The Dilemma?

 "How can one who pursues the corruptible things of the world and thinks that from these things he can comprehend the truth of divine nature not become a fool as he makes use of the artifices of sophistry?" Six Days of Creation 1.3.9. - Ambrose

They ·traded [exchanged] the truth of God for ·a lie and worshiped and served ·the creation [or the creature; or created things] instead of the Creator, who ·should be praised [or is blessed] forever. Amen.  . - Rom. 1:25

I'll begin this blog with a dilemma that John, a professor of theology and culture I'm acquainted with shared yesterday. He helps to train ministers and prepare them for ministry; not in the USA alone, but especially in Europe and Africa.

His story of the dilemma facing believers in Rwanda should help open your eyes on the deceit and dangers of the state and going to them for their nonprofit tax exemptions and privileges which include licensing, as I've been warning the past couple of blog posts as well as over the years.

Last week I mentioned how a 501c3 nonprofit tax exempt corporation is by law an artificial, fictitious person, a legal entity. Also that a 501c3 derives it's existence and all of it's powers, and privileges from it's sovereign, the state, who grants it's existence upon compliance with specified conditions. 

We know that man was created in the image of God and was granted certain "unalienable rights" that are protected by the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. Our Founding Fathers totally understood that the "Church" is under the sovereign and sole jurisdiction of the Lord Jesus Christ and that civil authorities should not dare attempt to encroach upon that authority. It was so important to clarify and authenticate their respect for the "Church," the very first sentence of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution reads:

"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

"...or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black stated, "The establishment clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither the State nor the Federal Government can set up a church." - Emerson vs. Board of Education, 1947. (Church In Chains, pgs 35-36).

Remember that the "church" of the Lord Jesus Christ is tax immune. Why would anyone of a sound mind choose to go to the government and submit to them and their policies and regulations to form a tax exempted corporation? Where do we see Paul using this approach in the book of Acts? 

It's also good that I remind you what an "accredited" minister is. In order to be an "accredited" or "licensed" minister, one obviously needs to attend an "accredited" religious institution of instruction. Accreditation provides further assurance that certain programs adequately prepare students for "licensure" requirements. Such an institution has the government's stamp of approval. "Accredited" or "licensed" ministers are responsible for conducting the worship ceremonies in Christian congregations. Such individuals are typically recognized by the state as being qualified to carry out marriages, baptisms, funerals, and other rituals that may have legal implications as well as religious significance. I'm sure you've heard ministers say at a wedding, "by the power granted to me by God and the state of..." Without such state licensing a minister has no authority to grant a marriage union that the state will accept. Therefore a "licensed" minister is a state emissary. Little wonder many ministers today are covid vaccine emissaries spouting the state's "politically correct" mantra. Remember, you can't serve two masters (Mt. 6:24) Jesus said, "If you are not with Me you are against Me." (Mt. 12:30) Who are you serving? Christ or the state? You cannot serve both! (Dt. 11:16) 

With this backdrop, it should help you with the current dilemma in Rwanda. [NOTE, in the following all italicized comments in the brackets are mine.]

This is just unbearable.

Many of you know, I started a school in Rwanda which, due to government mandates on churches and theological schools, was forced to close. To even petition the government to open legally, a school must have large amounts of land, a full raft of Ph.Ds., complete buildings, all staff, computer rooms, library, and more. Obviously, the government knows this is nearly impossible, which makes this an empty gesture.

For pastors, they must have “accredited” BA degrees. If they do not, they must leave the pastorate. But most can’t afford such education.

When we tried to negotiate with the government to be an extension school, we were told the only way our degrees could be recognized was that we had to build or buy a campus in Rwanda, align all teaching with government curriculum, in essence, have everything an actual school would have, then I must return to America, students must gather at the campus, and I must teach the classes we already taught for 4 years at the new campus, via distance learning. Does no one in Rwanda understand that the purpose of online education is to avoid a campus?

Now that the 4-year “grace period” for pastors to get an accredited degree is closing, the government has stepped in, removed about 3000 pastors and replaced them with school teachers, etc., with no theological training at all. What improvement is that? And it only goes to show the real motive. [Ah! What could the god of this world, Satan's, motives be? He is a liar and a deceiver. (Jn. 8:44; Rev. 12:9) A master of division and chaos. (Jam. 3:14-15;) A kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation (Mt. 12:25)].

Here’s the note I received from one former student, and I have verified this.

“The problem is that, Rwanda Government Board in charge of religions has suspended all the pastors in our Church (more than 3000 pastors) and has hired others who have never done theology except for a secular diploma, thus the Executive Committee, the Board of directors, [Do these sound biblical or worldly to you? Hmm] the provincial pastors, the parishioners are in the street today, those who are 60 are retired [Where does "retiring from the ministry" come from? The Bible or the world? Certainly not the Bible!], the others are volunteer pastors in the churches. This is how the signs of Jesus' return are visible.”

Few are more aware of the abuses happening in third world churches than this writer. However, what governments like this fail to see is that the Body of Christ is not under the jurisdictional authority of the state. [No. What the Body of Christ fails to see is that it is not to submit itself to the state's jurisdictional authority by seeking to be under the state's jurisdictional authority through a section 501c3 tax exempt status and all the privileges granted to them for doing so. If the Body of Christ doesn't seek the state's privileges, then the state would have no authority over them.]

Church buildings, etc., must follow building codes, etc. and the state has an obvious role there. But to dictate church governance, training, to decide what is a “cult,” is out of line.

NT writers faced the same, exact, and I mean exact, problems. But they didn’t ask Caesar to step in. [Exactly! They didn't go to Caesar to be their sovereign. They knew that Jesus, our Sovereign's kingdom is not of this world with it's methods, practices and contracts] They wrote better theology, trained men properly (without government accreditation!), [Bingo! Yet, today in the USA, every minister is "accredited" to be an agent of the state, through an "accredited" nonprofit religious institution that was granted it's existence by it's sovereign, the state] warned people of wolves out for money, and more. Everything was handled according to the authority Christ established in His churches.

The church of Rwanda is now under the control of a sovereign state [So are most in the USA, because they, in their ignorance, have submitted the affairs of Christ to another head or sovereign by becoming a 501c3 nonprofit corporation]. So, the government will be the watchdog for corruption in the churches? Who is watching the watchdog? [Exactly! Why did you reject Christ as your Sovereign and Chief Shepard for a worldly government ruled by worldly methods as your sovereign and watchdog?]  No, we have never heard of corruption in African governments, have we?

Pardon the long diatribe. I can write a lot more.

Be blessed.

Oh the heartache when one puts themselves under the jurisdictional authority of the state, especially when they weren't under it to begin with, but sought them out to receive their privileges to make money! 

In comparison, in China, there are five government-sanctioned [approved, registered] religions – Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism – and a government-affiliated association monitors and supervises the activities of each of these faiths. Only state-sanctioned [approved, registered] churches in China are allowed to distribute Bibles.

Protestant churches are required to register and operate under the government's China Christian Council (CCC), the umbrella organization that monitors Protestant churches in China together with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement.

Many Protestant Christians [the underground "church", which ironically the state-sanctioned "churches" in the USA pray for and give money to], however, refuse to work with the CCC/TSPM, arguing that God is the head of the church and not the government. Surely the state-sanctioned, approved, nonprofit "churches" need to heed Paul's words: "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Eph. 5:14-17) https://www.christianpost.com/news/china-s-gov-t-approved-church-reaches-out-to-house-churches.html

Looking back to the 16th and 17th century in England we see the battle between the Protestants and Puratins verses the Church of England, a.k.a, the Anglican Communnion or Church. Of the Church of England it was noted that it "has none of the marks of a true church" and that "it was a state church from that beginning." (Baptist Succession, p. 364) Also, that "the Church of England, indeed, is manifestly a secular kingdom. For it is established by human laws, and acknowledges a political head." (Defense of the Baptists, p. 174) It is this very state church and it's political head that brought the Pilgrims to Plynoth Rock to escape the bondage of that worldly system to worship God in spirit and in truth. 

Any intimate association with people of the world will eventually destroy the separateness and holiness of God's people. Notice again what it means to be state approved - "to register and operate under the government". Yes, that is what it means to be a nonprofit organization. The state owns you, not Christ! You are in bondage and servitude to the worldly state instead of Jesus Christ. Let that sink in for a moment. 

