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What Is The Gospel?
Briefly comprehended the Gospel is the message
of salvation brought by the visible appearing of Jesus
Christ which was God manifested in the flesh.
In (Mark 1: 14-15) we read: "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
In (Matt. 4: 23)and Jesus went about all Galilee, and preaching in their Synogogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness, and all manner of diseases among the people.
In (Luke 8:1) it reads: And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
In (Eph. 1: 13) it reads: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
So we see that we first must hear the Word of truth which is the Gospel of our salvation. The Word of truth is the Gospel and Jesus is spoken of as the Word,(Joh 1:14) "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Peter speaking of us who have purified our souls by
obeying the truth says: (1Pe 1:23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
The Gospel then is the seed of truth which, if a man receives into his soul, will produce a birth. Old things will pass away and he will become a new
creature. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus that, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John 3:7).
In the fifth verse: Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (Joh 3:5)
The word water used in the Bible often refers to the Word of truth, which is Christ. For instance, Jesus in speaking to the woman at the well "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." (Joh 4:10)
In (Rev 22:17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
“ Whosoever will,” are exhorted to come and take of the “ water of life freely.” So we see that the word of truth is the Gospel and also
The water of life. Jesus says. “ Except a man be born of water (Word) and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” (John 3: 5).
We are not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
By reading the scriptures in the first chapter of Matthew, we find that Jesus was not conceived in the natural way, but the angel talking to Joseph said,
“ For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost,” It was a supernatural conception, and so
it is with us —
The Gospel or the Word of truth which is the seed, is first received into the womb of the soul and so we are begotten of God and are born
again and new life springs up and we become a new creature in Christ by the supernatural power of God.
This is why the Gospel is spoken of as the “ glad tidings.” When Jesus came: But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:(2Ti 1:10)
The Gospel indeed is glad tidings when it conveys to the mind of lost men and women that they can have life and immortality, for then a new hope springs up into the soul. Paul says, “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Rom 1:16)
The Gospel also has an effect upon every one to
whom it is preached, for Paul says, “ To one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.” (2 Cor. 2: 16).
The Gospel, if received into the heart, will mean life; if rerejected, it will mean death.
Jesus says, (Joh 11:26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
He was speaking here of the soul of man that was resurrected as born again. Although this body would
die and go to dust yet the soul would live on with God in a blissful state. The qualification was, “ If we lived and believed in Him.” “ Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” —
■ Fred Pruitt. Faith & Victory
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THE REFORMATION
The Prophet Joel said, “ And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.” Joel 2: 28- 29.
The very beginning of this glorious reformation was brought about by the Spirit of God.“ As the prophet Zechariah said - "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. (Zec 14:6-7)
The law dispensationv7 as tried out thoroughly and did not work a reformation in the heart of man; offerings for sin did not change the moral nature of man. Turtle doves and pigeons only brought temporary relief, but there was a time coming in which the heart of man was to be purged from all sin, and work out a real reformation of heart and life. (Heb 9:10) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
At the appointed time Jesus appeared on the scene, lived thirty-three and a half years of suffering, and was crucified for the sins of the people. He arose triumphant from the grave, leaving the Holy Spirit to work a reformation of heart and life. The office work of the Spirit of God brings conviction and conviction begins a reformation of heart and life. As we begin the work of making our wrongs right the work of reformation starts. We are fully convinced that the reformation in the apostolic times was conducted by the wisdom of the Spirit of God, and even the heathen of idol worship was convinced that the Spirit of God was so working that even the very heart and nature were changed by the power of God, insomuch
that they loved not the things which were so sacred in their pagan worship. The Spirit of God called men from the various walks of life, called them to gather in one perfect union from all the different nationalities and creeds of that day; destroying all partition walls. _(Act 2:44-47) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
(Act 4:32-34) And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
History says this glorious unity lasted about two hundred and seventy years, then a period of darkness of long duration (1260 years) came, as it were the “ sun going down at noon,” also a time of famine, not for bread, but for the hearing of the Word of God.-(Amo 8:9) And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
During this period of time, many were beheaded, burned at the stake, and tortured to death in different ways. Their fervor was not chilled down: many gave their lives for the cause of God and went home to glory and God. Later on the time came when, the sun was partly shining, a time known as “ not clear nor dark,” but cloudy. About 1530 Martin Luther, doing penance, was convinced by the Spirit of God that a man was justified by faith and arose shouting his glorious freedom from the papal rule under which he had been. This is the beginning of what is to be called the Evening Light reformation, a time in which a revival of the spiritual working as it was in the apostolic times, a time when men got light on the creed systems of worship in which they had been and the Spirit of God said, “ Come out of her my people,” which they gladly obeyed, choosing rather the narrow way with the despised few and suffer the persecutions which were sure to follow those that, let the Spirit of God have its way.
The prophet Daniel said concerning the kingdom of God that it should break in pieces all these other kingdoms and that it should stand forever. (Dan 2:44) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever
As the light increased those that are led by the Spirit came out of those sectarian creeds and became the real body of Christ, brought about because a real reformation had taken place; a heart reformation in which their hearts were purified from the dregs of Catholicism and pagan worship and the superstitious teachings of Protestantism. Ere long the enemy saw that if this glorious reformation were to continue with its apostolic teachings and power, that the creeds systems of worship would utterly fall, and the reformation would get the cream of 'their numbers, and leave them dead and powerless without any or at least few of the Christian graces.
