DARK LIGHT SERIES
Chapter I
FALSE SALVATION ~ IS IT POSSIBLE? Part II
1. And THEN
2. I
3. NEVER
4. KNEW
5. YOU
6. INIQUITY
With these words we will begin to unlock the mystery of what happened and why. We can only scratch the surface here, for our point in this chapter is to prove that THE VAST MAJORITY OF CHRISTIANS CAN AND WILL BE SENT TO ETERNAL RUIN.
1. And THEN
The key word here is THEN. It proves that union had never taken place at all during their earthly lives. The word for 'then' is "tote" and it means AT THAT TIME. It means at the time of their judgment. He waits until the judgment itself to tell these souls that UNION HAD NEVER TAKEN PLACE.
2. The next word is the personal pronoun "I" . It is used by a living being with central awareness. It is used by the very much alive and resurrected Jesus Christ. He is referring to HIMSELF, HIS CENTRAL ESSENCE. He is saying that HE HIMSELF NEVER KNEW THEM. He does not say that God the Father did not know them, or that the Holy Spirit did not know them. He is referring to Himself only. That concept might shock you, because are not the persons of the Trinity ONE? Mainline denominational Christian theology preaches a TRINITY, that there are THREE PERSONS IN THE GODHEAD.
The Bible does NOT teach you that union with the HOLY SPIRIT is salvation. Nor does it teach you that UNION WITH GOD THE FATHER IS SALVATION. The Bible teaches you under no uncertain terms that UNION WITH JESUS CHRIST is what saves the individual. The reason for this is because IT IS JESUS CHRIST WHO REDEEMED MANKIND, and NOT the Holy Spirit or God the Father. There IS a trinity, and each performs tasks in this mystery of SALVATION. We will explore this fully, but it is a truth, and a truth ignored by modern Christian theology. Modern theology tells you if you HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU HAVE IT ALL. On one side of their mouth they teach a TRINITY, on the other side, they IGNORE IT. Do not ignore it on the issue of salvation, for if you do, you will end up one of the many who THOUGHT THEY KNEW JESUS, when in fact they DID NOT.
3. "NEVER"
The word never is very important. It comes from the Greek word "oudepote" and it means, NOT EVEN AT ANY TIME, NOT EVER, NEVER AT ALL, AT NO TIME WHATSOEVER. The root of the word is "oude" and it means NOT EVEN EVER, NEVER AT ALL. This is vital, for it tells us what we need to know: THERE WAS NEVER TRUE UNION WITH THE LIVING JESUS CHRIST. Christ is saying that at no time in their lives, not ever was there a moment of UNION with Him. Not since the day they were born to the day they died! He never made contact with them, and they never made contact Him. There was never any 'meeting of the hearts'. It is important to understand the impact of what Jesus is saying. He did not say:
1. I knew you once but I have rejected you.
2. I knew you once but you fell away and backslid.
3. I knew you once, but I am counting it as though I never knew you at all.
4. I knew you, but you later rejected me.
Jesus said none of those things. He said only that NEVER IN ALL OF THEIR LIVES was there contact made with them. Union never occurred. Regeneration never occurred. They were not born again, they only THOUGHT they were born again. How is this possible? How could a believer think he was in union with Christ, a most intimate union at that, and if fact no union was ever made? We had better dig until we find the answer.
4. "KNEW"
The word 'knew' is "ginosko'" and it means to come to know in the absolute sense, to understand totally, to know EXPERIENTIALLY. It is often used in a relationship sense between the person known and the person knowing. It is used to express UNION IN AN EXPERIENTIAL SENSE.
"And then I will declare in a public announcement to them I NEVER CAME TO KNOW YOU EXPERIENTIALLY...."
(Wuest New Testament Translation)
The Random House Dictionary of the English Language gives the definition of experience as 1. a particular instance of PERSONALLY ENCOUNTERING or UNDERGOING SOMETHING. 2. The process or fact of PERSONALLY OBSERVING, ENCOUNTERING OR UNDERSTANDING SOMETHING. THE SYNONYMS ARE ENCOUNTER, KNOW. Could it mean a real literal and experiential revelation and manifestation of Christ to the believer? This is not only denied by modern Christianity, it would be branded as Satanic!
6. "YOU"
This word is important in that it reveals that Christ feels there must be a real union between TWO LIVING ENTITIES. This union is considered by Christ to be essential for salvation, for without it you are rejected out of hand. He is saying that "I" Jesus, never came into union with "you. Christ was never admitted into the heart of hearts.
7. "INIQUITY"
The word 'iniquity' is "anamia", and it means ILLEGALITY OR VIOLATION OF LAW, TRANSGRESSION OF LAW, OR LAWLESSNESS. He is NOT using this in the terms of human law, but of God's law. The New Covenant is a legally binding contract between God and the human race. It is a legal document, which God and those who He seeks must abide by. The commands of Jesus Christ on the Mount establish the requirements of entering into this Covenant for a new heart. If you refuse to comply with the requirements because of theology or any other reason, you are in violation of the covenant itself, and thus you are a transgressor of God's law. The NEW LAW IS AGAPE LOVE. If you do not have agape love, because you refuse to walk the narrow way, then you are in violation OF THE NEW LAW OF AGAPE LOVE, THE NEW COVENANT. This is true because you are claiming you have entered in legally when in fact you have not. You are a thief and a robber, plundering the promises of God, taking what belongs to the rightful heirs and claiming them for yourself when you have no right whatever to do so. This makes you lawless, which is why the Scripture brands such a one as a "bastard". The word for bastard is "nothos" in the Greek, and it mean s A SPURIOUS OR ILLEGITIMATE SON. and this in turn makes your works, no matter how sincere, works of 'iniquity'.
"But if ye be WITHOUT CHASTISEMENT, WHEREOF ALL ARE PARTAKERS, THEN ARE YE BASTARDS, AND NOT SONS."
(Hebrews 12:8)"A BASTARD SHALL NOT ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE LORD..." (Deuteronomy 23:2)
God does not change, and He so states THAT FACT in the Bible. Only His methods change, but His concepts and His laws never change. A BASTARD WILL NEVER ENTER INTO HEAVEN. HE IS EXCLUDED. THE 'MANY' dynamic powerhouse Christians were in fact BASTARDS. That is why Christ HAD TO SEND THEM AWAY. They were bastards because they were without the chastisement of the Lord. They had never entered into the STRAIT GATE, and they never walked the chastisement road called the NARROW WAY. Thus Jesus calls all of their works, no matter how sincere, as "iniquity'. They were not done under the law, THEY WERE NOT DONE IN AGAPE LOVE, BUT INSTEAD IN THEIR OWN NATURAL LOVE, PHILEO.