I'm sure you are familiar with Jacob and Esau. In Genesis 25 verses 29 and following is the story of Esau despising his birthright for temporary benefit. In similar fashion, those who have succumbed to the government for the tax exempt benefits are no different than Esau. They have given up their eternal inheritance for temporary benefits. What did God say of Esau? That He hated him (Rom. 9:13). Hebrews 12:15-17 gives more details on Esau's condition. Calls him a fornicator, which often in Scripture refers to spiritual fornication against God. It also calls Esau a profane person. In other words, unhallowed, or ungodly. Not hard to see how "Christians" who have prostituted themselves to the government for temporary earthly gains, can be likened unto Esau. As Peter said, they are blind, being short-sighted (2 P. 1:9). Again in Hebrews 12 they were told to be diligent that they would not fail to receive God's grace like Esau did. If you have rejected your eternal birthright in Christ for the covering of the government to receive temporary earthly privileges, do you honestly think God loves you when He hated Esau who despised his birthright, whom Scripture calls a spiritual fornicator and ungodly person? Are you likewise short-sighted like others who have given themselves over to the state for nonprofit corporation privileges and benefits? As the Lord sent out His messengers to warn His people who had gone astray to repent and return to Him (2 Chr. 36:15-16), Even so He chastises you and calls you to repentance because He loves you (Heb. 12:6; Rev. 3:19). Yet if you refuse. He will vomit you out of His mouth! (Rev. 3:16)

With all these things in mind let's turn to Scripture to learn from it's examples. (1 Cor. 10:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

In Ezra 4:1-6, the enemies of Judah claimed to worship and sacrifice to the Lord as they did. However they retained their own gods as well and did not accept the written Word of God as the fundamental authority for His people. This is syncretism - a union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in politics or religion. A congregation that goes to a state sovereign to grant them a right to exist, they hand over their identity in Christ, their Creator, to identify with their new creator and sovereign, the state. 

Scripture warns that Satan will seek to distort God's message and bring spiritual ruin to God's holy people through offers of cooperation from false believers who are not loyal to God's revealed Word.

In 2 Kings chapter 17 The Israelites served the gods of other societies around them, thinking that they would provide a better life, such as greater prosperity, fertility, health, pleasure, well-being, contentment, and security. Therefore they adopted the customs and lifestyles of the world. 

For this reason Paul calls greed idolatry (Col. 3:5). Jesus Himself states that the pursuit of prosperity and wealth as a major goal in life is incompatible with serving Him. (Mt. 6:24; Eph. 5:5)

Israel too eagerly accepted the lifestyles and standards of those who were not God's people. Although separation from the nations was one of God's fundamental requirements, they adopted worldly customs from the surrounding nations. Conforming to the world's way of living and doing business is one of the greatest dangers that God's people always face. 

In Luke 16:1-15, the point of Jesus' illustration is that the worldly are earthly-minded enough to promote their own interest and welfare. Note that all the characters in this parable are unjust, unscrupulous, and corrupt.

As the Pharisees in their self-righteousness, regarded riches as a blessing from God for their faithful observance of the law, so do those of Caesar's nonprofit "churches" view their prosperity, their buildings, programs, multitudes, etc as a blessing from God for their faithfulness to Him, ignorantly forgetting the god of this world, whom they serve, has provided this worldly prosperity and security for them. (Lk. 4:5-8) 

 5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Are you only serving God, or your sovereign state? By whose authority are you governed? You can only serve one as Joshua charged the Israelites before his death:

 14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. - Jos. 24:14-15

Remember, you cannot serve God and mammon. (Mt. 6:24)  Are you like the toes in Nebuchadnezzar's dream that  were "iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay?" (Dan. 2:43) That image alone should help you see the futility of being mixed, or mingled with the world.

 

Amos 3:3 enlightens us that two cannot walk together except they are in agreement. In other words, two cannot have continual union, communion, fellowship, or partnership unless they are in agreement. Thus, the agreement with Caesar, the government, through their nonprofit tax exempt status. Also remember that God's assembly is already tax immune. There's no reason to submit to the state except that it be for worldly gains!

Jesus rejected this temptation because He knew His kingdom is not of this world (Jn. 18:36-37). He refused to seek a kingdom for Himself by the worldly methods of compromise with the world and it's earthly power and prestige, or pandering according to it's political maneuvering, designs, methods or blueprints, and worldly popularity, honor and glory. We are not to be ignorant of the devil's schemes. (2 Cor. 2:11)

Speaking of ignorance, doesn't your "church" give you paperwork at the beginning of the year for tax purposes to show your sovereign, the state, how faithful you were in paying taxes to a local state entity ("church")? Whatever happened to, "But when thou doest alms (charity), let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms (charity) may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly." (Mt. 6:3-4) Your "extra" on your tax return for charitable deeds from your sovereign, the state, will be your only reward (Mt. 6:1-2)

I also like what former IRS commissioner Roscoe Edgar said:

"The IRS for many years has had the right to examine church records, because churches have been collecting taxes for many years for the government; the churches therefore hold in trust that which belongs to the government. We have a right to examine church records to see if the churches are handling funds properly."

Well, how about that! I am quite sure the former commissioner knows what he's talking about. So, if your sovereign is the state, what Roscoe Edgar said makes perfect sense. You are no longer governed by Christ as Head, but rather by the state as your head. The Rwanda dilemma should be making more sense by now. That also reminds me of something else. Why is it that so many "church" buildings are used for government elections? Could it be that they have a license from the government to conduct business? Hmm.

Either Christ is covering you as your Head, or the state is. Again, the Body of Christ doesn't have two heads! Yet alas, if you sought out the state to grant you existence in compliance with specified conditions according to the section 501c3 tax codes to obtain it's privileges, then you have set up another sovereign over you than Christ. Don't be deceived! It's not God's will. You have rebelled against Him! "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly..." (Ps. 1:1)

1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

 2 That walk to go down into Egypt [a type of the world], and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! - Is. 30:1-2

 4 They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off. - Hos. 8:4

Idolatry may seem like a sin that modern people need not worry about. But idolatry means more than bowing down to idols; it is trusting and relying on anything other than God. It is counting on your own power or someone else's to make your way. You are not depending on your Creator God but rather on something that was created, temporal and changeable. If we say we worship and serve God but put our trust in bank accounts, political leaders, the state, homes, businesses, or organizations, then we serve idols. Do you trust God more than you trust what human hands have made? (LASB)

Last week we saw that friendship, or partnership with the world is hostility towards God (Jam. 4:4). Carnal thoughts and purposes lead to death. Why? Because it is hostile towards God. In fact, such a one can not please God. Whereas spiritual thoughts and purposes lead to life and peace. (Rom. 8:5-8) Enoch walked with God (Gen. 5:24) and had a testimony that he pleased God (Heb, 11:5). Can two walk together except they be agreed? Who are you walking with? Either you wholly follow God (Jos. 14:8, 9, 14) or you don't. You can only serve one!

Have you built your foundation on the apostles and prophets or on the methods, and precepts of man? Or have you mixed them together as a 501c3? Are you like the Israelites who had entered into a close relationship with unbelievers, adopting many of their ways; and as a result they became as worthless as a half-baked bread? (Hos. 7:8) We must not enter into a partnership with the world, for we will adopt their ways and attitudes and identity, thereby turning to sin and away from God. 

Peter (in 2 P. 2:1-3) told us to beware of false teachers who would craftily smuggle among them eternally destructive (vs. 1-3; 3:7, 16) teachings that deviate from the truth of God's Word, causing the renouncing and rejecting of their Sovereign Lord (their Head) Who bought them with His own blood (Ac. 20:28), bringing upon themselves swift judgment and unfortunately many would follow after their destructive ways. Therefore the world mocks and scoffs Christ because of these Christians who do not follow the Sovereign Lord they claim.

In essence, these people will profess to be Christians but deny Christ’s Sovereignty and Lordship over their lives, refusing to live as obedient servants to Christ and His Word, choosing rather to follow the lusts of the world and it's god, the devil, by joining and selling themselves to another sovereign head, the state, for financial gain in the form of a nonprofit corporation. Don't be fooled. Denying the Sovereignty and Lordship of Christ while claiming to be His "church", doesn't make it true. Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. (Jn. 14:6) If you have denied Him as Head, you have also denied the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.

Peter said that it is by means of covetousness (which is idolatry -Col. 3:5) that they will make gain of you. Seeking out worldly benefits and privileges through the state's tax exempt status and conforming itself according to it's worldly organization and functions would be considered covetousness. 

Just because something is popular or commonly promoted and accepted in the Christian arena doesn't mean that it's according to truth as revealed in God's Word.

