TWO DISTINCT PERIODS

Article 1, The First Redemption

            Just perhaps teachers, preachers, Elders, and writers have caused some of the confusion in regards to fulfilled prophecy. I say this because really there is a misunderstanding with people where I have taught in Seminars, and Gospel meetings, here and abroad. That misunderstanding comes from the teaching of the redemption. I will grant you that no book, no lesson on internet, or preachers since ancient times have looked into the Doctrine of Redemption, as I pray that God will lead me to write about in this lesson.

            Coming closer to the end of my life, and laying more dependence upon my God, I dare to strike out on laying the foundations for two distinct Redemption’s. So do not put it in file 13, yet.

Hear me out and then make your decision. First, lets examine Col. 1: 16-19, speaking in regards to the Son of God, the Apostle reminds us, that following the foreknowledge of God, that He, God prepared the scheme of Redemption, and salvation of mankind, before the foundation of the world, Heb. 4:3, all His works were finished. Now it was time for the executor of God’s plan to begin the creation of all things, including the scheme of Redemption. “ For in Him all things were created, both in the Heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities---All things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the Church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. For it was the Fathers good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him. “ But for all of mankind there came the test. Persecution, and suppression.

            What happened?  Since 384 A.D. is that the Roman Empire saw that it was good for them to become engaged in the Lord’s Church politically, They had beforehand been able to bribe the local Eldership within the empire; but now, they become active in politics, this in turn created the Roman Archives in a priority way. What this resulted in was that early Christian writings were gathered up by the Roman armies and brought back to Rome, where it was placed behind locked doors. In 605 A. D. The newly elected Pope ordered that all Jewish and Christian literature be apprehended and burned, at this time the Lord’s Church was being suppressed by the Roman armies in every country of the known world. The results of such action has deprived those who seek the truth from ancient Christian writers; but now, The Roman Church has opened its doors to the Archives, many good things is coming forth in regards to the New Testament, and early Christian writers.

            Then there is the fact that since the Roman Catholic Church with its politics controlled what was written and published. Men in the Church of Christ have been afraid to really study, and be able to bring forth the truth in regards to Bible Doctrines. They agree with the Catholic Church in more ways that one can imagine, simply because that the Catholic Church taught the future coming of Christ for a fund raiser, all the other Churches began teaching the same thing. Read your history.

And so with other doctrines they were taught to sound as if baptism was simply coming in contact with water, a drop, a bucket full, a pool full, because it is not essential to salvation! Then there comes the REDEMPTION, and then the RESURRECTION misunderstood!

            The above has been written, so that I might say in brief, that I call no man Master, I fear not him that can destroy the body; but I fear Him that can destroy both body and soul in Hell!

Therefore, we now take up the first period of Redemption. Redemption is the restoration of man from the bondage of Satan to the liberty of the children of God through the satisfactions and, the justice of God requires life for life. Adam and Eve forfeited their lives, and justice merits of Christ. In the Old Testament it has the classic designation of the “ great price” which the redeemer paid for liberation, 1 Cor. 6:20, 1 Pet.18-19.

Redemption presupposes the original elevation of man to a supernatural state, whereby exercising his free moral agency, he sinned. Inasmuch as sin calls down the wrath of God and produces servitude under evil and Satan, and a separation of the spirit from the presence of God. God has until the cross, and after the rejection of God’s plan by our first parents, allowed Satan the power to hold both righteous and evil spirits in the domain of Hades.

            We must, I believe take into consideration the interposition of the Son of God, at the fall of man. Christ interposed His life for Adam and Eve. In God’s plan nothing could requite the sins of man, as a just God He will meet every demand of violated justice. The justice of God requires life for life. Adam and Eve forfeited their lives.  Justice demanded that there could be no respite for them except as a life of a sinless person was given in the place of their lives, but life is in the blood, and so justice required a life of another by the means of shedding of blood. This was the purpose for Christ interposing His life for that of Adam and Eve, as well as all their posterity, until the fullness of time.

