This is interesting.

Despite Christians instructing the magistrate on how they must govern to honor God being the historic protestant position of political theory, many have attempted to malign Christians with the label of “Christian Nationalist” in an attempt to disarm them from public discourse on politics. This term has scared many Christians and caused them to reject Christian Nationalism. This article will respond to some of the major concerns many Christians have with what they perceive Christian Nationalism to be.

Christian nationalism can be summarized by this: God instituted governments to promote good and punish evil and it is a duty of the Christian to inform the magistrate of what God calls good and evil. This is because Romans 13 details that the government is established by God and is His minister. Uncoincidentally, the word “minister” used here is the same word used for both deacon and servant— “diakonos”; the Christian then must inform the rulers on how they are to honor God with laws that promote good and punish evil.

Many have claimed that Christian Nationalism is about instituting a theocracy when nothing could be farther from the truth. God created three institutions, the Family, Church, and Government as distinct institutions with unique roles. The role of the government is detailed in Romans 13:3-4 as “Rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior but for evil… for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” Governments have been ordained by God to promote good and punish evil and they do this by instituting just laws. Since good and evil are defined by God, it is the Christian’s duty to inform rulers on how laws are to honor Christ.

When discussing God’s ordained created order of Church, Family, and State, a proper understanding is essential. The use of the word Government instead of State detracts from the argument. The Family has a government, and the Church has a government. As the Family is being destroyed by the State, we see that the essential God-ordained government of a family, with the man as the head, is indispensable for a thriving civilization. The correct representation of magisterial or civil authority is State. It’s an important distinction, but the thrust of the message remains solid. All bodies have government, but not every government is State government, despite the communist’s best efforts. Romans 13 is prescriptive, not descriptive.

The distinction between Christian Nationalism and Theocracy can be made because Christian Nationalism is about enforcing the second table of the Law and not the first. When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) the laws were divided into two tables. The first table, commandments one through three, dealt with God’s relationship with mankind and proper worship. This is administered through the body of Christ with the Church. The second table of the law, commandments four through ten, deals with man’s relation to his fellow man. This is basic civil law which is the duty of the government to enact. Since Christian Nationalism is about proper enforcement of the second table of the law Christians from varying traditions can unite around it as it does not involve the institution of laws regarding proper worship.

There’s no evidence as to which tablet contained which commandments. The author uses a common Lutheran explanation. The Law of God is a covenant; both tablets probably held a complete set of commandments, as any valid two-party contract would. Also, the ten commandments are a summary or table of contents for the entire Law of God. From that, we understand interpreting any one of the ten as a proverb will always lead to misapplication of the Law of God. “Indeed, The full covenant summary, the Ten Commandments, was inscribed on each of the two tables of stone, one table or copy of the treaty for each party in the treaty, God and Israel” – Rousas John Rushdoony.

I don’t think there’s proof either way from the text of the Bible, but we’re willing to be wrong about that if somebody could indicate the verse(s) that shows which commandments were on what block. It’s not a significant contention.

We also disagree that you can enforce a portion of the Law and not be in violation of the entire code. If an offense exists in just one point, the whole Law is transgressed (James 2:12). What the author describes in partial enforcement will always fail because the Law is perfect, by which we mean both infallible and complete as a single (statutory requirement) body of doctrine. A contract void in any one point is invalid in all. That’s a fundamental legal precept, the source of which, in the west, is the Bible.

It’s readily accepted that civil government flows from culture. But where most balk is to take the logical and ultimate conclusion that the source of culture is derived from that society’s religion. Religion is the first order, penultimate, from which all else flows; despite decades of the communists and other socialists attempting to eradicate this simple truth, it’s still a fact. This campaign of the socialists has been so effective that merely using the word religion gets people’s dander up. You are a religious creature. You have a religion, whether you like it or not, and whether it’s recognized as a religion or not. This religion of yours creates not only a common culture but then also informs the type of State governing apparatus you have. Religion concludes the determination of moral codes, which are a nation’s law.

Rushdoony:

“Law is in every culture religious in origin. Because law governs man and society, because it establishes and declares the meaning of justice and righteousness, law is inescapably religious, in that it establishes in practical fashion the ultimate concerns of a culture. Accordingly, a fundamental and necessary premise in any and every study of law must be, first, a recognition of this religious nature of law. Second, it must be recognized that in any culture the source of law is the god of that society. If law has its source in man’s reason, then reason is the god of that society. If the source is an oligarchy, or in a court, senate, or ruler, then that source is the god of that system. Thus, in Greek culture, law was essentially a religiously humanistic concept… Third, in any society, any change of law is an explicit or implicit change of religion. Nothing more clearly reveals, in fact, the religious change in a society than a legal revolution. When the legal foundations shift from biblical law to humanism, it means that the society now draws its vitality and power from humanism, not from Christian theism. Fourth, no disestablishment of religion as such is possible in any society. A church can be disestablished, and a particular religion can be supplanted by another, but the change is simply to another religion. Since the foundations of law are inescapably religious, no society exists without a religious foundation or without a law system which codifies the morality of its religion. Fifth, there can be no tolerance in a law system for another religion. Toleration is a device used to introduce a new law system as a prelude to a new intolerance…” – Rousas John Rushdoony, Institutes of Biblical Law vol 1

That bolded part explains everything that’s being done to America and the west. And it explains very well why a country can have millions of laws and be a corrupt cesspit of vipers, and we’re not talking about Washington, DC. The religion of America is self, self as god. All are sinners; there’s no way but for evil to abound under this regime. The solution is not to implement Bible Law or a Christian ethic in code; souls must be converted to Christ. That’s His commission. Trying in any way to create a just society outside of the method ordained by the Just One will fail.

The author of the linked piece rightly explains that Christian Nationalism cannot be divorced from the Law or the Great Commission.

While it has been made clear that Christian Nationalism is about instituting just civil laws, some have thrown out the accusation that Christian Nationalists want to force conversions. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to draw sinners to Himself. However, when a government’s laws are based on God’s word those who transgress them will know they have broken God’s law. The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 3:24 that “the law is our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we may be justified by faith.” The Law does not save us but it teaches us we need to be saved. This is the first step in telling people they need the Gospel as they cannot know the good news without first understanding their depravity and need for a savior. Having civil laws based on God’s word will in turn teach people they need a savior.

“Only the Holy Spirit has the power to draw sinners to Himself.” And what is a Christian’s role in this?

Christian Nationalism is not uniquely American, nor is it about spreading Americanism. God calls all the nations to honor Him.

[…]

Some have claimed that being a Christian Nationalist means only caring for your own country. This has been a result of the post-war liberal consensus that the only way to properly love other nations is to first hate your own. Scripture does not tell us to love our neighbor by hating our own family, but tells us the exact opposite when the Apostle Paul states in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Paul is saying that even the pagans take care of their own so how much worse is it that Christians don’t take care of their own? This principle can be applied at the national level as well because the nation is a large group of people with common descent and shared culture. If even non-Christian nations take care of their own, how much worse would it be for a Christian nation to not take care of its own?

Timothy is being instructed on being a public Christian, particularly a Pastor and leader, and the context of that passage is about widows. But we don’t argue against the application made in the article. 1 Timothy 5:8 seems to broaden out the principles discussed about the treatment of widows to give general Christian instruction in all cases. It’s apt to Timothy’s congregation perhaps and us today certainly.

The Left has destroyed the very thought processes of Americans, but we’re encouraged to see these truths struggling to come to the fore. There’s a new book on the topic that we have not read. The article is worth reading for its main points, which are valid and poorly understood, if at all, in mainline American Christianity.

Serious Christian men would do well to review a body of work already in place on these very topics. Rushdoony, North, Gentry, and others have laid the profound groundwork in preparation for what is now being called Christian Nationalism. The Kingdom of God is supposed to be the primary influence upon all of mankind under the Great Commission. That doesn’t mean only individual Christians acting outside of civilization; it means a Christian Global Civilization.

No, we’re not talking about prepping for Christians, whatever that is. Here’s the lead; you need to be able to have church away from prying eyes.

Assembling with other believers is commanded (Hebrews 10:25). If you have children, the man, as the head, should already be giving a family bible study, perhaps as often as every evening. Those husbands and wives with grown and gone children could still be doing this. There’s something quaint and very pleasing about that notion; a husband having a bible lesson, just him and his wife. What a wonderful way to honor the Lord. Where were we?

It would have been challenging to convince American Christians of the need for this preparedness just a few years ago. People would have thought it absurd that the government would shut down churches, especially a Republican president. Well, the government did, and your pantywaist Pastors complied.

That’s just a tiny foretaste of what’s coming for the Christians in America. Keeping in mind that most mainline churches would turn you over to the government if required, the first rule of underground church is – you don’t talk about underground church.

Many, tens of thousands, perhaps millions, never returned to those closed churches. That might be a good thing. Some of those certainly went to find a group of true believers who did not quit on God so readily. For those who never bothered going again, we also consider this a good thing; it’s unlikely they were converted if all it took was shutting the door to a building. Most are merely brainwashed slugs; they did as they were told, never concerned enough to voice an objection.

Our God is the God of redemption; read, Thanking God for Covid 19. Consider wisely your future with Christ, your leadership role now, and the needs of the believers counting upon you in a country rapidly growing antichrist. You are the very best Christian somebody knows. Get better; begin the work to build an antifragile church group.

Your group leader doesn’t have to be the same man who brings your bible lessons.

Many started groups of intrepid believers meeting away from corporate 501(c)(3) buildings in open defiance. Good for them. Their reward is rich in Heaven. And that’s what you must prepare to do. Meeting in open defiance is obviously the first choice. That’s the most significant and crucial qualifying statement we’ll make. You don’t have to put on a show or make a political statement; you do it with your heart toward Father God, prepared always to suffer for Christ’s name, who died for your eternal soul, not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together.