An example of this would be for you to put on a police uniform and go out and operate under the authority of the city you reside in. You have not entered into a contract with your local government. You have not been hired, sent to school and have no OFFICIAL BACKING. You are an impostor, a transgressor of the law, a BASTARD POLICEMAN.
What Christ is saying to these people is that they are NOT GENUINE. They are not authentic Christians, but are imitators, look alikes! The point we must remember is this: THE VAST MAJORITY OF CHRISTIANS ARE NOT AWARE THAT THEY ARE IMPOSTORS. They honestly and sincerely think they are IN UNION WITH CHRIST! They are positive they under grace and faith, yet they are rank LEGALISTS, WORKING UNDER THE LAW, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT AVAIL THEMSELVES OF GOD'S GRACE. THEY FRUSTRATED IT.
BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT REGENERATED, THEY DID NOT HAVE AGAPE LOVE. BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE AGAPE LOVE, THEY WERE NOT SONS OF GOD. BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT SONS OF GOD, THEY WERE BASTARD SONS. BECAUSE THEY WERE BASTARD SONS, THEY WERE NOT UNDER GRACE, AND THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNDER WORKS. THEY DID NOT REALIZE IT. IT IS A MOST TRAGIC DECEPTION.
PAUL'S WARNING TO CHRISTIANS
Now we will turn to the apostle Paul, who will help us to further understand this mystery as to why Christ rejected the vast majority of Christians. These verses of Scripture are quoted from by every church, but little do they know the REAL MEANING THAT LIES WITHIN THIS MESSAGE, for it is a MESSAGE OF WARNING TO THE CHURCH. If heeded, salvation will RESULT, if rejected, eternal ruin.
"Though I speak WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND ANGELS, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (APAGE LOVE). I am become as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, and UNDERSTAND ALL MYSTERIES, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE AND THOUGH I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS, and HAVE NOT CHARITY (AGAPE LOVE), I AM NOTHING. And though I BESTOW ALL MY GOODS TO FEED THE POOR, and though I GIVE MY BODY TO BE BURNED, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (AGAPE LOVE), IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING."
(1 Corinthians 13:1-3)The following gifts are mentioned by Paul:
1. The gift of tongues of all types.
2. The gift of prophesy
3. The gift of knowledge.
4. The gift of wisdom.
5. The gift of faith that moves mountains.
There is no question that Paul is referring to specific GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. The gifts of the Spirit are GIFTS OF POWER. To obtain them, you must be BAPTIZED BY A POWER BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. In Acts, you will find that the BAPTISM ALWAYS GAVE THE BELIEVER GREAT POWER. Many Christians believe that baptism in the Holy Spirit PROVES ONE IS SAVED. A baptism of power does not prove anything except that you have A SUPERNATURAL POWER. Salvation is not based upon A POWER BAPTISM. The Holy Spirit DID NOT REDEEM MANKIND. Jesus Christ is the ONLY REDEEMER OF MAN. Salvation is based upon UNION WITH JESUS CHRIST. The union with CHRIST IS A UNION WITH THE AGAPE LOVE SPIRIT OF CHRIST. Scripture WILL PROVE THAT POWER IS NOT SPIRIT, AND SPIRIT IS NOT POWER. THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT ITEMS, GIVEN AT DIFFERENT TIMES.
"But ye SHALL RECEIVE POWER, after that the HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: and ye shall be WITNESSES UNTO ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea-a-a, and in Sa-ma'-ri-a, and unto the UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE EARTH."
(Acts 1:8)Zechariah speaks to this issue directly, and as we look at what he says, we should ponder the correctness of present day theology reference the baptism of the Holy Ghost IN POWER. Remember to keep in your mind the DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ESSENCE AND POWER. Essence is the CHARACTER BEHIND THE POWER. Power of itself does not prove essence, which is why Satan can duplicate the gifts of power and bring many under deception.
"And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a
CANDLESTICK ALL OF GOLD, WITH A BOWL ON TOP OF IT AND HIS SEVEN LAMPS THEREON, AND SEVEN PIPES TO THE SEVEN LAMPS,
WHICH ARE UPON THE TOP THEREOF:"
The candlestick represents THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD. It is via THE SPIRIT that a soul becomes regenerated. God did not say, I WILL PUT MY POWER INTO YOUR HEART, A NEW POWER WILL I GIVE YOU, HE SAID BY MY SPIRIT, A NEW SPIRIT WILL I GIVE UNTO YOU:
"Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, this is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS."
(Zechariah 4:5-6)IT IS UNION WITH THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, WHICH IS AGAPE LOVE WITHIN THAT SAVES YOU. We will prove later that POWER BAPTISM has nothing whatever to do with UNION WITH CHRIST. Paul lists these GIFTS of the spirit, and yet says there is something more. He calls it AGAPE LOVE (CHARITY). One can even have FAITH TO REMOVE MOUNTAINS. So much for the doctrine of FAITH IS EVERYTHING! One can even give away all they own, and give their lives at the stake and be burned to death, BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING WHATSOEVER. This is a hard saying. Paul is saying none of these matter whatever, IN THE ISSUE OF WHAT CONSTITUTES TRUE SALVATION. It is interesting that the 'many' who stood before Christ had GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! Did they not have faith that could move mountains? Did they not do wonderful works? Did they not cast out demons and heal the sick in the name of Jesus?
There is a common element missing in both of these warnings to Christians. For the many, Christ said: " I never knew you". Paul said "If I have not charity (agape love). Christ is agape love. They did not have Christ, they did not have agape love. The common element missing: AGAPE LOVE. THE COMMON ELEMENT PRESENT IS A POWER BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. POWER BAPTISM DOES NOT SETTLE THE ISSUE BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR GOD. THE MANY did not settle the issue between themselves and the living God, WHICH IS A LOVE ISSUE, A SPIRIT ISSUE, A NEW HEART WITH THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST WITHIN IT, THAT IS TO SAY, AGAPE LOVE. They are thus rejected, and their religion, their works were in vain, it did not profit them anything.
BAPTISM OF POWER vs. THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST WITHIN
POWER (SIGNS & WONDERS) vs. AGAPE LOVE SPIRIT
"..Now if any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, HE IS NONE OF HIS.".
