DARK LIGHT SERIES
Chapter I
FALSE SALVATION ~ IS IT POSSIBLE? Part III
"YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL AND THE LUSTS OF YOUR FATHER YE WILL DO. He was murderer from the beginning, and ABODE NOT IN THE TRUTH, BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. AND BECAUSE I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, YE BELIEVE ME NOT.
Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye NOT BELIEVE ME? (John 8:44-46)
Jesus now is blunt: They are dead in their trespasses and sins and Satan is their father. NO AGAPE LOVE, SATAN IS YOUR FATHER. IF YOU HAVE AGAPE LOVE, GOD IS YOUR FATHER. The Bible claims in many places that SATAN IS THE SPIRITUAL FATHER OF MANKIND, BECAUSE OF THE FALL. We find complete agreement, total harmony with the concept laid in Matthew 7. The concept of the universal Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man is a lie out of hell itself. God is only the Father of those who have been regenerated, and the only ones who have been regenerated have walked the narrow way to find life.
Jesus is saying to these BELIEVERS, that they DO NOT HAVE AGAPE LOVE WITHIN THEM. Because of that, their father is Satan himself. Jesus said IF THEY HAD AGAPE LOVE, then indeed they would be from Abraham! The division is verified:
NO AGAPE LOVE = FATHER IS SATAN
HAVE AGAPE LOVE = FATHER IS GOD
It is getting clearer now what the problem of the rejected Christians really is: THEY HAVE NOT LAID HOLD OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD - THEY HAVE NO DIVINE AGAPE LOVE.
Who was the first murderer of the human race? Was it not Cain? Whose spirit was in Cain? Satan's (1 John 3:12)! Satan won dominion over all mankind at the fall. Adam and Eve were BORN AGAIN INTO SATAN'S KINGDOM! You may not like it, but Satan's kingdom is right here on earth! Adam and Eve became a NEW CREATION at the fall, a Satanic creation. Every person born into the human race is born into Satan's Kingdom, with a fallen nature, and under the dominion and control of Satan; or else the Bible is a pack of lies.
When Christ came and finished His work, he paved the way for us to FOLLOW HIM and EXTRICATE OURSELVES from Satan's dominion. That is exactly why He said we MUST pick up our cross and follow Him. It is via the strait gate and narrow way that we EXTRICATE OURSELVES, AND ENTER INTO THE NEW COVENANT. If we refuse to do what Christ commanded, we remain under the dominion of Satan and Christ's work upon the cross is of non-effect. We remain under the wrath of God.
Scripture proves that although the world is now under the grace of God, and Christians even more so, that disobedience to the commands of Christ does not avail ourselves of THE PROTECTION OF GRACE. In other words, the grace God provided was MOCKED, and it was offered in vain to the vast majority of mankind, including believers. If the many were under grace IN TRUTH, they could never have been sent away into eternal ruin. To make God's grace and mercy cover you, you MUST enter in via THE STRAIT GATE. There IS NO OTHER WAY, FOR GRACE ONLY EXTENDS ITSELF TO THOSE WHO HAVE ENTERED THE NEW COVENANT OF A REGENERATED HEART.
Notice that Jesus says to these Jews who BELIEVED UPON HIM, that in TRUTH THEY DO NOT BELIEVE. That seems like a contradiction, but it is not. You can be a believer in Christ and still not BELIEVE WHAT HE TELLS YOU! In other words you believe UPON HIM, but you do not believe enough UPON WHAT HE COMMANDS of you to do it. UNBELIEF IS DEADLY TO THE CHRISTIAN.
"Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well THAT THOU ART A SAMARITAN, AND HAST A DEVIL? (John 8:48)
Jesus, the CREATOR GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, says to the Jews and the human race, YOUR FATHER IS SATAN HIMSELF. The human race, and the vast majority of Christians UTTERLY DENY IT, AND TURN AROUND AND ACCUSE CHRIST OF BEING A DEMONIC, OF BEING INSANE! Rather than face the REPROOF AND REBUKE OF GOD, the human race will REBUKE GOD AND GOES INTO ETERNAL RUIN.
"Jesus answered, I HAVE NOT A DEVIL; BUT I HONOUR MY FATHER, AND YE DO DISHONOUR ME. And I seek not mine own glory; there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily I say unto you, IF A MAN KEEP MY SAYING, HE SHALL NEVER SEE DEATH." (John 8:49-51)
Jesus again confirms his first statement to these believers: THEY MUST KEEP HIS SAYINGS, THEY MUST BE OBEDIENT UNTO HIS COMMANDS, AND IF THEY REFUSE THEY WILL PERISH IN THEIR SINS. Their only hope is in keeping HIS SAYINGS. That is exactly what Jesus said about the 'many' in Matthew Seven. If a man KEPT HIS SAYINGS, AND DID THEM, HE WAS A WISE MAN. If he would NOT do them, he was a foolish man and fell at the judgment. The word 'keep' is "tereo" and it means TO GUARD FROM LOSS, TO HOLD FAST, TO PREVENT FROM ESCAPING, TO HOLD ONTO FOR THE DURATION. Here we find another reference to OBEDIENCE. If you obey His commands to hold fast to his sayings, you shall find eternal life. If you refuse for WHATEVER reason, you will perish in your sins. Is it possible that FAITH IS PROVEN BY OBEDIENCE? That obedience is God's VERY DEFINITION of faith?
What we have proof of here is that INDEED you can be a BELIEVER, A FOLLOWER, and still refuse to accept the commands of Christ and DO THEM. These believers moved from being disciples to attempted murder, and that because THEY WOULD NOT FACE THE TRUTH OF WHO AND WHAT THEY WERE. They did not have agape love within them; they only made a profession of religion. Religion will damn your soul for eternity. TRUTH WILL SAVE IT FOREVER..
The 'many' Christians who stand before Christ are utterly rejected without mercy. They were sincere in their own eyes, and they believed in and LOVED Christ with all of their HUMAN LOVE. But inwardly their hearts were FAR FROM HIM, for your human love is not what Christ demands of you. He demands that your human love BE EXCHANGED FOR THE AGAPE LOVE OF CHRIST. The many refused to allow the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin, righteousness and judgment. They refused to allow Christ entrance to their heart of hearts, their great THRONE ROOM, WHERE THEIR GREAT 'I AM' SAT IN REGAL SPLENDOR. THERE WAS NO ROOM IN THEIR INN FOR CHRIST. THEY MADE HIM SLEEP OUTSIDE. For all of their profession, they took the broad road to eternal hellfire.
SERVANTS - WISE AND FOOLISH
In the parables of Christ are multitudes of gems of truth waiting to be discovered by the diligent seeker. As you turn a diamond, you begin to see the many facets of the cut, and how each catches LIGHT. Only by close examination do we find all the catches of light. So it is with the parables of Christ. One of many facets in those parables is the CONSTANT DIVISION CHRIST MAKES BETWEEN TYPES OF BELIEVERS.
