Success and Failure Blog

The reconciling work of Jesus Christ is what produces peace with God, gives us access to the Father, and produces unity between Jews and Gentiles, and believers with other believers. The reconciling work of Christ is made possible only through his body as it is written; “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Colossians 1:22).

In like manner, the redemptive work of Christ is made possible only through his blood. For God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, (through his blood) the forgiveness of sins.

The reconciling work of Christ is three-fold, and each requires a three way cycle to make it complete, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit complete the Godhead, and the body, soul, and spirit makes man complete, so it is with God’s plan of salvation for man.

There are three inseparable links in every facet of reconciliation to make it reconciliation complete

1.  God the Father drawing man to Christ

It is stated quite distinctly by Jesus Christ who said; “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” This was repeated for emphasis when the people did not believe the words which Christ spoke to them, so he said to them again; “This is why I told you that no one can  come to me unless the Father has enabled him” (John 6:44, 65).

Even the process of drawing people to Christ was made possible by three inseparable links which are:-

1. Jesus Christ had to be God

Only as God was Christ able to claim and redeemed the lives of every human being. He was the Word who was in the beginning with God, and who himself was God, through whom all things were created, and without him nothing was made that was made. He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. But as God it was impossible for him to die, so the next obvious chain of event had to occur.

2.  Jesus Christ the Word of God had to become flesh

Jesus Christ the Word of God by whom all things were created, whether in heaven or on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities – all things were created through him and for him,  became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Since as God he could not die to pay the penalty the retribution for the wages of sin which is death, he had to be  made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, that he by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says; “I will declare you name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me” (Hebrews 2:12-13).

Now since the children whom God has given him have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. And because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

3.  Redemption through his blood

It is an indisputable fact, that the law requires nearly everything be purified with blood: for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Therefore in order that our sins could be forgiven, it was imperative that Jesus Christ shed his blood. For the life of every creature is in the blood, and God has given it to make atonement for the soul on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. It is through the process of these three inseparable chains of events that God the Father drew man to Christ, like he said; “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. (John 12:32-33).

Therefore the process of man being drawn to Jesus Christ by the Father, required  that God  became man, and died in the place of man. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. What else do we need to believe? I urge you do not receive the grace of God in vain.

Lucius Joseph

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus Christ, whose desire is that all who believe in him may be one: for in his prayer for all believers he prayed; “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in me through their word; that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And the glory which you gave me I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one; I in them, and you in me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them as you have loved me” (John 17:20-23).

This oneness undoubtedly comes from sharing the same spirit with the Lord, for he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him, but in addition to sharing the same spirit, we are urged by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among us, but that we be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The unity of the church can only be accomplished when we fulfill this requirement, and for this to be feasible it is imperative that we all without exception, adhere to the task given to us by the Lord which says; “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

The word of reconciliation is the task that has been committed to us, and if we are to be effective and productive in our stewardship, it is imperative that we understand the dynamics or the science which governs the process of reconciliation. For we have been reminded saying, “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

As ambassadors for Christ, one cannot afford to give a false representation, or have a false perception of the dynamics involved in the process of reconciliation. There is a definite process by which reconciliation is attainable; anything short of this process makes it unattainable and unsatisfactory.

The dynamics which govern the process of reconciliation are:-

Retribution

Reconciliation is incomplete without retribution, which is actually the execution of justice, by meting out a deserved punishment in return for evil done, or mete out a reward in return for good done. One should never expect reconciliation if the question of retribution is not addressed and dealt with applicably, because sin does not go unpunished, whether sin leading to death, or sin not leading to death. For this cause God has reconciled the whole world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, but instead made Jesus Christ who knew no sin to be sin for us, and demonstrated his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, thus fulfilling the righteous demands of sin which is death.

Reconciliation is wholly and completely the work of God

It was effected on men while they were helpless, for when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. It was when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward men appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by his grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

It is by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, while we were alienated and enemies of God in our minds by wicked works.

The irony of truth is, we are reconciled to God not because we loved him, but because he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We love him because he first loved us. Jesus said to his disciples; “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you” (John 15:16).

It is God the Father who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, and for this reason he sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins, so that in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness, according to the riches of his grace.

Reconciliation is the accomplished work of:-

1. God

It is God who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, for he was in Christ reconciling the world to him-self and not imputing their trespasses to them.

1. Christ’ death;

For, when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more then, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life, and not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

1. Christ’s blood

For because now in Christ Jesus, we who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.

It is important to note that, the blood of Christ is both for reconciliation, and propitiation for sins. We have been reconciled to God through the death of his Son much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

We are saved by the life of Christ through his blood, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and God has given it to us upon the altar to make atonement for our souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul”. Therefore, in establishing the new covenant in his blood, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples saying; “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).

We are saved by the life of Christ because he continues forever, and having an unchangeable priesthood, he is therefore able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, since he ever lives to make intercession for them. And like every high priest he is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. For being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ, because in Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; whom God set forth to be a propitiation by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.

Reconciliation is the prerequisite in having fellowship with the Father and His Son, and with one another.

It is what produces peace with God, and the means by which we draw near to him. For having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Reconciliation is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ. God’s eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, is giving us boldness and access with confidence through faith in Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ’s blood, and himself as our High Priest, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

And so it is written; “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he consecrated for us, through the veil, that is his flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10: 19-22).

And with regards to our fellowship with one another we are told, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the fellowship of the body of Christ? For we being many, are one bread and one body: for we all partake of that one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

When is the Dawn of a New Day

Most people, including myself at some point in time, were taught to believe that a day starts in the evening, and ends either at midnight, and to the Sabbath observers  at  sunset. But when does a day truly begins?
Despite the fact that, God created lights in the firmament of the heavens, to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years, man  rather disregard, and pay little, or no respect to those natural things, which God has ordained to fulfill his purpose, and choose to hold tenaciously, to what sinful man has established.

I do not think it is that difficult for anyone to prove, that the sun was created to rule the day, and therefore it is the sun that heralds the new day; and the moon was created to rule the night, and to herald the dawn of a new month, since every New Moon is the dawn of a new month.

But instead of following the patterns established by God, man has chosen to despise, and reject the way God ordained to count days, months, and years, and have instead adopted the system, established by the Fourth Beast, mentioned by Daniel in his vision.

Daniel’s interpretation of the fourth beast is that, it is, “The fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces.”
This beast or kingdom according to Daniel, shall have ten horns, which  are, “Ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings.’

“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time” (Daniel 7:23-25).

When is the Beginning of a New Day

Some people are so naive, and fearful of rocking the boat, and challenging the status quo, and to stop following the customs and traditions of men, are suspicious of anyone, who is attempting to bring the truth to light, and perceive them as self-seeking individuals, who is trying to change the world.
Make no mistake, the world cannot be changed, it is in vain for anyone to attempt doing it. The world is on a collision course which cannot be stopped, and the only solution is to follow the Lord’s warning which says; “…Come out of her, my people, lest you receive of her plagues; for her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities” (Revelation 18:4-5).

Now since we all know in part, and prophesy (teach) in part, we should have an open mind, and be willing to change, whenever truth presents itself. Because one thing is sure, any thesis, or theory established on a false premise, will definitely collapse, when comes face to face with the truth.

