Entering
the Kingdom of God, The Water
Genesis
1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and
darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved
upon the face of the waters.
Water
has always been a symbol of the birth, rebirth and life.
Revelation
21:6 And he said
unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of
life freely.
Washing
with water was a symbol of life and the preparation for blessings and
changes that were a part of the traditions of man.
Genesis
18:4 Let a little
water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest
yourselves under the tree:
We
are born from the water of our mother's womb as the brother of Miriam
was taken from the Nile and adopted by the daughter of Pharaoh as she drew him from the
water and he was
called Moses.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them
to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, Exodus
19:10
Through
the rituals and traditions of Moses God continued the practice of
washing as a sign of preparation, passage and renewal. God spoke of
washing the clothes of man. Clothes are the covering for man since he
became naked losing the covering of God through sin.
And
Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle
of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.
Exodus 29:4
Bathing
or washing was a part of the traditions of sanctification from the
earliest days of God's Kingdom on earth. The first called
out in the ekklesia
or Church established by Jesus should have more than their garments
cleaned for they must put on the covering of God.
Thou
shalt also make a laver [of] brass, and his foot [also of] brass, to
wash [withal]: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the
congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
Ex 30:18
Not
just for the priestly class but also all those who would congregate
in the presence of God. It was a symbolic ritual speaking to the
people in a tradition that was to teach and prophesy the true nature
of things that must come.
1
John 5:8 And there
are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and
the blood: and these three agree in one.
There
is no greater sacrifice than Jesus for there has been no purer blood
than his. Yet, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to prepare them
for the path of service in the Church and Kingdom of His making.
When
they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with
water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to
minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: Exodus
30:20
Aaron
and the Levites sons were the administrative government of the tabernacle of the
congregation and
their baptism was repeated over and over in preparation of entering
into the service of God. Their sanctuary was represented by the
symbol of the Tabernacle or the Tent of the sanctuary. Every man is
like a tent with the frame covered with flesh.
And
thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle
of the congregation,
and wash them with water. Exodus 40:12
These
ritual washings were prophetic of the nature of the coming of the
LORD and had no magical powers in them except to impart the
importance of a clean and pure presence in coming before the LORD,
God. Jesus mocked those who had only cleaned the outside of the cup
but left the inside filled with corruption.
And
Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall
put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the
holy place, and shall leave them there. And he shall wash his flesh
with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come
forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the
people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people. And
the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar. Leviticus
16:23 25
Taking
off your garments is taking off your positions of rank and power.
Like Jesus who stripped down to wash the feet of the disciple.
Humility, sacrifice and service are the calling cards of His elect.
So he showed the nature of the true authority in God’s Kingdom
is by humble service. Service calls for a mastery over our own desire
to control and usurp God by exercising authority over our fellow man.
Baptism,
The ritual
Then
went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round
about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their
sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his
baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned
you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits
meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have
Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of
these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Matthew 3:5-9
Baptism
is from the Greek word baptisma which is from baptizo meaning "to dip repeatedly". Baptisma appears 22 times in the New Testament and is always translated
Baptism. In the Greek context it simply means "immersion,
submersion". Most people think you enter the Kingdom of Heaven
by baptism of water and a profession of faith.
John
3:5 Jesus answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and
[of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. We are all
born of water but not all of the Spirit.
We
are all born from the water in the womb. Baptism with water has its
place as an outward sign of preparation and intent. It serves a
useful purpose in the perception of men. Yet, baptism with water is
not what John prophesied as the important baptism.
Mark
1:8 I indeed have
baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost.
I
am not speaking against baptism with water but hoping to put it in
its true perspective. It is not a magical ceremony but only an outward ritual to demonstrate the direction and intent of entering
the Kingdom and its inner sanctuary of God’s covering and
protection.
1
John 5:7-8 For
there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and
the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that
bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and
these three agree in one.
A
man has a body but also has a mind or spirit and he has a soul which
is his corporeal and incorporeal status or hereditaments. This is not
such a mystery but actually rather simple. They should all be in
agreement to make a complete individual. For this discussion we may
assume these are all part of a whole. In other words one may be
baptized with water but neither the intent nor the authority of the
event took place or attached simply because they were not in
agreement.
Baptism
The Jurisdiction
Baptism
was not always suggested or recommended as the solution for men who
were of a particular status.
Luke
3:14 And the
soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And
he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any]
falsely; and be content with your wages.