The Spirit of Christ is wholly different than a power baptism. This will be proved later by much Scripture. Why did not these vast numbers of Christians lay hold of agape love? They claimed they had the agape love of God within them, they were positive they were working in and under this AGAPE love. Part of the reason they believed this was because they had received the baptism of POWER. They were under deception, for power baptism does not saves anyone. Their theology, while telling them they had AGAPE LOVE, in reality prevented them from having it. They must have embraced a theology that circumvented the STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY, THUS THEY NEVER CAME TO LIFE, AND NEVER CAME TO TRUE AGAPE LOVE WHICH IS THE ESSENCE OF ALL SPIRITUAL LIFE.
This issue of AGAPE love is where the multitude of Christians go astray. Scripture proves that unless your works are done IN AGAPE LOVE, they are done in VAIN. That is what Paul is saying: UNLESS I HAVE AGAPE LOVE (CHARITY), I profit NOTHING. In other words, all my works were done in vain! If you are DECEIVED INTO THINKING YOU HAVE AGAPE LOVE WHEN YOU DO NOT then all of your religious works are of no effect. Therefore:
"I NEVER KNEW YOU" = "IF I HAVE NOT CHARITY"
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that YE PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD,
WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE."
The COMMAND of the Lord is that we present ourselves as a LIVING SACRIFICE. God wants US AS A SACRIFICE . A sacrifice is something that is KILLED and then offered up on the alter of the Lord. It is this SACRIFICE that makes us HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE. Without it, we are NOT COUNTED HOLY, NOR ARE WE ACCEPTABLE. The many were neither holy nor acceptable, Christ sent them away. By deduction we conclude they did not in truth OFFER THEMSELVES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE IN SPITE OF ALL OF THEIR WORKS, WHICH THEY COUNTED AS THEIR SACRIFICE. THIS PROVES THAT THE 'WORKS' OF A CHRISTIAN ARE NOT THE SACRIFICE THAT GOD IS SPEAKING OF HERE. THE SACRIFICE THAT GOD WANTS IS THEIR DEATH VIA THE NARROW WAY. They never died on the alter of God, and therefore ALL OF THEIR WORKS WERE VANITY. WHY?
The command to offer yourself as a living sacrifice is connected to the STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY. In other words, by entering the strait gate, and walking the narrow way, you are offering yourself to God as a LIVING SACRIFICE. One of the elements of the narrow way IS A LIVING DEATH. Just after death lies LIFE. LIFE IS AGAPE LOVE. AGAPE LOVE IS HOLY, AND IS ACCEPTABLE UNTO THE LORD. Scripture proves that one must die A LIVING DEATH to find life. That dying is the OFFERING UP OF YOUR BODY AS A LIVING SACRIFICE. The key word is SACRIFICE or DYING.
Scripture will be presented to prove beyond all question that AGAPE LOVE is the issue between you and your God. It will prove that REGENERATION OR BEING BORN AGAIN involves agape love. True union with Christ involves agape love. Being a true Son of God involves agape love. The self MUST DIE before agape love is granted. You cannot die a living death until and unless you enter the strait gate and walk the narrow way, for it is God's method of killing you while you are still walking around very much alone. Jesus gave us NO OTHER WAY. The whole Bible is a book about agape love. Agape love is the ONLY issue between God and man, and until and unless this issue in settled you remain lost in trespasses and sins.
Agape love MUST BE THE ISSUE the vast majority of Christians refused to settle. That means a person can be converted and still not have agape love. A person can be baptized in water and by the Holy Spirit and still not have agape love. You can have faith enough to move mountains and still not have agape love. You can have great belief and still not have agape love. You can do mighty works of supernatural power and still not have agape love. You can memorize the Bible backwards and forwards and still not have agape love. You can leave everything and follow Jesus and still not have agape love. You can die a martyr and still not have agape love. How is it possible that you can have FAITH, BELIEF, HOLY SPIRIT POWER AND STILL NOT HAVE AGAPE LOVE?
Modern Christian theology would claim that is not possible! JESUS SAYS IT IS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE, BUT THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF CHRISTIANS ARE GOING TO ETERNAL RUIN BECAUSE THEY DO NOT LAY HOLD OF THIS MYSTERIOUS AGAPE LOVE. Paul and the other New Testament writers agree, and they wrote under the power of the Holy Spirit. Agape love IS salvation! The strait gate and narrow way is the method you must employ to OBTAIN IT! You can either believe Christ and do what He commands, and find out the MYSTERY OF UNION WITH CHRIST, or you can remain lost in your sins.
FURTHER EVIDENCE OF CHRISTIANS REJECTED
There is a vast amount of Scripture dedicated to the fact that Christians can and will be sent away into eternal ruin and loss. In Revelation we find seven letters that Christ wrote to seven literal churches in Asia Minor at the time of John. These letters form the entire church age story as to types of believers, types of churches and specific church ages. Although many reject the concept, these letters are of extreme importance in the prophetic and doctrinal sense. This is easily proved by the names given the churches, and by tracing actual church history, as well as comparing the message with doctrines on salvation The last day church is a totally lost Church. It is called the Church of Laodicea, a luke-warm apostate church, with a theology that damns them to eternal ruin.
This church system is highly visible to the world, with vast social programs, works of social giving and all the trappings of what is considered modern Christianity. What is important here is that Jesus considers them A CHURCH, PART OF HIS BODY.
"And unto the angel OF THE CHURCH of the Laodicean write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and TRUE WITNESS, the beginning of the creation of God.
I KNOW THY WORKS, THAT THOU ART NEITHER COLD NOR HOT: I would thou wert COLD OR HOT. So then, BECAUSE thou art LUKEWARM, and neither cold not hot, I WILL SPUE THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH. Because thou sayest I AM RICH, AND INCREASED WITH GOODS, AND HAVE NEED OF NOTHING: AND KNOWEST NOT THAT THOU ART WRETCHED AND MISERABLE AND POOR AND BLIND AND NAKED.
This church of Jesus Christ ASSUMES THEY HAVE NEED OF NOTHING WHATEVER, EITHER PHYSICAL OR SPIRITUAL. They obviously consider themselves saved and heaven bound. They think their works before the Lord are approved and that they are in good standing. YET JESUS SAYS TO THEM THAT THEY "KNOWEST NOT". Thus we can rightfully conclude the following:
1. They have undergone CONVERSIONS to Jesus Christ.
2. They have ACCEPTED CHRIST insofar as they know.
3. They have said the sinner's prayer or made an EQUIVALENT DEDICATION of their lives to Christ.
4. They have been BAPTIZED in one form or another.
5. They are sure they are REGENERATED OR BORN AGAIN.
6. They are positive they are SAVED and going to heaven.
7. They are positive their FAITH AND BELIEF IN CHRIST IS A SAVING FAITH AND A SAVING BELIEF, and that their theologies are correct.
