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Why are we Slaves of Righteousness!

2012-01-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

We have been admonished saying; “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness (Romans 6: 16-18).

As clearly shown man is not an independent being; he is either a slave to sin, or a slave to obedience which leads to righteousness. Therefore man has to denounce one master and be loyal to the other, as Jesus clearly says; "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Luke 16:13).

So why have we become slaves of righteousness? The answer is clear, it is to practice or be obedient to what leads to righteousness, for we have been instructed saying; ‘Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” It is further stated; “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother” (1John 3:7, 10).

The children of God who have denounced their former slave master of sin, and have become loyal and obedient to Righteousness their new master, have been admonished saying; “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” (1John 2:28-29).

To understand why we are to become slaves of righteousness, it is imperative that we first understand righteousness in its true perspective. There are three aspects of righteousness just as there are three aspects of sin, which are, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, and similarly to the three that bears witness on earth, which are the Spirit, the water [flesh] and the blood and these three agrees as one.

The three-fold aspects of Righteousness are:-

1. Christ [the Spirit] our Righteousness

Christ has “Became for us wisdom from God --- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption ---that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD" (1Corinthians 1:30-31).

This is a partial fulfillment to a prophecy which states; "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The Lord is our righteousness because he made things right with us with the Father, by paying the price of sin in our stead, and imputed to us the gift of righteousness by begotten us and creating in us a new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

2. The Act of Righteousness [the Blood of Christ]

For it is written; “For if by the one man's [the first Adam] offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's [Christ the last Adam] righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also

It is the righteous acts of the saints that makes their garments white; as it is written; And to her [the church] it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. This righteous act is the application of the blood of the Lamb, which Jesus Christ offers as High Priest when interceding on our behalf (Revelation 19:8).

It is only the blood of the Lamb that can make one’s garment clean, for it is written; “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me; "these are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’

“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 7:13-17).

One becomes enslave to this aspect of righteousness by taking heed to offer to the Lord the food for his offerings at the appointed time. For thus says the Lord; "Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Numbers 28:2).

The church is a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light; and we also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

3. The law of righteousness

This aspect of righteousness is applicable to the flesh: it is to be obedient to the law of God, for it is written; “My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts. I long for Your salvation, O LORD, And Your law is my delight.

One becomes enslave to this aspect of righteousness by:-

a. Loving God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind’

This aspect of righteousness is openly manifested by “Giving to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth” (1Chronicles 16: 28-30).

b. Loving our neighbor as ourselves

This aspect of righteousness is openly manifested by applying the Lord’s principle which states; “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

And by applying the practical example of love which says; “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1John 3:16-18).

So why are we servants of righteousness? We have become slaves of righteousness in order to serve the Lord in his temple day and night, to become righteous just as Christ is righteous, and to serve one another. Therefore we have been admonished saying; “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

The sad thing is, instead of being slaves of righteousness, many choose to remain slaves to sin, and fail to fulfill the purpose for which Christ has been delivered us from sin.

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Can the date of Christ’s Birth be verified?

2011-12-22T10:36:00.000-08:00

It is a general and widely accepted notion that the date of Christ’s birth is unknown. For example it is stated in the World Book encyclopedia that, “No one knows the exact date of Christ’s birth, but most Christians observe Christmas on December 25^th. On this day, many go to church, where they take part in special religious services.”

Assuming that the notion that no one knows the exact date of Christ’s birth is true, the question is, why should professing Christian incorporate and amalgamate the birth of Jesus Christ with that of a pagan festival? When one of the instructions the Lord gave the children of Israel when they left Egypt was; “I am the Lord your God. According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. You shall observe my judgments and keep my ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord” (Leviticus. 18:2-5).

The Lord further instructed them saying; “When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12: 29-32).

To compound and exacerbate the issue of abomination and profanity committed by professing Christians, the World Book encyclopedia further states that, “The first mention of the celebration of Christmas occurred in AD 336 in an early Roman calendar which indicates December 25^th as the day of observance. This celebration was probably influenced by pagan [unchristian] festivals held at that time. The ancient Romans held year end celebrations to honor Saturn, their harvest god, and Mithras, the god of light. Various peoples in northern Europe held festivals in mid December to celebrate the end of the harvest season.”

Christians have been duly instructed saying; “God is Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and truth.” Therefore, if there is no veracity in celebrating December 25^th as the date of Christ’s birth, Christians should not be indulging themselves in such a celebration.

If the date of Christ birth is not known, it is unknown by those who refuse to accept him as the King of kings and Lord of lords. If the saying that, “No one knows the exact date of Christ’s birth holds water and is accepted, it is accepted by those who are holding a conspiracy to conceal his true identity as the King of kings and Lord of lords, and denying him of his honor, glory and reverence.

The time of Christ’s birth can be verified and ascertained by those who truly desirous of knowing the truth by checking three reliable biblical sources.

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Profaning the Lord's Holy Convocations (continued)

2011-11-30T17:15:00.001-08:00

As defined previously, a Holy Convocation is, “A calling together; an assembling by a summons; a number of persons met in answer to a summons.”

So let us now consider the summons to have a holy convocation. The summons has been issued by the Lord himself who says; “These are the feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations.” The summons is to appear before the Eternal God at a time he has appointed, which is his festivals, and the main objective for the convocation is, “ to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day ---besides the Sabbaths of the LORD, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:37-38).

Again the Lord says; “Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.’ And, 'these are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times” (Leviticus 23: 3-4).

Now the rationale for the holy convocation is to ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; as it is written “Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.” Thus fulfilling his command which says; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD. (Psalms 96: 7-9; Leviticus 19:30).

Remember, Jesus Christ is the Lord God of the Old Testament who created the heavens and the earth, for it is written; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made: In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it’, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-5, 14).

It is further stated in scripture that; “He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:15-18).

Now it is a common belief and a biblical statement that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” And when he came into the world he said; "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath" (Hebrews 13:8; Mark 2:27-28).

Since Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath, the summons to attend the holy convocation at their appointed times is a directive from him, and when obeyed we are demonstrating our reverence to him as “LORD.” For thus says the LORD, “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).

Similarly, when one disregards or hold in contempt the days which the Lord has summons them to appear before him, and choose to appear before him at a time he has not summons them to appear before him, is profanity. For thus says the Lord; "When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts?

Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies --- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.

Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:12-15).

With all this trove of evidences concerning the Lord’s Holy convocations, what is our personal verdict on the charges laid on the church for profaning the Lord’s holy convocations, and by extension profaning the Lord himself! Are we guilty! Or not guilty! Let the word of God be our judge. For thus says the Lord; “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him --- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12: 47-48).

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The Church is charged for Profaning the Lord's Holy Convocations

2011-11-28T03:50:00.001-08:00

The body of Christ, the church is charged for profaning the Lord’s Holy Convocations. To understand the magnitude and profoundness of this charge, it is imperative that we examine the true definition of the words “Holy” and “Convocation.”

The word “Holy” according to the “World Book Dictionary” conveys the meaning to be something; “Given or belonging to God; set apart for God’s service; coming from God; sacred; dedicated or devoted to the service of God.” In short, anything holy originates from God, and is dedicated to him. In other words, only God has the prerogative to declare anything holy, and it is consecrated for his use.

Now the definition of the word convocation according to the “World Book Dictionary is, “A calling together; an assembling by a summons; a number of persons met in answer to a summons.”

Therefore since convocation is an assembling by a summons, it is logic to say that no one should be allowed to intrude into a convocation especially one which is holy in nature unless he/she has been duly summoned to attend.

Furthermore, the word summons according to the “World Book Dictionary is; “A formal order or notice to appear before a law court or judge, especially to answer a charge.” It is also, “An urgent call for the presence or attendance of a person;” Or, “An authoritative call to appear at a place named, or to attend to some public duty: Or a call to do something, especially to surrender.”

This again is ample proof that convocation is not an open forum, or public meeting for every Dick, Tom and Harry. It is a meeting by appointment only, and the call or summons to appear comes from a high authority.

