Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
Judah and Ephraim are the two Sticks that comprise the nation of Israel. The uniting of these two sticks are an important part of the bible prophecy. Many Christian's believe that this is a future prophecy to happen at the coming of the Messiah resulting in the bringing in of the 12 tribes to the land. They believe that Judah is already in the land and that prophecy was fulfilled in 1948 when "Geo-political Israel" was established as a nation.
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1 Corinthians 1:17-19
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Paul is addressing divisions that are springing up in the Corinthian assembly and is bringing the emphasis of the cross to their rememberance. Paul is minimizing the importance of baptism here but rather stating that his specific goal was to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. Likely, it was the bishops and deacons who did the bulk of the baptisms subsequent to those who were saved by Paul's preaching. Paul's preaching was not smooth or complicated with high sounding words as he simply preached the cross. Once someone gets into philosophizing the faith they have made the cross of none effect. Once someone makes the gospel smooth with fair speeches they have made the cross of Christ of none effect. Expect that you will look foolish to people when you preach the cross of the Son of God. Many mainstream Christians shy away from street preaching as they say it looks crazy and makes Christians look bad. This is exactly what preaching of the cross is supposed to look like i.e. foolishness. When you are viewed as a fool by people because you are out there preaching the death and resurrection of Christ then you know you are doing what is called of you by God. So many professing Christian's feel like they have to dress up the gospel with nice sounding words yet in doing this they have made the cross of none effect. The truth is these professing Christian's are ashamed of the simplicity of the cross of Jesus. The simplicity of the cross confounds the wise men of this world. This is because they cannot get their minds wrapped around the fact that their good works mean nothing to God and He desires a contrite and broken heart. The cross of Christ is the great equalizer, it brings mighty men down and lifts the downtrodden up. To those that are spiritually dying the simplicity of the cross is foolishness. When you preach the cross and are mocked just know that these scoffers are spiritually dead. Those who don't mock, but still see the foolishness that one is saved by the work that Jesus did on the cross are also spiritually dead. It was through the cross that Jehovah God made of none effect the wisdom of the wise. The wise and prudent men of this age can't comprehend the power of the ransom sacrifice of the Son of God. They trust in their own human wisdom and rely on the philosophies of men to explain life. For those of us who are saved the cross is the power of Jehovah God. The cross is the manifest evidence of God's love for us: 1 John 4:9-10 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. God loved us before we loved Him. His love was made evident towards us as He sent His only begotten Son to be the mercyseat for our sins. This was so that we might have spiritual life through the holy vine of David Jesus Christ. Also, that we might have eternal life in the age to come. 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. What the world considers foolish is the very thing that saves them that believe. The idea of the cross and it's ability to save is ludicrous to the world as they cannot believe in the simplicity of it to save souls. The world promotes the idea of earning favor in the afterlife with good works. They promote an idealogy of outweighing the bad with the good. The cross confounds the intelligent debater of this age. Jesus said that in order to enter the Kingdom one must be like a child. One must believe in the power of the cross to save in order to enter God's Kingdom. Someone with a childlike faith will take God at His word and put His trust in the ransom sacrifice of the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and favor with God. Those who are wise over complicate the simple message of the gospel and mock the idea that one can be forgiven for the bad that they have done by simply putting their faith in the blood atonement of Christ. God does what He pleases and need not explain himself to man. It is Jehovah's perogative to save people by the foolishness of preaching as He counsels with Himself and does not ask man's permission: Ephesians 1:11 "in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will" Jehovah's ways differ than man's and He only gives the precious truths to those who have childlike faith not those who think they are too smart for the "foolishness" of biblical things. 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 22 Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness. Religious people seek for signs and wonders, however those who are truly spiritual believe by faith. The intelligencia of this world seek out philosophical wisdom but we who believe God by faith preach the cross of Christ and Him crucified. This stumbles the religious who rely on signs and outward rituals and it is foolishness to the wise and intelligent of society. 1 Corinthians 1 24 but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. Christ and Him crucified is the power and wisdom of God. It is the power to save the lost and it reveals the wisdom of God as the cross makes everyone eqaul showing them their need for a savior. God used the simplicity of the cross to show His power over the wise men of the world. The weakness of God made evident by the cross is stronger than the mightiest of men and their high minded philosophical ideologies. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 26 For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; 28 and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, yea and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are:29 that no flesh should glory before God Ever wonder why most of the admired men and women of this world reject the gospel? It's because they look at the gospel of the Son of God as foolish fables or religious babble. They are minded about things of this world that are "important" and of higher learning. They are sophisticated and look at Christianity as mere superstition. Pride is at the root of these mindsets. God chooses the foolish men and women of the world to confound the wise and mighty. These foolish men and women were called by God due to their child like faith in the simplicity of Christ. They bring to shame those who are wise and mighty through their preaching. The preaching of the cross changes lives and has been doing so for 2,000 years yet the intelligent of this world are on a never ending quest for spiritual peace but cannot obtain it. The preacher of the gospel is on the most despised figures in society yet His preaching turns the world upside down and brings to no effect the people and things that are esteemed by society. This is because the cross nullifies man's pride and his self reliance. God often chooses the foolish and not the mighty so that those who are chosen do not boast before Him but rather are humble since they know it wasn't because of their own pedigree that they were called. