In this study, we will make a case for AMillennialism. This is the belief that the millennium in Revelation 20 is a figurative amount of time spanning from Christ's first resurrection and ascension to His second advent. This is the historical teaching of the Catholic, Orthodox and mainline Protestant Churches. While this may cause many Christians to immediately dismiss the AMillennial understanding of the end times, we have to remember that just because certain Churches, that we don't agree with, believe something doesn't mean it's automatically false.
At the end of the day, all things must be proven by scripture. While history provides valuable insights, it is scripture alone that should establish our beliefs. In this study we will surprisingly see how AMillennialism harmonizes with what the bible teaches about the end times. Not only that, but the truth about the millennium, where and when it takes place, gives us a far better hope in this present age than Premillennialism.
Understanding the truth about the millennium is key to one's walk with Christ. The implications of where and when the millennium takes place are far reaching for the Christian Congregation. It determines how you approach your daily life and how you view others, inside and outside the Congregation.
As we go through this study, we will see that the truth in regards to where and when the millennium takes place has a big part in shaping how a believer looks at life in general and looks at their own personal walk with Christ. It will change the way you approach ministry and the way you view your enemies. It will change your world view and your approach to where your loyalty lies in terms of citizenship. I will use Revelation 20 as my base passage of scripture to work from. Of course, we will span many texts of scripture to harmonize the AMillennial view. In short, the AMillennial view teaches that the New covenant Church age is the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Premillennialism, after a hiatus in the mainstream Churches, began popping up after the reformation started in the 1500's. The Anabaptists were the first ones after the reformation to teach premillennialism. Not all of them, the pioneer Anabaptists (swiss brethren) were AMillennialists as they had just broken off from the Zwingly Protestants who themselves were AMillennialists just like the rest of the Protestants.
Premillennialism gained popularity especially in the 1800's with three forms, Historical Premillennialism, which was a view held by some in the early Church. The second was Dispensational Premillennialism which had it's origin in the 1800's. The third was the Seventh-day Adventist understanding of Premillennialism which teaches that the Millennium is in heaven as opposed to earth (Historical and Dispensational view).
Post Millennialism was popular in the 1800's as it teaches that Christ second advent will occur after the world is Christianized. As we go through this study, we will talk about the dangers and pitfalls of both premillennialism and post Millennialism.
Within the AMillennial understanding of the end times, there are some varying views. They range from a preterist understanding of the end times to a futuristic view of the end times. However, traditionally AMillennialism teaches a historicist view of the end times. That is also my view (historicism). Historicism teaches that the prophecies of the book of Revelation span from the cross all the way to the establishment of the new heaven and new earth.
The AMillennial view teaches that Christ now reigns on earth in the heart of believers. A rather new alternate view teaches that Christ reigns with the saints in heaven now in the intermediate state. My view is the traditional one which teaches that Christ reigns in the hearts of believers now on earth. Also, I don't believe in the immortal soul doctrine so that eliminates the saints reigning in heaven now.
The AMillennial view teaches that Christian's are now reigning as kings & priests on earth and that Jesus is reigning over His Kingdom, which is on earth, from heaven and that He is currently sitting on the Davidic throne in the most holy place at the right hand of God. AMillennialism teaches that Christ was established as the King of His earthly Kingdom at His ascension. We will show this throughout the study. Let's now go to Revelation 20 and start this beautiful journey in understanding the truth about the millennium:
Revelation 20:1-15 (KJV)
1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
This is the only place in scripture that speaks of a thousand year period. It's understandable that people would take this as a period that follows the second advent of Christ. If you read Revelation 19 and then go to Revelation 20 that seems to be the order of things as the first word in Revelation 20 is "And", however this could be the introduction to the next cycle that repeats the previous cycles in this prophetic book. Let's see whether or not this passage in Revelation 20 refers to a future time period or if it is a time period in which we are now living.
In verses 1-3, we see the binding of Satan by the Angel. The bottomless pit could be a reference to the depth of the earth and the earth itself. The identification of the Angel is none other than our Savior Jesus Christ. How do we know this? Let's go to Revelation 1:8:
"18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
The refrenced to hell and death are in regards to the grave which is in the depth of the earth. The speaker in this passage is our Jehovah Jesus Christ. It's the Son of God who possesses the keys to the bottomless pit. So the keys to the bottomless pit and hell and death are one and the same. This clearly indentifies the binding Angel in Revelation 20 as Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:7-9 (KJV)
7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
The phrase "the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan" in verse 2 of Revelation 20 links this vision with the above passage in Revelation 12. This is in reference to Christ’s exaltation to heaven. It was the exaltation of Christ to heaven that commenced the war of Revelation 12:7-9 and it was Michael The Archangel, who is Jesus Christ, that defeated and cast out Satan from heaven to earth (bottomless pit). Verse 8 says there was no place found anymore in heaven for Satan hence him being bound to the bottomless pit (earth and depth of the earth "hell and death"). Since it was Michael The Archangel who cast out Satan to the earth (kicking out of heaven thereby binding him) and it was an Angel who bound Satan to the earth in Revelation 20 and it was Jesus who said that He had the keys to the depth of the earth (bottomless pit), then Michael, the Angel and Jesus are all one and the same.
Revelation 12 and Revelation 20 are describing the same sequence of events. So when did this all take place (the war in heaven and the binding of Satan)? The war of the angels was the result of Christ's exaltation upon Satan and his forces. Satan's defeat relates especially to his work as the accuser of the brethren in the court of heaven (Job 1:6-11, 2:5, Zechariah 3:1-5).
Christ's atoning death redeemed His people from sin (Revelation 1:5, 5;9, 7:14). In fact, it was Christ's shedding of blood that granted us to be kings and priests unto God and his Father:
Revelation 1:5-6 (KJV)
5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
This is significant as John the beloved tells us that it was Jesus shedding of blood on the cross that made us kings and priests. Brethren, one can't be a king unless there is a kingdom in which to be a king of.
The war in heaven was an instrument to implement the results of Christ's victory over Satan at the cross. Satan continues to rage on earth, however we will see that it him being cast out of heaven and bound to the earth and depth of the earth (bottomless pit), that brought forth the establishment of the Kingdom of Jehovah God and the Power of His Christ. The Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of Christ are synonymous (one and the same).
Revelation 12:10-13 (KVJ)
10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.12Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.13And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
Verse 10, a loud voice announces the full arrival of the Kingdom of God and Christ which is equivalent to salvation, a reference to Christ’s victory at the cross. The setting up of Christ's Kingdom is right after His resurrection, ascension, the war in heaven which resulted in the casting out (binding) of Satan to the earth and depth of the earth. The Devil deceiveth (present tense) the whole world but now he is in retreat before the armies of the Lamb (Revelation 17:14). The Devil knows his time is short (verse 12 of Rev 12). Why is this? Because Christ had taken up His Kingdom and power and has bound the Devil and cast him out. We have already read in Revelation 20:1-3 that Michael who is Christ bound the Devil to initiate the thousand years. The question is, during what period of time do these thousand years fall in? We know that Christ binding of the devil starts the thousand years, so let's see some scriptures that tell us when the binding of Satan took place:
Mathew 12:28-29 (KJV)
28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.29Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
The Kingdom of God is come meaning it was at the doorstep. Jesus was proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom during His earthly ministry. Jesus defeats Satan and brings the reign of Jehovah into people's lives through the Holy Spirit with which Jehovah anointed Him (Christ ).
The spoiling of goods and the plundering of possessions. The Kingdom of God was making a profound impact against the kingdom of darkness, showing that Christ decisively defeated the Devil in His coming (bind the strong man).
Luke 10:17-20 (KJV)
17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
"Satan as lightning fall from heaven". The preaching of the Kingdom is God's means not only of saving His people but also of judging the powers of darkness. "tread on serpents". Christ was already giving His people victory over Satan, as God had promised after the fall of man (Genesis 3:15, Romans 16:20). Though many reject the gospel, Christ is still today triumphing over Satan.
"rejoice not....but rather rejoice". While spiritual gifts and success in ministry are a cause of joy, a Christian's primary and constant cause for rejoicing is that God has chosen him to be a citizen in the Kingdom (your names are written in heaven; Isaiah 4;3, Philippians 4:3).
Are you starting to see a pattern? The defeat of Satan and his subsequent binding took place during the earthly ministry of Jesus as well as His resurrection and ascension.