Now since the convocation is not any ordinary convocation, but one which is holy, denotes that, those who are summoned to attend are required to be holy, that is, to be blameless and free from sin.

The irony of truth is, in order for anyone to have a holy convocation and have fellowship with one another, they all must be holy, because their fellowship is not only between themselves but also with the Father and His Son.

For it is written; That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life ---the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us ---that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1John 1: 1-3).

And, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1John 1:5-10).

It is therefore necessary that all those who are summoned to attend the holy convocation, are to have their sins confessed, and their unrighteousness cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. The convocation according to King David is the congregation of saints. For thus he wrote; “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints” (Psalms 149: 1).

The sad state of affairs is that people are ignoring, and holding in contempt the only mechanism God has put in place for his people to appear before him holy, and blameless, as ordained before the foundation of the world. They are ignoring the fact that; “It pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell: and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1: 19-22).

God before the foundation of the world initiated his plan by which man could present themselves to him in the state that pleases him. It is for this purpose the Lord instituted the New Covenant in His blood, for; “While they [the disciples] were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26: 26-28).

Bear in mind that this new covenant which entails that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness, became effective only after the death of Jesus Christ, since it is clearly stated in scripture; “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead since it has no power at all while the testator lives” (Hebrews 9:16-17).

To understand the gravity of the charges which the church is charged with, let us once again examine the definition of profane. According to the "World Book Dictionary" to profane is to hold "with contempt or disregard for God or holy things: it is synonymous to being, "irreverent, blasphemous; it is to treat, put to wrong or unworthy use something which is holy.

Therefore, not attending a holy convocation when one is summoned to attend is profanity. Not carrying out the functions as one is duly instructed is profanity. Substituting other days for the days which are designated as holy convocations is also profanity.

To be continued.

Is the Church Guilty of Profaning the Holy things of God

2011-11-24T07:23:00.001-08:00

The Lord has charged the princes and priests of Israel for profaning his Holy Things. These holy things can be attributed to:

a. His holy name

b. His holy convocations

c. His holy offering

d. His holy tithe

e. His holy temple

Let us examine and try to defend each charge individually:

1. Profaning the Holy Name of the Lord

Thus says the word of the Lord to the prophet Ezekiel; "Son of man, say to her: 'You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.' The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things;

The name of the Lord is one of the holy things of God the church - the Israel of God has profaned. For thus says the Lord; “For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations," Says the LORD of hosts. But you profane it, In that you say, ' The table of the LORD is defiled; and its fruit, its food, is contemptible.'

You also say, ' Oh, what weariness!' And you sneer at it," Says the LORD of hosts. "And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?" Says the LORD! But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished --- For I am a great King," Says the LORD of hosts," And My name is to be feared among the nations (Malachi 1: 11-14).

The way we present ourselves before the Lord, and the company of those with whom we present ourselves before the Lord can tantamount to profanity if not done as ordained. For thus says the Lord; “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised your name?'

^“You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, ' In what way have we defiled You?' By saying, ' The table of the LORD is contemptible.' And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts: but now entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, Will He accepts you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts: who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you," Says the LORD of hosts, nor will I accept an offering from your hands (Malachi 1:6-10).

Our offering today is not that of animal sacrifices with food and drinks, but rather our bodies. For we have been admonished saying; “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

And the only way we can present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God is according to the scripture; "And you shall take the ram of the consecration and boil its flesh in the holy place. Then Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. They shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but an outsider shall not eat them, because they are holy” (Exodus 29:31-33).

Therefore, in order for us to offer our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God we have to eat of those things with which the atonement was made, which is the body and blood of Jesus Christ, represented by the unleavened bread and the wine.

An outsider shall not eat of them, because they are holy: the command therefore is; ^“O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God as God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Therefore " Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty"(2Corinthians 6: 11-18)

The name of the Lord is being profaned when it is associated with pagan or unholy festivals, and when one fails to ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name, by failing to depart from iniquity. For it is written; "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (Timothy 2:19).

One fails to give honor and glory to the Lord when they dishonor and disregard his Sabbaths, because every Festival which the LORD has ordained gives glory and honor to his name, for thus he says; “Observe my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).

It is inconceivable to imagine how people who profess to be Christians can exert so much effort, energy, money, planning, and making every effort to perpetuate and keep alive such events as Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, New Year etc. Events which do not have God’s stamp of approval like those which says; “These are the Lord’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times” (Leviticus 23:4).

Why do people who profess to be Christians know very little or absolutely nothing concerning these festivals? And why do others who are knowledgeable of them, demonstrate so much contempt and disregard to them? And at the same time paying so much attention to the festivals established by the customs and traditions of men?

It is no wonder Jesus said; “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites: as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men,” Then Jesus said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions” (Mark 7:6-9)!

So let us be candid with ourselves, is the church guilty of profaning the Holy name of the Lord? What is your verdict? Guilty or not guilty! Let the word of God be the judge, for thus says the Lord; “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him --- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (John 12:47-48).

Is the Church Guilty of Violating God's Law?

2011-11-22T06:18:00.001-08:00

The Lord has charged the princes and priests of Israel (the church) for violating his law. This law which the princes and priests have violated and found guilty of profanity, is the law of the priest in regards to their service in the temple of God.

For thus says the Lord; “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name," Says the LORD of hosts; " I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart.

The first duty of the priest is to give glory to the name of the Lord, and for this reason they have been instructed saying; “Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth” (Psalms 96: 7-9).

Now in order to carry out this function effectively, the priests are required to be holy, for thus says the Lord; “They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy.” And what makes them holy according to the scripture is; “Then Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. They shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but an outsider shall not eat them, because they are holy.

(Leviticus 21:6; Exodus 29:32-33).

The final instructions David gave concerning the duties of the priests in the house of the Lord was that they were “To stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening; and at every presentation of a burnt offering to the LORD on the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and on the set feasts, by number according to the ordinance governing them, regularly before the LORD;and that they should attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holy place, and the needs of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of the LORD” (1Chronicles 23: 30-32).

The church is guilty of the same offense, since it is "A chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own special people, called to proclaim the praises of Him who called it out of darkness into His marvelous light." The church is also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1Peter 2:9, 5).

The admonition given to the church is; "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a livingsacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God' (Romans 12:1-2).

The reason for having been delivered from the hand of our enemies is that the church might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. And there is only one way by which this can be accomplished in a manner that is acceptable to God, is by being holy, in order to offer to the Lord the food for his offerings at its appointed time.

To this end the church has been cautioned saying: " Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time' (Numbers 28:2).

This sweet aroma is Jesus Christ whom we have been admonished to be, "Imitators of God as dear children and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" (Ephesians 5:2).

The question is, how long will the church continue to profane God?

Is the Church Guilty of Profanity

2011-11-19T15:19:00.001-08:00

Is the church, the body of Christ, the sacred house of God, the pillar of the truth, despite the zeal, enthusiasm, the passion, and the love they think that they have for God be guilty of profanity?

Profanity is a term which denotes an act of irreverence, blasphemous, showing contempt or disregard toward something holy; it is synonymous to treating something sacred as it should not be treated. Therefore, is the church guilty of irreverence and blasphemy, for showing contempt or disregard to God, treating him and his holy things in a way that they should not be treated, and even substituting God's holy things for secular and worldly things?

This is a serious indictment, and everyone should seriously consider those charges to ascertain that they are not found guilty as charged.

There are Five counts of profanity that have been filled against the church, the Israel of God by the Lord himself. Now in the event that one would like to exclude him/herself from these charges, he/she should first be reminded of who is the true Israel of God. And so we find written in the scripture; “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called." That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed” (Romans 9:1-8).

The scripture further states that; “Just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (Galatians 3:6-9).

Therefore the charges which the Lord have filled against the princes and priests of Israel are applicable to the church the Israel of God, and thus says the Lord to the prophet Ezekiel; “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguish between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.” (Ezekiel 22:26)

The Lord has filed a complaint against his people; He has charged them with five (5) counts of profanity, what is your personal verdict on those charges, guilty or not guilty?

