Esther's Royal Garments*

We just finished observing the feast known as Purim that comes from the Book of Esther. Purim celebrates a great victory over an enemy whose intention was to destroy all of the Jews living in Persia. The enemy's name was Haman, who developed a bitter hatred for a Jew named Mordecai because Mordecai had failed to pay him the honor that Haman felt was his due. Haman drew lots, or pur, to determine the date of the Jews' destruction, when he would go to the king, and enact his plan for revenge against Mordecai (Est. 3:7). These lots, or pur, is where the name of the feast Purim comes from. So, in order to destroy Mordecai, Haman persuaded the king to give an order that would mean the destruction of all of the Jews, even paying money to those who would carry out his order (Est. 3:5-6, 8-9). We will see how this enemy was defeated, and how God's people were delivered from a death sentence. The account starts with the replacement of a queen. The king of Persia had required that his wife, Vashti, who was very beautiful, come and make an appearance before his party guests, who all had been drinking for seven days. Vashti refused, and the king was advised to set aside Vashti, and obtain a more biddable wife, lest all the wives in the kingdom rise up against their husbands as Vashti had done! (Est. 1:5-19). The search for the most beautiful maidens in the kingdom began. Mordecai, a Jew, had raised his niece, Esther, as his own daughter after her parents had died. Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai to hide her Jewish heritage. As the most beautiful women were gathered to the palace, Esther was included. She found favor with the chamberlain who was "the keeper of the women" for the king, and he treated her with kindness (v. 4-9). Esther found favor with all who dealt with her there because she was agreeable and obedient to what the chamberlain told her to do. She was brought before the king, who loved her above all women. Esther found "grace and favor" in his sight, and she was made queen instead of Vashti (Est. 2:15-18). Esther still did not reveal herself as being one of the Jewish people "as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him." (v. 20). (note: Although the name of God does not directly appear in the story of Esther, His name appears in acrostic form. When Mordecai heard of the order that Haman had persuaded the king to enact that would mean the destruction of the Jewish people, he immediately sat before the king's gate in sackcloth and ashes, crying with a loud voice. All of the Jews did so also (Est. 4:1-3). Mordecai was repenting before God for the deliverance of His people. Esther became alarmed by Mordecai's behavior, for it would surely offend the king, and sent servants to inquire why her uncle was doing such a thing. He passed the information about the king's edict to Esther, and charged her "that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people (v. 5-8). Esther sent her servants to answer Mordecai that she had not been called for by the king for thirty days, and she could be killed if she went to him without his invitation. Mordecai sent this response: "Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (v. 13-14). Mordecai felt confident in the LORD's deliverance, because he had fasted and prayed for it. Shouldn't we also understand the importance of fasting, repentance and prayer, as commanded by God in 2 Chron. 