Studies

The 1,000-Year Reign with Christ

Peter
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Gaining Dominion Over Sin

Peter and Rohnel, servants of God to the Jews and Gentiles who share our precious faith in the Living Christ,  grace and peace unto you in the name of the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

An earlier study on the 1,000-year reign focused on what the reign with Christ was not. The former study series focused on the false doctrine that many believe, namely that the elect of God will rule the outward physical world during this symbolic time period.  Such a teaching is a complete lie, contrary to scores of other Scriptures, and comes from carnally minded men twisting the signified language in Revelation 20.  The term “Millennium Reign” is a man-made invention and does not reflect a pattern of sound words from the Scriptures. Those lies and contradictions were contrasted with the Truth found in the sum of the Scriptures.  There is some overlap between this study and the other study, yet both are valuable for teaching sound doctrine from the Scriptures. A revised version of that original expose, Exposing the Millennial Reign Doctrine, can now be found here:  Exposing the Millennium Reign [live link to be added soon when the study is reposted]

For greater clarity and understanding, this study answers the question of what the 1,000-year reign is and how we fulfill it as God’s elect. The 1,000-year reign with Christ is spiritual language describing our Day of the Lord that completes the plan of salvation for every man in their appointed time. One day is as 1,000 years, and the symbolism and parables of the Scriptures hide the truth revealed to those with God-given ears to hear and eyes to see.

Psa 90:4  For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 

2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 

2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

The same period of our journey is known as the third day, the last day of the three-day process in which the Lord rebuilds the temple of God in which He dwells. If we belong to the Lord, we are His Body and the Temple in which He dwells.

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 

Joh 2:20  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 

Joh 2:21  But he spake of the temple of his body. 

Being remade into the Temple of the Living God is being saved from our sins. We are clay in His hands, and the Lord is working all things according to His purposes. We of ourselves can do nothing.

Jer 18:3  Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 

Thus, as God’s elect, being remade by the Potter, we are becoming the Lord’s kings and priests. We are being taught a new song, the song of salvation and reigning over our earth, which means having dominion over our sin. We rule in Israel and are the instruments, the priests of God to spread the Gospel.

Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

This time of remaking is also our day of the Lord. A prior study reviewed scores of terms and phrases that depict our Day of the Lord, including the terminology of the 1,000-year reign, the last term highlighted in this study. Here is the link to The Wonderful and Dreadful Day of the Lord

Our reign with Christ is our time of being perfected, as our Father in heaven is perfect. The third day is the 1,000-year reign where we stand on the Commandments and rule with Jesus Christ over the affairs of our earth, not the outward physical world as many falsely teach.   The third day is the last day in the Lord’s plan to remake us into His image. Having destroyed the first marred temple that was dead in sins. The Lord is come on the third day to rebuild the Holy Temple, in which He and the Father now dwell. Christ was mocked for saying that He would rebuild the Temple in three days. We at first do not understand the parable or the truth that new life in us comes only by way of death to the old life.

Mar 9:31  For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 

Mar 9:32  But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Being dead in our sins, all men await the third day when they are raised in Christ and begin to rule and to reign with Christ, who is the Living Commandments now dwelling in our hearts and minds.

Hos 6:2  After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 

Hos 6:3  Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. 

The early and the latter rain coming is the Promise coming and the beginning of our third day. This marks the beginning of the latter days and our 1,000-year reign with Christ. [Click here for a study on Former and Latter Rain]. Satan, symbolizing our carnal thoughts and reasonings, is being kicked out of our heaven [mind] and is replaced with the Living Word, the Commandments that are Jesus Christ. The 1,000 years is our final day of the Lord’s plan. When the Promises comes, Satan is bound and kicked out of heaven when the Living Spirit of God comes to dwell in us.

Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels [carnal thoughts, reasonings, lies] were cast out with him.

Rev 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

An angel brings the Gospel to us, which is the key and the chain that binds Satan. One receives the Gospel by the laying on of hands, which imparts the knowledge and understanding of the Living Christ, the Commandments that save us. Satan is bound on our earth, that is, the bottomless pit, also symbolized as the deep or the sea, which represents our flesh. Knowing Christ, the Commandments, we now know the truth and have been set free.

Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

Satan is no longer in our heaven and thus can no longer deceive us, as we have received the Living Truth into our hearts and minds. Satan is locked up in the earth, also known as the deep, the sea, and the bottomless pit.

Rev 20:1  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Rev 20:2  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Rev 20:3  And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Psa 104:24  O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 

Psa 104:25  So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 

We reign in heaven before we reign on the earth. The Ephesians had received the Promise [See Acts 19] and Paul speaks of the times past when they walked according to their carnal minds, being of the devil and pursuing the lusts of the flesh.

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 

In these clay vessels, we always remain vigilant and on guard as we are warned of the wiles and schemes of the devil, who continues to roam our earth, a vessel of weak flesh.   We are not ignorant of the schemes of the devil, our carnal reasonings, and those of others, who readily twist and corrupt the Commandments of the Lord. We always watch and pray.

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

During our reign on the earth with Christ, we are learning to reign over our carnal thoughts. We take them captive to the obedience of the Commandments.   We are ruling with Christ in heaven. We are walking in the Spirit and no longer in the flesh.

2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 

2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 

2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

We sit on the Lord’s throne, judging all the tribes of Israel within and without, by the Commandments.

Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

To advance into the Kingdom of God, our reign expands to the entirety of our earth, encompassing our deeds and actions. We are being made into doers of the Word, meaning we always strive to obey the Commandments. This requires the complete destruction of Satan to finish the Lord’s work and deliver us from all of our sins and trespasses. We pray the prayer daily, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on our earth [walk, actions] as it already is in our heaven [mind].

Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 

Mat 6:11  Give us this day our daily bread. 

Mat 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

Mat 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 

The completion of our salvation is the Lord answering this prayer. We are perfected before we leave these clay vessels. The Lord finishes the good work He started. At the end of the reign, the Lord says IT IS DONE.

Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 

Rev 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 

Blessed are those now given to reign with Christ for the 1,000 years and live out the third day in which they are perfected. Such have been raised into newness of life, given an earnest deposit of the Spirit of life, and are now witnessing for Christ and laying down our lives for the kingdom’s sake.

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Being called out of our spiritual graves is being called up hither by the Spirit of Christ. It is leaving the harlot city of Spiritual Babylon, that is, Spiritual Jerusalem, behind. We are coming out of the harlot and no longer partaking of her sins.

Rev 11:12  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 

Becoming partakers of the blessed and first holy resurrection is our appointment for those who are being made priests of Jesus Christ, who teach and obey the Gospel.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The Lord finishes His work in perfecting us and destroying death, that is, the carnal mind, in every one of His elect before they depart these clay vessels. It is a precious promise of the Lord. We shall never die henceforth.

Mat 16:27  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 

Mat 16:28  Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. 

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 

Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 

At the end of our life in the clay, that is the end of the 1,000-year reign, all the remaining carnal thoughts [spirit of Satan] we have dwelling within us that are the rest of the dead within us, are destroyed by fire.  This comes by way of the pouring out of the fire of God, the Commandments from our heaven.  The fire coming is the fiery trials that burn up all our dead works.  It is the great tribulation by which we are given our robes of righteousness and made holy.  We see the destruction of the devil in Revelation 20, and it is confirmed elsewhere that the dragon that lives in all flesh is destroyed in its time.

Isa 27:1  In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish Leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. 

Satan is loosed only for a little while to complete the plan of God in us and to make an end of death before we pass into the spiritual realm. All carnality in our heaven and our earth that is death is destroyed for the end to come.  Flesh that is sin is naturally at odds with the Commandments and thus is done away with to finish the Lord’s rebuild.

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 
Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 
Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 

We are putting on the incorruptible as Satan is completely destroyed from our earth.

1Co 15:25  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 

1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 

1Co 15:54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 

After 1,000 years, Satan is loosed from the prison of our earth for a short season.  The Lord destroys this beast, and the devil is consumed by the fiery Commandments falling from our heaven.  We are not given details, but it is only a little season, as the Lord makes a quick work upon the earth when fire from heaven falls, and judgment falls. It is the Lord’s way of seeking an occasion to bring the judgment and chastening that saves us from all our sin. Our beast and false prophet within us are destroyed first, as the truth, the Commandments burn them up in the lake of fire. Satan, our carnal ways and life, is the final enemy to be destroyed in the lake of fire.

Rev 20:7  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

Rev 20:8  And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Rev 20:9  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Rev 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

These signified words in the Book of Revelation are consistent with how the Lord described the completion of our salvation in the Gospels. The sum of the Scriptures confirms the witness and harmonizes the signified words of the Book of Revelation. All things are fulfilled in this age if we are God’s elect and a kind of first fruits unto salvation. The prophecies of Scripture about the times of the end are being fulfilled in our lives today. The Lord is always seeking an occasion to bring the fire that saves us and remakes us into sons of God. All things are fulfilled before we depart the clay.

Luk 21:20  And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies [Satan and his armies], then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 

Luk 21:21  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 

Luk 21:22  For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 

These experiences are all happening inwardly, unique to every man.  It is not out there; it is in there, in the kingdom of God within us.

The release of Satan at the end is to complete God’s work in our lives. Satan has no ability to deceive us anymore, as we know the truth and have been set free from all the lies.  Carnal messengers and thoughts do no harm to us as we are grown into the mature man in Christ, having gone through many fiery tribulations that have written the Commandments into our hearts and minds.

Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 

We have a very bright and hot fire burning inside of us that readily destroys Satan when the time of the end is come.  This is the consummation of our being remade into the image of Christ. Nothing that defiles is going to be found on us or in us; we are pure and holy, as is our Lord.

Luk 12:49  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 

Luk 12:50  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 

The Word of God is what judges us in the last day.  The dead in us, all places where carnality and sin remain, are judged.  The result is that the bad is burned up and the good is retained.  This lake of fire that lives in us is saving us by destroying death and all that defiles.

Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 

Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 

Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 

Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 

Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. 

We are fulfilling the Scriptures as the old passes away to make room for the new heaven and new earth wherein righteousness, the Living Commandments, dwell forever. Carnal men have invented a myriad of false doctrines that profit their flesh at the expense of others. Do not be deceived by the lies about the 1,000-year reign with Christ, also known as the Millennium Reign. Fire falling from heaven at the end is the appearing of Christ in heaven, as our mindset [our heavens] is rolled up as a scroll.

Rev 6:14  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 

Mat 24:29  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 

Mat 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 

Mat 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

We are being given the mind of Christ. All things are being made new. A new heaven and a new earth are emerging as we leave the clay and are translated to be with the Lord. Death has been destroyed in us.  There is no more flesh, no more sea, and no more death abiding in us. We have this in a down payment form, yet receive the fullness when our time in the clay is over.

We are now abiding as spirits and have the fullness of the resurrection and have entered into the Holy City to be one with Christ and His Christ. No more tears, no more ups and downs with our fleshly emotions, we have the fullness having been redeemed from among men. We are the sons of the Living God. It is done.

Rev 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 

Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 

Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 

When we see these things, we are told that our salvation is nigh, at the door.  In our patience, we possess our souls, waiting for the end and the end of death abiding in us.

Mat 24:32  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 

Mat 24:33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 

Mat 24:34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 

Christ, the Living Commandments, falling from heaven, is destroying death and the father of death that was purposefully put there by God.  For death to be destroyed, Satan needs to be destroyed by the Lord’s fire.

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 

We are the true and mature sons of God, having overcome all sin by the mercy and grace of God. The lake of fire, the Commandments, we preach and abide in, that is the Living Christ, have finished the good work before we depart the clay.