Before you drop another penny into the "offering plate", evaluate it carefully. As shown earlier, you are only giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar - taxes. Where do you see this nonprofit tax exempt corporation practiced or even hinted at in the Scriptures? Remember, God never changes! (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8; Jam. 1:17) If it's not in the Bible, it's not of God, but rather a creation of man! Be a noble Berean (Ac. 17:11). Search the Scriptures diligently that you may show yourself worthy of God, correctly and accurately allocating and apportioning and dividing the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15), and see if you can find anything about His congregation functioning as a tax exempt corporation. You need to be honest with yourself before God, as you lone will have to answer to Him. Where is the Scriptural backing behind your serving a sovereign state head for earthly benefits and privileges? The apostles didn't do this to promote the gospel? Therefore how can you be abiding in the apostle's teachings if you have rejected them to practice the world's ways of doing business?  While you're searching the Scriptures on this, it wouldn't hurt to search giving as taught and practiced by the apostles in the NT. More than likely you have been deceived by your teachers who are making gain of you. Also the tithe was given to support the Levitical priesthood (Num. 18:21, etc). None of the tithe went to build or maintain the tabernacle or temple. Free will giving did this (Ex. 36:1-6; 2 Chr. 24:1-11, etc). Therefore, if your congregation practices tithing and it's goes to anyone or anything (like paying property bills, property upkeep, etc), other than those in the Lord's service, it is unscriptural; a corrupt teaching of man and not in obedience to the Word of God! Be diligent and search the Scriptures! Come out of the pseudo-Christian system! I should probably write some blogs on this soon.

I've tried to reveal in a different light how a congregation's partnership with the state through a tax exempt nonprofit is like iron mixed with clay; like oil and water; like light and darkness; like righteousness with unrighteousness; like bitter and sweet; or like good and evil. God's kingdom and Satan's kingdom do not mix. Either you are in one or the other. Either Jesus is your Sovereign, or Satan, the god of this world is your sovereign. You can not have more than one head as Alan Smith's piece below shows.

On a hotel-provided shower cap in a box: “Fits one head.”

Some of those warning labels conjure up some humorous images. Like the last one -- can you imagine trying to fit a shower cap onto two heads at once? Ridiculous, huh?

Almost as ridiculous as taking the body of Christ and suggesting it has more than one head. There is one body (Eph. 4:4), and it has only one head. Fortunately, that head is no earthly person or group of people. It is none other than the Son of God himself.

Talk about hitting the nail on the head! Either your Head is Christ, or you've rejected Him and played the harlot, and have made a person, or group of people, the state, your head. Remember Rwanda? Sound like you? If so, what are you going to do? Think Rwanda couldn't happen here? Think again! Babylon in the OT didn't see their destruction (Dan. 5), neither will the Great Whore, Mystery Babylon (Rev. 17 & 18) see theirs.

Do you consider it a lite thing to make an alliance with the state to receive their nonprofit privileges? The same state that does wickedly in the shedding of innocent blood through abortion. The same state that does wickedly in condoning and promoting and approving same sex marriages and furthering the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. John the Baptist reproved king Herod for his incest and was put in prison. (Mt. 14) John exposed sin in the government like we are supposed to do (Eph. 5:11). John didn't hop in bed with Herod through some wicked alliance, but continued to separate himself unto God and remain pure. 

God through His prophet Jehu castigated Jehoshaphat because of his imprudent and incongruous league with wicked Israel and their king Ahab as an unholy alliance that would be conducive neither to the honor and comfort of his house nor to the best interests of his kingdom. Therefore God's wrath was upon him. (2 Chr. 19-20) God does not change (Mal. 3:6; Jam. 1:17). Do you honestly think that the Lord is pleased with your unholy alliance with the wicked state for financial privileges? What do you think nonprofit tax exemption benefits are about?

Remember, God is putting you to the test to see whether you love Him with all of your heart, or whether you be reprobate (Dt. 13; Jer. 6:30; Rom. 1:28; 2 Tim. 3:8; Tit. 1:16). Have you left your first love, though you remain zealous for truth? If so, repent, and do the first works; or else He will come quickly, and will extinguish your light. (Rev. 2:1-7)

As the saying goes: "Most people don't really want the truth. They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is truth." It is high time to come out so that you do not partake of the wrath of God that is to come because of their sins! (Gen. 19:12-17; Num. 16:26-27; 2 Chr. 19:2; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Rev. 18:4-5)

Are You Living In Whoredom?

 Before reading today's blog, be sure to read my post from last week. It will help you to better understand this one. It may also benefit you to read the following blog post as well.

https://fulekifiles.blogspot.com/2021/01/is-your-church-of-god-or-man.html

I'm sure you have read of Balaam, the son of Beor whom the Moabite king Balak summoned to curse the children of Israel. In the NT we also learn about the way, and error, and doctrine of Balaam (2 Pet. 2:15; Jude 1:11; Rev. 2:14), and how he counseled Balak to invite the children of Israel to join with them and to intermarry with their women after God's refusal to Balaam to curse them.

This led to Israel's corruption as the holy children of God with idolatry, including participating in pagan rituals for Baal (such as eating idol’s sacrifices).

Because God forbade Israel from marrying pagan women, idolatry was often spoken of metaphorically as “fornication” and “adultery” in the Scriptures. 

Therefore, by doing so it violated their set apart nature as God's holy children. It was a syncretizing of the other nations with God's chosen, set apart children. 

We still see this syncretism (a union, blending, alliance, partnership, mingling of the world with God's holy children) today in what many call the "church". 

In 2 Corinthians 11, verses 2-4, Paul tells the Corinthians that he has with a godly jealousy because he has betrothed them to their Husband, Jesus as a pure virgin bride. Yet, Paul is struck with amazement that the serpent, the god of this world, would lead them away from the state of knowledge and holiness in which it should abide in Christ as their Head. Paul warns them not to lose their focus and singleness of mind (simplicity), by being led away, whoring after another Jesus (or savior, sovereign or head), or spirit, or gospel.

Paul also told the Corinthians in chapter 5 and verse 15, that we shouldn't live for ourselves any longer, but for Him who died for us and rose again. He also reminded them that they were individually the temple of God which He bought through His death to glory Him (1 Cor. 6:18-20). That collectively, as the temple of God, if any man should lead away the congregation from the state of knowledge and holiness in which it ought to abide in Christ, as their Chief Cornerstone, Husband and Head, that He would destroy them! Those are strong words that should be taken to heart!

Also in Romans 6:5 Paul tells us that "if" we have been baptized into Christ, we have been united or joined together with Him. Seeing we have been united with Christ in baptism and thus joining His body where He resides as it's Head. How can an assembly of believers later decide to be joined and united to another head of a completely different origin like the children of Israel did with the Moabites?

Sadly, as we have seen, it can happen. The saddest part yet, is that as I type, it is rampant throughout this nation with local assemblies choosing the treasures and pleasures of this temporal world system as a greater reward instead of the spiritual, eternal riches they have in Christ. (Heb. 11:24-27)

How has this happened? One way is by seeking out another foreign, worldly head or sovereign to serve in the form of a tax exempt nonprofit corporation, such as a 501(c)3. Thus they have sought alliance with another master to serve and be in bondage to (Rom. 8:16; Mt. 6:24). 

James warned his readers not to prostitute themselves, or have "friendship" with the world in chapter 4 and verse 4:

Phillips: You are like unfaithful wives, flirting with the glamour of this world, and never realising that to be the world's lover means becoming the enemy of God! Anyone who deliberately chooses to love the world is thereby making himself God's enemy.

TLB: You are like an unfaithful wife who loves her husband’s enemies. Don’t you realize that making friends with God’s enemies—the evil pleasures of this world—makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy the evil pleasure of the unsaved world, you cannot also be a friend of God.

Theological Dictionary of the New Testament writes the following about "friendship" - philia, S# 7353 in common Greek use...

The stem phil- is of uncertain etymology but carries the sense of “related.” Hence phileo means “to treat somebody as one of one’s own people.” It is used for the love of spouses, of parents and children, of employers and servants, of friends, and of gods and those favored by them. With reference to gods and friends it often has the concrete sense “to help,” “to care for,” “to entertain.”

Philia means “love” or “friendship”...The strongest ties of philia are love of parents, brothers and sisters, or spouse. The term also denotes erotic love, both heterosexual and homosexual. Friendship is commonly the sense, with such nuances as a “pleasant relationship” and “hospitality.” In politics the word means “alliance.” In a transferred sense it means “harmony” as a principle of unity. Philía becomes a proper name, e.g., for Isis.

