Fifty-two Kingdom Topics, Workbook

FIFTY-TWO KINGDOM TOPICS, WORKBOOK

A Manual of instruction for teaching the gospel of the Kingdom.
Based on the book Fifty-two Kingdom Topics, by Robert B. Thompson.
Developed by Edward J. Reiter.

Preface
Introduction
Born of God
The Bride of the Lamb
Brothers of Christ
Christ, Head and Body
The Coming of the Lord
The Continuity of the Testaments
The Day of Atonement
The Day of the Lord
The Disciple
Eagles’ Wings
The End-time
Eternal Life
Faith
The Feast of Tabernacles
The Feasts of the Lord
The First Resurrection
The Firstfruits of the Bride
The Four Aspects of the Divine Decree
The Four Great Types
The Goal of Salvation
Grace and Faith Versus the Law of Moses, not Versus Righteous Behavior
The Great Tribulation
Image and Union
Israel
The Judges of Men and Angels
The Judgment Seat of Christ
The Kingdom of God
The Love of Money
The Manifestation of the Sons of God
The Nations of the Saved
The New Covenant
The Overcomer
Responding to the Vision of God
The Rest of God
Restoration
The Resurrection
The Royal Priesthood
The Second Death
Shattering the Power of the Saints
Suffering and Glory
Survival and Security, Worship, and Achievement
The Temple of God
The Thousand-year Kingdom Age
The Three Stages of Redemption
The Throne of God
The Two Beginnings
Two Kinds of Righteousness
The Two Witnesses
The Wall
War
The Witness of God
Working Out Our Salvation
Review Questions

Preface

Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. (Proverbs 23:23)
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45,46)

Anything of eternal value is worth seeking with all our heart. If we must leave behind lesser things, so be it. Without question the Gospel of the Kingdom is a pearl of great price.

The good news is the Kingdom of God is coming to the earth. It began with the birth of Jesus Christ and continued to develop through the spread of the Christian Church. Those who will install it with the return of the Lord Jesus are being formed today into an obedient, holy army of saints.

In our time, as the wheat and the tares grow to maturity side by side, it is time to forsake all which hinders our pursuit of the Kingdom of God. We must become willing to buy the truth and sell it not.

Developed from Fifty-two Kingdom Topics, this syllabus of instruction focuses our attention on that one pearl of great price, the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Edward J. Reiter
Escondido, California
January 2000

Introduction

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23)
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God” The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:14,15)

Both John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ preached the gospel of the Kingdom. In our time this good news has often been interpreted in ways which miss the heart of what God the Father intended. The fact that God plans to establish a kingdom on earth in which He will overthrow evil and restore justice through His Son Jesus Christ and His Church has many times been overlooked.

This workbook represents a syllabus of the teaching of Robert B. Thompson on the Christian salvation centered around fifty-two topics. It has been designed as a core curriculum for learning and teaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Each particular concept is presented in a format which:

condenses each concept into a summary statement several paragraphs in length.
provides a few primary Scripture verses which support each concept.
lists essential points of emphasis which serve as an outline for instructing others in the concept.
recommends other works written by Robert B. Thompson which expand more fully the concept under discussion.
suggests follow-up activities to encourage further self-study.

Lastly, at the end of the document a section of review questions is included to evaluate comprehension of the material presented.

May God grant you wisdom and knowledge in your pursuit of understanding more fully the pearl of great price, the Gospel of the Kingdom.

A Workbook For Fifty-two Kingdom Topics

Born of God

The main usage of the term “born again” was by the Lord Jesus when He said that being born again was required if we are to see and enter the Kingdom of God. Being born again has to do with the Kingdom, not with being saved from Hell or from Divine wrath.

To be born again is not merely to have a change of mind! To be born again is to have the Divine Seed of God planted in our personality. The Seed comes from God. It is not human. It is Divine. It is supernatural. It is new Divine Life.

Christianity has suffered much because it is not made clear to people that being born again is to have God’s Nature conceived in us. The believers attempt to save their original adamic nature. They are under the impression that God is going to save what they are and bring it to Heaven. The truth is, God will never accept our adamic personality. God’s salvation kills the adamic nature on the cross and then brings forth a new nature, a new creation, a true brother of Jesus Christ.

That which is born of God is of God in the truest sense of the Word. Properly nourished it will develop into a genuine brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is to this family relationship with our Father, with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, that we have been called.

Primary Scriptures

Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:13)
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3)
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. (Galatians 6:15)
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (I Peter 1:23)

Essential Points of Emphasis

It is the Kingdom that is born in us when Christ is born in us.

Being born again has to do with the Life of God being conceived in us.

Our Christian life consists largely of crucifying the adamic nature and growing in the Divine Nature.

It is only to the extent that Christ has been formed in us that God can dwell in us; for He dwells in Christ in us.

First Christ is formed in us. This is the new creation. Then the Father and the Son come to dwell in the new creation that has been formed in us.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

The Bride of the Lamb

No aspect of the Kingdom of God is more important than the marriage of the Lamb. The Word of God, the Messiah, the Anointed Lord, has never before had a complement, a helper suited to Him.

The story of Adam and Eve really is an allegory. It is telling us that God has determined His Son shall no longer be alone but will have someone with whom He can communicate and who will reveal His Glory in the creation of God.

“He called their name Adam.” So it is true that marriage to the Lamb is such total union with the Lamb that their name is the Lamb, so to speak. They who live by the body and blood of the Lamb are totally, eternally one in Christ in God.

There are no “queens” of the Kingdom of God. This is because a queen is not the same person of the king and can, in fact, be hostile toward him. She is a separate person with a will of her own.

The various Christian organizations often view themselves as “queens,” but they are queens of Babylon, not of the Kingdom of God. We are not separate from Christ, if we are the Wife of the Lamb. We forever are an integral part of the Lamb.

Primary Scriptures

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. (John 17:21)

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25)

After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—(Ephesians 5:29)

Essential Points of Emphasis

We often refer to the “Bride of Christ.” But the Scripture refers to the “Bride of the Lamb.” This is because we eat the Lamb.

The important aspect of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt was not that of the escape of human beings from physical slavery. The Centerpiece of the exodus is the Passover Lamb. The Jews left the slavery of Egypt and put on the chains of slavery to demons. But whoever eats the Passover Lamb and lives by Him is forever free from slavery.

Correct doctrine will never raise anyone to meet Christ in the air. It is His body and blood in us that will raise us.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

Brothers of Christ

The fact that the elect have been predestined to be the brothers of Christ, He being the Firstborn among many brothers, brings many concepts to our attention.

For one thing, it tells us we have been truly born of God; being born again is not a mere figure of speech referring to our adopting the Christian belief system.

It tells us that when the Lord rose from the dead He became the Firstborn of many sons of God. The Lord, the Word, the Messiah, chose to become human in order that He might raise up an entire company of sons of God. The sons are not as great as He, of course. But make no mistake—God has given birth to them and they indeed are sons of God in the truest sense of the word.

We were not from the beginning, as is true of Jesus Christ. But by the will of God we are coheirs with Him of all the works of God’s hands.

Primary Scriptures

Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. (Micah 5:3)
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17)
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29)
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. (Hebrews 2:11)

Essential Points of Emphasis

“Go tell My brothers I ascend to My Father and your Father; to My God and your God.” This is what Jesus said to Mary Magdalene. There are awesome implications in this statement!

One hindrance to our full grasp on the promises of God is an understandable sense of reverence when we are approaching Divinity. We are not God, not as holy as God, and we know this. It is well that we do.

But when our reverence causes us to stagger at the promises of God it becomes a hindrance.

We have been made in God’s image, but to attain that image we have to be born twice—the first time of Adam and the second time of God.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

Christ, Head and Body

The Book of Isaiah tells us of the Servant of the Lord, the Anointed Deliverer who is to come and establish justice on the earth. The Servant of the Lord is Christ—Head and Body.

When God has brought the full number of members of Christ’s Body to sufficient maturity, then, and only then, will Christ return. He shall return with His Body and establish justice on the earth.

We first must come to the unity of the faith. This does mean to the unity of doctrine, but to the oneness that exists among people when each person is looking only to the Lord Jesus for life and behavior. The reasons the Christians are in such conflict today is that they are living and acting according to their own will. As long as this is true they cannot possibly be one in Christ in God.

Only when we are one will the world believe that the Father has sent the Lord Jesus. So the emphasis today should be on building up the saints to the stature of the fullness of Christ, while not neglecting the work of evangelism.

Primary Scriptures

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1)
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 17:23)
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. (I Corinthians 12:12)
Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The purpose of the Church Age is to call out from the nations of the earth an elect. Each of the elect is to be ministered to by the gifts and ministries given by the Holy Spirit until he or she comes to maturity as measured by the stature of the fullness of Christ.

The nations are in turmoil and will continue to destroy each other until the Prince of Peace returns. The Prince of Peace indeed shall return, but only when His Body is ready to work with Him in the task of installing the Kingdom of God on the earth.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

The Coming of the Lord

Some are teaching that the Lord will return before His second coming in order to catch up His people so they will escape Antichrist and the great tribulation. This is pure mythology. There is no indication whatever in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, in the fourth chapter of First Thessalonians, in the first chapter of Second Thessalonians, or in any other major description of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth.

Our unscriptural teaching that the Lord will return before His historical second coming to catch up the saints so they will not suffer has a negative effect on the spiritual maturing of the believers. They remain as silly, undisciplined children jumping up and down next to their pews in the hope that any moment now they will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.

There is an age of moral horrors on the horizon. The believers simply are not prepared for the catastrophes we are facing in America. They are not going to be able to serve as a witness of God’s faithful protection. They will be screaming in terror along with the unsaved because they have not prepared themselves to stand in the day of evil. The unscriptural “any-moment-rapture” myth is leaving them unprepared to stand in the day of evil, in direct opposition to Paul’s exhortation in the Book of Ephesians.

Primary Scriptures

He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. (Isaiah 42:4)
At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)
We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. (I Thessalonians 4:14)
God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. (II Thessalonians 1:6,7)

Essential Points of Emphasis

We Christians hold an unscriptural concept concerning the coming of the Lord. We think the Lord is returning to take His Church to Heaven. There is no scriptural basis for this tradition.

There is abundant Old and New Testament to support the doctrine that the Lord Jesus will return with His saints to establish justice among the nations.

The fourth chapter of First Thessalonians is not speaking of the going of the Church but of the coming of the saints with the Lord Jesus to raise their bodies from the dead.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

The Continuity of the Testaments

One of the major harms done by the concept of “Dispensationalism” is a destruction of the continuity of the Testaments. It is conjectured that the Christian salvation is not part of the Old Testament promise; that it is not a part of the utterances of the Hebrew Prophets.

The truth is, the New Testament flows naturally from the Old as one unbroken revelation of God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no such thing as a “Gentile dispensation” or a “Gentile Church.”

These are not scriptural concepts, although they have been repeated so many times the believers have accepted them as biblical truth.

All of the Messianic promises found in the Old Testament apply first to the Lord Jesus Christ, and then to those who are coheirs with Him. No Messianic promise is made to Jews or Gentiles as such, only to the one Seed of Abraham—Christ and those who are an integral part of Him.

Primary Scriptures

They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. (Acts 28:23)
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1,2)
And how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (II Timothy 3:15)
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. (I Peter 1:12)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The one revelation of the Kingdom of God began with Adam and Eve and flows in one unbroken line, one seamless robe, through to the new Jerusalem.

It is true that God keeps giving more grace, more of Himself to those He has called. But at the same time he has increased the demands on His elect. More grace, more demands.

God has one goal in mind: all of His children will act righteously, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

The Day of Atonement

The main ceremony of the Day of Atonement involved two goats. One goat was slain and an atonement was made with its blood.

