Jesus is God

The war between Islam and Judaism will lead to the extermination of both religions and their people. The reason is, neither Islam nor Judaism accept that Jesus is God and the son of God.

As Islam has the Koran, and Israel the Torah, I don't know if they ever read the New Testament, written by the Apostles of Jesus Christ. But the New Testament is the revelation of what was concealed in the Torah until the coming of Jesus. 

The Coming of Jesus 

Over 600 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6),. The fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in Matthew 1:18. Yet, Jesus was and is, to this day, rejected by the remnant of Israel, who deny that Jesus is both God and the son of God.

Yet, the Chosen Vessel in his sublime epistle to the Hebrews, was inspired to write: "God, who at sundry times and in rejected  divers manners spoke in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by his son...(Heb.1:1-2). Also, in the gospel of John we read: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1-2)

Later we read: "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us(verse14). That  is, God was made flesh, and dwelt among us  (1Tim.3:16). Great indeed, is the mystery of godliness.

John also says, "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not(John 1:10).

I appreciate that this sublime, recondite mystery can't be understood by people who don't have the holy spirit of truth. But this doctrine, in all its wonder, has been rejected by Islam and Judaism.

To be continued.

The Second Temple

We know from scripture that God wanted Israel to build a second temple. The order to do so was given by Cyrus, the Persian. The details are set out in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The children of Israel were persecuted by various people, and God removed them to allow the building of the temple to continue. 

Later, Israel was distracted by their own interest, and the building of the temple had been neglected. So God sent Haggai, the prophet, to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and to Josedech, the high priest, saying: "Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying, this people say, the time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built." (Hag.1-2)."

"Then came the word of Lord by Haggai the prophet saying. is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?(Hag.1:3-4).

The people were about to be confronted with God's judgment for neglecting to first build God's house.

The Judgment

God told the people thus: "Consider your ways." In our modern world of dishonesty, decadence and depravity, people plunge themselves into all kinds of immorality without thought, and later, they suffer the frightful consequences. They don't consider their ways.

However, God said: "You have sown much, and brought in little; you eat, but you have not enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink: you clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earns wages earns wages to put it into a bag with holes." (Hag.1:6)

That meant that God had withdrawn his blessings from the people, because they had placed their interest before the interest of God,  When Jesus was on earth, he emphasised  the need to first seek the kingdom of God, and then God will bless you. (Matt.6:33).

In summary

The people responded to God's admonition, and went to mountain and brought the materials to finish the house of God. So God, the ever faithful and loving God, told the people: "I will bless you"(Hag.2:18-19).

 Finally

It should be evident that if God wanted a third temple, it would have been built years ago, and anyone resisting its building would have been put to death. 

Sadly, the people that returned to Israel in 1948, are a remnant of the bond woman.

A Third Temple

 Since 1948 there has been much talk about the building of a third temple, and since October 7th, the day of the Hamas attack, we have seen a small army of zealous, but ignorant men, speculating about a third temple. Yet, there are no scriptural texts that say, God wants Israel to build a third temple.

Furthermore, Israel could not build a third temple, to please God, while the Dome of the rock is still standing. For as Islam is a pagan religion, that had its origin in the mind of the devil, the Dome is a desecration of the temple mount, and the God of Israel would demand that it be pulled down before the building of a third temple.

Sadly, we are livin in a deceived world, where people believe that all religions should be respected. That is not the teaching of Jesus Christ. He said, "I will build my church, and gates of hell shall not prevail against it"(Matt.16:18). "The gates of hell shall not prevail," means that Satan will not be able to destroy his church, which is his spiritual body. Also, the apostles were inspired to add, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men , whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

A life of fear

Yet, nominal and even sometimes true Christians are terrified to speak out against paganism, in all its satanic forms. The Christian is told not to be afraid of anything or anyone. Note the sublime testimony of king David, a man beloved of the Lord, when he said: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life' of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps.27:1-2).

Those emphatic, rhetorical questions, teach us not to be afraid of anyone. Also, the inspired words of John are these, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18).

To be continued

Zeal withou knowledge.

