PENTECOST WAS NOT THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH BUT WAS THE ADDITION OF THE GENTILES THAT WAS THE MYSTERY PAUL WAS CALLED TO PERFORM

 

It is important to understand that Jesus came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  The long awaited messiah of Israel came to preach the gospel to these lost sheep.  However  the vast majority of the sheep rejected their messiah and murdered him.  There is a spiritual saying, Romans 1:16  ,  “first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles”   Jesus came first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,  Matthew 15:24  this was Israel’s last opportunity in the current age to repent and believe the gospel. Matthew 23:38   Matthew 20:16   This parable teaches us that Israel, who GOD dealt with first would become the last and the Gentiles, who GOD dealt with last, would be first.  Since the lost sheep of Israel rejected and murdered their messiah they would also become the enemy of the gospel and persecute the church.  After the last vestiges of Israel entered the church after Pentecost it then became the time of the gentiles.  Paul explains how the Israelites are blinded until all the gentiles have been called and chosen, put into the church by GOD.  Romans 11:25

This calling of the gentiles was a mystery to carnal Israel , who considered gentiles unclean and called them dogs. Ephesians 3:3,4,5,6   Colossians 1:26,27   The carnal Israelites have a spiritual veil on them that prevents them from seeing the truth.  2 Corinthians 3:14,15,16   Isaiah prophesied of this,  Isaiah 6:9,10   However, in the distant future GOD will lift the veil that covers Israel and all nations.  Isaiah 25:7   Israel never obtained what they were seeking but the church , the elect 144000, the called and chosen saints did. Romans 11:7,8 

The old covenant was given to Israel, so that by example and the blessings that GOD would pour out on them, other nations would see and desire to become part of Israel thus bringing all under the law so that all would be condemned and realize the need for a savior, the law was to draw all to Christ so that when the messiah was manifested all people would have known him, but it didn’t work out that way, instead Israel murdered their messiah.  

The new covenant would primarily be preached to gentiles and that is why the Apostle Paul was chosen.  Take note that of the 27 books of the New Testament 14 were written by Paul, indicating the focus of the gospel message was to gentiles, not Israelites.  Even when James, Peter, John and Jude wrote , their letters were directed to the church only, that at that time was composed mostly of former gentiles, with the former Israelites rapidly becoming a minority due to dying off.  

The day of Pentecost was the beginning of a new direction for the church that existed before Christ, going all the way back to Able, to Abraham, to Moses and finally to Christ.  After Pentecost the mystery of the gentiles was made known that was foretold by the prophets.  Haven’t you ever noticed the shift away from the Israelites to the gentiles?  Paul desperately tried to preach to his fellow Israelites but most of the time they tried to kill him or blasphemed .  Acts 18:6  Acts 13:45,46,47   

Pentecost was loaf 2 of the church, the saints before Jesus were loaf 1 as symbolized by Leviticus 23:17. It is as though GOD gleaned Israel of the fruit HE could gather but the tree afterwards bore no fruit so HE cursed it. Matthew 21:19 , the fig tree here is carnal Israel, also in Luke 13:6,7,8,9   Hosea 9:10   Carnal Israel was stiff necked and hard hearted and remains so to this day.

We, as Christians, should not hate carnal Israel or any other people, we are to love them all and we understand that their fall was a blessing to us former gentiles.  GOD will in the future graft Israel back into the olive tree, but they will be last because the gentiles accepted Christ while the vast majority of Israel did not.  Acts 13:48  Romans 11:11,15  

Pentecost was not the beginning of the church, it was a continuation of it to include the gentiles in the hope of salvation. 

The carnal nation of Israel was GODS elect under the old covenant law. Exodus 19:5,6  Deuteronomy 7:6   The church is GODS elect under the new covenant .  1 Peter 2:9    Carnal Israel failed and broke their covenant.  The church is now and has always been GODS spiritual Israel because the root of the olive tree in Romans 11 are the saints mentioned in Hebrews 11.  The entire olive tree is the church therefore the church has existed before the old covenant was made.  

WE DARE NOT CALL THEM CHRISTIANS ??

 This paper is written in an attempt to explain two things; Christianity existed before Christ was born and therefore the new covenant existed before Christ was born.. the covenant needed confirmed, it already existed but needed confirmation.  Romans 15:8

This new covenant was confirmed, that Abraham already was given and Abraham understood, by the sacrifice of Christ.  Christ fulfilled ALL righteousness, both of Abraham and us by his sacrifice. Matthew 3:15 Jesus died for Abraham and us.  The law of Moses did not annul the covenant of Abraham when the law was given nor at any time after.  Galatians 3:17   The scriptures reveal that in the time of Abraham, Abraham foresaw that GOD would justify the Gentiles by faith in Christ thus showing us that the sacrifice of Christ would cover all of time.  This was the gospel that was preached to Abraham .  Galatians 3:8  It is scripturally impossible to limit the sacrifice of Christ to time.  

To see the truth about any spiritual thing one must use the spirit and perceive things spiritually .  We must consider the evidence by comparing Abraham to us.  

Abraham believed in YAHWEH.  So do Christians.

Abraham was a man of faith.  So are Christians and of the same faith Abraham had. 

Abraham was given promises. Christians are given the same promises.

Christians are called saints. So according to Matthew 27:52,53  there were saints before Jesus.  Psalm 34:9  Psalm 145:10 Psalm 50:5  Psalm 52:9   

Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith.  So are Christians.

Abraham obeyed YAHWEH. So do Christians.

If Christians are called the children of Abraham and Abraham called our father then how are we not spiritually related ?  John 1:13  Romans 9:6,7,8

Abraham believed in a future messiah. Christians believe in the same messiah and have the record of his work recorded just as Abraham saw them beforehand afar off.  Seeing the same messiah but at different times.   John 8:56,58  John 17:24

Abraham demonstrated his faith by his works just as James explained in his letter.  James 2:17  The works James is speaking of are GODS works in and through the Christian by HIS agape that fulfills the intent of the law without the carnal works of the law. 

Abraham was not under the law and neither are Christians.  We and Abraham, before our conversion, were both Gentiles.

Abraham will be in the first resurrection and so will Christians.  All our names , theirs and ours, are in the book of life.

