ExecutedtoSuppressHisMessage

ChristiansAreCalledtoRule

Introduction

WelcometoVolume4ofExecutedtoSuppressHisMessage.

In Volume 1 we saw how money-funded, institutionalized religionssuppress the teachingsof JesusChrist, so theycanpromote theirownparticulardoctrinesandbeliefs.Andnowwiththisvolume,wecontinuetoaddressthesesuppressedteachings.

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InMatthew22:14,Jesussaid,“Formanyarecalled,butfewarechosen.”Andthen inJohn6:44-45,andJohn6:65,Jesusexplainedhownoonecan come toHim, unlessGod the Father grantsHis offer of salvation,thendrawsorcallsthatpersontoChrist.

ButwhatisGod’spurposeforcallingChristians?DoesGoddrawcertainpeople toHimself so they can be saved, while the rest of humanity isforeverlost?

OristhereanotherpurposeforGod’scalling?

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1—TheChristianCalling

Christianityteaches:ThatGodcallsChristians to repentof their sinsandacceptChrist,andtherebyescapeGod’spunishingwrathsotheycangotoheaven.

ButJesusChristtaught:Christians are called to be kings and priests who shall rule over andeventuallyowntheKingdomofGod.

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MostChristiansbelievethatGodhasspeciallychosenthemtospendablissfuleternityinheaven,whileHesendstherestofhumanityofftoHell.Here’soneoftheScripturesthatleadtothisconclusion:

Iamthedoor; ifanyoneenters throughMe,hewillbesaved,andwillgoinandoutandfindpasture(John10:9).

Andifweweretostudynofurther,weeasilycouldcomeawaythinkingthat God’s purpose for calling Christians is salvation itself: that is, toescapethepenaltyofsinandobtaineternalsalvationinheaven.

However,Romans8:28showsthatGod’scallingismorecomplicated:

AndweknowthatGodcausesallthingstoworktogetherforgoodto thosewho loveGod, to thosewho are called according toHispurpose.

The apostle Paul wrote that God has a specific “purpose” for callingChristians.AndjustlikeeverythingelseinChristianity,wecannotsimplyassumewhat that purpose is: wemust allow the Scriptures to explainwhatPaulmeant.

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God’sCalling:AnInvitation

With the passage quoted above, the original Greek translated “called”alsomeansinvited.SoGoddoesnotsimplycallpeople,Healsoinvitesthemtodosomething.Here’sanexample:

Paul,abond-servantofChristJesus,calledasanapostle,setapartforthegospelofGod(Romans1:1).

DidyounoticehowPaul’scallingincludedbeing“setapart”foraspecialpurpose?GodinvitedPaultobeanapostle.

SowhathasGodinvitedyoutodo?

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WhyDidGodCallYou?

WhatisGod’spurposeforcallingyoutobeaChristian?Fewknowit,buttheBibleshowsthatjustlikePaul,GodcallseachandeveryChristiantoperforman occupation— and it’s an occupation that goes far beyondyourpersonalsalvation.

God’spurposeforcallingChristiansiswell-documentedintheScriptures.Jesus talked about it. The apostles and prophets wrote about it.Furthermore, this occupation is so incredible—soawesome— that itmakesalltherewardsofthisearthlylifepaleintoinsignificance.

Butyou’ve probably never heard anything aboutGod calling you to anoccupation.

Andwhy?

BecauseinstitutionalizedChristianityhassuppressedthisknowledge.

Frankly,you’regoingtobesurprisedandevenamazedwhenyou learnthe incrediblepurposeforyourChristiancalling.Andonceyoudo learnwhyGodcalledyou,Iguaranteethisknowledgewillchangethewayyoulook at Christianity, the way you look at God, the way you look athumanity—andmostimportantly—thewayyoulookatyourself.

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2—TheChristianReward

Let’sreadthewordsofJesusChristashespoketoHisdisciples.Andasyou read through what Jesus said, I want you to remember how allChristiansareHisdisciples.

Matthew5:11-12:

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, andfalselysayallkindsofevilagainstyoubecauseofMe.Rejoiceandbeglad,foryourrewardinheavenisgreat;forinthesamewaytheypersecutedtheprophetswhowerebeforeyou.

JesussaidtheChristianrewardissomething“great.”AndheretheGreekmeansmuch,many,andlarge.Alsonotehowthisrewardis“in”heaven.So the Christian reward is not just going to heaven — it’s somethingChristiansreceiveaftertheygetthere.

Ihopeyouarebecominginterestedinthisreward.Solet’scontinuewithIsaiah64:4:

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, norperceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, besidethee,what he hath prepared for him thatwaiteth for him (KJV—alsoseeICorinthians2:9).

Isaiah wrote about the reward God gives to those who wait on Him(today, we call such people Christians). And according to Isaiah, thisreward issogreat, thatat the timehewrote thispassage, ithad neverbeenperceivedbythehumansenses!

Haveyouheardaboutthisreward?

Probablynot.

Unfortunately,Isaiahcouldonlywriteingeneralities.Itwouldbeover700yearsuntil Jesus revealedthe true nature of this heavenly reward.Butnow that we have the teachings of Christ, we can piece together theancientpuzzleofwhatGodpromisestothosewhoworshipHim.

AndonceyougetyourarmsaroundtherewardsofbeingaChristian,youwillfindaneternalblessingsoincrediblyglorious,itwillchangethewayyoulookateverything!

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The“Unknown”ChristianCalling

SowhydoesGodcallChristiansoutof thisevilworld?Andwhat isthis“great” heavenly reward for Christians?Most churches teach that Godrewards Christians by saving them from their sins through Christ’ssacrifice, then ushering them into heaven rather than Hell. What willChristiansdoinheaven?Nooneseemstoknow.

ThemoderndoctrineisthatJesushadtodieforjustyou.Soevenifyouwere theonly createdhumanbeing, Jesus stillwouldhavehad to die.Andbecausesalvation isperceived tobeallaboutyou,most churchesdescribeJesusasyour“personal”Savior.

To assistwith your personal salvation, today’s churches have becomehigh-tech centers of activity. Most incorporate multiple pastors, livemusic,videopresentations, and the latest audio-visual effects.Worshipservicesandactivitiesarecarefullydesignedtokeepyou interested, tokeepyoucomingback,andtomakesureyoudon’tfallawayandbecomeoneofthelost.

Modernchurcheswillteachyouhowtohaveahappymarriageandhowtorepairabadone;they’llinstructyouonhowtoraiseyourchildrenandhaveagoodfamily;they’llevenshowyouhowtobesuccessfulwithyourcareer and finances. And of course, all these “personalized” teachingsonly reinforce the idea that Christ created His church to help you withyourpersonalsalvation.

Thus it never enters your mind that God might have called you forsomethingbeyondbeingsaved.

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3—TheGospelRevealsOurCalling

Let’smoveontoanothersubjectbyreadingMalachi3:1(KJV),wherewefindaprophecyaboutJesusChrist:

Behold, Iwillsendmymessenger(JohntheBaptist),andheshallpreparethewaybeforeme:andtheLord(JesusChrist),whomyeseek,shallsuddenlycometohistemple,eventhemessengerofthecovenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith theLORDofhosts.