We will in the coming articles examine closely these charges to see whether we are exonerated and free from all guilt, or guilty in some, and not guilty in others.

Is God's Unconditional Love non-Reciprocal

2011-11-13T08:41:00.001-08:00

Many people are of the assumption that because the love of God is unconditional, and there is absolutely nothing one can do to compensate him for what he has done, and neither does he needs anything from anyone, that his love is not reciprocal. But let us think objectively is the love of God non-reciprocal?

It is a fact that God does not demand anything in return for what he has done for us, neither is he depending on us for anything. For thus says the Lord; "Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God! I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine."If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness” (Psalms 50: 7-12).

The apostle Paul in addressing the Areopagus said; "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:22-25).

Therefore, God does not do, or give anything to man in return for man’s favors: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).

It is when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).

What one needs to understand however is that, there is a difference between the application of love which is unconditional and the objective or nature of dispensing love which is conditional. Love regardless of what form is dispensed with a level of high expectations, hoping that the receiver will appreciate its value and make maximum use of it.

Jesus said; “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Indicating that love is systematically and automatically reciprocates if the objective of the giver is to be fulfilled. Love is bestowed unconditionally, but the objective of dispensing love is to benefit the receiver, and the receiver only receives these benefits when love is reciprocated by fulfilling its objective.

A good illustration of this is found in the parable of the minas where it is stated that; "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come” (Luke 19:12-13).

This noble man is figurative to Jesus Christ who ascended to heaven to receive for himself his kingdom and to return. But before leaving “He gave to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring” (Acts 17:25-28).

Now according to the parable; "And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading” (Luke 19:15).

Signifying that when Jesus returns, everyone will have to give an account of him/herself to Christ on how the unconditional love which he has bestowed upon us were utilized: And the results are expected to be the same as in the parable.

The results according to the parable is this; “Then came the first, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned ten minas.' And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.' Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities. Then another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief for I feared you, because you are an austere man, you collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.'

And he said to him, 'Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' "And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.' (But they said to him, 'Master, he has ten minas.') 'For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me" (Luke 19:16-27).

God did not lavish his love upon us unconditionally without any hope and expectations, caring less what one does with it. Yes, it is, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” But we must also consider that, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” And one of the things God requires from everyone is, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! (Ephesians 2:8-10; Psalms 150:6).

Yes love although it is unconditional, it is nevertheless reciprocal. It descends from heaven, and reciprocates back to God through praises and thanksgiving expressing appreciation for what has been freely given. Our free moral agency allows us the prerogative to either reciprocate and express our grateful thanks, or do not reciprocate and demonstrate our ingratitude and irreverence.

The Church is obligated to serve the Lord in Righteousness

2011-11-09T12:02:00.000-08:00

The church must serve God in righteousness and true Holiness because it is a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people in order to proclaim the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light. They are as living stones that are being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

As a nation of Priest the church is required to serve the Lord day and night. In fact according to the terms of the Covenant which God swore to our father Abraham; “We have been rescued from the hand of our enemies, to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life” (Luke 1:73-75).

We are told that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.” When Moses was about to make the tabernacle he was divinely instructed saying; “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Hebrews 8:5).

The pattern shown to Moses with regards to serving God was, “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, “My offering, my food for my offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to me, you shall be careful to offer to me at their appointed time.” One of the appointed times is the regular offering which is offered day by day, morning and evening (Numbers 28:22-3; Exodus 29:38).

The insight one has with regards to the heavenly tabernacle is that, “All the angels standing around the throne, and around the elders [representing the church], and the four living creatures, fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God saying; Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Now those with white robes and palm branches in their hands, crying out in a loud voice saying; “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, are those who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’

“Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them or any scorching heat. For the lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:9-17).

Jesus said the exact thing to those who eat of his flesh and drink his blood. He said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” He then admonished his disciples saying; “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For, my flesh is food in deed and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:35, 53-56).

The whole objective for being washed in the blood of the Lamb is to serve him day and night in his temple.

The church has the prerogative to come boldly to the throne of grace so as to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need through the combination of three things.

a. The blood of Christ which gives us boldness to enter the holiest of all, and figurative to wine, the cup of the New Covenant which Christ consecrated for us for the remission of sins.

b. By the new and living way which Christ consecrated for us through his flesh, figurative to the bread which represents the broken body of Jesus Christ.

c. Having a High Priest over the house of God who can sympathize with our weaknesses, because he was in all points tempted as we are being tempted, but did not sin.

This is the embodiment or epitome of the Lord’s Supper, The Lord’s offering, the food for his offering, his sweet aroma, which we are required to offer to him at the appointed times.

Listen to what the apostle says; “My dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for your-selves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation of the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf” (1Corinthians 1:14-17).

Are you able to judge for your self what this means? The choice is yours.

The Church is obligated to Walk in the Light

2011-11-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

Light is synonymous to truth, and it is manifested in the life of Jesus Christ and the words he spoke. According to the apostle John, “In him (Christ) was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus himself said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” I have come as a light into the world that whoever believes in me should not abide in darkness” (John 1:4; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46).

The world’s condemnation is that, “The light has come into the world, and men love darkness rather that light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:19-21).

Walking in the light or walking in truth is so vitally important that unless the church is walking in the light as Christ himself is in the light there is no fellowship between believers and with God.

The apostle John wrote: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you; God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1John 1:5-7).

2. To have fellowship with the Father the church must be holy, blameless, having a clear conscience, and irreproachable in his sight.

How is this feasible! Since, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us,” and if we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives?”

The answer to this puzzle or seeming paradox is that, God has his mechanism in place to purify his church before they can be presented to him.

The mechanism which God has in place to sanctify and purify his church is his Blood. The Lord said, “The life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. As a well known song goes; “ For my pardon this I see, for my cleansing this my plea, nothing can for sin atone, this is all my life and peace, this is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus.” It is in Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Leviticus 17:11, Heb. 9:22; Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, 20; 1John1:7).

The old system of sanctification was set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. The first system could not clear the conscience of the worshiper neither could it make those who draw near to worship perfect.

The one who sanctifies the church and present it holy, blameless, and irreproachable in the sight of God is Jesus Christ. As it is written: “For both he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: ‘I will declare your name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to you.’

And again: I will put my trust in him.” And again: ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me” (Hebrews 2:11-13).

It is Jesus Christ who officiates at our fellowship service. In our fellowship service we come to mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven. We come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of a New Covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24).

Such a fellowship should not be tarnished or corrupted with sin, hence the reason we have been admonished saying; “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of the God and idols?

For we are the temple of the living God, as God has said: I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty:” (2Corinthians 6:14-18).

The reason why we now have a better hope of drawing near to God is because we have an everlasting sinless High Priest with a perfect sacrifice that can be offered on behalf of our sins. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God’ (Hebrews 9:13-14).

When was the Word made Flesh

2011-10-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

It is a proven fact that no shepherd/s could have been in the fields in the middle of winter keeping watch over their flock by night. Yet professing Christians who claims to know and love the Lord, rather hold on tenaciously to a lie and deception, purporting that no one knows the date of Christ’s birth, and substituting a pagan festival called Christmas to commemorate the Lord’s birth day, rather than being obedient to the word of God, despite the fact that we are required to worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship him.

Even though the bible does not state categorically that, the feast of Tabernacles is the birth date of Jesus Christ, but consider this for a moment, what is a feast?

A Feast according to the “World Book Dictionary” is, “A day or special time of rejoicing or feasting, often in memory of some great happening.” The objective of the feast of Tabernacles is absolutely clear in the scriptures, it is to “Worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16).