7:14? Esther answered Mordecai that he should tell all the Jews to fast with her for three days and nights, and then she would go to the king without his invitation. She said, "...and if I persiah, I perish." (v. 15-17). "Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on (her) royal (apparel), and stood in the inner court of the king's house.: and the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house...And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen...she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre." (Est. 5:1-2). Regarding the phrase "her royal apparel" in the above verse, the words "her" and "apparel" were added to the original Hebrew to help in translation. However, the Hebrew says that Esther "put on her royal", with all of the kingdom authority that that Hebrew word for "royal" (malkut/malak - kingdom, reign, royal, sovereign power, dominion/ascend to the throne) carries. Esther again obtained favor from the king, granting her whatever she asked (v. 3-4). To add to Haman's further anger and humiliation, Mordecai received an honor from the king that Haman felt should come to him. For saving the king's life, Mordecai was given the king's own royal apparel to wear, the king's personal horse to ride, and the royal crown set upon his head (Est. 6:6-12). Eventually, Haman's plot against the Jews, and therefore against Esther herself, was exposed by Esther before the king at a banquet. The grace and favor of God towards Esther and the Jews appeared several times in the story of Esther, and worked for the deliverance of the Jews. The Torah and the Prophets reflect the grace of God, as I have mentioned in previous messages. The apostle Peter described the same royal apparel of Esther in regards to the believers in Christ: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood...a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (1 Pet. 2:5, 9-10). This royal people who believe in Christ as the chief cornerstone, are obedient to Him, and to His Word (v. 7-8). We saw this same obedience of a royal Esther to Mordecai's aleph-tav commandments to her (see above). Grace and mercy flowed as a result. Peter also wrote to the royal believers: "...abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (v. 11-12). Peter wrote that the lusts of the flesh war against your soul. There is a war going on, as the war of Haman against the people of God foretold. Scripture says that the devil has come down having great wrath against the people of God. Jesus said that the days before His return will be like the days of Noah. We must be prepared to enter the Ark provided by God, clothed in our royal apparel. Peter also wrote that we were to have the grace and peace of God multiplied to us, the righteousness of God (not our own), as well as all things that pertain to life and godliness, these exceeding great and precious promises, through the knowledge of God and Jesus. We attain this knowledge through His Word. In this same knowledge is our escape from "the corruption that is in the world through lust...give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:1-11). An entrance is made for us, in the same way that an entrance was given to Esther by the king's grace and favor, and the royal sceptre was extended to her. Our royal apparel was described by the apostle Paul: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places...Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perserverance and supplication for all saints." (Eph. 6:10-18). Our enemies, like Haman who sought to destroy all life, are spiritual powers, and our armor and royal apparel is spiritual, including truth, the righteousness of God through Christ, the ministry of the Gospel to all, our faith which is the faith of the Son of God, our salvation, a gift to us by grace, and the Word of God, which establishes all of the above. Not forgetting, the prayers, supplications, including repentance, for all of the saints, just as the Jews of Persia interceded before God, and received His miraculous deliverance. We need our royal apparel today more than ever as we see the wickedness of Haman increasing around us. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 3/12/23 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook. You can also get a free ebook titled "The Shroud of Turin- A Perfect Summary" at www.TheShroudofTurin.org/freebook.

