wake up america seminars · 2/10/2014 · wake up america seminars p o box 273 bellbrook, oh 45305...

Wake Up America SeminarsP O Box 273

Bellbrook, OH 453051-800-475-0876 www.wake-up.org

-- Salvific Faith --

Round Rock, Texas February 10, 2014

#303_01

This seminar will focus on the second most complicated book in the Bible, the book of Hebrews.

Why?

There are five parallels in the book of Hebrews that you should seriously consider.

There are five parallels between believers leaving Judaism during the first century A.D. and believerswho will leave their religious systems during the Great Tribulation.

The Bible teaches that God has a plan to test the whole world during the Great Tribulation.

God will test the whole world to see if we love Him and trust Him supremely or if we love and trustour religious system supremely.

"When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or ceasebeing honest." -- Richard J. Humpal, JD

Paul dropped five "atomic bombs" on Hebrew believers in the book of Hebrews.

He did this to destroy the power and influence which Judaism had long held over its members.

All religious systems are "a house of cards."

When advancing truth proves that a supporting card is false, the house falls.

1. The Deity of Jesus2. Jesus is High Priest in the True Tabernacle3. God's Rest cannot occur until Jesus returns4. God's covenant with Abraham does not include all of Abraham's offspring5. Faith is unlike legalism

These five "bombs" will have end-time parallels.

Let's take a moment and consider how the deity of Jesus will be a huge problem during the GreatTribulation....

83% of the world's population either rejects or does not know that Jesus is a God, just like the Fatheris a God.

And . . .

93% of Christians do not know that Jesus, like the Father, is a separate and distinct God. Moreover,these Christians do not know that Jesus is the Creator of everything that exists and that His holy dayis Saturday, the seventh day of the week.

A shocking surprise is coming. The truth about Jesus and His demand will soon be heard aroundthe world:

Rev 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim tothose who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people.

Rev 14:7 ". . . Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. WorshipHim who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."

Worship Jesus? Yes!

Why?

Col 1:16 "For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him."

John 5:22,23 "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, thatall may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honorthe Father, who sent him."

How and when does Jesus want to be worshiped?

How? John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth."

When? Heb 4:9,19 "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone whoenters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God [Jesus] did from his."

Gen 2:2 "By the seventh day God [Jesus] had finished the work he had been doing; so on theseventh day He rested from all his work."

During the Great Tribulation, the command to worship a God who is "Jesus the Creator" on Hisseventh day Sabbath will create unimaginable consternation.

How will Jews respond?How will Muslims respond?How will Catholics respond?How will Hindus respond?How will Atheists respond?How will Protestants respond?

How will the Heathen respond?

Not so well. Right?

OK, what consternation did the worship of Jesus create for early converts from Judaism?

Remember, Judaism is a monotheistic religion. There is no room for two Gods within Judaism. Therefore, Jesus cannot be a God and He cannot be worshiped. . . . that would be blasphemy andaccording to Deut 13, blasphemers must be put to death!

We will look deeper into these matters as we proceed with this seminar, but perhaps this simplisticcomparison between early Christians worshiping Jesus and end-time Christians worshiping Jesusgives you a hint as to how beneficial the book of Hebrews is going to be.

1. The Deity of Jesus2. Jesus is High Priest in the True Tabernacle3. God's Rest cannot occur until Jesus returns4. God's covenant with Abraham does not include all of Abraham's offspring

Today, we will look at "bomb" number 5.

5. Faith is unlike legalism.

Let's put on some A.D. 64 sandals and go back to when Paul wrote the book.

How do you get a Hebrew to understand what salvific faith is?

How do you get a Hebrew to stop offering animal sacrifices?

How do you get a Hebrew to stop listening to the teachings of the Levitical priesthood?

How do you get a Hebrew to stop attending feasts?

How do you get a Hebrew to walk away from a way of life where Judaism infiltrated every aspectof life?

Last, how do you get a Hebrew to mix freely with Gentiles, ignore circumcision and meat offeredto idols?

Finally, how do you get a Hebrew to step out of legalism and into faith?

What is legalism?

At its core, legalism is an imaginary bilateral contract with God that can be summed up in threewords: "This for that."

Legalism begins when a person makes a deal with God. The sinner agrees to do whatever God wantsand in turn, He believes God that will grant him eternal life.

Think of legalism as: "This for that."I do this. I get that.

Very Important Point:

Most of us, whether living "under law" or living "under grace" are legalists. It is human nature. Itis a phenomena found in every religious system because . . . .

Most contracts are bilateral.

"This for that."

Most friendships are bilateral.

"We're friends or we're married for as long as you do what I think you should do."

And many well-meaning Christians have slipped into a legalistic contract with God without realizingit.

"This for that."

If you have "made a deal" with God for eternal life, you are a legalist.

"This for that."

Three months after delivering Israel from Egypt, Israel camped at the foot of Mt. Sinai. TheIsraelites saw at a distance the majesty and shrouded the glory of Jehovah.

Jesus had descended on the mountain to meet with Israel, but before meeting with the congregation,He said to Moses, "come up here." (This is before the Ten Commandments were spoken.)

After meeting with Jesus, Moses was sent down the mountain to speak to Israel.

Exo 19:7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all thewords the Lord had commanded him to speak.

Exo 19:8 The people all responded together, "We will do everything the Lord has said." So Mosesbrought their answer back to the Lord."

How long did the deal last?

Less than 7 weeks.

Emotionally speaking, a relationship based on legalism goes up and down because humanperformance goes up and down.

But faith doesn't change. (More about this in a moment.)

Before we get into the meaning of faith, one more widely practiced relationship with God needs tobe examined.

This relationship is called "presumption."

Presumption can be summed up in three words: "Give me that."

Presumption treats God as though He were "a very kind and generous Santa Claus -- who can doanything He wants to do."

This relationship assumes that God is "always there" like a Almighty Teddy Bear, a good buddy, aclose friend, etc.

It is believed by presumptionists that God is attentive and interested in our health, prosperity andwell being and the really good news for this group of people is that God is not overly concerned withour sins and transgressions -- "Jesus took care of all that stuff on the cross."

Those living in presumption often pretend that all is well, "God is on my side, looking out for mybest interests."

And the number of prayers offered by people living in presumption really increases when somethingis really wanted. They start praying and crying out to the Lord everyday, "Give me that."

The faith experience is unlike "This for that" and "Give me that."

A faith relationship with God is torturous and burdensome to the carnal nature.

Salvific faith can be summed up as: "I am convicted, I don't like it, but God's will must be done."

The word "faith" can mean denomination, confidence or assent. Salvific faith is something else.

Because salvific faith always rubs the carnal nature the wrong way, the carnal nature will soonmodify salvific faith into legalism or presumption. We can't stop the temptation. In fact, most ofus rarely detect it!

Now you know why history affirms that Israel constantly cycled through rebellion, apostasy andrepentance.

Israel's history is a mirror of human conduct.Let's see if we can put legalism, presumption and faith into a meaningful context:

Dan 3:1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and setit up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

Dan 3:6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazingfurnace."

Dan 3:8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.

Dan 3:9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!

Dan 3:10 You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute,zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,

Dan 3:11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.

Dan 3:12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego--who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your

gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up." [You have defiant subjects, O king, deal withthose arrogant Jews.]

Dan 3:13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Sothese men were brought before the king,

Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do notneed to defend ourselves before you in this matter. [You well know that we worship Jehovah andyou well know that our services for the king have been faithful and wholehearted. In fact, it was theGod we serve that gave you the understanding of your vision!]

Dan 3:17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, andhe will rescue us from your hand, O king.

Dan 3:18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your godsor worship the image of gold you have set up."

Let's analyze this situation:

The second commandment says,

"Exo 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or onthe earth beneath or in the waters below.

Exo 20:5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them . . . "

Were the three Hebrews being legalistic, presumptuous or faith-full?

A legalist would have said, "O king, I ain't doin' it and you can't make me. I would rather burn todeath than worship a stupid idol."

Is defiance a manifestation of faith?

A presumptionist would have said, "O king, I don't normally worship images, but God understandsthe situation and since you insist, I will honor your wishes because an idol is nothing to me. I hopethat you and your staff have a super-nice day."

Faith says: "O king, I love life as much as anyone here. The God I love and serve forbids me fromworshiping an image or an object. Therefore, I cannot obey your command. You must do whatseems best. My God is able to save me from death -- if He so chooses, but if not, I am prepared todie in the furnace right now."

"I am convicted, I don't like it, but God's will must be done."

In the Garden of Gethsemane:

Mat 26:42 " . . . . My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, mayyour will be done."

"I know your will, I don't like it, but your will be done."

Mat 6:9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

Mat 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven."

The primary difference between legalism and salvific faith is this:

Legalism is about being righteous (ego-centric), salvific faith is about pleasing an all seeing God(theo-centric).

Whenever we are tempted to do something wrong, legalism is concerned with being right (beingabove reproach), whereas salvific faith is concerned with pleasing God.

Faith obeys Holy Spirit conviction without regard for the social or financial consequences.

After dropping four "atomic bombs" on the Hebrews, proving that Judaism had become a falsereligious system, Paul appealed to the Hebrews to leave Judaism behind and put their faith in Jesus --and the only way a person can leave behind one religious system and embrace another (given thevery difficult consequences at the time) is through salvific faith.

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

Consider the exemplary faith of Jesus for a moment:

By the time He was twelve years of age, Jesus had figured out that He was "the Lamb of God."

Between the ages of 12 and 30, the Holy Spirit revealed many things to Jesus.

Jesus knew the Father had promised, before He came to Earth (Ps 2), that if He was successful incarrying out the will of the Father, the Father would raise Him from the dead and make the Earth Hisinheritance. (Mark 8, John 17, Hebrews 1)

During His ministry, Jesus audibly heard the Father's approval three times (at His baptism, in thetemple and on the mountain of transfiguration).

Therefore before reaching His destiny on the cross, Jesus was confident His Father would keep Hispromise and raise Him from the dead.

Jesus said:

"The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachersof the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." (Luke 9:22)

His faith in the Father was enhanced in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.Luke 22:43 "An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him."

Jesus went to the cross like a child, fully trusting in His Father -- knowing it was the Father's willthat He should die and that the Father would raise Him from the dead.

Then, while hanging on the cross, the Father did something which Jesus did not anticipate.

The Father broke the connection between Himself and Jesus.

Lights out -- so to speak. Total darkness -- total separation.

This action shocked Jesus to His core because suddenly, the comforting presence of the Father wasgone and "all hope and confidence" of being resurrected was gone.

Even though Jesus was physically suffering in the extreme, Jesus was unexpectedly andinexpressibly crushed with self-loathing guilt for the first time ever.

Guilt is self-loathing. A feeling of shame, a feeling of deep regret and personal contempt.

(Consider how the wicked will feel at the end of the 1,000 years.)

Jesus had never felt this way because there was no sin in Him --- until. . .

2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become therighteousness of God."

Jesus was "blown away." He had not known pangs of guilt and self-loathing before. The Father broke His connection with Jesus and immediately imposed this darkness and self-loathingon Jesus so that Jesus could experience what all sinners will experience when the time comes for theSecond Death. When Jesus was separated from the Father, it terrified Jesus.

From Jesus' point of view, the Father had double-crossed Son.

Suddenly, at a time when He needed the Father's presence and approval most, there was no Father,only darkness and hopeless despair.

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour [3 pm] Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lamasabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Why have you done this to me?

Meaning, "This wasn't part of the plan!!!!" Seems so cruel.

So why did the Father "spring" this loneliness, darkness and self-loathing on Jesus? The Father wanted to test Jesus in the extreme to see what His faith was.

If Jesus passed the test, the Father could demonstrate two things for all eternity so that there couldnever be any question about these two things:

1. The Father wants the universe to know that Jesus loved sinners enough to die for them, evenwhen Jesus was in a condition where Jesus was 100% sure there would be no recovery, noresurrection for Himself. (What depth of love is this?)

2. The Father wants the universe to recognize that Jesus would not, during His last and mostterrifying moments of life, would not yield to the overwhelming temptation to stop the process byusing His divine powers to escape the Second Death. (This is the faith of Jesus.)

If you think the temptations in the desert with Lucifer were awful, Christ's temptation on the crossduring the final moments of His life was greater by many orders of magnitude. During His moments, after His body had been beaten to a pulp, the Father plunged Jesus into totaldespair to see if Jesus would forfeit everything out of love and remain faith-full to His assignment,even after Jesus was filled with self-loathing and totally separated from the approval of the Father. Summarizing: When Jesus was unexpectedly disconnected from the Father, Jesus realized He wasn't coming outof the tomb.

In terror, He cried out in a loud voice to the Father, "Why? Why?"

Jesus waited a few moments, and upon hearing nothing from the Father, He said, "Father, into yourhands I commit my spirit" and died.

Jesus, in a hopeless condition, refused to let go of His faith in His Father.

Jesus handed over to the Father His divinity and the Father ended Christ's divinity.

Jesus died hating and despising Himself and without any hope of having life again.

This self-loathing will occur before the second death.

When the wicked see why Jesus could not save them....

When the wicked see what they missed out on....

Their own self-loathing guilt will drive them crazy.

They will rush the Holy City, but fire from Heaven will bring them to an end.

That Friday afternoon, a co-eternal, separate, distinct member of the Godhead went voluntarily toHis death, under the most distressing circumstances possible, to save one sinner.

This is the price of our salvation which has been paid in full. Jesus is a demonstration of divine love and raw faith! The "faith of Jesus" is a faith that cannot be crushed by despair, inspired with music and praise orsustained by vigorous preaching.

The faith of Jesus is not emotionally based or pumped up by cheerleaders.

The faith of Jesus is choice based.

Jesus chose to believe in the promise of the Father even when there was absolute darkness andnothing to support His belief.

The relationship between Jesus and the Father was not "This for that" or "Give me that."

It was, "I am convicted, I don't like it, but God's will must be done."

Job 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face."

Jesus asked:

". . . . However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the Earth?" (Luke 18:8)

The willingness of Jesus to forever cease to exist to save one sinner is a resounding lesson of whatfaith is and is not.

Legalism can't take disappointment.Presumption can't take persecution and rejection.

Faith in God endures steadfast until either the storm is over or life has ended.

Jesus has shown us the way that faith works.

Now you know why Hebrews 11 is so important. Paul said to the Hebrews:

1. Heb 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Himmust believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

2. Heb 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

3. Heb 10:38,39 "But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not bepleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those whobelieve and are [killed, but] saved."

"A person is lost or saved according to His response to the Holy Spirit!"

The work of the Holy Spirit is to bring conviction.

Faith: "I am convicted, I don't like it, but God's will must be done."

Jesus said:

Mat 12:31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemyagainst the Spirit will not be forgiven.

Mat 12:32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone whospeaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."

Here's the deal:

When the Holy Spirit brings conviction that we must do something, we must do it -- without regardfor the outcome.

No one else will likely understand why you are in the Garden of Gethsemane doing what you aredoing and that is the hard part.

Faith always comes with some kind of price.

Heb 11:4 "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. . . ."

I believe Abel knew that Cain would be most unhappy with his upcoming sacrifice.

Although the Bible does not say this, when Cain killed Abel, I don't think it was their first discussionabout God exalting Abel's sacrifices.

