Escape the 2nd Death by the Testimony of Jesus Christ and Bible Prophecy
What's the Good News?
Does Your Pastor Preach the Gospel, or is it Fake News?
Did you know you are Mortal, and will not live forever, unless you receive the Gift of Life!
God wants to heal you, which is at the center of prophecy. Without healing there is no good news, and it begins with a change of your mind. This brings forth the everlasting spirit of life to you personally in which there will be a day of ultimate healing at the coming first resurrection, and then the second death will have no power over you. This is for the Glory of God. You can be delivered and healed from whatever plagues you, and set free...by faith!
Unfortunately, our pride gets in the way of admitting we need to be saved from what we have brought on ourselves, and the things the world has poured into us. But truthfully we all need divine intervention because we are sinful people, which is what causes evil to continue. All of us need to change our minds about who God is, and put away our pride. This is a true "change of mind" which has been translated into the English as repentance. There is nothing you can do to earn salvation, for it is not a work of self but of God. Repent and Believe the Good News!
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then it be brought to pass the saying that is written,
Death is swallowed up in victory.
O Death, where is your sting?
O Grave, where is your victory?”
1 Corinthians 15.53-55, Isaiah 25.8, Hosea 13.14
The good news is Jesus Christ is coming to rule and reign on this earth as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords over all the nations. Jesus has been chosen by his God and Father, and appointed as the eternal Messiah and the Preeminent Ruler, who having all authority, shall destroy evil and death and bring about eternal peace and everlasting life as it was originally intended.
Imagine no more oppression and false authority ruling the world.
This will be done in the Father's judgement and righteousness according to the Father's laws and will in his love, and wrath. Jesus Christ will bring all of the earth's nations into submission of God the Father's will, which is called the Kingdom of God. This happens here on earth and will restore everything that has been lost as a result of fallen mankind and sin. This is something to cherish and to fear. Every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is The Holy Son of God.
During Jesus' first coming 2,000 years ago he died by crucifixion, making the personal ultimate sacrifice to wash away our sins, was crucified to death on a cross, and rose the third day from the grave, according to what was prophesied in the Scriptures for thousands of years. He appeared to many when he was brought back to life to show that he is the Firstborn from the dead by Resurrection unto life.
If you first change your mind about your dead sinful works, and believe this good news by faith, according to the fulfillment that is in the Lord Jesus Christ, whom his Father and God brought forth to redeem mankind, then you shall be baptized in Christ and saved, and receive God's Holy Spirit. This is a free gift, and how wonderful a gift it is.
Those who truly "change their mind" and believe the good news will be resurrected from the dead to receive everlasting life. This repentance is coming away from our dead works and turning toward God which leads us to escape sin and the second death. In the end we will be present with and serve with the Preeminent Ruler of the world, Jesus Christ, when he returns. This will happen right here on earth, as your redemption shall include co-inheritance of the earth with The Father's appointed Son of God, Jesus Christ the Righteous, the Firstborn of many brothers and sisters.
The one that overcomes through Jesus Christ shall enter into the Kingdom of God and shall receive these things promised by Almighty Father God:
Becoming a born again child of God, living in the hope of the resurrection
To overcome death and the grave
To eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God
You shall not be hurt of the second death
Eat of the hidden manna
Given a white stone, and in the stone a new name
Given power over the nations
Be clothed in white raiment
Your name will not be blotted out of the book of life
Jesus will confess your name before the Father and his angels
Made a pillar in the temple of God, and he shall go no more out
Will write upon you the name of God
Write upon you the name of the city of God
(the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from God)
The Son of God will write his new name on you
Granted to sit with Jesus on his throne
Inherit all things as a Co-heir with Jesus Christ
What an awesome identity! Healing from your sicknesses and demons and addictions, and freed from your sins to become a liberated co-heir and co-owner in the coming free world that is heaven on earth. This comes with a promise of God's Holy Spirit sealing and protecting you forever.