Having said this, Let us now look at the evidences which points to exactly when a day truly begins. Let us begin with the  creation. It is stated that, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

According to the book of Isaiah chapter 45:18, God created the earth to be inhabited. “For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens, who is God, who formed the earth and made it, who has established it, who did not create it in vain, who formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord and there is no other.”

The Lord in revealing his omnipotence to Job said; “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

So beautiful was the earth at its original creation, all the sons of God shouted for joy,  but unfortunately, this beautiful creation we are told, “Became without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep…”(Genesis 1:2).

The rebellion and fall of Lucifer, as recorded in the fourteenth chapter of Isaiah, and the 28th chapter of Ezekiel respectively, brought destruction to the face of the earth, which necessitated the Spirit of God to hover over the face of the waters, and renew the face of the earth, as stated in Psalms 104:30 saying; “You send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.”

The renewal of the earth therefore began when God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light, and God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. So the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:3-5).

Since the evening and the morning were the first day, which one begins the day, morning or evening?  God renewed the face of the earth by first forming light, and then divided the light from the darkness, and called first of all the light day, and the darkness he called night. The day therefore, preceded the night and separated the day from the darkness.

On the fourth day of creation, it is stated that God said; “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”, and it was so.

Then God made two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day” (Genesis 1:14-19).

Again, which one did God form first, the sun, or the moon and stars? The sun was first formed, and then the moon and stars. It is the evening which completes the day, and so the evening and the morning [the two combined] were the fourth day. It is not because evening is first mentioned, that one should make the assumption that, the day begins in the evening. Nature, and substantial evidences reveals otherwise.

A day therefore, begins with the light of day, and ends with the dark of night. The sun which rules the day, is typical to, and represents Jesus Christ who, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.“… That was the true light which gives light to every man who comes into the world” (John 1: 4,5,9).

The city of the New Jerusalem will have no need of the sun, or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God will illuminate it, and the lamb will be its light.

The day light period from all indications, depicts or is synonymous to life, truth, and a new beginning; while night on the other hand, depicts or is synonymous to death, lies, and every evil way.
Light and darkness, similarly to good and evil, manifested themselves into the world, by two different methods. They emanate from two different sources, that are repulsive to each other.  For thus says the Lord; “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things” (Isaiah 45:7).

To form something, is to be the founder, or the actual maker of the thing formed. The light which God formed to give light to the world, depicts Jesus Christ, who emanates from the Father, and is the true light, that gives light to every man who comes into the world.
Light, goodness, and prosperity are the works of God’s hand, he actually formed them, and brought them to existence, for it is written; “This is the verdict; light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God” (John 3:19-21).

It is said that, “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19).

God created darkness, by creating Lucifer, the source from which night and darkness emanated. Lucifer was created as the son of the morning, who illuminated the earth. He was adorned with every precious stone, and was blameless in his ways, from the day he was created, until wickedness was found in him. He became filled with violence, and sinned. God then caused a fire to come out from the midst of him, and consumed him, and God turned him to ashes upon the earth. He lost his splendor, his brilliance which illuminated the earth, and because of this darkness covered the earth. (Ezekiel 28:12-18).

Night literally represents the kingdom of darkness, and all the works associated with evil. Darkness represents Satan the devil, the ruler of the kingdom of darkness, who was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth (light), because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies“ (John 8:44).

The same way there is no truth, no light, no life in Satan, but only lies, darkness, destruction, and death; In like manner, ‘there is no lie, no darkness, no death in Jesus Christ, but only truth, light and life, for, in him is no darkness at all. Day and night, light and darkness, emanate from two separate sources.

Jesus Christ is the source of day and light, Satan is the source of night and darkness.

The Sabbath/s therefore, which are holy to the Lord, are not associated with darkness, and therefore the Lord says; ‘I am the Lord and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun, to the place of its setting men may know there is none beside me. I am the Lord and there is no other“ (Isaiah 45:5-6).

Again the Lord says; ‘My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense [prayer] and pure offerings [the sacrificial offering of the body and blood of Jesus Christ] will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,’ says the Lord Almighty“ (Malachi 1:11).

Before conversion, we are literally living in the kingdom of darkness; and when converted, we are to give thanks to the Father, ‘Who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the kingdom of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins“ (Colossians 1:12-13).

The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.’ In contrast; ‘the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble“ (Proverbs 4: 18-19).

Jesus taught the fear of God by saying; ‘…There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell“ (Matthew 10: 26-27).

We are called to live as children of light, and the apostle Paul said; ‘Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart; they have become callous and have given themselves up to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of uncleanness. You did not so learn Christ!“ (Ephesians 4:17-19).

The apostle Paul continues; ‘…For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deed of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible“ (Ephesians 5:8-14):

The perspective of day and night, light and darkness, are not to be viewed merely as spiritual perspectives, associated with only what is good and evil. They also convey literal applications to the actual day and night, and light and darkness phenomena. For as the word of God plainly says; ‘But you brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you as a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breast plate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet“ (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8).

This admonition is both spiritual and literal. For the Lord says; My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. And this is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin“ (1John 1:5-7).

And furthermore, Jesus said; ‘I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world“ (John 9:4)

Remember, Jesus came to set us an example, that we should follow his steps.

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The Emergence of Day and Night

It is stated quite explicitly in scriptures that, ‘…Since the creation of the world, God’s invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they (mankind) are without excuse’ (Romans 1:20).
Therefore, can day and night, light and darkness, reveal something about God’s eternal power and Godhead, that we naturally would not understand? Where is the source of day and night, light and darkness; how did they emerge? Did they emanate from the same source?

It is evident that from the beginning of creation, God separated the light from the darkness, and called the light day, and the darkness he called night. These two entities which are diametrically in contrast, and are at variance with each other, from all evidences, emerged on planet earth by two separate ways, and evidently from two separate sources. For to the prophet Isaiah the Lord said; ‘I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, have created it“ (Isaiah 45:7).

Although there is not much of a difference in terms of definition, between the word form, and create, nevertheless, I believe that the Holy Spirit inspired the usage of two different words, with almost similar meaning, to convey an important lesson, and to differentiate the process by which both entities emerged.

I will first begin by asking the question, Why was the earth without form and void, and darkness over the face of the deep, when God created the heavens and the earth? Where did the darkness come from, and what caused the earth to be without form and empty? Did God find an existing earth which was covered in darkness! where did it come from? Or did God create an earth without form and empty, with darkness over the face of the deep?

Secondly, is the emergence of darkness upon the earth a secret, or has it been revealed? If it is a secret, it makes no sense trying to find it out because, ‘The secret things belong to the Lord our God,’ but if it has been revealed, ‘it belongs to us and to our children for ever, that we may follow all the words of the law of God. And it is certain that, the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets’ (Deuteronomy 29:29; Amos 3:7).

We can be assured, that there are revelations regarding the creation of the earth, because God in his dialogue with Job asked him the following questions; ‘Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footing set, or who laid its cornerstone…while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for Joy?’

