Category: Letters

Letters

A Salvation by Faith Versus Works

Peter

Obedience is the Work of Faith

Peter and Rohnel, servants of Jesus Christ,  to the scattered pilgrims in the faith. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

A false doctrine keeping many in darkness and unable to receive the Gospel of the Living Commandments is the lie that teaching obedience to the Commandments is teaching of salvation by the works of men. The insinuation is that when the Commandments are preached as the way of salvation, one is not walking by faith and instead is trying to save themselves by their own work or obedience. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Faith is faith in the Living Christ, the Commandments to save us.

This study exposes and contrasts the works of men, which do not save from the works of God, which do bring salvation.  The works of the Father are the Holy Commandments and what Christ always speaks and does. As His Christ, being made into sons of God, we bear the same witness as we are Christ in this world once the Promise comes.

Joh 5:36  But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

The faith of Christ is faith in the Living Commandments to save us from sin. Those given the faith of Christ are the blessed of God who strive to know and obey all His Commandments and enter into the narrow gates into the holy city of heavenly Jerusalem.

Rev 22:14  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. 

The “works salvation” lie is sustained and perpetuated by other false doctrines that ignore the scores of witnesses in the Old and New Testaments, who confirm that obedience is all that matters. Obedience is salvation, and any other teaching is a false Gospel.

Gal 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 

Do not be deceived about who is righteous and what walking by faith looks like. Here is a sample of what could be a lengthy list of witnesses from the old and the new.

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Lev 22:31  Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD. 

1Pe 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 

Deu 8:11  Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

Psa 119:98  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 

1Jn 3:7  Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 

One believing the lie that teaching and admonishing one to obey the Commandments is a salvation of one’s own works, ensures that the Commandments are esteemed lightly and given only lip service. The Gospel, the power of salvation, remains far from one’s heart and mind when one believes the lie. Being blinded by God, one cannot receive the preaching of the Gospel and falsely claim it is the works of men. The grace of God that is the Commandments is thus turned into lasciviousness and a lukewarm walk and conscience towards the Lord.  Isaiah prophesied of this as the Lord Himself quoted in the Gospels.

Mat 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me [My Commandments]

Mat 15:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 

The natural man within loves the darkness and does not come to the light until the Father draws them. Flesh and carnal minds trust in themselves, their knowledge, and hate the light of the Commandments.

Joh 3:20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 

Joh 3:21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

It serves the Lord’s purposes of election to blind the entire world and only reveal Himself to a chosen few in every generation. As in all Scripture, there are two sides to the sword, including what are “works”. There are the works of the flesh and the works of God. The works of men, the flesh, do not save, but the works of God bring salvation. Carnally minded men have mixed up the Scriptures, concocting many false doctrines by taking verses by themselves, without considering the sum, thus creating doctrines that keep them and their followers in spiritual darkness. Those marked of God, given faith, are receiving the marvelous light of Christ arising upon them that shows us the way to walk.

Isa 60:1  Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 

Isa 60:2  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 

Those outside of faith are engulfed in spiritual darkness.

Mat 6:23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 

It is only through the Lord’s mercy that our eyes are opened to see, and we come to the light of the Gospel, the hidden mystery of Christ.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 

1Pe 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 

The Works of God

Salvation is the Lord’s work, and the absolute sovereignty of God in directing our every step. The glory is all the Lord’s. Yet we are commanded to work out our own salvation, which means we strive to obey our Heavenly Father and the Gospel we believe, knowing that disobedience brings more grace and more trials until we are brought into subjection to the Commandments.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Salvation comes through the work of the Commandments, that is, the Living Word, the Lord from heaven, who dwells in us when the Promise comes. As many studies on the website show, the faith of Christ, which we are given as a gift, is the Spirit of the Father and the Son, who now dwell in us as we are the Temple of the Living God. The free gift, given to a few in this age, is also known as the grace of God and brings salvation at the appointed time.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

We enter the Kingdom of God and overcome sin by working the work of God, which is obeying His Commandments. There is no other way of salvation, which is defined as being saved or overcoming our sins. The Lord admonishes us to labour or work for the meat that is obeying the Gospel of His Commandments. Any other meat [knowledge] is a false gospel and is the works of men and a salvation that does not save.

Joh 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 

Joh 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 

Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 

The Spirit of Grace is the Living Commandments that chasten us when we disobey, and thus we are taught the righteousness of Jesus Christ by judgment in our day of the Lord. We overcome by exercising the faith God has given us. Salvation comes by way of many trials, the tests of our faith, where one is either chastened for disobedience or promoted in faith when we obey and pass the trial. Every trial is a test of faith. When the Lord comes in these trials, will he find faith on our earth? These trials are most precious to God as they bring forth Christ, the Son of God, and manifest His glory.

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

The Works of the Law which Save Not

The law of Moses is the same as the law of the Gentiles, and also known as the law of sin and death, and is the law by which nobody is saved. This is because all flesh is weak and has no power of itself to overcome the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life God put into our sinful clay bodies. It is only through the Holy Spirit, the indwelling power of God, that one is delivered from their bondage to sin.

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 

Every man is first of their father, the devil, being bound by their carnal mind and the law, which is the basic understanding of right from wrong, but unable to escape the bondage of flesh. All men have this law in them and by nature do the things contained in the law, which is pointing the finger and accusing and excusing in reasoning out how to behave in a given situation. These are the works that justify no man.

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

Creating false doctrines out of one verse is a recipe for error and deception, all by the Lord’s design, and is what men have done in leading many away from the true Gospel. The works of the law of sin and death can be used lawfully, but do not bring lasting change to anyone’s heart. We are justified through the works of the law of faith, and there is a vast difference between the two laws.

Gal 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the [carnal] law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 

The works of the law are the works of men, a corrupted version of the Commandments of Jesus Christ. A mixed table, part truth and lies, which is the devil’s method to deceive and hold us in bondage until the Lord comes to set us free. The Spirit of Grace destroys the power of the devil and the resulting lies and spiritual death that kept us in bondage all our prior lives.