The point to understand is that Christ ALWAYS divides believers into TWO TYPES, and ONLY TWO TYPES. These types are FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT, AND UNFAITHFUL AND DISOBEDIENT. The obedient are the wise servants, and the disobedient are evil servants. It does not matter what parable you look at in which servants are involved. The distinctions and divisions are clear for all to see. It is important to recognize that Christ calls both of them SERVANTS.
The use of the term SERVANTS is vital to prove that Christ will send MANY CHRISTIANS INTO ETERNAL RUIN. In all of the parables about servants, the UNWISE AND EVIL SERVANTS ARE SENT AWAY INTO ETERNAL RUIN. By contrast the WISE AND FAITHFUL are always granted entrance into the Father's Kingdom. ALL OF THEM ARE BELIEVERS, ALL OF THEM ARE CONSIDERED PART OF GOD'S FAMILY.
The word 'servant' is "doulos' and it means SLAVE, ONE OWNED BY ANOTHER. A servant has a Lord and master, one who rules over Him, if not in deed, IN TRUTH. All servants are WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST. They have been accepted into THE CHURCH, as we found in the Book of Revelation. But not all Christians are obedient servants; in fact the VAST MAJORITY ARE NOT. They are unwise, foolish and evil in the sight of Christ. They are not OVERCOMERS. BOTH TYPES ARE UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST.
One of the better parables to clearly show this distinction between wise and faithful and unwise and foolish servants is the parable of the good man of the house. We will pick up at the very end of this parable (Matthew 24:43-51)
Jesus appoints the evil SERVANTS to eternal ruin. They are identical to hypocrites, in fact they ARE HYPOCRITES. They have a form of Godliness but deny the power of God. The word for 'hypocrite' is "hupokrites" and it means ACTING UNDER A FEIGNED PART, AND ACTOR UNDER AN ASSUMED CHARACTER. They are frauds, workers of iniquity. Why? Because they are not in truth REGENERATED, THEY HAVE NOT LAID HOLD OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD; THEY HAVE NOT LAID HOLD OF AGAPE LOVE, THEY ONLY CLAIMED THEY HAD BY THEOLOGY. BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE IT, THEY WERE LIARS, FRAUDS, HYPOCRITES.
They built a theology that told them they did not have to enter the strait gate, or walk the narrow way. They BYPASSED IT, laid hold of all the promises of God, CLAIMED THEY HAD AGAPE LOVE IN THEIR HEARTS, FEIGNED AGAPE LOVE, CALLED THEMSELVES THE SONS OF GOD, BUT KNEW NOT JESUS CHRIST OR GOD. Their eternal punishment is horrible beyond imagination. REPENT YOU, AND COME BY THE DOOR INTO THE SHEEPFOLD BEFORE IT IS TO LATE!
Being a hypocrite was one thing that Jesus could not stand more than any other. He wanted confessions of truth from people. If you were His enemy, he wanted you to so state. You can deal with a person that is your sworn enemy. It is difficult indeed to deal with one who calls you 'friend', but in reality is a deadly foe. Christ has a special place for these hypocrites, who claim Him as their Lord, but refuse his commandments, who claim they KNOW HIM AND GOD, but only know Satan and their own conceits.
It is vital to understand, however, that THE UNWISE AND FOOLISH SERVANTS DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THEY ARE HYPOCRITES. They are under a delusion, a deception of Satan. They do not understand they are stage players, they 'knowest not'. This deception comes from their theology. They have embraced a false theology which damns them.
If you do not think your destination is hell, then obviously you believe you are going to heaven. YOUR BELIEFS DO NOT MATTER TO CHRIST. WHAT MATTERS TO CHRIST IS THAT YOU COME TO A FULL RECOGNITION OF WHERE YOU ARE IN RELATIONSHIP TO GOD, AND THAT YOU CONFESS IT, AND THAT YOU BECOME OBEDIENT AND DO WHAT CHRIST COMMANDS TO RECTIFY IT. Jesus will NEVER CONDEMN a human soul that ADMITS to his condition and who comes to Him IN TRUTH for salvation.
Scripture will prove that Jesus Himself stands close to the end of the narrow way, and therefore we must enter the strait gate and walk the distance of the narrow way first to FIND LIFE (AGAPE LOVE IN CHRIST)! There is no other entrance whatever. In the parable of the talents, THE SERVANTS OF THE LORD are given talents to invest for their Lord Jesus Christ. Many assume this is a parable on money, but it is much more than that. It is also a parable of the use of your several ABILITIES, or spirit given gifts to help the Body of Christ. Look what Christ does to the WICKED SERVANT:
"And I was AFRAID, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His Lord answered and said unto Him, THOU WICKED AND SLOTHFUL SERVANT, THOU KNEWEST THAT I REAP WHERE I SOWED NOT, AND GATHER WHERE I HAVE NOT STRAWED...
AND CAST YE THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT INTO OUTER DARKNESS;
THERE SHALL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH."
(Matthew 25:25,26;30)
The wicked servant was afraid. In Revelation 21:8 Jesus says 'BUT THE FEARFUL...shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the SECOND DEATH'. The wicked servant was given THE POWER TO BECOME A SON OF GOD. He was given gifts of the Spirit when he/she became a Christian. The unwise servant did not enter the strait gate, did not walk the narrow way to life, and therefore could not IN TRUTH LEAD OTHERS TO LIFE. Their talents were hid in the ground, NOT UTILIZED FOR THE KINGDOM; BUT INSTEAD THEY BECAME FALSE TEACHERS AND FALSE PROPHETS, WHO TOOK MILLIONS INTO ETERNAL RUIN WITH THEM!
If we examine the parable of the TEN VIRGINS, we will find a total confirmation of believers being sent away into eternal ruin and loss. Christ clearly shows us the danger to Christians who do not enter the strait gate and walk the narrow way. It proves there are two types of believers: THE TRUE BELIEVERS WHO OBEY AND DO, AND THE FALSE BELIEVERS WHO DO NOT OBEY AND WHO ARE SHUT OUT OF HEAVEN ALTOGETHER. This parable is what is called a double reference parable. That is, it has two meanings, one referring to salvation itself, the other in a prophetic sense. We will examine this parable in relationship to the 'many' rejected, who are in fact FOOLISH VIRGINS, WHO NEVER CONSUMMATED THE ACT OF UNION WITH CHRIST.