The meaning of [world, S#2889] kosmos includes the aggregate of things earthly -- earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which, although empty and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ - Trench

As R H Mounce penned:

"...kosmos often has a negative connotation. This world is equated with this passing, evil age, which is opposed to God (1Co 3:18 KJV, 19; Eph 2:2; Ro 12:2). A fundamental part of Christ's work on the cross was defeating the elements of this world (Col 2:8-20)...The kosmos resists the very God who created it and his Son (Jn. 1:9, 10, 11; 7:7); consequently, this world is ruled by the evil one (Jn 12:31; 16:11). Therefore, while Christians continue to live in this kosmos, they must maintain purity and refrain from being caught up in this world's systems (Jn 17:15, 16, 17; 1Jn 2:15; Php 2:15; Jas 1:27; Jas 4:4).

The Germans have a word for kosmos (world of men who are living alienated and apart from God) the zeitgeist or spirit of the age. This masquerade costume which saints sometimes put on, hides the Lord Jesus living in the heart of the Christian, and is an opaque covering through which the Holy Spirit cannot radiate the beauty of the Lord Jesus. The world says to that kind of a saint, “The modernism of your appearance nullifies the fundamentalism of your doctrine.” - Wuest

The world (kosmos in Jas 4:4) does not mean the planet on which we live, or the world of nature about us. It is the system which man has built up for himself in an effort to satisfy the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. In this system there is no room for God or His Son. It may be the world of art, culture, education, science, or even religion. But it is a sphere in which the name of Christ is unwelcome or even forbidden, except, of course, as an empty formality. It is, in short, the world of mankind outside the sphere of the true church. To be a friend of this system is to be an enemy of God. It was this world that crucified the Lord of life and glory. In fact, it was the religious world that played the key role in putting Him to death. How unthinkable it is that believers should ever want to walk arm-in-arm with the world that murdered their Savior! (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)

One of the earliest examples we see of this worldly system is in Genesis chapter 11 where the people of the earth joined together to create a structure to reach into the heavens (possibly as a safe haven from another flood?). As David Guzik observed of this event, "The whole story of the tower of Babel shows us another fundamental fact about the world system. The world’s progress, technology, government, and organization can make man better off, but not better. Because we like being better off, it is easy to fall in love with the world. Finally, the story of the tower of Babel shows us that the world system - as impressive and winning as it appears to be - will never win out over God."

In comparison the Lord is our refuge (Ps. 9:9; 14:6; 46:1; Prov. 14:26, etc.) and fortress and high tower (2 Sa. 22:3; Ps. 18:2; 144:2; Prov. 18:10).

This "friendship" with the world is like being a double-minded, or double-hearted person that James had spoken of earlier (1:8). Jesus Himself said, "He who is not with Me, is against Me." (Mt. 12:30) Therefore if you have gone whoring after another lover like Judah and Israel of old, as seen in Ezekiel chapter 23, where they went whoring after other nations seeking alliances, partnerships, fellowship, or friendship with them for some type of worldly gain, not much different than a nonprofit corporation (501(c)3) with today's ministries and "churches" which have sought other lovers and made an alliance with them for worldly gain, then you have become as the whore of Babylon (confusion) in Revelation committing fornication with the rulers of the land. You have become as worthless as half-baked bread (Hos. 7:8). Your whoredom is leavening the entire lump! Such glorying and boasting of your whoredom is not good! (1 Cor. 5:1-6; Gal. 5:9) 

Worldliness in Christians is spiritual adultery. Are you married to God or to the world? Imagine a couple that gets married, and a month later the wife tells her husband, “I’m going out tonight with another man”? “I love you, but I am attracted to what he has to offer me too!” 

In a message (Pathology Of A Religious Hypocrite) John MacArthur said:

"The initial mark of religious hypocrites. They make awkward alliances against the truth...The Pharisees were the most religious, the Herodians the least religious. The Pharisees were most concerned with the Law of God. The Herodians were most concerned with the Law of Rome. The Pharisees were most devoted to Israel. The Herodians were most devoted to Caesar. The Pharisees were intensely religious. The Herodians were intensely political."

One should be able to see the relation when comparing a Christian to the government, or the "church" to a governmental nonprofit corporation. He continued, "So the first thing you see about hypocrites is that they make awkward alliances against the truth because they’re really all a part of one domain...the domain of darkness."

Ephesians 5:3-16 tells us that we are no longer to have participation with the ungodly practices of the world, Satan's domain. Those that do are children of disobedience and will have no part in God's kingdom. Paul tells the Ephesians not to be deceived or fooled, but to be wise understanding what the will of the Lord is. John also warned about following worldliness instead of God's will (1 Jn. 2:15-17). Jesus Himself said that only those who do the will of God will enter His kingdom; warning not to be fooled by thinking that external religious practices will get you in (Mt. 7:21-23) Paul exhorted the Ephesians to have nothing to do with Satan's domain and all its trappings, but rather shame the person convicted bringing it to light, to expose; to find fault with, to correct; to reprehend severely; to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation of any who follow worldly schemes. 

Later in Revelation chapter 2 we see that Jesus commended the Ephesians for the good they were doing, yet He also had a sharp rebuke, that they had left Him, their first love (v. 4), possibly like those Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:21-23 and Luke 13:25-27. As Paul had reminded them that of their espousal with Christ as their Head (5:23-32), yet like the religious leaders that appeared clean on the outside (Mt. 23:25-26) their hearts were far removed from Him (Mt. 15:8-9).

It is reminiscent of Judah where God reminded them of their espousal with Him in love and holiness, then asked them, "What have I done that you have left Me for worthless things?" (Jer. 2:2-5) Have you left Christ, your Husband for another lover? Have you gone into bondage to the principles of a 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit corporation, according to the regulations of man (Rom. 6:16; Gal. 4:3, 9; Col. 2:8), and not according to the apostle's doctrine? (Jn. 8:31-32; Ac. 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Th. 2:15) 

Where do you see Jesus or the apostles teaching in every city to go to Caesar to create an artificial, fictitious person, a legal entity, that derives its existence and all of its powers from the State and therefore, has only such powers as the State has conferred upon it. Whose existence is a privilege granted by Caesar, it's sovereign upon compliance with specified conditions? You don't! (Titus 1:5) Rather, when the Pharisees tried to ensnare Jesus concerning taxes to Caesar He asked to see a coin and enquired whose likeness and name or title is on it? Caesar's they said. Jesus replied to give to Caesar the things that belong to him and give to God the things that belong to Him. (Mt. 22:15-21) This question may sound absurd, but is the "church" Caesar's or God's? Well, God's of course! So why have you given what belongs to God to Caesar by going to your government to grant your existence? You have a contractual agreement with Uncle Sam that bears his likeness, name and title, and grants you his privileges and benefits, rather than God's. If you are a 501(c)3 you do not belong to God! You have sold yourself to another master. (Gen. 25:29-34; Neh. 5:7, 8; 1 K. 21:20-21; 2 K. 17:17) You, who are betrothed to Christ, have allowed yourself to be attracted to another lover.

It is said that the outward, visible condition of a nation is a reflection of it's spiritual condition. If the divorce rate is high among professing Christians divorcing at a similar rate as unbelievers. How high is the spiritual divorce rate between God and those that have going whoring after another lover? If we look at the outward sign of those giving their alliance to Uncle Sam's 501(c)3 programs, the spiritual divorce rate must be high!

How can we have friendship or alliance or partnership with the world when we have been called out of it? (Jn. 15:18-19) We are crucified to the world and the world to us! (Gal. 6:14) How then have you been deceived by such whoredom? By our preachers and leaders that comfort us with lies and peace (Is. 30:9-10; Jer. 14:14; 23:17-18; 27:14-15; Ez. 13:10-15), telling you that truly God is among you and that no bad thing will result (Jer. 6:13-15; 8:11-13; Mic. 3:5-12), even as the false priests, prophets and leaders in the OT deceived them.

God forewarned His children that such leaders would rise in the assembly deceiving and seducing them to go whoring away from Him, enticing and luring them to befriend and make alliances with others. (Ac. 20:29-31; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:1-13; 4:2-4; 2 Pet. 2:1-3) He said that He would allow this. Why? To know whether you love Him with all of your heart and soul! (Dt. 13) Are you being faithful to your Husband, or have you unwittingly gone whoring after other lovers? Pure and undefiled religion before God is to keep yourself unspotted from the world. (Jam. 1:27) We are not to mimic, much less desire the world and it's systems, earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which, although empty and frail and fleeting, stir desire, and seduce us from God. Though seeking to make an alliance with the government on their terms, according to their tax exempt status, just as anyone else can, has not left His bride unspotted from the world.

