ILLUSTRATED PICTURES (Introduction)

[Ricardo 'ReAsOn' Butler]

ILLUSTRATED PICTURES

[Revealing God's Plan for the Church from the Old Testament]

This paper was prompted off a prophectic vision and word given to me from the Lord about the things that will take place before His Second Coming.

A lot of our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as a few fake Christians have put their hands in on this. I haven't read many of them, but I have noticed a pattern in all of them. Some are bibilical and some are not. Me personally, God created me to be sort of a sifter or information. Actually it's commanded in 2nd Timothy 2:15 to,

"Study to show thyself approved [acceptable, tried] unto God, a workman [Gk: 'toiler, teacher, laborer, worker'] that needeth not to be ashamed [Gk: 'not ashamed, i.e. (implication) not reprehensible (irreprehensible (blameless, faultless, flawless, immaculate, perfect, impeccable, impossible to fault, spotless)'], rightly [Gk: 'in a straight manner, correctly, plainly, honestly, directly, uprightly'] DIVIDING [Gk: 'to make a straight cut, i.e. to dissect (expound, explain) correctly'] the Word of truth."

So I am a divider of the Word of God [truth]. A sifter of information. A separator of the real and the fake. And believe me it's NOT easy. But the Scriptures also says,

"PROVE [Gk: 'To test (literally or figuratively); implication to approve:--allow, discern, examine, × like, approve, prove, try, judge, distinguish'] ALL THINGS; hold fast [Gk: 'to hold down (fast), have, keep (in memory), posses, retain, seize on, stay, take'] that WHICH IS GOOD [Gk: 'beautiful, valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use), better, fair, goodly, honest, meet, well, worthy']. Abstain [Gk: 'to hold ones self off, to refrain, to keep (oneself) away, be distant'] FROM ALL APPEARANCES [Gk: 'view, form, fashion, shape, sight'] OF EVIL [Gk: 'hurtful, evil (in effect or influence, degeneracy from original virtue), calamitous, ill, diseased, but especially moral culpable (in the wrong, to blame, blameworthy, guilty, liable), derelict (in ruins, ruined, neglected, abandoned, deserted), vicious, mischief, malice, the devil(s), sinners, bad, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked, wickedness']." (1st Thessalonians 5:21-22).

So we hold on to the good and throw away the evil. Another Scripture also say,

"For when for the time ye [ALL CHRISTIANS] ought [SHOULD] to be teachers, ye [all of you] have need that one teach you again which be the first principles [Gk: 'Basic elements, fundamental principles '] of the oracles [Spiritual utterances, Word] of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth [Gk: 'To share or participate; implication belong to, eat (or drink):--be partaker, pertain, take part, use'] milk [foundational truths of the doctrine of Christ] IS UNSKILLFUL [Gk: 'Inexperienced, i.e. ignorant:--unskillful'] IN THE WORD of righteousness: for he is a babe [Gk: 'Not speaking, i.e. an infant (minor); figuratively a (carnal, double, earthly, worldly) simple-minded person, an immature Christian:--babe, child, + childish']. But strong meat [the depths or deep secrets of God, the mysteries of the kingdom, the hidden wisdom of God] belongeth to them that are of full age [Gk: 'Complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); completeness:--of full age, man, perfect, SPIRITUAL, MATURE, manifesting the fruits of the Spirit'], even those who by reason of use have their senses [Gk: 'spiritual judgement'] exercised [Gk: 'trained'] to discern [Gk: 'separate thoroughly i.e. tell the difference between'] both GOOD and EVIL." (Hebrews 5:12-14).

I love that verse! Anyway, do to the fact that this vision the Spirit gave me was EXTREMELY large, I will not try to cover everything the Spirit gave me. But if I give it to you in bits and pieces, hopefully you'll catch on to the general idea of what is going to happen before the Lord comes.\

And those who know me I am sort of like Paul, the apostle, who was a long talker. If you don't believe me, listen to this story.

"And upon the first day of the week [Sunday], when the disciples came together to break bread [Communion], Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and CONTINUED [Gk: '(to stretch). To extend along, i.e. prolong (in point of time):--continue'] HIS SPEEACH UNTIL MIDNIGHT. And there were many lights in the upper chamber [Gk: 'third story'], where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen [Gk: '(figuratively) overcome (with drowsiness)'] into a DEEP SLEEP: and as Paul was LONG PREACHING [Gk: 'To say thoroughly, i.e. discuss (in argument or exhortation):--dispute, preach (unto), reason (with), speak'], he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft [third story], and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread [Communion], and eaten, AND TALKED A LONG WHILE [Gk: 'ample (in amount)'], EVEN TILL THE BREAK OF DAY [Gk: 'A ray of light, i.e. (implication) radiance, dawn'], so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted ['greatly comforted' Modern Language Bible]." (Acts 20:7-12).

Imagine that scene! Paul was preaching and teaching so long that Eutychus fell asleep and fell out the third story window dead, Paul ran down and grabed him up, prayed over him, healed him and began to preach some more from Sunday morning until midnight and did not finish until Monday morning! WOW! Yea, I think I get my long messages from Paul. I only do that because I don't want you to misinformed about anything concernig the Kingdom of God. I want you all to top these false ministers in the church today.

David said,

"O how love I Thy [God's] law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever [always] with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients [Heb: 'Old:--aged, ancient, ancient man, elder, eldest, old, old man, old men and ... women), senator'], because I keep Thy precepts [Obviously according to this statement, the elders were breaking God's law]." (Psalm 119:97-100).

So that's why I do it. I want you guys to be better than me. I want you guys (and gals) to do greater things then me. I want all the leaders God has bless me with to train and equip to be fully ready for anything in life.

Anyway, I have divided this vision into five parts so that we can keep it short as possible, and still leave in all the key and very important facts and evidences for you to catch God's plan in the Old Testament.

I bought a book just recently called "The House Church Book" by Wolfgang Simson. And he has a chapter titled "No Progress without Change" which kind of prompted my thinking about Christianity and the Church as a whole. Then I came to a section in this chapter called "The Apostolic Migration of Christianity" where he breaks down how the Church is being divided: the sheep from the goat, the Old Wine from the New Wine, the Old Cloth from the New Cloth, the Law from Grace, etc.

But what caught my attention was the illustration or picture he gave in the book with two mountains and a valley. He draws five points from the first mountain to the second mountain. And that's when the Spirit spoke loud and clear.

The funny thing about this is that I always knew this, but never put the pieces together to see the picture more clearly. And knowing that the Scriptures are infinite in its truth, even what I add to this picture will not totally complete it. Because like Paul we only see a part or portion of this plan.