Malachi’s prophecy predicted how Jesus would bring a message. ButwhatwasChrist’smessage?Doyouknow?DidJesusbringamessageofpersonalsalvation?OrwasHismessageaboutsomethingelse?

ThegospelofJesusChrist(Christ’smessage)changedtheentirefaceofreligion. It brought hope and transformation to a sinful world, while itdramaticallychangedthedirectionofpeoples’lives.Somewhoheardthismessagesacrificedeverythingtheyownedtoshareitwithothers.These1st Century Christians discovered an incredible spiritual purpose —somethingtheyhadneverheardabout.

AndtheylearnedhowGodwascallingthemtocarryoutaresponsibilitythattoday,fewChristiansknowanythingabout.

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Unlike the gospel messages heard today, Christ’s message was notaboutspiritual self-motivation.Neitherwas it aboutChristian fellowship,participatinginchurchactivities,howtohaveasuccessfulmarriage,howtoproperly raise your children, orwhether or not evolution is true.Norwas Jesus’ message about entertaining Christians at church once aweek,inordertokeepthemfromfallingbackintotheworld.

ThinkAboutThis

Jesus brought a specific message for Christians. But you’ve probablyneverheardthatmessage,becausemodernchurcheswillnotshareit.

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WhyGodCallsChristians

So why did God call you to become a Christian? We know that Godofferseternallife,butwhatwillyoubedoingforalleternity?

Inheaven,youwon’tneedtoeatorsleep.Andtherewillbenoneedforexercise.Neitherwillyouberequiredtoworkinordertopayforfoodandshelter.

Sowhatwillyoudowithallyourfreetime?SomeChristians believe theywill spend eternity praising and glorifyingGod;singing psalmsandpraises year after year, century after century.And100millionyearsfromnow,they’llstillbepraisingandsinging,ratherlike some giant church choir that never sleeps, never eats — andapparentlynevergetsadayoff.

Other Christians believe in something called the “beatific vision.” Thisbelief embraces the idea that God saves us for the purpose ofexperiencingthejoyandhappinessofseeingHimface-to-face.Thusit’sclaimed that resurrectedChristianswill be sitting around heaven for alleternity, experiencing some kind of “spiritual rush” from being inGod’spresence.

But here’s the real truth:MostChristians don’t have a clue aboutwhattheywillbedoinginheaven!

Nevertheless,JesusdidexplainwhatHisdiscipleswilldo inheaven—and ingreatdetail.So isn’t it timeyou learnedwhatyourLordsaid, soyoucanunderstandthepurposeforyourChristiancalling?

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4—JesusExplainstheCalling

Today, the average Christian spends a great deal of time and energyworshipingandpraisingtheirLordandSavior.ButJesusdidnotcometoplanetearthtobeworshipedandpraised.

Didyouknowthat?

LookatwhatourLordsaidinLuke22:27:

Forwhoisgreater,theonewhoreclinesatthetableortheonewhoserves?Isitnottheonewhoreclinesatthetable?ButIamamongyouastheonewhoserves.

Jesusdid not seekworship and praise fromHis disciples. Instead, ourLordcametoplanetearthsoHecouldserveothers.

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Wecan learnmoreabout this “serving”concept inMatthew20:20-21&24:

Then themother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesuswith hersons,bowingdownandmakinga requestofHim.AndHesaid toher,“Whatdoyouwish?”ShesaidtoHim,“CommandthatinYourkingdomthesetwosonsofminemaysitoneonYourrightandoneonYourleft.”

Andhearingthis,thetenbecameindignantwiththetwobrothers.

Picturethissituation:Jesushadcalled twelveapostles.But twoof them—withalittlehelpfromtheirmother—wantedexaltedpositionsabovetheothers.Sotheremainingtenwereindignantaboutthisrequest.

NowreadhowJesusrespondedinverses25-28:

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that therulersoftheGentileslorditoverthem,andtheirgreatmenexerciseauthority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoeverwishes to become great among you shall be your servant, andwhoeverwishes tobe firstamongyoushallbeyourslave; just astheSonofMandidnotcometobeserved,buttoserve,andtogiveHislifearansomformany.”

ThinkAboutThisOnceagain,JesusexplainedhowHecametoearthtoserveothers.Butthistime,Headdedsomethingofprofoundimportance:justliketheirLordandSavior,GodcallsChristianstobededicatedtotheserviceofothers.

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GodWorks

LookatwhatJesussaidinJohn5:17(CEV):

MyFatherhasneverstoppedworking—andIwork.Here the English words “working” and “work” are translated from theGreek ἐργάζομαι.SoIconsultedseveralGreeklexicons(dictionaries)tomakecertainofwhatthiswordmeans.Andeachreferencedefinedthiswordaswork,toil,orlaboratsometaskoroccupation.

Therefore, God the Father and Jesus Christ are not lounging aroundheaven, listening to violins andaccepting theworship and adoration ofothers. Instead, both of these great beings have occupations — andJesussaidtheiroccupationisthatof“serving”others.

Furthermore,we just readhowthose inChrist’schurcharecalled todothesamething:toserveothers.

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5—TheGospel:AnInvitationtoServe

The gospel of JesusChrist reveals the eternal destiny of Christians. Ittells us what Christians will be doing for all eternity. And as we havealreadyseen,theChristiancallingisdeeplyrootedinservingandhelpingothers.

YetmodernChristianitypreachesadifferentgospel—onewhichstatesthat sinners have the possibility of repenting, being saved, and thengoing to heaven. So church-goers hear a lot about Christ’s sacrifice,repentance,baptism,receivingtheHolySpirit,andgoingtochurch.ThismoderngospelisallabouthowGodcanhelpyouandothersinnersgetto heaven, rather than how you can help God execute His plan forhumanity.

Therefore,modernChristianity focusesonwhatJesushasdone forHisdisciples.ChurchesproclaimthegreatnessofChrist’ssacrifice.Jesus isworshiped in song and prayer. Signs and billboards proclaim how theLord died so we could live; while uncountable sermons, books andmoviesgraphicallydepictJesus’suffering.

But there’s a problem:Christians have become so focused on Christ’ssacrifice, theypay almost no attentionHismessage—and they neverlearnwhattheirLordandSaviorwantsfromthem.

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ChristiansDon’tKnowtheGospel

Most Christians would be surprised to learn that Jesus hardly evermentionedHis sacrifice. In fact, theBible records only three occasionswhere Jesus spoke of His future sacrifice. In Luke 9:44-45, Jesusprivatelytoldthediscipleshewouldbedeliveredintothehandsofmen.But the disciples could not understand, because the knowledge ofChrist’s sacrifice was concealed from them. Then in John 10:17-20,JesusmentionedhisdeathtoacrowdofJews.Butagain,therewasnounderstanding, because the crowd’s response was to get into anargumentoverwhetherornotJesuswasdemonpossessed.

Then laternear theendofJesus’ministry,Godallowedthedisciples to

understandwhatJesuswassaying.Matthew16:21-22andMark8:31-32record the incident. But the disciples found the idea of Jesus dying sonewandshockinglyradical,thatPeteractuallyarguedwithJesus!

Andhereissomethingelsethatmaysurpriseyou.Althoughtheapostlesbaptized, Jesus seldom preached about baptism. To the best of myknowledge,Mark16:16istheonlypassageintheNewTestamentwhereJesusspeaksofwaterbaptisminthecontextofsalvation.

