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The Kingdom of God
Jesus told us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things [including salvation] shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.” (Mark 1:14) The kingdom exists with God in eternity. It exists on earth only when there is a representative of God on earth that holds the priesthood of God to act in His name. Salvation exists only for members of the kingdom of God. There are no aliens in the kingdom.
Before Jesus could act in the name of God and represent the kingdom, He was ordained under the hands of God (Heb. 5:4-6) as a prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22). When He organized the kingdom, “he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” (Mark 14:3) He gave them “the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) When Jesus returns, He will establish the kingdom with the same officers that He ordained during His earthly administration (Eph. 4:11-13).
Before Jesus could act in the name of God and represent the kingdom, He was ordained under the hands of God (Heb. 5:4-6) as a prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22). When He organized the kingdom, “he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” (Mark 14:3) He gave them “the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) When Jesus returns, He will establish the kingdom with the same officers that He ordained during His earthly administration (Eph. 4:11-13).
Revelation
Revelation is the foundation of the kingdom. Association with God is the first requirement for the kingdom to exist. It would be like the house of Samuel. If he was to move away, it would no longer be the house of Samuel. The Bible is a history of God’s association with man for 4,000 years. Revelation is the Rock upon which kingdom is built. Jesus told Peter: “…upon this rock [revelation] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18) The angel told John: “I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10).” (Matt. 16)
The kingdom of God is significantly different from kingdoms of man. It is perfect, originated with God in eternity before this creation, and--although it has been lost at times--it will continue into eternity on the earth when Jesus returns. Every kingdom must have (1) Laws to govern the kingdom, (2) a King, (3) Officers, (4) Membership, and (5) Jurisdiction.
God alone has omnipotence. He alone is all-powerful with supreme power over the whole Universe. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.” (Isa. 46:9) “Which in his times he [Jesus] shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords [God].” (1 Tim. 6:15) Jesus is King over this creation. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth [by God].” (Matt. 28:18) “He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Rev. 17:14) The world was created by Him who received His power and authority from God and rendered it to Him.
God alone has omnipotence. He alone is all-powerful with supreme power over the whole Universe. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.” (Isa. 46:9) “Which in his times he [Jesus] shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords [God].” (1 Tim. 6:15) Jesus is King over this creation. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth [by God].” (Matt. 28:18) “He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Rev. 17:14) The world was created by Him who received His power and authority from God and rendered it to Him.
Laws of God—General
Law provides the guidelines by which every government exists. Without law anarchy would reign. Laws of God are eternal, perfect, and must be obeyed. This is the path by which man can have hope of eternal life and salvation. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 john 3:4) He also said, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) All laws of God have consequences—good or bad. 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)
“Sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 john 3:4) Righteousness and hope of salvation requires keeping the laws of God; which are found from Genesis to Revelation. In the beginning we all lived as spirits. During this time Satan violated the law “Thou shalt not take the name [authority] of God in vain.” He thought to usurp the authority of Jesus as head of this creation. He did this in the presence of God. About a third of the host of heaven followed him and they were all cast down and will spend eternity as ghosts distant from earth (Rev. 20:10). Failure to obey the laws of God can have severe consequences. Jesus is to 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)
When Israel sinned in the wilderness, they were placed under an added temporal law as a schoolmaster until Jesus. This law was fulfilled when Jesus was ordained to the Prophetic Office. The original spiritual law was restored. “17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill [the added law of Moses]. 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.” (Jesus, Matt. 5) Salvation requires keeping the laws of God. “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) Jesus is our example. “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” (1 Pet. 2:22) His perfect life required God to raise Him from the dead. “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead.” (Acts 4:10) Some think the laws of God were nailed to the cross and they can be saved of their own volition. “Beware of false prophets [pastors], which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Jesus, Matt. 7:15) “I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” (Acts 20:29) “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) The laws of God are given to man through His prophets. Knowing God, holding the priesthood of God, and obeying the gospel all require revelation from God. Jesus advised us “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Peter did not even have a proper knowledge of Jesus. He asked him “15 Whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus told him “17 Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [revelation] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16) Satan has prevailed against the kingdom at times since the days of Adam. All but eight were lost in the great flood. The church/kingdom was lost 400 years after Joseph and was lost again for 1,260 years after the Apostles. The term “Christ” is not a proper name like John. Translated, it means “anointed” or ordained. Jesus was ordained under the hands of God (Heb. 5:4-6] to the highest office in the priesthood: a Prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22). He became the Son of God through this ordination. Did you know that? Those that live according to laws of God become sons of God. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:14) Revelation is required to receive the priesthood of God. Every minister of God must be both called of God by revelation and be ordained by one holding that priesthood. Not even Jesus could violate this law. He could not begin His ministry until obeying this law. He was ordained a high priest under the hands of God. “4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5. 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… 10. Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5:10) Paul reminded his son Timothy of this law. “Neglect not the gift [priesthood] that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy.” (1 Tim. 4:14) Only officers of God hold “the keys of the kingdom [priesthood]; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19)
When Israel sinned in the wilderness, they were placed under an added temporal law as a schoolmaster until Jesus. This law was fulfilled when Jesus was ordained to the Prophetic Office. The original spiritual law was restored. “17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill [the added law of Moses]. 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.” (Jesus, Matt. 5) Salvation requires keeping the laws of God. “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) Jesus is our example. “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” (1 Pet. 2:22) His perfect life required God to raise Him from the dead. “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead.” (Acts 4:10) Some think the laws of God were nailed to the cross and they can be saved of their own volition. “Beware of false prophets [pastors], which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Jesus, Matt. 7:15) “I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” (Acts 20:29) “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) The laws of God are given to man through His prophets. Knowing God, holding the priesthood of God, and obeying the gospel all require revelation from God. Jesus advised us “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Peter did not even have a proper knowledge of Jesus. He asked him “15 Whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus told him “17 Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [revelation] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16) Satan has prevailed against the kingdom at times since the days of Adam. All but eight were lost in the great flood. The church/kingdom was lost 400 years after Joseph and was lost again for 1,260 years after the Apostles. The term “Christ” is not a proper name like John. Translated, it means “anointed” or ordained. Jesus was ordained under the hands of God (Heb. 5:4-6] to the highest office in the priesthood: a Prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22). He became the Son of God through this ordination. Did you know that? Those that live according to laws of God become sons of God. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:14) Revelation is required to receive the priesthood of God. Every minister of God must be both called of God by revelation and be ordained by one holding that priesthood. Not even Jesus could violate this law. He could not begin His ministry until obeying this law. He was ordained a high priest under the hands of God. “4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5. 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… 10. Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5:10) Paul reminded his son Timothy of this law. “Neglect not the gift [priesthood] that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy.” (1 Tim. 4:14) Only officers of God hold “the keys of the kingdom [priesthood]; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19)
Gospel faith also requires revelation through one holding the priesthood. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Heb. 11:6) “Faith is the substance [assurance from God through revelation] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)
“14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 17 faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10) Gospel faith is available only through ministers of God that have been called of God by revelation and been properly ordained (sent).
After the Jews rejected Jesus, the gospel went to gentiles for the first time. Gentiles are those who are not 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)
Revelation soon ceased after the Apostles. Gentiles returned to the doctrines of man. The result: Confusion reigned in the churches. “To this extent, ‘orthodoxy’ [true doctrines] in the sense of a unified group advocating an apostolic doctrine accepted by the majority of Christians everywhere, did not exist in the second and third centuries.” (The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture, Bart D. Ehrman, p. 7)
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? “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Cor. 14:33)
Jesus told us “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) The strait gate is the gospel and the narrow way is the laws of God.
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.
Without revelation from God, Satan overcame the priesthood and there were not even any members of the kingdom left. “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) Where revelation does not exist, ministers of God and members do not exist, and the kingdom is lost.
“14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 17 faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10) Gospel faith is available only through ministers of God that have been called of God by revelation and been properly ordained (sent).
After the Jews rejected Jesus, the gospel went to gentiles for the first time. Gentiles are those who are not 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)
Revelation soon ceased after the Apostles. Gentiles returned to the doctrines of man. The result: Confusion reigned in the churches. “To this extent, ‘orthodoxy’ [true doctrines] in the sense of a unified group advocating an apostolic doctrine accepted by the majority of Christians everywhere, did not exist in the second and third centuries.” (The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture, Bart D. Ehrman, p. 7)
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? “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Cor. 14:33)
Jesus told us “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) The strait gate is the gospel and the narrow way is the laws of God.
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.
Without revelation from God, Satan overcame the priesthood and there were not even any members of the kingdom left. “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) Where revelation does not exist, ministers of God and members do not exist, and the kingdom is lost.
Laws of God—Officers.
Organizational laws include laws on officers of the kingdom and how aliens become citizens. These are perfect, eternal laws that never change. “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Jesus, Matt. 5:18) Whatever was required to represent God and become citizens of the kingdom in the past, is the same today and forever.
The priesthood was given in the beginning before Adam walked on the earth. Our existence began with the organization of our spirit. We all lived as spirits together before Adam walked on the earth. Jesus was the first and the only spirit organized by God. “1 In the beginning [of this creation] was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God [the Father], and the Word was God [of this creation]. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1) “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness [Jesus], the beginning of the creation of God.” (Rev. 3:14) Our spirits were organized by Jesus as head of this creation. We all lived together as spirits. Gen. 1:1 to 2:5 is an account of this estate. There is no existence without law. God’s laws rule all. “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) During our spiritual estate, Satan rebelled against this law thinking to stand at the head of this creation in Jesus’ place. 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) Usurpation is a most grievous sin. “The Lord will not hold him guiltless.” Those who think to represent God without a proper calling are in worse danger than they can imagine. What would happen to you if tried to represent a police officer? Is it not likely you would put in jail? God also has a jail called the spirits in prison. While Jesus body lay in the grave, He went in the spirit to these. “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” (1 Pet. 3:19) The first organization law governs who can represent God on earth. Adam received laws from God as he was the first Prophet and Lawgiver like Moses. Cain violated at least two laws when he killed his brother. “Thou shalt not kill” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” 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) This second greatest commandment is absent from sectarian Ten Commandments. Noah had to hold this same priesthood. Adam lived 930 years to know the father of Noah. Abraham lived with Noah for thirty-nine years. It was easy for the priesthood and true doctrines to pass from Adam to Abraham. He could only obey the gospel through one holding the priesthood of God. “Preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8) Jesus told us “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) “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments [opinions] of men.” (Matt. 15:9) The strait gate is the gospel and the narrow way is the laws of God. Where revelation does not exist, ministers of God and members cannot exist, and the kingdom is lost. John--in Chapter 12 of Revelation--told of the apostacy and loss of the Christian church and loss of the Christian priesthood. He wrote of the loss of the Church of Christ: “6 And the woman [Church of Christ] fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days [ l,260 years].” He wrote of the loss of the priesthood of God. “17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed [priesthood]which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” The remnant of her seed was the priesthood of God. In Chapter 13, he told of the end of all members. Not one person was left in the kingdom of God. “7 And it was given unto him 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)
The priesthood was given in the beginning before Adam walked on the earth. Our existence began with the organization of our spirit. We all lived as spirits together before Adam walked on the earth. Jesus was the first and the only spirit organized by God. “1 In the beginning [of this creation] was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God [the Father], and the Word was God [of this creation]. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1) “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness [Jesus], the beginning of the creation of God.” (Rev. 3:14) Our spirits were organized by Jesus as head of this creation. We all lived together as spirits. Gen. 1:1 to 2:5 is an account of this estate. There is no existence without law. God’s laws rule all. “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) During our spiritual estate, Satan rebelled against this law thinking to stand at the head of this creation in Jesus’ place. 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) Usurpation is a most grievous sin. “The Lord will not hold him guiltless.” Those who think to represent God without a proper calling are in worse danger than they can imagine. What would happen to you if tried to represent a police officer? Is it not likely you would put in jail? God also has a jail called the spirits in prison. While Jesus body lay in the grave, He went in the spirit to these. “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” (1 Pet. 3:19) The first organization law governs who can represent God on earth. Adam received laws from God as he was the first Prophet and Lawgiver like Moses. Cain violated at least two laws when he killed his brother. “Thou shalt not kill” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” 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) This second greatest commandment is absent from sectarian Ten Commandments. Noah had to hold this same priesthood. Adam lived 930 years to know the father of Noah. Abraham lived with Noah for thirty-nine years. It was easy for the priesthood and true doctrines to pass from Adam to Abraham. He could only obey the gospel through one holding the priesthood of God. “Preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8) Jesus told us “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) “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments [opinions] of men.” (Matt. 15:9) The strait gate is the gospel and the narrow way is the laws of God. Where revelation does not exist, ministers of God and members cannot exist, and the kingdom is lost. John--in Chapter 12 of Revelation--told of the apostacy and loss of the Christian church and loss of the Christian priesthood. He wrote of the loss of the Church of Christ: “6 And the woman [Church of Christ] fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days [ l,260 years].” He wrote of the loss of the priesthood of God. “17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed [priesthood]which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” The remnant of her seed was the priesthood of God. In Chapter 13, he told of the end of all members. Not one person was left in the kingdom of God. “7 And it was given unto him 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)
Officers of the Kingdom
God is King over the universe. He alone is supreme over all. God alone has omnipotence. He alone is all-powerful with supreme power over the whole Universe. Jesus received His power and authority from Him and rendered it to Him. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matt. 28:18)
Jesus is king over this creation. He held this office in the beginning as God of this creation when we were all spirits. “In the beginning [of this creation] was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God [the Father], and the Word was God [of this creation].” (John 1:1)
All priesthood of God originates with God. Only God has a right to call those who represent Him on earth. This requires being called of God by revelation and being ordained by one holding that priesthood. Jesus is our example. He was called by God and ordained by Him. “4 no man taketh this honour [of the priesthood] unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron [by a revelation given to Moses] … 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5) Only officers of God hold “the keys of the kingdom [priesthood]; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) The Apostles followed the same law. “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) The Apostle Paul reminded his son Timothy of this law. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery [those holding that priesthood].” (1 Tim. 4:14) “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Cor. 12:28) God promised all in the kingdom would be given gifts of the Holy Ghost. What sectarian church has had Apostles and Prophets and gifts of the Holy Ghost. “…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 2:39)
There are two priesthoods of God: the higher and original priesthood is the Melchisedec Priesthood. It is an eternal priesthood that originated with God in eternity. It is the only priesthood that holds authority to administer all saving ordinances of the gospel. The lower Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood was established when Israel turned to wickedness under Moses. It is temporal and lasts only for life. The highest office (Priest) only holds authority to baptize with water. John the Baptist held this priesthood. The Melchisedec Priesthood has two orders: Apostle and Priest. Of Apostle there are four degrees. The highest is Prophet and Lawgiver. Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Joseph Smith, and others held this priesthood. Jesus was ordained under the hands of God (Heb. 5:4-6). They hold authority over the kingdom on earth to provide laws and instruction as if from God’s own lips. The second is Prophet and Viceroy. They stand at the head when there is no Lawgiver. They administer the laws already given. Joshua held this office after Moses. The Twelve were third degree Apostles which is Ambassador. They are appointed to take the gospel to the nations. Fourth degree are Evangelists and are appointed to one nation. Seven make a quorum. “Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.” (Acts 21:8)
Of Priest there are two degrees: High Priest and Elder. High Priests have stood as inferior kings, patriarchs, heads of tribes, and over districts of the kingdom. The faithful have the gift of prophecy and in the Old Testament have been called prophets. “Every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God.” (Heb. 5:1) Their primary duty is to teach the law of God and stand over districts of the church. Elders have been essential to preaching the gospel. Among other duties they stand at the head of branches of the kingdom. “When they had ordained them elders in every church.” (Acts 14:23) Jesus called and ordained all officers of this priesthood. When Jesus began His ministry, He first called and ordained the Twelve Apostles so they would hold authority from God. “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” (Mark 14:3) They could not be “sent” to preach the gospel until obeying the gospel and being properly ordained like Himself. Jesus could not preach the gospel until He was ordained by God. This priesthood was lost about 400 years earlier after Malachi and was restored by Jesus. Jesus then called all other officers of this priesthood because no one can enter the kingdom of God without one of these. All hold authority to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors [high priests and elders] and teachers; [Why?] 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [for how long?] 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4) Is there perfect unity of the faith today?
