Your Calling

Baptism Series #1

Fred Coulter—December 15, 2002

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Just recently back in New York they had two profound meetings. It was a gathering of all the major religious leaders in New York. They came there from around the world to try and figure out a way how they can bring all the religions together, and use the religions as a bridge to help bring peace, and to work with governments so that there can be peace brought to the world. Then they had the meeting of all the government leaders in which they are planning to make the United Nations the big world government. They know at the present time they can't do it as quickly as they would like, but one comment that our infamous President 'Billhilm' Clinton made was that, he says, 'It's time for the United Nations not to stand between, but it's time for them to take a stand'—meaning a full fledged military government that can intervene whenever it desires to enforce its will.

Then I read the declaration that they had there and I'll just summarize some of the things that were there. They said that the UN Charter is inspiring all peoples of all nations. I never knew that. They said that they want to bring all the underdeveloped nations so that they can be developed and share in the wealth, which means communism—we'll take it from the rich and give it to the poor. Bill Clinton said that in that one room—the UN General Assembly—where there were the leaders from the governments of this world; where they could, if they set their minds to it, to bring peace to this world. You had all the great people there.

Here is what they do. This is exactly what they were planning here, Psalm 2:1: "Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain?" That's what they are doing; this is a vain thing because every proposal they have there to bring peace to the world, to share the wealth for the world is part of the plan of antichrist, meaning someone who takes the place of Christ, meaning that they are going against Christ and being in His stead. I'm sure that all of those gathered there in New York didn't say to themselves, 'Oh, we're here as antichrists.' But that's precisely what they were there for, both the religionists and the governments.

Verse 2: "The kings of the earth set themselves... [That's what they're going to try and do. Not only will they try and do, they will do.] ...and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD, and against His Christ..." 

All of their proposals are to do what Christ alone can do. They want to give the blessings that only God can give by taking it away from Israel and giving it to the poor and let them live in their sins. You cannot live in your sins and receive the blessing of God; but that's exactly what they are proposing to do. God does not save us in our sins; He saves us from our sins, and that's what is so important to understand.

"...saying, 'Let us break Their bands asunder... [That is, do away with anything having to do with Jesus Christ and God the Father.] ...and cast away Their cords from us" (vs 2-3). We're going to do this ourselves.

Brethren, this has an awful lot to do with us because we are the replacements for them. Did you know that? God has not called you just to be a good person in this world, though you should be. God has not called you to succeed as a famous person in this world. God has called you because, as it is with all of us, we're the opposite of that.

Let's go to 1-Corinthians 1 and let's see that. When we're done with this study, we are going to see that God is the One Who is going to place us there. Our calling is greater and bigger and more awesome and more fantastic than we have ever supposed! We have heard it in the past but I think a lot of it has been like Job where when he was finally confronted with the reality of himself, he said to God, 'I've heard of You with the hearing of the ears but now my eye sees You.' I want to see if we can grasp and understand with the understanding that God gives us the great calling that God has called us to. And God is doing it in a way that's different than men would do it.

When you're running a company and you want the company to be successful, you reach out and you look for the best-qualified person—don't you?

• You look for the one who has the right education.
• You look for the one who has a success.
• You look for one who is diligent
• You look for one who has applied himself or herself.

And if you can get someone who's super rich that has the connections, he may be able to really make your company be successful.

Satan likes to call the strong, the intelligent, the wise, the beautiful, the handsome, and then give them the world. God calls us because we're rejected of the world and God is doing something entirely different: in a different way, in a different manner. God is doing what man would say is impossible. Would you want to start a new company by hiring those who

• are failures?
• are sinners?
• are morally derelict?
• maybe have a police record?
• really doesn't know how to work?
• really doesn't know how to present himself?

No, you wouldn't do that! But that's what God is doing. God is doing it contrary to the way the world does it.

Let's pick it up here, 1-Corinthians 1:18: "For to those who are perishing, the preaching of the cross is foolishness... [Paul is going to do the things that look foolish to the world] ... but to us who arebeing saved..."—showing that salvation is a process.