For followers of Christ, it shouldn’t be a stretch to consider what your family, group, church, or team needs. The object is to continue to gather along a continuum of possibilities from a home church to entirely underground, at least not in a mainline building, but in varying degrees of relative secrecy depending upon the circumstances.

What does it take for you to hold church? Well, those are the things you need. Christian men should already be providing a simple bible lesson for their families on a regular schedule, perhaps around a table. Extending this concept during government oppression or a cataclysmic event is easy. You need knowledge, materials, and to already be in practice.

We make sure to say here that a preacher of God’s word, a Pastor in the name of Christ, is a specific calling God places on the lives of a small percentage of men. We are in no way advising you, outside of God’s will, under your own power to start being a Pastor or a Preacher. Those are God-ordained and called men. There are circumstances in which one may be pressed into service. This is a serious thing. American churches are full of men and now women that claim ordination of God but are false. With a humble heart, admitting that you are not called to Pastoral headship, nonetheless, a group of believers being required to meet, a man of good repute must be prepared to lead. Nobody has authority outside God’s calling to assume Pastoral headship or the office of the Preacher. Still, you men should be able to bring a clear, encouraging bible lesson when the need arises. Being prepared is all the more critical because the potential for the absence of a Pastoral head under persecution is real. A good Pastor must be willing to lay down his life for the flock (John 10:11) in the name of Christ, for “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – 1 John 15:13. So should all true Christians.

Be prepared to step into the breach when needed. Make a list and get the materials; undoubtedly, this starts with the Holy Bible in sufficient quantity for everybody present or expected. Consider that depending on the situation, you may minister to neighbors or complete strangers. Hard times bring hard questions and people looking for answers. Every Christian must be ready to share the hope that is in you, the splendid joy, and blessed assurance of life everlasting that you have in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 3:15); we are all witnesses for Jesus Christ.

Most people have a strange view of the church, it’s a show put on by professionals, and sadly, in most churches, it is. America, and your team, don’t need more professionally trained carnival barkers spewing false Scriptural understanding to followers; obviously and, in many cases, willfully slothful ignoramuses that refuse to educate themselves in the word of God. All you need is two or three gathered together in the name of Christ, and there He is in the midst (Matthew 18:20). Nonetheless, some structure seems required; singing Psalms, the Lord’s supper, reading of Scripture, and a plain lesson from the text have been sufficient throughout Church history.

Encouraging and uplifting one another should be something you already do at church.

For most believers, you are a long way from where you can hold a simple church service type of bible lesson. Opening the Scriptures to fellow believers (or lost souls) is a weighty matter and should be treated with the humble reverence it deserves. First, you must be a practicing Christian, not practicing religiousness, but a doer of the word.

This is a sketch of the structure of the Book of Revelation Chapters 6 through 11: 7 seals, 7 Trumpets, 3 Woes, glorious depictions of Heaven, and blessings of God.

This post is in no way meant to be a complete study. It’s a draft outline with some points of interest to prime our understanding of the middle portion of the book of Revelation.

“1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” – Revelation 1:1-3

For all of its horrifying imagery and vivid depictions of evil people, strange symbols, and descriptions of the works of corruption at the hand of the devil, it’s not a book about any of that; it’s (verse 1, the very first phrase) the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

A considerable measure of many people’s difficulty in understanding the book of Revelation resides in not seeing the book’s structure or type of outline. Seeing the seven seals, trumpets, woes, and blessings within the design of God’s inspired writing help us delineate narrative shifts, including stopping and starting points within the text.

Woefully overlooked are our Lord’s triumphant interludes showing the beauty of Heaven and God’s mercy, grace, power, and love for His people; these are rarely discussed. Lest the believer’s heart begins to faint, blessings are knitted among the wrath-filled destructive events in the book. The visions given to John show the glory of God’s power and plan for the believer. Why believers love to discuss satan and the catastrophic events instead of Jesus and His glorious appearing in dominion and total victory while showering blessings upon His faithful sainted joint heirs is troubling. We suppose; “if it bleeds, it leads.” is human nature, even in God’s word.

A note about angels in Revelation: some are God’s angels created before the earth and Adam. Some are messengers of God, that are men. For context, you must know which type of angel speaks or acts upon God’s instructions. The angels of the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3 we recon to be messengers of the Gospel of Christ. They are the Pastors who were the primary teachers of God’s people, also preaching the word in those seven literal first-century Churches before the destruction of Jerusalem. And we consider the four in Chapter 7 and verse 1 to be angelic beings, not men. Those are two examples.

And note that the scene location often shifts through the fantastic action in chapters 6 through 19. One moment we’re in Heaven worshiping the Lamb as He defeats satan and His human foes, then we’re whisked away to earth to view what becomes of the decrees John has heard and seen in the throne room; this, too, can confuse. Remember, context is king; where and to whom events occur is essential to track as you read.

The seals, trumpets, and woes are declared in Heaven and carried out on earth, yet some scenes that bring glory to God are solely in Heaven, such as Chapter 7:9-17 and the angel with the golden censure (8:3-5), and see 10:1-7. Also, some things that happen only on earth are amazing and glorify God in the highest such as Chapter 11:3-13, the two resurrected witnesses. Who among us doesn’t long to hear; come up hither!?!

So much of the book of Revelation is appropriated language and imagery from the Old Testament that this also can obscure meanings confusing the modern western reader. Many definitions of symbols are found in their Old Testament root and not explained in Revelation.

The sequence of events in Revelation may be somewhat linear, but there is much overlap with things happening simultaneously and multiple depictions of the wrath of God.

We will provide a partial outline of the book and show some helpful divisions within the incredible activity that John sees and hears.

The seven seals are thus laid out: the first four seals are chapter six’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Seals five and six also appear in Revelation chapter six.

Seal one, the white horse, 6:1-2.

Seal two, the red horse, 6:3-4.

Seal three, the black horse, 6:5-6.

Seal four, the pale (light greenish) horse, 6:7-8.

The fifth seal is the scene of the martyrs under the altar; 6:9-11.

And the sixth seal, 6:12-17, is full of striking imagery and parabolic statements typical of a biblical apocalypse when God is making cataclysmic changes in world history. However, it’s not only parabolic; there may be some correlation to events that occurred during the destruction of Jerusalem. Read the sixth seal with Matthew 24:29-31; the lead-in to the gathering of the elect in Chapter 7 and the seven trumpets sounding beginning in chapter 8 is no coincidence. Do you see these things? Before Revelation can be grasped, Matthew 24 must be understood in its proper context.

So far, that’s not too complicated. But in chapter eight, things change, but first, a note on chapter seven.

Chapter seven is the sealing of the saints of God, the true and faithful Israel of God, and martyrs in glory before the throne of the Almighty. This, most recon, is ongoing. A very narrow reading of this chapter could conclude that this happened in the first century alone and doesn’t depict the continuous “church age.” Further, some consider, and with careful examination, they may be correct, that the martyrs under the altar in the fifth seal (6:9-11) are shown freed in chapter 7 and standing before the throne along with all believers throughout the millennial reign since 70AD and ongoing. If you’re looking for too tight a literal depiction of chapter 7, you miss the point; God’s people from all ages are before the throne in worship, praising our Holy Creator who saved us by the blood of the Lamb. Chapter seven has been ongoing since the first century. We don’t consider this, as some do, to be a break in the action; it’s merely the place God chose to show us these things, and we think fittingly so; the martyrs under the alter (6:9) are vindicated, their “little season” (6:11) of waiting, ends after the sixth seal, 6:12-17. Though an ongoing revelation today, chapter seven is fittingly placed between the end of the sixth seal and before the seventh.

—————–

Chapter eight starts the seventh seal as the angels with the seven trumpets are prepared, chapters 8 through 11.

All of Heaven is stunned at the Revelation of the seventh seal and what must occur shortly. The text provides the best description:

“1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.” – Revelation 8:1-2

The seventh seal has the most activity, being broken into multiple sub-parts. Chapters 8 through 11 are written in such a fashion to show the increasing severity and sheer amount of devastation wrought upon the people of the land under the wrath of God.

Within the seventh seal are seven trumpets and three woes. The seventh seal is opened, and seven trumpets announce the subsequent seven destructive events. In the last three trumpets, three terrible woes are added. The depth of destruction under the wrath of the Almighty grows ever more perilous to those under His determinations.

In 8:1-2 the seal is opened, and seven angels stand forth to receive the announcement trumpets. And yet, in verse 3, while the seven trumpeters are simultaneously preparing (verse 6), another angel comes with the golden censure of incense. In all that happens, the prayers of the saints are not forgotten, and praise His holy name; they are answered. Don’t miss God’s blessings and glorious works for His people in the book.

In chapter 8:3-5 an angel has the golden censer offered alongside the saint’s prayers, ascending up before God arrayed in His glory. This, too, depicts the saints crying out for mercy and need of Holy God, a sweet-smelling savor before the throne. As His true and faithful are persecuted on earth, God hears our prayers and answers them; vengeance is the Lord’s, and His innocent will not suffer in vain; there is a just settlement. God is the God of the just balance; all will be answered (Proverbs 16:11).

The seven trumpets are all part of the seventh seal. Chapter 8:7 is the first trumpet of the seventh seal. 8:8-9 is the second trumpet. 8:10-11 is the third trumpet, and 8:12-13 is the fourth trumpet. Verse 8:13 announces the three woes. Chapter 9:1-12 is the fifth trumpet, and 9:13-11:14 is the sixth trumpet. 11:15-19 is the seventh trumpet.