The
soldiers were not baptized nor was it offered to them because they
were under oath to another king. For them to be baptized it would be
a breach of their loyalty to their master at that time. This would
not be true if baptism was a purely religious ceremony. There was
religious freedom in the Roman Empire. Baptism was a distinctively
political act whose history stems back at least to man’s
separation from Egypt’s jurisdiction and the ways of its civil
power of man over man. “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness;
that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting
habitations.” Luke 16:9
Those
bound by oath, such as soldiers, could put on the character of Christ. When their oath of office had passed i.e. the
unrighteous mammon failed,
they would be ready to enter the kingdom. Jesus spoke of the
Centurion with great faith and told the people to give to Caesar what
was Caesar’s. He understood that men are bound often by oaths
and swearing and that is why he also said, “Swear not at
all...” Matthew 5:34
Baptized
into a kingdom of a god
Who
began baptizing the people into the kingdom of Heaven on earth before
Jesus began his ministry? Was John the Baptist the first?
It
had been a tradition for years to begin a new thing or step toward
God’s ways by washing. It certainly was not a new idea.
Herod
the Great had a grand
scheme of a vast
world wide membership involving the sending out evangelists and
missionaries. Participants of this system of social security, run
through the temples, proved membership by showing a token in the form
of a white stone from the river Jordan with their new Hebrew name
carved on it. They would receive that stone with their contribution
at the ritual baptism.
These temple customs or legal systems, like Corban, had taken on Roman and Hellenistic
traits, involving entitlements and compelled payments.
From
the Dead Sea scrolls we discover Herod’s plan. He contrived to
obtain at least six hundred thousand members to form a New Israel, a
kingdom of Heaven on earth. This political projected a massive
evangelism lasting over forty years.
"The
missionaries... with their leather wallets full of white stones,
would come back with the same wallets full of money, in foreign
currency. Once put into Jewish currency by the money-changers
[porters of the temple], it would be stored in vaults, ready to be
used by Herod for his vast building projects, or any subsequent
causes."
"Herod's
scheme of initiation into a new form of Judaism was immensely
successful. Jews everywhere were willing to join the worldwide
society whose meetings were held in the evenings in private houses.
Entry was for members only; they had to show at the door an admission
token in the form of a white stone from the river Jordan which the
missionaries gave them at baptism. On the stone was written their new
Jewish name."
A
man named Menahem and his order of Essenes became the advisers of
Herod’s kingdom. These Essenes were similar to the Palestinian
Essenes “but did not espouse their unworldliness and strict
views on morality.” They were 'seekers-after-smooth-things' according to some.
Herod
had sent out those Essene missionaries and Pharisee teachers who
supported his idea of a vast kingdom of God on earth. It was a system
of social security (Corban) and commercial affluence. He was very successful and built the temple in Jerusalem
and many more in other countries. It was a “Great Society”
and new world order.
"Jerusalem
was a major city in a cosmopolitan culture. It contained not only the
Temple, but also a large
arena for chariot and horse races (a hippodrome), a stadium for
athletic contests (a gymnasium), and massive Theaters." People
needed to be entertained, lulled with security, excited and pleasured
into pacification and apathy.0
"...In
20-19 B.C.E. Herod
the Great set in motion plans to make the Jerusalem Temple the
largest and most magnificent religious building in the world. The
platform on which it stood, built with huge blocks of stone,
stretched a quarter of a mile long by a fifth of a mile wide.
Gleaming gold plates were set up in the inner courts. From its
ramparts silver trumpets heralded each dawn. Twenty thousand
functionaries were employed in its servicing, and a further sixteen
thousand craftsmen and laborers were drilled as construction and
refurbishing teams that would be kept occupied for three quarters of
a century.”
Most
people did fine under Herod as most people do fine under existing
governments of the world today. Business was good, money flowed and
success and prosperity was plentiful or just around the corner. The
temple was a gate for vast funds and social projects.
Herod
subsidized games and festivals all over the world. Everywhere civic
projects provided water supplied by aqueducts in cities and the
countryside. With “improved irrigation, the kingdom became much
more productive agriculturally. And when famine struck at home, Herod
supplied grain from its own funds."
Success
was good for everyone. These massive building projects financed by
contributions and pledges collected from its ever growing membership
brought prosperity and prestige. Harbors and roads expanded and those
employed in the task prospered with the stimulating expenditures of
great wealth flowing through Judea and the city of Jerusalem.