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 

Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 

The works of the flesh that do not save anyone bring glory and gain to the flesh. The works of God bring glory only to God and not to man.

Mat 23:5  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 

To be carnally minded is death [Rom 8:6] and keeps one from hearing Christ’s Words in Spirit and in Truth. The Lord comes and sets us free from this bondage, and the end of death, the last enemy, is orchestrated by the Commandments. The spirit of Satan and death are cast into the lake of fire, of the fiery Commandments, and burned up. The other side of this event is the bringing forth of the new man, our resurrection from the dead. The Commandments perform both the destruction of death and the resurrection from death by calling us out of our graves.

Joh 5:25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live

Joh 11:43  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 

Carnal minds trust in their own spiritual riches and reason that one is saved by such knowledge, and thus we enter an endless loop of pursuing more, every learning, but never able to come to knowledge of the Truth, that is, the Living Christ, the Commandments. The true “works” salvation that does not save anyone is seeking to circumcise our own hearts and minds by pursuing more and more knowledge of the Scriptures. Men glory in themselves and their knowledge, but are not willing to come to Christ, the Commandments, until He drags us to Himself.

Joh 5:38  But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 

Joh 5:39  You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

Joh 5:40  But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 

Solomon came to see that all the pursuits of men are vanity when they try to establish their own righteousness apart from Christ.

Ecc 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

The chosen of the Lord are unprofitable servants, doing their duty, which is to obey the Gospel.

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. 

The good works for which we have been created to perform is obeying the Commandments. As Christ in the world, we are setting an example and working in the vineyards of the Lord to bring Christ to birth and thus spread the love and light of God.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Christ comes not to destroy the old law but to fulfill it to perfection when He comes as the Promise of the Living Commandments. The greatest in the Kingdom teach and do the Commandments, which have not changed, knowing this is the work of God to which they have been appointed.

Mat 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 

Mat 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 

Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

Resting from Our Works

When Christ comes as the Living Commandments, the Spirit of Truth and Grace, the end of the law of Moses/Gentiles for righteousnes is come.  With the faith of Christ now abiding in us, we are no longer bound to the carnal law for the lawless. We have entered into the promised rest.

Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. 

To enter the Kingdom of God, we are entering into the Sabbath of the Lord. Entering the Sabbath means always obeying the Commandments every hour of every day. We hallow the Lord’s Sabbath, the true Sabbath, which is a parable to stand and do the Commandments. Rather than reason in our carnal mind, we just do what the Commandment says, proving ourselves as the people of the Lord, being disciples indeed.

Eze 20:19  I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; 

Eze 20:20  And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. 

When we come to the Commandments that are Christ, we enter into the rest of God. We cease from the works of the carnal mind and just stand in the Commandments.

Mat 11:28  Come unto me [Commandments], all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

When we do not hallow the Lord’s sabbath, we are not obeying His Commandments. A time comes when He kindles the fire in us, the Living Word that brings the judgment which is causing us to enter into His rest.

Jer 17:27  But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched. 

Doing the work of God is pressing into the Kingdom and labouring to enter into His rest. Our labour is the many trials of our faith and the resulting chastening that is teaching us righteousness. We run this race with endurance all the way to the end, and the Living Christ does not fail to deliver us and bring us into His rest.

Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 

Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

Only a remnant is being saved out of Spiritual Israel in every generation through the works of the Spirit of Grace that is the Promise. Few there be shall find the narrow way to enter, and everyone else is blinded. The stumbling stone that is a rock of offense to them is the Commandments, as the mystery remains hid from their eyes. So it is to this very day.

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 

Rom 11:6  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 

Rom 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 

Faith without the Works of God

Faith without the accompanying works of God, meaning our obedience under the law, is dead faith. An active and living faith bears the fruit unto righteousness; it bears the works of God. Saying we have faith is not enough. We need to be disciples indeed and do the works of faith to prove our faith and become the Sons of God. James’s words are spiritual and harmonize perfectly with the sum of the Scriptures and are the truth.

Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 

Giving spiritual bread and clothing to our hungry and naked brothers is done by doing the Work of God, which is preaching and obeying the Gospel. We provide them with a cup of water, a piece of bread, and clothing by doing the Commandments rather than passing them by. Admonishments and rebukes give spiritual food and clothing that carnal flesh is hesitant to give.  We are commanded to care for the sheep.  Brotherly love unfeigned demands that we put the needs of others above our own.

Jas 2:14  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 

Jas 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 

Jas 2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 

Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

Jas 2:18  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. 

Ceasing from our carnal works, we fervently begin working for the Lord, working in His vineyard with the implements of the Gospel and the Commandments. When the Gospel has been preached to us, the Lord is calling us to get to work in His vineyard. Those who do not work are not eating of the Gospel and thus making little or no progress toward entering the Kingdom of God and overcoming their sins.

2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 

2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 

The Lord has given us work to do while we are baptized with the baptism of John and are washed by the Commandments. We do not fall asleep but watch and are always about the Father’s business.

Mar 13:33  Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 

Mar 13:34  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 

Mar 13:35  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 

Mar 13:36  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 

Mar 13:37  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 

We live by every Word, and thus we are the blind man to whom the Lord has opened our eyes to see Him. Our eyes have been opened to see the Commandments, so that the works of God may be made manifest by us and in us.

Joh 9:1  And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 

Joh 9:2  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 

Joh 9:3  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 

Only those who do the will of the Father, which requires doing the work of God, enter into the Kingdom of God.

Mat 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? 

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Our only boast is in the Lord. It is only by His mercy that we receive the Truth and are able to press into the Kingdom of God that has appeared to us.

Receive ye the Gospel of salvation and walk therein.

 

Letters

Feeling Unworthy

Rohnel

Pressing Forward to the High Calling

Rohnel and Peter, the servants of Jesus Christ, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

Rom 15:5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 

Rom 15:6  That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Psa 135:20  Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. 