NowI’mnotsuggestingthatChrist’ssacrificeandwaterbaptismarenotimportantandnecessary.Butthatbeingsaid,ScriptureclearlyshowsthatJesuspreachedverylittleaboutthesesubjects.Instead,Jesuspreacheda different message — a gospel message very much unlike whatChristiansheartoday.

AndwhydoChristianshearadifferentgospel?

Because institutionalizedChristianity has packaged-up the “process” ofsalvation, thensubstituted thisprocess for theoriginalgospel preachedbyJesusChrist.

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TheGospelofJesusChrist

Christ’sgospelrevealsGod’sultimatepurposeforChristians.Infact,this“purpose”isthecoreandessenceofwhatJesustaught.

Solet’sbegintolearnwhyGodcallsChristians,by lookingatpassagesthatshowwhatJesusactuallypreached:

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in theirsynagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, andhealingeverykindofdiseaseandeverykindofsicknessamongthepeople(Matthew4:23).

Jesuswasgoingthroughallthecitiesandvillages,teachingintheirsynagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, andhealingeverykindofdiseaseandeverykindofsickness(Matthew9:35).

Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came intoGalilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is

fulfilled,andthekingdomofGod isathand; repentandbelieve inthegospel(Mark1:14-15).

Fromthat timeJesusbegan topreachandtosay,Repent, for thekingdomofheavenisathand(Matthew4:17).

WhatgospeldidJesuspreach?

Thegospel(whichmeans“goodnews”)oftheKingdomofGod.

AndforwhatreasondidJesusaskpeopletorepent?

TopreparefortheKingdomofGod.

NowreadMatthew3:1-2,whichrecordswhatJohntheBaptistpreachedaboutrepentance:

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in thewildernessofJudea,saying,“Repent,forthekingdomofheavenisathand.”

So understand: Both Jesus and John the Baptist preached a gospelabout the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, this gospel states thatChristiansmustrepentinordertoentertheKingdom.Andnoticehowineachofthepassagescitedabove,thesubjectofpersonalsalvationisnotevenmentioned.

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TheApostlesPreachedtheSameGospel

Nowlet’sexaminewhattheapostlespreached:

These twelve (theapostles) Jesus sent out after instructing them:“DonotgointhewayoftheGentiles,anddonotenteranycityofthe Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house ofIsrael.”Andasyougo,preach,saying,‘Thekingdomofheavenisathand.'(Matthew10:5-7).

This is an informative passage, because here we find the specific“gospel”JesusinstructedHisapostlestopreach.Andonceagain,Jesusmentionednothingaboutpersonalsalvation.

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Allow me to share some interesting statistics. In the NASB NewTestament Bible, I located 19 occurrences where Jesus spoke aboutsalvation.YetIfound96occurrenceswhereourLordspokeaboutGod’sKingdom.SoJesusspokeabout theKingdom five timesmore thanHespokeaboutsalvation.

The reality is that Jesus hardly ever preached about being saved.Instead, theLord focusedonpreachingthegospel(whichmeans“goodnews”)oftheKingdomofGod.

ThinkAboutThisChrist’s gospel is not about His sacrifice and how it relates to yourpersonalsalvation.

ThegospelofJesusChrist—His“goodnews”—isthathumanbeingscanentertheKingdomofGod.

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6—CalledtoServe

Therefore,God’scallingtorepentanceandsalvationisjustonepartofa“process”thatleadsonetoandequipsonefortheultimateChristiangoal:aneternal lifeservingothers in theKingdomofGod.And I’m sure younoticedhowIagainusedthephrase“servingothers.”Ididthisbecausethe Bible clearly shows that resurrected Christians will not be sittingaroundheavenworshipingGod.

Instead, God has a heavenly occupation for Christians — and it’s anoccupationthat isvitally important toGod’splanofsalvation forhumanbeings. But unless you know what that occupation is, most of yourChristiancalling—andwhatyouexperienceasGodtrainsyoufor thatcalling—willmakelittlesense.

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So let’s begin to explore this concept that salvation is a “process,”designed to lead us into service in the Kingdom of God. In John 14:6Jesussaid, “Iam theWay, theTruth,and theLife.”We’veall readthisverse,and I’m sure you believe it. But have you fully understoodwhatJesusmeant?

When Jesus said “I am theway,” the Greek translated “way” can beaccuratelyrenderedwithseveraldifferentmeanings100:

Aroadorhighway

Ajourneyortrip

Thefigurativepathtosomedestination,suchaswhenJesussaid,“gonotintothewayoftheGentiles”

Apathofmoralconduct,likewhenChristianityisdefinedas“awayoflife”

Butnoticehowinallthesecases,thiswordprovidesthementalimageoftraveling towardsomedestinationorgoal.ThuswhenJesussaid “Iamtheway,”HeliterallymeantthatHeistheroad,thepath,thejourney,andmodelofmoralconductbywhichwereachsomedestinationorgoal.

Jesus isnot thedestination; instead,He’s the“path”we travel to reach

ourdestination.

Andpleasedonotbeoffendedbythatstatement.Becausewe just readoverandoverhowourLorddeclaredtheChristiandestinationorgoal tobetheKingdomofGod.

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So consider this analogy. If you drive across the United States fromCalifornia to South Carolina on Interstate 40, your destination is notInterstate40,it’sSouthCarolina.YetwithouttheInterstatehighway,youmightgetlostandneverreachyourgoal.ThusyourequiretheInterstateinordertoreachyourdestination.

Andinthesamemanner—eventhoughyourChristiandestinationistheKingdom of God— the way, road and moral path to the Kingdom isJesus Christ. Without Jesus, His sacrifice, His teachings, and Hisleadership,thereisnowaytoreachtheKingdomofGod.

SoifyouwanttoreachtheKingdom,thenit’smandatorythatyouacceptandfollowGod’s“way”totheKingdom—whichisembodiedbyChrist’sexample,teachings,andsacrifice.

Butunderstand:I’minnowaytryingtodiminishthepower,greatnessandholiness of Jesus Christ — or the importance of His sacrifice.Nevertheless,even thoughJesus is the “path”Christiansmust travel toreachtheirspiritualdestination,thatdestinationistheKingdomofGod.

ThinkAboutThisInstitutionalizedChristian religions have confusedChristianity’s spiritualpath(Christ),withtheultimategoalandpurposefortheChristiancalling,whichistoserveinGod’sKingdom.

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7—TheChristianJourney

God calls every Christian to a great spiritual journey. And without anydoubt, no one better understands how to succeed in this journey thanJesusChrist.Andwejustreadhowwhentravelingthisspiritual journey,Jesus instructedHis brothers and sisters to focus on the “purpose” forwhichGodcallsthem:topreparefortheKingdomofGod.

ButwhatwillChristiansbedoingintheKingdom?AndwhydoesourLordconsider thiscalling to theKingdomgreater thanourpersonalsalvationandeternallives?WecanbegintofindtheanswersinaBiblicalpassagethat records a heartfelt discussion between Jesus and His twelvedisciples,thedaybeforeJesuswasexecuted.