            In the meantime as the righteous, and the wicked suffered biological death, Satan had the right to hold that spirit in the place called Hades. Luke chapter 16 gives us an account of this place, and informs us that there was a great gulf, which separated the righteous from the wicked. Yet the spirits were in bondage to Satan, and he would not release those in bondage unless the price, which God’s law of justice demanded. That was the life of a sinless being, and only Christ could come and take upon Himself flesh and blood to meet the demands of justice required by God and to meet the demands of Satan. Satan demanded the death and blood of Christ before he would release those being held in bondage. God agreed upon this ransom price. But little did Satan realize that he would be destroyed in the process.

            Now we can know why mankind looked for a Redeemer.

            Now we have a problem! The Sadducees is making an argument that if Christ was to come as the Redeemer that He would redeem both righteous and evil! Text Luke 20:37-40.

            1. {Ex. 3:6} God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. While Moses was tending sheep on Mt. Horeb, the Lord appeared to him in a firey flame from within the center of a bush. However, the bush itself did not burn up. Moses turned aside to try to ascertain why the bush was not consumed and, when he did so, the Lord spoke to him from the bush and identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Which in turn partially answers the argument of the Sadducees, however, they are never satisfied!

            The above teaches us that God is not the God of the Spiritual dead! The subtle argument here used should be very carefully noted. God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But, God is not the God of the dead. Although these three men at the time that Jesus spoke His words to the Sadducees, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were still alive, that is their biological bodies were dead the soul yet lived. It is to be noted here that Jesus is using the term “dead” {in the sense used by the Sadducees. {That is when a man experiences physical death, his body dies and there is no soul that survives that physical death}. Therefore, the expression “ the dead” as here used by the Jews would refer to those who had been annihilated, that is those who had ceased to exist.

                 If Jesus had been talking to another sect of the Jews, we will call them the Pharisees; He could and likely would have replied, “ But God is the God of the dead.” Of course, Jesus would not have spoken in this fashion to the Sadducees, for they would have taken Him to agree with them that a dead man had ceased to exist, and nothing; had been annihilated! Now using the Sadducees sense of “the dead” to say that God is the God of the dead is to say that God is the God of nothing!                                                                                                            

            How Does This Argument Affect the Resurrection?

            This argument is conclusive proof. Jesus regarded this argument as conclusive proof that the resurrection would occur; the Sadducees also accepted it, as such proof; and the multitude so regarded it and were highly astonished at His Doctrine. In fact, we are told {Lk. 20: 40} that Jesus had put the Sadducees to silence. In other words, the Sadducees admitted that if the existence of human spirits apart from the body were proved, the necessity for a Resurrection would follow. The argument then was conclusive.

            Why Am I Asking Such Questions?

            It is sad to say but we have Sadducees and Pharisees in the Churches today. Today the argument is that we have been redeemed; but have not been resurrected! What a terrible argument. But such argument informs us of one thing; “ they are not APT to teach.” The Old Testament and the new looked forward to redemption, and Resurrection.

              Why Am I Asking the Following Question?

            HOW CAN YOU HAVE A REDEMPTION; WITHOUT AT THE SAME TIME HAVING A RESURRECTION?

            2. The first priority of God after the death of His Son was to demand Satan to release those who were being held in bondage. Heb. 2:14, informs us that the power of Satan was destroyed; he could no longer hold the departed spirits. To this the Apostle being used by the Holy Spirit said, “ There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Rom. 8:1-2.

            We are free, in Christ. A future Resurrection would indicate that we have not been set free, and are yet in bondage; for if there has been no resurrection, there has been no Redemption!

In God’s plan, Christ was the Redeemer, and we have proof that there was a redemption, a setting free of those in bondage, the price paid in full, Heb. 2:14.

            Well If They Were Set Free, What Happened To Them?

            Well, if we look at Hosea 6:1-3, we find that they were to be Resurrected on the Third day, this third day, was the same third day that Jesus came forth from the grave. So, then when we look at His Resurrection we find that the graves of the saints were opened and many of the saints came out after the Resurrection of Christ. Matt. 27:51-53 And Dan. 12:2 says “And many of those who sleeps in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.” Neither Scripture tells us that all would arise on the third day but “Many”

            Now, My Next Question Is.

            Does the Covenant of Moses, The Law provides for the Redemption and Resurrection of New Testament Saints?