This is Great News!
What do you have to do to be saved? Repent and believe the Good News. Believe upon the Son of God Jesus Christ the Messiah whom the Father of Creation sent to save us from our sins unto eternal life, and you shall be saved. There is nothing you can do to earn salvation. It is a free gift from God to those who have faith to believe. Through Christ you come to trust in God by faith. And you place your hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
Go and be at peace and be healed in the name of Jesus Christ! Be baptized in Jesus Name and have hands laid upon you to receive the Holy Spirit of God.
_______That Was an Overview of the Gospel_______
What Happens Now?
What happens after You believe and are saved?
You are to be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and have hands laid on you for the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
This is where a lot of Preachers and Teachers and Disciples get confused!
Salvation is not something we earn, yet Jesus taught we are to move on to sanctification in discipleship. Jesus words following encounters where he healed or delivered an individual was "go and sin no more". This is important that you understand that God expects nothing of you but to believe in the plan of salvation and redemption, that he has placed in the Son of God But there are commandments that accompany salvation.
Baptism is Not a work of a man, nor is the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
These are commands given designed to help the new believer.
After an individual is saved, there will be evidence of a life change. Because we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God as promised, the Spirit begins to do the works we have not been able to do on our own behalf. As we follow the leading of the Spirit of God we are changed to the Glory of God being shaped into the person God wants us to be according to his will. This is an ongoing process called sanctification. Be led by the Holy Spirit of God, moving on toward perfection in Christ Jesus.
The purpose of your salvation is to be healed and freed from your sins, and to become a servant (disciple) of Jesus Christ, to walk in his way of righteousness, as it was spoken by God the Father from the beginning. This is the only way back to the Father which is called salvation. Jesus Christ is the Righteous One we are to follow, but he has already done the Chief Work of making reconciliation between men and God, that you may have rest and assurance in your soul now and forever.
Much of the misunderstanding and false teachings concerning the subject of salvation have to do in part with THE TIMELINE. Before, and up to the time you believe, your dead works and sins are subject to the laws of God. When you come to Jesus Christ, your sins are washed away as if they never happened. Now you become a disciple, and your journey in life changes to walk as Jesus walked. This is a simple process that is not a burden, but rather liberating from the normal sinful life.
The expectations of God increase in Christ once one enters into discipleship.
First Jesus said "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, Repent and believe the Good News". When he says "repent" originally he doesn't even mention sin, because the Good News is the work of God the Father, now being revealed in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to take away the sins of the world, to those who have faith to believe.
Later, after his disciples choose to follow by faith, he says to his disciples in one of his most famous teachings in John 15 paraphrased: "I (Jesus) am the vine and my Father is the Vinedresser, and you are the branches. There are two ways the Father treats the branches that are in me (Jesus). The Father prunes those he loves so they can bring forth more good fruit, but to those who do not bring forth good fruit in me (Jesus Christ), the Father casts them away from the vine where they wither, and then they are thrown into the fire and burned up. If you abide in me (Jesus), and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Jesus speaks of a similar blessing and fate recorded in Matthew 7: Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. He is speaking of those who claim to be followers.
Jesus taught that we show our love for him by keeping his commandments (John 15.10 for example), which are not a burden, as God guides us by his Holy Spirit to walk in them. This brings blessings into our lives beyond measure. Revelation 22.14: Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
This is part of what is usually missed these days. Repent from dead works to be saved unto good works. Good works, which is known as the good fruit, is the result of discipleship, following salvation in the Son of God.
You may have wondered at some point: What about those that died before Jesus Christ was present on earth? How are they saved?
The answer to that is the gospel (the promise of the good news) was known throughout the ages, and the mystery of the gospel was ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ when he did the Father's appointed good works here on earth. Those in the past are saved by grace through faith just as those after Christ's appearance, who is the promised seed (Gen 3.15, Gen 22.18, Gen 28.14, 1 Kings 11.49, Jer 33 .22, Rom 1.3, Rom 4.13, 16, John 7.42, Gal 3.16, 29, 2 Timothy 2.8).