Luke 11:20-22 (KJV)
20But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.21When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:22But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
The finger of God is symbolic of God's power to judge His enemies (Exodus 8:19). "The kingdom of God is come". Jesus earthly ministry inaugurated God's Kingdom. Jesus miracles are a sure sign that the King has come to overthrow the powers of darkness. This happened during Jesus first advent.
"strong man" Satan, depicted as a captor who has a careful watch and armament over his own. "a stronger than he" Jesus has come to undo the works of the Devil and so destroy Satan's authority over His (Jesus) people.
Satan = strong man
Jesus = a stronger than he
Satan's kingdom = Palace
Subject's of Satan's kingdom = his goods
Binding of Satan = taketh from him all his armour
Jesus bringing salvation to the subjects of Satan's kingdom= divideth his spoils
This all happens at the casting out of devils and the preaching and presence of Jehovah's Kingdom. In context, this happened (binding of Satan and arrival of the Kingdom) during Jesus first advent. The advancement of the Kingdom still happens today and will continue to happen
until the second advent when the Kingdom realizes it's fullness.
Romans 16:20 (KJV)
20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Though many reject the gospel, Christ is still triumphing today over Satan. Christ's triumph over Satan is applied to the redeemed as joint heirs with Christ and therefore as more than conquerors through Him.
Genesis 3:15 (KJV)
15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
The singular seed points to Jehoshua, the Champion of Jehovah's people who will bring them victory over Satan by His grace. The was the promise of the Redeemer to come rescue man.
The victory of Jehoshua over the Devil took place during His ministry, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. We have the victory now and have had it since the cross.
John 12:31 (KJV)
31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Christ's death is a mysterious conquest of man in rebellion against Jehovah. Satan is the spiritual ruler of fallen man. "Cast out" figurative language for Christ's decisive victory over the Devil. This is significant because it proves that Satan was bound and cast out during Jesus earthly ministry and also at His death, resurrection and ascension. This ties in with Satan's binding at the beginning of Revelation 20:1-3. This proves that we have been in the millennial reign of Christ since His ascension into Heaven. Let's go to Colossians 2:13-15 for further evidence of this.
Colossians 2:13-15 (KJV)
13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
It is Jehoshua's death, burial and resurrection that provides us with forgiveness of sins and the blotting out of our sins. In verse 15, Jehoshua spoiled the principalities and powersof darkness.
The word "spoiled" comes from the Greek word "apekduomai" (Strongs 554) and means "to divest wholly oneself, or (for oneself) despoil: - put off, spoil"
In order to spoil (divest, strip) Satan's kingdom, Jesus had to bind him first. Again this took place during the time of Jesus ministry. We are seeing that the binding of Satan which initiates the millennium took place during Jesus life and was finalized at His ascension which established His Kingship.
In verse 15 of Colossians 2, it says that Christ triumphed over the powers of darkness at the cross. This is a once and for all defeat of Satan and was done at the cross. In order to have done the spoiling of Satan's palace (kingdom), Jesus first had to bind him. Again, this proves that the binding of Satan was done during Jesus first advent which initiated the millennium.
Hebrews 2:14 (KJV)
14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
This passage in Hebrews makes it clear that through His death, burial and resurrection, Jehoshua destroyed the Devil. This is a once and for all destruction of the Devil. Again, this proves that the millennial reign of Christ began at this period in history not in some future thousand years after His second advent. Jesus death bound and spoiled the devil coinciding with the binding of Satan in Revelation 20:1-3 which began the millennium. Now you might say that the Devil isn't destroyed as he still has influence in the world. The passage isn't referring to the Devil's destruction as a conscious being but rather his ability to deceive the nations. Only those who reject the gospel give place to Satan to deceive them. Let's look at the definition for destroy in the greek:
"Katargeo" is the greek word (2673 strongs) for destroy and it means "to be rendered entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively: - abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void".
The above definitions can be applied literally or figuratively. In Satan's case, we may use the figurative understanding of him being destroyed meaning that his being is not destroyed but rather his ability to deceive. What is destroyed, abolished, vanished and put away regarding Satan? His ability to deceive the nations. The glorious gospel of Jesus Christ has gone to the four corners of the world and has given light to the nations. Satan can no longer obscure God's love for humanity which was manifested in God giving us His only begotten Son to die for our sins.
Those who are deceived by Satan are those who rejected the truth that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). The above definition of destroy above says to render useless or idle. This is how we have to look at our enemy. We often ascribe to Satan too much credit. In the life of the believer, Satan's has been rendered useless and idle because he can't deceive us due to our receiving the glorious gospel of the Son of God. As long as we abide in Christ and Him in us we are protected from Satan's deceptions.
Unbelievers are deceived because of their rejection of the gospel not because Satan had the sovereign ability to deceive them. These unbelievers then open themselves to further deception from Satan. You might say "how come many Christians are still deceived?" This is because they veer off the narrow road of their own accord which usually starts with disregarding the word of God as the final authority in their lives.
Colossians 1:26-27 (KJV)
26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Before Christ's first advent, the mystery of God's truth was hidden from ages and generations. Only by revelation of God could one know the mystery of Jehovah's purposes in salvation. God's plan of salvation was not clearly seen until the arrival of Christ and His subsequent death and resurrection. The content of the gospel that is now fully revealed is described in verse 27, namely that the gentiles enjoy full participation among the people of God. All those trustingin Christ enjoy His covenantal presence.
Satan cannot deceive the Gentiles anymore as the mystery of godliness which is Christ in us by His Spirit has been made manifest.
1 John 4:9 (KJV)
9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him
God sending His only begotten Son to die for the world's sins was a revelation of His immense love for us. John 3:16 shows that God's love for humanity can no longer be obscured and hidden hence leaving no place for the Devil to deceive the nations. There is no excuse for the unbeliever as Satan has not deceived them into unbelief, but rather by their own rejection of God's Son they have opened the door for the enemy's deception. In other words, Satan can no longer hide the fact that we have a God that loves His creation. The death of Jehovah's Son, which has been proclaimed throughout allthe world, prevents the Devil from deceiving the nations concerning God's love.
This is what it means in the book of Revelation when it reads "that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled".
Of course, at the end of time Satan will be allowed to deceive the nations and perhaps this is that very time. He can deceive the nations again because of the great apostasy of Christendom and the world's casting off of restraint and godly principles and wicked atheism.
So now back to Revelation 20, we have shown that the binding and spoiling of Satan took place during Jesus earthly ministry and subsequent death, resurrection and ascension to Heaven. We have seen that Christ obtained total victory over Satan at the cross. If the binding of Satan already took place during this time period of Jesus first advent then we can safely conclude that we are already living in the millennial reign of Christ.
Let's go to verse 4 of Revelation 20 and do our due diligence to show that Christ is reigning now on the Davidic throne from heaven over His millennial Kingdom on earth.
Revelation 20:4 (KJV)
4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Jehovah's medatorial Kingdom has already come in it's spiritual reality to His people.
John 18:36-37 (KJV)
36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Jesus Kingdom is not political (of this world) but is spiritual (John 3:3-6), for He rules His subjects not by coercive force but through their faith (heareth my voice) in His Word (bear witness unto the truth). Jesus was not a violent political revolutionary.
Romans 14:17 (KVJ)
17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Though Christ's Kingdom has not come in open glory, it has already arrived in the holiness of Jehovah's people, though not in rules about mere externals (meat and drink) but by the inward graces of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:19-23 (KJV)
19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Jehovah creates faith by applying the divine power of Christ's resurrection to His elect. Jehovah's power comes to us in Christ through our union with Him in His resurrection. God's power comes to us in Christ, through our union with Him in His resurrection. "At His own right hand in the heavenly places". This refers to Jesus ascension into Heaven in order to receive His Kingdom. Jesus ascension to heaven followed shortly after His resurrection. He went to sit at the right hand of the Father in the most holy place (heavenly places).
This is a clear passage alluding to the installment of Christ as King and His Kingdom being established. Jesus was given a position of Lordship above all kings and angels:
Psalm 110:1-2 (KJV)
1 Jehovah said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.2 Jehovah shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
This is a prophecy of Jehoshua's ascension into Heaven (Hebrews 1:8). David the earthly ruler of Jehovah's Kingdom, acknowledged that his descendant, Christ, would be sovereign over him "my Lord". We know that Jehoshua sat at Jehovah's right hand at His ascension (Hebrews 1:8) so this passage is prophesying that event. Jehoshua is given the place of supreme honor and authority over all things in heaven and in earth.
