Preparing for the Return of Christ

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="04dd4c00dduajq.gif"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="95" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 46 WIDTH="91"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="46" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Preparing for the return of Christ is an essential purpose and goal of a Christian's life.</div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="05894943.jpg"> <div> <B>Church of God (Seventh Day) South Africa</B><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church of God (Seventh Day) South Africa"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id84.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Creation Week"><U>The Creation Week</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id86.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Spiritual Creation"><U>The Spiritual Creation</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id87.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Seventh Millennium"><U>The Seventh Millennium</U></A>   |   <B>Preparing for the Return of Christ</B></div> <div> Preparing for the Return of Christ</div> <div> <B>Introduction</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Today Jerusalem is geographically divided between the three main religions in the world, and it is so for a reason. The world needs to be drawn into the great Debate, and the record set straight.</div> <bR> <div> This is all so sad! Wouldn't it be nice if all people can redo their homework and study into their respective religions and test it against the Word of God, and consider all the evidence, historical records and archeological discoveries, and peaceably work out the Truth? Unfortunately they assume their respective religions are prefect, and are ready to wage war on others in the name of God, destroying one another! What a shock it will be when they are resurrected to mortal life and find themselves in the judgement day, just to understand that they misunderstood the Word of God! It is so sad. We cry out to the world. </div> <bR> <div> But all is not lost!</div> <bR> <div> Many true Christians are preparing for the return of Christ. </div> <bR> <div> One of the aspects of Christ's return is that He will enter a global Debate against most religions.</div> <bR> <div> "11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. </div> <div> 12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. </div> <div> 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. </div> <div> 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. </div> <div> 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. </div> <div> 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."</div> <div> (Revelation 19:11-16, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Are we ready for Christ's return? Or will be be cut down to size by the Sword of the Lord, by the great Debate? </div> <bR> <div> <B>Are we ready for Christ's return?</B></div> <bR> <div> When Christ returns, will mankind receive Him with great joy and happiness? Let's get real. Many think they will receive Him with joy, but do they understand His coming as Judge and King? Some even think they will disappear in a "secret rapture"! They ignore most of the scripture on the subject! What if Christ is not how general Christianity presents Him? What if they realize that their respective religions have deceived them? Would they want to be judged by Him? Jesus is Lord, not just Savior! How will mankind react once they understand the truth of the moment?</div> <bR> <div> "1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. </div> <div> 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. "</div> <div> (Zechariah 11:1-2, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> When Christ return, the armies of the world will gather to resist His Kingdom and rule!</div> <div> This will happen because mankind is being deceived by some churches and religions (being motivated by leaders and politicians) as to the true nature of the true Messiah, and His coming Kingdom.</div> <bR> <div> "13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. </div> <div> 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. </div> <div> 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. </div> <div> 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon." </div> <div> (Revelation 16:13-16, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Christ will have to deal with this resistance when He returns!</div> <bR> <div> "14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."</div> <div> (Revelation 17:14, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> The world in general has not been told the full truth about the true Messiah. They are deceived. Today the entertainment industry is working to deceive nations! We have many movies that depict attempts by aliens to take over the world. We have books that teach witchcraft, the fights of people resisting evil invasions, and "messiahs" apparently saving mankind from alien invasion. They are all deceived. Our alien invasion happened almost six thousand years ago when Satan invaded the Garden of Eden. But the world is being deceived and prepared to resist the return of Christ!</div> <bR> <div> The call is going out to mankind today to become undeceived, to understand the Truth concerning the true Messiah, and to prepare to serve Him in the coming Kingdom of God, to receive the blessings and enter utopia. </div> <bR> <div> <B>The invitation is out to you!</B></div> <bR> <div> You are called to the Kingdom of God! </div> <bR> <div> "1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, </div> <div> 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, </div> <div> 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. </div> <div> 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. </div> <div> 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: </div> <div> 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. </div> <div> 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. </div> <div> 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. </div> <div> 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. </div> <div> 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests."</div> <div> (Matthew 22:1-10, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Christ as head of the Church, will marry the Church of God at His return. The situation will be as a festival. The atmosphere will be marvelous and joyous. Who wouldn't want to be involved in a blissful marriage for all eternity, where love and care abounds, being cared for by the Master Provider?</div> <bR> <div> But we can't come as we are in all our sinfulness, being naked and exposed in our destructive and hurtful ways. We may prevent the bliss, we may hinder the blessings, and we may destroy loving relationships. We need to put on a wedding garment.</div> <bR> <div> "11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: </div> <div> 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. </div> <div> 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."