Now who is the King, the Lord of hosts? And when was this title assigned to him? This title was assigned to Jesus Christ at his birth, for it is written; “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he 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. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).
Another proof to prove that the Feast of Tabernacles is indeed the commemoration of Christ’s birth is the conception of John the Baptist. Scriptures confirmed that Zacharias the father of John the Baptist was a priest in the division of Abijah, and his tour of duty to minister in the sanctuary was number eight out of twenty-four (24) divisions.
Since there were twenty-four (24) divisions or courses of the priests, each division officiated for two weeks in the year, and therefore, the eighth division which was assigned to Zacharias in the division of Abijah, officiated during the last two weeks in the fourth month of the year. "And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months saying; "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men" (Luke 1:23-25).

Now if Zacharias' official duty in the sanctuary ended at the end of the fourth month, and his wife Elizabeth became conceived after those days, it means that Elizabeth was conceived during the fifth month of the year, which will culminate in the birth of John the Baptist during the first month of the following year.
Now during the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel visited Mary and said to her "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God, and behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call his name Jesus. 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" (John 1:30-32).

Mary then said to the angel Gabriel; " How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." Them Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her" (John 1:34-38).

The word has also conceived signifies that Mary was conceived six months after her cousin Elizabeth was conceived, and if Elizabeth was conceived during the fifth month of the year, and gave birth to John the Baptist during the first month of the year. Naturally and logically, Mary became conceived during the eleventh month of the year, and would naturally give birth to Jesus Christ during the seventh month of the year.
And if John the Baptist was born during the first month of the year, and he was six months older that Jesus Christ, obviously, Jesus Christ was born during the seventh month of the year; And on the 15th day of the seventh month is the Feast of Tabernacles. What further proof does one needs? Furthermore, is this not much more credible, and biblically supported than the Christmas theory? So if one has the audacity to celebrate the Christmas story, why can’t they celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles?

By the way, the first month of the year according to the Lord our God, is the month on which the Passover falls, which is late March or early April. For thus says the Lord to Moses and Aaron; "This month shall be your beginning of months, it shall be the first month of the year to you." Therefore, the seventh month on which the birth of Christ, and the feast of Tabernacles falls, is during late September or early October (Exodus 12:2).

So why have so many sincere well intentioned Christians lost track, or have totally rejected and ignored an event which is of such intrinsic value to them and humanity on the whole? And why has a Festival which is of such high honor and esteem to the Lord our God, be held in contempt and rejection, and professing Christians rather embrace a counterfeit which is no where found in scriptures, and which is an abomination to the Lord?

The answer is quite simple, disobedience produces blindness for thus says the prophet Isaiah; "Pause and wonder! Blind ourselves and be blind! They are drunk, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with intoxicating drink. For the Lord has poured on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; And he has covered your heads, namely, the seers. The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, "Read this, please"; and he says, "I cannot, for it is sealed." Then the book is delivered to one who is illiterate, saying, "Read this please"; and he says, "I am not literate."
Therefore says the Lord: "Inasmuch as these people draw near to me with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the commandment of men, therefore, behold I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden" (Isaiah 29:9-14).

And according to the book of Lamentations, the Lord "Has done violence to his tabernacle, as if it were a garden; He has destroyed his place of assembly; The Lord has caused the appointed feasts and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion. In his burning indignation he has spurned [refused with scorn; reject contemptuously] the king and the priest. The Lord has spurned his altar, he has abandoned his sanctuary; he has given up the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy, they have made a noise in the house of the Lord as on a day of set feast" (Lamentations 2: 6-7).

The cause of all this is because, “Her [Zion, the church] leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the Lord and say, “Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.” Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets” (Micah 3:11-12).
What a travesty! What an indictment and awful situation that hovers over the church of God. My prayer is that of the apostle Paul who asked that, “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know him better.” He also prayed asking that; “The eyes of our heart may be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which he has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

This power he said is, “Like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be the head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:17-23).

Jesus Christ the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Lord of hosts, deserves our praise and worship, let us ascribe to him the glory due to his name, by bringing him his offering and come before him, and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
Happy feast of Tabernacles.

The Believer and the Feast of Tabernacles

2011-10-16T16:50:00.000-07:00

It is rather amazing and also perplexing to see a biblical festival which is so well documented in scriptures, and ordained to be observed for ever has been completely ignored by some, rejected by others, completely oblivious by others, and totally unknown by many who profess to be believers in Jesus Christ.

The feast of Tabernacles as recorded in scriptures is the Feast of the Lord, denoting that it is a feast that pertains to the Lord, A feast which honors the Lord as the King of kings and Lord of lords. In the past it was a requirement for the children of God to appear before him on this festival, as stated in scriptures; "Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God at the place which he will choose: at the feast of unleavened bread, at the feast of weeks, and at the feast of Tabernacles. They shall not appear before the Lord empty handed; every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which he has given you" (Deuteronomy 16:16-17).

This festival is so important to the Lord, that in the future, when the kingdom of God is established on the earth, punishment will be imposed on those who will refuse to participate in this annual festival, for it is written; "“Every one that survives of all nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of Tabernacles. And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain upon them. And if the family of Egypt do not go up and present themselves, then upon them shall come the plague with which the Lord afflicts the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This shall be the punishment to Egypt and the punishment to all the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah.14:16-19).

The logical question is, why a festival which was of such intrinsic importance to the Lord in the past, and will be of such great important to him in the future, be almost unheard of, ignored, and disdained by those who profess to know the Lord, when he does not change, and remains the same yesterday, today and forever?
The bible states categorically that, "Although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth - as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords" - yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist" (1Corinthians 8:5-6).

Therefore we must conclude that the feast of Tabernacles is a feast which pertains to Jesus Christ. In the past the children of Israel kept the feast of Tabernacles to remind them that the Lord their God made them to dwell in booths [temporary dwellings] when he brought them out of the land of Egypt, but perceiving the rationale why it will be celebrated in the future, gives a totally different meaning of this festival. It is festival which honors the Lord Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

This festival is to be celebrated in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, the word of God who was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory of the One and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
This festival celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he 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. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).

From that time on and for ever began at the birth of Jesus Christ. For on the day on which Christ was born, there were shepherds keeping watch over their sheep by night, and an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." There were also with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased" (Luke 2:8-11, 13-14).

The shepherds having received the good news, and given the sign, left in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger as foretold by the angel. The shepherds did not keep this a secret, but instead made widely known what they saw and told to them. On the eighth day when it was time for Jesus to be circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. The birth of Jesus Christ therefore has never been a secret.

Then came the wise men from the East who saw his star and came to worship him, when they arrived in Jerusalem they asked, "Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship." And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to him: gold, in honor of a King, frankincense, in honor as God, and myrrh, in honor as a mortal man.

Therefore Jesus Christ was born a King. During his earthly trial, Pilate asked him; "Are you a king then?" Jesus replied, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice" (John 18:37

It is mind-boggling to conceptualize how such trove of evidence pointing the birth of Christ to the feast of Tabernacles, can be tossed aside, maligned, ridiculed, and out-rightly rejected, by substituting a counterfeit called Christmas, which is in no way or form found written in the Holy scriptures.

What is even more staggering is the fact that no shepherd/s could have been in the fields in the middle of winter keeping watch over their flock by night. Yet professing Christians rather hold on tenaciously to a lie and deception, rather than being obedient to the word of God, despite the fact that we are required to worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship him.

Tithing in our New Dispensation

2011-10-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

The word tithe is first mentioned in the book of Genesis chapter fourteen verses 18-20 where it is stated that; “…Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High, and he blessed him (Abram) and said; Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he (Abram) gave him a tithe of all.”

The next encounter we have with the word tithe, is when the Lord instituted the law of tithing as a means of support for the Levites, and this is what The Lord said to Moses an Aaron.
To Aaron the Lord said; “Here, I myself have also given you charge of my heave offerings, all the holy gifts of the children of Israel; I have given them as a portion to you and your sons, as an ordinance for ever.” Also; “For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the Lord, I have given to the priests (Levites) as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, 'Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.”
And to Moses the Lord said; “Speak thus to the priests, and say to them; “When you take from the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them as your inheritance, then you shall offer up a heave offering of it to the Lord, a tenth of the tithe” (Numbers 18:26).