            Modern day, Pharisees, and Sadducees without a proper knowledge of Christianity would say yes; but they are sadly mistaken. The Covenant and Law of Moses provided for the Redeemer, who was Jesus Christ, and His first priority after death was to redeem those spirits from creation until the cross, and to destroy Satan. This He accomplished. His Second Priority was to choose men who would after His death, and after the Holy Spirit had come, would make disciples of men.

            My Next Question Is.

            Did the Old Covenant, and Law of Moses, provide for the forgiveness of sins, and offer salvation?

            If your answer is no, then you are correct, and I have thus proven that there were two periods of Redemption, and Resurrection.

            But, you say that those who were in bondage were resurrected, where does the Bible teach that?

            Turn and read Rev. 14: 1-5, have you found in the Scriptures where it is clearly stated that these were the First Fruits, these had not been defiled with women; they had no children; they were purchased from among men as First Fruits. The phrase from among men simply means those who had been born of woman, and had earthly parents. Such statement does not exclude Jesus Christ as being the First Fruit of Resurrection as per, 1 Cor. 15:23. If you have read these passages then you have found that John sees this vision as being already fulfilled, for it is written in past tense. I Postulate that these are the ones that came out of the graves after Christ first came forth, and they went into the holy City and was seen by many. When the J. W'’ comes to your house with a vanload of children, read to them this Scripture; they claim that they are among the 144,000!

            Indeed this first article takes in account the Old Covenant, and the Law of Moses; it was limited in what it would do. You recall that the Apostle Paul carries four men to the temple, that they purify themselves by keeping their oath; this was done to satisfy the Law of Moses. Take note, the temple has not yet been destroyed, neither had the law. God knew what He was doing these plans were finished before the foundation of the world, Heb. 4:3.

            Article 2, The Second Redemption

            At this point I will go back to the beginning and show the enmity between not only the woman and the serpent but also all of their descendents. It should be noted that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent. Further the serpent would bruise the heel of the seed of the woman. Without doubt this is the first intimation of the Gospel message whereby Christ by crushing the devastating work of Satan, would make the offer of salvation through His blood to all men Heb. 2:14, 1 Cor. 15:54-57, Eph. 1: 7, 1 John 3:8; John 12: 31-32, Rom. 5:8-9, John 3:16-18. Please take note, that all these passages were written well after the death of Christ.

So in this article we want to introduce evidence, that there was provisions, made at Pentecost for the forgiveness of sins, and for salvation.

            1.Matt. 28: 18-19, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “ All authority has been given to me in Heaven and on Earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

            2.Luke 24: 49, “ and behold, I am sending forth the PROMISE of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from above.”

            3. Mark 16: 14-20. Mark in verse 15, has the eleven going out before the selection of the 12,

            Verse 17, they have already received the Holy Spirit. Verse 20, they have already gone out.

            Matthew likewise, also is informing the eleven to go into all the world and preach the

            Gospel. We must note that one does not contradict the other rather they are in continuity.   

            4.Acts 1: 1-8 makes it very clear on this point, that the disciples did not go out preaching and baptizing the people of the world, until after they had received the Holy Spirit as was PROMISED. This gives credit to Luke’s account.

            Question, does any of the Bible writers give an account of the 11; or 12 disciples going out after the death of Christ to preach before they had received the Holy Spirit?

            If your answer is no, then you are correct. They were not prepared until they had received the Holy Spirit. Luke made it clear that Christ would send them forth with the PROMISE from the Father; the PROMISE was the Holy Spirit, and Redemption, salvation, and grace.

            50 days after the death of Christ we come to Jerusalem where the Apostles were gathered in one place as their Master had so directed them to do. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit gave them utterances, even to speak in other languages, which they had never known.

            John came preaching repentance, saying that the kingdom of Heaven was at hand. John also preached baptism, but where does John say to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins?

John could not preach the forgiveness of sins, Why?

Because John came under the law, and under the law sins were not forgiven, but a sacrifice was offered for sins, which rolled their sins forward for another year.

            Now notice Acts 2:37-39 "And the Jews were pricked to their heart and said men and brethren what shall we do"? And Peter said to them, repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the PROMISE is for you and your children, and for all those who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.

            Did the law forgive these in Acts chapter 2?