"For we KNOW IN PART [Gk: 'to get as a section or allotment, a division or share, a piece, A PORTION'], and we PROPHESY IN PART [Gk: 'TO GET AS A SECTION or allotment, a division or share, a piece, a portion']. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part [Gk: 'to get as a section or allotment, a division or share, a piece, a portion'] shall be done away. For NOW we see through a glass, DARKLY [we can't individually see the whole picture]; but then face to face: now I know in part; BU THEN [later] SHALL I KNOW even as also I am known." (1st Corinthians 13:9-10, 12).

I, likewise, am ready and willing to be corrected about any of my writings. I openly invite it. If I am wrong on even a minor point, I want to know about it. Let’s face it; no one single person has all the truth on any subject. But praise God, He does keep on increasing those truths He has already graciously given to us!

Let's start with a few leading off thoughts to get your thinking in gears. Jesus says,

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye [all of you] know that summer is nigh: So likewise [in the same manner] ye [all of you, not just the Bible scholars], when ye [all of you] shall see all these things, KNOW THAT IT [Christ's Second Coming] IS NEAR [You can 'know that is is NEAR'], EVEN AT THE DOORS [And you can 'KNOW' that it is 'even at the doors']. Verily [Truthfully] I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, TILL ALL THESE THINGS BE FULFILLED [The content I will cover in this 5 Part lesson WILL BE FULFILLED]. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but MY WORDS [I am going to explain my vision from the WORD OF GOD WHICH] SHALL NOT pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man [Again, we won't know 'That Day', but we will KNOW that 'that day' is NEAR and AT THE DOORS'], no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father ONLY. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also THE COMING of the Son of man [Jesus] be." (Matthew 24:32-37).

The next few verses Jesus describes how these last days will be like the days of Noah. But this picture illustration is not the ONLY illustration of the Second Coming. There are MANY (probably more than we know) illustrated pictures that show other angles of what will happen before the Coming of the Lord.

Our second thought comes from the book of Daniel, which says,

"But thou, O Daniel, SHUT UP THE WORDS, AND SEAL THE BOOK [The Word of God, the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God], even TO THE TIME OF THE END: Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half [3 1/2 years]; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. And I heard, but I [Daniel] UNDERSTOOD NOT [because the end was not yet heer, Daniel could not understand the End Times Procphecies of the Word of God]: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And He said, Go thy way, Daniel: FOR THE WORDS ARE CLOSED UP AND SEALED TILL THE TIME OF THE END. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: NONE of the wicked shall understand; but THE WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND." (Daniel 12:4, 6-10).

As the end of this age comes to a close, the Spiritual truths called the hidden wisdom of God (1 Cor. 2:7) will come more to the surface. And all false doctrines will come to light and tossed out with the wind of doctrines that they are. John, the apostle/prophet writes in the book of Revelation,

"And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne A BOOK [The Word of God] WRITTEN within and on the backside ['written on both sides', 'written on the front and back'], SEALED with seven [perfect, complete] seals. And I saw A STRONG angel [but not strong enough to open the seals] proclaiming with a loud voice, WHO is worthy to open THE BOOK [the same book Daniel sealed], and to loose the seals [Gk: 'a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); implication the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literal or figurative:--seal'] thereof? And NO MAN in heaven, nor [NO MAN] in earth, neither [NO MAN] under the earth ['Under the earth' means also those in the sea, 'Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath (beneath the heavens), or that is IN THE WATER UNDER THE EARTH.' (Ex. 20:4). I will explain what this means another time], was able to open THE BOOK [Jesus (Who He is and What He stands for)--The Word of God and spiritually understand], neither to look [perceive] thereon. And I wept much, because NO MAN was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders [any Christian Spiritually mature is an elder] saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah [CHRIST JESUS], the Root of David [CHRIST JESUS], HATH PREVAILED TO OPEN THE BOOK [The Word of God], and to loose the seven seals thereof." (Revelation 5:1-5).

Jesus Christ is the BOOK! He can open the understanding of His Words to anyone He wants so that we may have a Revelation of WHO HE REALLY IS!

"And beginning AT MOSES [Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy] and all the prophets [from Joshua to Malachi, PLUS John the Baptist; 'For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.' (Matt. 11:13) & 'The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.' (Luke 16:16)], He [Jesus] expounded [Gk: 'to explain thoroughly, to translate, interpret' HE OPENED THE BOOK AND BROKE THE COMPLETE (SEVEN) SEALS, HE OPEN HIMSELF UP] unto them in ALL THE SCRIPTURES [THE WHOLE WORD (COUNSEL) OF GOD (Acts 20:27)] the things CONCERNING HIMSELF [FOR THAT IS WHAT A REVELATION IS--a revealing OF CHRIST! 'But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man ('NO MAN IN HEAVEN, nor in earth, neither under the earth'). For I neither received it of man ('NO MAN IN HEAVEN, nor in earth, neither under the earth'), neither was I taught it, but BY THE REVELATION (LIKE THE BOOK JOHN RECORDED) OF JESUS CHRIST.' (Gal. 1:11-12)]. And they said one to another, Did not our heart BURN within us ['For THE WORD OF GOD is quick (LIVING), and POWERFUL, and SHARPER than any twoedged sword, PIERCING even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and INTENTS OF THE HEART.' (Heb. 4:12); 'I will make My Words in thy mouth FIRE, and this people wood, and it shall devour them ... But His Word was in mine heart as a BURNING FIRE ... Is not My Word like as a FIRE? saith the LORD.' (Jer. 5:14; 20:9; & 23:29)], while He talked with us BY THE WAY [Jesus is the Way], and while He OPENED to us THE SCRIPTURES [THE BOOK, WORD OF GOD]? And He [Jesus] said unto them, These are the [spiritual] words which I spoke unto you while I was yet [still] WITH you [words which they never understood] THAT ALL THINGS MUST BE FULFILLED, which were written in the law of Moses in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me [in other words, the entire Hebrew Scriptures we call the Old Testament for it was the only thing written at that time]. Then [When? ‘THEN.’ Not during their three and one half years of learning at His feet? NO, ‘then’] OPENED [like the SEVEN (complete) SEALS] He THEIR UNDERSTANDING [after understanding is opened and granted now they were able to 'LOOK THEREON' Rev. 5:3-4], that they might understand the Scriptures [ALL of the Scriptures, ALL TRUTH, ALL THE COUNSEL OF GOD, THE WHOLE BIBLE]." (Luke 24:27, 32, 44-45).

Because of Israel's hypocrisy and fake worship He shut up the BOOK. All things written to Israel in the Old Testament is for the church today.

"Now ALL these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for OUR ADMONITION [to reprove, caution, warn, remind of obligation or duty, etc.], upon whom the ends of the world [‘eons—ages’] are come" (1st Corinthians 10:11).
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for OUR LEARNING, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Rom. 15:4).

"Unto whom it was revealed, that NOT unto themselves, but unto US they did minister the things, which are now reported unto YOU by them that have preached the gospel unto YOU with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of YOUR mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the GRACE that is to be brought unto YOU [not ‘them’—they DIED not receiving the promises made to them] AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST." (I Pet. 1:12-13).