Matthew 26:63-64 (KJV)
63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Jehoshua's Sonship gives Him the rightful Kingly inheritance to sit at the right hand of God the Father. His reference to coming in the clouds of heaven speaks of His ascension as noted in Daniel 7:13-14:
"13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."
This passage in Daniel 7 is key in determining exactly when Jehoshua received His Kingdom. Just as Psalm 110, Psalm 45, Psalm 2, Hebrews 1:7-9, describe, Jehoshua receives His Kingdom at the time of His ascension into Heaven and is granted by the Father to sit at His (the Father's) right hand. Daniel 7 can only be in regards to Christ’s ascension into Heaven following the 40 days spent on earth after His resurrection. All of these passages correspond to each other in reference to the same event.
Acts 2:32-36 (KJV)
32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,35Until I make thy foes thy footstool.36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Friday, July 28, 2017
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ Part 1
Colossians 1:12-14 (KJV)
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
The above passage is one of the most overlooked truths in all of Christianity. While most denominations focus on the Kingdom to come, Paul tells us that the Kingdom of Christ has already begun. This is important to understand brethren because wants to obscure this fact from us. Paul says that the Father has made us meet (fit) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints (old and new testament believers). Verse 13 is really powerful as the apostle says that the Father has translated us from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of His dear Son Jesus Christ.
The word "translated" comes from the greek word "methistemi" (Strongs 3179) and means to "transfer, carry away, exchange, depose, seduce, put out, translate". Jehovah God transferred us from Satan's kingdom to His Son Jesus Christ Kingdom. Jehovah made the exchange to purchase us as His children through the blood of His Son. It is through the Son of God that we have redemption brothers and sisters. This transference into the Kingdom of the Son of God denotes a present tense reality of salvation and adoption into the Family of Jehovah. It also shows us that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a present reality not just a future hope. Satan would love nothing more than to blind us to this precious truth.
What is also precious is verse 14 which says that we HAVE (Present tense) redemption through the Son of God's blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Let's see what the word "redemption" means in the greek. The greek word for "redemption (Strongs 629) is "apolutrosis" and means "ransom in full, deliverance, redemption". This means that Christ death on the cross finished the ransom once and for all. Our Savior said "it is finished" and He meant it. There is no need to doubt your salvation saints, once you confess that Jesus is the Son of God, repent of your sins and seal your faith with baptism you are in the Kingdom of Christ as a full fledged blood bought child of God. The ransom is has been fully satisfied and you can now walk in the assurance of your salvation.
So you might ask, what's next?
Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Preaching the gospel of the Kingdom that you have been translated to is the natural next step in your walk with the Son of God. As an ambassador of God's Kingdom, you now need to spread the Kingdom doctrine. Far from merely being a future hope, Jesus Kingdom is present with us now and we are members of that Kingdom.
Revelation 1:5-6 (KJV)
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
John wrote this having gone through immense persecution at this time and yet he says that Christ made us kings and priests NOW (present tense) not at some far away future time. This means brethren, that we are kings and priests unto God the Father in this life. Satan has deceived Christians into a defensive posture and to be passive in waiting for the age to come for these blessings. The carnal mind often cannot grasp that through trials, poverty and suffering that one can still be royalty in the eyes of Jehovah God. The spiritual mind understands that no amount of earthly treasure makes one a king but rather heavenly treasure does.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Peter also confirms Paul that having been called into the marvelous light of the Father and Son we are a royal priesthood and a holy nation. Brothers and Sisters, this for the present here in this life not just the age to come. The devil who is a liar wants to steal your place as a king and priest in this life so that you are rendered ineffective in spreading the gospel of Christ's Kingdom and also living it to it's fullest potential.
Most denominations are simply in a state of occupying until Christ returns to the earth and wax poetic about the future Kingdom, however they are missing the precious truth that Jesus Kingdom already started. His return will simply introduce the next phase of it. When did the Kingdom of Jesus Christ start?
Hebrews 1:8-9 (KJV)
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
In context, this seems to be about the ascension of Christ into heaven after the 40 days He spent with the disciples after His resurrection. How do we know? Because He is seated on His throne at the right hand of the Father and praised for loving righteousness and hating iniquity. It was during Jesus life on earth that he was tested in this regard. God the Father gives His Son the Kingdom and tells His beloved Son that His (Christ) throne is forever and will not end. The Father declares the Son's divinity and Godship by calling His Son "God'.
This was the inauguration of the Son's Kingdom which took place in heaven. Soon after this, Jesus inaugurated His Kingdom on earth on the day of Pentecost:
Acts 2:1-5 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit on the Congregation partially fulfilling Joel chapter 2. Thousands were saved on this day and transferred to the Kingdom of the Son of God. It was after this event that the gospel went out to the world, thereby spreading the Kingdom of Jesus Christ filling the whole earth.
Daniel 2:44 (KJV)
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
It was during the reign of the pagan Roman empire that Jehovah God set up the Kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ. Eventually this Kingdom will utterly destroy the last remaining earthly governments when the King of Kings makes His return. Many scoff at the notion that we are presently in the Kingdom of Christ due to the Christian Congregation historically being on the low end of the totem pole in the esteem of the world. However, this is because they fail to understand that in God's economy what the world esteems highly God esteems not. Also, what the world esteems lightly, God esteems highly. From a worldly perspective, a Kingdom and being King mean being on top, ruling over others and having material abundance. From Jehovah's standpoint the opposite is often true, meaning a true Kingdom in His eyes is one where the rulers of that Kingdom make themselves the least and put others first even at their own peril. In Jehovah's economy, being a King often means suffering and going through hardship and being willing to lay down your life for others whereas worldly kings have a multitude of people protecting them. Let's go to scripture and see some examples of what God's Kingdom looks like.
Mark 11:7-10 (KJV)
7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Jesus triumphal entry as the King from the seed of David tells us much about the humility of His Kingdom. Jesus turned the Jews expectation of their coming Messiah upside down as they were expecting Him to come with pomp and circumstance to introduce an earthly theocratic rule. The Son of God confounded their materialistic hopes by arriving to Jerusalem on a lowly colt. Many professed Christians are making the same error today as the Jews of old, in that they are not content with a spiritual kingdom of humility but rather they lust for political clout so that their dogmas can be enforced in the civil realm. Other Christians who do not possess this worldly lust often take a defeatist view of things and are just waiting out the days until the Son of God's second advent.
Many will say, how could we be in Christ Kingdom now if Christians are losing influence throughout the world including the United States? Take note of what Jesus says:
Luke 17:20-21 (KJV)
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Jesus shows the Pharisees error in expecting a theocratic type kingdom and instead tells them that the Kingdom of God is spiritual and is within the heart of every believer. Brethren, the Kingdom of God is here now and is in your heart if you accept it. It is often said by naysayers that how could we be in the kingdom now if the Christian Congregation has been on the short end of the stick for most the new testament age? Again, remember John's statement in Revelation 1 that we are now kings and priests unto God the Father. John made this statement during a time that Christians were being brutally persecuted by the Roman empire. We can see that according to Jesus and his beloved disciple John, that reigning as a king and priest in Christ's Kingdom doesn't not depend on worldly success.
Matthew 11:11-12 (KJV)11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
We see a glimpse of Kingdom economics according to the Son of God. In the kingdom of this world, the greatest man would be the one most highly esteemed but in Jehovah's Kingdom it's the least person who is the most highly esteemed and the greatest in men's eyes is the least. Also, Jesus says that the Kingdom of God is pressed into violently meaning eager souls storm the kingdom and men take the kingdom by storm. This is in a spiritual sense not a physical one. As men and women are transferred into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the kingdom advances forcefully. Spiritually forceful men take hold of this Kingdom. By taking hold of the Kingdom of God one may lose the earthly comforts that earthly kingdoms provide. Aren't we told to have our treasures in heaven rather than on earth? So why do we say that we can't possibly be in Christ Kingdom now due to the low estate of the Christian Congregation? Because many are still building their treasures here instead of heaven.
Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
As kings and priests in God's Kingdom are riches and treasures are stored up in heaven for us.