A Heave Offering

What is a heave offering? One hardly hears anything today about heave offerings. This terminology is seemingly lost and unheard of by many: what is mostly taught about is giving a tithe (ten percent to an organization.
A heave offering is ten percent of the tithe which the Lord assigned to Aaron and his sons. In the book of Numbers chapter 18 the Lord explained to Aaron and Moses respectively, the use of the heave offering.
A heave offering is ten percent of the tithe (10%) which the Israelites gave to the priests as their inheritance, and they in turn also gave a heave offering 10% of what they received to the Lord.
In our new dispensation, this principle no longer applies, for the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. We now serve in a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. We now have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.
The instruction given to us by the Lord himself is; “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, sack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road, but whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you, and remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.”

Jesus Also said; “And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons, freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money-belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for the worker is worthy of his food“ (Luke 10:2-7; Matthew 10: 7-10).
The apostle Paul’s input on this subject matter is this; “…He who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?’
“Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than anyone should make my boasting void. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:10-18).
Paul’s advice with regards to the support of the work is; “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” This is in agreement with the Lord’s concept of, “ freely you receive, freely you give.” Those who receives from the Lord his word receives it freely from the Lord’s anointing who teaches them all things, They in turn are to give freely as they have freely received.

Unfortunately, the majority of churches today are requesting and even subtly demanding from their congregations, not even the heave offering ( 10% of the tithe) which the Lord assigned to the Levites as their inheritance, but subtly demanding and coercing their congregation to pay the full tithe which is only supposed to be paid every three years.
For thus says the Lord, “At the end of every three years you shall bring forth all the tithe of your produce in the same year, and lay it up within your towns; and the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled; that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do” (Deuteronomy 14:28--29).
I recall when I was required for twenty five (25) years to pay tithe (10% of my salary) to an organization, had to save another 10% to observe the festivals, and from this amount had to give a heave offering (10% of the tithe) to the same organization, and every three years pay another 10% of my salary to the organization again.
But what is the truth about tithing? Do not be naïve, it is written quite explicitly in scriptures that that; “All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:30).

It is also found in scriptures where the Lord is saying; “Return to me, and I will return to you,“ But you ask, ‘How are we to return?‘Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you? In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the store room that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,‘ says the Lord Almighty, “and see is I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pest from devouring your crops, and the vines in your field will not cast their fruit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Malachi 3: 7-12).

Unfortunately, this is the favorite scripture which is wrongfully applied, and widely used to coerce and manipulate others to tithe, and most people ignorantly give in to their appeal as it is prophesied saying; “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Sovereign Lord who bought them - bringing swift destruction on themselves.’

“Many (not the few) will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping” (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Remember, we are to; “Honor the Lord with our substance and with the first fruits of all our produce; then our barns will be filled with plenty, and out vats will be bursting with wine;’ but how? Stay tuned.

Lucius Joseph
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The Lord's heart-felt prayer, how can it be fulfilled

2011-10-04T05:54:00.000-07:00

The church, the body of Christ - true believers, can be perfectly united in mind and thought if they all believe and practice the system which Jesus Christ has ordained for them to follow.

The system which Jesus Christ has ordained for the unification of his church is simply this; “…Christ loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 4:25-27).

The plan which the Lord has for his church was foreordained before the foundation of the world. "For He chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.'
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.’
“And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment - to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ” (Ephesians 1:4-10).

This plan of God for our unification through sanctification and cleansing is being effected in three ways:-

1. The water (flesh) has to be washed by the word. [Christ our Righteousness]

This denotes that, the word of God which is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, must convict the individual to bring about a change and transformation, so that the body may be presented as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our spiritual act of worship.

Necessitating that we; "Live a life worthy of the calling which we have received, and be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, and make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. For Christ himself bore our sins in his body [flesh] on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. And remember also that Christ our righteousness set us an example that we should follow his steps.

2. The sanctification of the body of Christ [Christ our Sanctification]

The sanctification, the holiness, or setting apart of the body of Christ is made possible by being obedient to the word of God which says; “You must observe my Sabbaths, this will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the Lord who (sanctifies) makes you holy. Observe the Sabbath because it is holy to you…” (Exodus 31:12-14).

It is through partaking of the body of Christ that one becomes holy, for it is written; “Then Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. They shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but a stranger shall not eat them, because they are holy” (Exodus 29:33).

We also, in order to be holy must eat of those things with which the atonement was made; which is, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, to consecrate and sanctify us. Once we were alienated from God and were enemies in our minds because of our evil behavior; but now he has reconciled us by Christ’s physical body through death to present us holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Colossians 1:21-22).

3. The Cleansing of the Soul [Christ our Redemption]

There is no shadow of doubt that the blood is the one and only source of cleansing. For the life of every creature is in the blood, and God has given it to us to make atonement for ourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22).

The Sabbaths therefore, which honors Jesus Christ as “The Lord” states; “Observe my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary I am the Lord.” It states again; “Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, Then you will know that I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2; Ezekiel 20:20).

The Sabbaths were ordained to fulfill God’s eternal purpose for the unification of his church through four (4) specific ways (viz):.

1. To rest physically and spiritually in order to be refreshed.

For there remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s [spiritual] rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their examples of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:9-12).

Now the way God rested is stated quite categorically; “…By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made in holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” (Genesis 2:2).

2. To have a Holy Convocation, and rejoice together before him

For thus says the Lord; “These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.” Again; “These are the Lords appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times” (Leviticus 23:2,4).

3. To Offer the Lord the Food for His offerings

For thus says the Lord, “These are the feasts of the Lord which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day - besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your free will offerings which you give to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:37-38).

The burnt offering represents Jesus Christ presently officiating as our High Priest; the grain offering is the unleavened bread representing the body of Christ; and the drink offering is the wine representing the blood of Christ; the means for our sanctification and cleansing.

4. Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness

Righteousness has nothing in common with wickedness; light has no fellowship with darkness; There is no harmony between Christ and Belial; a believer has nothing in common with an unbeliever; the temple of God has no agreement with idols [those who idolized themselves].

Therefore; the admonition is; “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples; for great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.’
“Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns” (1 Chronicles 16: 23-31).

What is so wrong with this system that every believer in Christ cannot implement, so that they can all be perfectly joined together in one mind and thought? The answer is clear, “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one; and the great harlot who sits on many waters [nations], with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk (deceived) with the wine of her fornication.

More on this important subject can be found in the pages of my books:-
Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness from https://www.createspace.com/3450099
The purpose of Human Life at https:// www.createspace.com/3501245

Lucius Joseph
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essentialsoflifeministry@gmail.com

[email* essentialsoflifeministry@gmail.com]

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Denying Jesus Christ His heart-felt Desire

2011-10-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

How long will the body of Christ, his church continue to deny him of his heart-felt desire? Christ’s heart-felt desire is expressed in his heart-felt prayer to the Father when he said; “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:20-23).

What therefore is hindering the body of Christ from achieving the Lord’s heart-felt desire! Is the Lord expecting his church to do something which he has not equipped them to accomplish? Or has he put in place the mechanism, the system by which his desire can be fulfilled!

Since we are in the Lord’s festival season a time for self-examination before the big celebration depicting the kingdom of God, let us review what the Lord said to the prophet Isaiah. The Lord said to Isaiah the prophet; “Shout it loud, do not hold back, raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and the house of Jacob their sins: for day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God.’
“They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. ‘Why have they fasted,’ they say, and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?” (Isaiah 58: 1-3).

The body of Christ continues to defy the Lord of his heart-felt desire, husbands and wives, parents and children, relatives, friends and co-workers , professing to be believers, all arguing and disputing among themselves, one goes to this denomination, and the other to the next, one is holding on to this belief, the other to the next, what on earth is going on? The question therefore is why? Why the confusion, when God is not the author of confusion, but a God of peace whose heart-felt desire is that, the church may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that the Father sent Jesus Christ, and have loved them as he loved Christ.