I suspect that Cain had threatened Abel a time or two that if he continued to insult him with "a betteroffering," Cain would deal severely with him.

Abel did what the Lord commanded without regard for the consequences. This was the faith ofAbel.

Until or unless there is a price, there is no need for faith.

Heb 11:7 "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to savehis family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comesby faith."

What price did Noah pay?

1. His farm2. His parents3. His social standing in the community4. His employees5. ?

Heb 11:8 "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."

What was the price for Abraham's faith?

1. Leaving his family behind2. Living the life of a Hebrew (gypsy)3. No place to call home4. Scary for awhile, no security from bandits or predators

Heb 11:13 "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive thethings promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted thatthey were aliens and strangers on earth."

Paul wrote Hebrews 11 because he wanted early converts to realize that salvation only comesthrough faith in God.

Salvation does not come from doing what everyone else is doing.

Salvation does not come through rituals and ceremonies.

Salvation comes through faith and there are two solemn things every believer should know aboutfaith.

First, there is antagonizing conviction. "I see it, I don't like it, but your will be done."

Second, there is always a price.

Think about this:

Openly claiming to be a Christian in some countries today is an open invitation for violence orprison.

Openly claiming to be a Christian in Round Rock does not come with a price -- at least from civilauthorities.

Everyone who lives by faith follows the same principles, but the situations may be entirely different.

One man can observe God's seventh day Sabbath without affecting his job.

Another man will lose his job if he is absent from work on Saturday.

Which man is having the faith experience?

In this illustration, the practice of faith and a test of faith are two different experiences.

The man who has no problem worshiping on God's Sabbath should be careful that his tradition(weekly habit) does not become a substitute for his faith. If it does, his faith becomes legalistic orpresumptive. "This for that" or "Give me that."

Paul's first two bombs were theological in nature.

Paul's third atomic bomb was experiential in nature.

Why?

Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him mustbelieve that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Earlier I said, millions of Christians living "under grace" are legalistic.

They are afraid of truth. The reject anything that might require something of them which they haveno intention of doing.

Therefore, they deceive themselves into believing that obedience is legalism and happily living withthe carnal nature is what grace is all about.

But this is self-deception:

Rom 8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;

Rom 8:7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

Rom 8:8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."

But those who live by faith, those who hunger for the conviction and seek the enabling power of theSpirit will please God forever. Amen.



Seminar #303-2 The Book of Hebrews

-- A.D. 64 Sandals --Round Rock, Texas February 11, 2014

The Book of Hebrews

The author of Hebrews did not write this epistle for Gentile Christians. He wrote it for Jewishconverts who had embraced Jesus as the Messiah.

It is one thing to grow up viewing God through the lens of a religious system that is 1,500 years old,a religious system that includes everyone in your family, a religious system that began with your veryown great --- grandfather, Abraham.

But it is altogether another thing to abandon your religious heritage in order to follow a man whichyour religious system recently killed. And to make matters worse, your "man" has disappeared,leaving nothing but a promise to return.

The author of Hebrews assumes his readers will have some knowledge about Levitical laws, OTMessianic prophecies, routine temple services and practices, the life and ministry of Jesus and theimportance of trusting in God.

And who, in A.D. 64 would have had such knowledge?

Answer: Only Hebrew converts.

The apostle Paul wrote 14 of the 29 books in the New Testament.

Thirteen of his books were written for Christians and one was written specifically for Jewishconverts.

Why did he write one book for Jewish converts?

Answer: Jewish converts had a thousand questions about topics which Gentiles knew nothing about.

Looking at church history, I think it would be fair to say that if Christians in centuries gone by hadbetter understood the book of Hebrews, there would be a lot less division among Christians today.

Even though most Christians today are not concerned with the questions that faced early Jewishconverts, God foreknew that Christians would eventually have many of the same questions that earlyJewish converts had. Therefore, in this sense, the book of Hebrews is timeless.

But wait! The book of Hebrews is particularly important for the final generation.

How so?

There are profound parallels.

The book of Hebrews helps us understand the imparting of Christ's righteousness during thejudgment of the living (the sealing). The book of Hebrews explains the concluding ministry of ourHigh Priest in Heaven's temple, the deity of Jesus as a sovereign God, the properties of faith and theestablishment of God's rest.

The final generation will have many of the same questions and experiences which beset early Jewishconverts.

At first, the book of Hebrews is not a book which invites casual study. The eternal riches in thisbook belong to those willing to dig for buried treasure.

The author of Hebrews did not sign his name. Tradition has it that Paul wrote the book, but abouta century ago, some scholars began saying that Priscilla, the wife of Aquila wrote it.

Given the width and depth of contrasting knowledge required to write this book within a mere 34years of Christ's ascension, I have no doubts about the authorship. The apostle Paul wrote the bookof Hebrews.

I believe Paul wrote the book from prison, shortly before Nero put him to death.

I believe Paul wrote the book because as a Jewish convert to Christ, he wanted his kinfolk toembrace the joy and fullness of life in Jesus.

There is a world of difference between living by faith and living under the law (this for that).

May I also say there is a world of difference between living by faith and living under grace (give methat)!

To appreciate Paul's longing for his race, the nation of Israel, as well as those Jews who had alreadyreceived Christ, we have to step back in time and put on the sandals of Hebrew believers who livedin and around Jerusalem during A.D. 64.

Please bear with me....

Thirty four years before the book of Hebrews was written Jesus had been crucified. He wasresurrected on the third day, was seen around Jerusalem for forty days and then He disappeared. Just before His crucifixion, Jesus said to His disciples:

John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I amgoing there to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back [here] and take you [there] tobe with me that you also may be where I am [going]."

According to Matthew 27, Jesus died on the cross around 3 pm.

At the moment Jesus died, the Father did a most unusual thing. The Father raised up a number ofdead people so that they could rush into Jerusalem on Sunday morning and testify that Jesus wasalive!

Mat 27:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

Mat 27:51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earthshook and the rocks split.

Mat 27:52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised tolife.

Mat 27:53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city andappeared to many people."

Although I cannot prove this beyond any shadow of doubt, I believe these newly resurrected peoplewere taken to Heaven with Jesus when He ascended and the 24 elders which John describes in thebook of Revelation were members of this resurrected group.

Maybe you have not heard that Jesus took some people to Heaven when He ascended:

Eph 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Eph 4:8 This is why it says: "When He [Jesus] ascended on high, He led captives in his train [e.g.,when Jesus entered New Jerusalem, a line of people followed after Him who had also been captivesof the tomb] and [Jesus] gave gifts to men [generous gifts befitting His victory and celebration oversin]."

What were these gifts?

Eph 4:11 It was He [Jesus] who gave [to His church] some [gifts, so that they might be] to beapostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

Eph 4:12 [these gifts were given] to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body ofChrist may be built up

Eph 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and becomemature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

So. . . Why did the Father raise up a host of dead people to testify that Jesus wasn't dead?

Mat 28:11 While the women (Mary and Mary) were on their way [to tell the disciples about theresurrection of Jesus], some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priestseverything that had happened.

Mat 28:12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiersa large sum of money,

Mat 28:13 telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him awaywhile we were asleep.'

Mat 28:14 If this report gets to the governor [that you were sleeping], we will satisfy him and keepyou out of trouble."

Mat 28:15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story [e.g., lie,conspiracy] has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day [A.D. 80]."

I believe the book of Matthew was written after the destruction of Jerusalem, maybe A.D. 80.

Remember, A.D. 64 means - - -

No telegraph, no telephone, no newspaper, no television, no radio, no nothing -- but lips and ears.

If you had been an ordinary Jew living in Jerusalem in those days, which rumor would you have mostlikely believed?

A: Jesus' body had been stolen from the tomb by His disciples

B: Jesus had been resurrected by God

Because political propaganda and political conspiracies are never concerned with presenting thewhole truth, the Father did something rather simple when Jesus died, something that confoundeda whole city of unbelievers. . .

He raised up a group of dead people to testify that not only was Jesus killed, He was no longer dead!

With God, timing is everything!

What did the resurrection of a host of dead people accomplish?

Ironic.... the dead listened to the dead.

The dead testified on Christ's behalf.

What was the result:

The Sadducees were totally discredited and humiliated because they had made "no such thing as aresurrection" a religious matter of highest importance. (Matthew 22:23)

OOPS.

On the other side of the senate aisle, the Pharisees were so furious with all of the dead walkingaround in Jerusalem they could not be consoled.

First, one of their own members, Simon had been raised from the dead by Jesus. And now, afterkilling Jesus, Jesus was alive.

OOPS!

Both parties of the Sanhedrin were crying and crying, totally frustrated. How could they "spin" themetrics so that the truth would not come out?

Because I was alive when President Nixon attempted to cover-up his involvement with the Watergatehotel, I like to call the cover-up in Jerusalem, "Templegate."

Sunday morning solution: Throw money at the problem. People will do anything for money.

But . . . . numerous dead people were walking about the city and talking.

OOPS.

Then, after His resurrection, the Father had Jesus appear before a large crowd of 500+ believers!

More OOPS.

1 Cor 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sinsaccording to the Scriptures,

1 Cor 15:4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

1 Cor 15:5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.

1 Cor 15:6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, mostof whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep."

Why did the Father put Jesus in front of 500+ people at one meeting?

Lips, eyes and ears.

The truth about Christ's resurrection had to overcome the propaganda and lies created by Jews whichwere sustained by large sums of money.

Now don't get lost in the details....

We are walking through a little history between A.D. 30 and A.D. 64. We want to understand thesetting which Hebrew believers faced in Jerusalem around A. D. 64 and one of the first things weneed to remember is that when the book of Hebrews was written, no one had seen Jesus for 34 years.

Christ's continued absence was both humiliating and embarrassing to early Christians.

Why?

At Pentecost in A.D. 30 (which took place about 10 days after Jesus ascended to Heaven), Peterboldly made the following remarks:

Acts 2:14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "FellowJews [from distant places] and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listencarefully to what I say.

Acts 2:15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!

Acts 2:16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

Acts 2:17 "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons anddaughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."

Peter and all of the early Christians believed Christ's return would be imminent . . . . within theirlifetime.

No one living in A.D. 64 suspected 2,000 years would go come and go and there would be no Jesus.

Notice:

James 5:8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

1 Pet 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you canpray.

Rom 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darknessand put on the armor of light."

Even in A.D. 64, Paul thought he was living at the end of the world:

Heb 9:26 ". . . But now he [Jesus] has appeared once for all [before the Father] at the end of theages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."

Heb 10:37 For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.

But years passed and weeks of years passed.

No Jesus.

Those who actually saw Jesus after His resurrection began to die off. And as the second generationbegan to appear....

The younger generation wondered, did our forefathers really see Jesus?

Did Jesus really ascend into Heaven?

Did His disciples actually steal His body from the tomb?

The waiting became annoying, then humiliating and finally, embarrassing.

Waiting on God is most difficult when circumstances are most difficult.

Psa 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in theirways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psa 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil.

Psa 37:9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land."

But wait! The story gets worse....

Persecution and imprisonment plagued the Jewish converts in Jerusalem.

Jesus had warned His disciples:

John 16:2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who killsyou will think he is offering a service to God.

John 16:3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me."

About three years after Jesus disappeared, a deacon named Stephen became the first Christianmartyr. He was stoned to death by the Jews for teaching that Christ was in fact the anticipatedMessiah.

Then came Saul, a young zealous Pharisee who participated in Stephen's death.

Saul began persecuting every follower of Christ that he could find . . . and to make matters reallyawful, Paul's actions were touted by the Pharisees to be in perfect harmony with Scripture!

This meant there would never be any aide or refuge for Christians in Jerusalem.

Notice how Saul's persecution of Christians was justified and framed by the Pharisees:

The Lord said to Moses:

Deu 13:1 "If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to youa miraculous sign or wonder,

Deu 13:2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us followother gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them,"

Deu 13:3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testingyou to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Deu 13:4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commandsand obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

Deu 13:5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached rebellion against theLord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery; he hastried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge theevil from among you.

Deu 13:6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest

friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods that neither you noryour fathers have known,

Deu 13:7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other),

Deu 13:8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him.

Deu 13:9 You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death,and then the hands of all the people.

Deu 13:10 Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the Lord your God, whobrought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Deu 13:11 Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you will do such an evil thingagain."

Stephen was stoned to death because the Jews thought Deuteronomy 13 demanded it.

Saul persecuted the Christians because Deuteronomy 13 demanded it.

Jewish leaders: We must kill everyone who teaches in our land that there is another God thanJehovah, the Lord our God is one God.

Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Deu 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all yourstrength."

Exo 20:2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Exo 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me."

Isa 44:6 "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am thefirst and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

Because the Jews rigorously maintained a "monotheistic" view of God (there is only one God), anysuggestion that another God existed (polytheism) was considered blasphemy and blasphemy wasgrounds for death.

(Remember, Jesus was put to death because of blasphemy. Mark 14:64)

Even today, Muslims will put people to death for blasphemy in certain countries.

One of the most vexing problems between early Christians and Jews is that early Christians believedthat Jesus was "another God."

John 5:17 Jesus said to them [the Jews], "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I,too, am working."

John 5:18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking theSabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God."

The Jews wanted to kill Jesus because Jesus claimed to be God's Son and all sons, at maturity, areconsidered equals of their father.

After Stephen was killed, Saul saw a golden opportunity.

Acts 9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. Hewent to the high priest

Acts 9:2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there whobelonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem."

Because the Jews were monotheistic and Deuteronomy 13 forbade polytheism, Saul's crusade againstChristians was deemed a "holy war" in the eyes of the Jews.

A "holy war" is a righteous war, a war against evil, a war that God demands and God promisesvictory.

Deu 20:1 "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an armygreater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out ofEgypt, will be with you. . . .

Deu 20:4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against yourenemies to give you victory."

Saul, the young Pharisee, was zealous and determined to make a name for himself. He wasdetermined, with God's help, to wipe all Christians off the face of the map.

But Saul was arrested by Jesus on the road to Damascus and you know the story of his conversion.

Because the Jews hated Christians, Christians in Jerusalem did their best to keep a low profilebetween A.D. 34 and A.D. 64.

Those who managed to leave Jerusalem to live elsewhere found it very difficult to survive amongthe Gentiles because the Gentiles generally held the Jews in contempt because of Jewish practicesand self-righteousness.

As the years went by, there were reports of signs and miracles in various towns, Peter raised Dorcasfrom the dead at Joppa and Paul raised Eutychus from the dead at Troas, and this encouraged theearly believers, but where was Jesus?

No Jesus.

Persecution by the Jews and the Romans (who thought Christians were another sect of Jews -- likethe Pharisees) dragged on and on. There was no safety and no peace for Hebrew believers inJerusalem or outside of Jerusalem.

Around A.D. 53, rumors were told that Jesus had returned. But, His return was only a privateappearance.

Of course these rumors really upset the believers because what good was their faith in Jesus if Hisreturn was merely a private matter?

Why would He return and take only a few people back to Heaven?

The apostle Paul jumped on this rumor with both feet and He wrote to the believers in Thessalonicasaying:

2 Th 2:1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we askyou, brothers,

2 Th 2:2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed tohave come from us [apostles], saying that the day of the Lord has already come.