Matthew 13:41 (KJV)
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
We see here that the angles of Jesus will gather all things out of the Sin of God's Kingdom. This is a very revealing scripture as the things gathered are being removed from earth and Jesus equates this earth with His Kingdom hence His "they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend". This shows that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is already here and not something we have to wait for. Jesus Kingdom is invisible and not visible. His Kingdom has been here since he started His ministry in it's initial phase but then commenced fully at His ascension.
Matthew 6:10 (KJV)
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
A request of God's Kingdom to come here on earth as it is in heaven is simultaneous and it was being announced by Christ during His earthly ministry and His resurrection and more fully ascension inaugurated it.
Matthew 12:28-29 (KJV)
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
The Kingdom of God came unto men during Jesus ministry. The Son of God entered the strong man's (satan) house (the world) and spoiled his goods, taking plunder of satan's possessions (people who became believers). Satan can no longer deceive the nations. Though satan still has influence in this world and the ability to deceive he no longer has dominion in this world but rather he only has sway in the world. The dragon can no longer completely deceive people due to the cross of Christ.
Luke 10:17-19 (KJV)17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Through Jesus name victory is already ours as our Jehovah gave us power to make devils subject to us. Jesus gives us power over the enemy as we see here that satan fell as lightening from heaven due to the power of Jesus name utilized by the 70 disciples. Satan was cast to the abyss that is called earth. Satan no longer has the power to deceive the nations as the saints of Jehovah have been given the power by His Son to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Jesus encourages the 70 not to fear anything as nothing would hurt them. Brethren, this same power is available to us now and the same admonition to not fear as nothing will hurt us stands true if we will utilize the power of Christ's name. Unfortunately most of Christianity is walking in fear of the devil rather than slaying him and his demons.
Romans 16:20 (KJV)
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Jehovah gives us victory over satan now not just after Christ's return in glory. We reign with Christ now.
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
The above passage is one of the most overlooked truths in all of Christianity. While most denominations focus on the Kingdom to come, Paul tells us that the Kingdom of Christ has already begun. This is important to understand brethren because wants to obscure this fact from us. Paul says that the Father has made us meet (fit) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints (old and new testament believers). Verse 13 is really powerful as the apostle says that the Father has translated us from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of His dear Son Jesus Christ.
The word "translated" comes from the greek word "methistemi" (Strongs 3179) and means to "transfer, carry away, exchange, depose, seduce, put out, translate". Jehovah God transferred us from Satan's kingdom to His Son Jesus Christ Kingdom. Jehovah made the exchange to purchase us as His children through the blood of His Son. It is through the Son of God that we have redemption brothers and sisters. This transference into the Kingdom of the Son of God denotes a present tense reality of salvation and adoption into the Family of Jehovah. It also shows us that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a present reality not just a future hope. Satan would love nothing more than to blind us to this precious truth.
What is also precious is verse 14 which says that we HAVE (Present tense) redemption through the Son of God's blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Let's see what the word "redemption" means in the greek. The greek word for "redemption (Strongs 629) is "apolutrosis" and means "ransom in full, deliverance, redemption". This means that Christ death on the cross finished the ransom once and for all. Our Savior said "it is finished" and He meant it. There is no need to doubt your salvation saints, once you confess that Jesus is the Son of God, repent of your sins and seal your faith with baptism you are in the Kingdom of Christ as a full fledged blood bought child of God. The ransom is has been fully satisfied and you can now walk in the assurance of your salvation.
So you might ask, what's next?
Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Preaching the gospel of the Kingdom that you have been translated to is the natural next step in your walk with the Son of God. As an ambassador of God's Kingdom, you now need to spread the Kingdom doctrine. Far from merely being a future hope, Jesus Kingdom is present with us now and we are members of that Kingdom.
Revelation 1:5-6 (KJV)
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
John wrote this having gone through immense persecution at this time and yet he says that Christ made us kings and priests NOW (present tense) not at some far away future time. This means brethren, that we are kings and priests unto God the Father in this life. Satan has deceived Christians into a defensive posture and to be passive in waiting for the age to come for these blessings. The carnal mind often cannot grasp that through trials, poverty and suffering that one can still be royalty in the eyes of Jehovah God. The spiritual mind understands that no amount of earthly treasure makes one a king but rather heavenly treasure does.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Peter also confirms Paul that having been called into the marvelous light of the Father and Son we are a royal priesthood and a holy nation. Brothers and Sisters, this for the present here in this life not just the age to come. The devil who is a liar wants to steal your place as a king and priest in this life so that you are rendered ineffective in spreading the gospel of Christ's Kingdom and also living it to it's fullest potential.
Most denominations are simply in a state of occupying until Christ returns to the earth and wax poetic about the future Kingdom, however they are missing the precious truth that Jesus Kingdom already started. His return will simply introduce the next phase of it. When did the Kingdom of Jesus Christ start?
Hebrews 1:8-9 (KJV)
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
In context, this seems to be about the ascension of Christ into heaven after the 40 days He spent with the disciples after His resurrection. How do we know? Because He is seated on His throne at the right hand of the Father and praised for loving righteousness and hating iniquity. It was during Jesus life on earth that he was tested in this regard. God the Father gives His Son the Kingdom and tells His beloved Son that His (Christ) throne is forever and will not end. The Father declares the Son's divinity and Godship by calling His Son "God'.
This was the inauguration of the Son's Kingdom which took place in heaven. Soon after this, Jesus inaugurated His Kingdom on earth on the day of Pentecost:
Acts 2:1-5 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit on the Congregation partially fulfilling Joel chapter 2. Thousands were saved on this day and transferred to the Kingdom of the Son of God. It was after this event that the gospel went out to the world, thereby spreading the Kingdom of Jesus Christ filling the whole earth.
Daniel 2:44 (KJV)
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
It was during the reign of the pagan Roman empire that Jehovah God set up the Kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ. Eventually this Kingdom will utterly destroy the last remaining earthly governments when the King of Kings makes His return. Many scoff at the notion that we are presently in the Kingdom of Christ due to the Christian Congregation historically being on the low end of the totem pole in the esteem of the world. However, this is because they fail to understand that in God's economy what the world esteems highly God esteems not. Also, what the world esteems lightly, God esteems highly. From a worldly perspective, a Kingdom and being King mean being on top, ruling over others and having material abundance. From Jehovah's standpoint the opposite is often true, meaning a true Kingdom in His eyes is one where the rulers of that Kingdom make themselves the least and put others first even at their own peril. In Jehovah's economy, being a King often means suffering and going through hardship and being willing to lay down your life for others whereas worldly kings have a multitude of people protecting them. Let's go to scripture and see some examples of what God's Kingdom looks like.
Mark 11:7-10 (KJV)
7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Jesus triumphal entry as the King from the seed of David tells us much about the humility of His Kingdom. Jesus turned the Jews expectation of their coming Messiah upside down as they were expecting Him to come with pomp and circumstance to introduce an earthly theocratic rule. The Son of God confounded their materialistic hopes by arriving to Jerusalem on a lowly colt. Many professed Christians are making the same error today as the Jews of old, in that they are not content with a spiritual kingdom of humility but rather they lust for political clout so that their dogmas can be enforced in the civil realm. Other Christians who do not possess this worldly lust often take a defeatist view of things and are just waiting out the days until the Son of God's second advent.
Many will say, how could we be in Christ Kingdom now if Christians are losing influence throughout the world including the United States? Take note of what Jesus says:
Luke 17:20-21 (KJV)
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Jesus shows the Pharisees error in expecting a theocratic type kingdom and instead tells them that the Kingdom of God is spiritual and is within the heart of every believer. Brethren, the Kingdom of God is here now and is in your heart if you accept it. It is often said by naysayers that how could we be in the kingdom now if the Christian Congregation has been on the short end of the stick for most the new testament age? Again, remember John's statement in Revelation 1 that we are now kings and priests unto God the Father. John made this statement during a time that Christians were being brutally persecuted by the Roman empire. We can see that according to Jesus and his beloved disciple John, that reigning as a king and priest in Christ's Kingdom doesn't not depend on worldly success.
