As stated before, the divine drama was conceived and written in eternity in Christ Jesus, who was ordained before the foundation of the world to redeem God's children, who were made subject to vanity. Also, in eternity, the book of life was created. We will see how important is this book. But first, let me prove from the bible that the world is unfolding in accordance with the will of God.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter referring to the death of Jesus, stated: "Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain"(Acts 2:23).
Please note the phrase, "determinate counsel?" What does it mean? determine means to cause to occur in a particular way; firmness of purpose, and counsel means to receive or give advice. So by definition, God's counsel told him to sacrifice Jesus for the redemption of his elect. But who or what is his counsel? Well, it is best to let the Chosen Vessel answer that question thus: "God works all things after the counsel of his own will"(Eph.1:11). So his will tell him what to do. Isn't that an astonishing revelation!
So the death of Jesus was not an unforeseen event. It was determined by God before the foundation of the world, to redeem his children, who are called, "Vessels of mercy"(Rom.9:23). Also, at the Jerusalem conference to discuss whether the Gentiles should be circumcised or not, the Apostle James reminded the conference that, "Known unto God are all his works from the foundation of the world"(Acts 15:18). And the Chosen Vessel, in his Epistle to the Romans, reminded the Jewish people that God has promised to redeem those branches that were broken off from the olive tree(Rom.11:17), so that the Gentiles could be grafted in. The narrative runs: "Although the works were finished from the foundation of the world"(Heb.4:3-4). Nothing can be added or taken away from it. So the divine drama was conceived by God, purposed in Christ, and implement in time by the creation of the world. So God knows everything that will happen before it occurs, including every bird that falls to the ground and how many hairs are on every person's head.
Please note the phrase, "determinate counsel?" What does it mean? determine means to cause to occur in a particular way; firmness of purpose, and counsel means to receive or give advice. So by definition, God's counsel told him to sacrifice Jesus for the redemption of his elect. But who or what is his counsel? Well, it is best to let the Chosen Vessel answer that question thus: "God works all things after the counsel of his own will"(Eph.1:11). So his will tell him what to do. Isn't that an astonishing revelation!
So the death of Jesus was not an unforeseen event. It was determined by God before the foundation of the world, to redeem his children, who are called, "Vessels of mercy"(Rom.9:23). Also, at the Jerusalem conference to discuss whether the Gentiles should be circumcised or not, the Apostle James reminded the conference that, "Known unto God are all his works from the foundation of the world"(Acts 15:18). And the Chosen Vessel, in his Epistle to the Romans, reminded the Jewish people that God has promised to redeem those branches that were broken off from the olive tree(Rom.11:17), so that the Gentiles could be grafted in. The narrative runs: "Although the works were finished from the foundation of the world"(Heb.4:3-4). Nothing can be added or taken away from it. So the divine drama was conceived by God, purposed in Christ, and implement in time by the creation of the world. So God knows everything that will happen before it occurs, including every bird that falls to the ground and how many hairs are on every person's head.
As part of the divine drama, a book called the The Lamb's Book of Life was created, and in it were written all the names of God's children, and these are the only people that will be saved when Christ returns(Dan.12:1); (Rev.20:15).
During Jesus' ministry he sent out 70 disciples to preach the gospel, and they returned rejoicing that the devils were subject to them. But note Jesus' reply thus: "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not...but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven"(Luke 10:20). That is , their names are written in book of life, and their salvation is assured. Also, the Chosen Vessel, stated that certain women names are in the book of life(Phil.4:3).
Now Jesus is due to return before 2054, and by the time he comes most of the men who betrayed God's children for the sake of money, by failing to speak out against Tkach's spiritual poison will be long dead. But can they go to the grave assured that their names are in the book of life? On their death bed, can they echo the words of the Chosen Vessel, when he says: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing"(2Tim.4:6-8).
Have the hirelings "fought a good fight?" My pastor, Peter Shenton, lamented that he only got £15,000 redundancy pay after 22 years in the ministry, and when I asked the local elder, Ian Martin, why he wasn't telling the congregation he disagreed with Tkach's doctrinal changes? He replied, and I quote him verbatim: "In this situation, every man for himself." I shudder to think of the consequences of that reply.
However, as misery loves company, both Peter and Ian may obtain the delusional comfort to know that they are not the only ones that are guilty of treachery, by failing to speak out against Tkach's spiritual poison. For Les McCullough, Francis Bergin and Barry Bourne all visited the Birmingham, England, congregation in 1995, and delivered what could only be described as political sermons, designed to protect them from the wrath of Tkach senior. But after the diatribes, they called sermons, were delivered, I asked both Francis Bergin and Barry Bourne, what was their attitude to the doctrinal changes? Francis said, and I quote him verbatim, "At the moment, the situation is very difficult." What on earth does that mean? He may as well had said, "Tkach has a gun to my head, and I am not prepared to die for anyone."
As for Barry Bourne, I hesitate to say what type of person he really was, as his wife with whom I shared many wonderful moments, is a kind, caring, loving, gentle woman: and though time has soften her grief, she might still be hurt by my comments. Suffice to say, he replied, "People haven't stop to think." Can you believe it? When John was inspired to write: "Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his live for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren"(1John3:16). The term "ought" denotes duty and responsibility. It is not optional!
All that I need to say about Les McCullough is that he was never ever able to keep a promise. He accepted $60,000 severance pay on conditions that he didn't join UCG. He banked the cheque, and when it cleared, he joined UCG.