Psa 135:21  Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. 

Keep My Commandments  

Psa 78:5  For he established a testimony in Jacob [Christ’s sons], and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 

Psa 78:6  That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 

Psa 78:7  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 

Psa 78:8  And might not be as their fathers [our previous mindsets], a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. 

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Feeling unworthy of God’s Choosing

Having the breadth, depth, and height of our sinful nature shown to us is integral in the process of salvation that God has ordained from before the foundation of the world. All flesh is sin, and we all come into this world in a marred vessel of clay, born of a woman, and this vessel of clay IS not inheriting the kingdom of God.

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 

Mar 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

There is no human being who is righteous apart from Christ.  There is none, not even one, that does good.

Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 

Isa 64:7  And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. 

Isa 64:8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. 

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Being chosen and being made faithful in the Day of the Lord means we, the sons of God,  are the first to be judged. Judgment begins at the house of God, spiritual Jerusalem, the place where the Lord chooses to put His Name. His Holy Name is His Commandments. After we hear the true Gospel, judgment IS come on our house. Think within, the ungodly is within us.

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

2Pe 2:4  For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

2Pe 2:9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

This process of judgment requires that our sinful nature and totally wretched being as carnal men walking after our own lusts [thought processes], after our own lies and idols of the heart in marred vessels of clay be exposed to us. In the OT shadows, Christ tells us that we walk in our own uprightness, that is to say, we walk with our own ideas about God, Christ, salvation, and so forth, enflaming ourselves under every green tree. Christmas, a tradition of men, is one example of enflaming ourselves under every green tree. Please refer to the study Keeping Days, Times, Months, and Years, on the truthinscripture.com website for more on this topic.

Isa 57:2  He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. 

Isa 57:3  But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. 

Isa 57:4  Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, 

Isa 57:5  Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks? 

1Jn 5:19  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 

1Jn 5:20  And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 

1Jn 5:21  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 

True sons of God at times question their worthiness to be God’s sons. The sins that so easily beset us cause us to think we are not worthy, and this is true; we are not worthy. Christ causes us to fall and to rise again. He is the author and finisher of our faith.

Pro 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Yet being God’s sons has nothing to do with our own righteousness, and none of it is based on merit of any kind. Being God’s children is based on God’s choosing us before the world was made, declaring the end from the beginning. Being called by our names from before the beginning of the world is the election of grace that Paul speaks about in Romans 11.

Isa 46:9 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 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Eph 1:4  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: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 

No man is justified by their own works, or by their own obedience. All is of faith and being made obedient through many trials and tribulations. This is the free gift from God, the Father, through Christ, His firstborn Son.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

The righteous walk by faith and not by sight. The only way anyone is going to be righteous in a sinful body of flesh is by being implanted with the precious gift of the faith of Christ. This is the Comforter or Holy Spirit living within us, which comes to us on our third spiritual Day.

Isa 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 

Joh 14:21  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. 

All of those called by God through Christ and chosen to be God’s sons in this age and in the ages since Christ do not feel worthy at times. Even the prophet, Isaiah, felt unworthy when he entered the throne room.

Isa 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Isa 6:6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isa 6:7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Moses, the friend of God and faithful servant in his house, also, when called and given his commission, did not feel worthy of his calling. Both examples are OT shadows of us because we live these words [Matt 4:4].

Exo 4:10  And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

And the Lord answered, telling us that He is working all things as the Potter.

Exo 4:11  And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

The Scriptures declare that God’s ways are not our ways and that those He chooses confound the wisdom of wise men who walk after the flesh. Christ’s people do not conform to the wisdom of this world. Saul of Tarsus is an example. He was not well presented in the flesh, but mighty in Spirit in his letters.

Isa 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 

Isa 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

2Co 10:10  For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 

The battle we all have against sin is one God gives us. Christ is working all the sins, trials, and temptations in our lives. He is the Potter, we are the clay. We come to understand and to believe that God is working all things in our lives as time goes by. At first, we do not fully comprehend the Lord’s breadth and depth of His sovereignty.

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Amo 3:6  Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?

Lam 3:37-38   Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

Isa 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Evil in the city is not just the evil out there in the world; it is the evil in the cities and nations that make up the kingdom of God within us. Think spiritually, Christ’s words are spiritual [John 6:63]. Christ creates evil, and vengeance belongs to Him.

Psa 54:5  He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.

Psa 78:49  He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them. [Israel]

Rom 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

2Th 1:6  Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 

2Th 1:7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 

2Th 1:8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Christ hardens our hearts by His design. We of ourselves can do nothing. Pharaoh is a type of us.

Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 

Rom 9:15  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Rom 9:17  For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Rom 9:18  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Yet salvation is a process. Many are called, and only few are chosen and being made faithful to be judged in this life and to have salvation come to them now, while still in these marred vessels of clay. Salvation comes to us only by the process of judgment against our carnal nature. There is no other way.

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

There is a time and season for everything in our lives as Christ teaches and molds us via His fiery process in the Day of the Lord in the Lake of Fire. Those not found in the Book of Life and cast into the Lake of Fire are those ungodly and carnal thoughts that exalt themselves against Christ, the Word of the Father. Think within.

Ecc 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. 

These various times and seasons include us being overcome and snared in besetting sins. This is part of God’s way of humbling us and showing us that of ourselves we can do nothing. Christ is raising the storms and trials of life, and He is also calming them [present tense]. We are being brought to our wits’ end, and give up on the flesh to save ourselves, and have no place to go but to cry out to our Saviour.

Psa 107:25  For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Psa 107:26  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

Psa 107:27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.

Psa 107:28  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:29  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

We err and harden our hearts by God’s design. The Lord gives us over to delusion and gives us a perverse spirit. Christ does this so that He can make us again after His own image.

Isa 19:14  The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit. 