Matthew 11:11-12 (KJV)11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
We see a glimpse of Kingdom economics according to the Son of God. In the kingdom of this world, the greatest man would be the one most highly esteemed but in Jehovah's Kingdom it's the least person who is the most highly esteemed and the greatest in men's eyes is the least. Also, Jesus says that the Kingdom of God is pressed into violently meaning eager souls storm the kingdom and men take the kingdom by storm. This is in a spiritual sense not a physical one. As men and women are transferred into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the kingdom advances forcefully. Spiritually forceful men take hold of this Kingdom. By taking hold of the Kingdom of God one may lose the earthly comforts that earthly kingdoms provide. Aren't we told to have our treasures in heaven rather than on earth? So why do we say that we can't possibly be in Christ Kingdom now due to the low estate of the Christian Congregation? Because many are still building their treasures here instead of heaven.
Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
As kings and priests in God's Kingdom are riches and treasures are stored up in heaven for us.
Matthew 13:41 (KJV)
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
We see here that the angles of Jesus will gather all things out of the Sin of God's Kingdom. This is a very revealing scripture as the things gathered are being removed from earth and Jesus equates this earth with His Kingdom hence His "they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend". This shows that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is already here and not something we have to wait for. Jesus Kingdom is invisible and not visible. His Kingdom has been here since he started His ministry in it's initial phase but then commenced fully at His ascension.
Matthew 6:10 (KJV)
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
A request of God's Kingdom to come here on earth as it is in heaven is simultaneous and it was being announced by Christ during His earthly ministry and His resurrection and more fully ascension inaugurated it.
Matthew 12:28-29 (KJV)
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
The Kingdom of God came unto men during Jesus ministry. The Son of God entered the strong man's (satan) house (the world) and spoiled his goods, taking plunder of satan's possessions (people who became believers). Satan can no longer deceive the nations. Though satan still has influence in this world and the ability to deceive he no longer has dominion in this world but rather he only has sway in the world. The dragon can no longer completely deceive people due to the cross of Christ.
Luke 10:17-19 (KJV)17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Through Jesus name victory is already ours as our Jehovah gave us power to make devils subject to us. Jesus gives us power over the enemy as we see here that satan fell as lightening from heaven due to the power of Jesus name utilized by the 70 disciples. Satan was cast to the abyss that is called earth. Satan no longer has the power to deceive the nations as the saints of Jehovah have been given the power by His Son to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Jesus encourages the 70 not to fear anything as nothing would hurt them. Brethren, this same power is available to us now and the same admonition to not fear as nothing will hurt us stands true if we will utilize the power of Christ's name. Unfortunately most of Christianity is walking in fear of the devil rather than slaying him and his demons.
Romans 16:20 (KJV)
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Jehovah gives us victory over satan now not just after Christ's return in glory. We reign with Christ now.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Proverbs 8:22-31 study
Proverbs 8:22-31 (DNKJB)
22 Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
This passage offers a glimpse of the preexistence of Christ with His Father Jehovah prior to the creation of the heavens and earth.
Verse 22, the word "possessed" comes from the hebrew (strongs 7069) word "qanah" which means "to erect, i.e. create by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own: - attain, buy (-er), get, possess, purchase, recover, redeem.
"Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way"
The early Church as well as many of the reformers and the general Protestant churches believed this passage to be about Christ. Ellen White also believed this. With Christ speaking as wisdom, He states that Jehovah possessed (erected, created in the begotten sense, as noted in several passages in the newtestament) Him in the beginning of his way. This clearly teaches that Christ had a beginning as a personality. In the beginning the Word was with God (John 1:1-3, Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:13-16, Revelation 3:14).
The bible clearly teaches the preexistence of Christ and that He was begotten of the Father in eternity past. What the bible does not specify is exactly how and when in eternity this took place. This is not for us to know, however we do have an example in the bible of one being coming out from another's substance and that is Eve coming out from Adam. It is interesting to note that Jehovah told His Son "Let us make man in our image" before creating Adam and Eve. Eve coming out from Adam's substance could have been a human example of Jesus being begotten from the Father's substance.
Verse 23, "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was". The phrase "Set up" comes from the Hebrew word "nacak" (Hebrew Strongs 5258) which means "to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy to anoint a king: - cover, melt, offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up).
Christ as wisdom says He was poured out from the times of eternity (everlasting), see Micah 5:2. What was Christ poured out from? Well from verse 22 and several new testament passages, we know that Christ was poured out from the Father. This confirms that Christ was begotten from the Father's substance and not just created out of nothing.
Verse 24-29, before there were the depths of waters, mountains, the earth in general, the heavens, the clouds, appointing of the foundations of the earth and sea boundaries etc. , Christ was brought forth. The phrase "brought forth" comes from the Hebrew word "chuwl" which means "to twist or whirl, to writhe in pain, bear, bring forth, form".
Christ was brought forth (formed) from the Father. The word "from" is important here as this denotes that Christ came from the Father's substance and was not created independent of it. Christ came out from and was formed by the Father.
Verse 30, the phrase "brought up" comes from the Hebrew word "amown (Hebrew Strongs 526) and means "skilled, i.e. an architect: - one brought up". This passage could also be rendered "Then I was by him as a master craftsman: and I was daily his delight".
Wisdom here is described as a skilled architect, a master craftsman. This indicates that this passage is about a person and not a mere attribute of the mind (wisdom).
Remember that Christ is called the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
We see from the above passage that Christ is called the power and wisdom of God.
Here are some new testament passages regarding Christ coming forth, out from the Father.
John 16:27-28 (KJV)
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Hebrews 1:3-5 (KJV)
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Colossians 1:15 (KJV)
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
1 John 4:9 (KJV)
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1 John 5:1 (KJV)
5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
22 Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
This passage offers a glimpse of the preexistence of Christ with His Father Jehovah prior to the creation of the heavens and earth.
Verse 22, the word "possessed" comes from the hebrew (strongs 7069) word "qanah" which means "to erect, i.e. create by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own: - attain, buy (-er), get, possess, purchase, recover, redeem.
"Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way"
The early Church as well as many of the reformers and the general Protestant churches believed this passage to be about Christ. Ellen White also believed this. With Christ speaking as wisdom, He states that Jehovah possessed (erected, created in the begotten sense, as noted in several passages in the newtestament) Him in the beginning of his way. This clearly teaches that Christ had a beginning as a personality. In the beginning the Word was with God (John 1:1-3, Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:13-16, Revelation 3:14).
The bible clearly teaches the preexistence of Christ and that He was begotten of the Father in eternity past. What the bible does not specify is exactly how and when in eternity this took place. This is not for us to know, however we do have an example in the bible of one being coming out from another's substance and that is Eve coming out from Adam. It is interesting to note that Jehovah told His Son "Let us make man in our image" before creating Adam and Eve. Eve coming out from Adam's substance could have been a human example of Jesus being begotten from the Father's substance.
Verse 23, "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was". The phrase "Set up" comes from the Hebrew word "nacak" (Hebrew Strongs 5258) which means "to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy to anoint a king: - cover, melt, offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up).
Christ as wisdom says He was poured out from the times of eternity (everlasting), see Micah 5:2. What was Christ poured out from? Well from verse 22 and several new testament passages, we know that Christ was poured out from the Father. This confirms that Christ was begotten from the Father's substance and not just created out of nothing.
Verse 24-29, before there were the depths of waters, mountains, the earth in general, the heavens, the clouds, appointing of the foundations of the earth and sea boundaries etc. , Christ was brought forth. The phrase "brought forth" comes from the Hebrew word "chuwl" which means "to twist or whirl, to writhe in pain, bear, bring forth, form".
Christ was brought forth (formed) from the Father. The word "from" is important here as this denotes that Christ came from the Father's substance and was not created independent of it. Christ came out from and was formed by the Father.
Verse 30, the phrase "brought up" comes from the Hebrew word "amown (Hebrew Strongs 526) and means "skilled, i.e. an architect: - one brought up". This passage could also be rendered "Then I was by him as a master craftsman: and I was daily his delight".
Wisdom here is described as a skilled architect, a master craftsman. This indicates that this passage is about a person and not a mere attribute of the mind (wisdom).
Remember that Christ is called the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
We see from the above passage that Christ is called the power and wisdom of God.
Here are some new testament passages regarding Christ coming forth, out from the Father.
John 16:27-28 (KJV)
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Hebrews 1:3-5 (KJV)
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Colossians 1:15 (KJV)
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
1 John 4:9 (KJV)
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1 John 5:1 (KJV)
5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
The beliefs of Seventh Day Anabaptists
Seventh-day Anabaptist doctrine is based on the Anabaptist protestant tradition. The Apostolic doctrine of the "priesthood of all believers" is so central to the thinking of Seventh-day Anabaptists that they have always been encouraged to study the Bible to discover truth for themselves guided of the Holy Spirit. This may explain their reluctance to establish a creed...."