2 Th 2:3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until (a) the rebellionoccurs and (b) the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction."

OK, we have considered a little of the setting in A.D. 64 when the book of Hebrews was written.

1. Hatred and persecution by the Jews and Romans (endless)

2. Dashed hopes and disappointment for 34 years (no Jesus)

3. Rumors and conspiracies everywhere

But wait! It gets even worse!! All Hebrew converts were:

1. Social Outcasts2. Religious Outcasts3. Familial Outcasts

Profoundly Important Point:

If it had not been for the astonishing work of the Holy Spirit between the ascension of Jesus in A.D.30 and the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the church of Christ in Jerusalem would have fadedaway --- and you might think, OK, so what? The gospel had gone to the Gentiles anyway.

>> Yes, the gospel of Jesus had gone to the Gentiles, BUT, listen up! The gospel which went to theGentiles could not long remain a valid gospel if it became disconnected from "the God of the Jews."

Here's the problem: When the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are separated from the Godof the Old Testament, the gospel of Jesus becomes "silly putty," "a nose of wax" which can bemanipulated according to religious bias or whim.

In fact, this is the most serious problem within Christianity today.

Contrary to the claims of thousands of New Testament scholars, the gospel of Jesus is not a NewTestament gospel!

The book of Revelation tells us that the gospel of Jesus is an eternal gospel!


Rev 14:7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God [Jesus] and give him glory, because the hour of hisjudgment has come. Worship him [Jesus] who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springsof water."

The gospel of Jesus is not a New Testament gospel!

And the one book in the Bible that best unifies the God of the Old and New Testaments is the bookof Hebrews!

Many Christians today, as did the Jews living in the first century A. D., refuse to understand thatJehovah in the Old Testament is Jesus in the New Testament.

But, He is the same person.

Look at this:

Isa 44:6 "This is what the Lord [Jehovah] says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

". . . I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God."

Rev 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me andsaid: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

Rev 1:18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold thekeys of death and Hades [grave]."

Hmmmm.......

"Israel's King and Redeemer was Jehovah, and Jehovah is Jesus -- who was dead -- and Jesus is theLord Almighty who is the first and the last and apart from Him there is no God [e.g., there is no otherGod who shows Himself to mankind, the Father doesn't and neither does the Holy Spirit].

Who is Jehovah?

Rev 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Jehovah in the Old is Jesus in the New.

Need to explain...

From the beginning, Jehovah has been a God, just like the Father is a God.

But Jesus is called "the Word" in John 1 because He is the One who speaks for an invisible Father!

John 17:8 "For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew withcertainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me."

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:2 He was with God in the beginning."

John 1:10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did notrecognize him.

John 1:11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him."

Question: Why is it important to understand the existence and function of three Gods -- and of thethree, only one God is visible and He alone speaks for the Godhead?

I can think of several reasons . . . and Deuteronomy 13 is one of them.

Actually, Jesus and Stephen were stoned -- not for blasphemy, but for telling the truth.

When truth is considered blasphemy, something is very wrong!

Jesus said:

John 3:19 This is the verdict: [new] Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness [theirreligious traditions] instead of light [advancing truth] because their deeds were evil [e.g., whenadvancing light comes with a price, it is evil to avoid the price].


John 3:20 Everyone who does evil [clings to tradition to avoid the price] hates the light, and willnot come into the light for fear that his deeds [traditions] will be exposed [as false].

John 3:21 But whoever lives by the truth [e.g., hungers and thirsts for truth] comes into the light,so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done [the changes made] has been done through God."

Even a tiny acorn can take root and break up a concrete slab, so can the seed of advancing truth takeroot and break the iron grip of prejudice and religion.

The religious, social and political situation in A.D. 64 created a perfect storm.

Hebrew believers in A.D. 64 were at a crossroads. Persecution was discouraging and depressing.

Doubts about Jesus were growing, rumors prevailed, theological questions and fears were takingover. . . . and the onset of Jerusalem's utter destruction by the Romans was only four years away.

Now that we have some A.D. 64 sandals to stand in, let's look into the book of Hebrews:

The book of Hebrews is organized in such a way that it resolves numerous issues which plaguedearly Hebrew believers.

Here are some of the issues:

1. Was Jesus an angel or was He deity? Was polytheism (the presence of more than one God) factor fiction? Hard choice.

If the answer is "yes," Christianity and Judaism are forever separated. Answer: Hebrews 1:1-14

2. What is the relationship between Jesus, the Father and the salvation of sinners? Does salvationcome through obedience to Israel's God or faith in Jesus Christ?

If Jesus Christ, then Christianity and Judaism are forever separated. Answer: Hebrews 2:1-183. Are the teachings of Jesus greater than the laws of Moses?

If so, Christianity and Judaism are forever torn apart.

Answer: Hebrews 3:1-6

4. Where and when will God's rest begin? Who will enter into God's rest?

If God's Rest will not be located in Canaan, Christianity and Judaism are forever separated. Answer:Hebrews 3:7-4:13

5. How can Jesus be a High Priest? He is not a Levite and He is not even on Earth.

If Jesus is a High Priest for eternity to come, Christianity and Judaism are forever separated. Answer: Hebrews 4:14-5:10

6. What happens if we abandon the teachings of Christ? Can't we remain faithful "Hebrews" inIsrael, the offspring of Abraham and still be saved?

Will the consequences be serious if we don't leave Judaism? Answer: Hebrews 5:11-6:127. Is Jesus greater than Melchizedek? Abraham was a great man, but obviously a lesser man inGod's sight than Melchizedek.

If Jesus is greater than Melchizedek, this puts Abraham two steps below Jesus and this separatesChristianity from Judaism. Answer: Hebrews 6:13-7:28)

8. Long ago, God promised to make a new covenant with Israel. (Jeremiah 31:31) How can aChristian participate in a covenant made with Israel? Answer: Hebrews 8:1-9:289. How can you say temple rituals are meaningless? How can you say that animal sacrifices do notand never did remove guilt.

If true, the truth separates Christianity from Judaism forever! Answer: Hebrews 10:1-3910. What is the difference between intellectual assent (believing) and salvific faith? Why is faiththe prerequisite for eternal life? What does discipline have to do with living by faith? Answer: Hebrews 11:1-12:13

11. Can't I remain a Hebrew? I love my church. I love the people. Do I have to leave it? Do I haveto embrace "present truth" and suffer for it? Answer: Hebrews 12:14-13:6

12. Being a social, religious and familial outcast for Christ is painful and discouraging. I hate it. When will Jesus return? Hebrews 13:7-25

These 12 issues are complicated and yes, still applicable today.

The book of Hebrews will s t r e t c h your mind if you will give it due consideration. It was written

by a man who came to know Jesus better than those who walked with Him.

Near the end of the book, Paul reminds the Hebrews of their early enthusiasm for Jesus:

Heb 10:32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood yourground in a great contest in the face of suffering.

Heb 10:33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stoodside by side with those who were so treated.

Heb 10:34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of yourproperty, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

Heb 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Heb 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive whathe has promised.

Heb 10:37 For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. (notice the imminent timing)

Heb 10:38 "But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleasedwith him."

Heb 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe andare saved.



Seminar #303-3 The Book of Hebrews

-- The Deity of Jesus --Round Rock, Texas February 12, 2014

The Deity of Jesus

What would be the possibility of a Muslim evangelist convincing you that you should become aMuslim and worship Allah?

1. 100%2. 50%3. 10%

4. 0%

Try again. . .

If you were a Jew living in the first century A.D., what would be the possibility of you abandoningJudaism and becoming a Christian?

These questions are telling.

Religion has enormous control over us.

When God confused the language of mankind and divided the Earth around the time of the Towerof Babel, God foreknew that language, geography (oceans, deserts and mountains) as well aspolitical and religious diversity would keep the world divided until the end of time.

The diversity and division we see today was designed and implemented at the Tower of Babel.

What is God's purpose?

During the Great Tribulation God is going to demonstrate a profound fact:

Millions of people will abandon their religious culture and heritage and embrace a "brand new God"because they are honest in heart.


When the Holy Spirit is poured out on "all flesh," millions of sincere people will hear God's demands-- spoken by 144,000.

The 144,000 will be people who have no regard for their safety or the consequences of theirtestimony (Jesus speaking through their lips).

Because the first four trumpets will be overwhelming, most of the world will genuinely be afraid ofGod Almighty and many bewildered people will embrace and worship whatever God they haveknown out of anxiety.

In an effort to appease God's wrath, the religious and political leaders of the world will create amonster government that will force the world into repentance.

When persecution ramps up, the Holy Spirit will ramp up conviction.

Everyone on Earth will go through a four step process:

1. Hear the eternal gospel2. Make decision for it or against it3. Decision will be tested with persecution 4. Then sealed or marked

Millions of people (from all religious backgrounds) will do what is essentially impossible today.

They will embrace the eternal gospel because they already know what salvific faith is or they becomewilling after hearing the truth about God's demand to live a life of salvific faith.

Please keep this thought in mind: God's truth can be "fluffy words" or God's truth can be "heavywords." The difference is in the weight applied by the Holy Spirit.

Mat 7:28 "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,

Mat 7:29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."

John 12:49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me whatto say and how to say it.

John 12:50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Fatherhas told me to say."

Let's take a moment and consider how the deity of Jesus will be a huge problem during the GreatTribulation....

83% of the world's population either rejects or does not know that Jesus is Almighty God, just likethe Father is Almighty God.And . . .

93% of Christians do not know that Jesus, like the Father, is a separate and distinct God who hasbeen reigning from God's throne since 1798. (The Father temporarily stepped aside in 1798, afterfinding that Jesus, who was severely tested, was worthy to receive sovereign authority.)

Moreover, most of the Christian world does not know that Jesus is the Creator of everything thatexists and that His holy day is Saturday, the seventh day of the week.Therefore:

A shocking surprise is coming. The eternal gospel will soon be heard around the world:


Rev 14:7 ". . . Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. WorshipHim who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."

Worship Jesus? Yes!

Why?

Col 1:16 "For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him."

The world will also be shocked to learn that the eternal destiny of each person will be determinedby Jesus:

John 5:22,23 "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, thatall may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honorthe Father, who sent him."

How and when does Jesus want to be worshiped?

How? John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth."

When? Heb 4:9,19 "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone whoenters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God [Jesus] did from his."

When did God rest?

Gen 2:2 "By the seventh day God [Jesus] had finished the work he had been doing; so on theseventh day He rested from all his work."

During the Great Tribulation, the command to worship "Jesus the Creator" on His seventh daySabbath will create unimaginable consternation.

How will Jews naturally respond?How will Muslims naturally respond?How will Catholics naturally respond?How will Hindus naturally respond?How will Atheists naturally respond?How will Protestants naturally respond?How will the Heathen naturally respond?

Not an easy transition. Right?

We have looked at the dynamics that will occur during the end-time for a moment because the samedynamic was present in A.D. 64.

What consternation did the worship of Jesus create for early converts from Judaism?

Remember, Judaism is a monotheistic religion. There is no room for two Gods within Judaism. Therefore, Jesus cannot possibly be a God and He cannot be worshiped. . . . that would be blasphemyand according to Deut 13, blasphemers must be put to death!

Many of the Jews which had earlier received Christ as their Savior were wavering in A.D. 64.

There were good reasons:

1. Christians were outcasts (religiously, socially, and within their own families)

2. Christians were discouraged and exhausted, tired of waiting for Jesus to return

3. There was endless persecution by the Jews and Romans (poverty, prison, separation, relocation,anxiety, flight, etc.)

4. There were rumors and propaganda

But there was also something else that made their discouragement overwhelming. And this was theirgreatest enemy:

5. Ignorance

Because Christianity was a new religious concept in the first century A.D., no one fully understoodthe ramifications that went with believing in Christ.

During the first century A.D., the basis for having faith in Christ externally amounted to three things: First, Old Testament prophecies concerning Messiah, second, reports of the miracles that Heperformed and last, miracles performed by His disciples.

And miracles are not necessarily valuable.

John 12:37 "Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still wouldnot believe in him."

In A.D. 64, there were few books and there was very little information to study about Jesus (otherthan the Old Testament).

Many of the New Testament books had not yet been written.

Waiting and suffering for "a missing man" was a difficult life of faith and getting more depressingas time passed.

Also, remember that in A.D. 64 the Jews (including the early converts) were focused on thefulfillment of "Plan A."

What is "Plan A?"

"Plan A" is a term I use to describe God's original plan -- outlined through the promises andprophecies given to ancient Israel.

"Plan A" was a glorious plan, having a wonderful outcome for the nation of Israel.

But. . . .

Because the Jews rejected Jesus, "Plan A" was abandoned during the 70th week and the Jews didnot know this.

Even the Hebrew converts did not understand this.

A few words about "Plan A" are needed so that you can better understand the mindset of the Hebrewconverts in A.D. 64:

There are no verses concerning the Second Coming in the Old Testament.

God's original plan did not include or require a second advent for Jesus.

Today, a number of people use the following passage to create "a Second Coming" but this passagewould have been fulfilled under "Plan A" when the time came for bringing the sin problem to aclose:

Zec 14:2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, thehouses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the peoplewill not be taken from the city.

Zec 14:3 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle.

Zec 14:4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mountof Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountainmoving north and half moving south."

This passage describes things that would have happened if Jesus had established the kingdom of Godon Earth when He came to Earth, and later on, when Gog and his forces came against Jerusalem todestroy it, these matters would have unfolded. (Ezekiel 38,39)

But, "Plan A" was abandoned. It's promises and prophecies were abandoned.

"Plan B" has a better covenant, a better set of promises and a better set of prophecies!

Mixing "Plan A" prophecies with "Plan B" prophecies puts the Bible in a state of internal conflictbecause the two sets of prophecies have nothing to do with each other.

The Old Testament has nothing to say about events leading up to the Second Coming because therewould have been no "Plan B" or a Second Coming IF Israel had cooperated with God.

All of the promises and prophecies given in the Old Testament to ancient Israel ("Plan A") wouldhave been carried out IF Israel had been cooperative.

Under "Plan A" Jesus would have come to Earth (and He eventually did), He would have died onthe Altar of Burnt Offering in the temple (which didn't happen), He would have been resurrected(which did happen) and He would have remained on Earth to establish the kingdom of God on Earth(which didn't happen)!

Why did God abandon "Plan A?"

In a word: Rebellion

Why did God destroy the world in Noah's day?

Why did God burn down Sodom and Gommorah?

Why did God destroy the Israelites in the wilderness by keeping them in the desert for 40 years?

Why did God have Nebuchadnezzar destroy Jerusalem?

Always the same answer: Rebellion.

Going back to ~700 B.C., notice what Jesus said through Jeremiah:

Jer 7:25 "From the time your forefathers left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sentyou my servants the prophets.

Jer 7:26 But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil thantheir forefathers.'"

Because of rebellion, Jehovah raised up Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Jerusalem and put His peoplein prison.

During their captivity, Jesus gave Israel one last chance -- a period of 70 weeks (Daniel 9).

But Israel remained rebellious. They rejected and crucified Jehovah in the middle of the 70th week.

Mat 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, howoften I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, butyou were not willing.