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ThesceneisthelastPassoversupper.InamatterofhoursJesuswouldbe arrested, dragged through the streets, brutally tortured and thenmurdered.SoifthereeverwasatimewhenJesuswantedHis followerstofocustheirattentiononHisextraordinarysacrifice,thissurelywasthattime.Andindeed,JesusdiddiscussthebodyandbloodofHissacrifice,andhowHewantsHisdisciplestorememberwhatHegaveforthem.

But then Jesus changed the subject and focused on something else.Luke22:28-30recordswhatHesaid:

Youare thosewhohavestoodbyMe inMy trials;and justasMyFatherhasgrantedMeakingdom,Igrantyouthatyoumayeatanddrink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thronesjudgingthetwelvetribesofIsrael.

Youcanbetyournextpaycheckthatthisgottheapostles’attention!

Remember,thisconversationtookplaceonlyhoursbeforeJesusprayedinsuchagonythatHesweatblood.ItwasoneofthemostcrucialtimesinJesus’human life.Butat his critical junctureofHis life,what did JesussharewithHisdisciples?

DidHegoonandonaboutthegreatnessofHissacrifice?

DidJesus remind theapostlesof how theyneeded to repentandliveholylives?

Did He reiterate the importance of the apostle’s personalsalvation?

No,Jesusdidnoneofthesethings.

Instead,Hefocusedonthe“purpose” for theapostle’sChristiancalling:thesemen would be sitting on thrones in God’s Kingdom, judging thetwelvetribesofIsrael.

ThinkAboutThisEventhoughtheapostlesweregiventhejobofspreadingthegospelonearth,theirtruecallingwastoeventuallyruleintheKingdomofGod!

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Sotrytoputyourselfintheplaceofthesemen.Youhavejustspentoverthree years following the prophesied Messiah, as He preached thegospelof theKingdom.But now theworst thing imaginable is about tohappen: inamatterofhours, yourLordandSaviorwill beexecuted toappeasetheJewishreligiousauthorities.

Certainly you are shocked and stunned, as you begin to realize thatJesusreallyisleavingyoubehind.Fromnowon, therewillbenodivineSaviortoprotectyoufromunbelievers,Jewishreligiousleaders,andtheRomansoldiers.You feel lost,worriedandscared,asyouwonderhowyou can go on without the miracle-working security of Jesus walkingalongside.

SoJesussharessomethingtokeepyougoing—aspectacularvisionofyourfutureinheaven—somethingtokeepyoufocusedonyourspiritualgoalintheKingdomofGod.

Butnotethesepoints:

Jesussaysnothingaboutyourpersonalsalvation.NeitherdoesHeremindyouofyourneedtorepent,obeyGod,andliveaholylife.

Instead,theLordreiteratesHisgospelmessage:thegoodnewsoftheKingdomofGod—and specificallywhat youwill be doing inthatspiritualKingdom.

Youwillbesittingonathrone,rulingoverGod’sKingdom!

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8—PromisesforAllDisciples

The promise Jesus made to His apostles was fabulous: to sit on aheavenlythroneintheKingdomofGod,rulingovertheIsraelitenations.ButJesusmadesimilarpromisestoallChristians.

Didyouknowthat?

Solet’sbegintodiscoverthesepromisesbyreadingIPeter2:2-3,wheretheapostleaddressesordinaryChristians—thosewhoaretravelingthe“way”ofJesusChrist,movingtowardtheirspiritualgoal,theKingdomofGod:

Likenewbornbabies,longforthepuremilkoftheword,sothatbyityou may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted thekindnessoftheLord(KJV).

Peter told ordinaryChristians theymust “grow” in respect to salvation.Butsalvationforwhatpurpose?Foraneternallifeofeaseandrelaxationin heaven? Or was Peter suggesting that Christians must grow foranotherreason?

Heprovidestheanswerinthenextverses:

And coming to Him (Christ) as to a living stone which has beenrejectedbymen,butischoiceandpreciousinthesightofGod,youalso,as livingstones,arebeingbuiltupasaspiritualhouse for aholy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to GodthroughJesusChrist(IPeter2:4-5).

Peterwrotethataverage,ordinaryChristiansaredestinedtobepartofa“holypriesthood”thatwillberesponsibleforofferingupspiritualsacrificestoGod.

ThinkAboutThis

But you’ve never heard any of what you just read at church, becausepreacherswantyoutobelievetheyareChrist’sspiritualpriesthood.

Sowhoshouldyoubelieve:

Yourpastor?

OrtheapostlePeter?

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NowcontinuewithwhatPeterwroteinIPeter2:9:

Butyou(Christians)area chosen race,aroyalpriesthood,a holynation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you mayproclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out ofdarknessintoHismarvelouslight.

Peter wrote that God’s people— common, ordinary Christians— arespecially called and chosen to be part of a royal priesthood whosefunction (occupation) is to proclaim God’s excellencies. And here theGreekmeansmoralgoodness.

Nowlookatthephrase“royalpriesthood.”TheoriginalGreektranslatedinto the English “royal” means kingly. And this means that ordinaryChristianswillbepartofapriesthoodthatfunctionsaspriestsandkingsinGod’sKingdom.

AndisthisnotpreciselywhatJesustoldHisapostles,thedaybeforeHewascrucified?

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CanThisReallyBeTrue?

Perhapsyou’re thinking,“Ohcomeonnow,youcan’tgetall thatoutofjusttwoverses!”

Andthat’safairobservation.

Butthere’salotmorewe’veyettocoveronthissubject.Solet’scontinuewithRevelation1:4-6:

JohntothesevenchurcheswhichareinAsia…

Here John was writing to Christian churches, sharing a messagedesignedspecificallyforChrist’sdisciples.

Solet’scontinue:

Gracebeuntoyou,andpeace,fromhimwhichis,andwhichwas,

andwhichistocome;andfromthesevenSpiritswhicharebeforehis throne;And fromJesusChrist,who is the faithfulwitness,andthe first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of theearth.Untohimthat lovedus,andwashedus fromoursins inhisownblood,AndhathmadeuskingsandpriestsuntoGodandhisFather; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen(KJV)101.

Revelationisabookofprophecy.AndinthesamemanneraswhatPeterwrote, thisprophecydescribeshowChristiansaredestinedtobeGod’skingsandpriestsintheKingdom.

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Now readMatthew25:14-15, where Jesus elaborates on His servantsrulingoverothers.

“For it (the Kingdom of Heaven; see verse 1) is just like a manabouttogoonajourney,whocalledhisownslavesandentrustedhispossessions to them.”Toonehegave five talents, toanother,two,andtoanother,one,eachaccordingtohisownability;andhewentonhisjourney.”

Thisparableisaboutservantswhoweregiven“talents.”The1stCenturytalent was a measure of weight that amounted to approximately 75pounds.Typically,thetalentwasusedtomeasuretheweightofpreciousmetalcoins.

InAprilof2017,atalent’sweightofsilverwasvaluedat$18,966.Whilethesameweightingoldwasvaluedat$1,385,559.

ThustheMasterentrustedhisservantswithfabuloussumsofmoney!

Nowfocusonthephrase“eachaccordingtohisownability.”TheGreektranslatedintotheEnglish“ability”specificallymeansmiraculouspower.AndwithintheNewTestament,thiswordisuseddozensoftimestoreferto themiraculouspowerofGodandHisangels.Andthissuggests thatJesuswastalkingaboutthegiftsandpowersoftheHolySpirit.