The second goat was also a goat of atonement, or reconciliation, but it was not slain. Rather the sins of Israel were confessed over this goat and it then was led away into the desert.

These two goats portray an extremely significant truth. It is that the Divine salvation includes not only the forgiveness of sins but also the removal of sins from us. I do not mean the removal of the guilt of our sins but of the sin itself—the body of sin of which the Apostle Paul speaks.

The Day of Atonement follows the feast of Pentecost. This means that after we receive the Holy Spirit, God will begin to deal with us concerning worldliness, the lusts and passions of our sinful nature, and our self-will. We must be reconciled to God in these three areas before we can be considered to be in the moral image of Christ and in the rest of God’s complete will.

Primary Scriptures

But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat. (Leviticus 16:10)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, (Romans 8:13)
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7,8)

Essential Points of Emphasis

It is your job to walk in the Spirit of God each day. It is the Spirit’s task to bring your sins to your attention. It is your responsibility then to cooperate with the Spirit as He enables you to put to death the sin or rebellion under scrutiny.

This process is an eternal judgment of sin. Once you confess your sin and turn away from it with the Lord’s help, it never again will be mentioned to you. It is an eternal judgment.

But if you ignore the Spirit’s warning and do not confess your sin, do not seek the Lord’s help in turning away from it, you will be judged for your disobedience at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Do not let anyone deceive you.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

The Day of the Lord

If we of today would aspire to the resurrection and catching up when Jesus appears, then we must, as Paul stated, attain to this resurrection by leaving all else aside and pursuing Christ with all the diligence we can muster. We must learn to live in the power of His resurrection. We must choose to share His sufferings and be conformed to His death.

The current notion that all who have made a profession of Christ will be raised and caught up when He appears is contrary to the Scripture. The rewards we associate with being a Christian, as described in the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation, as assigned by the Scripture to the overcomers—to the believers who have pressed through to victory in Jesus.

It is demonstrably true that numerous Christian believers are not living in victory in Jesus. To teach them that they will be rewarded with authority and power even though they have not lived victoriously in the Lord Jesus is cruel and heartless beyond belief. We indeed are a false prophet, a false shepherd, when we tell the American believers of today that they will rule with Christ over the nations.

Primary Scriptures

And so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:11)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)
Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. (Revelation 20:12)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The Day of the Lord will last throughout the thousand-year period.

The Day of the Lord will begin with a resurrection and end with a resurrection.

The resurrection at the beginning is for the royal priesthood, the Lord’s victorious saints. This resurrection must be attained.

The resurrection that will occur at the end of the thousand years is the general resurrection. It will include all who were not raised in the first resurrection.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

The Disciple

The Great Commission directs us to go out and make disciples from all the nations of the earth, commanding them to keep the directives given by Christ and His Apostles. We do not do this. We go out to “save souls,” telling them they are not obligated to keep the commandments contained in the New Testament because they are saved by grace. When we try to “save souls” and build a large church we are apt to trim the demands of Christ so people are not offended.

The Lord Jesus never did this. He put it to His followers plainly: “If you are going to be My disciple you have to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you once put your hand to the plow and then look back, you are not fit for the Kingdom of God. If you love your family members more than you do Me you are not worthy of Me. If you do not take up your cross and follow Me you are not worthy of Me.”

We are much more concerned about the growth of numbers than we are with the spiritual growth of individuals. We are sowing our traditions and personal ambitions and we are going to reap corruption in the days to come.

Primary Scriptures

Therefore 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 I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19,20)
If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)
As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (Acts 24:25)
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The Book of Acts is not so much a record of the Apostles “saving souls,” in the sense of urging their listeners to make a profession of faith, but of God’s preachers bringing the good news of forgiveness through the blood of the cross and warning people everywhere to turn from their sins and bring forth the evidence of deep repentance.

One can be an American Christian in all the customary meanings of the term and yet not be a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple of Jesus Christ is an individual who in his heart has come out from the world, who is denying himself and seeking Christ with all his might.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

Eagles’ Wings

The concept of eagles’ wings is important for us to understand. The idea merely is that God carries us Himself until we are ready to fly.

Yes, we start off being carried on eagles’ wings. We are held to be righteous in God’s sight because of the obedience and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. But this is not intended to be the scope of our salvation. Our salvation includes transformation into the moral image of Christ, and untroubled rest in the will of God.

If no change is taking place in our behavior, if we are not growing in the ability to judge between good and evil, and in the willingness and strength to choose the good and turn away from the evil, then we are not being “saved,” so to speak. We are in a state of arrested development. For salvation is not a change from earth to Heaven but from Satan to God.

It is not at all the Lord’s will that we be carried forever on eagles’ wings. We are to grow to the stature of the fullness of Christ. God wants sons who can represent Him throughout His creation, just as the Lord Jesus does. He is not looking forward to an eternity of dealing with helpless, self-centered babies who continually are seeking attention and are of no use whatever for the fulfilling of the numerous roles and tasks of the Kingdom we mentioned previously.

Primary Scriptures

You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. (Exodus 19:4)
This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous. And throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:49,50)
In order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:4)
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. (I Corinthians 3:2)

Essential Points of Emphasis

As soon as we have believed in Christ, have turned away from the ways of the world, and have been baptized in water, we are to present ourselves to the Lord as candidates for change into His image. Each day the Lord will give us something to overcome. Each day we are to pray for the wisdom and strength to overcome the problems of the day. This is how we grow in Christ.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

The End-time

A person who will personify the Antichrist spirit that has been in the world since the first century will arise. Antichrist will demonstrate self-will in the establishing of democratic government. The False Prophet will demonstrate self-will in religious matters. The False Prophet will support Antichrist, that is, Christians who are able to exercise the power of the Lamb, but who are led by their own self-will and reasonings, will support a government that professes to be dedicated to providing the needs of all the peoples of the world.

The true saints, the remnant, will be driven from the cities of the earth. At this time the Throne of God will move from Heaven into the personalities of the godly remnant.

The only people who can look forward to these last days with confidence are those who truly are abiding in Christ. A mere profession of having been “saved” will not be enough. We must be really living in Christ, serving Him each day, if we hope to stand in triumph before the Son.

The Christian people in America need to be warned that the event of the end-time will be “out of the frying pan into the fire” for all except those who are genuine disciples of the Lord Jesus.

Primary Scriptures

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36)
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Revelation 13:7)
Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. (Revelation 13:14)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Catastrophic trouble is coming to the United States of America. During this time of trouble there will be great periods of revival and spiritual refreshing.

This harvest revival will bring the Gospel of the Kingdom as a witness to every nation on the earth.

When the witness has been given to God’s satisfaction, God will withdraw the power of the revival. Then the results of the revival will be tested. Because lawlessness will abound, the love of the majority of those who became Christians during the “latter rain,” spring rain revival will grow cold.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

Eternal Life

Eternal life is the central message of the Lord Jesus Christ. Contrary to popular opinion, eternal life is not the same as Heaven. Eternal life is a kind of life. Heaven is a place.

There are two kinds of life: flesh and blood life, and the Life of God. Flesh and blood life is a temporary kind of life, subject to corruption, and cannot possibly enter the Kingdom of God. Eternal life is eternal, is not subject to corruption, and is an aspect of the Kingdom of God.

Eternal life can be experienced in degrees. There is life, and then there is more abundant life. Paul told Timothy, who certainly was saved and had a portion of eternal life, to lay hold on eternal life.

We must remember that one of the supreme goals of the Christian salvation is the redemption, the adoption of our mortal body. This means that the same Holy Spirit we have now will make alive our body at the coming of the Lord. This is a goal held before us. As Paul says, we must lay aside all else that we may attain the resurrection that is out from among the dead.

If we, as a Christian, insist on living in the sinful nature, we will not attain the resurrection that is out from among the dead, the first resurrection, the resurrection to life and glory. We shall be held over to the second resurrection and receive the reward of our works.

Primary Scriptures

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:51)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (I Timothy 6:12)

Essential Points of Emphasis

When we receive Christ as our Savior we are given a portion of eternal life. Then the fight is on. Death and life struggle each day for mastery over us.

If we do not observe the commandments of Christ and His Apostles, if we do not live as a Christian should, then we are not undergoing the process of deliverance from sin. Then we are in danger, as in the parable of the sower, of losing the life that had been given to us.

Follow up Activities

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Faith

The Protestant Reformers contrasted faith with the works of the Catholic religion. But today faith is being contrasted with godly behavior. Today’s interpreters of the New Testament are claiming that Paul taught we are saved by belief in correct theology instead of by godly character. They are contrasting faith in Christ with righteous behavior, which they incorrectly term “works,” thinking this is what Paul meant.

Whenever Paul spoke of “works” he meant the “works of the Law of Moses.” He was not referring to righteous behavior, which is one of the principal outcomes of Divine grace.

True faith in God always results in godly character and behavior. Faith apart from righteous behavior is dead. Righteous behavior is the very life of faith.

When the Bible states the righteous shall live by faith, it does not mean the righteous hold to their doctrinal position and ignore their behavior. It means rather that the righteous look to God for every decision of life rather than leaning on their own wisdom and strength. It means the righteous are humble rather than proud and arrogant. The just shall live by faith has nothing to do with belief in any theological system or doctrinal position.

Primary Scriptures

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Romans 12:3)
But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. (Hebrews 10:38)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26)

Essential Points of Emphasis

New Testament faith is not belief in theological statements.

We are not to try to get things “by faith.” Rather we are to keep an open heart before God so we understand what He has said in His Word and also to us personally. Then we are to pray and hope for the promise of God to be fulfilled in our life.

Faith is obedience to the vision God has given us, because we understand that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him diligently. Biblical faith does not proceed from the soul of man but from the Spirit of God as a gift to us so we may do God’s will.

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The Feast of Tabernacles

The twelfth chapter of the Book of Isaiah was sung during the feast of Tabernacles. We know we are passing from Pentecost to Tabernacles when our testimony corresponds to the twelfth chapter of Isaiah. We shall be found praising the Lord at all times.

We will understand what it means for God to be angry with the sin and rebellion in our personality, just prior to His comforting us. Every Christian whom God is bringing into the spiritual fulfillment of the Jewish feast of Tabernacles will pass through a season of pain and problems in order that all that is not pleasing to God can be brought into the open and removed.

The Throne of God is being established in you for eternity. Now you will be able to bring forth eternal Life to other people, and to do so is to experience the fullness of love, joy, and peace.

It is an occasion for shouting and singing by the people who are dwelling in the Person of God through Christ, and He in them. It is the Holy One of Israel who is in us and with us forever.

This is the spiritual fulfillment of the Jewish feast of Tabernacles. It is in order that we might enter such fullness of God that we are given the authority of the blood and the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit.

Primary Scriptures

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:37,38)
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:23)
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 17:21-23)
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

Essential Points of Emphasis

It was on the eighth day of Tabernacles that the Lord Jesus told us whoever believes in Him will have a well of water created in Him.

Tabernacles reveals to us that God’s intention is to create His Throne in us so eternal life will come forth within us. Then the Spirit and the Bride can invite whoever will choose to do so to come and drink freely of the water of eternal life.

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The Feasts of the Lord

The seven feasts of the Lord are an illustration that can be used to describe the program of salvation. Passover tells us of the blood of the Lamb that protects us when the destroyer executes the Divine judgment. Unleavened bread shows that God wants us to repent of our sinful ways and to be baptized in water as a sign we are leaving the spirit of the world and are ready to walk in newness of life. Firstfruits speaks of the born-again experience in which a firstfruits of our personality, our inward nature, comes alive and is brought up to the right hand of God.

Pentecost symbolizes the outpouring of the Spirit of God on us. This is as far as we have come in the Church Age. The last three feasts will be fulfilled spiritually during the period from now until the Lord returns.