Abraham was justified. Christians are justified.  James 2:21,23,23

Abraham inherits the world and so will Christians. Romans 4:13   Matthew 5:5

Abraham understood about and sought the city whose builder and maker is GOD, the new Jerusalem, and so do Christians.  Hebrews 11:8,9,10

Abraham was a stranger and pilgrim on earth, Hebrews 11:13   Christians are not of this earth, are ambassadors and citizens of heaven. Philippians 3:20  John 17:16  2 Corinthians 5:20

With all these indicators present it is a shame that Abraham wasn’t a Christian ?  

What ever happened to the duck test. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it’s a duck.  If a man walks like a Christian, talks like a Christian, lives like a Christian and has the same hope , faith and promise of a Christian then he is a Christian.

The things I have listed here that show the bond of Abraham to Christians is undeniable and is scriptural fact.  Two groups of people living at different times yet believing the exact same things cannot have the same label, Christian ??  Abraham was a YAHWEH worshipper and so are Christians.  Yahweh worshippers and Christians are synonymous; different labels but exactly the same beliefs.   If I call the messiah Jesus instead of Yeshua  does that mean I am not a Christian ?  If I call the most high YAHWEH instead of GOD am I a Christian ?  I am just like Abraham, a YAHWEH worshipper and I am also a Christian.  Abraham was just like me, a Christian who was also a YAHWEH worshipper.  Should we be offended by the word Christian applied to Abraham ?  

Then if you can see that Abraham was indeed a Christian then it follows that Abraham was under the new covenant because the very principles of our faith and beliefs are the same as those of Abraham. 

 The Abrahamic covenant is the new covenant.  The message of the gospel, the new covenant, was preached to Abraham.  Galatians 3:8  Do Christians have a different gospel than Abraham had ?  If Abraham understood the gospel then he understood the new covenant.  The law, Paul tells us, was added because of transgressions, to define good and evil for the carnal mind because the law is not for a righteous man but for the unGODLY .  To be under the law you have to be carnal and unGODLY.  David was not carnal or unGODLY.  David had the Holy Spirit ,  Psalm 51:11 , so did all the ancient saints.  The Apostles and Jesus preached the gospel using the scriptures of the old covenant because the new covenant scriptures did not yet exist.  The light of GOD and Christ shines on the shadows of this old covenant to bring out the truth, the substance, of what was only ritual and symbolism.  Abraham and all the ancient saints before Jesus understood the truth of GOD just like Christians do.  David said, “sacrifice and offerings thou do not want else would I giveth thee” . David understood repentance was, “a broken spirit, a broken contrite heart, a circumcised heart”.  David understood the things that we who call ourselves Christians should understand.  Gentiles are branches grafted into the church, the olive tree,  the Israel of GOD, to replace the unbelieving Israelites, but the root of of the olive tree or church are the ancient saints and this root supports us not we it. Should we deny the roots that support us the name we happen to bear today ??   To say the ancient saints are not Christians is to boast against the root.  Romans 12:18  king David said,  Psalm 52:1-9 amazing things that has the potential with the spirit to teach the truths I have been giving here. So does Psalm 149:1-9  David consider himself a saint , part of the GODLY people, rules along with Christians as a king and priest in the kingdom of GOD.  David was not carnal or unGODLY and even though he administered the law to carnal Israel was not under the law himself anymore than Christians are. Even Jesus told people who were not going to be called and chosen keep the law.  Matthew 5:19.  David, like Abraham and all Christians, was a YAHWEH worshipper, a believer in messiah.  Romans 7:22   What Paul said here is what David also said in the psalms.  I can say the same thing because I was before my conversion under the curse of the law thinking that doing its works pleased GOD and secured my salvation.  When I was converted I realized the only way to fulfill the law was by agape working in me and not me working in the law.  Agape only comes by the Holy Spirit, humans do not have it naturally.  Romans 5:5 

Without the holy spirit no one can understand spiritual things,  1 Corinthians 2:13,14  Abraham, Moses, King David and many more ancient saints understood spiritual things.  

Even today in 1 John 4:1  we Christians are to “try the spirits” , to see if they are from GOD.  Try the spirit of Abraham against your own spirit and what will you find ?  Try the spirit of Enoch who walked with GOD, of Noah who was a preacher of righteousness, of Abraham who was a friend of GOD, of Moses who found favor in GODS sight, of David a man after GODS own heart, of Daniel a man greatly loved by GOD and many others recorded in scripture that Hebrews describes in Hebrews 11:32,33,34,35,36,37,38   After all of this tremendous display of faith none of these ancient saint’s received the promise……WHY ???

Hebrews 11:40    

THE LAW HAS NOT BEEN ABOLISHED BY CHRIST AND IS STILL IN FULL FORCE TODAY UPON ALL UNCONVERTED PEOPLE

 

There are false ministers that say the law has been abolished by Christ, well Christ calls them a liar,  Matthew 5;17   Luke 16:17   Other false preachers say the law only applies to Israel.  Well, if sin is the transgression of the law and all have sinned, then all are sinners.  What, are gentiles sinless ?  The entire unconverted world is under the law,  Romans 3:9,19,20   Romans 11:32   Even when Moses gave the law to Israel he said this, Deuteronomy 29:14,15

The old covenant, the law, was not made with the fathers or the patriarchs; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but with all people from Moses and beyond.  Deuteronomy 5:3 

The law must exist in order to draw people to Christ.  Jesus said the no one could come to him unless the FATHER who sent him DRAWS THEM.  John 6:44 The law serves as a schoolmaster to draw people to Christ because the FATHER uses the law to show those HE calls and chooses they are hopeless sinners in need of a savior.  Galatians 3:24  When we become Christians we PASSOVER into a new covenant and escape the death penalty because Jesus paid for our sins by his death.  

The gentiles are referred to as not under the law but not because the law doesn’t condemn them of sin, but because they never practiced the law.  Paul explained to the gentiles that they were ignorant of the covenants, but so was Abraham.  Abraham was a gentile when called and chosen by GOD.  Just like Abraham all gentiles that are of the same faith as Abraham can become a Christian if GOD calls and chooses them.  

Scripture says, where there is no law there is no sin or transgression of the law.  Romans 4:15   The only people that cannot sin are the dead people .  Romans 6:7   All humanity has sinned and has fallen short of the glory of GOD.  Romans 3:23   Any scriptures that seem to say that the gentiles were not under the law or that Christ abolished the law are either very bad translations or deliberate alterations.  

The law will in the future pass away but it happens when heaven and Earth pass away.  Matthew 5:18   Revelation 21:1   2 Peter 3:13   Isaiah 65:17   Psalm 102:25,26   Yes, David knew about this as did Abraham,  Hebrews 11:10   Isaiah 60:19,20   All these people of very long ago looked forward to the same things we do today, salvation in the kingdom of GOD, and they qualify for it in the EXACT same way that we do.   