8. They are sure their works WILL BE ACCEPTED.
9. They are sure they have 'right standing' before the Lord.
10. They are under a deception, THEY KNOWEST NOT.
Jesus is most blunt: "I will spew thee out of my mouth." Christ rejects them as utter poison. The word 'spue' is "emeo" in the Greek, which is where we get our word 'emetic', an agent used to make one vomit poison out of their system. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO ENTER HEAVEN. THEY ARE REJECTED. This is just as serious as the 'many' who stood before Christ rejected. Are they the same crowd? It does not sound like they are, because the 'many' in Matthew were FRONT LINERS IN THE BATTLE BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN. These do not appear to be engaged in anything except a lukewarm NOMINAL CHRISTIAN FAITH EXERCISE. They are lukewarm apostates, PEW WARMERS. They are not on the front lines, but they have the same delusion, and they are under rank deception: Jesus says to them:
"THOU KNOWEST NOT".
This is deception. They are totally unaware of their true standing before Christ. They are totally unaware of the fact that they are going to hellfire, and not heaven. They are however considered to be PART of the BODY OF CHRIST.
Notice that Christ does not say I might or that I could spew them out, but that HE IS GOING TO DO SO. Their fate is sealed , SHORT OF A FULL BIBLICAL REPENTANCE. This is important because they are CONSIDERED BY CHRIST HIMSELF AS IN HIS BODY. You cannot spew out that which you have not accepted. They are in the SHEEPFOLD. They are Christians, a part of the body of Christ. They are obviously believers. The word 'church' is "ekklesia" and it means. A CALLING OUT, A RELIGIOUS CONGREGATION, A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, ASSEMBLY OF BELIEVERS, THE CALLED OUT ONES. One could hardly say these were not Christians! Jesus says they are, but they are under a rank deception, a delusion. Their theology is faulty, their faith is defective, their belief system in grave error.
How is it possible to bend your knee to Christ, be accepted into the Body of Christ by Christ Himself and yet end up rejected? Again we will find only one reason: THEY HAVE NOT COME INTO UNION WITH HIM AND THEY ARE NOT REGENERATED. Their theology of what constituted regeneration was NOT what Christ presented. These people DO NOT have agape love, they do not have union, they are lost in their trespasses and sins.
"I counsel thee to buy OF ME GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, THAT THOU MAYEST BE RICH: AND WHITE RAIMENT, that thou mayest be CLOTHED, and that the shame of THY NAKEDNESS DO NOT APPEAR; AND ANOINT THINE EYES WITH EYESALVE, THAT THOU MAYEST SEE.
(Revelation 3:18)The list that Christ gave them is a list of the things that attend to the salvation of the soul! They are part of TRUE UNION WITH CHRIST, OR REGENERATION.
1. GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE.
The gold here is REAL FAITH. Faith is the OPERATIVE DYNAMIC in salvation, the fuel used to bring you into the New Covenant. It is what propels the believer through the strait gate and down the narrow way. However you can have faith to move mountains and still refuse the narrow way! There is a FAITH IN FAITH, A FAITH THAT IS STATIC, A DEAD FAITH. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13 was referring to a FAITH IN FAITH ITSELF, WHICH IS IDOL WORSHIP. IT IS THE FAITH OF MODERN CHRISTIANITY, A FAITH THAT TAKES THE PLACE OF CHRIST HIMSELF, THAT BECOMES CHRIST HIMSELF.
"That the TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH, being more PRECIOUS THAN OF GOLD THAT PERISHETH, THOUGH IT BE TRIED WITH FIRE, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the APPEARING OF JESUS CHRIST."
(1 Peter 1:7)
2. WHITE RAIMENT - The white robes of righteousness are FOUND ONLY IN JESUS CHRIST, the robe of AGAPE LOVE, bestowed upon every true believer at regeneration. This robe of agape love covers our sins forever. Without this robe you are naked, and the shame of your nakedness appears. That is why Christ demands you buy it from Him, even though it is free:
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath CLOTHED ME WITH THE GARMENTS OF SALVATION, HE HATH COVERED ME WITH THE ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."
(Isaiah 61:10)
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: FOR THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB IS COME, AND HIS WIFE HATH MADE HERSELF READY. AND TO HER WAS GRANTED THAT SHE SHOULD BE ARRAYED IN FINE LINEN,
CLEAN AND WHITE; FOR THE FINE LINEN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF SAINTS." (Revelation 19:7)
It is important to realize also that Revelation 19:7 says THE WIFE MADE HERSELF READY. It does not say that CHRIST MADE HIS WIFE READY, but that SHE MADE HERSELF READY. It was something the BRIDE DID HERSELF. This relates back to the commands of Christ TO PICK UP THY CROSS, ENTER YE IN, AND WALK THE NARROW WAY. It is something EACH CHRISTIAN MUST DO BY THEMSELVES, IT IS AN ACTIVE COMMAND. Christ did not EVER say He would pick up our cross, enter the strait gate or walk the narrow way for us. IT IS A COMMAND THAT WE MUST DO. IT IS THE COMMAND THE 'MANY' REFUSED.
3. EYESALVE - Spiritual eyesight, that ability to read and understand the Scriptures from the agape love viewpoint. It is revealed only to those who have come into union with Christ. They have a whole new perspective, for when agape love is bestowed, the eyesight goes from blind to 20/20!
"But the natural man receiveth NOT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD: for they are foolishness unto him: NEITHER CAN HE KNOW THEM, because they are SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED. But he that IS SPIRITUAL JUDGETH ALL THINGS, Yet he himself is judged of no man." (1 Corinthians 2:14-15)
True spiritual seeing is seeing through the eyes of AGAPE LOVE. The many who were rejected THOUGHT THEY WERE SPIRITUAL, but they were blind leaders leading the blind, and they all fell into the pit. They do not have the eyesalve of agape love which would allow them to see spiritual truths. Remember they are under a deception, they only THINK they are spiritual. This can only happen if you embrace a false theology, and if you redefine what faith, grace, repentance, conversion, regeneration, works and legalism mean. If you could redefine them, and get people to buy into those definitions, you could lead the vast majority of people into eternal ruin.
THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT SATAN HAS DONE.
These people are NOT SAVED AT ALL. Their eternal destiny is ruin. They are going to be rejected out of hand by Christ as a vile poison. To make sure there is no mistake in their lost condition, Christ says:
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man HEAR MY VOICE, and OPEN THE DOOR, I WILL COME INTO HIM, AND WILL SUP WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME. TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH, WILL I GRANT TO SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, EVEN AS I ALSO OVERCAME, AND AM SET DOWN WITH MY FATHER IN HIS THRONE." (Revelation 3:20-21)
Please understand that Jesus ties together the New heart covenant with OVERCOMING just as John does. The last day church is an UNSAVED, HELL BOUND CHURCH WITH MILLIONS OF FOLLOWERS. These people are sincere, nice people, dedicated in their work for the Lord, but they will never see heaven. THEY ARE UNDER A DELUSION, A DECEPTION.