The dialogue continues; ‘Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this. What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years! (Job 38:18-21).

The fact that God asked Job, ‘Can you take them (light and darkness) to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?’ Signifies that they emanate from two different sources. And since it is stated that, the morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy when God created the earth, is a clear indication that when God created the earth, it was not formless, empty, and darkness covering the face of the deep. Furthermore, this is what the Lord says; ‘He who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, he formed it to be inhabited…he says; ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other’ (Isaiah 45:18).

Therefore, the account of creation found in the first chapter of Genesis, beginning with verse two (2) onwards, does not relate to the original creation of the earth, but refers to the renewal of the face of the earth, after the original earth was destroyed, and lay in waste and emptiness, due to Lucifer’s rebellion. God then renewed the earth, making it conducive for man’s existence. And so it is written; ‘When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth’ (Psalms 104:30).

Day and night were not part of the original creation of the earth, They emerged as the result of
Lucifer’s rebellion. Prophecy reveals that, ‘…When the Lord will come, and all the holy ones with him, on that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime…a day known to the Lord. When evening comes, there will be light.’ (Zechariah 14: 5-7).
This is typical of the earth which existed from the foundation of the earth, before Lucifer rebelled, and brought darkness into existence.

Day and night, light and darkness, are not just natural phenomena with no apparent significance. There is an important reason why God, from creation, separated them from each other, as he also set apart the seventh day, and distinguished it from the rest of the other six days of the week, by omitting the evening and the morning as being the seventh day. The scripture simply says; ‘Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all his work which he had done in creation“ (Genesis 2:1-3).

The seventh day with the omission of evening and morning, depicts a unique day unto the Lord, a day without daytime or nighttime, a day known to the Lord. When evening comes, there will be light. Typical to the one at creation.

Therefore, just as the seventh day Sabbath has both a physical and spiritual application, for it is written; ‘For if Joshua had given them rest (which he did physically), God would not speak later of another day. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for whoever enters God’s (spiritual) rest also ceases from his (physical) labors as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience“ (Hebrews 4:8-11).

Similarly, day and night, light and darkness, have both literal, and spiritual implications. Day is indicative to the kingdom of light, and light is indicative to Jesus Christ, the Ruler of the kingdom of light. Whilst night is indicative to the kingdom of darkness, and darkness is indicative to Satan, the ruler of the kingdom of darkness.

The light which God formed, is Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, and proceeded from the Father. And therefore, everything that is good, everything that is true, is associated with light who is Jesus Christ. And so it is written; ‘ In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.“ He is the true light that gives light to every man who comes into the world.“ And Jesus himself said; ‘ I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life“ (John 1:4-5, 9; John 8:12)

This is the same light that will govern the earth, when the kingdom of God is established on earth. For the prophet Zechariah wrote; ‘…Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or night time… a day known to the Lord. When evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only one“ [There will be no existence of the kingdom of darkness, and no Satan to assume the title lord] (Zechariah 14:5-9).

The apostle John echoed similar sentiments in the book of Revelation, concerning the New Jerusalem. He wrote; ‘I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its light. (Revelation 21:22-25).

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1b. Violating the Law concerning Morality

Immorality is another contributing factor to the crisis the world faces today. The root cause of immorality is because people do not like to retain God in their knowledge. Again, forsaking the Lord, the fountain of living waters, and building for themselves cisterns…broken cisterns which cannot hold water. Professing to be wise, they become fools.

Man has changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and birds and four footed beasts and creeping things. Mankind has forsaken the Lord their God, and the fear of God is not in them. Therefore, because they have forsaken the Lord, and the fear of him is not in them, he also gave them over to uncleanness, in the lust of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. They have exchanged the truth of God who is Jesus Christ and his Word, for the lie who is Satan, and are worshiping and serving the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.

Mankind has placed his/her passions, and feelings above the fear and respect of God, thus making him/herself an idol of worship The word of the Lord says quite explicitly; “Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple” (1Corinthians 3: 16-17).
The temple of God is our body, which has been purchased with the blood of Christ, and therefore our bodies are not our own, we are to glorify God in our bodies which belongs to him. The body we are told is, “Not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also” (1Corinthians 6: 13-14).

The irony of truth is, the fear of the Lord is not in man, we have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters, we have rejected God at one time or the other in our knowledge, and because of this, we have lost all true sense of values. We are dishonoring our bodies with little or no regards as to who we are, and predestined to become. In our effort to combat the spread of aids, sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancies for example, we are not focusing on the root cause of the problem, which is dishonoring of our bodies, defiling the sacredness and sanctification of our bodies, which should be honored and respected as the temple of God, but the premise for our promotion and propaganda is rather on how not to deprive one’s self of his/her sexual pleasures, and how to avoid the consequences of our promiscuous lifestyle at all cost.

We show little or no reverence to the Lord’s admonition which states; “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men of all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, you gives you the Holy Spirit” (1Thessalonians 4:3-8).

Because we show little or no respect as to who we are, and not having the rightful fear of God in us, we do not take time to remind ourselves and ask; “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? And, “Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute?
So because the fear of God is not in us, we do not have the will power to say when we are drawn into temptation, Never! Our customs, life styles and traditions have made the words of God of no effect. For the word of the Lord says; “Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:15-17).

The admonition that we have all received form the Lord is; “Flee from sexual immorality. All sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body” (1Corinthians 6:18).
The only sexual relationship that does not defile the body, is that of a husband and wife in a marriage relationship, and therefore we are told that; “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4).

It is because mankind does not like to retain God in their knowledge, and have rejected the Lord, the fountain of living waters, and his word, that they now have a mind which is in the process of degeneration, from being knowledgeable and intelligent, to becoming foolish and ignorant, from foolish and ignorant, to indulgence and lenient, from indulgence and lenient, to having a debased and corrupt mind, with an impenitent heart.

The irony of truth is, most people have a wrong concept of God, they consider only his goodness and forget all about his severity. But we are to consider both the goodness and severity of God because, on those who fell, they will experience the severity of God, and those who continue in his goodness will experience his goodness. It is stated that, “…The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you” (1Chronicles 15:2). If you draw near to God he will draw near to you, if you forsake him he will give you up.

It is not because we are all susceptible, and vulnerable to the weaknesses of the flesh, that we should be fearful, or hesitant in proclaiming the pure and undiluted word of God. Proclaiming the pure and undiluted word of God is not like, “He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.” It is a calling to those who have been called to; “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1).

What one needs to be mindful of is; “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” But one should also consider that; “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.” But, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1Corinthians 10: 12-13).

There is an antidote to help one overcome whatever fears, or skepticism he/she may have with regards to the proclamation of the pure undiluted word against all opposition. It is the example set by the apostle Paul who wrote; “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

We are all created for the same purpose, and we all have the same battle to fight, which is against the flesh, and the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly realm. Man’s problem is giving the flesh priority over his Creator, and since mankind rather serve the creature, including himself, rather than the Creator, “God has given them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations between a man and a woman, for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and are inflamed with lust for one another, men committing indecent acts with other men, even though the law against sexual immorality clearly states; “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22).