When at least one of these officers doesn’t exist, the kingdom doesn’t exist, and salvation is lost. They were lost shortly after the Apostles. Churches each took upon themselves to vote men to be their leaders. “[234 A.D.] Some time after the middle of the second century… It may perhaps be deduced from the letters of Ignatius that at this period each of these was ruled by a bishop, chosen from the elders (the presbyters) and assisted by other presbyters and deacons, who were elected by the vote of the entire congregation.” (Life of Jesus, p. 234) The office of Bishop is part of the Levitical Priesthood. It is a temporal office—not a spiritual office. No gentile has a right to this priesthood. This was simply usurpation. The Priesthood of God was gone.
Jesus is king over this creation. He held this office in the beginning as God of this creation when we were all spirits. “In the beginning [of this creation] was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God [the Father], and the Word was God [of this creation].” (John 1:1)
All priesthood of God originates with God. Only God has a right to call those who represent Him on earth. This requires being called of God by revelation and being ordained by one holding that priesthood. Jesus is our example. He was called by God and ordained by Him. “4 no man taketh this honour [of the priesthood] unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron [by a revelation given to Moses] … 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5) Only officers of God hold “the keys of the kingdom [priesthood]; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) The Apostles followed the same law. “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) The Apostle Paul reminded his son Timothy of this law. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery [those holding that priesthood].” (1 Tim. 4:14) “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Cor. 12:28) God promised all in the kingdom would be given gifts of the Holy Ghost. What sectarian church has had Apostles and Prophets and gifts of the Holy Ghost. “…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 2:39)
There are two priesthoods of God: the higher and original priesthood is the Melchisedec Priesthood. It is an eternal priesthood that originated with God in eternity. It is the only priesthood that holds authority to administer all saving ordinances of the gospel. The lower Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood was established when Israel turned to wickedness under Moses. It is temporal and lasts only for life. The highest office (Priest) only holds authority to baptize with water. John the Baptist held this priesthood. The Melchisedec Priesthood has two orders: Apostle and Priest. Of Apostle there are four degrees. The highest is Prophet and Lawgiver. Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Joseph Smith, and others held this priesthood. Jesus was ordained under the hands of God (Heb. 5:4-6). They hold authority over the kingdom on earth to provide laws and instruction as if from God’s own lips. The second is Prophet and Viceroy. They stand at the head when there is no Lawgiver. They administer the laws already given. Joshua held this office after Moses. The Twelve were third degree Apostles which is Ambassador. They are appointed to take the gospel to the nations. Fourth degree are Evangelists and are appointed to one nation. Seven make a quorum. “Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.” (Acts 21:8)
Of Priest there are two degrees: High Priest and Elder. High Priests have stood as inferior kings, patriarchs, heads of tribes, and over districts of the kingdom. The faithful have the gift of prophecy and in the Old Testament have been called prophets. “Every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God.” (Heb. 5:1) Their primary duty is to teach the law of God and stand over districts of the church. Elders have been essential to preaching the gospel. Among other duties they stand at the head of branches of the kingdom. “When they had ordained them elders in every church.” (Acts 14:23) Jesus called and ordained all officers of this priesthood. When Jesus began His ministry, He first called and ordained the Twelve Apostles so they would hold authority from God. “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” (Mark 14:3) They could not be “sent” to preach the gospel until obeying the gospel and being properly ordained like Himself. Jesus could not preach the gospel until He was ordained by God. This priesthood was lost about 400 years earlier after Malachi and was restored by Jesus. Jesus then called all other officers of this priesthood because no one can enter the kingdom of God without one of these. All hold authority to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors [high priests and elders] and teachers; [Why?] 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [for how long?] 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4) Is there perfect unity of the faith today?
When at least one of these officers doesn’t exist, the kingdom doesn’t exist, and salvation is lost. They were lost shortly after the Apostles. Churches each took upon themselves to vote men to be their leaders. “[234 A.D.] Some time after the middle of the second century… It may perhaps be deduced from the letters of Ignatius that at this period each of these was ruled by a bishop, chosen from the elders (the presbyters) and assisted by other presbyters and deacons, who were elected by the vote of the entire congregation.” (Life of Jesus, p. 234) The office of Bishop is part of the Levitical Priesthood. It is a temporal office—not a spiritual office. No gentile has a right to this priesthood. This was simply usurpation. The Priesthood of God was gone.
Who is Anti-Christ?
There is a popular notion that Anti-Christ is going to be some great, evil man. Not true. “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18)
The term “Christ” is not a proper name like Joseph. Translated it means “anointed” or ordained (Young’s Analytical Concordance to The Bible). Every minister of God in the Bible was called of God and properly ordained, “must one be ordained to be a witness with us.” (Acts 1:22) Jesus was ordained under the hands of God because the Melchisedec Priesthood was lost 400 years earlier with Malachi. (Heb. 5:4-6) During our spiritual estate, Satan tried to usurp the authority of Jesus as head of this creation. He violated the law “Thou shalt not take the name [authority] of God in vain.” He and his followers (about a third of the host of heaven) were cast down to be ghosts forever. Usurpers are anti-Christ who are called by man--not God. Satan tried this and was cast down forever.
The term “Christ” is not a proper name like Joseph. Translated it means “anointed” or ordained (Young’s Analytical Concordance to The Bible). Every minister of God in the Bible was called of God and properly ordained, “must one be ordained to be a witness with us.” (Acts 1:22) Jesus was ordained under the hands of God because the Melchisedec Priesthood was lost 400 years earlier with Malachi. (Heb. 5:4-6) During our spiritual estate, Satan tried to usurp the authority of Jesus as head of this creation. He violated the law “Thou shalt not take the name [authority] of God in vain.” He and his followers (about a third of the host of heaven) were cast down to be ghosts forever. Usurpers are anti-Christ who are called by man--not God. Satan tried this and was cast down forever.
Laws of God—Membership in the kingdom.
Organizational laws of God specify how aliens are adopted as members of the kingdom. “For 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) It is evident these laws did not change with the Apostles. Like all laws of God, they are eternal and never change. “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Jesus, Matt. 5:18)
Abraham obeyed the gospel. “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8) It follows that Adam and Noah also obeyed the gospel; as did Moses. Noah’s father knew Adam. Abraham lived with Noah for thirty-nine years, “And were all baptized unto Moses and in the sea.” (1 Cor. 10:2) Jesus had to obey the gospel and be ordained by God before He could begin His mission on earth. No one can represent God without obeying the gospel and holding the priesthood of God. Jesus and the Apostles demonstrated that.
There are two parts to the gospel. “Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thess. 1:5) The word of the gospel is the first principles of the gospel: faith, repentance, and baptism of water and the Spirit. Gospel faith is active and originates with God. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Heb. 11:6) “Faith is the substance [assurance from God] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) It provides assurance from God that the path being pursued is in accordance with His laws; and provides many special blessings. Without it, we must put our trust in the precepts of man.
Gospel Faith originates with God and is available only through His ministers. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:14-17) Jesus and the Apostles were all called of God, ordained, and sent to preach the gospel. Paul reminded his son Timothy: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery [those holding that priesthood].” (1 Tim. 4:14) Gospel faith it is a personal revelation from God. No one can even know God or Jesus without such instruction from heaven. Jesus advised us: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) We can know of God; but we cannot know God without such revelation. When Jesus asked Peter: “whom say ye that I am?” Jesus told him “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 16:15, 17) Revelation from God!
Jesus told us: “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) The Apostles taught the same. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” (Acts 17:30) This is not just an appreciation of our errors; but a complete turning away from everything contrary to the will God. It is circumcision of the heart. When John the Baptist was preaching repentance, he told the crowd: “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” (Matt. 3:8) Gentiles were told to “repent and turn to God [obey His laws], and do works meet for repentance.” (Acts 26:20) Gospel repentance is a behavioral change. It is like a new birth.
Baptism of water and the spirit are essential principles of the gospel. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) This is the first thing Jesus did before He began His ministry. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.” (Matt. 3:16) Jesus did not have to repent; but He had to obey the law. “Suffer it be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness [the law].” (Matt. 3:15) “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4) Our sins cannot be forgiven without baptism. Some think baptism is simply the outward sign of an inward experience. Wrong. 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) On the Day of Pentecost--when the gospel went to gentiles for the first time—Peter advised them “repent, and be baptized every one of you.” (Acts 2:38)
Jesus said of members of the kingdom: “these signs shall follow them that believe.” (Mark 16:17) “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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.” (Mat. 7:20-21) The Apostle James wrote: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble… For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:17-19, 26) Many have taught that faith alone is required for salvation. This man-made doctrine did not exist until 1,500 years after Jesus. It is contrary to the gospel of Christ taught in the Bible. “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) The Bible contradicts this delusion; as it was an invention of men like Martin Luther and John Calvin. But, says one, the Bible says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8) Go back to the first verse (1:1) “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus.” This was written only to those that had already obeyed the gospel.
Abraham obeyed the gospel. “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8) It follows that Adam and Noah also obeyed the gospel; as did Moses. Noah’s father knew Adam. Abraham lived with Noah for thirty-nine years, “And were all baptized unto Moses and in the sea.” (1 Cor. 10:2) Jesus had to obey the gospel and be ordained by God before He could begin His mission on earth. No one can represent God without obeying the gospel and holding the priesthood of God. Jesus and the Apostles demonstrated that.
There are two parts to the gospel. “Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thess. 1:5) The word of the gospel is the first principles of the gospel: faith, repentance, and baptism of water and the Spirit. Gospel faith is active and originates with God. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Heb. 11:6) “Faith is the substance [assurance from God] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) It provides assurance from God that the path being pursued is in accordance with His laws; and provides many special blessings. Without it, we must put our trust in the precepts of man.
Gospel Faith originates with God and is available only through His ministers. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:14-17) Jesus and the Apostles were all called of God, ordained, and sent to preach the gospel. Paul reminded his son Timothy: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery [those holding that priesthood].” (1 Tim. 4:14) Gospel faith it is a personal revelation from God. No one can even know God or Jesus without such instruction from heaven. Jesus advised us: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) We can know of God; but we cannot know God without such revelation. When Jesus asked Peter: “whom say ye that I am?” Jesus told him “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 16:15, 17) Revelation from God!
Jesus told us: “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) The Apostles taught the same. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” (Acts 17:30) This is not just an appreciation of our errors; but a complete turning away from everything contrary to the will God. It is circumcision of the heart. When John the Baptist was preaching repentance, he told the crowd: “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” (Matt. 3:8) Gentiles were told to “repent and turn to God [obey His laws], and do works meet for repentance.” (Acts 26:20) Gospel repentance is a behavioral change. It is like a new birth.
