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IS THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL HIDDEN?
2
Corinthians 4:3 - 2 Corinthians 4:5 "- - But
even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those
who are perishing, 4) whose minds the G-d of this
age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light
of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the
image of G-d, should shine on them. 5) For we do
not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord,
and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.
In today's secular society
it is hard to know what to believe. In the decades
following the turn of the 21st Century discourse
has turned to the subject of "fundamentalism"
and in keeping with the spirit of the times, a conclusion
seems to be drawn that connects fundamentalism of
any kind to represent a non-thinking, highly
dangerous and threatening religious viewpoint.
Theologians more and more quickly disassociate themselves
with anything called fundamentalist Christianity.
Thousands are turning away from the true Gospel
which is the original and fundamental Gospel.
That which was brought into being by the Apostle's
of Jesus Christ the Messiah.
Instead of accepting
the Gospel in its purity and simplicity, churches
are turning to a message of an evolving
Gospel. They are altering the text
of the Bible or throwing out conventional
Bible interpretation. They can not accept
the Bible as a reliable document to follow
literally. This is called "Progressive
Christianity."
Such a viewpoint is taught by highly intelligent
theologians, strong on intellect but dangerously
weak in truth. Obviously the original text
presented features that these "thinkers"
considered too restrictive or too unpopular
for the secular, instant gratification masses.
They have judged Almighty G-d not to be the
sort to have presented a Gospel that required
one door, Jesus; one mediator, Jesus; one
chance, believe or perish; one commodity that
can save from sin, the blood of Jesus the
crucified 'Lamb of G-d.' Such blind leaders
of the blind have judged themselves to be
more enlightened and qualified to explain
the nature of G-d and His Gift than those
who originally were blinded by the magnitude
of resurrected Lord's glorious presence.
If the Gospel is not taught in its fullness,
it remains hidden. Who is wise enough to receive
it?
Jesus explained it this way, " - - unless
you be converted like a small child, you can
not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. "
The qualifications are to believe as a child,
simply and unquestioning.
The Gospel, 'good
news' bring blessings not hurt; peace not
warfare; sharing not taking and hoarding;
G-dliness, not cruelty and violence toward
others. There is nothing that equates the
fundamental Islam to fundamental Christianity.
They have another Jesus, another spirit, another
'revealed' message. It should not be difficult
to see that the message of the Quoran of Islam
is not consistent with the Gospel of 'Good
News' to all humanity.
Cults and religions
disallow the free gift of G-d, which
includes peace with G-d; righteous standing
before G-d, freedom from G-d's judgment; or
the Joy of His presence. They deny the identity
of Jesus as G-d's son as the Savior who paid
the price for sin. They deny that Judgment
will fall upon those who would have it any
other way.
The Bible explains,
there is one man, one
savior, one Lord destined to
reign over the whole earth and He is the one
who was pierced for us and rose to allow us
to inheritors of the same resurrection. This
is the gospel. We are free to choose. But
to choose wrong is to choose NOT to avail
yourself the gift of eternal life.
Matthew
16:16 But
who do you say that I am?
(This question will separate true believers
from unbelievers)
Jesus asks his disciples this question;
"Who do you say that I am?" Peter, answers
and says, "You are the Messiah, (the Christ)
the son of the Living G-d." Jesus then tells
Peter, "- - - Flesh and blood have not revealed
this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. This
is an example of how we receive knowledge of hidden
things,
Hidden things of G-d:
Revealed by the Holy Spirit:
1Corinthians 2:0 - -"Eye has not seen nor
ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of
man, the things which G-d has prepared for those
that love him. 10: But G-d has revealed them
unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches
all things, yes, the deep things of G-d. 11. For
what man knows the things of a man, except by the
sprit of man which is in him? Even so the things
of G-d, know man knows, except by the Spirit of
G-d.
THE
GOSPEL IS ABOUT ONE MAN
Jesus of Nazareth, The Jesus of the Gospel
It
seems that in the course of living a "religious"
life, we can lose sight of some of the most
basic essentials of Christianity, essentials
which contain within them foundational truths
and indispensable revelation. Among these
essentials truths is the fact that the Christian
faith is built upon a man, one man who is
the only begotten son of G-d.
Who
is this man and what makes him special? Did
he come to teach about love? Did he come to
model a moral lifestyle? Did he come to found
a religion replete with ritualistic protocols?
Who do men say that I am?, Jesus asked his
disciples. If we do not get the correct answer
to that question, you can not avail yourself
of the 'gift of G-d' which he brings.
There
is a simple African hymn-tune that states:
G-d
loved the world and sent a savior, That we
might live with Him forever, If you believe,
if you receive, You can be born again.
Jesus was born a man, he was a man, but he
was more than a man.
His name in Hebrew was Yeshua, or Yeshua (Jeshua
equals Jesus meaning - JHVH (Jehovah) is salvation.)
It was only after his ministry, death and
resurrection that he became known as the Christ.
Christ was not his last name. Christ (Greek,
Kristos) is the equivalent title for
the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah), the Anointed
One, the Son of G-d. Jesus
name in Hebrew, Yeshua , means Jehovah is
Salvation. Angels were sent to announce the
miraculous birth both to Mary and to Joseph,
in the gospel accounts. The angels told them
what his name was to be, You shall call His
name Jesus (Yeshua) for he shall save his
people - -(Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31).
Prophecy
foretold the Messiah's birth in detail. Prophecy
is the testimony or witness of Jesus Christ.
(Revelation 19:10.) It began in the earliest
verses of the Book of Genesis and continues
through the books of the law, the psalms,
and the prophetic books of the first covenant,
(old testament.) There is an unbroken line
of scriptural promises and scriptural fulfillment
attesting to the birth of Jesus. In addition
Jesus Christ was portrayed metaphorically
as a spiritual type throughout all of the
Old Testament. In a sense the whole Bible
is a composite picture which, when constructed
shows the
fullness of G-d in one Man, the Son of G-d,
Jesus Christ.
