By Samuel E. West, Elder

Armageddon has been defined as the destruction of man. (There is also a place that will be called Armageddon, Rev. 16:16) It is said when God closes one door that He opens another. He will close the door of mortality after the Millennium and will open the door of eternal life. “1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth… 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21) Man was given seven thousand years of mortality after the fall of Adam. About six thousand have passed. Jesus is to return at the opening of the seventh thousand years with a destruction by fire. The Bible will be used as a primary reference. References from the Book of Revelation will have only the chapter and verse.
There is only one certainty in life: we are going to die. You are being given the rare opportunity to inherit eternal life in an immortal body in the first resurrection. Those who abide in the laws of God rise in the first resurrection in celestial and terrestrial glories with Jesus. Or, live life as a spirit for a thousand years after Jesus returns, rise in the second resurrection, and inherit a kingdom without glory or Jesus. Learning the principles of death and eternal life should be a priority. Jesus told us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness [obey its laws]; and all these things [including salvation] shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)
Our greatest happiness depends on obeying God’s laws. He built His kingdom on love. Only love brings the greatest happiness in life and eternity. “Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always.” (Deut. 11:1) Jesus reminded us of the two greatest commandments. “37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt. 22) If we kept these two greatest laws on love, we would be most happy.
We all know that we are going to die. Maybe today! This life is like a snap of the fingers compared with life after death. Don’t we owe it to ourselves to learn about life, death, and eternity? If man would obey the laws of God, this life would yield the greatest happiness. The greatest responsibility we owe ourselves is to know God and obey His commandments. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life.” (Rev. 22:14) “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (Jesus, John 17)
Adam received the law “Thou shalt not kill.” (Ex. 20:13) When Cain killed his brother Able, the Lord told him “Now art thou cursed from the earth.” (Gen. 4:11) Why? This is the most grievous offense against mankind. We are told “no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15) Yet millions are killed in wars. How many families have been torn apart by such?
The next most grievous sin against the society man is adultery and other such sins. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (Ex. 20:14) “Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.” (Prov. 6:32) How many families have been torn apart and children disrupted because of such? Again, the happiness of man depends on obedience to the laws of God. When man turns against the laws of God, he loses the greatest happiness, and the best resolution is to remove him from mortal life—thus the great flood or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. 
In the beginning we all lived as spirits for possibly millions of years while the earth was being prepared. The first chapter and the second to verse 5 is the account of this spiritual estate. “4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew.” (Gen. 2)
During our spiritual life before Adam walked on the earth, Satan rebelled by thinking to take Jesus place at the head of this creation. “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” (1 Sam. 15:23) He violated the law: “Thou shalt not take the name [authority] of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Ex. 20:7) He was cast down with about a third of the host of heaven that followed him to spend eternity as ghosts. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground.” (Isa.14:12)
The law on marriage was given both during this spiritual estate. “God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:28) When Eve was presented to Adam, this law was repeated. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh [in the children].” (Gen. 2:24) Marriage is not only required for the continuation of mankind; but brings the greatest love--enhanced by children. God built His kingdom on love; but cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.
There is no divorce in the law of God. It only existed in the added Law of Moses and ended with Jesus. He noted “I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” (Matt. 5:32) Yet about half of marriages in the US end in divorce.  “Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.” (Prov. 6:32) “Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” (Matt. 5:32) The worst sin is killing. It is a sin against humanity. “No murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15) Remember Cain (Gen. 4:11)?
Every act of man is recorded in heaven and has a consequence--sort of like a Butterfly Effect. If a butterfly was killed in the Congo, it would not only affect the butterfly but it would have a ripple effect over the whole earth. Every violation has consequences. We will all stand before the judgment bar of God and account for our lives. (20:12)
Obeying the gospel opens the gate to salvation and brings many blessings on man. The Apostle Paul advised us “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16) “13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets [ministers], which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matt. 7)
“This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) No one can know God without revelation through the Holy Spirit. Very soon after Gentiles were blessed with the gospel and authority from God, they returned to their pagan beliefs and no longer knew God and Jesus. They no longer knew God and Jesus. “The rites and institutions, by which the Greeks, Romans, and other nations, had formerly testified their religious veneration for fictitious deities, were now adopted, with some slight alterations by Christian bishops, and employed in the service of the true God.” (Mosheim, Ecclesiastical History, Century 4, Part 2, chap 4:1, 4)
“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor. 2:10-11) Paul noted some of the special blessings in the kingdom: “1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another, faith… healing… working of miracles… prophecy… discerning of spirits… divers kinds of tongues… interpretation of tongues… But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1Cor. 12) “1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye my prophesy.” (1 Cor. 14)
“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.” (Heb. 11:32-35 read all) “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick.” (James 5:14-15)
The Bible will be used as the primary reference for this book. It should be understood both in its purpose and limitations. The purpose of the Bible is to provide a valid testimony of the one true and living God, His relationship with man, His will toward man, and man’s duty toward God and his fellow man. There is also information on His chosen people [Israel] and prophecies of future events. The identity of a chosen lineage of people, as His elect, began with Abraham; about 2000 years before Jesus. This identity is to be established again at the return of Jesus. "My tabernacle also shall be with them [Israel]: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Ezek. 37:27)
What of gentiles? All promises in the Bible are for Israel. God provided one way for gentiles to be adopted as the seed of Abraham: a proper baptism. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ… 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs to the promise [of eternal life].” (Gal. 3) Only one holding the Melchisedec Priesthood of God has their baptisms recorded in heaven. Jesus went to John because he held the Aaronic Priesthood which has authority from God to baptize with water. Then He was baptized of the Spirit by God. Jesus advised us: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
There were ten generation from Adam to Noah. Adam lived 930 years to know the father of Noah. There were also ten generations from Noah to Abraham. Noah lived 600 years before the flood and 350 years after. Abraham lived with Noah and Shem for thirty-nine years. How easy it was for a correct knowledge of God and His laws to pass from Adam to Abraham---2,000 years before Jesus. Knowledge passed easily from Abraham to Joshua. Israel was held captive in Egypt 400 years. God renewed His association with man with Moses. It was lost again for 400 years after Malachi and was renewed with Jesus. It was lost again after John and renewed in 1830, with Joseph Smith and continued through James J. Strang. Gentiles rejected it again and murdered both. Now, it is to return to Israel. “And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Jer. 32:38)
Every prophecy in the Bible has been perfectly fulfilled when the time came. The Bible addresses three world-wide desolations: The first general destruction was by water in the days of Noah. He preached the gospel and prophesied of the coming flood for 120 years. Surely, those in the day of the great flood must have cried “why upon us” and died. Only eight souls survived. The second will be shortly before Jesus returns, and the third--after the Millennium--when mortality ends and eternity begins.
Was the ark real? It remained to the days of the Apostles. Josephus--a notable historian that was contemporary with Jesus--wrote, "However, the Armenians call this place The Place of Descent; for the ark being saved in that place, its remains are shewn there by the inhabitants to this day." (Complete Works of Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 3.5)
Daniel (Chapter 2) prophesied of the destruction of major nations. First was Babylon founded by a grandson of Adam: Nimrod. Second was the Medo-Persian, third was the Macedonians. Fourth was the Roman with its ten kingdoms; which became the ten kingdoms of Europe and are to be destroyed with all gentile nations of the world. “For I am with thee [Israel], saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee.” (Jer. 30:11)
"And in the days of these kings (Europe) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed [Kingdom of God]:  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.  forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain and the interpretation thereof sure." (Dan. 2:44)
The second general destruction comes by fire shortly before and during the return of Jesus. It will be the most severe desolation to come on the earth, “then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21) Soon, most of the inhabitants will die of fire with the most horrible desolation of famine, pestilence, and decease.