Now they spread and split into many groups, but their doctrines on the whole seem to have developed into the following basic beliefs:
Seventh Day Anabaptists maintain that a loving God created the universe and everything in it. Marred by sin, the cosmos now stands in need of redemption, which God has offered through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Anabaptists believe in a Sovereign God- Jehovah God the Father, they believe in the literal begotten Sonship of Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit. Anabaptists believe in a personal archenemy of God called "Satan" or "the Devil."
Anabaptists believe that human beings were created to glorify and live in relationship with God. Since all humans break that relationship through sinful actions, they are faced with a choice: to continue their rebellion against God or repent of their sins and place their faith in God's saving grace.
Anabaptists believe that, although God created the world good, human sinfulness has resulted in great suffering. Many Anabaptists have interpreted some forms of suffering as a mark of faithfulness, befalling those who choose to "carry the cross" of Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant.
Anabaptists contend that salvation is not earned by one's works, but rather comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who place their trust in Christ enter into eternal life with God, a life that extends beyond the grave.
Here is a partial list of Seventh Day Anabaptist beliefs:
1. Infant baptism is a false baptism. Moreover, baptism does not save. One has to be saved in order to be baptised, i.e. the condition for baptism is to be a follower of Christ by having a living belief in Christ (cf. Acts 8:36-38).
2. Church and the State should be separated. Church is a Body of followers of Christ who respect the Laws of the State as long as it doesn't contradict with the Law of Christ. Church is not a political institution having any political power in the State. Church should not have any support from the State.
3. The Roman Catholic Church is not the true Church of Christ.
4. Calvinist theology of God's election is wrong. God does not unconditionally reprobate people to Hell. Rather, God's Manifested Wrath is conditional, and the condition is of not being in Christ. God will show His wrath only to people who are not in Christ. Likewise, God's election is conditional, and the condition is being in Christ. God elects only people who are in Christ.
5. Lutheran theology of salvation is wrong. Faith in Christ should be a living faith, faith which is confirmed in the fruits of Spirit. People who are living sinful life, without true repentance, will end up being destroyed in the Lake of Fire. Living in sin and occasionally falling in sin are not the same thing. All children of God can fall in sin because of our weaknesses, but they do not live in sin.
6. Worshiping God is a very serious thing, and we ought not to introduce new things in our Worship, of which the Bible doesn't say anything about.
7. The Bible is a closed canon of holy books, it is infallible. We believe in the continued gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gift of tongues were actual languages used to preach the gospel to the utter most parts of the earth. We believe the outpouring of the latter reign will be given to those faithful Christians who preach the Three Angels messages. The Bible is our necessary and sufficient supreme authority in our lives.
Now they spread and split into many groups, but their doctrines on the whole seem to have developed into the following basic beliefs:
Seventh Day Anabaptists maintain that a loving God created the universe and everything in it. Marred by sin, the cosmos now stands in need of redemption, which God has offered through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Anabaptists believe in a Sovereign God- Jehovah God the Father, they believe in the literal begotten Sonship of Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit. Anabaptists believe in a personal archenemy of God called "Satan" or "the Devil."
Anabaptists believe that human beings were created to glorify and live in relationship with God. Since all humans break that relationship through sinful actions, they are faced with a choice: to continue their rebellion against God or repent of their sins and place their faith in God's saving grace.
Anabaptists believe that, although God created the world good, human sinfulness has resulted in great suffering. Many Anabaptists have interpreted some forms of suffering as a mark of faithfulness, befalling those who choose to "carry the cross" of Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant.
Anabaptists contend that salvation is not earned by one's works, but rather comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who place their trust in Christ enter into eternal life with God, a life that extends beyond the grave.
Here is a partial list of Seventh Day Anabaptist beliefs:
1. Infant baptism is a false baptism. Moreover, baptism does not save. One has to be saved in order to be baptised, i.e. the condition for baptism is to be a follower of Christ by having a living belief in Christ (cf. Acts 8:36-38).
2. Church and the State should be separated. Church is a Body of followers of Christ who respect the Laws of the State as long as it doesn't contradict with the Law of Christ. Church is not a political institution having any political power in the State. Church should not have any support from the State.
3. The Roman Catholic Church is not the true Church of Christ.
4. Calvinist theology of God's election is wrong. God does not unconditionally reprobate people to Hell. Rather, God's Manifested Wrath is conditional, and the condition is of not being in Christ. God will show His wrath only to people who are not in Christ. Likewise, God's election is conditional, and the condition is being in Christ. God elects only people who are in Christ.
5. Lutheran theology of salvation is wrong. Faith in Christ should be a living faith, faith which is confirmed in the fruits of Spirit. People who are living sinful life, without true repentance, will end up being destroyed in the Lake of Fire. Living in sin and occasionally falling in sin are not the same thing. All children of God can fall in sin because of our weaknesses, but they do not live in sin.
6. Worshiping God is a very serious thing, and we ought not to introduce new things in our Worship, of which the Bible doesn't say anything about.
7. The Bible is a closed canon of holy books, it is infallible. We believe in the continued gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gift of tongues were actual languages used to preach the gospel to the utter most parts of the earth. We believe the outpouring of the latter reign will be given to those faithful Christians who preach the Three Angels messages. The Bible is our necessary and sufficient supreme authority in our lives.
The way of the Anabaptists
Below are the three core Anabaptists beliefs. Seventh-Day Anabaptists adhere to these principles of brethren who were our forerunners in the faith.
1. Believer's Baptism
Anabaptists teach a person must first believe the gospel before accepting baptism. This based on the biblical teachings of Jesus Christ which placed believing ahead of baptism. For this reason, they do not baptize infants.
2. Non Violence
Anabaptists do not believe in obtaining or protecting rights through use of force. They are committed to nonviolence per teachings of Christ in the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament to turn the other cheek.
3. Community of Goods
Anabaptists believe all property should be shared in common with fellow believers in Christ. This is in accordance with Christ's command to rich young ruler to give up all of his possessions and follow him.
4. A few key differences exist between Anabaptists and much of Christendom in their core doctrines. One major difference is the emphasis on salvation by Protestants versus an emphasis on discipleship by Anabaptists.
Much of Christendom doesn't believe that a person can fall from grace after accepting Jesus Christ as their savior. For example, the Southern Baptist Convention states that "Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end."
Anabaptists, on the other hand, believe that mere faith alone is not enough. True believers in Christ must show their faith through living what the Bible teaches. As Christians of the Seventh Day Anabaptist faith, we declare that "The Bible's position is that mere faith in Christ's sacrifice is not enough. The Bible teaches clearly that saving faith produces — and needs— good works."
As indirect spiritual descendants of the Anabaptists, the Seventh-day Anabaptists strive to exhibit many of the same ideals as their spiritual forefathers. As time went on, the various groups of Anabaptists became like any other Protestant denomination and strayed away from the apostolic model of Christianity. Heirarchal centralized leadership, promotion of the buildings and institution as the "church", conformity to the world's principles and union with the State via the 501 C 3 tax exempt non profit Corporation status. Also, forming an image of the beast to persecute brethen by participating in the ecumenical movement headed by the Vatican.
Much of the modern day Anabaptists churches no longer have the spirit of their Pioneers and now have blended in of the Protestants.
We as Seventh Day Anabaptists are returning to 1500's Anabaptist principles. We are not Protestants but rather Restorationists. Just as our spiritual predecessors in the Anabaptist movement, we desire new testament apostolic Christianity. We consider the Apostles, the Waldenesians, the Anabaptists as our spiritual heritage.
A true Christian is willing to bear the burden of his fellow brother and sister in Christ. Doing this at times will require us to deny ourselves and pick up our cross. A true Christian will share his material blessings with his brethren and give to those who have need, first within the community of faith and then with those in need outside the Christian Congregation.
A true Christian will be willing to give shelter to those within the community of faith who are in need of housing. Of course, this would be a brother or sister that the Christian knows to be a faithful brother or sister.
A true Christian does not participate in the political process either by voting for candidates nor entangling themselves in the political world in general. Anabaptists know that they are sojourners and pilgrims in this world and that their citizenship is in heaven.