Prophetic
words spoken and recorded hundred of years in advance,
describe the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ
in perfect detail. His birth was to be at a certain
place, at a certain time, under certain circumstances.
At the birth of Jesus, G-d affirmed that Word of
prophecy with precision. Precisely and in perfect
timing. Jesus' life continued on its prophetic course,
as sure as hands on fine clock, from the time of
Jesus matured and was presented to the public, to
his being received as the messiah (by some) rejected,
tried, and crucified. All of these events followed
a precise timeline corresponding to the sure words
of prophecy.
G-d's prophets were afforded no misses in their
predictions. A prophet who missed only 10% of the
time was declared a false prophet and subject to
death by stoning.
There are many interesting books and commentaries
which biblical scholars have written that
detail the scores of specific prophetic scriptures
and their fulfillment in the life of Jesus.
Though the study of prophecy per se goes beyond
the scope of this writing, it is important
to note that Messiah was clearly promised
by G-d. Jesus
and Salvation is of the Jews. (From and through
the Jews.)
The
Jews were the people that G-d chose and nurtured
in order to bring forth the Messiah. G-d chose
a man, (Abraham) made a covenant with him
with the singular purpose of having a people
for His own special treasure and pleasure.
These are they whose way was foreknown from
Moses to King David, and to the prophets,
through trials, through captivity and deliverance.
This people of G-d was to prepare for the
"seed." His man, His king, His savior.
It
was G-d's Wisdom, to construct this Way, in
such a manner as to make the working impossible
in man's eyes and in man's reasoning, so that
He could prove the excellency of His own power.
When G-d chose and man (Abraham,) he chose
one as good as dead, old in years and whose
wife (Sarah) was far past the age of childbearing
and nurturing.
When
He chose a king, He chose a shepherd boy,
(David). When He chose a woman to bear the
Messiah He chose a virgin. When Jesus Christ
chose his disciples he chose unlearned fishermen
or workmen. When He chose how to establish
a kingdom he chose a king who would forego
an earthly crown and die the death of sinful
man upon a cross.
G-d
chose the way of faith.
Faith
is essentially a way of being persuaded by believing
rather than by observation and reasoning.
G-d chose to make reason and human smartness a pitfall
to hearing and believing His word and His promises.
Jesus
the Son of G-d; The Messiah
The
Anointed One, The prophesied Son of David. This
Messiah, destined to sit upon the throne of an earthly
kingdom will yet sit
upon the throne of an earthly kingdom.
But that time is still to come. He will at the end
of this age put a total end to all opposition and
rebellion against G-d's purposes. This end time
event is described prophetically as The Day of Vengeance
(Day of Wrath) or the Day of the Lord. The Day of
the Lord is a time promised in scripture, when all
unbelief, unrighteous, and rebellion will be addressed
and overcome by G-d himself. It will not be accomplished
through negotiation or compromise; it will not be
accomplished with reasoning, negotiation, nor with
political bargaining, nor with treaty making. Rather,
G-d will exercise supernatural power, all of the
forces of heaven and earth against all the nations
and peoples who stand in rebellion against the Kingdom
of Jesus Christ.
(See Rapture ------ See
commentary on
preterist doctrine.)
In
a prophetic period which through our best
understanding of present day news and signs,
is coming in the very near future, the Messiah
of the Gospels will return in majestic glory
revealed in the skies. He will not be that
charismatic politician winning over the peoples
of the earth. He will rule with the force
and authority of the name of G-d Almighty.
And one more very important attribute, lest
you should be deceived; He is the one who
carries the imprint of the nails in His hands!
(Zechariah 13.6.)
Who
is Jesus? The Son of G-d.
Jesus
was conceived by the Spirit of G-d. This makes him
the only begotten son of G-d. He is the seed of
the woman who is mentioned in Genesis 3:15. It is
important to understand that the father's blood
line of Jesus' parental inheritance is that of G-d
himself who was and is sinless and undefiled. Yet
within the human seed is the nature of humanity,
weaknesses, want and human emotion.
The
life that Jesus lived was a life lived within the
limits of the human condition. Yet scripture states
that He knew no sin, and though he was tempted in
all areas just as we are. He remained undefiled
and separate from the sin nature which is particular
to all of the natural born human race. (Hebrews
4:15, 7:26)
He
was a man, but certainly unlike humanity in a special
way. The human race according to the bible, has
an Adamic hereditary line or genealogy, descended
from the line of Adam. Since Adam the human race
is under a curse. The fall and the curse is portrayed
in the first chapters of Genesis. At the moment,
you may not believe in Adam or in any kind of curse,
but for the time being, set that argument aside.
G-d can work that issue out with you at a later
time. It is necessary to believe that the Bible
is not a fable or fiction. To argue against the
Bible is to lose the blessing of believing in it,
both in small questions and in larger questions.
Jesus
submitted his will to G-d the Father
The
Jesus of the Gospels demonstrated meekness, submission
and servant-hood. He did not present himself as
a worldly leader, nor a member of the religious
establishment.
Jesus
did not demonstrate G-dlike powers at will from
his infancy onward, though some apocryphal tradition
states this. Scripture indicates he did no miracles
until his baptism in the Jordan river by the prophet
who announced and made the way for Jesus' ministry,
John the Baptist. After his baptism at about the
age of 30 the Spirit of G-d came upon him and filled
him with the necessary endowment of miracle-working
power. Even with supernatural spiritual endowments
there were times when Jesus himself was not able
to heal or do mighty works, this was owing to the
belief or unbelief of those he ministered to.
