In Romans 3:25 we are told that true repentance results in justification (forgiveness) of PAST sins. Which begs the question: “Now what?” We are told that, from the moment one completes the prescribed ritual (gets “saved” and “born again”) sin, though ever present, is no longer an issue, that Jesus’ death automatically nullifies sin that is repented of no matter how many sins one commits during the ensuing years. The reason given for this is that, due to the automatic infusing of Adam’s sin into our spiritual dna at conception, iniquity becomes an innate reality as soon as conception takes place. Sinning, therefore, is as natural as breathing within the newborn babe. In other words, “I am, therefore I sin.” To those in Institutional Christianity, living and sinning are synonymous. See Human Nature.

Does God expect those who embrace Him to continue to sin? Does He wink at the sins of His helpless and hapless followers as we are told from pulpit and podium? from living room and stadium? from radio and television? from internet and cloud? Is churchman at the mercy of Satan?

Those questions are answered in Daniel 9:21-24. Here we find Daniel, having discerned through divine intervention that the time had come for the Jews to return to the Holy Land and to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. As he fasted and prayed the angel Gabriel came to him, touched him and spoke to him. The message the Lord spoke to Daniel through the angel proves that innate sin-the devil made me do-I’m just a sinner saved by grace beliefs are lies straight from the heart of Satan. In verse 24 God tells Daniel that His Messiah would come to “finish the transgression” (sin), and to “make and end of sins,” to put an end to iniquity (sin-Lawlessness) and to institute “EVERLASTING righteousness” in the lives of those who give their lives to Him. Gabriel also tells Daniel that the vision and the prophecy would be “sealed up.” This statement is clarified in 12:4 where Daniel is told to “shut up the words, seal the book, even to the TIME OF THE END” of the age–the time in which we now live as noted by the word “everlasting.” During those days many, God said, would run to and fro (travel to hear His Truth) and knowledge (about His Word) would multiply (come to be understood by His messengers) who would explain to truth seekers God’s Truths that had been hidden from ancient days. We are living in that time. In 12:8 Daniel confessed that he did not understand the prophecies he was hearing. God answered him: “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed TILL THE TIME OF THE END. Many shall be purified and made white (sinless), and tried–tested to see if they are serious about following God. But the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand (learn and believe). But the wise shall understand. Note that the wicked are those who hear the Truth but reject it. These God calls goats, tares, foolish virgins, etc. because they claim to be saints but are not. See Revelation 3:14-17.

The Lord, speaking through the angel Gabriel, told Daniel that the Messiah would come to PUT AN END TO SIN IN THE LIVES OF HIS TRUE SAINTS. His true saints are those who quit sin totally. Note that Jesus would not enable His saints to sin and get away with it, as we are told repeatedly by Satan’s false prophets. God tells true believers in 1 John 4:4 that they must overcome the words of Satan’s spirit messengers (demons) spoken through his false prophets. This is possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit: “because greater is He (the Holy Spirit) that is in you than he (Satan) that is in the world.” The church denies this, claiming that, due to having inherited Adam’s sin, she is powerless puddy in the hands of the devil, and that her only hope is in the Lord’s endless supply of grace. God warns us about this in Jude 4 where He warns that false prophets would turn His grace into lasciviousness–a license to sin. To be continued. L.J.