Adam wrote of two destructions: one by water and one by fire. "And that their inventions might not be lost before they were sufficiently known, upon Adam's prediction that the world was to be destroyed at one time by the force of fire, and at another time by the violence and quantity of water, they made two pillars; the one of brick, the other of stone... this remains in the land of Siriad to this day." (Complete Works of Josephus, 2.3)
The Bible abounds with prophecies of fire. "Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left." (Isa. 24:6) "5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance [baptism], broken the everlasting covenant [priesthood of God]. 6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.” (Isa. 24) “For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.” (Isa. 66:16)
The first resurrection--when Jesus returns--only includes members of the kingdom of God. He will bring with Him those saints already resurrected and raise the worthy saints from the grave. He will establish the kingdom of God on the earth; and become King over the whole earth. Those that have obeyed the gospel and lived by the laws of God rise in the first resurrection. “6 Blessed 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… 5 The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” (20:5) “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (22:14) 
The Sabbath of Creation (Millennium)--the thousand-year reign of Jesus and His saints--follows the destruction of evil and the restoration of all things. It will be the only time the earth has known total peace since Adam walked in the Garden of Eden. It will be a thousand years of complete peace. Satan will be bound for this time.
At the end of the Millennium and a short season, Satan is again released into the world for a short season and then will be cast off with his followers as ghosts for eternity. “And 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.” (Rev. 20:10) After a short season, Satan is released, gathers man from the entire world against the City of God, and they are destroyed by fire from heaven.
Mortality ends with this third general destruction and eternity begins. 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.” (Rev. 20:12) The earth will become the kingdom of God. There are no aliens in the kingdom. Those who have not obeyed the gospel will inherit a place in glory like the stars compared with the sun until they obey the gospel and live by the law of God. 
“1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth… 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21) “14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Rev. 22:14)
EVENT DATELINES.
Mortal life is to last 7,000 years after the fall of Adam. When man does not learn from history, history repeats itself. Man has turned against God in every age since Noah. Let us look at some of the major events in the history of mankind. What has destroyed man in the past will destroy man in the future. God is without change. “I am the LORD, I change not.” (Mal. 3:6) The first problem encountered when establishing datelines is our calendar. The time from Adam to Christ cannot be accurately determined. All dates in our current (Gregorian) calendar are based on the birth of Jesus. There is at least a 7-year error. Herod was alive when Jesus was born. He died in 4 BC, and the killing of infants was in 7 B.C.  The most accurate date offered for the birth of Jesus is 7 BC. For convenience, the date of Jesus birth by our calendar will be used. 
4000 BC Fall of Adam.2444 BC Great Flood, Destruction by water.2052 BC Birth of Abraham.2243 BC Tower of Babel.1952 BC Destruction of Sodom and Gomorra.1750 BC Israel Captive in Egypt until 1350 BC.1350 BC Moses Delivers Israel.1312 BC Israel Punished  920 BC Israel Divided.  720 BC Israel Lost to Captivity.  588 BC Judah Taken Captive.      0 BC Birth of Jesus.    30 AD Apostasy of Jews, death and resurrection of Jesus, gospel to Gentiles.                 70 AD Destruction of the Jews.    99 AD Last of the Apostles.  325 AD Christianity paganism.            1830 AD Gospel returns to gentiles.            1967 AD Times of the gentiles ends.	2000 AD? Destruction by fire, Deliverance of Israel: People of God.            2000 AD Second Coming of Jesus, beginning of the Millennium.            3000 AD End of Mortal Man, Beginning of Eternal State of Man.
2444 BC Great Flood, Destruction by water. Josephus wrote that Adam prophesied of two destructions: one by water and one by fire. “Adam’s prediction the world was to be destroyed at one time by the force of fire, and at another time by the violence and force of water.” (Complete Works of Josephus, p. 27) “And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Gen. 6:7) Noah knew of the coming destruction of man by water at least 120 years before the flood. He preached the gospel and told of the flood for 120 years; but was only able to save his own family of eight. The reason for the flood is the same for all destructions. “GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5)
2052 BC Birth of Abraham. The birth of Abraham was a significant dateline that most are not aware. He was born in the city of Ur, of the Chaldees, in Babylonia. His birth was marked by a star. King Nimrod tried to kill him on account of the blessings of God that were to come on him. His conjurors advised him: “This only betokens the child that has been born to Terah this night, who will grow up and be fruitful, and multiply, and possess all the earth, he and his children forever, and he and his seed will slay great kings, and inherit their lands.” (Book of Jasher, 8:2). This same star reappeared in 1997, as comet Hale-Bopp. Another warning? Abraham lived in the meridian of time between Adam and Jesus. He died at 175 years old in 1877 BC.
When Nimrod sought to kill him, His father took him, his mother, and nurse to a hidden cave; where he remained for ten years. Afterward, he spent thirty-nine years with Noah and his son Shem. After returning to Ur, he had to flee again from Nimrod. (Book of Jasher) While in Haran, God visited him, told him to leave his country, and covenanted with him that his seed would be His chosen people and inherit the land.
Abraham became the father of the people of God throughout eternity. Gentiles must be adopted as his seed by proper baptism to enjoy the promises (Gal. 3:27-29). The grandson of Abraham, Jacob was surnamed Israel by God (Gen. 32:28). His twelve sons are the twelve tribes of Israel plus the sons of Joseph: Ephraim and Manasseh are also called by the family name. Israel lost its standing as the people of God during times of wickedness. They remain the chosen or elect people of God and will soon become the people of God again.
God made an everlasting spiritual covenant with Abraham. This covenant was sealed by circumcision of the heart (Rom. 4:11). Israel was to be the chosen people of God forever. They were to have no other gods before them and were to obey His commandments. "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 12:2, 3)
A second temporal covenant blessed Israel with the land of Canaan. This covenant was sealed by circumcision of the foreskin. "And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him." (Gen. 12:7) The covenants were renewed with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob (Israel). Moses told of Israel, “The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.” (Deut. 28:9)
2243 BC. Tower of Babel. At this time “10 the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech… 4 let us build us a city and tower, whose top may reach unto heaven… 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of the earth.” (Gen. 1) Man was commanded from the beginning to live by the word and laws of God. “Babel was all about convenience, and not obedience to the will of God. The people were doing what seemed best for themselves and not what God had commanded. Their building project symbolized the pride and arrogance of humans who were trying to be equal with God. In seeking to be free from reliance on God, the people thought they could reach heaven on their own terms.” (learnreligions.com.)
1952 BC. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorra. It is important to note the primary reason for this destruction was disobedience to the law of God on marriage and sexual relations. God does not approve any sexual relations outside of marriage. When Eve was presented to Adam, they were immediately married. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh [through their children].” (Gen. 2:24)
There is no divorce in the law of God. It only existed in the added Law of Moses; which ended with Jesus. He noted “I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” (Matt. 5:32) Yet about half of marriages in the US end in divorce.  “Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.” (Prov. 6:32)
The sin of adultery is addressed and forbidden many times in the Bible; including the Ten Commandments. It is one of the crimes of Sodom and Gomorra. One of the worst of sins is homosexual activity. The Bible clearly and consistently declares this activity is a sin (Genesis 19:1–13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10). “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” (Lev. 20:13)
James J. Strang wrote: “7. In the long list of crimes recorded against Sodom, as the guilty cause of its utter destruction, the first is the custom of the whole population going out four times a year to a certain valley, with music and dancing; when every man seized whatsoever woman he would, and they all enjoyed the wives and daughters of their neighbors in their sight, and no man objected a word; (Jasher xviii, 13-15;) a custom which has its counterpart in the Free Love societies of the present day.  The natural consequence of this want of chastity was that bestiality, which has given the name of Sodom to the most loathsome of all human crimes.”