THE DEFINITION OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN

The following is a list of mandatory requirements for a person to be an elect Christian saint of YAHWEH.

1  The knowledge of the one true GOD, the FATHER  who is the only true GOD.

2. The knowledge of the messiah, YAHWEHS anointed, and only son, sent to be the sacrifice for the sins of all humanity across all of time.

3. To believe in the message of the gospel that YAHWEH sent HIS son to preach. 

4. The faith in all the above .

5. To be imputed righteousness and be justified in the sight of GOD.

6. To have some knowledge of yet future prophetic events.

7  To have the Holy Spirit of the FATHER.

8  To be taught by GOD who has used angels, human prophets and the messiah to teach those HE calls and chooses.

9  GOD must call and choose the person, no man can.

 10  The names of all true elected Christian saints were written in the book of life from the foundation of the world. 

When considering all these 10 things realize that all the ancient people of faith in Hebrews chapter 11 had all of them.  I do not care what others say; all these people were elect Christian saints before Jesus was manifested.

11  They know the law does not apply to them, that they are under grace and fulfill the intent of the law with the love of GOD in them by the spirit.

12  They know that there were two types of people that came from Abraham;  those  ones led out of Egypt who are fleshly and carnal being only physically descended from Abraham , and then the people of the faith of Abraham not by physical descent but spiritual descent.  The first group is the physical nation while the second group is the spiritual nation, the church.

13  They know that time has no effect on GODS will concerning salvation and that people have been called and chosen by GOD from  the time of Adam and into forever.  

14  They know that you did not need to actually know the name of the messiah or personally witness his first advent to be a Christian saint.  

15  Jesus came to confirm the new covenant that GOD gave to Abraham and by which Abraham lived.  The new covenant already existed, Jesus did not originate the gospel or the new covenant, GOD did.  Jesus did confirm the covenant that GOD originated in Abraham.  Remember Jesus is not GOD, Jesus created nothing, and always spoke and acted as his GOD instructed him.  

16  Jesus could not sin because his GOD created him after HIS own character of love and righteousness.  In this Jesus was the example to us of what our character will be when we are in the kingdom of GOD.  

17  Jesus was murdered on Passover, a Wednesday, raised from the dead late on Saturday thus fulfilling the 3 days and 3 nights he predicted he would be dead. 

18  We know that sin begins in the human spirit but the law only dealt with outward acts of the flesh thus never addressed the true cause of sin.  Only by the spirit of the FATHER in us can we begin to overcome our fleshly nature to be recreated by GOD into a spirit being with GODS own nature of love and righteousness that Jesus displayed to us.

19  We know humans are a mortal soul and at death the the union of the soul is broken.  The body goes back to dust and the human spirit, totally inoperative, goes back to GOD and will await an assigned resurrection to be determined by GOD.

20  There are many more things I could list here and these things are on this blog.  I hope these 19 listed here will help you find the truth.  

A COVENANT CANNOT BE CONFIRMED IF IT DOES NOT FIRST EXIST

 

 Romans 15:8  Now I say that Christ Jesus has become a servant to the circumcision in behalf of the truth of GOD,  to confirm the promises made to the fathers.

The carnal nation of Israel was to receive land but the carnal nation under the law were not Abrahams children of faith.   Galatians 3:7   The carnal nation had no faith.  Deuteronomy 32:20   The promises to the children of faith were for the church.  Galatians 3:16   Romans 4:13   In order to confirm the new covenant, that covenant had to already exist.

 

confirmed

[kuhn-furmd]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

1. made certain as to truth, accuracy, validity, availability, etc.: confirmed reservations on the three o'clock flight to Denver.

   confirmed reports of new fighting at the front;

   confirmed reservations on the three o'clock flight to Denver.

2. settled; ratified.

3. firmly established in a habit or condition; inveterate.

   a confirmed bachelor.

4. given additional determination; made resolute.

5. having received the religious rite of confirmation.

    

   The gospel Jesus preached was also preached to Abraham.  Galatians 3:8   Jesus, by his life, death and resurrection confirmed this covenant of the gospel.  Gospel means "good news" and it is the message about salvation through Jesus Christ. 

   The issue of circumcision was fulfilled by the baptism of Jesus that fulfilled all righteousness.  Jesus was baptized for all those ancient saints that came before him.   The issue that these ancient saints never knew the name of Jesus or ever heard Jesus speak or give commands is settled because GOD gave Abraham. and those of faith after Abraham, visions of the Christ and the prophets made many predictions about Jesus .  One could make the same accusation for the saints today, we never saw Jesus or heard him speak.  Modern Christians are taught by GOD through Christ, Abraham was taught by GOD through an angel.  If its GOD teaching it will be the truth will it not ?   

   The olive tree in Romans 11 represents the church.  The branches are part faithful Israelites and grafted in gentiles.  The faithful Israelites were people like Moses,  King David and all the prophets but included people before Moses gave the law like Abraham, Enoch, Noah and Melchizedek.  All these people saw Christ afar off and were convinced by faith that GOD showed them the visions they had and reported to us in their writings.  Today we look back at Christ and by the same faith and visions are convinced.  The root of the olive tree are the people before Moses;  Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and others.
   

   The covenant GOD gave to Abraham was not the old covenant, Deuteronomy 5:3 , Moses was the mediator of the old covenant. The Abrahamic covenant was 400: years before Moses. 

   If Jesus confirmed the new covenant then it had to exist prior to the confirmation.  All the ancient saints were under the new covenant even though Jesus had not yet confirmed it.  The sign of circumcision that was to signify the messiahs future arrival as the promised seed of Abraham was a forward looking sign then after Jesus it was replaced by baptism a backwards looking sign. 

   These ancient saints knew the messiahs gospel and lived it by having faith, grace and imputed righteousness. 1 Corinthians 6:9   Both the church and Abraham had this imputed righteousness , The church and Abraham were both the elect of GOD, both were the church and Christians.  They all were called and chosen by YAHWEH and had the Holy Spirit.  The reason King David was not stoned to death for adultery and murder was that he was under the new covenant having access to mercy, repentance and forgiveness whereas the old covenant demanded his death.