How Do You Know if You Are a True Disciple?
Now that you have heard the Good News and what the Gospel is meant to accomplish, we move forward in our faith to understand a huge problem that exists within Modern Christianity.
This next portion is for those already calling themselves Believers or Christians. As a people we need to get right with God and the Truth of His Word and stop believing all the nonsense that is coming from the false teachers of this age. Jesus warned us about this, so if you call yourself his disciple then you should pay close attention.
What's Usually Left out of the Gospel?
Could it be that Modern Pastors usually leave something out of the Gospel?
In light of this question, I have something intriguing for you to consider.
How About this for Starters:
Then he (JESUS) took the twelve aside (THE DISCIPLES) and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. "For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. "They will scourge [Him] and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again." But they [His Disciples] understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken (Luke 18.31-34).
Now why is that so interesting?
Well if we go back to Luke Chapter 9 we find long before Luke 18 that Jesus' disciples had already been commissioned to Preach the Gospel. But how could they be Preaching the Gospel way back in Luke 9 when they didn't even understand that Jesus is going to be killed in Luke 18?
Hmmmmmmmm? Luke 9.1-6
Then He (JESUS) called his twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics (coats, or sets of clothing) apiece. "Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. "And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them."So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
So Jesus' disciples were preaching the gospel before they understood Jesus was going to be crucified. What were they talking about? And did you notice the key aspect of healing?
Consider that Paul went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. This is in Acts 19.8.
WOW! Three months in the synagogue talking about the Kingdom of God?
Then in the next couple of verses (Acts 19.9-10) we see that many were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of "that way" before the multitude, so Paul departed from them...continued elsewhere for two years; so that all those in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
The passage seems to indicate that the Kingdom of God is the word of the Lord Jesus Christ and that Paul spent two years making sure everyone heard about it. A carefully understood reading of the Scriptures will show that Jesus only spoke the words of the Father, and this is how Jesus fulfilled the Father's sayings from the past writings, known as the Word of YHWH.
So maybe we are missing something at church when your usual pastor is is "preaching the postage-stamp gospel"!? It is interesting that prayer is not even a part of the "saved message" in the Bible.
Nowadays people are saying "Jesus loves you and died for you so accept Jesus and welcome to the family of god" and "pray this special prayer with me" in just a couple minutes as if the Gospel could fit on a 12mm x 60mm fortune cookie paper slip. They usually say you have to "come forward" and say a short "sinner's prayer" and then you are good to go. Then the next thing you know you are getting an hour long class on tithing, even though that same Pastor says he doesn't believe that Moses' Law is for Christians.
Just because many people are doing something doesn't make it right, and there is no evidence of this method in the Scripture. The closest we can get to this is the Publican in Jesus' parable in Luke 18.13, but in the story the man chose to hit his chest and said "God be merciful to me a sinner". Why? Because this is an example of self-evident change of mind toward God. Because of the lack of commitment from many these days to understand the depth and width of the Gospel, they rarely share the good news in a pure form, making vital mistakes in leaving out key elements, while adding things that don't apply. The Gospel is shared in the fear of men, leaving out true repentance, and this kind of Gospel fails to heal that which God means to deliver.
So something Jesus said is worth giving much attention to:
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21.
Now if you go look at Matthew 7 "honestly", you are going to find out that this is spoken in the context of to those professing themselves to be believers who are actually False Prophets,
These False Prophets seem to have even performed some miraculous works, but they did not enter in through the Narrow Gate which is The Only Way. Instead these professing Miracle Workers were actually Workers of Lawlessness! Workers of Anomia means working with "NO-LAW".
Interestingly Matthew 7 is the passage that people quote to tell you not to judge, which is the first verse, but then the passage continues to give guidance as to what you should do first so you can see clearly, and then you will be able to know "THEM" by their fruits.
