Deeper Truths

DEEPER TRUTHS CONTENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Introduction Separation Entire Sanctification Overcoming Life Perfection Consecrated Ministry The Second Coming of Christ Heavenly Inheritances

Introduction ONE finds that the deep truths held precious by the apostles and our forefathers are being diluted or misinterpreted these days and have thereby become ineffective. The Bible clearly teaches us that we should not compromise with false or erroneous teachings (II Tim.4:2-4; II Cor.4:1,2). Thus, to build up our spiritual life and also to be prepared when Jesus comes, pure truths and sound doctrines are essential. King Solomon who was endued with heavenly wisdom says, "Buy the truth, and sell it not" (Prov. 23:23). Truth has to be purchased. Even Christ had to pay the price of death on the cross for the truth. King David did not want to make an offering to the Lord without cost (II Sam.24:24). Diluted truths demand no price. Let us learn the deeper truths, pay the price for them and keep them in our lives. May the Lord give us grace to be wise like the man who sold his all, to buy the pearl of great price (Matt.13:45,46). In this modern world where there are so many substitutes for the truth, let us be careful to purchase the deep truths which will make us grow in His fulness and power. Some of the fundamental truths taught in the Scriptures are: 1. New Birth (i) Conviction of sins (Acts 2:37) (ii) Repentance from dead works and faith toward God (Heb. 6:1; Acts 2:38) (iii) Confession of sins (Prov.28:13; I Jn.1:9) (iv) Restitution (Lk.19:8) (v) Reconciliation with God and man (Matt.5:21-25; II Cor.5:20) vi) Justification (Rom. 5:8,9) vii) Sanctification (I Jn. 1:7,9) 2. Water baptism by immersion administered by a Spirit-baptized minister (Acts 19:16) 3. Divine Healing (Matt. 8: 16,17; Jas. 5: 14-16; I Pet. 2: 22-24) 4. Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) However, in order to prepare us for the coming of Jesus, the deeper truths dealt with in this booklet are also indispensably necessary.

SEPARATION THOUGH we may have a fair knowledge and experience of the fundamental truths mentioned above, a practical holy life is impossible without being separate from anything that is sinful, worldly and corrupt. On the day of Pentecost St. Peter exhorted the people saying, "Save (separate) yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:40). Only those who gladly received this word were baptized (vs.41).

1

The untoward generation can be classified into two. (a) Untoward or perverse in life : Speaking of those who are untoward in life, St. Paul quotes from the book of Isaiah saying, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (II Cor.6:17). He says, "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" (vs.14-16). The testimony of Balaam concerning the Old Testament Israel who are a shadow of the New Testament Church, confirms this truth: "lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations" (Num. 23:9) and he continued to say, "...neither hath he (God) seen perverseness in Israel" (vs. 21). Such a life of separation is expected from every child of God. (b) Untoward or perverse in doctrine: St. Paul also foresaw that in the last days " some shall depart from the faith (doctrine), giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (I Tim.4:1). Those who desire an absolutely holy life should totally avoid any such sect or denomination which is against sound doctrine (II Tim.4:3). St. Paul who had a great zeal for the doctrines, confesses that he does not handle the Word of God (doctrine) deceitfully (II Cor.4:2) nor does he corrupt it (II Cor. 2:17), and in his zeal he warned the Galatians to take heed of those who pervert the gospel of Christ, which he refers to as 'another gospel' (Gal.1:6-9). Let us purge (cleanse through separation) ourselves from vessels unto dishonour, that we might be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master's use (II Tim.2:21). Vessels unto dishonour refer to those who err concerning the truth (or doctrine) like Hymenaeus and Philetus (vs.17), while vessels unto honour are those who depart (separate themselves) from iniquity and who are as a seal upon the foundation of God, standing for the true doctrine (vs.19). In conclusion, let us remember the warning that Jesus gave His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which is (a) the leaven of hypocrisy (perverse in life -Lk.12:1) and (b) the leaven of false doctrine (perverse in doctrine - Matt.16:12).

ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION GOD had purposed in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love' and therefore, He 'predestinated us' in Christ Jesus for 'the praise of the glory of his grace' (Eph.1:4-6,9). However, God did not choose any from among the Old Testament saints to bring into this 'predestinated' group, because it involved certain preparations and a work of sanctification which could not be accomplished in their lives till Jesus came down and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice 'without spot to God' (Heb.9:14). The blood of the sacrifices of 'bulls and of goats' which they offered under the law could not take away their sins (Heb.10:1-4). How privileged we are, brethren, to enjoy an entirely sanctified life through the sacrifice of Jesus Who "gave himself ...That he might present (us) to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that (we) should be holy and without blemish" (Eph.5:25-27)! The Church that will be caught up at the coming of the Lord must be found entirely sanctified in body, soul, and spirit, when He comes to gather His saints (I Thess.5:23). This work of sanctification begins at one's spiritual new birth and continues right to the end of one's earthly life as an everyday experience. The word 'sanctify' basically means to be 'set apart' for God. We are sanctified in three ways. (a) Sanctification through the blood of Jesus: In being set apart unto God, sanctification through the blood of Jesus brings about separation from sin and sinners (Heb.13:12). This begins at salvation when we truly

2

repent of all our sins with a deep conviction, and confess them, not just to ease our conscience, but to forsake them altogether, in order to live a sanctified life (I Jn.1:7,9). Just as Jesus suffered without the camp that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, we who desire to be sanctified by His blood need therefore to go forth unto Him without the camp (set ourselves apart) bearing His reproach (Heb.13:12,13). We are then forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. As we keep ourselves separate from sin and sinners, sanctification becomes a continuous, progressive feature accompanied by a constant cleansing through the blood, even to the cleansing of impurities in the thought realm. (b) Sanctification through the Word: In being set apart unto God, sanctification through the Word involves a separation from the world and the things of the world. When man fell through disobedience, not only did he become corrupt, but the world, as a whole came under corruption (Rom. 8:20). Man who was to be a ruler became a slave, enslaved by the vain and corruptible things of the world through lust. He must once again be sanctified now by the Word in order to put on the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (II Pet.1:4). This work of being sanctified through the Word begins at water baptism when we die to our sinful nature which made us walk after the course of the world (Eph.2:2-4). For a child of God who abides in the truth of baptism, the world with all its vain attractions and luxuries becomes a wilderness. It is in the wilderness that God taught His people to live by 'manna' each day. This teaches us that being dead to the corruptible things of the world, we must thereafter live by every word of God, which in turn begins to sanctify us. Jesus prayed for His disciples saying, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (Jn.17:16,17). (c) Sanctification through the Spirit: Sanctification through the Spirit begins with the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It separates us from all that is carnal and of the self, called the 'filthiness of the flesh and the spirit', in order that we might perfect holiness in the fear of God. Like the burnt offering of the Old Testament period which was reduced to ashes, all our selfish and carnal desires are also reduced to ashes by the sanctifying fire of the Holy Spirit when we lay ourselves on the altar. This enables us to be set apart unto God, no longer glorying in ourselves, but in Christ Jesus and setting our affections on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, not on things on the earth. Similarly when we consecrate our will to God and offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God continually and daily, the Holy Spirit helps us mortify the deeds of the body (Rom.12:1,2; 8:13). Sanctification by the Spirit also eliminates all distinctions of race, education, caste, sex etc, uniting us all into one Body in Christ (I Cor.12:13; Col.3:10-12). Thus, on the whole, we put on the new man, created in righteousness and true holiness, having put off the old man (Eph.4:22,24). We are able thereafter, to go on unto perfection, being changed from glory to glory, after the very image of Christ.

OVERCOMING LIFE THERE is a difference between a sanctified life and an overcoming life. 'Sanctification' refers to our spirit (seat of thoughts and imaginations), soul (desire, passion, ambition etc.) and body (the senses and every member) (I Thess.5:23; II Cor.7:1) being set apart unto God from sin, sinners, the world and the self, and the infusion of the divine nature into us (II Cor.3:18). However, overcoming life speaks of our total victory over sin, the world and powers of Satan that come against our heavenly vision and war against our life and ministry. Only those who have been tried in every aspect of their life and have overcome all their trials and temptations in this world will be accounted worthy to inherit the throne of God (Rev.3:21). Spiritual life is a growth to attain, a task to accomplish, a race to run, a course to finish - all triumphantly, and at the same time it is a warfare to fight and overcome. Right

