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Discover
the only Biblical door into the kingdom of heaven; and eternal life.
Only one holding the Melchisedec Priesthood is authorized by God to
administer all gospel ordinances. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Go to Celestial, Terrestrial, Telestial There are four requirements to enter the kingdom of heaven: (1) the Melchisedec Priesthood, (2) worshipping the God of Israel and Jesus as our Messiah, (3) obeying the gospel of Christ, and (4) enduring to the end of mortal life faithful to the laws of God. Every people on the earth worship a heavenly god. Thousands of different ceremonies have been invented by man to pass through the veil of death into this heavenly abode. The living God of Israel communicated to His prophets the only true pathway to eternal life. “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Eph. 4:5) Jesus explained that few would find it. Most people simply follow the traditions of their peers and family. There is an old saying that practice makes perfect. Wrong! Only perfect practice makes perfect. Only by walking on the path of light can man enter eternal life. Two of Satan’s greatest weapons have been conformity and contentment. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21) "All men know that they must die. And it is important that we should understand the reasons and causes of our exposure to the vicissitudes of life and of death, and the designs and purposes of God in our coming into the world, our sufferings here, and our departure hence. What is the object of our coming into existence, then dying and falling away, to be here no more? It is but reasonable to suppose that God would reveal something in reference to the matter, and it is a subject we ought to study more than any other. We ought to study it day and night, for the world is ignorant in reference to their true condition and relation. If we have any claim on our Heavenly Father for anything, it is for knowledge on this important subject. Could we read and comprehend all that has been written from the days of Adam, on the relation of man to God and the angels in a future state, we should know very little about it. Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience through the ordinances of God set forth for that purpose. Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject. "We are only capable of comprehending that certain things exist, which we may acquire by certain fixed principles. If men would acquire salvation, they have got to be subject, before they leave this world, to certain rules and principles, which were fixed by an unalterable decree before the world was. "The disappointment of hopes and expectations at the resurrection would be indescribably dreadful. "The organization of the spiritual and heavenly worlds, and of spiritual and heavenly beings, was agreeable to the most perfect order and harmony: their limits and bounds were fixed irrevocably, and voluntarily subscribed to in their heavenly estate by themselves, and were by our first parents subscribed to upon the earth. Hence the importance of embracing and subscribing to principles of eternal truth by all men upon the earth that expect eternal life." (Joseph Smiths Teachings, pp. 101-103) (1) The Melchisedec Priesthood. The Melchisedec Priesthood, and divine authority, is covered in the page “Divine Authority and Priesthood.” Knowledge of God and the gospel is given only by personal revelation to those who were called to know God and receive the gospel in the flesh before the foundation of the world. Only those few who kept their first estate, as spirits, have been called to this approbation. A man could read the Bible a thousand times and never understand the gospel. A minister of God must be present to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. “4 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: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” (Eph. 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! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ( Every minister of God is authorized by God to preach the gospel, and baptize with water and the Spirit. “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” (Heb. 5:4) Aaron was called by revelation through Moses; who held the Melchisedec Priesthood. Before a man can receive this priesthood, he must obey the gospel. Jesus had to obey the same law. Before starting His mission, He went to John for baptism of water; because John was a Priest of the Levitical Priesthood, and held authority to baptize with water.
John did not hold the Melchisedec Priesthood; but Jesus would. “I
indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is
mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” (Matt. 3:11)
Jesus was ordained an Apostle, Prophet, and High Priest at the
hands of the Father before starting His mission.
“So also Christ
glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he [the Father] that said
unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.” (Heb. 5:5)
Holding the highest order of the Melchisedec Priesthood, Jesus held
divine authority to ordain the twelve. “And
he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them
forth to preach.” (Mark
No man can enter the
(2) The God of The true and living God is covered in the page “True and Living God.” Every people on earth recognize there is a God; but there is only one true and living God. Without a correct understanding of His character, perfections, attributes, and will towards man, no man can exercise faith in God. Some preach they know the name of God. Abraham was not even permitted to know the name of God. Instead, he was known as the living God and as God Almighty. The name we are to use to call upon God was given to Moses, “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)
“And this is life eternal,
that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent.” (John 17:3) The
whole Bible is a witness that God and Jesus are separate entities.
