Bible Believers' Newsletter #076
"We focus on the PRESENT Truth -- what Jesus is doing NOW . . ."
We greet you in the wonderful Name of our Lord Jesus Christ and appreciate your fellowship. This newsletter serves those of like precious faith and whosoever will receive the truth is welcome to feed their soul from the waters of the River of Life. Everything presented should be confirmed personally in your own Bible.
Like the Prophet said It would Be:
Here's some important old news that is new to me.
U.S. News & World Report, June 10, 1996, carried an astonishing interview with Vatican expert, Malachi Martin: "Plotting World Order in Rome". Martin tries to scope out papal succession in "Windswept House: A Vatican Novel" which depicts an international plot by Vatican insiders and internationalists to install a new Pope and establish a "New World Order."
According to Martin, "There is an unspoken alliance today between powers inside the Vatican and leaders of major international humanist organizations who would change the Roman Catholic Church from a sacred institution to one whose primary function is to act as a stabilizing social force in the world. They see the church as the only global structure able to do this. The one obstacle is John Paul II. He is seen as a defender of medieval traditions. They want a Pope who shares their more liberal, globalist view. The Church today is divided. Monolithic faith is gone. The new rival factions are the traditionalists who prefer the church as it was before the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and conciliarists who want to liberalize church doctrine on everything from divorce and contraception to abortion and homosexuality. The numbers are about even, but conciliarists hold the positions of power. They think John Paul II is too conservative. Traditionalists don't think he is conservative enough."
"Academia, foundations, nongovernmental organizations, even some governmental agencies have vast resources devoted to population control, education and economic and social stabilization. They wish to get the Roman Catholic Church to side with them in the social and cultural field in a world that is dysfunctional; they'll have another element of stability."
"Conciliarists and non-church globalists think the same way. Neither likes the Pope's policies. They are preparing for the selection of the next Pope."
Pope John Paul II was invited to the 1999 Bilderberger's Annual Conference held in Portugal last week.
The Consistency of God's Word
Malachi 3:6, "I am the LORD, I change not . . ." That unchanging Word took flesh in the virgin-born Jesus. In Revelation 3:14, Jesus revealed Himself to Brother Branham, the angel of the Laodicean Church Age as: "The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God". Since Pentecost that unchanging Word has been taking flesh in the form of God's family. The true Church, is the continuation of the creation of God.
God's thoughts are the Attributes of what He is, and because He is infinite, His thoughts are infallible and can never change. What seems quite reasonable to us would be incomprehensible to someone living in the days of the Old Testament prophets or even a hundred years ago. So when God reveals His mind to His people it isn't always fitting that He unfolds the sum of His knowledge.
Studying the Bible we see God revealed His foreknowledge of things to come by visions to His prophets over time, and how the symbolic images portrayed greater detail as the shadow developed toward the reality that had been foretold.
Revelation 12:7-8, "And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, and prevailed not; until they were cast out from heaven."
In REALITY this battle began in the garden of Eden when Lucifer incarnate the Serpent and deceived Eve, but from the foundation of the world it was foreknown by God in fullest detail, including the outcome.
The visions we will discuss illustrate the development of God's eternal purpose described in Ephesians 1:3-10. How through the unity of the faith (or a clear understanding of the Word predestinated to their day) the glorified saints of all Ages will live and reign together with Him through eternity. Individually we are God's predestinated Word for our day made manifest, awaiting our full redemption at the glorification of our bodies.
Fundamentally, the Bible is the story of God unfolding Himself into the flesh of His glorified family: those whose lives manifest the Word for their day by faith.
That disposes of the Trinitarian idea of "God in three persons". Moses and David, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jesus and John saw thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand . . . in One. Together, the saints are God made manifest. As the fullness of the godhead dwelt bodily in the one Man, Jesus Christ, today It dwells bodily in His Church, all the New Testament saints.
I Corinthians 15:20-28 is a vision from Christ's resurrection to His parousia, the judgment and final disposition of death and the grave in the lake of Fire, unto the new heavens and new earth. It types the natural with the Spiritual to explain who Christ died to redeem.
"Christ is risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of the Old Testament saints who died. Death came because Adam redeemed his wife, (knowing he too would die, but that as a spoken Word he was part of God and must one day be redeemed and Eve with him, for through the marriage union the two were one). And the resurrection of the sleeping Old Testament saints came because Jesus died to redeem His wife.
As through our union with Adam in nature all die, so by Spiritual union shall all in Christ be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His parousia (that's the end-time Bride who will not see death in the flesh but manifest the Sons of God and be translated).
Then comes the completion of the war, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; having abolished all rival authority and power. For Jesus must reign, until He has put all enemies under His feet. (Jesus said, "ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth" -- Matthew 28:18; Psalm 110:1).
The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. For the Father has put all things under Jesus' feet. But when it says "All things are put in subjection under Him," it is evident that He Himself is excepted, Who gave Jesus this power to rule.
And when Christ has finally abolished all of God's enemies, then shall the Son also subject Himself to the Father so that God who has given Him the victory over all will be utterly supreme."