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto TEN VIRGINS, which took THEIR LAMPS, and went forth to MEET THE BRIDEGROOM. AND FIVE WERE WISE, AND FIVE WERE FOOLISH." (Matthew 25:1-2)
All ten of these VIRGINS go forth to meet the bridegroom. Is Christ not the Bridegroom? Now remember there were TWO WAYS that Christ told us HIS PEOPLE would follow, but all go forth to meet him. Although all had lamps, five of them were wise, and five of them were foolish. The word 'meet' is "apantesis" and it means TO ENCOUNTER, TO MEET SOMEONE FACE TO FACE. This is of VITAL importance.
Remember that Jesus said "I never KNEW you", to the many. In other words, HE NEVER HAD AN EXPERIENTIAL ENCOUNTER WITH THEM. There was never any UNION. All Christians are supposed to enter the strait gate and walk the narrow way to ENCOUNTER JESUS CHRIST who IS THE HOLDER OF AGAPE LOVE 'LIFE'. The wise virgins will; the foolish virgins will not. All virgins have set out on their journey. Five will take the broad way; five will take the narrow way.
"They that were FOOLISH took their lamps, and took NO OIL WITH THEM.
But the WISE TOOK OIL in their vessels with their lamps." (Matthew 25:3-4)
The only division Christ gave to us to divide the wise from the foolish is THE OIL SUPPLY. The foolish only had the oil that was in THEIR LAMPS. The wise had an additional supply of oil, so that when their lamps began to burn out, they could fill it again and CONTINUE ON THEIR JOURNEY. There is NO OTHER DIVISION MADE HERE. It becomes obvious that the additional oil allows the lamps TO BURN FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. Their lamps can 'continue' and 'abide' and 'remain' in a lighted condition. What then does the oil represent? Does it have to do with the strait gate and narrow way?
The lamps shed light. The light comes from the oil itself. It is the oil that brings light. What is the job of the Holy Spirit? It is to bring light. The oil therefore must be the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent to CONVICT OF SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGMENT, which is LEADING ONE TO THE TRUTH. THE LIGHT MUST BE THE TRUTHS OF THE WORD. The five foolish took only a LIMITED SUPPLY OF OIL. Their supply of oil brought them to the truth of Jesus Christ as Messiah, WHICH IS THE HISTORICAL CHRIST. They entered the broad gate of general Christianity, the sheepfold. That was as far as they would allow the Holy Spirit to bring them. They had the religion of Cain. The five WISE virgins had an additional supply. That additional supply allowed the HOLY SPIRIT TO CONVICT OF SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGMENT IN TRUTH, for they entered the strait gate and walked the narrow way and ENCOUNTERED CHRIST. The foolish took the broad way ONLY, had limited interest, and limited dedication. They accepted Christ, but went no further. Their theology told them they did not need to go further.
A truth begins to emerge here. ALL PEOPLE WHO UNDERGO CONVERSIONS ARE GIVEN A SUPPLY OF OIL. The Holy Spirit is allowed in their lives only enough to CONVERT THEM TO THE HISTORICAL CHRIST, THE CHRIST OF THE CROSS. The division is in THE EXTRA SUPPLY OF OIL. The wise ALLOW THE SPIRIT OF REAL CONVICTION TO WORK IT'S WORK TO SOUL DEATH. Jesus said you must die. He meant what he said, as will be proven. Without supernatural soul death there can be no new life granted. We do not move from life to life, but from death unto life.
The wise had enough diligence and dedication to make it through. The others merely professed it, but refused to enter in. Their theology claimed that dedication and diligence were WORKS, A FORM OF HUMAN EFFORT. They claimed they were under faith and grace, but they did not realize the TRUE DEFINITIONS OF FAITH AND GRACE. They redefined them, and embraced as true their own definitions. Thus their commitment to Christ was a mere decision, a mental acceptance to the CLAIMS OF CHRIST. Scripture proves that authentic salvation has to do with THE TYPE OF COMMITMENT MADE TO FIND 'THE TRUTH'. Scripture proves that 'the truth' is well hidden by God, done so for a very important reason: it eliminates those who are false seekers.
Why do we need a more abundant supply of oil? Why is not the oil granted at the beginning enough to get us through? Could it be that the original journey to find Christ takes much more time than we think? Could it be that a simple decision for Christ as now taught by modern Christianity, only places us on the broad way? That at that point we are in the Body of Christ but Christ is not IN US? That while we profess Christ, we do not possess Christ? That we have not laid hold of agape love? Could it be THAT CONVERSION AND REGENERATION ARE A STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY APART?
"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at MIDNIGHT, THERE WAS A CRY MADE, BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH; GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM." (Matthew 25:5-6)
All of the virgins slumbered and slept. Do all Christians enter in via the WIDE GATE OF CONVERSION INTO THE SHEEPFOLD AND TRAVEL THE BROAD WAY IN SPIRITUAL SLUMBER? Christ tarried, he did not come as expected. There was a DELAY. Does the midnight cry represent the Holy Spirit attempting to CONVICT THE SOUL OF IT'S LOST STATE? That all Christians first come into the sheepfold 'some other way' but that a few find the door? Is there a gap between CONVERSION to Jesus Christ the Messiah to knowing WHO Jesus Christ really is, AT REGENERATION? Is it possible that the hidden meaning here is the difference between WHO WILL and WHO WILL NOT WALK THE NARROW WAY TO MEET THE BRIDEGROOM? There are warnings not to quench the Holy Spirit, it can be put out altogether!
"Then all the virgins arose, and TRIMMED THEIR LAMPS. AND THE FOOLISH SAID UNTO THE WISE, GIVE US OF YOUR OIL; FOR OUR LAMPS ARE GONE OUT."
(Matthew 25:7-8)ALL the virgins are CALLED. Only a few are CHOSEN. What is the difference? What makes ONE WORTHY OF ETERNAL LIFE AND THE OTHER UNWORTHY? Notice that the five foolish virgins HAD QUENCHED THE SPIRIT. THEIR LAMPS HAVE LITERALLY GONE OUT! There is no more light, there is no more oil. They had in fact blasphemed the Holy Spirit, resisted the Holy Spirit, called the waves of conviction by the Holy Spirit satanic attacks and rebuked it! They awake only long enough to find out they are eternally lost, without hope.
The Spirit had called them, but they were to busy in this life. They had a business to run, they had sports to attend to, they had idols to worship, and they allowed the precious gift of the Holy Spirit to wax and wane until it was gone. THEY QUENCHED THE SPIRIT TO DAMNATION, IT WAS GONE. The wise on the other hand, heeded the call of the Spirit to GO FURTHER, TO GO BEYOND MERE PROFESSION. They diligently sought out 'the truth'. They continued in His doctrine, even though spiritually asleep, for they were not at that point regenerated. In the last hour when the cry was made, they were not far from home.