Knowing bad fruit is a type of judgment, not to be confused with condemnation, because these bad fruit practitioners are not in Christ. The conclusion is that Bad Fruit is a sign someone will not enter into the Kingdom of God, and that bad fruit is equated to lawless behavior.
False Prophets Working lawlessness!
People Often Ask: Who Are They?
To determine if someone as a false prophet is to pass a judgment, but the modern church system and its leaders often contradict this by demanding "no judgment", all the while judging others by the rules modern churches follow...kind of like the Pharisees did.
This passage in Matthew 7 is Jesus Christ speaking as to what will happen in the end to "MANY" which a Great Number! The word that is used here in the original language is POLYS πολύς which could even mean "majority".
So is Jesus saying the "Majority" of people who are calling on the Name of the Lord will not be saved? Note that the context of the passage in that section is talking about False Prophets, and that seems to most directly indicate a specific group of people who claim to speak on behalf of the Almighty (certainly they think they are "believers"). In modern Western American culture this type of person would usually be called something like Pastor, or a Shepherd. There are many names or titles for this type of religious system around the world, from Pastor to Evangelist to Preacher to Pope to Vicar to Bishop to Reverend to Rabbi. I use the word Pastor here to include anyone who is in a leadership position using the Scripture (or Bible) as their basis for speaking and teaching in the Name of God.
If you put yourself in a "position" to speak the Words of God, you are essentially functioning as either a Prophet, or a False Prophet, and MANY are False Prophets!
Therefore, many preach a False Gospel...or a watered down version of the truth that is so diluted that Jesus would not recognize himself as "the one that is preached about" if he visited the churches in the world today. Even then Almighty God can work with even a little light, but the false practitioner still has to answer for those they lead astray.
So let's look at a few verses and see if you recognize them in your Pastor's preaching and teaching? If you do then your pastor might be preaching the truth about the good news. Please understand I am going to start with those types of verses that are usually left out, and then work my way back into those that are more often referenced.
[Hebrews 5:8-9 KJV] Though he were a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
[Mark 1:14-15 KJV] Now after that John [the baptist] was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.
Now later ion Mark 6 Jesus says in verse 11 "If they won't hear you, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. So what was it that was supposed to be "heard"?
And they (THE DISCIPLES) went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed [them]. [Mark 6:12-13 KJV]
Preaching repentance, casting out devils, and healing sick people! When is the last time you saw that at church, especially in terms of this being The Good News?
And what about this?
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. [2 Thessalonians 1:8 KJV]
And this?
Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. [1 Peter 4:16-19 KJV]
Obey? Scarcely saved? Scarcely in that verse means "with difficulty". Keeping of your soul?
Okay now let's bring in a verse that is usually used that is also absolutely an important part of the gospel message.
[Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV] For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Grace is where the Gospel Message is and begins. This is clear. And this is expressed throughout Scripture like here in Ephesians. But then the very next verse gives the intended "result of grace", which you usually won't ever hear quoted, especially when a Christian is insisting God's Laws have been done away with.
[Ephesians 2:10 KJV] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Hmmmmm? What is the main thing we need to understand here? You are NOT saved by your own works. You can't earn your salvation. However, you are to exercise your faith in repentance toward God that he may lead you to be successful in Christ's example to perform the same kind of good works in which we should walk.
That last part about "before ordained" means "prepared in advance" and it was the same faith spoken to the forefathers by the prophets through the age in Scripture. This is the Word of YHWH.
We need to understand that one of the most key elements of the Gospel Message is Grace followed by Obedience through faith which "leads" to righteousness. Obedience is fruit. As we have seen already in the Hebrews reference, Jesus' obedience is what led to the restoration of everlasting life, which was necessary due to the Fall of Mankind in the Garden.
Jesus did these things by faith in the power of the Father's Holy Spirit.
Grace...or Grace "Alone"?