But they couldn’t even hand the Book to the learned or the unlearned to understand these mysteries. Daniel said the Book was sealed for the end times. Only Jesus can open the Book or Himself to you so that you might have a relationship with Him.

But how could they have known since Isaiah says they have been giving "the spirit of deep sleep?"

"For the LORD hath poured out upon you THE SPIRIT OF DEEP SLEEP, AND HATH CLOSED YOUR EYES: [God has closed the eyes of] the [false] prophets and [God has closed the eyes of] your [false] rulers, [God has closed the eyes of] the [false] seers hath He covered. And the vision [Heb: 'Revelation'] OF ALL is become unto you AS THE WORDS OF A BOOK THAT IS SEALED, which men deliver to one that IS LEARNED, saying, 'Read this, I pray thee': and he saith, 'I cannot; for IT IS SEALED': and THE BOOK is delivered to him that IS NOT LEARNED, saying, 'Read this, I pray thee': and he saith, 'I am not learned'." (Isaiah 29:10-12).

Now in this section we are talking about the non-believers, atheistic world, heathens, Gentiles, secular people, or whatever you want to call them. Like I said earlier, the reason why they did crucify the Lord earlier is because again, God has a plan that involves calling MANY, but choosing out only a FEW.

Contained in these few Scriptures is the reason why the Church has not a clue as to what the plan and purpose of God is, or how the Scriptures are applied to the working out of that purpose. How did Jesus "fulfill" the Scriptures? By fulfilling the 44 Scriptures listed in the back of Strong’s Concordance concerning the coming Messiah? Forty-four Scriptures only? Those 44 Scriptures are truly, not even the tip of the iceberg.
What Christ did could not be put into books—the whole [kosmos] could not contain it.
"And there are also MANY other things which Jesus did, the which, if they [THE MANY OTHER THINGS JESUS DID] should be written EVERY ONE, I suppose that even the world [kosmos] itself COULD NOT CONTAIN THE BOOKS that should be written. Amen." (John 21:25).
Jesus did not fulfill the sacrificed sin offering only. Jesus was not merely one offering, but the many offerings, burnt offerings, the meat offering, the peace offerings, the trespass offering, and the sin offering. Jesus also prefigured the priest doing the offering, the meaning of each offering, the compartments and furniture of the tabernacle, the bread, the candles, the curtain, the ark of the covenant, the tabernacle itself, Jesus was Joseph, Adam, Moses, Joshua, King David, and the whole nation of Israel—Jesus prefigures all and FULFILLED ALL.
No one could comprehend every verse in the Old Testament Scriptures that represented Jesus, but they could learn the PRINCIPLE by which Jesus fulfilled all the law and all the prophets. And that is how the apostles and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus had their understanding of the Scriptures opened in just a very short time. When the Scriptures speak of Israel they speak of Jesus, and when they speak of Jesus they speak of us, for "…as Jesus is, so are we in the world" (1st John 4:17).
And that is the simple explanation of this marvelous truth. The Scriptures speak of far more than just the prophesies of Jesus coming as the Messiah.
We are all in Adam. We do all that Adam did. We believe in the Spirit what Israel lived in the flesh. All Israel was baptized in the Red Sea. We are all baptized into Christ’s death. And now the last Adam (Christ) lives His life in us (Gal. 2:20), but not until we repent of the first Adam of the flesh living his life in us.
"Then opened He their UNDERSTANDING, that they might UNDERSTAND the Scriptures" (Luke 24:45);
"Consider what I say: and the Lord give you UNDERSTANDING in all things" (2 Tim. 2:7).
"And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an UNDERSTANDING, that we may know Him that is True…" (1st John 5:20).
"And you shall know [Gk: ‘sure understanding’—but future] the truth, and the truth shall make [future] you free" (John 8:32).
For three and one-half years Jesus promised that some day His apostles would know the truth. But clear to the end of three and one-half years of learning at the feet of Jesus, the Apostles did not yet understand His teaching, purpose or plan. Has anything changes on how Jesus trains His disciples today? One day they were blind to these truths, and the next they understood. How is that possible?
We have clearly seen that Jesus kept the real meaning and truths of His teaching from the masses, the church leaders, His disciples and even His apostles. Late in Christ’s ministry, we are told that:
"And they understood NONE OF THESE THINGS: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the THINGS WHICH WERE SPOKEN" (Luke 18:34).
But after His resurrection, Luke tells us that:
"THEN opened He their understanding, that they might understand THE SCRIPTURES [ALL THE SCRIPTURES]." (Luke 24:45).
Maybe, TODAY, will be the day that God begins to "open your understanding of the Scriptures."
Jesus said to His disciples:
"… ALL THINGS must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, CONCERNING ME ['IF THEY HEAR NOT Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one (Jesus) rose from the dead.' (Luke 16:31)]. ['But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament (Moses and all the Prophets); which VEIL IS DONE AWAY IN CHRIST. But even unto this day, when Moses (the Old Testament) is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it (the heart) shall TURN TO THE LORD, THE VEIL SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY.' (2 Cor. 3:14-16)] Then opened He their understanding…" (Luke 24:44-45).
In the first section, the Law of Moses, Strong’s Concordance gives four entries of things Jesus fulfilled from these five books:
"…her Seed" (Gen. 3:15);
"In you [Abraham] all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 12:3);
"…with him [Isaac] for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him" (Gen. 17:19);
"…a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel…" (Num. 24:17). And that’s it.
Why they don’t even mention the fact that there was to come a Prophet like unto Moses:
"The Lord thy God will raise up unto you a Prophet from the midst of you, of your brethren, like unto me [Moses] unto Him ye shall hearken" (Deut. 18:15 & Acts 7:37).
If they missed that one, just imagine how many of hundreds of smaller prophecies regarding Christ they missed.
Understand that what is recorded for us in the gospels is but a very tiny portion of what actually was taught and happened in Christ’s life and ministry:
"And with MANY such parables spoke He the word unto them…" (Mark 4:33; Matt. 13:3; Mark 4:2).
"And MANY other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciple, which are not written in this book" (John 20:30).
"And there were also MANY other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen" (John 21:25).
It wasn’t that Jesus was "holding back" on His disciples, so that they didn’t quite "get it," but rather they just didn’t have the spiritual mind to "get it," until Jesus gave them His very Own mind in the form of His Holy Spirit. Notice Jesus’ words:
"But take heed, behold, I have foretold you ALL things" (Mark 13:23).
Yes, Jesus told them "ALL things," but, "they understood NONE OF THESE THINGS" (Luke 18:34)!
Surely the question will arise: If at the end of Christ’s ministry, "they understood none of these things…," of what value were those three and one half years that Jesus taught them? This is true that they did not understand Christ’s gospel and message during His ministry, and during this mentoring, but it was not for naught (nothing).
Three things were to happen:
[1] "But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you will REMEMBER that I told you of them" (John 16:4).
This is how the gospel accounts could be written 30-40 years later, because God caused them to "remember" all these things. Remember how we taught in the "Lake of Fire" series (Ask me for it later), that in Revelation 1:10 & 12 John, "…heard behind" him, a trumpet, and he "turned to see…" And that is how we come to understand many things in the spirit. It is only when we turn and look behind us that we see what we didn’t see while it was actually taking place.