They had been obedient, and their lamps WERE STILL LIT WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. They trimmed their lamps, and made them BRIGHT AGAIN. The trimming of the lamps is a method of removal of soot, of impurities that IMPEDE THE LIGHT AND FLOW OF OIL. They came forth with THE REQUIRED DEDICATION AND DILIGENCE TO FIND THE KEY TO SALVATION, THE TRUTH OF AGAPE LOVE. With their lamps burning brightly they sought the Lord with all of their strength,
The foolish virgins realize they have made a serious mistake in their theology, but because of their refusals to heed the call of the Holy Spirit, they are unable to continue, FOR THEIR LAMPS HAVE GONE OUT. THE OIL SUPPLY HAS RUN OUT, AND THERE IS NO MORE OIL (Proverbs 1:22-31). They did not heed the counsel of the Lord. They seek the Lord but it is to late, there is not enough time. God mocks them. He flatly says in Proverbs that THEY WILL SEEK BUT THEY WILL NOT FIND HIM. It is too late. They quenched the gift of the Spirit and they are eternally lost. No matter what they attempt, no matter how frantic they become, it will avail them nothing. They have passed the point of no return. They face eternal ruin. They never underwent Biblical repentance, they underwent a worldly repentance, if any at all.
In total anguish of soul they turn to their brothers and sisters in the Lord and ask them for their oil. After all, are not Christians TO SHARE? Their answer is beautiful to the apostate Christian who seeks only to live off the efforts of others. To the man who will NOT WORK, he and his family will starve. No Christian is under any obligation to support or come to the aid of a brother in Christ WHO WILL NOT WORK. The Bible says let him starve to death. The reason for the harshness is that sooner or later the pangs of hunger will drive him to work. Indeed Christ is austere. The love of the Lord is indeed a 'tough' love. THIS HAS A SPIRITUAL APPLICATION AS WELL.
"But the wise answered, saying, NOT SO, LEST THERE BE NOT ENOUGH OIL FOR US AND YOU; BUT GO YE RATHER TO THEM THAT SELL, AND BUY FOR YOURSELVES."
(Matthew 25:9)What a beautiful and holy response to all arrogant and presumptuous Christians, who freeload off their brethren in the name of Jesus (who demand to fed, clothed and housed in the style THEY DEMAND at the expense of others). Their fate is a nightmare from which they will never escape. They end up destitute, naked and alone, shut out forever from the gates of heaven. The professors of Christ are rejected into outer darkness. You cannot sell COMMITMENT TO A CAUSE. You cannot sell DILIGENCE OF PURPOSE. You cannot sell DEDICATION TO CHRIST. If you do not have it, you must ask God to give it to you! Ask now while there is yet time.
"And while they went to buy, THE BRIDEGROOM CAME; AND THEY THAT WERE READY, WENT IN WITH HIM TO THE MARRIAGE: AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT."
(Matthew 25:10)
The foolish virgins ARE SHUT OUT FOREVER. They never see heaven at all. They see only the judgment of Christ, who sends them away. THOSE THAT WERE READY WENT INTO THE MARRIAGE. The wise were ready. What made them ready? It will be shown that what made them ready was the LAYING HOLD OF AGAPE LOVE, OF LAYING HOLD OF CHRIST! The doors of heaven are SHUT TO ALL OTHER SOULS. The word 'ready' is "hetoimos" and it means TO BE PREPARED, TO HAVE PREPARED, TO HAVE BEEN MADE READY. If this is true, then there IS A PREPARATION TO BE MADE. What is it? There is only one listed in Scripture: Entering the strait gate and walking the narrow way, which leads unto life, which is AGAPE LOVE. It is the walking of the narrow way that makes us READY. If we do this while we are yet alive, Christ , who is the bridegroom, will come and grant us the GIFT OF LOVE.
If we are negligent to the call, and DO NOT PREPARE, then in our final hours, when death is near, we become FRANTIC and search for the answer. God says He will MOCK US, for we refused prior to this time. The BRIDEGROOM COMETH, but only those PREPARED WILL GO INTO THE MARRIAGE. THE OTHERS GO INTO ETERNAL RUIN, THEY ARE SHUT OUT.
Notice they went THROUGH a door, and that door was SHUT TO THE FOOLISH. What door? The LIVING CHRIST is the door (John 10:9). Christ is the ONLY mediator of the New Covenant. You either enter in VIA THE DOOR, or you do not enter in, and the door is shut to you. Remember that Christ said there were TWO WAYS INTO THE SHEEPFOLD, BUT ONLY THE DOOR LEADS YOU INTO HEAVEN. THE 'SOME OTHER WAY' LEADS YOU INTO ETERNAL RUIN. If you enter into the sheepfold by 'some other way' you will not enter heaven. To enter heaven you must enter in by the LIVING CHRIST. The many came to the HISTORICAL CHRIST, who hung upon the cross. They accept the historical Christ as their messiah. They do not, however, come into contact with the LIVING CHRIST, who is NOT on the cross, but alive and well in heaven. They refuse Him, because they refuse the narrow way. It is the strait gate and narrow way that leads to the LIVING CHRIST. We will explore the differences in another chapter. The difference is essential to salvation.
"Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered, and said, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, I KNOW YOU NOT."
(Matthew 25:11-12)
Here we find the identical answer that Christ gave to the 'many". I NEVER KNEW YOU IS THE SAME AS I KNOW YOU NOT. We have proof positive that Christ NEVER came into union with the FIVE FOOLISH VIRGINS. He never made contact with them, yet they were all believers, all followers, all disciples, all IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. What is the difference between a VIRGIN and a married woman? The married woman has undergone CONSUMMATION OF THE MARRIAGE ACT OR SEXUAL INTERCOURSE. Paul said that the mystery of Christ was like that of the union between a man and a wife (Ephesians 5:24-32; and Revelation 19:7-9). He likened the SPIRITUAL UNION BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE BELIEVER AS IDENTICAL TO SEXUAL UNION WHERE THE 'TWO BECOME ONE FLESH'. It is vital to understand why, so the full impact of this parable becomes clear in the sense of REGENERATION.
When Christ comes in LITERAL and actual UNION with the true believer, He actually penetrates the literal body of the believer. "I will come in to him" ( John 14:23; John 17:3; 21; 23; 26; Revelation 3:20), into the physical body, into the very depths of the heart of hearts. That is the act of MARRIAGE CONSUMMATION. If you think it not so, I suggest you read on, for a large portion of Scripture is devoted to this CONSUMMATION ACT THAT BRINGS UNION WITH JESUS CHRIST.
John says that Christ leaves HIS SEED in the believer ( 1 John 3:9). A husband leaves his seed in his wife. It is the combination of HIS SEED AND HER SEED THAT FORM A NEW CHILD. The two become one. In the act of REGENERATION, CHRIST COMES INTO THE HEART (Revelation 3:20). He comes and speaks to the believer and they 'sup' together. Christ and the believer enter into UNION, AND THE TWO BECOME ONE. The seed of Christ is AGAPE LOVE, and that seed merges with the believers spirit and BEHOLD, A NEW CREATURE IS MADE. The wise virgins went on to MEET the bridegroom, and THEY CONSUMMATED THEIR BETROTHAL BY BEING REGENERATED, WHICH MADE THEM 'BRIDES'.