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: 31 that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Jesus Christ is the express image of Jehovah God as He is the exact representation of the Father in character. The Son of God lived out and taught the wisdom of God. He is our example of what the Father's character is. Jesus is Jehovah our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6). He was the spotless Lamb of God showing us what God's righteousness looks like. Jesus kept the Father's commandments. Jesus sanctifies us i.e. sets us apart through His Spirit which dwells in us and gives us the ability to keep the Son of God's commandments (John 14:15). The Son of God was made redemption to us as His blood cleansed us from all sin. Jesus is the mercyseat for our sins fulfilling the day of atonement thereby reconciling us to God the Father. This will be a study that is related to the earth made new. If you get a chance read that study first. That study shows that the Kingdom of God and His only begotten Son will be on the earth after the second advent. Knowing that truth will further clarify whether the rapture is biblical or not.
There are four different timings of the rapture doctrine. The most popular is the pre-trib rapture and then there is the mid-trib, pre-wrath and post-trib rapture's. The pre-trib and mid-trib rapture's both end up with the saints flying up to heaven and the wicked being left behind on the earth. Usually these two views have the "Church" meaning mostly Gentile believers staying in heaven during the so called earthly millennium. The pre-wrath rapture has the saints being raptured before the final plagues are poured out on the wicked. There are appears to be some variation as to where the saints end up with this view, either on earth as part of an earthly millennium or in heaven. The post-trib rapture view seems to mostly posit that the saints will be raptured but remain on earth and inherit a earthly millennium, some may believe that the saints will go to heaven. The post-trib rapture view is closest to the actual truth but there still is some errors such as the concept of an earthly millennium and everything that usually goes along with that teaching. The commonality with all these views is that they usually are accompanied by the immortal soul doctrine which teaches that when we die as saints are "souls" go to heaven. Of course there are some rapturists that do not hold the immortal soul doctrine but most do. Also, even though the post-trib rapture is closest to the truth calling the event of the Son of God's second coming the rapture is error. The word "rapture" obscures the truth of what really happens when Jehoshua comes back at the last day. In this study I will examine the so called rapture texts such as 1st Thessalonians 4, Revelation 3:10, 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3 and John 14:1-3. I will also look at other texts that show the truth of what really happens when Jehoshua comes back and the timing thereof. Let's first look at the two weakest texts that the rapture cults use: 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; 2 to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand; 3 let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; In verse 1 we see that Paul mentions the coming of our Lord. The word "coming" comes from the Greek word "parousia" (Strongs 3952) and means "presence, coming, arrival, advent". This word "parousia" denotes a visible and physical appearing of Jehoshua Messiah. We know that scripture teaches that the next time Jehoshua appears it will be to raise the dead, hold the last judgment and set up His Father's Kingdom here on earth. So, when Paul mentions the coming of our Lord he is speaking of a visible and physical return not an invisible occurrence. This harmonizes with the very words of Jehoshua in Matthew 24:25-26: 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. It couldn't be any clearer from the Messiah's mouth, don't believe those who say that he is going to come in any type of secret manner. The Rapture doctrine teaches that Jehoshua doesn't visibly and physically come back to get the saints but that it is a secret event meaning he comes back secretly and invisibly. The very opposite takes place at Jehoshua's return as it will be loud and visible for all to see. It will be as lightening shines from the east to the west. The Son of God will physically return for all to see. Let's continue in 2nd Thessalonians, in verse 3 Paul says to watch for deceivers for that day, i.e. the gathering of the saints, will not take place until there comes a falling away first and the revealing of the man of perdition. Remember, that day refers to what Paul said was gathering of the saints unto Jehoshua in verse 1. Matthew 24 makes it clear that His return to gather the elect will be visible as the lightening that shines from the east to the west. Clearly this day Paul is talking about is the last day second advent of the Son of God. The two events that will precede the second advent of Messiah will be a "falling away" and the revealing of the "son of perdition". The rapture cults teach that the "falling away" refers to the rapture hence they won't be here to see the anti-messiah revealed. Let's look at the meaning of the phrase "falling away" by looking at the Greek word "apostasia" (Strongs 646) and means "falling away, forsake, defection from truth". Clearly there is no way at all that this phrase can mean a rapture. That is a huge twisting of scripture. This is the same Greek word used in Acts 21:21 when James asked Paul if he was teaching the Jews to "forsake" (apostasia) the law of Moses. So we can plainly see that the phrase "falling away" does not mean a rapture or anything like that but rather it means to defect from the truth and to forsake it. In fact, it is this very apostasy from the truth that paves the way for the son of perdition to be revealed. Also, the pre trib rapture is further exposed as the son of perdition was revealed all the way back in the 2nd century. The Roman bishops at that time were attempting to change God's times and the law. This apostasy only increased until the universal church filled the cup of Jehovah's indignation with their seven ecumenical councils which bear the stamp of lawlessness and antimessiah. The early Roman bishoprick evolved into the Papacy which was a hybrid of the office of Bishop and the office of Roman emperor. The falling away (apostasy) and the son of perdition being revealed have taken place so now we look forward to our gathering together unto the Davidic King. Matthew 24:30-31 30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Do see the order of things here in Matthew 24? First Jehoshua appears in the clouds of heaven coming in great power and glory. Jehoshua says "they shall see" him. As he stated earlier in this chapter, his second coming will be like the lightening that shines from the east to the west. So this a visible according to Jehoshua Himself. Note that it says he comes in the clouds. Let's go back to Acts 1 and read exactly where this coming in the clouds ends up. Acts 1:11 "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jehoshua, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" Remember, this was at the mount of Olives from which Jehoshua was taken up. This means that Jehoshua's coming in the clouds of heaven will end up with Him setting foot on the mount of Olives as the angel states that in the same way Jehoshua was taken up He will come back. This refutes the idea of the rapture which teaches a secret invisible catching up of the saints to heaven. Here it is made clear that the coming of the Son of God will be in reverse order of how He ascended to heaven. Ascension - Mount of Olives - Clouds - Heaven Second Advent - Heaven - Clouds - Mount of Olives Zechariah 14 confirms that Jehoshua will land on the mount of Olives upon His return: 3 Then shall Jehovah go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.4And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. We see that the destination of the Son of God upon His return is the mount of Olives precisely as the angel told the disciples in Acts chapter 1. In verse 31 of Matthew 24 the trumpet sounds and then the elect are gathered unto Jehoshua Messiah. This is the gathering that Paul is referring to in 2 Thessalonians 2. So here is the order of events: 1) the sign of the Son of man appears in heaven. It is visible because the tribes of the earth see it and mourn. 2) they see Jehoshua coming down to earth on the clouds of heaven with great power and glory. 3) Jehoshua sends his angels at the sound of a trumpet blast to gather the elect from the four corners of the earth. In Matthew 24 verse 29 Jehoshua says this would happen after the tribulation of those days: "But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken" This account of Jehoshua's return in Matthew 24 clearly destroys the rapture doctrine. These circumstances that are part of the second advent of Messiah are polar opposite of what the rapture doctrine teaches. Jehoshua's return is visible and physical and it is after the great tribulation. The gathering of the saints happens as Jehoshua is coming down to earth to the mount of Olives. The gathering of the saints is also known as the resurrection which Jehoshua says over and over again is at the last day. The resurrection happens after the trumpet blast which Paul calls the last trump and Revelation 11 says the seventh trumpet. Let's now go to Revelation 3:10 for another weak proof text of the rapture doctrine: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" This is part of the letter written to the church of Philadelphia which was a real historical church. The Rapture cults teach that the seven churches represent seven church ages. This is false and there is no warrant for it as it is just a man made speculation. The letters of the seven churches do apply to all believers of all era's individually and corporately as far as their warnings, rebukes and commendations, however the church age theory is false and man made. When Jehoshua says that He will keep them from the hour of trial, he doesn't mean that he is going to remove them from the earth so they don't have to experience it. The meaning of this verse can be understood by going to John 17:15: "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" The Greek word for "keep" in the above verse is the same Greek word for "keep" in Revelation 3:10. Just as in John 17:15, when Jehoshua tells the church at Philadelphia that we will keep them from the hour of trial it means he will preserve them from the evil that will be associated with the hour of trial. The keeping of the disciples from evil that Jehoshua prayed about in John 17:5 was obviously not a request to remove them from the earth as clearly stated but to preserve them within the midst of evil within the world. This is the same sentiment that the Son of God conveys to the church at Philadelphia that he will preserve them from the evil that takes place during the hour of trial. John 14:1-3 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. This is also a passage used by the rapture cults yet when read within the context of all the other verses about the return Lord and redemption of the saints we can see another miss by the rapture teachers. When Jehoshua says "in my Father's house" he is speaking about New Jerusalem which is called the tabernacle of God (Revelation 21:1-3). Jehoshua tells the disciples He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father's house in which there are many mansions. Obviously New Jerusalem is in view here and that's where the Father's many mansions are. These mansions are the places that Jehoshua is preparing for his disciples. Jehoshua going to prepare a place refers to his resurrection and ascension into heaven. His coming again to receive the disciples unto himself to take them where he is refers to his second advent. Once Jehoshua returns and receives us unto himself then he will take us to where he is. The place where he will take us is New Jerusalem. This would seem to validate the rapture to heaven doctrine, however we must remember Revelation 3:12 "He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name" Yes when Jehoshua returns we will be taken with him to New Jerusalem, however New Jerusalem will come down to earth not us go up to it. When we take in the whole account of scripture then we will stay on the right path concerning bible prophecy. 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. This is another rapture proof text yet a rapture is nowhere to be found here. We must understand these verses in their context. What is in view on chapter 4 of 1st Thessalonians? 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Paul is addressing the Thessalonians regarding those in the church that have fallen asleep. In verse 14, Paul tells us what the hope is for believers who have died. It is the resurrection hope which Paul bases on the resurrection of Messiah. Knowing the context of this chapter helps us see what Paul is really saying in verses 16 and 17. For one thing, the trump of God sounds at the coming of the Son of God which matches what Jehoshua said in Matthew 24:31. Guess what? Jehoshua said the trumpet would be after the tribulation of those days not before. Just as we see above, in Matthew 24 the trumpet sounds and then the gathering of the elect. Here in 1st Thessalonians 4, we see the trump of God is sounded and then the dead in Messiah rise from their graves. This is exactly what Jehoshua calls the resurrection at the last day over and over again in John 5, John 6 and John 11. It's only Satan that could be so clever as to turn a clear resurrection at the last day passage (trump of God) into a secret pre tribulation rapture or really any rapture at all. Those of who us who are living at the time of the Messiah's arrival will be translated to glory after the dead rise from the dead. Both groups will be "caught up" in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and be with him forever more. Let's look at what this phrase caught up" means as it is often taught as proof for the rapture doctrine. The phrase "caught up" comes from the Greek word "harpazo" (Strongs 726) and means "to catch up, to sieze, catch away, pluck, pull, take". Three of the related Greek words to "harpazo" denote a violent type of action such as "ravening, extortion, rapacious, pillage, spoiling". These words are "harpage (G 724), harpagmos (G 725), harpax (G 727). However, the word that "harpazo" comes from is "haireomai" and is a more fitting description of the phrase "caught up". This is important to understand because the very word "rapture" is unbiblical and it is taken from the meanings of those three related Greek words to "harpazo". Remember, those three Greek words come from "harpazo" not the other way around. Let's look at what "haireomai" means: Strongs 138 - "to take for oneself, to prefer, to choose" This is a much better description of the phrase "caught up" in terms of how it is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. This describes exactly how Jehoshua will gather his Kingdom brethren at the last trump. He is not going to violently seize them but rather he is going to take them for himself because they are the chosen elect. The resurrection of the dead saints and the translation of those who are alive at Messiah's coming will be taken, preferred and chosen (hairemai) from our graves or translated from this earth to be gathered unto the Davidic King. The phrase "caught up" which ultimately comes from the Greek word "haireomai" denotes being selected from the earth as we are chosen by Jehoshua to be gathered into the Kingdom of God. It doesn't mean we are going to be violently siezed by Jehoshua from the earth to be zommed up to heaven. Again, the Greek word "harpazo" is the root word for the three other meanings that would denote a violent ravening or siezing. However, to properly understand "harpazo" we need to go to the word it came from. Also, as verse 16 of 1 Thessalonians makes clear this is a passage about the resurrection of the dead. When did the Son of God say the resurrection would be? Over and over again he said it would be at the last day. So instead of a rapture passage this is a last day resurrection passage. More proof is given in that the trump of God sounds right before the resurrection of the dead which is exactly what Jehoshua taught in Matthew 24 as mentioned earlier. In verse 17, when it says we are to be with the Lord forever we have to use the whole of scripture to understand where it is that we will be with Jehoshua. As clearly laid out in my Earth made new study the eternal Kingdom is on earth so that is exactly where we will be with the Lord subsequent to our being caught up in the clouds. 1 Thessalonians 4 fits perfectly with the overall testimony of scripture that says the tribulation will come first then the sign of the Son of man in the sky and then his parousia (visible and physical arrival), the sounding of the trumpet and then the resurrection of the dead. Finally New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven to the earth and that is where we will reign forever with God and His only begotten Son. Let's look at 1st Corinthians 15 to show the perfect harmony of scripture that the trump is at the last day and it coincides with the resurrection of the dead. This will show that 1st Corinthians 15 is talking about the same thing as 1st Thessalonians 4 and it will expose the fact that there is no rapture, especially a pre or mid tribulation one. 1st Corinthians 15:22-23 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ`s, at his coming. Notice what Paul says here, he says that all in Messiah shall be made alive at His coming i.e. second advent. This makes no sense if people die and go to heaven right away. Paul makes it clear that all in Messiah will not be made alive unto the return of the Son of God. This fits perfectly with what Jehoshua Himself says in John chapter 5: 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, 29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment. How will the dead hear the voice of the Son of God from their graves if they are already with him in heaven as disembodied souls? It's simple, because they are not in heaven as disembodied souls and will only be made alive at the Messiah's coming just as Paul says above in 1st Corinthians. Jehoshua above says that upon hearing his voice from the grave those that hear it will come forth in the resurrection of life. This shows that it is the resurrection that gives one immortal life not dying and going to heaven. What precedes the resurrection to life is those hearing the voice of the Son of God from the grave showing that they were dead (asleep) and not living as conscious disembodied souls already in heaven otherwise they would have heard his voice from the sky and would have flew down to enter into their bodies. In verse 23 of 1st Corinthians 15, Paul refers to Jehoshua as the first fruits. This denotes a harvest. The Son of God resurrected on the feast day of first fruits. Paul says we are not made alive until Messiah comes. The book of Revelation calls the resurrected saints first fruits denoting us being the harvest. Jehoshua is called the first fruits because he is the first of many brethren that will be raised from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. Notice here that the end is in view in relation to versed 22-23 that spoke of us being made alive at Messiah's coming. What happens at the end according to Paul? Jehoshua will deliver the Kingdom to the Father. Obviously, the last day is in view here because scripture says it will be at the seventh trumpet when the Kingdoms of this world become the Kingdoms of our God and His Messiah (Rev 11:15-19). In that Revelation pasaage, the resurrection of the dead and judgement take place after the seventh trumpet sounds. The events described here by Paul are not any type of pre, mid, post trib or any rapture event, but rather the great and terrible day of Jehovah God in which His (Jehovah's) Kingdom comes to the earth after the appearance of the Son of man and the resurrection of the dead. The resurrection of the dead is connected with Jehoshua putting down all rule, authority and power, showing that to be made alive in Messiah is in conjunction with the destruction of the nations. This proves that there is no pre tribulation or mid tribulation rapture. In fact, there is no rapture as the concept is unbiblical. Paul's statement that "he must reign" until all enemies are put under his feet show that Jehoshua is presently reigning as the King of Israel. These enemies will be fully put under the Son of God's feet at the last day at the sounding of the seventh trumpet (Rev 11:15-19). Jehoshua will dash the nations to pieces like a potters vessel on the last day (Revelation 19). Paul uses the word "until" because after Jehoshua defeats the last enemy (death) He will turn over the Kingdom to the Father: 1st Corinthians 15:28 "And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all" This is when the Son of God will deliver the Kingdom to the Father. This shows that the events spoken of here in 1st Corinthians 15 are indeed in relation to the last day not some mythical pre, mid, pre-wrath or even post trib rapture. We have the resurrection being talked about in terms of when the saints are made alive which Jehoshua says it at the last day (John 5, 6 and 11). We have the destruction of the nations (Psalm 2; Revelation 11 and 19) which takes place at the seventh trumpet which coincides with the Kingdoms of this world becoming the Kingdoms of God and His Son and the resurrection of the dead and the judgment. Paul mentions that the last enemy to be defeated is death. In context, death is abolished at the end when Jehoshua delivers the Kingdom to the Father which happens after all rule and all authority are put down. How is death defeated? By the resurrection of the dead. Again, according to Paul this all happens at the end which is the last day just as Jehoshua taught. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Many look at this verse as a rapture text. First, notice that Paul says we shall not all sleep so obviously the resurrection is in view. Again, when goes Jehoshua say the resurrection is going to take place? He says it will take place at the last day. Paul says that in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we shall be changed and raised incorruptible. However, Paul doesn't say this happens out of nowhere but that it happens at the sounding of the last trumpet. Again, this fits perfectly with what Jehoshua taught in Matthew 24, what Paul himself said in 1 Thessalonians 4 and that John saw in vision in the book of Revelation. In Matthew 24 Jehoshua says that all the tribes of the earth will see Him coming in the clouds of heaven after the tribulation of those days. So his coming will be visible. Then the trumpet will sound and the elect will be gathered unto himself from the four winds of heaven. Paul is talking about the same event about in 1st Corinthians which is that the last trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised. According to Jehoshua, this is a Worldwide visible event and after the tribulation. So we can see that the above passage has nothing to do with a rapture but it is the resurrection of the dead at the last day when the trumpet sounds and the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdoms of our God and His Messiah. 1st Corinthians 15:53-55 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.54 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? The whole chapter is about the resurrection which Paul says happens at the end. Paul says that when the end comes Jehoshua will deliver the Kingdom to the Father dispelling the false doctrine that He will sit on the throne of David for the first time after the second advent. Paul says Jehoshua must reign (present tense) until all enemies are put under his feet. Paul says that prior to delivering the Kingdom to the Father, He (Jehoshua) will put down all rule, authority and power (the nations) and then abolish the last enemy which is death. According to Paul, death is destroyed at the resurrection which happens at the end. Death is swallowed up in victory at the last day resurrection and the sting of death will be no more. This happens at the the last trumpet which takes place during the visible and physical return of the Son of God. It takes place after the tribulation. There can be no more death for the saints after death is abolished hence the idea of a pre or mid trib rapture is unbiblical because that means supposed tribulation saints will still die and suffer death. The only death left after the resurrection will be the destruction of the living wicked and the second death at the lake of fire. The last day resurrection will be the mechanism in which death is abolished. For the saints it will be to everlasting life to the wicked everlasting condemnation. There will be no more death after that as the grave will be cast into the lake of fire meaning the goats will be cast into it and destroyed which will be when death is completely abolished for all mankind. Let's look at the words of the Son of God now to confirm that the resurrection is at the last day eliminating the idea of a rapture of any kind most notably a pre or mid trib one. John 5:28-29 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, 29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment. Jehoshua says that when He comes back all that are in the graves will come forth when they hear His voice. Notice that they are in the graves when they hear the voice of the Son of God. They are not in heaven, hence this disproves the immortal soul doctrine that we die and go to heaven. Clearly, if they are hearing the voice of the Son of God from their tombs then they are not already in heaven as disembodied souls. The statement that they hear His voice from their graves would make no sense if they are coming with Jesus from heaven. Remember, the immortal soul doctrine is usually connected with the rapture doctrine. Also, Jehoshua says that all will come forth from their graves both the righteous (everlasting life) and the wicked (everlasting condemnation). Clearly this is speaking about the resurrection of the dead not a secret rapture. Also, everyone (good and evil) gets resurrected at one time not 1,000 years apart. This exposes the future millennium teaching as false. The future millennium teaching is also inherently connected with the rapture doctrine. So we see here that Jehoshua says it is the resurrection that will be the vehicle that will bring one into eternal life not a rapture. Let's continue with the words of Jehoshua to verify this. John 6:39-40 39 And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.40 For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. When is the resurrection, that Jehoshua spoke of in John 5, that leads to everlasting life? Twice in verses 39 and 40, He said it is at the last day. Plainly, Jehoshua says that He is going to raise up everyone that has faith in the Son of God at the last day. There is no room for debate here, it is clear as day. Last day means last day and it is the resurrection of the body to inherit the earth not a secret snatching away to heaven. Let's continue in John chapter 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day" The work of salvation begins with the Father calling us and drawing us to His Son. Those who are begotten from above by the Spirit of Jehovah God will be raised up at the last day by Jehoshua. John 6:54 "He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day" For the fourth time Jehoshua says that He will raise those who are in covenant with Him at the last day. If we take Jehoshua's words to mean what they says then we can come to the conclusion that the resurrection is at the last day of this age and not one day before. We can also get rid of any type of rapture as it is Jehoshua physically coming to resurrect the bodies of the dead and translate the living saints. As mentioned already, the destination of the saints after this happens is the earth not the skies of heaven. John 11:23-25 23 Jehoshua saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jehoshua said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; This is a key passage because it shows that the resurrection at the last day was the accepted understanding by the nation of Israel concerning eschatology. Martha's brother Lazarus had died. Martha was lamenting over her brother and Jehoshua comforts her by telling her that her brother shall rise again in the resurrection. Notice that there is no rapture mentioned as the hope given to Martha about her brother. Either is there any comfort given that he is in heaven or a middle place called "Abraham's bosom". The hope and comfort given to Martha about her brother is the resurrection. This is the same hope Paul gave the Thessalonians and Corinthians. When did Martha understand the resurrection to take place? "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day" - Martha echoed what Jehoshua taught. On of the lost treasures of the American Christian faith is the ability to be content with what Jesus said to be content with.