Herod
had his enemies but they were quickly dispatched, condemned as
antigovernment conspirators or generally frightened into silence.
Herod’s Kingdom was not yet conquered by Rome but was merely a
client Kingdom of its Pax Romana. Herod continued to enforce a
separation between the religious hierarchy and the political power
encouraged by Roman ideology. This was popular with the priesthood
which had become increasingly corrupt as long as the privilege of
exemption allowed them a comfortable affluence. It was during this
time that a violent coup had taken place which caused the death of
Zachariah, the father of John.
Pilate
was god because he was appointed by the Apo Theos of Rome. Herod was a god because he was the ruling judge of the system of Corban, tribute and
corvee he created [see There are gods many]. Those who believed they
were faithful to God by being baptized into obedience under the state
religious order of Herod and Rome were actually ‘Making the
word of God of none effect through their tradition’ [Mark
7:13].
Love it
or leave it, The Love of Caesar
"Augustus
was sensible that mankind is governed by names; nor was he deceived
in his expectation, that the senate and people would submit to
slavery, provided they were respectfully assured that they still
enjoyed their ancient freedom."
To
some Caesar was a great Father of society, the founding father of a
new system where society prospered with liberty and justice for all.
His promise of returning to the constitutional
Republic, his
advocacy of family
values, his pledge of welfare reform constantly raised the hopes of the masses. Rome’s military
success, its system of justice and its golden eagle heralding it as
the greatest nation in the world won him great popularity and loyalty
so that his election to office was assured.
"The
year 2 B.C. marked the 25th anniversary of Caesar Augustus's rule and
the 750th anniversary of the founding of Rome. Huge celebrations were
planned. The whole empire was at peace. The doors of the temple of
Janus were closed for only the third time in Roman history. To honor
their emperor, the people were to rise as one and name him pater
patriae, or Father
of the Country. This enrollment, described in the Book of Luke, which brought Joseph and
Mary to Bethlehem, has always been a mystery since no regular census
occurred at this time. But the pater
patriae enrollment
fits perfectly."
All
Jews did not hate the Emperator of the
mighty multinational military force that kept the
peace throughout the world. As the benevolent benefactor, Augustus
Caesar was loved by the people of Judea. Things were good or getting
better. Taxes were getting higher but so were profits. The concept of
inflation began to insidiously creep into their lives. Eventually a
series of devastating recessions would bring down the economy of Rome
and those who were plugged into its flow of power.
Herod’s annual Temple-tribute was transported to Jerusalem and
filtered through the porters or money
changers who had
worked there since before David. Augustus had mandated
that no civil magistrates would touch these sacred funds. Because
Judaism was not a religion but a jurisdictional kingdom they were
also exempt from the draft. They were often
excepted from appearing in courts of law on similar grounds.
“Augustus
even ordered that, when the public distribution of corn or of money
among the citizens fell on a Sabbath, the Jews were to receive their
share on the following day. In a similar spirit the Roman authorities
confirmed a decree by which the founder of Antioch, Seleucus I. had
granted the Jews the right of citizenship in all the cities of Asia
Minor and Syria which he had built, and the privilege of receiving,
instead of the oil that was distributed, which their religion forbade
them to use, an equivalent in money. These rights were maintained by
Vespasian and Titus even after the last Jewish war, not with standing
the earnest remonstrances of these cities. No wonder, that at the
death of Caesar the Jews of Rome gathered for many nights, waking
strange feelings of awe in the city, as they chanted in mournful
melodies their Psalms around the pyre on which the body of their
benefactor had been burnt, and raised their pathetic dirges.
The
Christians, who were considered Jews by Rome and derived their status
from the King of the
Jews, also received
these benefits. The Apostles were clearly instructed that they should
not seek to receive the gifts sacrificed to these idols. When Jesus appointed to
serve the kingdom he warned them not to be like those ruling systems
of benefactors. “And
he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over
them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called
benefactors. But
ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as
the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” Luke 22:25-26
Many
Jews loved and desired Roman protection, generosity and social
security, besides they were good for business. There were rebels, as
always, malcontents and doomsdayers. There were tax protesters,
religious zealots and extreme fundamentalists who spoke of moral
declines. The Roman system was prepared for these rabble. As long as
the people were generally comfortable and busy and divided the local
courts and their judges and centurions could handle the riffraff and
rebels that resist the progress of society and liberal morals.