We see these same sins rampant in the US today—even worse. It has not only become a free love society; but millions of unborn babies are murdered. There is almost every form of sexual deviation present today. Who could imagine small children given sex change operations?
1312 BC Israel Punished. While Moses was on top of Mt. Sinai receiving the law, Israel—except the tribe of Levi--fell into the sins of Egypt and built an idol to worship. “And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.” (Ex. 32:19) These tables were prepared and written by God.
Moses prepared two new tables (Ex. 34:1). He went back up on the mount and received an added, temporal law with a temporal priesthood (Aaronic) to administer it. Aaron was called to stand at the head of this priesthood. This law was to be like a very strict schoolmaster that would last until Jesus was ordained by God to the Melchizedek Priesthood like Moses. The added law ended at that time; but the added priesthood continued. Jesus made note of this. “17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy [the original spiritual law], but to fulfil [end the added law]. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt. 5)
Kings rule Israel. Immediately after the death of Joshua the children of Israel wanted a king in opposition to the will of God. They appointed them judges, or the Lord raised up judges to conduct the temporal affairs of Israel. Saul was anointed the first king, David was second, Solomon was third, and Jeroboam fourth. “We have the account of the division of the kingdom of Israel into two kingdoms, which took place about one year after the death of Solomon… The tribes of Judah, Benjamin and the half tribe of Manassah adhered to "Rehoboam;" while the remainder of the tribes adhered to "Jeroboam."
“Let the reader here be very particular to notice that ever after the division of the kingdom of Israel they have ever remained divided to this date. Let it be recollected that Rehoboam was the "son of Solomon," and reigned over the two and half tribes which was ev­er after called the "kingdom of Judah" to this day. Jeroboam had been the "servant of Solomon" and reigned over the remaining nine and half tribes (commonly called the ten tribes) in Samaria, which was called ever after the "kingdom of Israel" to this day.­” (James J. Strang)
720 BC Israel Taken Captive. Israel--ten lost tribes--was taken captive into Assyria by Shalmaneser. At some unknown time, they left for a far distant land. "And they (the ten tribes) dwelt there (in Assyria) until they took this council among themselves, that they would go into a far country where no man dwelt, of a year and a half journey, and the same region is called Assereth." (2 Esdras 13) It is believed they were led to Zion—Americas.
588 BC Judah was taken captive into Babylon and returned 70 years later. 
0 BC Birth of Jesus.
30 AD Apostasy of Jews, death and resurrection of Jesus, Gospel to Gentiles. The Jews (Judah) were the people of God until they fully rejected Jesus’ authority and had Him crucified by Roman Law.  This broke the covenant they had with God and the gospel was given to gentiles for the first time with a warning. “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” (Rom. 11:21)
The most significate event in the history of man was Jesus becoming our Savior. He had to be of the seed of Abraham, the tribe of Judah, and the son of David. “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren.” (Heb. 2:17) The Apostle Matthew gave us Jesus’ true lineage in the first chapter of the New Testament. “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas [Judah]… And Jesse begat David the king… And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary.” (Matt. 1) This is “according to the flesh.” If Jesus was not born in all things like His brethren, He was not our Savior. Only a man could redeem man (Rom. 5:15). Jesus is called the Son of David sixteen times and the son of man over seventy times in the New Testament. 
Jesus—being born alien to the kingdom of God--had to obey the law of God on the gospel to enter the kingdom. Jesus advised us: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) He went to John the Baptist for baptism of water because he was a priest of the Levitical Priesthood and held authority from God to baptize with water; but not of the Spirit. In John 3:11, John notes this limitation and that Jesus would baptize with the Spirit (“that he comes after me is mightier than I”). John hesitated because he did not hold authority to baptize with the Spirit. Jesus told him “Suffer it be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” (Matt. 3:15)
When Jesus “went up straightway out of the water; and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending upon him: and lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16, 17) He was born of the spirit by God; because the Melchisedec Priesthood was lost for 400 years after Malachi. This is clearly an account of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as separate identities.
Jesus still did not hold authority from God to preach the gospel and administer its saving ordinances. After baptism, He went into the wilderness where He was tempted of Satan. “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” (Matt. 4:11) “13 God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” (James 1)
What did they minister? Jesus was ordained under the hands of God to the highest office in the priesthood: a Prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22); which also holds the lower office of High Priest. “4 And no man taketh this honour [of the priesthood] unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron [by revelation from God]. 5 So Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he [the Father] that said unto him, Thou art my son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (John 1)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He [God] hath anointed [ordained] me to preach the gospel the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised [in prison].” (Luke 4:18) “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.” (Acts 3:22)
When Jesus returns “he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate [God], the King of kings, and Lord of lords.” (1 Tim. 6:15) Jesus will stand as “16 KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS [over this creation].” (Rev. 19) Those who know God, obey the gospel, and remain faithful and obedient to the laws of God will rise in the first resurrection and inherit the earth with God and Jesus. Here is a great warning. He will return “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 1:8)
After Jesus resurrection He met with the Apostles. “18 Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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 alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 28)
They were warned to live by the laws of God or be rejected even as was the Jews. “17 And if some of the branches be broken off [Jews], and thou [gentiles], being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear. 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell, severity; but toward thee goodness, if thou continue in his goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off.” (Rom. 11)
On the Day of Pentecost when the gospel went to gentiles, Peter and the Apostles were asked: “Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to ALL that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:37-39)
70 A.D. Destruction of the Jews. Just 40 years after their apostacy, the Jews were all but destroyed. The Roman Army laid siege to Jerusalem. “Now the number of those that were carried captive during the whole war was collected to be ninety-seven thousand; as was the number of those that perished during the whole siege, eleven hundred thousand.” (The Complete Works of Josephus, 9.3, p. 587) The destruction extended even to Masada.
Israel is to remain scattered among the Gentiles until near the return of Jesus. A remnant will once again become the people of God, will be gathered from the corners of heaven and earth, and live with all the saints of God since Adam. Israel will again become the choice people of God. “7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” (Jer. 24) “They shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Jer. 32:38) "Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God." (Jer. 32:37, 38)
 99 AD Last of the Apostles. After the Jews rejected Jesus, the gospel went to gentiles for the first time. Gentiles are any that are not of the seed of Abraham and Jacob (Israel). They had been raised on paganism for over 2,000 years and began returning even during the days of the Apostles. “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work.” (2 Thess. 2:7) Gentiles soon returned to paganism, lost all authority from God, and God no longer spoke to them. “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isa. 59:2) The Apostles—except John--were all killed by 70 A.D. He was the last Apostle and was thought to die in 99 A.D. in Ephesus. (Martyrs Mirror) Jesus allowed him to be translated and remain like others.
The kingdom of God was lost as they became instruments of Satan. When Jesus appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos, He told the churches to “5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent… 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is.” (Rev. 2) They had fallen so far; they were required by Jesus to repent and be rebaptized. There is no evidence of their following this admonition as they continued to fall into idolatry and false doctrines. God never called another prophet to lead them.
Revelation ceased after the Apostles. Without revelation from God, Satan overcame the priesthood and there were no members left of the kingdom. “And it was given unto him [Satan] to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13:7)
Gentiles returned to pagan doctrines. In the second and third centuries the churches could not even agree on the identity of God and Jesus. Confusion reigned in the churches. “To this extent, ‘orthodoxy’ [true doctrines] in the sense of a unified group advocating an apostolic doctrine accepted by most Christians everywhere, did not exist in the second and third centuries.” (The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture, Bart D. Ehrman, p. 7)
Jesus gave the first great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matt. 22:37) Idolatry is one of the great sins. They did not even understand God and Jesus. “For them as a group, Christ was in some sense both human and divine. But neither the relationship of Christ’s two ‘natures’ nor his relationship with God were yet defined.” (pp. 13, 14) Could this be of God? “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Cor. 14:33)
325 AD Christianity turned pagan. The noted ecclesiastical historian Mosheim wrote of the fourth century, “The rites and institutions, by which the Greeks, Romans, and other nations, had formerly testified their religious veneration for fictitious deities, were now adopted, with some slight alterations by Christian bishops, and employed in the service of the true God.” (Mosheim, Ecclesiastical History, Century 4, Part 2, chap 4:1, 4)
The unbaptized, pagan Roman Emperor Constantine using only the power of Rome, stood at the head of the church and adopted such pagan doctrines as the Trinity and Virgin Birth. He was not even a Christian. Consolidating Rome required the establishment of a state religion.