3

from the initial experience of salvation it is a long spiritual journey full of trials and temptations. It is at water baptism that an overcoming life begins, when we are delivered from the warring law in our members (Rom.7:23) or the nature of sin. Thereafter, those who do not learn to walk by faith and sanctify themselves, putting on the new man, can never form the army of Christ or become overcomers. It is only through faith and obedience that we can live an overcoming life, for it is written, "this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (I Jn.5:4); "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (Jas.4:7). We need to put our faith into action, fighting the good fight of faith, resisting sin, sickness, death and their author, Satan, and boldly face all the temptations that come against us, till we emerge as conquerors. Thus, overcoming life makes us good soldiers of Christ (II Tim.2:3,4; I Tim.6:12). The conquest of Canaan by the children of Israel under the leadership of Joshua helps us to understand the truth of overcoming life. The children of Israel, who were brought out from the land of Egypt, had to be purified, taught, disciplined and trained in the wilderness to become a mighty army, in order to fight and overcome the seven nations (Deut.7:1) and the thirty-one kings (Josh.12:9-24) who offered much resistance when Israel invaded their Promised Land. Nevertheless, they overcame the Canaanites eventually and possessed the land. Let us also fight our battle against sin, Satan and the world and overcome them to possess our heavenly inheritance (I Pet.1:3,4), like those of whom it is written, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Rev.12:11). Many saints have already reached that goal, having lived victoriously in this manner. Jesus Christ is the perfect example before us. As a man, He was tempted by Satan, and tried by men (Pharisees, scribes, lawyers and kings). He was tempted, tried and tested in all points, that is, in thought, word, will and deed. He overcame them all. He thus proved to be the perfect Overcomer. In the verses quoted below, His victory assures our victory - "He is able to succour them that are tempted" (Heb.2:18); "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (Jn.16:33). The secret of an overcoming life therefore, is hid in the truth that our life is hid with Christ in God, and in making Christ our very life. Let us therefore, wholly depend upon God "which always causeth us to triumph in Christ" (II Cor.2:14). Let us take courage in His victory and overcome, even as He overcame (Rev.3:21). It is the overcoming Church which will be finally caught up to the throne of God after the warfare with Satan and his powers is over (Eph.6:12,13; Rev.12:5).

PERFECTION PERFECTION is the whole concern of God for man. The life of sanctification has this perfection to reach, the perfection in Christ Jesus (Col.1:28). This is attained by growing up 'into him in all things' 'unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ' (Eph.4:13,15). Jesus said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt.5:48). This is the purpose of God concerning our lives. God is not pleased just with our start toward this goal of perfection, but wants us to be His 'sons in glory' (Heb. 2:10). To attain this perfection we have to be made perfect in one (Jn.17:23). For this, apart from being baptized into one Body by the baptism in the Holy Spirit (I Cor.12:13) we have to come into the unity of the faith or doctrine (Eph.4:13). Otherwise we will be like children tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine (vs.14). On the other hand, this Body must grow up into Christ Who is the Head, in all things, till it becomes the Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all (Eph.1:22,23; 4:15). For this we need to grow in the knowledge of the Son of God for, the divine nature and all the character-perfection we need is in Christ and in Him alone (Col.2:10,11). This is possible only through the ministry of consecrated servants of God who have forsaken their all, having suffered the loss of all things like St.Paul, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ (Phil.3:8). St. Paul says, "Whom

4

we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Col.1:28). The God-ordained ministry of such consecrated and anointed servants of God comprises five offices, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers (Eph.4:11). They are entrusted with the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and they have received the commission to teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things commanded by the Lord (Matt. 28:19,20). Without the ministry of such servants of God, we will remain as babes in Christ subject to envy, strife and divisions (I Cor.3:1-3). Christ is not coming for such babes in Christ, but for the perfect in Christ who will be presented as a chaste virgin to Him at His coming (II Cor.11:3).

CONSECRATED MINISTRY THERE are many today who claim that they can turn out to be expert ministers of God with the help of the talents, gifts, and the intelligence they possess. Some others believe that a good well-established Bible School will qualify them to do the ministry they are called for. While these things may help us to some extent, let us not forget that God is in search of some bond-servants like Peter, John, Paul and other disciples who readily forsook their all their houses, lands, possessions and their people including their father, mother, wife, children, brethren, sisters, and hated their own lives - to serve Him (Lk.14:26). If God needed such people in the first century, He is in need of them all the more today. All the achievements and labour of those who have received such a great call will be in vain, if they do not forsake their all and consecrate themselves to serve Him as the disciples of Christ. Let us quote the very words of Jesus in order to know for sure why we should abandon all our earthly possessions and sever ourselves from all carnal ties, to follow Him and to serve Him. "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 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? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple"(Lk.14:26-33). Please note the following points of value and the purpose of total dedication to serve the Lord. 1. The main task of the fully consecrated minister is to prepare a glorious Church for the coming of Christ (Eph.5:27; Col.1:28; II Cor.11:2). Such a Church is compared to a great costly 'tower' which demands all that the builder has - his time, energy, capacity, money, determination etc. So is a dedicated servant of God. He is one who 'sitteth down and counteth the cost' to put his heart and soul in the ministry. On the other hand, he is an unpaid, voluntary, bond-servant of Christ, who has forsaken his all - his family, people, land, house, job etc. to serve his Master anywhere and under any capacity. He will labour untiringly to the end, following his Master, bearing his own cross of privation and afflictions. 2. His consecration, faithfulness and devotion make him as good as a king with an army of only ten thousand soldiers, mighty to put to flight his enemy who comes against him with twenty thousand soldiers. The early apostles and disciples were only illiterate and poor fishermen; they were weak, feeble and timid, like a 'little flock'. But their consecrated ministry, anointed by the Holy Spirit, tore the power of their enemies to bits. "Now when they (Annas the high priest, the rulers, elders and scribes) saw the boldness of Peter and John, and

