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I am a retired pastor of
the Church of God (Tennessee). My name is Isaac Livingston. I am from Neyyoor India. |
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I am a retired pastor of
the Church of God (Tennessee). My name is Isaac Livingston. I am from Neyyoor India. |
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Email: Pastor True Gospel
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Christians got the name after the Lord Jesus Christ. We are supposed to follow Jesus Christ in our life, but we live like any other worldly person. Christianity is a religion, like any other religion. Ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations are part of religious worship. Jesus Christ is God of Christians. And he is the only person who is the author and anointed to preach the gospel according to Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18. Many verses say [Matthew 4:23, 9:35, 11:4&5, Mark 1:14&15, 8:35, 10:29, 16:15, Luke 4:18, 7:22, 9:6, and 20:1.] that Jesus Christ has preached the gospel and told his disciples to preach it. So, if we preach the gospel, (1) we must preach Jesus Christ and acknowledge that he is the ONLY author of the gospel and (2) preach the gospel that Jesus Christ preached to inherit his kingdom, which is in heaven. If we preach another gospel, that Jesus Christ did not preach, we are cursed of God. "Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we (Jesus Christ and his apostles) have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Preaching Jesus Christ is to preach that he was crucified, died, buried, and was raised from death. We must believe all this. But, believing this about him will NOT take us to heaven. This is not the gospel of salvation for eternal life; Jesus Christ did not preach to believe his life story, but to believe what he tells us to do, and do them. Jesus Christ is the author of the gospel, and to obey him, which is to obey his commandments, in order to inherit our eternal salvation. And this is the gospel. But churches and preachers preach his life story as the gospel and are deceived and deceiving Christians. Believing his life story will not take anybody to heaven, and so, if we preach this as the gospel, it will be a deceptive false gospel. According to scriptures, they all are cursed by God. "2 Thessalonians 1:7 ..., when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:" Obeying the commands of Jesus Christ is obeying his gospel. Obeying will save us from sins, and it will give us inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.
Christians are religious, so also Hindus, Muslims, and many others. There is a distinct difference between religiosity and godliness. Doctrines of men, traditions, rituals, ordinances, song services, ceremonies, and such, are religiosity. Christians also have the word of God. But they will twist or deviate from the word of God to their desire. But God gives his command within another command. Christians pick up the outward commands and do the ceremonies, rituals, observances, and such. But God loving people obey the inner part of the commands, which are Spiritual, and are meant for our daily living.
Example 1: God gave circumcision to the Jews. They do it ceremonially and call themselves as people of God. Romans 2:29 says, "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." So, the true circumcision is not that men do, but it is that God does in the hearts of eligible people; they live a godly life and attain eternal life. Others will be just religious Jews, bragging about that they are people of God and are the chosen. But in truth, they were rejected by God.
Example 2: God tells to take water baptism to Christians. Romans 6:1-12 explains what baptism is. ["Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."] Verses 3&4 say, "3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." That is, those who took the water baptism ceremonially and symbolically have united with the death and resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ, so that, they may live in the new Spiritual life, which will give them inheritance in heaven. "12 says, Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." So, religious Christians are satisfied with the ceremony of taking water baptism. But godly people will rule their life in the way that is intended in water baptism, which is a Spirit life, and they will inherit the kingdom of God in heaven.
Example 3: Jesus Christ gives the baptism of the Holy Ghost as anointing or ordination to do ministry to preach his gospel; and gives spiritual gifts as signs. Jesus Christ anoints us and seals us with the holy spirit to live his life, and to inherit eternal life. These two are two different phenomena, for two different purposes, but both are of the Spirit, and they are spiritual. However, God gives gifts and manifestations, which are signs to do the ministry, even to rebellious sinning people, as "Psalm 68:18 says, thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, ..." Religious people highlight the manifestations of the gifts in the ministry. They do not realize that the gospel is the main agenda, and the gifts and other things are just signs, to preach the gospel. But preachers get glory in manifestations, but not in conversion of people. So, what happens? Jesus says in "Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Those who are religious, do the ministry with signs and manifestations with the gifts of the spirit, which include casting out devils and healings. But Jesus Christ has rejected them for eternal life, saying that they have done iniquity. Why are the gifts called iniquity? No! Gifts are the manifestations of the spirit of God. That was God's work. Their works was what they have done in their life. They lived in sin, and so they did iniquity. That is; God did the manifestations of signs, but what they did was iniquity. Again, Jesus Christ says in "Matthew 7:21 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." They, who do the Will of God will inherit heaven. What is he will of God? "1 Thessalonians 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit." The holy spirit guides godly people to walk in the Will of God. Their focus will be on converting people to be righteous and holy, through the ministry. They inherit the kingdom of God. But false preachers will do the ministry of the devil, the so-called grace ministries, to keep them in their sins.