In Revelation 8:13, three woes are declared. Verse 8:13 is the key to understanding the three woes. Within the seventh and last seal, each of the last three trumpets, 5, 6, and 7, are woe 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Woe one ends concurrently with the 5th trumpet in 9:12. Woe two begins immediately and ends concurrently with the sixth trumpet in 11:14. Woe three starts with the very next verse, 11:15, which is the declaration of the seventh trumpet; the 3rd woe is congruent to and part of the seventh trumpet through chapter 11. We suppose that the seventh seal, seventh trumpet, and third woe conclude at the end of chapter 11.

Here’s the breakdown of the seventh seal:

8:1 seventh seal is opened

8:2, 6 the seven trumpets announced/prepared

8:7 seventh seal, first trumpet

8:8-9 seventh seal, second trumpet

8:10-11 seventh seal, third trumpet

8:12 seventh seal, the fourth trumpet

8:13, three woes are announced (added)

9:1-12 seventh seal, fifth trumpet, first woe

9:13-11:14 seventh seal, sixth trumpet, the second woe

11:15-19 seventh seal, seventh trumpet, the third woe

So we see the increasingly destructive force unleashed by God upon the land as the seventh seal unfolds.

Note: Chapters 10 and 11 have some interludes with scenes inserted into the midst of the revelation of the seventh seal. One example is 10:8-11; John eats the scroll of the (rest of the) prophesy, sweet to his taste but bitter to his belly. What better sum of Revelation than sweet in the mouth as the Lamb triumphs but painful to swallow for the destruction unleashed against the disobedient, our fellow man? If they would only believe and be saved!

We suppose chapters 12 through 14 to be parabolic and, at times, hyperbolic visions of the birth of the Church and the fall of spiritual Babylon, which is Jerusalem. Further details are illustrated about the triumphs of the Lamb over His enemies and the vindication of the saints. We take most of chapters 12 through 14 roughly sketched as: the Church birthed and growing, the Gospel preached, and the devil is wreaking havoc on the Church. But the Lamb, by His angels, reaps a stunning harvest of the wicked, in His wrath bringing victory and glory to Himself and setting the Church in motion to conquer the world (Matthew 28:18-20).

Chapter 15 starts the seven angels with the vials of the last plagues of God’s further wrath upon the earth as the vials are poured out in Chapter 16. But most of 15 is a remarkable picture of the song; all the nations shall come to worship to the Lamb.

No symbolic repetitions in apocalyptic literature are precisely aligned. We don’t necessarily see the seven vials as a different judgment but as additional information, from another point of view, about the same seven (perfect/complete) penalties in the seals, particularly the seventh seal. This is very typical of apocalyptic literature in the Bible. Remember, much of the imagery is representative of the catastrophic events on earth, which are quite real.

We need to explain this by examples. The creation account is instructive to show our point. Different aspects of the same events are further built upon in the narrative God lays out for us. In Genesis 1:27, God makes the man; in Genesis 2:7, God shows us more details about how He did that. Keep in mind that Genesis is also an apocalypse; God delivered it to Moses, who was not present at creation, making it a revelation of God. The flood account is also instructive; we see in Genesis 8:3-4 that the flood ended and the ark came to rest on dry ground. But the following verses, 6 and 7, indicate that a raven was sent forth until the waters were dried up. Then Noah sent the dove to see if the waters had abated (verse 8), yet in verse 3, we were already told they had. Yet in verse 11, after the dove comes with an olive branch, Noah knew the waters were abated. We have two separated but interwoven accounts building upon our knowledge of the same drying of the earth prior to Noah and his company disembarking the ark.

So, we may carefully examine the seven seals and the seven vials with our minds trained to read the apocalyptic literature of God and consider that these occasions are the same occurrences from another angle and with amplifying information. These magnificent events help us admire the Almighty and the book’s structure.

Note about the Two Witnesses, verses 11:3-12. With the two witnesses, we don’t get carried away with wild speculation about who they are (11:4). If God wanted us to know, He would have told us. But look to Zechariah Chapter 4, and make application to the New Covenant. The candlestick was the temple and now the Church (the body of Christ, the true tabernacle), perhaps. The olive trees represent two of God’s anointed in the book of Zechariah in the days of Joshua and different anointed later in Revelation. Also, don’t get confused by looking for a direct linear timeline with the two witnesses and other events. We are interested if there are any eyewitness accounts of them from the siege. More study is needed here.

This is a rough sketch outline that perhaps we’ll fill in as time allows.

Note: Tagged Gospel Witness with the other posts in this series.

If you haven’t read the Gospel Witness posts, start here. You need to learn how to share the Gospel clearly and with purpose. The harder times get, the more people will be looking for answers. If you’re God’s, you’ve got the answers they need.

“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” – Acts 16:29-30

If the lost sinner asks questions during your talk, that’s usually a good indicator of their involvement. However, it’s not necessarily a bad thing if they don’t. Some come under very hard conviction and receive what the word of God says in short order without much fuss. But some get more involved in the conversation as you explain the shared verses.

What we’re doing is having a directed conversation. We don’t want to get off of our current topic or off point, which has the potential to disrupt the conversation. Remember, the dialogue is between the lost sinner and the Holy Spirit of God. Don’t get distracted. This prevents the lost sinner from also drifting. Stay on topic (1 Corinthians 2:2).

“Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?” – John 4:10-11

The Samaritan woman at the well asks Jesus a great question. It’s both constructive to the conversation and within the context of the immediate discussion. She asks; where is this living water?

If a lost sinner asks questions within the context of that truth being discussed, simply answer the question. It’s a good indication that they understand and want to know Jesus. Good questions will help the lost sinner confess their understanding and need for salvation.

As with questions in context, if a question is somewhat out of context but nonetheless constructive to driving the point of their need for salvation through Jesus Christ on the cross, these questions should also be answered. Questions not out of scope should be answered. This helps the witness build the case for salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and is an excellent opportunity to drive home the lost sinner’s need for salvation.

If the question doesn’t help the topic at hand, the best thing to do is tell the lost sinner that you’ll come back to that question. You can answer the question after your talk. Regardless of how the conversation goes, bring the topic back up at the end of the discussion.

You can also defer if you don’t know the answer to a question. You will be asked questions that you can’t answer. Stay calm when this happens. It’s important that the lost sinner not lose confidence in the witness. We tell them, again in this case, that you’ll come back to that. After your talk, simply admit that you don’t fully know the answer. You can offer to meet them again or invite them to church with you, where you can provide a researched solution.

Those are the simplest ways to handle the most common situations with questions. It doesn’t matter if they ask you to explain a more profound or different doctrinal truth than is in the verse you’re discussing. And it doesn’t matter if we know the answer or not. And it doesn’t even matter if a question is out of context or not constructive to the case for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In these several ways, handling a lost sinner’s question can apply to any type of enquiry.

Every question has the potential to be asked again by somebody else. Some questions are common, so we should incorporate that knowledge into how we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ while learning and growing as a Soul Winner.

That’s a clue: when you are asked the same question more than once. We should treat each of the people we contact as also being a messenger to us. When asked about any topic in your talk with a contact, be they lost or saved, there may be at least one of three things happening.

1. God is demanding that you be able to answer this question. This is the most likely reason. If you are faithful, His purposes in this will be evident to you soon.
2. Your presentation of this concept is incomplete and needs a supporting verse or a more thorough explanation as you share it.
3. Holy God is preparing you to be able to share this point later with somebody else that He will save. God will plant a seed in you that is a pivotal truth your next contact needs to hear so that they realize salvation by faith and get saved. You have to see these workings of Holy God to believe them.

The faithful witness is often given things to say and verses to share ahead of time because God has prepared the heart of the next soul that you contact to hear this message and be converted. You can see the Kingdom of God in action firsthand, being part of God’s plan to see souls converted!

Finding correlating verses that support the concept of that truth solves all three potential reasons. Your ability to relate the idea within the question may be used shortly with another lost soul to help that lost sinner make the hurdle of faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t regret forsaking the research that’s needed. Any questions or areas of trouble should be examined that same day. This will have you working with the Holy Spirit as you go to share the Gospel the next time.

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” – 1 Timothy 3:16

We find this unusual and compelling verse amid the instruction to pastor and preacher Timothy. It’s complex and rich, full of the revelation of Christ but put in simple terms that we’ll examine to find the depth of purpose in this writing. There are many verses we won’t use for length of post considerations. Perhaps you’ll think of some related verses.

This verse is oddly placed between the teaching of what makes a qualified bishop or deacon in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and before a prophetic warning in chapter 4 about some who shall depart from the true faith to chase fables forbidding that which is lawful in the New Covenant.

There are many verses like this in Scripture; God gives us a foundation upon which our faith is built, reminding us who we are supposed to worship and what happened that brought in the New Covenant. The Old Testament Jews were constantly reminded of how God brought them out of Egypt. God did this so that they might not stray. Some verses in the New Testament are designed to summarize and remind us of the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the destruction of the Old Covenant, Christ’s current office, our duties in the body, and His return.

It’s indeed a Gospel verse. It begins:

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness”

One of the remarkable things about this verse is there’s no claim as to a lack of controversy over the mystery of godliness. Well, that might seem odd. Millions have been slaughtered for the name of Jesus; nations and empires have fallen, and risen, and fallen again upon His word. Jesus is by far the most controversial name in history. It’s reviled, spit at, laughed at, ignored, used as a cuss, and railed against, and those that claim it are treated upon the scale from pity to murderous rage. But, it’s believed on, called upon, depended upon, glorified, and sought both in the light and in the depths of darkest despair by those coming to the awareness of Christ and God’s sainted believers.