Foundations Forgotten, Abandoned, and Attacked*

There is a scripture in the Psalms that says, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Ps. 11:3). This destruction of the foundations is what is happening today, and there are consequences to the people of God as a result. Moses set the commandments of God as the foundation for living upon the land, and prospering: "All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years...that he make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live...Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him...Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God...Lest when thou hast eaten and art full...Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God...and thou say in thine heart, My power, and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day...if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish... ". (Deut. 8:1-20, excerpt). This is a warning to us. We took prayer out of schools, and the Ten Commandments out of courthouses based on the lie that these things were unconstitutional, and based on lawsuits filed by offended atheists. The Gospel of Jesus is an offense to those who prefer to perish themselves, and to see others perishalso . Our national condition declined as we capitulated to those who advocated racial eugenics, including Margaret Sanger, who sought to establish abortion targeting minority communities. The people of God remained quiet and didn't do enough, and now we have not only forgotten the Godly foundations, but there is an active attack against those foundations. There are even groups like the 'The Christian Nationalists' that claim to be Christians, that speak against the Jewish people. They and other so-called Christians are adopting the doctrines of ungodly racial hatred. After Moses died, the LORD passed on the same commands to the new leader of the children of Israel, Joshua: "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law...turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Josh. 1:7-9). Courage, strength and obedience are required to remain standing on the foundation of God. There are consequences to forgetting the Godly foundations: "Because my people hath forgotten me,...and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths...to make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing...I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity." (Jer. 18:15-17). They even began devising ways to shut up the prophet Jeremiah from speaking the true Word of the LORD, preferring the ineffectual and compromising priesthood to continue to minister and advise them instead (v. 18). The religious leaders plotted against Jesus in the same manner when He taught truth. Later, Jeremiah revealed the Word of the LORD, describing the people as "lost sheep", coming and crying to the LORD, seeking the way to Zion, determining once again to join themselves to His perpetual covenant. They had become lost because their shepherds had caused them to go astray: "...they have forgotten their resting place." (Jer. 50:4-6). The foundations of God are the resting place of His people. Because they had forgotten God: "All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers." (v. 7). Those who came against these "lost sheep" felt justified in doing so, because, in their eyes, these lost sheep deserved the consequences for forgetting and sinning against God! There is an alarm to be sounded, and not silence to be kept, as we see the foundations being forgotten, abandoned and attacked. The prophet Hosea wrote: "Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law...Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him...I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing...now will he (the LORD) remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt. For Israel hath forgotten his Maker...but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof." (Hos. 8:1-4, 12-14). As the people of God forgot their foundation in God, the enemy pursued them. Hosea also spoke of how the people of God used their gold and silver to make idols. They created gods out of their wealth. Jesus also warned "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Lk. 12:15). Then Jesus told the parable of the rich man whose ground had brought forth plentifully. He abounded so much, that he planned to tear down his old barn as being too small, and build greater to store all of his bounty, saying, "...there I will bestow all my fruits and goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." (v. 16-19). However, he would not be enjoying all of his accumulations for years, as he had thought, because the God said to him, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" Jesus said, "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God." (v. 20-21). The accumulation of wealth in covetousness will draw God's people away from His foundation. Churches have become businesses, and accumulators of wealth. However, it is the foundations of God that give life and prosperity, and save the soul, as Moses and Joshua were told, and not hoarded wealth. Before Stphen was martyred for his faith in Christ, he reminded the assembled crowd about to kill him of their rebellious history with God, and His foundations. He told them that even though Moses prophesied of One that would be sent by God, they ignored the prophecy and rejected Jesus, their Messiah. In the same way, even though Moses miraculously received "the lively oracles" from God on Mt. Sinai to give to their fathers, "...our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt..." (Act 7:37-39). Stephen reminded those around him how their fathers had demanded that Aaron make them a calf, and then offered sacrifices to it (v. 40-41). God then gave them up to worship all sorts of false and even demonic gods. They rejected the worship and the tabernacle patterned after heaven, and instead chose to worship the profane things of the world (v. 42-44). Because they were continuing in this same rebellious spirit against the foundations of God, Stephen told them, "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye...who have received the law by the dispensation of angels, and have not kept it." (v. 51, 53). They showed this same spirit that persecuted the prophets when the Just One came "of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers." (v. 52). Before his death, Stephen, by the Holy Spirit, gave this indictment of the abandonment and attack against the foundation of God by their fathers, and now by themselves, the ones who rejected Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter wrote to the Church in order to stir up their remembrance of their pure minds of the words which had been spoken previously by the prophets, and now, by the commandments of the apostles of our Savior. (2 Pet. 3:1-2, see also 2 Peter 1). There will be those in the last days, Peter said, who will willingly forget that promise of God of His Son's return, and the judgment that awaits those who have rejected the knowledge of God. They do so because they prefer to walk in their own lusts. They scoff at the foundations of God, which is truth (v. 3-5). Peter then wrote that although God is patient with men, giving them time and every opportunity to repent so they may be saved rather than condemned, the judgment by melting fire, which is the day of the Lord, will surely come as promised. He asked then, "...what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?" (v. 8-11). How can we say that the foundations have not been forgotten when each day brings a news report of another act of mindless violence and ungodliness? As His people, we are not tp forget the foundations that have been given to us by God through His Word and His Son so that we may live and prosper. God does not desire to see anyone got to Hell, but to be saved from destruction. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 10/16/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook.