Let's go to 1-Corinthians. 15 for just a minute, because the question came up earlier: Could you lose your salvation? The answer is: If you turn your back on Christ, yes you can, no doubt about it!

• you are saved when you are called and you are baptized
• you are saved from Satan the devil and your sins
• You are being saved as the Apostle Paul writes here

1-Corinthians 15:1: "Now I am declaring to you, brethren, the same Gospel that I proclaimed to you, which you also received, and in which you are now standing; By which you are also being saved..." (vs 1-2) Present tense passive participle—you are being saved. In this case it's a verb. The other one is who are being saved—which is a participle. It's a present tense passive noun in the Greek.

"...if... [Here's that nasty little word. The if is never on God. Why? Because God is perfect! He has given us the choice.] ...if you are holding fast [keep in memory] …the words that I proclaimed [preached] to you; otherwise you have believed in vain" (v 2). I bet that's in the New International Version, too.

"…you are also being saved, if you stand in the Gospel which was preached… [you have to remain in it] ...and if you keep in memory what I have preached unto you, unless you believe in vain."[paraphrase of the previous verse].

We can apply that to a lot of people that we've known—right? Yes, we can! Are there people who are not standing in it? Are there people who have forgotten the commandment, which says, 'remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it Holy?' Yes, there are! We are to stand in those things as He said in 1-Cor. 15; but here again we have something else that we stand in, which is very important for us to realize.

Romans 5:1: "Therefore, having been justified by faith..." We believe that we are justified by faith. We keep the commandments because God commands us to; and we keep them because no sinner is going to enter into the Kingdom of God living in sin. He's called us out of our sins; forgiven us our sins; saved us from our sins. We are not to live in sin nor will God save us in sin but we are justified by faith because we believe in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

"...we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Whom we also have access by faith into this grace..." (vs 1-2). The grace of God which covers you like an umbrella from which comes:

• the love of God
• the hope of God
• the faith of God
• the redemption
• the sanctification to Holiness
• the Spirit of God

All of those things are the gift of God, which comes as the gift of grace—and we need every bit of it, no question about it.

"...in which we stand... [There again, we have to stand and I think it's about time that we all really start standing for God. Every one of us in everything that we do.] ... and we ourselves boast in the hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also boast in tribulations, realizing that tribulation brings forth endurance. And endurance brings forth character...." (v 2-4).

I think all of us can say with one voice, we have some experience—haven't we? Have we learned from that experience? Yes! Has that come from trials? Yes! That's very important because living in this world, we're always going to have trials, even have our own household is against us.

Matt. 10 says that very clearly that 'the one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. He that loves his wife more than me is not worthy of Me'—and so forth. That's all part of it, whatever our difficulty is. We're so filled with weakness, as we're going to find out, the only way we're going to stand is by grace. When you come to the Feast of Tabernacles and you look at our motley crew—and it is a motley crew—of the rejects, the cast-asides, the elderly, the gimpy, the sick and all of those things, is God pleased in it? Yes, He is, very pleased! We'll see why; we'll understand why. He's very pleased!

Verse 5: "And the hope of God never makes us ashamed because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, which has been given to us." So, having the love of God and His Spirit is the most important thing. You can be the smartest, you can be the richest, you can be the most powerful, you can be the most handsome, the most beautiful, the most perfect specimen of flesh and unless you have the Holy Spirit of God, you're nothing. That's amazing!

Let's come back here to 1-Corinthians 1:18: "…but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God…. [That's how we're going to make it into the Kingdom of God, brethren. 'Not by might, not by strength, but by My power,' says the Lord; 'by My Spirit.'] …For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise..." (vs 18-19). Isn't that something? Everything that these men have thought of, but especially all of the foolish doctrines about the nature of God and philosophy and the meaning of life.

He's going to "'…destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will nullify the understanding of those who understand' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age?.… [All you have to do is turn on and watch Larry King Live. You can see them. Put on CSPAN, you can see them. Go to the United Nations channel, you can see them.] ...Did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world?... [And the final test is coming with the whole United Nations thing, and God is going to show that's not going to work.] ...For since in the wisdom of God the world through its own wisdom did not know God..." (vs 19-21).