Today, as never before, there are armies of nominal Christians, all claiming to represent Jesus. We have the so-called bible belt in America, including a vast army of misguided men and women, that were former members of The Worldwide Church of God, who have now arrogated to themselves the responsibility to preach, what they foolishly think is, the gospel. In addition, we have a larger army emerging from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, motivated by vanity and money, claiming to represent God. Some have been even so mad, that they have usurped the titles and offices of Apostle, Prophet and Evangelist.

As one of the signs of the last days, Jesus prophesied the coming of these misguided people thus: Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many (Matt.24:4-5). These misguided men's zeal is motivated by vanity, power and greed. That is because they are ministers of Satan. Paul also observed thu: "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, buy not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness (Rom.10:2-3).

Ignorance of God's word

In the first century, Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. "And after the reading of the law and the prophets. the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, you men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

Then Paul stood up, and outlined the history of Israel, and concluded by saying: "For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him (Acts 13:27).

These inspired words of Paul, are as true today as they were in the first century. As a results of pure zeal, today, the law and the prophets are read in synagogues around the world, every Sabbath day, but the readers don't understand what they are reading. The readers, today as in first century are ignorant of the "voices of the prophets."

The same is true of the vast army of religious zealots, that preach to their deluded, docile congregations every Sunday. It is estimated that there are 600 million evangelicals in the world, with 60 million in America. These people passionately sing songs, say Amen, but they don't understand the wholesome teachings of Jesus Christ, neither do they have the love of God, which leads to obedience.

To be continued.

Is God unjust?

As the results of the revelation of the perishing of Israel, according to the flesh, the Chosen Vessel, was driven to ask the question that humanity might pose thus: "Is there unrighteousness with God? (Rom.9:14) For in addition to the fact that Abraham had two sons, but only one will be saved. Paul also introduces another recondite mystery thus: "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac... Rebecca had twins in her womb, and before they were born, she was told "the elder shall serve the younger, that is, the first born will serve the second born.

Then Paul wrapped the mystery in parentheses, and elucidated its meaning thus: (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that purpose of God according to election might stand, or be established, not of works, but of him that calls:). (Rom.9:10-11).

Note the phrase, "not of works." I remember Carl McNair giving a sermon, and in it he said, "God choose Jacob over Esau, because he saw that Jacob would be a better person than Esau." I wrote to him telling him that he was preaching salvation by works. He replied saying, "I stand by what I said." He didn't live much longer after that heretical nonsense. However, it is clear that God chooses his elect by grace, and not by works. For God said, "Jacob have I love, but Esau have I hated." That emphatic sentence led Paul to anticipate humanities' reaction to God's decision, by asking the question: "Is there unrighteousness with God" (Rom.9:14)? 

Paul's immediate reply is, "God forbid." But to fully answer the question, Paul turns to the analogy of the potter. God is the master potter, and he has one lump of clay on the potter's wheel. From that lump of clay, he makes different vessels thus: "Have not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour (Rom,9:21)? For example, Jacob and Esau were of same lump. For they both came out of the loins of their father Isaac,  They were both innocent of sin. Yet, God loved Jacob and hated Esau.

Therefore, the potter may make a beautiful vase, or a beautiful set of teacup and saucers. The vase to display beautiful flowers, and the teacups and saucers to entertain special guests.

But the potter also has a dog, that must be fed; and from the same lump of clay, he makes a bowl to feed the dog. It is obvious that the dog's bowl doesn't have the same honour as the vase, the teacups or the saucers. But the question is this: "shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why have you made me thus"(Rom.9:20)? Can the dog's bowl, with justification, ask the potter that question? The answer is no, but why is the answer no?

That recondite, sublime mystery is wrapped in three fundamental concepts. One, the foreknowledge of God. Two, the doctrine of election and three, predestination. These fundamental concepts, which God purposed in himself, were given to him by the good pleasure of his counsel, which is immutable (Heb.6:18). Also, Isiah was inspired to write: "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else like me., declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done. saying my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure..."(Is. 46:9-10).

NB: I have asked the question before, who is God's counsellor?

To be continued

The Reformation

It was at the time of reformation (Heb.9:10), that the bond woman was cast out. The covenant that was made with the bond woman, and her son, was implemented 430 (Gal.3:16-17) years after God made the promise to Abraham and his son, who was born from the free woman, Sarah.