Baptism of water and the spirit are essential principles of the gospel. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) This is the first thing Jesus did before He began His ministry. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.” (Matt. 3:16) Jesus did not have to repent; but He had to obey the law. “Suffer it be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness [the law].” (Matt. 3:15) “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4) Our sins cannot be forgiven without baptism. Some think baptism is simply the outward sign of an inward experience. Wrong. 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) On the Day of Pentecost--when the gospel went to gentiles for the first time—Peter advised them “repent, and be baptized every one of you.” (Acts 2:38)
Jesus said of members of the kingdom: “these signs shall follow them that believe.” (Mark 16:17) “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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.” (Mat. 7:20-21) The Apostle James wrote: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble… For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:17-19, 26) Many have taught that faith alone is required for salvation. This man-made doctrine did not exist until 1,500 years after Jesus. It is contrary to the gospel of Christ taught in the Bible. “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) The Bible contradicts this delusion; as it was an invention of men like Martin Luther and John Calvin. But, says one, the Bible says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8) Go back to the first verse (1:1) “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus.” This was written only to those that had already obeyed the gospel.
God’s Blessings for Members of the Kingdom
Baptism of water forgives our sins, making man eligible to enter the kingdom. Baptism of the spirit adopts each as the seed of Abraham and as members of the kingdom. God covenanted with Abraham to be the father of all who believe. “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe.” (Rom. 4:11)
All of the promises in the Bible are to the seed of Abraham. God made one provision for gentiles to be adopted as the seed if Abraham. “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 officers of the Melchisedec Priesthood are authorized by God to administer both baptisms. This is why John the Baptist—a Levitical Priest--could not baptize Jesus with the spirit. He was born of the Spirit by God (Matt. 3:16, 17). On the Day of Pentecost--when the gospel went to gentiles for the first time--Peter advised them: “38 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. 39 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) Only those that are properly baptized by one holding authority from God receive these blessings.
All are to receive a special spiritual gift of the Spirit. Paul wrote to the saints in his day: “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) Members can enjoy many wonderful blessings. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (Jesus, John 16:13) “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)
“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 kingdom of God is significantly different from kingdoms of man. It is perfect, originated with God in eternity before this creation, and--although it has been lost at times--it will continue into eternity when Jesus returns. Every kingdom must have (1) Laws to govern the kingdom, (2) a King, (3) Officers, (4) Membership, and (5) Jurisdiction.
All of the promises in the Bible are to the seed of Abraham. God made one provision for gentiles to be adopted as the seed if Abraham. “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 officers of the Melchisedec Priesthood are authorized by God to administer both baptisms. This is why John the Baptist—a Levitical Priest--could not baptize Jesus with the spirit. He was born of the Spirit by God (Matt. 3:16, 17). On the Day of Pentecost--when the gospel went to gentiles for the first time--Peter advised them: “38 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. 39 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) Only those that are properly baptized by one holding authority from God receive these blessings.
All are to receive a special spiritual gift of the Spirit. Paul wrote to the saints in his day: “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) Members can enjoy many wonderful blessings. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (Jesus, John 16:13) “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)
“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 kingdom of God is significantly different from kingdoms of man. It is perfect, originated with God in eternity before this creation, and--although it has been lost at times--it will continue into eternity when Jesus returns. Every kingdom must have (1) Laws to govern the kingdom, (2) a King, (3) Officers, (4) Membership, and (5) Jurisdiction.
Revelation and Laws of God.
Without law anarchy reigns. The laws of God are revealed to man through His prophets. Knowing God, holding the priesthood of God, and obeying the gospel all require revelation from God. Jesus asked Peter “15 Whom say ye that I am?” Jesus told him “17 Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [revelation] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16)
Revelation is required to receive the priesthood of God. Every minister of God must be both called of God by revelation and be ordained by one holding that priesthood. Not even Jesus could violate this law. He could not begin His ministry until obeying this law. He was ordained a high priest and prophet under the hands of God. “4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5. 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… 10. Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5:10) Paul reminded his son Timothy of this law. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy.” (1 Tim. 4:14) Only officers of God hold “the keys of the kingdom [priesthood]; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19)
Gospel faith requires revelation through one holding the priesthood. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Heb. 11:6) “14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 17 faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10) Gospel faith is available only through ministers of God that have been called of God by revelation and been properly ordained (sent). 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 through 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)
Revelation soon ceased after the Apostles. Gentiles turned to the doctrines of man. The result: Confusion reigned in the churches. “To this extent, ‘orthodoxy’ [true doctrines] in the sense of a unified group advocating an apostolic doctrine accepted by the majority of Christians everywhere, did not exist in the second and third centuries.” (The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture, Bart D. Ehrman, p. 7)
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) The Kingdom was lost as the churches became the 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.
Without revelation from God, Satan overcame the priesthood and there was not even one member 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)
Revelation is required to receive the priesthood of God. Every minister of God must be both called of God by revelation and be ordained by one holding that priesthood. Not even Jesus could violate this law. He could not begin His ministry until obeying this law. He was ordained a high priest and prophet under the hands of God. “4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5. 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… 10. Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5:10) Paul reminded his son Timothy of this law. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy.” (1 Tim. 4:14) Only officers of God hold “the keys of the kingdom [priesthood]; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19)
Gospel faith requires revelation through one holding the priesthood. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Heb. 11:6) “14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 17 faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10) Gospel faith is available only through ministers of God that have been called of God by revelation and been properly ordained (sent). 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 through 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)
Revelation soon ceased after the Apostles. Gentiles turned to the doctrines of man. The result: Confusion reigned in the churches. “To this extent, ‘orthodoxy’ [true doctrines] in the sense of a unified group advocating an apostolic doctrine accepted by the majority of Christians everywhere, did not exist in the second and third centuries.” (The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture, Bart D. Ehrman, p. 7)
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) The Kingdom was lost as the churches became the 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.
Without revelation from God, Satan overcame the priesthood and there was not even one member 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)
Laws of God on Priesthood
Organizational laws include laws on officers of the kingdom and how aliens become citizens. These are perfect, eternal laws that never change. “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Jesus, Matt. 5:18) Whatever was required to represent God and become citizens of the kingdom in the past, is the same today and forever. There is even baptism for the dead that accept the gospel in the spirit. “29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:29)
There was an added temporal law given through Moses that lasted until Jesus. He explained the difference between this and the original spiritual law. “17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill [end the added temporal 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 [original spiritual] law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt. 5)
The priesthood was given in the beginning before Adam walked on the earth. “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) During our spiritual estate, Satan rebelled against this law thinking to stand at the head of this creation in Jesus’ place. 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) Usurpation is a most grievous sin. “The Lord will not hold him guiltless.” Those who think to represent God without a proper calling are in worse danger than they can imagine. What would happen to you if tried to represent a police officer? Is it not likely they would put in jail? God also has a jail called the spirits in prison. While Jesus body lay in the grave, He went in the spirit to these. “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” (1 Pet. 3:19)
The first organization law governs who can represent God on earth. The only way Adam could receive laws from God is if he was a Prophet and Lawgiver of God. Cain violated at least two of these laws when he killed his brother. Noah had to hold this same priesthood to be acceptable to God. Adam lived 930 years to know the father of Noah. Abraham lived with Noah for thirty-nine years. It was easy for the priesthood and true doctrines to pass from Adam to Abraham. He could only obey the gospel through one holding the priesthood of God. “Preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8)
Jesus told us “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) The strait gate is the gospel and the narrow way is the laws of God. Where revelation does not exist, ministers of God and members do not exist, and the kingdom is lost.
The priesthood was given in the beginning before Adam walked on the earth. “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) During our spiritual estate, Satan rebelled against this law thinking to stand at the head of this creation in Jesus’ place. 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) Usurpation is a most grievous sin. “The Lord will not hold him guiltless.” Those who think to represent God without a proper calling are in worse danger than they can imagine. What would happen to you if tried to represent a police officer? Is it not likely they would put in jail? God also has a jail called the spirits in prison. While Jesus body lay in the grave, He went in the spirit to these. “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” (1 Pet. 3:19)
The first organization law governs who can represent God on earth. The only way Adam could receive laws from God is if he was a Prophet and Lawgiver of God. Cain violated at least two of these laws when he killed his brother. Noah had to hold this same priesthood to be acceptable to God. Adam lived 930 years to know the father of Noah. Abraham lived with Noah for thirty-nine years. It was easy for the priesthood and true doctrines to pass from Adam to Abraham. He could only obey the gospel through one holding the priesthood of God. “Preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8)
Jesus told us “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) The strait gate is the gospel and the narrow way is the laws of God. Where revelation does not exist, ministers of God and members do not exist, and the kingdom is lost.
Officers of the Kingdom.
God is King over the universe. He alone is supreme over all. God alone has omnipotence. He alone is all-powerful with supreme power over the whole Universe. Jesus received His power and authority from God and rendered it to Him. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matt. 28:18)
Jesus is king over this creation. He held this office in the beginning as God of this creation when we were all spirits. “In the beginning [of this creation] was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God [the Father], and the Word was God [of this creation].” (John 1:1)
All priesthood of God originates with God. Only God has a right to call those who represent Him on earth. This requires being called of God by revelation and being ordained by one holding that priesthood. Jesus is our example. He was called by God and ordained by Him (Heb. 5:5, 6). “4 no man taketh this honour [of the priesthood] unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron [by a revelation given to Moses] … 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5) Only officers of God hold “the keys of the kingdom [priesthood]; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) The Apostles followed the same law. “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) The Apostle Paul reminded his son Timothy of this law. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery [those holding that priesthood].” (1 Tim. 4:14) “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Cor. 12:28) God promised all in the kingdom would be given gifts of the Holy Ghost. What sectarian church has had Apostles and Prophets and gifts of the Holy Ghost. “…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 2:39)
There are two priesthoods of God: the higher and original priesthood is the Melchisedec Priesthood. It is an eternal priesthood that originated with God in eternity. It is the only priesthood that holds authority to administer all saving ordinances of the gospel. The lower Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood was established when Israel turned to wickedness under Moses. It is temporal and lasts only for life. The highest office (Priest) only holds authority to baptize with water. John the Baptist held this priesthood.
The Melchisedec Priesthood has two orders: Apostle and Priest. Of Apostle there are four degrees. The highest is Prophet and Lawgiver. Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Joseph Smith, and others held this priesthood. Jesus was ordained under the hands of God (Heb. 5:4-6). They hold authority over the kingdom on earth to provide laws and instruction as if from God’s own lips. The second is Prophet and Viceroy. They stand at the head when there is no Lawgiver. They administer the laws already given. Joshua held this office after Moses. The Twelve were third degree Apostles which is Ambassador. They are appointed to take the gospel to the nations. Fourth degree are Evangelists and are appointed to one nation. Seven make a quorum. “Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.” (Acts 21:8) Of Priest there are two degrees: High Priest and Elder. High Priests have stood as inferior kings, patriarchs, heads of tribes, and over districts of the kingdom. The faithful have the gift of prophecy and in the Old Testament have been called prophets. “Every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God.” (Heb. 5:1) Their primary duty is to teach the law of God and stand over districts of the church. Elders have been essential to preaching the gospel. Among other duties they stand at the head of branches of the kingdom. “When they had ordained them elders in every church.” (Acts 14:23) Jesus called and ordained all officers of this priesthood.
When Jesus began His ministry, He first called and ordained the Twelve Apostles so they would hold authority from God. “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” (Mark 14:3) They could not be “sent” to preach the gospel until obeying the gospel and being properly ordained like Himself. Jesus could not preach the gospel until He was ordained by God. This priesthood was lost about 400 years earlier after Malachi and was restored by Jesus.
Jesus then called all other officers of this priesthood because no one can enter the kingdom of God without one of these. All hold authority to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors [high priests and elders] and teachers; [Why?] 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [for how long?] 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4) Is there perfect unity of the faith today? When at least one of these officers doesn’t exist, the kingdom doesn’t exist, and salvation is lost.
Jesus is king over this creation. He held this office in the beginning as God of this creation when we were all spirits. “In the beginning [of this creation] was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God [the Father], and the Word was God [of this creation].” (John 1:1)
All priesthood of God originates with God. Only God has a right to call those who represent Him on earth. This requires being called of God by revelation and being ordained by one holding that priesthood. Jesus is our example. He was called by God and ordained by Him (Heb. 5:5, 6). “4 no man taketh this honour [of the priesthood] unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron [by a revelation given to Moses] … 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5) Only officers of God hold “the keys of the kingdom [priesthood]; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) The Apostles followed the same law. “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) The Apostle Paul reminded his son Timothy of this law. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery [those holding that priesthood].” (1 Tim. 4:14) “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Cor. 12:28) God promised all in the kingdom would be given gifts of the Holy Ghost. What sectarian church has had Apostles and Prophets and gifts of the Holy Ghost. “…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 2:39)
There are two priesthoods of God: the higher and original priesthood is the Melchisedec Priesthood. It is an eternal priesthood that originated with God in eternity. It is the only priesthood that holds authority to administer all saving ordinances of the gospel. The lower Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood was established when Israel turned to wickedness under Moses. It is temporal and lasts only for life. The highest office (Priest) only holds authority to baptize with water. John the Baptist held this priesthood.
