In the previous postings we learned about the will of God for man (Heb.–Adam). Man was His most prized creation whom He formed into His own image and His own likeness. His will was for mankind to have a good, prosperous, happy, safe, peaceful, productive life which was to last forever in the paradise known as earth after its re-creation following the heavenly war with Lucifer. The Lord provided rules by which man, through obedience, could acquire the above-listed qualities of life and maintain them forever. Adam’s sin changed everything. Like God’s angels, Adam had a choice of whom to obey, serve, and in so doing, worship. His and Eve’s choices were 1) the God Who created them and everything else in the universe, or 2) the Serpent. They chose the latter and the rest is history.

In this and the following postings we will examine some Biblical examples in which man followed God’s directions and the blessings He promised were forthcoming. Nothing has changed. Notice that in every case in which God makes a promise, it is accompanied by a set of instructions. One will notice that Biblically, and in our present lives, when the Lord’s instructions are followed, the Lord fulfills His promise without fail. One will also notice that the opposite is also true without fail. We will begin with two instances in which a people obeyed God’s instructions and positive results followed. We will also notice that when those same people did not obey God’s rules they suffered the negative consequences.

By examining God’s formula for receiving what He promises the student of the Bible will notice that the word “IF,” whether written or implied, is always part (the most important part) of God’s formula for receiving His promised blessing. Biblically, “IF” always has both a positive and a negative side. IF God’s rules are obeyed, His promise is always forthcoming. However, IF his rules are not obeyed, not only is the promise not forthcoming, but the opposite effect takes place. Let us briefly delve into a short, generalized history of God’s Chosen People (the Israelites) to learn what happens to a people when they obey God, then contrast that occurance with what happens when they fail to obey Him. Keep in mind that nothing has changed. God’s dealings with “My people, who are called by My name” both anciently and at present are the same. Read the series by that name using the key word–People. Also read Who Are God’s People? using the same key word.

Long story short–when Israel obeyed God they were the most prosperous, most powerful people on earth, just as God had promised their father Abraham. However, as He had also promised the patriarch, when they disobeyed Him (God) they were defeated, slaughtered, captured, enslaved and scattered throughout the earth. Two of the tribes of Israel retained their knowledge of God’s Law and their status with God to a degree. These were/are the people of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with some of the tribe of Levi–the priestly tribe. Today they are known as “Jews,” approximately half of whom (approx. 7,000,000) live in what is called “Israel” today. The other half remain scattered throughout the world, most of whom live in New York City, U.S.A. Because of their rejection of their Messiah, they have become the world’s most hated nation, closely followed by the United States because of her support for them.

The other ten tribes, known as “the lost ten tribes of Israel,” number in the hundreds of millions and remain scattered throughout the world, mostly in the United States and the so-called “Christian nations” of Northwestern Europe where they dominate those nations in the political, social, economic and religious realms. These biological Israelites (descendants of Abraham) do not know that they are Israelites. These Israelites adopted the languages, customs and religions of the heathen (Heb.–Gentile) people among whom they settled after being defeated, enslaved then scattered. After many generations they lost all knowledge of their Israelite heritage. For this reason they call themselves “Gentiles.” To learn the history of these people read Who and Where is Israel Today? Key word–Who.

Recall that, when Jesus commissioned His 12 apostles (“sent ones”) as recorded in Matthew 10:6, He sent them to “… the lost sheep of the House of Israel” whom He had scattered throughout the earth because of their rebellion against His rulership by rejecting His Law. The apostles would be directed to where the Israelites were, would reveal to them who they (the Israelites) were, would teach them the Old Testament Scriptures that they had abandoned (which had caused their scattering) and would establish churches (Ekklesias–assemblies) among those who believed them (the apostles) and agreed to obey God’s Law. God then raised up among them leaders who would teach them His ways. In this way the “Christian Nations” such as England, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, etc. came to be “Christianized” and remain so (in name only) to this day. Unfortunately, Satan did to them what he has done and continues to do to the United States of America–HE CORRUPTED GOD’S GOSPEL AND DECEIVED SALVATION SEEKERS INTO EMBRACING IT. For this reason every one of the so-called “churches” located in the so-called “Christian Nations” throughout the world today continue to worship, serve and obey Satan–“the god of this world” who has “blinded the minds of those who do not believe God’s Words (Truth), thereby preventing “the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, from shining IN them” (2 Cor. 4:4).

This inner “light” caused by obedience to God’s Gospel was what Jesus was referring to when He noted that “… they who have seen Me have seen the Father.” He was so filled with God’s light (Gospel/Word/Law) that it shined THROUGH HIM AS HE “WALKED” THROUGH HIS HUMAN LIFE. The ultimate irony is that the people of His day did not recognize Who Jesus was, but the demons did as recorded in Matthew 8:28,29). Recall also that Jesus said in John 13:12 that he who believes in Him would have the same inner power, and even greater power with which he (the believer) would do even greater things than Christ did. Nothing has changed. He is still the Lord who “cannot lie.” In Hebrews 6:18 we are told that it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, JOHN 14:12 IS AS TRUE TODAY AS THE DAY JESUS MADE THE STATEMENT.

In John 14:12 Jesus tells us that those who truly believe Him and “walk as He walked” (1 Jn. 2:6–in obedience to the Father) will exude the same light as did Jesus, meaning that people will see in them the same God that they saw in Jesus. Recall that Jesus called Himself the “light of the world” in John 8:12. He also called His disciples “the light of the world” in Matthew 5:14. That which made the man Jesus the “light of the world” made the disciples “the light of the world. TODAY, GOD’S TRUE SAINTS BEAR THAT SAME LIGHT—HIS GLORIOUS GOSPEL.

But let the seeker of God’s light understand that the world, specifically the church world, will not see God in us when them when they “walk as He walked.” Recall that the religious world of Christ’s and the apostle’s day did not see God’s Gospel light in them and therefore did not see God Himself in them. Few people will recognize His light in His people (Mat. 7:13,14). The world’s masses will see His light as darkness. Recall that all but one of the apostles were martyred BECAUSE THEY BORE GOD’S LIGHT–PREACHED HIS WORD. The world, especially the church world, loves Satan’s darkness and hates God’s light. In Matthew 6:23 Jesus warns about those who choose darkness (evil) over His light. Those having a religious bent will present Satan’s darkness as God’s light. Jesus calls this “great darkness.” Read Persecution using that word as the key. L.J.