God's Grace Brings Multitude...So How Could it Be Alone?
Let us be true disciples of Jesus Christ and abide in Grace as Obedient sons and daughters.
The Christian stands in grace (1 Pet.5.12), grows in grace (2 Pet. 3.18), and is to be strong in grace (2 Tim. 21). Grace is God's favor. We are called by grace (Gal. 1.15), justified by grace (Tit. 3.7), and we are established by grace (Heb.13:9).
The Bible also says we are saved by grace (Eph. 2.5, 8). But does it say are we saved by grace alone and nothing else follows? The word alone is not in the text. Faith is essential (v8).
And then there is the next verse that seems to never get quoted when someone is screaming "saved by grace": Ephesians 2.10 says For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2.20-22. Disciples of Jesus Christ are to be a part of a holy temple.
Paul said God's grace "brings salvation", but he also affirmed God's grace "has appeared to all men" (Tit. 2.11). God has done the work of equally extending grace throughout the ages. If it were just a matter of salvation by grace alone, all would be saved, as no activating action would be required.
Unfortunately, many shall not be saved, because the gate is narrow (Matt. 7.13-14) and others will claim they thought they were saved, but aren’t (Matt. 7.15-23). You must do the will of Jesus' Father, according to Jesus (Matt. 7.21-23). These aren't your works, but his works, which you will be judged by, which is what is meant by this following passage, and we would do well to listen:
[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [Romans 8.1-4 KJV]
There is more involved than grace alone, because each man must appropriate God's grace, personally. You must believe, and this is a verb which is an action that comes out of repentance. Repentance is a change of mind about who God is and who holds all authority and power, which is not you, and not some false God you may serve otherwise than the Only One True God.
It is true that grace is a gift from God, and man cannot earn it (Rom.11.6, Eph. 2.8-10). Some confuse earning and acting upon; or appropriating. Man can (and does sometimes) receive God's grace in vain (2 Cor. 6.1).
Christians can also "fall from grace" (Gal. 5:4). In Ephesians 2, we have two elements, grace and faith, and "united" beings: God and Jesus and Man. Paul wrote, "For by grace are you saved through faith...it is a gift" (vs. 8). Grace is emanated from God, but faith is man's responsibility to exercise, and Christ is the healing bridge who is the cornerstone of the temple and the head of the church. And we must not forget "mercy", which is what we need when we misuse grace, or stumble, or fall.
Man seems determined to attach "alone or only" to grace in an inappropriate context, as if there is no necessary action or result. Yet Man has participation in his salvation, from the beginning (accepting grace) and through the process (continuing in grace, Acts 13.43), and overcoming (Rom 6:12-14, 1 John 5, Rev 2). We are to put on Christ (Gal 3.27, Rom 13.14). One cannot proclaim "hail jesus" and then just do whatever he wants, being then able to live in hopeful expectation to receive the promised blessings of God while also being disobedient. True faith in Christ inspires continued repentance.
How many times did Jesus say (?): "Your faith has made you whole".
Grace alone is false, because faith originally is stated, and continued faith in obedience is essential (2 Co 10:5-6), in repentance (Jesus said Repent & Believe Mk 1.15). Grace reigns through to righteousness, man's faith is in righteousness (Rom. 5:1-2, 21) and follows the righteousness of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1).
Consider the context of 1 Peter 2.24: [By Jesus...] Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
So it might be a good idea to understand how to "live for righteousness" and “to be an overcomer”!
If all you have to do is say a simple little prayer and you are done, then what’s with the overcoming? It is interesting that prayer is not even found with the individual at initial conversion. The Bible teaches "repent and be baptized". Take a look at Acts 2.38-42. See how prayer comes after repentance and baptism and is mixed in with fellowship, as a fruit of repentance. This is "evidence" of true belief.