Mat 23:38 Look, your house [nation] is left to you desolate [without God]."

The clearest signal in the first century A.D. that "Plan A" had been abandoned is the ascension(disappearance) of Jesus.

But no one understood the signal!

Jesus' absence from Earth made the fulfillment of "Plan A" impossible to carry out.

But, early Christian believers did not know this, they did not grasp that "Plan A" had beenabandoned.

They expected the return of Jesus "any day now" to carry on and fulfill the promises and propheciesgiven in "Plan A."

(And 2,000 years later, this is exactly the same mistake that millions of Christians are making rightnow.)

In A.D. 64. the expectations of the Hebrew converts regarding "Plan A" were reasonable (remember,they could not know what we know today, they did not have a New Testament):

Let's go back to A.D. 27, the beginning of the 70th week:

Luke 3:15 "The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if Johnmight possibly be the Christ."

Why were the people living with anticipation?

Many knew that A.D. 27 marked the beginning of the 70th week. This is why they anticipated theMessiah -- wondering if John might be the Messiah....

John (the Elijah who was to come) and Jesus showed up on time in A.D. 27 because it was thebeginning of the 70th week.

Shortly after His ministry began in A.D. 27, notice what Jesus said:

Mark 1:14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.

Mark 1:15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the goodnews!"

The establishment of the kingdom of God on Earth would have begun during the 70th week IF Israelhad been willing!

If God's original plan, "Plan A," had been carried out,

If Jesus had remained on Earth after His resurrection,

The kingdom of God would have been established and as it developed, Jesus would have eventuallyled Israel into "God's Rest."

What does "God's Rest" mean?

In today's vernacular, it means "Early retirement with good health, having two condos (one in Aspen,one in the Florida keys), and an unlimited amount of money to spend."

OK... I lied. I gave that description to appeal to your carnal nature.

Everyone I know except "Grandpa Gene" wants to avoid the curse of sin:

Gen 3:17 " . . . Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all thedays of your life.

Gen 3:18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.

Gen 3:19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, sincefrom it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

Because the carnal nature is self-indulgent, "Early retirement with good health, having two condos (one in Aspen, one in the Florida keys), andan unlimited amount of money to spend" sounds just right.

But God's rest means something even better!

It means "living, learning, working, worshiping, dining and walking with God."

(More will be said about this later on.)

For now, if "Plan A" had been put in motion, Jesus would have reigned on Earth, building up thekingdom of God until the time arrived for ending sin's drama.

Keep in mind that if Jesus had stayed on Earth, He would not die from old age as we do, buteveryone else in His kingdom would continue to live and die as usual until the time came for the endof sin's drama.

Then, at the end of sin's drama, there would have been a resurrection and eternal life would be givento all of the saints.

Notice this "Plan A" prophecy that confuses a lot of people:

Isa 65:19 I [the Lord] will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound ofweeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

Isa 65:20 "Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who doesnot live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reacha hundred will be considered accursed.

Isa 65:23 They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a peopleblessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them."

"Plan A" included (1) the arrival of Messiah, (2) the establishment of God's kingdom on Earth, (3)Israel and all converts entering into God's rest, (4) bringing an end to sin's drama and (5) a newHeaven and Earth ....

Can you guess why the saints will spend 1,000 years in Heaven before the end of sin's drama? Itis God's Sabbath Rest!

Because of rebellion, "Plan A" had to be abandoned.

There was a recall. Jesus returned to Heaven.

"God's Rest" could not be implemented on Earth.

Therefore, God put "Plan B" in motion.

(For more info, see Appendices B and D in my book, Jesus' Final Victory.)

Back to the story: Because Jewish converts in A.D. 64 were expecting the fulfillment of "Plan A" --which would not occur -- you should be able to better appreciate their confusion and discouragement.

As I said, ignorance was their greatest enemy -- and it was "eating their spiritual lunch."

They often asked each other, "What is Jesus doing? What is He waiting on? What are His plans forus? When will He set His people free from the Jews and these despicable Romans and restore Israelas "the head and not the tail" as promised in Deut 28:13?"

Paul reveals in the book of Hebrews that "Plan A" had to be abandoned.

Paul also reveals that "Plan B" was put into effect because there wasn't any human cooperation.

Hot Topic #1 among the Jews and early Hebrew converts.

Was Jesus a fraud, the incarnation of an angel who appeared as a man or was He a God whoappeared in the form of a man?

Later on, Christians expanded this topic with more questions:

Was Jesus an apparition of the Father, was Jesus created by the Father or is Jesus a co-eternal Godwho is separate and distinct from the Father?

This topic festered until the first council at Nicea in A.D. 325 when the Christian Church settled theissue with a vote.

Today, the truth about Jesus may or may not be disturbing to you. Many people shrug and say,"What difference does it make? What are we having for dinner?"

The truth always makes a difference for those who search for truth because truth is a series ofbuilding blocks.

And the truth about Jesus in A.D. 64 was shattering to Judaism.

Judaism was monotheistic. Everyone else (Gentiles and pagans) were polytheistic.

From a monotheistic point of view, the evidence of another God was unthinkable, outrageous,impossible, totally blasphemous.

If proven true, that two or more Gods existed, the leaders of Judaism knew that Judaism wouldimplode faster than the walls of Jerusalem could fall.

The nature of religion: All religions are built on a series of "building blocks" (aka as a house ofcards) and if you can eliminate a major building block by proving it is false, the whole house fallsapart.

Therefore, the arrival of Jesus was a big problem from the start. His birth, His teachings and Hispresence created controversy.

If Jesus is a God, a co-eternal being, separate and distinct from the Father and yet equal with theFather -- there was no wiggle room within Judaism, there was no place for Jesus. Monotheism hasno room for a second God. Period.

Although early Hebrew converts did not realize it at first, Christianity and Judaism were foreverseparated by the birth of Messiah. Even the record of time was divided by His birth: Before Christ(B.C.) and Anno Domini (A.D.).

But, if Jesus was an angel who took on the form of a man, if Jesus was not a separate and distinctGod like the Father, there might be room within Judaism for a messenger or a prophet from Godcalled "Jesus."

Moses told Israel:

Deu 18:15 "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your ownbrothers. You must listen to him."

When John the Baptist began his ministry, the leaders of Israel asked him:

John 1:19 "Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites toask him who he was.

John 1:20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ."

John 1:21 They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you theProphet?" He answered, "No."

John 1:22 Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us.What do you say about yourself?"

John 1:23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in thedesert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'"

And during the days of Christ's ministry:

John 6:14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely thisis the Prophet who is to come into the world."

Because monotheism was challenged by the appearance of Jesus, the nature of Jesus became a hugeargument among Jewish converts in the first century A.D.

Later on, the nature of Jesus swelled into a huge argument for Christians during the fourth centuryA.D.

(During the sixth century, three tribal nations were destroyed in part, over this conflict.)

Because Christians did not want to be viewed as polytheistic, they created a host of goofyexplanations about the Godhead that even after 2,000 years, make no sense:

Augustine A.D. 408

"All the Catholic (universal) interpreters of the divine books of the Old and New Testaments whomI have been able to read, who wrote before me about the Trinity, which is God, intended to teach inaccord with the Scriptures that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are of one and the samesubstance constituting a divine unity with an inseparable equality; and therefore there are not threegods but one God, although the Father begot the Son, and therefore he who is the Son is not theFather; and the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son but only the Spirit of the Father and ofthe Son, himself, too, coequal to the Father and to the Son and belonging to the unity of the Trinity."(The Trinity1:4:7).

Was Jesus an angel or a prophet?orWas Jesus an apparition of JehovahorWas Jesus a separate deity?

Ironically, if the Jews had paid attention to Genesis 1, they could have known from Moses that theGodhead is made up of Gods (plural). . . .

Gen 1:1 In the beginning Gods ('elohiym) created the heavens and the earth.

Gen 1:26 "Then Gods ('elohiym) said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness. . ."

What does Paul say in Hebrews 1:1-14 about Jesus?

Heb 1:1 In the past God [the Father] spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many timesand in various ways,

Heb 1:2 but in these last days [of Earth's existence -- Heb 9:26, 10:37] he has [exponentiallyincreased the importance of His words, He has] spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir[e.g., future owner] of all things, and through whom He made the universe."

Keep in mind: "Jesus was appointed the heir [future owner] of all things"

Big Hebrew Ouch:

Paul begins the book of Hebrews without apology or equivocation: "God has a Son" and thislanguage meant to A.D. 64 Jews that the Father had an equal.

Remember John 5:18: "For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was hebreaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God."

Paul does not waver -- ever -- on the co-eternal equality of Jesus with the Father.

Notice his words to the church at Phillipi:

Phil 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Phil 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to begrasped,Phil 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in humanlikeness."---Heb 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustainingall things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the righthand of the Majesty in heaven."

Two questions pop up:

1. If there is only one God as Augustine claimed, does the Father have an angel, a prophet or anapparition of Himself sitting at His right hand?

2. Why does Paul say that Jesus is an "exact representation of the Father's being?"

The Jews believed that Jehovah was invisible and whenever a theophany occurred (e.g., when thedivine becomes human), it was the result of God sending an angel or an apparition (a ghost) in theform of an angel.

Fact: The Father is forever and always has been invisible. The only thing which angels and humanswill ever see of the Father is a "brilliant form."

1 Tim 6:15 " . . . God [the Father], the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords[at the present time],

1 Tim 6:16 who alone is immortal [never dies] and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no onehas seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen."

The Father is not visible to angels or humans. Jesus also affirmed that no one has ever seen theFather:

John 6:46 "No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen theFather."

Paul declares in Hebrews 1:3 that Jesus is an "exact representation" of the Father's being. How canthis be?

Simple: They are "identical twins."

John 14:9 ". . . Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. . . ."

This verse doesn't mean the Son is the Father. It means they are equals and "identicals" in everyway, yet they serve Creation in very different roles.

One God rules on the throne

One God lives among His Creation as one of us

One God lives within all created beings.

God above, beside and within.

Can't get any better than this.

Two Gods are invisibleOne God is visible

What did Jesus say of His mission:

Luke 10:22 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son isexcept the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Sonchooses to reveal him."

In other words, the truth about the Father (who is invisible) is made known through Jesus (who isvisible).

On the other hand, when we see Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, we grasp something of theFather's humility. When we behold the awesome brilliance of the Father, we grasp something of theSon's power and glory. Whoa!

This brings us to a point of contention that remains among many Christians today.

Many Christians cannot accept the idea that prior to His life on Earth, deity lived in Heaven in theform of an angel (called, Michael the archangel), yet these same people have no problem with the

idea that deity could live on Earth in the form of a man.

We do not have time to examine the facts proving that Jehovah, Michael and Jesus are the sameperson.

However, we do need to know that Jehovah, Michael and Jesus are the same person to make senseof several things said by Paul.

In Hebrews 1:8,9 Paul quotes a passage from Psalms 45:7 where one God speaks to the other God --yes, the Jews had a copy of this passage for about one thousand years but could not figure it out:

Heb 1:8 But about the Son he [the Father] says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.

Heb 1:9 "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God [Michael], your God[your Father], has set you above your companions [the angels] by anointing you with the oil of joy."

What did Paul just say?

He said that Jesus is God and yet his companions were angels before He was elevated above them. How can this be?

Simple.

Michael (who is deity) lived among the angels as one of them -- in the form of an angel until the timecame for Jesus to be "exalted" to sitting at the right hand of the Father.

As Michael the archangel, there was nothing about Him that gave any indication that He was actuallya God.

He lived among the angels in the form of an angel in the same way that He lived among men as oneof us.

Isn't it interest that the glory of God is unlimited and the humility of God is overwhelming!

Look at His earthly example:

Isa 53:2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had nobeauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

Isa 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Likeone from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

Going back to Paul's use of Psalm 45:

Heb 1:9 "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God [speaking to Michael],your God [your Father], has set you above your companions [angels] by anointing you with the oilof joy."

Why was Jesus elevated above His companions? Why was Jesus given a chair at the right hand ofthe Father?

Simple.

He carried out -- with astonishing perfection, the will of the Father while He was on Earth.

Jesus was inexpressibly crushed on the cross and His love for sinners and His faith in the Fathernever wavered. Wow.

After the Son of Man ascended to Heaven, Jesus was still regarded as Michael the archangel to theangels. (We see this in Daniel 12, Rev 12 and 1 Thess 4.)

This should not be hard to understand.

One man can be a father, a brother, an uncle and a husband. Yes, one lousy man can be all of thesethings!

However, after returning to Heaven, Jesus did not return to the form of an angel. He was no longer"one of the chief princes," He was no longer a guardian cherub.

Now, in the eyes of the angels, He was "Michael, who is like God."

Instead of living among the angels as He had done before, the Father highly exalted Him, butphysically kept Him in "a lower form of life."

Because the Father wanted to exalt a lower order of life [human beings], Jesus, "the son of man,"was given a chair at the Father's right hand -- and this elevated Jesus high above His companions [theangels].

Making any sense?

Because the argument "Jesus was an angel or a prophet" had gained traction among Hebrew believersin the first century (thus protecting monotheism),

Paul tackled the argument with three facts in Hebrews 1:

Point #1: Jesus is the Creator and heir [future owner] of everything.

Heb 1:2 ". . . . in these last days He [the Father] has spoken to us by his Son [the Word], whom heappointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."

A future heir? What does this mean?

John 17:4,6 "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. . . . Ihave revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave themto me and they have obeyed your word."

When Jesus offered to die for mankind, the Father said to the Creator/Jehovah/Michael/Jesus:

Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth yourpossession.

Why did the Father offer this?

Because the Creator owns nothing that He makes.

Everything that Jesus creates belongs to the Father. Therefore, when Jesus offered to give up Hislife to redeem sinners, the Father replied:

Psa 2:8 "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth yourpossession."

"Everything you redeem, you can keep as your own possession."

Redeemed means "to buy back."

1 Cor 6:19 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whomyou have received from God? You are not your own;

1 Cor 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Heb 1:4 So he [Jesus, as a heir] became as much superior to the angels as the name [Son of Godwhich means equality with God] he has inherited is superior to theirs.

I know what you are thinking....

If Jesus was an equal with the Father from the beginning, why should he be made an heir and inherita higher name?

In the beginning, as deity Jesus was of course, superior to the angels who were created beings, butHis identity and superiority was unknown to them until the Father revealed the identity of Jesus tothe angels.

This startling revelation took place before the Creation of the world, it took place on the day whenLucifer and his followers were cast out of Heaven the first time. (Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28) Thisis discussed at length in Prophecy 12 in my book, "Jesus' Final Victory."

Paul silences the argument over the identity of Jesus:

Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become yourFather?" Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son?"

(Quoting Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14)

Heb 1:6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angelsworship him."

Paul quotes the LXX (Deuteronomy 32:43)

The Father commands the angels, worship Him?

Why? How?

Because Jesus is deity even in the lowly form of a human being.

Let's make sure we are on track:

Paul's says that Jesus is another God:

v9 "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God [Michael/Jesus], your God[your Father], has set you above your companions [the angels and humans as well] by anointing youwith the oil of joy."

v8 Paul establishes the elevation of Jesus above the angels when the Father calls Him, "Son" (whichindicates an equal).

v6 Paul reminds the Jews that the Father commanded that all the angels worship "baby Jesus" whenHe came into this world.