Isa 63:17  O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

Isa 64:8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 

Salvation requires the Lord to make two vessels. Flesh and blood were never intended to enter the kingdom of God. The first Adam makes way for the last Adam, the Lord from heaven.

Jer 18:3  Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 

1Co 15:48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 

1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 

Being aware of our sins is a blessing given to few. Those to whom the Lord chooses cry out about their sins and abominations within them, within their cities, that cry out to their Maker.

Eze 9:4  And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

Luk 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 

When we are made aware of our sins and made to feel horrible about them, this is all God’s work. He is bringing us to our wits’ end as we saw in Psalm 107 above. We, as the true circumcision of our hearts, come to the point where we have no confidence in our flesh.

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 

Knowing the Lord in Spirit and in Truth, we learn that only the Commandments of Christ are saving us from our sins [carnal thoughts and idols of the heart].

2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 

2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 

2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

The judgment of God slays the natural man within us, and the new man is being saved and been raised in Power [the Commandments of Christ]. Christ speaks about this often: we, the beast, the carnal man of sin, is the abomination that is causing the desolation in the temple of God.

Jer 2:7  And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination. 

Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Luk 16:15  And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men [our carnal minds] is an abomination in the sight of God. 

Salvation does not come to us until we first fall away, are ensnared in many sins and lusts, and have our man of sin revealed. Forsaking the Commandments, we leave Christ, our first love, thus giving the Lord the occasion to come again for salvation apart from sin.

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 

Rev 2:5  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. 

When the Lord shows us our man of sin and the abomination of desolation in His Temple, we are blessed, as seeing our sin is the first step to overcoming them. Our hearts are being turned back to the Lord, and our sins are being discovered by the light of the Gospel now shining in our hearts. It is the Lord working all things to bring about the counsel of His will.

Psa 90:3  Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 

Psa 90:8  Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. 

We have seen that there is nothing good in man and that we have to be made over through the Commandments of Christ to be circumcised in heart. Feeling unworthy, being humbled, and not exalting ourselves are part of the process. When we are given to understand the process, we lift our heads and reach out to what is set before us. We do not look back, like Lot’s wife, and do our best to enter into the kingdom of God. One day at a time.

Jer 4:4  Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.” 

Php 3:13  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, 

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 

Heb 12:12  Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 

Heb 12:13  And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 

Getting the giants out of the land takes time. God delivers us little by little as we grow in faith and knowledge of Christ and His grace.

Exo 23:29  I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.

Exo 23:30  By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.

Col 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

Col 1:11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 

Col 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 

At first, all sons of God struggle to overcome the flesh. It can only be done by the Power [Comforter] of God. We take comfort in knowing that the world, our carnal minds, with the lusts thereof, is passing away as time goes by. Think spiritually, Christ is faithful to His promises.

Joh 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

Rev 15:2  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 

Paul tells us what is causing us to sin. We are created this way from the beginning.

Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Rom 7:16  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good.

Rom 7:17  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.

Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Rom 7:20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Christ put the law of sin and death in us. Even our sins are caused by the Potter. There is only one Lawgiver.

Isa 33:22  For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. 

Jas 4:12  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 

Thus, feeling unworthy at times gets replaced by knowing that everything is perfect as it should be TODAY and every day as we live the words of the Book. We have need of patience as we seek and wait on the Lord to come and save us. Christ is the I AM, and we live the Book TODAY with all of its good, evil, and that which is perfect.

Gen 15:1  After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 

Joh 8:58  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Heb 4:7  Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

We are sober and vigilant, watching not to enter into temptation every day. But when we do enter into temptation, we flee to the mountain which is Christ, the Word of Grace. We are being delivered from sin in our lives according to God’s schedule. We take great comfort in this.

Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 

Believe in the report of Isaiah and in the salvation of all men [the lies within us] and the men without in their time of visitation by the Lord. Think spiritually.

Isa 53:1  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 

Isa 53:2  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 

Isa 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 

Christ is our only Hope, even when we feel unworthy. We are created to manifest God’s Glory, and it happens in the appointed time.

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

As we go from glory to glory [obedience to obedience], the Lord doing all, our confidence being a son of God, replaces the feelings of unworthiness. We repent of our sins, yes, but we have great peace and thankfulness towards our Creator, doing wondrous things in our lives.

Psa 105:2  Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. 

Psa 105:3  Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 

Psa 119:18  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 

We do not turn the grace and patience of our Lord into a license to sin. We strive and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling to the wonderful works of our Maker. Remember to know and obey the Commandments of our Lord Christ, Jesus.

Receive ye the Gospel, receive ye the Holy Spirit.

Letters

The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength

Peter

Anointed with the Oil of Gladness

Peter and Rohnel, called to be the ministers of Christ through the will of God, to all the scattered saints who call upon Jesus Christ; grace and peace unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This letter is written to the saints to remind us to rejoice in the Lord always and to seek the fullness of His joy in our lives. Embracing the Gospel, pressing into the Kingdom of God with all our heart, mind, and soul, brings greater joy as the Lord rewards those who seek Him. May we be filled with the joy of the Lord as we strive to stay in the faith by obedience.  The joy of the Lord is planted and kept in us by the preaching and obeying of the Gospel of the Living Commandments.

Joh 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 

Joh 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 

By the mercy of God, the hidden mystery of His Gospel has been revealed. This Gospel is the knowledge of God that brings us many blessings, including the grace that manifests peace, obedience, and the fruits of the Spirit. We are being saved from our sins, and the Lord’s joy has now become our joy.

Mat 12:18  Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit [His Joy] upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 

God is love, and the love of God is that we obey His Commandments. The joy of the Lord is the love that is the Father dwelling in Him. The Father did not send Christ alone; the Father, who is the Holy Commandments, is alive with Christ as they are one Spirit. The Father is the joy of the Lord, and Christ always seeks to obey the Father so that He may please God.

Joh 8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 

As the Father sent Christ, so He sends us as His Christ. Thus, the joy of the Lord, the Commandments that are the Spirit of God, the wisdom of Christ, and the understanding of the Father become our strength when the Promise comes in the appointed day.

