Tag: Crucifixion

Articles

Shutting the Door to Christ

Peter

 

Knowing Not the Time of their Visitation

Peter and Rohnel, servants and apostles by the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God the Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ:   Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord

The Scriptures are written for and are about Jesus Christ and His Christ, the firstfruits of salvation in this age. While all humanity is saved in the end, in this age, it is the chosen few, the elect, who are the firstfruits; they are Jesus Christ in the world.  All Scriptures are a parable spoken in dark sayings that only those given ears to hear and eyes to see can understand. The Scriptures begin with the Lord creating us as His firstfruits and making in us a heaven and an earth in which His light shall shine forth.

Gen 1:1  In the firstfruits [Strong H7225 ראשׁית, beginning] God created the heaven and the earth. 

Gen 1:2  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 

Gen 1:3  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 

Gen 1:4  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 

Few understand these spiritual words, yet those appointed to understand do so as they are marked by the Lord for salvation in this age. The manifestation of the sons of God comes about in the time of the end, which is now for this generation and continues until the end of the physical age.

Dan 12:9  And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 

Dan 12:10  Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 

We are fulfilling the prophecies of the end times written in the Prophets, the Gospels, the Epistles, and the book of Acts. All things are indeed ours to fulfill as Christ fulfilled the Scriptures, and so do we as His Christ in this world. As with Christ, events happen so that the Scriptures are fulfilled in our lives. We endure the same rejection and hatred from our own people as the Lord. The city that welcomes us with great joy, and then, as is appointed and declared from the beginning, turns against Christ. These brethren also fulfill the Scriptures and do not know the day of their visitation, the coming of Jesus Christ to them in this age for salvation.

Luk 19:41  And when Christ was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 

Luk 19:42  Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 

Luk 19:43  For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 

Luk 19:44  And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. 

To fulfill the Scriptures, we briefly sorrow as Christ over the rejection from the fallen brethren who know not the time of their visitation. They are not given to discern the signs of the time, nor recognize Jesus Christ in their midst, and, in time, turn against Christ. It is all written to be fulfilled by the Christ, the Lord’s anointed, whom He raises to do His greater works in this age. Our recent experience fulfilled many prophecies regarding Christ and His dealings with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes, who are the chiefs and rulers of the house of Israel, to which we go through to find the lost sheep of Israel.  These chiefs took away the key, the Commandments, corrupting them by adding to and taking away, and thus are not entering in and hindering those who heed their counsel. They kill Christ in their hearts as they have done to the prophets before.

Luk 11:49  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and of them they shall slay and persecute: 

Luk 11:50  That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 

Luk 11:51  From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. 

Luk 11:52  Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. 

Speaking truth in boldness and standing firmly on the Commandments, Christ, the Apostles, and all born again of the Spirit are rejected by our brethren in living by every Word.

1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 

1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 

1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

The Lord brings a trial and a heresy against the Commandments. The warnings of the watchmen who blow the trumpet [the rule and order the Lord sets over the flock] go unheeded, and the result is the division the Lord orchestrates. Thus, our warnings about the sin unto death and remaining separated from one the Lord has cut off are ignored, spoken evil about, and thus the Lord’s will in winnowing the flock is accomplished.  The Lord did it.

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? 

Amo 3:7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 

In New Testament language, the Gospel we preached was heard yet not obeyed, as their foolish hearts are darkened by the Lord. The fallen of Israel worship the creation, meaning men, themselves, and not the creator [the Commandments], preferring to return to Sodom, which the angels of God previously delivered them from.

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 

2Co 4:4  In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

We boast not against these branches whom the Lord has cut off, but fear, knowing we too can be cut off if we make the same error and do not continue in the Gospel we have heard and preach. We obey God and fulfill the remaining prophecies for the work of God to be finished. Those who reject Christ and refuse to come to the wedding feast when given the choice to choose today whom they shall serve are cut off, and Christ moves on from them. The call to come out and meet the bridegroom is rejected, and the foolish virgins who have no oil in their lamps, who had merely warmed themselves by the fire, doing no work, were not ready when Christ came.  The door is thus shut and not reopened in this age.

Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 

Mat 25:11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 

Mat 25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 

Mat 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 

The Lord rules with a rod of iron, and when judgment has come upon the house of God, after the Gospel has been preached, there is no more ignorance, and thus the separation of the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares, is taking place quickly.   Many are called, and only a few are chosen to be saved in every generation, and we are witnessing this in our day of the Lord. The door to Christ is shut for those who refused the call and did not recognize the day of Jesus Christ.

Luk 13:24  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 

Luk 13:25  When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 

Luk 13:26  Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 

Luk 13:27  But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 

Luk 13:28  There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 

The door is shut to those who cut off their Messiah, and the wicked one has now entered their city, and they are being swept away by a flood of lies.

Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 

Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

Dan 9:26  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 

To fulfill the Scriptures, some who did not come when called to choose whom they serve and at what table they eat, return asking to be let in through the door that is now closed. It seems unloving to flesh, but the rejection of Christ and the Gospel once one has tasted of it is not forgiven in this age. It is the sin unto death. We are commanded not to pray for these brethren; we do not even wish them Godspeed. We move on as commanded.

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. 

1Jn 5:17  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 

Mar 3:29  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath no forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 

John tells us what walking in love is all about, and the very next words remind us that loving God and all men includes doing things that some may seem offensive and harsh, as they judge by their flesh and emotions, not by the Commandments. Here is the Commandment again.

2Jn 1:6  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 

2Jn 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 

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. 

Christ and His Christ do not open the door as Commanded; we do not even wish them Godspeed; we cut off all communication with those who spoke evil against the Commandment and/or against the Lord’s anointed in their day of visitation. Speaking evil is saying our words were lies and the Commandment was not true, thus attributing them to Satan. Anyone who did not hear the voice of the true shepherd and follows the voice of strangers instead is not of God; they are being identified in the times of the harvest, as the time of separation is now.

Joh 10:3  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 

Joh 10:4  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 

Joh 10:5  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 

Luk 10:16  He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 

1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 

Now is the harvest, and the sheep and goats are being divided by judgment that has fallen on the house of God in this generation.

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. 

The ways of God in dividing a remnant and moving them onwards to salvation are the mysteries being revealed in the last days. Those who reject our Gospel and us who preach it, are separated from Christ.  When they seek to come back, they learn that repentance is not granted in this age for those who sinned the sin unto death. Those who fail are caused to fail of the grace of God, receiving it in vain and thus are not renewed to repentance in this age.

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

Heb 12:17  For ye know how that afterward, when he [Esau] would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 

Those being saved, the elect, build their spiritual house on the Rock that is the Commandments and nothing else. Those not chosen build their house on a mixed multitude of shifting sand, esteeming flesh, respecting persons, and not loving God with all their heart, mind, and soul. When the flood of apostasy comes in the last days, to try the faith of Israel, they are swept away and taken away only to be restored in the age to come. This is the fall of Spiritual Babylon within every man not given to heed the call of the angels to come out of her.

Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 

Mat 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Apostles receive their revelation, the Promise and baptism of Christ, directly from the Lord. All others receive their baptism of Christ through the laying on of hands by the Apostles and others who have in turn been raised in Christ. When preachers of the Gospel are sent out, they are Christ, and the day of visitation of Jesus Christ has come to all that the Lord puts in our path. Christ and His Christ first go into the synagogues of the spiritual Jews who profess His name, and there we preach the Gospel [Act 13:46]. Yet most Jews reject it, trusting instead in their knowledge and desiring to continue to reign and sit in the high seats they appointed themselves to take. We thus fulfill these Scriptures as Christ in the world.