This was accomplished in 325 A.D.  He assembled the bishops, stood at the head, and organized his new Catholic Church. He was a loyal follower of the sun god. “As seen in Constantine’s originating piety, that supreme deity would have been associated with the sun, and pagans would have recognized, with reason, their own solar cult in such Christian practices as orienting churches to the east, worshipping on ‘sun day,’ and celebrating the birth of the deity at the winter solstice [Dec. 25].” (Ibid., p. 183) There is only one Sabbath and it was lost. “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.” (Ex. 31:16) Jesus and the Apostles kept the Sabbath of God. Where the Sabbath is not, the Kingdom of God is not.
“24. And, as by their faith, these three gods are one and the same god, it follows that the Lord God Almighty, uncreate, incomprehensible, and eternal, became a Priest unto himself, and offered himself a sacrifice unto himself, to make propitiation unto himself for sins against himself, and became a mediator between himself and his rebellious creatures; and has risen from the dead, though he alone hath immortality, and ascended on high, where he has received all power from himself, and sat down at his own right hand; where, with his human body, flesh and bones, and all that pertains to the perfection of man’s nature, raised to immortality and everlasting life, he “is the express image of the invisible God,” (Col. i, 15. 2d Cor. iv, 4,) “and the express image of his Father’s person,” (Heb. 1, 3,) who has not any such body or any part of it, and is nevertheless the same identical person with himself. “25. This is not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Ye shall not bow down to the God of Babylon, for the God who spoke in Sinai, said, “Thou shalt not bow down unto, nor adore anything that thy imagination conceiveth of; but the Lord thy God only.”“26. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, was not the offspring of adultery; nor was he born of woman; he was not carried about in a nurse’s arms, nor dependent on his mother’s milk for sustenance; he never died, nor did he cry to himself, and find no helper. (Matt. xxvii, 46. Mark xv, 34.)  Eternal ages are but pulsations in his lifetime, and his might is omnipotence.” (James J. Strang)
For over 1,200 years the Catholic Church reigned supreme; although even prostitutes stood at the head (Haley’s Bible Handbook, p.774) Then, in the sixteenth century, Martin Luther, in his attempt to "reform" the Catho­lic Church was excommunicated. Without any claim to divine authority, the gospel of Christ was changed--inventing a new gospel: salvation by faith alone. Remember what Jesus said when the gospel went to gentiles? “Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt. 5:18)
If a person is saved by faith alone, it follows that none must obey the laws of God. John Calvin went so far as to teach a person’s works are not important.  “Calvin left no place for works in his definition of justification by faith.” (Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 74) Jesus said: “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20)
This new gospel is in opposition to everything taught in Bible. Some have used the quotation: “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2) They fail to tell you that Paul was writing only the saints that had already obeyed the gospel. “1 Paul, and apostle of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus.”
The Apostle Paul did not consider himself saved. “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:12) He warned them to live by the laws of God or be rejected even as was the Jews. “17 And if some of the branches be broken off [Jews], and thou [gentiles], being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear. 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell, severity; but toward thee goodness, if thou continue in his goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off.” (Rom. 11)
“19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?' (James 2) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21) The kingdom of God and salvation was lost. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:11)
1830 AD Gospel returns to gentiles. God provided gentiles with two opportunities to obey the gospel. The first was in the meridian of time after Jesus. They returned to paganism and God no longer spoke to them. The second was to be in the fulness of times. The Apostle John prophesied that the Church of Christ, its officers, and all members would be lost for 1,260 years. “5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months [1,260 years]. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him [Satan] over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13)
Paul noted concerning the return of Jesus: “3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2 Thess. 2)
Who was this man of sin? The Lombards took Rome in 568. This allowed the Bishop of Rome in 570, to stand at the head of the entire church. He was the first true pope and was called God. "Our Lord God the Pope… The power of the pope is greater than all created power, extending itself to things celestial, terrestrial and infernal, and that the pope doeth whatsoever he listeth even things unlawful, and is more than God.” (Dissertation on the Prophecies, Rev. G S. Faber, Vol. 1, pp. 203, 204)
Gentiles had fully apostatized. It follows that after the 1,260 years there would be a restoration of the gospel and Kingdom of God. “I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” (Rev. 14:6) “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Jesus, Matt. 19:30)
The gospel went to gentiles last in the Dispensation of the Meridian of Time begun by Jesus. They were to go first in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times after the 1,260 years. The Restoration was to be to gentiles. They were to reject it again and the gospel would return to Israel. “And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Jer. 32:38) “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” (Eph. 1:10)
Now take 570 when the kingdom of was officially lost and add the 1,260 when there was not one member left. The result is 1830. Now, look for a man that claimed this restoration by angelic administration. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” (Rev. 14:6)
There was only one: Joseph Smith. In 1820, when he was 15 years old, he had a keen interest in religion. There was a great excitement over religion where he lived--each claiming to be right. He was determined to find out which was true. After reading the Epistle of James “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,” Joseph decided to take the matter to God in prayer. He went into the woods where he could be alone and poured out his heart to God.
Two personages appeared to him and one of them said, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” He was told: “they were all wrong and their creeds were an abomination in his sight… they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” The power of the gospel is the priesthood of God. They forbade him from joining any of them. “I had now, got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned.”
In May, 1829, he went into the woods with his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, to pray over the priesthood they had learned about in what became the Book of Mormon. The angel appeared to them and instructed them how to be baptized. Next, they were instructed how to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood—the same held by John the Baptist.
In June, 1929, Joseph was ordained a Prophet and Lawgiver of the Melchisedec Priesthood under the hands of angels who held that priesthood in life. Since that priesthood had been lost for at least 1,260 years it could only be restored through angelic administration like Jesus who was ordained under the hands of God (Heb. 5:4-6). The priesthood of God and the gospel were once again restored to the earth. 
The Church of Jesus Christ was organized on April 6, 1830. The gate into the kingdom of God was open. Joseph received many revelations on the will and laws of God. They were first published in 1830 and the official edition was published as the Doctrine and Covenants in 1835. It was restored by Samuel E. West in 2000.
Joseph taught the same gospel as Jesus and the Apostles. “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Joseph Smith taught that it was necessary to not only believe in God and honor Jesus as our Savior; but that we must live by the will and laws of God.  “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.  If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
The people of God have always been commanded to gather and live as one. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matt. 23:37)
Independence, Missouri was commanded of God to be the gathering place for the saints. Their life style soon conflicted with that of the ruffians on the border of civilization. They were driven out of Missouri where they had gathered for years when the governor of Missouri issued an extermination order demanding they either forsake their religion, move out of the state, or be killed. Some were killed and other beaten.