As sexual love is supposed to represent the ultimate in intimacy between a man and woman, so to is REGENERATION the ultimate intimacy between Christ and the believer. In both cases LOVE is involved. In Oriental weddings the MARRIAGE WAS CONSUMMATED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEDDING FEAST/SUPPER, which was to last for seven days. When Christ comes to the believer the believer and Christ enter into TRUE UNION, and the FIRST DAY of the marriage supper takes place. Christ has many brides, and thus each undergo a FIRST DAY wedding supper AT REGENERATION. THESE ARE THEY THAT ARE READY, AND GO INTO THE MARRIAGE. That is exactly what Christ says in Revelation 3:20. He comes in to 'sup' with the believer. The word 'sup" means DINNER FEAST OR SUPPER.
Every believer is called to the wedding supper of Revelation 3:20. As Christ claims He stands at the END OF THE NARROW WAY, then obviously one must travel it in order to reach the point where Christ is. That requires TIME, and time requires patience. Both require OIL FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT. When the obedient believer MEETS CHRIST, then phase one of the marriage supper takes place.
In the oriental wedding, the Bridegroom comes to the bride, and picks her up and carries her away to his father's home for great festivities. When Christ comes to the believer in the act of regeneration, IT is something HE DOES TO THE BELIEVER. Likewise, then, when a husband has intercourse with his wife, it is something HE DOES TO HER. The regenerated soul, NOW A BRIDE, causes GREAT JOY AND A CELEBRATION IN HEAVEN. Does not Christ say that at the BIBLICAL REPENTANCE OF ONE SINNER, AND THE FINDING OF ONE LOST SHEEP THERE IS GREAT JOY? And does not the regenerated believer NOW TAKE A PLACE IN THE THRONE OF CHRIST? ARE WE NOT TO SIT WITH CHRIST IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES? There is a spiritual application here for the story of literal and actual REGENERATION.
When a true believer walks the NARROW WAY, they come to the point of what I call SOUL DEATH, for lack of a better term. The point is THEY DIE, and that death is experiential, albeit totally supernatural. The foolish virgin, the foolish Christian will likewise come to a point of DYING. The difference is that THE DOOR TO HEAVEN IS SHUT, BECAUSE CHRIST CAN ONLY SAVE THOSE THAT DIE A SUPERNATURAL SOUL DEATH WHILE THEY ARE YET ALIVE. If you die in the physical sense while here on earth WITHOUT regeneration, THE DOOR IS SHUT, BECAUSE YOU CAN ONLY AVAIL YOURSELF OF IT WHILE YOU HAVE PHYSICAL LIFE. THE UNWISE VIRGINS DID NOT AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE AGAPE LOVE OF CHRIST, THEREFORE THEY ARE SHUT OUT.
True believers are actually married to Christ, and are at that time called THE BRIDE. The use of the term bride is in fact applied only to a woman on her wedding day or just after the wedding. Before that she is called a bride to be, or more to the point, a fiancee in our times. She becomes a bride only on her wedding day and wedding night. Christ is returning for HIS BRIDE. In point of fact CHRIST IS MARRIED TO THEM, AND THEY ARE HIS BRIDE, WITNESSED BY THE ACT OF CONSUMMATION AT REGENERATION. Only the bride of Christ will enter heaven, where they will go through all of the festivities of a formal wedding ceremony THAT IS THEN BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL, FOR THE SPIRITUAL ASPECT WAS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED, WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO GO INTO THE FINAL FESTIVITIES!
"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." (Revelation 19:7)
Notice it says HIS WIFE has made herself ready. This is not a play on words, for the consummation took place AT REGENERATION. Just as the bride of Adam came from only the RIB of Adam (a very small part of his body, and very close to HIS HEART), so too the bride of Christ is ONLY A SMALL PART OF HIS BODY, AND VERY CLOSE TO HIS HEART OF AGAPE LOVE, FOR THEY ALSO HAVE A NEW HEART OF AGAPE LOVE. To make this more understandable view it in this manner: We could say that CONVERSION is espousal or engagement, and they are fiancees. At REGENERATION the fiancee becomes a BRIDE and enters into the act of marriage. Christ coming into the human heart is HIS ACT OF MARRIAGE. IT COMPLETES THE WEDDING CONTRACT.
Israel is always considered the WIFE OF JEHOVAH GOD. GOD THE FATHER IS THEIR HUSBAND. Christ, on the other hand, came to earth to select out a bride, and thus MANY ARE CALLED, FEW ARE CHOSEN. There are many fiancees, but only a few become BRIDES. Many of the fiancees of Christ are UNFAITHFUL. THEY WILL NOT DO AS COMMANDED. It will be proven so from Scripture in another Chapter. The faithful undergo full transition into FULLNESS. IT DOES NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE WEDDING FEAST ITSELF. Therefore: BRIDE=WIFE
All the wives now await for the final call, that is, the rapture/resurrection for the remainder of their wedding supper. Those espoused to Christ who never came to regeneration are foolish virgins. Those who did go in unto regeneration are wise. All the BRIDES have on their WEDDING ROBES, WHICH ARE THE ROBES OF AGAPE LOVE. They alone enter into the final festivities and attend the wedding feast. All the rest are shut out.
In the parable of the marriage for the Son (Matthew 22:1-14) we find a confirmation of the five wise and five foolish virgins. In shows us the difference between saved and unsaved believers.
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king
(God), which made a marriage for his son (Christ). And sent forth HIS SERVANTS (THE PROPHETS) to call them which WERE BIDDEN (ISRAEL) to the WEDDING (REGENERATION); and THEY WOULD NOT COME.Again, he sent forth OTHER SERVANTS (THE DISCIPLES), saying, Tell them that are bidden (ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH), Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and ALL THINGS ARE READY: come
UNTO THE MARRIAGE (REGENERATION). But THEY MADE LIGHT OF IT, and went THEIR WAYS (THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN, THE BROAD WAY, THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER), one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant (The Sauducees and Pharasees) took his servants (the apostles and disciples of the true church), and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
But when the King heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city (the taking of Jerusalem A.D. 70).
Then saith he to his servants (The true church), the wedding is ready, but they which were bidden WERE NOT WORTHY (ISRAEL IS BLINDED). Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. (The church goes worldwide), (the Gospel goes to the Gentiles). So those servants went out into he highways, and gathered together ALL AS MANY AS THEY FOUND, BOTH BAD AND GOOD: (WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS goes TO GRACE) and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the King came in to see the guests, he saw there a man (who represents the many) which had not on a wedding garment:
And he saith unto him, Friend (God is the friend of man because of the reconciliation work of Christ on the cross), how camest thou IN HITHER NOT HAVING A WEDDING GARMENT? (AGAPE LOVE ROBE OF REGENERATION) And he was speechless.