God revealed this vision of the finished creation of Himself to Moses, David, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jesus and John at different stages of its fulfillment. Each man saw God manifested in Christ.
John 1:18 says, "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father has declared Him." But verse 14 says, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we BEHELD his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Jesus is the glory of the Father, being the manifest expression of His Attributes. The true Church of all Ages is the glory of Christ being the manifestation of His glorious Attributes, as a Christian wife is the glory of her husband: being under his pre-eminence "in every thing" she is expressing his character.
He was not a Life only, or a Light from the Logos: the whole Logos as Light and Life was made flesh (Colossians 1:19; 2:9). The Logos entered a new dimension of existence through the virgin birth and temporarily pitched Its tent among us. Since the resurrection It has also realized Itself into the dimension of the glorified Old Testament saints. Since Pentecost It has "bred" Itself into yet a further dimension in the continuation of Jesus Who is the start of the creation of God, to the Form of His Body, the Church.
In John 1:14 the pre-existent Logos of John 1:1 became flesh. It wasn't converted or changed into flesh like the created Man Jacob wrestled, or the created Man Abraham worshipped in Genesis 18. Nor was It simply associated with flesh like the Pillar of Fire and Cloud that led the children of Israel through the desert, but was endued with human nature in perpetual union. Henceforth the Logos is Jesus Christ forever and is "breeding" or multiplying by faith into the Form of His Body, the Church, to fill the earth with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Genesis 2:28; Habakkuk 2:14).
John says, "We beheld" -- with admiration and delight -- "the glory of the Logos" in Jesus where the Shekinah became material reality. "We have heard and seen with our eyes, and our hands have handled the Word of Life" (I John 1:1) whereas Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel, like Isaiah and John, "in the Spirit in the Lord's day" saw a similitude of Jesus -- the glory of God.
They saw the vision of the future Son of David exalted above heavens described by Paul in Ephesians 1:20-23, "Set at God's own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all."
In this vision they "saw the God of Israel" with the sky beneath His feet, for heaven is His throne, and earth His footstool. What is the promise to the overcomer in the Laodicean Age? Revelation 3:21, "To sit with Jesus in His throne, (that's this earth during the Millennium and thereafter), even as He also overcame, and is seated with His Father in His throne" (that's heaven as depicted in the vision shown to Moses).
Exodus 24:9-11 says, "they saw God and did eat and drink". A type of the New Testament Communion, signifying peace or agreement, and fellowship with God. But NO man has seen God at ANY time, the only begotten of the Father has declared or unfolded His Attributes. Jesus is the Glory of the Father manifest in flesh. The only way of approach to God is through the Sacrifice, so they saw Jesus at a time yet future.
John 12:40-41, 45, "Though Jesus had done so many miracles before Israel, yet they believed not on Him". For Isaiah prophesied: "God has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." He said this when he saw Jesus' glory in a vision, and spoke of Him.
Jesus said, "He that sees Me, sees Him that sent Me."
Isaiah 6:1-13 describes the vision Isaiah saw when Uzziah, king of Israel had usurped God's offices by taking the censer into the Sanctuary to offer incense on the altar before the Lord. It types the Spiritual apostasy at the end of the Laodicean Church Age in 1963, when Christ revealed Himself through the ministry of Brother Branham by unfolding the Seven Seals.
When Uzziah refused correction by the priests, leprosy instantly appeared on his forehead, typing the mark of the beast and the unpardonable sin of the Laodicean Church Age which put Christ outside by rejecting His prophet William Branham, and his Message, preferring their man-made traditions to the faith (II Chronicles 26:16-21). Uzziah was forbidden ever to enter the Temple again, typing eternal separation from God of the apostate Laodicean Age (Revelation 3:17-20; Matthew 12:32; Acts 3:23; Hebrews 6:4-8).
"In the year that king Uzziah died I saw (in a vision) of the Lord Jesus exalted upon a throne, and his train filled the temple." (We see from Daniel and Revelation, His train signifies His followers: the angels or theophanies in the likeness of the glorified elect (Revelation 5:8-14). This vision is God's foreknowledge wherein all who were foreknown as receiving and manifesting the Word for their Age are accounted justified and already glorified from the foundation of the world -- Romans 8:27-30).
"Hovering about Him were the six-winged seraphs. With two of their wings they covered their face (in reverence), with two they covered their feet (in humility) and with two they flew (to do His bidding)."
(The seraphim receive the sacrifice (or revelation) from God which they convey to the saints. The repentant sinner thus cleansed by the washing of water by the Word (or faith) is identified with his prayers or revelation which the seraphs offer back to God by Fire on the golden Altar before the Throne of Mercy and Judgment. These angelic beings are represented by the seven lamps of fire that stood in the Sanctuary before the throne or Ark. They in turn signify the seven portions or baptisms of the Holy Spirit that anointed seven messengers to the Church Age to give seven Messages which baptized the saints into the Church represented by the seven branched golden lampstand or Menorah.