5

perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled" (Acts 4:13). 3. Jesus, 'the Apostle and High Priest of our profession' reminded His disciples, just before His ascension, that He was sending them in the same manner in which His Father had sent Him to minister in the world. "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (Jn.20:21). When the Father sent His Son to the world, He (Jesus) had a price to pay. He had to forsake His glory, honour, riches, throne and power and come down to the earth as a bondservant to do the whole will of the Father. He had no place of His own. "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Matt.8:20). The Lord Jesus therefore, desired that His servants also be as consecrated as He was. 4. The Lord Jesus manifested His perfect love by sacrificing Himself wholly for the Church, His Bride, "that he might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish" (Eph.5:25,27). He desires that His servants who labour together with Him should serve Him in the same spirit of love and sacrifice. Writing to the Colossians, St.Paul says, " I 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" (1:24). In other words, St. Paul wanted to suffer for the Body of Christ (the Church) as much as Christ Himself suffered for the Church. 5. By an absolute unconditional surrender to Christ, His servants become His gifts to be given to the Church (Eph.4:7,8), so that Christ may use them in any way. He wants to bring His Church to perfection. They resign their will totally to Christ in order to please Him in all things, go anywhere and suffer anything for His sake. When Paul and Barnabas made such an unconditional surrender as prisoners of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit was able to command their leaders who were fasting and praying, concerning the will of God for them saying, "... Separate me Barnabas and Paul for the work whereunto I have called them" (Eph.3:1; Acts13:2). Only such devoted ministers, called the 'gifts of Christ', namely, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, can be used 'for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ' (Eph.4:11,12). 6. The consecration of hating and forsaking all keeps the ministers of God from being 'entangled with the affairs of this life' (II Tim.2:4). Though they are in this world, their one goal is to know 'the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus' (the knowledge of His will, love, holiness, righteousness, grace, suffering, glory, power, overcoming life etc), to win Him (as a bride winning her bridegroom), and to be found in Him (not having their own righteousness, but His). Since this is all their concern, they renounce anything that mars this purpose and vision, however precious or profitable, and count it as 'loss' and 'dung'. It becomes a part of their daily life and ministry (Phil.3:7-11). 7. Not only do they gain the knowledge of Christ, by getting rid of anything that blurs the vision of Christ, but they also manifest the very life of Christ in their personal life, so that their own life may bear witness of what they preach. St. Paul says that God's primary concern for him was 'to reveal his Son in (him) that (he) might preach him among the heathen' (Gal.1:16). Writing to Timothy, he says, "for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" (I Tim.1:16) and then he also says, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Cor.11:1). This concludes that only consecrated servants of God can preach about the fulness of Christ, entire sanctification and a victorious life, practising it in their own lives. 8. All the heavenly mysteries are revealed only to the consecrated servants of God. Only they can understand 'the mystery of Christ' and help the Church to grow in the 'unity of the faith' (sound, constructive doctrines), and 'the knowledge of the Son of God' (His will, love, holiness, righteousness, grace, suffering, glory, power, overcoming life etc.), 'unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ' (i.e., His characterperfection) (Eph.4:13). When the disciples asked Jesus, 'Why speakest thou unto them in parables?' He

6

answered "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given" (Matt.13:10,11). Deeper truths relating to the 'dispensation of grace', the 'mystery of Christ' and 'the unsearchable riches of Christ' which in other ages (were) not made known unto the sons of men (such as prophets and righteous men of the Old Testament) (vs.17) are now revealed unto His holy prophets and apostles (of the New Testament) by the Spirit (Eph.3:5). 9. Another reason why Jesus wanted His servants to forsake their earthly possessions is for them to learn to depend on God for all their needs. He taught them that those who abandoned their jobs, riches, houses and lands for His sake and for the gospel would 'receive an hundredfold now in this time' (Mk.10:28-30). After three and a half years of their earthly ministry with Jesus Christ, His disciples testified that they lacked nothing and that God supplied all their needs (Lk.22:35). 10. Finally, the greatest blessing of the consecrated servants of God will be that they will be with Jesus, where He will be in eternity and see the face of the Father (Rev.22:3,4). He told His servants, "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be" (Jn.12:26). Where is Jesus now? St. Paul says, 'He ascended up far above all heavens' (Eph.4:10), and is 'on the right hand of the Majesty on high' (Heb.1:3), 'crowned with glory and honour' (Heb.2:9) and St. Peter says, 'angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him' (I Pet.3:22). He is with the Father on Zion as the chief corner stone (I Pet.2:6) and as the Lamb of God (Rev.14:1), and as the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary (Heb.8:1,2). The consecrated servants of God who 'follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth' will be with Him in Zion, having His Father's name and His name 'written in their foreheads', ministering together with Him for ever (Rev.22:3). They are the 'firstfruits' unto God, sharing Christ's glory, power and ministry in the ages to come (Jn.17:24). Thus these servants of God are redeemed from the earth and from among men (Rev.14:3,4) to be in Zion with Him.