"Then said the king unto the servants, Bind him HAND AND FOOT, AND TAKE HIM AWAY, AND CAST HIM INTO OUTER DARKNESS; AND THERE SHALL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH". FOR MANY ARE CALLED,
BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN". Matthew 22:12-14
Who was the mystery man at the wedding feast? None other than the MANY, FOR CHRIST LINKS THE MAN WITH MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN. The many had on robes, but not AGAPE LOVE WEDDING ROBES. They had on the ROBE OF FAITH, and had responded to the call to come to the dinner. They had FAITH IN CHRIST, IN FACT THEY MADE THEIR FAITH INTO CHRIST HIMSELF. Faith became their God. They were cast out of the Feast. The only wedding garment allowed is the ROBE OF AGAPE LOVE, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SAINTS.
Faith is not Jesus Christ. Faith is only a dynamic that propels you through the narrow way to FIND THE LIVING CHRIST, as we will explore later. Many are called to the wedding, but only a few with agape love robes will be allowed to remain. All others will be forcefully ejected. It is only the BRIDE OF CHRIST that remains. They were faithful unto soul death, they were faithful unto marriage. The rest were unfaithful, and went after other Gods (idols).
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
The parable of the sower sheds much light on why the vast majority of Christians never become the TRUE BRIDE OF CHRIST. It helps explain what is meant by wide gate, and strait gate, narrow way and broad way. It is found in Matthew 13:18-23. Read it very carefully.
FELL BY THE WAY SIDE, and the fowls came and devoured them up: SOME FELL UPON STONY PLACES, where they had not much earth; and forthwith they sprung up, because they HAD NO DEEPNESS OF EARTH. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and BECAUSE THEY HAD NO ROOT, they WITHERED AWAY. And some FELL UPON THORNS; and the THORNS SPRUNG UP, AND CHOKED THEM:
But other FELL UPON GOOD GROUND, and brought forth FRUIT, some an hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. WHO HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR." (Matthew 13:3-9)
This parable contains all the keys to PSEUDO-SALVATION and why the many are rejected. Notice that there are four types of ground. The ground is the human mind. The parable is how various people RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL CALL. Please understand that ALL PEOPLE IN THE PARABLE DO RESPOND. They do heed the call, and they are all believers, disciples and followers of Christ. The seed is the WORD OF GOD, so stated by Christ himself. Many attempt to claim that the seed is authentic salvation, and that all are saved, something totally contradicted by Christ. It is a fabrication of the false prophets, to lull the seekers into sleep.
All of the people in the parable are BELIEVERS, AND THEY ARE ALL UNSAVED. Only one group will respond properly and GO ON TO PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF REGENERATION. You must read the parable carefully. We have four types of ground:
WAYSIDE
STONY PLACES
THORNS
GOOD GROUND
As we go through the parable, take note of the key words of Christ and how they are spoken.
1. THE WAYSIDE
The wicked one (Satan) comes and devours them up. In Luke 8:5 it reads: 'and the fowls of the air devoured it.' In Luke 8:12 the fowls are identified as the devil. In Revelation 18:2 we find a reference to 'hateful birds' or DEMONS. Notice that the demons come quickly; ready to pounce, ready to grab the Word out of the mind so it is not understood.
2. STONY PLACES - NO EARTH, NO ROOT.
No depth of mind, no depth of heart. The Bible often refers to such people as simple, or fools. There is apparently no real commitment or ability to search the Word of God out for the real truth, to introspect, to question, to compare. They simply refuse to make the commitment Christ demands of them. When the sun comes up (fire) it scorches them, and they wither away. The sun is fire, and the fire represents the THEIR FAITH TRIED BY FIRE. Their faith does not stand; they cannot take the heat.
3. THE THORNS - THE CARES OF THIS WORLD.
The thorns represent the cares and pleasure of this life here on earth. Satan conquers by deception, and the heart of deception is DIVERSION. Satan diverts people from the strait gate and narrow way by the cares and pleasures of life. The Christian is diverted by the many forms of Christian entertainment, etc. These people cannot leave the world to find Christ. They want both Christ and the world. You cannot serve both God and mammon. A choice must be made. These believers cannot make the choice, so they are choked off.
4. THE GOOD GROUND -THE FRUIT OF REBIRTH
Good ground has depth of soil, for roots to grow and get nutrients. Water remains at great depth, allowing the plants to flourish even in draught. As the root goes down in search of TRUTH, it becomes established. These plants go on to produce fruits, for they abide in the water of truth, and they obtain the fruit of LIFE
JESUS INTERPRETS THE PARABLE
"Now the parable is this: THE SEED IS THE WORD OF GOD. "
(Luke 8:11)We must believe Jesus and reject the false prophets, no matter how many divinity degrees they claim to hold. Jesus claims the seed is ONLY THE WORD OF GOD.
1. THE WAYSIDE - A FAILURE TO HEED
"Those by the way side ARE THEY THAT HEAR; then cometh the devil, and TAKETH AWAY THE WORD OUT OF THEIR HEARTS; LEST THEY SHOULD BELIEVE AND BE SAVED." (Luke 8:12).
These people are believers, and they hear the word. The problem is they do not UNDERSTAND IT, OR TAKE IT TO HEART. They tend to forget it right after hearing it, or they simply can not make head nor tail out of what Scripture says. They respond to the word, but they do not retain the word. Our churches are full of such people. They are nice, very sincere folks, but their understanding of the word is almost nil. They know and recognize Jesus as Messiah, but it stops right there. Jesus is blunt: THEY ARE NOT SAVED.
"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that HEARETH THE WORD, AND ANON WITH GREAT JOY RECEIVETH IT; YET HE HATH NOT ROOT IN HIMSELF, BUT ENDURETH FOR AWHILE; FOR WHEN TRIBULATION OR PERSECUTION ARISETH BY AND BY HE IS OFFENDED."
(Matthew 13:20-21)(COMPARE ALSO LUKE 8:13 FOR DIFFERENCES)
Here we have believers and followers of Jesus who hear the word and WITH GREAT JOY THEY RECEIVE IT. The word for 'anon' is "euthus", and it means AT ONCE, INSTANTLY, IMMEDIATELY OR FORTHWITH. In other words, as soon as they hear the word they MAKE AN INSTANT DECISION FOR CHRIST AND THEY LAY HOLD OF ALL OF THE POSITIVE PROMISES OF THE GOSPEL. You only respond with joy at POSITIVE NEWS. The only way you can lay hold of the Word instantly is by an INSTANT ACT OF FAITH. YOU MAKE A DECISION IN YOUR MIND. These people have immediate faith and belief in the Gospel, they claim all of the positive aspects of redemption and salvation with great joy. They claim them as theirs, thus they believe and affirm they are THE SONS OF GOD BY AN IMMEDIATE DECISION FOR CHRIST.