While
Jesus did not flaunt G-d-hood it would be
an error to say that he did not know of his
DIVINE nature or of his divine calling. He
spoke of being about his Father's business
even as a child. Jesus was filled with grace
and wisdom, both of which are spiritual enablements
given by G-d. Jesus was the Logos (the Word,
the whole counsel of G-d) made flesh.
A
movie which came out a few years ago, The
Last Temptation of Christ, portrayed Jesus
as mostly human and flawed with the worst
of human weaknesses, dark passions, indecision
and unbelief. It is a depiction of a Jesus
with no divine or supernatural inheritance,
whose only vision was of some kind of vague
personal sacrifice. Though this is interesting
fiction it does not dignify the person of
Jesus Christ as having transcendent divinity
or as having any potential for impacting humanity
with eternal consequences.
Jesus
Christ, The Word Made Flesh
The
Son of G-d, the Word was made Flesh. He was
born into human form but he also had preexistence
with G-d. This can not, however, be said of
the rest of the human race. Jesus spoke of
His own glory which he had with the Father
before the world was in his prayer recorded
in John chapter seventeen. From this it can
be stated with certainty that Jesus of Nazareth,
the Son of G-d was also G-d. This becomes
one awesome mysteries of the nature and person
of G-d. I find it beyond my ability to comprehend
but I expect that it will be revealed to my
understanding at another time.
Pre
Incarnate Jesus
The
Man Jesus Christ existed in eternity before his
manifestation as the Son. Because Christ was preexistent
some may conclude that we all preexisted. The question
is appealing in some ways, curious and interesting
at least. It is argued as a reality by those who
have received spurious, demonically inspired revelation.
But let it be said by a person who once thoroughly
believed in reincarnation, that I have set that
belief aside in favor of the Bible's teaching. It
is appointed unto man to die once, and after that
the judgment.(Hebrews 9:27).
Reincarnation
or Resurrection?
The doctrine of resurrection is affirmed in the
Bible. Resurrection excludes the possibility of
reincarnation. One life is promised, one body and
eternal judgment for that one life at some time
in eternity. The resurrection of Jesus' own physical
body from the dead, will be replicated for every
living human soul, both the good and the bad, righteous
and unrighteous. Jesus was called, the first fruits
of they that sleep (1Corinthians 15:20.)
The
doctrine of the resurrection is given so much
attention in the New Testament especially
in the epistles that I could quote texts by
the dozens, but at this reading it would be
beyond the scope of this writing. Yes, it
is unreasonable to the rational mind, to assert
that a body which is dead or has even returned
to dust can be brought forth alive out of
the dust. But that is in fact the teaching
of scripture from the prophet Daniel to Jesus,
and restated by the apostle Paul in particular.
The
returning Messiah Jesus, will be presented
as he was already presented to the disciples
in Gospel accounts, alive in the flesh, bearing
the same nail scars and the same spear wound
in the side. As he left in a physical body
ascended into glory, he will also return in
a physical body. As he departed from the Mount
of Olives he will also return in glory to
that same spot to begin his reign.
No
Resurrection, No Gospel
The doctrine of the resurrection is the proof
and the cornerstone of the Gospel. Jesus had
to rise again, having defeated death, alive
with the keys to hell and the grave. The gospel
which the apostle Paul presented stated this,
If Jesus Christ is not risen from the grave,
then all of our preaching, is for nothing
and our faith is for nothing; furthermore
our futures would hold only misery. (1 Corinthians
15:17-19 paraphrased)
We
could not have a supernatural Gospel without a supernatural
Christ. We could not derive supernatural spiritual
benefits from believing in a Gospel presented by
a mere man, even if he was a great man! If this
were the gospel we followed, the best we could do
would be to try to live an honest and moral life
with the limited powers of our own willpower, but
we could not have received total acceptance by G-d
without Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Because he was
the Lamb of G-d.
Who
is Jesus Christ? The Lamb of G-d
A sacrifice is made, The price is paid.
I
believe that certain Christian religious traditions
have shorted us on any one thing. This is
the knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ's
sacrifice as the Lamb of G-d and the legacy
of blessing that His sacrifice brings to change
the life and circumstances of every soul on
earth. This is the ante-type which is depicted
in detail by the Passover of the Israelites
from Egypt but even centuries earlier in the
story of Abraham and Isaac at Mount Moriah.
(Genesis 22)
The
sacrificial death of Jesus, G-d's only begotten,
is the principle reason that Jesus came. It
is the cornerstone of the Good News, the Gospel
of Jesus Christ. This
Gospel message of good news is not one option
among many for possible consideration.
The gospel of the Lamb is established in the
very heavens where the Book of John's revelation
depicts with great emphasis how the lamb is
the focal point of the heavenly realm. Every
person on the earth will be held to account
for it. For, the earth is the Lord and everything
that is in it. (Exodus 9:29 Psalm 24:1)
The
sacrifice of the lamb of G-d is a better sacrifice
than any of the First Covenant, in which bulls
and goats were killed and the blood of those
offerings was applied to cover (but not remove)
the sin of the nation. These offerings could
not touch the innate sin nature of the people
themselves, but were only a temporary fix,
a covering over for the sin of the people.
The Book of Hebrews goes into detail about
the new covenant and the nature of the sacrifice
which Jesus made on our behalf. If we compare
the first and second covenant and the provisions
of the new which transcend the original.
In
the Old Covenant, The lamb of G-d was prefigured
in the sacrifice which Abraham was prepared
to make of his own son, Isaac Here on Mount
Moriah, where the crucifixion was to occur
2000 years later, Abraham uttered the prophetic
words recorded in Scripture in Genesis, "G-d
Himself will prepare us a lamb."