REAL AND FALSE BELIEVERS
Hidden deep within the letters that Christ wrote the churches is the total verification we need to prove that there are a multitude of sincere Christians going to eternal ruin. They possess a head faith, an intellectual faith, a sense faith, a flesh and carnal faith that is posing as REAL BIBLICAL FAITH. They sincerely believe they are saved, and take affront at someone suggesting to them it is not so. If you embrace false salvation as true salvation, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY REJECT WHAT CONSTITUTES TRUE SALVATION.
Every letter that Christ wrote to the churches has a key phrase that we must look at very carefully. In every church, which means CALLED OUT ONES, we find Christ subdividing the believers into two groups: OVERCOMERS AND NON-OVERCOMERS We know from previous study that the many perish; that means ONLY THE FEW ARE OVERCOMERS. It is vital that Christ warn each church that they must OVERCOME SOMETHING in order to obtain salvation.
1. Ephesus – TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH
(Revelation 2:7) :"...To him that OVERCOMETH will I give to eat of the TREE OF LIFE, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
To the overcomer ONLY is the promise made of ETERNAL LIFE. That is the AUTOMATIC GIFT OF AUTHENTIC REGENERATION (John 10:2) .
2. Smyrna – TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH (Revelation 2:11) :
"...He that OVERCOMETH shall NOT BE HURT OF THE SECOND DEATH."
"He that OVERCOMETH shall INHERIT ALL THINGS; and I shall be his God, and he shall be my son." (Revelation 21:7)
When one becomes an OVERCOMER one escapes the condemnation of the SECOND DEATH. The second death is the final separation from God for all time. If you are NOT an overcomer, then you DO FACE THE SECOND DEATH.
3. Pergamos – TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH (Revelation 2:17) :
"...To him that OVERCOMETH will I give to eat of the HIDDEN MANNA, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."
To the OVERCOMER ONLY is a white stone granted. This white stone is the stone of acquittal, given to those who have been found NOT GUILTY. There is a hidden manna also given. The manna and the stone go hand in hand. Manna is a code word for AGAPE LOVE, the hidden mystery of God, revealed only to those who have entered the strait gate and walked the narrow way to find life!
4. Thyatira – TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH (Revelation 2:26)
'And he that OVERCOMETH, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
And I will GIVE HIM THE MORNING STAR."
These are the automatic gifts of salvation, for the overcomer sits on the throne with Christ! The morning star is Christ himself, coming into that persons heart of hearts, ascending to the throne room of the great "I AM" of each true believer (John 17:21.26; Revelation 20:4).
5. Sardis – TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH (Revelation 3:5)
"He that OVERCOMETH, the same shall be clothed in WHITE RAIMENT; and I WILL NOT blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels."
We have already discovered that the gift of white raiment is the gift of agape love, or Christ within, WHO IS AGAPE LOVE. If you have walked the narrow way to find life, which is IN CHRIST, THEN YOU HAVE BEEN GRANTED ETERNAL LIFE, AND YOU CANNOT BE AND WILL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE! The reason this is so is because the issue between you and God is forever settled in the heavens. To try you again for the same crime would be double jeopardy!
6. Philadelphia – TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH (Revelation 3:12)
"Him that OVERCOMETH will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more go out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is NEW JERUSALEM, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him MY NEW NAME."
Again we find all of the gifts God has made to His true sons. His eternal home is New Jerusalem, and he shall be an eternal pillar in the temple of the Lord.
7. Laodicea – TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH (Revelation 3:21)
"To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
This is one of the gifts of authentic regeneration. The overcome sits with Christ in the heavenly places because of the gift of agape love. It is the essence of agape love that is the mystery of God. Scripture proves it to be so:
"AND HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS." (Ephesians 2:6)
It becomes evident that within the body of Christ there are the many and the few. The many are mere professors of Christ. The few are the actual possessors of NEW LIFE, and they alone are called OVERCOMERS. All of the promises are directed to the OVERCOMERS. Thus we must and can deduce that the many who stand before Jesus Christ rejected WERE NOT OVERCOME [/b] This must be true because Christ Himself said ALL OVERCOMERS WILL ENTER HEAVEN. The many do not enter heaven at all, therefore THE ONE THING THEY DID NOT DO WAS TO 'OVERCOME'.
Can we prove that the use of the word 'overcome' is in fact a direct term used for regeneration? If we could, then we could prove the comments of Christ, that he NEVER KNEW THEM. Paul's comment that "if you have not charity" and being an OVERCOMER ALL RELATE TO ONE THING; REGENERATION
"...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man BE BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD." (John 3:3)
"FOR WHOSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD OVERCOMETH THE WORLD"
(1 John 5:4)
What could be more blunt? What could be more plain? What could be more obvious? WHOSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD IS AN OVERCOMER. Whosoever is born of God has been REGENERATED. Whosoever is born of God has entered the STRAIT GATE and walked the NARROW WAY and found LIFE . This life is in Christ, and if you have the Son, you have LIFE (1 John 5:11-12). The very words regeneration or born again mean the GIFT OF NEW LIFE.
The next question we have is this: Can we connect AGAPE LOVE directly to regeneration? The answer is yes!
"Beloved, let us
(AGAPE) love one another: for (AGAPE) love IS OF GOD; AND EVERY ONE THAT (AGAPE) LOVETH IS BORN OF GOD, AND KNOWETHGOD." (1 John 4:7)
"He that (AGAPE) LOVETH NOT, KNOWETH NOT GOD; FOR GOD IS (AGAPE) LOVE" (1 John 4:8 )
"Behold, what manner of AGAPE LOVE the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the SONS OF GOD..." (1 John 3:1)
Being born of God is coming to a knowledge of the hidden mystery of God, a mystery so well hidden that only A FEW will ever find it. It is not that the many could not find it, but that they build a theology that claims they have found it. They appropriated a love they do not have! They were under a delusion! They redefined totally what REGENERATION ACTUALLY MEANS.
In summery the, we have the following for the OVERCOMERS:
1.. THE OVERCOMER EATS FROM THE TREE OF LIFE, AND LIFE IS AT THE END OF THE NARROW WAY.