To add insult to injury it is said unequivocally that, divisions in the church [the body of Christ] is sin. For where there is jealousy and quarrelling it is a sign of being carnal and not spiritual, especially when one says I am of this denomination, I am of the this faith, and I am of this organization.

To this end, the apostle Paul appealed to the church by saying; “Brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought”
(1Corinthians 1:10).
Stay tuned to find out the solution on how the body of Christ [the church] can be perfectly united in mind and thought.

More on this important subject can be found in the pages of my books:-
Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness from https://www.createspace.com/3450099
http://www.amazon.com/9781452835563
Why is the World in such Turmoil from https:// www.createspace.com/3688405
http://www.amazon.com/9871466328563

Lucius Joseph
[text* Lucius Joseph

essentialsoflifeministry@gmail.com

[email* essentialsoflifeministry@gmail.com]

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The Church's Limited Space

2011-09-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

The church as the legislative body of the kingdom of God, has like every ruling Government a limited space. It is depicted as the great city, the holy Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. The church is limited due to the fact that, it is laid out as a square with its length, breath, and height equal, and measuring twelve thousand furlongs, meaning that everyone will not be able to fit into it, plus its wall which represents the members also has a definite measurement, which is one hundred and forty-four cubits.

The limitation of the church is portrayed also by the woman [church] who was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time [3 1/2 years], from the presence of the serpent. Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

Then the dragon (Satan) was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring - those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12: 14-17).

The rest of her (church) offspring are the great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language. They will be standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb, wearing white robes, holding palm branches in their hands, and crying out in a loud voice saying; “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.

Meanwhile, all the angels would be standing around the throne and around the elders (church) and the four living creatures, falling down on their faces before the throne and worshiping God saying; “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

One of the elders identified those in white robes as those who have come out of the great tribulation; and have washed their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will their thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7: 9-17).

There is also a limited time to become a part of that great city, and so we have been duly admonished saying; “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen up and shut the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and he will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where are you from, then you will begin to say, ‘we ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets. But he will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where are you from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity” (Luke 13:24-27).

There is the example of the ten virgins, five of which were wise, and five were foolish. Although they all became drowsy and fell asleep due to the long delay of the bridegroom, when the bridegroom eventually came, the five foolish virgins had no oil in their lamps, so while they went to buy oil for their lamps, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, Lord, open for us! But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you” (Matthew 25: 10-12).

Let us all strive to become a part of the city where it‘s street is said to be of pure gold, like transparent glass, where there will be no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. A city where there will be not need for the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21: 22-27).

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. People will come from east and west, and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.

More information is available in this book "Worship The Lord in the Beauty of Holiness.

https://www.createspace.com/3450099 http://www.amazon.com/9781452835563
Lucius Joseph

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The Composition of God's Church

2011-09-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

The church of God as clearly defined in scriptures refers to a special group of people whom God has specifically called, and they are referred to as, The Bride of Christ, The Body of Christ, The Temple of God, City of God, Mount Zion etc. They are a “A chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people,” called specifically to:-

Be obedient to their Head, and to declare the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light; which is their high and upward calling;
For the sprinkling of blood which is for their sanctification and purification, which is their inward calling;
Reaching out to others with the gospel, and as they have opportunity to do good to all men, especially those of the household of faith, which is their outward calling.

In the past only the children of Israel made up the congregation of God. Any alien living among them, were to abide by the same principles. For it is written; “The community is to have the same rules for you and for the alien living among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the alien shall be the same before the Lord: The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the alien living among you” (Numbers 15:15-16).

But today, in our new dispensation, who comprise the church of God? Jesus Christ said, “I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and am known by my own - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep fold - I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd” (John10:14-16).

The two sheepfolds became one fold, under one shepherd when Jesus Christ himself became our peace, by making both one, and broke down the middle wall of hostility between them, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that he might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross thereby putting to death the enmity. And he came and preached peace to you who were afar off [Gentiles], and to those who were near [Jews]. For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:14-18).

Remember that formally we who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men) - remember that all that time we were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus we who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13).

The church of God therefore, is a combination of God’s chosen people the children of Israel, and Gentiles who are building their spiritual house on the spiritual foundation. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Therefore it is written; “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’ household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief corner stone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

The church of God is depicted as the twenty four elders who along with the four living creatures fell down before the Lamb; each one having a harp and holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; and they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:8-10).

Like the earthly tabernacle whose priesthood was divided into twenty four (24) divisions, so it is in the heavenly tabernacle, because the sanctuary was a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle saying: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Hebrews 8:5).

Twelve of the twenty four elders represents the nation of Israel, and the other twelve represents the twelve apostles on whom the new testament church is built. Jesus told his disciples; “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 18:280).

The church as the bride, the wife of the Lamb is depicted as; “ …The holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the name of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.” “The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

The foundation of the city walls which represents the twelve apostles were decorated with every kind of precious stones . “The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelve amethyst”(Revelations 21:9- 20).. Members of the church, like living stones are being built into a spiritual house on the twelve foundations of the apostles to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The composition of the church therefore is, Twelve gates with each gate made of a single pearl, representing the twelve tribes of the children of Israel, [twelve thousand from each tribe]; Twelve foundations with twelve types of precious stones representing the twelve apostles of the Lamb: and the walls which are built on the foundation to reach the height of the city wall and decorated with every kind of precious stones representing the members of the church.

More details can be found in my book "Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness" at https://www.createspace.com/3450099 and http://www.amazon.com/9781452835563
Lucius Joseph

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What Defines the Church

2011-09-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }

The Church as the Body of Christ

2011-08-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Most people are familiar with the ideology that the church is the body of Christ, but how does it function as the body of Christ?

The church in a literal sense is the body of Christ, and Jesus Christ is literally its head. They both function together as a living organism to carry on the process of governance.

The church in reality is the legislative body, the cabinet of Ministers in the Government of God, of which Jesus Christ is the head, and the chief corner stone. They do not make laws, because the laws have eternally existed, but they are advisers on all matters of the law.

They are called, chosen and sanctified by the Spirit for three important functions;

1. To be obedient to Christ their head (1Peter 1:2).

They are elected according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit for obedience. “Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. In him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authority; all things were created by him and for him .He is before all things, and in him all things exist. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the first born from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:15-18).

“God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion and every title that can be given, not only in this present age, but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be the head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:20-23).

Since “Jesus Christ is declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead; through him, the apostles have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name, among whom we also are the called of Jesus Christ’ (Romans 1:4-5).

2. For the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ

The church is an integral part of the kingdom of God: it is the fullness of Christ, his complete governing body: Jesus Christ is depicted as the stone which struck the great image and became a great mountain (kingdom) and filled the whole earth. He is the stone which the builders rejected and has become the chief corner stone. He is the noble man who went to a far country to receive a kingdom and to return, but his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ He is the son of the owner of the vineyard whom when the vine-dresser saw him said, “He is the heir let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.”

The church is part of that kingdom and, “As living stones are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. They are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, in order that they may declare the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1Peter 2: 5, 9).

As a kingdom of priests they must be holy to their God, and must not profane the name of their God, because they present the offerings made to the Lord by fire (zeal), the food of their God, therefore, they are to be holy” (Leviticus 21:6).

Offering to the Lord his food for his offerings is something the body of Christ must be careful to observe. The Lord said to Moses; “Give this command to the children of Israel and say to them: ‘See that you present to me at the appointed time the food for my offerings made by fire, as an aroma pleasing to me” (Numbers 28:2).

This sweet smelling aroma in our New Testament dispensation is the sacrificial body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which the church is appointed to offer to God through the hands of Jesus Christ our High Priest.

Our admonition is to, “Be imitators of God as dearly loved children, and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

The offering of the body and blood of Jesus Christ is the spiritual sacrifice that is acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. It is the offering which did away with the first, as it is written: “First he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them’ (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second, and by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10: 8-10).