The Blowing of Trumpets announces the coming of the Lord of Hosts to declare war on Satan, beginning with Satan’s influence in the Church. The Day of Atonement foretells the time when Jesus Christ deals with the worldliness, lust, and self-will in His people. We think the Day of Atonement has begun and will extend throughout the thousand-year Kingdom Age. The Feast of Tabernacles shows us that God’s ultimate intention is to dwell in people, not just with them.

Primary Scriptures

Speak to the Israelites and say to them: These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. (Leviticus 23:2)
Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed: (Deuteronomy 16:16)
I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:11,12)
The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. (Matthew 13:41)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Because we are leaving Pentecost and entering the last three feasts, we are encountering the spiritual fulfillment of the Blowing of Trumpets. This means there will be increasing emphasis on spiritual warfare as Jesus descends to confront His enemies.

If we cooperate with the Holy Spirit we can pass through the Judgment Seat and be prepared to be changed into glory when the Lord appears.

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The First Resurrection

If we will look carefully at the description of the first resurrection, as it is presented in the early verses of the twentieth chapter of the Book of Revelation, we will note that it is the resurrection of an elite priesthood. Nothing is said or implied that the first resurrection is the event during which all saved people are raised from the dead. If we will look carefully at the description of the second resurrection, as it is presented in the last few verses of the twentieth chapter, we will see that the wording does not suggest that all are lost who are raised at that time. In fact, the text suggests the opposite—that a minority are thrown into the Lake of Fire.

Mankind will be judged at the second resurrection. The first resurrection is for the victorious saints. They will return with the Lord and take up their bodies from the ground. Then they, and the living remnant, will ascend to meet the Lord in the clouds. They will meet the Lord as He comes so that He and they may descend and destroy all the works of the enemy.

We of today, because of our traditions, talk about the importance of going to Heaven when we die. Going to Heaven when we die is not the issue presented in the New Testament. The concern is what happens to us in the Day of the Lord. If we will read both the Old and New Testaments carefully we will find very little emphasis on going to Heaven when we die. Both Testaments deal with the Day of the Lord and the coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth.

Primary Scriptures

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23)
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, And so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10,11)
(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:5,6)

Essential Points of Emphasis

There shall be two resurrections of the dead. The first will occur when the Lord returns, at the beginning of the thousand-year Kingdom Age. The second will take place at the end of the Kingdom Age.

How do we attain the first resurrection? According to the Apostle Paul in Philippians, we attain by laying aside all else and seeking to gain Christ.

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The Firstfruits of the Bride

Have you ever noticed the emphasis placed on David’s “mighty men”? It is remarkable that of all the various vocations pursued by the Jews, one of the principal distinctions was between David’s outstanding fighters and then the remainder of Israel. This emphasis on war persists in the New Testament with the exhortation to “fight the good fight of faith” and to “put on the whole armor of God.” There is Zion, who comprise the warriors, and then Jerusalem.

One of the most deadening of the “grace” teachings is that because we are saved by grace and not our own efforts, we all shall receive the same reward; all have the same standing in the Kingdom of God. This is not true. There are some for whom places at the right hand and left hand of Jesus Christ have been prepared. We know there shall be some who will be saved as by fire. There are the greatest and the least in the Kingdom of God, according to the Lord Jesus. We realize that some reap Christ thirty-fold, some sixty, and some a hundred. There were the multitude, the seventy, the twelve, and finally the three on the Mount of Transfiguration. The second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation imply a division between the victorious saints and the remainder of the churches of Asia.

Predestination is not inevitability. If we do not diligently use the Kingdom talents we have been given, whether ten, or five, or one, what we have been given will be removed from us and given to another, and we shall be thrown into the outer darkness. This is what God has stated clearly.

Primary Scriptures

And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. (Judges 7:7)
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4)

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:7,8)

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. (Revelation 21:3)

Essential Points of Emphasis

There is Old and New Testament evidence that the Christian Church will be divided temporarily into two segments, a militant remnant who will govern with the Lord during the thousand-year Kingdom Age, and then the balance of the Church who will descend together with the militant remnant as the new Jerusalem, the holy city.

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* * * * *

The Four Aspects of the Divine Decree

When the Lord God created man He made four decrees:

Man is to be in the image of God.
Man is to be male and female.
Man is to be fruitful.
Man is to have dominion over the other creatures.

Such is God’s eternal will concerning mankind. God has no intention of saving our first personality. Adam simply cannot enter the Kingdom of God. God’s provision for the first, adamic creation is the cross. The world has been crucified to us and we to the world.

Christianity has been a religion in which the first, soulish creation seeks to adorn itself so God will bring it to Heaven to be with Him. One might as well expect a pig to be a suitable guest in the parlor. The proud, stubborn, self-seeking, natural mind of man always is the enemy of God.

We can neither see nor enter the Kingdom of God until we are born again of the Divine Nature. That which is born in us is Christ. It is the Kingdom of God. It is of God. Everything that God intends to preserve from our first nature must die in Christ and then be raised again in Christ.

Primary Scriptures

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:27,28)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: (II Corinthians 5:17,18)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (John 15:16)
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)

Essential Points of Emphasis

To the present hour, the only man that ever lived on the earth in the eternal fulfillment of the proclamation concerning the image of God is the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to become as our Lord is—son of man and son of God. Our adamic nature serves as a root on which is grafted the Divine Life of God. Our physical body is adopted. The coexistence of the human and Divine constitutes a new kind of humanity which can fulfill perfectly the four aspects of the Divine fiat concerning man.

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* * * * *

The Four Great Types

Four major types of the Christian salvation may be found in the Old Testament. The four major types are as follows:

The seven items of furniture of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.
The seven feasts of the Lord.
The six days of creation and the seventh day of rest.
The seven major points of Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan.

The first of the seven elements of each of the four types portray the beginning of our salvation in Christ. We have the Altar representing the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary; the Passover Lamb whose blood protects us from the destroyer; the creating of the Light of Christ in us and the separating of that light from the darkness that is in us; and finally our exodus from the world and the beginning of our pilgrimage toward our inheritance in Christ in God.

The seventh element of each of the four types tells us about the goal of our salvation. We have the solid-gold Mercy Seat, representing the fullness of the Glory of God that we are pursuing; the feast of Tabernacles, reminding us that God’s eternal purpose is to dwell in us; the Sabbath rest showing us that we are pressing toward that place where we are at peace concerning God’s eternal purposes in us; and the possession of Canaan, signifying life lived in the fullness of Christ’s eternal incorruptible resurrection Life.

Primary Scriptures

Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)
Speak to the Israelites and say to them: “These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.” (Leviticus 23:2)

For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:11)

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. (I Corinthians 10:11)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Salvation has a definite beginning, a definite program specifically designed for each one of us as individuals, and a mark, a completion and fullness toward which we are to be pressing every day of our Christian life.

We are not “saved,” in the total sense of the term, until we press through to the fullness of God. It is he who endures to the end who finally is saved to the extent the Lord desires.

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The Goal of Salvation

The goal of salvation is not eternal residence in the spirit Paradise. Although the idea of “making our home in Heaven” has been part of the Christian tradition for centuries, this objective is not found in the Old or New Testaments.

The Bible presents our future destiny as that of having an inheritance in the Kingdom of God, the rule of God that will come to the earth at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven with His holy angels.

Obviously, many of our definitions and ideas are in need of review.

We are not saved to go to Heaven; we are saved to participate in the installation of the Kingdom of God on the earth. In order to participate in the installation of the Kingdom on the earth we have to be changed into the moral image of Jesus Christ and also brought into untroubled rest in the center of God’s Person and will.

This what the Christian salvation does for us—it changes us into the image of Christ and brings us into union with God through Christ. When we are in Christ’s image and our will has become one with God’s will we then are able to participate in the several Kingdom roles God has prepared for us.

Primary Scriptures

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29)
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. (John 17:21)
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (I Peter 2:5)
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? (I Corinthians 6:2)

Essential Points of Emphasis

There are Kingdom roles and tasks for which we are being prepared. It is well to think of these as needs and desires that the Lord has, not exalted positions we are fortunate enough to attain. It does not matter whether or not we desire them, the point is that God has prepared them for us to fulfill and expects us to submit ourselves so God’s needs and desires can be met.

A full, mature exercise of each of these Kingdom roles requires that we be brought to the stature of the fullness of Christ and into untroubled rest in God’s will for our life.

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* * * * *

Grace and Faith Versus the Law of Moses, Not Versus Righteous Behavior

When the Apostle Paul contrasted faith and works he was not speaking of a profession of doctrinal belief versus godly behavior. Yet this interpretation of Paul has persisted mightily since the Reformation.

First of all, by “faith” Paul means a life lived in dependence on God, not a doctrinal position. The righteous shall live by faith means by humble dependence on God rather than by independence of thought and action (the American ideal).

By “works” Paul means the works of the Law of Moses, such as circumcision. He is not referring to honesty, faithfulness, and truthfulness.

We are justified by placing our faith in Christ and living in Him rather than by obeying the statutes of the Law of Moses.

This misunderstanding of Paul has destroyed the moral strength of the Christian churches.

A careful study of Romans and Galatians will reveal clearly that Paul is not seeking to turn people away from righteous behavior but from the works of the Law of Moses.

It is time now for us to return to expository preaching and teaching so that the believers can perceive what the Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles taught.

Primary Scriptures

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. (Romans 3:21)
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. (Romans 3:28)
And envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21)
For 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, (Titus 2:11,12)

Essential Points of Emphasis

While it is true that God forgives our sins through Christ’s blood when we first place our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit sets out immediately to guide us in putting to death the sinful nature that we may be released to walk in newness of life.

We remain without condemnation provided we keep on abiding in Christ and following the Holy Spirit at all times. Any doctrine other than this will lead the believer into Divine judgment and possibly a total loss of inheritance.

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The Great Tribulation

The “rapture” teaching focuses on the undesirability of living on the earth during the “great tribulation.” The great tribulation is the period of unprecedented trouble mentioned by the Lord in the twenty-fourth chapter of the Book of Matthew. The problem with this emphasis is that the sufferings of the end time are not to be feared by the saint. The Apostles taught that we must enter the Kingdom of God through many hardships. Tribulation produces patience in us. It is redemptive.

The real danger of the last days will be deception and the abundance of sin. Because of the increase of wickedness, not suffering, the love of the majority will grow cold.

Another point of confusion has to do with the difference between tribulation and wrath. As we have said, tribulation is redemptive. It creates the peaceable fruit of righteousness in us. Wrath is not redemptive. It serves only to destroy that which is sinful, and eventually the sinner himself if he does not repent immediately. God has appointed us to tribulation but not to wrath.

There is a purpose for the great tribulation. It is to prepare the Church for the coming of the Lord. Numerous Christians in America today are lukewarm. The coming tribulation will force the believers to become hot or cold. Each Christian will be forced out of the valley of decision. He either will press into the Lord, finding his survival and security in Him, or he will spend his time and strength attempting to save his life.

Primary Scriptures

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, (Matthew 24:12)
For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. (Matthew 24:21)
Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. (Acts 14:22-23)
I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The “rapture” emphasis on escaping suffering is popular among those who are living in the adamic nature. They desire to save their life.

The true saint concentrates on pleasing the Lord. He embraces the cross and is willing to share the sufferings of Christ and be conformed to His death.

The victorious saint does not fear suffering or death. His greatest fear is that he will not please the Lord Jesus in some area of his life.

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* * * * *

Image and Union

Historically the Christian churches have viewed eternal residence in Heaven as the goal, the result of being saved. However venerable this tradition may be, it is not scriptural, neither in terms of the Old Testament nor the New.

The goal of salvation has two aspects. The first aspect is that we be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ, first the moral image and ultimately, at His return, the bodily image. The second aspect of the goal of salvation is untroubled rest in the center of God’s Person and will.