2. THE OVERCOMER WILL NOT TASTE OF THE SECOND DEATH, AND IS EXEMPT FROM CONDEMNATION.
3. THE OVERCOMER ONLY WILL EAT OF THE HIDDEN MANNA OF AGAPE LOVE.
4. THE OVERCOMER ONLY IS GRANTED THE WHITE STONE OF ACQUITTAL.
5. THE OVERCOMER ONLY IS GRANTED A NEW NAME (AUTHORITY) BECAUSE OF AGAPE LOVE BESTOWEMENT.
6. THE OVERCOMER ONLY IS GIVEN THE MORNING STAR, WHICH IS CHRIST WITHIN.
7. THE OVERCOMER ONLY WILL RULE THE NATIONS.
8. THE OVERCOMER ONLY IS GRANTED THE WHITE ROBE OF AGAPE LOVE COVERING.
9. THE OVERCOMER ONLY WILL NOT HAVE HIS NAME BLOTTED OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE.
10. THE OVERCOMER ONLY IS GRANTED ENTRANCE TO NEW JERUSALEM.
11. THE OVERCOMER ONLY IS GRANTED THE RIGHT TO SIT IN THE THRONE OF CHRIST.
12. THE OVERCOMER ONLY INHERITS ALL THINGS.
It then becomes apparent that ONLY THE OVERCOMERS HAVE FOUND THE SECRET OF LIFE, AND THEY HAVE WALKED THE NARROW WAY TO FIND IT.
WORSHIP THAT IS IN VAIN
Is it possible to worship the Lord Jesus Christ and have it all be in VAIN AND FOR IT TO BE OF TOTAL NON-EFFECT?
"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.
BUT IN VAIN THEY DO WORSHIP ME, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
The word 'vain' is "maten" and it means UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH, FOLLY, AND OF NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVER. Thus the many stand before Christ and their faith, belief, mighty works of Holy Ghost power are totally IN VAIN, IT PROFITS THEM NOTHING! There is a key here we need to look at. The word 'worship' is "sebomai" and it means TO REVERE, TO ADORE, TO BE DEVOUT, TO BE RELIGIOUS. We must understand what Jesus is saying here: You can be a DEVOUT, SINCERE AND RELIGIOUS SOUL, WHOLLY DEDICATED TO THE LORD, and still have your worship be OF NO USE. HUMAN SINCERITY is NOT the issue here. This is because the human heart is wicked beyond imagination (Jeremiah 17:9). The natural human heart is hostile to God (Romans 8:7). Therefore a person's sincerity is a deception itself. People of other religions are sincere, and they are sincerely wrong. The issue here is not sincerity of the human heart, but is instead DECEPTION WITHIN THEIR OWN HEARTS THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF.
They are not aware of it because you must ENTER THE STRAIT GATE AND WALK THE NARROW WAY TO BE MADE AWARE OF YOUR TRUE NATURE. That is what the strait gate and part of the narrow way accomplish. That journey makes you AWARE and BRINGS YOU INTO AGREEMENT WITH GOD FROM YOUR INNER HEART. The many worshipped Jesus Christ. They were devout and sincere Christians FROM THEIR OUTER HEART, THEIR CONSCIOUS HEART, and yet they were rejected, BECAUSE THE ROOT OF THE HUMAN PROBLEM IS THE INNER HEART, THE SECRET HEART, THE UNKNOWN HEART THAT RESIDES DEEP WITHIN. IT IS THIS HEART, THE HIDDEN MAN THAT MUST BE CHANGED. The 'many were never aware they even HAD AN INNER EVIL HEART. THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF IT BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO WALK THE NARROW WAY TO BE MADE AWARE. This verse of scripture only verifies the warnings of Christ: BEWARE, LEST YOU BE IN A DECEPTION. The human heart is wicked beyond imagination according to scripture, and thus in spite of what we may think, we cannot know the depravity of it. That is what Christ outlines for us, what we must do to be saved The process of STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY IS A PROCESS OF UNMASKING THE INNER HEART'S DEPRAVITY. WE ARE MADE TO FACE OUR INNER DESTITUTION, OUR INNER DEATH AND RUIN, OUR ETERNALLY LOST STATE. When a soul is faced with it's own utter darkness, with it's own depravity, God can then begin to deal with that soul on the basis of truth, NOT DECEPTION.
Within the inner heart of man, the hidden heart that sits upon the throne of the Holy of Holies, lies the ANTICHRIST. Just as there will be a literal antichrist upon the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, who defiles the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem, you also have an antichrist sitting upon the throne on your temple mount. He resides there in GLORIOUS SPLENDOR, directing the affairs of your life IN TOTAL SECRECY. Jesus said if you were not for Him, you were against Him. If you are not regenerated, you are AGAINST HIM. Your surface professions of conscious faith are to no avail, for it is the HIDDEN INNER MAN THAT IS ANTICHRIST TO THE CORE. The 'PEACE AGREEMENT (CONVERSION), to the REVELATION OF ANTICHRIST WITHIN THE HOLY OF HOLIES, IS A PERIOD OF 1260 DAYS OF TRIBULATION (THE NARROW WAY). It is CHRIST THAT DESTROYS ANTICHRIST AT HIS COMING (REGENERATION). You must walk the path of the narrow way in order to HAVE YOUR ANTICHRIST SPIRIT REVEALED UNTO YOU . It is Christ that destroys YOUR ANTICHRIST AT HIS COMING. Christ will NOT share His throne WITH ANOTHER GOD. There is much more than MEETS THE EYE
THE RELIGION OF CAIN
You need to fully understand that you can be VERY religious, VERY devout, VERY sincere and VERY dedicated to Jesus Christ and fully miss the mark. These are all forms of WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. IT IS IMPERATIVE YOU UNDERSTAND THIS. The strait gate and narrow way ARE THE OPPOSITE OF WORKS, FOR THE NARROW WAY HAS BUT ONE PURPOSE: TO BRING THE BELIEVER INTO AGREEMENT WITH GOD FROM HIS INNER AND SECRET HEART OF HEARTS. Scripture is adamant: WE MUST BELIEVE FROM OUR HEART (Romans 10:9).
God is not interested in your SINCERITY. GOD DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR SO-CALLED DEDICATION. HE IS INTERESTED IN ONLY ONE THING; THAT YOU BE OBEDIENT AND DO WHAT HE COMMANDED, SO THAT YOUR INNER NATURE, YOUR SECRET HEART OF HEARTS CAN BE EXPOSED TO YOU, MADE KNOWN TO YOU. THE INNER HEART LIES BEHIND THE VEIL OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS, AND IS SECRET. THE NARROW WAY IS A WAY OF UNMASKING IT. HEREIN IS THE KEY TO SALVATION AND REGENERATION. IGNORE IT, AND YOU SHALL PERISH IN YOUR SINS.