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Our joy is not our own, nor is it joy in the Lord.  The joy we receive as a gift is the Lord’s joy of the Holy Commandments that are the Father.  Sons of God always do what the Father does, which is to do the Commandments. We follow Christ’s example.

Joh 5:19  Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 

Joh 5:20  For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 

The love of God is His Spirit that brings the desire to obey God’s Commandments. The Lord had a full measure of this Spirit and thus, to bring joy to the Father, Christ endured the cross and despised the shame that comes from the carnal world.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Christ came into this world to save the world, and that is accomplished through the preaching of the Gospel to those given to receive it. The joy of the Lord is thus fulfilled in due time in those who hear Christ and His Christ.

Joh 17:13  And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Christ’s prayer above is answered, and thus we follow the Lord’s example and, for the joy of the Lord set before us, pay the costs to become His disciples. Our hope, that is also our faith of Christ, is rewarded in due time, and the joy of the Lord, that is the love of God, is poured into our hearts by the Spirit.

Rom 5:5  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Having the Lord’s joy abiding in us is having the love of God in our hearts that witnesses that we are the children of God.

1Jn 5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 

Before Christ comes with His joy to dwell in us, a time of preparation is needed to build the walls and the temple in the Holy City. We are the Temple of God, and this is our day of preparation and the baptism of John. As the chosen of God, we begin singing a new song, the song of salvation.

Exo 15:2  The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation 

Psa 132:13  For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. 

Psa 132:14  This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it

The walls that guard the Temple are the Commandments, and when they are being raised, our day of the Lord has come, meaning we have heard and received the Gospel. This is a holy day, as we are being made holy and perfected, and now have the same joy our Lord has living in us. The joy of the Lord that has been given to us is our strength.

Neh 8:9  And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. 

Neh 8:10  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 

The shadows of the OT confirm our understanding of the Lord’s ways. While Nehemiah built the walls, Ezra built the new Temple itself, and its construction and dedication brought great joy to the children of Israel.

Ezr 6:16  And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy

The joy of the Lord is another symbol of the hidden mystery of the Gospel, the Promise of God now being revealed unto the saints. The Living Commandments of the Father is our strength, the power that saves us and builds and protects the Temple in which we rejoice and are exceedingly glad.  Through this joy, we are triumphing over our sins. Judgment has come upon the house of God, and a new creature is being made.

Isa 33:5  The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. 

Psa 97:8  Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. 

As we mature in the faith, we rejoice more and more at the trials and afflictions that come in the Lord’s day as we enter into the King’s palace.

Psa 118:24  This is the day which the LORD hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psa 45:15  With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace. 

We are comforted in our mourning and loss of many things.  Singing, shouting and making noise for the Lord is our obedience to the Commandments in which we rejoice. We are comforted, and all the waste places within us are being transformed. Joy, gladness, and thanksgiving are in our hearts as we sing to the Lord in obedience.

Isa 51:3  For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. 

Act 2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 

The Lord is well pleased in us, and we are glad when we come before Him singing praises by our obedience and trust in His ways.

Psa 100:1  A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 

Psa 100:2  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence [the Commandments] with singing. 

Psa 149:1  Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 

Psa 149:2  Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Only the redeemed of the Lord, to whom His joy has come, can learn and sing the new song of salvation.

Rev 14:3  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 

The Joy of the Lord is mighty in bringing the overcoming of our sins that we have strived to attain all of our lives. Those to whom the joy of the Lord has come are the blessed sons of God, His kings and priests on the earth.

Psa 21:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 

Psa 21:6  For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.

Zep 3:17  The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 

Becoming one with Christ is marrying Christ, and in this, we rejoice, having been made ready by the works of God to wash us with the Commandments and clothe us in His righteousness.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

Psa 132:16  I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 

When we have joy in the Father’s Commandments, we cannot help but produce the fruits of His Spirit. Pursuing more knowledge outside of the Commandments is no longer a strong desire as we seek first the kingdom of God and obedience to the Commandments, in which we now rest in joy.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith …

Rom 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit

In time, our sorrow over the many trials and afflictions turns to unspeakable joy. It is through these trials of our obedience to the faith that we overcome and begin to be filled with the Lord’s glory as salvation begins to manifest.

1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

 All that the Lord is doing is for the greater good of our salvation. Nothing is wasted, and we learn to rejoice in trials and the Commandments as we see Christ appearing more in our lives.

Hab 3:18  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

Jas 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations

The words for joy and gladness in the Scriptures are interchangeable, as various translations and Bible concordances confirm. The Lord raises us and brings us forth with both joy and gladness and gives us the Promised Land to inherit as we learn to obey the Lord.

Psa 105:43  And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness: 

Psa 105:44  And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; 

Psa 105:45  That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD. 

The anointing of the Holy Spirit, known as the Promise, is the joy of the Lord and is also called the oil of gladness. The elect chosen of God who become His angels and ministers of flame are given the anointing which causes us to become trees of righteousness and manifest the glory of the Lord, that is, our obedience to the Commandments.

Heb 1:9  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness [joy] above thy fellows. 

Isa 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy [gladness] for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. 

Where the King’s Commandments are sent, there arises light, gladness, joy, and honour.

Est 8:16  The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. 

Our joy is said to be an everlasting joy as it is the Commandments, the Living Word that abides forever and never passes away.

Isa 51:11  Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy

When the joy comes inside, we are now being taught by God.  The Spirit of the Commandments, the anointing of the joy of the Lord, teaches all men and makes known God’s ways.

Act 2:28  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 

Jer 15:16  Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. 

The day we hear the Gospel preached with God-given ears begins the blessing of God, bringing us the joy of the Holy Ghost into our hearts. Many lies are cast out, and we begin to be healed of our lameness and many other spiritual diseases.  Great joy comes into us, the city of God.

Act 8:7  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 

Act 8:8  And there was great joy in that city. 