Jesus always honored the Father as being supreme to Him.
“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)
God is eternal and without change.
“For I am the LORD,
I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6)
Jesus was the only begotten spirit of this creation.
He was the father of this creation; but He is still subject to the
Father. He was also of the seed of
man. “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)
For Jesus to qualify as the Messiah, He had to be of the seed of Abraham,
the tribe of
When
The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob is not the god of (3) Obeying the gospel of Christ.
We must obey the gospel of Christ. This
subject is covered in the page “Gospel of Christ.”
The first principles of the gospel, the doorway into the kingdom of
heaven, are very simple. Man must
first submit his will to the will of God. This
is the first great sacrifice required to receive the blessings of the gospel.
Man can only serve one master. Joshua
told the Only through a correct knowledge of God and Jesus, can man have faith in them. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6) Gospel faith is a gift of God, through the spirit of prophecy. “17 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. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [of revelation/prophesy] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16) “…the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10) Before a person can be cleansed of sin, he must first repent of all sin, make recompense for his sins, and pledge his allegiance to the kingdom of heaven. “7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” (Matt. 3)
Next, a person must be cleansed of all sin by being born again through the waters of baptism. “Jesus answered and said
unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot
see the Finally, each must be born of the Spirit and receive a gift of the Holy Ghost. “38 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. 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) “17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:17) It is most important to note the only baptism of water and the Spirit that is valid in the eyes of God is that administered by one holding the Melchisedec Priesthood. “And I will give unto thee 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) I received the Melchisedec Priesthood through a direct lineage of five generations to one who received it from the hands of angels, who held that priesthood in life. Any minister that does not claim to hold this priesthood, and cannot trace it to divine ordination, has no authority to act in the name of God. “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” (Heb. 5:4) (4) Enduring to the end of mortal life faithful to the laws of God. Those who have entered the door into the kingdom must endure faithful to the laws of God to the end of mortal life. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matt. 24:13) “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21) “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Rev. 14:12)
Many man-made preachers teach that man can be saved by only accepting Jesus as
their Savior. The whole Bible is a
testimony against such a false doctrine. “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.” (Matt. 22) “Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and
tremble.” (James 2:19) “But wilt
thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20)
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the ETERNAL LIFE The term "eternal life" has a double meaning. First, it relates to our life as a spirit. We were first created as spirits; and lived together as spirits before the creation of the world. "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?.. When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4, 7) The spirit never dies, it has eternal life. During our first spiritual estate, Satan rebelled, a third of the created spirits followed him, and all were cast down (never to receive a mortal body). All mortal men will receive an immortal resurrected body (except those few who inherit the second death). They will not all inherit the same glory. Second,
eternal life refers to those who become heirs
to eternal life with the Father, Son, and all the saints of God.
“And if children [of
God], then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we
suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Rom.
All memory of our pre-existence was erased to assure we are responsible for the
decisions of our own free moral agency, during this life.
We have the ability to be the master of our own destiny.
We may either exercise that intellectual strength, or be like sheep and
follow either the loudest baa, or the most sheep.
These choices affect our lives in eternity.
Ignorance and good intentions will be judged as evil.
"And
the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every
where to repent." (Acts Adam was the first mortal man. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Gen. 2:7) God took the spirit of Adam, from the spiritual creation, breathed it into the physical body, and Adam became a living soul. Had Adam and Eve never violated the law of God, they would have remained immortals in the garden of Eden. God warned them, "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Adam lived 930 years after eating the forbidden fruit. A day in the eye of the Lord is as a thousand years with man (2 Pet. 3:8). This was Satan's biggest mistake. Had he never deceived Eve, there would have been no mortal man; and he would have won. But, like many men, Lucifer was greedy and a liar. A new foundation for mortality and immortality was laid. "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." (Gen. 3:15) Satan has power over our death. Jesus has power over our resurrected life.
