|
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (KJV)
There is an enemy of the Church out and about roaming around like a roaring lion, seeking those that are weak. This enemy has been given the name antichrist, because by keeping Christ out of the teachings and doctrine it keeps the people in denial of the Son that was sent to bring life to mankind. As we see above these people claim to be apostles of Christ or Christian, however, it’s according to their works and not the righteousness of God, and that will be their downfall. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (KJV) Without knowing the righteousness of God and how to do those things that are pleasing in His sight, we will be denied access to our eternal reward which could be easily categorized as a sin unto death. Without knowing who the Son is you cannot be washed and come clean with God. You wouldn’t let someone dirty and filthy into your house, what makes you think God will allow it in His? Romans 10:2-4 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. (KJV) Religion is something I would put in the category of unrighteousness, because it is based on works and not faith in what Christ has done on our behalf. Once one has come to the revelation of Christ it puts an end to all those old outdated silly rituals, like water baptisms and any other such nonsense man thinks is still in play. Romans 9:31-33 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (KJV) There is a stone, a rock that many are tripping over instead of putting it in the corner or foundation of their church. Do you know who that stone is? If not it could just end up being your downfall. Matthew 16:16-18 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 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. 18 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. (KJV) God has a plan and a blueprint for how His church is built which is what keeps us in right standing with Him, and it involves a revelation from above of His Son that is seated on His right hand today. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 16:7-10 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (KJV)
Our Lord was announcing that He would be leaving this realm soon, and heading for a better one. Upon His departure He would then send the Comforter so that we could know for ourselves who God is as well as His Son. This revelation would show us personally what God considers to be sin and how to overcome the influence of the enemy who up to this point was having a field day on mankind. Luke 12:8-10 Also I say unto you, whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denies me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemes against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. (KJV) We discussed yesterday a sin which is singular, and that this sin would lead unto death. We see this illustrated above, something I have experienced personally; many will look and point out my faults and shortcomings which does aptly describe my outward or son of man part of me, however, the problem of unbelief for them comes when they come against the doctrine that the Holy Spirit has been revealing to mankind and that would be the doctrine of Christ. By not knowing and having this revelation you will not know personally who the Son of God is, which puts man in a state of denial, or should I say antichrist? Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV) Now think back to our Lord’s crucifixion and how they nailed the Son of man to the cross, and the Lord offering forgiveness to them. We see in the above scriptures another crucifixion taking place, one that involves the Son of God, Christ, in which those that deny Him and His doctrine are looking at the back end of an eternal death sentence. Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (KJV) What you see above is the sin unto death, and who it involves. We also see illustrated another crucifixion of the gospel of Christ, and the life that is in this doctrine being crucified and left for dead. Verse 9 is quite clear in the fact that this teaching and lack of knowledge is a sin unto death for those that do not have the revelation of Christ. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Revelation 1:1-3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (KJV)
Even though we titled this week’s study Revelation, we are not going to spend much time, if any, in this book. The reason this is brought up is because there is one revelation that each and every believer needs to see for themselves, and that is the revelation of Christ, the Son of the living God. Many today have a partial understanding based on Jesus of Nazareth; however, in order to get a clear and precise understanding of the Bible one needs to see beyond the veil of the flesh to see the Son of God and who He really is and what name He goes by. John 16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (KJV) Verse 9 refers to sin as singular, and the reason this is an offence to God is because of unbelief in His Son who was sent for mankind. Actually, all sin is a result of unbelief; because in the end we allowed the enemy to convince us that something in the carnal realm would satisfy a spiritual need. However or whatever way sin manifests, it is a result of unbelief, and we will find out this week who and what unbelief involves. I John 5:16-18 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 18 We know that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not. (KJV) We all sin and fall short in areas that our Lord hasn’t brought our attention to, or sometimes we know better and do it anyway and then try to play dumb afterwards. There is a sin unto death, one that is unpardonable for those that have ignored God’s plan of salvation which He manifested through His Son. As we go along this week we will show through the scriptures what this sin is, and who it involves. John 1:29-30 The next day John seeing Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, after me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. (KJV) Let me give you a hint. As you see above John was making reference not to his cousin Jesus of Nazareth, a man that was born after him and not before. He was making reference to someone else, the man who was before Him, that being Christ the Son of God within Jesus. You will be considered a Son of God also when you see beyond the veil of the flesh and into the Spirit so that you can identify for yourself who this Lamb of God is and what name He goes by which will lead unto life. Dearly loved let the eyes of our understanding be enlightened this week. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:1-3 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. (KJV)
Paul the apostle gives his own rendition of this born again experience, separating spirit and soul, or in other words separating what the Lord is revealing to him compared with what he has heard in the past. One of the definitions for testimony in verse one is mystery, something that was hidden in the past that is now being revealed. You will find out for yourself as Paul did that this revelation did not come from other people, but first hand from God’s lips to his ears; that being his spiritual ones. Colossians 2:2-4 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. (KJV) In Christ is hid a wealth of knowledge, something that cannot be bought or found in the carnal realm. This revelation will give you a full assurance of who you are in Christ and all the spiritual blessings that He has blessed His people with. We also see the warning issued because many have allowed someone other than Christ to give them a watered down inferior version of the mystery because they have leaned back to their own understanding. Galatians 1:9-12 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (KJV) As you move ahead in your walk with the Lord you will find some of the influences from your past are more carnal in nature than spiritual. It is at that point that you will need to choose to take up your spiritual cross and die to those that choose to hold more to the outward, what I refer to as a religious realm, rather than walking in the new life that the Lord died to give us access to. So ask yourself honestly today, are you getting your information firsthand or are you going to let someone other than God dictate it to you? God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
AuthorWe are stewards of the mystery of Christ. Ambassadors on His behalf to share the conditions of peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Archives
December 2024
Categories
All
|