ with the saints" you must see the distinction between the Church and Israel. The Church was never prophesied. Israel's destiny to inherit the Kingdom on Earth was! The Church Age was birthed at the death of Christ. The calling out of the Church (the saints of God) to meet Christ in the air was never prophesied in the Old Testament but was predicted by the Apostles Paul and Peter. This calling out (or the Rapture of the saints) is the Churches escape of the Great Tribulation prophesied to come upon Israel. This Jewish Tribulation was prophesied by Daniel the Prophet.
After the Church is caught up (Raptured) for seven years, Christ and the saints of God return to Earth to set up the 1000 year reign of Christ with all His saints upon the Earth. Christ's return to the Mount of Olives will allow Him to reign on the Earthly Throne as did His father David in the days of Old. Renovation with fire takes place at the beginning of the Millennium. God purifies the Earth so the saints (the Bride) can reign with Christ (the Bridegroom) upon physical Earth for 1000 years. Israel accepts Christ on Earth at the beginning of this 1000 year reign. The Promised Kingdom was established in Jerusalem as foretold by the Prophets. For 1000 years the Church (kings and priests) and Christ reign on Earth to minster the Messiahship of Christ to the Heathen nations.
Restoration of the Earth is the picture of the 1000 year reign. Israel's blessing of the promised land being touched by the Divine hand of God will bring the "latter rains". Rain upon the land and agricultural life of Israel will allow the crops upon the Earth to flourish and prosper. It is prophesied in the Old Testament that the entire Earth will be blessed as the Law flows from Zion which is the geographical place where David throne was . Isa. 2 and Micah 4. The Law flowing from Zion is Israel's outreach ministry to the Heathen nations and mixed multitudes. As the Heathen nations accept Christ as Messiah and Redeemer they will receive the "rains" that will allow their crops to flourish and prosper according to the blessings of the Law of Moses in Duet. 28. This initial stage of the promised Kingdom on Earth is "confined" at the beginning 1000 year reign but spreads throughout the renovated Earth as the Law of God flows through Israel and the saints of God. Divine Law according to God, Israel's witness, and Israel's faith in Christ ministers to Tribulation Saints and their offspring that reproduces throughout the 1000 year Reign of Christ on Earth. Both glorified saints (eternal) and mortal saints (temporal) live during the 1000 year reign of our Lord. Of course mortals live, reproduce, and die during the 1000 year reign.
Isa 65:20-25... There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
The land upon "all" Earth is gradually restored as promised by God. The agricultural life, the plant life, the animal life will gradually be restored as well. The earth is purged from all dross as men and women from all nations and different walks of life will be able to accept the Messiahship of Christ who reigns physically in Jerusalem. Many people will accept Christ during the Millennium reign. Many will receive the blessings of the Law with faith in the Messiah as promised in the Old Testament Scriptures.
When the 1000 year of Christ with the saints of God or the Church on Earth expires...the Church will flee (go back to the Father) as the Final Judgment of the Great White Throne is carried out according to the Revelation of John, Rev. 20. The graves of the nations will be resurrected and judged as the wicked dead are raised, punished, and cast into the sea of fire for everlasting damnation. This final Judgment and last war between Russia and Israel will allow death and Hell to be destroyed and cast into the sea of fire. The Church in Heaven will descend to Earth as promised. After this last and final act of God and Christ there will be no more need for Judgment or Redemption. The whole earth will be completely restored like the Garden of Eden.
Israel will be blessed spiritually, physically, and eternally. Then the descension of the Church from Heaven (the Lambs Bride) will allow God to pour out His Spirit upon "all" flesh as promised in Old Testament Prophesies. The new Heaven and New Earth will render the fullness of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in "complete restoration" of the whole earth and everything in it!
Rev 21:1-21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Monday, August 3, 2009
What do you desire? Milk or strong meat?
For those who diligently seek the Truth it is our desire at the Churches on Trial to use the Word of God in it's fullness. We do not put limits on the truth of what is written in the Bible! We do not limit ourselves to teaching the milk of the word of God only! The Bible says milk is for babes and thus limits the power of a living God. Strong meat belongs to those who are of "full age" according to Hebrews 5. Any Christian can be of "Full Age".