These declarations (quoted from Psalms) proves Jesus is not a prophet or an angel, Jesus is deity.

And the Father is not offended, insulted or blasphemed in the least when angels and human beingshonor and worship Jesus.

Jesus said:John 5:22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,

John 5:23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Sondoes not honor the Father, who sent him.

It is not blasphemy to worship Jesus as Almighty God because He too, is an Almighty God just likethe Father.

To be continued....

If time permits:

How is this possible? Three Gods have surrendered their rights and prerogatives to each other inlove.

1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 = 1Each God gave 2/3 to the others in order to appear as 1.

Like a man and a woman united in marriage, they are one.

1/2 + 1/2 = 1

Also,

7/10 + 3/10 = 1

What does Jesus say of Himself?

Isa 44:6 "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am thefirst and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

[There is no God that manifests Himself or speaks to mankind other than me. No one can see theFather. Therefore, I speak for Him, I speak the words He gives to me.]

John 17:8 "For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. . . "

Paul concludes with another prophetic passage taken from Psalms 110:

Heb 1:13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemiesa footstool for your feet"?

In other words, after the last enemy is destroyed (death itself), Jesus will be given His inheritanceby the Father.

This is not a situation where the Father gives Himself an inheritance.

This is a situation where one God will give another God everything He asked for.

Case not quite closed.

1 Cor 15:24 Then the end will come, when he [Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Fatherafter he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

1 Cor 15:25 For he [Jesus] must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

1 Cor 15:28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who puteverything under him, so that God may be all in all."

Think this through: If monotheism is a true doctrine and Paul's comments in 1 Corinthians 15 aretrue, there is total nonsense . . . .

Pay claims that God will merely give back to Himself what He already owns.

1 Cor 15:24 Then the end will come, when he [Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Fatherafter he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power."

Monotheism is a bad idea.

It is so bad that it caused the Jews to consider Jesus a blasphemer.

After paying the ultimate price for our salvation, after inheriting from the Father everything that Heredeemed with His own blood, do you know why Jesus gives it all back to the Father?

Simple.

It was the Father who resurrected Jesus and restored His life.

Therefore, Jesus owes everything to the Father and this simple act sets a marvelous stage:

There will never be any division in the kingdom of God with the Father owning stuff and the Sonowning stuff -- No!

When Jesus gives His kingdom to the Father, the Father will own everything and everyone -- andthis is how it was before sin began.

Jesus is not an angel and Jesus is not a man -- even though He has lived in both forms.

Jesus is a separate, distinct co-eternal member of the Godhead who subjected Himself to the will ofthe Father in order to save mankind.

On the cross, Jesus forfeited His eternal life so that it might be given to sinners.

When Jesus offered to forfeit His eternal life so that sinners could have it, the Father saw that Jesuswas willing to give up everything (His 1/3) to save a lowly life form, e.g., the lives of human beingsand the Father was moved to tears.

The Father accepted Christ's offer and their relationship changed:

Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son [subject]; today I havebecome your Father. . . . "

Now you know why Jesus is called, "The Son of God."

Now you know why monotheism is a false doctrine.

Now you know why Paul began the book of Hebrews -- proving that Jesus is an equal with theFather, a co-eternal, separate and distinct God.

The truth on this topic creates a wide gulf, separating Christians from Jews.

For more information on "Monotheism versus Tritheism," please see my December 2012, Wake UpReport.



Seminar #303-4

The Book of Hebrews

-- The Priesthood and Temple --

Round Rock, Texas February 13, 2014

I hope by now that you have a new appreciation for the plight of early Christians.

Having a good pair of "A.D. 64 Sandals" is most valuable when studying the New Testament ingeneral and the book of Hebrews in particular.

Paul's testimony in the book of Hebrews is part "head knowledge" and part "heart-felt experience." He was tutored by the Holy Spirit and tortured for his faith.

He knew what it meant to leave behind friends, family, colleagues and religion.

He knew what suffering for Jesus was all about. How could he go from being "a Pharisee of thePharisees" to being the most despised Pharisee to ever live?

Salvific faith.

Around the time Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, Paul also wrote a second letter to the believers inCorinth because they were being persuaded by some "Jewish scholars" to return to the practices andculture of Judaism.

As you already know, returning to Judaism was very tempting to early Hebrew converts because itis very difficult to cut your own umbilical cord with your childhood religion.

Paul asked the church to compare his credentials with "the experts" from Jerusalem:

2 Cor 11:23 "Are they [the Judaizers] servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) Iam more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely,and been exposed to death again and again.

2 Cor 11:24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

2 Cor 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked,I spent a night and a day in the open sea,

2 Cor 11:26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger frombandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in dangerin the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.

2 Cor 11:27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger andthirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

2 Cor 11:28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

2 Cor 11:29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

2 Cor 11:30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

2 Cor 11:31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I amnot lying."

Paul implied, "Who is an "expert" at faith in Christ? Is it those who have endured relentlesssuffering for Jesus or those who know nothing about suffering for Jesus?"

Listen to this man who was once "murderous persecutor of Christians:"

Heb 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised [to soon return]is faithful.

Heb 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing [because ofdiscouragement], but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Dayapproaching.

Think of the tremendous advantage we will have today. When the censer is cast down and the GreatTribulation begins, we can know the number of days until the appearing of Jesus!

Thus far in this seminar, we have considered the properties of salvific faith, the persecution, isolationand abuse of Hebrew converts, the long-anticipated fulfillment of "Plan A" and how the deity ofJesus, a separate, distinct, co-eternal God ruined a major building block (monotheism) withinJudaism.

Jesus said:

"You can't put new wine into old wine skins."

You can't factor two or more Gods into Judaism.

When a new religious paradigm is mixed with an old one, both will be ruined.

We want to investigate a second theological issue, another "atomic bomb" in the book of Hebrewsthat when properly understood, it totally destroys Judaism.

This bomb is "The priesthood of Jesus and His service in Heaven's temple."

This will be a painful bomb for wavering Hebrew converts.

To appreciate some of the dimensions of this topic, you need to know that the temple building inJerusalem was an object of veneration and worship.

It was believed to be God's house, God's dwelling place, therefore it was considered "holy ground" by the Jews.

(Nevermind the fact that God did not enter that building until Joseph and Mary carried him into it.)

And this brings up another point. Ever since the first temple was destroyed, there have been no holybuildings on Earth.

Instead, God now occupies the hearts of those who worship Him in spirit and truth.

Yes, there are many beautiful buildings dedicated to the glory and service of God and this is fitting

and proper, but remember, there are no holy buildings. A building is a building.

Isa 66:1 This is what the Lord says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where isthe house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?

Isa 66:2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the Lord."This is the one [the building] I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at myword."

The temple was located on Mt. Moriah, the very site where Abraham offered up Isaac.

Even though the first temple, built by Solomon, was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C., thetemple was rebuilt and consecrated around 515 B.C.

About five hundred years later, king Herod (~20 B.C.) lavished millions of dollars on rebuilding thetemple to gain the allegiance of the Jews. Even though "Herod's temple" (yes, this is the Herod thattried to kill baby Jesus) was rebuilt within a couple years, construction on the temple complexcontinued for almost 80 years.

Herod's temple (sometimes called the third temple) was completed just in time for its utterdestruction by the Romans in A.D. 70.

Many Christians anticipate another temple will be built on Mt. Moriah. This will not take placebecause God will not allow it!

To forever prevent the Jews from building another temple on Mt. Moriah, God gave "temple mount"over the Muslims in the 8th century and the Dome of the Rock Mosque serves as a perpetual seal onMt. Moriah preventing the creation of another Jewish temple.

Somehow, many Christians have missed the arrival and implementation of "Plan B."

The Bible teaches there is a new Mount Zion, a New Jerusalem and a "true temple" in Heaven setup by God Himself!

God has no need for anything on Earth -- in fact, He will someday burn up this lovely building.

During the time of Christ's ministry, Herod's "gold plated" temple was the center of Jewish life andtheology.

The Jews were so proud of their temple that Jesus did something rather shocking to the Pharisees!

Jesus cursed the Pharisees for making the gold on the temple more important than the God in thetemple!

Mat 23:16 "Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing;but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.'

Mat 23:17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?"

According to Exodus 23:17, every adult male in Israel had to show up at the temple three times a

year.

For many many generations, this command made the temple "ground zero" for all Jews. Eventhough they didn't realize it, the temple became an idol to the Jews.

After the second and third temples were rebuilt, the Jews believed the temple was the dwelling placeof God (as the first temple had been), but when the curtain was torn from top to bottom by an angel,the Father proved there was no Jehovah (no Shekinah glory) in the temple.

Instead, Jehovah was hanging on a cross outside the city.

The destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 is historically interesting for several reasons.

1. Jesus predicted in A.D. 30 that no two stones would be left on top of each other.

2. During the siege of Jerusalem by Titus in A.D. 70, thousands of Jews rushed into the temple toescape the Romans. They reasoned that God would not permit pagans to assault and destroy Hisholy dwelling place.

3. History says that most of the temple gold was taken to Rome along with thousands of Jews. Vespesian made slaves of the Jews and with the gold taken from the temple, he paid for theconstruction of the Colosseum in Rome which took 10 years.

(I'm sure you know that later on, many Christians perished in Rome's Colosseum.)

Coming back to A.D. 64. . . .

There was one man in Israel who stood between sinners and the Shekinah glory at all times. It wasthe high priest. This man was honored in Israel in the same way the pope is honored in the Catholicchurch today.

You have to appreciate the awe and respect which the Jews apportioned to the temple and its servicesif you are going to understand Paul's efforts to prove to the Hebrews that the value of the building,its services and high priest had become meaningless.

Paul knew this would be a very difficult argument because the temple complex had given the Jewsa superiority complex.

Paul knew that if he could prove to the Hebrew converts from the Old Testament that Jesus has beenappointed by God to serve as High Priest in Heaven's temple, the true temple, then KA-BOOM! Judaism might lose its strong attraction over them.

Judaism would become something to avoid rather than something to embrace.

Revealing this "present truth" to Hebrew converts who were honest in heart can be compared todropping atomic bombs on Japan during WWII.

Temple abolished. High Priest canceled.Game over.

A Jew without a high priest is worse off than a Catholic without a pope or a Muslim withoutMohammed.

Why?

Who, but the high priest, appointed by God Himself, can apply the merits of an atoning sacrifice?

Who, but a high priest, appointed by God Himself, can enter into God's presence and cleanse thetemple?

Basically, Paul's argument was this:

"Temple services and the function of the high priest in Jerusalem are no longer necessary orimportant. God has abandoned Jerusalem and the temple. It is an empty building. The Father haseliminated the office of high priest on Earth by giving it to His Son. Since Jehovah was not invitedto serve in His own temple, the Father has taken Jesus to Heaven to serve in the true temple whichthe Father created for Him.

Therefore:

Services at the earthly temple and high priest have been terminated

The Heavenly temple with a new high priest is now open for business

This is huge. A Big Theological Ouch!

The Judaizers argued, "How can Jesus be legitimately appointed a High Priest? He is not a Leviteand He is not on Earth to serve at the designated spot where Moses declared sacrifices must beoffered:

Deu 12:13 "Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings anywhere you please.

Deu 12:14 Offer them only at the place the Lord will choose in one of your tribes, and there observeeverything I command you."

Paul responded to their argument with the story of "Melchizedek."

Every Jew knew about Melchizedek, but few understood the significance of Melchizedek.

A brief review:

After Abraham moved into Canaan and Lot had "pitched his tent" toward the lovely city of Sodom,four kings (tribal kings) decided to prey upon the cities of the plains and plunder them.

Note: It is far easier to steal food than it is to grow, harvest and preserve food.

So:

Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim

went to war against

Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, Bela king of Zoar.

Four kings against five....

Gen 14:11 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then theywent away.

Gen 14:12 They also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living inSodom.

Gen 14:14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trainedmen born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan.

Gen 14:15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuingthem as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

Gen 14:16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions,together with the women and the other people.

Gen 14:17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, theking of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

Gen 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God MostHigh,

Gen 14:19 and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of Heavenand Earth.

Gen 14:20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." ThenAbram gave him a tenth of everything.

Gen 15:1 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. Iam your shield, your very great reward."

Why was this story so important to the Jews and especially important for building Paul's atomicbomb?

When Abraham lived on Earth, the Scriptures say there was a man who was greater in God's sightthan Abraham.

Abraham himself recognized this man to be a king and a priest of God and he gave him his tithe.

After Abraham won the battle, the Holy Spirit came upon Melchizedek. It was revealed to him whoAbraham was (chosen by God to be the father of many nations) and Melchizedek blessed Abraham(another set of lips confirming to Abraham what God had earlier promised to him).

When Abraham heard Melchizedek's blessing, Abraham realized that Melchizedek was God's priestand he gave his tithe to Melchizedek -- and Abraham's action proves that Abraham recognized thatMelchizedek was God's priest.

OK, what is so important here?

Heb 5:1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in mattersrelated to God, to [mediate by] offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Heb 5:2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himselfis subject to weakness.

Heb 5:3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

Heb 5:4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.

Heb 5:5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God saidto him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father." [Psalm 2]

Heb 5:6 And he [the Father] says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order ofMelchizedek."

Here, Paul quotes from Psalm 110:4:

"The Lord [Jehovah] has sworn and will not change his mind: "You [my Son - Jehovah] are a priestforever, in the order of Melchizedek."

This Messianic prophecy, written by David, was an endless puzzle for the Jews because "the orderof Melchizedek" was not "the Levitical order of Aaron."

Paul knew the Jews could not figure out the Melchizedek mystery. Therefore, He used very simpleand clear statements from the Old Testament to prove that another priesthood, in the order ofMelchizedek, had been predicted for a thousand years!

Heb 7:1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. [notice the union ofchurch and state in one man] He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessedhim,

Heb 7:2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king ofrighteousness;" then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." [thus, a king of righteousness andpeace]

Heb 7:3 Without father or mother, without genealogy [no genealogical records], without beginningof days or end of life [no biological records], like the Son of God he remains a priest forever[historically speaking].

To the Jewish mind in A.D. 64, genealogy was everything. Being a biological descendant ofAbraham was considered a matter of life (salvation) and death (eternal loss).

Paul reminded the Jews there was no record of Melchizedek's parents or his birth or death.

Why?

Lineage was all that separated Jews from the Gentiles, the clean from the unclean.

Therefore, how could "a nobody" (having no lineage) like Melchizedek be greater than Abraham?

Paul used this question to demonstrate that Melchizedek and Jesus were divinely appointed and thatis the point in Psalm 110:4. " . . . .You [my Son - Jehovah God] are a [king and a] priest forever, inthe order of Melchizedek."

Melchizedek was not a descendant of Abraham and Jesus was not a descendant of Levi.

Finally, Melchizedek, the king and priest died and nothing else is known about him.

Jesus died, but Jesus was resurrected on the third day. He had to be resurrected because long agoHe had been appointed by the Father to be a high priest in the order of Melchizedek [meaning thathis lineage doesn't matter to God].