Isaac was the son of
G-d's promise. Abraham took his only begotten,
Isaac, to the mountain and as he prepared
to put him to the knife, said to his son,
G-d himself will provide the lamb. (Genesis
22:8). ----
The
lamb of G-d was described prophetically in
the Book of Isaiah, chapters 52 and 53. He
was led as a lamb to the slaughter and as
a sheep before the shearer is silent, he did
not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:3-9).
---- The
description of the purification of the priests
who prepared to bring offerings into the Holy
of Holies is a depiction of Jesus Himself.
It was His blood that would purify and sanctify
the mercy seat It was blood that was sprinkled
seven times upon heaven's
altar.
Jesus'
Blood: Shed for all humanity
--
Was shed, when He sweat drops blood in the Garden
of Gethsemene, gripped with the terror of separation
from his Father, who turn from him, abandoning to
death; and the prospect of being made a Curse separated
from G-d by the sins of the world.
-
-Was shed, when the servant of the high priest smote
him upon the face.
- - Was shed, when the Roman soldiers ridiculed
him, mocked him, stripped him, buffeted him and
torn out His beard.
- - Was shed, When he was flogged with the Roman
flagellum, the deadly scourging with the lash, Each
of the nine strands were tipped with an object which
cut or wounded.
- - Was shed, when the crown of thorns was plaited
upon Jesus' head.
- - Was shed, when Jesus hands and feet were penetrated
by the spikes which would hold him suspended above
the earth upon a Roman cross (the curse of hanging
on a tree.)
- - Was shed, when the Roman officer pierced his
side with a spear and blood and water flowed out
upon the ground.
Blood
Purchased the Provisions of the Gospel
Discussing
the blood of the lamb may strike you as something
primitive, strange or disgusting but it is
the fact that it is the living blood which makes
a sacrifice spiritually effectual. From the writings
of Moses we learn that the Life is in the
blood. Blood is the life of the soul and holds potential
for both blessing and for defilement. Innocent blood
is said to cry out from the earth. The blood of
victims of war and of violence cry out with a certain
voice from the earth.
Jesus'
blood was blood untainted by sin or the curse or
death. It is 100 per cent imbued with the power
of life. This blood had within it perfect eternal
life; it still has, in the present, perfect eternal
life. That blood that sprinkled the earth from the
Mount of Olives, to Pilate's hall of judgment, to
the via Dolorosa, to the hill called Golgotha, is
still nurturing the whole earth. As Jesus was dying
the death of crucifixion upon a cross, he declared
the sentence which his blood would continue to enforce,
Father forgive them, they do not know what they
do. Jesus blood purchased the price for our sins,
sins past, sins present, and sins future.
"Father
forgive them- - " Among the last words spoken
by Jesus upon the cross is the legacy which any
person whose soul is in want can appropriate as
his or her own personal blessing and legacy, eternal
life.
Who is Jesus?(Aside
from being the Son of G-d)
A Really Nice Guy
It is written in the law of Moses that we should
make no graven image. Among all of the ten commandments
this one may not lend itself readily to application
although the first references seem to figure in
the question of idolatry. I think, however, it has
much more to apply to our present knowledge or lack
of knowledge about G-d. One of the characteristics
of human nature is to draw inferences and conclusions
based upon things we see with the natural eye.
Throughout
the nearly two thousand years of Christian tradition
we become the victims of iconography, Icons which
in some manner or another depict G-d or the Son
of G-d. Any of us who have ever been to a major
museum have seen depictions of Jesus Christ created
during different historical eras. The characteristics
of portrayal is to make a presumptuous statement
about the personality, the humanity or the divinity
of the subject that is being portrayed. Iconography
has colored our interpretation of who Jesus is.
Some of these images are very static with a very
narrow portrayal. A sense of Jesus Christ's humanity
was not apparent for centuries. When he was depicted
by the first Christian artists there was not a trace
of life or humanity. For the period from the 4th
century until the 14th, he was no more than an stylized
icon, lacking any features which would make him
like us. Later, after the fifteenth century, he
was portrayed as very human in works by Rembrandt,
or Caravaggio, Rubens, and others. The point that
I am making is in respect to narrowness and misunderstanding
of who Jesus was. Religious traditions sometimes
portray Jesus in such a narrow light that we can
not associate him in all of his attributes, human
and divine.
The human quality of Jesus, a perfect man living
among us, needs to be preserved. I think the phrase
"Jesus was a nice guy," may strike a negative chord
among some who are religious and formalize so much
of Christian life into liturgy. But I say it for
a reason. We need to demystify Jesus and make Jesus
accessible to people, especially in the now of the
Gospel rather than the then of religion. The Lord
is not someone who placed himself out of the reach
of humanity.
To think of Jesus as a friendly, loving and
kindly person does not interfere with his
divinity nor his sovereignty.
There
are other aspects to Jesus too, as depicted
by the the Hebrew names of Jehovah: Nissi,
Tsidkenu, Rapha, Shama, Jireh, Sabaoth, and
numerous others, as well as: the 'Righteous
Judge', the 'Captain of the Army of G-d',
or as the 'Ancient of Days', and many other
powerful and illuminating titles. One day,
we will all fall before Christ, the Righteous
Judge. But for now Jesus is still bringing
gentle compassion, forgiveness, restoration
and blessing to those of us with a need. He
is extending a hand of friendship to those
who need a friend.
Jesus'
friendly and compassionate personality is
described as a friend to sinners, one
who went out of his way to meet and have fellowship
with those that the religious community had
excluded (Matthew 9:10-13.) Jesus was known
to have been in the middle of fun and frolic
where there was feasting and drinking. He
said of himself, that he was accused of being
a glutton and a wine bibber, but in spite
of this Jesus, declared that wisdom is known
by her offspring. (Matthew 11:19 paraphrase).