SotheLord’sservants (Christians)aregiven somethingof great value,accordingtotheamountoftheHolySpirittheypossessed.ThentheLordasksHisservantstobuilduponwhattheyhadbeengivenforsomething

inthefuture.

Nowlet’scontinuewithMatthew25:16-21(KJV):

Then he that had received the five talents (something of greatvalue)went and tradedwith the same, andmade themother fivetalents.Andlikewisehethathadreceivedtwo,healsogainedothertwo.Buthethathadreceivedonewentanddiggedintheearth,andhidhislord’smoney(thismandidn’twanttobuilduponthespiritualgiftsChristgavetohim).

Afteralongtimethelordofthoseservantscometh,andreckonethwith them. And so he that had received five talents came andbrought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst untomefive talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talentsmore.His lordsaiduntohim,Welldone, thou good and faithful servant:thouhastbeenfaithfuloverafewthings,Iwillmaketheerulerovermanythings:enterthouintothejoyofthylord.

Didyounoticehowthe“joy”oftheLord—theservant’sreward—wasrulership?

NowcontinuewithMatthew25:22-23(KJV):

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thoudeliveredst untome two talents: behold, I have gained two othertalentsbeside them.His lord saiduntohim,Well done, good andfaithfulservant;thouhastbeenfaithfuloverafewthings,Iwillmaketheerulerovermanythings:enterthouintothejoyofthylord.

And so again, the servant’s reward was rulership. And to confirm thatJesuswas talking about Christians becoming rulers in the Kingdom ofGod,weonlyneedtoreadwhatHesaidinRevelation2:26-27:

And he that overcometh, and keepethmyworks unto the end, tohimwillIgivepoweroverthenations:Andheshallrulethemwitharodofiron…

____

FindingThisHardtoBelieve?

Evenifyou’vebeenaChristianformanydecades,you’veprobablynever

heardanyofthisbefore.It’smostunusualforachurchtotellitsmemberstheywill rule overGod’s Kingdom. And if a preacher were to tell theircongregationtheyareGod’skingsandpriests in training, themembersmightstartaskingwherethepreachergothisauthority!

SoisthisdoctrineofChristianrulershipreallytrue?Psalm118:8containsaBiblicalprinciplethatwillallowyoutoanswerthisquestion:

ItisbettertotakerefugeintheLORDthantotrustinman.According to the Bible, it’s unwise to place your trust in what humanbeingstellyou.SpiritualsecuritycanbefoundonlyinthewordsofJesusChrist.

Therefore, before you accept that you’re going to be a king or priestruling in God’s Kingdom, you should demand to see rock-solid biblicalevidence proving this assertion factual. An interpretive parable isinsufficientevidence,asare thoughtsof theapostles.Andalthoughwehave seen one affirmative statement by Jesus, the Lord demands thateveryfactbeestablishedbytwoorthreewitnesses(Matthew18:16).

So we need one more simple and unambiguous statement— directlyfromGod—thatclearlyannounces“ChristianswillruleintheKingdomofGod.”Istheresuchastatement?

Yes,thereis.

Let’s go back to the Book of Revelation, but this time to Chapter 3. Ifyou’relookingforanotherstatement—directlyfromGod—onwhetherornotChristianswillruleintheKingdom,thisiswhereyouwillfindit.

Inthispassage,JesusmakesapromisetothosewhoovercomeSatan.AndsinceonlyChristianscanovercometheDevil,weknowthispromisewasmadetoChrist’sdisciples.ReadRevelation3:21:

Hewhoovercomes,IwillgranttohimtositwithMeonMythrone,asIalsoovercameandsatdownwithMyFatheronHisthrone.

ThinkAboutThisYou just read thewordsof JesusChrist, your Lord,Savior—andTheWordofGod.AndaccordingtoJesus,ifyouovercomeSatanandgrowasaChristian,youreternaldestinyistositwithHimonHisthrone,ruling

overtheKingdomofGod!

~~~~

9—TheDestinyofChrist’sChurch

It’smyhopethatyouhavebeguntoseethemarveloustruthofhowGodcalls Christians to be eternally-living kings and priests, ruling over aheavenlyKingdom.Yet there’sa great dealmore toChrist’s gospelwehavenotyetdiscussed.

Solet’scontinue.

TheapostleJameswrotesomethingyoumayhaveneverheardorread:

Listen,my beloved brethren: did notGod choose the poor of thisworldtoberichinfaithandheirsofthekingdomwhichHepromisedtothosewholoveHim?(James2:5).

According to James, those who are rich in faith — and this can onlymeanChristians—will inheritGod’sKingdom!Andwithgreatcertainty,the Greek translated into the English “heirs” literally means an heir orinheritor.

NowreadwhatJesussaidtoHisdisciples(Christians)inMatthew5:3:

Blessedarethepoorinspirit,fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven.

ThusJesusagreedwithJames:theKingdomofGodbelongstothepoorinspirit(butrichinfaith;i.e.,Christians).

NowlookatwhatourLordsaidaboutHis“sheep”,whichagainreferstoChristians:

All the nationswill be gathered beforeHim; andHewill separatethemfromoneanother,astheshepherdseparatesthesheepfromthegoats;andHewillputthesheeponHisright,andthegoatsonthe left. Then theKingwill say to those onHis right, “Come, youwhoareblessedofMyFather,inheritthekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld”(Matthew25:32-34).

Finally,readwhatJesussaidaboutHisChurchinLuke12:32:

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly togiveyoutheKingdom.

ThinkAboutThis

TheabovearethewordsofJesusChrist,yourLordandSaviorandtheWordofGod.AndaccordingtoJesus,resurrectedChristianswillnotjustruleinGod’sKingdom,theywillactually takepossessionofand literallyowntheKingdomofGod!

~~~~

10—TheBrideandHerKingdom

So consider the destiny of Christ’s Bride, that collection of individualswhoacceptandworkatGod’scallingtobeChristians:

TheywillbekingsandpriestswhoruleovertheKingdomofGod.

TheywillsitwithJesusonHisthrone.

They will inherit and actually own the Kingdom, which God theFathergivestothemastheireternalpossession.

Yetonequestionremains:WhydoesGodgrantalloftheseblessingstoChrist’sChurch? Is theFather rewardingChristians for their obedienceandworkatovercominghumannature?

Oristheresomeotherreason?

____

God’sPurposeforChrist’sBride

We’ve now come to the point where we can identify God’s ultimatepurposeforChrist’sBride(theChurch),alongwiththeeternaloccupationGodassignstothoseHecallstobeChristians.

LookatRevelation22:17:

The Spirit (Christ) and the bride (the resurrected church) say,“Come.”And let theonewhohears say, “Come.”And let theonewho is thirsty come; let theonewhowishes take thewaterof lifewithoutcost.

IfyoureadVolume3ofExecutedtoSuppressHisMessage,youlearnedhowGod intendstooffersalvationtoeveryhumanbeingwhohaseverlivedonplanetearth.YetGoddoesnot do this byHimself.Aswe justreadinRevelation22:17:

TheSpiritandthebridesay,“Come.”

Christ’sBride—thenewownersoftheKingdomofGod—willbebusyhelpingherHusbandfulfillanimportantpromise:

IhaveswornbyMyself,ThewordhasgoneforthfromMymouthinrighteousness Andwill not turn back, That toMe every knee will

bow,everytonguewillswearallegiance(Isaiah45:23).