The problem is that simple, we are putting the passions and desires of the flesh before the word, and the fear of God, when we have been admonished saying; “Since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourself also with the same mind, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God” (1Peter 4:1).

It is time that we heed the admonition which says; “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do… living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1Peter 4: 2-5).

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The world is in crisis because men have forsaken and held in contempt, the law which the Lord has ordained, and which if obeyed would guarantee the safety of its inhabitants, and all would be well with them.
Law Concerning Violence

One of the laws which was given to the children of Israel, and should be applicable to all humanity, but has now been violated with impunity is the law which says; “You shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it” (Numbers 35:33).

The law concerning violence was given to Moses in conjunction with the Ten Commandments before the covenant was ratified with blood. Remember, the children of Israel were afraid of God’s presence, when they heard his voice uttering the Ten Commandments, so they said to Moses; “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was” (Exodus 20:19-21).

So the rest of the covenant which God made with the children of Israel, but not in their hearing are, the law of the altar; the law concerning servants; the law concerning violence; the law concerning the control of animals; the law concerning the responsibility for property; the moral and ceremonial principles; the law concerning justice for all; the law of Sabbaths; and the law concerning the three annual Festivals. These are all part and parcel of the covenant before it was ratified with blood. The Decalogue or the Ten Commandments therefore, is the first of ten laws which God gave to the children of Israel.

It is after these ten laws were received and recorded, that Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments, and all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has said we will do.” And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel.’

“Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Behold, the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words” (Exodus 24:3-8).

This law as part of the Covenant which God made with the children of Israel, is recorded this way; “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. But if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him with guile, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die” (Exodus 21:12-14).

The law of God concerning violence makes provisions for the exoneration of the guiltless, by prohibiting the shedding of innocent blood, even the blood of one who kills another unintentionally. Hence the reason why the Lord instructed the children of Israel to build cities of refuge, so as to protect those who unintentionally killed another, from the anger of those who would take revenge for the death of their loved ones. And so it is stated; “Lest the avenger of blood, whilst his anger is hot, pursue the man-slayer and overtake him, because the way is long, and kill him, though he was not worthy of death, since he had not hated the victim in the past.” And “Lest innocent blood be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and thus blood guiltiness be upon you“ (Deuteronomy 19:6, 10).

The law of violence however does not prohibit the death of one who intentionally takes the life of another, even though he/she runs to the city of refuge. For thus says the law of God; “But if anyone hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises against him and strikes him mortally, so that he dies, and he flees to one of these cities, then the elders of his city shall send and bring him from there, and deliver him over to the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with you” (Deuteronomy 19:11-13).

The only way the blood of Jesus Christ will atone for the murder of a human being is when it can truly be said, “Our hands have not shed this blood, nor have our eyes seen it” then we can pray to God and say, “Provide atonement, O Lord, for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and do not lay innocent blood to the charge of your people Israel.” And atonement shall be provided on their behalf for the blood. So you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you when you do what is right in the sight of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 21:7-9).

We are therefore instructed saying; “ Now these things shall be a statute of judgment to you through out your generations in all your dwellings. Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty. Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death. And you shall take no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the priest.‘

“So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell: for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel” (Numbers 35:29-34).

The law of God makes adequate provisions on how to deal with violence, but men are claiming to be wise, have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water, and have hewn for themselves cisterns…broken cisterns than can hold no water, and have become fools with no immediate solutions in sight. They are holding the law of God concerning violence with gross contempt, and presenting themselves as though they are more knowledgeable, wiser, more righteous, more merciful, more compassionate, more loving, more pitiful than God himself who gives to all life breath and all things, and said, “Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with you” (Deuteronomy 19: 13).

After the flood, God made an everlasting covenant with Noah regarding his creation and said to him, “You must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God has God made man” (Genesis 9:4-6).

This covenant is so binding that, although Jesus Christ voluntarily shed his blood for man on the cross and fulfills the Father’s demand, it was necessary for him to institute the New Covenant of his blood, which became effective after his death, in order to perpetuate the fulfillment of this demand.

One common notion expressed by most people is, “If God was really powerful and good, He would not allow so much evil and suffering to go on.” On the other hand, there are those who believe that, the victims of calamities are worse sinners than others hence the reason why they suffered. But according the words of Jesus Christ, “I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Regardless of what people may want to attribute to the world’s increasing state of disaster, woes, crimes and calamities, the word of God reveals that there are three fundamental reasons for all these troubles, and they are correlated to each other.

The word of the Lord says; “The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away; the heavens languish together with the earth. The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants” (Isaiah 24:4-5)

No one is immune from those events that are permeating the whole earth. The prophet Isaiah wrote; “Behold, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; He will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants. It will be the same for priest as for people, for masters as for servants, for mistress as for maid, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor. The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The Lord has spoken this word” (Isaiah 24:1-3).

What is happening throughout the entire universe is as a result of three basic, fundamental reasons, and unless one is willing to present his/her body as living sacrifices, holy, and acceptable to God which is our spiritual act of worship, and not to be conformed to this world, but be willing to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, in order to prove what is that good and acceptable will of God, no sigh of relief will be imminent to them, for the world is doomed to destruction.

It is therefore incumbent on all those who understands God’s perspective of life, to get busy in doing what the Lord says, which is; “O Zion, you who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God” (Isaiah 40: 9).

So the reasons why the earth and its inhabitants are in such a crisis are:-

1a. Transgressing the laws of God,

The irony of truth is, every aspect of life is governed by a law or principle, and whether one is knowledgeable, or ignorant of these laws they automatically reap the benefits for obeying them, and unfortunately reap the consequences for violating them. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Laws were designed by God and gave to man for man’s good. It is God’s way of life to man, and the way the universe is governed. The Lord said to the prophet Ezekiel, “I gave them my statutes and showed them my ordinances, by whose observance man shall live. Moreover I gave them My Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I the Lord sanctify them. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness; they did not walk in my statutes but rejected my ordinances, by whose observance man shall live; and My Sabbaths they greatly profaned” (Ezekiel 20:11-13).

As long as man continues to violate the laws which God has ordained by which man should live, and by which the earth is governed, man and the earth will continue to be under a curse.
Some distracters will say for example that the laws God gave to the children of Israel were not for Gentiles, they are only for the children of Israel, what a travesty! Because regardless of how many so called gods and lords there may be, yet in reality there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we live.

Now this is what the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts says; “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it, let him declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declare it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:6-8).

There is only one Lord, who is the Rock who spiritually fed the children of Israel during their journey in the wilderness of Zin (sin), for it is stated that; “…All ate the same supernatural food and all drank the same supernatural drink, for they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:3-4)

It is on that same Rock that the New Testament church is built. The one and only true Lord, Jesus Christ said to Peter, “ I tell you, you are Peter, and on this Rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

What we all need to establish firmly in our minds is that, from the moment Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, man became separated from God, and God dealt personally with only a few individuals like the patriarchs and the prophets. Mankind in general had no relationship with God, and therefore, “In the past generations, God allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave them from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying their hearts with food and gladness. God’s relationship with man since the fall of Adam and Eve was restored when, he chose the children of Israel as His own special people, and to them and only them he gave instructions on how to live, and entered into an everlasting covenant with them.