The Melchisedec Priesthood has two orders: Apostle and Priest. Of Apostle there are four degrees. The highest is Prophet and Lawgiver. Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Joseph Smith, and others held this priesthood. Jesus was ordained under the hands of God (Heb. 5:4-6). They hold authority over the kingdom on earth to provide laws and instruction as if from God’s own lips. The second is Prophet and Viceroy. They stand at the head when there is no Lawgiver. They administer the laws already given. Joshua held this office after Moses. The Twelve were third degree Apostles which is Ambassador. They are appointed to take the gospel to the nations. Fourth degree are Evangelists and are appointed to one nation. Seven make a quorum. “Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.” (Acts 21:8) Of Priest there are two degrees: High Priest and Elder. High Priests have stood as inferior kings, patriarchs, heads of tribes, and over districts of the kingdom. The faithful have the gift of prophecy and in the Old Testament have been called prophets. “Every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God.” (Heb. 5:1) Their primary duty is to teach the law of God and stand over districts of the church. Elders have been essential to preaching the gospel. Among other duties they stand at the head of branches of the kingdom. “When they had ordained them elders in every church.” (Acts 14:23) Jesus called and ordained all officers of this priesthood.
When Jesus began His ministry, He first called and ordained the Twelve Apostles so they would hold authority from God. “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” (Mark 14:3) They could not be “sent” to preach the gospel until obeying the gospel and being properly ordained like Himself. Jesus could not preach the gospel until He was ordained by God. This priesthood was lost about 400 years earlier after Malachi and was restored by Jesus.
Jesus then called all other officers of this priesthood because no one can enter the kingdom of God without one of these. All hold authority to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors [high priests and elders] and teachers; [Why?] 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [for how long?] 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4) Is there perfect unity of the faith today? When at least one of these officers doesn’t exist, the kingdom doesn’t exist, and salvation is lost.
Who is Anti-Christ?
There is a popular notion that Anti-Christ is going to be some great, evil man. Not true. “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18)
The term “Christ” is not a proper name like Joseph. Translated it means “anointed” or ordained (Young’s Analytical Concordance to The Bible). Every minister of God in the Bible was called of God and properly ordained, “must one be ordained to be a witness with us.” (Acts 1:22) Jesus was ordained under the hands of God because the Melchisedec Priesthood was lost 400 years earlier with Malachi. (Heb. 5:4-6) During our spiritual estate, Satan tried to usurp the authority of Jesus as head of this creation. He and his followers (about a third of the host of heaven) were cast down to be ghosts forever. Usurpers are anti-Christ who are called by man--not God.
The term “Christ” is not a proper name like Joseph. Translated it means “anointed” or ordained (Young’s Analytical Concordance to The Bible). Every minister of God in the Bible was called of God and properly ordained, “must one be ordained to be a witness with us.” (Acts 1:22) Jesus was ordained under the hands of God because the Melchisedec Priesthood was lost 400 years earlier with Malachi. (Heb. 5:4-6) During our spiritual estate, Satan tried to usurp the authority of Jesus as head of this creation. He and his followers (about a third of the host of heaven) were cast down to be ghosts forever. Usurpers are anti-Christ who are called by man--not God.
Laws on Membership in the Kingdom.
Organizational laws of God specify how aliens are adopted as members of the kingdom. “For 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 [gentile].” (Rom. 1:16) All laws of God are eternal and never change.
Abraham obeyed the gospel. “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8) It follows that Adam and Noah also obeyed the gospel; as did Moses. “And were all baptized unto Moses and in the sea.” (1 Cor. 10:2) Jesus had to obey the gospel before He could begin His mission on earth. No one can represent God without obeying the gospel and holding the priesthood of God. Jesus and the Apostles demonstrated that.
There are two parts to the gospel. “Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thess. 1:5) The word of the gospel is the first principles of the gospel: faith, repentance, and baptism of water and the Spirit. The power of the gospel is found in faith, baptism, and blessings of God. Gospel faith is active and originates with God. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Heb. 11:6) “Faith is the substance [assurance from God] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) It provides assurance from God that the path being pursued is in accordance with His laws; and provides many special blessings. Without it, we are left to put our trust in the precepts of man.
Gospel Faith originates with God and is available only through His ministers. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:14-17) Jesus and the Apostles were all called of God, ordained, and sent to preach the gospel.
Gospel faith it is a personal revelation from God. No one can even know God or Jesus without such instruction from heaven. Jesus advised us: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) We can know of God; but we cannot know God without such revelation. When Jesus asked Peter: “whom say ye that I am?” Jesus told him “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 16:15, 17) Revelation from God! Jesus told us: “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) The Apostles taught the same. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” (Acts 17:30)
This is not just an appreciation of our errors; but a complete turning away from everything contrary to the will God. It is circumcision of the heart. When John the Baptist was preaching repentance, he told the crowd: “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” (Matt. 3:8) Gentiles were told to “repent and turn to God [obey His laws], and do works meet for repentance.” (Acts 26:20) Gospel repentance is a behavioral change. It is like a new birth.
Jesus said of true Christians: “these signs shall follow them that believe.” (Mark 16:17) “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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.” (Mat. 7:20-21) The Apostle James wrote: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble… For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:17-19, 26) Baptism of water and the spirit are essential principles of the gospel. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) This is the first thing Jesus did before He began His ministry. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.” (Matt. 3:16) Jesus did not have to repent; but He had to obey the law. “Suffer it be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness [the law].” (Matt. 3:15) “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4) Sins cannot be forgiven without baptism. 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)
Many have taught man can be saved by faith alone. We have already learned this is false. It is a man-made doctrine did not exist until 1,500 years after Jesus. It is contrary to the gospel of Christ taught in the Bible. “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) The Bible contradicts this delusion. It was an invention of men like Martin Luther and John Calvin. But, says one, the Bible says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8) Go back to the first verse (1:1) “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus.” This was written only to those that had already obeyed the gospel.
Abraham obeyed the gospel. “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8) It follows that Adam and Noah also obeyed the gospel; as did Moses. “And were all baptized unto Moses and in the sea.” (1 Cor. 10:2) Jesus had to obey the gospel before He could begin His mission on earth. No one can represent God without obeying the gospel and holding the priesthood of God. Jesus and the Apostles demonstrated that.
There are two parts to the gospel. “Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thess. 1:5) The word of the gospel is the first principles of the gospel: faith, repentance, and baptism of water and the Spirit. The power of the gospel is found in faith, baptism, and blessings of God. Gospel faith is active and originates with God. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Heb. 11:6) “Faith is the substance [assurance from God] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) It provides assurance from God that the path being pursued is in accordance with His laws; and provides many special blessings. Without it, we are left to put our trust in the precepts of man.
Gospel Faith originates with God and is available only through His ministers. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:14-17) Jesus and the Apostles were all called of God, ordained, and sent to preach the gospel.
Gospel faith it is a personal revelation from God. No one can even know God or Jesus without such instruction from heaven. Jesus advised us: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) We can know of God; but we cannot know God without such revelation. When Jesus asked Peter: “whom say ye that I am?” Jesus told him “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 16:15, 17) Revelation from God! Jesus told us: “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) The Apostles taught the same. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” (Acts 17:30)
This is not just an appreciation of our errors; but a complete turning away from everything contrary to the will God. It is circumcision of the heart. When John the Baptist was preaching repentance, he told the crowd: “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” (Matt. 3:8) Gentiles were told to “repent and turn to God [obey His laws], and do works meet for repentance.” (Acts 26:20) Gospel repentance is a behavioral change. It is like a new birth.
Jesus said of true Christians: “these signs shall follow them that believe.” (Mark 16:17) “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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.” (Mat. 7:20-21) The Apostle James wrote: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble… For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:17-19, 26) Baptism of water and the spirit are essential principles of the gospel. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) This is the first thing Jesus did before He began His ministry. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.” (Matt. 3:16) Jesus did not have to repent; but He had to obey the law. “Suffer it be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness [the law].” (Matt. 3:15) “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4) Sins cannot be forgiven without baptism. 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)
Many have taught man can be saved by faith alone. We have already learned this is false. It is a man-made doctrine did not exist until 1,500 years after Jesus. It is contrary to the gospel of Christ taught in the Bible. “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) The Bible contradicts this delusion. It was an invention of men like Martin Luther and John Calvin. But, says one, the Bible says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8) Go back to the first verse (1:1) “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus.” This was written only to those that had already obeyed the gospel.
Behavioral Laws.
Behavioral laws identify what is required to remain citizens. Many today are teaching the laws of God were nailed to the cross or simply do not teach them. “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Jesus, Matt. 15:9)
The Ten Commandments are the Constitution of the law of God. Nations all over the world understand some of these. There are laws of commission (thou shalt) and laws of omission (thou shalt). Violating any law is violation of the law. The first three concern our relationship with God. “1 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.” (Matt. 22:37) “2 Thou shalt not take the name [authority] of God in vain… the Lord will not hold him guiltless, for he taketh his name in vain.” “3 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… the seventh day is the Sabbath.”
The Ten Commandments are the Constitution of the law of God. Nations all over the world understand some of these. There are laws of commission (thou shalt) and laws of omission (thou shalt). Violating any law is violation of the law. The first three concern our relationship with God. “1 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.” (Matt. 22:37) “2 Thou shalt not take the name [authority] of God in vain… the Lord will not hold him guiltless, for he taketh his name in vain.” “3 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… the seventh day is the Sabbath.”
The next seven apply to the behavior of man. The greatest is “4 Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” This second greatest law is missing from sectarian works—not from God’s. Jesus told us: “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt. 22:39) If man was to keep 1 and 4, there would be no wars and man would flourish under the leadership of God and Jesus. The rest advise us: “5 Honor thy father and thy mother,” “6 Thou shalt not kill, “7 Thou shalt not commit adultery, “8 Thou shalt not steal, “9 Thou shalt no bear false witness, “10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s inheritance.”
There are many other laws dealing with the Priesthood, Baptism, Eucharist, social order, and many others. Did you know that without partaking of the Eucharist there is no salvation? “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” (John 6:53) Only an officer of the Melchisedec Priesthood holds authority to bless the Eucharist.
“14 Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7) The straight gate is the gospel of Christ--the only gate into the kingdom. The narrow way is the laws of God. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Prov. 28:18) Jesus said “if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matt. 19:17) He also said, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) Righteousness implies keeping the laws of the God; which are found from Genesis to Revelation. “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) Laws given by God are eternal and changeless. Jesus said: “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)
God’s laws on marriage have been lost to sectarian so-called Christians because they turned from God and live by the doctrines of men. The first law given to man in the Bible requires marriage. “And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply.” (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.” (Gen. 2:24) There are two types of marriage in the Bible. There is marriage for life, the resurrection, and eternity and marriage for life only. Marriage for eternity is available only to members of the kingdom and must be administered by one holding the priesthood of God. What a wonderful blessing to have our loved ones with us in eternity.
Marriage among sectarian Christians who are not members of the kingdom is only “until death do you part.” Women married under the law of God in the Bible are often called wives. Wives for life are often called concubines. Abraham had one wife, Sarah, and two concubines, Hagar and Keturah. The son of his wife Sarah—Isaac--inherited special birth rights to the priesthood which his brother Ishmael (the son of Hagar, father of Arabs) did not.
“14 Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7) The straight gate is the gospel of Christ--the only gate into the kingdom. The narrow way is the laws of God. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Prov. 28:18) Jesus said “if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matt. 19:17) He also said, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) Righteousness implies keeping the laws of the God; which are found from Genesis to Revelation. “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) Laws given by God are eternal and changeless. Jesus said: “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)
God’s laws on marriage have been lost to sectarian so-called Christians because they turned from God and live by the doctrines of men. The first law given to man in the Bible requires marriage. “And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply.” (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.” (Gen. 2:24) There are two types of marriage in the Bible. There is marriage for life, the resurrection, and eternity and marriage for life only. Marriage for eternity is available only to members of the kingdom and must be administered by one holding the priesthood of God. What a wonderful blessing to have our loved ones with us in eternity.
Marriage among sectarian Christians who are not members of the kingdom is only “until death do you part.” Women married under the law of God in the Bible are often called wives. Wives for life are often called concubines. Abraham had one wife, Sarah, and two concubines, Hagar and Keturah. The son of his wife Sarah—Isaac--inherited special birth rights to the priesthood which his brother Ishmael (the son of Hagar, father of Arabs) did not.
God’s Blessings for Members of the Kingdom.
Baptism of the water forgives our sins, making man eligible to enter the kingdom. Baptism of the spirit adopts each as the seed of Abraham and as members of the kingdom. God covenanted with Abraham to be the father of all who believe. “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe.” (Rom. 4:11) “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 officers of the Melchisedec Priesthood are authorized by God to administer both baptisms. This is why John the Baptist could not baptize Jesus with the spirit.
Members can enjoy many wonderful blessings. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (Jesus, John 16:13) “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)
On the Day of Pentecost--when the gospel went to gentiles--Peter advised them: “38 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. 39 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) Only those that are properly baptized by one holding authority from God receive these blessings. “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)
All are to receive a special spiritual gift of the Spirit. Paul wrote to the saints in his day: “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)
Members can enjoy many wonderful blessings. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (Jesus, John 16:13) “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)
On the Day of Pentecost--when the gospel went to gentiles--Peter advised them: “38 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. 39 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) Only those that are properly baptized by one holding authority from God receive these blessings. “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)
All are to receive a special spiritual gift of the Spirit. Paul wrote to the saints in his day: “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)
Christians Returned to Paganism.