Adam's eating of the fruit had two effects.
First, his body was physically changed.
Blood now flowed through his veins; and he became mortal.
Second, he violated a law of God; and became spiritually dead, "For the wages of sin is death." (Rom. Our works during the first estate, as spirits, affects our spiritual opportunities in the flesh. Only a few hear the gospel in the flesh. "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) Most do not understand death, the resurrection, and life in eternity. Ignorance and lack of faith cause a fear of death. Death is simply the spirit leaving the body. The spirit is our real life. At death the spirit is taken back to God; and judged according to the gospel. Millions of near death experiences may have seen part of this returning of the spirit. There are two places for spirits after death. Those who worshipped God, obeyed the gospel, and remained faithful and obedient to the law of God are taken to the bosom of Abraham, to be with all the saints of God. Although this place is in the heavens, it is not heaven. Heaven will be here on earth; after the time of mortal man. This place has been called death. “22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” (Luke 16) Those
who do not obey the gospel in the flesh, will be taken to the spirits in prison
(hell). "He
that believeth and is [properly] baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not [and is not properly baptized] shall be damned." (Mark This place, translated hell, only means a "hidden world." It is not a lake of fire and brimstone; although the anxiety of many could be appropriately compared to such. Mortal life is like a snap of the fingers compared with eternity. These have neither association with those in the flesh, nor with those in the bosom of Abraham--they are "hidden." Saints of God have some association with the living. Moses and Elias appeared to Peter, James, John, and Jesus (Matt. 17:2). It is a holding place for the spirits that have not obeyed the gospel to await the resurrection. Jesus compared it to a paradise; as compared to mortal life. When a person realizes what was lost in eternity, for such a small sacrifice in time, they will burn with remorse. After death, Jesus preached the gospel to the spirits in prison (hell). "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." (1 Pet. 3:19) Those who obey the gospel in the spirit will "live according to God in the spirit." (1 Pet. 4:6) Those who rebel against the will of God, will be left with these spirits to be resurrected with the unjust; after the end of the Millennium. What of this fire and brimstone hell that we hear so much about? It is never mentioned in the Old Testament. The "lake of fire and brimstone" is not an actual lake; it is the emotional anxiety experienced by those who realize what opportunities they lost. It is an "unseen state," or "unseen world." The modern Christian concept of hell most likely originated as a figment of Nimrod's imagination. He was the first sun and fire worshipper after Noah. Going to heaven was to return to the sun. Hell was a place of fire. Such became the common beliefs of pagans. Jesus dispelled this pagan belief in a fiery hell. When dying on the cross, he told the thief, "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) Their torment is emotional and not physical. Most will be content; even as they were during mortal life. The first hell is the abode of the spirits in prison; who did not obey the gospel in the flesh. The final hell will be the second death. This is reserved for Satan, his angels, and the sons of perdition. They will spend eternity as spirits; without association with the rest of creation. It could certainly be compared to a lake of emotional fire and brimstone. Salvation The
first Christian church to teach of a heaven, purgatory, and hell, and the
necessity of being a member of a church, was the Catholic Church under What a horrible god to be so unmerciful and unjust. Are there not honorable men among all people? Simply because a man did not either know, or did not understand the Catholic faith, he is to "perish everlastingly." This is not the faith for me. Such is not true of the God of Israel. The Bible does not teach that every Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Confuciast, Taoist, Jew, and every other Christian is to "perish everlastingly." Salvation, in terms of receiving an immortal resurrected body, is the inheritance of all who suffer through this mortal existence. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." (1 Cor. 15:22, 23) "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of ALL men, specially of those that believe." (1 Tim. 4:10) John
told us of this fact by teaching of a first resurrection of the just (20:4); and
a second resurrection of all other men ( This
resurrected body will be similar to our mortal body; except raised to
immortality. Some have misunderstood
the difference between flesh and blood, and flesh and bones.