</div> <div> (Matthew 22:11-13, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> What garment must we put on?</div> <bR> <div> "7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. </div> <div> 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."</div> <div> (Revelation 19:7-8, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> And what is righteousness?</div> <bR> <div> "9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"</div> <div> (Philippians 3:9, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Many potential saints misunderstand these words of Paul.</div> <bR> <div> "15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; </div> <div> 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."</div> <div> (2 Peter 3:15-16, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> So we will elaborate. </div> <bR> <div> We believe what we read in the Word of God with all our heart. All the historical evidence, all the archeological excavations, all the fulfilled prophecies and all the changed lives prove the trustworthiness of the Word of God. We believe in the crucifixion of Jesus as our Sin Sacrifice, our Passover Sacrifice, our Atonement Offering and our Covenant Sacrifice. We accept that our sin caused His death, and so we repent of transgressing the terms of the Covenant, the Ten Commandments, and obey from the heart. We are not keeping the Commandments being forced by the penalties of the law of the sacrificial system. We obey due to our love from the heart by what we understand and experience in saving faith.</div> <bR> <div> We obey in love through faith. We are not forced by law to obey, particularly the sacrificial law.</div> <bR> <div> The express purpose of all that the Apostle Paul wrote about is this:</div> <bR> <div> "31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."</div> <div> (Romans 3:31, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> The Law Paul works to establish is the Royal Law of Love, the Law of the New Covenant, the Ten Commandments. And it is established through Faith.</div> <bR> <div> This is a large subject, but the purpose of the writings in the New Testament is a new way to become loving and obedient Children of God. </div> <bR> <div> Guests to the Marriage must know how to behave! We can not gatecrash this Party! God will have us thrown out!  </div> <bR> <div> What does that call entail? What must we learn in preparation? How do we prepare? How will we know that we are ready?</div> <bR> <div> Many are called, but sadly few are chosen because they do not respond with effort, and even less will stay faithful to the Truth in the face of adversity.</div> <bR> <div> "14 For many are called, but few are chosen."</div> <div> (Matthew 22:14, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> We determine our future. God is on our side. He desires for us to enter His wonderful Kingdom. But things will have to be fixed, and people generally resist change. Politicians will do almost anything to stay in power. Many will misuse religion to their own advantage. Yet the Saints will rule in the end.</div> <bR> <div> "6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."</div> <div> (Revelation 1:6, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> "5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."</div> <div> (Matthew 5:4, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> "6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."</div> <div> (Revelation 20:6, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> <B>Prepare to enter!</B></div> <bR> <div> How do we prepare for such a glorious future? How can we reach that point where all these scriptures come true for us? How can we ever hope to inherit and rule in righteousness, mercy and justice? This is not easy! It will take effort from us.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1) Conquer the self</B></div> <bR> <div> How can we expect to rule in the millennium if we can't even rule ourselves? This is the first frontier. Self-control. Self-discipline.</div> <bR> <div> "28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."</div> <div> (Proverbs 25:28, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Many cities and even countries are destroyed because of uncontrolled dictatorship going astray. This is the first thing God requires from us in order to live and serve mankind for eternity. </div> <bR> <div> "32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."</div> <div> (Proverbs 16:32, KJV)  </div> <bR> <div> To conquer the self is a major issue. It is not easy. It is the essence of repentance. This is the first thing that Jesus requires from His converts and disciples.</div> <bR> <div> "14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, </div> <div> 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."</div> <div> (Mark 1:14-15, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> <B>Repent</B></div> <bR> <div> Repentance and conversion is essential. But what do we convert to? What do we repent of?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Repentance from false and worthless worship</B></div> <bR> <div> "25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;"</div> <div> (2 Timothy 2:25, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Firstly we need to repent from any falseness in worship, from any form of false Christianity. We need to purify our understanding! We need to worship according to God's Will, according to God's way.</div> <bR> <div> "8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. </div> <div> 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."</div> <div> (Matthew 15:8, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> Did falseness and error creep into the original Church?</div> <bR> <div> "3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. </div> <div> 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."</div> <div> (Jude 3, KJV) </div> <div>  </div> <div> We can see the signs of false Christians teaching error in the last few books of the Bible. This is the subject of many sermons. </div> <bR> <div> We need to study and prove the Truth, and restore the knowledge and understanding of the Church of God as it was in the beginning, in the first century. We need to repent from errors and corruption in the Faith, from mixing truth with error, from combining paganism with true Christianity. This happened to the Israelites, causing God to reject them, and to banish them from the Promised Land, and His Kingdom.</div> <bR> <div> 15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them."</div> <div> (2 Kings 17:15, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> This is happening to Christians today, being banished from the coming kingdom of God!</div> <bR> <div> This is the first level of repentance.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Repentance from sin</B></div> <bR> <div> The second level is to repent from personal sin.</div> <bR> <div> "47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."</div> <div> (Luke 24:47, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Repentance should lead to remission, or cessation of sin. But what is sin?</div> <bR> <div> "4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."