What happens when the world does that? What happens when a person or the leaders or the wise or a society does not know God? The most important thing is to know God. Let's see what happens, because God is far more involved in this world than we would suspect. And here is how God brings all of this to nothing. Where's the civilization of ancient Greece? Gone! Where's the civilization of ancient Egypt? Gone! Babylon? Gone! Let's try some modern ones: The Soviet Union? Gone, all gone! Why?

Romans 1:18: "Indeed, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven upon all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Where are all the wise that now look at the original text of the Bible and say, 'Oh, no, we've got to remove this and we have to remove that and we have to take away this and we have to get rid of the other thing.'

When I was a cook, when we were out of anything—and if you are ever in a restaurant and you hear the cook tell the waitress 86, what you ordered, they don't have. That means we're out. So, what they've done is they've 86'd God. They've taken Him out of all the books, all the teaching, all the classrooms, and now they're actively teaching witchcraft! Verse 19: "Because that which may be known of God is manifest among them, for God has manifested it to them."

When God shows you something, does He hold you responsible for it? Yes, indeed! I imagine there are going to be a lot of people who are going to say, 'God, You never told me.' Christ is going to say, 'Did you have a Bible in your house?' Well, of course, everyone has a Bible in their house. 'Did you read it?' No! 'Well, I was responsible for making it get to your house for you to read.' But my Aunt Martha gave it to me. 'It doesn't matter who the messenger was; I sent it.' Without excuse!

Verse 20: "For the invisible things of Him are perceived from the creation of the world, being understood by the things that were made—both His eternal power and Godhead—so that they are without excuse; because when they knew God... [There's a penalty that happens when you know God and you reject Him.] ...they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but they became vain in their own reasonings..." (vs 20-21).

Are they not doing that with what they know about the genetics today? Yes, they are! I think they are going to clone people, or already have. I think they're going to create robots that will look like human beings that will be just computers—didn't glorify God, became vain in their imaginations.

 "...and their foolish heart was darkened.… [But they said they were enlightened, the darkness that comes from Satan; he says is a light but it's darkness.] ...While professing themselves to be the wise ones, they became fools... [Oh yes, how wise they are. They set up their colleges, their institutions, their think tanks, give each other certificates and awards and money and things like this. Oh, it's amazing—isn't it?] ...and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed creatures, and creeping things. For this cause, God also abandoned them to uncleanness..." (vs 21-24).

There comes a point where God intervenes in the lives of people and societies to turn them over to it and I think we are right here or maybe even past that. What does it always affect first? It affects first the sexual lives! This is why there was evolution. This is why they rejected the things that were in the Bible even when the Anglican Church in England in the 19th century was still teaching some of the Word of God. Aldous Huxley who was one of the founders of the United Nation's has said that we had an erotic revolution. We wanted no restraints, nothing concerning God, that we would be free and at liberty to do whatever we chose to do.

At that point, what does God do? Verse 24: "For this cause, God also abandoned them to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to disgrace their own bodies between themselves. Who exchanged the Truth of God for the lie; and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the One Who is Creator, Who is blessed into the ages. Amen…. [worship the created can be anything—a person, a movement, an organization, an institution] …For this cause, God abandoned them to disgraceful passions; for even their women changed the natural use of sex into that which is contrary to nature; and in the same manner also the men, having left the natural use of sex with the woman, were inflamed in their lustful passions toward one another—men with men shamelessly committing lewd acts, and receiving back within themselves a fitting penalty for their error" (vs 24-27). It's going through the whole world. It's called AIDS. It affects many people.

Verse 28: "And in exact proportion as they did not consent to have God in their knowledge, God abandoned them to a reprobate mind, to practice those things that are immoral." So, we have one, two, three times God gives them over. The fourth time you find in 2-Thess. 2: '...because they did not love of the Truth, but loved a lie, He gives them over to strong delusion.' Now, living in a world like that will tell you how hard we have to fight to hold onto the Truth. Then you can just read the rest of it, but all you're doing is watching nightly news. The world thinks it's wise in their wisdom. 'We don't need to know God.' No!