The
Rulers and Caesar were the protector of the peace, the benefactor of
their welfare. There was corruption, as always with a balancing
distribution of reform. But as mires will do the more the people struggled the deeper they sank.
2
Peter 2:22 But it
is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is]
turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her
wallowing in the mire.
"His
reign gave them a third of a century of peace and prosperity and the
new harbor at Caesarea increased trade. But Herod's lavish building
programs cost immense sums of money and taxes were necessarily high.
By the standards of the time he was not a bad ruler. He was brutal
but far less so than the Hasmonaeans. Herod's greatest asset was in
fact the very thing for which Jews most criticized him - his
half-hearted attitude towards Judaism. Augustus had realized Herod's
true value when he gave him Samaria and the coastal strip for
although Herod was careful not to offend the Jews he did not oppress
the Samaritans and non-Jews. A Hasmonaean ruler would certainly have
persecuted them and similarly a non-Jewish ruler would have had
little sympathy with the Jews.”
"Herod's
greatest fault was his ungovernable passion both in love and hate.
This coupled with his constant fear of losing this throne led to most
of his 'crimes' especially those committed within his own family."
Herod
entertained and cultivated his relationship to Essene prophets, like
Menahem, who had predicted his rise to power when he was a boy. There
are reports that Herod had even agreed to divide his dominion with
the Messiah whose arrival was also expected and prophesied. Herod’s
popularity, though great, was not universal and as economies stumbled
the people look for scapegoats real or imagined.
"As
an Idumean he {Herod] was disliked by Judeans; as the usurper of the
Hasmoneans he was resented by the aristocracy. During his reign he
succeeded in creating his own 'aristocracy' from those loyal to Rome
and appointed by himself."
This
magical system of prosperity and social welfare was sweet in the
mouth but sour in the belly. All things that are to good to be true
eventually come to an end and Herod’s Great Society and Social
Experiment was no exception to the rule.
"Herod
was forced to tax the Palestinians beyond their abilities to pay,
eventually in many
cases seizing others' wealth for himself and reducing many Jewish
landlords to tenant farmers (Ant 17.304-9). Property (chrema and
ousia are the Greek words employed) was seized; in addition to the
taxes. 'tribute' was imposed 'on everyone each year,' and these
entailed 'lavish extra contributions' (Ant 16.308)." The
substance (ousia) of a once free nation became the breath and blood 0(chrema) of a new civil society.
Before
the end of the century a series of devastating recessions had spread
across the Roman Empire. Popularity diminished as the power of Rome
and its subject and client states would relinquish its comforts and
privilege only after the people were expended, exhausted and
oppressed.
Two
kingdoms, The another King.
The
promoters and evangelists of Herod’s kingdom of Heaven on earth
were not the only evangelists and missionaries of that time who
followed the traditions of Israel in the washing of new members into
the kingdom. There were others who were involved with a different
paradigm of reformation and Essene teachings.
They
too were baptizing with the waters of the Jordan. By another
authority these people began a journey into a different kind of
Kingdom of Heaven on earth. This other king was not Idumean nor a
foreigner [Deuteronomy 17:15]. He establish his Kingdom not by Corban
schemes of old age benefits and social security nor did he collect
the contributions of the people with Mokhes and Gabbai publicans under the accounting of scribes and by force filled the
treasure house of Herod’s Kingdom.
This
other King was the Highest Son of the House of David, a righteous
king of generations and Son and Heir of Adam. He walked amongst the
people. His disciples were not of the ruling elite but working men
like themselves. This other King operated His kingdom by faith, hope,
charity and love. His ministers were servants of the People who
operated under the perfect law of liberty.
He
too offered baptism and spoke of white stone.
To
him who conquers, I will give a white stone, with a new name written
on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it. Revelations 2:17
In
the Beginning
So
God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him;
male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said
unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and
subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the
earth. Genesis
1:27-28
When
man was granted dominion the kingdom of Heaven on earth was
established. It was not what we think of as a kingdom today with men
ruling over other men and exercising authority. It was not a place
where men decided what was good and what was evil and made laws as if
they were gods of men. It was a place where men under God’s Law
were to dress and keep the earth.
In
the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of
the wicked is trouble. Proverbs 15:6
Who
are the righteous and where is their house?
Genesis
7:1 And the LORD
said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee
have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Noah
was counted as a righteous man and inherited that kingdom of God on
earth, the house of the LORD, the Kingdom of Heaven.