Keep in mind that in Bible terms, the word mystery means being revealed. It does not mean some hidden thing or strange understanding that only the learned, priest or a mystic can proclaim. The Bible explains each mystery it shows; it’s a book of revelations. The Bible is the only and best source for finding the answer to every mystery within its pages. Everything the Bible proclaims, it also demonstrates. Every Law is also exemplified.

The first phrase doesn’t say that there’s no controversy about Jesus Christ; it says there’s not a controversy that the mystery of Christ is great. That simple fact is incontrovertible. The revelation of the Son of God is indeed great. So too, is the manner in which God forges His followers upon the trials of faith and service, regenerating them into the likeness of Christ and further purifying their hearts with each refining.

The revelation of godliness is so great that millions have died, age after age, in every land on earth to bring it to fruition. Nobody can deny it. To the believer and unbeliever alike, the faithful and the heathen, the wise and the simple, the religious and spiritual, there is no controversy that the mystery of God is great and captivating, causing the full range of emotions in believers and unbelievers alike.

All have wondered at the notion of God. We were built that way; to seek Him and to know Him. Though most admire the mystery of His creation, why do they not marvel at Him; why do they not pursue? This is the mystery revealed by our sin.

What is godliness? When we first set out to teach this some time ago, searching the Holy Bible for a definition of godliness proved difficult. Having learned much since then, we see it hinted at in places. An online dictionary defines it thusly: “The character or quality of being godly; conformity to the will and law of God; piety.” Conformity to the will and Law of God is not a terrible description.

To have the character and qualities of being Godly, one must know God, be like God, and follow God by keeping His Law-word while seeking His will. Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us to “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

That’s an immense undertaking, a lifetime pursuit of allowing the Holy Spirit of God to transform you into a son of God, in His likeness (Romans 8:29). It’s easy to see an ungodly person or thing, but blessed be the man that shows himself to be God’s man in all things (1 Peter 1:16).

We learn in 1 Timothy 3:12, just before our topic verse, that all who live godly shall suffer persecution. After our verse, 1 Timothy 4:8 says in part: “godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Godliness is profitable that it may go well with us now and reap the blessings of God’s rewards in eternity. And We find in 2 Peter that we ought to be holy in all conversation (all we show outwardly) and godliness.

The first Psalm provides a satisfactory definition of godliness as well. We are to be godly that whatsoever we do will prosper.

“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” – Psalm 1:1-3

And what better than for all men to delight in the Law of the Almighty, seeking the face of the Lord, praying without ceasing, bringing forth good fruit, laying up treasures in heaven, and always going about to please the one that saved you and gave you the promise of life now and eternity to come: indeed, without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness.

After that introductory phrase, the text takes a shift. Though we’ve searched the Scriptures for an adequate definition of godliness, we take this verse as self-defining about the mystery and godliness, for there is nothing hidden; all is brought to light by God to those that love Him.

The great mystery from before time and through all ages, evident in creation, hinted at and pointed to within God’s holy word arrived in the flesh as John Baptist declared; “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” If you want to know godliness, look to Christ, for He is God.

“God was manifest in the flesh”

The phrase here starts the revelation of the mystery by defining the life and work of Jesus Christ; God in man. And what a great mystery, Christ was prophesied to be a man, born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Malachi points to His arrival in chapter 3 and verse 1. And as the time drew near (Matthew 1:23), God, as He’s always done, delivered upon His promise.

God was in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19, John 14:10-11); what more straightforward statement than “I and my Father are one.” – John 10:30. We take the virgin birth as sufficient. Christ is the deity in the flesh, having the pure and perfect blood of the Father. The Scripture is fulfilled from Genesis forward up to the virgin birth. The immaculate blood of Christ (God in flesh) is sufficient for the remission of sin. Jesus is the Son of God, and God the Son.

Also, see Isaiah 53:2-5.

What a thing that Holy God would have you to know that Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He was stricken and smitten, tortured to death for your sin, but He had done no wrong and knew no sin. We supposed it correct to point out that He rose from the grave again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), showing Himself among many witnesses, and to Thomas, the holes in His hands and side were still there (John 20:27-28). Having power from the Father to lay down His life and take it up again: God was manifest in the flesh.

“justified in the Spirit”

Jesus is the incarnate Word, the Spirit in flesh. Not simply was the Scripture fulfilled when Christ arrived, but the Word was justified becoming God in flesh; in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily (John 1:14, Colossians 2:9).

This is the most difficult of all the phrases in this verse. Jesus is justified in the Spirit. He didn’t become Christ after the Holy Spirit alighted upon Him in the form of a dove. He was always God the Son. The build of the dove was so that John Baptist, and you, by his recorded testimony in the book of John, might know that this same Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and Christ (John 1:32-33).

How can the unjust justify? The notion that Jesus was not Christ until His baptism by John is erroneous. His mother (Luke 1:30-35) and her husband (Matthew 1:18-21) were both told. Simeon in the temple saw Jesus as a personal fulfillment of prophecy and global fulfillment for the salvation of His people (Luke 2:25-32) – Daniel’s 70 weeks were coming to their end – Jesus arrived right on time according to the Scriptures. John leapt in the womb (Luke 1:41-42) and knew that Christ was among them before he saw the image of a dove (John 1:26-27). Jesus taught the Pharisees at 12 years old (Luke 2:46-47).

The triune God is One (1 John 5:7 and John 1:1-3). What will those that deny His deity say when they see him? Well, nothing; they’ll be flat on their faces, speechless, scared out of their minds. Here’s what a true believer and His best friend on earth did when he saw Christ: Revelation 1:17.

Still, we admit this is one of the most complex things to understand anywhere in Scripture. It’s much easier to accept by faith for a believer, but the Godhead is often a sticking point for the lost man trying to understand who and what God is. Those who don’t believe will know what Just is when they see face-to-face He who justifies.

Shifting gears, we’ll examine some aspects of this more.

“I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession” – 1 Timothy 6:13

Not that Christ needed any justification by men, but Pontius Pilate found Him not guilty of the things the Jews charged. Jesus committed no offense, and in this, He was justified in all He did and said.

“And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.” – Luke 23:3

Also, we’ll say that Pilot found no fault with Jesus, even after Jesus essentially told Pilot that he himself knew Christ was the King of the Jews.

Jesus was justified at His trial, but the Jews would hear none of it and thrice asked, with increasing vehemence, that Jesus be crucified. Jesus was found not guilty, justified as God in the flesh, and just according to the Spirit as recorded in the word of God. Jesus was justified in all He did and now does; the guilt of His death, therefore, is upon the Jews.

He swears His covenants by Himself since there is none higher; it’s important to note that it’s God who justifies Himself; He needs no man for this. Indeed, being sinners, none can justify God or Christ.

Being the Son of God, He thought it not robbery to be equal with God (Philippians 2:6). Jesus, doing miracles, teaching, and preaching, all in the spirit of truth, operated as the finger of God (Luke 11:20).

But we think Pentecost also provides a sure clue.

Note: see Joel 2:28-32, Matthew 24:29-30, and Acts 2:16-21 together. Jesus was justified in the Spirit for destroying Jerusalem.

The Apostles did err at times, and some had a season of doubt. Still, the Holy Spirit was sent to lead, guide, and direct them into all truth (John 14:17, John 16:13). The arrival of the Holy Spirit justified all of Jesus’ life and ministries, being the Son of man and the Son of God. What surer evidence than the Holy Spirit sent from God fulfilling Christ’s promise of power from heaven?

“16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Acts 2:16-21

When the Spirit was poured out from the Father, Peter was reminded by the Spirit of Joel 2:28-32 and the end of the Old Covenant and the birth of the New Covenant. This is, in part, what Christ spoke of in Matthew 24:29-30. The period from Pentecost through Jerusalem’s destruction fulfilled Joel’s prophecy, justifying Christ by the Spirit as the rightful heir of all things and the Judge of the quick and the dead, great High Priest, for a better covenant. The New Covenant, which was sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, was brought in; the Old Covenant necessarily passed away.

“seen of angels”

Angels announced the birth of Christ (Luke 2:9-14), attended to Christ after the temping (Mark 1:13), in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), at His resurrection (Matthew 28:5-6), and at His ascension to the right hand of Power (Acts 1:10). And see Hebrews 1:6.

Angels were very involved in the ministry of our Lord. Though Christ was despised by mighty men and those wise in their conceit (1 Corinthians 1:26-27), all of heaven was keenly interested in this most important (so far, He’s coming back) of days in all of human history.

Some are interested in angels. We thank the Father for His angels, but more so, we thank God for His messages delivered by them. However, studying angels in the Bible has never been a priority. But they’re often in Scripture pointing to the power of God and delivering the message of hope in Christ to His people. If one were to study them, look for their announcements more than any other aspect, for God’s promises and plan are in the messages.

“preached unto the Gentiles”

Jesus healed a Gentile Roman Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13). Somebody told the centurion, or he witnessed Jesus’ ministry, but most importantly, he believed. Jesus said of him: “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

After receiving the Holy Spirit, later in Acts 15, Peter was called upon to preach unto the Gentile Cornelius in Acts 10:34-44.

Also, in Acts 15, a sect of the Pharisees (Judaizers) claimed the Gentiles needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses. Peter explains that this is not so.

“6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” – Acts 15:6-11

The preaching of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ by His death, burial, and resurrection has gone out to all men. And in Romans 11:13, Paul claims the office of the “Apostle of the Gentiles.”

The mystery of godliness in the Gospel has even been preached unto the Gentiles on TCJ: here, here, here, and others.

“believed on in the world”

“9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.” – 1 John 5:9-10

Either you believe in Jesus Christ, or you don’t. We that believe have the witness in us and do testify that these things are so: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. This is the record; God has given us eternal life in Jesus Christ by belief through faith in His finished work on the cross.