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST THE Second Coming of Christ comprises 1. Rapture (Secret Coming) 2. Harvest 3. Public Advent. 1. RAPTURE (SECRET COMING) The sudden transportation of the wholly sanctified, overcoming Church to heaven is known as Rapture. Though the word 'rapture' is not mentioned in the Bible, it precisely explains what St. Paul meant when he said, "(we) ... shall be caught up together with them (the dead in Christ) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" (I Thess.4:17). God has chosen us in Christ Jesus that we might be holy and without blame before Him in love (Eph.1:4). We should attain this standard of holiness which God expects of us that we might be raptured at His coming (Matt.5:8; Heb.12:14). It is a secret rapture: The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus will come secretly to catch away His Bride, the perfected Church, before the Tribulation Period. Only the watchful saints will see Him and be caught up to meet Him in the air (I Thess.4:17). The others cannot see His coming because they 'sleep in the night,' being overcome by the power of darkness. In other words they are drunken in the night with the pleasures of the world, being 'overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life', and so that day comes upon them unawares (Lk.21:34). That is why the event of the perfectly sanctified and victorious Church being caught up to heaven is known as the 'secret rapture'. It is a select rapture: Some teach that all the saints of all dispensations from Abel down to the last bornagain believer, will be caught up when Jesus comes. The Word of God does not support this view at all. Who then will be found worthy to be raptured? Today there are many who profess that they are waiting for the coming of Christ, but not all are going to be caught up. They quote the words of St. Paul from I Corinthians 15:51

7

and say 'we shall all be changed'. But when Jesus comes, only those who have really prepared their lives will be able to hear the trumpet call. If so, they ought to be those who are accustomed to hearing the voice of God, reproving, instructing, correcting and encouraging them in their day-to-day life. They should be in fellowship with the consecrated servants of God who like St. Paul, are prepared to count all things as loss and dung and suffer the loss of all things that they might win Christ and attain unto the resurrection from the dead (Phil.3:711). They are also those who love His appearing, and wait ardently for Him, having fought the good fight of faith and having done the will of God without minding any of the trials that beset them on the way (II Tim.4:7,8; Heb.9:28;10:36,37). They are those who do not grieve God (Eph.4:30), do not quench His Spirit (I Thess.5:19), do not resist Him, or allow nothing to separate them from the love of Christ (Jude 21). They are those who always have a secret fellowship with Christ, and walk with God like Enoch and possess a testimony of having pleased God (Heb.11:5). They are those who are wholly sanctified and preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord (I Thess.5:23). The 'all' St. Paul mentions, refers to such people. Hence we call this rapture of the 'elect' in the Church, a 'select rapture'. It is a sudden rapture: Some people deceive themselves thinking they can get ready at the last moment and be found at His coming. This is a great deception of the devil. They forget that this 'rapture' will not only be 'secret' and 'select', but also 'sudden'. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matt.24:36). He has indicated the signs and happenings which precede His coming, so that we may be found ready when He comes. Some of the signs are the rising up of false Christs, wars and rumours of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, persecution of Christians, increase of iniquity etc. (Matt.24:5-7,9,12). In the midst of all these, only those who 'follow peace with all men and holiness', can see Him (Heb.13:14). We will not have time at all to get twinkling of an eye', 'in a moment', the perfected Church would be transformed and caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The whole event will be over like a flash of lightning. Therefore, we should have lived a life worthy of this 'sudden rapture' having overcome all things, and await this glorious moment. Let us watch carefully, lest this day come upon us unawares. To quote again, 'the sudden transportation' of the victorious Church called the 'elect of God' is known as the 'Rapture'. The Old Testament saints are not included in the rapture of the sanctified perfected Church of the New Testament. They were not given the privilege to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Matt.13:10,11,17). St. Paul says that the 'mystery which hath been hidden from ages' is made manifest now to the saints of the New Testament (Rom.16:25,26; ICor.2:7-10; Eph.3:3-6; Col.1:25,26; II Tim.1:9; IPet.1:10-12). The Old Testament saints could not share the blessings of the sanctified, overcoming Church because of the defects found in the Levitical priesthood (Heb.7:11). (i) The animal sacrifice which they offered could not take away their sin or cleanse their conscience (Heb.10:1,2); it only covered their sins. (ii) The law given by the hand of Moses could not make anything perfect (Heb.7:19). (iii) The priests themselves could not practise sanctification and perfection in their lives (Heb.9:9). So God had to change the priesthood. He ordained a new priesthood having made Jesus a perfect sacrifice without spot, and as a perfect Priest after the order of Melchisedec (Heb. 9:13,14; 5:5-10). Therefore, the Old Testament saints who could not be perfected have no part in the rapture of the Church at the secret coming of the Lord. Even in the New Testament, all the born-again believers will not be caught up when Jesus comes, because a born-again person is only a child of God. He has to be baptized in water by immersion and be filled in the Holy Spirit to become a member of the Body of Christ (ICor.12:13). With all the above basic experiences, one is still 'a babe in Christ' (I Cor.3:1-3; Heb.5:13; 6:1,2) and has to grow thereafter to be a perfect man (Eph.4:13). It is for such a perfected Church, called the Bride of Christ or the 'chaste virgin' that Jesus is coming again