Hebrews
11:7 By faith
Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear,
prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned
the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Shem,
the righteous son, received the promise and dominion of His Father’s
blessing and it was passed down to Abraham after him. Abraham had
expatriated from the gods of the city states. The God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob was God the Father in Heaven.
The
sons of Jacob went into bondage because of the sin of delivering
their brother into bondage but Moses led them toward freedom.
Proverbs
12:7 The wicked are
overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of the righteous shall
stand.
And
who is the wicked and what is their revenues? Those who buy and sell
their brothers, who deliver men into bondage, who seek to exercise
authority over men for the gain of their own pride and comfort.
Peter
warned us, "For
when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through
the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were
clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them
liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom
a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if
after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the
knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them
than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have
known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to
turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is
happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned
to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing
in the mire." 2Peter2:18-22
Is
it that the leaders of the world kingdoms today are liars or that the
whole system they have built is a lie, a fraud, a deception a
counterfeit kingdom of heavenly blessings on earth? Is their kingdom
sanctioned and blessed by God? Is it the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus
said was at hand?
These
systems are fundamentally flawed. First, there is a pooling of rights
and therefore a pooling together of property and wealth. All go into
a common purse of rights and property and souls of men for the
benefit of the whole by the determination of the elite or elected
elite rulers.
We
have been warned from early times. Wisdom itself cries out but our
hearts hear not the words of the wise.
...
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come
with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the
innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave;
and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all
precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy
lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in
the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet
run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is
spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own
blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of
every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the
owners thereof... Proverbs 1
Could
we be so tempted by man made kingdoms and systems that so easily make
us slaves to the whim of the mob and the gods they choose for
themselves if our hearts were truly washed of their wickedness?
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that
which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart
his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45
Entering
the Kingdom is like the prodigal son who did not come back to enjoy
the pleasures of his Father's house but came back a sinner willing to
be a servant, beckoning his father's will and pleasure and not his
own because his heart had turned away from the wickedness that had
tempted him before. He came back not for the indulgence in comfort
and pleasure but in self sacrifice and service to the father
of justice pleading
the mercy of His dominion and government.
This
was the call of John the Baptist. This was the washing of the pig
from the mire. Do the Churches of today call men to Herod’s
kingdom, to Rome, its affluence and its decadence or to Jesus’. At the same time came
the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom
of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in
the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be
converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the
kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this
little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18
The
Kingdom of Heaven is about humility and innocent love and obedience
to God and service to others. It is about being a brother to the
faithful and a witness to those with ears to hear and eyes to see.
Are we willing to give up our wealth, our time, our energy and our
life for the service of the will of God and His Kingdom of Heaven?
Then
said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man
shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mt.
19:23
One
must not love the things of this world more than the Name of God,
more than His Character and His Ways. There are many choices and
sacrifices that follow those who suffer to seek the will of God.
And
every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's
sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting
life. Matthew
19:29
There
are those who understand the covenants of those who would be gods of
the system of men. They are in love with the power and praise and
position of their authority more than they love their brothers. They
are the officers and ministers and prophets in the city of Cain,
Nimrod, Pharaoh, Caesar, Presidents and the Secretary Generals.
Woe
unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the
synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Luke 11:43
They
know how you can be trapped in their system but with each person they
snare the greater their pomp and circumstance. They even make escape
difficult for those who seek to obey the Father in Heaven.
Woe
unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye
entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye
hindered. Luke
11:52
The
leaders of the nation and the churches established by that chain of
power and authority deny the Kingdom and liberty of Jesus Christ
while they deliver all into greater bonds of servitude under a world
system ruled by the elite of this world system.
But
woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the
kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves],
neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Mt. 23:13
There
is almost no place for the free in this world today. All are made proselytes in the land of their natural birth. Some feel the tug of the freedom
that was once America. Those who in their hearts and souls take on
the burden of faith and walk in the ways of the Lord are besieged by
the greedy who will have all or nothing.
Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of
thine own well. Let thy
fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Proverbs 5:15, 17
Some
will covet their neighbors goods and compel the taking of taxes to
finance the benefits and answers to the prayers they have offered up
to the gods and governments of their own making.
Will
they take the Name of the LORD in vain saying with their lips they
trust in God while reaching out to benefactors who operate not upon charity but take their kingdom by force and
control and oppression?
Will
they bow down and serve the gods of men or instead Labor for God in
Heaven and His ways and His judgment?
