Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
My study on Hebrews 9, the priesthood of Jehoshua
Hebrews Chapter 9 1Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.2For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.3And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;4Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;5And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.6Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.7But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:8The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:9Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;10Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.18Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,20Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.21Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.23It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:28So 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. Verses 1-7, this section describes various parts of the old covenant ministry of the priests in the tabernacle. Jehoshua's ministry is better. It's important to understand that there is a marked difference between the Levitical priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. In these first seven verses of Hebrews 9 we see a description of the sanctuary. Paul uses the term tabernacle rather than temple possibly due to the wilderness theme throughout the book of Hebrews. The tabernacle and temple kept the same basic design. The outer sanctuary was accesible only to the levites, and the inner sanctuary to the High Priest once a year on the day of atonement. The first sanctuary or holy place in the tabernacle had the candlestick, table of shewbread and altar of incense. These articles of furniture had/have typological significance pointing to the person and work of Messiah. In verse 3, the second veil is referenced. There were two curtains in the tabernacle, one separating the court from the holy place and the second, the holy place from the most holy place (Exodus 26:31-35). Tabernacle, Holy of Holies (Holiest of all). This is key to remember because it tells us when Jehoshua went into the most holy place. Verse 4, the most important piece of furniture in the tabernacle is the ark of the covenant. The ark contains the mercyseat where the blood of the atonement was sprinkled once a year (Exodus 25:10-16). Jehoshua as the first fruits had to present Himself to the Father after His resurrection. If the Father's throne is in the most holy place as the sanctuary tells us, both in earthly type and in the original in heaven, then Messiah had to go to the most holy place to present Himself. The bible says He atoned for our sins at the cross and He presented Himself after His resurrection to the Father sprinkling His blood on the mercyseat. This could only be done if Jehoshua went to the most holy place after His resurrection. 1John 2:1-2 (KJV) 1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. The word propitiation comes from the Greek word "hilasmos" (Strongs 2434) and means "atonement, i.e., an expiator, propitiation." Continuing in verse 4, The manna that was in the ark of the covenant represents Jehovah's faithfulness and provision for His people. As the Israelites of old, we as Messianics are in our own wilderness experience as pilgrims waiting for the arrival of our permanent home which is New Jerusalem. Jehoshua is also the manna, the bread of life that came down from heaven. We eat of His body spiritually as He even said so in John 6:51-54: 51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world 52The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. In verse 4 we also see Aaron's rod mentioned. This represented Aaron's as the designated chosen head of the priestly line. Jehoshua is now our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. The Levitical priesthood is abolished. The tables of the covenant are in the most holy place and they contain the 10 commandments. As the 10 commandments were in the most holy place in the earthly sanctuary, they are also in the heavenly sanctuary which is the sanctuary that Jehovah pitched. Revelation 11:16-19 (KJV) 16And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,17Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.18And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. Understanding he truth about the heavenly sanctuary is very important for today's beleiver in Messiah. The above pasaage in Revelation 11 reveals that there is a literal heavenly temple with a literal ark of the covenant containing the testimony i.e. 10 commandments. It's also key to recognize the importance of the the Messiah's priestly ministry. The Son of God sits at the right hand of Jehovah in the most holy place interceding for us. We are told by the beloved disciple John in his 1st epistle to not sin but that if we do we have Jehoshua as our advocate. The word advocate comes from the Greek word "parakletos" which means "an intercessor, consoler: advocate, comforter" It's noteworthy that the 10 commandments are also in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary where the Son of God intercedes for us as we are told in 1 John chapter 3 that sin is the transgression of the law: 4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Sin is the transgression of the law and we are told to sin not, yet if we do sin we have a comforter who intercedes for us. This passage refutes the antinomian churches that the law of Jehovah is abolished. In verse 6 where it says "whoever sinneth hath not seen him", this is in the greek present tense meaning continuing in constant sin without repentance. We are told to boldly come before the throne of grace. The throne of grace is the mercyseat where our Messiah intercedes for us. When we fall into temptation we must come to the Father in the name of the Son and ask forgiveness. This is a function of the Son of God as our High Priest to ask forgiveness when we transgress the law. John encourages beleivers to not sin but he also lets them know that if they do, Messiah will intercede for them provided they come to the throne of grace. 1 John 5:2-3 (KJV) 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. It is ridiculous to say that God's law is done away with when we are told by John to keep the commandments and also encouraged not to violate them which is sin. This is why the commandments are so prominent in the book of Revelation as it relates to the heavenly temple and priesthood of Messiah and the end time importance of all these things. Verse 5 of Hebrews 9, the cherubims of glory. Jehovah's glory rested over these angelic beings symbolizing God's dwelling among His people. Mercyseat. The covering of the ark of the covenant where blood was sprinkled. The mercyseat represented the way of access to Jehovah, and God's forgiveness of His people. Verse 6, priests would enter into the holy place (first tabernacle) daily. These priests were faithful in their daily ministrations. Verse 7, the second, the holy of holies. Once every year. Day of atonement. The High Priest had to offer blood for himself and the sins of the people. Verse 8, the Holy Spirit declared the rituals to show that the earthly tabernacle was just a type or picture of true salvation. The way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest. The tabernacle and priestly ordinances were not able to give perfect access to God in the Holy of Holies. The tabernacle veiled people from unbroken communion with God. Verse 8 makes no sense if the Messiah only went to the holy place at His ascension. While the first tabernacle was standing, the way into the most holy place wasn't made manifest meaning "revealed". This infers that the way into the Holy of Holies has now been revealed now that the first tabernacle and it's services are now obselete. Matthew 23:38 (KJV) 38Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Matthew 27:51 (KJV) 51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; Acts 17:24 (KJV) 24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; So if the way into the Holy of Holies was made manifest in the new covenant as declared by the Holy Spirit, then clearly Jehoshua had to go right to the most holy place at His ascension showing us the way into the most holy place. If He had to wait until 1844, then verse 8 makes no sense and believers all the way up to 1844 had not been revealed the way into the holiest and didn't have direct access to the throne of grace which is in the Holy of Holies. This would then mean they were still in the old covenant until 1844 as they and the Messiah only had access to the first tabernacle. Back to Hebrews 9, verse 9, the tabernacle is a comparison of the heavenly tabernacle. The sacrifices of priests could not cleanse the conscience but were merely an outward cleansing. Verse 10, Jehoshua was the original reformer. The whole old testament system was unable to bring the people to perfection. It served only a temporary function, and pointed forward to a time when great change and renewal (reformation) would be administered. One of the things that makes Jehoshua a reformer is that He through His death abolished the imperfect Levitical priesthood and became our High Priest of a much better order. One of the key factors of Jehoshua's priesthood being better and being a complete reformation from the old order, is that He doesn't have to follow the Levitical protocol. As Priest of the Melchizedek order, Messiah went right to the most holy place at His ascension and conducts His priesthood from His throne sitting down. The Levitical priests could only go to the most holy place once a year after conducting their daily service in the holy place standing up. The Levitical priesthood did not grant the people direct access to Jehovah God except once a year on the day of atonement. If the Son of God had to wait until 1844 to go to the most holy place, then there really was no reformation done by Jehoshua at the cross and in effect the