     1 Peter 1:8,9,10,11,12,19,20   The blood of Christ was spilled from the foundation of the world but the actual bodily manifestation of Christ was in the first century AD .  YAHWEH chose all the saints in Christ before the foundation of the world.  Ephesians 1:4   Revelation 13:8   Romans 16:25,26   2 Timothy 1:9   Titus 1:2   Colossians 1:26    All these scriptures tell us that a person did not have to be alive from Pentecost forward to be a Christian under the new covenant because the sacrifice of Christ covers all of time.  YAHWEH, THE ALMIGHTY GOD, planned this in eternity.  HIS word, once spoken is done, and HE declares things and they were done, that for us, seem to not yet been done.  This is how and why the sacrifice of Christ is for all ages; past, present and future.  It is the will of YAHWEH that all the people of faith in Hebrews 11 had HIS Holy Spirit, were under the new covenant based on faith and grace, have their names in the book of life, will be in the first resurrection to rule and reign with Christ who they knew and who’s gospel they knew.  To think the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was time dependent or that to be a Christian one must know the name of Jesus or think YAHWEH has not had faithful Christians before Jesus is to be unaware of the eternal existence of the purpose of Jesus Christ, the very reason why YAHWEH created HIS son. 

   
   

    

    

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ABRAHAM SAW CHRISTS DAY AND REJOICED AND WAS GLAD

John 8:56  Jesus Christ said that Abraham saw the day of Christ, Abraham rejoiced and was glad.  Did Jesus lie about this ?  No, Jesus didn’t lie.  

Abraham was a prophet.  Genesis 20:7  Genesis 15:1   James 2:23   Genesis 18:16,17,18,19  Abraham was chosen by GOD and was a prophet.  The old covenant writings were all that existed when Timothy was young, yet these scriptures were able to make Timothy wise for salvation through faith in Christ. 2 Timothy 3:15   When Timothy was young, around 20 to 25 AD , Jesus was not yet preaching the gospel.  Therefore do not discredit the old covenant writings and think that they do not contain the truth of salvation.  Under the law there is no salvation but that same law was to function as a schoolmaster to bring a person to Christ. Galatians 3:24,25  Abraham was never under the law because the law was not given until 400 years later. 

Abraham saw in a vision the day of Christ before Christ was born but yet even before Abraham existed Jesus was.  How can this be ?  Even though Christ did not actually exist the idea and understanding of him was known by the ancient saints. Moses was a prophet long before Jesus was born but this isn’t a problem for GOD.  Moses said, Deuteronomy 18:15,16,17,18,19   This prophet was Jesus Christ.  Moses believed in Jesus before there was a Jesus in the flesh, but that is irrelevant, it is the spirit of things that is important.  What all did Moses, Abraham, King David and many others see when they were shown ,  1 Peter 1:10,11,12   Do you understand what Peter said ?  Matthew 13:16,17  many prophets and righteous men desired to be with Christ as his disciples were but didn’t see Jesus or hear him speak.  This is not a problem, it goes with,  John 20:29  ,  Abraham and all the prophets only saw in vision the Christ and the suffering followed by the glory.  None of them were actually there and neither were we.  We believe in the same way as Abraham, Moses and David by a vision given to us.  The Apostles were eye witnesses to the life of Christ but they are not the only Christians.  The sacrifice of Christ covers all of time and the belief in him does not require a physical presence.  Obedience and faith is to both GOD and Christ and time, place and labels are all irrelevant.  To make time, place and labels the relevant things is to be carnally minded.  A person with tunnel vision is only seeing things physically not spiritually.  The deep things of GOD can be understood but it takes time, we have to grow in grace and knowledge.  1 Corinthians 2:9,10,11,12,13

We must think spiritually or we remain a natural man.  People today that call themselves Christians acknowledge Christ but understand nothing about what Christ said.  Therefore being a true Christian is not in a label but in the message, the gospel that the carnal world does not know.  Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever, that is before he existed, while he was on Earth and then on the right hand of his GOD.  The carnal world sees the messenger, Jesus, but not his message. Abraham never actually saw Jesus but did have his message.  The gospel was given to Jesus by his GOD. Everything Jesus said and did was directed by his GOD.  Jesus was of the same will as his GOD, was one with his GOD and the gospel he preached he received from his GOD.  This is the GOD that preached to Abraham the same gospel, the same Christ.  Focusing on time and a label is to miss the entire understanding of what GOD has done.  The gospel has been preached from Genesis to Revelation but our minds must enabled to see it.

The title of this article is  true, Abraham knew all about Christ just as the saints of the church do today and both were taught the same way, in a vision by the spirit of GOD.  This shows us that to have been physically present at the time of the Christ event and the hope of our salvation in the kingdom of GOD is irrelevant with respect to time and that the label Christian is applicable to all the saints, past, present and future.  Jesus died once and for all but not all known this. Salvation is in three separate stages; at the second advent, in the millennium and lastly the second resurrection.  The blood of Christ will cover them all but at different times.

If a truly converted person does not know this it will not effect their salvation but will have an impact on the appreciation of their salvation.  Just after the testimony by Paul to the post Christ saints in Hebrews 11 is Hebrews 12:1  Paul referred to these ancient saints as “as a great cloud of witnesses” , or individuals from before Christ who demonstrated strong faith that serves as encouragement to us that we are not alone in our faith journey and we can draw strength and encouragement from the examples of those who came before us.  It is altogether fitting that the saints today should recognize that these who came before Christ are saints as well.  Reason it out; if Abraham is our father then should we his children reject him and refuse to acknowledge him as a saint, a Christian, an elect of GOD ?   If Abraham knew Christ in the same way we do, by vision, and believed having faith in the vision of Christ, seeing the sufferings of Christ and the glory that followed, then should we refuse and reject Abraham and all the ancient saints of the title of Christian ?   

Understanding these things are part of the deep things of GOD.   The scriptures are there to prove it but the eyes to see it are from GOD.  Abraham was taught by GOD through an angel but in these last days GOD speaks to us by HIS son.  Hebrews 1:1,2

It doesn’t matter whether GOD used an angel or the Christ because the truth would be the same.  GOD does not lie.  Today GOD speaks to the saints through Jesus to give us understanding of spiritual things but in Abrahams day GOD used an angel.  

By the will of GOD Abraham is the father of the faithful, the faithful being the church, the Israel of GOD, spiritual Israel.  If we today are to be Abrahams seed but deny him his right to be called a Christian then what plant are we from ?  We basically remove ourselves from the olive tree of which Abraham was of the root .  