The enemy saw all this and a scheme was planned and laid out to destroy the reformation. The first objective was to scatter the power of God by bringing in division, and where there is no unity there is no power.
The second phase of the scheme was to enact laws to so govern those who may get entangled in the meshes of deception that what has been light may become darkness to them, and in this condition formulate rules to hold in check those who may seek light, by branding those seekers as fanatic or old timers. Instead of the Spirit ruling the movements of the reformation, an ecclesiastical head was set. up in which rules were given and handed down until the Spirit of God is legislated out. This being true, then they are no part of the Reformation. The reformation that made it the Evening Light was brought about by obedience* to the Spirit of God and a willingness to walk in the light. We may profess all kinds of professions, but James said "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (Jas 1:22)
We may claim to be in the reformation and a part of it, but unless we walk in the light as He is in the light We are no part of this evening light reformation, having a name and are dead. We might be identified as being in the reformation but unless those principles of truth are in our hearts, we are only in the movement in name and not in truth. But as everything of worth, or merit has been counterfeited, it is no wonder that the reformation may be assailed even on that line.
There will be no other reformation, because the one that was ushered in by men being filled with the Holy Ghost contained all the fundamentals of the New Testament church, such as were practiced in the beginning. As those principles become, as it were, a thing of disgrace and belong in some other age and not to be used now, Is it no wonder that the reformation has not that spiritual drawing power? Because
of that lack various things are being substituted for the Holy Spirit. Instruments in worship, for instance, were not used in the apostles’ day, neither in the beginning of this reformation, but Jesus was the drawing power, and thank God, He is still the One altogether lovely.
We admit we have, since the beginning of this evening light reformation, had two extremes, namely: compromise and also fanaticism. Neither belong to or are a part, yet they have been an enemy to the truth of this reform action, both are equally dangerous.
When compromise attacked the reformation it has left in its wake many who are weak and so blinded as to see no way out, and preferring to stay in spiritual starvation rather than to come out and be branded as a division-maker or a fanatic.
God loves one kind of division; that which separates the pure from the vile. God’s church is a pure church. The reformation was the result of walking in the light. The church is now God’s sanctuary, His habitation, a pure reformation free from, man-rule or human ecclesiasticism.
As the Spirit called men out of sectism in the beginning of this glorious reformation and thus preserving a holy remnant, so it is now. When any movement becomes formal and dead, God’s remedy has been to come out of her. (Rev 18:1-4)"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (2Co 6:14) "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
No movement or church having lost its power with God has ever been known to right itself, but God calls, come out, which means also to stay out and be not entangled in the yoke of bondage. Some of the seven churches in Asia had the legalistic phase of worship but were lacking in experience. One had tried false apostles and proved them liars—lost first love. The remedy: repent and do first works else the candle stick (light) be removed. Oh how many of the present age have lost the candle stick (light) and are claiming to be in the reformation movement, and are fostering the very spirit of sect-making unconsciously, not knowing the danger of human church-making rules. May the Spirit of God so direct that every honest 'Soul may see light in the Light of God’s countenance. — E. M. Zinn.
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REFORMATION
The Last Battle
God is sweeping through the nations,
With an awful searching eye:
Ev'ry spot of imperfection
Must be purged or hope must die.
Jesus gave himself to purchase
Him a pure and spotless bride:
In this evening time, He cleanseth
Her beneath the Crimson tide.
God is sweeping through the nations,
With an awful searching eye:
Ev'ry spot of imperfection
Must be purged or hope must die.
For His church He now must suffer
This unwilling sacrifice:
Give to evil spirits' supper,
All who give to sin a place.
See “His sword is bathed in heaven”
And the mountains strewn with dead;
“All ye birds and beasts assemble,”
Lo! a feast for you is spread.
Hear the angel loudly crying,
Standing in the blazing sun,
Wake O man! While time is flying,
And the Judgment has begun.
God is coming, O my Brother;
Can you face the solemn day?
All the pure, the angles gather,
The defiled become a prey.
Rev_16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false Prophet
Brother the previous page is describing the battle of good vs evil (Armageddon) we are in that battle now!
Rev 16:13And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
The false prophets are the feel good preachers of today's sectarian “Mega Churches”.Rev 18:8Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death and morning, and famine: and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
This great war against false religions of earth is incurring the opposition of the sectarian world.
Multitudes of its deceived professors are rising in opposition to the Truth.
All counterfeit religions are uniting in confederation. This will culminate in a bloody persecution against the True Church before the end. Rev 19:19 “and I saw the beast, and kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His Army.”
This brings us to the loosing of the dragon: Rev 20:3-8“he must be loosed for a little season”-”and shall go out and deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth”
The loosing of the dragon is the revival of the old pagan religions in the last days. This is fulfilled in devil-worship such as Spiritualism,Occult, Wicca, Yoga, Islam, Hindi and the many so called Christian Cults.
Are you ready? Read your Bible, pray, pray you will be led to the Gospel Truth as taught by Jesus Christ.