In giving instructions to the children of Israel on how to be obedient to God, and to beware of idolatry, Moses said to the children of Israel, “When you are in distress [because of being disobedient to God, and serving other gods], and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey his voice ‘(for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which he swore to them. For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of. Did any people ever hear the voice of a God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live?’

“Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it is shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him.” (Deuteronomy 4:32-35).

It is only to the children of Israel has God ever revealed himself, and therefore it is only to them he has given his instructions on how to live. The apostle Paul asked a question in the book of Romans chapter three verse one saying; “What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? His answer is, “Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.” He then asked another provoking question asking, “What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? Paul’s answer was, “By no means! Let God be true though every man be false, as it is written: “That you may be justified in your words, and may overcome when you are judged” (Romans 3:2-4).

The truth of the matter is, the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises, pertained to the children of Israel of whom are the fathers, and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Therefore the first step is to return to the old path, to the statutes which the Lord gave to the children of Israel, and the judgments he showed them, which, if a man does, he shall live by them.

To be continued

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The Gospel of Christ

The gospel of Christ is the good news of salvation which has to be proclaimed to all those who live on the earth, to every nation, tribe, language and people. It has to be proclaimed everywhere, at all times, with great urgency with boldness, and as a testimony to all.
Those who are entrusted with this gospel are called by God, set apart to both proclaim and defend the gospel, and are under divine orders to fulfill its mandate.

Let us take our queue from the apostle Paul whom God entrusted with the gospel to the Gentiles, he said; “I Paul a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, the gospel he promised before hand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God, by his resurrection from the dead, through whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:1-6).

With regards to the defense of the gospel the apostle Paul wrote: “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart: for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.” His encouragement to the brethren was, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, then whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved – and that by God” (Philippians 7, 27).

With regards to being under divine order, the apostle Paul wrote; “When I preach the gospel I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me” (1Corinthians 9:16-17).
What exactly is the gospel which God promised before hand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding His Son, for which Paul was called, set apart, and under divine orders to preach?
Let us allow the apostle Paul himself to unveiled this mystery, which according to him, “Was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets:” “And to make all people see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:5, 9).
The apostle Paul began by saying; “I want you to know brethren that the gospel I preach is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” He continued; “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased to reveal his Son to me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus” (Galatians 1:11-12; 15-17).
The gospel, the good news of salvation, the mystery of the ages that was revealed to the apostle Paul is three-folds;

1. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures

The apostle Paul wrote; “Now brethren, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1Corinthians 15:1- 3).
This is good news for all, because, “At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man some one might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrate his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

2. He was buried and was raised on the third day according to the scripture

Rising again after three days and three nights is the proof of his Messiah-ship that he gave to the Scribes and Pharisees, when he said to them; “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” He also told them; “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (Matthew 12:39-40; John 2:19).

Now the main point of him being resurrected from the dead, is to fulfill his role as our High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens, to make intercessions on behalf of our sins, and for this reason, “He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the internal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15).

3. We are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

The gospel which was revealed to the apostle Paul not only confirmed the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but also made known the means of redemption, which is made possible only by the blood of Jesus Christ.
In unveiling the gospel which Paul received, he said; “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Then Paul in addition said to them; “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1Corinthians 11:23-26).
The gospel according to the apostle Paul is the power of God for salvation. He wrote; “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jews, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17).
The gospel is called the ministry of righteousness. It reveals God’s righteousness through faith; and now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and all who believe” (Romans 3:21-22).
This is the gospel of Christ: anything else that is required of us is as an expression of gratitude, in thanksgiving to his abundant mercies and manifold graces, and out of love through our own volition, we ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; bringing an offering and appear before his presence at his appointed festivals, and worship him in the beauty of holiness, tremble before him; and loving one another as our own selves. However, there are stipulated laws by which we can express our gratitude, and it should be done through faith, and not by law, because we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name.

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FEAST OF TABERNACLES IS THE FEAST OF THE LORD

In the book of Leviticus chapter twenty three, verse thirty nine states the following; “On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall keep [not just a feast unto the Lord] but the feast of the Lord seven days; on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest.”

This festival of the Lord is so vitally important that, in the millennium when God’s kingdom will be established on earth, “Every one that survives of all nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain upon them. And if the family of Egypt do not go up and present themselves, then upon them shall come the plague with which the Lord afflicts the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This shall be the punishment to Egypt and the punishment to all the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16-19).

To the children of Israel and their succeeding generations, this festival is a reminder to remind them
That; “God made the people of Israel dwell in booths when He brought them out of the land of Egypt:’ and that the Lord is their God” (Lev.23:43).

Today, this festival commemorates the day on which the Word became flesh and Tabernacle among us, and we all received our permanent dwelling in him, for in him we live, and move and have our being. He is the vine and we are the branches. He is the one and only foundation on which we can all build our everlasting house.

THE EIGHTH DAY
The Eight Day commemorates the circumcision of Jesus Christ, by which we all may become heirs to the promise which God made to Abraham. Because, “In him we were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ” (Colossians 2:11).

According to the covenant God made with Abraham, the Lord said, “This is my covenant which you shall keep between me and you and your descendants after you; every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised; every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any stranger who is not your descendant; he who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant” (Genesis 17:10-13).

THE DAY OF CHRIST’S DEATH POINTS TO THE DAY OF HIS BIRTH

It is generally accepted according to the book of Luke that, “Jesus himself began his ministry at about thirty years of age.” And his ministry lasted for three and a half years .He died on the fourteenth day of the first month according to the Jewish sacred Calendar, which theoretically points to his birth date as the fifteenth day of the seventh month, exactly six months after the date of his death.

Jesus’ ministry began at the Feast of Tabernacles. It is written, “Now the Jews feast of Tabernacles was at hand. So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea that your disciples may see the works you are doing. For no man works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world. For even his brothers did not believe him” (John 7:2-5)
About the middle of the Feast Jesus went up to the temple and taught. The Jews marveled at it, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied? (John 7:14-15).

Three and a half years of ministry beginning with the Feast of Tabernacles, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, and culminating with his death on the 14th day of the first month at the Passover.

The birth of John Baptist also points to the birth of Jesus Christ to the seventh month of the Jewish sacred calendar.

It was the official duty of Aaron and four of his sons, namely; Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar to offer sacrifices on the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded (1Chronicles 6:49; 1Chronicles 23:27-32).

Two of the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu died before Aaron their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests. David divided the services of the temple between the sons of Eleazar who numbered sixteen, and the sons of Ithamar who numbered eight, giving a total of twenty four divisions.(1Chronicles 24:1-4).

Dividing twenty four divisions to serve during a period of twelve months means that, each division would have to serve for a period of two (2) weeks: or more precisely two weeks, one day, and four hours, by dividing fifty two weeks in the year into twenty four divisions.

The scriptures state that Abijah from whom Zacharias the father of John Baptist descended was of the eighth division. Implying that the time Zacharias was visited by the angel was during the fifteenth, and sixteenth week of the Jewish sacred calendar, or the last two weeks of the fourth month.