Rev 21:7  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

The Rest of the Dead – All Mankind is Saved

The outward application of the rest of the dead speaks to the salvation of all mankind in the age to come. As God’s elect, the symbolic 144,000, we live out our 1,000-year reign now in this age.  Yet in the next age, the rest of the dead, outwardly, who is all of mankind, shall be raised by the Commandments that raised us out of our graves.  All of mankind, in their appointed time, are raised in Christ and reign with him for their third day, in which they are being perfected and saved from sin.  All mankind endures the same process to be saved from sin, only the timing is different.

Rev 20:5  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 

Those not saved in this age are saved in the one to come. All devoid of the Living Gospel in their hearts and minds are dead even when raised in spirit bodies.   The Gospel needs to be preached to ears that hear so judgment can fall upon us. We then endure the chastening and scourging of our loving heavenly Father who reigns from our heaven.

1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 

1Co 15:24  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 

1Co 15:25  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 

Some who heard the Gospel in this age do not endure and they are included in the rest of the dead whom the Lord saves through His Christ.

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 

The two baptisms of Christ are the baptisms of the Commandments. It is one baptism yet with two distinct comings. The hearing of the Commandments and then the doing of the Commandments.  All things come alike to all but in the appointed time. Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones of the whole house of Israel shows all of mankind coming together, being raised from the dead by the Spirit of Christ, the Commandments making them alive.

Eze 37:9  Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. 

Eze 37:10  So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. 

Eze 37:11  Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. 

Eze 37:12  Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 

Eze 37:13  And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, 

Eze 37:14  And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. 

We who are saved in this age are no better than anyone, as it is solely by the election of God that we are being saved today. We were caused to go to work in the Lord’s vineyard and have no expectation of greater rewards or lesser punishments. It is by grace that all men are saved, and that none of ourselves; it is the gift of God.

Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 

Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Greater is He that lives in our heavens, Jesus Christ, than the lies of the enemy who is of the world and collectively represents Satan, the dragon, Leviathan, the crooked serpent, and the devil. Jesus Christ, the Commandments is the key to overcoming death and rising above the earth, having dominion over our sin. Those who call upon the name of the Lord are delivered from the hands of the enemy. Nothing by any means shall harm us as God’s elect.

Psa 118:10  All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. 

Psa 118:11  They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 

Psa 118:12  They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 

Understanding the details and symbolic language of our reign with Christ is useful, but it is not essential to complete the work of God or to be delivered from our sins.  Only a new creature matters, and knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge are passing away the further we walk.  Love that is charity and the keeping of the Commandments of God is what matters.

1Co 13:8  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 

1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

Receive ye the Gospel, the Commandments of Jesus Christ that save every man in the day they are heard and taken to heart. Be washed with the Commandments so that the Promise may come to you and complete the work of the Lord.

Commandments

Be Ye Thankful

Peter
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Giving Thanks Glorifies God

We are commanded to be thankful always for all things that the Lord is working in our lives. The parable of ten lepers being cleansed, and only one returning to Christ to give thanks for our healing and salvation, is our fulfillment of prophecy as the chosen of God.  We honor God, the Father and the Son when we return and give thanks in all things.

Luk 17:12  And as Christ [He] entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 

Luk 17:13  And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 

Luk 17:14  And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

Luk 17:15  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 

Luk 17:16  And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 

Luk 17:17  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 

Luk 17:18  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 

Luk 17:19  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. 

As spiritual lepers, chief of sinners, we thank the Lord for His mercy that has opened our eyes to our sin and the Commandments that save us. We are always thankful for what the Lord gives us to eat and drink daily, both spiritually and physically. Our spiritual food and drink are the Commandments and the resulting grace, the wine of the Gospel, the cup of His blood that represents the trials and tribulations we endure to enter into the Kingdom of God.

The parable of the Last Supper and examples of giving thanks for our nourishment reveal the mystery to those who see. We are doing likewise in our day of the Lord. The Elect of God are One Body and partake of One Bread that is distributed to us all.

Luk 22:17  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 

Luk 22:18  For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God [The Promise, the return of Christ to dwell in us] shall come. 

Luk 22:19  And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 

Luk 22:20  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Those who hear the Gospel and are not thankful become the foolish virgins whose hearts are eventually darkened, as they fall away from the faith, having no oil in their lamps when the trials of faith come.

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 

Those being healed of their sins and spiritual leprosy are the true Israel of God who have and continue to receive the mercy and many blessings of God. Our spiritual healing and salvation are not without cost or suffering, and they require us to endure many tribulations to finish the race. We are thankful for all the things the Lord works in our lives. Through all of it, the good, the bad, the up, the down, we are commanded to remain thankful and always give thanks to the Lord.

Psa 92:1  A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High

We have entered into the Sabbath rest that remains of the true Israel of God. We are at peace, having ceased from our carnal works and now standing solely on the Commandments of God. Whatsoever we do is in the name of the Commandments by which we give thanks to God and the Father.

Col 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 

Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

Col 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 

The Psalms are full of verses regarding giving of thanks. We give thanks to God by obeying His Commandments, which in spirit is singing praises to His Name.

Psa 18:49  Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

Psa 30:4  Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psa 75:1   Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.

Returning to the Lord as the one leper did is returning to the Commandments. Going to the Commandments is giving thanks to the Lord, and is our calling upon His Name, and thereby making known the Gospel among the people. The Lord multiplies and increases us when we witness faithfully for the Commandments.  We thank the Lord for giving us what we seek, the living waters of eternal life, which is to know Him and the Father.

1Ch 16:8  Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 

1Ch 16:9  Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 

1Ch 16:10  Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 

Time is short in our day of the Lord. We redeem the time wisely and walk not as fools. We know and trust the Lord in working all things for the greater good of our salvation and manifesting His precious promise in our lives. No matter the trial or situation we find ourselves in, we say, “Praise the Lord” and give Him thanks for His work in us.