Mat 23:2  Christ saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 

Mat 23:3  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 

Mat 23:4  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 

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, 

Mat 23:6  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

Those who exalted themselves are abased, and when the Commandments and Christ are evil spoken about, the Lord brings his fury and destroys the leaders of Israel and all who follow their pernicious ways. Scriptures speak of this in many places, including here in Ezekiel speaking of Egypt, that is, really, Spiritual Jerusalem, likened unto Sodom and Egypt [Rev 11:8]. The dragon, the prince of the world, runs the show here as they remain bound to the law of sin and death in their members. The leaders of the house claim the river that fed the flock as their own and boast in themselves, bringing the wrath of God upon that house. The fowls of heaven, the carnal lies and reasonings of men, are set to devour them, as this is the great supper of God that is the same as being swept away by a flood of lies [fowls of heaven].

Eze 29:3  Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself. 

Eze 29:4  But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales. 

Eze 29:5  And I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven. 

These cut off brethren marked for destruction are not the true shepherds, as they did not come through the door that is Christ. They are the deceivers, the false apostles, whom the Scriptures prophesy appear to us in the last days. They beguile many by their outward form of righteousness and swelling words of vanity.

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. 

These are also known as false brethren, unawares, and are among the perils that the apostles of every generation face in preaching the Gospel and defending the ministry of the Gospel.

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; 

As the angels of the Lord, the Cherubims, the apostles by the will of God, we zealously guard the gate/door and entryway into the Holy City of New Jerusalem, where the tree of life grows and feeds the inhabitants.  Nothing unclean enters in as the watchmen and shepherds are commanded to guard the sheep and allow no dogs, wolves, sorcerers, or heretics whom the Lord has already rejected into the Holy City.

Rev 21:27  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 

Rev 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. 

Rev 22:15  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 

The Fate of the Fallen

Those deceived by the hand of the Lord, not marked for salvation in this age, think they are doing God a service by killing us in spirit and cutting off the Messiah from their city. Yet they are the blind leading the blind who have not known the Father nor the Son, and thus fulfill many prophecies in our lives, including this one.

Joh 16:2  They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 

Joh 16:3  And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 

Rather than Christ, the Jews in the city chose Barabbas, a murderer and a man who previously stirred up sedition against the Lord’s anointed and was rightly put into prison and excluded from the city. They were given a choice, and they chose Barabbas, proving they know not the Lord who had visited them.

Luk 23:18  And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: 

Luk 23:19  Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison. 

Joh 18:40  Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. 

We sorrow for our fallen brethren; we tried to save them as Paul wrote about in Romans 10 and 11. Yet the will of God has been made manifest, and thus we move on, dying to our fleshly emotions and knowing no man in the flesh anymore. Many have observed these things from afar, following what the Lord is doing in His flock and reading what the Lord has given us to post on this website. Some of them following us are rising from their graves and awakening from their sleep.

Mat 27:50  Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 

Mat 27:51  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 

Mat 27:52  And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 

Mat 27:53  And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 

Mat 27:54  Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 

Our spiritual clothing, meaning our writings and doctrine that we taught them and preached, are parted from us, and they have cast lots for them, thus fulfilling even more Scriptures.

Joh 19:23  Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 

Joh 19:24  They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. 

They broke none of Christ’s doctrine, as the legs of the crucified Christ were not broken. The doctrine of Christ is only heard and is not obeyed.

Joh 19:32  Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 

Joh 19:33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 

A day comes when those who were cut off look upon him who was pierced.  While they seek repentance in tears, it is not granted, for the door remains shut in this age. All these things, the killing of Christ and His Christ in spirit in every generation is about fulfilling the Scriptures.

Joh 19:34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 

Joh 19:36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 

Joh 19:37  And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. 

False apostles and deceivers are cut off from the true Israel of God. They are not to be found in the true city of God, Heavenly Jerusalem, also known as New Jerusalem. They remain in Spiritual Jerusalem, which is Babylon, and the cage for every evil bird [carnal thoughts and reasonings].

Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 

Rev 2:9  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 

It is obedience to the Commandments to deny and separate from those who commit the sin unto death, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, that immediately shuts the door.  We are not letting anyone aligned with them back into our spiritual house.  This is the Commandment of the Lord, and the door remains shut as we love God more than we love men.  Saying otherwise is another gospel.

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. 