What about sanctification? I wouldn't be so presumptive, but fearful of God until you have been resurrected from the dead. All believers need to appropriate their trust and hope in the right perspective, continuing in God's grace and prayerful for the Mercy of Jesus Christ.
With all this said, don't misunderstand, as others falsely teach that God's grace is not needed, and that Jesus righteousness is not supreme in gathering many followers to the Father’s holiness. These are necessary, or you have a false gospel.
It seems Man is determined to pervert God's simple plan for man's salvation, by falsely teaching man earns his salvation. Grace in Christ Jesus who in the Father by the Spirit is absolutely the narrow gate of salvation...Yes!
Yet the other most common false position is salvation is all of God, and that obedience is not involved or required. God just saves you and you never have to do anything. The problem with that understanding is there is no participation involved, like faith and repentance. If that were true, then everyone would be saved automatically and there would be no need to preach the good news. The key is there is nothing you can do to "earn" your salvation, but you still have to respond, and participate, in the free gift that has been offered by God through Jesus Christ.
If your father bought you a new car, paid the insurance, and filled it with gas, and washed it all the time for you, but you never even got in the car or drove the car, would the free gift have any result?
As growing Believers, we must also pay attention to verses like Jude 5, for example? But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
Does that Mean Do What Thou Wilt?
This is Where the Church is Not Very Forthcoming in Their Teaching!
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. [Hebrews 10:26-27]. This verse is worth considering! Or shall we ignore it? I have heard many Bible Teachers dismiss this with some fancy word dancing. When they start making excuses for God's Word to try to make the process of discipleship seem easier, they take away a chief hope of the gospel--deliverance to righteousness!
Since man is not sinless, God provides the necessary grace through faith, whereby a man can be saved unto obedience to walk in righteousness in repentance. This is Liberty. God's grace is not "grace alone", for the word “alone” is never specifically attributed to salvation as it is often preached. It is true that God's grace in Christ is sufficient in our weakness as it is said in 2 Corinthians 12.9, so that we may be made strong by him in our infirmities. But note the process. Also note where the process ends, which is at the Judgment Seat with Jesus Christ.
Sometimes when you have two opposing doctrines where one argues "this" and another argues "that", the truth may be found in Both, or somewhere in the middle. By grace and seeking the kingdom of God we overcome this false dichotomy by letting ALL of Scripture be the test.
Balance the whole counsel of the text!
So what then is the True Gospel, and is there a difference between the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of the Kingdom of God? I laid these out together in the beginning of this message to make it more clear how they work together and cannot be separated.
Let's dig a little deeper now.
One of the key places where the Gospel of the Kingdom is clearly laid out is in Psalm 1 & 2.
These two short passages involve what true repentance brings forth in terms of focus and fruit, and how someone can avoid the coming judgment. The first Psalm certainly sounds a lot like Jesus talked when he taught. And then in Psalm 2 we have a great description of the Kings of the Earth coming against YHWH and YHWH's Chosen Holy One, the Messiah. Here we have the resurrection in vs 7 followed by the warning to "Kiss the Son Lest He be Angry" at the end, making reference to the coming judgment when those who refuse shall be destroyed in fire with just a "little kindling".
This context is all over the Scripture. Stop serving other gods and idols, including yourself, and serve God through Christ. Jesus is the only way back to Our Father, the truth and the life. By serving in truth and spirit you will be able to serve your neighbor the same, because you have the right focus.
Those who teach that because Salvation is a free gift, you are then free to do whatever you want in liberty are false teachers. The Father Liberates those in Christ from sin and the destruction that comes with sin. Those who say that YHWH's laws have been completely done away with are false teachers.