It is an unparalleled honour and blessing to have the opportunity to make a stand for Christ, the Commandments, and be persecuted for His name’s sake. Those precious few given to repent and believe the Gospel in every age are the Lord’s redeemed who will be full of joy and exceedingly glad for all the things the Lord is working.

Mat 5:11  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 

Mat 5:12  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 

Our sorrows, afflictions, and doubts vanish as the Lord grants us understanding and gives us the overcoming. We are thus filled not only with His joy but also with His glory. 

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 

When the Gospel is preached, and we begin to be washed by the Commandments, we tarry for the Lord to come with the living joy of the Promise. We advance in our preparations the more we are caused to forsake all our worldly thoughts and interests and for the joy of the Lord buy the hidden treasure being now being revealed.

Mat 13:44  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 

Waiting for the Lord is a test of our faith. Will we be found faithful when the Lord returns in our day of visitation? When we prove faithful in a few things, He promotes us into greater things and gives salvation, and we enter further into His Joy as shown in the Parable of the Talents.

Mat 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

We earnestly seek and tarry for the blessing of God and this joy to come through the gift of His Faith that is also the Holy Spirit.

Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit

The joy we receive when we hear the Gospel and begin to cast our devils is far surpassed when the Lord returns the second time as the Promise and brings His Joy into our hearts to dwell.

Luk 10:17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 

Luk 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 

The spiritual body of Christ is connected being of one mind and one Spirit. Thus, there is great joy in our heavens and all those seated with Christ when even one person is granted repentance and turns their heart to the Gospel.

Luk 15:7  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 

Luk 15:10  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

To declare the whole counsel of God regarding His Joy, we also need to speak of the negative, which is losing the joy and the voice of gladness. When there is no joy in our hearts, we examine ourselves and see how we are doing versus the Commandments. If we continue to wilfully sin after coming to knowledge of the truth [the Gospel], the Lord forsakes us for a little season to turn our hearts back to the Commandments in repentance. Like David, we seek the Lord, repent, and seek the restoration of the joy of our salvation.

Psa 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 

Psa 51:11  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 

Psa 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 

As our Lord experienced for our sakes on the cross, we likewise endure a little season in which we feel forsaken and thus have no joy. We await the death of our flesh so we can be freed from our sins. If we call upon the Lord, He hears us and restores the joy of our salvation.

Knowing the truth that is the Commandments and not doing them when Christ goes away for a little while brings much sorrow, and we can feel unworthy, and our faith is shaken.  There is no joy to be found when we are being disobedient to the Truth we have walked with for many years. Giving birth is painful, and for the Sons of God to come forth, travail and sorrow are promised before it is all turned into joy. The Lord speaks of our journey of sorrow before He returns, when the new man is born in us, when the Promise comes.

Joh 16:20  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 

Joh 16:21  A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 

We await the Promise and the power to pull us out of the miry clay that is the pit flesh and stands us on the Commandments. He will come; He will not tarry. Be patient.

Psa 40:1  I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 

Psa 40:2  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 

Psa 40:3  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 

When the Lord returns to us the second time, we have received the blessing of God and the Power to overcome sin and endure to the end. The joy of the Lord now lives in our hearts; it is our strength, and we can ask Him anything according to His will, and it shall be done. No man can take away our joy, the Spirit of God, the Promise now living inside of us.

Joh 16:22  And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 

Joh 16:23  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 

Joh 16:24  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 

The joy of the Lord is not the same as the joy of our flesh. The flesh profits itself nothing from Christ’s Commandments, only destruction. The Lord takes away the joy and gladness we had in satisfying our lusts, as we now belong to Him, and all things are being made new. The meat and joy we once had is cut off from our hearts and minds, and it is a blessing of God.

Joe 1:15  Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. 

Joe 1:16  Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? 

Jas 4:9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

When the joy comes, our day of the Lord is now at hand, and we are blessed in the Lord as we are being drawn to the Commandments. The joy we had in our rebellion to the Commandments turns to gloom as the Gospel brings mourning, lamentation, and woe into our lives. What is sweet to our hearing becomes bitter to our flesh and the old way of life.

Rev 10:9  And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 

Rev 10:10  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. 

Our complaining and moaning about the costs of losing our lives gives way to great joy when the Comforter comes to us, and the joy of the Lord remains with us. We no longer weep over our trials and rejoice in the Lord always.

Isa 65:17  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 

Isa 65:18  But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 

Isa 65:19  And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. 

The saints are the blessed of God, given to receive and be filled with the joy of the Lord. Receive the blessing of the Gospel and rejoice in the Lord always. We say it again, rejoice because the Lord of all joy is at hand. Receive ye the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Letters, Studies

Beware The Sadducee Spirit

Rohnel

Marking and Cutting Off False Brethren

Rohnel, and my beloved husband, Peter, angels and servants of God and Christ, by God’s design unto the twelve tribes scattered in the world beloved of God, called to be saints, to the little children and to the faithful: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 

1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

Keep My Commandments and Live, says the Lord

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Joh 14:21 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. 

Introduction

Warnings about false teachers, prophets, and antichrists are most vital for us today, after the true Gospel of God, the Father, has been preached. This study overlaps with the one entitled Warnings and Commandments About Deceivers, yet due to ongoing risk and engagement within the flock, a specific warning about the spirit of the Sadducees is provided.

We are commanded to take heed and carefully guard our Doctrine, holding fast to what we have heard from the beginning. Our spiritual lives depend on it.

1Ti 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 

1Jn 2:24  Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 

Once the Holy Spirit comes, the Power of God, we entertain nothing to the contrary, no matter who speaks them, friend or foe. The Gospel is the Commandments of God, the Father, given through Christ, and we do not add to or take away from them.

Gal 1:8  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 1:9  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. 

We are free in Christ by the perfect Law of Liberty that now lives in us. We give no subjection to false brethren who bring in a different Gospel. We shun these deceivers and remain steadfast, taking heed that no one steal our crown in Christ Jesus.