After Jesus was raised from the dead, the Father took Him to Heaven and set Him on His right handwhere He now serves as High Priest for all mankind -- on the basis of His love, faith, perfectsacrifice and indestructible life!

Heb 7:4 Just think how great he [Melchizedek] was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenthof the plunder!

Heb 7:5 Now the law [of Moses] requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect atenth from the people--that is, their brothers--even though their brothers are descended fromAbraham.

Heb 7:6 This man [Melchizedek], however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected atenth from Abraham and blessed him who had [been given] the promises.

Heb 7:7 And without doubt the lesser person [Abraham] is blessed by the greater [person,Melchizedek].

Heb 7:11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood [e.g., if theLevitical priesthood had been adequate for God's purposes] (for on the basis of it the law [of Moses]was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come -- one in the order ofMelchizedek [per the prediction in Psalms 110, a priest that is], not in the order of Aaron? [Listen,I will tell you why....]

Heb 7:12 For when there is a change of the priesthood [from Aaron's order to Melchizedek's order],there must also be a change of the law. [Thus, the Levitical law is dead, abolished, nailed to thecross.]

Heb 7:13 He [Jesus] of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one fromthat tribe has ever served [as High Priest] at the altar.

Heb 7:14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses saidnothing about priests.

So where does Paul's argument end up?Heb 7:15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,

Heb 7:16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on thebasis of the power of an indestructible life.

Heb 7:17 For it is declared [to the Son of God in Psalm 110:4]: "You are a priest forever, in theorder of Melchizedek."

Heb 7:18 The former regulation [e.g., the Levitical lineage requirement] is set aside because it wasweak and useless [temporary, not everlasting]

Heb 7:19 (for the [Levitical] law made nothing perfect [or permanent]), and a better hope is [now]introduced, by which we draw near to God [through a High Priest who actually sits beside theFather!].

Heb 8:1 The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down atthe right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Heb 8:2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man."

Paul is chopping away, steadily putting the ax to the roots of Judaism. He has just proven twopowerful things from the Old Testament:

1. The high priest in Jerusalem's temple is no longer high priest. The Son of God (a deity who cameto Earth, provided atonement for our sins, and ascended to the right hand of God) is now High Priestin the order of Melchizedek.

2. Temple services in Jerusalem have zero merit. The temple where Jesus serves is far better, noton Earth.

Heb 9:11 When Christ came [to Earth] as high priest of the good things that are already here [thepromise of redemption], he went through [to] the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation.

Heb 9:24 [To fulfill the promise of redemption] For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary thatwas only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.

Heb 9:25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest entersthe Most Holy Place every year [on the Day of Atonement] with blood that is not his own.

Heb 9:26 [If this was the case] Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creationof the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by thesacrifice of himself.

Heb 9:27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Heb 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear asecond time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Heb 10:1 The [Levitical] law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realitiesthemselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year,make perfect [remove the carnal nature of] those who draw near to worship.

Heb 10:2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would havebeen cleansed once for all [if their carnal natures had been removed], and would no longer have feltguilty for their sins.

Heb 10:3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,

Heb 10:4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."

Very difficult for a Jew to believe this!! --

How could Paul say the entire Levitical system was, from the beginning, nothing more than anintricate skit designed to show the whole world how the plan of salvation operates?

And most troubling of all, Paul said that animal sacrifices never took away sin anyhow? If this istrue, what was the point of killing all these innocent animals for the past 1,500 years?

Remember, God Himself designed the temple services (the skit) and He gave Moses the lawsconcerning temple services and He commanded Moses to build the tabernacle according to thepattern which was shown to him.

But the pattern and all of its temple services were nothing more than a carefully crafted skit. That'sall.

Temple services never produced salvation because (a) the blood of animals cannot produce salvationbecause salvation always comes through faith alone, not through rituals, sacraments or ordinancesand (b) the true tabernacle has to be served by a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron!

Even though temple services were a skit, was salvific faith involved?

Yes.

When a person, sorry for his sin, makes restitution for his sin and brings his atoning sacrifice to altaras God commanded, that person's obedient action reveals faith in God's promise that one day, Godwould pay the price for sin and God would also apply the merits of the atoning sacrifice to redeemsinners.

This is why Abel did as God commanded. He showed salvific faith in God by carrying out therequirements of the skit.

If it is true that Jesus is deity, that God has abandoned the Aaronic priesthood and God hasabandoned the earthly temple and its services, Christianity and Judaism have nothing more incommon. Zero.

And I don't have to tell you what a "bomb" this was to Jewish converts.

Once again, there was nothing to return to.

Judaism had fallen.

Heb 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary

[Most Holy Place] behind the curtain,

Heb 6:20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priestforever, in the order of Melchizedek."

And from our perch, 2000 years later, this is the beauty of Christ our High Priest. After He paid theprice for our sins, after He was made our High Priest, He was found worthy to also be our Judge.

Three bombs:

1. Salvific faith2. The deity of Jesus3. The Priesthood of Jesus



Seminar #303-5Parts 1-3

The Book of Hebrews

-- God's Covenant with Abraham --Round Rock, Texas February 15, 2014

"When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth [and is convicted that it is truth], he willeither quit being mistaken or cease being honest." -- Richard J. Humpal, JD

Thus far, we have examined three "atomic bombs" which Paul used to dethrone the validity ofJudaism in the eyes of the Hebrews:

1. The deity of Jesus, as proclaimed in the Old Testament, proves Jewish montheism is inadequate,and worse, Jewish montheism is now a false doctrine. Jesus is an Almighty God just like the Father is an Almighty God.

2. Jesus, the Son of God, has been appointed to be a king and a high priest in the order ofMelchizedek. Jesus now serves in Heaven, in the true temple.

This transition makes the Levitical priesthood and earthly temple services obsolete and dangerous. (Dangerous in the sense that continued particiation in temple services shows that worshipers at thetemple do not believe that Christ's death paid "in full" the penalty for sin.)

3. When it comes to the promise of receiving salvation, legalism (this for that) and presumption

(give me that) are worthless in God's sight. Salvific faith pleases God.

Salvific Faith: "I am convicted, I don't like it (there are consequences), but God's will must be done."

When a salvific test occurs, the test always puts us in an uncomfortable position.

A salvific test occurs when the Holy Spirit creates a conviction within us to see what we will do.

A salvific test always comes with a price of some kind.

Whenever a salvific test is successful, Heaven rejoices! Watching angels flutter their wings, theyjump up and down and give each other a round of "high fives."

Why?

Each time we surrender to the Holy Spirit and pass the test of faith, we are brought "closer" andtaken "deeper" into fellowship with God.

The life of every disciple of Christ can be defined as "one faith experience to the next faithexperience."

And this is not good news for the carnal nature which wants to do whatever it wants to do.

Rom 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvationto every one that believeth; to the Jew first [through whom salvation came], and also to the Greek[who believes].

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, Thejust [justified] shall live by faith.

A few words are needed about a present day school of thought called "eternal security."

This is a false concept created by the devil and promoted by "good men" for the purpose of lullingbelievers away from a life of salvific faith.

The devil has created a thousand variations on eternal security, but the end-result is always the same:

"Be happy, you're saved."

Jesus did it all at the cross! Just have a relationship with Jesus!!


Once you get saved, you're always saved.


Join the one true church that knows the will of God better than all others.


Just believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.


Do some good works, give away some clothes you can't wear and expired cans of food.


Give a generous offering to your favorite end-time ministry.


Attend church, receive the sacraments, give a donation.


Believe the experts. Don't ask too many Bible questions.


Invite the preacher and his family over for lunch every now and then.


Pay your tithes.


Don't cheat on your income tax.


I hope you get the point....

Our carnal nature wants a salvation that doesn't have a cross.

Our carnal nature wants salvation to be "a done deal." Whew!

Now that I have "insurance" and assurance that I am not going to Hell, I can rest a little better atnight.

We want to believe: "Be happy, I am saved!"

Nobody wants to go to Hell and the devil knows this.

Nobody naturally wants to do God's will, and the devil knows this, too!

Notice how the devil works:

1. We are born with a carnal nature. This nature is naturally hostile toward God's authority anddemands.

Jesus is both a king and a high priest. Every king issues laws and demands.

Carnal minded people do not like laws and demands that are contrary to the carnal nature.

For example, as a king, Jesus has issued this commandment:

Mat 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

Mat 5:44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Mat 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil andthe good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Mat 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectorsdoing that?

Mat 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not evenpagans do that?

Point: Jesus knows that it is not natural to love an enemy.

The only way a person can love an enemy is through enabling power.

This enabling power is offered by our High Priest to every person willing to live by faith.

If the Holy Spirit brings a conviction that you should love an enemy #12, and you really don't wantto, but you know it is God's will that you do so, here's the deal:

If we will chose to do what the Spirit is demanding (and He will not demand more of us than we cando), "the Jordan river will open up, a dry pathway will appear and you can proceed toward thepromised land."

Once we show God that we intend to do all that the Holy Spirit demands, "enabling power comesfrom our High Priest at the speed of lightning."

But a carnal minded person cannot experience this power, because it only comes through salvificfaith!

Rom 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that naturedesires . . .

Rom 8:7 The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so."

Rom 8:8 Those controlled by the [passions of the] sinful nature [which is ego-centric] cannot pleaseGod."

Of course, the spiritual mind is very different:

Rom 8:5 " . . . . but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what theSpirit desires [theo-centric].

Rom 8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. .. . "

2. So, what can Spirit-led disciples of Jesus say about their salvation?

"I am so happy! By faith alone, I am an heir of the promise of salvation which God will bring aboutwith perfect timing. I am not perfect. I am a sinner. I have to depend on my High Priest to obey thecommandments of my king. I am growing up in Christ, I am learning more each day, and throughthe enabling power of Jesus, I will see the king someday!"

This is the radical mindset which Paul wanted the Hebrews to grasp, but He could not come rightout and explain this mindset in a paragraph. No one would listen, it wouldn't make any sense!

Therefore, Paul had to destroy Judaism's power over its members. This is why he systematicallycreated five "atomic bombs."

After destroying the theological framework of Judaism five times, Paul knew the Hebrew convertswould have nothing to go back to. After having the "bed-rock" of their religious experience reducedto worthless rubble, they would be ready for a totally new theological framework (new wine) builtaround Jesus.

The fourth "atomic bomb" is deeply offensive to Jews and it pierces the heart and soul of Judaism.

This bomb makes every non-believing Jew angry and Jewish converts nervous because it goes to thecore of Jewish identity.

This "atomic bomb" is: "The covenant given to Abraham does not include all Jews."

This idea was/is unthinkable to the Jews.

Abraham was their father, a friend of God.

God had made a covenant with their father and his descendants.

Therefore, being a descendant of Abraham meant special privileges and distinction above everyoneelse on Earth.

To appreciate the nature and importance of this "atomic bomb," you must put on your A.D. 64sandals.

Separating Jewish believers from the saving security of great-grand-father Abraham is not a simpletask.

Why did Paul want to do this?

If Paul can prove from Scripture that God does not grant eternal life on the basis of being a biologicaldescendant of Abraham, then nothing can be gained if a wavering believer in Christ returns toJudaism.

In fact, everything is lost if a convert returns to Judaism because Judaism has already been provento be a false religion.

To understand why Abraham is so important to the Jews, we have to examine a few things.

Simply stated, a covenant is a promise.

A covenant can be a one-sided promise (unilateral) or a covenant can be a conditional agreementbetween two or more parties (bilateral).

Marriage is a good example of a bilateral covenant.

Marriage (in the west) is a covenant requiring mutual consent and mutual performance. Thecovenant is voluntary and the covenant is broken if infidelity occurs.

A marriage covenant is created when a man and a woman exchange vows.

However, the vows are not binding (they can be annulled) until the covenant is consummated.

The marriage covenant becomes valid when a man and woman give themselves to each otherphysically, at this point they become one flesh and the marriage covenant becomes effective.

In order for a bilateral covenant to be legal, there has to be an exchange of something of value (thisfor that).

On the other hand, a unilateral covenant is a one-sided promise made by one party to another party:

Gen 9:11 "I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of aflood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."

Gen 9:13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between meand the earth."

A unilateral covenant does not require anything from the recepient, but again, a unilateral covenantis not a valid covenant unless there is some type of pledge, sign or consideration provided by thepromisor.

In this example, God provides a recurring rainbow in the clouds as a sign of His unilateral covenantwith Earth.

If two people agree on the exchange of property, how is this bilateral covenant legally accomplished?

In years gone by, real estate deeds often indicated property was transferred between parties "for thesum of ten dollars" to ensure the transfer was legal.

The phrase, "for the sum of ten dollars" was often used to avoid revealing the actual price of thetransaction.

The phrase was also used when land was "given" to a child by a parent. Ten dollars was exchanged-- and the transfer became legal.

When it comes to civil matters, uttering a promise, does not make a promise legal.

If one person tells one person that he can have 50 acres of his land AND there is no exchange ofsomething of value (often called consideration), there is no transfer.

To make a transfer of property valid, there has to be consideration (a pledge, sign or an exchange ofsomething of value) -- such as one dollar in order to become legal.

Of course, on a higher plane, God has ears and eyes. He hears and sees everything taking place onEarth, therefore, in His sight, a promise is a promise, morally and literally because God is a thirdparty witness to every promise made.

Now that we have briefly discussed unilateral and bilateral covenants, look at this:

Gen 15:7 " [God said to Abraham], "I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans togive you this land to take possession of it."

Gen 15:8 But Abram said, "O Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?"

[Abraham wanted a sign, a token or consideration from the Lord. Sharp guy.]

Gen 15:9 So the Lord said to him, "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, alongwith a dove and a young pigeon."

Gen 15:10 Abram brought all these to Him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite eachother; the birds, however, he did not cut in half."

[What is going on? A promise has been made and God is going to use blood as a pledge that He willdo what He promised to do.

In ancient times, a covenant pledged with blood could not be cancelled for any reason. If thepromisor failed to fulfill his promise, he became guilty of fraud and his own blood was required forrestitution.

God had made a unilateral promise to Abraham and the sign God gave to Abraham was a bloodcovenant.

This type of covenant was the most solemn and serious covenant possible.

After Abraham killed and divided the animals, he waited for the Lord to show up. . . .

Gen 15:11 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.

Gen 15:12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darknesscame over him.

Gen 15:13 Then the Lord said to him, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers ina country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.

Gen 15:14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with

great possessions.

Gen 15:15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age.

Gen 15:16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of theAmorites has not yet reached its full measure." [Full cup principle]

Gen 15:17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torchappeared and passed between the pieces.

Gen 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants Igive this land, from the river of Egypt [in the south] to the great river, the Euphrates [in the north]--"

This was a one-sided covenant. Unilateral.

"To your descendants I give this land. . . "

Silently answer two questions...

What was promised? To whom was it promised?

If at all possible, store your answers in your head so that you can re-examine your answers later on.

In our final study on the book of Hebrews, we will discover that God planned to establish Hiskingdom on Earth several times.

For now, please consider this:

Shortly after the Exodus, God intended to establish His kingdom on Earth.

But His plan could not be carried out because Israel rebelled.

In fact, all of the adults that came out of Egypt had to die in the wilderness (except Caleb andJoshua).