Preachers say that Jesus took our punishment on the cross, the fury of the cup of the Father was poured on him; but such teachings are all from Satan. "1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: ... 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." His death is an example for us to follow, and if he is a substitute to take our punishment, we do not have to follow him to take the punishment. Further, our punishment is to burn in hell; and so, if he is a substitute to take our punishment, he could have been burned in hell rather than died on the cross. So, it is not the act of substitution.
Sinners were forgiven by sacrifices in the old testament. Even though Jesus sacrificed himself in the new testament, sinners are not forgiven by the sacrifice, but by the person Jesus Christ. He must forgive sinners as the Author of eternal salvation. It is in Hebrews 5:7-10. ["Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."] 9 says that Jesus Christ became the author of eternal salvation, and he will save only those who obey him. And verse 10 says that he is the only one high priest, but not any other preacher. What he says in the matter of salvation is final. Preachers cannot define another method how to be saved. So, only method to be saved is to obey what Jesus Christ tells us to do.
God is perfectly holy and perfectly righteous. So, if a person is not perfectly holy and perfectly righteous, he is not God. A perfectly righteous judge is that he must punish criminals and must protect the innocent. If a judge kills an innocent victim in the place of the killer, and let the criminal go free, then he is filthy unrighteous judge and he is of Satan. I hope we all understand this principle. If a preacher gives you such a judge as your God, then your God is Satan, and your preacher is servant of Satan. The first prophetic statement of God to Satan in Genesis is this: "Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." That is, Satan will kill the man Jesus, which is bruising the heel of Jesus, the seed of the virgin. However, Satan did have all his wrath poured upon the man Jesus, humiliated him, and crucified him on the cross. God prophesied it, and Satan killed Jesus. Most preachers preach that God poured all his wrath upon Jesus and killed him as a substitute or as a ransom in the place of you and me. These preachers say that this is the holiness and righteousness of God, to kill Jesus in the place of sinners. It is filthy lie of Satan, and if you believe this lie, you have made Satan as your God. You do it, since it profits you to enjoy your pleasures of sin, and you think that you will go to heaven also. But you will not go to heaven; you are deceived by Satan; his preachers hid their deception on broad daylight, and you have foolishly accepted them as truth. On top of this, Jesus Christ will be the eternal Judge, and God the Father has given the judging to God the Son, as in "John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:." And "Acts 17:31 says, Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained;." So, the Lord Jesus Christ is the righteous Judge, but not God the Father.
Now let us look at Hebrews 10:4-17. "4 says, For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." That is, animal blood will not take away sins; it is about taking away, but not forgiving at this point. God wants to remove sinning first, and then he will forgive their past sins. "Romans 3:23-25 say, 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" So, 'God the Word' became Man Jesus to do the Will of the Father. He took away sins, that is, he removed sins as in Hebrews 10:7-9. "7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second." So, by sacrificing himself, Jesus took away the system of law and sacrifice for sins, which is in the first covenant; and he established the second covenant as in verses 9-12. "10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" So, he took away their sins, sanctified, and perfected them, as in verses 10,12,13&14. "14 says For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. ... 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." That is, he gives commandments to people to obey; his commandments are in the bible, in the four gospels, written in the hearts and in the conscience of his people. God will give them grace, power, and his Spirit to his people to help them to obey his commandments; and with these powers they can and will obey the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, if they obey, God will no longer remember their past sins and iniquities, and will forgive them all. This is the new testament covenant. God removed the Old Covenant; and so, they are null and void. I have a lesson that explains this in detail. So, let me give the link for the lesson: "forgives past sins; takes away future sins."
"Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 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. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." So, heaven or hell is given by what we have done. Servants of Satan will oppose this truth of Jesus Christ. If we are not born of the spirit, we will not fit in any status in heaven according to 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; ["1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit."]. So, if we are not born of the Spirit, we will be cast into hell and then hell will be cast in the lake of fire, which will be for ever and ever. To be stiff necked and arrogant is hard work, and people do it to go to hell.
