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The “Gospel” During the Great Tribulation
The Righteous Will Live by Faith

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Elementary Teachings of the Gospel

 

My comments in the previous paragraphs may have caused some of you a great amount of distress. You may want to ask: “So, if this is true, then just what is the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ?” I would respond by saying, “The everlasting gospel is the truth about the relationship that exists between the government of God, Jesus Christ, Lucifer and fallen man.” The following six statements explain this relationship.

 

1)      Before there was anything in the universe, there were three eternal beings that we call God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. (1 Timothy 1:17; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 9:14; Matthew 28:19,20) The laws of the Trinity are righteous, supreme, eternal and nonnegotiable. (James 1:17; Psalms 119:89, 160; Daniel 4:34; Habakkuk 3:6; Romans 16:26-27) All violators of God’s laws will receive the wrath of law that requires death by execution. (Genesis 2:17; Exodus 12:12,13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 15:1; Revelation 20:13-15)

 

Note: God’s wrath is defined in this presentation as the fair and unbiased administration of a penalty as required by law. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were to be executed the very day they committed their sin because any violation of God’s law is death by execution. (Genesis 2:17; 6:7; 13:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9) Why is the consequence so drastic? Here is the problem. When sin occurs, the nature of the violator is instantly changed – the sinner becomes anti-God. (Adam and Eve radically changed from having a propensity toward righteousness to having a propensity toward rebellion against God. This happened the very day they sinned. Remember how they ran and hid from God? This behavior shows the sudden change in their nature. (Genesis 3:8; Romans 8:7) From the beginning, God decreed that the penalty for sin was death by execution. To a liberal society, this may seem a bit harsh. However, God knew the ultimate result of sin – He knew sinful beings would eventually attempt to destroy Him and all He had made if they had enough power, time, and of course, if it were possible. (See Revelation 12:7-9; 17; 12-14; 19:19,20.) Violators of God’s law cannot escape the moral changes that sin brings. It is “natural” for all sinners to be anti-God. The only way to maintain a universe free from the chaos and deadly infection of sin is to totally eliminate sin and all who choose to continue in lawlessness. (2 Thessalonians 2:12) Consequently, God executes the wicked (including the devil and his angels) at the end of the thousand years with fire. (Notice that they are thrown into the lake of fire! Revelation 20:15) Dying from the consequences of sin (cancer, stroke, accident, illness) is not to be equated with paying the penalty of sin (death by execution). If this was not the case, all the Father would have to do was wait for Jesus to grow old on earth and die “a natural death.” Please understand this point: The penalty for sin is not natural death. Now, follow this logic to its conclusion: This is the very reason why Jesus had to be executed at Calvary.

 

2)      At a point in time (approximately 6,000 years ago), God the Son created life on this planet, including man. (Genesis 1:27; John 1:10; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2) At that time, Jesus placed man under the obligation of law with the promise of immediate death by execution if man violated the law. (Genesis 2:17) Unfortunately, man disobeyed his Maker. (Genesis 3:6)

 

3)      Just as Adam and Eve were about to be executed, Jesus, the Creator of man, stepped “in the way” and offered to die in man’s place.(Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1,2; 2 Thessalonians 2:7) The law of God, which condemned Adam and Eve to death, could not be changed. After Adam and Eve sinned, the Father had no option but to give the world to Lucifer as the spoils of his conquest. (Luke 4:6) However, when Jesus made the gracious offer to become man’s intercessor, the Father accepted Jesus’ offer based on certain conditions. From that moment in time, Jesus became man’s intercessor and will continue to do so until the problem with sin is fully resolved. Jesus’ great love for Adam and Eve and their offspring prompted His decision to live on Earth and die the second death (the penalty for sin). During Jesus’ earthy life, He would be tempted to sin, just as Adam had been tested. (Hebrews 4:15) He became an over comer and lived a sinless life; therefore, He was executed as Adam and Eve deserved-the guilt of their sins would be transferred to Himself. (1 John 2:2,3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Revelation 1:5)

 