They migrated to Nauvoo, Illinois, where they built one of the largest and certainly the most law-abiding city in the west. But the mob from Missouri followed them. The Governor also saw them as a political threat. Gentiles had to be given two warnings to follow the will of God or be destroyed. The Bible foretold of two prophets and two works that would come forth in the latter days. "Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph [Book of Mormon], which is in the hand of Ephraim [Joseph Smith], and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah [the Book of the Law of the Lord translated by James J. Strang of the tribe of Judah], and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand." (Ezek. 37:19)
Joseph received four revelations from God that that he would die in office—the first only a year after the church was organized. In the event of his impending death, he was to appoint “another” in his place and that successor would have to be ordained under the hands of angels like himself.  “4 But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead… 7 For verily I say unto you, that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained as I have told you before, to teach those revelations which you have received and shall receive through him whom I have appointed.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 43, Feb. 1841, Utah Edition)
On June 18, 1844, nine days before his death, Joseph Smith wrote (in fulfillment of this law) a Letter of Appointment to James J. Strang in Burlington, Wisconsin. It was mailed the next day. He noted “I have long felt that my present work was almost done, and that I should soon be called to rule a mighty host, but something whispers me it will be in the land of spirits, where the wicked cease from troubling and the bands of the prisoner fall off… The wolves are upon the scent, and I am waiting to be offered up, if such be the will of God… And now behold my servant James J. Strang hath come to thee from far for truth when he knew it not, and hath not rejected it, but had faith in thee, the Shepherd and Stone of Israel, and to him shall the gathering of the people be, for he shall plant a stake of Zion in Wisconsin… So spake the Almighty God of heaven.  Thy duty is made plain, and if thou lackest wisdom, ask of God, in whose hands I trust thee, and he shall give thee unsparingly; for if evil befall me, thou shalt lead the flock to pleasant pastures.  God sustain thee. Joseph Smith.” 
On June 20th, Joseph Smith wrote the Apostles to return at once to Nauvoo. Ten of the Twelve were away from Nauvoo. On June 24th, eighteen persons, including Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith were taken by warrant of Governor Ford to Carthage, Illinois jail. The next morning Governor Ford pledged the faith of the State that they should be protected.  Their hearing was continued until June 29th.  On the morning of June 27th, the Governor disbanded the troops (so Joseph could be killed) and left Joseph Smith and associates to be guarded by eight men at the jail (with a mob of 60 men in town).
On June 27th, at about six o’clock in the afternoon the guard was surprised by an armed mob of from 150 to 250 men painted red, black, and yellow. They surrounded the jail and murdered both Joseph and Hyrum Smith; both being shot four times. This under the sworn protection of (Illinois) Governor Ford. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were murdered in cold blood.
The same hour that Joseph was murdered, James J. Strang claimed that at 5:30 in the afternoon an angel of the Lord came to him and ordained him to the prophetic office to succeed Joseph Smith. He lived more than four hundred miles from Nauvoo. It was not possible (even if Strang had conspired with men in Nauvoo) to know of Joseph Smith’s murder. Much less to the hour. There was no such means of communication. He announced this ordination to several in Burlington, Wisc. that night.
James wrote about his ordination: “And at the same moment in which Joseph was slain I was visited by an Angel of God, accompanied by a numerous heavenly train, and anointed and ordained to the Prophetic Office, as Moses and Joseph had been before me. So I was called by the voice of God, and sent by the hands of Angels, as were the chief Prophets before me.”

On July 9, 1844, the first official news of Joseph’s death came when the Letter of Appointment which was delivered by regular mail. It was recorded by the Post Offices in Chicago and Burlington. It has been proven beyond doubt to have been signed by Joseph. Joseph foretelling of his death in office, of his impending death, and James claiming ordination under the hands of angels the same hour as his death, are prophetic in their own right.
James taught the same as Joseph on all points of doctrine. He provided the best discourses on the existence of God, on the true God, on the priesthood, on the Ten Commandments, and other important gospel subjects. He translated (from the books recovered by Joseph and given to him) the most valuable book of scripture: the Book of the Law of the Lord prophesied by Ezekiel (37) that was originally given to Moses but lost to the Bible like many others. Here is the only place the original the Ten Commandments exists. It was restored in 2000 by Samuel E. West.
James was first instructed by God to make Voree (near Burlington, Wisconsin) the gathering place for the saints. Interpreted it means Garden of Peace. The saints were never persecuted there by gentiles. He then received a revelation for the saints to gather to Beaver Island and the islands of Northern Lake Michigan. The gathering was moved there. Like the saints under Joseph, many failed to gather as commanded and live by the laws of God.
The people on the mainland—Mackinac--made every attempt to kill and drive the saints from their homes. Indian [diluted] whiskey was a major source of income for them. James was a firm believer that whiskey should not be sold to the Indians; and would not allow it on Beaver Island. They became the enemies of the saints and they had to endure many persecutions.
Like Joseph before him, James was destined to seal his testimony with his blood. On June 16, 1856, with the help of the captain of the U. S. Steamer Michigan, James was mortally shot. He was taken back to Voree where he died on July 9th.  The saints were driven from their homes and their property stolen. He did not appoint a successor. The Twelve understood they could not stand at the head. Only a Prophet holds that authority. The saints were loaded on boats, taken to Milwaukee and Chicago, dumped on the docks, and scattered.

The Bible tells us of the demise of James, the fate of the saints, and their future gathering. “8 And thou, O tower of the flock [James J. Strang], the strong hold of the daughter of Zion [church in America], unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem [July 8, 1850, when he was ordained King in Zion]. 9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee [James is gone]? is thy counsellor perished [high priests and elders] for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. 10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion [kingdom in Zion], like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to [spiritual] Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.” (Micah 4)

Apostles under James attempted to gather the saints on the mainland; but they would not. Voree continued to be a gathering place in addition to a few other places. James J. Strang ordained Apostle L. D. Hickey—who was the last Apostle. That left evangelical high priests—holding only evangelical authority--to lead the church. Apostle Hickey ordained Samuel Martin a high priest, who ordained Lloyd Flanders (last high priests), who ordained Samuel E. West an elder on July 8, 1956.

James wrote: "“...For as Aaron was called of God by the mouth of Moses, who held as high authority as that to which he called him, being both Prophet and High Priest, after the order of Melchisedec; so no man lawfully taketh the priesthood unto himself, but he that is called by revelation of God, BY THE MOUTH OF ONE LAWFULLY IN THE PRIESTHOOD AND HOLDING AS HIGH AUTHORITY AS THAT TO WHICH HE CALLS." (Gospel Herald, Oct. 7, 1847, p. 118/170) 
At the 1939 Conference, the mainstream church began its downfall. The office of elder is next below that of high priest. Elders called four high priests in violation of the law of God. The result was to leave Lloyd Flanders as the last high priest. In 1961, the mainstream church voted to make their church part of the US Government via a corporation. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of man cannot be united and the church maintain its identity. In addition, they invented new laws to govern them in opposition to the law of God that provides only prophets can give laws. They also invented a new order of the priesthood to rule over them contrary to the laws of God. Murderers (by the law of God), liars, and thieves have stood at the head of their church. Today, their only branch is in Burlington, Wisc.
The last three “high priests” in 1993, met in conference to consider “the principles concerning God and Christ, and their relationship and our relationship to them… since no conclusion was arrived at, the reader is urged to study on their own.” Three “high priests” did not know God? Joseph Smith dedicated most of Part One of Doctrine and Covenants to this subject and James J. Strang dedicated 39 pages in the Book of the Law of the Lord to this subject. What say you Jesus? I “will return “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel.” (2 Thess. 1:8)
Samuel E. West has fulfilled the office of elder. He has continued to promote the true church, the kingdom of God, and ordained elders in Zion and one in Africa—but few there be that remain true. This web page is the work of Samuel.
The gospel and Kingdom of God continues when there is one officer like Samuel of the Melchisedec Priesthood. “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God.” (Col. 1:25) The priesthood was handed down from the Prophet James J. Strang to Apostle L. D. Hickey, to High Priests Samuel Martin and then Lloyd Flanders, and elder Samuel E. West. Elders hold the Melchisedec Priesthood hold authority to administer all the ordinances of the gospel.
