|
|
|
|
The rock upon which
eternal life rests is prophecy and revelation. The
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Faith, appreciation of the gospel, and spiritual guidance are received by
the spirit of prophecy. When
prophecy ends, the opportunity for salvation is gone.
Go to Rock of Revelation Many read the Bible; yet, lack a correct understanding of
God. Why?
They learned doctrines originating in Babylon and passed down to men
never called of God. A correct
knowledge flows only from those called of God.
"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 inquired of Peter, "But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living
God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh
and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
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. 16:15-18) The rock of the church is revelation from God.
The gates of hell can prevail against anything mortal; but, not against
God. Jesus was speaking of the
revelation received by Peter from the Father.
The church is built upon offices of the priesthood that are called of God
by revelation. "And no man taketh this
honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Heb. 5:4)
Christ was called and ordained at the hands of the Father (Heb. 5:5).
He called and ordained the Apostles.
The Apostles called and ordained elders in every city. Some have thought this reference was to Peter being the
first pope of Rome. History belies
this deception. There was no pope
over the Catholic Church for 500 years after Jesus.
None stood as the head, after John, for over two hundred years.
Then, in 325 AD, the un-baptized, pagan Roman Emperor Constantine stood
as absolute head of the Christian church. The
gates of hell certainly did prevail against Peter.
He was crucified by Rome in 69 AD. Jesus
was referring to the rock of revelation; which brings an understanding of
spiritual truth. "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." (John 16:13) "And I fell at his feet to worship him.
And he said unto me, See thou do it not: 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." (19:10) Peter was an Apostle. The
highest office in the Catholic Church was a much lower priesthood-- that of
bishop. The law of God requires
every officer in the kingdom to be called by revelation.
After Constantine, none claimed divine appointment.
No office of the priesthood can create a higher authority than they
possess. If the office of pope is
higher than that of a bishop, it could only be called by angelic administration.
No vote of man can call a person to any office of divine authority. The office of bishop was adulterated.
The first commandment given to man was to "Be
fruitful, and multiply." (Gen. 1:28)
The Bible requires bishops to have a family; and to be very honorable
men. History of the popes (bishops)
demonstrates they had no families; and many were some of the most murderous men
in history. "This
is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good
work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober,
of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no
striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all
gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take
care of the church of God?)." (1 Tim. 3:1-5; Titus 1:7) Man could read the Bible, and listen to those not inspired
of God, a thousand times, and never come to an understanding of spiritual truth.
Like Peter, we must seek the Spirit of God through one called of God.
"But
as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into
the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 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.
2:9-11) Without personal revelation, man could never drink from the
stream of knowledge with understanding and wisdom.
"Ever learning, and never
able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood
Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate
concerning the faith." (2 Tim. 3:7, 8)
Without revelation, no man can come to knowledge of God.
"Canst thou by searching
find out God? canst thou find out
the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do?
deeper than hell; what canst thou know?" (Job 11:7, 8) Knowledge of God and an understanding of the gospel is not
given to every man; but, to those called of God.
"Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame
before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by
Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." (Eph.
1:3-5) "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel
which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man,
neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gal.
1:11, 12) Those who are called of God (Eph. 1:5) are given an
opportunity to understand God and Jesus; as was Peter.
The Apostles taught that every one that believes and is (properly)
baptized is entitled to continued communication with God.
"If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.
For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and
tossed." (James 1:5, 6) The gifts of the Holy Ghost, including the gift of
prophecy, was promised to all who repent and are properly baptized in every
generation. "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
2:38, 39) "1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I
would not have you ignorant... 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the
same Spirit... 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...knowledge... To another faith...
to another the gifts of healing... To another the working of miracles; to
another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of
tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues." (1 Cor. 12) Every people in the world believe there is a god.
The God of the Bible is unique among all the invisible and voiceless gods
of the Gentiles. He is a living God.
He spoke with man for the 2000 year period from Adam to Abraham; and the
2000 year time of Israel. The 2000
year time of the Gentiles, when God was silent, is a result of their own
iniquity. The entire account in the
Bible is the story of God's direct relationship with His people.
Anytime God had a people on the earth, which He recognized as His own, he
sent prophets to communicate with them. Why
did He become silent? God does not change. "Behold,
the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your
God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
(Isa. 59:1, 2) Only sin and
disbelief separate man from God. When
God ceases to speak with man, he needs to examine himself. Most Christian churches teach that revelation ceased with
the Apostles. If that be true,
divine authority also ended with the Apostles.
It is obvious from prophecy that few, in the latter days, will worship
God; and obey the gospel. "Behold,
the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a
famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they
shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it."
(Amos 8:11, 12) "I tell you
that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless
when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8) God was to again speak to the Gentiles; after the 1260 year
apostasy. "And
I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to
preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and
tongue, and people." (14:6) Again,
Gentiles were to prefer their own will. The
gospel was to be preached as a witness against them; before their destruction.
"And
this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto
all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt. 24:14)
Only a very small remnant of that people are to survive and see the
return of Jesus (Isa. 1:9). God will once again speak with the house of Israel in the
last days. "And
I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries
wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and
with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people,
and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your
fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith
the Lord GOD." (Ezek. 20:34-36) "And ye shall know that I am in the midst of The fountain of knowledge is available through the Spirit
of Truth; and one called of God. Weigh
the principles which I present to you against those whose roots are in Babylon.
"Beware of false prophets
[preachers], which come to you in sheep's clothing [as men of God], but inwardly
they are ravening wolves." (Matt. 7:15)
Truth is free; and can make you free from the precepts of men.
My greatest pleasure is passing to others; what I have freely received.
Truth is an allusive prey. We
must earnestly desire spiritual truth above all things, to drink from the
fountain of truth. We must be
willing to step beyond the circle of conformity into the world of independent
thought. We have to be the masters
of our own destiny. Faith in, and
prayer to, the living God can open the door to eternal life; as long as one
person remains that holds the Melchisedec Priesthood with divine authority to
administer baptism by water and Spirit. "Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find
it." (Matt. 7:14)
|