Excerpt from Walking Dead Man:

“11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” – John 3:11-12

“There is murder, war, adultery, child trafficking, and on and on the list of grievous sins could go. From the earliest days of history, Holy God has sent many witnesses into the world to testify of the things they have seen and heard of God. Jesus says if you can’t hear of the earthly things, how shall you believe the heavenly things? If you won’t believe that God made you in the first place, how will you believe He can make you anew by His Spirit?”

“1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” – Hebrews 1:1-3

God, in these last days, has spoken unto us by his Son, and we heard.

We believe all men are sinners born that way by inheritance of sin from the first man, Adam. We believe that all men are sinners, and because of sin, all men are appointed once to die, then to stand in judgment before God Almighty. We believe that death and wrath abide on all men because of their sin; this wrath is outer darkness, eternal torment, hell, and burning alive. We believe and do know that under our own power, we cannot cease from sin, that the consequences of sin are eternal damnation, that following the Law cannot save anybody’s soul from death and eternal torment, and that no amount of appeasement toward God Almighty or good works on our part could save us. Man is totally depraved, and without God, he is lost forever, having no power on his own to save himself.

But we believe and do know that “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Having been the enemy of the Almighty, Christ made peace between God and us by His literal bodily blood sacrifice on a cross at a place called Golgotha in Israel just outside the city gates of Jerusalem some 2000 years ago. That same Jesus was and is the Christ of God. And He was buried in a never before used tomb owned by one Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent man. And we believe that this same Jesus Christ rose from the dead again the third day and was seen by apostles and other eyewitnesses over a 40-day-long period, including being seen and spoken with in the presence of 500 brethren at once. Christ was alive again in power and glory, teaching and preparing His men for the birth of the New Covenant by the Holy Spirit that would come into them. Then, also witnessed by many, He ascended into a cloud out of sight and, still today, is seated in judgment at the right hand of Majesty in heaven.

This same Jesus, the Christ, is the highest Judge and final authority in all things. We believe He is ruling and reigning in heaven and earth in the affairs of men and nations until His literal bodily return, the day of which no man knows, but you must be ready for that final day when He will judge the quick and the dead.

After His resurrection and ascension, He sent the destructive forces of the first-century Roman Empire against the temple and Jerusalem in 70AD to show that the Old Covenant temple worship system was completed in Him, ending it once for all.

We know and testify that He has forgiven us our sins and saved us from the wrath of God, death, and hell, having, by His grace, given us eternal life. And we do testify that if any would believe in the power of God to forgive you of your sin and save your immortal soul through faith in Jesus Christ’s atoning death, burial, and resurrection, Holy God is faithful to forgive your sin and save your soul. You, too, can enter into the New Covenant by Christ’s blood having life everlasting in heaven with Holy God.

We further believe and do know by the Holy Spirit in us that the real Holy Bible is the perfect, inspired Word of God, holy and inerrant, the words of God to all men, given by Him that you might know Him and His mind toward you.

“received up into glory”

“7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:7-11

All that Christ has done, in our topic verse, is the revelation of the mystery to man, showing evidence in abundance that they might be brought back from their course toward hell and made one with Christ in God.

“Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” – 1 Timothy 5:24

Some live in sin openly without fear of God; all see their sin and know it as such. Yet more men hide their sin from others, even trying to deny it to themselves, looking for and desiring some escape that never comes. There is no flight; all evil is set before the holy hill, appearing as a dead stinking fish in a meadow, entirely out of place before the throne of God. There is God and your sin before Him. There is no escape, whether iniquity is hidden in this life to follow after in final judgment or exhibited now going before you for judicial review.

There are sinners of the baser sort, foul creatures without remorse, having no fear of God and never considering a coming day with God, and such were some of you.

But others suppose that living in open sin while pretending it’s not wrong will have no consequence. Everybody looks upon their sin as they gallantly expect some new level of social sophistication in maturity, proclaiming their adult and responsible choices; God is not impressed. Hiding your sin in plain sight for all to see while pretending it’s not wickedness isn’t maturity; it’s childishness. You can fool some and even yourself for a time, but God sees your sin; all things are established before Him.

None will get away with sinning. Whether hidden in fear or seen by all, grossly in ignorance or with malignant intent, none don’t sin. It’s hard to know which curse is worse, the exposed sport before men or the hidden self-deceived before God, for none can honestly hide from God, and all are brought to justice.

“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels” – 2 Thessalonians 1:7

The crack in the door to hell is creaking ever wider. You who are troubled with no refuge and nowhere to run, watching the world dissolve into fervor for wars with growing evil all around, seek rest with Jesus Christ. His vengeance against all the disobedient is coming; He will repay with tribulation. There is no other to whom you can hope for salvation than Christ.

“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” – 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9

Vengeance at the hand of the Lord our God shall fall upon all who know not the God of their creation. Having heard of Him, obeying not the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they attempt to hide from God; eternal death is soon their home. By the glory and the power of the Lord, you, who reject the Christ of God, shall be punished under the eternal destruction of damnation in hell; flaming fire awaits as you are slipping toward hades, being removed from the presence of the Lord. Face Him now before it’s ever too late, admitting your sin in repentance; renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness.

“Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.” – Psalm 104:29

Christians are commanded to have no communion with the unclean thing and to depart from evil. Even God Almighty hides His face from those that are troubled and beset by iniquity, for He will not look upon sin; holy is He. There is a price upon your head. In the last, their final breath is taken from them, but all does not go blank; the soul of the sinner dies eternally, in torment, his worm ever turning to escape the wrath of God at the hand of evil. Is this your final lot?

They pay a man to read a Bible and lie about the passing; they say the dead was a good man. He was kind and caring and giving perhaps, but none are good; all have come short of the glory of God. And as they place the carcass in a box returning it to the dust, all those looking on also lie to themselves and each other, nodding in agreement claiming he was a good man, a just man; perhaps now he’s with Lord in glory? Certainly not, for God is holy; no sin may defile Him, nor ever will; He won’t look upon the unforgiven.

“Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” – Proverbs 11:4

His money didn’t protect him, nor did all the preparations for the end prevail, for God owns everything: every penny in the purse, every tool in the shed, and beans in the cupboard. Only the righteousness of Christ can deliver your soul from death. No deeds well done or riches stored up will profit. Hidden in the womb, you arrived naked, scared, and alone: and in dying, though you may try to hide, the transgressor returns naked and fearful before a holy God, alone without defense.

But there was One, sinless yet crucified, tortured to death, beaten and bloodied, with beard ripped from His face, who took His own cross and dragged up a hill, laying down upon it He stretched His arms wide in love and was nailed with spikes of iron. Then the cross was stood while all mocked and jeered; He was spat upon and ridiculed, dying there for you. He died for the sinner.

Dead in your trespasses against the Almighty and headed to wrath; Christ died there on that cross to save you from your sin and certain death. Holy Father God has turned His face and hidden it from you, ashamed of your folly, but this Jesus came to get you and rescue you from the certain eternal damnation of God’s judgment that you deserve. Jesus paid your debt in death and commended His own spirit to the Father.

As we today anticipate His return and the final judgment, some sadly doubt. Even two thousand years ago, they paused three days for the promise; some waivered then, but they waited.

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:10

And three days later, the Son of God was risen up from the dead, this Jesus of Nazareth who draws all the world to the curious affair of the crucifixion and His resurrection from the dead. He rose again from the dead that He might deliver us, deliver you, from the wrath to come. This is how you can know that Christ Jesus has the power of life. Death could not hold Him, the tomb and hell could not keep Him; this authority He had of Father God, to raise Himself again. Having risen again indeed, this power He has of Himself – to raise you to life eternal, presenting you blameless in the heavenly places with God Almighty.

“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” – Psalm 103:11

The fear of God is a mighty thing. This knowing, deep in your conscience, that indeed there is a God, and although you know Him not, and you’re not perfect by any stretch, you dare not to offend overtly putting yourself at ought with your Creator. This is a fear of the Lord yet without faith. For it is your decision, many are called, but few are chosen.

Knowing the fear of the Lord, do you determine to believe by faith that He is also the God that can save you by His power? The idea in your gut is one thing; choosing Christ, making Jesus your Saviour and holy Father God your one and only God, is what awaits. Do it this day if ye will hear his call, harden not your heart.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12

And we testify that the love of God is sweet beyond measure; your sins can be hidden from His face and from the wrath to come. People may look upon your outward parts, and you seem the same. They may remember what you once did and were, but Holy God declares of all who trust in His Son; their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. And not only so, but your transgressions can be removed, gone, as though they never existed. You will change, released from chains of fear and regret. This is the forgiveness of Christ, who loves you and, in mercy, expended His life for you.

The human conscience is an alarm to return to God. Whether you’ve ever known God or not, all must return to Him for judgment. The conscience gives you an inkling to be prepared for that day, and it’s not wrong, for God has made us thus, that we might seek Him.

The only saving trial is forgiveness from sin and salvation from hell in the person of Jesus Christ. Return to God in contrite spirit. In Christ Jesus, those who understand they are dead already find forgiveness and life everlasting.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” – Colossians 3:3

Though you hid your sins from men and tried to conceal them from the Almighty, God will hide them as far as the east is from the west, seeing them no more. In Christ is a home unending, free with God. Call upon His holy name. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God. No man can pluck you out of Christ’s hand. No more fear in your conscience nor price upon your head; hallelujah, commending your spirit to the Father, your eternal soul can now be hid with Christ in God.

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:16

This surely is the place to start. Jesus answering Peter says: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18. Upon the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God is the Church built. Jesus is the Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4), and the chief (first) cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-21) being the Christ of God Almighty.

“22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” – Ephesians 1:22-23

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” – Colossians 1:18

Jesus Christ is the head over all things to the Church, which is the body. Seems fairly simple.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20.

