PIRO4D
This, of course, is a subject that we’ve covered extensively throughout these
fourteen years, but it’s a subject that has recently come up ── a doctrine that is at
the heart of every worldly church.
Do you know that you would be gobsmacked at what our Lord Jesus Christ would
be preaching if He were to appear on Earth in human flesh and were to go on
television for the whole world to see? His message would seem strange to you.
Because it was odd to the people nearly 1,992 years ago when He was here on
Earth. Because it was completely different from what they were being taught in their
synagogues.
As it was today, the people had their synagogues, their mosques, their churches right
there in Judea when our Lord Jesus Christ was on Earth. Yet, by that time, they had
perverted the religion of ancient Israel, and they had completely warped His living
word – the Torah. Besides, their teachings came completely from the Old Covenant,
and here He was coming with a message of a New Covenant. They literally hated
Him for what He was preaching.
Well… my friend, we here at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries preach
and teach the very same doctrines as our Lord Jesus Christ preached ── and we too are shunned and hated for it. Our Lord Jesus had to give His life for you and me.
And they murdered Him because they were scared of Him ── and they were afraid
that they would lose their position and authority. They certainly didn’t like what He
said, but they also didn’t like His personality; they didn’t like the fact that He hung
around sinners ── with Him answering, “’ Those who are well have no need of a
physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the [self] righteous, but
sinners, to repentance.’” – Luke 5:31-32. And, they certainly didn’t believe a word
He said.
I just recently typed up a series of articles in relation to repentance and the glorious
kingdom of God. And at the bottom of this article, I’ll leave you the six links to
these articles. Read them and learn and grow in God’s grace and knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ. But, indeed, you have to not only REPENT for salvation, but you
have to BELIEVE! You’ve got to believe what our Lord Jesus says. And it’s not believe in Him ── many believed in Him at that time ── but we are to believe on
Him; believe what He says. As we are aware from God’s living word, as well as
secular world history, shows us that during the first century A.D., there were great
uprisings, struggles, chaos, and strife, and a great many were murdered over the
gospel message. Now… was it a gospel about Christ that He preached ── a gospel
about Himself? And you know, my friend, this is the gospel you hear even today
throughout all these worldly churches ── a gospel about Christ. How do I know
this? Because, back in 2014, I was invited to attend a Sunday church in our local
town. I went. And what they were teaching was a mixing bowl of this world’s politics
and a message about Jesus Christ. A message of “communion,” and a “church with
no sin.” I can show you my notes. You are hearing a gospel about the person of Jesus
Christ, but not the gospel that Jesus Himself preached, and would preach if He were
to be here speaking on Earth today as I am to you. And whatsoever is different ── well… that certainly seems strange. So strange, in fact, that ── and I’ve spoken
of this story several times now - I was asked once by my sister-in-law why I didn’t
believe in the “rapture.” And I began to slowly explain what God’s living word truly
says and does not say concerning a “rapture” – along with the truth about death and
what happens after death. She identifies herself as being a Baptist – she’s been
baptized. But I proceeded to briefly explain what she needed to do to inherit eternal
life. Her friend, who was with her visiting, began laughing loudly and mockingly at
this gospel message. And she retorted, “We’re all saviors” ── whatever that meant.
Sadly, her friend died two weeks later. Was that her last chance to hear the
living truth of God in this life?
Do you ever stop and truly consider why you believe what you do? Because there
are so many religions throughout the world, there are so many different
denominations and sects even within what this world calls “Christianity.” But they
all have one thing in common. Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism,
and even Zoroastrianism all have different takes on what heaven is. And, religions
like this world’s Christianity and Islam believe that heaven is their destination, while
religions such as Hinduism believe in the circle of life ── hence the false doctrine of reincarnation. This
world’s Christianity all teaches its own gospel about Jesus Christ, and in detail, they
are all different from one another. And, of course, they all believe that they have the
truth ── and that everyone else is wrong.
Yet ── and here’s the kicker, pay attention ── your Bible says that all are deceived
by that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan! – Revelation 12:9. And also, your
Bible says that the LORD God would send a voice “of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Make straight the way of the LORD’” – cf. Malachi 4:4-6; Matthew 3:3; John 1:23, speaking of John the Baptist. To make straight the Way of the LORD God! Preaching
‘Repent, for the kingdom from heaven is at hand!’ Preaching the gospel of the
kingdom of God.