When the Jews rejected the kingdom and gospel, it was taken to gentiles for the first time. The Apostle Paul gave a great warning. “18 Boast not against the branches [Israel]. 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)
Whan Jesus appeared to John in Revelations, He gave a final warning. “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. (Rev. 2:5) But they would not. John prophesied the kingdom to gentiles was to be lost. Not even one member was to be 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) The first requirement for the kingdom to exist is a correct knowledge of and association with God and Jesus. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) I repeat this because it is the greatest commandment. Idolatry is the greatest offense against God. Christians had been warned: “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Cor. 10:14)
There was great confusion after the Apostles as to the identity of God and Jesus because they turned from God, returned to worshipping heathen gods, and failed to repent and be rebaptized as Jesus commanded (Rev. 2, 3). The kingdom was to be lost (Rev. 12:6) with the priesthood of God (Rev. 2:17) and all members (Rev. 13:7). History records the gentiles return to paganism.
In the second and third centuries the churches could not even agree on the identity of God and Jesus. In the fourth century, the unbaptized, pagan Roman Emperor Constantine using only the power of Rome, stood at the head of the church and resolved the issue by adopting the pagan doctrines of the Trinity and Virgin Birth as the god for so-called Christians to worship The Trinity is found nowhere in the Bible. It originated in Babylon. "So utterly idolatrous was the Babylonian recognition of the Divine unity, that Jehovah, the Living God, severely condemned His own people for given any countenance to it: ‘They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens, after the rites of the ONLY ONE, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together.’ (Isaiah 66:17). In the unity of that one Only God of the Babylonians, there were three persons, and to symbolize that doctrine of the Trinity.” (The Two Babylons, Rev. Alexander Hislop, p. 16)
Christians had been slipping back into idolatry since the days of the Apostles. Constantine, the unbaptized pagan Roman Emperor, realized his goal by converting Christianity to paganism and declaring war against the Jews. He simply took these pagan doctrines and gave them Christian names. He stood as the absolute head of the Christian church; although he was not even a Christian. "Immediately upon coming to power as the sole ruler of the empire, but only then, Constantine asserted the right to exercise absolute authority over the entire church.” (Constantine’s Sword, James Carroll, p. 188) Imagine, a pagan standing at the head of the church.
There is only one Sabbath of God. “13 Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations… 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever.” (Ex. 31:16) It was kept for a couple centuries. “For centuries, Christians… observance of the Sabbath continued to take place on Saturday.” (Constantine’s Sword, James Carroll, p. 145) Neither Jesus nor the Apostles changed the Sabbath. Consolidating Rome by Constantine 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)
His primary goal in the conversion of Christianity was changing the identity of God and Jesus. “In response to the emperor’s mandate, the bishops did, in fact, agree to a formulaic statement of belief, defining especially, and in explicit terms how Jesus is God.” (Ibid. p. 189) This became the Trinitarian Creed of St. Athanasius that was later adopted by Protestant churches.
The one true and living God of Israel became the polytheistic, trinitarian god of paganism. “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Cor. 8:6) “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Eph. 4:5) Ambrose, a Christian bishop contemporary with Constantine, wrote in The Confessions, “when God is thought of, our thoughts should dwell on no material reality whatsoever.” I will grant Constantine the fact that the Trinity is a mystery. Not so the Biblical God. The whole Bible is a story of God's direct association with man. God conversed with Adam as a familiar friend (Gen. 2:3). He walked with Enoch (Gen. 5:24). He spoke with Noah (Gen. 6:14-21). He dined with Abraham who at first mistook him for a man; and invited Him into the tent to eat (Gen. 18). He wrestled with Jacob (Gen. 32:30). He conversed with Moses face to face (Ex. 33:11; Deut. 5:4).
The trinitarian creed tells us God is incomprehensible. Which God is incomprehensible, the Father, the Son, or the Holy Ghost? “2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb. 1) Or, is it the Trinity itself which is the mystery—Mystery, Babylon the Great? “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Who can know a God that is incomprehensible? Constantine's god is not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” (Ex. 3:15) "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me." (Isa. 46:9) "29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he." (Mark 12)
Whan Jesus appeared to John in Revelations, He gave a final warning. “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. (Rev. 2:5) But they would not. John prophesied the kingdom to gentiles was to be lost. Not even one member was to be 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) The first requirement for the kingdom to exist is a correct knowledge of and association with God and Jesus. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) I repeat this because it is the greatest commandment. Idolatry is the greatest offense against God. Christians had been warned: “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Cor. 10:14)
There was great confusion after the Apostles as to the identity of God and Jesus because they turned from God, returned to worshipping heathen gods, and failed to repent and be rebaptized as Jesus commanded (Rev. 2, 3). The kingdom was to be lost (Rev. 12:6) with the priesthood of God (Rev. 2:17) and all members (Rev. 13:7). History records the gentiles return to paganism.
In the second and third centuries the churches could not even agree on the identity of God and Jesus. In the fourth century, the unbaptized, pagan Roman Emperor Constantine using only the power of Rome, stood at the head of the church and resolved the issue by adopting the pagan doctrines of the Trinity and Virgin Birth as the god for so-called Christians to worship The Trinity is found nowhere in the Bible. It originated in Babylon. "So utterly idolatrous was the Babylonian recognition of the Divine unity, that Jehovah, the Living God, severely condemned His own people for given any countenance to it: ‘They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens, after the rites of the ONLY ONE, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together.’ (Isaiah 66:17). In the unity of that one Only God of the Babylonians, there were three persons, and to symbolize that doctrine of the Trinity.” (The Two Babylons, Rev. Alexander Hislop, p. 16)
Christians had been slipping back into idolatry since the days of the Apostles. Constantine, the unbaptized pagan Roman Emperor, realized his goal by converting Christianity to paganism and declaring war against the Jews. He simply took these pagan doctrines and gave them Christian names. He stood as the absolute head of the Christian church; although he was not even a Christian. "Immediately upon coming to power as the sole ruler of the empire, but only then, Constantine asserted the right to exercise absolute authority over the entire church.” (Constantine’s Sword, James Carroll, p. 188) Imagine, a pagan standing at the head of the church.
There is only one Sabbath of God. “13 Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations… 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever.” (Ex. 31:16) It was kept for a couple centuries. “For centuries, Christians… observance of the Sabbath continued to take place on Saturday.” (Constantine’s Sword, James Carroll, p. 145) Neither Jesus nor the Apostles changed the Sabbath. Consolidating Rome by Constantine 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)
His primary goal in the conversion of Christianity was changing the identity of God and Jesus. “In response to the emperor’s mandate, the bishops did, in fact, agree to a formulaic statement of belief, defining especially, and in explicit terms how Jesus is God.” (Ibid. p. 189) This became the Trinitarian Creed of St. Athanasius that was later adopted by Protestant churches.
The one true and living God of Israel became the polytheistic, trinitarian god of paganism. “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Cor. 8:6) “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Eph. 4:5) Ambrose, a Christian bishop contemporary with Constantine, wrote in The Confessions, “when God is thought of, our thoughts should dwell on no material reality whatsoever.” I will grant Constantine the fact that the Trinity is a mystery. Not so the Biblical God. The whole Bible is a story of God's direct association with man. God conversed with Adam as a familiar friend (Gen. 2:3). He walked with Enoch (Gen. 5:24). He spoke with Noah (Gen. 6:14-21). He dined with Abraham who at first mistook him for a man; and invited Him into the tent to eat (Gen. 18). He wrestled with Jacob (Gen. 32:30). He conversed with Moses face to face (Ex. 33:11; Deut. 5:4).
The trinitarian creed tells us God is incomprehensible. Which God is incomprehensible, the Father, the Son, or the Holy Ghost? “2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb. 1) Or, is it the Trinity itself which is the mystery—Mystery, Babylon the Great? “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Who can know a God that is incomprehensible? Constantine's god is not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” (Ex. 3:15) "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me." (Isa. 46:9) "29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he." (Mark 12)
The Trinity is found nowhere in the Bible. “The Christian trinity is of Egyptian origin, and is as surely a pagan doctrine as the belief in gods and demigods, and other forms of faith which deface the greater part of modern religions.” (Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism, Thomas Inman, p. 13)
"So utterly idolatrous was the Babylonian recognition of the Divine unity, that Jehovah, the Living God, severely condemned His own people for given any countenance to it: ‘They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens, after the rites of the ONLY ONE, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together.’ (Isaiah 66:17). In the unity of that one Only God of the Babylonians, there were three persons, and to symbolize that doctrine of the Trinity, they employed, as the discoveries of Layard prove, the equilateral triangle, just as it is well known the Romish Church does at this day. In both cases such a comparison is most degrading to the King Eternal, and is fitted utterly to pervert the minds of those who contemplate it, as if there was or could be any similitude between such a figure and Him who hath said, ‘To whom will ye liken God, and what likeness will ye compare unto Him?’” (The Two Babylons, Rev. Alexander Hislop, p. 16) The true and living God is one and is without change. He was not born a helpless infant, nor learned obedience from the things which he suffered (Heb. 5:8). He could not be tempted of Satan as was Jesus and could not die and go to hell. “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell.” (Acts 2:31)
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6) “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Cor. 8:6) “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5)
The Trinity made the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost all forms of the same god. By adopting the pagan Trinity, Satan was assured that Christians would violate the first and greatest commandment. “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Ex. 20:2) It teaches that Jesus was God in the flesh. “And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other; none is greater, or less than another. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped.” Co-eternal? Jesus was the first spirit organized for this creation by God. “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness [Jesus], the beginning of the creation of God.” (Rev. 3:14) Co-equal? “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28) How was Jesus was raised from the dead? “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom GOD raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.” (Acts 4:10) These three one? “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted [by God], and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” (Acts 2:33)
The doctrine of demigods--gods born of virgin women by other gods--was a popular pagan doctrine. It made Jesus the bastard son of a ghost—through an adulterous union of a married woman with a ghost (spirit). An espousal was a legal contract. The ceremony was conducted later. “Among the Hebrews, betrothal was not, as it is today, a simple promise of marriage in the future that could be rescinded with ease, but a complete legal contract, so binding that if the future husband died before the marriage the woman had a full status of a widow… In these cases, the betrothal could not easily be broken; the law required a “bill of divorce,” signed by two witnesses, exactly as if the woman were a wife.” (Life of Jesus, Craveri, p. 17)
There is only one place in the Bible where this false doctrine is found: the false verses of Matt. 1:18-25. “18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before the came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” Jesus had to born like all other men to be the Messiah. Jesus said: “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Heb. 2:17) “Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3). “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45) “Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” (John 7:42) “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” (2 Tim. 2:8) Jesus could only be "of the seed of David" through the male line.
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 [house of David] the husband of Mary.” (Matt. 1) This is “according to the flesh.”
"29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord… 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he." (Mark 12) Verse 23 is an absolute fraud. “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel.” (Matt. 1) His name was Jesus. This is taken from Isaiah 7. “14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and name Immanuel. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.” It had nothing to do with Jesus. It was a sign given to Ahaz and fulfilled in the next chapter. “3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz. 4 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.” (Isa. 8) Matthew had already given Jesus’ true lineage. Would he then tell a lie? Or, was this added by someone else?
Unlike Israel, gentiles were raised on paganism for over 2,000 years before Jesus. Whether they were ever actually converted, is in question. They began returning to those false doctrines even in the days of the Apostles. “7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” (2 Thess. 2) Knowledge of God and Jesus was lost.
"So utterly idolatrous was the Babylonian recognition of the Divine unity, that Jehovah, the Living God, severely condemned His own people for given any countenance to it: ‘They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens, after the rites of the ONLY ONE, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together.’ (Isaiah 66:17). In the unity of that one Only God of the Babylonians, there were three persons, and to symbolize that doctrine of the Trinity, they employed, as the discoveries of Layard prove, the equilateral triangle, just as it is well known the Romish Church does at this day. In both cases such a comparison is most degrading to the King Eternal, and is fitted utterly to pervert the minds of those who contemplate it, as if there was or could be any similitude between such a figure and Him who hath said, ‘To whom will ye liken God, and what likeness will ye compare unto Him?’” (The Two Babylons, Rev. Alexander Hislop, p. 16) The true and living God is one and is without change. He was not born a helpless infant, nor learned obedience from the things which he suffered (Heb. 5:8). He could not be tempted of Satan as was Jesus and could not die and go to hell. “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell.” (Acts 2:31)
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6) “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Cor. 8:6) “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5)
The Trinity made the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost all forms of the same god. By adopting the pagan Trinity, Satan was assured that Christians would violate the first and greatest commandment. “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Ex. 20:2) It teaches that Jesus was God in the flesh. “And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other; none is greater, or less than another. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped.” Co-eternal? Jesus was the first spirit organized for this creation by God. “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness [Jesus], the beginning of the creation of God.” (Rev. 3:14) Co-equal? “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28) How was Jesus was raised from the dead? “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom GOD raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.” (Acts 4:10) These three one? “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted [by God], and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” (Acts 2:33)
The doctrine of demigods--gods born of virgin women by other gods--was a popular pagan doctrine. It made Jesus the bastard son of a ghost—through an adulterous union of a married woman with a ghost (spirit). An espousal was a legal contract. The ceremony was conducted later. “Among the Hebrews, betrothal was not, as it is today, a simple promise of marriage in the future that could be rescinded with ease, but a complete legal contract, so binding that if the future husband died before the marriage the woman had a full status of a widow… In these cases, the betrothal could not easily be broken; the law required a “bill of divorce,” signed by two witnesses, exactly as if the woman were a wife.” (Life of Jesus, Craveri, p. 17)
There is only one place in the Bible where this false doctrine is found: the false verses of Matt. 1:18-25. “18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before the came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” Jesus had to born like all other men to be the Messiah. Jesus said: “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Heb. 2:17) “Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3). “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45) “Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” (John 7:42) “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” (2 Tim. 2:8) Jesus could only be "of the seed of David" through the male line.
