Before an honest and open discussion about God’s word and his kingdom can take place, all the “doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1) and “the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9) must be eliminated. If the foundation is corrupt, the whole structure is unstable and will fall when examined in the light of the truth of Jesus Christ.
Multitudes today include “the rapture” in their teaching, as though it belongs in the gospel. Because a preacher said it, and the congregation wants to believe it, does not make it true. This teaching was not introduced to religious leaders until the year 1830.
A teenage girl, Margaret MacDonald, at Port Glasco, Scotland, dreamed that one day God’s people would be taken directly to heaven, thus escaping “the great tribulation.” Margaret shared this dream with her father, and he passed it on to his pastor. It eventually showed up in the footnote of C.I. Scofield’s Bible, and from there it has grown to what it is today. This is a very condensed look at how this false doctrine got its start, but it’s common knowledge for anyone willing to do a little research.
Jesus said, “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.” (Luke 17:34) The prophet Micah, in chapter 3, verse 6, gives a clear explanation of the night that Jesus spoke of. False prophets have caused the people to err. “Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.” Isaiah, chapter 29, verse 10, confirms the words of Jesus and Micah. “For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.”
The apostle Paul tells us plainly who the two men are that are in one bed. “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.” (1 Corinthians 15:47) A man of flesh and a man of spirit in one bed. The Lord from heaven is the spirit of life which gives us breath. The flesh is of the earth and must return to the earth. (Ecclesiastes 12:7) But there is an escape from the overwhelming spiritual darkness and deep sleep that has descended upon the land. The sleeper must be awakened. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
What does the spirit of Christ say to those who have fallen into deep sleep and are totally unaware of the time? “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Ephesians 5:14) Which of the two men hear the voice of the spirit? We know it is the soul that must be awakened. The one that is dead in trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2:1)
There are many “vain talkers” (Titus 1:10) who speak volumes and say nothing of value. But they do as Peter said when he spoke of Paul’s writing. “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.” (2 Peter 3:16)
Jesus warned of such deceivers. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24) A deceived spirit in an individual that claims to be the spirit of Christ, is a false Christ. And there are many.
How could any Bible reader conclude that Peter and the others preached one gospel to the Jews and that Paul preached something different? When Paul, in his writing, speaks of “my gospel,” he is speaking of the exact same gospel that Jesus preached, as we can see by his own words. He said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) Same gospel, one time, for Jew and Gentile.
Paul’s words speak to both Jew and Gentile as we just read, and his words are nothing more or less than what Jesus Christ taught. He had the ability to expound the mysteries of God’s word, but never did he disregard the foundation of the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Listen to Paul’s words. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:6) With one mind and one mouth glorify God, both Jew and Gentile.
“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12) As Jesus said, “ye must be born again.” (John 3:7)
Another perverted doctrine that is widely taught in churches today says that Jesus Christ is coming back to earth to set up a natural throne, and rule over the people for a thousand years. The deceived followers of this belief imagine that they will reign with the Lord during this period.
This belief is born from the lack of understanding because people either don’t know or forget the fact that the mysteries of God’s word, “are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) This includes the words of the apostle John in the book of Revelation concerning the thousand years. He speaks entirely of spiritual things that the world will never see nor understand unless they are truly born again. Not just claim the words “born again,” but made a new person from within by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Jesus couldn’t have said it any plainer about where the kingdom of God is, but his answer doesn’t satisfy the carnal mind. They want something tangible that their natural eye can see, because their “eyes of understanding” (Ephesians 1:18) have not been enlightened. They want a natural kingdom of the earth, that their natural eye can see.
Our Lord was asked this question two thousand years ago, but then, like now, his answer didn’t satisfy the carnal nature of man. “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
Jesus was demanded of the religious leaders, they wanted to know when this kingdom that he spoke of would come. He told them and us plainly, the kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Not a kingdom you will see with your natural eyes, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. As he said, “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
Neither shall they say, look here, or look there. “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” (Matthew 24:26) His kingdom will not be established in Jerusalem of old that was built by hand, but is established today in the hearts of his people. A city not made by hand that John saw “coming down from God out of heaven.” (Revelation 21:2) For behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Lift up your eyes and look at what Jesus showed you. He reigns today, this minute.
How long will Christ reign in us, and we with him? “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:25-26) As Paul said in verse 24, “then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God.” The end in this case being death.
There have been many before us who were truly born again, who faithfully reigned with Christ in his kingdom. Paul said as much. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath” (past tense) “translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” (Colossians 1:13)
The book of Revelation is written in a mystery, which the apostle Paul also said in his writing. “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:7)
John tells us how he received the things that he wrote, which make up the book of Revelation. God gave these things, “and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.” (Revelation 1:1) “Signified it,” to make known as by a sign. The word Revelation itself means, “a striking disclosure, something previously unknown.” So it is quite clear that self-called preachers and teachers, and their earthly thinking will never unlock the mysteries in this book. They will piece it together as natural events for the future. No revelation today, but soon now? Not so! The revelation of God’s word comes to you when Jesus Christ comes to you.