Remember Paul's exhortation to the Corinthians:

 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with [become partners with] unbelievers: for what fellowship [partnership] hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion [partnership/fellowship] hath light with darkness?

 15 And what concord [harmony] hath Christ with Belial? or what part [share in common] hath he that believeth with an infidel?

 16 And what agreement [union] hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. -  2 Cor. 6:14-7:1

What agreement? What harmony? What union? What fellowship? What partnership? What association are we to have with those things that are of this world system's commercial, scientific, religious, culture, entertainment, and ambitions? Nothing! God has called us out of the world (Jn. 15:19; Rev. 18:4) and to be separate, to set ourselves apart, to be holy (vs. 17-7:1). We are called to obedience to Christ that He would separate us from profane and polluted things to be wholly dedicated to Him, without spot, or wrinkle, or blemish, or any such thing that we may be holy unto Him (Eph. 5:24-27; 1 Tim. 6:14; Tit. 2:11-14; 2 Pet. 3:14)

Yet, the professing believers in Christ have exchanged the truth for a lie, worshiping and serving a created thing instead of their Creator (Rom. 1:25). A tax exempt nonprofit corporation is considered an artificial, fictitious person, a legal entity. It derives its existence and all of its powers from the State and therefore, has only such powers as the State has conferred upon it. It's existence is a privilege granted by the sovereign upon compliance with specified conditions. 

A sovereign is a supreme ruler. Therefore, if a group of believers in Christ go to another sovereign or supreme ruler other than Christ, Who alone is the Head or Sovereign over His body, seeking this other sovereign to grant them the privilege to exist, they have rejected Christ as their Sovereign completely. A kingdom or house divided against itself can not stand (Mk. 3:24-25). Jesus also said, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (Mt. 12:30) As R Kent Hughes said, "It must be said that those who persist in living as friends of the world are very likely without grace, not Christians, despite their claims to faith. Paul says of such, “For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things” (Php. 3:18-19). They are friends of the world!"

They have been deceived by the god of this world! Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world (Jn. 18:36-37). Therefore by submitting themselves to another sovereign to grant them the privilege to exist in the world and according to its ways, they have sought out worldly methods of compromise, earthly power, political maneuvering, temporal benefits, worldly ambition and riches; falling into the snare of the devil. Therefore they have sown wickedness and shall harvest unrighteousness; because they have fed on the fruit of lies and deception, and feeling confident and safe in their new relationship because of the multitude doing it (Hos. 10:13)

As the body of Christ we are to grow up in Him, our Head, in ALL THINGS! No longer being tossed around like a tumbleweed to every teaching and precept by the deception of men being cheated like the rolling of dice with their craftiness, and trickery, being deceived (Eph. 4:14-15). We are complete in Him, our Head (Col. 2:10). Yet, many have been defrauded of their prize of victory in Christ, their Head, by giving in to human logic and knowledge, which is not according to God's thoughts or ways which is truth, therefore no longer possessing, or obtaining, or being connected to their Head that nourishes them (Col. 2:8; 18-19). Remember Jesus said, that "the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide, continually remains, in the vine; no more can you, except you abide, continually remain in Me." (Jn. 15:4) If you have voluntarily submitted yourself to another head other than Christ, you will bear its fruits and not Christ's. 

Many, Jesus said, would strive to be with Him, yet in reality and a few will. Many will say, open the door to us Lord. Yet He will say to them, I have never been acquainted with you and will not let them in. Then will they begin to reason with Him saying, "We have eaten and drunk with you, and have been taught by you. We even prophesied in Your name, and cast out devils in Your name, and did many wonderful works (I'm sure including financial giving) in Your name." Yet Jesus will say to them, "Depart, go away from Me, you workers, laborers and hirelings of unrighteousness of heart."(Mt. 7:21-23; Lk. 13:23-29)

According to a study by Cultural Research Center in March of 2020, only 6% of professing Christians in this nation are likely to live Biblical (have a Biblical worldview). Is it any wonder that the "churches" are in such a sad state? Jesus said that few would enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 7:14; 20:16; 22:14), yet if you ask most people, they believe the opposite!

**Here is that study** https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CRC_AWVI2020_Report.pdf 

Again, if we have removed ourselves from the Vine, our Head and have chosen to be grafted into another vine, or head, or Jesus, we will bear the fruit of the sovereign we are connected with. No one can submit and obey two different masters. They will either detest the one and be fond of the other. Or they will hold firmly to the one and think little of the other (Lk. 16:13). 

The focus of those who have given themselves over to a nonprofit corporation have indicated that it's been set on things of the earth and not heavenly things (Col. 3:1; Mt. 6:19-21). Their goals have shifted from centering on God to centering on earthly things. 

What we now observe is the world's "religious system" of nonprofits. People do not understand what Jesus' ekklesia is. Everyone talks about going to "church" what "church" do you go to, not referring to the Body of Christ, but rather to the "Christian" marketplaces of the world's religious system. Also, the marketplace is big into naming itself to set it's business apart from others, though in Scripture we do not find the naming of individual congregations as is custom among the world's religious system's nonprofit corporations. Such naming is man's invention. The naming of the corporation is finalized by it's ownership in it's agreement with Uncle Sam. Does the newly formed "church" corporation belong to Jesus? No! It belongs to men! Look over that agreement again!

How do you like their business signs or marques, or billboard advertisements in front of their businesses peddling their wares? They have become a marketplace. It has become a means for social advancement, monetary gain, entertainment, showmanship, or other worldly means and methods to satisfy their carnal nature. They often market various programs and methods to compete with the world forgetting that we are not to be like the world. Yet, just like when they were before they came to the knowledge of Christ, making use of every opportunity the world had to offer them according to the privileges allowed by their former sovereign, Satan, the ruler of the earth, whose privileges operate in opposition to God's divine will (Eph. 2:2), they continue according to the pattern of the world and it's sovereign. In their "marketplaces" of Christ, especially the "megachurches" and the "megachurch wannabes," many sell overpriced goods to their customers making merchandise of them as they did in Jesus' day when He called it a den of thieves (Mk. 11:17). They don't worship Him in spirit and truth, but rather according to their own imaginations and ideas (Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Dt. 29:19; Prov. 14:12; 16:25; Mk. 7:21-23; Eph. 2:1-3) that often syncretize, or mingle the world with His Word, polluting His holy name, forgetting they've been called to be conformed into His likeness instead (Rom. 1:23-25; 8:29; 12:1-2; 2 Pet. 1:4 2:20)

Why do they not heed God's Word? He tells us not to love, or entertain, or be fond of any harmonious arrangement with the world and that if we do it validates that our love and affection of our heavenly Father does not abide in us! (1 Jn 2:15) Jesus said, "He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." (Jn. 8:47; 1 Jn. 4:6) Though He also said that hearing His Word is not enough - "Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." (Lk. 11:28; 7:24-27; 13:19-23) Whose word are you listening to? God's or man's? Whose word are you faithfully doing, that is if you are honestly doing much of anything?

It should be easy to see how we have run the course of Balaam who sold his services to a worldly king for worldly gain and have attached ourselves to an antichrist, worldly system. By becoming a nonprofit corporation many have ignorantly given themselves over to another Jesus, or sovereign to be their head (2 Cor. 11:4) according to worldly and false ideologies of men, all for the sake of selfish ambition or monetary gain. Remember how Judas Iscariot was one of the 12 who shared the gospel of the kingdom, did miracles, and by our estimation, would be considered as saved. Yet, he sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver which represented more than 100 days of wages. Have you betrayed your Husband Jesus too? Have you sold Him out for some worldly, temporary gain?

The thought of there being so-called "ministries" for "church growth" is a clear indication of the worldly marketing strategies among  "churchianity." Look at how "churchianity" promotes new books by popular authors, or even Bibles where some have the audacity to sign their own names to! Then there is the "churchianity" music industry. Not to mention the "churchianity" apparel industry and "churchianity" "con"-ferences, etc. Compare all of these with the marketing strategies of the world and you'll see mirror images! These popular, television, radio and book publishing ministers, promote each other's work, even if they believe they teach error. These popular preachers have their own "good ol' boy's club" like politicians, journalists, entertainers, etc. So, how then are we set apart from the world? What are their motives? How are they the light of the world? (Mt. 5:14) Have they and even yourself become salt that is good for nothing? (Mt. 5:13) These practices are of the likeness of the god of this world.