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 [house of David] the husband of Mary.” (Matt. 1) This is “according to the flesh.”
"29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord… 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he." (Mark 12) Verse 23 is an absolute fraud. “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel.” (Matt. 1) His name was Jesus. This is taken from Isaiah 7. “14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and name Immanuel. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.” It had nothing to do with Jesus. It was a sign given to Ahaz and fulfilled in the next chapter. “3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz. 4 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.” (Isa. 8) Matthew had already given Jesus’ true lineage. Would he then tell a lie? Or, was this added by someone else?
Unlike Israel, gentiles were raised on paganism for over 2,000 years before Jesus. Whether they were ever actually converted, is in question. They began returning to those false doctrines even in the days of the Apostles. “7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” (2 Thess. 2) Knowledge of God and Jesus was lost.
The Priesthood and Kingdom of God were Lost.
All Apostles--except John--were martyred by 70 A.D. It is believed that John was isolated on the Isle of Patmos in 96 A.D. wrote the Book of Revelation in 97 A.D., returned to Ephesus in 98 A.D., and died in 99 A.D. Jesus allowed him to tarry; but his ministry in the flesh was over (John 21:22, 23). In the book of Revelation, John wrote of Jesus appearing to him and advised him of the condition of the seven churches in Asia (Rev. 2, 3). Many--and in some cases all--were found to be following the doctrines of Satan and were commanded to do their first works: repent and be baptized again.
The office of High Priest (first below that of Apostle) only lasted a couple generations; as acknowledge by the noted ecclesiastic historian Eusebius (Page 123). Elders were ordained in every branch of the church under the Apostles. “23 ordained them elders in every church.” (Acts 14) There is no record of how long the office of elder remained; but it was likely about the same.
We do know that the priesthood of God--which requires revelation from God and one holding that priesthood--soon disappeared. “It may perhaps be deduced from the letters of Ignatius that at this period [middle of the second century] each of these was ruled by a bishop, chosen from the elders (the presbyters) and assisted by other presbyters and deacons, who were elected by the vote of the entire congregation. (Life of Jesus, Craveri, p. 234) The Melchisedec Priesthood was lost by then. The office of Bishop in the kingdom of God is a temporal office in the Levitical Priesthood, belongs to the sons of Levi, and holds no authority to administer all the saving ordinances of the gospel. "3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears [preach for hire?]; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim. 4)
In 325 A.D., The unbaptized, pagan Roman Emperor Constantine became the head of the Christian Church; although he was not even a Christian. “Immediately upon coming to power as the sole ruler of the empire, but only then, Constantine asserted the right to exercise absolute authority over the entire Church. He did this despite the fact he was not baptized.” (Constantine’s Sword, James Carroll, p. 188)
"The unity of the empire—under himself—was to him the absolute political virtue... So in turning to religion, unity of belief and practice, not tolerance of diversity, had to seem paramount... Constantine really understands himself by now as 'the vice-regent of god.” (Ibid., p. 187) Constantine became the Christian god on earth. “It has often been charged… that Catholicism is overlaid with many pagan incrustations. Catholicism is ready to accept that accusation – and even to make it her boast… the great god Pan is not really dead, he is baptized.” (The Story of Catholicism, p. 37) John notes a beast would be given total power over the kingdom of God; which would last 1,260 years. “5. Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (40 x 30 + 60 =1260). 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13) True Christianity came to an end. Not one Christian was left.
The office of High Priest (first below that of Apostle) only lasted a couple generations; as acknowledge by the noted ecclesiastic historian Eusebius (Page 123). Elders were ordained in every branch of the church under the Apostles. “23 ordained them elders in every church.” (Acts 14) There is no record of how long the office of elder remained; but it was likely about the same.
We do know that the priesthood of God--which requires revelation from God and one holding that priesthood--soon disappeared. “It may perhaps be deduced from the letters of Ignatius that at this period [middle of the second century] each of these was ruled by a bishop, chosen from the elders (the presbyters) and assisted by other presbyters and deacons, who were elected by the vote of the entire congregation. (Life of Jesus, Craveri, p. 234) The Melchisedec Priesthood was lost by then. The office of Bishop in the kingdom of God is a temporal office in the Levitical Priesthood, belongs to the sons of Levi, and holds no authority to administer all the saving ordinances of the gospel. "3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears [preach for hire?]; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim. 4)
In 325 A.D., The unbaptized, pagan Roman Emperor Constantine became the head of the Christian Church; although he was not even a Christian. “Immediately upon coming to power as the sole ruler of the empire, but only then, Constantine asserted the right to exercise absolute authority over the entire Church. He did this despite the fact he was not baptized.” (Constantine’s Sword, James Carroll, p. 188)
"The unity of the empire—under himself—was to him the absolute political virtue... So in turning to religion, unity of belief and practice, not tolerance of diversity, had to seem paramount... Constantine really understands himself by now as 'the vice-regent of god.” (Ibid., p. 187) Constantine became the Christian god on earth. “It has often been charged… that Catholicism is overlaid with many pagan incrustations. Catholicism is ready to accept that accusation – and even to make it her boast… the great god Pan is not really dead, he is baptized.” (The Story of Catholicism, p. 37) John notes a beast would be given total power over the kingdom of God; which would last 1,260 years. “5. Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (40 x 30 + 60 =1260). 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13) True Christianity came to an end. Not one Christian was left.
Who is this beast? In chapter 17, John tells us more about the beast and image of the beast, calling her “5 MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” This name is capitalized in the King James Bible because the Church of England—who published it--believed this is the Catholic Church. This is the only church that is guilty of destroying a correct knowledge of God, eliminating the priesthood of God, doing away with the gospel, and killing millions who opposed her.
What a prophecy! If the Catholic Church is the beast, Protestants must be the harlots (plural). But they face a Catch 22 problem. If the Catholic Church held authority from God—as it claimed—they were cut off from the church. On the other hand, if the Catholic Church held no authority, there was nothing for them. This dilemma was resolved by creating a new gospel: salvation by faith alone. “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) The priesthood of God, members, and kingdom of God was lost. Jesus is to 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) 10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen [Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece], and one is [Pagan Rome], and the other is not yet come [Pagan Christian Rome begun by Constantine]; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space [325 A.D. to 476 A.D.]. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth [Papal Rome], and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city [Rome], which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” (Rev. 17)
In 570, after the fall of Rome, the Bishop of Rome declared supremacy over the whole church and became the first true pope. “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 Thes. 2:4)
“It has often been charged… that Catholicism is overlaid with many pagan incrustations. Catholicism is ready to accept that accusation – and even to make it her boast… the great god Pan is not really dead, he is baptized.” (The Story of Catholicism, p. 37) “The pretensions of the bishop of Rome to primacy over all Christian churches throughout the world, however, were to lead to a new interpretation of the word “church” itself. Catholic ecclesiology has limited its meaning to the hierarchic structure that culminates in the bishop of Rome: an absolute monarchy that claims universal dominion (theocracy) and whose sovereign wears the golden triple crown of the pope-king.” (Ibid.)
The Apostle John prophesied the kingdom, 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: 12:14)
What a prophecy! If the Catholic Church is the beast, Protestants must be the harlots (plural). But they face a Catch 22 problem. If the Catholic Church held authority from God—as it claimed—they were cut off from the church. On the other hand, if the Catholic Church held no authority, there was nothing for them. This dilemma was resolved by creating a new gospel: salvation by faith alone. “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) The priesthood of God, members, and kingdom of God was lost. Jesus is to 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) 10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen [Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece], and one is [Pagan Rome], and the other is not yet come [Pagan Christian Rome begun by Constantine]; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space [325 A.D. to 476 A.D.]. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth [Papal Rome], and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city [Rome], which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” (Rev. 17)
In 570, after the fall of Rome, the Bishop of Rome declared supremacy over the whole church and became the first true pope. “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 Thes. 2:4)
“It has often been charged… that Catholicism is overlaid with many pagan incrustations. Catholicism is ready to accept that accusation – and even to make it her boast… the great god Pan is not really dead, he is baptized.” (The Story of Catholicism, p. 37) “The pretensions of the bishop of Rome to primacy over all Christian churches throughout the world, however, were to lead to a new interpretation of the word “church” itself. Catholic ecclesiology has limited its meaning to the hierarchic structure that culminates in the bishop of Rome: an absolute monarchy that claims universal dominion (theocracy) and whose sovereign wears the golden triple crown of the pope-king.” (Ibid.)
The Apostle John prophesied the kingdom, 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: 12:14)
The Kingdom Returns in the Latter Days.
It follows that after the 1,260 years there would be a restoration of the kingdom and gospel. “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) Now take 570 when the kingdom of was officially lost and add the 1,260 years when there was not one member. The result is 1830. Now, look for a man that claimed this restoration by angelic administration.
There was only one: Joseph Smith. In 1820, when he was only 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.” They forbade him from joining any of them. “I had now, got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned.” For the first time in 1,200 years the trinity was proven false.
In 1823, after intense prayer, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him of a book that was deposited containing the record of ancient inhabitants of the land that were a branch of the House of Israel and was given a vision of where they were deposited. This Moroni (son of Mormon) visited him two more times and quoted him many things from scripture. He went to where the plates were deposited and opened them. The angel told him it would be four years before he could take them. In 1827, the plates were entrusted to his care. In 1829, he commenced translating them. Only a part of them were translated. It became the Book of Mormon published in 1830. This was the first time that a correct knowledge of God and Jesus was restored to the earth.
In May, 1829, he went into the woods with his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, to pray over the priesthood they had learned about in the book. 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 priesthood held by John the Baptist.
In June, 1829, Joseph was ordained a Prophet and Lawgiver of the Melchisedec Priesthood under the hands of angels who held this 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. 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 (70 + 1260 = 1830). The gate into the kingdom of God was opened. 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. On December 30, 1842, Joseph Smith commented, “If any person should ask me if I were a prophet, I should not deny it, as that would give me the lie; for, according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [Rev. 19:10]; therefore, if I profess to be a witness or teacher, and have not the spirit of prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus, I must be a false witness; but if I be a true teacher and witness, I must possess the spirit of prophecy, and that constitutes a prophet; and any man who says he is a teacher or a preacher of righteousness, and denies the spirit of prophecy, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
He taught of the same true and living God and in Jesus Christ as taught in the Bible. “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. We believe a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, viz., apostles prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelist, etc. We believe in the Bible as far as it is translated correctly.”
“Joseph Smith opposes vice and error, and supports his positions from revelation: no odds whether there be two, three, or ‘Gods many.’ The Father, and the Son are persons of Tabernacle [have a physical body]; and the Holy Ghost a spirit, besides the sons of God: for the scriptures say: ‘Ye are Gods.’” (Times and Seasons, Vol. 3, p. 926) He 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 of the same gifts given to the latter day saints (including visitation of angels, healings, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost) which the former day saints enjoyed. “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.” The official History of the Church records these were present among the latter day saints. Recent events demonstrate they are still present. I am receiving dozens of inquiries from those that understand the truth about God and Jesus. Over 130 Nations have entered the kingdom in the past two years.
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 law 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 saints were driven out of Missouri where they had gathered for years because their life style conflicted with that of ruffians on the border of civilization. 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.
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. 5 And this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments; 6 And this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me. 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) The Missouri mob followed the saints from Illinois. On June 13. 1844, a mob of 300 gathered at Nauvoo. The Missouri mob had followed them—with 1500 Missourians joining the mob on June 17.
On June 18, 1844, nine days before his death, Joseph Smith wrote (in fulfillment of the 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… The Almighty came from his throne of rest. He clothed himself with light as with a garment. He appeared, and moon and stars went out. The earth dissolved in space. I trod on air, and was borne on wings of Cherubims. The sweetest strains of heavenly music thrilled in my ear, but the notes were low and sad as though they sounded the requiem of martyred Prophets… 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… And now I command my servants, the Apostles and Priests and Elders of the church of the Saints, that they communicate and proclaim this my word to all the Saints of God in all the world, that they may be gathered unto and round about my city of Voree… 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.”
There was only one: Joseph Smith. In 1820, when he was only 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.” They forbade him from joining any of them. “I had now, got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned.” For the first time in 1,200 years the trinity was proven false.
In 1823, after intense prayer, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him of a book that was deposited containing the record of ancient inhabitants of the land that were a branch of the House of Israel and was given a vision of where they were deposited. This Moroni (son of Mormon) visited him two more times and quoted him many things from scripture. He went to where the plates were deposited and opened them. The angel told him it would be four years before he could take them. In 1827, the plates were entrusted to his care. In 1829, he commenced translating them. Only a part of them were translated. It became the Book of Mormon published in 1830. This was the first time that a correct knowledge of God and Jesus was restored to the earth.
In May, 1829, he went into the woods with his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, to pray over the priesthood they had learned about in the book. 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 priesthood held by John the Baptist.
In June, 1829, Joseph was ordained a Prophet and Lawgiver of the Melchisedec Priesthood under the hands of angels who held this 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. 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 (70 + 1260 = 1830). The gate into the kingdom of God was opened. 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. On December 30, 1842, Joseph Smith commented, “If any person should ask me if I were a prophet, I should not deny it, as that would give me the lie; for, according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [Rev. 19:10]; therefore, if I profess to be a witness or teacher, and have not the spirit of prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus, I must be a false witness; but if I be a true teacher and witness, I must possess the spirit of prophecy, and that constitutes a prophet; and any man who says he is a teacher or a preacher of righteousness, and denies the spirit of prophecy, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
He taught of the same true and living God and in Jesus Christ as taught in the Bible. “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. We believe a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, viz., apostles prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelist, etc. We believe in the Bible as far as it is translated correctly.”