The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Christ, the comforter. Jesus knew that after he was taken from the earth his followers would need another comforter. He said, “and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” What is that comforter? “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:16-17) The world doesn’t recognize the truth when they hear it. Neither do they see the revelation of God’s mysteries.
So it is with the erroneous doctrine of a future thousand year reign. They do not hear and understand “the Spirit of truth.” Even though Jesus said, “the Kingdom of God is within you,” showing clearly that it is a spiritual kingdom for all who are born again, the world doesn’t see and understand. And the apostle Paul tells us that, “the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God.” Because they are spiritually discerned. Speaking of the natural man, Paul said, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” But to those who are born again by the spirit he said, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
The thousand-year period in chapter twenty of Revelation, like all the mysteries of God’s word, must be spiritually discerned. The thousand years is symbolic for “the day of the Lord,” which is confirmed by God’s prophets and apostles. “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4) And Peter said, “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) His time is not our time.
Satan is bound, preventing him from entering the spiritual kingdom of God, which can only be attained by being born again. But he is loosed upon the world and the flesh of mankind. Our reign with the Lord sets us apart from the fury of Satan and his lies and deception, bringing us comfort in “the Spirit of truth” and understanding. When you are born again, the rest that Jesus promised becomes a reality. He said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) Rest for your soul, not necessarily for your body. This is how you enter the kingdom of God, “ye must be born again.”
Then, your eyes and ears are opened to see and hear the hidden mysteries in the spiritual realm of God’s creation. The “great tribulation” that so many think is somewhere in the near future, is suddenly revealed in a way that the world is completely unaware of. Suffering and sorrow has been a part of life since sin first entered in so many years ago. Any ungodly thing that can be done has been done, and fallen mankind has endured terrible pain and affliction because of it. Men slaughter one another in one bloody war after another. Disease and sickness are prevalent, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the opportunity to emerge.
Hatred, murder, fornication, greed, lust, lying, stealing, and any other unclean thing are constant companions in this world. Such people are everywhere, but we need not be partakers with them. And for all this tribulation, this is not the “great tribulation” that Jesus spoke of. The evil of mankind can and will become more widespread for longer periods of time. Multitudes will continue to suffer and die. But this is not all. When the Lord opens your eyes, the time of tribulation is intensified sevenfold.
One of the first places people turn to in a time of trouble is church. But the churches are full of worldly leaders and congregations, which are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7) “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24) So convincing in what they say and do that they deceive those who turn to them for guidance. And the deceived multitudes don’t know that they follow false prophets and false Christs, because they have little knowledge and understanding of God’s word. A false Christ is not a man of flesh claiming to be Christ. A false Christ is a deceived spirit in an individual that claims to be the spirit of Christ. No matter how divided the church doctrines or how confused their thinking, all the “Christian” pastors and leaders claim to speak for the spirit of Christ. “Is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13) Churches are divided, Christ is not. This is the beginning of the great famine that the prophet Amos told us of.
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:11-12) You can hear the scriptures read and talked about, but unless you are hearing the true interpretation of the Holy Ghost, you will starve spiritually. Great tribulation on the hungry soul.
Blindness of heart and spirit afflicts multitudes of religious people, because they have done as the scripture foretold. They have rejected the truth of the gospel and replaced it with manmade doctrines. “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12) Smug and content in the doctrine of their chosen denomination, because God has allowed them to believe what they will, and he sends them a strong spirit of deception, and the recipient thinks all is well. But, “because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;” (not material things, but spiritual, most church members are satisfied, and do not feel a need for understanding or correction) “and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17) Great tribulation upon the souls of men.
“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” (Ephesians 4:18) What greater tribulation can there be than to be alienated from the life of God and not know it?
These things are just a small part of the “great tribulation” that Jesus spoke of. But if you do not believe these words, neither would you believe more words about the antichrist spirit and the coming of Christ. There is much more to say, as Paul wrote, “and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.” (Hebrews 5:11)
Understanding the kingdom of God seems complicated because man has made it so. God’s kingdom was natural then with ordinances and duties to perform. And the law justified those who walked in obedience and all faith in God’s commandments. He visited his people in many ways. In the burning bush. In the tabernacle. Behind the veil. By the appearance of angels. But in whatever way he chose to speak, he left no doubt about where it came from.
Jesus Christ, our Lord, was brought forth according to the words of the prophets. He fulfilled every word they spoke of him and began the transition from the old to the new. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” (Colossians 2:14) But many in the established religious circles refused to turn loose of the things that they held to. While claiming to trust the scriptures, they were without understanding concerning what the law and the prophets said about Jesus and how he would come.
Look at the church world today. Divided into a multitude of names and doctrines, and seldom will you find an individual who will turn loose of their preconceived opinions and let Christ teach them by “the Spirit of truth.” It’s hid from the world, but revealed to those that are truly born again. And the deceived are sure that everything is alright. Great tribulation that is destroying people continually, all around us.