It is better to FEAR YHWH and seek mercy through the Messiah the Son of the Living God Jesus Christ. I suggest you get baptized and have hands laid on you to be filled with the Holy Spirit so you can walk the spiritual walk of sanctification. This is the the basic "milk" of The Faith, as the writer of Hebrews put it (Chap. 5), and those who teach without this understanding are "unskilled in the word of righteousness"! I suggest any Christian should intimately know the first couple of verses of Hebrews 6 and search the Scriptures to understand them, otherwise you are a baby in need of milk. These are the foundational teachings for those who are to be saved and healed:
THE MILK
1. Repentance from Dead Works...in Faith...Toward God
2. The Teaching of Baptisms
3. The Teaching of Laying on of Hands
4. The Teaching of Resurrection
5. The Teaching of Eternal Judgment
Learn the Way of the Kingdom of God!
> Meditate on Psalm 1 and 2 and 37 and 110 <
The above Psalms are a sampling of the True Gospel that Jesus taught His Disciples.
For example, Psalm 110 v1 is the most repeated verses in the New Testament, and is a summary verse of the Kingdom of God: YHWH (Father God) says to Adoni (Messiah Jesus), “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” We learn in Hebrews 10 v.12 and 13 that the death and resurrection of Jesus is the central point of His Obtaining the Throne, which takes us back to Psalm 2 v7, which is directly declared in Acts 13.33. This is crucial to the Kingdom of God and redemption, and the testimony of Jesus Christ which is the spirit of prophecy.
In Matthew Chapter 4 we learn some Hugely Important information:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He (JESUS) answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In [their] hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' " Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him....
Then...Jesus began to preach and to say,
“Change Your Mind, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Here is something else that wIll surprise most modern Christians.
Apparently the Good News involves obedience too.
[1 Peter 4:17 KJV] For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?
[2 Thessalonians 1:8 KJV] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Acts 6:7 KJV] And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
[Acts 17:30-31 KJV] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent: Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he has ordained; [whereof] he has given assurance unto all [men], in that he has raised him from the dead.
[Romans 10:9-11 KJV] That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.
Backing Up a Little in Romans...
....[Romans 6:22-23 KJV] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[1 John 5:11 KJV] And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
[2 Timothy 2:10 KJV] Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Be Encouraged! Don’t Miss Out on the Real Temple!
Kingdom of God Passage Index: Psalm 1 and 2, 9, 37, 45, 47, and 110; Daniel 2, 4, 7, and 12, Isaiah 14 (v16 emphasis), Isaiah 2, 11, 32, 51 and 66, Jeremiah 3, 23 (emphasis v17), Zechariah 6, Zechariah 14, Micah 4 and 5, Matthew 5, 6, 13, Mark 1 (emphasis v14-15), Luke 4 (emphasis v43), Acts 8 (emphasis v12), Colossians 1, Hebrews 3 (emphasis v9), and Revelation 7, 11, 21, and 22
Kingdom of God Phrase Index: Matthew 6:33, Matthew 12:28, Matthew 19:24, Matthew 21:31, 43, Mark 1:14-15, Mark 4:11, 26, 30, Mark 9:1, 47, Mark 10:14-15, 23-25, Mark 12:34, Mark 14:25, Mark 15:43, Luke 4:43, Luke 6:20, Luke 7:28, Luke 8:1, 10, Luke 9:2, 11, 27, 60, 62, Luke 10:9, 11, Luke 11:20, Luke 12:31, Luke 13:18, 20, 28-29, Luke 14:15, Luke 16:16, Luke 17:20-21, Luke 18:16-17, 24-25, Luke 19:11, Luke 21:31, Luke 22:16, 18, Luke 23:51, John 3:3, 5, Acts 1:3, Acts 8:12, Acts 14:22, Acts 19:8, Acts 20:25, Acts 28:23, 31, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:50, Galatians 5:21, Colossians 4:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:5l
Kingdom of Heaven Phrase Index: Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 5:3, 10, 19-20, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 8:11, Matthew 10:7, Matthew 11:11-12, Matthew 13:11, 24, 31, 33, 44-45, 47, 52, Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:1, 3-4, 23, Matthew 19:14, 23, Matthew 20:1, Matthew 22:2, Matthew 23:13, Matthew 25:1, 14