Do you think Jesus is pleased with it?" Is this what He had in mind to die for? Have not those called by His name committed whoredom with the world (Jdg. 2:17; Ps. 106:39; Hos. 4:12; 5:4)? Blaspheming His holy name (Ps. 74:10, 18; Is. 52:5; 65:7; Ez. 20:27-44)? They look more like the great whore of Babylon (confusion) than Christ's holy, set apart from the world, children. 

Look at the popular preachers today who have gone to bed with politicians, entertainers, false religions and their leaders, etc. Look at the immoral scandals that keep getting exposed and coming to light (Eph. 5:11-12). 

"Churchianity" is an abode of devils, having been misled into the error of corporation according to the instruction of the messengers and ministers of Satan, even as Balaam (Jer. 5:26-31; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 17:1-2; 18:2-3) to their destruction (Jos. 13:22). God will not be mocked! What you sow, you shall reap! (Gal. 6:7-8)

What God said to His people through Hosea (2:1-8) can easily be spoken of the 501(c)3 "church" today. God said that He is not their Husband and they are not His wife! That they need to repeat of their whoredom and return to Him. That they have shamefully played the harlot with other lovers that supply and provide for them all of their temporal and worldly privileges and benefits. Forgetting that it is God Who supplies all their need (Php. 4:19), and has "given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 P. 1:3-4)

God is faithful and loves His people (Jer. 31:3; Lam. 3:21-23). He has sent His messengers to call His children back to Him (2 Chr. 24:20; 36:15-16; Jer. 6:16-17; 7:25-26; Mt. 23:34). Though just like His faithful messengers of old that sent His message of healing (Prov. 13:17), and repentance they have rejected and despised, choosing rather to continue in the futility of the wicked imaginations of their mind, formed and fashioned in accordance to their worldly masters. (Neh. 9:26; 2 Chr. 24:20; 36:15-16; Jer. 7:25-26) 

Solomon warned his son of the danger of a strange or foreign woman, and cautioned him not to be seduced by her. These same warnings also reveal the dangers of spiritual whoredoms. Observe the parallels of being seduced by a foreign lover, the government, to reside under its umbrella of privileges and benefits:

 1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:

 2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
 3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
 4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
 6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
 7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
 8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
 9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
 10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
 11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
 12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
 13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
 14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. 

 20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? - Prov. 5:1-14, 20

 21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
 24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
 25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
 26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
 27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. - Prov. 7:21-27

Whose house are you abiding in? Jesus your Husband's, or of the household of Caesar?

Therefore, today is your day to hear His warning trumpet to come out of your adulterous relationship with the world so that you will not partake of it's sins (Rev. 18:4-5). Do not deceive yourself any longer in serving and worshiping the god of this world through the nonprofit 501(c)3 corporations (Dt. 11:16). Don't kid yourself, you cannot be a partaker of the Lord's table and the table of devils. Doing so provokes God to jealousy, and that does not end well (1 Cor. 10:18-22; Ex. 20:4-6; 34:14; Dt. 4:24; 6:15; 32:16, 21; Ps. 78:58). 

Like the charge Joshua gave the children of Israel near the end of his days, so do I likewise charge you: who will you serve? God or Caesar? Jesus or Uncle Sam? The assembly as taught by the apostles, or the 501(c)3 nonprofit "church" corporation of man?

 14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
 16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;
 17 For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:
 18 And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.
 19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
 20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
 21 And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.
 22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.
 23 Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.
 24 And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. - Jos. 24:14-24

His Established Kingdom?

Today I'll go over a topic that relates to the series I've been sharing. To fully comprehend what I'm about to share with you, it is vital to read my last 3 brief blog entries pertaining to Christ, the Anointed One, our King, and His kingdom as they are all related. What I'm sharing today is brief as well, yet should help your understanding and studies.

A 501c3 is a corporation. A corporation is considered an artificial, fictitious person, a legal entity that exists on paper as an individual being. They can enjoy many of the same rights as real persons, like buy and sell property; the right to enter into contracts, and the right to take some one to court.

One might say that the main incentive for the "institutionalized church" to form one is to provide for its members limited liability, which means the fictitious person may be held responsible while it's members are not liable. Yet, is limited liability for God's assembled people Scriptural? How does this legal concept compare to examples like Mt. 5:39-40; Lk. 9:51-56; Rom. 12:17; Col. 3:12-13; 1 Th. 5:15; etc?

"A corporation derives its existence and all of its powers from the State and therefore, has only such powers as the State has conferred upon it. Power is used here to mean the legal capacity to execute and fulfill the objects and purposes for which the corporation was created, and the source of this power is the charter and the statute under which the corporation was organized." - Len Young Smith and G. Gale Roberson, Smith and Roberson's Business Law. West Publishing Company, 1966.

"Corporate existence is a privilege granted by the sovereign upon compliance with specified conditions." - Len Young Smith and G. Gale Roberson, Smith and Roberson's Business Law. West Publishing Company, 1966.

Just to clarify a point here concerning the word sovereign, according to Dictionary.com:

sovereign noun 

1) a monarch; a king, queen, or other supreme ruler.

2) a person who has supreme power or authority.

adjective

3) belonging to or characteristic of a sovereign or sovereign authority; royal.4) having supreme rank, power, or authority.5) supreme; preeminent; indisputable:a sovereign right.6) greatest in degree; utmost or extreme.

Now compare it with Strong's definition of "head:"

2776 kefalh, kephale {kef-al-ay'} 

Meaning: 1) the head, both of men and often of animals. Since the loss of the head destroys life, this word is used in the phrases relating to capital and extreme punishment. 2) metaph. anything supreme, chief, prominent 2a) of persons, master lord: of a husband in relation to his wife 2b) of Christ: the Lord of the husband and of the Church 2c) of things: the corner stone Jesus is the head [king, chief, supreme, sovereign] of the ekklaysia (Acts 4:11; Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Col. 1:18; 2:19; 1 P. 2:7), [an assembly of citizens summoned, Php 3:20 - the commonwealth of citizens - S# 4175].

4175 poli,teuma politeuma {pol-it'-yoo-mah} 

Meaning: 1) the administration of civil affairs or of a commonwealth 2) the constitution of a commonwealth, form of government and the laws by which it is administered 3) a state, commonwealth 3a) the commonwealth of citizens.

Interesting how Paul used this Greek word to define the ekklesia's citizenship. Is the non-profit corporation "church's" citizenship of man or God? Like the tribute money in Mt. 22:17-22, where Jesus replied, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Or like the time in Mt. 21:23-27 when the Pharisees questioned Jesus about where He received His authority to administer, He replied, "The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?" So by what authority has the 501c3 non-profit corporation, a.k.a., the "church" received it's existence? From heaven, or of men?

I'm sure you can see parallels between Jesus and His ekklesia with the government and their non-profit corporations. Therefore, when an assembly of believers decides to go to another sovereign in hope that that sovereign will grant to them the right to exist and have it's powers conferred to them, taking it's nature and characteristics, it has decapitated itself from Christ and has attached itself to another head. 

It is as if we would take a He-Man doll and remove it's head from the body and replace it with a Strawberry Shortcake doll's head. It's absurd! They are foreign to each other. They have taken on different characteristics! The He-Man doll now looks hilarious! He no longer "has the power!" Yet, if you give it time, it will grow on you and seem natural. Such is the state of what we have grown to understand of the so-called "church" today. When an assembly of believers choose to go to the State desiring it to grant them their right to exsist - in essence, they hand over their identity in Christ to assume an entirely different one and in time, it no longer seems odd or foreign, but rather, right and normal. Like Samson, not realizing that the Spirit of God left him (Jdg 16:20), so those that incorporate don't realize they have removed their rightful Head from them for an inferior head.

God surely wouldn't allow His body to be corrupted like this, right? Think again! The Scriptures give plenty of examples of this very thing! He even admonishes us not to do such a thing! (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1) The OT is filled with them. One example is found in 1 Sam. 8 where the children of Israel rejected God as their Sovereign and wanted a different sovereign like the other nations. Why did God permit this and why does He still permit it today? Romans 1:17+ gives a good answer. 

 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. - Rom. 1:21-25

What may also be interesting to you is that the Latin term "persona ficta" which means an artificial or fictitious person, originated in the 13th century by none other than Pope Innocent IV. Let that sink in! I can hear you now - WOW!