saints before 1844 were in the same predicament as the Israelites of old. This means they would have had no access to God the Father until 1844. Clearly, God the Father's throne is in the most holy place as represented in the earthly sanctuary which is a copy of the true heavenly one. If Messiah at His ascension went to sit at the Father's right hand, then we can be assured that He went right to the throne room which is clearly in the most holy place. Verses 11-12, a comparison between the ceremonial aspects of the old covenant and Messiah's works, described in Levitical terms. "good things to come", likely to be understood in both the present time and a future time. "by a greater and more perfect tabernacle" Jehoshua entered the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 7:26;8:2) to bring His people into the presence of God. This could only be true if the Son of God went directly to the most holy place at His ascension. Remember that Jehovah's shekinah presence in the earthly sanctuary was in the most holy place above the mercy seat. The same is true in the true heavenly sanctuary. "Eternal redemption" and "once into the holy place" - unlike the Levitical High Priest that entered the holy place every year to cover the sins of Israel, Jehoshua entered the holy place through His death only once yo offer everlasting atonement. The Son of God's sacrifice only needed to be offered once, not continually or daily. This is why it makes no sense for the Messiah to have to wait until 1844 to go into the most holy place. If He only went to the holy place to emaulate the old covenant protocol of daily ministration in the first apartment then in effect thatbis saying that the Son of God didn't obtain eternal redemption for us thereby nullfying His sacrifice on the cross. This is the very thing that seperates the Levitical High Priest from the Melchizedek High Priest. One had to do daily ministry in the holy place standing up with the blood of calves and goats and only had access to the most holy place once a year. The other went directly to the most holy place making atonement with His very own blood and conducts His priesthood from His throne as a King-Priest. By reducing the Messiah's priesthood to a replica of the Levitical priesthood we are disresepecting His finished work at the cross. Because in effect we are saying His blood wasn't enough to make atonement for sins and thereby reducing the value of His blood to that of goats and calves. "For us" Jehoshua's death was for His people, that is, for their benefit and in their place. Verses 13-14, the author of Hebrews lays out the implications of Jehoshua's sacrifice for beleivers. The priestly sacrifices cleansed only the flesh. The Messiah's death (blood) cleanses (purge) the conscience, laden with guilt of sins as it is. By virtue of Messiah's divine nature (eternal Spirit), His sacrifice was a spiritual sacrifice and is therefore effective. The Son of God was the perfect (without spot) Lamb of sacrifice. The Messiah had the fullness of the Father's eternal Spirit in Him. "Dead works". Any works we might seek to perform to gain acceptance with God are defiled by sin like a dead body. Through Jehoshua's sacrifice, beleivers are able to offer themselves as living sacrifices and thus enabled to serve the living God. This verse proves that the living God is the Father not a trinity. Jehoshua through the Holy Spirit purged our conscience from dead works to serve the Living God. This shows that neither Jehoshua or the Holy Spirit are the living God themselves but that through Jehoshua's death, they both worked to bring us in right relationship with the the remaining member of the Godhead which is the Father i.e. the Living God. Verse 15, the Son of God perfects the mediation between Jehovah and His people. "And for this cause" Jehoshua's work shows Him to be the mediator of the new covenant. "For the redemption of the transgressions" that is, all sins past and present committed by the people for whom He died. Even sins committed under the old covenant were not forgiven by the blood of bulls and goats, but in advance, by virtue of what Messiah's sacrifice was sure to accomplish. Those effectually called by the gospel already receive the benefits of the promise, though they still wait for their eternal inheritance. Verse 16, "testament" the Greek word diatheke commonly means "covenant", and translates the Hebrew word for covenant, berith. However the author is bringing in the added significance of a firm anf settled testament, being effectual onlu upon death of the One who makes it. "Necessity" MesI siah's death was required so that He could pass on His inheritance to His brothers. We are joint heirs with our elder brother Jehoshua proving that the Godhead is a Family with Jehovah as our Father. This is a total rebuke to the SDA Tri theistic godhead teaching of the three independent god beings united as a committee locking us out of the Godhead as in this antichrist view there are no family relations in the Godhead . We as sons and daughters of God are part of the Godhead family in which we are a people called by Jehovah's name. Verse 17, a testament or covenant cannot exist without the shedding of blood. As with the first covenant (Ex 24:6-7), the second was also established through blood, specifically through the blood of Messiah. Once the testator has died there is no way to annul the testament, rendering it absolute. Verse 18, "whereupon". Therefore, drawing a conclusion from verses 16-17. "First testament". The Mosaic covenant was Instituted with blood because there was a self-malediction curse incorporated with the covenant. "Dedicated". Inaugurated. The old covenant was inaugurated by the blood of animals. Verse 19, "for when Moses had spoken". An allusion to Exodus 24:3-8. "Sprinkled both the book, and all the people." Everything under the old covenant was ceremonially purified with blood. Verses 20-21 Jehovah commanded perfect obdience from the people in the Mosaic covenant (Leviticus 18:5). Moses sprinkled the tabernacle and all its vessels. Verse 22, remisson meaning forgiveness. Thankfully we no longer have to sacrifice animals to receive remission of sins, we have the one time sacrifice of Jehoshua's shed blood that provided forgiveness of our sins. Verse 23, the pattern tabernacle on earth was purified with the blood of calves and goats (verse 19) "the heavenly things themselves". Not that heaven was unclean, but the bringing of guilty sinners into the Holy places would defile them unless they were purified with the Messiah's blood. Verse 24, why cling to a brick and mortar building if the Son of God is in heaven itself? Jehoshua only needs to to appear in the presence of Jehovah on behalf of His people and it is more than enough. We might want to ask, where is the presence of Jehovah in the heavenly sanctuary? Exodus 25:17-22 (KJV) 17And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.18And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.19And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.20And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.21And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.22And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. The mercy seat was symbolic of Jehovah's divine throne and presence. With the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat, the judgement of God is transformed into grace and mercy. Clearly, any believer with even a bit of bible knowledge knows that the mercy seat sat on top of the ark of the covenant which is in the most holy place in the sanctuary. Remember, that the earthly sanctuary is merely a copy of the heavenly which means that Jehovah's divine presence and throne in heaven is also in the most holy place. So if the Messiah appeared in the presence of God at the time of the writing of the book of Hebrews and clearly according to Exodus 25:17-22 the presence and throne of Jehovah is in the most holy place, then that means that Jehoshua went to the most holy place way before 1844. The book of Hebrews was likely written before AD 70. Verse 25, Jehoshua only had to make one atonement for sins and that was at the cross. Unlike the earthly priesthood of the Levites, the priesthood of Melchizedek is far superior in that only one had sacrifice had to be made for atonement (Messiah's death on the cross). Also, Melchizedek's (Jehoshua) priesthood was granted permanent access to the most holy place once the atonement was made. The Levitical priests were only granted access to the most holy place once a year on the day of atonement and then had to return to their daily ministry in the first apartment (holy place). In verse 26 of Hebrews, Jehoshua's death is only once. "End of the world" Not a reference to the temporal end of history, but the perfection of the ages. History moves toward a definite goal and the Son of God is moving His people to this goal. "Put away" remove or cancel. Verse 27, man dies once so this should caution us in believing in these stories where people claim they died and went to heaven or hell and then came back to tell about it. After death, the next event for man will be the judgement. The judgement takes place right after the second advent of Jehoshua. This then negates the false teaching that men go right to heaven after they die or to hell. One cannot be granted entry into heaven or the lake of fire without being judged and since the judgement is after the second advent and there is no interim purgatory type place then what becomes of man at death? Well, he simply sleeps as the bible says the dead know nothing. He will be awaken at the resurrection whether the resurrection of the just or unjust and then he will face judgement. Verse 28, "to bear the sins of many" an allusion to Isaiah 53:4, emphasizing substitution. "Shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation". When Jehoshua returns with the clouds, He will not appear bearing the sins of His people in order to die again, but to bring His final salvation in.