8

(II Cor.11:2). 2. HARVEST Jesus Christ will appear in the cloud to gather the tribulation martyrs (Rev.7:9-17). This gathering is called the 'Harvest'. After the secret coming of Jesus, that is, after the manchild (the group of perfected saints) is caught up to the throne, there will be war in Heaven. Michael and his angels will fight with the dragon (Satan) and his angels, defeat them and cast them on to the earth (Rev.12:7-10). Then the dragon will give his seat, power and great authority to the beast, that is, the Antichrist (Rev.13:1-4). The Antichrist will reign on the earth for seven years. For the first three and a half years, there will be tribulation for the woman, that is the Church that is left behind (Rev.12:13-17). The Antichrist will persecute them and many will die as martyrs, refusing to deny the Lord Jesus and take the mark of the beast (Rev.13:7-17). To gather these martyrs Jesus will appear at the end of the 3 1/2 years. He will be seated upon a cloud, having on His head a golden crown and in His hand a sharp sickle (Rev.14:14-16). He will send forth His angels and gather together all those who died as martyrs in this period (Matt.24:30,31). 3. THE PUBLIC ADEVENT OF CHRIST: Some do not believe that the perfected Church will be caught up to heaven, because they, like the children of Israel, expect the Messiah to come to the earth, to reign from the earthly Jerusalem. It is true that Jesus will come down from heaven to the earth but that is at the end of the seven years of tribulation. At that time He comes to judge the nations at the battle of Armageddon and take over the kingdoms of the world (Joel.3:1,2; Zech.14:1-3,9; Rev.19:11-21); He will come visibly then; 'every eye shall see Him' (Rev. 1:7); He will come 'in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ' (II Thess.1:8,9); He will destroy the wicked Antichrist 'with the spirit of his mouth' and 'with the brightness of his coming' (II Thess.2:8). However, let us not forget that this event takes place only after the seven years of tribulation and that the fully sanctified, victorious Church will be caught up before it. From this we understand that the secret coming of Christ is very different from His public advent. THE ORDERS OF RESURRECTION We considered that only the victorious Church will be raptured at the secret coming of the Lord Jesus. You might then perhaps ask, "If that is so, when will the Old Testament saints and the remnant of the Church who did not partake in the rapture of the victorious Church be resurrected?" The Bible speaks of seven orders of resurrection. Concerning the resurrection of the righteous, St. Paul speaks of various orders of resurrection. He says, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" (I Cor.15:22,23). Daniel was also told that he belonged to a particular order of resurrection: "...thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot (group) at the end of the days" (Dan.12:13). There also seems to be different grades in resurrection. Writing about certain Old Testament saints who were willing to be 'tortured, not accepting deliverance', St. Paul says, that they desired 'a better resurrection' (Heb.11:35).The resurrection of the dead can be divided into two main groups: (a) The resurrection of the righteous - they are resurrected to live for ever- more, and (b) the resurrection of the wicked - they are resurrected to be partakers of the second death. Those who are resurrected in the first six orders of Resurrection come under the category of the 'resurrection of the righteous' and those in the seventh order, under the 'resurrection of the wicked'. The first five orders of the Resurrection are called the 'First Resurrection', and the last two orders, the 'Second Resurrection'. Those who partake of the First Resurrection will be resurrected before the Millennial Reign. Those who partake of the Second Resurrection or those in the last two orders will be resurrected after the Millennial Reign during the White Throne Judgment. (i) 'CHRIST the firstfruits':