With lessons learned, as the appointed shepherds, we carefully guard the gates of who comes into the Heavenly Jerusalem that the Lord is building, the true everlasting city of God. Anyone coming to our fellowships must be let in by the Apostles, who oversee the flock as shepherds and are diligent watchmen. We are careful as commanded to whom we cast our pearls of truth and the meat of this Gospel. We do not give our holy things to those the Lord has cut off who are the heretics, antichrists, deceivers, false apostles, and deceitful workers the Lord raises to try our faith.  Time is short, and we do not waste any time in disobedience with those whom the Lord has cut off. Our ministry is to go only to the lost house of Israel, and they are those who hear and receive the words of Christ we preach.

Mat 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 

As the Lord’s witnesses, we have the power to shut heaven and to make it rain or not in the Spirit. We are given this power by the Lord and are commanded to use it in obedience to the Commandments. By retaining their sin, we shut the rain off in this age.

Rev 11:6  These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 

We know the fallen did not choose of their own free will to do the evil they have done. All was appointed and declared from the beginning. Thus, we have asked our heavenly Father to forgive their sin as we cannot forgive it ourselves in obedience. Our Father hears us, and the fallen cut off brethren are saved in the age to come.

Luk 23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 

We have not yet attained, and we press onward for the high calling of God, striving to finish our race. We follow Christ, the Commandments, our eyes always looking to them, and we groan, waiting for the fullness of the adoption as the Sons of God.

 

 

Articles

Losing our Lives For Christ

Rohnel

Losing our Lives to save our Lives

Rohnel, and my beloved husband, Peter, servants of God and Christ, 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.

Psa 16:7  I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 

Psa 16:8  I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 

Psa 16:9  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 

Psa 16:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 

Psa 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 

1Ch 16:34  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1Ch 16:35  And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. 

Keep my Commandments and Live

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. 

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 

Our Lives are Becoming New 

Jesus Christ, the Lord, spoke some profound yet simple truths about our journey to salvation. One such saying includes these verses from the Gospels.

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 

Mat 10:39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Note the qualifier in the Gospel of Matthew that the loss of life is for the Lord’s sake. Our suffering is our filling up what is behind in the afflictions of Christ Jesus, for His Body’s sake. These sufferings, trials, temptations, and tribulations, and the losing of our lives are for the Lord’s sake because it is for “His Body” of which we are an active and living part.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Joh 12:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 

Joh 12:25  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 

Joh 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 

The Lord gave us the example we are following. We are to love one another as He loved us, which means giving up the wants of our flesh and instead serving others. This is laying down our lives in Spirit. Laying down our lives in Spirit, is to stop accusing and excusing within ourselves and instead do the Commandments of Christ.

Joh 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 
Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

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;) 

This is the mark of maturity when we begin to do this in deed and in truth, going on to perfection. The natural man within and without cannot receive this, but only the spiritual man receives this saying. The Comforter, who is perfect, IS come, and we are not under the law anymore but under Grace that lives in our hearts and minds. The Lord speaks of those things that are not as if they are for those still waiting for the Holy Spirit of Promise.

1Jn 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 

Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 

1Co 2:6  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 

1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

Joh 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 

We have been prepared all of our lives to do the greater works of Christ, and that is to lose our lives, loving our brethren.

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 

Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 

Joh 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 

Joh 15:17  These things I command you, that ye love one another. 

How Does Physical Death Fit In?

Shedding these clay bodies is a certainty at the appointed times [dust to dust]. Yet, losing our lives for Christ is not speaking about physical death. These losing our life verses, like all Scriptures, are spiritual statements and how the Scriptures should be rightly divided [John 6:63]. Losing our lives is losing our old way of life, and it comes down to us being separated from the world and the world being separated from us within and without. It is to stop our carnal reasonings, our idols of the heart, the lies we tell ourselves, and what others tell us, and to do Christ. To do Christ is to obey Him [to be made holy]. This verse from Paul in the NLT translation states this very well.

Gal 6:14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.