Yes. The people didn’t want to hear this message then ── and they don’t want to
hear this message today. With today’s generation of “I want it now, and I want it my
way!” these worldly churches preach their gospel as “If you’re good, you go to
heaven when you die. If you’re bad, you’re going to hell.” And this is what we’re
getting into today.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was as clear as a cloudless bright blue sky ── in John chapter
3 and verse 13 ── “’ No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from
heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.’” So, nobody else has gone to
heaven! Yet, they preach that you’re going to heaven.
Our Lord Jesus Christ DID NOT preach ‘going to heaven,’ and He did not come
preaching about Himself. He did not come saying, ‘Look at Me! Just believe in Me
with all your heart and you will be saved.’ He didn’t preach this ── yet, this is what
is being preached around the world today.
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, did not preach ‘going to heaven.’ He preached, “’
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe [and
obey] in the gospel.’” – Mark 1:15. He preached repentance and the kingdom of God
── that His kingdom is coming to Earth, and that He would be King of kings and
Lord of lords ruling. And He preached that His servants and His true saints that are
converted ── that have properly repented, been baptized with hands laid upon them,
and having received the glorious Holy Spirit ── will be born again in a glorious
resurrection and will co-rule with Him on THE EARTH.
Notice what He says in Matthew, the 19th chapter. Verses 27 & 28 ── “Then Peter
answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what
shall we have?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that IN THE
REGENERATION, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
Israel.’”
So, notice the word “regeneration.” In Greek, the word is palingenesia, meaning
“renewal; rebirth.” 1 It’s a rebirth – born again. When the Son of Man shall sit on the
throne of His glory, you shall sit upon 12 thrones – the 12 apostles on 12 thrones,
judging the 12 tribes of the house of Israel.
Where will they be judging? In heaven? On earth? Let’s look at God’s living word
to see. Revelation, chapter 2, verses 26 & 27 ── “’ And he who overcomes, and
keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations ── 27) ‘He
shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s
vessels’ ── …’” So, the nations ON EARTH shall be ruled with a rod of iron (meaning, with strict discipline). “’ To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me
on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’” –
Revelation 3:21.
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is sitting on the throne of His Father in the upper
heavenly realms. And we are told by Him that if we overcome, we’ll sit with Him
on His throne (see: Daniel 7:13-14). We will then sit with our Lord Jesus on His
throne when He comes.
Gabriel had told Mary in the 1st chapter of the Book of Luke, “ …’ Do not be afraid,
Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31) And behold, you will conceive in your
womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.’” – Luke 1:30, 31.
Notice this about our Lord Jesus, which Gabriel said to Mary, “’ He will be great,
and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne
of His father David.’” – vs. 32.
That throne was in Palestine ── was in Jerusalem. The throne of His father David.
“’ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will
be no end.’” – vs. 33.
Now… staying here in the Book of Luke, chapter 19, we see what our Lord Jesus
was actually preaching ──
“Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near
Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.
12) Therefore, He said: ‘A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for
himself a kingdom and to return. 13) So he called ten of his servants, delivered to
them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’” – Luke 19:11-13.
This pictures our Lord Jesus Christ returning to the upper heavenly realms, receiving
a kingdom, and then returning. “’ But his citizens hated him, …’” And, this pictures
the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi. They hated Him “ …’ and sent a delegation
after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’” – vs. 14. They
rejected our Lord Jesus as a Ruler, and they rejected His message – a message of His
government. They rejected His New Covenant, His Commandments.
“’ And so it was that when he returned, …’” – Of course, this pictures His glorious
and powerful Second Coming! “ … ‘have received the kingdom, …’” – There will
be a large coronation and crowning with His saints in low-earth-orbit just before His
feet stand again upon the Mount of Olives (Daniel 7:13-14; Zechariah 14:1-4). “ …
‘he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, …’” – And
the money represents merely the glorious Holy Spirit, that He has given to see how
much more each has gained. (vs. 15).
Then came the first saying, “ …’ Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’” – vs. 16.
This servant had multiplied what our Lord Jesus had given him. “’ And he said to
him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have
authority over ten cities.’” – vs. 17. Our Lord Jesus is talking about the glorious
kingdom of God! Because that is the gospel He preached. And here, this servant,
who had grown spiritually and who had multiplied the Spirit that was given to him,
the gifts of the Spirit ── 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
- The Word of Wisdom
- The Word of knowledge
- Faith
- Healings
- Working of Miracles
- Prophecy
- Discerning of spirits
- Languages
Then, the next one came, saying, “ …’ Master, your mina has earned five minas.’” –
vs. 18. So, this servant had only gained half as much. “’ Likewise, he said to him,
‘You also be over five cities.’” – vs. 19. But, then came one that said, “ …’ Master,
here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.’” – vs. 20. He had
gained nothing. He had just kept what was given to him ── he thought “Once Saved, Always Saved.”