ThinkAboutThis

Almost3,000yearsago,Godpromisedtooffersalvationtoeveryhumanbeingwhohaseverlivedonplanetearth.Andit’sChrist’sBride—thosewho are resurrectedChristians— thatwill help her Husband fulfill thispromise!

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11—TheGloryoftheKingdom

Isaiah 9:6-7 contains a prophecy that possibly more than any other,explainswhatGodhascalledChristianstodo:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and thegovernment shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall becalled Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlastingFather,ThePrinceofPeace.

Of the increase of his government [Hebrew: empire] and peacethere shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon hiskingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and withjustice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD ofhostswillperformthis(KJV).

Trytostretchyourimaginationandgraspwhatthisprophecyforetells:

God has called average, ordinary Christians to govern an eternalKingdomthatwillneverstopgrowing!Soifyouareaborn-againChristian,thenitwillbeyou—yesyou—whowill own, manage and spread judgment and justice throughout thisspiritual Kingdom that grows forever without end. As part of Christ’sBride, you will be given wisdom, power, prestige, and glory. Andthroughout all eternity, youwill have joyful challenges to keep your lifeinteresting.

LookathowPsalm16:11describesthisjoyfuleternallife:

Youwillmakeknowntomethepathoflife(whatJesusteaches);InYourpresenceisfullnessofjoy;InYourrighthand(wheretheChiefPriest,theBride’sHusbandsits)therearepleasuresforever.

The“way”ofJesusChrist—thespiritualpaththatleadstoruling in theKingdom of God — will produce challenges and pleasures that willendureforalleternity.

Andthemoreyoustudythistopic, themorepromisesyoufind.SonowreadDaniel12:3foryetanotherpromisetothosewhoarepartofChrist’sBride:

Thosewhohaveinsightwillshinebrightlylikethebrightnessofthe

expanseofheaven,andthosewholeadthemanytorighteousness,likethestarsforeverandever.

NowaddwhatJesussaidinMatthew13:43:

ThentherighteouswillshinelikethesunintheirFather’skingdom.Letthepersonwhohasearslisten!"

Whoshineslikethesunandstars,fulloflimitlessspiritualpower?Thosewholeadmanytorighteousness—whichispreciselywhatChrist’sBridewillbedoinginherKingdom!

____

TheDesiretoRule

There’ssomethingwithineverymanandwomanthatwants to conquerhisorherenvironment.Andsothroughouthistory,peoplelikeNapoleonandAlexandertheGreatfantasizedaboutconqueringandrulingovertheworld.Andeven today,manyentertain themselveswith imaginary taleslikeStarWarsandLordoftheRings,wherepeopleacquiregreatpowerstoruleovertheuniverse.

ButChristianityisnotadreamorfantasy—andneitherisyourChristiancalling.

The Scriptures reproduced within this volume may sound like sciencefiction;yetifyouareaborn-againmemberofChrist’sChurch,nothing ismore“real”thanthefactthatGodcreatedyoutoruleoverHiscreation.

ThereforeasaChristiananddiscipleofJesusChrist,yourspiritualcallinggoes far beyond your personal salvation: for God specially chose andcalledyoutoplayanessentialpartinthesalvationandeternaldestinyofallwhomhaveeverlived.

LookatRomans8:19-21fromtheAmericanStandardVersion:

Fortheanxiouslongingofthecreation(everythingGodhasmade)waitseagerlyfortherevealingofthesonsofGod…

inhopethatthecreationitselfalsowillbesetfreefromitsslaverytocorruptionintothefreedomofthegloryofthechildrenofGod.

ThinkAboutThis

God has given His spiritual children (born-again Christians) theresponsibilityforrightingallthewrongswithinHiscreation.Andthat’snotjust ruling over and controlling planet earth — that’s ruling over andcontrollingeverythingthatexists!

____

ThePowerandAuthorityofChrist’sBride

In His first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul reminded 1stCentury Christians of certain things they had previously known, butapparently had forgotten. Yet today, most Christians have never evenheardwhatPaulsharedwiththesebrethren.

Solet’sreadwhatPaulwrote:

Doyenotknowthatthesaintsshalljudgetheworld?(ICorinthians6:2-3).

PerhapsyourememberhowJesustoldHisapostlestheywouldbesittingon thrones, judging the twelve tribesof Israel?SowhowillGod use tojudgetherestofhumanity?

Pauljusttoldyou.

Nowlookat ICorinthians6:3,wherewe findanother responsibility thatGodassignstoChristians:

Knowyenotthatweshalljudgeangels?

Millionsof rebelliousangelsneed tobe reconciledback toGod—andthis verse tells us that God will accomplish this task with the help ofChrist’sBride.

AreyoubeginningtounderstandwhatitmeanstobeaChristian?

____

Christians:CalledtoanOccupation

Finally, I ask you to carefully and thoughtfully read through Revelation19:7-9&11-16:

Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for themarriage of the Lamb has come andHis bride hasmade herself

ready. Itwasgiventoher toclotheherself in fine linen,brightandclean;forthefinelinenistherighteousactsofthesaints.Thenhesaid to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to themarriagesupperoftheLamb.'”

AndIsawheavenopened,andbehold,awhitehorse,andHewhosatonitiscalledFaithfulandTrue,andinrighteousnessHejudgesandwageswar.Hiseyesarea flameof fire,andonHisheadaremanydiadems;andHehasanamewrittenonHimwhichnooneknowsexceptHimself.He is clothedwith a robe dipped in blood,andHis name is calledTheWordofGod (JesusChrist).And thearmieswhichare inheaven,clothed infine linen,whiteandclean,werefollowingHimonwhitehorses.

[Question:Whoaretheseholyarmies?]

FromHismouthcomesasharpsword,sothatwithitHemaystrikedownthenations,andHewillrulethemwitharodof iron;andHetreadsthewinepressofthefiercewrathofGod,theAlmighty.

[Question:DidyounoticehowthesearmieshelpChristrule?]

AndonHisrobeandonHisthighHehasanamewritten,“KINGOFKINGS,ANDLORDOFLORDS.”

Pleaseobtainapieceofpaperandapenorpencil.Thenwritedownthelastpartofverse16:“KingofKings,andLordofLords.”

Nowtakeyourpieceofpaperandcrossouttheword“kings.”Thenaboveit,write yourname.Nowcross out theword “Lords.” Then again,writeyourname.

Nowreadwhatyouwrote—andneverforgetwhatyoujustread…

BecausethisisthereasonGodcalledyoutobeaChristian!____

Christians:CalledtoServe

InChapter10wereadapromiseGodmadeinIsaiah45:22-23.Andasyoumight remember, thispromisewasso important thatGodsworebyHimselftoperformit.

Here is that samepromise in theContemporaryEnglishVersion of theBible:

Iinvitethewholeworldtoturntomeandbesaved.

IaloneamGod!Noothersarereal.Ihavemadeasolemnpromise,onethatwon’tbebroken:

Everyonewillbowdownandworshipme.Try to visualize the scenario being described here: tens of billions ofpeoplebowingdowntoJesusChristforthefirsttimeintheir lives.Mostofthesepeoplewillbefrightened.Theywillneedsomeonetoputanarmaroundthem,explainwhatishappening,showthemwhatalovingGodislike,andthenteachthemtheireternaldestinyintheKingdomofGod.