Heb 5:12-14...For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
What does it mean to be of full age? It simply means... the sinner must repent and turn to Christ for Salvation of the soul and receive God's justifying power that offers the forgiveness of sins. Then, the Holy Spirit can speak to that heart and reveal the sanctifying power of the Spirit of God that deals with what man is from birth. The New Testament teaches sanctification. The Holy Spirit testifies Christ to a saved man! The Spirit reveals the crucifixion of the old man to a saved man. Sanctifying power "comes upon" or "falls upon" a saved man...not the sinner! Sanctifying power is the Spirits work that cuts man away from what he is by nature. Sanctifying power delivers man from the Adamic life. This deliverance from the Adamic life allows the saved man to have "Full Salvation" in this life as a Christian. Sanctification takes the believer beyond the new birth that allows God to pardon and to justify. Sanctification is the final work of the Baptism with the Spirit of God that all believers can receive...after they are born again! Sanctification is truth taught in the Word of God! Unfortunately many religious bodies today in 2012 do not teach such truth. Why? Simply because you have differences caused from man's opinions, traditions that have prevailed for 18 centuries, imaginations and spirtulizations of the Scripture, and religions by the hundreds!
What happens when you take human opinions out, that deviate from the truth of God's Word? Human opinions have deviated from the truth of what God said, since the fall of Adam. When the Jewish nation "interpreted" the Torah (God's inspired Word), they came up with the Babylonian Talmud. The Talmud was Israel's (man's ) interpretation of what God said. Humanism crept in. Religion crept in. What God said turned into... what man said. What was written...was not first and foremost! Human opinions formed religion. Human opinions formed traditional teachings. Did you know traditional things are sometimes placed in a higher priority than what God's Word says about the matter? Look at infant Baptism for example. There's not one single verse in the Bible that teaches such, but it still dominiates in the Religious World.
Why do traditions have such a drastic affect on people's thinking even today in 2012? Why do religious practices enchant peoples interests? Did you know that man's imagination can run wild in opinion and religion? All the above things (opinions, traditions, religion, and imaginations) can be stopped by what is written. The basis of our faith should be placed in what is written. Sure we teach the meat of the Word...but what's the religious world teaching? Christianity is not religion it's an experience. The foundation of the Christian experience is built upon the Word of God.
It is our desire at the Churches on Trial to give you the reader much, much, evidence to support your faith through our teaching of the Holy Scriptures. God bless you for reading, staying in fellowship with us, and growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is one of our intentions at the Churches on Trial to get people...back to the Bible! Glory!
2 Tim 3:16-17... All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Heb 5:12-14...For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
What does it mean to be of full age? It simply means... the sinner must repent and turn to Christ for Salvation of the soul and receive God's justifying power that offers the forgiveness of sins. Then, the Holy Spirit can speak to that heart and reveal the sanctifying power of the Spirit of God that deals with what man is from birth. The New Testament teaches sanctification. The Holy Spirit testifies Christ to a saved man! The Spirit reveals the crucifixion of the old man to a saved man. Sanctifying power "comes upon" or "falls upon" a saved man...not the sinner! Sanctifying power is the Spirits work that cuts man away from what he is by nature. Sanctifying power delivers man from the Adamic life. This deliverance from the Adamic life allows the saved man to have "Full Salvation" in this life as a Christian. Sanctification takes the believer beyond the new birth that allows God to pardon and to justify. Sanctification is the final work of the Baptism with the Spirit of God that all believers can receive...after they are born again! Sanctification is truth taught in the Word of God! Unfortunately many religious bodies today in 2012 do not teach such truth. Why? Simply because you have differences caused from man's opinions, traditions that have prevailed for 18 centuries, imaginations and spirtulizations of the Scripture, and religions by the hundreds!
What happens when you take human opinions out, that deviate from the truth of God's Word? Human opinions have deviated from the truth of what God said, since the fall of Adam. When the Jewish nation "interpreted" the Torah (God's inspired Word), they came up with the Babylonian Talmud. The Talmud was Israel's (man's ) interpretation of what God said. Humanism crept in. Religion crept in. What God said turned into... what man said. What was written...was not first and foremost! Human opinions formed religion. Human opinions formed traditional teachings. Did you know traditional things are sometimes placed in a higher priority than what God's Word says about the matter? Look at infant Baptism for example. There's not one single verse in the Bible that teaches such, but it still dominiates in the Religious World.
Why do traditions have such a drastic affect on people's thinking even today in 2012? Why do religious practices enchant peoples interests? Did you know that man's imagination can run wild in opinion and religion? All the above things (opinions, traditions, religion, and imaginations) can be stopped by what is written. The basis of our faith should be placed in what is written. Sure we teach the meat of the Word...but what's the religious world teaching? Christianity is not religion it's an experience. The foundation of the Christian experience is built upon the Word of God.
It is our desire at the Churches on Trial to give you the reader much, much, evidence to support your faith through our teaching of the Holy Scriptures. God bless you for reading, staying in fellowship with us, and growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is one of our intentions at the Churches on Trial to get people...back to the Bible! Glory!
2 Tim 3:16-17... All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
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