Now according to Luke’s gospel, “As soon as the days of his [Zacharias’] service were completed, that he departed to his own house’. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months saying, thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”

Zacharias leaving the temple at the end of the fourth month mute, and unable to speak because he did not believe what the angel told him, went home to his wife at the beginning of the fifth month, therefore we can conclude the Elizabeth was conceived during the fifth month.

Nine months of normal pregnancy will lead us to the birth of John Baptist, to be during the first month of the following year. It is well documented in the scriptures that John Baptist was six months older than Jesus Christ (see Luke 1:26, 36).

Therefore if John Baptist was born during the first month of the year, it is therefore conclusive that Jesus Christ was born during the seventh month of the year according to the Jewish sacred calendar, which begins its first month with the first new moon in spring, between the months of March – April, and the seventh month begins with the new moon between late September and early October.
Therefore, what is the rationale for observing December 25th Christmas day, as the date of Christ’s birth. Why reject the commandments of God in order to keep man’s pagan tradition?

7. Believe that Jesus Christ is returning to establish his kingdom

The believer does not only believe in the person of Jesus Christ, but believes also in his purpose and his message. The ultimate objective for God’s infallible purpose in Christ is to fulfill the everlasting covenant and promise which he made to Abraham and his descendants.

It is stated that, “When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that they might receive the full rights as sons.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, so that by faith they might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Because they are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into their hearts crying, “Abba! Father” So they are no longer slaves, but sons, and since they are sons, God has also made them heirs. Heirs to the promise God made to Abraham and his descendants (Gal.4:4-8; Gal.3:14).

In confirming the immutability of the covenant which God made to Abraham and his descendants, the apostle Paul wrote; “Brethren, let us take an example from every day life. Just as no one can set aside, or add to a human covenant that has been duly established so it is in this case: The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The scripture does not say “and to seeds”, meaning many people, but “and to your seed”, meaning one person, who is Christ” (Gal. 3:15-16).

And regarding the promise the Lord made to David he says; “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety, this is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.’

“For this is what the Lord says: David will never fail to have a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, nor will the priests, who are Levites, ever fail to have a man to stand before me continually to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to present sacrifices” (Jer.33:14-17).

Both offices of King and Priest were fulfilled by Melchizedek, thus guaranteeing the continual existence of both the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

And with regards to the everlasting covenant the Lord made with the house of Israel the prophet Isaiah wrote; “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord will perform it.” (Isaiah 9: 6-7).

The first message Jesus brought when he came to Galilee preaching the gospel of God was, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel.” (Mk.1:14-15). When asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he replied, The kingdom of God is not coming with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is, or there it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Lk.17:20-22).

The kingdom of God establishing itself on earth was revealed to the first world ruling king in a dream during the days of Daniel the prophet. In unveiling the dream to the king the prophet Daniel said; “The stone which you saw O king that was cut out, but not by human hands, and struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces; then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain (kingdom) and filled the whole earth” (Dan.2:34-35).

In interpreting the dream to the king Daniel said; “You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the sons of men, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the air, making you rule over them all, you are the head of gold.” Daniel inform the king saying; after you will arise three other kingdoms inferior to you, and in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand for ever; just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. The great God has made known to you what will take place in the future. The dream is certain and its interpretation is sure” (Dan. 2:36-45).

According to Daniel the kingdom of God will be established during the reign of the fourth kingdom (the Roman Empire). He wrote; “As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it in pieces.” But the court, shall sit in judgment and his dominion shall be taken away, and to be consumed and destroyed to the end.

And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High’ their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them: (Dan. 7:23, 26-27).

The kingdom of God is the principal and ultimate objective for our righteous way of living. It is stated that when Jesus returns he will separate the sheep from the goats, and say to the sheep on his right hand, “Come you are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matt.25:34).

The prerequisite for inheriting the kingdom of God is the immortality of our body; because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Now in order for the immortal to put on immortality, and for the perishable to become imperishable, the Holy Spirit must dwell in the individual; because it is only if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.

The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God, nor will the immoral, idolaters, adulterers, sexual perverts, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, and robbers inherit the kingdom of God.

Those who are guaranteed inheriting the kingdom of God, and reaps God’s ultimate plan for man are those who drinks the water that Christ has given which is his blood, and that will become in him a spring of water, which is the Holy Spirit, welling up to everlasting life, which is the immortality of the human body. This is what believing in Jesus Christ entails, it is not merely a vague nebulous ideology with little or no substance.

8. Believe that Jesus Christ is the Eternal One

The believer believes that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He retained the same glory which he had with the Father before time began. He said to his disciples, “I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” In his prayer to the Father he said, “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the foundation of the world.”
He said again, “…Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you, as you have given him authority over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.’
“And this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I have glorified you on the earth I have finished the work which you have given me to do. And now, O Father, glorify me together with yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world was” (John 16:28; 17:1-5).

Yes to believe in Jesus Christ one must believe that, “…His years are throughout all generations. Of old he laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of his hands. They will perish, but he will endure; yes, all of them will grow old like a garment; like a cloak he will change them, and they will be changed, but he is the same, and his years will have no end. The children of his servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before him” (Psalms 102:24-28).

1.       Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of Man

The believer believes that Jesus is the Son of Man who divested himself of his divine glory and became a man possessing the same human nature as other human beings. For it is written; “Inasmuch as the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

The believer believes that Jesus Christ was both God and man, and it was necessary that he became flesh because, as God alone he could not have died to save mankind, and as man alone he could only pay the penalty of death for one man. He had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do; He sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering, and so he condemned sin in sinful man, by not succumbing to sin, and becoming a perfect sacrifice for sin.

He was tempted in all points as we are being tempted, but did not sin, and because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, and was designated by God to be High Priest in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 4:15;  2:18; 5:7-10).

The believer believes that Jesus Christ as the Son of Man suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps, and that he committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips, when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

It is stated that everyone that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and may receive eternal life. As it is written; “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).

This Eternal life is Jesus Christ the foundation on which every one has been granted the opportunity to build his/her spiritual house, and the source by which one comes to know the one and only true God, and Jesus Christ whom God has sent. Believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of Man becomes the way, the truth, and the life by which one comes to the Father, and the golden opportunity for one to choose the best indestructible material to build his/her spiritual house. This level of belief will not guarantee everlasting life.

It is everyone’s individual responsibility to be careful on how he /she builds on this foundation, for no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Therefore if any one builds on this foundation using gold, silver, or precious stones, his work which will be tested by fire will survive and will receive a reward. But if anyone builds on this foundation with wood, hay or straw, his work will be burnt up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, only as one escaping through the flames.

God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self seeking and who rejects the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

2.       Believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior

The believer believes that Jesus Christ took our place and became sin for us. For, “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed him stricken (wounded) smitten by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way: and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors, for he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:4-6;10-12).

The believer believes that while we were still weak, at the right time Jesus Christ died for the ungodly and that God demonstrated his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He took our place in death, and we are therefore convinced that, if one has died for all then all died, and he died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

The believer believes that Jesus Christ became our Savior by becoming;

1. Our Wisdom from God

This wisdom for ages past was kept hidden in God who created all things. God’s intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm (Satan and his demons), his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. This mystery is how in Christ Jesus and through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Jesus Christ is God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

2. Our Righteousness

Jesus Christ is our righteousness because it is, “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared he saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing and rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).