The Son of God said this during His sermon on the mount: Matthew 6;19-21 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. This statement by the Christ has largely been ignored in the mainstream Church system and even among those who claim to be outside of it. When Jesus began His ministry His lifestyle was one of simplicity, necessity and humility. Jesus makes it clear that we are not to attempt to build our Kingdoms here on earth which is made evident in our obtaining material possessions and striving after them. The Son of God says where our treasure is our heart will be. We see the evidence of this in the lives of Americans as Americans are known for their heavy consumerism. Unfortunately, one can't tell the difference between the worldly person and the Protestant/Evangelical church goer in this regard. However, this materialism is rampant among other Christian groups that claim to be outside the mainstream. While many excuse makers will pop up and try to justify Christians being rich and striving after wealth, the fruit of such a attitude is evident in the almost universal apostasy among the American church. The lack of Kingdom evangelism in the highways and bi ways of America is a direct result of a comfortable wealthy church that has sought the riches of the world rather than Jehovah's riches of the Kingdom. The mainstream Church system has brought in all kinds of wicked lifestyles into the Church which is evident of it's desire to popular with the world. This desire for worldly acceptance has it's roots in a love of money as it prevents persecution and draws unconverted people into the church. The more people you have the more money comes in. Even the unbelieving world mocks American Christianity for disobeying the teachings of the Son of God about not loving money and building your treasures here on earth. The Protestant/Evangelical church is actually known for their love of money as that's the first thing unbelievers throw back at Christians when they start preaching against the sins of Homosexuality, abortion etc. Because most of the esteemed men and women of the American church life soft and luxurious lifestyles they cannot preach against building your treasures here on earth but they actually preach the opposite of what the Son of David taught. This justification for acquiring riches is all the people in the pews need to hear: 2nd Timothy 4:3-4 3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. Notice that Paul says that the people will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts. Because of the way American Christians have been institutionalized, they automatically think of sexual sins such as Homosexuality, adultery and any sex outside the marriage covenant. However, sexual sin is only a small portion of what constitutes the sin of lust. The love of material possessions and money is a big part of what constitutes lust. In fact, greed (covetousness) is called idolatry: Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" Paul says that a covetous man is an idolater. There is no mincing words here, if you covet after the material things of the world you are an idolater and Paul says you will not inherit the Kingdom of God and Christ. This fits perfectly with the teachings of the Son of God. While Christians today would deny they are covetous and excuse the abundance of their of their material possessions, the fact that they have them is evidence of their covetousness. To covet means "to desire", to stretch out after". Just to desire something qualifies as coveting. This is when we desire material things that we don't need. When we desire heavenly things it is good because we are seeking the Kingdom of God. When we desire material possessions then we are covetous which eqauls being an idolater. To "stretch out" after material gain means to strive after it and this is seen when we over work, make it a goal to climb up the corporate ladder etc. To buy things that we don't need or things that don't feed our spiritual growth is to be covetous. If we do happen to have excess finances they are to be used for the Kingdom. Generous spending on the Kingdom and thrifty spending on ourselves is good. Generous spending on the Kingdom would include giving to the brethren in need. Just as Paul said, a covetous person is an idolatrous person who has no inheritance in the Son of God's Kingdom. This because they have chosen pursuing treasures on earth instead of heaven. Colossians 3:5-10 5 Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 6 for which things` sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: 7 wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; 8 but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: 9 lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him: Paul says that we as Israel are to put to death the sins listed in verse 5 and verse 8 of Colossians 3. Two things that often get overlooked when it comes to sin is "uncleanness" and "covetousness". Again, Paul says covetousness is idolatry (verse 5). It is clear that covetousness is a serious sin in the eyes of Jehovah God. We don't hear this preached in the churches much because then the many of the Pastors would be implicating themselves and many of their congregants. As stated earlier, it is in the best of the Pastors to not emphasize the sin of covetousness. The Greek word for "uncleanness" (Strongs 167) is "akatharsia" and means "morally or spiritually unclean, soft and profligate (luxurious) living". You never hear this definition of the word "uncleanness" from the pulpits of Christendom because often times the Pastors are living these type of lifestyles. In order to keep up with the Jones's the Pastors also need many of their congregants live pursue that lifestyle so as to keep generous tithes and offerings coming in. Living an opulent lifestyle is sin, there is no other way around it. Unfortunately, many consider an opulent lifestyle something that only the rich live. However, many people in the middle class range also live this type of lifestyle. It is not uncommon to go into an American Christian's home and see it tricked out with all the gadgets and plush furniture all throughout the house. An American middle class lifestyle would be considered an opulent one in most parts of the world. One doesn't need to be what is considered rich to live soft and luxurious but one can live this way on a middle class salary. Those who live on blue collar salaries don't live opulent lifestyles, however they can be just as guilty as the sin of "uncleanness" by desiring to live one and spending their money on things they don't need in order to have "the better" things in life. Among the working class and poor, we often see them trying to keep up appearances with nice cars they can't afford, expensive clothing and getting into housing mortgages they have no business in. The sin of "soft and luxurious living" (uncleanness) can apply to anyone regardless of income level. Even the homeless on the streets are often guilty of mis-spending the money they get from sympathetic good