</div> <div> (1 John 3:4, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Which law should we repent from transgressing?</div> <div>  </div> <div> "8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: </div> <div> 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. </div> <div> 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. </div> <div> 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. </div> <div> 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. "</div> <div> (James 2:8, KJV)</div> <div>  </div> <div> The Law here is the royal Law of God, and as we can gather from the examples, James shows us that he is talking of the Ten Commandments found summarized in Exodus 20. Contrary to popular belief by many people in general Christianity, Jesus did not come to destroy the Law of God.</div> <bR> <div> "17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. </div> <div> 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. </div> <div> 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. </div> <div> 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."</div> <div> (Matthew 5:17-20, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> The Law that we need to excel in beyond the physical level is the Ten Commandments. Jesus went on to explain in the rest of the Sermon on the Mount how the Ten Commandments need to be maintained and raised to a higher spiritual level. Else we will not enter eternal life in the Kingdom of God! </div> <bR> <div> <B>Enter the Covenant</B></div> <bR> <div> The group of Ten Commandments is the Law of the Covenant.</div> <bR> <div> "12 And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. </div> <div> 13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone."</div> <div> (Deuteronomy 4:12-13, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> It is still the same Law of the New Covenant.</div> <bR> <div> "10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: "</div> <div> (Hebrews 8:10, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Here it mentions that the New Covenant is made with Israel. Is the new Covenant then limited to Israel?</div> <bR> <div> "7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded </div> <div> 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. </div> <div> 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:"</div> <div> (Romans 11: 7, 19-20, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Israel gave up on her opportunity, and now people from all over the world are invited! Into which root are we all grafted into?</div> <bR> <div> "16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."</div> <div> (Revelation 22:16, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> Christ is the Root. Israel rejected Him in their blindness when He came to them. Now they are broken off from the root and people from everywhere in the world are grafted into Christ.</div> <bR> <div> "11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. </div> <div> 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?"</div> <div> (Romans 11:11-12, KJV)</div> <div>  </div> <div> So, we need to repent of breaking the Commandments, and come into the Covenant relationship with Christ.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Adult Baptism</B></div> <bR> <div> So, we need to repent from braking the Commandments of the Covenant. How do we show that change in heart? How do we confirm our newness of life? How do we establish the New Covenant?</div> <bR> <div> "38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."</div> <div> (Acts 2:38, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> This is a big subject. The Church of God will lead those called of God through the process to repentance and baptism. We can not do this lightly, without a complete spiritual process.</div> <bR> <div> "22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure." </div> <div> (1 Timothy 5:22, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> We need to learn to conquer ourselves, our sin, our lack of faith, our fears. We need to become self-controlled, incorruptible. However, we can not do this by ourselves. We will fail. We need to understand the saving Work of Christ, becoming converted from the inside. This is not only a quick confession at a crusade camp! This requires scriptural understanding and insight into the Work of the true Messiah. To Timothy the apostle Paul said the following:</div> <bR> <div> "14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; </div> <div> 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. </div> <div> 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: </div> <div> 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. "</div> <div> (2 Timothy 3:14-17, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> We need to partake of the salvation process worshipping through the heavenly sanctuary as shown by the pattern of the earthly sanctuary in the Law of Moses. This is what the apostle Paul showed the new converts:</div> <bR> <div> "23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening."</div> <div> (Acts 28:23, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> When we become Christ centered in such dept and understanding, the Holy Spirit will change our heart, and we will fulfill the Covenant and its Commandments from the heart, having become a new creature. This the Church of God leads people to experience, and so to conquer the self. This is a large topic, but this discussion serves to show our first duty. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>2) Keep the Noahide laws evident from before Sinai</B></div> <bR> <div> The Jews understood that some laws existed before the Law of Moses was given at Sinai. Hence they were mentioned as binding on all the peoples of the world, and therefor also gentile converts to true Christianity.</div> <bR> <div> "25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication."</div> <div> (Acts 21:25, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> The food laws are evident from Noah, the father of all peoples in the world after the flood. We need to keep those as well. Diseases are entering the nations of the world today because general Christianity neglected its duty in this regard!</div> <bR> <div> <B>3) Learn peacemaking</B></div> <bR> <div> "9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."</div> <div> (Matthew 5:9, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> The spread of God's Kingdom from Jerusalem will result in peace across the world. To keep the peace requires peacemakers. The world today does not have peace, due to the absence of Godly knowledge and the way of Christ.</div> <bR> <div> "8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace."</div> <div> (Isaiah 59:8, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> Today we see war constantly on our TV news programs. The world does not know peace due to greed, the misuse of religion, and the lack of Godly knowledge leading to God's righteousness.</div> <bR> <div> The saints learn God's righteousness, and will so become the leaders when Messiah returns.</div> <bR> <div> "3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? </div> <div> 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. </div> <div> 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."