Then, God started over. It was His plan to establish His kingdom on Earth after Joshua led thesecond generation of Israel into Canaan.

But this plan could not be carried out because of rebellion.

Then, it was God's plan to establish His kingdom on Earth during the tenth generation of Israel,during the time of David and Solomon.


Then it was God's plan to establish His kingdom on Earth during the time of Isaiah.


Then it was God's plan to establish His kingdom on Earth during the 70th week.


Five times, God tried to establish His kingdom on Earth.

And when Israel crucified Jesus (in the middle of the 70th week) -- after having every opportunityand possible reason to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Father had a problem on Hishands.

Abraham's descendants would not cooperate with God so that He could establish His kingdom onEarth.

God had a problem on His hands because God had made a unilateral promise in blood to Abraham.

What was promised?To whom was it promised?

What was preventing God from fulfilling His promise to Abraham?

King Jesus could not establish His kingdom in Canaan without violating the will of Abraham'srebellious children.

In other words, a Spiritual God would not "impose" a kingdom of righteousness on Abraham'soffspring. . . . a group of carnally minded people who were constantly opposed to God's laws andopposed to living by faith.

If God simply imposed His will on the offspring of Abraham, there would have been all-out war andall of Abraham's offspring would have been killed.

Have you ever had someone try to impose his will on you?

Was there war? Did you win or die?

Suppose God's will was imposed on Israel for 400 years. As a carnal minded person, would you bea freeman or a slave?

God had no intention of making slaves out of Abraham's descendants.

Four hundred years under Pharaoh's heavy hand had convinced the Israelites they would never againbe slaves.

Carefully consider this: If God's promise to Abraham was merely that of giving a small piece ofground (100 x 200 miles), Israel's rebellion and opposition to God's authority would have hadnothing to do with the fulfillment of God's promise.

God could have easily delivered Israel out of Egypt and taken the offspring of Abraham into Canaanwithin four weeks and said, "OK, that's it. I have done everything promised to Abraham." Bloodcovenant fulfilled. End of obligation. Enjoy!

BUT God's promise to Abraham was not a promise to merely put Abraham's biological offspring inthe land of Canaan -- even though this is how the promise is widely interpreted and defended today.

God's promise to Abraham was far more sophisticated than a piece of dirt that was 100 x 200 milesin size.

God promise to Abraham involved a sinless king, a priest in the order of Melchizedek, a kingdomof righteousness and a piece of land for His kingdom.

God said and Abraham understood God to mean that "the kingdom of God" would be establishedin Canaan, and Abraham understood that after 400 years, his descendants would live in God'skingdom, which would be located in the very land which God had called Him out of Ur to possess.

What was promised?To whom was the promise made?

Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Heb 11:9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; helived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise."

Heb 11:10 "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builderis God."

Point: Abraham was not looking for another city in Canaan like Ur, Babylon or Jebus. Not at all. He was looking for something else, something very different.

Jesus told the Jews:

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."

What made Abraham rejoice?

Abraham knew a day was coming when Jehovah would reign on Earth as the king of Peace andRighteousness. He understood there would be a great city in Canaan which God Himself wouldbuild. Abraham understood a great deal about God's expansive plans.

Abraham was also shown the role that the land of Canaan (located at the geographic center ofcivilization) would play within God's plan.

Thus, Jesus said, "Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."


Now consider two points:

1. If the unilateral promise given to Abraham was merely a spot of ground called Canaan, historysays the promise was full-filled during the reign of Solomon because Israel controlled Canaan at thattime. (2 Chronicles 8)

2. If the promise given to Abraham was merely a spot of ground called Canaan, why did Abraham(a) rejoice when he was shown Christ's day (b) why did Abraham look for a city built by God inCanaan?

Remember, Abraham was clearly told that he would die and be buried before the promise would befulfilled.

The Lord plainly told Abraham that his descendants would be in slavery for 400 years -- well pasthis lifetime.

These facts are ignored by a majority of Christians today and the result is a prophetic tragedy in themaking.

Yes, the land which God promised Abraham was highly important because it was promised with a"blood covenant."

But the fulfillment of God' promise is not merely a piece of dirt that is 100 x 200 miles in size.

Actually, the fulfillment of God's unilateral promise to Abraham necessitates two things:

1. Land (a place for God's kingdom)

2. A body of people who loved God as Abraham loved God. Otherwise, there would be war betweenGod and offspring of Abraham. The end result would have been the elimination of Abraham'soffspring.

There is no greater anguish for the carnal nature than having to obey a righteous king and live in akingdom of peace and righteousness. The carnal nature and the sinless nature have nothing incommon.

God knows this and this is why He refused to set up His kingdom on Earth five separate times.

Now that we have some ideas about what was promised to Abraham, we need to go in a differentdirection for a few moments.

Before the world was created, God loved the world. Everything conceived in the mind of God isdone in love. This world and all of His creatures are His design.

From the beginning, the plan of salvation was designed to include the whole world -- everyone --everywhere.

The kingdom of God was designed from the beginning to accomodate everyone on Earth who wouldwant to live under God's rule and with God in His holy city.

OK...

During His ministry on Earth, Jesus was hounded by the Jews day after day.

Consider this conversation and His words on one occasion:

John 8:38 "I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do [you are trying todo] what you have heard from your father."

John 8:39 "Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus,"then you would do the things Abraham did. . . .

John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire [andkill me]. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

Hmmm.....

Jesus said: "If you were Abraham's children, then you would do the things Abraham did."

So who was the father of the Jews according to Jesus?

"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire."

Hmmmm......

Jesus makes an interesting point to the Jews:

Yes, your biological father is Abraham, but this does not necessarily make you a descendant ofAbraham in God's sight.

Years later, Paul emphasized this point in his book to the Romans:

Rom 9:6 " . . . . For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

Rom 9:7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "Itis through Isaac [not Ishmael] that your offspring will be reckoned."

Rom 9:8 In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the childrenof the promise [children of faith] who are regarded as Abraham's offspring."

Ishmael was a child, but he was the result of the works of the flesh.

Isaac was a child, but he was a miracle child that came through faith.

Both children were biological sons of Abraham, but only one is counted as the offspring of Abrahamin terms of God's covenant.

Whoa! What is Paul saying?

If you are merely a biological child of Abraham, you are no different than Ishmael.

Rom 9:8 "In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, "

Belonging to Abraham's lineage was the equivalent, in the eyes of the Jews, of being royalty, having

a royal blood line -- being a heir of the great reward promised to Abraham.

The Jews believed they were a special breed of people and everyone else belonged to "the filthinessof the heathen," the unwashed masses, lowlife, common people, Gentiles.

Therefore, Paul's argument about natural children was insulting to the Hebrews because . . . .

Every Jew considered himself to be a descendant of Isaac and Jacob, therefore, every Jew literallycame through the promised son.

Does Abraham's biological lineage actually matter? Yes and no.

Yes, it matters as trustees.No, it doesn't matter as individuals.

This is where great confusion resides.

To better understand this topic, consider this:

The plan of salvation was set up as a living trust from the beginning.

A living trust has three components:

A BenefactorA TrusteeA Beneficiary or Beneficiaries

God, the generous Benefactor and owner of everything, wanted the offspring of Abraham to serveas trustees of His riches and grace.

God wanted Israel to be a nation of priests, telling the world about His love and His plan to redeemmankind from the curse of sin.

God wanted a kingdom of "Abraham clones" to spread the good news of salvation and while doingso, demonstrate His love and transforming power.

Because the plan of salvation was set up as a living trust, God needed trustees and He chose thebiological offspring of Abraham, His faith-full servant, to serve Him as trustees of His gospel.

~400 years after making the covenant with Abraham, God asked Israel at Mt. Sinai if they wantedto serve as trustees:

God sent Moses down the mountain to say the following words to Israel:

Exo 19:4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings andbrought you to myself.

Exo 19:5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be mytreasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,

Exo 19:6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you areto speak to the Israelites."

Now we come to a bilateral covenant between God and the offspring of Abraham: IF you obey mefully. . . .

Remember, a bilateral covenant requires two parties.

At this point, we have a unilateral covenant between God and Abraham.

And we have a bilateral covenant between God and Abraham's descendants.

And what did Israel say?

Exo 19:7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all thewords the LORD had commanded him to speak.

Exo 19:8 The people all responded together, "We will do everything the Lord has said." So Mosesbrought their answer back to the Lord."

Israel agreed to a covenant that is impossible for the carnal nature to keep.

Within 40 days, Israel was worshiping a golden calf.

Paul wrote:

Heb 8:7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have beensought for another.

Heb 8:8 But God found fault with the people and said : "The time is coming, declares the Lord,when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah."

If the descendants of Abraham had experienced rebirth as individuals, if they had become teachableand "humble in heart," "the salt of the Earth," "a light upon a hill," if Israel had allowed the light oftruth to shine through them, think of the thousands of Gentiles who would have become Israelights!

But God's higher demands did not bring Israel into submission, it pushed them into deeper rebellion.

So, at the corporate level, we see that God planned to use the natural descendants of Abraham (hisfamily) to accomplish a great deal of good on Earth and this good would have created a body ofpeople who love God and cherish righteousness and within this atmosphere, Jesus would have comedown and established the kingdom of God in Canaan!

OK, let's look at the descendants of Abraham as individuals.

If a Gentile (anyone not related to Abraham) wanted to become a descendant of Abraham so thathe might share in the unilateral promise given to Abraham and the bilateral promises given toAbraham's descendants, how could this happen?

Through water and the Spirit.

When the Holy Spirit brings a person to the realization that he will not have a place in the kingdomof God unless he repents of his rebellion and goes in a different direction, a salvific test occurs.

When the Holy Sprint brings a sinner to a place where the sinner realizes his true condition beforeGod, the sinner will either quit doing what he has been doing or he will rebel against God.

Living by faith is very difficult because Holy Spirit conviction always runs contary to our carnaldesires.

Bad news: The Holy Spirit is constantly creating new convictions to see if we will go forward or ifwe will plateau out in defiance.

When a sinner lives a life of faith, following as the Spirit leads, he will never reach perfection (untilthe gift of imparting Christ's righteousness occurs). Thus, the sinner is constantly cleaning upmesses he has made (making humility and restitution indespensible) and going "from faith to faith"he resolves to glorify God in everything he does. (Go-Be-Do)

Living by faith is a struggle.

Holy Spirit conviction irritates the carnal nature.

When a person knows experientially what living by faith is all about, he wants to be around otherswho are like-minded.

It was God's plan that Israel would be a family of people understanding what faith was all about.

As it turned out, Israel was a family never understanding what rebellion was all about.

As trustees of the gospel, Israel failed miserably.

Then God assigned Christians as trustees.

Then God assigned Protestants as trustees.

And finally, God will choose 144,000 people as His trustees.

Back to the question: What was supposed to happen if a Gentile heard the gospel of Jesus and hewanted to participate in the unilateral promise made to Abraham and the bilateral promises made tohis descendants?

This is where baptism comes in.

Remember, to be valid, a covenant has to have a sign, a pledge or consideration of some kind.

When the Holy Spirit brings a person to a point in his life where he wants to become a part of thefamily of God (become a trustee), two things usually happen.

First, the sinner needs to have a clarifying moment, a public declaration before witnesses indicatingthat he has "stepped over the line" and chosen to follow Christ and exalt the teachings and way ofChrist in his life.

Second, there is a sign indicating that he has chosen to become a disciple of Jesus:

Baptism by water.

Baptism represents drowning the carnal man and coming up from the grave as a new man (spiritualrebirth).

Rom 6:3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized intohis death?

Rom 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christwas raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

John the Baptist was baptizing in the Jordan river when Jesus began His ministry.

John was preaching and baptizing those who wanted to be a part of the kingdom of God -- which wasabout to begin. That's right! About to begin.

Mark 1:2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who willprepare your way"--

Mark 1:3 "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths forhim.'"

Mark 1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentancefor the forgiveness of sins.

Mark 1:14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.

Mark 1:15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the goodnews!"


John was offering a baptism of repentance at the Jordan river because John understood that entranceinto God's kingdom was not a biological matter.

John's words terrified his listeners. The Holy Spirit gave his words penetrating power (heaviness). John's words were convicting. John said no one was going to enter into the kingdom of God becausehe was merely a descendant of Abraham.

Luke 3:7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Whowarned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Luke 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We haveAbraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children forAbraham."

John claimed those entering the kingdom of God had to repent and receive a heart like Abraham andthis was only possible through the Spirit of God!

Years later, Paul summed up this matter very well:

Rom 2:28 "A man is not a Jew [the offspring of Abraham] if he is only one outwardly, nor iscircumcision merely outward and physical.

Rom 2:29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God."

Jesus told Nicodemus:

John 3:3 " . . . I tell you the truth, [a timeless truth which the offspring of Abraham do not know]no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

Look again at the words of Jesus and you will understand why the kingdom of God could not beestablished on Earth in five separate tries.

In closing, a few words from Paul should help us understand the fourth "atomic bomb."

What is the bomb?

This bomb is "The covenant given to Abraham does not include all Jews."

Heb 8:8 But God found fault with [our forefathers,] the people [who could not live according to thecovenant] and said : "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant withthe house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

Heb 8:9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the handto lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned awayfrom them, declares the Lord. [Eze 23]

Heb 8:10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord.I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they willbe my people.

Heb 8:11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.

Heb 8:12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Heb 8:13 By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsoleteand aging will soon disappear."

What is Paul saying?

Those living by faith will participate in a new covenant someday.

This new covenant promises the removal of the carnal nature.

God's laws will be written in our hearts and minds. Rebellion will not be present any longer.

Those who live by faith will receive this promise regardless of lineage.

Follow Christ. Believe in Him.

Gal 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

How sweet is this?


What was promised to Abraham's descendants, some land, a king and a kingdom of righteousness.

Who will be permitted to live in God's kingdom when it is finally set up? Only one group of people:

Psa 37:11 "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance ofpeace." (KJV)

Rom 11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; hewill turn godlessness away from Jacob.

Rom 11:27 And this is my [new] covenant with them when I take away their sins."

2 Cor 1:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

2 Cor 1:22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeingwhat is to come.

Col 1:25 I have become its servant [the servant of the church] by the commission God gave me topresent to you the word of God in its fullness--

Col 1:26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to thesaints.

Col 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of thismystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Col 1:28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we maypresent everyone perfect in Christ.


Bellbrook, OH 45305

1-800-475-0876 www.wake-up.org

Seminar #303-6

-- God's Rest --Round Rock, Texas February 15, 2014

Thus far, we have seen that the book of Hebrews is a book about truth and righteousness -- both ofwhich were missing in Judaism in A.D. 64.

The book of Hebrews is important to those of us who live in these last days because the challengesthat will face God's children during the Great Tribulation parallel the challenges facing early Hebrewconverts.

Thus far, we have examined four "atomic bombs" which Paul used to dethrone the validity ofJudaism in the eyes of the Hebrews:

1. The deity of Jesus proves Jewish monotheism is a false doctrine

2. Jesus, the Son of God, who serves in the true temple, in the order of Melchizedek, makes theLevitical priesthood and earthly temple services obsolete.