So we learned that the old covenant was abolished at the reformation, and was replaced with the new covenant, where the laws of God are written in the hearts of his spiritual children(Heb.8:10), and Jesus is their High Priest, according to the order of Melchisedec(Heb.7:11-13).

The reformation, of course, began with the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, as high priest, into the Holy of Holies, in  heaven: where he  offered himself, without spot to God, for the redemption of God's elect; and the reformation was fulfilled on the first Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given, and the new covenant was implemented in the church.

At that time, the twelve tribes of Israel, represented by the bond woman and her son, who was born according to the flesh, were cast out. The Chosen Vessel was inspired to explain this sublime, recondite mystery, and he said: "That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God(Rom.9:8).

The misconception that was preached in WCG for years, and was perceived as a status of superiority over other people, was the belief that the physical descendance of Abraham were the people of God. They are the children of Abraham, but not the children of God. The Chosen Vessel was inspired to write: "For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God(Rom.8:14). Then he added, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ...(verse 17).

What does the allegory say, "Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman (Gal.4:30). And again, Paul added: "We are not children of the bondwoman, of the free (verse 31).

The "we" refers to converted Christians, that are led by the spirit of God. They mother is the heavenly Jerusalem, the wife of Christ. And that is a very great mystery (Eph.5:32).

Hence, Paul's lamentation over the perishing of his kinsmen, according to the flesh (Rom.9:1-3).

No wonder King Solomon was inspired to write: "He that increases knowledge, increases sorrow." For he knows things that others don't know, and that knowledge can be very painful. Think of Noah building the Ark, and warning the people that the flood was coming, and he was ignored by everyone. Today, the same is true.

Sadly, the epistles of Paul were sealed documents in WCG. That is because the men who were ordained ministers were unconverted, and therefore, they never received the gift of the holy spirit of truth, which guides God's people into all truth (John 16:13).

Cast out the bond woman

Ever since the attack on Israel by Hamas on the 7th October, the last great day of the feast of tabernacles, a cabal of self appointed prophets have emerged, claiming to understand the attack, and how it relates to the prophecies that explain the return of Jesus. So far, all that they have preached is an indication of pure ignorance of the word of God.

Where was God?

However, the question they have failed to ask is, where was God when Hamas was planning the attack? Do these deceivers believe that God was asleep, and was just as surprised by the attack as Israel was? Perish the thought. For Jesus emphasising God's knowledge and control of his creation says, "Two sparrows are sold for a penny, yet not one falls to the ground, without the knowledge of my father." And that is not only true of sparrows, it is true of every creature on earth. So God was well aware that Hamas was planning to attack Israel. Why didn't he prevent the attack? 

People might be surprised to discover, I almost said to learn, that God was the cause of the attack. Note the ispired words of king Solomon thus: The Lord has made all things for himself; yes, even the wicked for the day of evil" (Pro.16:4). Why did God caused that day of evil to come upon Israel? For it could not have occurred, if it was not his will.

The Last Great Day

The last great day of the Feast of Tabernacles is a day of judgment, and it mirrors the day of Pentecost. On the last great day of the feast Jesus gave a sermon, and he said: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."(John 7:38). And John tells us, that Jesus was referring to the gift of the Holy Spirit, which was given on the day of Pentecost. 

A day of judgment

Pentecost mirrors the last great day, which is the day of judgment. Hence Jesus's sermon on the last great day. Those that receive the gift of the holy spirit will be saved, to share the eternal inheritance with Christ. But the son of the bond woman, the allegory informs us, shall not be hier with the son of the free woman. The son of the bond woman was born according to the flesh, but the son of the free woman was born by promise.

Now if reports are to be believed, on the 7th October, the last great day, a large number of young people were out listing to music and reveling. The bible says that revellers will not be in the kingdom of God (Gal.5:20-21).

Jesus's betrayal  

And second, the consequences of the betrayal of Jesus by Caiaphas, the high priest. Plus, the frightful curse all the people called down upon themselves, by saying, "His blood be on us, and on our children"(Matt.27:25). And it has been, and will be, until the bond woman has been completely cast out.

The prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the beginning of the casting out of the bond woman, is embedded in the dual prophecy of Matthew twenty four. The first fulfillment of the duality was the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD by the Roman general Titus. The final destruction of Jerusalem and the casting of the bond woman will be initiated by the beast power, and brought to fulfillment by the battle of Armageddon.

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