The Bible indicates that any person’s guilt can be transferred to Jesus if they submit to the authority of Jesus and live by faith in a hostile world. This is good news of the everlasting gospel-anyone who puts their faith in Christ as their “atonement” Lamb will receive eternal life at the appointed time and escape the execution awaiting the wicked at the end of the 1,000 years. (Luke 8:1; Acts 5:42; Ephesians 2:8,9; Malachi 4:1; Revelation 20:13-15) Remember, the Father accepted Jesus’ blood as atonement for sin because He too, loved the human race as much as Jesus. (John 3:16) Yes, Lucifer had been successful in leading Adam and Eve to sin, but the Father promised that the world would be returned to its rightful owner (and all of the “faith” people who would live on it) if Jesus were successful in redeeming man from the condemnation of eternal death. (The spoils do go to the victor!) (Psalms 2:7-12; John 17:6; Hebrews 1:2, 8-13; Daniel 7:13,14)

 

Note: Two points need to be injected here. First, Jesus created the human race for the glory of the Father. (Colossians 1:10-17) When Jesus offered to become man’s Redeemer, the Father promised to give Jesus the world as a gift for the price He would have to pay. (John 17:2-6) Jesus was found worthy to receive His kingdom in 1798. (Daniel 7:9,10, 13,14; Revelation 5. For those individuals who are alive during the Great Tribulation, every decision to belong or not belong to the Kingdom of God will be made by the time the seventh trumpet is sounded. (Revelation 11:15) Jesus’ first action after taking possession of His kingdom will be to avenge the suffering of His saints. (This is the purpose of the seven last plagues.) Ultimately, Jesus destroys His enemies. (Revelation 6:10,11; 15:1; 16:4-7; 19:15-21; Hebrews 10:13)

 

The second point that needs to be made is that although Jesus’ intercession averted Adam’s and Eve’s execution that day, they did die years later due to the consequences of sin. This is why the Bible often speaks about the first death as a temporary sleep (1 Corinthians 15:51; John 11:11-13; John 6) and the second death as the eternal or everlasting death. (Revelation 2:11; 20:6; 21:8) Many Bible students fail to distinguish between the consequence of sin and the penalty of sin. The wicked will be resurrected at the end of the 1,000 years to acknowledge their guilt and receive the penalty for their rebellion, which is death by execution.

 

4)      Since all men have violated God’s law (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:10; Romans 3:10), then all men fall under the penalty of law, death by execution. For those who reject Christ’s atonement, this execution will occur at the end of the 1,000 years. (John 5:28,29; 12:48; Revelation 20:6, 12-15; Colossians 3:5,6)

5)      The good news from God is that no one needs to perish! (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16; 1 John 5:13) The righteousness required for salvation has been provided for all through the life of Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:10; 1:17; 3:21) The penalty for sin has been paid by the death Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:13,14; 1 Peter 3:18)  Unfortunately, human nature is naturally drawn to rebel against God, His laws and Kingdom and it is often hard for sinners to accept the “good news.” (Romans 8:7,8) Consequently, the only way a person can wholeheartedly submit to god’s laws is to be born again. (John 3:3) The “born again” experience cannot be generated by human will. (We cannot make ourselves born again.) This is something alone that God creates in our hearts and the transformation is nothing less than a miracle. (John 3:6) The Bible also states that the born again life requires constant renewing. (2 Corinthians 13:5; Romans 12:2) However, the flip side of the coin is this: If anyone knowingly insists on remaining in a rebellious state against God, they will be considered a rebel who will be resurrected at the end of the thousand years. According to God’s law, those who rebel must pay the penalty for their rebellion and they will be eternally destroyed in the lake of fire. (Mark 3:29; Hebrews 10:26,27; Revelation 20:11-15)

 