We learn that where two or more believers are gathered, there is Jesus with them. This is an assembly (Hebrews 10:24-25) of followers of Christ.

Excerpt from Essential Christian Instruction Part Four:

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” – Romans 12:4-5. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27 See also: 1 Corinthians 12:12

A local church is a body of believers. All followers of Jesus are His Church, sometimes referred to in Scripture as the body of Christ. The church of Jesus Christ is not a church building. When the members refuse to serve, they make the body lame and dysfunctional retarding the growth of His church by slowing the spreading of the Gospel to every tongue. God has a job for you to do that the body may be whole. That’s what the early Church did everywhere they went, including this example from Acts at Antioch.

“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” – Acts 11:26

Prior to this, Christians were referred to as those [serving] “in the way” [of Christ].

Scripture also refers to a church when discussing one particular group of believers that assemble together, such as those at Antioch, Corinth, or Ephesus.

As best we can reckon, “house of God” appears 88 times in the KJV, a few of those times are in the New Testament, but only one of those is not a reference to an Old Testament instance:

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 3:15

According to the Holy Bible, the house of God is the church of the living God, a fact we’ve already rightly established; this is the Church, the body of Christ. It’s not a building. Paul, to Timothy, and by application to Pastors, Deacons, Bishops, and Preachers today, and by extension, all of us saints must behave ourselves fittingly of men and women that are in Christ Jesus as a member of the body of Christ. 1 Timothy 3:15 is not about a building; it’s about a temple not made with hands (Acts 7:47-5o): “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16. We are Christ’s house: see Hebrews 3:6. The same penman who, inspired of God, wrote 1 Timothy 3:15 also wrote Ephesians 1:21-22. There are no contradictions in the word of God.

The temple was specifically destroyed by Christ so that you might NOT build an altar to him anywhere but in your heart, the true altar being in Heaven (Revelation 5:9-14). Worship in a building ended in 70AD, ushering in a new and better covenant (Hebrews 8:13). I personally don’t begrudge folks that gather in a building, and we don’t think God does either; it’s out of the elements and away from distractions, after all.  But there is no more temple, no more house of God, and the wicked term used by the government and others that seek control by denoting all religious establishments as “houses of worship;” that term is repugnant to the clear word of God. There’s only one God and one Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5)! In those ‘houses of worship,” they worship what, they know not, and more likely they worship the devil himself.

See: The Preeminence Of The New Covenant And Abolishment Of The Old Covenant

Ye are the temple of the living God. The American Church is at the point where they have rejected the New Covenant in Christ’s blood. To be sure, nothing good will come of that.

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Disclaimer number one: The owner of this Blog has never expressed to me an opinion about church incorporation. The below are not the views of this Blog or its owner. Nor do I endorse any of the linked organizations.

Disclaimer number two: I’m not a lawyer, nor do I play one on the internet. Do your own research about the laws of men. I can, however, tell you that beyond the shadow of a doubt, the body of Christ seeking government to usurp in any way the form or functions of God or His authority, or that of Christ over His Church, is a violation of God’s Law-word in the First Commandment (Exodus 20:3).

Here’s the Wikipedia about the Johnson Amendment.

The amendment is named for then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, who introduced it in a preliminary draft of the law in July 1954.

Key graph (Wikipedia quoting the code. Bold in the original):

(3) Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

And that is the crux of the law. As further background, a very popular pastor disgusted with Johnson’s Texas politics was railing against him from the pulpit. Johnson didn’t like it, of course, as it might have cost him his true aspirations of the White House, so he introduced this law. No more railing against the government from the pulpit was allowed.

Importantly, a group of believers in no way must register or take tax status. Under the First Amendment, the Church of Jesus Christ, that is, the body of Christ is immune to taxation.

The first amendment:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Obviously, the Johnson Amendment violates the establishment clause. Congress made a law narrowing the scope of religious activity to something that can have zero effect on morality and the good order of civilization. This puts the Johnson Amendment in direct conflict with Jesus Christ under the mission of the Great Commission.

Three bodies are ordained in God’s created order: Church, Family, and State. The Church of Jesus Christ is to be the foremost moral authority and influence upon civilization. Government can no more be the moral authority than pigs can fly. Nor can the State raise children to be productive and moral citizens; that’s the function of God’s ordained Family. A quote from God’s Church, Family, State:

“The Church (body of Christ) is restorative. Only God can change a man’s heart, filling him with the fruit of the Spirit to make him a minister and servant of the good. The family, not the State, is preventive in the proper training and raising of the generations.”

I contend that at the root of the problem is property. A local body cannot buy a property without collateral (the body) and a property tax stamp which requires them to become an organization. The body of Christ, at this point, ceases to function under the Law of God, has taken a new master in the Government, and usually does so in order to take yet another master; a Banker, by seeking debt slavery to tend property forsaking the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ to go into all the world teaching and preaching the Gospel.

I further contend that the Church was nationalized by Constantine in the early 300s, “granting” the Church property. This wrecked the true Church. It was the first attempt to take over the Church by changing its mission from conquering the world in the name of Jesus Christ to settling down and tending to property, becoming a passive fraud with many government strings attached to the “free” property.

Some still see Constantine as acquiescing to the Church and consider what happened then to be a good thing. I strongly disagree, for unless the Church takes up arms and rules by force of Law over the Government, the converse will always happen, and I in no way endorse a Church ruling over men at the point of a sword because we are all sinners. I do, however, fully endorse the Church taking over the government under the Great Commission: by converting its people and otherwise populating every government position and seat with true believers that have the Holy Spirit of God in them. That’s the Bible way! Not only is “our” government incapable of ruling in the righteousness of Christ without a moral and religious people but neither can any government.

Once the Church comes under Government purview, as it did then and now again under the Johnson Amendment, it ceases in every way, shape, form, and manner to be the Church of Jesus Christ. It has become a creature of the State. Jesus is the King and shall have no co-equals; no man will ever rule Him! The Johnson Amendment, cleverly but by a different approach, has done the same here in the United States that wrecked the early Church in the 300s. Many consider what happened to the early Church as having later brought the dark ages by allowing paganism and all manner of depravity into the body; with this, I agree. The devil isn’t stupid, evil, yes; dumb, no! Many figure that a new dark age is on the horizon; how could they be wrong?

An interesting take is presented here about IRS 501(c)3 incorporation. Excerpt:

Organism or Organization?

Is the body of Christ an Organism or an Organization? An organism is a living thing. I am living, and I am part of the body of Christ. The body of Christ is the church. An incorporated Church is not an organism, but an organization. An organization is a creature of the State, and as such must hold allegiance to the creator of their organization.

All those who join with an organization that is under corporation status accept the debt of that organization, and become subject to that debt of another. I do not need to tell you what scripture tells us about this debt. Borrowing money, for expansion, from the ungodly bankers, is not a biblical principle and, as such, cannot be blessed by God.

Black’s Law Dictionary, 5th Edition, defines ‘organization’ as a “corporation or government subdivision or agency, business trust, partnership or association…or any other legal or commercial entity”. This definition shows that an organization (even if it functions as a church) is recognized as commercial and public; an incorporated Church is legally interpreted as a commercial entity. But didn’t Christ say “make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” (John 2:16)?

The real benefit the 501(c)(3) Church looks for with incorporation is the ability to borrow large amounts of debt capital [debt is not capital, fyi]. This enslaves every man, woman, and child whose name appears on the membership roles of the Church. How can this be? Because every officer and member of the Church pledges themselves as surety for the commercial debts of the Church, whether they know it or not. Why is this? Because the member’s name that appears on the Church rolls is a beneficiary of the Church ‘services’, which are also construed as commercial by the government (the term ‘service’ is a commercial term, and means either to get paid for an occupation, or it means an act giving assistance or advantage to another, which results in a benefit). Additionally, the ‘tax-deductible contributions’ are further evidence of the commercial connection to the corporation.

A maxim of law states: “He who accepts the benefit must also bear the burden,” meaning if one accepts any benefit of the incorporated Church one is liable for the debts and acts of the church leadership. If the Church is sued and a cash settlement is ordered by the court, there is virtually no limit as to how far the court can extend its power to collect from the members, even if they are not the officers responsible for committing the civil crime. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mat.11:30).

“Although it was once said that ‘a corporation is not indictable, but the particular members are‘ [Anon., 12 Mod. 559], it is now well settled that a corporation may be indicted for omission to perform a public duty imposed upon it by law.” Reg. V. Birmingham & G. Ry. Co., 3 Q.B. 233; New York & G.L.R. Co. v. State, 50 N.J.Law 303, 13 Atl. 1, affirmed in 53 N.J.Law, 244, 23 Atl. 168.

In Jesus’ day, the chief priests bound themselves to Caesar (John 19:14-15). Who were they a priest of? Caesar. Who did they minister for? Caesar. Who does the 501(c)(3) Church now minister for? “We have no king but Caesar.” They have a United States flag in every one of their Churches. “We don’t make political statements from the pulpit anymore, we don’t ever preach against the one for whom we minister. We don’t want to lose our tax-exempt status!” So, we had fascism in Christ’s day, the same fascism we have today.

A local church I briefly attended was working toward planting another church in the same county. A prayer request sent to me and hundreds of others by the pastor spoke of finding a location under God’s calling and creating a “pioneer” team for that job, and the letter included this:

We spent much of last week finalizing the papers necessary to file for incorporation and 501(c)(3) status. This is tedious but very important work. These papers begin to establish the DNA of the church, and they are crucial prerequisites that set us up for the next set of milestones. Please pray that the filing process will go smoothly and quickly.”