So if you are aChristian— if you really are a disciple and follower ofJesus Christ— then God has called you to help and care for thesebillionsofpeople.

Jesushasgivenyouthegreatestopportunityandeternaladventureeverimaginable:

Hewhoovercomes,IwillgranttohimtositwithMeonMythrone,asIalsoovercameandsatdownwithMyFatheronHisthrone.

~~~~

12—GodHonorsChrist’sChurch

So far, our discussion has focused on howGod gives the Kingdom toChrist’s Bride, alongwith how the collectiveBridewill serve as eternalkingsandpriestswhoshallruleovertheirKingdom.Butnowwecometothe spectacular conclusion of this story: the incredible honor and gloryGodtheFathergivestoChrist’sBride.Andalthoughitmayseemhardtobelieve, thisspecialstatusovershadowseverythingelse theFatherhaspromisedtoChrist’sChurch.

Let’s begin to discover this special honor and glory by reviewing John17:11,whereour Lordwaspraying toGod theFather on behalf ofHisapostles.Here Jesus describes a deeply intimate relationship betweentheFather,Himself,andtheapostles—arelationshipthatliterallydefiestheimagination:

Iamnolongerintheworld;andyettheythemselves(theapostles)areintheworld,andIcometoYou.HolyFather,keeptheminYourname, thenamewhichYouhavegivenMe, that theymaybeoneevenasWeare.

JesusexplainedhowHeandGod theFatherarespirituallyone:one inSpirit,oneinmind,andoneinpurpose.ThenHewentontorequestthatGodwouldgrantthissame“oneness”toHisapostles.

NowcontinuewithJohn17:20-23toseewhatJesussaidnext:

Idonotaskonbehalfof thesealone(theapostles),but for thosealsowhobelieveinMethroughtheirword…

that theymayallbeone;evenasYou,Father,are inMeand I inYou,thattheyalsomaybeinus…

so that theworldmay believe that You sentMe.The glorywhichYouhavegivenMeIhavegiventothem…

thattheymaybeone,justasWeareone;Iinthemandyouinme,thattheymaybeperfectedinunity…

There’salotofinformationintheseverses.Solet’scarefullystudythem.First, Jesus asked that every Christian would share the same intimatespiritualonenessthatHeandGodtheFatherpossess.ThenHewenton

tostate that thediscipleshadalready received thesameglory thatHeand the Father have. And finally, Jesus prayed that the entire Churchwouldbeforeveronewithbothofthesegreatbeings.

Thenafewyearslater,theapostlePauldocumentedhowtheFatherhadhonoredtheLord’srequest:

DoyounotknowthatyouareatempleofGodandthattheSpiritofGoddwellsinyou?(ICorinthians3:16).

Thereforeifyouareaborn-againChristian,thefollowingistrue:

BothJesusChristandGodtheFatherliterallydwellinsideofyou.

You (right now) are spiritually onewith both God the Father andJesusChrist.

Finally, let’s read John 14:23, where we find our Lord’s explanation ofwhatitmeanstobe“one”withGod:

Jesusansweredandsaiduntohim,Ifamanloveme,hewillkeepmywordsandmyFatherwilllovehim,andwewillcomeuntohim,andmakeourabodewithhim.

AndheretheGreektranslated“abode”meansresidence.

____

ANewCovenant—ANewHouseforGod

UndertheOldCovenant,GodresidedintheTabernacle,andthenlaterintheTemple.However,under theNewCovenant,God does not dwell inphysicalstructures.HereiswhattheBiblesaysabouttheNewCovenantHouseofGod:

Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for atestimonyofthosethingswhichweretobespokenlater;butChristwas faithful as a Son over His house — whose house we(Christians)are,ifweholdfastourconfidenceandtheboastofourhopefirmuntiltheend(Hebrews3:5-6).

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest tobehavethyselfinthehouseofGod,whichisthechurchofthelivingGod,thepillarandgroundofthetruth(ITimothy3:15—KJV).

NoticehowtheauthorofHebrewsandtheapostlePaulbothsharedthenewsthatGodhasmoved intoanewhouse: thecollectivemembersofChrist’sChurch.

ThenPaulfurtherexplainedthisamazingeventinEphesians2:19-22:

Sothenyouarenolongerstrangersandaliens,butyouarefellowcitizenswith thesaints,andareofGod’shousehold, having beenbuilt on the foundationof theapostlesandprophets,Christ JesusHimselfbeingthecornerstone, inwhomthewholebuilding,beingfitted together, isgrowing intoaholy temple in theLord, inwhomyou also are being built together into a dwelling of God in theSpirit.

Sounderstand:

Once the New Covenant began with Christ’s resurrection,God movedout of physical tabernacles and temples, and made His eternal homeinsidethemembersofChrist’sChurch!

____

TheProphesiedSpiritualBuilding

InIsaiah28:16,theprophetwrote:

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion(oneofGod’snamesforChrist’sChurch)astone,atestedstone,Acostly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He whobelievesinitwillnotbedisturbed.

TheninEphesians2:20,theapostlePaultellsuswhatthis foundational“cornerstone”is:

…havingbeenbuiltonthefoundationoftheapostlesandprophets,ChristJesusHimselfbeingthecornerstone…

____

ThusGod is currently constructing a new spiritual building— with thecornerstoneof this buildingbeing JesusChrist.Now readwhat I Peter2:4-5addsaboutthisspiritualbuilding:

And coming to Him (Christ) as to a living stone which has been

rejectedbymen,butischoiceandpreciousinthesightofGod,youalso,as livingstones,arebeingbuiltupasaspiritualhouse for aholy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to GodthroughJesusChrist.

ThusontopofthefoundationalcornerstoneofJesusChrist,therestofGod’s spiritual building is being constructed with the “living stones” ofborn-againChristians.AndintheGreek,thephrase“beingbuiltup” isaverb in the present tense. Therefore God’s new home is still underconstruction,becauseHeisstilladdingChristianstoChrist’sChurch.

ThinkAboutThisNot only does God call Christians to rule over and actually own theKingdomofGod.Butfarbeyondallthesefantasticspiritualblessings,theBride of Christ will be God the Father’s permanent residence — Hiseternalhome!

____

God’sPurposeforHisNewHome

Let’sgoback toJohn17:21-23,whereJesus talkedabouthowHeandGod theFather aremaking their homewithinChristians.But this time,let’s focuson thepart that tellsus “why”God desires such an intimaterelationshipwithChrist’sChurch:

…thattheymayallbeone;evenasYou,Father,areinMeandIinYou,thattheyalsomaybeinUs,sothattheworldmaybelievethatyousentMe.TheglorywhichYouhavegivenMe Ihavegiven tothem,thattheymaybeone,justasWeareone;IinthemandYouinMe, that theymaybeperfected in unity,so that theworldmayknow thatYousentMe,and loved them,evenasYouhave lovedMe(John17:21-23).

AndnowyouknowGod’sprimaryreasonformakingHisspiritualhomeinsidetheBrideofChrist:

God’s eternal presencewithinChrist’sBridewill empower her with thelove, wisdom and passion she needs to inspire the entire creation toknow,believeandfollowHerHusband, therebybringingthe opportunity

ofsalvationandeternallifetoeveryone.

Finally,lookatthesepassages:

Forbehold,Icreatenewheavensandanewearth;Andtheformerthingswillnotberememberedorcometomind(Isaiah65:17).

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making allthingsnew…”(Revelation21:5).

ThinkAboutThis

Godhasagreatplantorestoreafallenuniverse.AndGodisexecutingHisplanthroughthemembersofChrist’sChurch.

____

TheGloryofGod’sNewHome

In Isaiah 28:16, we saw howGod calls His new spiritual home “Zion.”AndwefindthissameterminologyinPsalms132:13-14:

FortheLORDhaschosenZion;HehasdesireditforHishabitation."ThisisMyrestingplaceforever;HereIwilldwell,forIhavedesiredit.

Andthenthroughtheprophet Isaiah,Godmakesa fabulouspromisetoZion,Christ’sChurch:

ThussaystheLordGOD(regardingZion—seeIsaiah49:14)…

And theywill bring your sons in their bosom,And your daughterswillbecarriedontheirshoulders.Kingswillbeyourguardians,Andtheirprincessesyournurses.Theywillbowdowntoyouwith theirfacestotheearthAndlickthedustofyourfeet;AndyouwillknowthatIamtheLORD;ThosewhohopefullywaitforMewillnotbeputtoshame(Isaiah49:22-23).

You just read the ultimate destiny of those who are called to beChristians.

ButwillyoubelievewhatGodsaid?