A House Divided*

I grow concerned that because of the machinations of the enemy, we, the church, are becoming a house divided. Unbelievers are taking the Word of God in their mouths, and misusing it for their own plans, saying things like, "If you are a Christian, then you should be supporting the law recognizing abortion as 'a woman's right to choose'", as well as persecuting believers for not observing other laws enacted that contradict God's Word. The Word of God is not to be used to further men's agendas, but it is to be regarded as truth directed by the Holy Spirit to shine light upon men: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:19-21). Today we see men misusing the Word as a bludgeon against the church. The misuse of the Word of God, whether by believers or unbelievers, causes division. Unbelief concerning the Word also causes division. Jesus sent His disciples out with specific commands: "And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils..." (Mk. 3:13-19, excerpt). Why isn't the church walking in this? It is because of doubt and unbelief, which also cause divisions within the church, as the church debates whether miracles are still for today. Even His own friends tried to lay hold of Jesus, saying "He is beside himself" (v. 21). Our own friends and family can be opposed to our born-again, Spirit-filled faith, and our obedience to the Word of God. As Jesus worked miracles, religious experts called scribes, who transcribed and taught the Word of God, accused Jesus of casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils! (v. 22). Jesus asked those critics how Satan could cast out Satan? He said: "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end." (v. 24-26). Jesus warned that although many blasphemies may be forgiven, this kind of blasphemy, the attribution of the power and work of the Holy Spirit to that of Satan, is a blasphmemy that cannot be forgiven: "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation." (v. 29). We have a perfect example in scripture of Satan using the Word of God incorrectly and inaccurately to deceive, just as he did to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, in order to divide man from God, and each other. Satan did so again in trying to tempt even Jesus to abandon His purpose by quoting scripture inappropriately. The Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness in order to be tempted. Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and nights (Mt. 4:1-2). The Tempter came to Jesus in His hunger and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." Having been led by the Holy Spirit to fast for this time, Jesus gave this answer to that temptation: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (v. 3-4). Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city and set Him upon the pinnacle of the temple, and instructed Him to cast Himself down from it. The devil assured Jesus that by the promise he quoted in the Word of God (Ps. 91:11-12), no harm could come to Jesus. Jesus spoke of a commandment of God that truly and more perfectly applied to this temptation: "It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the LORD thy God." (v. 6-7). Finally, the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth, and their glory, promising that he would give them to Jesus "...if thou wilt fall down and worship me." (v. 8-9). Jesus answered, "Get thee hence, Satan,: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the LORD thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (v. 10). At that point, the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Jesus. Does the church recognize when the devil, or men, twist the scriptures for their own purposes (2 Peter 3:16)? This is a source of division in the church. Not only is this a question of rightly discerning and applying the scriptures, but it is also an issue that is affected by character. Jesus taught of a spiritual character that would keep us in the righteous mind and Spirit of God, which is necessary to stand against these kinds of temptations. These spiritual qualities are called The Beatitudes (Mt. 5:1-12), and they include a blessing for those "which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Jesus also spoke about the merciful, and the peacemakers, the humble and the pure in heart. Especially in these times, when the attack of division has come so strongly against the church, we should seek these spiritual qualities that Jesus considered important for His disciples. Following the teaching of The Beatitudes, Jesus then described believers in Him as being the salt of the earth, and the light of the world (Mt. 5:13-16). He pointed out, however, that if we as salt have lost our savor, or if we as light, have failed to shine that light of good works before men, then the salt becomes "good for nothing", and the Father is not glorified. We do these works of salt and light understanding that men will scorn and even persecute us because of it, but Jesus also said, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Mt. 5:10-12). Having prepared His disciples in all of these things, Jesus called the twelve to him and "he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." (Mt. 10:1). Jesus sent them to the lost sheep of Israel, as it was not yet the time to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles or the Samaritans (v. 5-6). "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of God is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." (v. 7-8). The disciples were to leave their peace with those cities and households that would hear and receive them. They were to let their peace return to them from those places that would not receive them, even shaking the dust from their feet as they leave those places (v. 11-14). Jesus spoke concerning any city that did not receive the Gospel that the disciples would bring: "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (v. 15-16). Jesus warned them, "...but beware of men". Men, and the systems of men, would hurt them, accuse them, and judge them, He said (v. 17-18). On those occasions, they were to speak as the Holy Spirit would give them the words to speak, not relying on their own pre-planned words: "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." (v. 19-20). We can see how the anointed leading of the Holy Spirit putting the words in our mouths is what is needed today more than ever. The division in the church comes not only from the world's twisting of the Word of God for their own purposes against the church, but also words spoken within the church of believers that are not directed by the Holy Spirit. Some speak against other believers who are not like themselves, and conclude that they are not saved. These are also not the words spoken out of the humble, righteous and pure hearts of The Beatitudes, nor are they edifying words that are salt and light. All of these things lead us into the danger of becoming a house divided. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 10/3/21 message to the church. To contact us with a prayer request, a praise report, or to support the ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and at endtimeschool.com.

More End Time Knowledge*

 

We are going to look at the subject of the end times again, but this time, on a verse by verse basis. We will be studying the book of Second Peter, chapters 1 and 2 for this message.