We do not have to wait until we are in the perfect image of Christ and perfectly at rest in God’s will in order to minister to people or to serve Christ in His Kingdom. But the more perfectly we are in the image of Christ, and the more completely we are dwelling in God’s rest, God’s will, the higher the quality is of our ministry to people and our service to Christ in His Kingdom.

So let us rejoice in the thought of going to be with the Lord when we die, but at the same time follow the Holy Spirit diligently as He fashions us in the moral image of Christ and leads us into perfect rest in God’s Person and will.

Primary Scriptures

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 17:23)
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29)
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (II Corinthians 3:18)
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. (Hebrews 4:1)

Essential Points of Emphasis

To be in Christ’s image but not to be resting in the Father’s Person and will would be to bring a rebellious Christ into the universe. Satan desires to be like the most High but would never be content to rest in the Father’s will.

To be in Christ’s image and at rest in God has nothing whatever to do with going to Heaven or with gaining power with God. We do not press forward into the image of Christ and into union with God through Christ in order that we might have power or that we might minister.

We press forward into the image of Christ and into untroubled rest in God in order that we might please God and serve Him in His Kingdom.

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* * * * *

Israel

Some are saying that the Christian Church has replaced physical Israel in the plan of God. This position is contrary to the Apostle Paul’s express statements in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Romans. Others are claiming that the promises of God in the Old Testament refer only to physical Israel and not to the New Testament Church. This is not true according to Peter’s statement that the Prophets were not addressing themselves but us upon whom the ends of the age have come.

A Gentile Church is not a scriptural concept. In the Book of Galatians Paul said that the one Seed of Abraham is Christ and all who are part of Christ.

Some teach that there will be a Gentile Church in Heaven and a Jewish Kingdom on the earth. This is against the text of the last two chapters of the Book of Revelation that tell of the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from the new sky to remain on the new earth. That the new Jerusalem is the Christian Church can be seen by the fact that the Throne of God and of the Lamb reside in the holy city, and this could never be true of physical Israel.

What, then, is the truth? The truth can be seen in the figure of the olive tree, of the eleventh chapter of Romans, and also in the “one new man” of the second chapter of Ephesians.

Primary Scriptures

If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, Do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. (Romans 11:17,18)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:28,29)
By abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, (Ephesians 2:15)
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. (I Peter 1:10-12)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Today the olive tree comprises a remnant of Jews and a remnant of Gentiles.

True Israel includes all whom God has elected, at one time just physical Israel; next, a remnant of physical Israel and a remnant of Gentiles; finally, physical Israel once again.

Follow up Activities

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The Judges of Men and Angels

One of the major operations that will be conducted in the Kingdom of God is that of judgment. God no longer judges people, He has committed all judgment to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has committed the work of judgment to the members of His Body, provided they are abiding in Him and are filled with His Spirit.

When the Lord returns, his true, victorious saints will receive immortal bodies and will be caught up to meet Him in the air. Then they will be placed on the thrones that govern the creation. At the last judgment, according to my understanding, they will be with Jesus when the angels and mankind are judged. This means that the victorious saints must be judged prior to the Lord’s return, for they cannot judge angels or mankind before they themselves have been judged.

Today is a period of judgment for us Christians. Judgment has begun in the household of God. All of the worldliness in us, all of the sins and passions of our flesh and soul, all of the filthiness of our spirit, all of our self-will and self-seeking, must be identified and confessed to the Lord. God is ready now to execute an eternal judgment in every believer who is willing to cooperate.

Primary Scriptures

And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, So that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:29,30)
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! (I Corinthians 6:2,3)
Instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:2)
I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)

Essential Points of Emphasis

We must renounce all sin and rebellion. When we do, an eternal judgment is exercised on our behalf. The Lord forgives us and then through His Holy Spirit removes the love of the world, the love of sin, and the love of self from us. No spiritual darkness is permitted to remain in the Body of Christ. The Bride of the Lamb must be without spot or wrinkle, not by imputation but by actual deliverance. What we do not confess, when prompted by the Holy Spirit, is an idol. There are to be no idolaters in the Kingdom of God.

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The Judgment Seat of Christ

Paul tells us we all must be revealed before the Judgment Seat. The Judgment Seat of Christ began when the Lord rose from the dead, according to Peter, and will conclude when Christ and His saints sit on the great white throne and judge mankind, at the time the earth and the heaven flee from the face of God.

What we have done while on the earth will be examined at the judgment seat. The good we have done will be returned to us at that time. Also, the bad we have done will be returned to us. It is not our heart that is at issue here, it is what we have actually done. As humans we like to believe that we really are good in our inner nature even though our deeds are wicked. This is a game we play with ourselves. The truth is, a liar is an individual who lies, not an individual who believes in his heart that he lies.

We cannot deliver ourselves from sin. We always are to exercise self-control as we are able, but only the Spirit of God can actually remove the elements of the sin nature. Therefore, at the Judgment Seat of Messiah the emphasis is not on the fact that we have a sin nature, because this we do not have the power to remove. Rather the judgment will be on what we were able to do, such as pray, read our Bible, give, serve, use our self-control, obey the Lord when He speaks to us personally, and so forth. Deliverance from sin is a reward for following the Holy Spirit in confessing and renouncing our sin, and for obeying, with Christ’s help, the numerous commands

Primary Scriptures

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:22)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (II Corinthians 5:10)
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7,8)
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (I Peter 4:17)

Essential Points of Emphasis

God gives us the opportunity to change what we are sowing so that in the day of resurrection we will reap eternal life. If we do not lay hold on this grace we will be judged as having neglected our great Divine salvation.

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* * * * *

The Kingdom of God

There is a real Heaven and a real Hell, make no mistake. But Jesus Christ did not come to bring us to Heaven or deliver us from Hell. There is no scriptural support for this prevailing myth.

It is true rather that the Lord Jesus Christ came to deliver us from spiritual death and give us eternal life. Eternal life is a kind of life by which all saved people are to live. Heaven is an actual place, not a kind of life. Salvation does not change where we are but what we are.

If our goal is Heaven we have to wait until we die in order to go there. Meanwhile we trust that God will overlook our wicked disposition and take us to Heaven anyway after we die.

But if our goal is to be a part of the Kingdom of God, the rule of God, then every day we have to make the effort to enter the Kingdom. We have to work with the Spirit as He removes from us every thought, word, and behavior that does not belong in the Kingdom of God. We enter the Kingdom of God now, not after we die.

We see, then, that whether we adopt the mythological goal of going to Heaven when we die, or the scriptural goal of entering the Kingdom of God today, has a practical effect on the diligence we apply to our Christian walk.

God invited the Lord Jesus to pray for the nations and the farthest reaches of the earth as His inheritance. Although the Lord had created the nations and the farthest reaches of the earth, He had to come as a baby and grow up to be crucified in order to possess that which He Himself had created.

Because we are coheirs with Christ, our inheritance is the nations and the farthest reaches of the earth. The nations and the farthest reaches of the earth are a far, far more valuable inheritance than is Heaven.

Primary Scriptures

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. (Psalms 2:8)
He said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.” (Luke 11:2)
Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 28:31)
To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery just as I have received authority from my Father. (Revelation 2:26,27)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The true effort of the new covenant is not to bring us to Heaven, it is to create Christ in us so we will be able to help ourselves and others to maintain Paradise once it is entrusted to us for the second time.

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* * * * *

The Love of Money

The Apostle Paul stated that the love of money is the root of all evil. This seems like too strong a statement. But when we consider the wickedness in the world of today, and then realize how many of the wicked acts proceed from the lust for money, we are more willing to follow Paul in this.

Of all the gods of the Greeks and Romans, the Lord Jesus mentioned only Mammon, reputed to be the Syrian god of riches. No man can serve the true God and also Mammon. He must select one or the other as his god in whom he trusts. Most of us Americans worship money. Perhaps we do not realize it, but we do.

“Covetousness is idolatry,” Paul said.

Our god is he or that which we trust to provide security and survival, pleasure, and achievement. The reason we Americans seek to amass as much money as we can is so we do not have to trust God to provide for us. We may express all sorts of justification as to why we want to store up more money than we need, apart from a reasonable provision for the future. The reason for our anxiety is that we are afraid there is no God, or if there is He is not able or willing to take care of us.

It is not impossible for the American economy to suffer a severe setback in the near future. If it does, God will still provide our needs. God can take care of every need we have at all times even if our entire nation becomes bankrupt. God is not at all bound by the American economy.

Primary Scriptures

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (Matthew 6:28)
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 6:13)
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (I Timothy 6:10)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Overcoming trust in money is not easy. However, if we truly desire to be like Jesus and trust God for all our needs, the Lord will cause the needed transformation to take place in our personality.

Our task is to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. God’s task is to perfectly fulfill His promises concerning us.

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* * * * *

The Manifestation of the Sons of God

Paul stated in the Book of Romans that the creation is eagerly awaiting the revealing of the sons of God. There are believers in our day who are viewing the revealing of the sons of God as an endowment of miraculous power that will be given to us in the last days. However, I think Paul is speaking of our returning with Christ to install the Kingdom of God on the earth.

We are in the Church Age at the present time, and shall continue to be in the Church Age until the return of the Lord. This means that the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit will continue to travail in birth pains until the members of Christ’s Body come to maturity as measured by the stature of the fullness of Christ. That the creation is bound with chains of sin and rebellion against God is evident. The consequence of such spiritual bondage is pain, insanity, uproar, sickness, bewilderment, and death. The whole planet is in an agony of torment and confusion.

What is the solution? Certainly not education. There is as much pain and bewilderment among highly educated people as there is among the uneducated. Certainly not democratic government. The United States of America is not a model of peace and righteousness. Some of our cities are in a state of near-anarchy. The only solution to the pain of the world is the return of the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ.

However, we may note that Paul did not say the creation is eagerly awaiting the revealing of the Son of God but of the sons of God. I do not think this statement of Paul’s is emphasized enough.

The fact that the creation shall be brought into the liberty of the glory of the children of God through the revealing of the sons of God gives us a true picture of our future, and also of the demands placed on us in the present world.

Primary Scriptures

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. (Romans 8:19)
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:10)
The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:14)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The Christian churches in their present state are not producing many believers who are prepared to return to the earth and cause God’s will to be done here as it is in Heaven. Only mature believers will be resurrected when the Lord returns, be gathered to Him in the air, and then descend with Him to release the groaning material creation.

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* * * * *

The Nations of the Saved

If the many scriptural doctrines being restored to the churches in our day, one of the most surprising appears to be that of the nations of saved people who are not part of the Church. Yet without an understanding of the saved nations, much of Isaiah, for example, becomes difficult of interpretation. In fact, the very term church means “called-out.” The emphasis on the Church is not on those who are saved, although the members of the Church are saved. Rather the idea is that of an elect who are called out from the ranks of mankind to be a firstfruits to God.

The concept of the firstfruits is very important in the Scriptures. Because God had slain the firstborn of the Egyptians, the firstborn of every creature in the land of Israel, whether human or animal, had to be redeemed with money or by death. The firstborn, or firstfruits, always belongs to the Lord in a special way. Whatever opens the womb is the Lord’s portion. The Church is not merely mankind but is taken from mankind to belong to God as a representative of mankind. Once the firstfruits has been waved before the Lord, then the remainder of the harvest can be gathered.

We see, then, a whole new concept, as far as our thinking is concerned. The Church is not the only group of individuals who are to enter eternal life. The “sheep nations” also will enter eternal life, into the kingdom prepared for them from the beginning of the world. The Church properly is the Kingdom, the government of God. The saved peoples of the earth will be governed and blessed by the Church.

The grand design, prefigured in the arrangement of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, is the new Jerusalem, which is the glorified Church, dwelling on the new earth so the nations of saved people can go up from time to time and be refreshed by the Presence of God in Christ in the saints. These are the trees of life growing by the River of Life, the eternal incorruptible resurrection life of the Holy Spirit.