            Did the Law fill the Apostles with the Holy Spirit?

            What happened during the 50 days between the death of Christ, and this Pentecost?

            Was there a transition from the Old Covenant, to the Spiritual Covenant in Promise?

            If the Spiritual Covenant was not fully in force, how could Peter grant salvation, and forgiveness of sins?

            Could the answer be found in 2 Cor.1: 19-22?

            Acts 2:39, did Peter not say to those who asked, “ What shall we do,” say to them, “ Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the PROMISE is to you and to your children, and to those who are far off.”

            The Father PROMISED after the first fall, that He would restore the Spiritual Covenant that was offered to Adam and Eve; they and their posterity forfeited their right to serve under this Spiritual Covenant. Now it is brought back by Promise until Christ ratifies the new and Spiritual Covenant, when Christ removes the Scepter from Judah, Genesis 49: 10, then the new Covenant becomes Reality, no longer by PROMISE, no longer is salvation, Redemption, regeneration, and the forgiveness of sins guaranteed by the Holy Spirit. But by the Covenant spoken of in Isaiah chapters 2: 1-4, Chapter 51: 1-23, Chapter 52: 1-15, Chapter 53: 1-17, Chapter 9:6-7.

            Question, Did John ever say Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins?    NO.

            Question, Did John say, ‘ Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death. The answer is NO. The reason being that one could not be baptized into Jesus Christ until Christ died and the period of 50 days had expired.

Those baptized on Pentecost was baptized into Christ, and the Spiritual Covenant, that Christ represented. Those baptized before the death was baptized in John’s baptism, under the law, and under the Covenant that was ready to disappear Heb. 8:13

            Gal 3:23-29, but before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith, which was later to be revealed. Therefore the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. We are heirs to the PROMISE, God cannot lie!

            Therefore, near to 2,000 years ago there were one covenant of law, that covenant was near to passing away, Heb. 8: 13, at the same time we were experiencing the transition between the passing of the Old, and the beginning of the restoration of the Spiritual. The law of the Old Covenant demanded a Redemption of its departed Spirits which was being held by Satan, Heb. 2:14. They were delivered up to the Father, Heb. 2:15, Eph. 4:8-10, See also Gal.4: 3-6, for law.

            The Spiritual Covenant in transition from the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell upon the 12 Disciples, {Apostles} Provided Redemption on a Spiritual scale, it also provided for regeneration, for baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

            Spirits are no longer held in bondage, when a righteous person suffers biological death, his spirit goes to god, where a body awaits it, a body not made by hands, 2 Cor. 5: 1-9.

            The Covenant of law could not provide instantaneous transition to Heaven.

            The Covenant of Spirituality provided the soul with instantaneous acceptance in Heaven.

            The Covenant of law provided a judgment, or condemnation by God.

            The Covenant of Spirituality provides man as his own judge, John 3: 18.

            The Covenant of Spirituality, provides, Redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, according to His grace

            The Covenant of Spirituality demands that grace be fulfilled, 1 Pet. 1:13

            The Covenant of Spirituality demands that all things written must be fulfilled at the fullness of time, Luke 21:22

            The Covenant of Spirituality demands the fulfillment of Christ’s Second Coming within His own generation, Heb.9: 28, Matt. 24: 34, Luke 21: 32.

            The Covenant of law could not bring two nations together as one. But the Spiritual Covenant did bring both Jew and Gentile into one nation, Eph. 2: 11-16.          

            The Covenant of law did not offer a mediator between God, and man.

The Spiritual Covenant provided Christ as mediator.