1-Corinthians 1:21: "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its own wisdom did not know God, it pleased God to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching." With God's Spirit he's doing many other things than just what is done in preaching. Something happens on the Sabbath when we come on the Sabbath Day, and it happens in such a way that it's not like any other day because the Sabbath is a day which God has appointed for us to fellowship with Him. And we fellowship with Him how?

• by studying His Word
• by fellowshipping with each other
• and fellowshipping with Him with His Spirit
• in obedience to Him
• in grace that He gives to us

Sabbath-keeping is part of grace, by the way, because you establish law through grace. It's very profound. This world has it all upside down, absolutely upside down, and we look foolish. Here we are, this small little group, and to some people that would be very foolish. But if it's the preaching of the Word of God to save them that believe, then it's serving an eternal purpose.

Verse 22; "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; But we proclaim Christ crucified. To the Jews it is a cause of offense, and to the Greeks it is foolishness. But to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God's power and God's wisdom" (vs 22-24). We are in a category where God then gives us His strength and His power rather than being turned over to our own devices. The worst thing in the world you could ever do is just turn a person over to their own devices and then let Satan loose on them and then they become totally corrupt.

Now, v 25: "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men... [Men count the Gospel but foolishness, so that's why he says it because there's no foolishness with God.] ...and the weakness of God is stronger than men"—if there be any weakness with God. But His weakness is what? He has mercy! That is not weakness, that is a strength. The world would count that weakness so that's why Paul brings it out here. Mercy is stronger than that.

Verse 26—here's the whole key: "For you see your calling, brethren, that there are not many who are wise according to the flesh, not many who are powerful, not many who are high-born among you." We can put in there probably zip. I think he's being kind here in writing it this way, though there are some. But how many governors or senators, either at the state level, national level, how many city councilmen, how many public officials, county counselors or supervisors do we have in the Church? None! How many have received the Nobel Peace Prize for intelligence? None! A lot of us would be lucky to have a GED.

Verse 27: "Rather, God has chosen the foolish things of the world... [If someone says you're foolish and they're in the world, agree with them because it's true. But God doesn't expect us to remain that way.] ...so that He might put to shame those who are wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world so that He might put to shame the strong things. And the low-born of the world, and the despised has God chosen—even the things that are counted as nothing—in order that He might bring to nothing the things that are" (vs 27-28)—that which is counted as nothing!

If the world doesn't recognize you or know you, don't worry about it. That's why God called you. If you're down and out and depressed and problems come along like that, and people seem to shun you, push you aside, don't worry about it. That's why God has called you! For what purpose? To bring to nothing the things that are! That's your calling. That's an impossible thing that God is doing, and how he's doing it is through the process of conversion and growth and overcoming and knowledge, and building the character of Christ in us. Now, let's come to Ephesians 2 and let's see that. It's quite a thing that God is doing. And the world can't see it being done. Why? It's being done in your heart and in your mind!

Ephesians 2:8; "For by grace you have been saved..." In the Greek it means having been saved from Satan and your sins. So we've seen

• having been saved (past tense)
• are being saved (present tense)

and in Rom. 5 it says we

• shall be saved (future tense)

—which is when? At the resurrection! Those are the three stages of salvation.

Verse 8: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this especially is not of your own selves..." You can't originate it from within. And this is where Protestantism never gets it. They quote this Scripture and turn around and do precisely the opposite by saying that you don't have to keep the commandments and whatever you feel is right with God. So, if whatever you feel is right with God, then whatever you do is from yourself. Do you understand that?

"...and that not of yourselves... [the Greek there it comes from the word 'ek' which means out or from yourself] ...it is the gift of God. Not of works, so that no one may boast.... [But with ones that God has called there's not too much boasting that we can do—is there? No!] (here's how God is going to do this—the impossible, unseen work of God, if you want to put it that way): ...For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto the good works... [All commandment-keeping constitutes good works. So does love, faith, hope and self-control—all the fruits of the Spirit.] ...that God ordained beforehand in order that we might walk in them" (vs 8-10).