A true Christian doesn't not pick up the sword of civil power, whether it be state or federal. We also do not join the military and participate in it's wars. We do not take our brothers and sisters to court. That brings a reproach on Jehovah. We practice non violence and seek non violent solutions. We do believe that we can use reasonable self defense to protect our family but not our property nor our material goods. Rather, we take the loss and joyfully accept the plundering of our goods.
A true Christian gives without expecting anything back. In the event we ever lend money in a business venture to an unbeliever, provided it is a venture that does not bring reproach to Jehovah, we do not charge usury (interest), if the borrowee cannot pay back, we forgive all debts. We don't sue them or take them to court but rather we show the example of Christ who canceled our debts at the cross.
A true Christian keeps themselves unspotted from the world. This relates to entertainment, politics and cultural conformity in any way.
A true Christian is willing to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ anywhere and everywhere at anytime. This could be personal evangelism, door knocking, street witnessing and open air preaching.
A true Christian isn't ashamed of his faith in Jesus Christ and what the bible teaches. He believes in the true literal Sonship of Jesus Christ.
A true Christian doesn't seek the riches of this world but rather the treasures that are in heaven. He/She is willing to preach the gospel free of charge. A true Christian seeks a simple and humble life. He/She doesn't seek position in this life but rather seeks the crown reserved for overcomers who inherit heavenly Zion.
A true Christian realizes his own need for Christ and thereby is gentle when correcting a brother or sister who falls into temptation. He/She doesn't put heavy burdens and yokes on others in regards to rules and regulations, but lets the brethren work out their own salvation in fear and trembling when it comes to the less weightier matters.
A true Christian esteems others higher than himself/herself. He/She is willing to go the extra mile to help out others.
A true Christian doesn't judge others unrighteously either by outward appearance or assuming the worst of someone else's intentions. He/She will practice mercy, love, patience, kindness and all attributes associated with the fruit of the spirit. A true Christian seeks to take the plank out of His/Her own eye before taking it out of the eyes of others.
A true Christian isn't a fashion policeman or woman but rather if needed will give gentle counsel on modesty. A true Christian isn't nitpicky on these things and he/she is more concerned with the inward part of a man/woman.
Of course we all will fall short of these principles at times but we strive for perfection. Our High Preist Christ Jesus mediates for us when we fall short of exhibiting his character. Thank Jehovah for such a merciful High Preist.
This what we as Seventh Day Anabaptists believe.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Doctrines of the Anabaptists influence continue in the heart of bible believing Christians
The Anabaptists were far from uniform among their different groups on doctrine. As I mentioned before, there were Sabbath keeping Anabaptists who even died for it. The same goes with non trinitarian Anabaptists who primarily were Unitarian but there some who were also Arian and even some who were trinitarian but not of the Nicene but rather the simpler and more biblical Apostles creed.
So where do I stand on doctrine and what will be taught at our home fellowship? This is where I draw from the Anabaptist heritage. Seventh Day Anabaptists are really an indirect offspring of Oswald Glait and Andreas Fischer who pioneered Sabbath keeping Anabaptism. Anabaptism is the offspring of Apostolic Christianity. Why do I say this? Because Anabaptism is more Restorationist in doctrine and application than say Protestantism. Make no mistake though, Anabaptism initially gleaned from Protestantism but then broke away over doctrinal issues. However, Seventh Day Anabaptism draws more from the Apostolic Church than they do from the magesterial reformers (Protestants).
I look at Anabaptists as the restoration of the original Church. The Anabaptists during the 1500 andn1600's were fervent in evangelism. Some of that fire is still there but nowhere like it was in those early years. The Anabaptists restored many of the precious truths of scripture that mainstream Christendom didn't have.
The Anabaptists had already restored some of these precious truths during their intial break from the magesterial reformers by the time Andreas Fischer and Oswald Glait restored the Seventh day Sabbath to the flock. At least a few of the groups kept the Sabbath, most didn't. What were some of these doctrines that Anabaptists restored?
Again not all Anabaptists restored these doctrines but some of the groups did:
The Sabbath
Non trinitarianism
The Premillennial return of Christ (literal millennium)
Soul Sleep (conditional immortality of the soul).
Of course as the light of truth gets brighter the completed Restoration of the Christian Congregation will,take place before Christ return. The early Anabaptists gave it a good jumpstart.
I adhere to all of the above doctrines mentioned. As far as non trinitarianism goes, I believe in the Godhead Trio which really identifies the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in detail rather than the superficial identification of them as being co eternal and co eqaul and all making up one Almighty God.
The Godhead Trio in simple terms is:
The Father Jehovah is the Almighty God, Unbegotten and uncreated.
Jesus Christ our Lord is the true Son of God, uncreated but begotten from the Father's substance.
The Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit (power, presence, breath, mind, personality) of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is uncreated, unbegotten but proceeding from the Father and then to the Son and then is sent to the Church.
I'll share more in terms of doctrine as time goes on.
So where do I stand on doctrine and what will be taught at our home fellowship? This is where I draw from the Anabaptist heritage. Seventh Day Anabaptists are really an indirect offspring of Oswald Glait and Andreas Fischer who pioneered Sabbath keeping Anabaptism. Anabaptism is the offspring of Apostolic Christianity. Why do I say this? Because Anabaptism is more Restorationist in doctrine and application than say Protestantism. Make no mistake though, Anabaptism initially gleaned from Protestantism but then broke away over doctrinal issues. However, Seventh Day Anabaptism draws more from the Apostolic Church than they do from the magesterial reformers (Protestants).
I look at Anabaptists as the restoration of the original Church. The Anabaptists during the 1500 andn1600's were fervent in evangelism. Some of that fire is still there but nowhere like it was in those early years. The Anabaptists restored many of the precious truths of scripture that mainstream Christendom didn't have.
The Anabaptists had already restored some of these precious truths during their intial break from the magesterial reformers by the time Andreas Fischer and Oswald Glait restored the Seventh day Sabbath to the flock. At least a few of the groups kept the Sabbath, most didn't. What were some of these doctrines that Anabaptists restored?
Again not all Anabaptists restored these doctrines but some of the groups did:
The Sabbath
Non trinitarianism
The Premillennial return of Christ (literal millennium)
Soul Sleep (conditional immortality of the soul).
Of course as the light of truth gets brighter the completed Restoration of the Christian Congregation will,take place before Christ return. The early Anabaptists gave it a good jumpstart.
I adhere to all of the above doctrines mentioned. As far as non trinitarianism goes, I believe in the Godhead Trio which really identifies the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in detail rather than the superficial identification of them as being co eternal and co eqaul and all making up one Almighty God.
The Godhead Trio in simple terms is:
The Father Jehovah is the Almighty God, Unbegotten and uncreated.
Jesus Christ our Lord is the true Son of God, uncreated but begotten from the Father's substance.
The Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit (power, presence, breath, mind, personality) of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is uncreated, unbegotten but proceeding from the Father and then to the Son and then is sent to the Church.
I'll share more in terms of doctrine as time goes on.
Being an Anabaptist in 2016
I have chosen the label "Seventh Day Anabaptist" to represent my faith as a Christian. My hope is to grow a fellowship of like minded believers who will share in my desire to return to Apostolic Christianity.
Why the label "Anabaptist"? My inspiration comes from the movie "The Radicals". I feel that the Anabaptists best represented what the New Testament Congregation is supposed to look like.
They believed in the seperation of Church and State. They didn't believe in picking up the sword of politics or war. They believed that when a Christian got baptized that it was a seal of their entrance into the Kingdom of God and leaving the Kingdom of this world. They didn't believe in the Catholic/Protestant doctrine of water regeneration but rather that it was a symbol and seal of their confession in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and dying to this world and walking in newness of life with Christ.
The Anabaptists believed in the preisthood of all believers unlike the Catholic Church and Protestant Church. Even though most Protestant denominations give lip service to the "preisthood of all believers" concept for the most part they don't put this in practice. The Anabaptists were zealous evangelists unlike their Protestant contemporaries. Even today nary a Protestant denomination is known for fervent evangelism especially within the United States.
Even though many of the various Anabaptists sects had leadership they didn't have hierarchical Nicolatian type leadership. It was more of a flat structure of leadership with Pastor's operating as true sheperds rather than overlords. Also, each believer was encouraged to operate in the gifts that Jehovah blessed them with.