Read that again carefully, and let it sink in. The very DNA of that church was not established in the deity of Christ; God’s only begotten Son by His perfect DNA spilled on the earth in His blood sacrifice for the salvation of His people and soon coming restoration of all things in the new heaven and the new earth. That church is not wed to Christ in the New Covenant. Nope… not at all. It says the DNA of that church is government organizational incorporation under tax-exempt status. That is disgusting! As far as I know, those people never objected, and they soon planted their church. I, needless to say, left. Who is Jesus Christ if He isn’t the DNA of His own Church!?! Even the use of the word DNA denotes a body in creation!!!

An interesting take is on this video (skip to 22:45 – 38:30).

A better one is here: Pastor John Weaver, The Bible and Treason. If you love the word of God, watch the whole thing. It’s a rich and interesting study. If not, you can skip ahead to about the 40:00 minute mark and watch to the end. Also, he cites a legal case, Hollis(sp?) v Marshall(sp?), 1981, about State Street Baptist Church in Kentucky, but we couldn’t find the decision using a simple web search. Perhaps someone enterprising or a lawyer can find it for us.

We encourage you to do your own research on the state of the American Church, 501(c)3 status, and to pray to God that He would guide you in this matter.

“1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” – Hebrews 8:1-2

As He always does when He’s teaching me a complex doctrine, the Lord puts the question(s) on my heart first. Then He begins to provide lessons that fill in the question. I praise His holy name for this; Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit of God, is the Master Instructor. He’s been fulfilling the covenant we made from the start; if only I could be as steadfast as He is faithful.

There are questions on my mind about what verses in the writings of Paul point to which aspect of the Kingdom age(s); the time of the first advent – the intervening 2000 years plus (so far) of the end times – or His coming again. With this piece, the eschatological view of Paul is three-fold, but some verses are a combination adding a distinct aspect. With that, we agree.

There are three distinct strands in the structure of New Testament eschatology: (1) the strand represented by “the last days”; (2) the strand expressed in the contrast between “this age” and “the age to come”; and (3) the strand intimated in such expressions as “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20) and “we have been raised up together and made to sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6; cf. Col. 3:1-3). We might speak of these three strands respectively as anticipated eschatology, prospective eschatology and projective eschatology.

First, some verses or sections of Scripture are clearly about the first advent.

Secondly, some are about the long intervening end times in which we now live. For two thousand years, we believers of each generation are already in Christ and one with Christ by the Holy Spirit in us, longing for the day and always gazing heavenward for His return.

Thirdly, some verses are about the Second Advent, when we shall be fully made one with Christ, the Church consummated, and the end judgment.

And lastly, some verses indicate two conditions simultaneously in anticipation of the final consummate order. Especially verses that show both the spiritual Kingdom of God that now is, as a type and yet a mere shadow of the final consummate kingdom in Christ, as we wait under dutiful service in anticipation of that last day. We exist in two places at once, seated with Christ in heavenly places, yet beset by sin all around us here on earth.

We’ve been trying to get a handle on the Pauline eschatological layout. The linked article is helpful. Perhaps it’s pretty simple to you, but to me, it’s big-brained multithreaded overlapping explanatory complexity. I appreciate that immensely. It makes us work, forcing us to think, bearing in mind the author’s interwoven points while simultaneously challenging their validity.

In contrast, modern Christian writers are dull for their lack of depth, the linked website excluded. I don’t know if contemporary writers are dumbing down their writings because they are trying to keep us dumb. Or perhaps they don’t think we’re smart enough to handle their doctoral prowess, or perhaps, they prefer spoon-feeding us sugar so as not to upset anybody. Well, whatever their reason, all three are offensive. Honestly, though, I am starting to think that they are the dumb ones; bless their hearts; doing the best they can :-) I don’t read any commentary that isn’t 150 to 200 years old or more. We don’t need Gerber mashed peas; ‘open wide, here comes the choo choo twain,’ and neither does anybody in the body of Christ; the Church is falling apart, and we need meat!

But we’re ranting. Read the linked piece.

One cannot outlaw Christianity, for to do so would be an attempt to prohibit Christ. Governments can make all the rules they like, but all power in heaven and in earth has been given unto Jesus Christ, who is alive forevermore. Amen. And those rulmakers will die to burn in hell for all eternity.

Source:

If that headlined question above seems a bit of a reach, especially in view of the multiple federal court victories won in the last two years on behalf of religious freedom, then let’s take a closer look.

What we find is a hyper-secularized American public square that is increasingly abusing, penalizing, punishing, and firing Christians. It then tells them, in effect, “So, sue us,” knowing the cost of such litigation all but guarantees there will be no adverse consequences. Consider these current cases:

Georgia Substitute Teacher Fired: Lindsey Barr, now a former substitute teacher in the Savannah, Ga., public schools, lost her job when she expressed concerns about a book shown to elementary students, including her own. As a Christian, Barr objected to kids being shown pictures of same-sex couples parenting children as if that’s normal.

Barr is represented by attorneys from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the Arizona-based public interest law firm that specializes in First Amendment and religious freedom litigation.

[…]

New York Photographer Forced to Shoot Same-Sex Weddings: Emily Carpenter is a New York photographer who does not wish to be used to glorify same-sex wedding ceremonies.

A federal district court told her she has no such right, so, with the help of ADF attorneys, she is appealing that ruling. If she loses, she faces the prospect of losing her license to do business, fines of as much as $100,000, and a year in jail.

[…]

Airline Invites Employee Comments, Fires Two Christians for Theirs: Now-former Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Marli Brown and Lacey Smith responded to a company invitation to employees to comment on the operation’s new policy in support of “equality.”

There’s more about each case at the source.

For now, redress is available through litigation, but why should Christians uniquely have to bear the mental and financial burdens that come with going to court to assure their constitutional protections simply because they are Christians?

Listen carefully, dear Brothers and Sisters. What matters, above all else, is that you proclaim Christ and His kingdom. What must be demanded is that a complete recitation of your beliefs be stated in court. We’re not arguing the validity of the beliefs; the Holy Spirit of God does that. All we’re arguing is the right to state these beliefs. If the court does not allow a brief but complete reading of the belief system, then they are also antichrist. Their blood is upon their own head. It’s not about winning the case by the terms of the US legal systems; it’s about glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ before your accuser and the wicked magistrates; in this, He will be well pleased with you.

You may not have understood the full import of what you were getting yourself into when you got converted by Christ, but your life is not your own; it was bought with a price. Anything our Lord demands of you to give, up to and including your very life as a martyr, that you must provide. Welcome to the Kingdom of God; it ain’t for sissies.

I hope and pray that American Christians will not back down from this moment. The enemies of God fear the truth of Christ, do not fear them.

Below is an excerpt from a forthcoming post here at TCJ, but it’s essential and germane. This must be stated clearly and succinctly to the accuser(s) and any judge or jury. This is what a Christian was born again by the Holy Spirit to do, glorify God by your testimony in the face of the enemies of Christ. Never abdicate your beliefs or deny His holy name! Demand that your beliefs be publicly stated and made in the written record of the court.

Draft: “We believe all men are sinners born that way by inheritance of sin from the first man, Adam. We believe that all men are sinners, and because of sin, all men are appointed once to die, then to stand in judgment before God Almighty. We believe that death and wrath abide on all men because of their sin; this wrath is outer darkness, eternal torment, hell, and burning alive. We believe and do know that under our own power, we cannot cease from sin, that the consequences of sin are eternal damnation, that following the Law cannot save anybody’s soul from death and eternal torment, and that no amount of appeasement toward God Almighty or good works on our part could save us. Man is totally depraved, and without God, he is lost forever, having no power on his own to save himself.

But we believe and do know that “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Having been the enemy of the Almighty, Christ made peace between God and us by His literal bodily blood sacrifice on a cross at a place called Golgotha in Israel just outside the city gates of Jerusalem some 2000 years ago. That same Jesus was and is the Christ of God. And He was buried in never before used tomb owned by one Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent man. And we believe that this same Jesus Christ rose from the dead again the third day, and was seen by the apostles and many other eyewitnesses over a 40-day-long period after His resurrection, including being seen and spoken with in the presence of 500 brethren at once, Christ was alive again in power and glory teaching and preparing His men for the birth of the New Covenant by the Holy Spirit that would come into them. Then, also witnessed by many, He ascended into a cloud out of sight and, still, today, is seated in judgment at the right hand of Power in heaven. This same Jesus, the Christ, is the highest Judge and final authority in all things. We believe He is ruling and reigning in heaven and earth in the affairs of men and nations until His literal bodily return, the day of which no man knows, but you must be ready for that final day when He will judge the quick and the dead.

After His resurrection and ascension, He sent the destructive forces of the first century Roman Empire against the temple and Jerusalem in 70AD to show that the Old Covenant temple worship system was completed in Him, ending it once for all.

We know and testify that He has forgiven us our sins and saved us from the wrath of God, death, and hell, having, by His grace, given us eternal life. And we do testify that if any would believe in the power of God to forgive you of your sin and save your immortal soul through faith in Jesus Christ’s atoning death, burial, and resurrection, Holy God is faithful to forgive your sin and save your soul that you too might enter into the New Covenant by Christ’s blood having life everlasting in heaven with Holy God. We further believe and do know by the Holy Spirit in us that the Holy Bible is the perfect, inspired of Word of God, holy and inerrant, the words of God to all men, given by Him that you might know Him and His mind toward you.”

With a heart of love toward you, we contest our right, before God and men, to say these things and any other thing as written or commanded by God in the Holy Bible.

Story via Instapundit.

Proverbs 13.

It turns out that in preparing this study, the books of Timothy also have quite a bit to say on the subject. The world tells us that what we focus on is what we achieve; the Bible word is diligent.