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

Nonetheless, to reap the fullness of our new life in Christ versus the earnest deposit, we ultimately shed our bodies of clay and will be given a glorified spiritual body in the age to come. Thus, physical death is needed to complete the Lord’s journey. However, we have already obtained this in the form of a down payment while still alive.

1Co 15:35  But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 

1Co 15:36  Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 

1Co 15:37  And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 

1Co 15:38  But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 

1Co 15:39  All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 

1Co 15:40  There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 

1Co 15:41  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 

We continue to groan, awaiting the fullness to come. Now, are we the sons of God, if we continue in the Faith of Christ. We are being raised spiritually in this, our Day of the Lord.

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the [full] redemption of our body. 

1Co 15:43  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 

1Co 15:44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 

Isa 45:11  Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. 

Isa 45:12  I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. 

Isa 45:13  I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts. 

If we receive the Promise, the Comforter, also called the Holy Spirit we shall never taste of physical death. When our time in clay vessels is up, we are immediately translated to be with the Lord, as He is the God of the Living and not of the dead.

Mat 16:28  Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. 

Those who have Christ living in them now in down payment form shall always be with Christ. Departing these clay vessels is not an obstacle. The Lord promised that when He went to prepare a place for us, where He is, we are also. We are forever alive and with the Lord.

2Co 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. 

Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

New Life Comes from the Loss of the Old

When the Lord comes to establish His Temple within us, our life’s purpose begins to change from seeking and accumulating “worldly” things, that is to say, carnally minded thoughts and desires, to seeking treasures in heaven. Our loss of earthly and spiritual treasures is replaced over time with treasures in heaven. When we labor to store possessions or treasures [physical or spiritual], we cannot be rich towards God. Read the parable of the rich young fool in Luke 12:15-21.

Luk 12:15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 

Luk 12:19  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 

Luk 12:20  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 

Luk 12:21  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. 

Losing what we value most in the carnal and spiritual world fundamentally changes our identity and previous priorities for living. We now belong to Christ, and we lose much to create room for the Lord in our inward heavens. The void of what is lost is filled by the increase of Christ in us, the Hope of Glory. Attaining the prize of  Christ becomes the dominant driver of our lives. Paul wrote about losing all so that he may win Christ. We now have the true knowledge and intimacy with Christ Jesus. Intimacy with Christ is having and knowing His Commandments.

Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 

Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 

Son 1:2  Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 

We are commanded to seek the Kingdom of God first. We are told not to be anxious and worry about any aspect of tomorrow. All things are being provided for us, so says the Lord. We have a place to lay our weary heads, and we have food and clothing. These are spiritual words. The Lord did not have a place to lay his head, yet his carnal disciples could not receive Him. They had to receive the Comforter, the Promise, before Christ could live in them. Lying down our lives is entering into the Promised Land; it is to rest from our enemies within, that is to say, to rest from our carnal minds, the law of the Gentiles [Rom 2:14-15].

Luk 12:31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

Luk 9:58  And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 

Jos 1:13  Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land. 

Isa 14:7  The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. 

To get to a mature place of fearing not and trusting the Lord, our faith is tested many times, and we suffer the loss of all things. This is our dying to the natural man, which is our flesh and carnal mind, the law of sin in our members. The Apostles wrote about the suffering and tribulations, and the old life being sacrificed to enter into the Kingdom of God. Here is one of Peter’s oft-cited Scriptures. The end purpose is always our salvation, which comes only after we have suffered much in the flesh, becoming more like Christ. Christ was made perfect through suffering.

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 

Heb 2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 

Heb 2:10  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 

Heb 2:11  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Paul writes of the Lord’s people becoming a living sacrifice, and this too is our appointment to fulfil, to be saved from our sins. Our reasonable service is to God, the Father, and to Christ, our Redeemer, as unworthy servants to perform our duties to Them out of a thankful heart.

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. 

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

All the required sacrifices under the law of Moses are mere shadows of the sacrifices we are now making. Becoming a living sacrifice in the wilderness becomes our living experience in our latter days. Our latter days are after we have heard the true Gospel, that is to say, after we hear Christ’s Commandments and judgment has come on our house. The rituals in Leviticus under the law of Moses spoke of this prophecy that we are fulfilling in Christ. One goat is sacrificed [the Lord], and the second goat [His Christ] is released into the wilderness to bear the sins of Israel today and every day. The prince of the world is judged, that is to say, Satan in us, and in others, is judged.