6)      How does a person put their faith in Christ? To have faith in Christ means that out of a heart full of love and gratitude for what He has done, a person willingly submits to his authority. (1 John 5:2-4) Does obedience merit salvation? No. (Romans 1:17; 3:21,22; Hebrews 4:2-6) Is obedience necessary for salvation? Yes. (1 John 2:1-5) I know this sounds contradictory, but actually, the relationship is simple. Faith demonstrates obedience to God because the individual believes that god is Sovereign and there is a humble recognition that His commands are to be obeyed above all others. (Hebrews 11) Presumption, on the other hand, excuses transgression (rebellion), whereas obedience reveals our faith in God. (Romans 1:5,6) Obedience is a definitive way that faith can be refined and tested. (James 1:3; 2:17-26; 1 Peter 4:17; Hebrews 5:8,9; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; John 14:15,23) Salvation is guaranteed to all who are willing to go, to be and do as God directs. GO-BE-DO! (John 3:16; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:19) Faith begins with a willing and submissive attitude.  (Luke 23:42,43) Faith recognizes the authority of God by producing appropriate deeds. (James 2:17, 19) The ultimate test of faith happens when loyalty to God stands in direct conflict with dire circumstances. (Genesis 6; Daniel 3 & 6)

 

Note: Many Christians today face a serious problem without recognizing it. Most Christians read and quote Bible texts in their Nike tennis shoes, instead of putting on the sandals of the apostles. In other words, too many Christians manipulate the conversations in the Bible (based on preconceptions) and glibly make them say things that were never intended. Here are two examples: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Individuals who read the Bible often mistreat this verse “while wearing Nikes!” Jesus uttered these words to Nicodemus. To understand the meaning of this verse, you have to “put on the sandals” of Nicodemus and consider the frame of mind he had at that time.

The words of Jesus to Nicodemus could be paraphrased like this: “Nicodemus, the Father loves everyone in the world, not just this tiny nation of Jews. To restore all humankind to Eden, the Father provided the necessary atonement for sin. You and your fellow citizens are too parochial in your view of God’s love. Everyone who submits to My teaching will have eternal life. I have only spoken the words the Father gave Me. If you accept Me as the Son of God, you must recognize that your religion and your religious acts cannot save you. They are worthless in terms of salvation, because man is saved by faith alone. If you believe that I am the Lamb of God, sent here to fulfill all that the ceremonial system points to, then you need not take a lamb to the temple alter ever again. If you believe that I am the Son of God and my teaching is from God, you will not be able to conform to the religious customs of your people. I have come to set you free of that obligation. If you confess that you believe that I am the Messiah, the Holy One predicted by the prophets of Israel, you will be cut off from your family, friends and this nation-but, be assured of this, you will receive eternal life.”

 

Another example of a verse (and many others exist) that is often misrepresented is this: “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that god raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”(Romans 10:9,10) Many Christians quote the preceding two verses as though the words contain a magical statement, as if merely to quote this verse before other people and believe that Jesus rose from the dead will be enough to save them eternally! Paul had no such thought in mind when he wrote these words. Again, let us take off the Nikes and put on the sandals of the roman converts and consider what Paul was actually saying to the Romans who had suffered so much torment at Caesar’s hand. Paul’s words could be paraphrased as follows: “If, when you are standing before the authorities for your faith, and all your possessions are being confiscated from your house because your name was placed on the proscription list, and when you are being beaten with 39 lashes because you refused to bow down before Caesar as a god – when this happens, if you still confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord and Master and not Caesar, and if you can still believe in your heart that god raised Jesus from the dead and He will raise you also-this is faith. Your faith in God will save you, although you may, like me, lose your life in Rome for serving Christ! However, keep this in mind: Neither giving away your possessions nor standing in defiance of Caesar will save you. Remember that we are saved by faith alone in Christ. Therefore, submit to the teaching of Christ, confess that Jesus is Lord of you life, acknowledge your faults, but stand firm in your loyalty to the commandments of Jesus and your faith will save you!”

 

To understand the Bible writers and the intended meaning of their words, we need to be sure we understand the culture and customs of people and the period in which the words were written. To do less is to make nonsense of the Bible. The point here is that anyone can enjoy a fellowship with the writers of the Bible (even across the passage of time), if he or she strives to understand the issues and circumstances surrounding the writer and the time in which he lived.

 

 

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