And our Lord Jesus said to those who stood by, “ …’ Take the mina from him, and
give it to him who has ten minas.’” – vs. 24. He didn’t even make it into the glorious
kingdom of God! “’ But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to
reign over them, and slay them before me.’” – vs. 27.
So, we must grow spiritually, we must overcome.
Turning to the 5th chapter of the Book of Revelation, we see that we’re going to reign
with our Lord Jesus Christ! ──
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open
its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of
every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10) And [will make] us [a kingdom]
and priests to our God And we shall reign ON THE EARTH.’” – Revelation 5:9-10.
We (God-willing) shall reign ON THE EARTH, not in heaven. This alone shows us
that we are not going to the upper heavenly realms ── what God’s living word calls
the “Third Heaven” – see: 2 Corinthians 12:2. Heaven is not what our Lord Jesus
Christ has promised.
Turning back into the Old Testament, to the Book of Isaiah, we see the prophecy of
the coming of our Lord Jesus ── “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is
given; And THE GOVERNMENT will be upon His shoulder.” Notice, “the
government.” You don’t hear too much about “the government” – you hear more
about how the ‘kingdom is set up in the heart of man.’ The kingdom of God shall be upon
His shoulder. “And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, THERE WILL BE NO END, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To
order it and establish it with judgment and justice, even forever. …” – Isaiah 9:6-7.
Notice also verse 14 of chapter 7. “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
The name Immanuel means, “God with us.” And the name Jesus is Iēsous, meaning
“Joshua, ‘Yahweh saves.’” Immanuel ── God in human flesh. And this shows Him
as God as a Savior (see: John 1:14).
So, our Lord Iēsous came as a Savior to save us from our transgressions. And He
also came to rule and reign in His kingdom. The two go hand-in-hand.
Now, a government has to have law. Have you ever heard of a government that had
no law or a constitution? What is law? In Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate
Dictionary, the definition is:
1law \’lȯ \ n [ME, fr. OE lagu, of Scand origin; akin to ON lọg law; akin to OE licgan
to lie ── more at LIE] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a binding custom or practice of a
community: a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding
or enforced by a controlling authority.
Our conduct ── not only with our neighbors, but also our conduct with our Lord
God Almighty, our love toward God.
And what is the definition of sin according to the LORD God? “Whoever commits
sin also commits lawlessness, and SIN IS LAWLESSNESS.” – 1 John 3:4. And,
what is Law according to the LORD God? Well… there was a person who came to
our Lord Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may
have eternal life?” And our Lord Jesus answered, “ …’ if you want to enter into life,
KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.’” And our Lord Jesus names a few of the spiritual
commandments. The Law of God is spiritual. It defines our human relationships and
our relationship with the LORD God.
Our Lord Iēsous came because God the Father “’ so loved the world,’” having given
His only begotten Son to a world that spat in His face, having placed a ‘crown of
thorns’ upon His head, murdering Him by Roman crucifixion. He gave His life for
all of us. A world that God the Father loves. It’s a love that we are not naturally born
with. It’s a love that only the LORD God can gift us with. And our Lord Jesus Christ
says that we must repent ── we must repent of our transgressions against the Law
of God. Now… God’s Law doesn’t make rules on how to build an airplane, but it
gives us the Law on how we are to conduct ourselves when building and distributing
said airplane.
And we’ve been living in a wrong relationship toward the LORD God and toward
our neighbors. We all have ── and all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
That is what is wrong with this present evil age. I have sinned. You have sinned. Our
Lord Jesus came to pay the penalty of our sins ── if we repent of them. And,
repentance means to turn around and stop sinning, to begin obeying the LORD God’s
holy and righteous commandments.
God’s commandments are the foundation upon which His government resides.
Notice what our Lord Jesus says in Matthew 5th chapter ── “’ Do not think that
I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. …’” – which means the Old Testament.
“ … ‘I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven
and earth pass away [a reference to Revelation 21:1-2], one jot or one tittle will by
no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.’” – verses 17 & 18.
The word “fulfill” means to obey. That’s what it means by obedience. □
1) The Strongest Concordance of the Bible, 21st century ed. 2001. ISBN 978-0-310-23343-5 (hardcover), #3824,
pg. 1633.
What Happens After DEATH? PDF online booklet
'No One Has Ascended ── To Heaven' PDF article
What is the TRUE GOSPEL? PDF article
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