These seven messengers or angels were Paul, Irenaeus, Martin, Columba, Martin Luther, John Wesley and William Branham. Their PART-Word Messages made way for the repentant sinner in their Age. And so long as there was a sacrifice on the altar, Christ was a Mediator who interceded for their ignorance of the FULL-Word while the Bible was sealed with Seven Seals.
In John's account of the vision in Revelation 4 and 5, we discover the body of Jesus has left the sacrifice altar where it had lain as a Memorial. Responding to the call of the elders, the bleeding Lamb advanced to the throne of Judgment to claim His redeemed and become Lion of the Tribe of Judah, taking the Throne as Judge and King. Mediation and mercy for PART-Word was forever ended. That took place in March, 1963.
The vision of Revelation 8:1-6 shows how the prayers or revelation of the PART-Word saints are received when the mystery of the Seventh Seal is added, making them perfect. The revelation of the Seventh Seal unfolds the mystery of the previous six Seals, and completes the mystery of God (I Corinthians 13:10; Revelation 10:7). This offering concludes the Gentile dispensation.
The Seventh Trumpet sounds when the last saint predestinated to the end-time Bride is baptized into Christ, causing the greatest earthquake since man was upon earth (Revelation 16:18). It signals the start of the first resurrection, the manifestation of the Sons of God, and the seven portions of the Spirit that brought us grace prepare to anoint two prophets to witness the revelation of the Seven Trumpet judgments to Israel.
Isaiah heard "the seraphs cry to one another, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory."
(Redemption was over. Christ had taken the Book, broken the Seven Seals, revealed them through His prophet in OUR day, and taken His throne on the Judgment Seat -- Revelation 4:9-11; 5:8-14). "And the posts of the door moved at the voice of the seraph that cried, and the house was filled with smoke (from the incense which is the revelation of the glory of God)."
When God took residence in the Tabernacle in the wilderness, which was a shadow of what God revealed to Moses and the elders in Mount Sinai, the Shekinah Cloud covered the Tent so no man could enter, and God's glory filled the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35). Solomon built a permanent sanctuary in Jerusalem after Israel's wanderings had ceased. When God took residence, no one could enter because of the glory of His holiness (I Kings 8:10-11).
Likewise, on the day of Pentecost when God inaugurated the Church, Revelation 15:8 says, "the Temple (of God in heaven) was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no one could enter till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled." (That is, after the close of the Gentile dispensation.
When Isaiah saw this, he became conscious of his own sinfulness. Why, if the Blood-washed New Testament saints could not resurrect until the whole Body was redeemed and the Ordeal of Jealousy poured upon the non-elect church to separate the foolish virgin from the harlot church, how unworthy was he, under the blood of bulls and goats? And he was God's spokesman to Israel!
Repenting and confessing his sins, he was cleansed. Not by books and Bible school theology but by holy Fire from the altar, typing the baptism with the Holy Spirit which is by faith.
"Then said Isaiah, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (That's Jesus Christ). Then flew one of the seraphs to me with a live coal in his hand which he had taken with the tongs from the (sacrifice) altar: And he laid it on my mouth, and said, "Now you are pronounced 'not guilty' because this has touched your lips (that your words might be as incense -- imparting THUS SAITH THE LORD to Israel - Psalm 141:2): your iniquity is taken away, and your sin atoned for".
(Jesus said, "As the Father sent Me, so send I you". As God sent Jesus full of the Spirit, He won't send anyone until he is filled with the same Spirit. Isaiah was now ready for God's service).
"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" (To tell Israel of the coming King). Then said I, "Here am I; send me."
Jesus replied: "Go and tell this people, 'Though you hear My Words repeatedly, you won't understand; and though you see My miracles you will fail to recognize their significance" (Isaiah 6:9).
Jesus went on to declare how Israel would be apostate when He came, so Isaiah asked, "How long will it be before they are prepared to listen?"
Jesus answered, "Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, and the LORD have removed men far away, and there is a great forsaking in the midst of the land."
(Paul clarified this prophecy in Romans 11:25, "Israel is blinded UNTIL the Gentile dispensation is fulfilled.")
In the vision, Jesus prophesied Israel's captivity by Sennacherib, the end of Judah's kingdom following the Babylonian Captivity, and the dispersion of the Tribes (primarily) among the neighboring countries.
"A tithe of the people will remain and be repeatedly destroyed yet Israel will be like a tree that is cut down, whose substance is in the holy seed (or elect 144,000) is the stump and root."
That's sufficient to demonstrate that God's visions must all be in agreement, for He never changes His mind about His Word. Faith, if it is faith, will run in continuity from Genesis to Revelation. nl076.htm
For homework this week, please read:--
Israel Shahak's Jewish History, Jewish Religion and also
The Hidden Tyranny by Walter White Jr.
Pass it on . . . Send this article to someone you know
Brother Anthony Grigor-Scott is a non-denominational minister. He has ministered full-time since 1981, primarily to other ministers and their congregations in various countries. He pastors Bible Believers' tiny congregation, and is available to minister in your church.
For Further Information Contact:
Bible Believers' Church
958 Victoria Road, West Ryde, NSW 2114, Australia
e-mail: ags@biblebelievers.org.au
URL: http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/