The vast majority of Christians who stood before Christ rejected had the religion of Cain, though they professed they were of Abel! Both Cain and Abel were religious. Both Cain and Abel came to the alter of God to present their offerings. Both Cain and Abel thought they were doing what God commanded.
"And in the process of time it came to pass, that CAIN BROUGHT OF THE FRUIT OF THE GROUND AN OFFERING UNTO THE LORD.
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and his offering he had NOT RESPECT..." (Genesis 4:3-5)
Cain was considered a religious person. He came with what he thought was a sincere offering. IT WAS UTTERLY REJECTED BY GOD. Both of them came to the house of the Lord, both of them presented offerings, BOTH WERE VERY SINCERE. Both of them are TYPES of believers! Abel was accepted, Cain was rejected: WHY? The many that stood before Christ were also rejected, along with their offerings and all of their dedicated service. Both Cain and the many were sincere. What happened?
There is a book written by G.H. Pember in 1876 which is called "EARTH EARLIEST AGES", and it is so much to the point that I quote from it here:
"As they grew to manhood the brothers adopted different pursuits. Cain became a tiller of the ground, and therefore had reason to feel the curse in all of it's bitterness: but Abel was a keeper of sheep. And, since men were not, at that time, allowed to touch animal food, these sheep must have been kept for sacrificial purposes and for the manufacture of garments. Hence Cain assisted in the production of food for the primeval family, while Abel's duties were concerned with their religious services and clothing.
In the process of time the brothers brought each an offering unto the Lord, presented it, probably at the gate of paradise. And God has respect unto Abel and his offering; but unto Cain and to his offering He had no respect.
The reason of this difference is fraught with the deepest interest to us: for there are many in the latter days who according to the prophecy of Jude (Jude 11) have gone the way of Cain: the theology of the first murderer is that of a larger and perpetually increasing school of our times. He neither denied the existence of God nor refused to worship Him. Ney, he recognized Him as the Giver of all good things, and brought his offering of fruits of the ground as an acknowledgment of his bounty. But he went no further than this; and therefore, though he may have passed among those with whom he dwelt as a good and religious man, he failed to satisfy God. For being YET IN HIS SINS he presumed to approach God the Holy One without the shedding of blood: he was willing to take the place of a dependent creature, but would not confess himself a sinner guilty of death who could be saved only by a sacrifice of a substitute." (page 11
The religion of Cain is the religion of the many. They brought their offerings before the Lord. They served the Lord with utter dedication and sincerity, yet they refused to ENTER THE STRAIT GATE AND WALK THE NARROW WAY. They tithe a great tithe; they worship with song and adore the Lord. They say how they love Jesus and cannot live even a moment without Him by their side. They pray to their Jesus and offer Him total devotion. They are obedient unto the Lord, and visit the sick, those in prison, those that are shut in, and the elderly. They hand out tracts, pray diligently, read their scriptures and attend to their church duties. They support local charity, do good works, support radio and television ministries, but for all that THEY MISS THE ENTIRE POINT OF SCRIPTURE. THEY WILL NOT OFFER UP THEIR OWN SOULS TO SOUL DEATH. THEY WILL NOT WALK THE NARROW WAY TO DEATH THAT THEY MIGHT FIND LIFE, WHICH IS THE LIFE OF CHRIST, WHICH IS AGAPE LOVE.
Because they refuse to offer up their own souls to the Lord, by walking the narrow way, Christ never does come in contact with them. His statement to them that they pick up their own cross and follow Him in death fell upon deaf ears. They replied they were under faith and grace, and therefore did not have to do as Christ commanded. That would be a 'work' and they excluded it. Their definition of faith and grace was in grave error, and they perish for eternity. THEY REFUSED TO BE OBEDIENT IN THE ONE AREA THEY HAD TO BE! They invented a theology that told them they did not have to do anything like that, and as a result, they go into eternal ruin, utterly rejected.
BELIEVERS WHO WOULD KILL CHRIST
The Gospel of John contains a most interesting narrative concerning BELIEVERS AND FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST WHO PROFESSED TOTAL BELIEF IN HIM BUT WHO IN TRUTH HATED HIM! Their religion was also the religion of Cain. We find this group of believers in the Gospel of John, Chapter Eight:
"As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which BELIEVED on him..." (John 8:30-31)
It is important to realize that these Jews BELIEVED UPON JESUS. They had accepted his claims. The word 'believed' is "pisteuo" and it means TO HAVE PUT FAITH IN, TO ENTRUST TO COMMIT TO, OR TO PUT YOUR TRUST IN. ASSURANCE, BELIEF, FAITH, FIDELITY. It is interesting to note that the same word is used for those who believe unto salvation. This being true, then are these Jews saved? If it is not faith and belief that save us, then what does?
"IF ye CONTINUE in my word, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED; and ye shall KNOW THE TRUTH THE TRUTH shall set you free.
(John 8:31-32)Jesus is qualifying something very important. Notice they first believed. Now he says to those that believed that there is a CONDITIONAL, VERY CONDITIONAL, ASPECT OF THEIR FAITH IN HIM THEY MUST KNOW: Although they are disciples, they ARE NOT disciples INDEED. Nor are they IN TRUTH, nor do they know THE TRUTH. Jesus says they must CONTINUE for an unstated amount of time before they will FIND 'the truth' that will set them free. The conclusion is simple: They are not yet truly 'in the faith'. They must CONTINUE WITH HIM, AND BE OBEDIENT TO HIS DEMANDS OR THEY WILL NOT COME TO A KNOWLEDGE OF 'THE TRUTH'.
The word 'continue' is "meno" and it means TO ENDURE, TO ABIDE IN, TO REMAIN IN, TO BE STEADFAST IN OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. These Jews were face to face with Jesus who claimed He was 'the truth'. What other truth is He speaking of? If Jesus Christ is 'the truth' and they already 'believed' on Him, then why are they not his true disciples and saved already? Modern Christianity would declare them saved on their testimony. Jesus would not, and did not. The answer is vital to understand:
JESUS IS SAYING SOMETHING OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE HERE; THERE IS ANOTHER TRUTH, AND UNSEEN TRUTH, A HIDDEN TRUTH, A MYSTERY OF GOD, THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN JESUS HIMSELF AS MESSIAH. IT GOES BEYOND HIM. IT IS THIS TRUTH THAT SETS US FREE.