</div> <div> ( Psalm 24:3-5, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> This righteousness leads to peace in the Kingdom of God.</div> <bR> <div> "17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."</div> <div> (Romans 14:17, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> To learn the righteousness of God requires a study of scriptures and an implementation in our lives that leads to experience and confidence in God' ways.</div> <bR> <div> "16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: </div> <div> 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."</div> <div> (2 Timothy 3:16-17, KJV)  </div> <bR> <div> Through extensive Bible study and peacemaker programs of the Church we can become furnished to make peace and resolve differences in a way that honors God, and pleases Christ.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> <B>4) Learn the civil code of the Law of Moses</B></div> <bR> <div> The Law of Moses was not given in vain. It contains valuable information on how to manage and maintain sustainable farming. It contains information on property rights. It contains information on how to prevent a situation developing so that all the wealth does not become concentrated in the hands of a few, creating grinding poverty for many. It shows all the mercy and fairness God expects of us when doing business with each other.</div> <bR> <div> When Christ returns to Jerusalem He will implement the civil code section off the Law of Moses.</div> <bR> <div> In general the Israelites and the Jews did not really kept the Law of Moses. For this reason they lost their inheritance in the Promised Land twice.</div> <bR> <div> "19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?"</div> <div> (John 7:19, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> Part of the need for repentance for the circumcised Jews in Judea was to keep the Law of Moses. Notice how Zacchaeus understood this need for keeping the Law of Moses in the Promised Land.</div> <bR> <div> "5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. </div> <div> 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. </div> <div> 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. </div> <div> 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. </div> <div> 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."</div> <div> (Luke 19:5-9, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> Zacchaeus understood that he needs to restore some people fourfold for what he defrauded them with. Where does this idea come from?</div> <bR> <div> "1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep."</div> <div> (Exodus 22:1, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> We see that it was expected of Christians in Judea to keep the civil code of the Law of Moses in the Promised Land.</div> <bR> <div> It is not a current requirement for Christians elsewhere in the world. This was decided at the Jerusalem Conference as seen from Acts 15. The result of the decision of this conference can be seen in the discussion between Paul and the other converts at Jerusalem.</div> <bR> <div> "20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: </div> <div> 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. </div> <div> 22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. </div> <div> 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; </div> <div> 24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. </div> <div> 25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication."</div> <div> (Acts 21:20-25, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> We as non-Jews do not have to keep the Law of Moses. However, we do see how Paul applies aspect of the Law of Moses to the Church in a spiritual sense, concerning the use of the financial offerings of the Church.</div> <bR> <div> "8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? </div> <div> 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? </div> <div> 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. </div> <div> 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? "</div> <div> (1 Corinthians 9:8-11, KJV)</div> <bR> <div> It is therefor important to know the Law of Moses. There are many things said and done in the New Testament that are misunderstood by general Christianity because they don't know the Law of Moses.</div> <bR> <div> For the sake of correctly understanding the New Covenant, for the sake of correctly worshipping through the heavenly Sanctuary, for the sake of understanding the various aspects of Christ's sacrifice, for the sake of understanding how we grow spiritually, and for the sake of being able to rule with Christ, we study the Law of Moses, even though we don't have to actually keep it at this point.</div> <bR> <div> It will be part of the duty of any aspiring king that will be under the King of kings, Jesus Christ, to have a copy of the civil law and to know it in detail.</div> <bR> <div> "18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: </div> <div> 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:"</div> <div> (Deuteronomy 17:18-19, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> Hence we follow the advice of the prophet, in preparation for the return of Christ.</div> <bR> <div> "1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. </div> <div> 2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. </div> <div> 3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. </div> <div> 4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. </div> <div> 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: </div> <div> 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. "</div> <div> (Malachi 4:1-6, KJV)</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div> <B> Summery</B></div> <bR> <div> We are seeing prophecy fulfilled before our eyes on the news media! We are seeing the next millennium edging closer. We are both glad and stand in awe of the coming day of the Lord. Hence we urgently prepare for His return in many ways. The Church perform many different ministries to prepare the saints for this grand occasion, when Christ will return on the clouds, and those who died in Christ are resurrected, so that those that are alive can meet with Him in the Marriage supper.</div> <bR> <div> "13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. </div> <div> 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. </div> <div> 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. </div> <div> 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: </div> <div> 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. </div> <div> 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words."</div> <div> (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> "8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. </div> <div> 9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one."</div> <div> (Zechariah 14:8-9, KJV) </div> <bR> <div> Preparing for the return of Christ is a big effort, and one that the Church of God does with all hope and joy. May God speed that day!</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>