"These things understood NOT His disciples at that time: but when Jesus was glorified, then REMEMBERED they that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things unto Him" (John 12:16).
"Then REMEMBERED I the word of the Lord, how that He said…" (Acts 11:16).
[2] "And He said unto them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you… Then opened He their understanding, that they might UNDERSTAND the Scriptures" (Luke 24:44-45).
After three and one half years of personal tutoring and training of His disciples, Jesus told them at the last supper,
[3] "I have yet MANY THINGS to say unto you, but ye cannot hear them NOW" (John 16:12).
And so the disciples understood many things
[1] after they came to pass,
[2] again when Jesus opened their understanding, and
[3] many more things as they progressed and grew in their faith and ministry.
Peter learned to not call the Gentiles common or unclean. He preached to them the gospel, and they received God’s Holy Spirit (Acts 10). Paul learned the truth about being baptized by God’s Spirit rather than by water (Acts 19:1-7). The whole Church learned that Circumcision and the Law of Moses was not required for salvation at the Acts 15 Jerusalem Conference. And many more such things.
"For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the one body, being many, ARE ONE BODY, THUS ALSO IS THE CHRIST. For in one spirit also we all are baptized into ONE BODY, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and ALL are made to imbibe ['drink into' KJV] ONE SPIRIT" (1 Cor. 12:12-13).
All believers are "baptized into Christ" (Rom. 6:3), yet Paul says,
"For Christ does not commission me to be baptizing ..." (1 Cor. 1:17).
Paul didn’t have a big "baptizing ministry." So whoever are baptized, does not include very many from Paul’s ministry, that’s for sure. Baptism began with John the Baptist, and he baptized Jewish believers exclusively (in water--the Jordan), but it matters not "who" is baptized (whether Jew or Gentile), because,
"... WHOEVER are baptized [even without water] into Christ Jesus, are baptized into His death" (Rom. 6:3),
Because there is ONLY ONE BAPTISM (Eph. 4:5)!
Jews and Greeks alike are baptized into ONE BODY! Peter and Paul are not members of different bodies. There is only ONE BODY (Eph. 4:4). This is not hard.
"For if we [whoever--Jew or Greek] have become planted together in the likeness of His death, nevertheless we [whoever--Jews and Gentiles, circumcision and uncircumcision] shall be of THE resurrection also ..." (Rom. 6:5).
There is only ONE body and it will be resurrected at THE resurrection (not two different bodies at two different resurrections).
This is as simple and as basic as it gets. These are simple, solid, Scripturally substantiated statements that anyone should be able to understand. The very same verse that tells us that there is ONE God, and ONE Father, and ONE Lord, also tells us that there is a "unity of the spirit" that we are to keep. And that there is only ONE body and ONE spirit, and ONE expectation, and ONE faith, and ONE baptism.
"I am entreating you, then, the prisoner in the Lord, to walk worthily of the calling with which you are called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit [imagine someone teaching that there is NOT a unity of spirit among Jewish saints and Gentile saints?] with the tie [bond] of peace; ONE body and ONE spirit, according as you were called also with ONE expectation of your calling; ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph. 4:1-6)!
Does anyone see from these Scriptures that Christ is "divided"? 1 Cor. 1:13, "Is Christ divided?" Well, yes, rapturists would tell us that Christ IS divided. Rapturists would have us believe that Christ is so divided that the parts are barely recognizable from each other.
God is ONE. We are to keep the unity of ONE. All Believers are to be ONE in God. The Scriptures are ONE. The parables are all ONE parable. And now I want to show that all of these words (in the final analysis) mean the same thing-CHANGE!
"For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of the Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29).
There is the entire plan of God for the human race succinctly expressed in one simple verse of Scripture:
"And creating is God humanity in His Image" (Genesis 1:27, Concordant Literal Old Testament).
How many theologians believe and understand that all the parables are the same parable? Tis true:
"And He [Jesus] said unto them, Know you not this parable? And how then shall you know all parables? (Mark 4:13).
All parables are the same parable. I know: it boggles the mind. It takes the Spirit of God to understand these spiritual teachings.
And just as when Jesus said: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," no one understands what He meant until it was fulfilled. Everyone thought he meant the literal physical stone temple rather than His own body.
Likewise, only the "Chosen few" can understand the parables as they are fulfilled in their own lives, generation by generation, until the parables are fulfilled.
But primarily in this Truth, we are dealing with Christ’s opening of their understanding of the Scriptures after His resurrection.
Before Jesus opened their understanding of the Scriptures on the evening of His resurrection, no New Testament writer could have quoted Scriptures from the Old Testament and applied them to Christ as we find in our Bibles today. And why is that?
Because many times the Scriptures that they quote in reference to Jesus Christ are taken completely out of their context, where they did not have reference to Jesus at all.
Notice Matt. 1:23,
"Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel."
Now go back to Isaiah 7:14 and you will see that this verse has nothing to do with Jesus Christ, IF we insist that it be IN CONTEXT. But when you take it out of context THEN it can be applied to Christ.
In Acts 1:20 we see Peter putting into practice the "Scriptural understanding" that Jesus gave him the evening of His resurrection. Let’s notice what Peter says:
"For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let His habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take."
Peter took half his statement from Psalm 69:25, but changed the word "their" to "his," and the other half of his statement is from Psalm 109:8, and neither Psalm appears to have anything to do with selecting a new Apostle to replace Judas IN CONTEXT. Only if you take it OUT OF CONTEXT CAN IT BE APPLIED PROPERLY! What is going on?
"Then opened He [Jesus] their [the eleven Apostles] understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures" (Luke 24:45).
But what was it about the Scriptures that caused them to understand the Scriptures? Just what did Jesus teach them that they didn’t already know? Back up a few verses for the answer.
Earlier that same day Jesus met with two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus. For the next seven miles Jesus explained to them the Scriptures.
What did He teach them that in a few hours they were able to understand the Scriptures?
"Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded [declared, defined, explained] unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning HIMSELF" (Luke 24:25-27).
Are we to believe that in a few hours Jesus read to them the entire 39 books, 929 chapters, 23,145 verses of the Old Testament, with commentary and explanations? No, of course not. He taught them a principle, a spiritual truth, whereby they could understand all the Scriptures that pertained to Him.
The spiritual resurrected Jesus Christ does not represent the physical house of David, or the physical Tribe of Judah, or the physical nation of Israel. Jesus Christ is Spirit and His words are spirit. "As Jesus is, so are we" means that those who are spiritual (composed of almost exclusively Gentiles in this Church era) are the true Jews—not national Israel and Judah. National Israel and Judah are going into the Great White Throne of Judgment in the second resurrection during the period of the Lake of Fire. They will NOT be grafted into Jesus, the Tree of Life, before then. Jesus fulfilled all that is written in the Law of Moses and all the prophets—it ALL pertains to Jesus, and thus it all pertains to us (‘upon whom the ends of the ages are come,’ 1 Corinthians 10:11).