Why did God do this? 1-Corinthians 1:29: "So that no flesh might glory in His presence…. [Stop and think about what if Job was really right? As I mentioned many times, when I first read the book of Job, I thought God was wrong. I really, really did. Job could get up there and say, 'I made it myself.' No, he's going to say 'By the grace of God I made it.'] ...But you are of Him in Christ Jesus, Who was made to us wisdom from God—..." (vs 29-30). This where we receive the power and strength to overcome. This is where we change from being

• the foolish things
• the weak things
• the base things
• the despised things
• that which is not

This is where that is changed internally as you develop the character of Christ:

• through His love
• through His laws
• through his word
• through fellowshipping with God
• and all of that

Verse 30: "But you are of Him in Christ Jesus, Who was made to us wisdom from God—even righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." Which then you can add to v 24 where he says: "…God's power and God's wisdom."

The more you know the Bible, the more you understand the Scriptures, the more the wisdom of God you have; because all Scripture is given by inspiration of God—isn't that amazing? That is really quite a thing that God is doing!

Verse 31: "So that, as it is written, 'The one who glories, let him glory in the Lord.'" Not in the self. It's all going to be praise and honor and glory to God. It's not going to come from us. I tell you what, through grace we're all going to make it by the skin of our teeth.

Let's see why God has chosen to do it this way. Here's why God does that, 2-Corinthians 12:8: "I besought the Lord three times for this, that it might depart from me." What God did, it says Paul had a messenger of Satan to buffet him, so that means an angel of Satan to buffet him. What for? To keep him humble, because he was one of the wise, he was one of the mighty. And he was taught personally of Christ.

Sometimes God gives us something or a weakness. Let's just understand this, I've learned in all the years of being a minister that God leaves every one of us with a weakness or two that He does not take away from us. Other things He helps us overcome and take away from us. There is always one or two things. It could be lifelong problems. Why? For the very purpose that we won't glory in the flesh; that we look to Him for salvation, we look to Him to help us to overcome.

Paul besought the Lord three times that it might depart from him, v 9: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you; for My power is made perfect in weakness.'.... [That's why God has called us, and all those that He has, in the condition that we read there in 1-Cor. 1.] ...My power is made perfect in weakness.… [When you're weak and know that you're weak. What are you going to do? You're going to cry out to God! Then you will have the strength of God.] ...Therefore, most gladly will I boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ may dwell in me." That's why God has done it.

Let's understand something that Paul said here: what man really is. You wouldn't be able to tell this to the Olympic stars down there winning all these races and gold medals, because they think they're the greatest.

Galatians 6:3: "For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself." The first time I read this before I was baptized, I read it this way, For if a man think of himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself, however if he's really something he doesn't deceive himself. How's that for a little vanity? What it's saying is that man is nothing. You couldn't convince all those athletes down there that man is nothing.

Let's see what God is going to do. He's going to do something in addition to that that's profound. What I want you to do is to think about what God has blessed you with the knowledge that He's given you of His Word; and I want you to think about that is all a part of your education and training to rule the world. I want you do understand that.

1-Corinthians 2:1: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with superiority of speech or wisdom, in proclaiming the testimony of God to you. For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was in weakness and in fear and in much trembling when I was with you; and my message and my preaching was not in persuasive words of human wisdom; rather, it was in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; so that your faith might not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (vs 1-5). That's where it needs to be. That's why God has called us in this weak condition that we are in; so that we have faith which is the power of God.

Verse 5: "So that your faith might not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Now we speak wisdom among the spiritually mature; however, it is not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing" (vs 5-6).

Can you imagine what would happen? Try and picture this scenario: Here are all these world leaders back there at the United Nations General Assembly hall, they're to come together to solve the problems of the world and they are the wealthy, the important. They are the powerful. They are the shakers. They are the movers. They could command and a missile of destruction could be sent. Can you imagine if someone went up there and got in the pulpit and said, 'All you rulers of the world are coming to nothing, God says so'? I think that's about all you could get out before the security guards would be up there to take you away and all of those out in the audience would be in the greatest, biggest huff in the world—'Look at this kook, who does he think he is?' You could almost write the script for it. Yes! That would happen. But they're coming to nothing.