Primary Scriptures

Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3)
For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. (Isaiah 60:12)
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. (Revelation 21:24)
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Apart from the nations of saved people we would have no inheritance.

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The New Covenant

The new covenant is this: “I will write My eternal moral law in their minds and in their hearts.”

It is not the Law of Moses that is written in our mind and heart, it is the eternal moral law of God, of which the Law of Moses is an abridged, covenantal version.

The moral law is written in our mind so we can understand it, and in our heart so we have a desire to obey it. “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

Actually, Jesus Christ is the moral law of God made flesh. As He is written in our mind and heart, the law of God is written in our mind and heart.

When we eat the flesh of Christ and drink His blood we are taking into our personality the law of God. The end result of the new covenant is that we become the personification of the law of God. The new Jerusalem, the glorified Church, is the highest form of the law of God, and is the covenant of God with saved mankind.

As we follow the Holy Spirit He writes the law in our mind and heart one small line at a time. Line upon line; command upon command; the law is created in our personality. This is the new covenant. We are to be living epistles that everyone can read. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Word of God, the Epistle of God made flesh. We are the flesh being made the Word of God.

When we are born again the Word of God is born in us. If we follow the Holy Spirit He will cause that which has been born in us to increase until it transforms all that we think; all that we say; all that we do.

Primary Scriptures

Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. (John 6:57)
You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (II Corinthians 3:3)
This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Hebrews 8:10)
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (I Peter 1:23)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The new covenant is made with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. The new covenant cannot possibly be made with a Gentile. We must become part of Jesus Christ if we would partake of the new covenant. Jesus Christ, and those who are an integral part of Him, whether Jewish or Gentile by race, are the true Israel of God.

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* * * * *

The Overcomer

At the present time, the overcomers, of the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation, are the only true members of the royal priesthood. The promises we ordinarily associate with being a Christian, such as ruling with Christ, are designated for the overcomer. And to the overcomers the rewards shall go—and to no one else!

Either we are overcoming through Christ or we are being overcome because we are not choosing to believe Christ. There is no middle ground. There are the winners and the losers. All the glorious rewards are given to the winners. The losers are facing pain and chastisement.

It is entirely possible to overcome sin through Christ, to gain the victory over sin. It is not only possible, it is absolutely necessary if we expect to receive the rewards designated for the overcomers.

I am not referring to being “sinlessly perfect” or any of the other objections that are raised. In the first place, our idea of perfection and God’s idea are two different matters. When Christ commanded us to be perfect He was not speaking of being perfected. Being perfect and being perfected are two different states of being.

An individual can only be perfect for the day. If he keeps on being perfect each day the point eventually will be reached where he or she has been perfected; and being perfect has nothing to do with being in Heaven, on the earth, or beyond the Milky Way galaxy.

What does it mean to be perfect each day? It means only that we have prayed and obeyed through the challenges of the day. We are not walking around in condemnation, we are praising the Lord and living in victory through Him. In this case the blood of the Lamb keeps us without condemnation even though we have not as yet been perfected.

Primary Scriptures

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36)
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Galatians 5:16)
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (I John 5:4)
He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (Revelation 21:7)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Jesus Christ came to earth to destroy the works of the devil. Christ has the power to conquer Satan in our personality.

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* * * * *

Responding to the Vision of God

God gives us a vision. In God’s time the vision will be fulfilled. The period of time between the vision and its fulfillment is critical for the saint. It is during this period of time that we are to patiently bear our cross after the Lord.

The record of Christianity, for the most part, is that of human beings taking matters into their own hands. Denominations may commence with a vision from the Lord, but it appears that sooner or later they take matters into their own hands.

We humans find waiting for the Lord very difficult. The true Christian life is one of patiently waiting for the Lord to fulfill His promises. The believers who are following their own understanding, walking in the flesh, will always mock those who are looking to the Lord Jesus for His will in every circumstance.

We know the current “faith” and “prosperity” teachings are not from the Lord because they insist we receive the answer right now. Such an attitude is contrary to the Scriptures.

One of the most difficult tests of the entire Christian discipleship involves waiting for God when there is something we desire intensely. We always ought to give thanks to God and let our requests be made known to Him. If we do not we may suffer needlessly. But we are not to attempt to smash down the door that is hindering what we think is God’s will. Once we break through that door we will find ourselves in an empty room. Had we looked around we probably would have seen another door that was open just a crack. The Kingdom of God is always associated with patience. God is patient. Christ is patient. And we are predestined to be in Their image.

Primary Scriptures

If we will guard the word of Christ’s patience He will guard us throughout the hour of temptation that is approaching.

By standing firm you will gain life. (Luke 21 19)
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; (Romans 5:3)
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. (Revelation 3:10)
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. What we hope for is the fulfillment of the vision. What is not seen is the fulfillment of the vision. So we are to patiently wait for God to do what He has promised.

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* * * * *

The Rest of God

The writer of the Book of Hebrews warns his readers, experienced Jewish Christians, to be careful that they do not come short of the rest of God. Just what is the rest of God? The writer proceeds, in the fourth chapter of Hebrews to present three aspects of the rest of God.

The first aspect has to with God’s work being finished from the beginning of the world. The second aspect has to with the Sabbath day. The third aspect is associated with the possessing of Canaan. Whoever would enter the rest of God must cease from his own works. The rest of God is that state of being where we refrain from our own ambitions and do what God is commanding at the moment. The greatest liberty any believer can achieve is the point at which God’s greatest desire is his greatest desire. Such a state of rest and freedom is not attained overnight, but it indeed is attainable if we will diligently pursue it.

The rest of God is based on the fact that God in six days created all events, all people, all things, all circumstances, through to the coming down of the new Jerusalem to the earth. Our own life and destiny is a part of the finished work of God. Then God rested. We are to enter that rest by ceasing from our own plans and looking to God for all we think, say, and do. The Lord Jesus does nothing apart from the Father. We are to nothing apart from Christ. When we are abiding in Christ, doing His perfect will at all times, we then are in the rest of God, the eternal Sabbath. This is the only kind of life worth living. This is an important part of our Canaan, our land of promise.

But numerous enemies are entrenched in the good things God has for us, particularly in the nations of the earth and the farthest reaches thereof. They are entrenched even in our own body, soul, and spirit. So in order to dwell in untroubled rest in God through Christ we have to continually pray and believe God until we are able to conquer every enemy that would keep us from rest in God.

Primary Scriptures

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. (John 8:28)
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. (Hebrews 4:10)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Having begun as a Christian we should not die in the wilderness of unbelief and disobedience. We should press forward in faith each day until we are living in the perfect center of God’s will through the Lord Jesus Christ.

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* * * * *

Restoration

The concept of restoration is central to the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. In the beginning God gave us a wonderful world—all that heart could desire. In addition, God Himself was present on the earth. Then, due to the evil suggestion of Satan, we lost our paradise on the earth. The Divine curse fell on us. Adam’s descendants were born in sin and rebellion. Sickness, death, and every other corruption soon took the place of the peace and joy of the Garden of Eden.

But all is not lost. God has given us a program through Jesus Christ by which all that we forfeited shall be restored—and much more added. There will be a new sky and a new earth—probably vastly larger than the original. It will be a new world of righteousness. All sin will be gone forever. There will be no more sea of people who do not have a portion of Christ and God in them. This we have to look forward to.

Instead of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, the glorified Church will descend from Heaven through the new sky to rest forever on the new earth. God will be present on the earth once again, this time dwelling in Christ and the saints. God in Christ in the saints will be available to whoever chooses to come up to the new Jerusalem and ask for life, healing and guidance. Jerusalem will be the very Throne of God.

The story of mankind is that of restoration. We receive the blessing freely; we forfeit through our foolishness what was given to us; then we begin the long process of seeking to regain what we lost. Once we regain our inheritance we do not lose it again because we have come to understand the value of it.

Primary Scriptures

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” (Nehemiah 2:17)
At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. (Jeremiah 3:17)
When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” (Luke 15:17,18)
He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. (Acts 3:21)

Essential Points of Emphasis

God is not going to restore eternal residence in Heaven to us because the spirit-Heaven is not what we lost. What we lost was visible fellowship with God and Paradise on the earth. What will be restored is visible fellowship with God, and Paradise on the earth.

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* * * * *

The Resurrection

The resurrection from the dead is the central hope of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. No other religion, to my knowledge, offers the hope of people returning to resume life on the earth in a flesh and bones body. The resurrection from the dead threatens Satan kingdom, which consists of the nations on the earth and the earth itself. Satan is not at all concerned that we return to Heaven, his original home. Satan’s fear is that Christ and His saints will return and take over the kingdoms of the world.

Every individual who has lived on the earth will be raised in either the first or second resurrection. The power of God will put our body back together again just as in the beginning God made man from the dust of the ground. It is what happens to us after this that is important. The Scriptures teach that we will be clothed in our own works. We will reap what we have sown. Our body will correspond to what has been developed in our inward nature.

When we die our body sleeps in the ground. We hope our inward nature will go to an area of peace and joy. But in the day of resurrection, in which we all will participate, our flesh and bones body will be reassembled and once again house our inward nature. It is right at this point that we either will be clothed in the Glory of God or in the corruption of the adamic nature.

The resurrection is the focus of concern, not what happens when we die. For no matter where we go when we die we will be awaiting the day of resurrection.

Primary Scriptures

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23)
Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, (II Corinthians 5:2)
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, And so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10,11)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The primary goal of redemption is the adoption of our body so that it is filled with the Life of God. The Apostle Paul groaned for the adoption of his body so he would be free from the compulsions of sin.

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is physical death. This shall take place when the Lord returns. What we will face in that day depends on our behavior today.

Follow up Activities

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* * * * *

The Royal Priesthood

The Church is the royal priesthood. It has been chosen by the Lord to govern, guide, and bless the members of the nations of saved people on the earth. It appears that throughout the history of the Christian Church there has been little understanding of this role of God’s saints. The unceasing emphasis on our eternal residence in Heaven leads away from the idea that one day we will be governing, guiding, and blessing the peoples of the earth.

Each true Christian has experienced the seemingly endless dealings of the Lord with him or her. Every thought, every word, every actions is brought up for review it seems. The reason for this careful training is that we are being prepared to be priests—representatives of God to man and of man to God. Priests must be holy. Holiness has to with spiritual purity and with our nearness to God. Righteousness has to do with our behavior toward people. Holiness has to do with our behavior toward God.

Believers are not usually referred to in the New Testament as “Christians.” The term employed by the Apostle Paul is saints. The term saint means “holy one.” It appears to me that our current generation of Christian believers is not, for the most part, sensitive to the issue of holiness. The Book of First John tells us that as Christ is, so are we to be in this world. We are to walk as He walked.

We may know something about righteous behavior. Now we must learn about holiness, about spiritual purity, about closeness to our holy God. “Be holy for I am holy,” commands the Lord. “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” Why not? Because only the pure in heart are permitted to see God. If we are to please God in the present hour we must return to the ways of holiness, no matter how much we are criticized by other Christians who are certain that the grace of God excuses their conduct.

Primary Scriptures

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (II Corinthians 7:1)
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; (I Peter 1:15)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (I Peter 2:9)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The Book of First John tells us that as Christ is, so are we to be in this World. We Are to Walk as He Walked.

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* * * * *

The Second Death

There are eight behaviors over which the second death maintains authority. These eight behaviors bring the one who practices them to torment and eternal separation from God. What Christians may not always understand is that the Lake of Fire, which is the second death, always maintains authority over these behaviors—even when they are in a Christian.

When we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as the atonement for our sins, the Lake of Fire is forced to withhold its claims for a season while the Lord seeks to assist us in overcoming the specified behaviors. Those who conquer these unlawful behaviors can no longer be tormented by the second death. The second death has no authority over them. They could walk on the Lake of Fire without being harmed.