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The Son of God part 1 of my study
Jehoshua being the Son of God is the absolute foundation of the Church. No other foundation can be laid. Many have tried but the results always end up the same which is apostasy and spiritual decline. The early Church worshipped Jehoshua as the Son of God. They had a crystal clear understanding of who Jehoshua was in identify. There was no confusion. Over the ensuing centuries, the precious truth of One God who had a divine begotten Son was obscured and derided as heresy as the traditons and constructs of man supplanted the faith once delivered to the saints. In this study, we will look at the scriptures and show that Jehoshua being the Son of God and understanding who He is in identity, is crucial to our salvation as individuals and our power as a Church. This beautiful truth of One God and His only begotten Son is spreading like wildfire throughout various groups of beleivers. It can't be stopped and it won't be as Jehoshua promised that the gates of hell would never prevail against His Church. He said this after afrriming Peter's confession of Him (Jehoshua) being the Son of the Living God and stating that this confession would be the rock that the Church would be built upon. We will go through the new testament primarily and then also include some old testament scriptures to supplement them. I hope ypu enjoy and are blessed! Matthew 3:16-17 (KJV) 16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. This is the first instance in Matthew that we see a direct reference to Jehoshua being the Son of God. It is fitting that it is in connection with His baptism. The first witness to Jehoshua being the Son of God is the Father Himself. This one verse alone should be enough to convince us of the Messiah's true identity. The Father only spoke audibly three times, twice affriming Jehoshua's Sonship. While many argue on the type of Son Jehoshua was/is, as we go along in the scriptures we will get the undeniable truth. The arguments range from an adopted Son denying pre existence, begotten Son denying pre existence, enternally generated Son always existing, metaphorical Son taking on a role but in reality Almighty God either by way of Tri theism, Binitarianism or onesness pentecostalism, a created Son pre existent or finally a begotten Son pre existent. As I said, we will find out soon what the testimony of scripture says in regards to the type of Son Jehoshua was/is. Matthew 4:3-4 (KJV) 3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Sadly many today are doing the same work as Satan and tempting Jehoshua about His Sonship. They refuse to believe that He is indeed the Son of God and at times even mock the idea of Jehoshua being begotten from the Father's substance. Satan knew the Messiah's true identity but thought he could put doubt in His mind. Notice though what the Messiah says in response to the tempter: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" We just saw in Matthew 3 what came out of the mouth of God after the Messiah's baptism: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" Jehoshua is telling us that we need to go strictly by His Father's word. The word of God the Father revealed to us Jehoshua's identity by calling Him His Son. Yet many today in Christendom deny this precious truth by ascribing the Sonship of Messiah to role playing or over spiritualizing it thereby making God's word of none effect. If Jehoshua said we are to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God and God said that Jehoshua was His Son, why don't people simply just beleive it? Enemies of the truth have corrupted the simplicity of the faith: Jude 4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. The 4th century promoters of the trinity did this very thing in denying the only Lord God meaning that the Father was the one true Master God and they also denied the Lord Jehoshua Messiah as being a distinct being from the Father. Going back to Matthew 4, we see the devil's persistence in tempting the Messiah in regards to His Sonship. Sounds like today's trinitarian and tri theists. Matthew 4:5-7 (KJV) 5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Satan once again tempts Jehoshua regarding His Sonship and again Jehoshua replies by going to the written word. It is the same today brethren as Satan uses the doubters of Jehoshua's literal Sonship to tempt us to discard it in favor of their false version of the Messiah. Our response is quote the word of God like our Savior did in the wilderness. When these Sonship deniers of Christendom tempt us with their false doctrine in reality they are tempting Jehovah their God who Himself said "this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". Matthew 4:8-11 (KJV) 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Boy that devil sure doesn't give up does he? Here he offers the kingdoms of this world to the Messiah if the Son of God will worship him. Again, Jehoshua's response is an appeal to the word of God: "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve" Messiah is making reference that only the Father is to be worshipped supremely. This is a verse that refutes the trinitarian god doctrine. Jehoshua gives the enemy of truth the word of God and the proper object of supreme worship. Just like then, today's Pastor's and evangelists are offered the material blessings and comforts of this world if they will tow the Church line and doubt the Sonship of Messiah and deny the command to worship the Lord thy God only in order to support the man made Satan inspired trinity doctrine. Only by denying the literal Sonship of Jehoshua and confessing the trinity god can you be allowed to buy and sell in the mainstream Churches of Christendom. Satan offers ministers the kingdoms of this world if they will only doubt the Sonship of Messiah. Once a Pastor or evangelist leaves the trinity doctrine they are essentially forfeiting their buying and selling rights in the market place of Christendom. Let's be like Jehoshua and tell them the word of God says to worship Jehovah thy God alone as the one true God (John 17:3). Matthew 8:28-29 (KJV) 28And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.29And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Even the demons knew the identity of Jehoshua. Just like Satan, they knew that in identity Jehoshua was the Son of God. The devil and his demons don't address Jehoshua as "God the Son" or "Almighty God" but rather the "Son of God". Your pastors want you to believe that Jehoshua is the Almighty God rather than the Son of the Almighty God. Isn't sad that the devil and his demons have more accurate knowledge of who Jehoshua is in identity than do most of Christendom's clergy and their followers? Matthew 11:25-27 (KJV) 25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Jehoshua's prayer above highlights His intimate relationship with His Father. He acknowledges His Father as the creator something many SDA Trinitarians deny. In verse 26 He calls God His Father and states that no one knows Him (Jehoshua) except His Father. Right here Jehoshua is making a distinction between how the Jews viewed themselves as adopted earthly sons and How He (Jehoshua) viewed Himself as Jehovah's divine Son. In verse 27, again Jehoshua refers to God as His Father and states that all things are delivered unto Him by the Father. This denotes inheritance as being God's true Son Jehoshua is deserving of this. Jehoshua also makes a seperation between His Sonship and the Jews in that He states that only the Father knows Him and that only He knows the Father. The blessing is that the Son reveals to us the Father if He so chooses. Brethren, thankfully the Son of God has chosen to reveal the Father to us. We know this because we have been called to salvation and the Family of God. Jehoshua is the only conduit by which the Father can be revealed to man. This again makes a definite distinction between His Sonship and everyone elses as many try to ascertain Messiah's Sonship as just metaphorical or adoptive. Matthew 12:50 (KJV) 50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Jehoshua makes a possesive statement about God referring to Him as "my Father". This denotes an intimacy beyond just a metaphorical or adoptive Sonship. Jehoshua's statement reveals a closeness He has with God that no one else has to that extent. Matthew 14:31-32 (KJV) 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. In context, this is the Messiah walking on water and here He helps Peter out of the water. The subject here is one of faith and it's important to receive in your spirit what this text is really saying. Jehoshua tells Peter he is of little faith and asked rhetorically why he doubted that he could walk on water. Notice the reaction of the disciples in verse 33, they came and worshipped Jehoshua confessing that truthfully He is the Son of God. This text in verse 33 shows a couple things that should awaken trinitarians. The disciples worshipped Jehoshua as the Son of God not God Almighty. The Greek word for worship is Proskuneo and it is used here for the homage that the disciples were giving to Jehoshua. This shows that worship can be given to someone other than the Father. It also shows that worship can be given to someone other than the eternal God. One of the fallible arguments used by trinitarians is that Jehoshua must be God Almighty because He is worshipped, however the disciples did not worship Him as such but rather they worshipped Him due to being the Son of God Almighty. There is nothing written in the text that the disciples understood Jehoshua to be one part of a trinity god so there worship of Him was not as part of a trinity. The disciples knew that Jehoshua was God's divine Son and they expressed their faith in this truth verbally. They knew that Jehoshua being the Son of God gave Him the right to be worshipped. They didn't get into a religious theological debate that only God canbe worshipped so that must mean Jehoshua is God or part of a trinity. They didn't debate the meaning of deity or co eternal or co equal, they simply worshipped Jehoshua as the Son of God. They didn't confess Jehoshua as God in the sense of being the eternal God but rather God's Son. For the disciples this was enough to render worship to Jehoshua. Today's Christian's can learn a lot from this incident in the sea. It was Peter's lack of faith that made him sink. After Jehoshua rescued him, the disciples were convinced even more that Jehoshua was the Son of God. Perhaps a leaven of doubt entered Peter's mind about Jehoshua's Sonship and thereby he didn't think the Messiah could sustain him walking on water. Today's Christian's have far more doubt than Peter did about the identity of Jehoshua. Perhaps if they were in a similar situation they would also sink because they already doubt Jehoshua's Sonship because they have over thought the plain statements in scripture and refuse to believe that Jehoshua is indeed the begotten Son of God. They have convinced themselves that Jehoshua was just playing a role as God's Son and is really God Almighty Himself. Their professors and Pastor's have put this doubt in their minds and they have trusted these fallible men rather than the testimony of scripture. Modern