Samaritans. They don't live soft and luxurious but they still have the same heart as those who do they just aren't good at it. The heart of the homeless person that mis-spends money is the same as the filthy rich man who can afford to buy whatever he wants. Their hearts are rooted in not being content. We can expect this from unbelievers but "soft and luxurious living" should not be seen among the body of Christ. Paul says to put to death any desire to live "unclean" i.e. soft and luxurious living. This means we have to be drastic when it comes to this sin. Nobody should be able to even think this of us. We are to kill with aggressiveness any desire to live an opulent lifestyle. Paul says we need to put to death any idea of soft and luxurious living which denotes that there should be zero evidence of us living one. Can the Pastors of Christendom say they have put to death the desire and appearance of living unclean? Sadly it is the most admired Pastor's and theologians that exhibit the sin of soft and luxurious living: John MacArthur Greg Laurie Raul Ries Franklin Graham Rick Warren A couple of the above men rail against the Prosperity preachers yet they are guilty than they are because at least the prosperity preachers don't hide it. These hypocrites (John MacArthur & Raul Ries) supposedly expose the health and wealth Pastor's but they themselves have fed themselves off the back of the sheep and are very rich with evidence of living soft and luxurious lifestyles. Let's now go to the sin of covetousness mentioned in verse 5 of Colossians 3. Paul again equates this sin with idolatry. Remember, Paul says coveters will not inherit the Kingdom of God and Christ. This means they will be cast into the lake of fire. This is a sobering proposition being that the most admired and respected Pastor's in America don't qualify to inherit the Kingdom of God. What is even more sobering is that these men have convinced their multitude of followers that they too should strive for material wealth and they often devalue and demean the Christian's who are content to live poor and simple lives. In verse 8 of Colossians 3, Paul says to put away all these things which include those things said in verse 5 such as uncleanness and covetousness which is idolatry. America's Evangelical Pastors and their admirers need to follow Paul's command and put away the sins of soft and luxurious living and coveting after material gain. These pastors, by living opulent lifestyles, have proven that they are not a new creation of God but rather they are still the old man which is caught up in sin. Paul says that in order to be created new in the image of Jehovah God one must put away the aforementioned sins. By putting away the sins of covetousness and uncleanness we then can be renewed unto knowledge after the image of the creator. To be renewed unto the knowledge of Jehovah God is to meditate on His law and walk in righteousness, which is contrary to desiring after material gain and living and soft and luxurious lifestyle. The righteousness of Jehovah God was perfectly exampled by Jesus Christ who absolutely rejected and taught against seeking material possessions. Jesus taught us to be content with food, drink and clothing. Jesus himself had nowhere to lay his head so if we have shelter that's actually a bonus. Jesus also said a servant is not above his master yet Evangelicals somehow think their Pastors have a right to live wealthy lifestyles: Matthew 10:24-25 24The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? It is enough for us to be like Jesus and suffer persecution and only having the guarantee of food, drink and clothing. Yet, these pulpit preachers will go out of their way to either twist or ignore Jesus words to justify their filthy lifestyles. Luke 9:23 "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" True Christians take up their cross and deny themselves. They don't seek the material gain of this world nor they do they seek fame or position in this world. Taking up our cross is a daily thing and it is a concept that has been largely lost in mainstream Churchianity. Ask yourself this, do Pastor's who live on big incomes and gain the treasures of this world heed Jesus words about denying ourselves? That question should be an easy one to answer. When we look at the life of Jesus compared to the pulpit preachers of America then it is obvious that these men don't have the first idea what it means to take up their cross. Taking up our cross and denying ourselves produces the opposite of what American Christianity is known for. If you heed the words of Jesus in Luke 9:23 then you will not strive after earthly treasure nor seek position in this world which is the pride of life. Pastors making six figure salaries and living luxurious lifestyles is the very opposite of denying self and picking one's cross. The next two verses show that you cannot have it both ways, either you forsake Christ or you forsake the desire to be rich: Luke 9:24-25 24For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.25For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self? To save one's life in the context of Luke 9 is to not deny self and instead to fulfill the desires of one's heart. The fulfilling the desire of one's heart normally entails obtaining and building earthly treasure. Those who seek the material gain of this world will lose their life at the judgment and be cast into the lake of fire. The opposite is true which is that if you deny self and pick up your cross you will have eternal life in the age to come. Unfortunately, Christendom's Pastor's have left their flocks a horrible example and the loss of souls at the last day judgement will be great due to the blind leading the blind. Later in the book of Luke Jesus has a stern warning for those who think they can bypass picking up their cross: Luke 14:27 "Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" The Son of God says it plainly yet the pulpit preachers of Christendom and their flocks will outright deny that Jesus meant what He said here. They will twist His words or say they only apply to Jews. Rather than submit to the simple words of the Son of God, mainstream Christians will call those who take these words literally legalist and even go so far as to say they are preaching a false gospel. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Paul says godliness (righteousness) with contentment is great gain. This echoes the sentiments of the Son of God in the sermon on the mount. In fact, in verse 8 Paul exactly repeats the teaching of Jesus in that we only need two things to be content and that is food and clothing. Our contentment in the bare essentials is partly because of the fact that there is nothing we gain in this life that can be taken with us in the age to come. The earthly treasures in this life only have momentary value. Paul says the words that most Pastors and American Christians ignore: "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare" You almost never hear this taught from the pulpits mainly because the Pastors would be implicating themselves and indirectly pointing the finger at their congregants. See, Christians in America are taught to pursue the best for themselves and their families. This is taught from the pulpits and this "pursuing the best" usually entails getting a degree at a secular university and then pursue a high paying job and honoring your employer by being the best worker thereby moving up the corporate ladder. Paul says that those who desire to be rich will into temptations and many hurtful lusts. This is not an "if" but rather it is stated as fact. We see this play out in the secular world all the time on Wall Street with many suicides being committed due to loss of riches because they have put trust in their riches. We see this with athletes and Hollywood actors spending their money on their base pleasures. Also, many lottery winners quickly lose their winnings due to spending it on their lusts. Most notably for us in the faith we see this in the churches where well known Pastors get caught up in sin whether sexual or financial. Most times what has preceded these Pastors being caught in sin was them getting rich. Men like Bob Coy, Ravi Zacharias and Jim Baker among others have been exposed for sexual sin. They have used their wealth to entertain their sexual lusts. See, what most of Christendom misses in all this is that the sexual sin was just a by product of the desire to be rich. The three above men were filthy rich and built their own kingdoms here on earth by amassing earthly treasures. It was this desire for the treasures of this earth that resulted in them eventually falling into sexual sin. The three men above are only a very small sample of the mainly so called Pastors of mainstream Churchianity that have fallen into sexual sin after having gained the wealth of this world. Paul says that those who desire to be rich will be drown in destruction and perdition. I already the suicides on Wall street, however this also takes place in Christendom as Ravi Zacharias threatened to commit suicide after a woman he was have an on-line adulterous affair with threatened to tell her husband. Actually suicide is not all that uncommon among so called Pastors. Often times, grievous sin or the exposure of it ate away at the conscience of these men and they ended their life. The love of money is the root of all evil yet the churches and their Pastors don't live as though it is. Their lifestyles reflect where their heart is which is on money and material possessions. Paul says that those who covet and love money err from the faith meaning they apostatize. We know that this erring from the faith means that these coveters and lovers of money have apostatized because Paul says they have pierced themselves with many sorrows. Contrary to what the world teaches wealth brings sorrow not happiness. Paul says there are those who were of the faith who coveted after money and in doing so pierced themselves with many sorrows. Again, we see many who were once in the faith covet after earthly treasure and the result is sadness, depression, anxiety and loneliness. This is an inescapable principle in that anyone who is in the faith will end piercing themselves with many sorrows if they covet after money. Covet means to desire or stretch out after. To covet something does not necessarily mean you have to be obsessed with getting it, but it simply means that you desire it and stretch out after it. It doesn't take much to qualify one to be covetous. Why such a strict definition of covetousness where simply desiring something can qualify one as an idolater? Because Jesus set a high standard in terms of being content and where our minds & hearts are to be focused on: Matthew 6:22-23 22 The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness! This is in the context of Jesus saying to not lay up for yourself treasures on earth but rather to lay up for yourself treasures in heaven. Jesus says that if your single eyed then your body will be full of light. What Jesus means that if you are single minded about the Kingdom of God then your whole body shall be full of the light of the Kingdom of God. To be single minded about the Kingdom of God means to build your treasures in heaven. However, the opposite is true in that if your eye is evil then you are filled with the darkness of Satan's kingdom. To be evil eyed means that you have built your treasures on earth. Jesus said your heart will be where your treasure is. Jesus doesn't say you can have both, it's either one or the other. This is the problem facing much of institutional Churchianity as it's members have been taught that they can have their cake and eat it too. They have been taught there is nothing wrong with building wealth and having earthly treasures. They are taught this by Pastors who themselves have built their treasure here on earth. The Pastors and some Christians will proudly say we must have that old "Protestant" work ethic. While we should have a good work ethic it is to be used in laboring for the Kingdom not to move up in the corporate world. Matthew 6:24-25 24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? Jesus makes it clear that you can only have one master and that if you serve money then you will hate God. You cannot serve both money and God according to the Son of God. This statement by Jesus refutes any of the fork tongued Pastors who say you can be rich and still serve God and still inherit the Kingdom. Now of course, there may be those who were rich before their conversion or even after as a result of getting an inheritance but the same still applies in that they cannot serve money. The rich brethren will be asked by God to communicate their material wealth with the brethren who have lack. When you see a Pastor who has gotten rich off the gospel you are seeing a man who does not love God no matter what he says or how he tries and justify it. Even the congregants of churches who are striving after money and material possessions are those who do not love God no matter how many good works they do. John 6:27 "Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed" We are not to be lazy as that will be the accusation of the lukewarm Church goer that loves this world and things in it, however our hard work is supposed to be for the eternal Kingdom that does not perish. Laboring for the Kingdom is our priority. Jesus doesn't want us spending our hard work on the temporal physical food that perishes but rather for Kingdom. Again, the churches today ignore this verse by doing the exact opposite in working for the food that perishes and not working for the bread of the eternal Kingdom. Even spouses who are lukewarm will persecute you because you are not working hard for the temporal food but rather you are spending your time laboring for the better things of God. Why does Jesus say this? Because souls are at stake and He has a Kingdom to be built. Mainstream Christians prove their lack of faith in Jesus by doing the exact opposite of what He commands (Matthew 28:19). They will condemn others to "hell" for not being a Christian but then spend most of their free time laboring for the earthly treasures by over working at a secular job. They do not have a sense of urgency in saving others from eternal death. Matthew 6:32-33 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Jesus makes it clear, unbelievers (Gentiles) serve money and build their treasures on earth and worry about what they are going to eat and be clothed with. True faith knows that the Father will provide for us. |
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