1967 AD: Times of the Gentiles ends. Gentiles were given one last opportunity to turn to God and obey the gospel--and again they failed. The sign of this time came through Israel. “They [Israel] shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24) Amazing. Every prophecy of God has been perfectly fulfilled when the time came. After the six-day war, Jerusalem was no longer trodden down of the gentiles and the times of the Gentiles was fulfilled.
Destruction by Fire. Why? “1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Tim. 3) Look about you. No revelation and no authority from God to minister in His name. Anti-Christ—men without authority from God--abounds. Wickedness thrives.
“38 As in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matt. 24) In the days of Noah, the earth was baptized with water without repentance. Now the earth is to be baptized with fire without repentance.
We have learned that every time people turn from God they are destroyed. Look about you. The same wickedness abounds today that existed with other destructions. Knowledge of God and Jesus has been lost. Authority of God of God and the gospel are gone and usurping His authority is everywhere. The Sabbath has effectively been lost. The love of man has waxed cold. Children think they are the head of the house and do as they will. Idolatry, Murder, lying, stealing, and all manner of wickedness is rampant.
"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." (1 Thess. 4:2, 3)
Gentiles and their nations will be destroyed. “16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen [goi, also translated gentile] drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been. 17 (Obadiah 1) “1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. 2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.” (Isa. 34) 
Shortly before Jesus returns there will be a desolation worse than anything on the earth before. In the days of Noah, the earth was baptized with water without repentance. Soon, there is to be a baptism by fire without repentance. "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake [Israel] those days shall be shortened." (Jesus, Matt. 24:21, 22) “They shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Jer. 32:38)
"I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD." (Zeph. 1:2, 3) "5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance [gospel], broken the everlasting covenant [of priesthood]. 6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.” (Isa. 24) 
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." (Mal. 4:1) "And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground." (Jer. 25:33) (See also Isa. 2:12-19; Isa. 30:30; Isa. 63:1-7; Jer. 46:10)
Destruction will come fast and without warning; even as the Great Flood came upon that generation and destruction on Sodom and Gomorra. Jesus taught, “37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matt. 24) Except for the terrible tribulations that precede His coming, Jesus will return swiftly and without warning. 
No one can imagine the horror of this destruction. Men will seek death and hide in dens of the rocks. It will be a judgment from the Almighty. Most men will die from the desolation, fire, famine, and pestilence. The Bible indicates two-thirds of God's chosen people, the house of Israel, will be consumed; and possibly ninety percent of gentiles. The destruction is all inclusive; involving men, beasts, birds, fish, and everything on the earth.
Mortal man was given seven thousand years. John in Revelation calls the beginning of seventh thousand years of mortal man the “seventh seal.” (Rev. 8:1) At the opening of the seventh seal, seven angels are to be given power over the seven last plagues. "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God." (15:1) The sounding of each angel from the first to the seventh brings unimaginable misery upon mankind. "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them." (9:6) As the days of tribulation progress, they should provide a last warning to the world; but, man (as in the days of Noah) will blaspheme “the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.” (16:11)
(1) The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.(2) And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood.(3) And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters.(4) And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars.(5) And the fifth angel sounded... And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power... their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.(6) And the sixth angel sounded... And there was fire, smoke, and brimstone; and a third part of men were killed.(7) “the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (11:15)“The rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of the fornication, nor of their thefts.” (6:20) The army of the Lord comes upon these that remain. “And the number of the army of the horseman were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.” (9:16) Imagine two hundred million immortals against mortal man.
Few will survive the tribulations of the last days. "1 Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. 2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. 3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word. 4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. 5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left." (Isa. 24)
One of the worst tribulations of the last days is a desolating scourge that will cover the earth. It will be a horrible thing. Jew and Gentile will both suffer. Only a third of the house of Israel will remain. What of the heathen (Gentiles)? "18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. 19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report... 22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth." (Isa. 28)
"And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour." (Zech. 14:12, 13)
"Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." (Isa. 13:6-9) “In those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” (9:6) "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root [parents] nor branch [children]." (Mal. 4:1)
"Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing. And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD. Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it." (Amos 5:16-20)
The last opportunity turns to reprobation. There nothing that indicates gentiles will change even as they did not when Noah preached of the great flood for 120 years—and they died. The final judgment will fall upon the nations with a rod of iron (law of God), the scepter of Jesus as King of Kings will "destroy them which destroy the earth." (11:19) "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." (16:18-21)
Every nation that has held Israel captive will be destroyed. First, Egypt held Israel captive. Second, Assyria captured Israel. Next, Babylon. Then, Rome. Where are those glorious kingdoms today? Jews in the US have been severely persecuted--even today. The books of the Apocrypha were not included in the Bible. Its teachings are no less authoritative. Consider one account of the world during the days of Apocalyptic events.
"17 Wo is me! woe is me! who will deliver me in those days? 18 The beginning of sorrows and great mournings; the begining of famine and great death; the beginning of wars, and the powers shall stand in fear; the beginning of evils! what shall I do when these evils shall come? 19 Behold, famine and plague, tribulation and anguish, are sent as scourges for amendment. 20 But for all these things they shall not turn from their wickedness, nor be alway mindlful of the scourges. 21. Behold victuals shall be so good cheap upon earth, that they shall think themselves to be in good case, and even then shall evils grow upon earth, sword, famine, and great confusion. 22 For many of them that dwell upon earth shall perish of famine; and the other, that escape the hunger, shall the sword destroy. 23 And the dead shall be cast out as dung, and there shall be no man to comfort them: for the earth shall be wasted, and the cities shall be cast down. 24 There shall be no man left to till the earth, and to sow it. 25 The trees shall give fruit, and who shall gather them? 26 The grapes shall ripen, and who shall tread them? for all places shall be desolate of men: 27 So that one man shall desire to see another, and to hear his voice. 28 For of a city there shall be ten left, and two of the field, which shall hide themselves in the thick groves, and in the clefts of the rocks... 73 Then shall they be known, who are my chosen; and they shall be tried as the gold in the fire... 77 Woe be unto them that are bound with their sins, and covered with their iniquities, like as a field is covered over with bushes, and the path thereof covered with thorns, that no man may travel through! 78 It is left undressed, and is cast into the fire to be consumed therewith." (2 Esdras 16)
Deliverance of Israel: People of God. The land of Canaan was promised to the seed of Abraham through Jacob (Israel). “37 Behold, I will gather them [Israel] out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: 38 And they shall be my people [not gentiles], and I will be their God… 42 For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.” (Jer. 32)
Israel becomes the people of God once again. “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people  [Israel]: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” (Zech. 13:7-9)
“For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.” (Jer. 30:11) “Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.” (Jer. 46:28)
James J. Strang and Joseph Smith are to return, open the final gospel dispensation to Israel, gather, and unite the tribes. “In the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” (Eph. 1:10 0 David will stand as king once again in Jerusalem. The twelve tribes will return to their homeland (Jerusalem) and the seed of Joseph to Zion (America). Israel will again be the people of God. “11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” (Isa. 11)
"For if thou [gentiles] wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer [James J. Strang?], and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." (Rom. 11:24-27)
God established only two places of gathering for His people: Zion and Jerusalem. “I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” (Jer. 24:7) “And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Jer. 32:38) “20 they shall be my people, and I will be their God… 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Ezek. 11)
David wrote: “2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion [kingdom in Zion], on the sides of the north, the city of the great King [Jesus]… 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever.” (Ps. 48) “4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, 5 Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. 6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood… 13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.” (Ps.132)
Before the terrible tribulations fall upon the earth, God is to gather a remnant of His saints to Zion and Jerusalem. Zion is North and South America; but especially North America on the sides of the north. "Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants [saints] of our God in their foreheads." (7:3) "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (18:4) See the page “Zion” for more information on Zion.