Gal 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 

Gal 2:5  To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

We face many perils, which are spiritual life-threatening experiences. We obey the Lord to escape these perils and to stay alive in the Holy Spirit. This is so important, we need to hear again, as our spiritual lives in Christ are at stake. If we fall back now, it is impossible to renew us again in this age.

2Co 11:26  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.

Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 

Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 

Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 

False spirits come disguised as sheep, but inwardly, they are ravening wolves. Outwardly, they look like true brethren who love the Lord, but we know them by their fruits. They manifest as angels of light.

Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 

Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 

Please read Gal 5:22 about the fruit of the Spirit, and Gal 5:19-21 about the works of the flesh, to see the difference. We know a deceiver by his or her fruit.

Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 

Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 

Mat 7:19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Mat 15:11  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 

Keeping the Lord’s Supper holy and not eating with those practicing sin, despite the outward forms of godliness, is a Commandment of Christ, and we take heed. It is the latter times, the Gospel is preached, and the end of the ages IS come upon those who have heard and is hearing. We cut off all occasions of those who bring deception into our heavens.

2Co 11:12  But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 
2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 

Watchmen

With this being said, let us now see who the true watchmen of the flock are. Watchmen sit on the wall of the temple, which are the Commandments, and watch over the sheep and the holy city, that is to say, spiritual Jerusalem. It is a parable. True watchmen enter in before the sheep and are not hirelings. They give their spiritual lives for the sheep. Shepherds act, and hirlings flee when the thief enters. Shepherds the Lord raises are appointed to please God and not men, and give their lives for the sheep. They keep the charge of God’s altar.

Joh 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 

Joh 10:12  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 

Joh 10:13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 

Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 

Shepherds judge according to the Commandments regarding all things and do not judge according to the flesh, that is to say, their accusing and excusing thoughts within, which is judging according to appearance.

Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Joh 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. 

Paul reminded the Ephesian elders of the responsibility of a watchman, a warning he often gave to the Assembly in tears. Please read Acts 20:27-31.

The Sadducee Spirit

In this letter, we focus on the Sadducee spirit. We all know that Scriptures apply within us first and foremost, but in this letter, we look at the outward Sadducee. We explore several characteristics of the Sadducees. One: A very dangerous and deceiving spirit. Two: Who is the outward Sadducee today? Three: What do they say? Do they speak against authority? Four: Do they regard the angels of the Lord? Five: Do they believe in the resurrection from the dead? Six: Do they speak against the Holy Commandments, committing the sin unto death? Seven: Commandments regarding our dealings with the Sadducee spirit and deceivers.

ONE: The spirit of the Sadducees is a very cunning and deceiving spirit. Sadducees are gathered in spiritual Jerusalem, and the Lord uses them to sharpen the skills of His appointed Apostles and leaders in every age since Christ. They are vessels of dishonour, and are amongst God’s true people until the Day of the Lord when Christ destroys them with the brightness of His coming [2 The 2:1-12]. Spiritual Sadducees are needed because they teach the people of God to discern between good and evil [Heb 5:14]. This is all by God’s design.

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 

2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 

They are deceiving because they have been around for many years and outwardly do not appear like ravening wolves. This strong enemy is near or in the camp, and only those with spiritual discernment can discern them. Only those who have Christ, the Living Commandments, within, discern them because they have the Spirit of God. The Spirit of Christ is the risen Christ within, and are the Commandments of God given to Christ and His Christ.

Psa 55:12  For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 

Psa 55:13  But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 

Psa 55:14  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 

1Co 2:15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 

TWO: Who are they exactly? Sadducees are spiritual Jews with lots of knowledge about the Scriptures, searching the Scriptures daily, but they are without the Promise [John 5:38-40]. They have sought the Lord for many years and have a form of godliness.

2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 

2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 

2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 

2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

They are of the false circumcision. These deceivers are the rich young rulers, unwilling to forsake all their spiritual riches [knowledge] and follow the Living Christ they have now encountered, after hearing the Gospel preached to them. They deny the Power of Christ, that is to say, the Comforter or the risen Christ.

Act 11:2  And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 

Act 13:45  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 

The Sadducee spirit is a spirit of jealousy and a spirit with a root of bitterness. Pilate knew the real reason Christ was turned over to him to be crucified was because of the Jews’ envy. Christ warns against the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees [Matt 16:12].

Mat 27:18  For he [Pilate] knew that for envy they [The Jews] had delivered him. 

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 

Heb 12:16  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 

There are types and shadows of spiritual Sadducees in the Old Testament. Sadducees are also spiritual Moabites and Ammonites, and they never enter into the congregation of the Lord, the true Temple which the Lord pitches in this age or in ages past. They are saved according to the Lord’s plan in the future of which we now do not speak. Moabites and Ammonites are those formed by the seed of the wicked one to keep the seed of flesh alive  [See Genesis 19 about Lot and his daughters] and think spiritually. When the wall was being built, meaning when the Commandments and the Gospel are received in our hearts, we clearly see the need to separate from the Ammonites and the Moabites.

Neh 13:1  On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; 

Nehemiah, as a type and shadow of us, rebuilt the walls of the temple outwardly, which symbolize the Apostles and leaders today and in every age, building the wall of the city. The walls are the Commandments in type and shadow which surround and protect the Holy City of God, that is to say, His flock. Read the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah and see how the enemies of the  Jews always tried to hinder the Jews from completing the work. As it was back then, so it is today. The enemies of the spiritual Jews constantly stir up contention, so the preaching of the Gospel is hindered.

Neh 4:1  But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. 

Act 4:1  And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 

Act 4:2  Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 

Act 4:3  And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 

Jas 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 

Most of the contention to the preaching of the Gospel comes in the early days of the Church, when the foundation is being laid, and comes from the Sadducees. It is these Jews of the circumcision, the Sadducees and the Pharisees, who bring division into the House of God and who stir up most of the contention in the church.