Hell is the holding place for evil people, until judgment day. On the judgment day, hell will be cast into the lake of fire. There will be torment and it may be inflicted in four ways. They are: be bound in chains, cast into outer darkness, torment by flames, or be burned in fire. These may be used even in combination to punish. Hell, or heaven is given according to our works. There are four status and places clearly mentioned in heaven. Such clarity is not given about the status of punishment in hell. A single element could give different degrees of torment. For example, if we take fire; there are various degree of fire; flaming fire could be lighter; unquenchable fire may be persistent; furnace of fire may be severe; everlasting fire will have no end; fire with brimstone may be of the most intense fire; and so on. Some theologians say that those who are cast into the fire will be burned to nothing in a few minutes and they will be no more; so, it will be like another quick death, and will be peace after that. They think as people in flesh in hell; but they will be as souls, but not as flesh. Souls will not die, they live for are ever, like spirits, and the fire in hell will give pain to souls. Scripture says, "the fire is not quenched." Hell is for eternity and the suffering is permanent. There are verses like; "there shall be weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth" and "everyone shall be salted with fire, cast them into the fire, they are burned, tormented with fire, tormented day and night for ever and ever." Hell will be cast in the lake of fire, and the sufferings will be continued for eternity.
How to escape hell and how to inherit heaven? Jesus Christ tells us to be born again, that is, to be born of the spirit, to inherit the kingdom of God. They who loved God and did not do harm to their neighbors, and did not quench their spirit, and lived a normal life, are children of God. They will be in the first level in heaven, which is paradise, that is new earth. A few people are mentioned in; Matthew 25:34-40, Luke 23:40-43, and Revelation 2:4,7, for an example. ["Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. ... 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."]. Such people will be in Paradise, which is new earth. Probably, there will be more souls in paradise than any other level. It is easier to enter paradise than to go to hell.
The next group is repentant backsliders. They will turn from their sins like the prodigal son, to become true servants of God, as in Luke 15:17-21. ["17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son."] They will serve God as priests and rulers in the temple of God in New Earth.
Whoever live a holy life to become perfect are sons of God as in; John 1:12&13, Romans 8:13-15, 1 John 3:1-3. ["John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."] Such people will live with God in New Heavens. Please notice, new heavens, it is mentioned as plural; and so, there could be many levels in new heavens. Sons of God also will be like Jesus Christ in appearance. They will shine like the sun of the sky.
Say that we are Sons of God. "1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." So, we will be like Jesus Christ in his glory, looking like the sun in the sky. Look at the next verse. "3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." We will be purifying ourselves as Jesus Christ is pure. "Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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:" So, we are already saints; but we are not satisfied in being saints; and we are kept on striving unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Our desire will be to become exactly as pure as Jesus Christ is pure. Whoever will devote our lives to be such, may become the bride of Christ, according to the scripture verses; Matthew 16:24, 19:21, Luke 14:26-27, and Philippians 3:12-15. ["Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."] This is the highest level in heaven; and it is also the most difficult life, which is equal to the life of Jesus Christ. But, on the contrary, if you are a sinning person, begin with the step to escape hell first, by being born again of the Spirit; and grow step by step in godliness, in the Spirit of God, and in the power of God for higher levels. God bless you.
Note: If any point needs explanation, OR, if you find an
error according to scripture,
Please write to me in the 'Mail Box' below. I will reply
promptly. Thanks.
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Matthew 28:20, & Mark 16:15. Jesus Christ preached his commandments to obey, as his
Gospel; it is the true Gospel to inherit Eternal life. Genesis 3:1-4 & 2 Corinthians 11:2-4. But Preachers, who are Serpents of Satan, preach the life of man Jesus just to believe, but not to live as a chaste virgin, as the gospel; it is another gospel, which cannot and will not give Eternal life.The true gospel will convert evil people to do good and thereby they will inherit the kingdom in heaven.
John 3:19-21 say that people are two kinds, evil and true. Evil doers will not come to the Light, who is God; but people of truth come to God for their deeds to be made manifest. We have good and evil people by our standard of our society or culture. These evil people may be converted to be doers of truth by the power of God, and they may inherit the kingdom of God in heaven.
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Email: Pastor True Gospel
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