Notable
Encounters That Jesus Had With Individual Men &
Women
Stories
are numerous where men or women who were considered
'the wrong sort,' received mercy from the Lord's
hand of compassion and acceptance:
Zaccheus
the publican; (described in Luke 19:2-10)
The Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar; (John
4:5-30).
The woman taken in adultery; (John 8:4-11).
Mary, a former prostitute anointed Jesus feet at
the house of Simon the leper; (Luke 7:37-47).
Jesus who came to the grave side of Lazarus and
wept; (John 11).
Jesus who consoled the man healed of blindness after
the church council expelled him; (John 9).
At a certain future day when Jesus will be the host
at a great feast and serve all of those attending.
(Luke 12:37).
The friendship factor as it pertains to the person
of Jesus is something that must not be lost. There
is a proverb that states, There is a friend that
sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24) This
is the love and friendship of Jesus Christ.
There
are so many hurting, there are man who are bruised,
and there are man needing a friend. The love and
power of the Spirit of Christ Jesus can supply this.
It is a kind of supernatural miracle that someone
who needs and asks believing can receive.
THE GOSPEL
OF THE KINGDOM ADDITIONAL
FEATURES
Jesus'
Message was the Gospel of the Kingdom
Too
often, religious tradition has taken away the spiritual
nature and power and potential of our relationship
with Jesus Christ and replaced it with human- centered
ideas and institutional church behaviors.
The foundational Gospel is the message of G-d's
plan for restoring the earth and reconciling its
people under His own rulership; to gather them unto
himself. (Exodus 19) It is a prophetic plan and
timetable for G-d's rulership. (Matthew 4:23)
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom,
and healing all manner of sickness and all manner
of disease among the people."
The Gospel addresses the restoration and redemption
of the race of mankind, delivering the people
from the control of Lucifer. It was Satan,
Lucifer, who once had the dominion of worldly rulership.
Jesus regained authority over principalities and
powers and made a triumph (a victorious parade)
before every spiritual power entity, ( angels
and demons) and displayed that He, Jesus, the son
of man had received kingship, all ruling authority,
in the World. "The Son of G-d came to destroy
the works of the Devil."(1John 3:8)
Jesus came Against
Satan's Kingdom With
Messianic Power
"And Jesus went about all
the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing
every sickness and every disease among the people."
(Matthew 9:35) "The blind receive their sight,
and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and
the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor
have the gospel preached to them. "(Mat 11:5) "But
is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior
Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath
brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel:"(2 Tim 1:10) "Remember that Jesus Christ
of the seed of David was raised from the dead according
to my gospel:" ( 2 Tim 2:8)
Destroying Bondages
and Removing the Curse
The curse of the law fell
to Adam and was/is evident in all sickness and evil
that is manifest in the world. Satan is reluctant
to surrender control and authority and must be driven
out by the conquering king. Those who have been
born of G-d are given authority in His Name.
Just how long will Satan's "lease" be allowed to
stand? There are differences of opinion on
this. The answer is hidden in the "mystery
of iniquity". Most agree that the "end times"
are here and now. The Mount of Olive discourses
that Jesus outlined the end-time events are recorded
in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13.
They describe the end of the age and the final defeat
of the Evil One in an all-out conflict in the end.
The day of the Lord is the prophetic reference to
the time of the Judgment of G-d against those who
resist his Gospel and live in rebellion to Him.
Judging
the True Gospel
The Gospel of the Kingdom
is a Gospel of power, peace and righteousness:
The Gospel I believe, has three important elements,
all of which touch or are founded upon the rulership
and authority of the King and Heir of all
things, Jesus Christ.
The King Who is this King of Glory?This
one man, Jesus of Nazareth, has been ordained
to be the Head of the Kingdom of G-d? It is He who
has been given all authority within the Kingdom.
It is He who was appointed by
G-d the Father, approved by Him in the resurrection
of His body from the dead.
Redemption, Being freed from the Consequences
of Our Old Nature. Redemption
goes much further than belief and ideology. Fallen
man had to be changed supernaturally from the inside
out. A Provision had to be made to deal with
the sinful nature residing within every person in
a fallen race. G-d's plan to is to make something
new out of that man, a new creation, recreated
by the Spirit of G-d. This new right-standing
status is not achieved by philosophy, theology or
religious ritual or belief but through the power
of a New Life.
The issue of righteousness outside of the
law hangs upon this "New Creation". He who
was without sin was made sin for us, so that
we could become the righteousness of G-d. The teaching
of the "power of the cross" and the "exchange at
the cross" are the hinge upon which the miracle
of the new birth and righteousness articulates.
The Extension of Jesus Ministry
The Hidden Gospel
The long hidden Gospel of the Kingdom has to the
do with the EXTENSION OF JESUS MINISTRY upon
the earth by Christ acting through every believer.
We become as Kings and Priests in the earth, with
Jesus in us and working through us to minister the
supernatural work G-d. Through the enablement of
the Holy Spirit who was given to each disciple for
the sole purpose of doing these works. It
is this third aspect which has been missing in the
revelation of Christianity for hundreds of years
and is only now coming to light, although there
is great resistance to the message by the spirits
of darkness. The very wonderful truth of "Christ
In Us, our hope of Glory" expresses a new life,
a new character, and new spiritual potential.
We become not church members in the manner of the
worldly tradition but partakers of Jesus character
and of his ministry (gr. diakonia).
Commissioning
Disciples The gospel of the Kingdom is
expressed in relationships more than in knowledge.
Jesus chose men and women to grow close to
and to share in the witness of His glory.
It was they who witnessed all of the miracles and
wonders of His word and deed. Yet amazingly,
it was not enough for his living disciples to witness
His words and His works for 3 years, the Gospel
required more than that. They needed a empowerment
from G-d; the same power that was in Jesus had to
re-energize each man and woman .