I would very much like to hear from my readers their thoughts about this.  Please respond.

ABRAHAM WAS A CHRISTIAN AND UNDER THE NEW COVENANT AND THE FATHER OF FAITH

 

Abraham looked forward to the messiah but we look backwards at the messiah but its still the same faith common to both

This is absolutely correct. The core principle of faith in God and His promises unites Abraham and believers today.

 

Here's a breakdown:

• Abraham's Faith: Abraham lived before the Messiah's arrival. He looked forward to God's promise of a future descendant who would bless all nations. His faith was in God's ability to fulfill this promise, even when circumstances seemed impossible.
• Our Faith: Christians look back to Jesus Christ, believing He is the promised Messiah, the descendant of Abraham who fulfilled the prophecies. Faith is in Jesus' death and resurrection as the means of salvation and the fulfillment of God's promises. Modern believers have never seen Jesus in the flesh and neither did Abraham, it is by faith alone that Abraham and todays believers are united.   
•  
• The Shared Element: Both Abraham's faith and the faith of believers today are rooted in trusting God and His promises. Abraham believed God's promise would be fulfilled, and believers accept that it has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ without either having been present during the life of Jesus.. The source of salvation, God's grace, and the means of receiving it, faith, remain the same. 

• 
  

The promise can be seen as a journey. Abraham was at the beginning, trusting that God would lead him to the destination. That destination is the kingdom of GOD. Believers are further along, looking back at the path traveled and trusting that God has fulfilled His promises, particularly through Jesus Christ. Jesus confirmed the promises made to all the previous men and women who were of the faith of Abraham.  The covenant GOD gave to Abraham was the new covenant because all the promises are the same. 

While the specific object of the faith, Jesus, is spread across time (anticipation versus fulfillment), the underlying principle of trusting in God and His promises is the same. Abraham is called the "father of faith" in the New Testament, representing the foundation of faith for all believers. It is fitting that Abraham, the father of the faithful church, was himself of the church.  The gospel was preached to Abraham, the message GOD sent HIS son to preach, Abraham believed the gospel, believed GOD and believed Christ.  Before Abraham was I am, said Jesus, and this is what Jesus meant by this statement;  the blood of Christ is not just from Pentecost forward but backward as well.  Spiritually Jesus was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.   Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.  Jesus was only actually seen in the early first century AD.  Would this mean that only those who actually saw Jesus are Christians ?  

 

• Abraham will be resurrected in the first resurrection, also known as the resurrection of the just or the resurrection of life. This resurrection is specifically for those who have faith and are considered righteous, and it will occur at the return of Christ, 

  Here's a more detailed explanation:

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    First Resurrection:

    .

  This resurrection is reserved for those who have faith in God and follow His two great commandments. It is associated with everlasting life and being with God in glory.  Those who do not believe and are not righteous will be resurrected in the second resurrection, also known as the resurrection of damnation. This resurrection is associated with judgment and separation from God. 

   

  Abraham's Faith: .
• 
  
Abraham is considered a man of great faith in the Bible, and his willingness to sacrifice Isaac is a testament to his belief in God's power, even to raise the dead. 
 
Jesus' Teaching:
• Jesus himself stated, "He [YAHWEH] is the God, not of the dead, but of the living," when referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.   This implies that they will be resurrected in the future first resurrection. 
 
Firstfruits of Resurrection:
• Jesus' own resurrection is considered the firstfruits, meaning it is the first instance of the resurrection that will be followed by the resurrection of believers

 Only the church, the saints, Christians, are in the first resurrection and Abraham will be in that resurrection.  People who have faith in GOD, Christ and the message of the gospel will be in the first resurrection. 

 

Could Abraham be called a Christian ?

 

Some argue that the label "Christian" can be seen as just a label, suggesting that the core message and beliefs are what truly define a person's faith

. This perspective emphasizes that adhering to the label doesn't automatically mean one's beliefs or actions align with biblical teachings. 

Here's why some people hold this view:

• Behavior as a Representation: Simply labeling oneself as Christian doesn't guarantee that one's behavior reflects Christian values. Some individuals may take on the label without truly understanding or embodying the principles of Christianity. This can lead to hypocrisy and misrepresentation of the faith.
• Focus on Discipleship: For some, focusing on the message of Christ and living according to his teachings is more important than the label itself. They believe that demonstrating faith through actions and character is a more authentic way to honor their belief system.  It is not the hearers but the doers. James 1:22
  
• Filtering and Discernment: With many claiming the label of "Christian," it's crucial to discern what is truly biblical and what is not. Just as "food" isn't guaranteed to be healthy, the label "Christian" doesn't guarantee adherence to core Christian doctrines.
• Beyond Labels: Some people find labels limiting and prefer to emphasize their personal journey of faith and relationship with Christ rather than simply a label. They believe that true faith is about inner transformation and living out the teachings of the Bible, not just adopting a name. 

• 
  

In summary, while the label "Christian" signifies a person's affiliation with Christianity, some believe that the true essence lies in the message, teachings, and personal embodiment of the faith rather than the label itself.  This idea applies to Abraham and all true Christians.  Throw out the labels and and focus on the faith.  Since this describes both the church and Abraham, Abraham fits the definition of what a true Christian is.

Abraham demonstrated his faith by his works just as James explained in his letter.  James 2:17  The works James is speaking of are GODS works in and through the Christian by HIS agape that fulfills the intent of the law without the carnal works of the law. 

Abraham was not under the law and neither are Christians.  We and Abraham, before our conversion, were both Gentiles.

Abraham will be in the first resurrection and so will Christians.  All our names are in the book of life.

Abraham was justified. Christians are justified.  James 2:21,23,23

Abraham inherits the world and so will Christians. 

Abraham understood about and sought the city whose builder and maker is GOD, the new Jerusalem, and so do Christians.  Hebrews 11:8,9,10

Abraham was a stranger and pilgrim on earth, Hebrews 11:13   Christians are not of this earth, are ambassadors and citizens of heaven. Philippians 3:20  John 17:16  2 Corinthians 5:20

With all these indicators present it is a shame that Abraham wasn’t a Christian ?  

What ever happened to the duck test. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it’s a duck.  If a man walks like a Christian, talks like a Christian, lives like a Christian and has the same hope and promise of a Christian then he is a Christian.

The things I have listed here that show the bond of Abraham to Christians is undeniable and is scriptural fact.  Two groups of people living at different times yet believing the exact same things cannot have the same label, Christian ?