day Sonship denying Christian's would sink in the sea if their faith in Messiah's Sonship was the measuring stick. Let's be like the disciples who recoginized the true Sonship of Messiah and worship Him as the Son of God. If we have this faith in our heart we can walk on water. Let's not be "oh thou of little faith". Matthew 15:13 (KJV) 13But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Jehoshua makes a reference to God as His heavenly Father. You get a sense from reading the text that when Jehoshua says this that there is an intimacy He has with God that no one else has. There tone of the text suggests that God is Jehoshua's heavenly Father in a way that is different from everyone else. Matthew 16:13-20 (KJV) 13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. The above passage of scripture is one of the most important and overlooked passages in the bible. The denominations have robbed the meaning of this passage and the implications have been devastating for the Churches of Christendom. Without a strong foundation a building will eventually crumble and remain no longer or it may not crumble but not have sufficient power to completely withstand heavy wind and earthquakes and thereby weaken. This my friends is exactly what has happened to the Churches of Christendom. They have left the rock solid foundation of what the Church was supposed to stand on until the end of time. Let's analyze the text to see what I am talking about. In verse 13, Jehoshua asks the disciples who men say that He (Jehoshua) is. This passage is key understanding the correct identity of Jehoshua. In fact, I believe along with the Fatjer's confession (Matthew 3:17) it is the most rock solid evidence of Jehoshua's true identity. In verse 14, the disciples answer with various speculations of men's opinions of Jehoshua's identity. In verse 15, Jehoshua then directs the question to the disciples of who they think He (Jehoshua) is. Verse 16, Peter gives what is one of the most powerful statement of faith's given in the bible. This is to be the eternal statement of faith for the Church of all generations and never to be changed by any man. Let's read Peter's statement of faith concerning Jehoshua: " Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." This confession by Peter along with the Father's In Matthew 3:17 should be enough to settle the issue once and for all the identity of Jehoshua. Of course man in his arrogance thinks he knows better than God and through vain satanic philosophy has formed for themselves another Jesus, which is not according to the plain statements of scripture. We know a two things about Jehoshua's identity from the above apostolic confession: 1) He is the anointed one (Messiah) of Jehovah God. 2) He is the Son of the Living God Jehovah. The Churches of Christendom got the first part right but even that has been confused. This is because they say that Jehoshua is Himself the Almighty God which would mean that He is the anointed one of Himself. Do you see the confusion that the trinity doctrine breeds? The Churches have also attempted to turn Jehoshua into a double personality. On one hand, they say He took on the role of the Son and on the other hand, they say He is the Living God which in essence would mean He is the Son of Himself. Do you see how ridiculous the conclusions are that the trinity doctrine forces you to arrive at? Today's pastors and theologians if they were alive to hear Peter's confession or if Peter was brought back to life, would tell him that technically he was wrong and that Jehoshua was really the living God. Man's heart is wicked beyond all understanding so let's instead go by what Jehoshua Himself said in verse 17 concerning Peter's confession: " And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Did you read that? Jehoshua completely affirmed Peter's statement of faith concerning His (Jehoshua's) identity. There was no rebuke, no philosophical rendering of Peter's statement, no over explanation of His statement but rather a straightforward affirmation. Jehoshua said His (possessive) Father revealed this truth to Peter. This means that Peter could have only confessed this if the Father revealed it to him by way of His Spirit. Today's Pastor's and theologians are saying the exact opposite of what Jehoshua said to Peter. Those who confess that Jehoshua is the literal Son of the Living God are being told that they are deceived by Satan. Oh how things have changed!!! Jehoshua told Peter that his confession wasn't revealed to him by flesh and blood yet that's exactly what the trinitarians and tri theists say about us today who confess the true begotten Sonship of Messiah. We are told that we are thinking according to the flesh when we agree with Peter's statement of faith. The enemy has greatly deceived the Churches of Christendom in that they have allowed the philosophies of men to pollute their thinking and thereby cannot simply accept the plain statements of scripture. This is the poison of Catholicism and Protestantism which have interwoven pagan Greek philosophy into the purity and simplicity of the apostolic doctrine. The truth is actually the exact opposite of what the Pastor's and theologians of Christendom say. Those of us who beleive in One true God and His literal begotten Son have been revealed this by our Heavenly Father Jehovah. Those who explain away the Sonship of Messiah by saying it was a role he took on (tri theism) or that He is also the Living God in addition to being an eternally generated Son (trinitarianism) have been revealed these lies by their own flesh and blood and not by the Heavenly Father Jehovah. Thankfully the Father is restoring in a big way the precious truth of Peter's confession in these last days as His Son is coming back for a spotless Church not one embued with man made pagan philosophy of trinitarianism and tri theism. Let's go back to the text in Matthew 16, in verse 18 we see another powerful statement from our Messiah: " And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Clearly Jehoshua is not saying that the Church will be built upon Peter but rather upon Peter's confession of His (Jehoshua's) Messiahship and Sonship. There are two different Greek word's for rock used here in verse 18. In reference to Peter's name which in Greek means rock (petros) it describes "a piece of rock" (Strongs 4074) whereas in reference to the word "rock" used by Messiah "upon this rock" (petras) it means "a mass of rock" (Strongs 4073). Peter is a piece of rock, as all of us in the faith are a piece of rock that are part of the building i.e. the Church. However, Jehoshua is a mass of rock who is the chief cornerstone of the building. He is the mass of rock made without hands taken out (begotten) from the mountain which is the Father. Now that we have that clear, let's look at what the Messiah says concerning the Rock (Himself). Jehoshua says that He will build His Church based on the truth of Peter's statement of faith that He (Jehoshua) is the anointed one of Jehovah and the Son of Jehovah who is the living God. The Church was always supposed to build according to Jehoshua's blue print not according to the blue print of any Church Father, Catholic Pope or any Protestant reformer. The Church was always supposed to be built on the truth that Jehoshua is the Son of the Living God not a trinitarian or tri theistic version of Jesus. There is a growing number of believers who are returning to the blue print that Jehoshua established which is the blue print founded and rooted in His true begotten Sonship. This my friends is the Church that will go through, this my friends is the ark of safety. Don't let anyone deceive you! Any denomination that is not rooted in the literal Sonship of Jehoshua is going to be overcome by the gates of hell and infact they already are. Jehoshua clearly said that the Church that He builds and only those who believe in His literal Sonship are part of this Church, will never be overcome by the gates of hell. Now brethren, isn't that comforting? In a world of uncertainty, this is something that is better than gold and it is something we can take to the bank in a manner of speaking. They say diamonds are forever but I say Jehoshua's Church that is built on His true begotten Sonship is forever. However it's not what I say that matters but rather what Jehoshua says and He indeed did say it. This is why brethren in these end times that we leave the false Churches of Christendom that deny Jehoshua's true begotten Sonship, because they are not built on the rock of Peter's apostolic statement of faith. Jehoshua said that the only Church that would endure to the end and not be overcome by the gates of hell is the Church built on His literal Sonship. The opposite is then true, any Church not built on the foundation of Jehoshua's literal Sonship will be overcome by the gates of hell and as said before they already are and have been for awhile. The proof is in their filthy apostasy evidenced by their acceptance of women pastors, inclusion of Sodomites into their assemblies, supporting government sponsored wars and ecumeniscism with the Catholic church and United Nations. Jehovah's true Church stays away from all that wickedness and madness. This is because His Church is built on the solid foundation of the Sonship of Jehoshua and not a trinitarian or tri theistic god. Let's go to verse 19 now: " And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." The plain fact is that Jehoshua gave the right to His Church that He builds the authority to judge all matters concerning the Church. See Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5 for more on this as well as read Peter's epistles. This doesn't mean that the Church has authority to add or subtract from Jehovah's word but rather enforce it through Church discipline if needed. However, only one Church has this authority granted to them by Jehoshua and that is the Church that is rooted in the belief that He (Jehoshua) is truly the Son of the Living God in identity. The implications of this are fascinating brethren. This means that the denominations built on the trinity and tri theistic doctrines have absolutely no scriptural authority whatsoever!! This includes the Seventh day Adventist General Conference. This is because the trinitarian and tri theists denominations deny the literal Sonship of Jehoshua. This is why I dont beleive we as non trinitarians should attend these Churches unless we get invited to present our view of the One true God and His Son. We should have our own Church fellowships. The authority granted by Messiah to the Church is strictly for the Church that wholeheartedly without explanation agrees with Peter's confession and is built on the foundation of Jehoshua's literal Sonship. Verse 20: " Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ." Just as it was then it is now, Jehoshua knew that the religious leaders of that time were hard hearted and waxed cold and that they wouldn't accept the truth of His literal begotten Sonship. It's the same way today as most trinitarians and tri theists especially the Church leaders have waxed cold in their hearts to what scripture says about the begotten Son. This is why often we are careful in who we present this truth to because like the days of old, the denominatonal religious leaders of today have hardened their hearts to bible truth that Jehoshua truly is the Son of the Living God in identity. 1 John chapter 3 study