But if we refuse to permit the Lord to remove such behavior from us, then we eventually will find ourselves in the Lake of Fire even though we profess faith in Christ. Divine grace provides us with the opportunity to be forgiven and delivered. But after we have been forgiven, if we do not bear the fruit of righteousness and holiness that God is looking for, then we are in clear danger of having our name blotted from the Book of Life and being thrown into the Lake that burns with fire and sulfur.

It truly is appalling that the Divine warnings concerning wicked behavior are hidden from the understanding of Christian believers because their teachers and pastors are so willing to curry favor with them. But the fact remains: the second death always retains authority over these eight behaviors whether or not we are taught the truth of the Scriptures.

Primary Scriptures

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:5)
Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)
Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (Revelation 22:15)

Essential Points of Emphasis

All sin will be removed from the creation, not by virtue of dying and going to Heaven but by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. This work of the removal of sin, which is the spiritual fulfillment of the Jewish Day of Atonement, has begun today.

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* * * * *

Shattering the Power of the Saints

Twice in Daniel and twice in the Book of Revelation we are told that God will permit the saints to be overcome, that the power of the saints will be shattered. This shattering will take place under Divine supervision in order that Antichrist may be revealed fully.

The Book of Romans informs us that there is no power that can separate a saint from God’s love. We understand that. Nevertheless the Bible is clear that after the great latter-rain revival, God will permit the saints to be overcome by Antichrist; this is to say, they will not be able to bear witness in the major cities of the earth.

The saints will be overcome by three powers, sometimes working in their own lives to cause them to fall from their position in Christ, and sometimes working in other Christians or in the secular population resulting in vicious persecution.

The three powers are described symbolically in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation as Sodom, Egypt, and Jerusalem. Sodom represents the lusts of the flesh. Egypt symbolizes the love of the world system. Jerusalem portrays self-will, self-seeking.

The spirit of Antichrist has been in the world since the first century, according to the Apostle John. But after the great end-time revival, God will withdraw the power of the testimony so Antichrist can be revealed fully.

This indeed will be a dark hour, the hour in which no man can work. However, a remnant of anointed believers will remain on the earth, although hidden away according to my understanding. In this remnant will be the power of deliverance, the means of salvation for those who come to them.

Primary Scriptures

He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. (Daniel 7:25)
The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” (Daniel 12:7)
Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. (Revelation 11:7)
He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. (Revelation 13:7)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The reason for the shaking of the earth and the heaven is that all that is not of Christ may be removed from every place of authority.

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* * * * *

Suffering and Glory

The fourth chapter of the Book of First Peter has as its theme salvation by means of the fiery trials of the judgment of God on our personality. The chapter begins by exhorting us to arm ourselves with a mind to suffer, because suffering in the flesh purges sin from us. “The righteous are saved with difficulty,” Peter maintains. This is referring to the fact that we have to endure fiery trials if we are to escape the bondages of sin and self-will. We know that suffering produces perseverance in us, and persevering during the trials of the Christian discipleship results in our being made perfect, lacking nothing that pertains to salvation.

The Apostle Paul claims that we must suffer if we are to rule. The reason for this is as follows: through suffering, God conquers the rebellion that is in us. The original sin came into existence when Satan rebelled against the Father. God will never accept rebellion against His will on the part of any creature, angelic or human. Therefore those who would rule under God must suffer every kind of trial, pain, prison, frustration, irritation, until there is no flaw in their stern obedience to the Father.

We must live in the power of Christ’s resurrection, and through this power share in the sufferings of Christ, being conformed to His death on the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ has been with God from eternity. Yet, Christ learned obedience in the earth through the things He suffered here. The level of obedience required of those who would govern in God’s Kingdom can be attained only through suffering Therefore let us profit from our suffering, as Jesus did, patiently committing ourselves to God as we are denied the things, circumstances, and relationships we desire intensely. When we have suffered according to His will He shall give us the desires of our heart and add no sorrow with them.

Primary Scriptures

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (Philippians 3:10)
Trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. (I Peter 1:11)
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. (I Peter 4:1,2)
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. (James 5:10)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The last days will be characterized by a great deal of deception. There is only one action that we can take that will guard against deception: denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following the Lord Jesus each day.

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* * * * *

Survival and Achievement, Worship and Accomplishment

Every healthy human being is intensely concerned about his or her survival and security in the world. Every healthy human being is intensely involved in seeking that which he or she desires above all else. This is the realm of idolatry, worship, and joy. Every healthy human being has a desire to express himself or herself by some accomplishment, by some contribution or expansion of his or her personality. When all is said and done, there are only two ways of behaving in this present world. Either we utilize our own intelligence, strength, and talents or that of other people to gain survival and security, pleasure, and achievement, or else we trust God in His own way and time to provide survival and security, pleasure, and achievement for us. There is no third way to approach life.

The Lord Jesus (as we all are) was tempted with bread (survival and security); with the kingdoms of the world (pleasure) and with jumping from the gable of the Temple (achievement). The Lord passed the three tests by appealing to the written Word of God. The Word is His testimony. We shall be tested in these three realms, and we too must overcome by adhering strictly to God’s Word. This is how we overcome the accuser.

God has promised us survival and security in the world. Either we will attempt to create our own survival and security or we will trust God’s Word and enter His rest. God has promised us fullness of joy. Either we will attempt to create our own joy or we will trust God’s Word and enter His rest. God has promised us fruitfulness and dominion. Either we will attempt to create our own fruitfulness and dominion or we will trust God’s Word and enter His rest.

Primary Scriptures

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. (Mark 8:35)
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (I John 2:15)

Essential Points of Emphasis

We can flee from trust in the world by calling on the Lord for strength. We can overcome sin by following the Holy Spirit carefully and confessing and turning away from our sinful passions. Self-will is by far the most difficult area of challenge. Until we are willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus, we cannot possibly be His disciple.

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* * * * *

The Temple of God

The building of the eternal Temple of God is one of the main subjects of the Scripture. The Lord Jesus Christ the only man ever to appear on the earth who truly is in God’s complete image in body, soul, and spirit. As glorious as the Lord Jesus is, the most significant aspect of His personality is that He is the dwelling place of God, the eternal Temple of God. God has created all things through the Lord Jesus Christ and upholds all things through the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Christ has been formed in us and is dwelling in us, it may be said that the eternal Throne of God, the Temple of God, has been formed in us and is dwelling in us.

Since Christ is the only Throne of God, the only Temple of God, Christ must be formed in us if we are to serve as the dwelling place of God. Christ cannot be formed in us until we are willing to lay down our own life, our own thoughts, our own desires, our own plans and ambitions, that the Life of Christ in us may be fully developed and expressed.

In God’s house, His temple, there are to be many rooms. God’s Temple is Christ. So we are saying that in Christ there will be many rooms in which God can dwell. We are those rooms, those living stones in the great Temple of God.

Since this is undeniably the truth of the Bible, let us lay aside all else that we may be crucified and Christ may live in us.

This is why we were created—to be the dwelling place of God. Until we die to our first personality and Christ is formed in us and is living in us, we will never enter that state of being for which we originally were designed.

Primary Scriptures

Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:1,2)
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 2:21,22)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (Revelation 21:3)

Essential Points of Emphasis

God will not dwell in our adamic nature. God will dwell only in Christ. If we want God to dwell in us we must work with the Holy Spirit until Christ is formed in us. Christ is the dwelling place of God.

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* * * * *

The Thousand-year Kingdom Age

Between the first and second resurrections from the dead there shall be a thousand-year period, whether the thousand years is a symbolic or literal expression of time. The thousand-year period often is referred to as the Millennium. I choose to refer to it as the “Kingdom Age,” for it will be characterized by the rule of the rod of iron.

The story of Gideon is a portrayal of the last days. The battle was won by a handful of Israelites, but the remainder of Israel profited from the victory. So it is true that the Lord will call up His mighty men when He returns, and they will win the victory on behalf of the entire Church.

From my point of view, one of the principal purposes of the thousand-year Kingdom Age is to bring to maturity the weaker members of God’s elect. Victory will be brought to the “smoking flax and the bruised reed.” I think that during the thousand years the stronger members of the Bride of the Lamb will assist the weaker until the entire new Jerusalem is ready for its descent to the new earth.

I do not mean to imply by this that we can lead a careless life now and we nevertheless will be a part of the new Jerusalem. Not at all! If we do not press through to victory now, only Jesus Christ will decide whether we will ultimately be permitted to be part of His Church, or what our destiny will be.

Make no mistake about this. If we are not faithful in that which is least we would not be faithful in the greater and the greater will not be entrusted to us.

Yet it is true that the victorious saints constitute only a minority of God’s elect. The victorious saints are as David’s mighty men—a part of Israel but distinguished by prowess in war.

Primary Scriptures

If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar. (Song of Solomon 8:9)
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. (Isaiah 42:3,4)
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1)
They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. (Revelation 20:9)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The Kingdom Age will begin when the Lord Jesus returns to earth. The Kingdom Age will terminate when Satan is released from the bottomless pit and leads the nations in rebellion against the saints.

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* * * * *

The Three Stages of Redemption

The purpose for our being made the dwelling place of God is that God might be able through us to relate to all of His other creatures. As it is now, God is separated from His rebellious creation. His holy Character prevents His associating with that which is unholy, whether cherubim, seraphim, angels, people, priests of the order of Melchisedec, or whatever other creatures there may be in the universe.

In order to attain God’s eternal purpose in us we must experience not just two, but three works of grace.

The first work of grace is forgiveness through the blood of the cross.
The second work of grace is that of being filled with God’s Spirit.
The third work of grace includes Christ being formed in us, and then the Father and the Son coming to dwell in that which has been formed in us.

In association with the three works of grace, there are three deaths and three resurrections we are to experience.

The first death is death to the world. The first resurrection is into the Kingdom of God.
The second death is death to sin. The second resurrection is into spiritual freedom.
The third death is death to self-will. The third resurrection is into the fullness of fruitfulness and dominion.

Two thousand years of Church history have established the first two works of grace. Now God is ready to bring us into the final death and resurrection, and into the place where Christ and the Father can make us Their eternal dwelling place.

Primary Scriptures

If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—(John 14:15,16)
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23)
My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, (Galatians 4:19)

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The Divine goal set before us is that we might be the dwelling place of God through Jesus Christ. To attain this supreme goal we must be conformed to the moral (and finally bodily) image of Jesus Christ, and we must be dwelling in untroubled rest in the center of God’s will.

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* * * * *

The Throne of God

It has pleased God to give all of His authority and power to the Lord Jesus Christ. In order to receive such unimaginable authority and power, Christ first had to be perfected in obedience in the earth. Because of the perfect faithfulness of Christ, He now is seated on the Throne of God.

The Lord told us, in the Book of Revelation, that He has overcome all the enemies that have sought to destroy Him and now is seated with His Father on His Father’s Throne. Then the Lord told us that whoever would overcome as He overcame would be given the right to sit on the Throne of Christ. There is no other verse in the Bible that promises to the saint such an exalted position. This promise may be found at the end of the third chapter of the Book of Revelation.

I will tell you what I believe this promise means. I believe that Christ sits with the Father on the Throne of Christ’s Personality. The Father was on the Throne of Christ’s Personality. Then, when Christ overcame all that came against Him He was permitted to sit down with His Father on the Throne of His own Personality. In the same manner, we invite the Father and Christ to sit down on the throne of our own personality. When through Christ we overcome all that comes against us during our discipleship, we will be invited to sit with Christ on the throne of our own personality.