At the beginning of this epistle, Peter identifies himself as an apostle. Peter makes clear that he has written to the Church, not as a believer in fables, but as an eyewitness to the majesty of Christ, and the voice of God from heaven proclaiming Him (2 Pet. 1:16-19). He is writing to those who have found faith in in the righteousness of God and Christ as Savior. He is addressing believers. He emphasizes the importance of growing in the knowledge of God. As their knowledge of God and Christ increases, grace and peace is multiplied to them as a result. The increase in knowledge of God is a growing and maturing process. All things pertaining to life and Godliness have already been provided to us through His divine power and through knowledge of Him. We have been called by nature of these things to glory and virtue (moral goodness and excellence, modesty, purity). We have been given great, precious promises including the partaking of God's divine nature. As receivers of His divinity, we have been given the escape out the corruption of the world that comes through lusts. Peter assured the Church that God knows how to deliver us from the temptations of the world around us (2 Pet. 2:9). In his letter to the Church, Peter is establishing what has taken place through our faith and through our growing knowledge of God and Christ. From the very beginning, Peter is emphasizing the difference between believers and the world as a result of this knowledge (see also Rom. 12:1-2).

Peter describes the progression of the divine nature of God and Christ in us in the transformation of our character, through diligence on our part, and its effect upon the fruitfulness and success of our Christian walk. Without this growth and progression, a believer cannot see ahead, and loses the knowledge of what he has been delivered from-his old nature, and sin. This is the progression in our growth in the knowledge of God:

faith--->virtue--->knowledge--->temperance (self control, self governance)--->patience--->godliness--->brotherly kindness--->charity/love



In the book of Ephesians, Paul also taught the goal of growing in the knowledge of God into the perfect man, which is the fullness of Christ. Paul goes on to say:

"...put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."   Eph. 4:22-24

These principles are directly related to end time conditions. Peter warned that because of covetousness, false prophets and false teachers come among us, the Church (2 Pet. 2:1-3). They teach false doctrines because of covetousness, to gain wealth from those who are deceived. In teaching about the signs of the end times, and His return, Jesus also warned about false prophets who would deceive many:

"And many false prophets shall rise, and deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."   Mt. 24:11-14

For the first time in history, the gospel has been carried to almost every nation on earth. Iniquity abounds through the same deception of which Jesus spoke. Many have turned from their faith. False prophets and teachers have told the Church that sin no longer matters, and they teach a false love. The love they teach is not a sacrificial love that saves, as is the love of God and Christ, but license masquerading as love that endorses sin leading to death. These are all confirming signs of the end times that we see today.

Peter opened his letter to the Church reminding believers of the purpose and privilege of God in Christ to elevate us into His divine nature: to achieve glory and virtue, to escape the corruption of the lusts of the world, and to walk in the divine nature of righteousness and true holiness in Christ. He was confronting the false teachings of his day that denied the importance of morality, and falsely taught that the gift of grace through Christ allowed men to live in whatever manner pleased them. They taught that Christians did not have to follow the Ten Commandments. In the first and second centuries of Peter's time, this was called Gnosticism, and later, Antinomianism. Scripture clearly refutes this falsehood (Rom. 3:31, 6:1-2, 15-16). As with all scripture, Peter's warnings are as relevant today as they were then. These false doctrines, and their false prophets and teachers still exist today in these end times as Jesus prophesied, and as we can all see.

Peter assured the Church then, and today, that judgment is sure to follow those who teach, believe, and practice these lies that corrupt. God did not spare the angels that embraced the lies. He did not spare the old world of Noah, which He destroyed by flood. Nor did He spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha, which He destroyed by fire (2 Pet. 2:4-6). Only the righteous men, Noah and Lot, who was considered righteous because he was distressed by the wicked behavior around him, were spared in the midst of the destruction. Jesus said that in the day of His appearing, the days on earth would be the same as in the days of Noah, and also Sodom and Gomorrha, with men going about their lives until the moment that judgment hits (Lk. 17:26-30). But the judgment did come.

This wickedness being taught and practiced, and the manifesting of unclean, unnatural and reprobate behaviors as a result, arises from men who refuse to retain God in their knowledge, even though they know that their sinful behavior is worthy of death, and subject to the judgment of God (Rom. 1:24-32). They have knowledge of God because He and His works have been revealed to them, and so they are without excuse (v. 19-20). Because of this, the word of God says:

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."  Rom. 1:18

As Paul describes them, they call sin, righteousness, and the truth of God, unrighteousness. This is exactly what we are seeing today. In the face of false prophets and teachers, Jesus has warned, Peter has warned, and Paul has warned about disregarding the knowledge of God. 

The people of God, instead, are to grow in knowledge of Him, and of His truth. We are purposed to share in the divine nature of God, having been called to glory and virtue.

*The above is based upon the 1/13 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.