I continue in my study of the epistles of the beloved John : 1John Chapter 3 (KVJ) 1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.17But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. verses 1-2, the Father loves us so much that He bestowed upon us a manner of love so dear and precious. The purpose of Him bestowing (commit, bring forth, delivering up) was so that we should be called sons of Jehovah. The word bestowed comes from the Greek word "didomi" (Strongs 1325) and means "commit, bring forth, deliver (up), bestow, make, minister, set, offer. This manner of love was manifested towards us in Jehovah giving His only begotten Son to die for our sins (John 3:16). Because of this most loving act of the Father, we are sons of Jehovah because we believe that indeed, He gave us His very own Son for our salvation. Those who deny the Sonship of Christ, deny that the Father sacrificed and risked eternal loss in giving His only begotten up for the world. These Sonship deniers cannot be called sons of God because they reject the very thing that was done for them so that they would be adopted into Jehovah's family. Isn't this good news? We are part of God's family as His sons and daughters. Isn't this better than being adopted by some mysterious Tri theism/Triune Godhead, where there is either no family relationship (tri theism) or there is a mystical family relationship (trinity)? Brethren, we are truly sons and daughters adopted into a real Godhead Family of Father and Son. John the beloved then says, that while we are awaiting the second advent we don't know what we shall be (meaning how we will look with our glorified bodies). What we can be certain of though, is that when Christ appears we will be like Him having a glorified body. It will be at His second advent that we will see Christ as He really is. In that day, there will be no more false representations of the Son of God on murals, stained glass windows or paintings. Revelation 1:7 (KJV) 7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. The unbelievers will wail when they see the Divine Son of God coming with clouds. He will be coming as a fierce warrior. Verse 3, those who have the resurrection or translation hope will be purified, even as Christ Jesus is pure. We must be pure like Christ in order to be made like Him at His coming. Verse 4, sin comes from the Greek word "hamartia" and means to miss the mark. How does one miss the mark? By breaking Jehovah's law. Where there is no law there is no sin (Romans 4:15). All have sinned against the law of Jehovah (Romans 3:23). Jehovah's law is still in effect (Romans 3:31, 7:1). Verse 5, Christ was manifested for the express purpose of taking away our sins as He has no sin in Him. The word manifested comes from the Greek word "phaneroo" (Strongs 5319) and means "appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self). Christ being manifested somewhat alludes to His pre-existence. He appeared and shew Himself, which could be taken as He already existed being concealed from human view. Let's go to scripture to verify this: 1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) 16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Paul says that Christ as God was manifest in the flesh. His manifestation was in the flesh as a man. His concealed existence (meaning concealed from human view) was a Spirit being who was/is the Son of God and thereby God. Verse 6, if we abide in the Son of God then we won't sin. This proves that we can overcome sin. Only Christ living in us can keep us from falling. As soon as we choose not to abide in the Son of God we will fall. Colossians 1:27 (KVJ) 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: When we abide in Christ then His words will abide in us (John 15:7). When we meditate on the words of Jesus we will walk in the light, as the word is a lamp unto our feet. When we walk in the light we will not stumble because we are not in darkness. John 15:5 (KJV) 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. Jesus is that vine that we That we need to remain connected to. Not just connected through but actually abide in Him. Jesus says that unless we do abide in Him that we can't bear fruit. We will then just be separated branches with no sap. The word abide comes from the Greek word "meno" (Strongs 3306) and means "abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry, thine own". We need to dwell in the Son of God and continue in Him in order to keep from sinning and to bear fruit. For the Christian, total reliance on the Son of God is a must and it is the only way we can have a victorious life. The phrase "sinneth not" is in the greek present tense and refers to continuing in sin without repentance. Whoever continues in sin has not seen the glory of Christ nor even known Him. When someone truly knows Christ they are transformed into His image as they behold Him. 2nd Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) 18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. How do we behold Christ? By abiding in Him through prayer, reading His word, worshipping Him and the Father and obeying their commandments. By doing these things we will be transformed into the Son of God's image. Isn't that what God's purpose is for us? Romans 8;28-29 (KJV) 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. God predestinated and pre determined and preordained us to be conformed to His Son's image. If we are obedient to God and allow ourselves to conformed to His Son's image then we will have the right to be called brethren of Christ and son's and daughters of God. Sin is the transgression of the law and by continuing in sin we show that we don't know Christ. Infact by not keeping the law we prove that we do not know God or His Son. 1 John 2:4-6 (KJV) 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. The simple truth is that if someone doesn't keep the commandments they do not have the truth in them, they do not know God and they are liars. Sin eqauls breaking the law, love eqauls keeping the law. The beloved says that those who abide in Christ should also walk as He walked. Christ kept the commandments. Those who truly believe in Jesus will not continue in sin and they will keep the commandments of God. Back to 1 John 3, lets go to verse 7. John tells the brethren to watch out for deceivers. What will these deceivers tell the flock? That they can be righteous without doing righteousness. They will tell the flock that works mean nothing in regards to righteousness. They will tell them that they don't need to keep the Father's perfect law. Interestingly, this describes most of Christendom's clergy. In order to be considered righteous, you must do righteousness meaning to live a holy life. Our example of righteousness is Christ and when we live righteously we become as the Son of God is, which is righteous. In other words, we are transformed into His image. Verse 8, the flipside of righteousness and keeping the Father's commandments is committing sin. While much of Christendom makes excuses for those in the Churches that live sinful lifestyles and say that they have grace, John the beloved actually says this class of people are of the devil. Wow! You never this preached in the pulpits of Institutional Churchianity. Why? Because many Pastor's have become cowards and people pleasers and don't want to offend anyone. These false shepherds tell their congregants that they can still go to heaven living compromised lifestyles. These people are of their father the devil as they follow his example of sinning as as the wicked one has sinned from the beginning. It was for this purpose (the devil's rebellion) that the Son of Jehovah was manifested. Again by using the word manifested, John alludes to Christ pre-existence. Verse 9, "born of God", a new spiritual beginning caused by God creating a new heart in God's righteous image inclined to do righteousness. This is our born again experience: John 1:12-13 (KJV) 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Saving faith is resting upon Christ and receiving Christ for all that He had revealed Himself to be (His name, His Sonship). Jesus gives who receive Him as the Son of God the right and power to be sons and daughters of God. We are literally children of God adopted by the Father and given His image. When God the Father calls us and we receive His Son, then the Father brings about a new birth experience in us. Salvation does not come from being born of the right human lineage (not of blood), nor of man's will in his fallen condition (will of the flesh), nor of a parents decision (will of man), but of Jehovah's grace alone. John 3; 1-8 (KJV) 1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit It is impossible for people to be converted unless Jehovah works a miracle in their souls. The renewing power of the Spirit is needed for one to enter the Kingdom of Jehovah God. This happens during the born again experience in which water baptism is included. Salvation requires a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who produces the image of God and Christ in sinners by the new birth (Romans 8:29, 1 John 2:29, 1 John 3:9, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 5:1,4,18). Verse 10 of 1 John 3.Manifest meaning clearly seen. How do we know whether someone is of God or of the devil? It's very simple, the one who lives righteously is born of God and the one who doesn't live righteously is the seed of the serpent. Not everyone is a child of God. This may be tough to hear but the bible speaks plainly on this matter. Ephesians 2:1-3 (KJV) 1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;2Wherein 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:3Among 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. Before we were born again into the Kingdom of God and thereby adopted as His children, we were children of disobedience and wrath. Hence, today's unbelievers are not children of God although they are made by God, but rather they are children of disobedience and wrath and subjects of the prince of this world. All people outside Christ are ruled by satan. Back to verse 10, if we dont love our brother then we are not of God and are of the devil. What a convicting statement! May we all be mindful of this. This is in reference to those of the Christian brotherhood. Verse 11, again John reiterates the ancient law of love which comes from the Torah (Leviticus 19:18). Verse 12, many times the root of hatred is found in jealousy. Cain was envious of Abel's favor with Jehovah. However, this favor was found on Abel not because Jehovah is a respector of persons but because Abel's works were righteous. Cain is not to be our example of how we are to treat our brethren in the faith. When we hate our own fellow Christians, we have the spirit of Cain. Our example of love is the Son of God, and following His example in how he loved when He was here on earth. Verse 13, we are not to be surprised when the world hates us. In today's mainstream Christian Church, the pulpit preachers teach the opposite. They say that if we are a true Christ like Christian, then