Lev 16:10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. 

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? 

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 

Joh 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

Joh 16:9  Of sin, because they believe not on me; 

Joh 16:10  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 

Joh 16:11  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 

In the day of the Lord, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God who is now living within us. A time is upon us, during our tribulations, when we awaken to the heavy hand of the Lord upon us, and then our progress toward salvation [overcoming] that had stalled continues in earnest. We have to see the man of sin within us first, before the Lord comes to us.

Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

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. 

Heb 10:12  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 

Heb 10:13  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 

At the appointed time, Almighty God gets what He desires, which is every man’s sanctification, each man in his own order. Christ is teaching us through the fear of the Lord, and this is how His Commandments are written in our hearts and minds.

Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Psa 119:71  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. 

Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 

Christ brings the fire of His living and active Word into our lives, His chastening Grace teaching and correcting us by killing off the fading carnal ways of life, naturally and spiritually. It is only through death that Satan and the carnal mind, which is defined as death, are destroyed [Rom 8:6]. This happens on the cross as we follow the Lord, dying daily. When we die, keeping Christ’s Commandments, Satan within us falls from heaven.

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;

Luk 10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 

Luk 10:19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 

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. 

To finish our race, we are enduring ongoing temptations and are becoming the true outcasts of the world. They esteemed not our Lord when He walked in the flesh, and they are not esteeming His people, either. To the carnally minded, we become a gazing stock by those who scoff and mock the Lord.

Heb 10:32  But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 

Heb 10:33  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 

2Co 2:15  For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 

2Co 2:16  To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 

Losing our lives is likened to the shedding of blood in Spirit. Blood is the life force that supplies and sustains life in a body by bringing the needed oxygen and nutrients. The loss of blood in the physical brings certain death. So it is in the Spirit, as we cannot be saved unless that life force that sustains the carnal mind is shed. Our thought life is being changed as we lose the old way and take on the mind of Jesus Christ. The types and shadows of the Old Testament regarding all the sacrifices foretold of this mystery. Christ speaks in parables.

Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 

Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 

Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 

Heb 9:18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 

Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 

Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 

Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 

Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 

Paul writes of us following Christ in death in order to be given new life and reap salvation. This is how we lose our lives; we are being baptized into His death every day.

Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 

Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

Rom 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 

Rom 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 

Rom 6:7  For he that is dead is freed from sin. 

1Co 15:31  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 

When we are dead, we no longer respond to our carnal minds or engage in the same activities we once did. Thus, our old way of life dying is the other side of the same sword that is bringing forth eternal life. We are now children of the holy and blessed First Resurrection, being raised with Christ. We strive for the prize of the high calling in Christ.

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 

Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 

Isa 58:14  Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 

The Cost of Our New Life in Christ

Salvation is very costly, and we are only made willing to pay the price by the hand of the Lord. Eventually, we are learning that, as the Scriptures show, it is costing us everything to follow the Lord and find our new life. The pulls and bondage to our flesh and a carnal world run much deeper than we first understood. We vastly underestimate the costs to be paid and the fiery trials needed to be experienced to become a disciple of Christ and to be counted faithful. The rich young ruler, that is all of us at first, clings to the spiritual riches accumulated before his encounter with the Living Christ, that is the Gospel.  Our true treasure in heaven is having and walking out the mind of Christ, the Holy Commandments of the Father. The Lord changes us through His Grace, His indwelling Spirit within our hearts and minds. Without Christ, we can do nothing.

Luk 18:22  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 

Luk 18:23  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 

Luk 18:24  And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 

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. 

The poor in Spirit are the blessed. We do not serve two tables; the Spirit of Christ, the Comforter alone, is exalted in this Day of the Lord. The man of sin within is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming. A poor man in Spirit has sold, lost, or given away all of their spiritual riches to follow Christ. It is impossible in our strength to let go and sell everything.  Yet thankfully, with God, all things are possible. Even a rich man can enter the Kingdom of God when we are caused to pick up our cross and follow Christ. We receive a hundredfold following Christ, that is to say, when we obey Him.