Verse 7: "Rather, we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom that God foreordained before the ages unto our glory Which not one of the rulers of this world has known (for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory)…" (vs 7-8). Here is the tremendous and fantastic thing, brethren. And this is for us to really understand and realize.

Track 2 or Download

Verse 9: "But according as it is written, 'The eye has not seen, nor the ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." That's why the love of God is so important. That's why that has to be stressed first. You may be weak. You may be nothing. You may be sick. You may be old. You may have emotional problems, depression problems. You may have job problems. You may have all of those things. But if you love God, you have the greatest secret in the world, if you know His plan. We at the end-time know it probably with greater understanding than at any time in the whole history of the Church. That's something!

"...which God has prepared for those who love Him.… [Even at that we're going to see a little later that it's like looking through a glass darkly.] …But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things—even the deep things of God…. [That's one thing I desire to understand. I desire with all my heart to understand the deep things of God that are in the Bible.] …For who among men understands the things of man except by the spirit of man which is in him? In the same way also, the things of God no one understands except by the Spirit of God…. (vs 9-11).

To count the blessing of the Spirit of God is a tremendous and wonderful thing, and you have been sealed with the Spirit of God. You have been given understanding through the Spirit of God, through the Word of God.

Verse 12: "Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is of God, so that we might know the things graciously given to us by God; Which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Holy Spirit in order to communicate spiritual things by spiritual means" (vs 12-13). Then he says the carnal man, the natural man, can't understand it. They just can't understand it.

Let's understand that we are sealedto where you have been brought into the knowledge and understanding of the secret purpose of God! Think of that! What if you—wherever you may live—said, 'Okay, I'm going to run a survey, and I'm going to go up to every person that I meet walking down the sidewalk and I'm going to say, I'm doing a survey, would you just answer one question? What is God's purpose?' And I don't think there would be anyone who could tell you. When you consider that God's purpose is unfolded through the Holy Days and through His Feasts, then that's why they are so great. That is fantastic! It's a marvelous thing that God has given His Feasts and given the understanding through them.

Ephesians 1:11: "Yes, in Him, in Whom we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestinated according to His purpose... [God has called you and chosen you, and in choosing you He has predestinated you] ...according to His purpose, Who is working out all things according to the counsel of His own will." This is why the daily model prayer is: Your will be done,not our will be done; because God's will is greater than our will and better than our will. Lots of times we try and complete God's will with our plans.

Abraham and Sarah tried that with Hagar, and you can't complete God's plans and purpose with carnal means. So, now we've been stuck with the Ishmaelites all through these years. That's something! You talk about actions having a long-term consequence. Wow!

"...according to the counsel of his will... [For what purpose?] …That we might be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in the Christ; in Whom you also trusted after hearing the Word of the Truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in Whom also, after believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory" (vs 11-14). We have been sealed, brethren—that's something—and for a purpose.

What is God's purpose that He is working out here? Let's look at some of the things that He tells us what his purpose is. Let's come to Matthew 25. This shows what it is, that we should be "…to the praise of His glory." What is it that we are going to do? That's why the Protestants can never know the purpose of God, because they don't keep the Sabbath or Holy Days. The Catholics can never know what it is in 'going to heaven.' Well, what do you do in heaven? At least the Catholics say you have a beatific vision. The Protestants can't tell you really because they don't know.

Here's what it's going to be, Matthew 25:14: "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man leaving the country, who called his own servants and delivered to them his property. Now, to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one; he gave to each one according to his own ability, and immediately left the country. Then the one who had received five talents went and traded with them, and made an additional five talents. In the same way also, the one who had received two talents also gained two others. But the one who had received the single talent went and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Now, after a long time, the lord of those servants came to take account with them…. [That's the Day of Judgment. There's a reckoning.] …Then the one who had received five talents came to him and brought an additional five talents, saying, 'Lord, You delivered five talents to me; see, I have gained five other talents besides them.' And his lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! Because you were faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'" (vs 14-21).

