The Prophet Isaiah prophesied in 9:1,2 that a time would come when the world would receive a Visitor, which he called the “Light.” This One, Who was THE Light, would send forth light to mankind in the form of Words. The Visitor would BE God’s Light and would SPEAK God’s light. (Truth). The Light would have been called the Word in His previous life (Jn. 1:1-4,14). When the time came for Him to REVEAL Himself as the world’s Light and to PROCLAIM His light (Words) to the world, His first Words were: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat. 4:17). That Light was Jesus of Nazareth. His message (light) was about the kingdom of heaven–the church He would establish after spending 3 1/2 years telling mankind how to enter it. For mankind, the journey to that kingdom would begin with one Word: “REPENT.” The obvious question is: Repent of what?” The answer is: “Sin.” The next question is: “What is sin?” The answer is: “The transgression of God’s Law” for, “To transgress the Law is sin, for sin is the transgression of the Law.” So says the Light through His Apostle John (1 Jn. 3:4) who, along with God’s Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles, still shares His light with seekers of His Truth (God’s Word–Jn. 17:17).

Upon revealing Himself as God’s Light to mankind, Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, immediately chose 12 men whom He would teach His Words (God’s light). Just as Jesus was the Light of the world by being (walking/living) that light (Jn. 8:12), His disciples would be the light of the world by following in His spiritual footsteps (Mat. 5:14). These men, and those whom God would choose to replace them upon their deaths, would take His light (Word) to the world as apostles (sent ones) who would teach Truth seekers (true disciples) how to enter the kingdom of heaven which Christ established on the Day of Pentecost 31 A.D. Truth (light) believers and obeyers would enter God’s church and remain there by OBEYING HIS LAW which renders one holy and righteous, the end result of which is eternal life (Rom. 5:21; 6:22).

In Matthew 4:23 and 24 we find Jesus going about Galilee, “teaching in their synagogues and preaching THE KINGDOM (OF HEAVEN–vs 17) and healing ALL manner of sickness and ALL manner of disease among the people.” As He continued His ministry His fame rapidly spread throughout the region. People began bringing to Him those who had physical and mental diseases of all kinds, along with those who were possessed by devils. “And He healed them” (all)–vs 24. How? What was it that caused physical and mental diseases and sicknesses to disappear and demons to leave their victims? THE WORDS WHICH JESUS SPOKE AND LIVED. Let us find Scriptural proof of this Truth.

In Matthew 8:8 and 13 we find a Roman officer telling Jesus that He (Jesus) needed only to SPEAK THE WORD and his (the officer’s) servant would be healed. And it happened. In verse 16 we find Jesus casting out evil spirits and healing all who were sick. He did this “with His Word.” In Matthew 16:20 Jesus “confirmed (proved the Truth of) His Word with signs (miracles) following.” He could do this “for His WORD WAS WITH POWER” (Lk. 4:32). Read Mark 5:8 and 9:25. The light (Word) which the Light (Jesus) used contained God’s power. But that power was not for Jesus alone to use as proof that He was the “Light of the world” (Jn. 8:12).

In Matthew 5:14 Jesus tells His disciples (apostles), “You are the light of the world.” Like their Master, they would serve as God’s lights by living, speaking and writing His light–His Word/Law/Truth. God is the Truth (Word/Light) in spirit form. The man Jesus was the Truth in human form. Their true disciples and apostles continue to be Their Truth in human form. For this reason the Apostle Peter calls true saints a “chosen generation” (group), a “peculiar people,” a “royal priesthood, a “holy nation” (1 Pet. 2:9). God’s true saints are THE WORD OF GOD IN HUMAN FORM WHO TAKE TO HEART HIS COMMAND TO “BE YE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY” (1 Pet. 1:16). That is not an option. Nor is it an unattainable goal to shoot for. THAT IS A COMMAND.

Here again we find the unbreakable bond between the Old and New Testaments. The quote found in First Peter 1:16 was taken from Leviticus 11:44,45. That which constituted holiness in Old Testament times constitutes holiness in New Testament times–OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S LAW. Conversely, that which constituted sin in Old Testament times constitutes sin in New Testament times–THE TRANSGRESSION OF GOD’S LAW (1 Jn. 3:4), including commandment #4. Jesus Himself declared the eternal nature of the Law in Matthew 5:17-19. And yet, the counterfeit church continues to reject God’s Law, claiming that He “nailed it to the cross.”

One of the many misunderstandings relative to Christ’s ministry involves to whom He came to minister and to whom His Words were sent. THE BIBLE, FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION (THE WORDS OF THE LORD) WERE SPOKEN AND WRITTEN TO ISRAEL ANCIENTLY AND TODAY. (Eph. 2:20 and 1 Cor. 10:11). MODERN ISRAEL IS GOD’S TRUE CHURCH–“THE ISRAEL OF GOD” (GAL. 6:16). THESE SPIRITUAL ISRAELITES ARE THEY WHO BELIEVE HIS WORDS/LAW AND OBEY THEM (Mat. 7:13,14; 20:14). These few true believers constitute God’s “remnant”–His Very Elect saints (sheep/wheat) who constitute His true church which exists, though rejected and reviled, within the world-wide church which is populated mostly by goats and tares. This singular, bad fruit-producing “tree” constitutes 99.99% of professing Christendom which is made up of two “trunks” known as the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church. These two false churches are at war with both the Biblical God and each other. Ironically, both churches serve the same god–Satan–the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). Only their god could orchestrate this convoluted, nonsensical religious quagmire.

In the following postings we will study the key to entering the present day kingdom of heaven (God’s true church) and be reminded that we must walk as Jesus walked (1 Jn. 2:6) in this life in order to become part of the Lord’s singular church, whose singular Head is Christ. Those who continue that walk until the end will be saved (Mat. 10:22) upon the return of Jesus Christ. At that time His Very Elect saints (remnant) will rise to meet Him in the clouds and with Him descend to the Mount of Olives. From there they will enter Jerusalem where they will build the eternal Kingdom of God. Read The Kingdom of God, The Message of the Cross and The Three Resurrections. Key words–Kingdom, Message and Three respectively.

In summary, TO WALK WITH JESUS IN THE NEXT LIFE WE MUST WALK AS HE WALKED IN THIS LIFE. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us how to do that. Only through the power of God’s Holy Spirit is this possible. One receives the Spirit at the time of TRUE conversion–total reversal of life–one’s “walk” (1 Jn. 2:6 and Rev. 3:21). It is impossible to undergo repent and be truly converted unless one knows what sin is. The Institutional Church rejects God’s definition of sin and therefore can neither repent nor be converted. As did their spiritual parents in Eden, Catholics and Protestants have rejected God’s Words and embraced Satan’s words. Jesus said that doing that proved that they despise (hate) Him and His Father (Lk. 10:16). L.J.