When it comes to the word ekklesia it is important to grasp that it is from two Greek words: ek: out from among + kaleo: to call or summon assembly. The Greek word ekklesia dates back to around 400 BC by the Greeks, of course. It meant "an assembly of citizens summoned by the cries, the legislative assembly."

Later when the Roman Empire came to power they adopted the ekklesia. It became a means for them to infuse culture and customs into new territories they conquered. 

There is an example of this in Acts chapter 19. It  would be good for you to read and study it to get familiar with Roman ekklesia. The word ekklesia appears in this chapter in verses 32, 39, and 41.

Therefore, why would Jesus use this Greek word saying, "I will build, [establish, promote growth in Christian wisdom, and piety - S#3618] my ekklesia [an assembly of citizens summoned]?"

I'm trying to help you relearn your understanding on what ekklesia actually means. I don't know if you have a Septuagint (LLX) available but let me show you a number of OT passages that ekklesia was used in to help you better understand how the 1st century believers understood ekklesia. Remember that the Septuagint was used by the Jews when Jesus was on the earth.

Before I share some of those verses it is important for you to understand that ekklesia refers to an EVENT and PEOPLE gathered, not to a place of gathering.

1) Event: Dt. 9:10, Acts 19:29-32, 41

2) People: Jdg. 20:2, Acts 14:27

3) Required physical presence within the assembled group, not merely a 'membership' or 'association.'

It is important to note that only when believers are gathered together are they an ekklesia. Once the gathering has concluded, it has stopped being an ekklesia. 

It is also impotarnt to note the difference between an EVENT and PEOPLE. If ekklesia speaks of an EVENT it is an ABSTRACT term. If it speaks of PEOPLE it is a CONCRETE term. I'll reiterate this to bring further clarity to your understanding.

A CONCRETE word is a noun denoting something material. By contrast, an ABSTRACT word is a noun denoting something immaterial.

One way to understand CONCRETE words is that they refer to any person, place, or thing that you can experience with your five senses.

ABSTRACT words are intangible things that exist as ideas or concepts.

Some examples of CONCRETE words are man, woman, John, Jane, city, Tampa, state, Indiana, book, and Bible.

Some examples of ABSTRACT words are religion, government, time, bias, love, hate, fear, joy, Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.

I hope these examples will aid you as you study ekklesia throughout the Scriptures.

Continuing on with point #3 above, we'll look at the ensuing distinctions.

Membership vs. discipleship:

1) Membership is transactional;

2) Discipleship is relational.

"Members" of a "Clique of Christ" may mistake themselves as genuine disciples belonging to Christ's ekklesia because they follow the duties prescribed to them according to the by-laws of the corporation their membership belongs to.

Alright, now for some of those OT verses I mentioned:

Dt. 23:2, 3; Jdg 21:5, 8; 1 Sam. 17:47; 1 K. 8:14, 55, 65; 1 Chr. 13:2, 4; 29:1, 20; 2 Chr. 1:3, 5; 7:8; 20:5, 14; 29:28, 31, 32; 30:2, 13, 23, 24, 25; Ezra 2:64; Neh. 7:66; 13:1.

When looking into the NT it is important to see the only two places it is used in the Gospels. Even more important in understanding ekklesia, the context of those places are important. Therefore I will include them here. Also, I'll highlight portions of the texts to emphasize what I'm attempting to expound to you on the ekklesia with more clarity.

 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build [establish; promote growth in Christian wisdom and piety S#3618] my church [an assembly of citizens summoned]; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. - Mt. 16:15-20

Notice the next instance when ekklesia is used in reference to how administer judgment among their assembly.

 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church [an assembly of citizens summoned]: but if he neglect to hear the church [an assembly of citizens summoned], let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. - Mt. 18:15-20

Of note, be sure to learn what "keys" are pertaining to. Start with Scriptures such as Is. 9:6-7; 22:22; Mt. 23:13; Rev. 3:7, etc. In short, they represent authority granted to them by their sovereign.

Now see the function or role of the ekklesia played out among the Corinthian brethren.

 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. - 1 Cor. 5:4-5

 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. - 1 Cor. 5:12-13

 1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church [an assembly of citizens summoned]. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? [Again I ask, doesn't this go against limited liability?] why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? [Again I ask, doesn't this go against limited liability?]

 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. - 1 Cor. 6:1-8

A pattern of the ekklesia in action, even as the following passages reveal to us how an ekklesia is to administer according to the authority given to it by it's Head, Jesus Christ.

 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. - Eph. 4:11-16

 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

 28 And God hath set some in the church [an assembly of citizens summoned], first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. - 1 Cor. 12:27-31

 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church [an assembly of citizens summoned]; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches [an assembly of citizens summoned] of the saints. - 1 Cor. 14:26-33

These concepts may seem foreign, yet as I disclosed earlier, the way we were programmed to believe the so-called "church" to be, is not according to the truth as exhibited in the Scriptures.

For further study on the function and role of Christ's ekklesia, look at the 7 ekklesia's in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. You will see the same principles above in them as well.

With that I'll close, since I've given you plenty to chew on and try to digest. Next time I will continue along the same course.

Grace and peace,

Joe

A Peek At Christ's Kingdom

 Last week we looked at the word "Christ" and at Jesus being King and having a kingdom.

Today we'll look into His kingdom a little further.

The promotion of His kingdom was central to the ministry He conducted on the earth. At the onset of His ministry in Mt. 4:23 we read that "Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom..." Also in Lk. 8:33 we read that Jesus "went about through the cities and villages, preaching and bringing good tidings of the kingdom of God..." A little later He sent His disciples out "to preach the kingdom of God..." (Lk. 9:2)  One cannot forget in Mt. 13 His parables on the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" when He often made the statement, "the kingdom of heaven is like..." Jesus even taught His disciples to pray, "Thy kingdom come..."

At this point you may already be asking what is the difference between the "kingdom of God," and the "kingdom of heaven," which is a good question. Both phrases are actually used interchangeably for the same thing. The "kingdom of heaven," being exclusively used in the book of Matthew only. 

Before Jesus began teaching the kingdom, John the Baptist was already on the scene preaching, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt. 4:16) Yet, the phrase is far older than even John.

If we turn to the OT, we come at once, to a passage in Daniel where God revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar the kingdoms that would come on the earth, and the one kingdom that the God of heaven would set up that would never be destroyed, that would last forever. (2:44) Then in Daniel 7:13-14 again we see reference to the kingdom, an everlasting dominion, that shall never be destroyed, ruled by the "Son of man." 

I'm sure that you are familiar with the phrase "Son of man" that Jesus often used to refer to Himself as. The Jews in His day recognized it as a title for the Messiah, the King that is to come and established this everlasting kingdom spoken of Daniel. 

It helps to bring clarity to the following passages:

 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man (the King) hath power on earth to forgive sins, - Mt. 9:6

 8 For the Son of man (the King) is Lord even of the sabbath day. - Mt. 12:8

 41 The Son of man (the King) shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; - Mt. 13:41

 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man (the King) am? - Mt. 16:13

 27 For the Son of man (the King) shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man (the King) coming in his kingdom. - Mt. 16:27-28

 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man (the King) be. - Mt 24:27

 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man (the King) in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man (the King) coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. - Mt. 24:30

 31 When the Son of man (the King) shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: - Mt. 25:31-34

 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man (the King). - Jn.5:26-27

There are many other passages on the "Son of man" that I encourage you to study further on your own. Of note, the title "Son of God," is synonymous or equivalent in meaning with "Son of man." (Mt. 4:3, 6; 8:29; 14:33; 27:54; Jn. 1:49; 3:18; 5:25; etc.)

As shown earlier, John the Baptist, Jesus and His disciples preached the good news of the kingdom of God. Yet, what exactly is the kingdom of God?

A familiar passage states that we must "first seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness..." (Mt. 6:33). Jesus declared unto Pilate that His "kingdom is not of this world." (Jn. 18:36) In His response, Jesus was declaring that His kingdom has two parts, much like His prophesied coming has two parts that we commonly refer to as His first and second advent. The first advent when He came to deliver us spiritually from our sins and transfer us into His kingdom (Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 9:26-28; 1 P. 2:24). 