~~~~

13—AChangeinPerspective

AllowmetosuggestsomenewwaystolookatyourChristiancalling:

Jesus declared that “God is Love.” And the Lord said we shouldloveourenemiesanddogoodtothemwhichhateus,becausethisiswhatGodtheFatherdoes.

Contrary to the doctrines ofmostChristian churches, the CreatorGodhasaplantohealandsaveallofHiscreationandmostofHisenemies.

Humanity is not a teeming mass of lost souls, all sold into theslaveryofsinandfacingeternaltormentinHell,withoutanyhopeofrepentanceandsalvation.Therealityisthathumanity—allofit—istherawmaterialGodwillusetocreatebillionsofspiritualchildrenwho will populate an eternal Kingdom that will never, ever stopgrowing.

TheChristianreligionisnotGod’sdesperateattempttosaveafewpercent of the world’s population from the influence of Satan.Instead,Christianity is thefirststep inGod’sgloriousplantosaveandredeemHisentirecreation.

As a Christian, you are not some lucky individual who justhappenedtostumbleuponChrist’sgospel,thendecidedtoacceptaGodthatmostpeoplewillnotevenacknowledgetoexist.Instead,youareaspeciallychosenandhighly-honoredperson—someoneGodhascalled tobeakingandpriest inanever-endingspiritualrealitycalledtheKingdomofGod.Andthelifeyoulivetoday,withits joysanddisappointments, is the training groundwhereGod isgivingyoutheknowledge,experienceandwisdomyouwillneedtoruleinthatKingdom.

ThereforeasChristians,weshouldbeforever thankful that thegreatestpower in the universe possesses such incredible love, kindness andmercy!

____

TheGospelofJesusChrist

Iinvitethewholeworldtoturntomeandbesaved.IaloneamGod!Noothersarereal.

Ihavemadeasolemnpromise,onethatwon’tbebroken:

Everyonewillbowdownandworshipme.

—Isaiah45:22-23(CEV)

ReturntoHomePage

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14—Footnotes

100 Reference: Walter Bauer’s A Greek-English Lexicon of the NewTestament,SecondEdition,pages553-555,seeGreekwordοδός

101There is somedebate among theologians overwhether theGreekβασιλεία should be translated into the English “king” or “kingdom” (thewordcanmeaneither).Theanswertowhichtranslationiscorrectcanbefound inRevelation3:21,whereJesusstateshowthosewhoovercome(Christians)will“sitdownwithMeonMythrone”; i.e.,theywillbekings.Also seeRevelation 2:26-27,where Jesus states thosewho overcomewillbegivenauthoritytoruleoverthenations.

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15—ScriptureReferences

John6:44:45No one can come toMe unless theFatherwho sentMedraws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in theprophets,'AndtheyshallallbetaughtofGod.'EveryonewhohasheardandlearnedfromtheFather,comestoMe.

John6:65AndHewassaying,"For thisreasonIhavesaid toyou, thatnoonecancometoMeunlessithasbeengrantedhimfromtheFather."

ICorinthians2:9butjustasitiswritten,"Thingswhicheyehasnotseenandearhasnotheard,andwhichhavenoenteredtheheartofman,allthatGodhaspreparedforthosewholoveHim."

Luke9-44:45“Letthesewordssinkintoyourears;fortheSonofManisgoingtobedeliveredintothehandsofmen."Buttheydidnotunderstandthis statement, and itwasconcealed from themso that theywouldnotperceiveit;andtheywereafraidtoaskHimaboutthisstatement.

John10:17-20“ForthisreasontheFatherlovesMe,becauseIlaydownMylifesothatImaytakeitagain.NoonehastakenitawayfromMe,butI lay itdownonMyown initiative. Ihaveauthority to lay itdown,and Ihaveauthoritytotakeitupagain.ThiscommandmentIreceivedfromMyFather. A division occurred again among the Jews because of thesewords.Manyofthemweresaying,"Hehasademonandisinsane.WhydoyoulistentoHim?"

Matthew16:21-22FromthattimeJesusbegantoshowHisdisciplesthatHemust go to Jerusalem, and suffermany things from the elders andchiefpriestsandscribes,andbekilled,andberaiseduponthethirdday.Peter tookHimasideandbegan to rebukeHim, saying, "God forbid it,Lord!ThisshallneverhappentoYou."

Mark 8:31-32AndHe began to teach them that the Son ofManmustsuffermanythingsandberejectedbytheeldersandthechiefpriestsandthescribes,andbekilled,andafter threedays riseagain.AndHewasstatingthematterplainly.AndPetertookHimasideandbegantorebukeHim.

Mark16:16Hewhohasbelievedandhasbeenbaptizedshallbesaved;buthewhohasdisbelievedshallbecondemned.

John14:6Jesussaidtohim,"Iamtheway,andthetruth,andthelife;noonecomestotheFatherbutthroughMe.”

Matthew18:16Matthew18:16Butifhedoesnotlistentoyou,takeoneor twomore with you, so that BY THEMOUTHOF TWOOR THREEWITNESSESEVERYFACTMAYBECONFIRMED.

Isaiah49:14ButZionsaid, "TheLORDhas forsakenme,And theLordhasforgottenme."

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TableofContents

Introduction1—TheChristianCalling2—TheChristianReward3—TheGospelRevealsOurCalling4—JesusExplainstheCalling5—TheGospel:AnInvitationtoServe6—CalledtoServe7—TheChristianJourney8—PromisesforAllDisciples9—TheDestinyofChrist’sChurch10—TheBrideandHerKingdom11—TheGloryoftheKingdom12—GodHonorsChrist’sChurch13—AChangeinPerspective14—Footnotes15—ScriptureReferencesInformationAboutThisBookHowtoUseThisBookDisclaimerOtherBookVolumes