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea
and land to make one proselyte [proselutos,
a stranger, alien], and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than
yourselves. Matthew 23:15
There
are many who see the wickedness of the system of men over men, the
system of the rulers of the gentiles who exercise
authority and
dominion over the beneficiaries of the common purse of a social
democracy and Corban schemes of bondage.
Do they merely curse the system and struggle to bring it down?
Do they wish to judge it and democratically rule over it and the men
who are the prophets and ministers of it?
But are they not the same as that which they claim to hate?
And
thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things,
and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Romans 2:3
Curse
not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy
bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that
which hath wings shall tell the matter. Ecclesiastes 10:20
It
is not enough to hate tyrants but one must despise tyranny.
Bless
them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Ro.
12:14
We
need more than mere water to wash us, to clean our souls. We need
true repentance, a true turning around and turning away from the
beast in our own hearts and spirit, and in the truth of our deeds.
Who
can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?...
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou
shalt be satisfied with bread.... Say not thou, I will recompense
evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee... It is a snare
to the man who devoureth that which is holy [qodesh, set-apart, separate], and
after vows to make enquiry. Proverbs 20
We
may be beginning to wake up to the evil of men but are we willing to
let the whole light in our own souls? Will we see our own love of the
darkness that has been a comfort to our slumber? As we awake to the
true light of the Lord God, so also should our walk make manifest the
work of the Lord in us.
And
this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men
loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For
every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the
light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth
cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they
are wrought in God. John 3:19,21
Yes,
we may be vexed with the whips and scorpions of the taskmasters of
the world. Yet, the sting they inflict has awakened men to their own
slavery. But do they hate slavery or just hate being a slave? Is it
only our flesh that is vexed or in hope is it our love of the
righteous spirit which wishes to dwell in us and free all men to do
the will of the Father?
And
delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing,
vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,
and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of
uncleanness, and despise government [dominion].
Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak
evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and
might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But
these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak
evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish
in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of
unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day
time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their
own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of
adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls:
an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed
children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray,
following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of
unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass
speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These
are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to
whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 2 Peter 2:
If
we are not purged by the light of all darkness, greed, envy, avarice,
lust and pride then what part of this curse do we not inherit?
Who
cannot understand the sting of the whip, the weight of the burden of
bondage? But more important, who can understand the ways of the LORD?
Many shall claim to come in the ways of our Father in Heaven but they
know him not. Being out of the system of men does not bring you out
of the darkness of men nor does it bring light into the world.
The
Kingdom of Heaven is not a Kingdom like Cain’s, Balaam’s,
Caesar’s and other Benefactors
who exercise authority but it is a kingdom. Jesus was the king, to
this end was he born,
for this reason he came into the world of Rome to bear witness to a
different kind of kingdom. That kingdom is based on liberty and
responsibility, love and charity, faith and hope. It was a kingdom
based on truth and virtue. Those who choose other kingdoms, greedy
for their rewards and benefits, seek the rebellion of Core and the
authority and rank of Nicolaitans. By turning to these other
authoritarian systems they mock Christ saying he was not King of a
Kingdom and did not come in the flesh.
But
these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they
know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt
themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and
ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in
the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity,
when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds
they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit
withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering
stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever... These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and
their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in
admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words
which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who
should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who
separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Jude 1
Many
say there is no kingdom of heaven on earth and that it was not
restored but postponed.
When
they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord,
wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he
said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,
which the Father hath put in his own power. Acts
1:6
We
are told to believe that the power of the kingdom has not yet come. But is that what the Bible and
history say?
But
that is not what Jesus said.
But
ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8
Jesus
was the king of Judea but they queried when he would restore all of
Israel. They already had been told what to do by the King Jesus in
Acts 1:4 “And,
being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father,
which, [saith he], ye have heard of me.”
So
after they were assured Jesus would come again they Then returned
unto Jerusalem and waited.
And
when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as
of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were
sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,
and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost... Acts 2:1
The
power was received by those called out by Jesus the King and they
went out preaching the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. In this moment
the Church began preaching and teaching the Kingdom.
Matthew
3:11 I indeed
baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me
is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall
baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:
This
Baptism of fire was the fulfillment of their appointment as promised
and granted by Jesus.
Luke
12:32 Fear not,
little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom. And
Luke 22:29 And I
appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
His
Church like the Levites before them were called out to maintain an
entrance to the
everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Ekklesia means called out.