we will be loved by unbelievers. That's what is being taught in today's pulpits, is that being loved by the world is one of the evidences of being a true Christian. Unfortunately for these deceivers and their followers, the bible says the exact opposite! The mark of true Christianity is being hated. The false preachers and denominations say the opposite in that if you are truly a Christian, most people will like you. These false teachers say that if you are hated then "you must not be Christ like". Mark 13:12-13 (KJV) 12Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.13And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. True Christian's are hated by the world not loved by them. If you are loved by everyone then you need to examine yourself to see if you are really living a Christian life. We will be so hated that even family members will betray us causing us to be put to death. This already happens in other countries. The modern American professed Christian has become so like the world that they are not an offence to them and thereby looked at as one of their own. Verse 14, How do we know that we are born of God? When we love our fellow brother's and sisters in the faith. This is how we know we are no longer in our sins. Without loving our brethren we are spiritually dead. Verse 15, it's a serious offence to Jehovah to hate our brother or sister in the faith. This makes us murderers according to John. Those who hate their brother do not have eternal life abiding in them and they will be cast into the lake of fire on judgment day. Vesre 16, the most obvious evidence that God loves us is the giving of His Son at calvary. This is how the saints can perceive that God loves them. We know that the Father loves us because He sacrificed His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. We know that the Son of God loves us because He gave up His position in heaven to come and bear our iniquities and be hated, stricken, mocked beaten and ultimately killed so that we can be reconciled to His Father. Verse 17, love is more than mere words but it is also action. How can we say we are followers of Christ yet neglect the needy brethren in our midst. John basically says that if we neglect the needy brethren in our midst then we do not have the love of God in us "how dwelleth the love of God in him?". Verse 18, John encourages the brethren to go beyond words and to show their love in deeds and also in being true to the brethren. Verse 19, it is in loving the brothers and sisters in the faith that we can be assured that we are in the truth. Moreso than head knowledge, love will prove who is true in the faith and who is not. Self denying action for others will give us a settled assurance that we are saved. Verses 20 and 21, while we can fool people with outward displays of piety, God knows our heart and if our heart condemns we cannot hide it from God. He knows all things because He is Sovereign. However, if our heart condemn us not then we will have confidence before Jehovah. How can we have confidence before God? By loving our brother which shows that we are true in the truth. Hatred towards the brethren will condemn our heart and then we can expect judgment. Hebrews 10:26-27 (KJV) 26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Once we have come to the knowledge of the truth, there is no excuse for walking in hatred towards our brethren. By sinning wilfully we then are fallen into the fearful expectation of judgment. If we love the brethren then eternal life abides in us and our hope is in being translated or resurrected to be with Christ and the Father forever. Verse 22, many will misuse this passage to say God will give us the desires of our heart. Yet there is a condition to this verse. We must keep His commandments and please Him in our actions. We have been told lies by the pulpit preachers of Christendom who teach that we don't have to keep the commandments and that works don't matter. James said it best: James 2:24 (KJV) 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Most preachers avoid this scripture like the plague. Why is this? Because it contradicts their false doctrines that works don't justify us. It goes against their lukewarm version of Christianity that teaches an easy type of grace where obedience is not required. 16Verse 23 of 1 John 3 - What is the Father's commandment for believers? That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ. The Father's will for us is to believe in the glory of His Son's person and work. The Father wants us to have faith in Christ and to love the brethren. Believing on the name of His Son Jesus Christ doesn't merely include the wording of His name but also who He is in identity. The scripture here gives away Christ identity as God’s Son. We are to believe that Christ is indeed the Son of God. This is part of believing in His name. The word name comes from the Greek word "onoma" (Strongs 3686) and means "a name, character, authority, called, surname" Inherent in a name of a person is their character and authority. When John says Jehovah's commandments is for us to believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, it means more than the wording of the name but also the character and authority of the name. Inherent in Christ's character is His identity of who He is. His identity is also what gives Him authority. Who is Christ in identity? His identity forms a big part of His character (name). Let's go to scripture to see what Christ's identity is: Matthew 16:13-20 (KJV) 13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Jesus being the Son of the living God is the rock that the Christian Congregation is built on. Matthew 26:63-64 (KJV) 63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: Jesus confirmed to the High priest that indeed He (Jesus) was the Son of the living God. The Jews knew their coming Messiah would be a pre existent divine being who would be God's eldest Son. Acts 9:19-20 (KJV) 19And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Paul's first sermon after his conversion and the scales being removed from his eyes, was that Jesus was the Son of God. Acts 8:36-37 (KJV) 36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The requirement for baptism is to believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. John 3:16-18 (KJV) 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. The most well known passage of scripture tells us of God's immense love for us which was shown in that He gave his only begotten Son to die for our sins. Jehovah sacrificed His most precious commodity. Liars have tried to deny this truth of God giving us His only begotten Son making God a liar in the process: 1 John 5;10 (KJV) 10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT GOD HATH MADE HIM A LIAR; BECAUSE HE BELIEVETH NOT THE RECORD THAT GOD GAVE OF HIS SON. John 3:18 says that those who don't believe that God gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross are condemned. Notice that this verse says that those who don't believe in the name (character, authority) of the only begotten Son of God. Believing on the name of Jesus and believing that He is the only begotten Son of God goes hand in hand and you can't have one without the other. If you say you believe on the name of Jesus but deny His literal begotten Sonship then you don't believe on the Jesus of the bible and you have "another Jesus". So we see that believing on the name of Jesus is believing in His literal begotten Sonship. What about His authority, is it tied to His Sonship? John 3:35-36 (KJV) 35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Here John the Baptist says that it is because the Father loves His Son so much that He (God) has given all things into his (Jesus) hand. It is the Sonship of Christ that gives Him authority over all things. Again, believing on the Son gives us everlasting life. Remember, that it is not believing in Jesus solely but believing in His name (character, authority) which gives us eternal life. As already shown, Jesus name (character, authority) is inherently connected to His literal begotten Sonship of the Father. Those who don't believe Jesus don't have everlasting life but the wrath of God abides on them. Let's go to a verse that trinitarian's and tri theists deny: John 17:3 (KJV) 3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Trinitarian's and Tri Theists deny Jesus words that the Father is the one true God. They basically are saying that Jesus is a liar because they teach that there are three gods (tri theism) or that God is three persons in one substance (trinitarianism). Believing that the Father is the one true God goes hand in hand with believing that Jesus is the Son of the living God. John 10:36 (KJV) 36Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? Many today in Christendom deny Jesus own word's that He is the Son of God. Unintentionally these Sonship deniers stand in the same place as Jews of old. Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Jesus Himself says that all authority is GIVEN to Him. Obviously, only the Father can give Jesus this authority. When Jesus lived on earth He didn't have all authority over heaven so this authority that He speaks of in heaven alludes to the authority He had in His pre-existence. It also would be a future authority as He was about to die and be resurrected and ascend into heaven. John 5:18-23 (KJV) 18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. It is Christ's Sonship that makes Him eqaul with God the Father. Christ could never be eqaul with God if He wasn't His (God's) Son. The Jews of that time understood that when Christ said He was the Son of God that He meant it in a literal way not as some metaphor or role play or adoption. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been enraged enough to want to murder Him. The Jews of that time understood that their coming Messiah would be God's preexistent divine Son. This is why they knew Jesus claim of Sonship was also a claim to His eqaulity with the Father. This is because God's Son was not a created or a adopted Son but a begotten Son from the Father's very divine substance. The Son can do nothing of Himself but learns all things from the Father. This shows Christ's dependence on the Father. When Jesus makes this statement He doesn't qualify it as a temporal earthly reliance on the Father. It's the Father's love for the Son that He (The Father) shows Him (the Son) all things. In verse 22, it says that the Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son. It is the very Sonship of Jesus and that His Father loves Him that is the reason He (Christ) is given the authority to be the judge of all things. It is Jesus Sonship that gives Him authority over all things. In verse 23, Jesus says that all men must honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. This scripture clearly shows that Jesus has all authority and that it is His very Sonship that gives Him this. Also, not only are we to worship the Father who is the one true God but we are to worship the Son who is the only begotten of the one true God. In fact, it is Christ's Sonship that gives Him the right to be worshipped. Without being the Son of God, He couldn't be honoured the same way the Father is honoured. If Jesus isn't really the literal Son of God then our worship of Him would be in vain and it would be idolatry as He would simply be an independent God and thereby a false god. If He really isn't the Son of God then that would mean He doesn't have the authority over all things. It is precisely because Jesus is the Son of God that the warning is given that if we don't honour Him then we don't honour the Father. The same is true on earth. When you honour a man's son it's the same as honouring the man, the reverse is also true. Any parent can relate to this. John 5;26-27 (KJV) 26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Jesus is given authority to execute judgment by the Father not only because He is the Son of the Father but also because He is the Son of man. It was Jesus victory over sin that gave Him the Preistly ministry of Melchisedec. It was feeling of our infirmities that makes Him a faithful High Priest as He knows what we are going through due to the temptations of the flesh. We have a merciful High priest. Hebrews 4:15 (KJV) 14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. What a beautiful scripture, while certain religious institutions try to pass of mere men as preists that can forgive sins, we as believers in Christ have the very Son of God as our High Preist! When we go through the struggles of the flesh, our High Preist the Son of God can feel our struggle. The encouragement is also, in that just as Jesus was without sin we can have the same victory! Righteousness by faith! Jude 24 24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, John 14:13-14 (KJV) 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. Jesus name has authority and when we ask anything in His name the Son of God will do it according to the Father's will. Remember, the authority of Jesus is inherently tied to His literal begotten Sonship. Jesus name is more than the actual verbiage of His name when it is written or spoken but it is connected to who He is in identity. We know that He is the Son of God and we can only exercise the power of His name when we believe this without explaining it away. We can only go to God through the Son which is another example of His authority which is rooted in His Sonship. John 14:6 (KJV) 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. The Father requires that we go through His Son to get to Him. Jesus is our mediator, High Priest, comforter, advocate, intercessor, counselor, our elder brother and our God. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) 6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Now back to 1 John chapter 3, verse 24 - those who keep the Father's commandments dwell in the Father and He in them. The context directly deals with loving our brethren as noted in verse 23. The commandments are about love. If we love God and love our brethren then we will keep all the commandments summed up in the decalogue. This includes the Sabbath day. What does this say about most of Christendom? Being that they believe that the commandments were nailed to the cross it begs the question, does the Father dwell in them? How do we know that the Father dwells in us? This is a very revealing verse concerning the identity of the Holy Spirit. The text says that the Father dwells in us via the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is in us, we actually have the Father living in us. The Father gives us the Spirit. The Seventh-day Adventist version of triune Godhead would contend that the Father sends us a third being to dwell in us. Let's go to scripture to verify whether this is true or not: John 15:26 (KJV) 26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. Jesus tells the disciples that He will send the Holy Spirit to them that comes from the Father. Jesus uses two designations for the Holy Spirit here, the Spirit of truth and the comforter. Remember, Jesus is called the way, the truth, and the life and He is also called our advocate (same greek word that comforter is rendered from). However, I want to highlight the source of where the Holy Spirit comes from. In verse 26, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit (Spirit of truth) proceedeth from the Father. The word proceedeth comes from the Greek word "ekporeuomai" (Strongs 1607) and means "to depart, be discharged, proceed, project: - come (forth, out of), depart, go (forth, out), issue, proceed (out of), pour (out of)". This one passage with the word "proceedeth" should once and for all dispel the false doctrine that the Holy Spirit is a being. Jesus who speaks no lies says that the Holy Spirit literally pours, discharges and issues out of the Father Jehovah. Do we really want to teach that the Holy Spirit is a being, a third god that literally continually pours out of the Father's very own being? Just as the Holy Spirit is breathed out by Jesus very own being, the Holy Spirit issues out of the Father's very own being. John 20:22 (KJV) 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Crystal clear isn't it? The Holy Spirit is not a being but rather is the very breath, power, mind and presence of the Father and Son. 1 John Chapter 2 study
Continuing my study in the epistles of John 1 John 2:1-29(KJV) 1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.7Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.8Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. Vesre 1, John the beloved says that Jesus is our advocate i.e. comforter, intercessor with the Father. This is good news for the believer, in that when we fall into sin we can go to the Father in Christ name and receive forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness does not promote sin, however the priestly ministry of the Son of God provides the believer with a friend (Christ) who speaks for us before a judge (the Father). Forgiveness is also given to us that we may fear Jehovah. Psalm 130:4 4But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. Verse 2, Jesus died as a ransom sacrifice for the sins of the world not ours (Christians) only. The message of John 3:16 is for everyone not just a pre determined few who Jehovah chose to save. Although Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, only a few, relative to the whole world, will heed the call of the Father. Many are called few are chosen. Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and accept His atoning sacrifice will be chosen by the Father. Jesus death on the cross was the once and for all propitiation for man's sins. No other sacrifice will ever be needed. Because of Jesus death on the cross, man will never need to sacrifice an animal again to receive forgiveness of sins. Verse 3, How can a professed Christian know whether they have an intimate relationship with Jehovah God? John gives us the answer, it by keeping the Father's commandments. These commandments are summed up in the decalogue. This includes Jehovah's Sabbath day. Verse 4, a very convicting and in these days, a controversial statement made by John. Those who say they know God yet don't keep His 10 Commandments are liars and do not have the truth in them. What a scary statement, in light of the fact that most Christian denominations don't keep the Sabbath which is the fourth commandment of the decalogue. This statement by John implicates much of today's Christendom. Verse 5, How do we keep God's word? It's very simple, by keeping His commandments. When we keep God's commandments, His love is perfected in us. The 10 Commandments are all about love, the first four is our love for God and the next 6 is our love for neighbour. This is why the Seventh-day Sabbath is so important because when we keep it, we are showing God how much we value our time with Him. We are choosing an uniterrupted time of intimacy with Him and His Son. The 10 Commandments are really basic Christian principles that are to be the first things taught to a new believer. Amazingly, Christianity has strayed far away from these principles. You cannot seperate God's commandments from the Seventh-day Sabbath. Verse 6, we who claim the name Christian and say that Christ lives in us and we abide in Him must show evidence in our lives. This will manifest itslef in how we follow the example and teachings of Jesus. Do we do the things He did when He walked the earth? Jesus kept His Father's commandments so then we must also. We keep the commandments the way Jesus did which is to fill up the commandments in how we love the Father and in how we love others. Verse 7, John is likely referring to the Torah and specifically the commandment of love found in Leviticus 19:18: "18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am Jehovah." The Jews would have understood this as they were familiar with Torah. The Gentiles that had been in the faith for amy length of time also would have known this as the commandments were the first principles of the faith. Verse 8, in Christ, a new dawn of light was upon mankind. The era of darkness was over as men now had the opportunity to live in the marvelous light of Jehovah God by believing in His only begotten Son. Verse 9, hatred of fellow Christians reveals hypocrisy and shows that he/she is still in the darkness of satan. How can we say that we are in the glorious light of the Father and Son when we cannot even keep one of the most important commandments which is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Verse 10, when we love our brothers and sisters, we are safe and protected against stumbling. Many times we think of the eternal things in our walk with Christ that protect us from falling yet this passage tells us that loving our brethren is a sure fire protection against falling. In loving our brethren, we fufill the law along with loving God. Loving our brethren and loving God, go hand in hand. Verse 11, those professed Christians who hate their brethren are headed for destruction, as they being blind see not where they go. They are blinded to their hatred and often believe they are spiritually okay. Verses 12-14, John now addresses children, young men and fathers. He assures the new converts of their justification in Christ and adoption by the Father. The beloved Apostle also assures the mature believers in the faith, of their relationship with the eternal God Jehovah the Father. John encourages the young believers for their victory over the devil in resisting him. John tells the young brethren, that their sins are forgiven in the name of Christ and because of Him. John tells the aged brethren that the God they know now is the same unchanging Almighty God that they knew from the beginning. Believers in Christ do not need a new knowledge of God's identity offered by false teachers. The one true God in scripture is time and again revealed as the Father (John 17:3, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 8:4-8, Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 12;28-34). Verses 15 and 16, of course we must love people, this passage speaks of the principles of the world which are really the principles of satan as he is the god of this world (John 16:11). We must not love this present age nor the lust thereof which includes the lust of the eyes such as sexual, material and monetary lusts. The lust of the flesh which include the above lusts of the eyes. The lust of the eyes