   Abraham was a YAHWEH worshipper and so are Christians.  Yahweh worshippers and Christians are synonymous; different labels but exactly the same beliefs.   If I call the messiah Jesus instead of Yeshua  does that mean I am not a Christian ?  If I call the most high YAHWEH instead of GOD am I a Christian ?  I am just like Abraham, a YAHWEH worshipper and I am also a Christian.  Abraham was just like me, a Christian who was also a YAHWEH worshipper.  Should we be offended by the word Christian applied to Abraham ?  

Then if you can see that Abraham was indeed a Christian then it follows the Abraham was under the new covenant because the very principles of our faith and beliefs are the same as those of Abraham. 

 The Abrahamic covenant is the new covenant.  The message of the gospel, the new covenant, was preached to Abraham.  Galatians 3:8  Do Christians have a different gospel than Abraham had ?  If Abraham understood the gospel then he understood the new covenant.  The law, Paul tells us, was added because of transgressions, to define good and evil for the carnal mind because the law is not for a righteous man but for the unGODLY .  To be under the law you have to be carnal and unGODLY.  David was not carnal or unGODLY.  David had the Holy Spirit ,  Psalm 51:11 , so did all the ancient saints.  The Apostles and Jesus preached the gospel using the scriptures of the old covenant because the new covenant scriptures did not yet exist.  The light of GOD and Christ shines on the shadows of this old covenant to bring out the truth, the substance, of what was only ritual and symbolism.  Abraham and all the ancient saints before Jesus understood the truth of GOD just like Christians do.  David said, “sacrifice and offerings thou do not want else would I giveth thee” . David understood repentance was, “a broken spirit, a broken contrite heart, a circumcised heart”.  David understood the things that we who call ourselves Christians should understand.  Gentiles are branches grafted into the church, the olive tree,  the Israel of GOD, to replace the unbelieving Israelites, but the root of of the olive tree or church are the ancient saints and this root supports us not we it.  To say the ancient saints are not Christians is to boast against the root.  Romans 12:18  king David said,  Psalm 52:1-9 amazing things that has the potential with the spirit to teach the truths I have been giving here. So does Psalm 149:1-9  David consider himself a saint , part of the GODLY people, rules along with Christians as a king and priest in the kingdom of GOD.  David was not carnal or unGODLY and even though he administered the law to carnal Israel was not under the law himself anymore than Christians are.  David, like Abraham and all Christians, was a YAHWEH worshipper, a believer in messiah.  Romans 7:22   What Paul said here is what David also said in the psalms.  I can say the same thing because I was before my conversion under the curse of the law thinking that doing its works pleased GOD and secured my salvation.  When I was converted I realized the only way to fulfill the law was by agape working in me and not me working in the law.  Agape only comes by the Holy Spirit, humans do not have it naturally.  Romans 5:5 

Without the holy spirit no one can understand spiritual things,  1 Corinthians 2:13,14  Abraham, Moses, King David and many more ancient saints understood spiritual things.  They all meet the criteria of what a Christian is.

 
A Christian is defined by their faith in and following of Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Lord, and their adherence to the teachings and principles of Christianity as outlined in the Bible. This includes believing in one God,  the salvation offered through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. 
Belief in Jesus Christ:
• .
A central tenet of Christianity is the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament and in the faith of Abraham, and Jesus as the savior of the world. 
 
 
Faith in God:
Christians believe in one God, who is the creator of the universe and the ultimate source of everything. 


 
 
Salvation:
Christians believe that salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, belief in the gospel and his sacrifice on the cross. 
Following Jesus' Teachings:
Christians strive to live according to Jesus' teachings, which emphasize love, compassion, forgiveness, and justice. 
The Holy Bible:
The Bible is considered in its original writing the inspired word of God and a guide for Christian living. 
 
Salvation, grace, faith and agape are all spiritual things that are in YAHWEH.  YAHWEH is eternal and so are these things as well as others.  It does not matter what time it was or what name is used, what matters is when YAHWEH opens a persons eyes to see and ears to hear.  If it was 6,000 years ago or today salvation, grace, faith, GODS love, Jesus Christ and the gospel, imputed righteousness and the kingdom of GOD are like GOD , eternal.
Concentrating on labels or times is meaningless as they are carnal things but the true spiritual substance is the Holy Spirit of GOD who has made all things possible.   


Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?  To their own master servants stand or fall.  And they will stand for YAHWEH is able to make them stand.  Romans 14:4  


Christ is the messiah of both the dead and the living.  Romans 15:9
Jesus Christ said that Abraham will be in the kingdom of GOD at his return,  Luke 13:28 , notice it also says all the prophets, and all the scriptures that define the people in that day who will be in that kingdom are Christians , who were under the new covenant, because it is impossible for anyone to be in the kingdom of GOD who was not in the new covenant and a Christian.  
 
 

IS THE U.S. RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CURRENT REGIME IN IRAN ?

 

Before the reign of Mohammad Rena Pahivi, the Shah of Iran, the democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran was  Mohammad Ali Foroughi, a Jewish Iranian intellectual.  In 1953 the U.S. and Britain orchestrated a coup d’etat that overthrew the Foroughi government.  The operation was called, “Operation Ajax” in the U.S. and “Operation Boot” in the UK.  The idea behind this coup was to prevent Foroughi from nationalizing Irans oil. Iran wanted control of its own oil but to protect their interests the UK and U.S. ,to control the oil, led the coup.  The Shah was then installed as a puppet dictator by the UK and U.S. and was expected to support UK and U.S. interests in the region.

The shah proved to be a cruel dictator toward his people and after 26 years, in 1979 , the people led their own coup and removed the Shah from power and began the current regime in Iran that is a fanatical Islamic terrorist regime that enforces Shia law, a law derived from the Quran.  

In 2013, 60 years later, the U.S. formerly acknowledged its role in the 1953 coup.  Today the people of Iran are yet under the rule of a cruel Islamic fundamentalist dictator who has transformed Iran into the number one nation that sponsors terrorism around the world and is currently in a war with Israel.  

What if the U.S. and UK had just let things alone in 1953 and not set in motion the very actions that led to what we see today ?  

The U.S. has a history of doing this around the world for many years.  The exact number of countries that the U.S. has overthrown and installed puppet dictators is unknown , due to being  top secret, but some are known; Panama 1960,  Guatemala 1954, Chile 1973, Brazil 1964, Nicaragua 1970-1980, Dominican Republic 1961

You can verify this information by using the internet.  Almost all of these regime changes failed when the installed puppet turned against the puppeteer.  