Those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:17-19).

3. Our Sanctification

Jesus Christ is our sanctification because, “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once we were alienated from God and were enemies in our minds because of our evil behavior, but now he has reconciled us by Christ’s physical body through death to present us holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Colossians 1:19-22).

4.  Our Redemption

Jesus Christ is our redemption because, “God the Father has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1: 13-14).

Jesus Christ saved us by his death on the cross, and continues to save us by being our righteousness as being our High Priest, our sanctification through partaking of his flesh (unleavened bread), and our redemption through partaking of his blood (wine). This responsibility has been given to us as a church to demonstrate to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms the manifold wisdom of God.

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that there are believers and unbelievers, but apparently people are unable to make a clear distinction between the two, because there is little or no difference between the life style of the believer and that of the unbeliever.

The bible for example gives a clear command for believers who are married to another believer, and another charge to a believer who is married to an unbeliever.  To the married believers the bible states categorically, “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife” (1Corinthians 7:10-11).

To a believer who is married to an unbeliever the bible gives a totally different charge which is, “To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord):  If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him, for the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.’

“But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. Wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife” (1Corinthians 7:12-16)?

With the majority of people violating with impunity the command given to believers, and adopting the principle granted to unbelievers, it leaves one to wonder whether there is such a distinction between believers and unbelievers, or whether there is a false concept of what it is to believe.

The distinction between the believer and the unbeliever is so relevant and realistic that believers have been admonished saying; “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…For what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we (the believer) are the temple of the living God, as God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you, I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2Corinthians 6:14-18).

The reality is most people who called themselves believers, are living more like unbelievers than they do as believers. Believe in Jesus Christ to most people is simply an ideology that has been professed and embraced by all in the Christian community, but what exactly it is to believe in Jesus Christ, what does it entails? How can the believer be differentiated from the unbeliever?

To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe that he is the way, the truth and the life, and that no one comes unto the Father except through him. Believing this is the most important criterion of our salvation as alluded to by the apostle Paul who wrote; “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” Those who are perishing, perish because they refused to love the truth and be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, 10).

But what is the truth about Jesus that we should believe? In praying to the Father on behalf of his disciples Jesus said; “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” The truth therefore is Jesus Christ the word of God, who became flesh and made his dwelling among men, and we beheld his glory, the glory as the only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth (John.17:17; Jn. 14: 6; John.1:14).

Believing Jesus Christ who is the word of God that was made flesh and dwelt among men is to believe everything the scriptures say about him, and this is the way one can differentiate a believer from an unbeliever, and the details about Jesus can be subdivided into eight (8) intrinsic parts which are:-

1.       Believe that Jesus Christ is the Beloved Son of God

A believer is one who believes that Jesus Christ is the Beloved Son of God, who proceeded and came forth from the Father, and that the Father himself loves him/her because he/she has loved Jesus Christ and has believed that Jesus Christ came from God.

The believer believes that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, the Word of God, who was in the beginning with God, and that all things were created by him and without him was not anything made that was made, and that Jesus Christ is the express image of the invisible God, and in him all things in heaven and earth were created, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominion or principalities or authorities; all things were created through him and for him, and that He is before all things and in him all things exists.

The believer believes that since Jesus Christ is the word of God, and no one has heard the voice of God nor seen his form, it is Jesus Christ the Beloved Son of God who gave Moses the Everlasting Covenant, the Ten Commandments, and it is he who said to Moses’ “These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies” (Leviticus 23:2)

He believes also that it is he who gave instructions to Aaron the High priest saying; “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight. With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering. Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and its drink offering as in the morning – a pleasing aroma, an offering to the Lord by fire.’

“For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you; there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory. So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God” (Exodus 29:38-46).

The believer believes that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever, and since when he came into the world he said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” And since he fulfilled them by replacing the shadow and copy with the reality which is, replacing the earthly tabernacle with the true tabernacle in heaven, replacing the lamb by the sacrifice of himself, and leaving the bread and the wine to represent his flesh and blood, and replacing the temporary high priest, by himself the everlasting High priest, the offering of God’s food for his offering… the Lord’s supper is relevant to day as it was when the Lord instituted it.

A believer believes that it is Jesus Christ who asked Moses to say to the children of Israel, “You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy, observe the Sabbath because it is holy to you”  (Exodus 31:13-14).

He also believes that it is Jesus Christ who said to the prophet Ezekiel; “…I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.” And, “Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:12, 20).

These Sabbaths are the Lord’s appointed feasts, which the believer is to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing offerings made to the Lord by fire” (Leviticus 23:37).

The instructions given to the believer is “See that you present to me at the appointed time the food for my offerings made by fire, as an aroma pleasing to me” (Numbers 28:2).

This fragrant offering in our dispensation, is the offering of the sacrificial body of the Son of God in the form of the bread and wine. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

Hence when he came into the world he said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day” (Mark 2:27-28).