The
Enabling "Anointing" Spiritual
Ministry:
Healing,
Preaching and Deliverance "The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed
me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent
me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance
to the captives, and recovering of sight to the
blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"
(Luke 4:18) "Then Jesus answering said unto them,
Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen
and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk,
the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead
are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached."
(Luke 7:22) "And they departed, and went through
the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every
where." (Luke 9:6) Darkness continues to withstand
the full gospel message from being taught. The "leaven
of the Pharisees" is still an active agent of resistance
to the Gospel of the Kingdom. It is this religious
spirit that brings a believer into the bondage of
unbelief and the traditions of man. The Gospel
says that we are transformed into a new life of
provision and authority and supernatural ministry
but tradition says otherwise; The gospel says we
are as He was in this world, tradition says otherwise;
The gospel says we are Kings and Priests and the
anointing teaches all things, tradition says otherwise;
The gospel says he ascended and gave gifts to man
and that every man has received these gifts in order
to minister, tradition says otherwise; The gospel
says there is but one mediator between G-d and man
and we do not go to man to meet G-d, tradition will
direct otherwise. The gospel says not by man,
not by man's own will, or by any worldly means,
tradition says otherwise.
The
Gospel of the Kingdom is Manifested Power "For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it
is the power of G-d unto salvation to every one
that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek."(Romans 1:16) "Through
mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit
of G-d; so that from Jerusalem, and round about
unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel
of Christ." (Romans 15:19)"
Good
News: Hope and Blessing
Why
is the Gospel called the "good news"? Through
it is found liberty, peace with G-d, joy and righteousness.
"And how shall they preach, except they be sent?
as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring
glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:15)
"And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall
come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel
of Christ." (Romans 15:29) The
Message of the Gospel is Hidden to Human minds.
The natural man with all of his intellect can not
receive things which are spiritual, for it takes
faith to believe. "But if
our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:"
(2 Corinthians 4:3) "But they have not all
obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath
believed our report?" (Romans 10:16) "In whom
the G-d of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of G-d, should
shine unto them."(2 Corinthians 4:4) "For unto us
was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but
the word preached did not profit them, not being
mixed with faith in them that heard it." (Hebrews
4:2) "Now to him that is of power to
establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching
of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of
the mystery, which was kept secret since the world
began," (Romans 16:25) "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." (1 Corinthians
1:17)
False
Gospels,
There
are many cultic or non Christian "gospels" being
taught. Every cult and sect has any of three things
which are wrong with it:
The wrong Jesus, the wrong
Gospel, the wrong spirit.
"For if he that cometh preaches
another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if
ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received,
or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye
might well bear with him."
(2 Corinthians 11:4)
"I marvel that ye are so soon
removed from him that called you into the grace
of Christ unto another gospel:" "Which is
not another; but there be some that trouble you,
and would pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians
1:6,7)
"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
cursed." "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." (Galatians
1:8,9)
Fellowship with
the Holy Spirit "Instructs
us in the Gospel"
The
Gospel of the Kingdom was communicated directly
to the Apostle Paul by revelation of the Spirit
of G-d, and face to face with Jesus Christ (revealed
"to one out of due time " a time after the forty
days when Jesus made in the flesh visitation with
his disciples before ascending into heaven.) Paul
was visited personally by Jesus. The epistles
indicate a time of extraordinary revelation of His
Gospel.
Now for any who will
seek it, there is the same Spirit of revelation,
"the Spirit of Wisdom and Truth". The Holy Spirit
will communicate all the things which are of Christ
and show them to us in prayer, reading of the word
and in meditation.
"But I certify you, brethren,
that the gospel which was preached of me is not
after man."
(Galatians 1:11) "And I went
up by revelation, and communicated unto them that
gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately
to them which were of reputation, lest by any means
I should run, or had run, in vain." (Galatians 2:2)
The Gospel is the Good News of Salvation
Salvation
is not limited strictly to promised heavenly rewards,
having been made free of the fierce judgment of
G-d's wrath upon sinners. Salvation encompasses
total restoration, (salvation, healing and deliverance.)
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in
whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed
with that holy Spirit of promise," (Ephesians
1:13) A Prayer
of Faith,The
Prayer Which Brings Salvation
If
any person believes the Gospel in their heart and
declare this aloud to witnesses, that person shall
be saved; changed and made alive in Christ! The
testimony of the believer which brings salvation
is a prayer of Faith, which is a spoken proclamation
declaring a promise from the Word of G-d. It should
include some of the following understandings. "Who
is Jesus? What did he do for ME? What will He do
in ME because I believe?" These are elements of
the Gospel you should know after reading these chapters.Grafted
into the Vine of G-d's Elect
The
gospel of Jesus Christ extends G-d's grace and provision
outside of circle of the people of G-d's original
covenant. Beyond the fellowship of the Elect of
Israel -- outside of the boundary of the Abrahamic
line.
"That the Gentiles should
be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers
of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" (Ephesians
3:6) "For the hope which is laid up
for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the
word of the truth of the gospel;" (Colossians 1:5)
When
the Gospel is Preached in its Fullness
Through mighty signs and wonders
by the Spirit of G-d, from Jerusalem and round about,
I have preached fully (the gospel in its full measure)
the Gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19)When
Fully Preached there are Signs Attesting its Truth.
Yes,
G-d can and will manifest His power to bless in
order to demonstrate His power! "For our gospel
came not unto you in word only, but also in power,
and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as
ye know what manner of men we were among you for
your sake." (1 Thessalonians 1:5)The
Gospel Age is the Season of the Lord's Favor
The
church age has been called the age of Grace, the
year of the Lord's favor, or the acceptable year
of the Lord. (Read Isaiah Chapter 61, the portions
the Jesus quoted in
Luke Chapter 4.)