"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." (Matt. 13:30) "And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem." (Isa. 4:3) The only way a person can be "sealed" is by worshipping the God of Israel and obeying the gospel of Christ administered by one holding authority from God.
“21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen [gentile], whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains [kingdoms] of Israel; and one king shall be king [Jesus] to them all: and they [Judah and Israel] shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: 23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. 24 And David my servant shall be king over them.” (Ezek.  37)
John saw the redemption of Zion and Jerusalem in Rev. 21. “1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem [in Zion], coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God… 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” “14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Rev. 22)
“12 Him that overcometh [through obedience to the laws of God] will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem [in Zion], which cometh down out of heaven from my God.” (Rev. 3)
 “2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end [Jesus, see Rev. 1:8, 11]. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh [through faith and obedience] shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Rev. 21) 
The twelve tribes of Israel will be gathered to Jerusalem. The ancient saints from Adam to Nahor (grandfather of Abraham), the seed of Joseph, and converted and faithful gentiles, will gather to Zion.
2000 AD Second coming of Jesus. Jesus is not returning to Rome, England, or to gentiles; but to His people—Israel--in Zion (America, see the page Zion) and Jerusalem. “16. The Lord shall roar out of Zion (America), and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. 17. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain [kingdom]: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers [gentiles] pass through her any more.” (Joel 3)
“25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19) 
Only God knows the exact time of Jesus return. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32) “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.” (Matt. 25:31) “Jesus 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 [God], and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Matt. 26:64) Jesus is called the Son of man 72 times. “He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev. 19:16)
Jesus gave the key to when He will returns, "24 Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled... 25 there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity… 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." (Luke 21) After the six-day war in 1967, Jerusalem was no longer trodden down of the Gentiles. When we see the “distress of nations” we will know the last generation is at hand. "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Matt. 25:13) The Adventist Movement tried to set the day and even the hour. All we know currently is that we are living on borrowed time.
Judgment of the nations will bring severe consequences. Jesus will judge all people. “14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh cometh with ten thousand of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (Jude 14)
At the opening of the seventh seal, seven angels are to be given power over the seven last plagues. "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God." (15:1) The sounding of each angel from the first to the seventh brings unimaginable misery upon mankind. "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them." (9:6) As the days of tribulation progress, they should provide a last warning to the world; but, man (as in the days of Noah) will blaspheme “the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.” (16:11)
The army of the Lord (200 million immortals) will come against the remaining wicked of the world, “And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs." (14:19, 20) 
Israel will rise and smite those who scattered and brought injury to her. "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains [kingdoms], and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff." (Isa. 41:14, 15) It is a day when most Gentiles die, "and they shall be as though they had not been." (Obad. 1:16) "For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time [destruction] of the heathen [Gentile]." (Ezek. 30:3)
The seventh angel announces the return of Jesus. The last opportunity turns to reprobation. The final judgment will fall upon the nations with a rod of iron (law of God), the scepter of Jesus as King of Kings, and will "destroy them which destroy the earth." (11:19) "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." (16:18-21)
Is the Apocalypse real? Every prophecy in the Bible has been perfectly fulfilled when the time came. Most cannot accept the severity of the judgments of the last day. Noah prophesied of the coming flood for 120 years. They could not believe the prophecies of an impending Great Flood. "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matt. 24:37-39)
People today share the sentiments of an earlier generation. An understanding of the reality, severity, and worldwide coverage of these events is more frightful than any horror movie. Nothing that man has imagined can compare with these events. "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Jesus, Matt. 24:21) "The day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root [parents] nor branch [children]." (Mal. 4:1) They too will cry why, and, without repentance, die! "And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds." (16:11)
Biblical prophecy of Apocalyptic events should shake us to the very bottom of our souls. "And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven." (Deut. 29:19, 20)
“For the Son of man [Jesus] shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” (Matt. 16:27) “Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.” (Isa. 40:10) “3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him… 5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” (Psalm 50)
The Millennium. The Sabbath of Creation begins after the saints of God are gathered and the earth has been cleansed. When Jesus returns, it will be with all previous members of the kingdom of God. "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints." (Jude 1:14) These plus the living that have received the seal of God will live and reign with Jesus for the Sabbath of Creation.
"And 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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed 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." (20:4-6)
This great time has been the hope of every saint of God since Adam. "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." (Job 19:26, 27)
Paul says, in viewing the marvelous dealings of God notes: “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Rom. 11:22) The gentiles did not continue in goodness and were cut off.
By the hand of the Gentiles the Lord scattered them and by the hand of Gentiles he will gather the house of Jacob [to Jerusalem], and save the house of Joseph [to Zion], and plant them again in their own land; returning them to their folds and peopling their waste heritages. They should come to Zion [America] with songs of everlasting joy upon their heads, never to be supplanted, never to be thrown down anymore: they should build and inherit; they should plant and eat the fruit thereof.  For they should not build, and another inhabit; neither should they plant, and another eat the fruit thereof. For as the days of a tree, shall be the days of the people of the Lord, and his elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. Their seed was to be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people. Their bones also should flourish as an herb:  all that shall see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. [See Isa. Chapters 1, 11, 28, 60, 65, 66, Jer. Chapters 23, 33, Zech. Chapter 10]
All things will be restored; as they were at the first; both the earth and the people. "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:20, 21)
"And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellers as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed." (Isa. 1:26-28)
"The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down. In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah." (Jer. 33:11-14)
The whole earth will be restored as a paradise. The Bible speaks of two distinct lands: Zion and Jerusalem. Biblical descriptions identify the Americas as the land of Zion; especially North America. “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King [Jesus].” (Ps. 48:2) "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth... Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married." (Isa. 62:1, 4)
There are no seasons recorded in the Bible until after the days of Noah. The whole earth yielded fruit year-round. There was neither scorching deserts, nor frozen wastes. There will evidently be massive asteroid (comet) impacts on the earth in the days before Jesus returns. These will most likely rotate the earth on its axis and make the whole surface of the world temperate. All curses will be taken from the earth.
"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. " (Isa. 35:1, 2, 7)
There were neither weeds, poisonous plants, thorns, nor thistles. The earth brought forth its bounty with the least of effort. "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so." (Gen. 1:29, 30)
"For, behold, I create [restore] new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD." (Isa. 65:17-25)
All of creation was at peace; and shall be restored to peace. Man, the beasts, fowls, and creeping things all ate fruits, grains, and herbs for meat. “6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain:  for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11)
“1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 and 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.  4 And I saw thrones, and they that 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 who 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.” (Rev. 20)
3000 A.D. End of mortality/beginning of eternity. After the thousand-year Millennium, Satan will be released for a short season. He deceives the nations, once again, and gathers them from the four quarters of the earth to do battle with the saints of God. Their number will be as the sand of the sea. "And 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." (20:7-9)
The spirits in prison who failed to obey the gospel in life and live by the laws of God are raised in the second resurrection into the Telestial Kingdom—the kingdom without glory (like a slum to us). As these worshipped not God and obeyed not the gospel, they can only be judged according to their works in the flesh. "And 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. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [spirits in prison] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (20:12-15)
Satan, his angels (spirits), and all the sons of perdition [that rejected the Spirit and followed him during our mortal estate] are cast into the bottomless pit for eternity. "And 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." (Rev. 20:10) This fire and brimstone is the mental anxiety which these must suffer for eternity as ghosts--never again having an opportunity to inherit the earth and live with the rest of creation.