American citizens have no idea what their government has been up to in the world. 

JEREMIAHS PROPHECY IN CHAPTER 31 IS ABOUT CARNAL ISRAEL NOT THE CHURCH

When reading Jeremiah 31 people think it speaks about the church.  It is about GOD remarrying Israel whom HE divorced.  Jeremiah 3:8   This divorce will be in effect until Christ returns.  In the millennium GOD will remarry Israel.  Paul wrote about this in Romans 9:26 and Hosea in Hosea 1:10 &  Hosea 2:23   Paul explains that Israel would be blinded spiritually, Romans 11:7,8,9,10   Israel fell so that the gentiles could be reconciled, Romans 11:15  After the gentiles are reconciled then Israel, in the millennium, are remarried to GOD. This is what Jeremiah 31 is about, it has nothing to do with the church.  Romans 12:25 says that Israel will remain blinded until the full number of the gentiles are in the church.   

The new covenant, with respect to the church, was first revealed to Abraham and Abraham is called the father of the faithful.  The faith of Abraham is identical to the faith in the church and has the identical imputed righteousness from GOD.  Only the saints are Christians, no other people are called saints.  The resurrection of saints at the resurrection of Christ,  Matthew 27:52,53  proves there were saints, Christians, that died before Jesus did and they were raised from the dead after the manner of Lazarus, that is made flesh again.  

The 12 apostles will sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel IN THE MILLENNIUM.  The carnal nation of Israel is still today blinded and yet denies Christ but Jesus said,  Matthew 23:37,38,39   Israel will say this at the second advent and not until then.  So the prophecy in Jeremiah 31 is only for Israel , not the church.

The last verse in Jeremiah 30:24  then goes to Jeremiah 31:1  take note that the fierce anger of YAHWEH in the latter days leads into Jeremiah 31:1  where it says, AT THE SAME TIME, in the latter days.  In Jeremiah 30 the time of Jacobs trouble,  is the great tribulation, verse 7, none will be like it, which agrees with, Matthew 24:21   Jacob or Israel will be saved out of this tribulation.  Jeremiah 30:8,9  proves this is yet future when Christ returns because David is resurrected and is king of Israel.  Also GOD destroys the nations to which Israel was scattered,  yet another future event.  Jeremiah 30:11   Again, this has nothing to do with the church.  

The church is a spiritual institution having its origins long before Christ was born.  Pentecost is not the beginning of the church but the second phase and was to be the mystery Paul wrote about, the calling of the gentiles. 

The entire belief system known by Abraham is identical to the church.  The only difference was the time it was revealed to each.  Even in the garden of Eden the tree of immortality (life) was there and surely you know the only way to immortality is through Christ.  Just as you had to eat the fruit of the tree of life you must eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood else you have no life in you.

From the foundation of the world both covenants were symbolized by these two trees.  The tree of death (knowledge of good and evil) is the law, for by the law is the knowledge of sin and the sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law.  1 Corinthians 15:56   How is that which is good death unto me ?  Romans 7:13   Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, all the prophets, judges and a few kings were all of the Holy Spirit .   Many of these people wrote about the grace that we, the church, was to enjoy,  1 Peter 1:10,11,12   They did not write about things they didn’t understand, they knew the gospel and the Apostles and Jesus preached the gospel from their writings.  

Abraham knew the gospel,  Galatians 3:8    What do you know spiritually that Abraham didn’t ?   What makes you a Christian is what Abraham was 2,000 years before Christ was born. 

I can write all this and I know it well, but I can’t give anyone understanding because YAHWEH must do that.  YAHWEH taught me these things and will have to teach you too.  

SATANS OPPORTUNE TIME

 Please examine the following scriptures carefully.

John 6:38

John 5:30 

John 8:29

Matthew 7:21,22,23

Hebrews 10:9

John 4:34

John 14:31

Hebrews 12:2

John 12:27

Matthew 16:21,22,23

Matthew 20:28

John 10:11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18

Isaiah 53:10,11,12

Matthew 26:10,11,12,13

Jesus predicted his death at least three times.

Jesus said in at least 87 verses that he would always do the will of his FATHER.

If Jesus wanted to escape the crucifixion he could have taken the devils offer.  Matthew 4:8,9,10  When the devil failed to get Jesus to sin the devil departed until an opportune time.  After this temptation in the wilderness Satan realized that he could not tempt Jesus to sin.  There was only one last thing the devil  could do, kill Jesus before he went to the cross.  

After reading all the scriptures I gave at the beginning of this article did it leave you with the impression that Jesus would want to escape his crucifixion ?   Do you understand that even for Jesus to ask this would have gone against the will of his FATHER.  The idea that Jesus did not want to go to the cross when compared to all the above statements made by him makes Jesus look like a hypocrite and a coward.   The opportune time for Satan was in Gethsemane when suddenly,  Matthew 26:37  says “he began” indicating a sudden change.  Matthew 26:38 confirms that Jesus thought he was going to die.  “To the point of death” it says.  Satan was trying to kill Jesus.  As it turns out GOD did take this cup away by sending an angel just as angels ministered to Jesus after the devil’s temptations, Luke 22:43

Observe Luke 22:3,4,6  was it not the devil behind this.  Also consider, Matthew 26:53,54  if Jesus was indeed asking his FATHER to save him, at once the FATHER would send 12 legions of angels but that didn’t happen did it.  That’s because Jesus was not asking his FATHER to escape crucifixion but to prevent Satan from killing him.  It is also interesting that in John 17 where Jesus prays to the FATHER that John records nothing about Jesus avoiding the cross.  John 16:31,32,33  the into John 17:1-26  then John 18:7,8,9,10,11   This is not the same “cup” as earlier.  

The assumption that Jesus wanted to avoid the cross cannot be supported by his own words and actions.  To think Jesus did want to avoid the cross would bring into question his own dedication to GOD and that he had serious character flaws.  Sin is anything against GODS will so if Jesus did want to avoid the cross he would have sinned.  The spiritually logical conclusion is that Jesus was asking the FATHER to save him from Satans attack but if GOD was willing it then Jesus would accept that.  Jesus knew GODS will so the statement, “not my will but your will be done” indicates that Jesus was surprised by the Satanic attack and was he to die there in the garden or on the cross.  After the angel was sent by GOD Jesus recovered from the Satanic attack and went on to be crucified.  