It is essential that we study the Old Testament Scriptures, for they are often the only key to the New Testament Scriptures. Paul used the Hebrew Scriptures to teach the foolish Galatians the New Covenant promises. Here’s but one great example:
"Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not HEAR the law? For it is written [in Old Covenant Scriptures] that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the FLESH; but he of the freewoman was by PROMISE. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders [gives birth] to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar IS mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
"But [Sarah is mount Zion in heaven and answers to] the [NEW] Jerusalem which is above is free, which IS the mother of us all.
For it is written, ‘Rejoice, you [Sarah/New Jerusalem/Mount Zion/The Spiritual Church and Bride of Christ] barren that bear not; break forth and cry, you that travail not: for the desolate [Sarah/New Jerusalem/Mount Zion/The Spiritual Church and Bride of Christ] has many more children than she [Hagar/Literal Jerusalem/Mount Sinai/The Carnal Church and her forehead was a name MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH] which has an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
"Nevertheless what saith the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman [Hagar/Literal Jerusalem/Mount Sinai/The Carnal Church and her forehead was a name MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH] and her son [LUKEWARM CHRISTIANS, THE MANY CALLED]: for the son of the bondwoman SHALL NOT be heir with the son [GOD'S ELECT, THE FEW CHOSEN, THE PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS] of the freewoman [Sarah/New Jerusalem/Mount Zion/The Spiritual Church and Bride of Christ]. So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free." (Gal. 4:21-31).
This is not only an allegory, but it is an allegory containing many metaphors as well. An allegory is when characters or events (such as Sarah and HAgar and their children) represent abstract or spiritual ideas or principles. A metaphor is when one thing is said to be something else. (such as HAgar actually being mount Sinai, which then represents or corresponds to Jerusalem in bondage). It may seem a little complicated at first, but once one sees all of the aspects of the allegory explained, this principle is quite easy to understand. Nevertheless, it does require the Spirit of God to believe it. It is this very fact (that the Church does not understand or believe this allegory) that the Church continues to believe that God’s true chosen people are STILL, "the children of the bondwoman"—"Jerusalem which NOW IS" over there in the State of Israel. Unbelievable.
This dear reader, is how the Old Covenant was written for "OUR admonition…"
Does anyone believe that this is the ONLY "allegory" in the Old Testament which is written for OUR admonition. Hardly—the Old Testament is FILLED with such allegories, but who has "ears to hear and eyes to see?" And "who will believe our report?" (Isaiah 53:1, Romans 10:16). The whole book of Revelation is explained in the Old Testament Scriptures, but the theologians of this world do not and cannot discern it. They all teach that Revelation is a book of end-time, end-of-the-world eschatology. They have not a clue.
Paul constantly referred to the Old Testament Scriptures in his epistles, and he taught the whole plan of salvation from the Old Testament Scriptures, as they were the only Scriptures available during his ministry.
"And that from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:15).
These same Scriptures were now able to make Timothy wise unto salvation, but not until he first learned about Jesus Christ in the Old Testament Scriptures. These were the Scriptures that Jesus caused His apostles to understand after His resurrection:
"And He [JESUS] said unto them, These are the [spiritual] words which I spoke unto you while I was yet [still] with you [words which they never understood] that ALL THINGS MUST BE FULFILLED, which were written in the law of Moses in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me [in other words, the entire Hebrew Scriptures we call the Old Testament for it was the only thing written at that time] ['IF THEY HEAR NOT Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one (Jesus) rose from the dead.' (Luke 16:31)]. ['But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament (Moses and all the Prophets); which VEIL IS DONE AWAY IN CHRIST. But even unto this day, when Moses (the Old Testament) is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it (the heart) shall TURN TO THE LORD, THE VEIL SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY.' (2 Cor. 3:14-16)] Then [When? ‘THEN.’ Not during their three and one half years of learning at His feet? NO, ‘then’] opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures [ALL of the Scriptures]" (Luke 24:44-45).
What Jesus taught from the Old Testament Scriptures during His ministry was not even the tip of the iceberg.
"I have yet MANY THINGS to say unto you, but ye cannot hear them NOW" (John 16:12).
"Howbeit [However] when IT, the Spirit of Truth [Christ is TRUTH. He said "I am THE TRUTH" Their is not another truth outside Jesus. He is not just a truth He is THE Truth], is come, it will guide you into ALL TRUTH." (John 16:13, Concordant Literal New Testament).
The Truth of God, "thou shall sureLY die," and the lie of the Devil, "you shall NOT surely die," is for "our admonition." The story of Cain and Able is for "our admonition." The story of the flood is for "our admonition." The story of Babel is for "our admonition." The promises to Abraham and the meaning of faith are for "our admonition." The entire story in every single detail of Joseph and his brothers is for "our admonition." Do you wear your "coat of many colors," or do you hide it in the closet? You say: "What coat of many colors?"
Forget it—ask your pastor why he has never taught you how to wear your coat of many colors?

If you cannot identify yourself, personally, with all the stories and accounts in the Old Testament, then you have not even begun to overcome all the carnality that you are.

THE NATURAL FIRST THEN THE SPIRITUAL
"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the Last Adam [Jesus Christ] was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is NATURAL [soulish, physical is first]; and afterward that which is SPIRITUAL" (1st Corinthians 15:45-46).
"It is sown [first] a NATURAL BODY [a physical body which dies]; it is raised [afterward] a SPIRITUAL BODY [which is made immortal and never dies]…" (1st Corinthians 15:44).
"Who shall change our [first] VILE [PHYSICAL] BODY, that it may be fashioned like unto His [afterward] GLORIOUS [SPIRITUAL] BODY…" (Phil. 3:21).
"If I have told you EARTHLY [PHYSICAL] things [first], and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of HEAVENLY [SPIRITUAL] things [truths or realities afterward]?" (John 3:12).
"... seeing that there are priests that offer gifts ACCORDING TO THE LAW [of Moses, the Old Covenant, the PHYSICAL/carnal commandments]: Who serve unto THE EXAMPLE AND SHADOW OF HEAVENLY THINGS [SPIRITUAL REALITIES] ..." (Hebrews 8:4-5).

"For the law [the PHYSICAL/carnal commandments] having A SHADOW of GOOD [SPIRITUAL] THINGS TO COME, and NOT the very image of the [SPIRITUAL] things ..." (Hebrews 10:1).