is desiring those things, the lust of the flesh is fufilling those desires. The pride of life is in esteeming your position that you have obtained either in social standing, whether by occupational or financial. Even family or ethnic heritage could lead to the pride of life. Anything that exhalts self and detracts from giving glory to God and His Son is pride. Those who live these things out in their life have not the Father nor is the Father in him. Anyone who loves the principlesof the world have not the love of the Father. Verse 17, the world is already falling under the judgment of Christ. Those who do the will of the Father will be members of the eternal Kingdom of Jehovah. They will abide forever whereas those who don't do the will of God and enjoy the pleasures of this world will be as the grass that is here one moment and then the next moment whithers away. Verse 18, John goes on to a very serious subject, which is the antichrists who were already active in the Christian Congregation. He addresses the brethren as little children showing John"s fatherly love for the brethren. This a true shepherd's heart. John also says that there is A "antichrist" that was to come soon. In the meantime, the Apostolic Christian Congregation would have to deal with many antichrists who were in the assemblies polluting the brethren with their demonic teachings. The many antichrists that John speaks of are men who try to usurp Christ's office as the true teacher. The future antichrist spoken of by the beloved, is a man who attempts to take Christ's office or position as head of the Congregation. This was an evidence to John that the last days were upon the Congregation. Verse 19, John says these antichrists were once part of the true Congregation, but by their false teachings rejected the pure faith. John says these men were never really part of the true Congregation. In fact, them leaving was for the elects sake, in that they would clearly see that these antichrists were false teachers and not really of the apostolic faith. Unfortunately today, many antichrists pose themselves as pastors, theologians, evangelists and teachers within professed Christian denominations and are allowed to remain and prosper. Verse 20, John tells the believers that they have an unction, which means an anointing (chrisma in the greek which means "special endowment of the Holy Spirit, anointing", Strongs 5545). Often times we are told by Pastor's that being fillled with the Holy Spirit means exhibiting outward displays of charismania such as babbling tongues and dancing and rolling around. However, they never tell you that being fillled with the Holy Spirit means that you are able to point out and identify false teachers and false doctrine. This unction (anointing) comes from the Holy Spirit of Christ, it is the very Spirit of the Son of God that gives believers the discernment to know the truth from the lies. Verse 21, John is not revealing anything new to the brethren as they already know the truth of the apostolic faith. Unlike many of today's Seventh-day Adventists, who say that teachings such as the Godhead are minor points of doctrine and that it is a distraction, John the beloved refutes their nonsense. He says that "NO LIE" is of the truth. Apostolic Christianity was uncompromising and suffered no false doctrines no matter how slightly off, to come into the assemblies. John's words destroy the false teaching in the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference churches, that understanding the Godhead is not important. The SDA sentiment, that it's not important to have 100 percent truth on the Godhead in terms of identity and in terms of Christ Sonship are exposed by John to be a false sentiment. John makes it clear that no matter small the error is, that it is not of the truth. This statement as we will see, is in context of the Godhead and the Sonship of Christ and the Father-Son relationship between Jehovah and Jesus. Verse 22, John reveals the doctrine of antichrist. It is a three fold lie that these antichrists propagate. It only takes denying one of these to qualify as antichrist. They will deny that Jesus is the anointed of God. Second, they will deny the literal Father-Son relationship between Jehovah and Jesus. Denying one of these or both of these, qualifies someone as antichrist. Even those who say Jesus is the Christ yet deny the Father-Son relationship are still antichrist. Also, by denying the Father-Son relationship, these teachers indirectly deny Jesus being the anointed of God, as they have made Jesus His own God and thereby the anointed of Himself. Verse 23, the last blasphemous poison of these antichrists is outright denying the Sonship of Christ. This is found in the religions of Judaism and Islam especially. Surprisingly, the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference churches teach this doctrine of demons. They say that Christ's Sonship is a metaphor, qualifying them as antichrists. None of the above religions have access to the Father due to their denial of Christ's literal begotten Sonship. Some SDA GC members do believe in the Sonship of Christ but are simply ignorant of what their denomination teaches. Jehovah God winks at their ignorance (Acts 17:30). Those who acknowledge the true begotten Sonship of Christ, have not only Him but the Father as well. Those who don't acknowledge the begotten Sonship of Christ don't have the Father. Verse 24, John tells the believers to let the truth of the Father-Son relationship abide in them as it was the original doctrine ("which ye have heard") of the Apostolic Christian Congregation. John says "if" the original Apostolic doctrine of the Father-Son relationship remains in them, then they (the brethren) will continue in the Father and Son which is the true Godhead doctrine of the Apostles. The truth of the Sonship of Christ along with His being anointed of God and His relationship to God as being His real Father was to "abide" and "remain" in the believers. Let's see what these two words mean in the greek. Both the word abide and remain come from the Greek word "meno" (strongs 3306) and means "to stay, abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), thine own." As Christians, we are to let the truth of the Sonship of Christ, Him being the anointed of God and also the Father-Son relationship between Jehovah and Jesus, "stay and dwell" in our very being. This belief is to endure and continue in us. We are not to waver from it one bit no matter how people get offended. If this Apostolic belief of the real Father-Son relationship between Jehovah and Jesus remains in us then we will continue in the Son and in the Father. The word continue also comes from the Greek word "menos" and means "abide, stay, continue, dwell". In order words, as long as we keep this knowledge of the real Father-Son relationship, we will abide in Christ and Jehovah and dwell in them. This is beautiful brethren, we will actually dwell in them meaning the Father and Son will actually carry us in their Spirit as the Father's adopted child and the Son's younger brother/sister. The flipside is that if we stray from this foundational truth of the Apostolic Christian Congregation, then we will not dwell in the Father and Son and they will not carry us in their Spirit. The result of this apostasy is that you will not be deemed a child of God nor one of Christ's brethren. Verse 25, John then reiterates one of Jesus sentiments expressed in John 17:3: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." The Son of God promised eternal life to those who acknowledged the Father as the one true God and Himself as the one the Father sent. John reiterates here that eternal life in this context is promised to those who believe that Jesus is the anointed of God, the literal begotten Son of God, and in the real Father-Son relationship between Jehovah and Jesus. Why is John writing this to the brethren if they already know the Apostolic truth of of the Father and Son? The next verse tells us: Verse 26, John is warning them of seducers who would privily bring in doctrines contrary to the Father and Son relationship and the true Sonship of Christ. In today's Christendom, many of the seducers are in the pulpits and they are erroneously callled "Pastor's". They comprise much of denominational Churchianity. They are no longer so sneaky, but rather boast in their shameful denial of Christ's literal begotten Sonship. John the beloved would not call the Father-Son deniers in today's General Conference churches his brethren but rather he would call them seducers. Verse 27, a heavy verse if there ever was one, we are not to allow any man no matter his title, to tell us we need to be taught by him. We as believers have the anointing of the Spirit of Christ and have no need that ANY MAN teach us. How do we know that the Holy Spirit is the very Spirit of Christ? Because the anointing of the Holy Spirit is truth and no lie. Jesus is the way, the TRUTH, and the life (John 14:6). Who abides in us by His Spirit, Christ does: Colossians 1:27 (KVJ) 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: John 14:16-18 (KJV) .16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Christ tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit shall be in them and that they already knew Him because He was already dwelling with them. Remember, at this time the Holy Spirit hadn't been given to the disciples yet so Christ was speaking of Himself, as He obviously was dwelling with the disciples physically. Christ said that He would come to the disciples and in context this is in reference to them receiving the Holy Spirit. Christ comes to us by His Holy Spirit as He cannot physically be everywhere present as He is in the sanctuary above. Christ Spirit in us is the unction (anointing) that we receive that guides us into all truth. This is why we have no need that anyone teach us. This doesn't mean that we can't be taught but rather that we ultimately have no need of a man to teach us as we already have the Spirit of truth in us. As the Spirit teaches us all truth, we abide in the Son of God. If we allow the Spirit of Christ to teach us we will be protected from lies and also be to identify and expose them. Verse 28, John again gives the brethren his fatherly sentiments. He tells them to abide in the Son of God and in context of this chapter, abiding in Christ means continuing in the Apostolic truth that Jesus is the literal begotten Son of God and that He is the anointed of God. Also, that the Father-Son relationship between Jehovah and Jesus is a real one and not a metaphor. When we remain in the Father-Son Godhead truth, then we will have confidence that when Christ appears we will not be ashamed, because we held fast to the truth of His Sonship and truth of God being His real Father. We will expose the modern day antichrists for the heretics that they are, because they deny these precious foundational truths. Try explaining to Christ that His Sonship is a metaphor or to the Father that Christ is not His real begotten Son. You may find yourself wanting in that day. Verse 29, Jesus Christ is the righteous and when we are righteous, we give tangible evidence that we are born of Him. |
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