There are many who are called out but only one ekklesia of Jesus
Christ. The ekklesia of Jesus Christ has the character of Jesus
Christ, the Name of Yeshua written in their hearts and minds. It
obeys the will of the Father in Heaven and are the Kings brethren.
Thy Kingdom comes as thy will be done on earth as it is done in
Heaven. So what should we do?
But
ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying
in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for
the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some
have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear,
pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the
flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to
present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding
joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion
and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1
Do
we pray and apply to the Holy Spirit or to strange gods?
Are
we looking for mercy or the judgment of our enemy?
Are
we with compassion making a difference?
Do
we hate the price of the spotted garment or the garment itself?
Or
do we only dwell on the sin and lies of the wicked, shouting off
their injustice while hiding the indulgence of our own dark hearts?
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto
thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the
righteous judgment of God; Romans 2:5
We
know that to follow the LORD is to be hated by the gods of this world
order and those who love and support them. We have by faith, God's
law and promise to ensure justice and mercy by His Holy Hand. But the
waves of the sea shall roar against those who seek the true ways of
His Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Then
said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will
come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come! Luke 17:1
We
should attend to the business of the Church, the ekklesia of Jesus
Christ and the Kingdom of God on earth. We should work making a
difference in our own lives and then in the world taking on first His
character, name and virtue and implementing it with God speed in the
desolate world void of His ways of liberty and charity.
The
Church does not exercise authority over those who seek the kingdom of
God but are the clerks of the Kingdom for those who would live under
the perfect law of liberty abiding in the ways of the Father and the
Son who is King.
John
answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water;
but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not
worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with
fire: Luke 3:16
From
the beginning the prophecy of that baptism of fire was preached by
John and by Jesus. Upon receiving their appointment by the King and their baptism of fire sent by the Father the covenant
was fulfilled and the responsibility of ministering to the Kingdom
was passed to His Apostles.
I
indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost. Mark
1:8
The
Apostles went out preaching the Gospel, the good news.
“The
Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
It
was and is an everlasting Kingdom. From that day to this there have
been many who have received the continuation of that appointment by
Christ but few have received the Baptism of fire. Many have been
anointed by men to serve the kingdom but few have been anointed by
God.
The
Church should be working with all its energy to help those who wish
to awaken.
The
Church should be seeking and teaching men how to live outside the
wickedness of the world order.
The
Church must seek to pull those from the fire in the day of Judgment
who call upon the Name and character of the LORD.
The
Church is an altar of sacrifice and service and in that faith hope
and charity is found the Bozra [fortress] of our salvation and the
crown of our recompense.
The
Church is established by Jesus and baptizing in His Name in truth and
in Spirit and is not established by application to other fathers,
potentates and powers of foreign states.
Though
I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity,
I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I
have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all
knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow
all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be
burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, and is
kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed
up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not
easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but
rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things,
hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity
never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be
knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy
in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is
in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child,
I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a
man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass,
darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I
know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity,
these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13
Israel
is the place where God
prevails. Its
citizens are all those on earth who come together in His ways and His
will. It is created not by cleaning the outside but by the submersion
of the inside in His Spirit.
Now
as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 1 Corinthians 8:1
The
ministers of His Holy Church must give their lives and freedom for
the Kingdom as the Apostles and the Early Church once did and as the
Levites did before them. They are bondservants of the King and filled
with the Character of Christ.
Ye
shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or
figs of thistles? Matthew 7:16
We
must repent, turn around and change our ways from the ways of the
world to the Way of the Father in Heaven. We must recognize who His
Holy Church is as the apostles recognized John and Jesus as prophet
and Messiah. We may receive the baptism of water into His Kingdom but
we must seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Spirit and in Truth.
It
is not enough to say you are saved, born again, anointed of God but
you must learn to manifest the Kingdom of God on earth.
Not
giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from
the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are
defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and
conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works
they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every
good work reprobate. Titus 1:14-16
There
is much work to be done. Not to save our life or our stuff but to save our souls by our sacrifice for others who seek His ways
and His will.
For
the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Revelation 6:17
These records are dependent on the separate and distinct nature of the Church and its ministers of the congregation of the people.
We also will require the formation of recognized congregations and Churches of Record based on biblical precepts of the kingdom of God, including two or three witnesses and a chain of agreement with in the record of the people.