3. The lips of the priest ought to preserve knowledge, and people should seek the law from their mouths (Malachi 2:7).

They are the messengers of the Lord Almighty. Not that they are competent in themselves to claim anything for themselves, but their competence comes from God, who has made them competent as ministers of the New Covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Their confidence before God is through Jesus Christ.

The church, the legislative body of Christ, have been specifically called and chosen to make plain to everyone, especially the rulers and authorities of the heavenly realms the administration of the mystery of the manifold wisdom of God, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, and was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

God destined this mystery for our glory before time began, and none of the rulers of this age understood it, for had they understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. This mystery was kept hidden in God with the intent that through the church his manifold wisdom should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. This mystery is the new and living way by which we draw near to God with confidence (Ephesians.3: 9-12)

Therefore they are commissioned to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything which Christ has commanded them."

The church, the legislative body of Christ has been specifically called and chosen to have fellowship with Jesus Christ and to share in his glory, therefore the members are to be encouraged, comforted, and urged to live lives worthy of God, who calls them into his kingdom and glory. Therefore,members of the body of Christ do not go to church as the popular saying goes, but rather the church meets at a particular location, and at a specific time.
More on this subject can be obtained from the various publications:
Worship The Lord in the Beauty of Holiness at https://www.createspace.com/3450099 and http://www.amazon.con/9781452835563
Man's Duality at https://www.createspace.com/3488570 and
http://www.amazon.com/9781453857779
The Purpose of Human Life at https://www.createspace.com/3501245 and
http://www.amazon.com/9781456347048
Why is the World in such Turmoil at https://www.createspace.com/3688405 and
http://www.amazon.com/9781466328563

The Sustentation of Reconciliation

2011-08-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

The third inseparable link that makes reconciliation and fellowship with the Father and the Son and with one another continuous is:-

a. God’s unconditional love

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. The irony of truth is, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We love him because he first loved us. We did not choose Christ but he chose us and appointed us that we should go and bear fruit, and that our fruit should remain, that whatever we ask the Father in his name he may give us. It is God’s will that no one should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

We have been reconciled to God and to one another, at the time when we were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passion and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness of and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy, he saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.

b. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

It is by grace we have been saved through faith, and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. It is because God saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom God poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by his grace we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

We are told that, “This is a trustworthy saying.” And are admonished to, “Stress on (these) things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good: These things are excellent and profitable for everyone” (Titus 3:8).

The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, it teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. To each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of Christ’s gift, and we are to use this grace for the profit of all because of his fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

When we consider that, while we were still powerless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly, and very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though perhaps for a good man someone might possible dare to die. But God demonstrated his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. It is the understanding, acknowledgement, and appreciation of the love of Christ that compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. But the agreement is that, “He died for all, that those who live should no longer love for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

c. The fellowship of the Spirit

The basis on which we can maintain our fellowship (reconciliation) with one another and with the Father and Son, is by sharing the same Spirit, for he who is joined to the Lord is one with him in spirit, and two can’t walk together unless they are in agreement. Therefore the basis of having fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, and with one another is to believe the message which was heard from Jesus Christ, and declared to us which is as follows; “God is light; in him there is no darkness. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light: we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1John 1:5-7).

The fellowship of the Spirit is in effect when everyone shares and has everything in common. For the cup of blessing which we bless is it not the fellowship of the blood of Christ? And the bread which we break, is it not the fellowship of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread: for we all partake of the one bread.
The apostle Paul’s final Greetings and Benediction to the church at Corinth was, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen” (2Corinthians 13:14).

Without these inseparable links, man has no peace with God, he has no access to him in the Holy of Hollies, where no one can approach without blood, he has no fellowship with one another, and with the Father and his Son, since Christian fellowship is with the Father and the Son. It is therefore only the blood of Christ which he consecrated for us on the night before his crucifixion, when he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples saying; “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured for many for the forgiveness of sins,” that will through the eternal Spirit cleanses our conscience from acts that leads to death, so that we may serve the living God.

As Ambassadors for Christ, God is making his appeal through us: we therefore implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God, for God made Jesus Christ who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. We urge you therefore as God’s fellow workers, not to receive the grace of God in vain, for he says; “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you now is the time of God’s favor; now is the day of salvation. Therefore as the Holy Spirit says; “Today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,” and do not neglect so great a salvation.

The Process of Reconciliation

2011-07-29T06:13:00.000-07:00

The second step towards man’s reconciliation is Christ drawing man to the Father. For he said quite explicitly: “I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” There is only one God; and one Mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all men” (John 14:6; 1Timothy 2:5-6).
This aspect of Christ drawing men to the Father is made possible also by three inseparable links.

a. Jesus Christ officiating as our High Priest

Seeing that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

It is the qualification and appointment of every high priest taken from among men, in things pertaining to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; and therefore, it is necessary that Christ himself also has something to offer. Now since he continues forever, and has an unchangeable priesthood, he is also able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

b. Jesus Christ offering his body as a sin offering to reconcile us to the Father

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Christ, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once we were alienated from God and were enemies in our minds because of our evil behavior. But now he has reconciled us by Christ’s physical body through death to present us holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

The broken body of Jesus Christ which is now represented by the unleavened bread is the new and living way to the presence God, which Christ has consecrated for us in his flesh.

c. Jesus Christ offering his blood as the propitiation for our sins

It is the blood the purifies, it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul, and it is the blood that purges the conscience from dead works in order to serve the living God, and grants us the boldness to enter the Most Holy place. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean, how much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God. Cleanse our conscience from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.

The confession we have to hold on to, and called to persevere is simply this; “Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good works. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:19-25).
http://www.createspace.com/3450099
http://www.createspace.com/3488570
http://www.createspace.com/3501245

The Work of Reconciliation

2011-07-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

The Reconciling work of Christ is what produces peace with God, gives us access to the Father, and produces unity between Jews and Gentiles, and believers with other believers. The reconciling work of Christ is made possible only through his body as it is written; “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Colossians 1:22).

In like manner, the redemptive work of Christ is made possible only through his blood. For God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, (through his blood) the forgiveness of sins.
The reconciling work of Christ is three-fold, and each requires a three way cycle to make it complete, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit complete the Godhead, and the body, soul, and spirit makes man complete, so it is with God’s plan of salvation for man.

The first step towards man’s reconciliation is God the Father drawing man to Christ, as stated quite distinctly by Jesus Christ who said; “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” This was repeated for emphasis when the people did not believe the words which Christ spoke to them, so he said to them again; “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him” (John 6:44, 65).
The process of drawing people to Christ was made possible by three inseparable links.

a. Jesus Christ had to be God

Only as God was Christ able to claim and redeemed the lives of every human being. He was the Word who was in the beginning with God, and who himself was God, through whom all things were created, and without him nothing was made that was made. He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. But as God it was impossible for him to die, so the next obvious chain of event had to occur.

b. The Word who was God, and by whom all things were created, became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Since as God he could not die to pay the penalty of sin in man’s place which is death, he was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, that he by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says; “I will declare you name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me” (Hebrews 2:12-13).

Now since the children whom God has given him have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. And because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

c. Redemption through his blood

It should be an indisputable fact, that the law requires nearly everything be purified with blood: for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Therefore in order that our sins could be forgiven, it was imperative that Jesus Christ shed his blood. For the life of every creature is in the blood, and God has given it to make atonement for the soul on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. It is through the process of these three inseparable chains of events that God the Father drew man to Christ, like he said; “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. (John 12:32-33).
http://www.createspace.com/3450099

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The Word of Reconciliation

2011-07-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus Christ, whose desire is that all who believe in him may be one: for in his prayer for all believers he prayed; “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in me through their word; that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And the glory which you gave me I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one; I in them, and you in me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them as you have loved me” (John 17:20-23).