9

Christ is said to be the first in the order of resurrection, for it is written, "Every man in his own order: Christ is the firstfruits". It is clear that there had been no other resurrection before Him (I Cor.15:20-23). (ii) The Victorious Church: "They that are Christ's at his coming" (I Cor.15:23). This group does not include everyone in the Church, but only those saints who overcame all things as Jesus did, having done the whole will of God, even as Jesus did, and are caught up at His coming. Among them, those who have slept in the Lord will be resurrected first, at the coming of the Lord Jesus, and then those who are alive will be transformed and shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (I Thess.4:16,17). (iii) The Tribulation Martyrs: This group consists of only the martyrs who were martyred during the days of the Antichrist. They are those who were not ready to be caught up with the overcoming Church. They will rise at the end of the first three and a half years of tribulation (Rev.7:9-17; 14:1416; 15:2,3). (iv) The Two Witnesses: They are Enoch and Elijah. They will be resurrected towards the end of the seven years of tribulation, before the battle of Armageddon. They are the firstfruits of the Old Testament saints (Rev.11:13). (v) The Old Testament Saints and the General Martyrs: The resurrection of the Old Testament saints and the general martyrs will take place after the sounding of the seventh trumpet, when the battle of Armageddon is over, and when 'the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ' (Rev.6:9-11;11:15,18,19). By then, the Great Tribulation would have been over and the nations would have been judged. All the above five groups will rise in their respective orders (Christ is risen already) and will reign with Christ on this earth for a thousand years. These are they that have part in the first resurrection. Concerning them it is said, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Rev.20:6). (vi) The Saved: All the saved ones will be resurrected together after the Millennium during the White Throne Judgment (Rev.20:5,11-15). (vii) The Unsaved: All the unsaved will rise during the White Throne Judgment to be judged according to the 'things which were written in the books, according to their works'. At the end of this judgment, these who were not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev.20:11-15). Those who come under the last two orders of Resurrection will be resurrected together and will be separated one from another before the White Throne (Matt.25:32).

HEAVENLY INHERITANCES THE New Earth, the New Heaven and the New Jerusalem and Zion are the eternal habitations. New Earth - The saved of all dispensations will be here (Rev.21:24). New Heaven - The Old Testament saints, the general martyrs and the Tribulation martyrs will have their place here (Rev.7:9-15; 11:18,19). New Jerusalem and Zion: The overcoming Church, the Bride will inherit New Jerusalem and Zion. The heavenly Zion and heavenly Jerusalem are inseparably inter-connected. They exist together as head and body. New Jerusalem is the place which Jesus said He was preparing for His Body, the

10

Church, called 'the Bride, the Lamb's wife' (Jn.14:1-3; Rev.19:2,9,10). This place does not refer to the earthly Jerusalem as some profess because New Jerusalem will be established in the coming eternity after this heaven and this earth have passed away (Rev.21:1-3). St.Paul points to this place as 'Jerusalem which is above' in contrast to 'Jerusalem which now is and is in bondage (the earthly Jerusalem)' (Gal.4:25,26). John's vision of New Jerusalem: Just a little while before he saw the 'holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God' (Rev.21:2,10), John saw in his vision : "the earth and heaven (all the galaxies of stars) fled away; and there was found no place for them" (Rev.20:11), and "there was no more sea" (Rev.21:1). There were no human beings with natural or physical bodies when John saw the New Earth, New Heaven and the New Jerusalem; because all the saints of the various dispensations had already been resurrected at various times (I Thess.4:16,17; Rev.7:14; 11:12,18,19; 6:9 etc). Just before he saw this new creation, there appeared before him the 'great white throne' and the earth and the heaven fled away and he saw the final resurrection of the saved and the unsaved, who also were subsequently judged (Rev.20:11-15). St. Paul is also in tune with the revelations of John when he says, "For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come" (Heb.13:14). All these go to prove that this earth and the earthly Jerusalem have nothing to do with the heavenly New Earth or the heavenly New Jerusalem. The glory and the substance of the heavenly Jerusalem: Unlike the earthly Jerusalem which is composed of earthly elements, the heavenly Jerusalem is built of 'a better and enduring substance', spiritual and celestial (Heb.10:34). It is said of Abraham that "he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb.11:10). St. Peter who says that this habitation in heavenly places is 'incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away' (I Pet.1:4), marks that the present earth and the works that are done there shall be burnt up and dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat and the existing heavens with the galaxies of stars shall pass away with a great noise (II Pet.3:10). John saw the City shining with the glory of God, 'like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal' (Rev.21:11). The City was pure gold, clear as glass (vs.18). The twelve foundations of the City were garnished with twelve manner of precious stones. The wall of the City was of jasper and the twelve gates were each a pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold (vs.18-21). This City which is formed by the very character and tried faith of the saints of the New Testament who prepared themselves to be the Bride of Christ (Rev.19:7,8), is said to be "as a bride adorned for her husband" (Rev.21:2). They are the ones who had reflected the perfect divine nature of Christ, having fought the good fight of faith and overcome sin, the world, and Satan. This is the City of which Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you" (Jn.14:2). This unique place which Jesus is preparing for His Bride, the Church, shall be all glorious, for the glory of the Lord shall lighten it and the City shall have no need of the sun or moon (Rev.21:23). Zion Zion is the dwelling place of the Triune God. Those who come under the last two orders of Resurrection will be resurrected together and will be separated one from another before the White Throne (Matt.25:32). It is the highest place in heaven, 'far above all heavens', to which Jesus ascended after His resurrection, to be on the right hand of God, the Father (Eph.1:20,21; 4:10; I Pet.3:22). St. Peter refers to Jesus Christ as the 'chief corner stone, elect, precious' which was rejected by 'the builders' or the chief priests and religious leaders of His time, but 'chosen of God' and 'made the head of the corner in Zion' (I Pet.2:4-7). Some Bible teachers claim that this (heavenly) Zion refers to the earthly Zion; that it is there that Christ will dwell and reign for ever and ever after the Millennium and that we shall also reign with Him there. But it is written, the Father has 'raised him ... and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places'. Therefore, it is from this heavenly Zion that He will reign eternally (Eph.1:19,21;