Eph 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 

Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 

Eph 5:21  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 

Losing our life to save it is difficult for our weak flesh, hence the many admonishments and reminders to be ye thankful always. We honor God and bring glory to His Name when we obey the Commandment.

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

We certainly give thanks for the physical food the Lord provides before we eat. Yet we remember the Scriptures are spiritual and speak of spiritual truths and ways. We are also to give thanks to our heavenly Father before we eat of the daily bread of life that He is giving us. The bread of life is the Living Christ, the Commandments that we eat with thanksgiving to our maker. We are being filled with the Living Christ, who is teaching us righteousness.

Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 

Christ is the example we follow. Whenever bread was given out for nourishment, thanks were first given to God.

Mar 8:6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. 

Mat 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 

We do not fear men or what they can do to us. We fear the Lord, and we give Him thanks even at great costs to our standing in the carnal world. Daniel was faithful and would rather obey the Lord than avoid being thrown into the lion’s den.  We give thanks to the Lord and seek not to please men.

Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 

Never forget to give thanks to God for one another and for the blessing we reap in being gathered with His little flock who share a like precious faith. We know how rare, rarer than the gold of Ophir, are the true saints of God being saved in this age whose hearts and minds are tuned to the Gospel. We give thanks and pray for one another.

Col 1:3  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 

Col 1:4  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 

Col 1:5  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel; 

 

 

Studies

Judgment IS on the House of God

Peter
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Building the Temple of Christ

Peter and Rohnel, raised by the will of God to be servants of Christ and ministers of the Gospel; to the children and house of God; grace and peace unto you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  We write this encouragement to remind us of the Lord’s ways and purpose in raising us unto righteousness and conforming us into His image and likeness.

Once the Gospel is preached, judgment is fallen upon the house of God.  We are the house of God, who have, through the mercy of the Lord, now heard the Gospel preached unto us.  Judgment is now come, and the day of the Lord is come to those who believe the Gospel of the Living  Commandments.  Our old life is dead; the Commandments, Christ, the light of the world, is risen upon us, revealing that we were dead in our sins and trespasses.  Judgment, the blessing of a loving Father, is a very good thing.  It means salvation is come and we are being perfected and saved from our sins.

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 

The second coming of Christ, the Living Word, is our Baptism of Christ.  It is receiving of the Promise of the indwelling Spirit of Christ whereby Christ and the Father make their abode within us.  This is the power unto salvation that now lives in our hearts and minds.  The Living Words are the fire, the baptism by fire that John the Baptist said follows him, preaching the Gospel.  It is a glorious day.  The works of the wicked one, Satan, the devil, our carnal mind, are being exposed and burned up by the fire of the Living Word.  It is a bright light that shines into every nook and cranny of our flesh. No stone is unturned as the temple of God that we are is being remade.

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked [our father the devil, the carnal mind roaming in our earth] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

The Scriptures and sayings of Jesus Christ have come alive, and we are fulfilling them as we speak.  We pray the Lord grants the increase to as many as have been ordained to receive the Gospel of the living Commandments, which is Christ in you.  Salvation is come, and with it many signs and wonders are seen in our heaven and in our earth.  This was the prophecy of Joel, as our Pentecost moment has and continues to arrive.

Act 2:19  And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 

Act 2:20  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 

Act 2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

That notable day is come, and with it, we are entering into times of mighty trials.  As we enter into the living faith of Christ, nothing is being held back.  We are selling all our possessions “in spirit” to buy the pearl of great price that has been offered.  All is given up for the sake of the Gospel, as those gathered in the faith have everything in common.  Those who hold back, seeking to save their old life, do not continue with us [See Acts 5] and are cut off from the living.

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 

Only the daughter of Zion [a tiny remnant] escapes and enters into New Jerusalem to be called holy unto the Lord. These few are they who are being washed and made anew by the holy Commandments, the Gospel that we have heard and now obey.  Christ is cleaning out His Holy Temple, which temple we are, and which is further spoken about below.  The Commandments, being the Spirit of Christ, is the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning that is come unto our households.

Isa 4:3  And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: 

Isa 4:4  When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. 

The same is the coming out of Babylon, that is also Spiritual Jerusalem, a great deception and time of bondage we have mercifully been delivered from.

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 

Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

Rev 14:8  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God has been preached, and the end of our carnal mindedness and walking after the flesh is come to those that hear.

Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 

1Pe 4:6  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 

1Pe 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 

To bring about the end of flesh, the Lord causes us to err from His ways so He brings judgment and scourging that teaches us the right way and instills in us the fear of the Lord.  See study – The Fear of the Lord is Our Treasure

Eze 7:3  Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations. 

Eze 7:4  And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 

Eze 7:5  Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come. 

Eze 7:6  An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come. 

All of our behavior, our thought life, our deeds, our interests, and our hobbies are being changed. All things are made new by Christ.  We are commanded to strengthen the loins of our mind, remain sober, and know what lies ahead.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  We have no more ignorance of the Truth and thus obey the Commandment to turn towards God, which is repentance unto life.  The judgment of a mighty and jealous God that saves us from our sins is now come.

Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: 

The Lord’s Commandments are the holy things; they are the Father’s Words that now live in us.  Through them, we are being remade into the sons of the Living God.  As sons, we are commanded to be holy in all of our behavior.  The calling is far higher and the road narrower than when we first believed.

1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 

1Pe 1:14  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 

1Pe 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation 

1Pe 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

All of our conversation includes not only what we do but the entirety of our speech and communications with those within and without the faith.  We remain set apart and let no corrupt communication proceed from our mouths.  How we conduct ourselves in our speech to everyone is a daily test and trial of our faith.

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

2Ti 2:16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness

We are no longer the same, as the habits, speech, and actions that once defined us are no more.  All things are becoming new as the great gulf between us and those in the world widens in due time.

Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 

Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 

Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 

Eph 5:4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

The further we walk with Christ in obedience, the more separated we become from the world and our carnal past.  We no longer pursue the things we once did.  We do not engage in these affairs nor interact with those who burden us and bring us back into their bondage.  We have been set free and abide in the liberty of Christ.

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 

The stakes have been raised, as our salvation from sin is at hand. Christ is come, and His judgment, a blessing and the sword of the Lord shall forever be on our house. We are being called out, set apart, and raised up into heaven by the living God of the universe.  All manner of our conversation is to be holiness unto the Lord.  Those saved in this age are the Lord’s army and the horses upon which He, the living Word, sits and rides.  The noise we make as we sojourn in this world is our speech, and it is engraved with the words Holiness Unto The Lord.

Zec 14:20  In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 

Everything we eat in Spirit [our thoughts and speech] is made from a pure and clean pot that is holy.  No exceptions.  Nothing that defiles enters in or remains in the Lord’s house.

Zec 14:21  Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

We also see the inscription of holiness in the instructions to Aaron, the high priest of Israel.  Sons of Aaron, signifying the elect today, wear an engraved plate of pure gold on their forehead that says “Holiness To The Lord”.  All of our thoughts and speech are being focused on the Holy things, the Commandments of the Lord, and not those things of the world.

Exo 28:36  And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 

The faithful ones are being made holy, and when the heat of the day of the Lord comes, they are enduring through the temptations to return to their former lusts.  The true ones are very peculiar people, meaning we don’t do the things everyone else in the world does.  We are not running after the same excess of riots and conversations as the rest of the world.  We abstain from anything that arouses those temptations and brings the tempter, our carnal mind, back to life.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 

1Pe 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 

1Pe 2:11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 

We do everything in our power [by taking heed of the Spirit of the Commandments, the throne of grace within] to make our paths straight and seek holiness.  Without holiness no man shall see the Lord [salvation] in this age.  The call for excellence in all our behavior is a warning lest we fall and let even a little leaven of fornication or bitterness enter in and defile us.

Heb 12:13  And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently [to the commands] lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 

Our understanding of judgment and how it remakes all things new is greatly expanded once judgment has fallen by way of the Word now living within us. The Lord makes quick work on our earth; He moves swiftly when He comes by way of the living Commandments that bring heavy trials upon us.  We are seeking and asking the Lord to come and save us from our sin.

Rom 9:28  For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. 

Rev 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 

We embrace the trials and learning to count them all joy, knowing the Lord’s plan and purpose.  Do not be surprised when these things begin to happen; they are confirmation that one is marked for the Lord.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 

The Lord comes for pure virgins, whose doctrine is Christ’s Commandments, and who have purified themselves by getting rid of all that is unholy.  We do this by filling our lamps with the anointing oil of the Living Commandments.  To make room for the oil, we clear out the wood, hay, and stubble that defiles us. If we slumber, sleep, or do not work, there is not enough oil in the lamp, and we miss the Lord’s coming, and the door is shut.

Mat 25:5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 

Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 

Faith comes by hearing these Words of the Commandments. The more we hear, the more oil we are buying to put into our lamps.  For those hungry for the Word of righteousness, eat every day. Everyone is to study at home to ensure we have enough oil.

1Co 11:34  And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation.

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 

Judgment day is the same as the day of the Lord.  When the Gospel takes root in our temple, the Lord’s temple, that day has begun.  Judgment is now upon our house, and we learn to be ready and watch.  Now is the time to get in the ark [the Commandments].  Heavy spiritual rain is beginning to fall. It is time to trim our lamps and be ready to open the door when the Christ comes by way of the trials to test whether we obey His Commandments.

Luk 12:35  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 

Luk 12:36  And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Luk 12:37  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 

The Lord comes with His Spirit in different watches, but nonetheless, we are ready, lamps lit and doing our Father’s business.  We do not obsess into the affairs of men, nor compare ourselves to others.  We follow the Lord, obeying the Commandments, and examine ourselves.  The world out there is busy eating and drinking, being drunk with its knowledge. He is coming quickly with His reward, the Promise, the mind of Christ, for those who have made themselves ready and are alert and watching.

Luk 12:38  And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 

Luk 12:39  And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 

Luk 12:40  Be ye therefore be ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 

The wedding feast is now as we partake of the Living Word and prepare ourselves for marriage to the Lamb.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

Peter wrote about the scoffers and mockers who make light of the warnings about His coming.  Peter was taught, as we are, in a parable to be ready [See Luk 12:41-47]. Likewise, the wise virgins are prepared when their bridegroom comes.  It is the foolish virgins who do not heed the call to get ready. Blessed is the servant who is found ready and watching.

2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 

2Pe 3:12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 

2Pe 3:13  Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 

Being ready and watching is working in the kingdom of God.  This is our always looking upon the Commandments that are Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God.  If we stray into worldly practices and become weighted down, being busybodies in the affairs of others, many fall asleep and miss Christ.

1Pe 4:15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 

Mar 13:35  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 

Mar 13:36  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 

Mar 13:37  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 

Engaging in worldly conversations and fixating on the world’s affairs tempt us and others, weigh us down, and put many to sleep if they continue thereby.  It is a snare much broader than we first understood.

Luk 21:34  NKJV “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 
Luk 21:35  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 
Luk 21:36  Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 

We are sent by the Lord to others to prepare the way by preaching His Gospel.  We are John the Baptist to those who hear us and gather with us in studying the Gospel and the Commandments.  Christ comes again suddenly to all who hear and gather with the saints, which requires one to believe and patiently tarry.

Mal 3:1  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. 

As priests of God, our ministry is no longer about knowledge or the deep mysteries of the Scriptures.  We are teaching the difference between the holy and profane.  Holiness is the Lord’s standard, and it is in great controversy we stand in the manner of the Apostles and judge these matters and hallow the Lord’s Commandments [sabbaths].

Eze 44:23  And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 

Eze 44:24  And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths. 