"Now this I say, brethren,
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
Although flesh and blood cannot inherit the After
Jesus’ resurrection many of the former saints were resurrected.
One exception was David. He
had been guilty of shedding the innocent blood of Uriah.
"Men
and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is
both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day." (Acts What about all the people that either did not hear, or did not obey the gospel in the flesh? After the crucifixion, Jesus opened a dispensation of the gospel to the spirits in prison (hell). Here is where the thief went: to a place Jesus compared to a paradise. "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." (1 Peter 3:19) Why did he preach to the spirits in prison? "For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." (1 Pet. 4:6) Here is mercy and justice; no "perish everlastingly." The gospel is open to all men; either in the flesh, or after death in the spirit. Those who continue to rebel against the will of God in the spirit, will remain filthy still; and they will inherit a kingdom far less glorious than the saints of God.
"For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether
we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord:
whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ
both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and
living." ( How can they be judged according to men in the flesh, when baptism is required to enter the kingdom of heaven? "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) When prophets of God are upon the earth, there are dispensations for baptism of the dead. This truly turns the hearts of the children to the fathers; and the hearts of the fathers to the children. What Christian church has practiced baptism for the dead, since the Apostles? There has been one. Baptism for the dead was administered under both Joseph Smith and James J. Strang. Are the others going to leave their unbelieving relatives to "perish everlastingly"? Or, do they lack authority from God to administer to both the living and the dead? Without revelation they have no knowledge who has obeyed the gospel in the spirit. Order of Salvation Jesus made it plain that not everyone will inherit the same glory (mansion) after the resurrection. The first difference comes in the resurrection. Each man is to be resurrected "in his own order." John wrote only the saints of God will inherit the first resurrection; and live with Jesus on the earth for the Sabbath of Creation. "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (20:4-6) After the Millennium, Satan will be released for a short season, man will be gathered for war from the four corners of the earth, and will be destroyed by fire. This is the end of mortal man. The second resurrection follows. Then,
"death
and hell delivered up the dead which were in them." ( Jesus taught, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2) "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Rev. 21:4) "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead." (1 Cor. 15:40-42)
Eternal life is the celestial kingdom (glory like the sun).
It is prepared for those who have worshipped the true God, obeyed the
gospel of Christ, and endured faithful to the end.
"And he said to me, These
are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb." ( The terrestrial kingdom (glory like the moon) is prepared for those who either accepted the gospel in the flesh and were not faithful, or were honorable men of the earth and accepted the gospel in the spirit. While in the grave, Jesus opened a dispensation of the gospel to the spirits in prison. The glory of the terrestrial is one. The telestial kingdom (glory like the stars) is prepared for those who remain in rebellion against the will of God at the end of the Millennium. They remain filthy still. They must stand before the judgment bar of God and be judged, without grace, according to their works. Like the stars, and works of man, their inheritances are numerous (many mansions). After
all men are resurrected, the sons of perdition, and those guilty of blasphemy
against the Holy Ghost, will be left. There
can be no redemption for those who crucify Jesus to themselves.
This is the second death. They will be cast out as spirits to spend
eternity with Satan and his angels. Remember
the beast and Mystery, New Heaven and New Earth The earth, having obeyed a perfect law, enters its celestial glory. Heaven will be here on earth. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away." (Rev. 21:1) John
saw two cities of God coming down out of heaven: one in the The
second city descends upon the Here the saints will have communion with the Father and the Son. "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof... 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." (21:22, 23, 27) "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (22:14) "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." (21:7) "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done." (22:1-6)
The approbation can be yours. It
is my assertion that the man who ordained me was only four generations removed
from an ordination at the hands of angels, in the last gospel dispensation to
the Gentiles. Truth has no fear of
investigation. I could be the best
friend you ever had. The
Samuel E. West |