"Let no man therefore judge you in [PHYSICAL] meat, or in [PHYSICAL] drink, or in respect of an [PHYSICAL] holyday, or of the [PHYSICAL] new moon, or of the [PHYSICAL] sabbath days: WHICH ARE A [PHYSICAL] SHADOW OF [SPIRITUAL] THINGS TO COME; but the [SPIRITUAL] body is of Christ [SPIRITUAL]." (Colossians 2:16-17).

And here's this same verse translated in today's English

"Therefore no one has the authority to say that you're right or wrong about what you're eating or drinking, or what you're doing about a religious festival or a new moon festival or a day of rest. These things are just a shadowy picture of things to come. BUT THE PERSON CASTING THAT SHADOW IN CHRIST." (Colossians 2:16-17, Everyday American English Translation).
The sequence of God’s plan of salvation for mankind is most important—First is the physical and then comes the spiritual.
But this is not what the church teaches. They teach that first came the natural, the soulish, the physical, and AFTERWARD will come A BETTER VERSION of the natural, the soulish, the physical! That is unscriptural nonsense. God is not building a better version of our physical bodies. We will be given SPIRITUAL BODIES:
"There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; [Adam was destined to DIE from the time of his very creation: 'For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willing, but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself [this certainly includes Adam] also shall be delivered from the bondage of CORRUPTION…' (Rom. 8:20-21). Adam was created in the ‘bondage of corruption’]; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a SPIRITUAL BODY. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul [subject to death and corruption]; the last Adam was made a quickening SPIRIT [NOT subject to death or corruption; 'He (God) seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell (the grave), neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.' (Acts 2:31-32)]. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is SPIRITUAL" (1 Cor. 15:42-46).

Make no mistake about it, what God is creating is SPIRITUAL and eternal. But first He created the physical and the temporary. He has dealt with the physical and temporary in the past, and will get to do so in the future, but the time will come when God will do away with physical things, and then all will be spiritual. There was an OLD Covenant and now there is a NEW Covenant. The first was based solely on the physical and temporary promises, whereas the second is based on SPIRITUAL AND PERMANENT promises!

The Book of Isaiah is considered to be a bible within the bible. It consists of sixty-six chapters (66 books of the Bible). The first 39 chapters are likened to the 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures with its judgments upon sinful humanity. And the last 27 chapters are likened to the 27 books of the Greek Scriptures which bring salvation through the Messiah. Isaiah’s prophecies cover thousands of years. Isaiah 30 covers thousands of years. It has been remarked many times that "prophecy is dual." Actually, I believe that many prophecies are multi-layered. That is, they are numerous fulfillment's usually beginning with the physical and literal, moving toward the figurative and spiritual. Example: In the very first book of the Bible, Genesis, we have mention of physical Sodom and Egypt:

"And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed SODOM and Gomorrah, [it was well watered every where] even as [like] the garden [Eden, paradise] of the LORD, [it was well watered every where even like Eden and as or ...] like the land of EGYPT, as thou comest unto Zoar." (Genesis 13:10),

But in the very last book of the Bible we have mentioned "spiritual" Sodom and Egypt:

So, who is Egypt and Sodom TODAY? And who is Israel TODAY?

Is the Israel of all these major prophecies (foretold to happen before the coming of God’s government to this earth), the handful of racially mixed tenants of the State of Israel today? Give me a break.

Is the Jerusalem in prophecy inside today's Israel? Don’t take my word for it

"And their [the two witnesses] dead bodies shall lie in the street of the GREAT CITY, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord [Jesus] was crucified. " (Rev. 11:8).

And where was our Lord crucified? In literal Sodom? NO. In literal Egypt? NO. He was crucified in Jerusalem, which is now for prophetic purposes, "SODOM & EGYPT!"

This GREAT CITY also has another name.

"And there followed another angel, saying, BABYLON is fallen, is fallen, that GREAT CITY, because she made ALL NATIONS drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." (Revelation 14:8).

"And the GREAT CITY was divided into three parts, and the cities OF THE NATIONS fell: and GREAT BABYLON came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." (Revelation 16:19).

"And THE WOMAN [Babylon] which thou sawest is that GREAT CITY, which REIGNETH OVER THE KINGS OF THE EARTH." (Revelation 17:18).

"Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that GREAT CITY BABYLON, THAT MIGHTY CITY! for in one hour is thy JUDGMENT COME ['For (here’s the reason) the TIME IS COME that JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD: and if it (JUDGMENT) first begin at us (THE HOUSE OF GOD, CHRIST'S CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST), what shall the end be of them [IN THE HOUSE OF GOD] that obey not the gospel of God?' (1 Pet. 4:16-17).]." (Revelation 18:10).

Remember now, that this IS NOT the Great White Throne Jugdment for non-believers in Rev. 20:11-15.

"And saying, Alas, alas, that GREAT CITY, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought [nothing]. And every shipmaster [pastors], and all the company [congregations] in ships, and sailors [ministers], and as many as trade by sea ['The WATERS which you saw, where THE WHORE sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues (languages/dialects)' (Rev. 17:15)], stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this GREAT CITY! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that GREAT CITY, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in ONE HOUR is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye [all of you] holy APOSTLES and PROPHETS [the foundation that was SUPPOSED to be in this Church]; for God hath avenged you on her." (Revelation 18:16-20).

"And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that GREAT CITY BABYLON be THROWN DOWN, and shall be found no more at all." (Revelation 18:21).

And when does God’s word tell us "Jerusalem" (which symbolizes all Judah and all Israel) will be restored?

"When your [Jerusalem's] sisters, Sodom and her [Sodom's] daughters shall return to their former estate, then YOU [Jerusalem, Verse 2] and your daughters shall return to your former estate" (Ezek. 16:55).
There is a reason why God goes into such detail and allots so much space in His Word for such small cities as Sodom and Jerusalem. They were but the fore-runners of a much larger deception of the same ilk! This same HARLOT system permeates the world today through a huge organization and worldwide work.
"And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto you the judgment of the GREAT WHORE that sits upon many waters [not just one city or one people, but MANY WATERS OF NATIONS AND PEOPLES]: With whom the kings of the earth have committed FORNICATION, and the inhabitants of the EARTH [the ENTIRE WORLD!] have been made DRUNK WITH THE WINE OF HER FORNICATION" (Rev. 17:1-2)!
Take another look at what you have just read! According to the Word of God, there is to come (and has already come as we speak) a WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION that will spread her spiritual whoredom and fornication AROUND THE ENTIRE INHABITED EARTH and will make ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH DRUNK on the spiritual intoxicating wine of her doctrine! And what is the name God gives this system of spiritual whoredom? Let’s read it:
"And the woman [woman represents a church in Scripture] WAS ARRAYED IN PURPLE AND SCARLET COLOUR, AND DECKED WITH GOLD AND SILVER AND PRECIOUS STONES AND PEARLS [this church is not poor] and a golden cup in her hand full of ABOMINATIONS AND FILTHINESS OF HER FORNICATION." [Gee, sounds like the exact description of the harlot woman in Ezekiel 16, doesn’t it?] (Rev. 17:4-5): "And upon her forehead was a name written,
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND
ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH"
This church system is the apex, the zenith, the epitome of ALL THAT IS DECEITFUL, AND WICKED!