We are laying spiritual hands on all who hear and receive our words.  Many devils, which are carnal lies and strongholds, are being cast out by these words of power.  The serpents, the lies of the carnal mind, have no power in the presence of the Christ, the Word of truth.  Those who hear and believe this Gospel are being made well, being healed of all of their spiritual diseases.

Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 

Mar 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 

Mar 16:18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

The Lord’s words, spoken by His prophets, priests, ministers, and sons, are fire, and bring judgment upon all who hear. The old things we did are being uprooted and destroyed out of us if we belong to the house.  His Words do not fail to destroy the old and usher in the new.

Jer 1:9  Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 

Jer 1:10  See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. 

Our practice of pure and undefiled religion is to visit those without the commandments [Christ], having no Father and/or no Husband [widows] in their spiritual afflictions while keeping ourselves unspotted from the world.

Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 

We are washing one another’s feet by the Word that sets the example for all to follow.  Carnal exchanges and sharing of problems and fleshly murmurings do not sanctify [cleanse] anything.  Only the Commandments sanctify and cleanse us of our sin.

1Co 5:7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened [i.e. holy]. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 

1Co 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

We are helpers of one another’s joy, but we also closely guard the gates into our minds and keep out anything that takes our focus off the living Words of Christ.  Engaging in dialog as the world does is engaging in their same excesses and idolatries.   We no longer engage in the excesses and idolatries of the world.   We are accused of many things and is part of the separation and set apartness as the Israel of God.

1Pe 4:2  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 
1Pe 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 
1Pe 4:4  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 

We are separated and different, truly set apart and above all holy unto the Lord.  Jesus Christ, the living Commandments, THE GOSPEL, comes, and when it comes, fiery trials and division is the result.  

Luk 12:49  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 

Luk 12:50  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 

Luk 12:51  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 

We ourselves become the fire, as we are Christ in the world, speaking and doing the Commandments.  If we speak, we speak only as to the oracles of God.

1Pe 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

1Pe 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

It is this dividing of the sheep from the goats, that is, the fiery trials that have now come to prove who is of God and who is not.  The progression of our trials lead to love, which is our obedience to the Commandments.  We learn our enemies are of our own household and thus we choose today whom we are serving.  It is a necessary part of the suffering of Jesus Christ to be rejected and separated from brethren and families.  All in Asia forsook Paul and every one of the Apostles and prophets of old were rejected and isolated by the multitudes.

Mat 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Mat 10:36  And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Mat 10:37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

These trials are not joyous in the moment but they lead to the peaceable fruit of righteousness in us in due time.  We rejoice when we suffer this reproach, as it means we are being raised in glory.

1Th 3:3  That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 

Rev 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 

We are not ashamed of the Gospel, as it is the power of salvation to all who believe. Standing in the Gospel brings scorn and derision upon all who walk in the flesh who are naturally at enmity with the Commandments of Christ.  The true ones now being tried in this fire are scarcer than the fine gold of Ophir.  Not many who hear the Gospel receive it, as few brethren are chosen and made faithful in every generation.  Judgment by way of the Living Word is now on the household of God. The Commandments divide and set apart His remnant for the Lord’s purposes. That day is today.

1Pe 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

1Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 

We remain serious about the Lord’s business and strive to obey the Gospel.  It is not enjoyable to flesh to lose all and give up the things they once enjoyed.  We take heed of the lessons and instructions given to us in the Scriptures in sharing this proclamation of judgment.

The Lord is a zealous Father and is serious about raising up sons of God in His likeness.  Play time is over as Paul reminds us of what happened to Israel of old that was destroyed, who rose up to play instead of working in the kingdom.

1Co 10:7  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 

1Co 10:8  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 

1Co 10:9  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 

1Co 10:10  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall

Many start well as Israel of old did,  but do not remain vigilant and are quickly pulled back into our natural state of carnality and thus cease working for the kingdom of God.  Our bodies and minds are now the temple of God and are holy vessels unto the Lord.  The merchandising we engaged in during our time in Spiritual Babylon ends once the Gospel is received.  We have come out of her as the Lord’s people and no longer partake of those activities.  Jesus Christ is entered into us, His Holy Temple, and is throwing out all our carnal thoughts and reasonings, making all things new.  We are fulfilling the Scriptures and living by every word.

Luk 19:45  And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 

Luk 19:46  Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. 

A house of prayer is a house focused on the Commandments.  Always doing the Commandments is praying without ceasing, and this is our work in the Father’s house.  Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and not doing the work of the Father.

Joh 2:14  And Jesus found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 

Joh 2:15  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 

Joh 2:16  And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise. 

Being a disciple indeed of Jesus Christ is not for the faint of heart.  It takes boldness to preach and obey the Gospel in the midst of a carnal world that hates the Gospel.  In the midst of much opposition, within and without ourselves, we are dying and becoming dead to the world.  We now live for the Lord and Saviour

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 

2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 

2Co 4:9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 

2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 

Those precious few of the house of God, the little flock, the tiny remnant being saved in this age, need every member of the body of Christ.  We are loving one another, which means to be bold and bring admonishment and correction when and where it is needed.  We are no respecters of persons.  It is difficult at times to bring admonishment and correction to those we love in Spirit who err from the narrow way.  Yet watchmen cannot keep silent lest the blood of fallen brethren be put on us if we are disobedient to the Commandments to warn.

Isa 62:6  I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, 

Christ, the Commandments, are life and are never going to please flesh.  They bring the fire that is necessary to save us.  Those walking with Christ please God and not men.

Jas 5:19  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 

Jas 5:20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 

We learn to rest and dwell in the fire of the Commandments that judge those of the household of faith.  It is the blessing of God and the means by which we are being saved from our sins and prepared for the greater work of the Lord.  We are becoming the Word being the Lord’s Christ and become the lake of fire to bring all men to God to salvation in their appointed time.

2Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 

The Light that is Christ has come into us so we in turn become the light unto the world.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  

Having been raised from the spiritually dead, we have become a light unto the world by our preaching and obeying the Gospel.

Isa 60:1  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 

Knowing these truths, we rejoice in the Lord always, knowing His ways and purposes in judging and chastening us and remaking us into His likeness.  The Lord is good and is wasting nothing in our life experience.

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Commandments

Comparing Ourselves to Others

Timothy
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

 

Christ’s Measure is the Commandments

We give thanks to our heavenly Father for blessing us with the Holy Spirit of Truth, showing us the mysteries of the kingdom of God, which are being revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ, hidden from the beginning of the world but now made manifest to His elect saints in these last days. All praise and honor belong to the Father for His glorious plan for the salvation of all men, which is now in this age for those chosen and faithful of God, Christ, and His Christ, the firstfruits, and through them will be extended to all mankind in the age to come.

Here we focus on the Commandment not to compare or measure ourselves to others, neither in spirit nor in the flesh. Just like with esteeming of days and times, we do not esteem one person above another, but only the Commandments of Christ. The Commandments are the plumbline we use to measure ourselves and judge to know if we are being obedient to His standard of holiness.

2 Cor 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

1 Cor 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed (the Commandments) in the church.

Phi 2:2 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Psa 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

We are commanded to prove ourselves, which is examining ourselves to see if we are walking in the faith of Jesus Christ. We do not compare ourselves with others; the only measuring rod is the Commandments. All our thoughts and actions, including how we eat spiritually, are aligned with the Lord’s Gospel.

Gal 6:4  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 

2Co 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 

1Co 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 

Ezekiel was shown a vision of one of God’s Elect measuring everything in the holy temple of God.  We are the temple of God, and we are always measuring and examining ourselves using the only measuring reed we have, which is the Commandments.  Read the entirety of Ezekiel 40 with this spiritual understanding. All that we do is brought into the light that is the Commandments of the Living Word.

Eze 40:3  And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. 
Eze 40:4  And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. 

Comparing or measuring ourselves against others is sin and brings envy and strife, along with a whole host of other sins that torment us and steal our peace and rest in Christ. Believing we are better and despising our brothers, or else coveting what they have and what we lack, leads us into a prison of carnal reasoning that we do not escape. This evil spirit is overcome by the Living Commandments, or else we are consumed by it.

Jas 3:14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 

Jas 3:15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 

Jas 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 

The story of King Saul is a prime example of one who became jealous of David, whom the Lord anointed over him. These strong fleshly emotions [evil spirits] led Saul to hate David and his downfall.

Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

1 Sam 18:7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

1 Sam 18:8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

1 Sam 18:9 And Saul eyed David from that day forward.

1 Sam 19:9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand; and David played with his hand.

1 Sam 19:10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

We are all first like King Saul, walking according to the ways of the world and blind to our sins. Before we are shown the Truth, we are under the power of the flesh and the carnal mind, where Satan rules us, living in disobedience in our ignorance. Saul disobeyed the Lord and did not perform all he was commanded to completely destroy Israel’s enemies, the Amalekites, because he feared the people more than the Lord when they lusted to keep the spoils. We are also like Cain, giving the Lord an offering from the labor of our hands, thinking we are justified by our own works, rather than being like his brother Abel, who presented a better offering: obedience.

1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said [unto Saul], Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Gen 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

Gen 4:4 And Abel, he also brought the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel, and to his offering:

Gen 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Gen 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And thou shalt rule over him.

Gen 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Able his brother, and slew him.

We are murderers in spirit when we hate our brothers in our hearts by envying what they have and desiring to be esteemed above others. The Pharisees and Sadducees were jealous of Christ because He took away their authority and persuaded the people to follow Him. He exposed their hypocrisy and reliance on traditions and the carnal works of the law rather than doing justice and showing mercy, so they plotted to have Him crucified.

Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Mat 27:18 For he (Pontius Pilate) knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Mat 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

All things come alike to all men, as all things written are ours to fulfill.   Yet the degrees and measures of our suffering and even our faith are all determined by the Lord. Not all members have the same trials nor the same spiritual gifts, as we are uniquely raised and assembled as a Body by the hand of God through our hearing the Gospel. Some have greater trials not to be puffed up, while others have greater trials not to be jealous or envious of what others have been given. It all works for the greater good of perfecting all the saints.

1Co 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

1Co 12:19  And if they were all one member, where were the body? 

1Co 12:20  But now are they many members, yet but one body. 

1Co 12:21  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 

1Co 12:22  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The Commandment is not to compare ourselves to others or even concern ourselves with the Lord’s work in others, except to rejoice and weep with them. We follow Christ and are satisfied with the treasures the Lord gives to us. A yet unconverted Peter asks, “What about John?” And the Lord’s answer then is the Commandment to us today.

Joh 21:20  Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 

Joh 21:21  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 

Joh 21:22  Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.  [The Commandments]

Our carnal minds and all flesh would rather be ruled by our father the devil, choosing a murderer and listening to his lies, soothing words that validate our carnal reasoning, than be humbled and obedient to the Commandments. Until the Lord has mercy and opens our eyes and ears to the Truth, we will continue to hate and envy, remaining in our spiritual graves with the rest of the world.

Pro 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Pro 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Luk 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me to first go and bury my father;

Luk 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

When we reason within ourselves that we are more deserving and desire the praise or esteem of others, we exalt ourselves while diminishing those we think are less esteemed or are worse sinners than we are, judging after the flesh and not the Spirit of the Commandments. We respect persons and sin when the Commandments are not our measuring rod.

Jas 2:9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Such thinking is the work of the carnal mind, with its accusatory and excusing mindset. Flesh seeks its own, and we are deceived into believing our works elevate us to a higher status among men. Unless we are given to humble ourselves and repent of our self-righteousness, we likewise shall perish.