Luk 6:20  Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed be ye poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. 

Mar 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 

Mar 10:26  And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 

Mar 10:27  And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 

Mar 10:28  Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 

Mar 10:29  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 

Mar 10:30  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 

1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

The more we mature in following Christ, the higher the bar and the greater our understanding of these costs. The Lord’s way is not to show us all of these costs upfront, when we are young, but rather to show us in our latter end, after the Faith of Christ is come. The angels of the Lord, those that preach the Gospel, open the seals of the Book and make known the mystery of the Gospel, which are His Commandments. Walking out Christ’s Commandments brings about the fire, and that is how we lose our lives.

Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Dan 12:4  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 

Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 

Mar 4:11  And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

Christ gave up everything on the cross, and we are following after Him in losing our lives, because as He is, so are we. The simplicity of losing our lives is clouded at first by our failure to grasp just how high the cost is. This is every man’s cross to carry, those who are called by His Name. We are told to count the cost. We are being raised up on our third spiritual day, and everything is made new through the latter rain, which is the Father and Christ coming into our hearts and minds. Christ causes us to count the cost and makes us worthy to give it all up.

Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 

Luk 14:28  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 

Luk 14:29  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Luk 14:30  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 

Luk 14:31  Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 

Luk 14:32  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 

Luk 14:33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 

Hos 6:2  After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 

Hos 6:3  Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. 

The symbols of eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood are spiritual and speak to us of losing our lives. For many in this age, these costs are too much to bear, and they do not continue walking with the Lord. They have not been chosen before the foundation of the world.

Joh 6:66  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 

Joh 6:67  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 

Joh 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

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. 

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. 

Those who mind worldly things think the Lord’s true people strange and speak evil of us, just as they did to Christ. Enduring this rejection and persecution is part of losing our lives.

1Pe 4:4  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 

Joh 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 

Nothing is happenstance in the lives of God’s people. The Lord has declared every day and every event in advance, and we are just living them out [Psa 139:16, Isa 46:10]. These afflictions we suffer are light when considering the eternal weight of glory that is being produced within us. We have the Lord’s Commandments; this is the crown of the anointing oil. Always think spiritually when you read the Scriptures.

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 

2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 

2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

Lev 21:12  Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. 

The increasing isolation from the world within and without is well known to the Lord’s true disciples, as we are set apart to the Lord. We are not surprised by this isolation, as our inheritance is in the Lord and not in the world within and without. Christ told us beforehand that this would be the case.

Luk 12:51  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

Deu 10:9  Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him. 

Those who oppose the Lord’s true people [within and without] are those of our own household. This includes both physical family and spiritual fathers and mothers who nursed us early on. To be worthy of Christ, we are being made to suffer these things. The Lord was rejected and sent to be crucified by the Jews, His own people, and by all.

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 10:36  And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 

Mat 27:22  Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

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

Elijah and Paul both write of this isolation and rejection by their brethren. There remains a remnant in every generation set apart for His purposes. We have escaped as we have the Testimony of Christ.

Mic 4:7  And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. 

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

Rev 12:17  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

In Closing

We encourage all to continue and stand strong in the Faith of Christ, keeping the Commandments of God. We learn to take negative and carnal thoughts captive and look for the salvation the Lord is working out in our lives, saving us from death. We are being saved in this age, and these truths are the true knowledge and Power of God and Christ at work in our lives today and every day as long as we are here, Lord willing. We obtain wisdom and understanding, and we bless the Father and the Son for their loving kindness bestowed on us. We are the household of David in type and shadow.

1Co 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1Co 1:19  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Psa 119:34  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 

Psa 119:35  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. 

Psa 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 

1Ki 3:6  And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 

Do not forget to do the Commandments of Christ. It is the saving of our souls.

Receive ye the Gospel, receive ye the Holy Spirit.