IT ALL BEGAN AT BABEL
This world’s counterfeit religious and political systems began at BABEL (Babylon, which means confusion).
"And the WHOLE EARTH was of ONE language … they found a plain in the land of Shinar [Iraq--Babylon] … And they said, Go to, let US build US a CITY and a tower … and let US make US a NAME, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the WHOLE EARTH … And the Lord came down to see the city … Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language … So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the FACE OF ALL THE EARTH…" (Gen. 11:1-9).
God confounded their languages and He scattered them over the face of all the earth, but they took their rebellious, self-centered, godless religion and government WITH THEM.
Have we forgotten how that later mankind once again regrouped under one central government? There was a time in ancient history when officials gather the educated and scholars from around the world, and once again shared philosophies, religions, laws, sciences, and other academia at a central location which they would then once more take back to their respective countries and share, worldwide? And what was that great nation called? That’s right, BABYLON! But that great Gold-Headed Kingdom also came crashing down under the Medes and the Persians. Well guess what? Babylon is rising once more. This time God calls it:
"MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (Rev. 17:5).
Notice that this Great Whore is a "mother of harlots." She is a mother who has harlots for daughters. This is the very same thing that we read in Ezekiel 16: 48,
"As I live, saith the Lord God, Sodom thy sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you [Jerusalem] has done, YOU [Jerusalem—a MOTHER] and your DAUGHTERS."
Any woman who has "daughters" is of necessity, a "mother."
Now for a real shocker! From where does God call HIS people? The answer shocked me.
"BABYLON THE GREAT is fallen, is fallen… For ALL NATIONS have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication … And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come OUT of her, MY PEOPLE that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:2-4)!
Wow! Can you believe it? God calls HIS PEOPLE, HIS SAINTS, HIS ELECT, HIS CHURCH, OUT OF "MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH"!! That’s where the Apostles came from, that’s where Paul came from, that’s where the small persecuted church down through the ages came from, that where every believer I know came from, and that’s where I came from. I, in fact, followed and obeyed several of her harlots in the process of coming out of Babylon. I was no better than the worst of sinners. It is only by God’s grace that we are able to escape this system. And God will continue to call His elect out of that very system until He destroys it in His presence.
So clearly, the Mother Whore Jerusalem has HARLOT DAUGHTERS! And of the great religious system spoken of in Revelation 17 we also clearly see that MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, is a Mother Whore of Harlot Daughters! One has to be spiritually blind as a bat to not see that when we compare "Spiritual with spiritual," these two are a "spiritual MATCH!" More proof:
The one True Church of the Living God has a "Father" and a "Mediator—Jesus Christ." But does God’s Church have a "Mother?" Ah, Yes, it surely does:
"For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid [Hagar the Egyptian], the other by a freewoman [Sarah the Hebrew]. But he [Ishmael] who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he [Isaac] of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory [An allegory is when characters or events represent abstract or spiritual ideas or principles] for these are the TWO COVENANTS; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders [gives birth] to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar IS [now a metaphor—‘is like, in certain ways’] mount Sinai [Mt Sinai is where the Ten Commandments and Laws of Moses were given. What is Gods attitude toward the Laws of Moses, the ten commandments, the Old Covenant—‘Mt. Sinai’?] in Arabia, and answers to JERUSALEM which NOW IS [at the time Paul wrote this and continues to this day] and is in BONDAGE [through the DEPTHS of Satan] with her children. But [Sarah the Hebrew is Mount Zion in Heaven and answers to] Jerusalem which is ABOVE ["The HEAVENLY JERUSALEM" Heb. 12:22] is free, which is THE MOTHER OF US ALL" (Gal. 4:22-26).
What amazing Scriptures these are. The New Covenant Church of the Living God has a MOTHER—HEAVENLY JERUSALEM ABOVE. And the giant, huge Old Covenant Whore Church also has a mother—EARTHLY JERUSALEM BELOW. The New is FREE, whereas the Old is in BONDAGE. But how can I say that the Old Covenant Church is "huge?" Aren’t there only a relatively few orthodox Jews around the world who keep the "Old" Covenant? No, there are BILLIONS of people who keep the "Old" Covenant around the world. There are almost no Christians that understand and keep the "New" Covenant. To the world of Christendom, the Old Covenant IS THE NEW COVENANT! The New Covenant is merely keeping the Old Covenant, BETTER! That’s right. To most, the New Covenant consists of keeping the Old Covenant, better. They say that they now keep the Old Covenant "in the spirit." Just how, pray tell, does one keep the "physical" in the "spirit?"
"This only would I [Paul] learn [ask] of you [O Foolish Galatians (v. 1), and ALL CHRISTIANS AND CHURCHES ATTEMPTING TO DO SO], Received ye [or Did all of you receive] the [Christ's] Spirit by the [keeping, obeying the ...] works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye [all of you Christians, Churches or whoever] so foolish [unintelligent, unwise, stupid]? having begun in the Spirit, are ye [all of you] now made perfect by the flesh [physical, carnal]?" (Galatians 3:3).
Such a doctrine is utter unscriptural contradictory nonsense. You cannot keep the "physical" in the "spirit." THERE IS NO SPIRIT IN THE PHYSICAL, SO HOW COULD ONE ‘KEEP IT’ IF IT DOESN’T EXIST? We are all born with a physical [carnal] mind. It is possible to keep physical [carnal] laws with a physical carnal mind (Paul did it to near perfection when he was Saul!). But one CANNOT keep God’s spiritual laws with a physical carnal mind!
"Because the carnal [natural physical] mind is enmity [Gk: 'deep seated HATRED'] AGAINST God; for it is NOT subject to the [spiritual] law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7).
"For to be carnally minded is DEATH; but to be spiritually minded is LIFE and peace" (Rom. 8:6).
Let’s be sure that we are perfectly clear on these Scriptural facts:
Paul said that there ARE RIGHT NOW, TWO Jerusalem's in existence.
One answers to the New Covenant, which is HEAVENLY JERUSALEM ABOVE.
One answers to the Old Covenant, which is EARTHLY JERUSALEM IN ISRAEL.
If you think that you can spiritually keep the physical laws of Moses, then your mother is the Old Covenant which answers to "Jerusalem which now is—IN BONDAGE."
But if you are keeping God’s spiritual laws through the spirit of God, then your mother is "Heavenly Jerusalem ABOVE which is—FREE."