Luk 13:1  There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 

Luk 13:2  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 

Luk 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 

Luk 13:4  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 

Luk 13:5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 

The Lord is not a respecter of persons, and neither are we as Christ in the world. All men get the same reward and endure the same judgment in their time. The way of Christ is not to rule in the outward but to be servants of all. We serve all men, our brethren and our neighbors, when we obey the Commandments without any partiality. This is brotherly love unfeigned, which is the new Commandment the Lord gives us.

Joh 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The only thing that matters is to know the one true God, being obedient to His Commandments, and to rule in the Spirit, having dominion over our heaven [thoughts] and our earth [deeds].

Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Act 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with him.

Mar 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them (the Apostles), What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

Mar 9:34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be the last of all, and servant of all.

There is no boasting in ourselves. Everything we have has been given to us by the Father without exception. If we boast in ourselves, then we are denying both the Father and the Son, claiming His glory as our own. The Lord is a jealous God and will not share His glory with another and will even take away gifts (physical and spiritual) so that we may learn that He is the God of both heaven and earth, and everything belongs to Him.

1Cor 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

1Cor 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Isa 42:8 I am the Lord; that is My name. And My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.

Exo 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Psa 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

There are times when we all ask the Lord, ‘Why are the wicked allowed to prosper?’ Many Old Testament prophets have asked this question and implored the Lord for an answer to this seeming contradiction, which was purposely hidden and revealed only later by the Spirit of Truth. These actual events were all examples (parables) written for our admonition, exercising our senses to discern both good and evil so that we can learn to judge by the Lord’s standard of righteousness. The Lord created the wicked for the day of evil within all of us to bring destruction to our old carnal man by being shown our sinful nature. Then, through His mercy, He drags us to Him to be remade into a new creature, the spirit man, which is Christ the Son.

Job 2:7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

Jer 12:1 Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth with way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Psa 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psa 73:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

Psa 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

Psa 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

Psa 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Psa 73:8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

Psa 73:9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

Psa 73:10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

Psa 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

Psa 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

Psa 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

Psa 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

Psa 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

Psa 73:16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

Psa 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Psa 73:18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Psa 73:19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

Psa 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

Psa 73:21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

Psa 73:22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

We do not envy the wicked, within and without us, even though they have the appearance of living in peace and safety. This is a false peace, a deception caused by the Lord to harden our hearts while treasuring up wrath for the day of judgment. Just as before the flood, the end of the wicked is for them to be taken out of the way. The Lord enters into us, His Temple, and is destroying the old temple where we make merchandise of our carnal works and rob the Lord of his glory. A new temple is made wherein righteousness dwells so that nothing that defiles can enter. Everything is brought under subjection to Christ, the Commandments, putting all enemies under His feet. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Pro 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in fear of the LORD all the day long.

Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Mat 21;13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Luk 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever hall lose his life shall preserve it.

Luk 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

Luk 17:35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Luk 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The Lord uses our own wickedness to chasten and humble us so that we become dead to this world and the pride and lusts that live in all flesh. When our man of sin, the same as the abomination of desolation, is revealed to us by the light of the Commandments, then our day of the Lord, the third day in which we are being perfected, has come. We leave the carnal thinking, measuring, and comparing ourselves behind, and we flee to the mountains of Israel that are the Commandments.

Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place,

Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 

The Living Commandments cause us to lie down in still waters, in the pastures in the mountains. We cease from all our carnal works and the spirit that has us measuring and comparing ourselves to others.

Eze 34:14  I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 

Eze 34:15  I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. 

To be carnally minded is death [Rom 8:6], and this is the death that is being destroyed to complete the work of God in our lives. It is through the death of death that we overcome death, speaking of the carnal mind that has kept us in bondage all of our prior lives. We reap the earnest deposit of new life now as the carnal mind is destroyed and the fullness when we are translated into spirit when we depart the clay.

1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 

Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

This is also known as the second death, that is also the lake of fire, where Satan, the father of all lies, is cast out of our heavens.

Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon: and the dragon fought and his angels,

Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was there place found any more in heaven.

Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: and was cast out into the earth, and his angels [lies] were cast out with him.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Being remade into vessels of honor from vessels of dishonor takes us enduring through much tribulation and suffering. Just like coal takes heat and pressure over a long period of time to make a diamond, so does God do with us, bringing forth the new man through the judgment of the old man to see which of his works abides in the fire and which are burned up. Only the works of holiness, built on the foundation that is Christ’s Commandments, endure. The rest is purged, all to the benefit of the salvation of the soul.

1 Cor 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

1 Cor 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1 Cor 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue it the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

The Lord loves the humble and despises the wicked in each of us as we are being remade by the hand of the potter. Being humbled and repenting from our sinful ways, we become an acceptable sacrifice as we die to this world and are raised back to life through Christ and His Commandments, which is our daily bread, the true manna from Heaven. We are no longer bastards who were separated by the veil of our sinful flesh, but are now able to enter the Holy of Holies and are considered sons of the living God. Those whom the Father has chosen in this age, being faithful to the end, will never taste death but will become the firstfruits, saviors to bring in the rest of the harvest of the kingdom in the age to come.

Isa 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

Isa 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Psa 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

As Christ in the world, we are content with our wages, meaning the Commandments. Godliness with contentment is great gain, and thus we no longer covet another man’s possessions, nor do we compare and measure ourselves to others. We accept where the Lord has us exactly where we are supposed to be, and wait on Him to give us more of Himself.

Php 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Deu 5:21  Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s. 

Being content with what the Lord gives us, we wait patiently on Him, and He does not forsake us. If we are counted worthy to be God’s elect, we receive an honor which is incomparable to anything in this world. We are given the mind of Christ, the crown of life, and when we leave these clay vessels, we are translated to always be with the Lord. We do not choose Christ; He chooses us, who are the saints. He has prepared our hearts to receive and obey the Gospel.

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit …

At the appointed time, all mankind receives the gift of eternal life at the consummation of the ages. Oh, that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

2 Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

2 Cor 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.