3. Legalism and presumption are worthless in God's sight. "Without faith it is impossible to pleaseGod."

Salvific Faith: "I am convicted, I don't like it, but God's will must be done."

During the Great Tribulation, God will put His truth before the inhabitants of Earth. He will alsopour out His Spirit on "all flesh" to test us, to see if each of us will live by faith. Those willing tolive by faith will be counted as "the descendants of Abraham."

4. The covenant given to Abraham does not include all of his offspring.

Of course, this idea was unthinkable to the Jews.

Being a descendant of Abraham meant eternal security, special promises and privileges anddistinction above everyone else on Earth.

Yes, we know that Paul wrote. . . .

Rom 11:26 "And so all Israel will be saved. . . ."

But who, in God's sight, constitutes Israel?

Answer: Those who live like Abraham, Isaac and Israel!

Today, we will examine the fifth "atomic bomb" which Paul "dropped" on the wavering Hebrewconverts:

If the first four "bombs" could not destroy Judaism in the eyes of Hebrew believers, perhaps onemore "bomb" would do the job.

This bomb is called "God's rest."

Every Jew had heard of God's rest, but they could not figure out what it was, where it was, and whenit was coming.

Adam and Eve were created on the sixth day. Their first full day of life was God's Sabbath rest andtheir lovely home was called "the Garden of Eden" (God's rest).

Gen 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take careof it."

The Garden of Eden was a complete biosphere, equipped with everything necessary for eternal lifeand sustained by God's power.

The Garden of Eden was a world within a world.

The food supply was naturally abundant, diverse, delicious and perpetual.

The water supply was abundant, pure and endless.

Fresh air, beautiful flowers, lush vegetation and amazing creatures of all kinds were in the gardenand every creature lived in the Garden without fear of predators (getting eaten by something big).

God created a "special home" for Adam and Eve called Eden (which means home), and it was also"God's rest."

The Garden of Eden is called "God's rest" because Adam and Eve did not have to work the Gardenin order to survive.

Yes, they lived in and worked in the Garden, but the work was not for purposes of survival. Thework was fun, exciting and rewarding. It was fulfilling and discoveries never ended.

God put Adam and Eve in a home "that naturally flowed with milk and honey."

Because the devil led them to doubt God, and they lost the Garden!

They were kicked out of "God's rest" and the door was closed.

Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good andevil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and liveforever."

Gen 3:23 So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from whichhe had been taken.

Gen 3:24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim

and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life."

Gen 3:17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about whichI commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painfultoil you will eat of it all the days of your life.

Gen 3:18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.

Gen 3:19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, sincefrom it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

From "God's rest" to "endless work" on a cursed Earth in a single day.

What a trip.

Do you understand why I call the Garden of Eden, "God's rest?"

Eden was not under a curse.

Because of sin, Adam and Eve were driven out of God's rest.

A cursed planet with painful toil and death followed.

Why do we need to know these things?

For reasons forthcoming, the Bible indicates that God first moved to restore "His rest" on Eartharound 1400 B.C.

Notice:

"The Lord said to Abram after Lot [had chosen the desirable land toward Sodom and] had partedfrom him, Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All theland that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like thedust of the Earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go,walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.' " (Genesis 13:14-17,insertions mine)

Finally, the Lord said to Abraham: "I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant betweenme and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the Godof your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will giveas an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God." (Genesis17:7-8, italics mine)

Fastforward 400 years....

It was God's original plan (let us call it Plan A) to establish His kingdom in Canaan shortly afterIsrael was delivered from Egypt.

Notice:

Exo 33:12 Moses said to the Lord, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have notlet me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found

favor with me.'

Exo 33:13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to findfavor with you. Remember that this nation is your people."

Exo 33:14 The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

What did the Lord mean when He said, "I will give you rest?"

If the only text on this topic is Exodus 33:14, we could not fully answer the question. But, wait! There's more!!

Psa 95:10 For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, "They are a people whose heartsgo astray, and they have not known my ways."

Psa 95:11 So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest."

What "rest" is God talking about?

Was Canaan the rest that God had in mind?

No!

If "the land of Canaan" was "God's rest," then Joshua would have led Israel into God's rest becauseJoshua dramatically led Israel through the Jordan River into the Canaan. (Joshua 4)

But get this:

Heb 4:8 "For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day."

What have we learned?

Canaan isn't God's rest and Abraham's offspring aren't necessarily Abraham's descendants!

What is going on??

Often, God says something that has two levels of meaning. You have to keep an eye on Him. Heis very wise. . .

The physical meaningThe spiritual meaning

In this case, the physical meaning is Canaan (land) and the spiritual meaning is God's kingdom(God's rest).

1 Cor 2:13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught bythe Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

1 Cor 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God,for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually

discerned.

I want to review this passage:

Psa 95:10 For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, "They are a people whose heartsgo astray, and they have not known my ways."

Psa 95:11 So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest."

This passage means the first generation that came out of Egypt could have entered into God's rest --if . . . the individuals within Israel had been willing to live by faith.

Next passage:

Heb 4:8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day."

Because Joshua did lead Israel into Canaan, we see that "God's rest" is much more than a piece ofland called Canaan.

Canaan was a place where "God's rest" would have been established, but it was impossible for Godto establish His kingdom with Abraham's descendants because individuals in Israel, including Israel'sleaders, were not faith-full people.

Ps 95:10 ". . . .They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways."

If Abraham's descendants had not made God angry, Jesus would have come to Earth as a babysometime after 1400 B.C. and after paying the penalty for sin, Jesus would have been resurrected. Then, He would have established the kingdom of God in the land of Canaan.

Israel would have become a nation of priests (Exodus 19:6), having the honor of serving God onbehalf of all mankind.

Thousands of years after setting up "God's rest," when the drama with sin had ended, Jesus wouldhave resurrected Abraham and all of the righteous dead. Jesus would have created a new Heavenand a new Earth (Isaiah 65:17) and together the saints from all generations would have lived foreverin the Earth made new.

THIS is what Abraham understood God's promise to be and THIS is why he was looking forwardto a day when Canaan would have a CITY whose architect and builder was God.

When we properly understand the dimensions and properties of God's promise to Abraham, the Biblemakes perfect sense "just as it reads."

Exo 33:14 The Lord replied [to Moses], "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

1400 years later, when Jesus was on Earth, Jesus repeated Himself:

Mat 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

If the kingdom of God had been established on Earth as God originally planned, Moses yes Moses,would have led Israel into Canaan which would have later become God's rest.

The Edenic promise given to Adam and Eve included a return, a restoration to Eden.

Paul urged the Jewish converts to make every effort to enter God's rest (the kingdom of God)because it had not yet appeared.

Heb 4:11 "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by followingtheir example of disobedience."Notice what Paul says to the Hebrews about their forefathers:

"Who were they who heard [God's voice at Mt. Sinai] and rebelled? Were they not all those Mosesled out of Egypt? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned,whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter His restif not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."(Hebrews 3:16-19, insertions mine)

But wait! There is more to the story!

After living in Canaan for about four hundred years, Israel's rebellion only got worse. Israel did notwant Christ as their king. (1 Samuel 8:7)

The Lord said to the prophet Samuel:

1 Sam 8:7 ". . . . Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, butthey have rejected me as their king."

Saul was appointed king.Christ was rejected.

No Christ as king means No kingdom of God which means No rest

Then, God waited until David became king. God waited until He had a man after His own heart! Then, God made an announcement to Israel through David:

"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God andwe are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that dayat Massah in the desert*, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.

For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, They are a people whose hearts go astray,and they have not known my ways.' So I declared on oath in my anger, They shall never enter myrest.' (Psalm 95:6-11)

(*Note: Massah and Meribah are two names that identify a location, a large rock near Horeb, whereIsrael was angry with God and openly doubted that He was even present.)

Near the time of his death (~970 B.C.), David spoke to Solomon saying: " I am about to go the way of all the Earth,' he said. So be strong, show yourself a man, andobserve what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands,his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do andwherever you go, and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: If your descendants watch howthey live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail tohave a man [a descendant] on the throne of Israel.' " (1 Kings 2:2-4, insertion mine)

Like Abraham, David anticipated the kingdom of God. David knew that Israel had not entered intoGod's rest. This is why the Holy Spirit, speaking through David said to Israel, "Today, if you hearHis voice, do not harden your hearts. . . . as our forefathers did."

David understood that the promise of entering God's rest was still active and through the Spirit, hesaid "Today" we can start over and bring in the kingdom of God.

David encouraged Solomon to follow after the Lord for if he did, the Messiah would come to Earthand sit on his throne forever.

Moving forward about 250 years, we find failure once again.

Jesus could have been born around 730 B.C. if Israel had been willing to cooperate with God.

God was willing to establish His kingdom on Earth during the days of Isaiah and king Ahaz, but itdid not happen because there was no faith in God and no spiritual preparation for His kingdom.

Do you remember the words Isaiah said to king Ahaz?

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birthto a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to rejectthe wrong and choose the right. . . . Before the boy knows how to say My father' or My mother,'the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria. . . .. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And hewill be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of theincrease of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and overhis kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on andforever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." (Isaiah 7:14, 15; 8:4; 9:6, 7)

During the days of Isaiah, Ahaz and Israel were in rebellion against Jehovah and the Lord could notcome to Earth and establish His kingdom.

All Heaven was frustrated.

Moses - no restJoshua - no restSaul - no restSolomon - no restAhaz - no rest

During the Babylonian captivity (605-536 B.C.), God granted 70 weeks to Israel to accomplish Hisobjectives.

God set an unconditional date for the arrival of Messiah and if Israel would repent and get prepared,the kingdom of God (God's rest) would have been established on Earth when Jesus came to Earth. Notice what Jesus said at the beginning of His ministry:

"After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘Thetime has come,' he said. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!'" (Mark1:14,15)

But Israel would not listen to Jesus:

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him." (John 1:10,11)

And when it became clear that Israel had no interest in entering into God's rest, even when GodHimself was on Earth and living in their midst, God had a problem.

How was He ever going to fulfill His promise to Abraham?

The Father put a new plan in motion while Jesus was on Earth. Jesus implemented a new covenant(Luke 22:20) which contains a whole new set of promises and prophecies. The new covenantincludes a new Mount Zion (Revelation 14:1) , a new Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12) and --

drum roll please....

A new Israel! (Galatians 3:29)

Gal 3:29 "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Ancient Israel’s rebellion mirrors the problem with all mankind: Rebellion.

If you and I had lived during the time of ancient Israel, what kind of people would we have been? Normal / Abnormal?

Well, what kind of person are you now?

Normal / Abnormal?

Abnormal people live by faith. They march to a different drum. They see and understand thingswhich others cannot see and understand.

They walk by faith. They have a faith experience. They know there is no room for rebellion in"God's rest."

God always has a remnant in every body of people who live by faith.

". . . . Jesus declared, I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is bornagain.' . . . . No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.'. . . . Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he whodoes the will of my Father who is in Heaven.' " (John3:3,5; Matthew 7:21)

Because Israel would not cooperate with God, God repeatedly refused to allow Israel to enter Hisrest.

This simple fact explains why Jesus was taken back to Heaven.

God's rest could not be established in Canaan, even with Messiah on the ground in Jerusalem!

Several times God tried to establish His rest on Earth and Israel failed.

And in A.D. 64, Paul clearly says that God's rest has not yet come to Earth!

Please notice:

1. The promise of entering God's rest still stands.

"Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you befound to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel [the good news concerning thekingdom of God] preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value tothem, because those who heard did not combine it with faith." (Hebrews 4:1,2)

2. Paul also made clear that those who have faith in Christ will also rest from their works on theseventh-day just as God rested from His work.

"There remains, then, a [weekly] Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God'srest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his [on His Sabbath day]." (Hebrews 4:9,10,insertion mine)

"Now we who have believed [in Christ and received His gospel] enter that rest [each week], just asGod has said, So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They [the rebellious and unbelieving] shall neverenter my rest.' And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewherehe [Moses] has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God restedfrom all his work." (Hebrews 4:3,4)

Remember, Paul wrote the book of Hebrews around A.D. 64.

Yes, Hebrew converts were observing God's Sabbath -- a very Jewish thing to do, but they did notknow that God's seventh-day rest was a weekly reminder, a template of God's coming rest!

The parallel between resting on God's weekly seventh-day Sabbath and entering God's eternal restis clear in Hebrews 4.

God's Sabbath rest was not nailed to the cross, in fact, God's seventh-day Sabbath is a weekly restthat still points to the fulfillment of the eternal rest promised to Abraham!

Why do you suppose the whole world will soon hear the command to worship the Creator on Hisholy Sabbath day?

Before the Exodus was possible, the Jews had to rest on God's Sabbath. This made Pharaoh furiousand suffering began.

Before the Exodus from this world, the descendants of Abraham will be commanded to rest on God'sSabbath Day. This will make the leaders of Babylon furious!

What parallels!

Consider for a moment, the mindset of the Hebrew converts in A.D. 64 who observed the seventh-day Sabbath, but poorly understand the prophetic importance of the Sabbath rest.

These could have been some of Paul's thoughts:

Our forefathers were slaves of Pharaoh 24/7's. But God sent Moses telling us, that as a conditionfor deliverance, we had to put our faith in God and rest on His Sabbath day. This made Pharaohangry and ultimately, it led to his own destruction.

God mercifully set us free from slavery and gave us freedom to observe His seventh-day Sabbath restin Canaan.

To help our forefathers understand God's rest, God made the land produce enough food every sixthyear so that the land could enjoy His rest every seventh year!

God also required us to set our slaves free every Sabbath year so that they might taste the joy of Hiscoming rest as well!

Thus, throughout our long history, God's Sabbath rest has been a recurring example of Eden, God'srest, which Adam and Eve forfeited by rebellion.

Since God's promise to Abraham remains intact, and since God's rest has not been established, wemust make every effort to align our hearts and thoughts with God's ways and truth and live by faithor, like our forefathers, we will not be permitted to enter His coming rest because of disobedienceto the Holy Spirit.

3. Paul pointed back to Moses, Joshua and David to make the point that his generation should bevery careful or it will likely repeat the fatal mistakes made by Israel's forefathers.

Summary

God's eternal rest is still future and we should be asking God to purify our hearts of any rebellion sothat we might enter His rest.

The promise to Abraham is still intact, Abraham and his descendants will possess God's rest foreverand ever.

Paul says that all Israel will be saved. (Romans 11:26) And who is the Israel that shall be saved?

Those who have been born again, who have washed their robes and made them white in the bloodof the Lamb!

And what about God's promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants as aneverlasting possession?

When God saw that He could not use Canaan as His headquarters, He has done something extra nice.

He proceeded to build a city in another place that will eventually descend from Heaven to Earth.

After the world has been purified of all rebellion, the whole planet will become Canaan, the Gardenof Eden, God's rest.

When Abraham and his descendants see the fulfillment of God's promise, they will be satisfied eternally satisfied.

Jesus said, and He really means it: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I willgive you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

Are there things in your heart and life that will keep you out of God's rest?

How is it between you and the Lord right now? Are you spiritually growing? Are you studying,meditating and praying each day? Are you seeking to know the will and ways of the Lord or are yourebellious?Can you say with Moses, "Lord

Exo 33:13 "If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to findfavor with you."

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