We see the partial fulfillment of the prophecy of God's "Anointed One" in the following passages:

1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; - Is. 61:1-2

 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
 18 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,
 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. - Lk. 4:16-21

 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
 20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
 21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
 22 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.
 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. - Lk. 7:19-23

Jesus read a familiar passage from Isaiah to the listeners concerning Israel's deliverance from exile in Babylon as a Year of Jubilee—a year when all debts are cancelled, all slaves are freed, and all property is returned to its original owners (Lev. 25). But the release from Babylonian exile had not brought the expected fulfillment; the Jews were still a conquered and oppressed people. Therefore it became obvious to them that Isaiah must have been referring to a future time. 

It is to be noted that the Jews in those days were looking for a Messiah that would deliver them from their Roman oppressors with a rod of iron. (Ps. 2:9)  His own disciples were looking for a similar, physical, earthly deliverance as well. (Acts 1:6) It is also interesting that one of the 12, Simon, was a zealot (Mt. 10:4; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:15; Acts 1:13), a political movement among the Jews to overthrow the Roman government.

When Jesus read the Scriptures from Isaiah that day in Nazareth, He cut off some of the passage and closed by saying, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." (Lk. 4:21) The future day when He shall return as a conquering King bringing judgment to the people of the earth in establishing His kingdom reign was not read and thus to remain until a future time.

The prophets had said the Messiah would do these very things (see Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1). These physical proofs helped John—and help us—to recognize who Jesus is.

 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power (rule; authority) of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. - Acts 26:17-18

 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

 13 Who hath delivered us from the power (rule; authority) of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

 14 In whom we have redemption (payment of ransom, debt) through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: - Col. 1:12-14

Jesus told Nicodemus that to enter into the kingdom of God you had to "be born of water and the Spirit..." Saying further "That which is born of the. The flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (Jn. 3:1-8) The apostle Paul gives the Corinthian believers a similar discourse in 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (which the exegesis of this passage will be lengthy, and hopefully may dig into it at another time). 

When the Pharisees demanded of Jesus as to when the kingdom should come, He declared that it was already in their midst, or among them. 

 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. - Lk 17:20-21

If we have been born in the Spirit we are seated with Christ in His spiritual, heavenly kingdom (Col. 3:1-4; Eph. 2:5-6)

As noted in Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus, the contrast between the kingdom of the god of this world in the flesh and the kingdom of God in the Spirit. Jesus said "if you love me, keep my commandments." (Jn. 14:15) He also said that "by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another." (Jn. 13:34-35) He said that the two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart and others as yourself. (Mk. 12:29-31)

In the book of 1 John he states that "everyone that loveth is born of God." (4:7; 5:1) John in this book often contrasts the kingdom of the devil against the kingdom of God (2:29-3:24). I encourage you to read through these Scriptures to fully understand His present spiritual kingdom.

There are many other passages that contrast the fleshly kingdom of darkness that we were delivered from to the kingdom of God that we have been transferred to, like: 1 Cor. 5:9-11; Eph. 2:1-7; 4:17-5:17:Rom. 1:18-2:29; 8:1, 4-5, 12-14; 14:17; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Cor. 10:1-6.etc.). I'll share one passage to show the contrast between the two kingdoms.

 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. - Gal. 5:13-25

If we have been born of the Spirit (Jn. 3:3-8), become a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), our old nature according to the god of this world according to the flesh will be put to death, having been buried with Christ in His death and raised by the Spirit according to the working of God (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:11-13), causing us to become citizens of the kingdom of heaven (Php. 3:20), while still pilgrims on this earth (1 Pet. 2:11), as we, like those who walked in faith before us wait for His return (Heb. 11). In the meantime, our new manner of living bearing the fruit of the Spirit, as seen above,shall be manifest to all.

Now His second advent will be when He comes in flaming fire to judge the people of the earth and establish the throne of David and His kingdom as I shared in some verses above and will provide more below.

 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. - Is. 9:6-7

 5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. - Jer. 23:5-6

 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. - Ps. 2:6-9

 3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
 4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
 5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
 6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. - Ps. 50:3-6

 1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. - Ps. 110:1

 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. - 1 Cor. 15:31-28

 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. - 2 P. 3:3-14

Thus is a brief overview of His first and second advent. I do not plan to discuss the details of His second advent, since that is not the scope of this series.

To recap what has been discussed in this post:

1) The Jewish people were looking for their Messiah that would deliver them from their Roman oppressors and establish an everlasting kingdom.

2) These same Jews stumbled with their understanding of the Scriptures and didn't realize that the prophecies of the Messiah would be broken up into two parts.

3) Lastly, we briefly looked at the differences between the two advent, as well as the nature of His kingdom that was established at His first coming.

Next time, I'll continue looking into our King Jesus, and His kingdom, our role in it and our inheritance. Until then, I have given you plenty to chew on.

Christ the Anointed King

Welcome back! This week I'm continuing our look into the word Christ (be sure to check out last week's introduction). I'll begin by looking at the word "Christ's" equivalent in the OT - "Messiah." 

The term “Messiah” is a transliteration of a Hebrew or Aramaic verbal adjective that means “Anointed One.” It comes from a verb that means “to anoint” someone as an action involved in consecrating that person to a particular office or function. While the term at first applied to the king of Israel (“the Lord’s anointed”—1 Sam. 10:1; 16:6, 13; 1 K. 1:39), the High-Priest (“the anointed priest,” Lev. 4:3) and, in one passage, the patriarchs (“my anointed ones,” Ps. 105:15), the term eventually came to point above all to the prophesied “Coming One” or “Messiah” in His role as prophet, priest, and king. The term “Christ,” a Greek word (verbal adjective) that comes from a verb meaning “to anoint,” is used in translating the Hebrew term, so that the terms “Messiah” or “Christ” are titles and not personal names of Jesus. - LASB

Not only were the Jews looking for the coming of the Messiah (Jn. 1:41), but also were the Samaritans (Jn. 4:25). Although the Samaritans expected not a Messiah in the Jewish sense, but a prophet like Moses (Dt 18:15–18) who would restore them.

In John 1:35-42 we see that Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, is the one who came to Peter saying "we found the Christ!" Later in Jn. 6:67-69 Peter said that we (the 12 disciples), ' believe and are sure you are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Though most are more familiar with the passage where Jesus asks the twelve, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Where Peter replied, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Mt. 16:13-16) Even Martha later moments before Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave said that she believes He is "the Christ, the Son of God." (Jn. 11:27)

Now, the title: "Son of the living God" was an appropriate title for the Davidic line, especially for the ultimate ruler (2 Sam. 7:14; Ps 2:7), as also recognized in the Qumran scrolls.

As noted above, the primary sense of the title "Christ" is king. Therefore, we'll look at some passages in light of this to better understand Jesus as the Christ/King.

 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ (the King) to sit on his throne;
 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ (the King), that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ (the King). - Acts 2:30-36

Here it is easy to see that Christ is King according to the Davidic line as other passages also show:

 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ (the King) our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; - Rom. 1:3

 8 Remember that Jesus Christ (the King) of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: - 2 Tim. 2:8

By looking at these according to Christ's primary title of "the King," help us see it readily in plain English. In the following passage the disciples quoted Ps, 2, a messianic psalm, in their prayer revealing their understanding that Christ is King.

 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ (the King).

 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed (has made King) , both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. - Acts 4:24-28

The apostle John acknowledged not only that Jesus is King, but the Chief of the kings of the earth.

 5 And from Jesus Christ (the King), who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince (ruler; chief) of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, - Rev. 1:5

 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ (King); and he shall reign for ever and ever. - Rev. 11:15

You probably noticed above that the "kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ (King); and he shall reign for ever and ever." Reading "King" in favor of "Christ" likewise makes this clearer. In order to be a king one needs to have a kingdom, right? In Acts 8:12 we see this connection:

 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ (the King), they were baptized, both men and women.

In the book of Acts we see where Jesus and Paul both preached the kingdom of God also (1:1-3; 20:25; 28:23, 31)

Next, we see that Jesus as King will judge the living and the dead at His coming and kingdom. A king is someone who executes judgment and justice (2 Sam. 8:15; 1 K. 3:28).

 1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ (the King), who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; - 2 Tim. 4:1

Some other familiar passages that reveal this are Mt. 25:31-46; Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10; etc.

Lastly, before I close, we'll look at a clear reference that the people professed Jesus to be the King of Israel during what is commonly referred to as the triumphal entry, though amazingly His own disciples didn't understand at that time, despite their earlier confession.

 12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. - Jn. 12:12-16

With that, I'm going to bring this week's post to a close, since I don't want to make it too long. In the meantime I encourage you to further study on this topic. I left plenty of verses with the intent for you to search this out more on your own. Until next time when I pick up where I've left off today, grace and peace to you.