I wrote all of the above laughing. Not because it is funny, but it was with that divine laughter, that laughs at the destruction of wicked(Pro.1:24-26); (Job 22:19); (Ps.52:6).
Have the hirelings "kept the faith?" Sadly, most of the hirelings have no idea what is the faith. And how can they received a "crown of righteousness," when their have lived lives of dishonesty, duplicity and deceit? And what about loving Jesus' appearing?
Also, the rise of the beast power is just on the horizon, and John the Apostle was inspired to write: "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world"(Rev.13:8).
The books are opened
In addition, the prophet Daniel had a vision, which cover the period from the Babylonian empire to the return of Christ. The narrative runs: "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and Ancient of days did sit.." The phrase, Ancient of days, refers to Jesus who sat on his throne of judgment. The narrative continues, "thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened"(Dan.7:9-10). This is describing Jesus' coming with his mighty angels to judge the living and the dead.
This same event was recorded by the Apostle John thus: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life"(Rev.20:12).
The first book is the bible, for that is the book God gave to humanity to teach them how to love Him, and their neighbours as themselves. That book has been rejected by humanity, who prefer to live lives of mutual deception. These names will not be found in the book of life, so they will be cast into the lake of fire(Rev.20:15).
After the final judgment Jesus will established his eternal kingdom, and John was inspired to write with emphasis, "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatsoever works abominations, or makes a lie:" That rules out all of the hireling ministers, that repeatedly lied to the brethren, either by commission or omission. "but they that are written in the Lamb's book of life"(Rev.21:27). And the Lamb's book was written before the foundation of the world, and only the Vessels of Mercy names are in it. They were predestined to be called, called to be justified, and justified to be glorified(Rom.8:30).
Now Jesus is due to return before 2054, and by the time he comes most of the men who betrayed God's children for the sake of money, by failing to speak out against Tkach's spiritual poison will be long dead. But can they go to the grave assured that their names are in the book of life? On their death bed, can they echo the words of the Chosen Vessel, when he says: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing"(2Tim.4:6-8).
Have the hirelings "fought a good fight?" My pastor, Peter Shenton, lamented that he only got £15,000 redundancy pay after 22 years in the ministry, and when I asked the local elder, Ian Martin, why he wasn't telling the congregation he disagreed with Tkach's doctrinal changes? He replied, and I quote him verbatim: "In this situation, every man for himself." I shudder to think of the consequences of that reply.
However, as misery loves company, both Peter and Ian may obtain the delusional comfort to know that they are not the only ones that are guilty of treachery, by failing to speak out against Tkach's spiritual poison. For Les McCullough, Francis Bergin and Barry Bourne all visited the Birmingham, England, congregation in 1995, and delivered what could only be described as political sermons, designed to protect them from the wrath of Tkach senior. But after the diatribes, they called sermons, were delivered, I asked both Francis Bergin and Barry Bourne, what was their attitude to the doctrinal changes? Francis said, and I quote him verbatim, "At the moment, the situation is very difficult." What on earth does that mean? He may as well had said, "Tkach has a gun to my head, and I am not prepared to die for anyone."
As for Barry Bourne, I hesitate to say what type of person he really was, as his wife with whom I shared many wonderful moments, is a kind, caring, loving, gentle woman: and though time has soften her grief, she might still be hurt by my comments. Suffice to say, he replied, "People haven't stop to think." Can you believe it? When John was inspired to write: "Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his live for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren"(1John3:16). The term "ought" denotes duty and responsibility. It is not optional!
All that I need to say about Les McCullough is that he was never ever able to keep a promise. He accepted $60,000 severance pay on conditions that he didn't join UCG. He banked the cheque, and when it cleared, he joined UCG.
I wrote all of the above laughing. Not because it is funny, but it was with that divine laughter, that laughs at the destruction of wicked(Pro.1:24-26); (Job 22:19); (Ps.52:6).
Have the hirelings "kept the faith?" Sadly, most of the hirelings have no idea what is the faith. And how can they received a "crown of righteousness," when their have lived lives of dishonesty, duplicity and deceit? And what about loving Jesus' appearing?
Also, the rise of the beast power is just on the horizon, and John the Apostle was inspired to write: "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world"(Rev.13:8).
The books are opened
In addition, the prophet Daniel had a vision, which cover the period from the Babylonian empire to the return of Christ. The narrative runs: "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and Ancient of days did sit.." The phrase, Ancient of days, refers to Jesus who sat on his throne of judgment. The narrative continues, "thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened"(Dan.7:9-10). This is describing Jesus' coming with his mighty angels to judge the living and the dead.
This same event was recorded by the Apostle John thus: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life"(Rev.20:12).
The first book is the bible, for that is the book God gave to humanity to teach them how to love Him, and their neighbours as themselves. That book has been rejected by humanity, who prefer to live lives of mutual deception. These names will not be found in the book of life, so they will be cast into the lake of fire(Rev.20:15).
After the final judgment Jesus will established his eternal kingdom, and John was inspired to write with emphasis, "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatsoever works abominations, or makes a lie:" That rules out all of the hireling ministers, that repeatedly lied to the brethren, either by commission or omission. "but they that are written in the Lamb's book of life"(Rev.21:27). And the Lamb's book was written before the foundation of the world, and only the Vessels of Mercy names are in it. They were predestined to be called, called to be justified, and justified to be glorified(Rom.8:30).
The proof reader of my blog has deserted me, but I wish her no harm.
To be continued.
To be continued.
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