The definition of Church was understood differently by Anabaptists than their Protestant counterparts. The Church to Anabaptists was the people themselves not a building or institutional organization.
In my research of the Anabaptists there were many that were Sabbath keepers and some that Non trinitarian. There was a sizable Unitarian Anabaptist community in Transylvania. There were also strains of Arian Anabaptists. Some of the Sabbath keeping Anabaptists were martyred for not keeping Sunday which they viewed as the holiday of the antichrist. Many of them also refused to celebrate other Catholic holidays.
Doctrinally, they varied from community to community. Most important to them was in how they practically lived out their Christian life according to word of God.
Some of the modern day descendants of the Anabaptists are the Mennonites and Amish. The Mennonite is the largest and they vary from very conservative to very liberal.
We are not direct descendants of the Anabaptists, however we have adopted many of their principles in order to carry the torch of Apostolic Christianity that for the most part has died out. The descendants of the Anabaptists are hardly recognizable to the original movement of the 1500's. Some have become more insular whereas some have become all about social justice. Make no mistake about it, the original Anabaptist was about preaching and living the Kingdom of God and Christ.
I think all of us outside the institutional Church system have some Anabaptist in us. They would have been the group we would have joined if alive during the Reformation era. Unlike the often hateful Protestants and Catholics, the Anabaptists were not about devouring each other over disagreements about doctrine that were not salvational. They were also not persecutors of others. They believed in freedom of conscience.
The Anabaptists brought back the truth of the premillennial return of Christ and believed in the teaching of a literal millennium. The Protestants and Catholics were amillennial deriving this from the gnostic Augustine who taught that the material world was evil. The Anabaptists were very much into bible prophecy. Many considered both or either the Papacy and the Protestants as the antichrist.
My position is that the Papacy is the antichrist system and that Protestant America is the false prophet and that the image of the beast will be a Church-State union of Protestants/Evangelicals and the United States of America and the United Nations. The World's false religions will also be part of this Church-State Union. In America, the Protestants and Evangelicals will lead the charge to unite with State. The U.N will provide the international aspect of this union with the world's false religions heavily involved. This will include the New Age movement.
We believe that bible believing Christians much like the Anabaptists during the Reformation era, will be persecuted in America by Protestants and Catholics as a repeat of what happened in 1500's and 1600's. Of course persecution will be worldwide and all the false religions untied with State will engage in the persecution of the saints.
So living in a 2016 context, how do we apply Anabaptist living today? We return to the old paths. These radical reformers probably lived closest to the way new testament Christians lived in the apostolic times. They had all things in common sharing their goods with each other and giving to each other as each had need. This is more than possible today, it's just most of today's professing Christian Churches have been so influenced by materialism that they make every excuse in the world to not let go of their precious possessions.
As Anabaptists today, we don't seek to emulate outward forms of dress such as the Amish but rather to live a simple and modest life in all areas. It's not about the outward dress or appearance but rather the heart and how you live out your walk with Christ. When we do this then temperance in all things naturally follows. As Seventh Day Anabaptists in our community, we visibly are not much different than our neighbor. We are not seeking to stand out visually in appearance but rather stand out in our witness of Christian daily living.
The most important thing is to fufill the gospel commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and preach the Kingdom of Jehovah to a dying world. We have the sermon on the mount as the core of our statement of faith. We feel that it is not enough to believe but to actually live out our faith in a real way instead of just theory.
We want to do our part in restoring Christianity to it's primitive apostolic roots. This was the goal of the Anabaptists which since has been left behind by it's descendants. We seek to return to the original ideals of that Radical Reformation led by those brave men and women who carried that torch of precious truth.
Why the label "Anabaptist"? My inspiration comes from the movie "The Radicals". I feel that the Anabaptists best represented what the New Testament Congregation is supposed to look like.
They believed in the seperation of Church and State. They didn't believe in picking up the sword of politics or war. They believed that when a Christian got baptized that it was a seal of their entrance into the Kingdom of God and leaving the Kingdom of this world. They didn't believe in the Catholic/Protestant doctrine of water regeneration but rather that it was a symbol and seal of their confession in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and dying to this world and walking in newness of life with Christ.
The Anabaptists believed in the preisthood of all believers unlike the Catholic Church and Protestant Church. Even though most Protestant denominations give lip service to the "preisthood of all believers" concept for the most part they don't put this in practice. The Anabaptists were zealous evangelists unlike their Protestant contemporaries. Even today nary a Protestant denomination is known for fervent evangelism especially within the United States.
Even though many of the various Anabaptists sects had leadership they didn't have hierarchical Nicolatian type leadership. It was more of a flat structure of leadership with Pastor's operating as true sheperds rather than overlords. Also, each believer was encouraged to operate in the gifts that Jehovah blessed them with.
The definition of Church was understood differently by Anabaptists than their Protestant counterparts. The Church to Anabaptists was the people themselves not a building or institutional organization.
In my research of the Anabaptists there were many that were Sabbath keepers and some that Non trinitarian. There was a sizable Unitarian Anabaptist community in Transylvania. There were also strains of Arian Anabaptists. Some of the Sabbath keeping Anabaptists were martyred for not keeping Sunday which they viewed as the holiday of the antichrist. Many of them also refused to celebrate other Catholic holidays.
Doctrinally, they varied from community to community. Most important to them was in how they practically lived out their Christian life according to word of God.
Some of the modern day descendants of the Anabaptists are the Mennonites and Amish. The Mennonite is the largest and they vary from very conservative to very liberal.
We are not direct descendants of the Anabaptists, however we have adopted many of their principles in order to carry the torch of Apostolic Christianity that for the most part has died out. The descendants of the Anabaptists are hardly recognizable to the original movement of the 1500's. Some have become more insular whereas some have become all about social justice. Make no mistake about it, the original Anabaptist was about preaching and living the Kingdom of God and Christ.
I think all of us outside the institutional Church system have some Anabaptist in us. They would have been the group we would have joined if alive during the Reformation era. Unlike the often hateful Protestants and Catholics, the Anabaptists were not about devouring each other over disagreements about doctrine that were not salvational. They were also not persecutors of others. They believed in freedom of conscience.
The Anabaptists brought back the truth of the premillennial return of Christ and believed in the teaching of a literal millennium. The Protestants and Catholics were amillennial deriving this from the gnostic Augustine who taught that the material world was evil. The Anabaptists were very much into bible prophecy. Many considered both or either the Papacy and the Protestants as the antichrist.
My position is that the Papacy is the antichrist system and that Protestant America is the false prophet and that the image of the beast will be a Church-State union of Protestants/Evangelicals and the United States of America and the United Nations. The World's false religions will also be part of this Church-State Union. In America, the Protestants and Evangelicals will lead the charge to unite with State. The U.N will provide the international aspect of this union with the world's false religions heavily involved. This will include the New Age movement.
We believe that bible believing Christians much like the Anabaptists during the Reformation era, will be persecuted in America by Protestants and Catholics as a repeat of what happened in 1500's and 1600's. Of course persecution will be worldwide and all the false religions untied with State will engage in the persecution of the saints.
So living in a 2016 context, how do we apply Anabaptist living today? We return to the old paths. These radical reformers probably lived closest to the way new testament Christians lived in the apostolic times. They had all things in common sharing their goods with each other and giving to each other as each had need. This is more than possible today, it's just most of today's professing Christian Churches have been so influenced by materialism that they make every excuse in the world to not let go of their precious possessions.
As Anabaptists today, we don't seek to emulate outward forms of dress such as the Amish but rather to live a simple and modest life in all areas. It's not about the outward dress or appearance but rather the heart and how you live out your walk with Christ. When we do this then temperance in all things naturally follows. As Seventh Day Anabaptists in our community, we visibly are not much different than our neighbor. We are not seeking to stand out visually in appearance but rather stand out in our witness of Christian daily living.
The most important thing is to fufill the gospel commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and preach the Kingdom of Jehovah to a dying world. We have the sermon on the mount as the core of our statement of faith. We feel that it is not enough to believe but to actually live out our faith in a real way instead of just theory.
We want to do our part in restoring Christianity to it's primitive apostolic roots. This was the goal of the Anabaptists which since has been left behind by it's descendants. We seek to return to the original ideals of that Radical Reformation led by those brave men and women who carried that torch of precious truth.
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