Act 23:7  And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 

Act 23:8  For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 

Sadducees seek to bind the Apostles, that is to say, put them in a spiritual prison, and take away their ability to preach the Gospel in the House of God by stirring up dissension and strife. The Book of Acts is a parable.

Act 5:17  Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, [which is the sect of the Sadducees], and were filled with indignation, 

Act 5:18  And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 

THREE: Sadducees do not receive the Lord’s Words of Spirit and Truth [John 6:63]. They count on their feigned words of godliness to deceive the simple and speak evil of the way of Truth that is the Gospel preached by the leaders the Lord sets in the church.

2Pe 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 

2Pe 2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of Truth shall be evil spoken of. 

2Pe 2:3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 

One telling behaviour pattern in their words is that they speak against the government and the rule of order that the Lord sets in the Church. These filthy dreamers despise the dominion of the Apostles and Prophets the Lord has established in His church, and speak evil of them.

Jud 1:8  Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 

2Pe 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government.  Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

These deceivers manifest all the works of the flesh and readily deceive, beguiling the young in the Faith of Christ, which is why faithful watchmen are needed and commanded to act.

2Pe 2:14  Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 

Col 2:18  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 

Col 2:19  And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 

Jude reminds us to be diligent, contend for the Faith, and not let these deceivers enter and defile the flock.

Jud 1:4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jude brings it all back to the fruit as these deceivers promote themselves, feasting with us at the Lord’s table, bringing no Spirit [water, no Commandments] in their witness and showing no fear of the Lord, that is to say, obedience to the Lord’s Commandments.

Jud 1:11  Woe unto them!  for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 

Jud 1:12  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 

The Sadducee spirit appeals to flesh, which naturally does not want to be ruled over. But rulership is the way of God’s House, and when Christ comes, He comes by way of His Christ, His chosen Apostles, and the leaders He raises up who rule the House of God with a rod of iron.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 

Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 

Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

FOUR: Sadducees do not believe in angels. Angels are servants of God sent to those who obtain salvation. Angels are flames of fire and are ministering spirits.

Act 23:8  For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 

Heb 1:7  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 

Sadducees deny these angels, being jealous of them and speak against them in stirring up sedition and discord among brethren, which the Lord hates.

FIVE: Spiritual Sadducees are the rich ones who need nothing and claim there is no resurrection because it is in the past for them. The discerning see this spirit of error leading away from the Lord’s Commandments. Here is a stern warning in Deut 13:1-5 about deceiving and lying prophets and dreamers of dreams, which are Sadducees. Read all. They are to be cut off, and the Israel of God is to have no part with them.

Deu 13:5  And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in.  So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. 

One example of the Sadducee spirit is Hymenaeus and Philetus, who believed the resurrection was already past, meaning they claimed to have the Holy Spirit already when they did not. Sadducees believe they receive the Holy Spirit when they go down to the altar and give their hearts to Jesus. The Comforter is not a reality to them, and they deny the Power of God, that is to say, they deny the risen Christ. They deny Christ IS COME in our flesh today and every day.

1Ti 1:19  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 

1Ti 1:20  Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

2Ti 2:17  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 

2Ti 2:18  Who concerning the Truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 

This spirit is the spirit of anti-Christ. Any spirit confessing Christ IS COME in our flesh is of God; any spirit not confessing this is not of God.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 

1Jn 4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 

1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 

Antichrist means an opponent of the Messiah. John introduces the term antichrist and links them to those who fellowship with us.

1Jn 2:18  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. 

1Jn 2:19  They [antichrists] went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 

While antichrists have some truth, it is mixed with lies. The liar is a son of Satan, the carnally minded, father of death, who denies the Father and the Son, the Promise of God IS COME in our flesh.

1Jn 2:21  I have not written unto you because ye know not the Truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the Truth. 

1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?  He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son [The Promise].

SIX: Sadducees commit the sin that is not forgiven in this age. This sin is to speak against the Lord’s Commandments. It is the sin unto death, and this makes them spiritual Moabites and Ammonites who do not enter into the Lord’s congregation in this age.

Mar 3:28  Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 

Mar 3:29  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 

1Jn 5:16  If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

When the Commandments, the Spirit of the Lord is denied, these deceivers are to be denied.

Luk 12:9  But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 

Luk 12:10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven. 

Please refer to the study on Blaspheming the Holy Spirit for more details.

SEVEN: What are the Commandments regarding Sadducees and deceivers? Here is a repeat of a few of the Commandments given earlier on, so it is written in our hearts and minds to remember and to obey to be found faithful and worthy to stand before the Lord. Separating from false brethren who disrupt the church and sow discord and spread lies are important Commandments we ignore at our own peril.

Tit 1:10  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 

Tit 1:11  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 

1Ti 6:3  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 

1Ti 6:4  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 

1Ti 6:5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the Truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 

2Th 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 

We do not eat spiritually with those who bring false Gospels and are thus spiritual fornicators, idolaters who make merchandise of the Lord’s people. We let the Lord judge those who are without the Gospel. These Scriptures are not history lessons; they are Commandments for today.

1Co 5:11  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 
1Co 5:13  But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 

2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 

2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 

2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 

2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

2Jn 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 

2Jn 1:9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 

2Jn 1:10  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 

2Jn 1:11  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 

Final Exhortation

When the Gospel is preached, the harvest is ripe, and the time IS come for the separation of the wheat from the tares and the sheep from the goats. The Lord’s angels, the watchmen the Lord has raised, carry out this separation by warning and teaching the sheep.

Mat 25:31  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: 

Mat 25:32  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 

Mat 25:33  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 

All in Christ shall suffer persecution from those the Lord has deceived. Only the called, chosen, and faithful remain in the end. Christ is always winnowing down His flock.

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 

Will you and we be found faithful?

Luk 18:7  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 

Luk 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 

Receive ye the Gospel, receive ye the Holy Spirit.