The word 'joy' is "chara" and it means WITH GREAT JOY, DELIGHT, GREAT GLADNESS, WITH EXCEEDING JOY AND HAPPINESS. Their response is an emotional response to the Gospel call, and they CLAIM INSTANT SALVATION ON THE BASIS OF THE WORD OF GOD. THEY TAKE CERTAIN PROMISES OF SCRIPTURE AND EMBRACE THEM AND APPROPRIATE THEM FOR THEMSELVES. THEY READ WORDS LIKE 'FAITH' AND 'BELIEF' AND REDEFINE WHAT THOSE WORDS MEAN, AND CONVERT THEM OVER TO A DECISION, AND INSTANT MOMENT OF FAITH. They embrace AS TRUE all the positive aspects of Scripture.
These believers grasp all the essential points of salvation and claim them as their own. They accept all the promises of the Bible by an instant faith and belief system that gives them great joy. Everything is positive, everything is instant, and nothing is allowed that is negative. All negative thought, all negative belief, all doubts are branded as Satanic attacks.
They must have recognized from their mind their need for a savior, because otherwise they would not have embraced the Gospel. The implication here is severe indeed: Their repentance is also instant and only skin deep. It is an emotional repentance, of the soul man, of the flesh. It is mental and not of the INNER heart. These people go forward with deep emotion, and cry tears of joy at their 'DECISION FOR CHRIST' in the which they are told that CHRIST IS IN THEM AND UNION HAS OCCURRED. They embrace their so called 'salvation' and 'born again' experience as being valid and true. WHAT ELSE COULD BRING SUCH IMMEDIATE JOY?
Jesus, however, condemns them. This is why: You embrace with great joy only positive news. Bad news or harsh news does not bring joy, but sorrow. Does Jesus have a negative aspect to his salvation message? Is there a very negative aspect to the gospel? Is there something within the message of Christ that these people are refusing to hear, SUCH AS ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE, OR WALK THE NARROW WAY? Is that why Christ accuses them of having no root? Do the negative aspects of the strait gate and narrow way actually give the Christian HIS ROOTS? Is entering the gate and walking the way that which makes us ESTABLISHED? Is it this root that actually brings the fruit of UNION WITH CHRIST? What if we IGNORE or DENY the negative aspects of the Gospel? What if we remove them by FALSE THEOLOGY? Does it bring eternal ruin? Jesus affirms that looking only at the positive aspects of the salvation message will damn you in the end, for you have no root, no established INNER heart! You cannot stand the heat of the fiery trial of faith! If Christ claims the positive DOES NOT GIVE US ROOTS, THEN IT CAN ONLY BE THE NEGATIVE THAT GIVES US THE ROOTS WE NEED. THUS:
IMMEDIATE ACCEPTANCE = NO ROOT
VS.
ALL POSITIVE, ALL JOY = NO ROOT.
We can and must by these comments of Christ ELIMINATE THE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS OF SCRIPTURE FOR ESTABLISHING THE ROOT OF THE REAL CHRISTIAN. There are only two aspects to the commands of Christ, positive and negative. As Christ removes the positive for root building, then the negative MUST BE what brings the real believer into union. We have no options whatever. Therefore:
patience and diligence vs. immediate/instant
long term trial vs. instant decision
negative brings root vs. positive no root
THEREFORE;
SERIOUS PATIENCE/EARNEST DILIGENCE
VS.
IMMEDIATE AND INSTANT JOY
"Yet he hath NOT ROOT IN HIMSELF, but endureth for AWHILE; for when TRIBULATION or PERSECUTION ARISETH, BECAUSE OF THE WORD, by and by he is OFFENDED."
(Matthew 13:21)Notice they have NO ROOT. The word 'root' is "rhiza" and it means STABILITY, ESTABLISHED, TRUSTWORTHY. In Psalm 145:18 it says:
"The Lord is nigh unto all them that CALL UPON HIM, TO ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM IN TRUTH."
The word 'truth' is "emeth' and it means ESTABLISHED, STABILITY, TRUSTWORHY The root of the word is "aman" and it means TO BUILD UP, TO ESTABLISH, FIRM, STEADFAST, PERMANENT, OF LONG CONTINENCE, SURE. It means to continue, to abide in, to remain in, to be steadfast in the search for 'the truth'. The very word truth does not imply something instant or immediate, which is why Christ condemns these people with the stony heart.
It is NOT true that 'all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.". We can prove it because we see many Christians sent away into eternal ruin, and ALL OF THEM CALLED UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD. There is a huge conditional qualifier to what calling on the name of the Lord means: you must call IN TRUTH. Inasmuch as Jesus said the only entrance to heaven was via the strait gate and narrow way, then obviously the qualifier IN TRUTH MEANS ONLY THOSE THAT ENTER IN VIA THE STRAIT GATE!
If you refuse, you have not called upon the name of the Lord IN TRUTH. You have called, but not in the way Jesus demands. These folks design a theology that allows them an immediate entrance into heaven's gates, but is this theology a correct one? Christ says they fall away. Obedience to Christ means doing ALL commands of Christ, NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE.
These people become offended by the word of God when tribulation comes. This tribulation is not outward but inward, a tribulation of the soul. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, righteousness and judgment, hardly a positive move by God. It should be said that to be reproved 'IN TRUTH' is not pleasant at all, but very nasty and very negative. The reproof of God is so negative that Jesus said very few would actually undergo it! They fall away as soon as the process begins. They claim Satan is attacking them, and all negatives are thrown out as satanic attacks! They reject the Holy Spirit and say it is a devil!
1. When real honest conviction of the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and the real process of judgment begins, they refuse it. They believe they are ALREADY SAVED, THEY ALREADY HAVE UNION, THEY ALREADY HAVE AGAPE LOVE, SO THEREFORE ANY DOUBTS, ANY CONVICTIONS MUST BE FROM SATAN. They have found LIFE at the VERY BEGINNING OF THEIR JOURNEY, AND THEY WORK HARD TO PERFECT THAT LOVE AND LIFE THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE. Their theology tells them they are already saved, and their decision for Christ was all there was to it. Their entire theology is based upon the fact that they are already saved and going to heaven, therefore any negative feelings, doubts or convictions are instantly branded SATANIC. The Holy Spirit is thus rejected, and they go into eternal ruin all because of a the theology of the false prophets! THEY WERE NEVER SAVED AT ALL. THEY NEVER HAD LIFE AT ALL.