In a future time, which may
be nearly upon us, the night will come when no man
can work. The time will come for judgment and purifying
the earth. This promised, prophetic time will see
"the thorough purging of the threshing floor with
fire. (a figurative picture of Jesus spoken by John
the Baptist, (Matthew chapter 3:12 and Luke Chapter
3:17.)
The day of the free access
to Christ's forgiveness of sins is a window
of opportunity which will not be extended indefinitely
and in terms of us as individuals we do not know
what tomorrow will bring. We may have no tomorrow,
as the evangelist Billy Graham has expressed so
strongly in all of his appeals.
It
is a certainty that there is coming a time of
wrath and judgment upon those who have not believed
or received the word of Gospel. "In flaming
fire taking vengeance on them that know not G-d,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:"
(2 Thessalonians 1:8) "Unto whom it
was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto
us they did minister the things, which are now reported
unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto
you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which
things the angels desire to look into." (1 Peter
1:12)The
Gospel Begins in Simplicity
The
Gospel begins simply in its scope as a simple seed
of promise, but deepens and grows as the mustard
seed of the parable into a great size; into
greater and greater revelation and spiritual wisdom
of Christ.
"But the word of the Lord
endureth for ever.
And this is the word which
by the gospel is preached unto you." (1 Pet 1:25)
"Now to him that is of power to establish you according
to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ
-" (Romans 16:25)
As long as any disciple
lives and grows in the knowledge of Christ he or
she will never exhaust the fullness of its splendor,
or the greatness of its wisdom. We are as the apostle
says, looking in a foggy or cloudy mirror. But some
day that mirror will be clear.
The
Message of Jesus' teaching and preaching was:
The "Gospel of the Kingdom"
Too
often, it is religious tradition that takes away
the spiritual nature, the power and the potential
that lies in our life in Jesus Christ. Religion
replaces Spiritual life with human-centered
ideas and institutionalized church behaviors.
The
foundational Gospel is the message of G-d's plan
for restoring the earth and reconciling its people
under his own rulership; to gather them unto himself.
(Exodus 19) It is both a prophetic plan and timetable
for G-d's rulership.
"And
Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom,
and healing all manner of sickness and all manner
of disease among the people." (Matthew 4:23)
The Gospel addresses the restoration and redemption
of the human race, delivering its people from the
control of the Devil. It was Satan (Lucifer) who
once held the reigns of dominion in terms of worldly
rulership. Jesus regained spiritual authority over
all principalities and powers and made a triumph
(a victorious parade in which the vanquished king
and all of his princes are paraded in chains) before
all hierarchies of spiritual power including angels
and demons. In this spiritual display it was made
known that He, Jesus, the son of man, had received
kingship and all ruling authority. "The Son of G-d
came to destroy the works of the Devil." (1John
3:8)
Jesus
came Against Satan's Kingdom
With Messianic Power
"And
Jesus went about all the cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching
the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
sickness and every disease among the people."
(Matthew 9:35) "The blind receive their sight,
and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed,
and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up,
and the poor have the Gospel preached to them."
(Matthew 11:5) "But is now made manifest by
the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ,
who hath abolished death, and hath brought
life and immortality to light through the
Gospel:"(2 Timothy 1:10) "Remember that Jesus
Christ of the seed of David was raised from
the dead according to my Gospel:" ( 2 Timothy
2:8)
Destroying
Bondages -
Removing the Curse
The
curse of the law and the curse of Adam was/is
evident in all of the sickness and the evil
that is manifest in the world. Satan is reluctant
to surrender control and authority and must
be driven out in the name of the Victorious
King. Those who have been born of G-d are
given authority in His Name. In
the present situation, Satan knows that he
no longer has the authority to rule in this
world, but he, being a cheat and a liar, will
not tell us that he is disqualified.
Therefore
until we are informed about his unlawful trespasses
and violations and begin to exercise the authority
that G-d has given us over him, he will continue
to rule by deception and fraud. G-d wants
us to read him his rights. The fact is he
no longer has any rights and he must remove
himself from G-d's property.
Just
how long will Satan's fraudulent "lease" be allowed
to stand? There are differences of opinion on this.
The answer is hidden in the "mystery of iniquity".
I believe this mystery of iniquity is part of the
agreement that G-d has made with Satan to allow
him an opportunity to test, sift, and to attempt
to deceive the saints. At the culmination of this
time of the mystery of iniquity, Satan will even
be allowed to set up a bogus kingdom with a false
messiah. At the end of this age, Satan will present
the world with false messiah. Those in the world
who are not redeemed will accept him and worship
as G-d. Most agree that the 'end-times' are very
near to the present time.
In
the Mount of Olive discourses, Jesus outlined
end-time events. These prophetic revelations
are recorded in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark
13. This series of revelations answer particular
questions relavent to the end of the age and
the final defeat of the Evil One in an all-out
conflict in the end.
The
day of the Lord is the prophetic reference
to the time of the Judgment of G-d against
those who resist his Gospel and live in rebellion
to Him.
Judging
the True Gospel
The Gospel of the Kingdom is a Gospel of righteousness,
power, peace and finally judgment: The Gospel
I believe, has three important elements, all
of the central elements touch and are founded
upon the rulership and authority of the King
and Heir of all things, Jesus Christ.
The
King: Who is this King of Glory? This
one man, Jesus of Nazareth, is ordained to
be the "king" of the Kingdom of G-d? It is
He who has been given all authority within
the Kingdom. G-d the Father appointed him
heir of all things and approved by Him in
the resurrection of his body from the dead.
Redemption:
Freed from the Consequences
of Our Old Nature
Redemption
goes much further than belief and ideology.