It is this other 'truth' that Jesus says will set them 'free". They CANNOT KNOW this 'other truth' unless they ABIDE STEADFASTLY IN HIS DOCTRINE. They must continue with Him; they must search it out with all diligence. Notice that it is the OTHER TRUTH THAT SETS THEM FREE. Without it they are not free, but remain in bondage.
What is the other "truth" that Jesus says we CAN KNOW? The word 'know' is "ginosko" and it means TO KNOW IN THE ABSOLUTE SENSE, OR EXPERIENTIAL KNOWING. IT IS THE SAME WORD USED BY JESUS WHEN HE SENT THE MANY AWAY REJECTED, FOR HE CLAIMED HE DID NOT KNOW THEM, AND IT IS THE SAME WORD USED BY JESUS GO DESCRIBE HOW HE KNEW HIS FATHER. THEY OBVIOUSLY THEN, DID NOT KNOW THIS OTHER TRUTH, AND THEY WERE NOT SET FREE, THEY WERE NOT AT LIBERTY. This truth that sets us all free is an 'experiential truth' one that we can KNOW FOR A FACT. So now we see a division here that we must not forget: There is Jesus Christ the Messiah, THE HISTORICAL CHRIST, and then there is this other 'truth', that sets you and I free. The word 'free' is "eleutherroo" and it means TO LIBERATE, TO DELIVER, TO MAKE FREE, TO BE AT LIBERTY.
We have a group of believers who have FAITH and TRUST in the Lord, but they are not yet 'made free', for they have not yet 'continued' in his doctrine long enough to understand what He is speaking of
"They answered him, we be of Abraham's seed, and we were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, ye shall be MADE FREE?"
(John 8:33)This was a foolish response, for the Jews were under the yoke of Rome, but Jesus is not referring to earthly rulers. They were under a spiritual yoke, a spiritual bondage because they were dead in their trespasses and sins.
"Jesus answered them, verily, verily, I say unto thee, whosover committeth sin is the SERVANT OF SIN And the servant abideth not in the house forever; but the Son abideth forever.
If the Son therefore SHALL SET YOU FREE, YE SHALL BE FREE INDEED!"
(John 8:34-36)
Herein are great essential spiritual truths. Jesus tells His believers that they are still sinners, not yet free. They are still the servants of sin. What does He mean by that? They are bound by their fallen human nature. They are bound by their own evil because of the FALL OF MAN. Jesus is telling them that because of the fall of Adam and Eve, the servant does not abide in his house (body) forever, but dies and is taken away. Jesus, the Son does abide forever, and is offering to them eternal life. So Jesus is adding details about how to BE SET FREE, AND BE FREE INDEED. HE IS SPEAKING ABOUT REGENERATION.
"I know that ye are Abram's SEED; BUT YE SEEK TO KILL ME, BECAUSE MY WORD HATH NO PLACE IN YOU. I speak that which I have seen of my Father: and ye that which ye have seen from YOUR FATHER"
(John 8:37-38)Notice that HIS BELIEVERS, HIS FOLLOWERS, HIS DISCIPLES, those that had FAITH in Him actually have murder in their heart. They were in truth trying to kill him. How is that possible? Why would one make a profession of faith only to have the thought of murder deep within? Jesus gives us the answer: He belongs to His Fathers Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. They belong to their father, Satan, the Kingdom of Hell.
They do not understand what Jesus is saying because their father BLINDS THEM TO IT. Their father is Satan, and they are Satan's children, just all men everywhere are Satan's children UNLESS THEY ARE OVERCOMERS, UNLESS THEY ARE REGENERATED.
"They answered and said unto to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said unto them, IF YE WERE ABRAHAMS CHILDREN, YE WOULD DO THE WORKS OF ABRAHAM BUT NOW YE SEEK TO KILL ME A MAN WHO HAS TOLD YOU
THE TRUTH, WHICH I HAVE HEARD OF GOD; THIS DID NOT ABRAHAM."
(John 8:39-40)
Jesus drives yet another division: SEED vs. CHILDREN. Christ acknowledges these people are of the SEED of Abraham, but they are not THE CHILDREN of Abraham. All mankind is the SEED OF GOD IN SOME SENSE, MORE ACCURATE IF WE SAY THE SEED OF ADAM, but very few are the CHILDREN OF GOD/SONS OF GOD. Jesus is very blunt that they seek to kill him, because he is telling them the truth. The TRUTH, the REAL TRUTH causes mankind to be stirred in great anger and wrath. The REAL TRUTH CONDEMNS MANKIND TO ETERNAL DAMNATION. Man will simply NOT HEAR that message. They invent all forms of theological concepts to AVOID THE TRUTH. They also KILL THE TRUTH BRINGERS. The many who stood before Christ rejected the truth, and HATED CHRIST IN THEIR INNER HEARTS. They only loved Him with their conscious minds and hearts. Their INNER hearts were of stone!
You must also remember that these people KNEW THEIR BIBLES, just as the many knew their scripture. The problem is they REFUSED TO APPLY IT TO THEMSELVES IN OBEDIENCE. Because of this refusal to face who and what they really are, the murdering heart of Cain lurks HIDDEN just below the surface. They must walk the narrow way to have their INNER HEARTS REVEALED TO THEM.
"Ye do the DEEDS OF YOUR FATHER. Then said they to him, we be not born of fornication; WE HAVE ONE FATHER, EVEN GOD.
Jesus said unto them, IF GOD WERE YOUR FATHER, YE WOULD
(John 8:41- 43)
Then Jesus asks them a question: 'Why don't you understand my speech?', and then answers his own question: 'BECAUSE YE CANNOT HEAR MY WORD.' His answer fits the many. They refused to hear what he said to them. They refused to obey. They refused to comply. They were not going to ABIDE, OR CONTINUE, OR SEEK ANY OTHER TRUTH. THEY BELIEVED THEY WERE SAVED, AND THEY WERE THE CHILDREN OF GOD. They were in utter rebellion, with murder in their hearts, yet they claimed they had the AGAPE love of God.
We have millions sitting in churches today CLAIMING they have the agape love of God, but they refuse to comply with the simple demands of Christ TO OBTAIN IT. The word 'hear' is "akouo" and it means TO HEAR, TO GIVE AUDIENCE TO, TO COME TO. This is what the many do, they REFUSE CHRIST ALL THE WHILE UPHOLDING HIS NAME!
You can put all your faith and belief in Christ and STILL REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH HIS DEMANDS. If you refuse to do His sayings, and you refuse to do the will of the Father, you remain a child of Satan, you have the heart of Cain, and you will most assuredly die in your sins. Your theology will not save you, your protests will not save you, your Divinity degrees will not save you, NOR WILL YOUR OPINIONS.
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