The Lord spoke to Moses saying; “Command the children of Israel and say to them, ‘My offering, my food for my offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to me, you shall be careful to offer to me at their appointed time” (Numbers 28:2).
What is the Lord’s Offering?
The Lord’s offering is biblically known as the “Burnt Offering” and the composition is:
a. A lamb in their first year without blemish, typical to Jesus Christ the Lamb of God, who took away our sins, and continues to make atonement for our sins as our High Priest.
b. A Grain/Meal offering which was a mixture of fine flour mixed with pressed oil, and a pinch of salt, is typical of the body of Christ who said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (Jn.12:24). The oil is typical to the Holy Spirit, brotherly love, joy and gladness, and real grace (1Jn.2:20, 27; Ps.133:1-2; Isa.61:3; Matt.25:4).And the pinch of salt is typical to peace with one another, and the salt of the covenant with God (Lev.2:13; Mk.9:50).
c. A Drink offering which is wine and typical to the blood of Christ which is given to us upon the altar for the forgiveness of our sins (Lev.17:11; Matt.26:28).
This offering is an offering we are required to offer to the Lord at specific times which he has ordained. For thus says the Lord; “These are the feasts of the Lord which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day.”
This offering is special, and it is besides, the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides our gifts, besides all our vows, and besides all our free will offerings which we give to the Lord” (Lev.23:37-38). It is made by fire which is typical of our zeal, as a sweet smelling aroma which is typical of “Jesus Christ who loved us and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma’ (Eph.5:2).
We are to be careful to offer it to him at their appointed time
This Offering is the food for God’s offerings, which we are to offer to him at the following appointed times viz.
1. Daily/Regularly (Exo.29:38-46; Num.28:3-8).
This is a thanksgiving offering which we are to offer to the Lord for his goodness and faithfulness. David in his last words, instructed the priests to “Stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evenings.” According to him, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to you name, O Most High, to declare your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night”(1Chro.23:30-31; Ps.92:1-2).
2. On the Weekly Sabbath Day (Saturday) Lev.23:3; Num.28:9-10).
This is a fellowship/peace offering which unites the body of Christ – the church in fellowship with one another, and with the Father and the Son. The Apostle wrote: “The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many; are one (bread) body for we all partake of that one bread” (1Cor.10:16-17). It is also a thanksgiving offering, in commemoration and honor of God’s creation.
3. Monthly
This is a thanksgiving offering for every New Moon which keeps us abreast with God’s sacred calendar, and the beginning of months.
4. Passover/Days of Unleavened Bread
This is both a thanksgiving and fellowship/peace offering in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Lev.23:4-14; Num.28:16-25; 1Cor.5:7-8).
5. Feast of Weeks/Pentecost
This is both a thanks giving and fellowship/peace offering commemorating the arrival of the Holy Spirit who is our Helper, Comforter, and Provider (Lev.23:15-22; Num.28: 26-31; Acts 2: 1-4).
6. Feast of Trumpets
It is both a thanksgiving and fellowship/peace offering commemorating our victory and deliverance from this evil world (Lev.23:23-25; Num.29:1-6; Matt. 24:31; 1Thes. 4:16).
7. Day of Atonement, a fellowship offering in commemoration of Jesus Christ as our Sin Bearer, and our High Priest who makes intercession on behalf of our sins.
8. The Feast of Tabernacles
It is both a Thanksgiving and fellowship/peace offering commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ in whom we have our permanent dwelling, and to honor and glorify him as the King of Kings, and Lord of lords (Lev.23:39; Num.29:12-34; Zech/14:16-21)
9. The Eighth Day is both a thanksgiving and a fellowship/peace offering, commemorating the circumcision of Jesus Christ, by which we have now become fellow citizens of the commonwealth of Israel and no more strangers of the covenant of promise (Lev.23:39; Num.29:35-39; Eph.2:11-13; Col.2:11-14).
Some may consider this as slavery, but this is what the word of the Lord says; “Having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” This is the only act of righteousness that can produce the fruit of holiness, and at the end everlasting life (Rom.6:18, 22)
This is the only act of righteousness that when practiced the doer is righteous even as Christ is righteous (1Jn.3:7).
Our own righteousness is as filthy rags before God, and by the deed of the law no flesh will be justified in his sight. This righteous act is what allows one to reign in life through the One Jesus Christ. It is through this act of righteousness the free gift came to all men resulting in justification of life. (Rom.5:17-19).
We are asked, “Not to labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man has given us, because God the Father has set his seal on him.” This is that bread which comes down from heaven that one may eat of it and not die (Jn.6:27, 33, 48-50).
The question is: are you laboring for this food? And have you become a slave of righteousness? The choice is yours, you have been informed.

It is sad and heart breaking to see how the church, the body of Christ, has not been able to distinguish itself from the rest of the world, instead of being separated as they are required to do they are merging with the world, and even inviting the world into their midst, ignoring the warning which says; “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

True believers in Jesus Christ, who forms the church of the living God, the body of Christ, are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people elected to proclaim the praises of God, who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light.

What differentiates them from the rest of the world is their appreciation and acknowledgment of their sanctification from the world through the following process:

1. God the Father:

It is God the Father who, “Has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace by which he has made us accepted in the Beloved” (Eph.1:3-6).

It is God the Father who works in us both to will and to do for his good pleasure; His plan, his everlasting love is all fulfilled in Jesus Christ, when he did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

To this end, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore who was raised to life, and is even at the right hand of God who also makes intercession for us” (Rom.8:33-34).

It is the God of peace himself who completely sanctifies us so that, our whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus Christ:

It is in Christ we all live and move and have our existence. He is the vine and we are the branches. Because of God we are in Christ Jesus who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, so that he who glorifies, let him glory in the Lord.

Jesus Christ is the one who sanctifies the believer. For both he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying; “I will declare your name to my brethren; In the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to you.” And again; ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again; “Here am I and the children whom God has given me” (Heb.2:11-13).

Everything God has in store for us has already been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The righteousness by which anyone can serve God is not by one’s own righteousness which is regarded as filthy rags before God. Neither is it by the works of the law, for by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight. The righteousness by which we can serve God is God’s own righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.

God’s righteousness is a gift imputed to man, just as David described the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works; He said; “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin” (Rom.3:6-8).

God’s righteousness is a gift from God through our new life in Jesus Christ, which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness. As it is written; “For if by one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ” (Rom.5:17).

3. The Holy Spirit

Jesus Christ who has become our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption says: “Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to the Father.” Again he says; “Nevertheless I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart I will send him to you” (Jn.14:12; Jn.16:7).

This Helper is the Holy Spirit which is given to us on condition that we keep his commandments, for it is written; “If you love me keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father and he will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him; but you know him for he dwells with you, and will be in you.”

We are also instructed by Peter saying; “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree, him God has exalted to his right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:32).

The Holy Spirit, our Helper, is also our Teacher. The Lord says; “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” He is the anointing which we have received from the Father that abides in us, and we do not need any one to teach us; but as the same anointing teaches us concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as he has taught us, we will abide in him” (Jn.14:26; 1Jn.2:27).

No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit, and no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we the believer have received, not the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1Cor.12; 3; 1Cor.2:11-14).

Believers are, “Elected according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (1Pet.1:2). The apostle Paul echoed a similar sentiment with the apostle Peter by saying; “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which he called us by the gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2Thes.2:13-14).

In greeting the faithful brethren the apostle Peter wrote; “To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Pet.1-4).

It is important that we do not forget that God from the beginning chose us for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit for obedience and belief in the truth, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore our individual part in the process of sanctification is:-

4. Obedience to the truth:

Our obedience to the truth is what sanctifies us and separates us from the rest of the world. Jesus praying on behalf of his disciples said; “I have given them your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that you should take them out of the world but that you should keep them from the evil one.

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world, and for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (Jn.17:14-19).

Truth is the most important criterion by which God is to be worshiped. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is of the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worship the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn.4:22-24).

With regards to the worship of God, the objective and purpose of worship has not been changed, only the place of worship, the priesthood, and the sacrifice for sins which could not present the worshiper perfect before God that was changed. But now there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

5. Christ’s Blood:

Christ’s blood is what purifies our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. It is what gives us the boldness to enter the most holy place, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. God has given it to us upon the altar to make atonement for the soul, for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. In Christ we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

The sanctified ones have come to mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels to the general assembly and church of the first born who are registered in heaven, to God the judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel” (Heb.12:22-24).

The blood of sprinkling by which we are sanctified, and Christ as Mediator is the Cup of the New Covenant which on the night before he was led to be crucified took, gave thanks and said, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt.26:27-28).

It is obedience to the word of Christ which says; “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day, for my flesh is food indeed and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on me will live because of me” (Jn.6:53-57).

6. Prayer:

The living God is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Those who believe and know the truth receive foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving: for every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. The kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense (Tim.4:3-5, 10, Rom.14:17, 20).

7. Manifest you election in life:

As the elect of God, holy and beloved put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection; and let the peace of God rule in your heart, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord, and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col.3:12-17).

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