This oneness undoubtedly comes from sharing the same spirit with the Lord, for he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him, but in addition to sharing the same spirit, we are urged by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among us, but that we be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The unity of the church can only be accomplished when we fulfill this requirement, and for this to be feasible it is imperative that we all without exception, adhere to the task given to us by the Lord which says; “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

The word of reconciliation is the task that has been committed to us, and if we are to be effective and productive in our stewardship, it is imperative that we understand the dynamics or the science which governs the process of reconciliation. For we have been reminded saying, “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

As ambassadors for Christ, one cannot afford to give a false representation, or have a false perception of the dynamics involved in the process of reconciliation. There is a definite process by which reconciliation is attainable; anything short of this process makes it unattainable and unsatisfactory.

The dynamics which govern the process of reconciliation are:-
Retribution
Reconciliation is incomplete without retribution, which is actually the execution of justice, by meting out a deserved punishment in return for evil done, or mete out a reward in return for good done. One should never expect reconciliation if the question of retribution is not addressed and dealt with applicably, because sin does not go unpunished, whether sin leading to death, or sin not leading to death. For this cause God has reconciled the whole world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, but instead made Jesus Christ who knew no sin to be sin for us, and demonstrated his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, thus fulfilling the righteous demands of sin which is death.

Reconciliation is wholly and completely the work of God
It was effected on men while they were helpless, for when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. It was when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward men appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by his grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

It is by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, while we were alienated and enemies of God in our minds by wicked works.
The irony of truth is, we are reconciled to God not because we loved him, but because he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We love him because he first loved us. Jesus said to his disciples; “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you” (John 15:16).

It is God the Father who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, and for this reason he sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins, so that in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness, according to the riches of his grace.

Reconciliation is the accomplished work of:-
a. God
It is God who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, for he was in Christ reconciling the world to him-self and not imputing their trespasses to them.
b.Christ’ death
For when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more then, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life, and not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
c. Christ’s blood:
For now in Christ Jesus, we who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.
It is important to note that, the blood of Christ is both for reconciliation, and propitiation for sins. We have been reconciled to God through the death of his Son much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

We are saved by the life of Christ through his blood, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and God has given it to us upon the altar to make atonement for our souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul”. Therefore, in establishing the new covenant in his blood, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples saying; “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).

We are saved by the life of Christ because he continues forever, and having an unchangeable priesthood, he is therefore able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, since he ever lives to make intercession for them. And like every high priest he is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. For being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ, because in Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; whom God set forth to be a propitiation by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.
Reconciliation is the prerequisite in having fellowship with the Father and His Son, and with one another.

The blood of Jesus is what produces peace with God, and the means by which we draw near to him. For having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Reconciliation is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ. God’s eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, is giving us boldness and access with confidence through faith in Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ’s blood, and himself as our High Priest, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
And so it is written; “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he consecrated for us, through the veil, that is his flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10: 19-22).

And with regards to our fellowship with one another we are told, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the fellowship of the body of Christ? For we being many, are one bread and one body: for we all partake of that one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

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Alienated from the life of God

2011-06-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Many people who profess to know God are completely ignorant, and totally oblivious of the life of God, and therefore it is incumbent on those to whom God has revealed his way of life, to take heed to the warning given to the prophet Ezekiel concerning his watchmen which says; “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from my mouth, and give them warning for me:'

"When I say to the wicked, you shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.’
“Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul” (Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:1-11).

The responsibility of those to whom God has revealed his way of life is enormous, and therefore should not be taken lightly. Sometimes we get discourage because others do not want to believe the message, but we must remember that a servant is not greater than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. Many people did not believe Jesus Christ, including his own brothers, they even said that “He is out of his mind” (John 7:5; Mark 3:21).

Therefore regardless of who believe, and who that does not believe, the message has to be proclaimed. So then it is high time that people are told, and hopefully they will come to the realization and understand that there is a way of life which is according to God, based on his commandments, and a way of life according to the will of man (the flesh), where everyone walks after the imagination of his/her own evil heart, everyone doing what seems right in his/her own heart.

There is without any shadow of doubt, a life in accordance to the flesh, and a life in accordance to the Spirit, for we have been admonished saying; “I say then; walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh, for the flesh lust against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5: 16-17).

The life in the flesh is basically living to fulfill the five physical senses of our human body, which are what we see, hear, smell, taste, and feel, giving them precedence before God; and deciding for one’s self what is right and what is wrong, instead of doing things according to God’s stipulated laws. Hence we have been warned saying; “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world; and the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of the God abides forever” (1John 2:15-17).

The life in the Spirit or the life of God, was not in existence on earth from the time the tree of life was barred from Adam and Eve, for in bygone generations, God allowed all nations to walk in their own ways, until he revealed his way of life to the children of Israel which was a foreshadow of the reality - Jesus Christ.
Therefore when Jesus Christ came into the world he said; “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

The abundant life, the life of God has its source in Jesus Christ in whom we were begotten again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gave birth to a new generation of mankind; a new man which was created from both Jews and Gentiles according to God in righteousness and true holiness.

In order to live the life of God, both Jews and Gentiles should relinquish their former way of life, and begin living the life of the Spirit. As it is written; “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit: Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:25-26).

Those who are living the life of God have been admonished saying; “Whether you eat or drink; or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God: give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God.” The Gentiles are admonished saying; “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to licentiousness to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17-19).

Those who have heard God, and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus, their call of duty is to; “Put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
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The Law of the Spirit of Life (part 2)

2011-06-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

How is one able to live the life through or by the Spirit! Is there a law, a stipulated code by which this is accomplished, or is it a vague, nebulous ideology with no stipulated guidelines?

We have been duly admonished saying; “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh (sinful nature) lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).

Living and walking in the Spirit, is not something one does haphazardly, or without any guidelines and stipulations. One can be assured that, it is a well defined and stipulated way of life, for we have been instructed saying; “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25)

Living and walking in the Spirit therefore, is as practical and realistic as living and walking in the flesh. And for this reason we have been admonished saying; “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

What therefore is the law, the power, the system, or stipulated way of life in the Spirit that liberates us from the law of sin and death?
Before answering this question, it is imperative that we should first have a good understanding of the law of sin and death, because different people may have a different understanding, and interpretation, even their own opinions of this matter.
The Law of sin and death is first and foremost:-

a. Not the law of God, for the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

Although one cannot be justified, or be saved from sin through it, nevertheless, according to the apostle Paul, “Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin” (Romans 7:12-14).

The law of God, according to the apostle Paul is the reveler of sin, for he said; “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said; “You shall not covet.”
And the apostle James refers to it as a spiritual mirror, for he says; “If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror ; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (Romans 7:7; James 1:23-25).

b .The law of sin and death is not the Ceremonial law, as many have falsely assumed

The ceremonial law was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices were offered which could not make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience; they were concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. They were copies and shadow of the things in the heavens (Hebrews 9:9-10, 23).

Ceremonial laws therefore, have not been completely abolished, but have rather been reformed. “For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and un-profitableness, for the law made nothing perfect, on the other hand there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:18-19).

The rationale and objective for ceremonial laws have not changed; the rationale was to clear the conscience of the one who performed the service, and to make those who draw near to God perfect, but they were weak and unprofitable. Therefore, when Christ came into the world he said: “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin you did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then he said, “Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.” He takes away the first that he may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:8-10).

Jesus Christ like every high priest, who is selected from among men, is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. For it is written: “For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer” (Hebrews 5:1; 8:3).

The offering which he offers is far superior, and it is able to fulfill the Father’s demand, which is to present the worshiper perfect before him. And so it is written: “Therefore, it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” And, “Because he continues forever, he has an unchangeable priesthood, and therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, since he lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 9: 23-24; 7:24-25).

By God sending his only begotten Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering, he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law, which is to present the worshiper holy, perfect, and irreproachable before God might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature, but according to the Spirit.

c. It is the law, or power, which resides and operates in the flesh.
The apostle Paul alluded to this fact by saying: “I know that nothing good lives in me that is, in my sinful nature. For, I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.'

"For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s laws, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin”(Romans 7:18-25).
The law of sin and death is the powerful sinful nature that resides in our flesh, and this is what the law of the Spirit of life (God's divine nature)in Christ Jesus has made us free from.

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