“Joseph Smith opposes vice and error, and supports his positions from revelation: no odds whether there be two, three, or ‘Gods many.’ The Father, and the Son are persons of Tabernacle [have a physical body]; and the Holy Ghost a spirit, besides the sons of God: for the scriptures say: ‘Ye are Gods.’” (Times and Seasons, Vol. 3, p. 926) He 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 of the same gifts given to the latter day saints (including visitation of angels, healings, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost) which the former day saints enjoyed. “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.” The official History of the Church records these were present among the latter day saints. Recent events demonstrate they are still present. I am receiving dozens of inquiries from those that understand the truth about God and Jesus. Over 130 Nations have entered the kingdom in the past two years.
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 law 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 saints were driven out of Missouri where they had gathered for years because their life style conflicted with that of ruffians on the border of civilization. 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.
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. 5 And this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments; 6 And this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me. 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) The Missouri mob followed the saints from Illinois. On June 13. 1844, a mob of 300 gathered at Nauvoo. The Missouri mob had followed them—with 1500 Missourians joining the mob on June 17.
On June 18, 1844, nine days before his death, Joseph Smith wrote (in fulfillment of the 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… The Almighty came from his throne of rest. He clothed himself with light as with a garment. He appeared, and moon and stars went out. The earth dissolved in space. I trod on air, and was borne on wings of Cherubims. The sweetest strains of heavenly music thrilled in my ear, but the notes were low and sad as though they sounded the requiem of martyred Prophets… 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… And now I command my servants, the Apostles and Priests and Elders of the church of the Saints, that they communicate and proclaim this my word to all the Saints of God in all the world, that they may be gathered unto and round about my city of Voree… 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 all twelve 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. 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 company of 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 killed, 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 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 was delivered by regular mail. It was recorded by the Post Offices in Chicago and Burlington. It has been proven beyond a doubt to have been signed by Joseph. Joseph’s foretelling of his death in office, his impending death, and James claiming ordination under the hands of angels the same hour as his death, are prophetic. 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) 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.
He provided some of the best testimonies against the Trinity. In 1850, he wrote among other things: “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.”
What of Brigham Young? He was never appointed by Joseph and was not ordained under the hands of angels. He finally acknowledged that James was right that the Church of Christ only exists with a Prophet of God at the head. He called a conference on Dec. 24, 1847 (over two years after the death of Joseph), and was elected as their man-made prophet. He taught God was once a man like us, that we can become a God like Him, and the Adam was God Almighty and Eve a wife from another planet. He returned to pagan doctrines like the Trinity and Sunday sabbath. He was a prophet that prophesied nothing, a seer that saw nothing, a revelator, and translator that translated nothing.
James labored with him for almost two years and then called a trial by the High Council; which cut him and his followers off from the kingdom. Neither he nor his followers have a legitimate claim as officers of the kingdom. Hundreds today are realizing he was simply a false prophet and are turning to follow James J. Strang.
We are told to know a tree by its fruits. Brigham taught many false doctrines in opposition to the teachings of Joseph Smith and James J. Strang. He organized what could rightly be termed a latter-day Catholic church. He apostatized from the true church like Constantine, invented a new man-god to worship like Constantine, usurped the priesthood like Constantine, had his followers vote him their man-made prophet, and taught many false doctrines like Adam was Almighty God and you can become a God like Him for another creation. In the beginning, He taught the Twelve lower order Apostles were to stand at the head of church; which he finally acknowledged as false when he was voted their man-made prophet. James was 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 mobsters on the frontier in Missouri, the people on the mainland made every attempt to kill and drive the saints from their homes. Indian [diluted] Whiskey was a major source of income for those in Mackinac. 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 had to endure many persecutions.
James wrote in the last edition of the church journal, evidently addressing his coming demise: “We will neither purchase temporary peace and future calamities by dishonorable trafficking with political jugglers, nor will we yield our homes to enemies. If we live, here will we live. If we die, here will we die, and here shall our bones be buried, expecting in the resurrection of the just to possess the land forever, and dwell with the righteous during the lifetime of the Eternal.God judge between us and all men.” 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. They understood the Twelve could not stand at the head. Only a Prophet has 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 [apostles and high priests] for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. 10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of 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)
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 killed, 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 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 was delivered by regular mail. It was recorded by the Post Offices in Chicago and Burlington. It has been proven beyond a doubt to have been signed by Joseph. Joseph’s foretelling of his death in office, his impending death, and James claiming ordination under the hands of angels the same hour as his death, are prophetic. 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) 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.
He provided some of the best testimonies against the Trinity. In 1850, he wrote among other things: “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.”
What of Brigham Young? He was never appointed by Joseph and was not ordained under the hands of angels. He finally acknowledged that James was right that the Church of Christ only exists with a Prophet of God at the head. He called a conference on Dec. 24, 1847 (over two years after the death of Joseph), and was elected as their man-made prophet. He taught God was once a man like us, that we can become a God like Him, and the Adam was God Almighty and Eve a wife from another planet. He returned to pagan doctrines like the Trinity and Sunday sabbath. He was a prophet that prophesied nothing, a seer that saw nothing, a revelator, and translator that translated nothing.
James labored with him for almost two years and then called a trial by the High Council; which cut him and his followers off from the kingdom. Neither he nor his followers have a legitimate claim as officers of the kingdom. Hundreds today are realizing he was simply a false prophet and are turning to follow James J. Strang.
We are told to know a tree by its fruits. Brigham taught many false doctrines in opposition to the teachings of Joseph Smith and James J. Strang. He organized what could rightly be termed a latter-day Catholic church. He apostatized from the true church like Constantine, invented a new man-god to worship like Constantine, usurped the priesthood like Constantine, had his followers vote him their man-made prophet, and taught many false doctrines like Adam was Almighty God and you can become a God like Him for another creation. In the beginning, He taught the Twelve lower order Apostles were to stand at the head of church; which he finally acknowledged as false when he was voted their man-made prophet. James was 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 mobsters on the frontier in Missouri, the people on the mainland made every attempt to kill and drive the saints from their homes. Indian [diluted] Whiskey was a major source of income for those in Mackinac. 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 had to endure many persecutions.
James wrote in the last edition of the church journal, evidently addressing his coming demise: “We will neither purchase temporary peace and future calamities by dishonorable trafficking with political jugglers, nor will we yield our homes to enemies. If we live, here will we live. If we die, here will we die, and here shall our bones be buried, expecting in the resurrection of the just to possess the land forever, and dwell with the righteous during the lifetime of the Eternal.God judge between us and all men.” 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. They understood the Twelve could not stand at the head. Only a Prophet has 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 [apostles and high priests] for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. 10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of 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)
Kingdom Today.
All was not lost. One office of the Melchisedec Priesthood continued to fulfill the prophecy: “there shalt thou be delivered.” L D. Hickey—ordained by James--was the last of the Twelve Apostles. He ordained Samuel Martin a High Priest, who ordained Lloyd Flanders a High Priest (who became the last). He ordained Samuel E. West an Elder on July 8, 1956. The office of elder holds the Melchisedec Priesthood and authority to preach the gospel and administer its saving ordinances. Samuel ordained elders; but the gospel was accepted by very few. Here in America is where gentiles rejected the gospel and killed the prophets.
You’re Invited.
“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) You are invited to know the true and living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to obey the gospel, be counted among the saints of God, enjoy the blessings of Holy Spirit, and have hope of a better resurrection and inheriting the earth.
“14 strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: (Jesus, Mark 16:16) “7 The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (1 Cor. 12) “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.” (Rev/ 20)
Most opportunities are given only once. “15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh. 24) Gentiles in the days of the Apostles were given an opportunity to enter the kingdom—they failed. They were given a second opportunity almost two thousand years later. But they killed the prophets sent to them. The kingdom will soon return to God’s elect people: Israel
“14 strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: (Jesus, Mark 16:16) “7 The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (1 Cor. 12) “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.” (Rev/ 20)
Most opportunities are given only once. “15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh. 24) Gentiles in the days of the Apostles were given an opportunity to enter the kingdom—they failed. They were given a second opportunity almost two thousand years later. But they killed the prophets sent to them. The kingdom will soon return to God’s elect people: Israel
KINGDOM OF GOD TOMORROW.
Desolation of the Last Days.
The earth will soon to see the most marvelous and the most horrible events near and after the return of Jesus. “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.
“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)
“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) "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) Nations of the gentiles will be destroyed with most gentiles. “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)
“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)
"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. 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 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)
“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) "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) Nations of the gentiles will be destroyed with most gentiles. “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)
“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)
"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. 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)
Israel Becomes God’s People Again.
God declared Israel to be His elect people. When there is a prophet and they keep His laws, they are the people of God. Soon, they will be His people again. “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, 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)
God provided only two places for the gathering of His people: Zion and Jerusalem. “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 [not man] shall call.” (Joel 2:32) “For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof goes forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” (Isa. 62:1)
God provided only two places for the gathering of His people: Zion and Jerusalem. “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 [not man] shall call.” (Joel 2:32) “For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof goes forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” (Isa. 62:1)
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)
The Bible abounds with information on deliverance of Israel in the latter days “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.
“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)
“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zech. 8) The location of the land of Zion should be a subject of great importance to those seeking salvation in these latter days. It was one of great interest to the prophets. Go to Isaiah 18. He describes a far distant land west of Africa in the shape of wings “to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.” Now, take a globe and look westward to a distant land beyond Africa in the shape of wings. Only North and South America meet this description. “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)
Isaiah says: “Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.” (Isa. 64:10) Zion must be some place other than Jerusalem “on the sides of the north.” This is where Isaiah tells us that God will set up an ensign in the last days to gather Israel (“a people scattered and peeled”) from the four corners of the earth. The land of Zion is North and South America (in the shape of wings); but especially America on the “sides of north.” “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount [kingdom of God in] Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King [Jesus].” (Ps. 48:2) This is where the New Jerusalem will be located. This is why this land special.
David wrote: “2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion [kingdom in Zion], on the sides of the north [North America], 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)
Is not the interior of North America interspersed with the fields of the woods; or, in other words, fields in the midst of a wilderness? Isaiah says: “Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.” (Isa. 64:10) Zion must be some place other than Jerusalem “on the sides of the north.” This is where Isaiah tells us that God will set up an ensign in the last days to gather Israel (“a people scattered and peeled”) from the four corners of the earth. The land of Zion is America where the gospel was restored under Joseph Smith and where the New Jerusalem is to be located.
“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)
“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zech. 8) The location of the land of Zion should be a subject of great importance to those seeking salvation in these latter days. It was one of great interest to the prophets. Go to Isaiah 18. He describes a far distant land west of Africa in the shape of wings “to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.” Now, take a globe and look westward to a distant land beyond Africa in the shape of wings. Only North and South America meet this description. “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)
Isaiah says: “Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.” (Isa. 64:10) Zion must be some place other than Jerusalem “on the sides of the north.” This is where Isaiah tells us that God will set up an ensign in the last days to gather Israel (“a people scattered and peeled”) from the four corners of the earth. The land of Zion is North and South America (in the shape of wings); but especially America on the “sides of north.” “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount [kingdom of God in] Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King [Jesus].” (Ps. 48:2) This is where the New Jerusalem will be located. This is why this land special.
David wrote: “2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion [kingdom in Zion], on the sides of the north [North America], 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)
Is not the interior of North America interspersed with the fields of the woods; or, in other words, fields in the midst of a wilderness? Isaiah says: “Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.” (Isa. 64:10) Zion must be some place other than Jerusalem “on the sides of the north.” This is where Isaiah tells us that God will set up an ensign in the last days to gather Israel (“a people scattered and peeled”) from the four corners of the earth. The land of Zion is America where the gospel was restored under Joseph Smith and where the New Jerusalem is to be located.
Israel: The People of God.
God covenanted with Abraham to be the father of the people of God: Israel. The Twelve Tribes of Israel will be gathered back to Jerusalem. The seed of Joseph—son of Jacob—will be gathered to Zion (America)—with converted, faithful gentiles. Israel--will once again become the 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) The righteous will inherit the earth and enjoy the thousand-year Sabbath of Creation—the Millennium.
Israel has been and will again become the only people of God when the final phase of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times is opened to Israel. “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) “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. 24:7) Gentiles who are properly baptized are adopted as the seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:27-29).
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 will be gathered before Jesus returns. “1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, 2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; 3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. 4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: 5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.” (Deut. 30)
“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)
“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)
“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 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)
Israel has been and will again become the only people of God when the final phase of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times is opened to Israel. “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) “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. 24:7) Gentiles who are properly baptized are adopted as the seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:27-29).
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 will be gathered before Jesus returns. “1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, 2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; 3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. 4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: 5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.” (Deut. 30)
“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)
“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)
“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 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)
Deliverance of the Saints.
God provided only two places for the gathering of His people: Zion and Jerusalem. “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 [not man] shall call.” (Joel 2:32) “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.” (Isa. 62:1)
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)
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.
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)
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.
Return of Jesus.
Jesus is not returning to Rome, England, or to gentiles; but to His people—Israel. Only God knows the 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) “He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev. 19:16)
“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) “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) “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) “10 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)
“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) “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) “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) “10 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)
First Judgment and Resurrection.
All men are judged at death. Members of the kingdom that have endured faithful and obedient to the end of life are taken to the bosom or Abraham (kingdom in heaven) to rise first. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection… they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:6) No one can be holy without obeying the gospel and laws of God. All others are taken to the spirits in prison to await the second resurrection a thousand years later. The saints that are alive when Jesus returns will also inherit the earth with Him.