“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” – Proverbs 13:4

Background to the Law of the Tithe

The Law of the Old Covenant priesthood is completed in Christ. The Law of Moses included a 30 percent tax all in, not only the ten percent for the works of the temple but also the funding of the national needs of the children of Israel through various giving centered around the tabernacle.

As further background, we think it right that a member of the body of Christ gives ten percent to the local body for purposes befitting the Church of the living God. Before the Law, Jacob vowed a tithe in Genesis 28:20-22. But earlier than that, Abram, the father of us all by faith and to whom the Almighty promised the seed, which is Christ, gave a tenth part of the spoils to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20). David (Psalm 110), Paul (Hebrews 7), and those who correctly read the Psalm and Hebrews liken Melchizedek to Jesus Christ, and not just by type. Under the Law given to Moses, the tenth part of all increase was to the Levites for the ministration of the work of God (Leviticus 27).

Nevertheless, we see Abram giving a tenth before the Law of Moses was instituted by God. We say a tenth is still due, for our priest is the great High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek abiding resurrected eternally at the right hand of Power ever making intercession for the saints (Hebrews 7). He was and still is, due the tenth part of all your increase.

The Law was a covenant with the sons of Israel, but we are the children of the promise, which the interceding years of the Law given at Sinai cannot disannul (Galatians 3:16-18). Abram gave ten; we ought to give ten; the Law, being a separate covenant completed in Christ, doesn’t disannul the tithe to Christ.

The laws under Moses always pointed to the need for Christ. Moreover, being patterned after the things in Heaven, they are beautiful shadows and a type of the mercy and grace of God that Christ Jesus would give Himself on the cross to complete. If you want to know more about the law of the tithe of the Hebrews, that is a separate post. It would be best to do your research.

A tithe goes to the body of Christ, not to a puppy rescue pound, for example. There’s nothing wrong with helping dogs, but that’s not tithing.

We are commanded to gather with a body of true believers. It is fitting to give ten percent of all gross receipts. If the work of that body is not proper, do not stay and withhold your tenth; find a group serving God in spirit and in truth. From a pure conscience, there is no monetary profit here either way; we only tell you to be a faithful steward toward Christ in all He has blessed you with in dominion.

If you didn’t get angry and you’re still reading, welcome. Readers here should know that we aren’t conflating a 501(c)3 Corporation with Christ, the body of Christ, or the work of Christ as He has commanded.

When it comes down to it, there are only four things you can do with money; make it, give it, save/invest it, or spend it. Everything we do with our finances comes under one of these headings. We put them in this order on purpose; this is the priority with which we should treat all money. Diligence in all four phases of handling our money produces superior results.

Exodus 20:15 – the Eighth Commandment – “Thou shalt not steal.” We must earn money; this is how we get it.

Next, you should give, yes, give, before spending a dime on anything, even on the overdue light bill. You must give God His tithe first. Remember, we are dealing with the spiritual empire of God Almighty. If you were doing math, you wouldn’t have taken debt in the first place to end up with overdue bills.

Then, you account for saving or investing, which should be at least 15 percent of all gross income and all received monies.

Next, and finally, you spend. Bills are first to spend on; then and only then are things not of bare necessity.

The one proviso is that you must reduce all debt to zero before investing. Settle those obligations first if you have overdue bills or any outstanding debts. There are mathematical reasons and spiritual reasons for this. Some make an exception for a house in which you live as allowed debt while aggressively funding retirement but consider making at least one extra mortgage payment each year.

We cannot express how poorly many have chosen; paying 22 percent on credit card debt while getting an average return over the years in suitable ETFs or Mutual Funds of 8 to 12 percent compound annually. Cut up the cards, grow up, tell your wife no, be a man, pay off your cars, and buy only used ones.

To properly serve the Almighty, you must stop voluntary servitude to debt masters (Proverbs 22:7). This applies to self, family, and church. You cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

If (when) it all falls apart, you need to be debt free. The last thing you want is “collectors” looking for you and your family. There will be enough to account for without looking over your shoulder for the agents of banks or their IRS enforcers.

Making Money

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” – 1 Timothy 5:8

We see that as believers, we are to work, providing for ourselves and those in our household.

Though it should be enough that God has commanded us, it’s always instructive to look for the promise. When we know why He desires a particular thing for us, we find the truth of the blessings He will pour out upon us.

“11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

What we have in these two short verses is an exquisite axiom of Christianity so well adapted to the flourishing of society in good order to promote the pursuit of happiness under the blessings of Christ’s eternal graces.

Everything wrong today points to rejecting this simple life offered by God. Consider our times, how evil desires to know everything you do and to control you in it. The worst busybody of all is the devil by his agents. After all…

God tells us to mind our business, keep to ourselves, and quietly go about doing what’s right. God is obviously a proper southerner. All joking aside, in 1 Thessalonians 4, we are commanded to refuse a busybody, mind ourselves, and work. The twofold promise in verse 12 is that we first appear honest and upright to those without (outside the congregation, i.e., unbelievers) so as not to besmirch the holy name of our Lord. Oh, that Christians would show themselves upright in all things. And the second promise is that we might have a ‘lack of nothing.’ Amen.

These verses from Thessalonians have been on my heart much lately, longing for a simpler time and way. Of course, the context of Timothy and Thessalonians is much different, the early church was under persecution, and 70AD loomed; the apostles had been told it was the end of their epoch (Matthew 24:3, translated in the KJV as “the end of the world”). But perhaps that’s the point; no matter how bad it gets, stay faithful to God and pursue what’s right. The end is always a mere word away whispered in the throneroom of Heaven; it’s the time!

Giving

We put giving before spending, and so should every believer. Give first, before bills of any kind. The first fruits are the Lord’s. If you give first, you will see miracles in how your money spends thereafter.

We are advised under the New Covenant in Christ’s blood to give for the work of God. Christ’s people are always ready to distribute and communicate that which is not only due to Christ, but above, with a cheerful heart of thanksgiving, so the works of God may flourish until the time and times of the end, that we may lay hold on life everlasting. Giving is not only about money, but being rich in good works of your time in serving, provoking the brethren to love and good works, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost.

“17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” – Timothy 6:17-19

Neither are you too poor to give. Lest we be high-minded but instead be reminded, here is the widow with her mite; Mark 12:41-44.

The first and most essential survival preparation is that of a man’s heart toward holy Father God, through Jesus Christ. Verse 17 above tells us not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who gives us all things.

Giving to the service of the Lord, like prayer, is another of those activities that cannot be adequately explained to those that have yet to do it. As with becoming earnest about prayer or witnessing, the blessing of the closeness to our heavenly Father in giving cannot be suitably expressed with words; you have to give to see the results and reap the rewards.

Saving and Investing

We are not providing investment advice. But, some general information that can help is to invest in only what you can understand. Don’t trust somebody with investments you cannot correctly explain in simple terms to a nine-year-old. Never invest in exotic or esoteric adventures. “Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.” – Proverbs 13:16

That challenge cuts three ways, do not trust things you don’t understand. Educate yourself by justifying your investment thesis on paper; writing down your conclusions. Then, be able to look your family in the eye and tell them how 20 years hence, the benefits of slow and steady measured progress in prudent patients will be great while the risks remain average.

“Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.” – Proverbs 13:18

Seek good counsel. Everybody in the investment world has an agenda and a product to sell. Finding somebody with the heart of a teacher to help educate yourself and understand the best decisions for your family is a very good option.

In Genesis 41, God has Joseph prepare for the lean years of the coming seven-year famine in Egypt. For this, his family all survived.

“6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” – Proverbs 6:6-8

Years ago, I heard preaching on these Ant verses. It pricked my heart and wrenched my gut. I was mad about it for a couple of weeks. The whole time I was thinking about how stupid an ant is and railing in my head against the message, the ant, and the preacher. How very mature of me, right? I still remember it well. However, it was very effective; being already debt free at the time, soon afterward, I started investing.

In Luke 14, our Lord discusses the cost of discipleship, which may very well be your life, and certainly was for those first-century martyrs and others since. But with many of the examples our Lord used, He chose simple object lessons that any man can understand and applied them to more demanding assignments. By God’s grace, we take the simple object lesson in the parable at face value and employ it for us here: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” – Luke 14:28

Most have to realize they’re on the wrong track before making a change in money habits. It’s easy to cover an odious plan with heaps of debt, but soon it will catch up to you. Count the cost of not managing your finances as a steward of Christ’s blessings. Then make a financial plan to not simply survive but thrive and, more importantly, put yourself in a position to help others when they need it. A man must take care of his own house first, putting himself on a firm footing before he can suitably bless another.

You can allocate for children’s schooling or a down payment on a house, etc., in addition to the 15 percent minimum for retirement. Keeping a serious emergency fund in a checking account, perhaps as much as 5 or 10 percent of annual income, is recommended. The knot in your stomach goes away when you know you can cover with cash, an emergency room visit, or a blown transmission.

Spending

We all know how to spend money, but few know how to spend money wisely.

A zero-based budget leaves no money left over every month. Every dollar earned must be put down on paper before the month starts, then allocated within the areas of giving, saving/investing, and spending according to your plan. Yes, it’s hard, and you will fail for the first several months as you figure out your actual expenses. When starting this, you will be disgusted with yourself for your wasteful behavior but don’t quit!

And that’s the point, getting out of debt and saving/investing for the future are about behavior modification. Every aspect of society is geared toward your perpetual debt farm slavery in pseudo comfort and ease. In Christ, you can break the yoke of debt.

Go get your pay stub, or open your electronic pay stub. Seriously, go get it now. Look at it, what if you didn’t owe a dime of that money? It’s all yours with zero payments? What could you accomplish?

Remember not to love the money, for that is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10), but love the Lord our God, and all things He desires to give will be added unto you.

And finally, that inheritance we talked about: “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” – Proverbs 13:22