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." (Dan. 7:9, 10)
“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” (1 Cor. 15:24) This is the end of mortal man; and the beginning of the eternal state of man, "death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (21:4)
New Heaven and New Earth. John wrote there would be a new heaven and a new earth. Heaven will be here on earth--the hope of saints of God since Adam. "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." (21:3, 4)
John described New Jerusalem and holy Jerusalem (where it has been). "And the building of the wall of it was of jasper [diamond]: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass... And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (21:18, 22, 23) New Jerusalem will be in Zion with Jesus at the head.
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.” (Joel 2:32) Kingdoms are often referred to as mountains in the Bible.
Be a master of your own destiny. When times are good, people become unreceptive to outside intelligence. Man is naturally resistant to anything that varies from their own belief structure. They are mesmerized by the good times and present leaders. Surely, they must be right to receive such blessings. Pharaoh received great blessings. How did he turn out? What happened to the mighty nations of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Rome? Through conformity and contentment, Satan leads souls down to destruction. Those who died in the Great Flood also lived in a “best of times.” Those who rejected the words of Noah, died! Only eight survived!
This is not a time to stand boldly by the opinions taught by others. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15) "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isa. 8:20) "For there shall arise false Christs [preachers], and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matt. 24:24)
We must use every spark of intelligence; maintain individual thought, and be the master of our own destiny. Since the Bible teaches most gentile Christians will die, we must scrutinize every doctrine of so-called Christianity whose father was Constantine. All is not well! There are many deceivers among us. Our choice is between either learning from God’s holy prophets, entering through the gate, and following the only narrow path to survival, or suffer and die a most gruesome death; and then suffer a spiritual punishment for a thousand years. The world will be bathed in fire and blood; as it was with water. “14 Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:14)
The great majority of men are followers and not independent thinkers. They say how can so many be wrong? Jesus asked, "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8) I ask, why are so many to die? "For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen [gentile]: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been." (Obad. 1:15, 16) Soon billions will die because they followed the great deceivers of this age.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we [saints of God] which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess. 4:16, 17) "And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem." (Isa. 4:3) Jesus returns to the Jews not to gentiles.
"And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." (19:19-21; see also 11-18)
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:19, 20) "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matt. 28:19, 20)
CONCLUSIONS.
All men are required to obey the laws of God and are responsible for their works in this life. The whole Bible testifies this. “Shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” (Ex. 20:6) “Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.” (Prov. 7:2) “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (22:14)
Divine authority is the key to eternal life. "Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection." (Acts 1:22) Jesus could not begin His mission on earth until He obeyed the gospel and was ordained under the hands of the Father and commissioned to take the gospel to the Jews. Jesus ordained Apostles and commissioned them. "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he [the Father] that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee." (Heb. 5:4, 5) The Apostles ordained elders in every city. Aaron was called by prophecy and ordination through Moses; who held divine authority from God.
When men fail to learn from history and it repeats itself. When men turn from God, revelation from God ceases and destruction follows. Gentiles will become “as though they had not been.” Israel will be called of God to be His people again and inherit the earth in Zion and Jerusalem. “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain [kingdom] of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isa. 2:3) 
We have seen again and again the consequences of man living for themselves and violating the laws. Soon, those who will not live by the laws of God will be cast off distant from earth until they change. The only ones that will be lost in the end will be those that continue to rebel against God. Only eight survived the great flood. In the beginning there was only one language and all benefited from each other. When they became arrogant and attempted to build a tower to heaven, the language was confounded. When those in Sodom and Gomorrah turned to all manner of evil sexual relationships, they were destroyed. Only Lot and his daughters escaped.
When Israel turned away from God after Joshua, they were taken captive in Egypt four hundred years. When they turned to idolatry and wickedness under Moses, the Melchisedec Priesthood was lost and they were placed under a very difficult temporal law for over 1,300 years. Israel became corrupted and wanted a king when in fact they had benefited by God and Jesus being their kings. The result is they were divided into two tribes of Judah and ten tribes of Israel. Judah was taken captive into Babylon for 70 years. Israel was taken captive in Assyria and has not been heard from since. When Judah failed to live according to the will of God under Jesus, He was crucified and the gospel was taken from them and given to gentiles. Gentiles then returned to paganism and were cut off from the kingdom of God for 1,260 years after the first pope in Rome. The gospel was returned to them in 1830, but again, they would not and the dispensation of the gospel was closed. When Jesus returns, most gentiles will be destroyed and Israel will become the people of God once again and forever.
The eternal state of man should be a subject of greatest importance. All men know they are going to die. Yet, most do not consider it of paramount importance. All must stand before the judgment bar of God. Obedience to the gospel is the only hope of inheriting the earth with Jesus. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16) All men will be redeemed and inherit a physical body. Only those that keep the laws of God will be sanctified and inherit a kingdom of glory.
The heaven/hell doctrine is a doctrine of man. Jesus said of these: “in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:9) "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (Jesus, John 14:2) 
Those who obey the gospel and keep the commandments of God in the flesh will rise in the first resurrection when Jesus returns and inherit the celestial glory (like the sun in glory) with God and Jesus. Those who obey the gospel in the flesh but are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus inherit a terrestrial glory (like the moon compared with the sun). (See 1 Cor. 15:40-42)
Those who fail to obey the gospel in the flesh and in the spirit rise in the second resurrection in the telestial glory (like the stars compared with the moon). The celestial and terrestrial glories are glories of one and the telestial are glories as numerous as the stars. Opportunity continues after death; but can require at least a thousand years to baptized for the dead. Those of the celestial will minister to the terrestrial and those of the terrestrial will they will minister to those of the telestial. The only ones lost in the end will be those that preferred to remain filthy still and those that enjoyed the spirit in life and then denied it. These cannot be forgiven and will be sent off with Satan and his followers to be ghosts forever.
Some have taught the law was nailed to the cross. What say you Jesus? “Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt. 5:18) They claim all that is needed is to accept Jesus as our Savior. The whole Bible is a testimony against this lie. The Apostle Paul did not consider himself saved. “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:12) “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:8)
Only those who worship God, obey the gospel of Christ, and are faithful to the end, inherit the Celestial glory (compared to the Sun). These will be recognized as sons of God and inherit the earth with God and Jesus. They will inherit every blessing of God. The Terrestrial glory (compared to the moon), includes those who accepted the gospel in the flesh but were slothful. It also includes those that were honorable men of the earth who did not accept the gospel in the flesh; but accepted the gospel in the spirit. Both rise in the first resurrection. The Telestial glory is the lowest (compared to the stars) and includes much of mankind because of the inequities of all nations and much of Israel. The few who have been blessed with the Spirit and turn away (blasphemy) will inherit the second death with Satan. The celestial glory will minister to hose of the terrestrial and the terrestrial will minister the telestial. The only ones lost in the end are those that prefer to remain filthy still.
There are no promises in the Bible for gentiles; except, “they shall be as though they had not been.” (Obad. 1:16) At the beginning of the Millennium, the house of Israel is established as the people of God forever. “They shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Jer. 32:38) God provided only two places for His people to gather. “It shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy.” (Isa. 4:3)
John wrote that after the Millennium and the earth is cleansed of all evil, there is to be a new heaven and a new earth (21). The earth itself will be heaven. “I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (21:2) “He carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” (21:10) The New Jerusalem will be in Zion (America) and the holy Jerusalem will be where it is today.
Man has been punished and destroyed every time he turns from God. History is about to repeat itself; except worse—man will be destroyed by decease, a “great mountain burning with fire,” locusts, fire, and finally by the immortal army of the Lord. “The number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand.” (9:16) Men will seek death and not find it. Mortality will end. You are being given an opportunity to be saved. Opportunities are often given only once.
Your invited to know God and Jesus, obey the gospel, and live by the laws of God. So-called Christianity has lost all three. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (Jesus, John 17:3) “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16) “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life.” (Rev. 22:14)
Samuel E. WestSenior elder in Kingdom of Godsamuel270@aol.com

Armageddon

Mormon Beliefs