2. Any doubts whatever as to their true standing before Christ are branded satanic in origin. They are told by their false teachers that doubt is the opposite of faith, and. doubt is classified as unbelief by their theology. Unbelief is a sin against God. The Holy Spirit's attempts to bring them into true judgment and His rebuke is ignored. By the millions they go into eternal ruin. These poor souls are so deceived by their theology that they believe they being obedient to God while the whole time they are in RANK DISOBEDIENCE.
3. The next thing Jesus is telling us here is that their instant faith and belief system is so surface that it opens them up to a wide range of satanic deception. Their theology is in such grave error they are now going to entrap themselves deeper and deeper into disobedience. They are going to lay hold of all positive promises of the Scripture. They are going to lay hold of the 'inheritance'. They will claim 'gifts of the spirit', and victory over sin. They claim the 'promised land'. They are the bastard sons who refuse the reproof of the Lord.
WHO ENTER THE SHEEPFOLD 'SOME OTHER WAY'.
They worship Jesus Christ, but their hearts are stone cold, far removed from being touched by the conviction and reproof of God. They will not come to the LIGHT OF AGAPE LOVE. THEY WILL NOT HAVE THEIR DEEDS REPROVED BY THE LIGHT OF AGAPE LOVE. They die in their trespasses and sins.
Is it possible that the POSITIVE ASPECTS OF SCRIPTURE ONLY COME INTO EFFECT AFTER ONE HAS UNDERGONE THE NEGATIVE? That spiritual attainment is no different from attainment of the good things in this life? THAT ANYTHING WORTH HAVING IS NOT EASILY ATTAINED?
What would happen if you went to a major university for the medical profession and told the board that you wanted your degree RIGHT NOW? That you did not want to go through any of that NEGATIVE STUFF, like study, burning the midnight oil, internship and the hard work that a degree entails? Would they give a degree or throw you out on your ear? Does not the negative TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH come PRIOR to the gift of the degree? Is it possible that the AWARD OR SHEEPSKIN of AGAPE LOVE AND TRUE UNION WITH CHRIST must be preceded by the negative commands of the Bible? Your answer determines your eternal destiny.
Do we get wisdom at the snap of the fingers? Could it be that true wisdom only comes by a severe testing of our faith? That unless we submit to the commands of Christ, God will not allow us to graduate? That instead of a degree in eternal life, we end up a failure forever in eternal ruin? What makes you think that when we are dealing with God we can demand instant access to heaven? THE BIBLE PROVES THAT TRUE FAITH, TRUE BELIEF ARE NOT INSTANT AT ALL, AND THAT THIS CONCEPT OF INSTANT FAITH AND INSTANT BELIEF IS A FABRICATION OF THE FALSE PROPHETS THAT CHRIST WARNED US ABOUT. Do you think God might consider you an arrogant FOOL whose only fate short of full repentance is eternal fire? Do you think God might consider you ONE OF THE MANY? The INSTANT FAITH, IMMEDIATE JOY movement is a POSITIVE AFFIRMATION OF THE UTTER ARROGANCY AND SPIRITUAL DESTITUTION OF MAN. IT UPHOLDS CHRIST ON ONE HAND, AND UTTERLY DENIES HIM ON THE OTHER, AND IS A PRECISE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY OF PETER AND CHRIST.
Our very salvation depends upon how we answer those questions. They can only be answered by the harsh words of Scripture. In any event, we can prove these people have no root whatever, and they fall away into eternal ruin. They are swept away by their instant theology.
3. THE THORNS -DOUBLE MINDED
"He also that received seed among the thorns is he THAT HEARTH THE WORD; AND the care of this world AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, CHOKE THE WORD, AND HE BECOMETH UNFRUITFUL.
(Matthew 13:22)"And that which feel among the thorns are they WHICH WHEN THEY HAVE HEARD, GO FORTH, AND ARE CHOKED WITH THE CARES AND RICHES AND PLEASURES OF THIS LIFE AND BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION."
(Luke 8:14)
These people hear the word, and begin to grow in the word. But the cares of this life, and the concerns of this life choke out the word, so that it dies and never comes to the fruit of perfection, which is AGAPE LOVE BESTOWEMENT. Of course, beyond is much more fruit, and more pruning, but ORIGINAL FRUIT IS THE FRUIT OF REGENERATION. They are in effect double minded. They want Christ and heaven, but they are not willing to pay the price to obtain it. Although salvation is a free gift, Jesus said it would cost you everything to obtain it.
Satan moves in on these people and DIVERTS their attention to the routines of life, and they do NOT CONTINUE, THEY DO NOT ABIDE IN HIS DOCTRINES. No fruit is brought to perfection, and our perfecting is in Christ. THEY NEVER MEET CHRIST; THERE IS NO ACTUAL UNION WITH CHRIST. Their religion is in vain, of non - effect.
These folks are Christians, but they are double-minded Christians. They have one foot in the world, another in Christ. They will not leave the world long enough to find THE LIVING Christ, nor will they abide in the doctrines of Christ long enough to come to regeneration. They are lost and go into eternal ruin.
This was the primary reason for the Church of Laodocea going into eternal ruin. They had become worldly, diverting their attention to obtaining AUTHENTIC salvation. This church is the last days church, a church full of false theology and false prophets, of instant salvation, instant union. They are a joyful church, and they are deceived by turning to the diversions the world has to offer. The early church warned Christians not to get involved in the affairs of this world, for they knew that the fight to extricate oneself from it was all that a soul could do! The true Church has never been a comfort to the world, not could it be, for their message condemns the world! They are one of the primary obstacles that one must overcome to inherit eternal life:
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, If any man love the world, the (AGAPE) LOVE of the Father is not in him."
(1 John 2:15)For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36)
4. THE GOOD GROUND ~ SALVATION
"BUT THAT ON THE GOOD GROUND ARE THEY, WHICH IN AN HONEST AND GOOD HEART, HAVING HEARD THE WORD KEEP IT, AND BRING FORTH FRUIT WITH PATIENCE." (Luke 8:15)
Those on the good ground keep the word. The word 'keep' is "katecho", and it means TO HOLD FAST, INTENSITY OF PURPOSE. Christ also says that the fruit is produced ONLY BY PATIENCE. The word 'patience' is "hupomone" and it means ENDURANCE, CONSISTENCY, CONTINUING, TO REMAIN IN, TO UNDERGO, TO BEAR TRIALS, TO HAVE FORTITUDE, TO SUFFER, TO HOLD UP IN LONG PATIENCE. It carries with it the identical meaning to become established, to seek the Lord in TRUTH.
Those that are diligent will be those who find the Lord. Those that are not will go into ruin. Only those with this patience bear the fruit of regeneration, the fruit of agape love. The fruit does not come until after the enduring. The fruit does not come until after one has shown he/she is steadfast. We then have a valid contrast we must make:
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