The Millennium.
After Jesus returns, peace will reign on the earth for 1,000 years—the Millennium. “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' 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)
“[Isa. 52:8] Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. [Jer. 31:34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord. [Micah 4:3] And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plow shares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more, [Isa. 11:6-9] 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. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 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. 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.
“There is no period in human existence about which there has been as much said by the prophets and apostles, as the time of Christ's reign, which reign was to last a thousand years; which gave rise to the idea of there every being such a period as the Millennium: which term signifies a thousand years. John the Revelator, gives us the following account of it in the 20th chapter of the Revelations, from the 1st to the 9th verse: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 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. “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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were fulfilled.” (Evening and Morning Star, March, 1841, p. 146) “Everything mentioned in the Bible concerning the Millennium was promised to the seed of Abraham; and that unless the scattered remnants of Jacob should be gathered from all countries whither they had been driven, that no such thing as Millennium could ever exist.” (Ibid.)
“Paul says that he will take vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel: 2 Thessalonians 1 chapter and 8 verse. John says, that all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Isaiah shows in the 24 chapter of his prophecy, that an innumerable train of judgments shall fall on those who have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant, until the earth shall be utterly wasted; and all this when the Lord comes to reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously [Adam to Abraham]. And in the 35 chapter, as before mentioned, in speaking to Israel of the coming of their God, or Messiah, that he would come with vengeance: "even God with a recompense he will come and save you." See verse 4.
“[Isa. 52:8] Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. [Jer. 31:34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord. [Micah 4:3] And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plow shares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more, [Isa. 11:6-9] 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. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 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. 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.
“There is no period in human existence about which there has been as much said by the prophets and apostles, as the time of Christ's reign, which reign was to last a thousand years; which gave rise to the idea of there every being such a period as the Millennium: which term signifies a thousand years. John the Revelator, gives us the following account of it in the 20th chapter of the Revelations, from the 1st to the 9th verse: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 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. “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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were fulfilled.” (Evening and Morning Star, March, 1841, p. 146) “Everything mentioned in the Bible concerning the Millennium was promised to the seed of Abraham; and that unless the scattered remnants of Jacob should be gathered from all countries whither they had been driven, that no such thing as Millennium could ever exist.” (Ibid.)
“Paul says that he will take vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel: 2 Thessalonians 1 chapter and 8 verse. John says, that all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Isaiah shows in the 24 chapter of his prophecy, that an innumerable train of judgments shall fall on those who have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant, until the earth shall be utterly wasted; and all this when the Lord comes to reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously [Adam to Abraham]. And in the 35 chapter, as before mentioned, in speaking to Israel of the coming of their God, or Messiah, that he would come with vengeance: "even God with a recompense he will come and save you." See verse 4.
“In the 24 chapter of Isaiah, and 23 verse, the prophet, after having described one of the greatest desolations ever pronounced on the head of any generation of men, says, "Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously." We have before seen that this reign was to last a thousand years; and his ancients, before whom he was to reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, gloriously, were all the redeemed from among men, of every tongue, language, kindred, and people. According to Daniel, he was to come to the ancient of days: here he is said to reign before his ancients, that is, all the saints from our father Adam, down; for who could the ancient of days be but our father Adam? surely none other: he was the first who lived in those days, and must be the ancient of days.”
“Daniel says, that he will break in pieces and destroy all the kingdoms of the world, and his kingdom shall stand forever. Compare the 7 chapter, 13 and 14 verses, with the second chapter and 44 verse, as before quoted.
“Jude also makes mention of his coming in his epistle, 14 and 15 verses, which is a quotation from the prophecy of Enoch, which is not extant at present; but Jude having preserved this item, shows to us thereby that the coming of the Lord was understood at a very early date in the history of the world, and that Enoch also the seventh from Adam was made acquainted with it. "And Enoch also the seventh from Adam prophesied of these, saying. Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints." Zachariah in the 14 chapter of his prophecy and 5 verse as before mentioned says, that all the saints will be with him. John in the Revelations says, all them that are redeemed from among men are to be with him. Paul says, that his mighty angels will be with him.
“All these doubtless refer to the same time and to the same beings, namely, the saints who are at that time to reign with him on the earth, 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.
“The prophet Malachi gives us a corresponding testimony in the 3 chapter of his prophecy, 1, 2, and 3 verses: "Behold, I will send my messenger [most likely James J. Strang] and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, he shall come saith the Lord of hosts; but who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap. [Paul says, in the first chapter of his second epistle to the Thessalonians, 7 and 8 verses, that he shall be revealed in fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel.] And he shall set as a refiner, and purifier of sliver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." (Evening and Morning Star, Millennium)
James J. Strang is the only one that God called as Prophet “above the Kings of the earth.” The Lord said: “13. In righteousness shalt thou rule: thou shalt redeem the poor and the needy from suffering and violence; and to thee God giveth judgment for them. Thou shalt deliver the prey from the spoiler; for God, thy God, hath put them in thy hand. 14. And in weakness will he make thee strong. Thou shalt rule among his people. Thou shalt break in pieces the rod of the oppressor, and the yoke of the unjust ruler. They shall flee away, but the way of peace shall they not find. 15. While the day of the wicked abideth, shalt thou prepare a refuge for the oppressed, and for the poor and needy. Unto thee shall they come, and their brethren who are scattered shall come with them; and the destruction of the ungodly shall quickly follow; for it already worketh. Go thy way, and be strong.” (Book of the Law, p. 171) He will stand as King in Zion. David is to stand as King in Jerusalem. Jesus will be King over the earth and God above Him.
“Daniel says, that he will break in pieces and destroy all the kingdoms of the world, and his kingdom shall stand forever. Compare the 7 chapter, 13 and 14 verses, with the second chapter and 44 verse, as before quoted.
“Jude also makes mention of his coming in his epistle, 14 and 15 verses, which is a quotation from the prophecy of Enoch, which is not extant at present; but Jude having preserved this item, shows to us thereby that the coming of the Lord was understood at a very early date in the history of the world, and that Enoch also the seventh from Adam was made acquainted with it. "And Enoch also the seventh from Adam prophesied of these, saying. Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints." Zachariah in the 14 chapter of his prophecy and 5 verse as before mentioned says, that all the saints will be with him. John in the Revelations says, all them that are redeemed from among men are to be with him. Paul says, that his mighty angels will be with him.
“All these doubtless refer to the same time and to the same beings, namely, the saints who are at that time to reign with him on the earth, 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.
“The prophet Malachi gives us a corresponding testimony in the 3 chapter of his prophecy, 1, 2, and 3 verses: "Behold, I will send my messenger [most likely James J. Strang] and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, he shall come saith the Lord of hosts; but who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap. [Paul says, in the first chapter of his second epistle to the Thessalonians, 7 and 8 verses, that he shall be revealed in fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel.] And he shall set as a refiner, and purifier of sliver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." (Evening and Morning Star, Millennium)
James J. Strang is the only one that God called as Prophet “above the Kings of the earth.” The Lord said: “13. In righteousness shalt thou rule: thou shalt redeem the poor and the needy from suffering and violence; and to thee God giveth judgment for them. Thou shalt deliver the prey from the spoiler; for God, thy God, hath put them in thy hand. 14. And in weakness will he make thee strong. Thou shalt rule among his people. Thou shalt break in pieces the rod of the oppressor, and the yoke of the unjust ruler. They shall flee away, but the way of peace shall they not find. 15. While the day of the wicked abideth, shalt thou prepare a refuge for the oppressed, and for the poor and needy. Unto thee shall they come, and their brethren who are scattered shall come with them; and the destruction of the ungodly shall quickly follow; for it already worketh. Go thy way, and be strong.” (Book of the Law, p. 171) He will stand as King in Zion. David is to stand as King in Jerusalem. Jesus will be King over the earth and God above Him.
Final Judgment.
True salvation does not come until the final judgement at the end of the Millennium. All must stand before the judgement throne of God to be judged according to works in the flesh. "12 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. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." (Rev. 20) Only members of the kingdom can inherit the earth because it will become the kingdom of God and our Lord. There are no aliens in the kingdom.
“For the Son of man 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) Faith alone? "7 He that overcometh [through obedience to the laws of God] shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." (Rev. 21)
“4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. 5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” (Psalm 50) “14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands 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 1) “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. 2)
There are two places and three kingdoms/glories prepared for the final resurrection. "40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars (telestial): for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption." (1 Cor. 15) Consider the difference in glory between the sun and the stars.
Members of the kingdom of God that endured faithful and obedient to the end of mortal life inherit the earth in the celestial kingdom like the sun in glory. Those who were slothful and did no more than they felt they had to in life, inherit the earth in the terrestrial kingdom like the moon in glory. No one can inherit a kingdom that he is not prepared to obey the laws of that kingdom.
All others inherit a telestial (distant) kingdom in glory like the stars. They cannot inherit the earth because the earth is solely the kingdom of God and there are no aliens. Sons of perdition are cast off as ghosts forever; never to inherit the earth. These followed Satan during our spiritual estate. They are also those that were blessed with the Holy Spirit in the flesh and then turned entirely therefrom. (Matt. 12:31)
There is a principle in eternity that sectarian churches fail to understand. There will be opportunity and progression in eternity. Those in the celestial kingdom will minister to those in the terrestrial kingdom and those in the terrestrial kingdom will minister to those in the telestial. James J. Strang wrote the only ones that will be lost in the end are those that prefer to remain filthy still. Only those who turn against the kingdom (Holy Spirit) will be sons of perdition and lost forever as ghosts forever with Satan never associate again with this creation.
“For the Son of man 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) Faith alone? "7 He that overcometh [through obedience to the laws of God] shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." (Rev. 21)
“4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. 5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” (Psalm 50) “14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands 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 1) “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. 2)
There are two places and three kingdoms/glories prepared for the final resurrection. "40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars (telestial): for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption." (1 Cor. 15) Consider the difference in glory between the sun and the stars.
Members of the kingdom of God that endured faithful and obedient to the end of mortal life inherit the earth in the celestial kingdom like the sun in glory. Those who were slothful and did no more than they felt they had to in life, inherit the earth in the terrestrial kingdom like the moon in glory. No one can inherit a kingdom that he is not prepared to obey the laws of that kingdom.
All others inherit a telestial (distant) kingdom in glory like the stars. They cannot inherit the earth because the earth is solely the kingdom of God and there are no aliens. Sons of perdition are cast off as ghosts forever; never to inherit the earth. These followed Satan during our spiritual estate. They are also those that were blessed with the Holy Spirit in the flesh and then turned entirely therefrom. (Matt. 12:31)
There is a principle in eternity that sectarian churches fail to understand. There will be opportunity and progression in eternity. Those in the celestial kingdom will minister to those in the terrestrial kingdom and those in the terrestrial kingdom will minister to those in the telestial. James J. Strang wrote the only ones that will be lost in the end are those that prefer to remain filthy still. Only those who turn against the kingdom (Holy Spirit) will be sons of perdition and lost forever as ghosts forever with Satan never associate again with this creation.
New Heaven and Earth.
There will be a New Jerusalem in America and a holy Jerusalem—where it is now—when Jesus returns. “2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem [Zion], coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 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… 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.” (Rev. 21) This is—of course—the people not the physical city.
"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. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall their be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Rev. 21:31)
Man was given seven thousand years of mortality. Abraham was born about 2,000 years after Adam. Jesus was born about 4,000 years, about 2,000 years will elapse from Jesus’ mortal mission until He returns, and then the earth and man is to rest for the last 1,000 years. Satan is then released for a short season, mortality ends, and eternity begins. Satan with his followers will be cast off forever as ghosts having no association with this creation. “10 the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.” (Rev. 20) This for usurping the authority of God. The concept of this lake was adopted from Greek mythology. The real hell will be mental. Fire would have no effect on a spirit.
Even the earth is judged. Since the earth kept its estate, it will enter the celestial glory. “I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” (Rev. 21:1) “1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. 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. 3 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. 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.” (Rev. 21) New Jerusalem will be located near the center of Zion (America). Holy Jerusalem will be where Jerusalem is today.
“4 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… 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.” (Rev. 21) (Rev. 21)
Man resists change; but your life depends on it. This is the age when those who are not members of the kingdom will have no hope. Opportunities are often given only once. 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)
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Rev. 14:12) “\“15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh. 24)
"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. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall their be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Rev. 21:31)
Man was given seven thousand years of mortality. Abraham was born about 2,000 years after Adam. Jesus was born about 4,000 years, about 2,000 years will elapse from Jesus’ mortal mission until He returns, and then the earth and man is to rest for the last 1,000 years. Satan is then released for a short season, mortality ends, and eternity begins. Satan with his followers will be cast off forever as ghosts having no association with this creation. “10 the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.” (Rev. 20) This for usurping the authority of God. The concept of this lake was adopted from Greek mythology. The real hell will be mental. Fire would have no effect on a spirit.
Even the earth is judged. Since the earth kept its estate, it will enter the celestial glory. “I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” (Rev. 21:1) “1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. 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. 3 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. 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.” (Rev. 21) New Jerusalem will be located near the center of Zion (America). Holy Jerusalem will be where Jerusalem is today.
“4 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… 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.” (Rev. 21) (Rev. 21)
Man resists change; but your life depends on it. This is the age when those who are not members of the kingdom will have no hope. Opportunities are often given only once. 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)
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Rev. 14:12) “\“15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh. 24)
More Information is available from:Samuel E. WestElder in latter day ZionChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Known as Strangites)samuel270@aol.com