Every one of us was created with a throne room in his or her personality. When we first come to Christ we must turn that throne over to Him. If we prove absolutely faithful the day will come when we are invited back on the throne of our own heart. Then we are one with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

From our life, then, will proceed, government, judgment, blessing, and mercy. It will really not be us who is providing government, judgment, blessing, and mercy but Christ who is dwelling in us. However it is not Christ who is providing government, judgment, blessing, and mercy but God who is dwelling in Christ.

Primary Scriptures

At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. (Jeremiah 3:17)
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2:6)
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. (Revelation 22:3)

Essential Points of Emphasis

This is our eternal destiny—to be incorporated into Jesus Christ until we are one Whole with God just as Christ Himself is one Whole with God.

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* * * * *

The Two Beginnings

In the beginning God through Jesus Christ created the spirit realm and all its inhabitants, the sky, the earth, and all its inhabitants. Satan, apparently, was one of two cherubim who guarded the Throne of God in Heaven. Then rebellion entered the creation, commencing with Satan. Satan and the angels who followed him were removed from their places of authority in Heaven and many of them of high rank, it seems, appear to have occupied thrones in the air above the earth.

The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world, and through His death on the cross made an atonement for the sins of mankind. When the Lord Jesus Christ cried on the cross, “It is finished,” the end of the first creation had arrived. For all intents and purposes, the entire first creation is dead and ready to pass away. Then God raised Christ from the dead. Now a new creation has come into view. Every person who is baptized in water is stating that his first, adamic life has been concluded and he now has risen with Christ to walk in the life of the new creation.

One of the greatest errors in Christian thinking is the perception of Christianity as a religion whereby people who follow the rules will go to Heaven when they die. This is not what the Christian salvation is. The Christian salvation asks us to renounce our first life, to count it crucified, to regard it as having died with the first creation. Now we are to count that we are alive in and with the Lord Jesus Christ at the right hand of God. The mainspring of our salvation is crucifixion and resurrection. All of our personality must be brought down to the death of the cross. The Life of Jesus Christ must enter us. We must live by His body and blood. We must become as much a part of Him as He is of the Father. This union with Christ is the Kingdom.

Primary Scriptures

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1-3)
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn 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. (Colossians 1:15-17)
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. (Revelation 3:14)

Essential Points of Emphasis

There have been two beginnings of two distinctly separate creations. Christ is the Beginning of both creations, the old and the new. It is essential to our life as a Christian that we understand clearly that God is not going to save any aspect of the old creation. God is making all things new in Jesus Christ.

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* * * * *

Two Kinds of Righteousness

There is a form of righteousness found in the writings of the Apostle Paul that does not appear in any of the other covenants God has made with man. It is referred to as imputed righteousness (ascribed righteousness). The concept is that the Lord Jesus Christ kept the Law of Moses perfectly and then died as though He were a sinner. On this basis, God is willing to impute or ascribe to any individual who will receive Christ the same righteousness that would be true if the believer had kept the Law of Moses perfectly.

However, there is a proviso, as mentioned in the eighth chapter of the Book of Romans. The perfect righteousness of the Law of Moses will be ascribed to us provided we turn aside from our sinful desires and follow the Spirit of God. Because we humans have such a struggle with our sinful nature we have forgotten the proviso. The Christian salvation now is preached as though the new covenant consists almost exclusively of imputed, ascribed righteousness. No more deadly misunderstanding of the new covenant would be possible.

The result of the adoption of imputed righteousness as though it is the only righteousness of the new covenant has destroyed the testimony of the Christian Church. We have a religion to which a person can subscribe and receive forgiveness of sins. But the power of Divinely-inspired morality is largely absent from our midst. In fact, Christians vigorously resist the thought that true salvation always results in moral transformation. So now we have a Kingdom of God which is no kingdom at all. It is a house of cards. We humans always will be miserable sinners. But God keeps on imputing righteousness to us because we profess faith in Christ. What a disaster!

Primary Scriptures

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, (Romans 3:21,22)
In order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:4)
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (II Corinthians 3:18)

Essential Points of Emphasis

When the Bible commands us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness it is not referring to imputed righteousness but to actual righteousness. The new covenant makes us righteous in thought, word, and deed if we diligently follow the Holy Spirit.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

The Two Witnesses

I understand that the Christian world regards the two witnesses of the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation as being two patriarchs or prophets from the Old Testament. I think this is an incorrect interpretation. To begin with, our charge as the Christian Church is to bear witness of Christ in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. In order to accomplish this we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore it does not make sense that the Lord would go back before the new covenant, before Christ’s death and resurrection, to obtain witnesses of the coming Kingdom of God.

In the eleventh chapter of Revelation we find that the two witnesses are symbolized as two lampstands and two olive trees. The reference is to the fourth chapter of the Book of Zechariah. The interpretation is that the Temple of God will be completed “not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of God.” The lampstand of the Bible, being pure gold, always represents Deity. The other use of the figure of the lampstand involves the seven churches of the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation. The seven churches are shown as golden lampstands because they are the churches of Christ, who is Deity.

In the fourth chapter of the Book of Revelation we notice not two lampstands, but one. That Lampstand is Jesus Christ. The two olive trees pouring olive oil directly into the seven cups of the lampstand symbolize the double portion of God’s Spirit, such as rested on Elisha. Where then did the second lampstand come from? It is my point of view that the second lampstand is the Body of Christ that has been formed during the Christian Era.

Primary Scriptures

Make a lampstand of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms shall be of one piece with it. (Exodus 25:31)
He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it, with seven channels to the lights.” (Zechariah 4:2)
The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:20)
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. (Revelation 11:4)

Essential Points of Emphasis

The eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation is referring to Christ and the members of His Body who are on the earth, ministering under the power of a double portion of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness to every nation of the soon coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

The Wall

When one reads the twenty-first chapter of the Book of Revelation it can be seen that the great jasper wall is emphasized, along with the gems adorning the twelve foundations of the wall. Why the emphasis on the wall of the city? The reason is, the creating of the wall is a main purpose for the six thousand years of world history. Originally God placed man in Paradise on the earth. Man was deceived by wickedness. God, because of His holy, righteous nature, was compelled to withdraw from the earth, leaving behind a curse.

God does not want this to happen again. Therefore He is creating a wall to forever keep sin from entering His Presence, and away from the Tree of Life. If there had been a wall around the Garden of Eden, sin could not have entered. Never again will there be an unwalled Paradise. The wall against sin is the Lord Jesus Christ. He also is the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Now Christ is being formed in us. When Christ has come to maturity in us we will love righteousness and hate iniquity. The truest indication that Christ is growing in us is that we are becoming ever stronger in our ability to discern good and evil, and to choose the good and absolutely reject the evil.

God has the power to instantly remove all wickedness from a human being, leaving him as free from a sinful nature as was true of Adam and Eve. Why doesn’t God do this for us when we first receive Christ as our Savior? The reason is, God is intent on forming Christ, the Wall against sin, in us. If Christ put us back in Paradise before the wall against sin is formed in us, you know what would happen. We would fall once more.

The reason for the six thousand years of insanity on the earth is so angels and men might witness the result of yielding to Satan, and also to create a wall in people so they may be able to govern Paradise when it has been placed once more on the earth.

Primary Scriptures

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, (Ephesians 3:10)
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. (Hebrews 1:9)
The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. (Revelation 21:18)
Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (Revelation 22:15)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Walls against sin are built on the earth, not in Heaven. Sin began in Heaven around the Throne of God.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

War

Speaking in terms of the seven feasts of the Lord, the Christian Church has come as far as the fulfillment of the feast of Pentecost. The fifth feast, the celebration following Pentecost, is the Blowing of Trumpets. Those of us who are pressing forward in Christ are experiencing the spiritual fulfillment of the Jewish Blowing of Trumpets. Our choruses are becoming militant. We are being trained in the discipline that always must be true of an army, in this case an army of judges that will return with the Lord and drive all wickedness from the creation.

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Hosts, is standing before us. He is ready to declare war on the enemies in our personality: the love of the world, the lusts and passions of the flesh, soul, and spirit, and especially our stubbornness, rebellion, and self-seeking. The coming of the Lord to drive evil from the members of His army of necessity must occur prior to His worldwide appearing; for at His worldwide appearing He will invade the earth with His army riding behind Him. No person can ride behind Christ in the attack of Armageddon until that individual first has been subjected to the scrutiny of Christ in every tiniest aspect of his or her personality.

The Lord is standing before us today. He is asking us to open the everlasting doors of our heart. If we will do this, He will enter us and dine with us. We eat His flesh and drink His blood. He dines on our worship and obedience. At the same time He declares war on all of His enemies that are in us. We who are experienced Christians find that sins we thought had been removed from us long ago are now raising up in us. Instead of coming to the conclusion we have backslidden, or trying to hold the sins down, we are to confess them specifically to the Lord (and to other people if indicated), denounce them with all our might, renounce them with all our strength, calling on Jesus Christ for assistance.

Primary Scriptures

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. (Psalms 24:7,8)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (II Corinthians 10:3,4)
And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. (Revelation 12:10)
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. (Revelation 19:19)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Evil compulsions dwelling in our personality are God’s enemies and our enemies. It is time now to drive them out of our land of promise, beginning with our own personality.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

The Witness of God

We need to understand the difference between witnessing and evangelizing. In the majority of instances when the term “witnessing” is used today we really are referring to preaching the Gospel and evangelizing. Also, we need to understand the difference between bearing witness and ministering the Gospel. There is an abundance of ministry in the United States at the present time, but the witness of God is nearly dead.

A witness is not necessarily a preacher, but every preacher should be a witness. However, many times the preachers of the Gospel of Christ are actually, in their behavior, bearing witness of Satan. They lie, steal, sometimes commit adultery or fornication, and molest children. They often are covetous. Sometimes they are unmerciful in their actions toward other people. They seek their own advantage. They gossip and slander. All this is true, in some instances, of the preachers of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. They are ministers but not witnesses.

Only God can make a witness. The Holy Spirit can give a new Christian a ministry or gift, but that does not make him or her a witness of God. A denomination can install someone as the pastor of an assembly, but that does not make the individual a witness of God.

A witness of God is someone who has seen God, who has heard God, who has touched God, who has walked with God. All else in Gospel work has its place of usefulness. But only as we walk through the fires, dangers, and pressures of life on earth with our hand in God’s hand do we gain the knowledge of the Holy and become a witness of the Person of God, His way, His will, and His eternal purposes in Jesus Christ.

Primary Scriptures

But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:1,2)
“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” (Isaiah 43:10)
We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, (Acts 10:39)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. (I John 1:1)

Essential Points of Emphasis

God makes witnesses of Himself that He alone is God. We must see God, hear Him, touch Him, before we can bear witness of Him.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

Working Out Our Salvation

One of the harmful errors of current Christian teaching is the emphasis placed on an initial acceptance of Christ as our Savior. In fact, accepting Christ has become a ticket to Heaven rather than a start on the narrow way that leads to eternal life.

Part of our misunderstanding arises from our definition of what it means to be “saved.” When we define being saved as holding a ticket that will admit us to Heaven when we die, we are in error. Holding a ticket that will admit us to Heaven when we die is not what it means to be saved.

To be saved, in the scriptural sense of the world, is to be saved from the world and brought into the Kingdom of God; to be saved from the lusts and passions of our sinful personality and brought into freedom from the bondages of sin; to be saved from our adamic will and thinking, and all idolatry, and brought into the rest of God, the abiding place in the center of God’s fiery Person. To be saved is to acquire a hatred of wickedness and a love for iron righteousness, fiery holiness, and stern obedience to God.

We have seen then that salvation is a lifelong discipleship. Each day we should be further from the chains of worldliness, lust, and self-will. Each day a part of our adamic personality should die and the Life of Christ should be formed in its place. Each day we should be further from the person and works of Satan and closer to the Person and works of God.