SACRIFICES IN ISRAEL WERE DAILY WEEKLY MONTHLY AND ANNUALLY

 The daily sacrifice was every day of the week in the evening and the morning.  The weekly sacrifice was on the seventh day Sabbath.  The monthly sacrifice was on the new moon or first day of the month.  The annual sacrifices were the Passover, the first and last day of unleavened bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement , the first and last days of Tabernacles and on the last great day or eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles.  The sacrifices on all of these days were commanded and were the main reason for these days because Israel ignorantly was symbolizing the sacrifice of Christ. 

 All these sacrifices were shadows of the true substance, Jesus Christ.  To continue keeping them once they have been fulfilled is to deny their fulfillment or deny Christ.  If you keep these days then under the law, which is still in full force, you are obligated to offer the sacrifices. Failing to obey every jot and tittle of the law is sin worthy of death, the wages of sin is death and sin is the transgression of the law.  

I find it ironic that law keepers today insist that certain parts of the law must be kept by Christians yet they butcher the law, throw out many jots and tittles, without any authority to do so.  The law keepers are the chief law breakers.  Then they have the audacity to think they are righteous and have the promise of salvation. 

 When Paul found out that Galatians were involved in circumcision and law keeping he was angry and greatly displeased.  Galatians 4:21   The Galatians were circumcising their male children and keeping days, months, seasons and years; or the Sabbath and holy days.  

In the WCG , Herbert Armstrong said the Galatians were going back to paganism which was a lie.  The weak and beggarly elements of Galatians 4:9 was not paganism but Judaism.   

Law keepers say only sacrifices and circumcision are not obligated for Christians yet Jesus said that not even the smallest details of the law will disappear or be changed.  The law is exactly the same as when Moses revealed it to Israel.  This means sacrificing and circumcising are mandatory for all law keepers.

Law keepers talk out of both sides of their mouths claiming to be Christians while practicing Judaism which is an attempt by them to be in both covenants at the same time.  They are like putting new wine into an old wine skin. While they confess believe in Christ by their works they deny Christ. 

It is plainly stated in Hebrews 8:13  and  Hebrews 7:19  that only through the new covenant can we draw near unto GOD.  We need to paint on the door posts of our heart the blood of Christ so that the death angel passes over us.  We need to circumcise our heart, we need GOD and Christ to tabernacle in us.  We have Christ as our atonement.  We have the biblical record of our GOD appointing Jesus as Our king.  

Law keepers think Jesus fulfilled the law by keeping its works but the law can only be fulfilled by agape, GODS love, that comes to us only by the Holy Spirit and not by the law.   Under the law we had to do works but under grace GOD does the works.  All of our works to obtain righteousness under the law are filthy rags, self righteousness.  The righteousness we need for salvation is a gift from GOD because of faith, imputed righteousness.

The law was designed by GOD to lead us to Christ and then once in Christ were are no longer under the law, this is how the law was a schoolmaster.  The old covenant law shows us that we are sinners under a death sentence needing a savior and that savior gave us a new covenant so that we can PASSOVER the death sentence and have the hope of everlasting life.  There is no Jew or Gentile in grace because we become one in Christ, and a new creation. 

SEVEN CHURCHES

There are seven churches mentioned in the Revelation; Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Of these seven churches there are only two where Jesus found no fault, Smyrna and Philadelphia.

 I would like to focus on the last two churches; Philadelphia and Laodicea. In Revelation 3:10 is a promise of protection for the people of the Philadelphia church from the great tribulation. Revelation 7:3 is the fulfillment of this promise. The Laodiceans however did not receive this promise but rather a punishment. Revelation 3:17. The fulfillment of this is in Revelation 7:9-14. 

Both of these churches are the church of God but one of them failed to make their calling and election sure as they were caught up in the things of the world, to be rich and increased with goods having need of nothing. In His mercy and love God rebukes them and puts them through the horrors of the tribulation and they will be martyred by the beast. 

The group called the elect receives protection from God because they were faithful even before the time of trouble came. Revelation seven speaks of two groups, one of a definite number , 144000 , and one that is innumerable . Both of these churches will be in the first resurrection. Now ask yourself, what resurrection will Abraham, Moses, King David and all the others mentioned in Hebrews eleven be in ? The people in Hebrews 11 are the root of the olive tree in Romans 11 and the Gentiles are the grafted in branches to replace unbelieving Israel. Together they are the Church of God before and after Jesus. They are the symbolic loaves of bread in Leviticus 23:17 ,the first fruits of God. 

As we approach that day we must keep our spiritual foundation sure, based on God and His son. We must not allow the cares of this world to overcome us. We should take heed of the warning Jesus gives to the Laodicea church so that we may be faithful Philadelphians. I know both will be in the kingdom but would it not be better to obey and be protected than to disobey and be punished. 

 What we are seeing in Israel now, the fact that Iran has the atomic bomb and Israel will have to destroy Iran, should get our attention. The current government in Israel is now controlled by ultra Orthodox Jews who want a third temple and a king messiah. This has caused and uproar in Israel. We will have to wait and see how it all goes.  

Our main duty is to keep the faith, love God, Christ, the brethren and our neighbor and obey the gospel.  If we do this we are Philadelphians. 

A MESSAGE FROM OUTCAST

 

 The following is from a fellow elect of GOD.  I thought it would be good to hear from him.  He goes by the name of Outcast.

 I read in Romans 10:13-21: For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

With the end of the apostles, and nobody sent to replace them, still the message of the gospel must be given. How is that message given if nobody is sent? 

I can wish all day long that I knew personally those who were persecuted, tortured, or killed for being a people "of the way." I think there is little comparison between the strength of faith between them and the people who claim to be "of the way" now. Those who profess saving faith now hire someone to present the gospel. My personal thoughts about this message of the gospel is a false one. All that can happen from someone hearing about a Son of God and the things He said is to generate interest enough to search. Finding the true message is difficult if people are hoping to get it from churches. The message from them is doctrines rather than truth.

I can testify that I know that those who will try to lead people to examine scripture and find reason to ask God for truth will be shut down. I'll go out on a limb and say that this is likely the result of every church where the message bearer is paid to do so and inclined to deliver the message that they are paid to deliver.

However, if a true message is to be received, then we know how it arrives:

Jn 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Jn 14:6: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

 

Outcast understands how Christians are taught and it is not by a man.  All  Christians are taught of GOD through Jesus Christ. 

I must say that I am overjoyed to have come to know Outcast.