            Examination of Facts. {Rom. 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”}  Christ was born as the promised Messiah; did the law come to an instantaneous end? NO, When Christ was baptized, and the Spirit of God came upon Him, was there an instantaneous end to the law? NO, When Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper, was there an instantaneous end to the Law? NO, Then we can agree that the end of the law was gradually ending. Can we not agree? Now when Christ died on the cross, was all the law instantaneously fulfilled? NO, When the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, was the law instantaneously removed from the plan of God? NO, Acts 21: 21-27, proves that the Jews continued to practice the law, and worship under the Law of Moses. Did we have two religious bodies operating at the same time? Yes. The law, the Kingdom of God was gradually becoming obsolete, being fulfilled gradually, just as Christ foretold in Matt. 5: 17, {“ Do not think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets, I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.”}  This may come as a surprise to you, but Christ said plainly that He did not come to abolish law; The Scriptures, and common sense tells us that the law continued until the temple was destroyed in 70 A. D. Acts 21:21-27, even the Apostle observed the law. Although at Pentecost the Spiritual Covenant was activated by promise, it was not completed. Why?  Because the Apostle stated, " But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to Myriads of angels. The general Assembly of the first born who are enrolled in Heaven. A note to remember, the phrase, “ You have come to,” does not denote that they were in it. Therefore, New Jerusalem, Zion, and the City of God, also the Assembly of the first born was yet future in 65, to 66 A. D. it was by promise, and had not been legalized by Christ. Yet it was sealed by the Holy Spirit until Christ came back to ratify The New Covenant.  We look again at statements by the Apostle which shows that the old law had not yet been fulfilled, the law provided that the City of God be completed before the law came to an end, Heb. 13:14, Paul says, “ For here we do not have a lasting City, but we are seeking the City which is to come.” “ We do not have a lasting City.” This phrase refers to physical Jerusalem, soon it will be destroyed! “ But we are seeking the city which is to come.” This is the City of God, described to Ezekiel in Ezek. 40: 1-2, Ezek. 43: 6-7. For more proof look at Ezek. 37: 24-28, then see the results of New Jerusalem, Zion, the City of God, the assembly of the first born being accomplished and fulfilled after the annihilation of the nation of Israel in Rev. chapter 21: 1 ff.

At this point the law is fulfilled, and the New Covenant enforced.

Is this the reason that on Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit and the Disciples began to preach that all the qualifications of becoming a Christian was by promise? I believe it was, for the following Scriptures will confirm, that repentance, and baptism for the forgiveness of sins were not Reality; but rather it was by the promise of God, until all the law should be fulfilled. Please read out just a few of the promises made by God. {Eph. 1: 10-14, Gal. 3:21, Gal. 3: 16, Gal 3: 14, Rom. 15:8, Rom. 9: 9, Rom. 9:4, Rom 4:20, Rom. 4:16, Rom. 4:13, Acts. 26:6, Acts. 12:23, Acts 2:39, Acts 2:33, Acts. 1: 4, Luke 24:49.

            The Law of God, and Moses provided that Christ must after His ascension to Heaven come back to remove the scepter from Judah, Genesis 49:10. At this time in history would be the end of the nation of Israel, no longer would they be a chosen nation, but would be one nation with the Gentiles, Eph. 2:11-16, this would be the end of the law, no longer would Judaism be recognized by God. Also at this time Christianity would become a reality, and all prophecy would be fulfilled. And Christ’s Assembly, {Church} would be dominant, Acts 4:11-12.    

            In my postulation I have offered evidence to show that there was in the first century, a change of government, and of laws. If people would study God’s Word as He has commanded,

2 Tim. 2: 15, we would not have problems with the Resurrection, with the Judgment, with Redemption, with the Second Coming of Christ, with fulfilled Prophecy. We are blind, we cannot see, though we have 20+20 vision, we are blind because we have too much to look at on T. V. or on the internet, we just do not have time for our Lord. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Show me Sound Doctrine, that you teach.  Elders show me that you are not Dictators, if you lord it over the flock, then you are Dictators, your chief priority is that you must be able and apt to teach. To be apt to teach is to have an open mind to all subjects, which God has written about, you must have Biblical knowledge, and have patience to discuss openly, or publicly any subject. When Elders tell the Congregation what they can, and cannot study, that is Dictatorship.

            When people in, or out of the Church believes that there has been a Redemption, you must know that you cannot have a Redemption without having a Resurrection 1 Cor. 15:1-20. But to say there has not been a Resurrection; they really have not studied the subject of Redemption, what has happened, they have heard tradition. Tradition comes from the Roman Catholic Church, which says that, the Resurrection, Judgment, and, the Second Coming of Christ is still future. To believe, and teach such is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 1 Pet. 1:3-5, 1 Pet. 1:13, proves their belief to be false. If the Lord has not come back, we have neither salvation, nor grace!