Of course the fact that Jerusalem is TWICE as wicked and abominable as Sodom does not in any way justify the sins of Sodom. No, God will deal with both Jerusalem and Sodom. And that is the whole point of this discussion. So even though the sins of Jerusalem are twice as abominable as the sins of Sodom, God will, nonetheless, SAVE JERUSALEM! And just when will God save Jerusalem? AT THE SAME TIME THAT HE SAVES SODOM. Yes, Sodom WILL BE SAVED, and she will be saved at the same time that doubly corrupt and abominable Jerusalem will be saved. Now least anyone think that I harbor ill feelings toward Jerusalem for writing these things, let me make it abundantly clear where these things came from. It is GOD, and not I, Who calls Jerusalem, Sodom and Egypt, and not only historically, but prophetically as well.
"When your sisters, SODOM and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then THOU [JERUSALEM] and thy daughters shall return to YOUR former estate" (Verse 55).
"Then you shall remember your ways, and be ashamed, when you shall receive your sisters, your elder [Samaria] and your younger [SODOM]: and I will give them [Samaria and Sodom] unto you for daughters, but not by your [OLD] covenant. And I will establish My [NEW] covenant with you ['I will build MY (NEW COVENANT) CHURCH ...' (Matt. 16:18).]; and you shall KNOW [for the first time] that I AM the Lord [Jesus]: That you may remember, and be confounded, and never open your mouth any more because of your shame, when I am PACIFIED [Heb: 'make atonement, to pardon, to placate, to cover, to condone'] TOWARD THEE [Jerusalem AND her sisters, Samaria and Sodom] for all that you have done, saith the Lord God" (Verses 61-63).
When God purges the hearts and minds of the wicked with His all-consuming spiritual fire, they will be UTTERLY ASHAMED! Notice what God says in Revelation 14:10 regarding anyone who is a part of this one world religious system:
"The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God [seeing that "For ALL nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of HER fornication…" Rev. 18:3 And 'For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them. Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me: to wit, Jerusalem ... and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth ... shall drink after them. Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spew, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you. And it shall be, IF THEY REFUSE to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; YE SHALL CERTAINLY DRINK.' (Jer. 25:15-18 & 26-28)], which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented [UTTERLY ASHAMED—spiritual and mental torment] with the fire and brimstone [God's DIVINE spiritual fire] in the presence of the holy angels, and in THE PRESENCE OF THE LAMB" (Rev. 14:10).
They are going to have to face their sins and wickedness and hypocrisy, NOT in the presence of GOD ALMIGHTY, but in the presence of "the LAMB!" How embarrassing and shameful it will be for all those being purged in the God’s spiritual consuming lake of fire to see and acknowledge their whole life of sin in the very presence of the Lamb of God Who DIED FOR THEM! Every heart in the universe will melt like snow in a furnace when they face the LAMB OF GOD in their judgment!
"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake [that's the resurrection], some to everlasting [eonian, age-abiding] life [the resurrection of the just], and some [in the resurrection of the UNJUST] to SHAME [Heb: 'disgrace, rebuke, reproach'] and everlasting [eonian, age-abiding] CONTEMPT [Heb: 'repulse']. And they that be wise [THE JUST IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION] shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they [the just in the first resurrection] that turn many [the unjust in the second resurrection] TO RIGHTEOUSNESS as the stars for ever and ever [Heb: 'for the eons of the eons']." (Daniel 12:2-3).
So, is Sodom right now suffering in some fabled hell fires? NO. Is Jerusalem of old right now suffering in some fabled hell fires? NO. Will Sodom and Jerusalem be saved TOGETHER? YES, in the second resurrection, at the white throne judgment, in the lake of fire. The lake of divine spiritual fire will bring salvation to ALL THE NATIONS!
"…but he himself [whomever of the billions of people purged in God’s spiritual fire] shall be SAVED; yet so as BY [God’s spiritual consuming] FIRE"! (I Cor. 3:15).
Remember that there are two administrations of God’s purging fire:
The first is on the House of God consisting of those whom God is calling to be overcomers and sons of God.
The second will be at the second resurrection and white throne judgment in the lake of God’s divine purging fire.
All the children of the bondwoman, the Old Covenant, the Mother Whore with her harlot daughters, will one day be the children of Heavenly Jerusalem Above, which is the MOTHER OF US ALL!
God truly is NOT A RESPECTER OF PERSONS. GOD IS ABLE TO BRING ANY PERSON TO REPENTANCE. How could anyone deny it? There is no such thing as a person being so evil that he cannot be converted by the spirit of God. But God has a timetable, and He will follow that timetable. There is great wisdom in what God does and how He does it and when He does it and to whom He does.
Let me give you the history of the world including all future prophecies, in one sentence:
God perfectly planned and recorded His creation of the heavens, angels, the earth, and carnal humanity, who sinned wickedly and were all drowned (save a few); who then reached for their own heaven at the tower of Babel in rebellion to the God Who then scattered them (save a few); who later built Babylon into a great pagan empire which God destroyed (save a few); who have since built many wicked and fornicating Babylons collectively called, Mystery Babylon The Great, whom God warns before utterly destroying again (save a few); and of ‘the Few’ God is creating a New Spiritual Humanity of Son-and-Daughter Saviors like unto Jesus, in New Jerusalem on spiritual Mt. Zion, were ALL will be redeemed (NOT just a few); that God may be "ALL in All"!
Maybe I could shorten it down a smidgen, but there it is. The reality of most of the symbolism of Revelation is contained in that one sentence. "But Mr. Reason, I don’t see ‘666’ anywhere in your sentence." You don’t? I do. I see 666 followed by 777 in nearly every phrase of that sentence.
"He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches!"
If you have never experienced COMING OUT of Babylon the Great, then maybe you are being called to respond to God’s plea: "Come OUT of her MY PEOPLE." It is a great and wonderful thing to be called by God at this time to be prepared as the very SONS OF THE LIVING GOD to bring salvation to the rest of the world and the entirety of the universe!
Again we must be consistent and acknowledge that these teachings are spiritual. God uses physical symbols to teach spiritual truths. If the physical teachings; if the literal teachings; if the parabolic teachings; are the way we are to understand these things, then why oh why would Jesus have stated so many times (17 to be exact):
"to him that has an ear to hear, LET HIM HEAR?"
1. Matthew 11:15
2. Matthew 13:9
3. Matthew 13:43
4. Mark 4:9
5. Mark 4:23
6. Mark 7:16
7. Luke 8:8
8. Luke 14:35
9. Revelation 2:7
10. Revelation 2:11
11. Revelation 2:17
12. Revelation 2:29
13. Revelation 3:6
14. Revelation 3:13
15. Revelation 3:22
16. Revelation 13:9
17. Revelation 13:18
Without the knowledge of this principle of Scripture, it is impossible to understand what man is and what his destiny is.

Til next time, watch out for: "Illustrated Pictures Part 1: "Our Church is just GREAT!'"