11

Phil.2:9-11). St. Peter also writes that Jesus has "gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God (in heavenly Zion); angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him" (I Pet.3:22). Further, he affirms that we also have 'an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven' (I Pet.1:4). These Scriptures plainly state that our inheritance is not on the earth, but in heaven. 144,000 Servants of God in Zion: John, saw Jesus the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 servants of God 'who followed the Lamb whithersoever he goeth' (Rev.14:1-4). They had the Father's name and the Son's name 'written in their foreheads' (vs.1-Gk) signifying that they have the Father's mind and that like the Son, they did the whole will of the Father. A careful study of the passage in question affirms that the 144,000 standing on Mount Zion are the consecrated, called, chosen and faithful New Testament servants of God (Rev.17:14). This group of 144,000 on Mount Zion is different from the group of 144,000 Jews referred to in Revelation ch.7 who are preserved during the seven years of tribulation for the Millennial Kingdom. Brightening the vision of His disciples concerning the eternal position, He was preparing for them Jesus said, "If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am there shall also my servant be" (Jn.12:26). And before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed to the Father, saying, "Father, I will that they (His servants) also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory" (Jn.17:24). These are not mere words and wishes. Every consecrated servant of God, who forsakes his all, his dearest and nearest, his land and possessions, hating his own life (Lk.14:26), for the sake of Jesus and the gospel (Mk.10:29,30), and is found faithful to the end, will be in Zion where He is and shall continue to serve Him there for ever and ever, sharing the mystery of the eternal counsel of God (Rev.14:1-5). The purpose of the earthly Zion and Jerusalem: The way for man into the heavenly places was not available till Christ rent the veil (His flesh) by His crucifixion, and entered into the Most Holy Place in heaven to unveil the vision of Zion, the eternal dwelling place of God. So God had to choose an earthly Zion to reveal His glory, throne, power, authority and law. Similarly He chose the earthly Jerusalem above all the cities of the world to build His temple there, to make His people a royal priesthood over all the nations, revealing His love, mercy and compassion. These earthly places will once more be used after the Great Tribulation, during the Millennial Reign of Christ in the same way as in the days of King David and his descendents (Isa.2:3,4; 4:2,5; Joel 3:17-21; Zech.14:9,16). But they will continue to serve only as earthly shadows of the heavenly Zion and heavenly Jerusalem as much as the earthly tabernacle represented the heavenly sanctuary (Heb.8:1-6; 9:8-11). After the ascension of the Lord Jesus into heaven, there is no importance given to the earthly Zion and earthly Jerusalem in the New Testament. Through the revelation given to apostles like Peter, John and Paul, we understand the existence of a heavenly Jerusalem and Zion which is far above all heavens and that they are the inheritances reserved for us in heaven (I Pet.1:4,5; Eph.1:18; Col.1:5; Phil.3:20; Rev.21:2). The overcoming Church (the manchild of Rev.12:5) which will be caught up to Zion and New Jerusalem will share the throne of God and His Son Jesus Christ, and rule over all principalities and power and might and dominion in heavenly places throughout eternity (Eph.1:21-23). "He which testifieth these things saith, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Rev.22:20,21).

12