Primary Scriptures

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (Philippians 2:12)
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. (I Peter 4:1,2)
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (I Peter 4:19)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Receiving Christ is the beginning of our transformation from the old creation to the new creation. Each day we are pressing into more abundant eternal life. Our adamic personality is decreasing and Christ is increasing. Each day God is making all things new in our personality. The gate is small and the way is constricted that lead to eternal life, that lead to the Father. And we are going through that gate and walking on that path every day.

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic.

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

Read further on this concept in Fifty-two Kingdom Topics.

* * * * *

REVIEW QUESTIONS

Topic #1: Born of God

1. True or false:

Being born again is related primarily to knowledge of facts about Jesus Christ.

The seed which is born in us is Divine.

God is trying to save our adamic personality.

The formation of Christ in us is the new creation.

2. Which verse in the New Testament characterizes the type of seed with which we have been born again?

Topic #2: The Bride of the Lamb

1. True or false:

Adam and Eve portray the relationship between Jesus and His Church.

The Jews were freed from physical slavery but became ensnared in spiritual bondage to false gods.

If we are married to Jesus we can live separate lives.

If Jesus is a King, then His Church is a Queen.

2. Describe the result of our being one in Jesus in the Father as found in John Chapter Seventeen.

Topic #3: Brothers of Christ

1. True or false:

When Jesus was raised from the dead He became the firstborn of many brothers.

If we remain faithful we will become coheirs with Jesus over all the works of God’s hands.

2. Explain how an understandable reverence of God may hinder our apprehension of His promises.

Topic #4: Christ, Head and Body

1. True or false:

The Servant of the Lord is Jesus Christ—Head and Body.

God is interested in establishing justice on the earth.

The gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit build up the Body of Christ into maturity.

2. Who will God use to overthrow evil and establish justice on the earth?

Topic #5: The Coming of the Lord

1. True or false:

The purpose of the coming of the Lord is to rescue His people from Antichrist.

If we are not prepared for the coming of the Lord ourselves then we will be of little use to help others in the time of trouble ahead.

2. Describe the context of The fourth chapter of First Thessalonians as it relates to the coming of the Lord.

Topic #6: The Continuity of the Testaments

1. True or false:

The goal of the Old and New Testaments are separate from one another.

There is a Jewish Church and a Gentile Church.

2. What does the second chapter of Ephesians teach us about the one new man?

Topic #7: The Day of Atonement

1. True or false:

Only one goat was utilized on the Day of Atonement.

If we continue to walk carelessly in sin as Christians we have nothing to fear at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

2. Explain the significance of the second goat as it relates to taking away the presence of sin.

Topic #8: The Day of the Lord

1. True or false:

The Day of the Lord can be thought of as extending over one thousand years.

Every believer no matter how they behaved while a Christian will be raised at the first resurrection.

The Apostle Paul near the end of his life after all that he had accomplished yet pressed forward to attain the resurrection out from the dead.

2. Who is raised at the first resurrection? At the second resurrection?

Topic #9: The Disciple

1. True or false:

The Great Commission tells us to go out and “save souls.”

The Great Commission tells us to make disciples and to teach them to obey God’s commandments.

If necessary a true disciple must be willing to turn away from those who hinder his pursuit of the Lord.

2. Explain how a person might be termed a Christian but not truly be a disciple.

Topic #10: Eagles’ Wings

1. True or false:

God does not really expect us to grow in Christ.

Ascribed, or imputed righteousness is a starting point for us to grow further into the image of Jesus Christ.

2. After we first believe upon Jesus Christ how can we grow further in His image?

Topic #11: The End-time

1. True or false:

In addition to great turmoil, revival is also coming during the last days.

Lukewarm believers will have a difficult time in the end-time.

2. Why will the love of many who come in during the revival period grow weak?

Topic #12: Eternal Life

1. True or false:

Eternal life and going to Heaven are the same thing.

There are two kinds of life.

The parable of the sower and the parable of the talents teach us it is possible to lose the life God has given us.

2. Explain why the Apostle Paul would tell Timothy to fight the good fight of faith and to lay hold on eternal life.

Topic #13: Faith

1. True or false:

Faith is mental agreement with accurate theological statements.

True faith in Christ should be manifested by a change in our behavior.

Faith is mostly about receiving things from God for our benefit.

2. What characterizes the “faith” exhibited by the saints in Hebrews Eleven?

Topic #14: The Feast of Tabernacles

1. True or false:

God intends for us to become wells of living water.

Those experiencing Tabernacle become more God-centered than man-centered.

2. Utilizing Isaiah Chapter Twelve characterize the experience of someone who is entering the Feast of Tabernacles.

Topic #15: The Feasts of the Lord

1. List the seven feasts of the Lord.

2. Briefly summarize what the seven feasts of the Lord symbolize in the Christian redemption.

3. What three feasts occur after Pentecost, and what is the significance of these last three feasts?

Topic #16: The First Resurrection

1. True or false:

There is only one resurrection from the dead.

Everyone is raised at the first resurrection when the Lord Jesus returns.

At the second resurrection everyone is thrown into the Lake of Fire.

2. How does the Apostle John describe those who are raised at the first resurrection?

Topic #17: The Firstfruits of the Bride

1. True or false:

According to the New Testament there are those who are least and those who are greatest in the Kingdom of God.

Every Christian shall receive the same reward.

2. Give an example from the Old Testament where God worked with a few men instead of a larger number.

Topic #18: The Four Aspects of the Divine Decree

1. List the four aspects of the Divine decree concerning man.

2. What must take place before there is any chance of man fulfilling the four decrees?

Topic #19: The Four Great Types

1. List the four great types.

2. What do the four great types symbolize?

Topic #20: The Goal of Salvation

1. True or false:

God has needs and He has roles planned for us to meet His needs.

To meet those needs we simply go to Heaven.

God is more interested in our change into His image than in our leaving earth to go to Heaven.

2. Review the list of roles God has for His saints and explain how change is necessary to accomplish the responsibilities of those roles.

Topic:#21: Grace and Faith Versus the Law of Moses, Not Versus Righteous Behavior

1. How does the second chapter of Titus define “grace”?

2. What does the fifth chapter of Galatians tell us about believers who continue to practice unrighteous behavior?

3. What did the Apostle Paul mean by “works”?

Topic #22: The Great Tribulation

1. True or false:

There is no difference between tribulation and wrath.

The Apostle Paul taught that we enter the Kingdom of God through much tribulation.

2. How can tribulation result in good in our lives?

Topic #23: Image and Union

1. Identify the two aspects of salvation.

2. Give an example of being in the image of God but not in union with Him.

Topic #24: Israel

1. Summarize what the “one new man” represents as found in the second chapter of Ephesians.

2. Summarize what “the olive tree” represents as found in the eleventh chapter of Romans.

Topic #25: The Judges of Men and Angels

1. True or false:

The victorious saints will also be judges in the Kingdom of God.

To be a just judged we must first be judged ourselves.

2. Explain what God expects us to do when the Holy Spirit convicts of a sinful behavior.

Topic #26: The Judgment Seat of Christ

1. True or false:

According to the Apostle Peter the Judgment Seat of Christ has already begun.

Second Corinthians teaches us that we “all” must stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

2. What does the concept of reaping and sowing mean to you?

Topic #27: The Kingdom of God

1. True or false:

As coheirs with Christ we will inherit the nations of the earth.

To rule the nations requires that we overcome in this life.

We enter the Kingdom of God after we die.

2. Explain the difference between viewing salvation as a place versus a change in what we are.

Topic #28: The Love of Money

1. True or false:

Money is the root of all evil.

The love of money is the root of all evil.

Greed is a form of idolatry.

2. Explain why a person might love money.

Topic #29: The Manifestation of the Sons of God

1. True or false:

The solution to the problems of the earth is found in education and government.

The return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the victorious saints will release the material creation from bondage.

2. What evidence is their that the earth at present is under bondage?

Topic #30: The Nations of the Saved

1. What does the word church mean?

2. Explain the concept of firstfruits.

Topic #31: The New Covenant

1. Why is the moral law of God written in our heart and our mind?

2. Explain what it means to become a living epistle.

Topic #32: The Overcomer

1. True or false:

It is not possible in this life to overcome sin.

The promises in chapters two and three of Revelation are for everyone.

2. Explain how a person can be “perfect” one day a time.

Topic #33: Responding to the Vision of God

1. True or false:

Patience is of little value in the Christian life.

How we respond to delay reveals much about our character.

2. Explain why there might be a length of time between what God promises and its reality?

Topic #34: The Rest of God

1. True or false:

The rest of God means absence of activity.

To be in the rest of God is to be in the image of Jesus Christ and to be in union with Christ in the Father.

2. Explain why to enter the rest is difficult.

Topic #35: Restoration

1. Explain the concept of restoration.

Topic #36: The Resurrection

1. True or false:

Every one will be resurrected from the dead.

The goal of redemption is the adoption of our body.

There are two resurrections, the first when the Lord Jesus returns and the second at the end of the thousand year period.

2. Why was Paul groaning for the adoption of his body?

Topic #37: The Royal Priesthood

1. Why does God command us to be holy?

2. Explain the difference between righteousness and holiness.

Topic #38: The Second Death

1. What is the second death?

2. List the eight behaviors over which the Lake of Fire has authority.

Topic #39: Shattering the Power of the Saints

1. True or false:

The spirit of Antichrist has been in the world since the first century.

Both the Old and the New Testament teach that God will allow the saints to be overcome.

2. What do Sodom, Egypt and Jerusalem symbolize?

Topic #40: Suffering and Glory

1. Why is it necessary for us to suffer at times?

2. What profit can come if we respond to suffering correctly?

3. What can we do to guard ourselves against deception in the last days?

Topic #41: Survival and Achievement, Worship and Accomplishment

1. What requirements did Jesus mention for those wishing to be His disciple?

2. In what three areas was the Lord Jesus tested?

3. Which of the three areas in which every child of God is tested is the most difficult? Why?

Topic #42: The Temple of God

1. True or false:

Jesus Christ is the eternal Temple of God.

God will dwell in our adamic nature.

God dwells in Christ in us.

2. Discuss the many rooms in God’s Temple.

Topic #43: The Thousand-year Kingdom Age

1. When does the Thousand-year Kingdom Age begin and end?

2. Describe one possible reason for the Thousand-year Kingdom Age.

Topic #44: The Three Stages of Redemption

1. List the three works of grace.

2. List the three deaths and three resurrections we are to experience.

3. Describe the Divine goal set before us.

Topic #45: The Throne of God

1. True or false:

At present all power and authority belong to Jesus Christ.

In the future Jesus Christ will share that power and authority with those who have overcome as He has overcome.

2. Where is the Throne of God located?

Topic #46: The Two Beginnings

1. True or false:

Christianity is a religion of following rules and going to Heaven when we die.

The mainspring of Christianity is death and resurrection.

2. Why is God not interested in saving any aspect of the old creation?

Topic #47: Two Kinds of Righteousness

1. Describe the two kinds of righteousness.

2. What is the purpose of imputed righteousness?

Topic #48: The Two Witnesses

1. How does the Book of Zechariah characterize the completion of the Temple of God?

2. Lampstands in the Bible are made of what material?

3. What does this material represent?

4. What does the presence of two lampstands in the Book of Revelation indicate?

Topic #49: The Wall

1. Why could sin enter Eden?

2. What indicates that we are growing in Christ?

3. What does the wall symbolize?

Topic #50: War

1. What does the Feast of Trumpets symbolize?

2. On what does Jesus declare war in our personality?

Topic #51: The Witness of God

1. Who makes us a witness?

2. Explain the difference between ministry and a witness.

Topic #52: Working Out Our Salvation

1. What it means to be “saved”?

2. Where in the Bible does it teach we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling?

Return to the Table of Contents

(“A Workbook For Fifty-two Kingdom Topics”, 3092-1)