Fallen man had to be changed supernaturally
from the inside out. A provision had to be
made to deal with the sinful nature residing
within every person in a fallen race. G-d's
plan to is to make something new out of that
man, a new creation, recreated by the Spirit
of G-d. This new right-standing status is
not achieved by philosophy, theology or religious
ritual or belief but through the power of
a new life.
The
issue of righteousness outside of the
law hangs upon this "New Creation".
He who was without sin was made sin
for us, so that we could become the
righteousness of G-d. The teaching of
the "power of the cross" and the "exchange
at the cross" is the hinge upon which
the miracle of the new birth and righteousness
articulates.
The
Hidden Gospel:
Not Redemption
Only, but the Extension of Jesus
Ministry
A
long hidden feature of the Gospel of the Kingdom
has to the do with the "extension of Jesus Christ's
ministry" upon the earth. In this provision of the
Gospel, Christ becomes an active power within each
believer and is enabled to act through every believer.
We become as Kings and Priests in the earth. Jesus
becomes resident in us in order to work through
us to minister the supernatural work G-d. Through
the enablement of the Holy Spirit who was given
to each disciple for the sole purpose of doing these
works.
It
is this revelation of the Christian Gospel
which has been missing for hundreds of years
but is now slowly coming to light. There is
great resistance to the message which activates
G-d's children to their full potential, G-dly
calling, and maturity. The enemy of our souls
desperately works to keep G-d's children in
darkness. Many church "pillars" set forth
arguments sighting ample Scriptural documentation
which has the net effect of resisting the
liberty of the Spirit. These arguments when
spoken or preached, work a spiritual uneasiness
inside of the servant of G-d who seeks to
follow the right pathway. A nagging sense
of condemnation is experienced by those seeking
wholeness and liberty. Men and women who bring
this message find themselves as targets of
criticism or ostracism, they are viewed as
agents of evil or as purveyors of radical,
unbiblical doctrine.
Nevertheless,
the wonderful, wonderful truth of "Christ
In Us, our hope of Glory" expresses a new
life, a new character, and new spiritual potential.
We become so much more than mere church members
in the manner of the religious tradition but
partakers of Jesus character and of his ministry
(Gr. diakonia).
Commissioning
Disciples The
Gospel of the Kingdom is expressed in relationships
more than in an informational components, or knowledge.
Jesus chose men and women to grow close to and to
share or "bear witness" to his glory. It was they
who witnessed all of the miracles and wonders in
his words and deeds. Yet amazingly, it was not enough
for his living disciples to witness his words and
his works for 3 years, the Gospel required more
than that. They needed an empowerment from G-d;
the same power that was in Jesus had to re-energize
each man and woman. The
Enabling "Anointing" Spiritual
Ministry: Healing, Preaching
and Deliverance "The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed
me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent
me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance
to the captives, and recovering of sight to the
blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"
(Luke 4:18)
"Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your
way, and tell John what things ye have seen
and heard; how that the blind see, the lame
walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,
the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel
is preached." (Luke 7:22) "And they departed,
and went through the towns, preaching the
Gospel, and healing every where." (Luke 9:6)
The
anointing to minister came upon Jesus
(called The Son of Man in the Gospel
writings) The day that John the Baptist
baptized Jesus, the Holy Spirit descended
bodily in the form of a dove and alighted
upon him. He (the Holy Spirit) has a
divine function, that is to identify
and to initiate the purposes of G-d
toward people in all kinds of circumstances
with all kinds of needs.
However, the circumstances and needs
themselves did not move Jesus to minister
to one person or another. It was the
inner voice of the Spirit who directed
which of the sick folks in the five
porches was to receive the special healing.
Those
who become his disciples today, which
is to say all of those who are reborn
of the Spirit, are eventually deigned
to minister "Christ."
We
believers must have the same "Holy Spirit
power" to equip this ministry. We must
become familiar with the voice of G-d
through the Holy Spirit within us, who
will direct us into the purposes of
G-d. To minister "in Jesus name" is
a feature of this anointing.
As believers we know that we have "Christ
is in us". We are qualified to
say "in the name of Jesus," we are authorized
to lay hands on the sick that they may
recover. Is not Jesus present with us
to work on our behalf?
Darkness
continues to withstand the full Gospel
message from being taught. The "leaven
of the Pharisees" is still an active
agent of resistance to the Gospel of
the Kingdom. It is this antichrist religious
spirit that brings a believer into the
bondage of unbelief and the traditions
of man.
The
full Gospel message says that we are
transformed into a new life. Through
Him the Body is given needed provision
and authority for supernatural ministry
but tradition says otherwise; the full
Gospel message says we are as he is
in this world, tradition says otherwise;
the full Gospel message says we are
kings and priests and the anointing
teaches all things, tradition says otherwise;
the full Gospel message says he ascended
and gave gifts to man and that every
man has received these gifts in order
to minister, tradition says otherwise;
the Gospel says there is but one mediator
between G-d and man and we do not go
to a man in order to meet G-d, tradition
may direct otherwise. The Gospel says
not by man, not by man's own will, or
by any worldly means, tradition says
otherwise.
The
Gospel of the Kingdom is expressed with manifested
power
"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for
it is the power of G-d unto salvation to every one
that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek."(Romans 1:16)
"Through
mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit
of G-d; so that from Jerusalem, and round about
unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel
of Christ." (Romans 15:19)" Paul said in essence
that he preached the Gospel in full measure, or
the "full Gospel message."
Good
News: Hope and Blessing
Why
is the Gospel called the "good news"? Through it
is found liberty, peace with G-d, joy and righteousness.
"And how shall they preach, except they be sent?
as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring
glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:15)" (Romans
15:29)
The
Message of the Gospel is Hidden to Human Minds
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