It shows in the parallel account there in Luke 19 he even defines it more. What is the joy of the Lord that they are going to enter into? Here it is, Luke 19:16: "And the first one came up, saying, 'Lord, your pound has produced ten pounds.' Then he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' And the second one came, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made five pounds'" (vs 17-18.) Then the one who didn't do what they should do didn't receive anything and were cast into the Lake of Fire.

Let's come to Revelation 2; it shows what we're going to do. This is what God has called us to do, Revelation 2:26: "And to the one who overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end, I will give authority over the nations... [Did He not say to the apostles that 'you will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel'? Yes, indeed!] ...and He shall shepherd them with an iron rod, as vessels of pottery are broken in pieces; as I have also received from My Father…" (vs 26-27). You're going to have to exercise that power

• with judgment
• with mercy
• with love
• with understanding
• but with full authority of God

Here's what God has called you to do, v 6: "Blessed and Holy is the one who has part in the first resurrection..."

Let's understand something: Blessed and Holy are words that apply to God—is that not correct? You will have an existence as God has an existence though not the same glory. That's a tremendous thing, brethren! And let me assure you that only those in the first resurrection are going to be in that category—please understand that. That's something! God has called us to the greatest thing if we can just grasp it.

Verse 6: "Blessed and Holy is the one who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." If you're reigning, you're ruling—correct? Yes!

Let's go back to Daniel 7. Let's see where that's even here in what we call the Old Testament. Here's what we're up against today. Daniel 7:25: "And he... [the 'little horn'] ...shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change the set times and the laws. And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and one-half time."

That's the antichrist. This is the one who's going to enforce the world government. And they will have on the international court—they're already working it up—hate crimes. If you preach against any religion, talk against any people, you have committed a hate crime and they can issue a warrant for you, say, in Israel. They can arrest you here in the United States. You have no rights. It supersedes all national law and you can be hauled before that court—just like that. That's how Matt. 10 is going to be fulfilled, that you're going to be brought before councils and kings and governors.

Verse 26: "But the judgment shall sit, and his dominion shall be taken away to be consumed and to be destroyed unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, Whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. And all kingdoms shall serve and obey Him" (vs 26-27). That's what God has called us to do. That is profound!

Something else more important than that, Revelation 3:8: "I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door... [This can be a door for preaching. It can also be a door of understanding, that we can have open to our understanding the deep things of God.] ...and no one has the power to shut it because you have a little strength... [God delights in that—doesn't He? That's why we're called in the condition that we are called.] ...and have kept My word... [That tells you the whole story right there.] ...and have not denied My name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who proclaim themselves to be Jews and are not, but do lie—behold, I will cause them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you" (vs 8-9).

Can you picture the great of the world coming before your feet to worship you? Take that little scenario I did about standing up before all those leaders and saying God is going to bring you to nothing. If they repented instantly they would bow down right there. Can you imagine that? You see 'no flesh will glory in His presence.' There it is right there and that's why God has called us in the weak condition that we are. You have a little strength.

Verse 10: "Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the time of temptation... [Which I showed was not the Tribulation, but the coming worship of the Beast before the Tribulation sets in. And the making of the idol unto the beast, which will be the female figure, the goddess, Gaia, called Mary, called the Virgin of Guadalupe, etc., all around.] ...which is about to come upon the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth…. [It's going to be a worldwide event.] …Behold, I am coming quickly; hold fast that which you have so that no one may take away your crown" (vs 10-11).

In other words, there are a lot of people out there trying to get you away from God. Trying to get you away from the Truth, trying to tell you it's not important; it's not relevant. 'Look how happy I am now that I'm not doing it any longer. I don't have any trials.' Well then, you haven't been called, because Paul said it's through 'much tribulation that we will enter into the Kingdom of God.' You can also understand this; if they say everything is perfect and sweet and lovely and nice now and 'I don't have any trials'; well, Satan is not after you at all right now—is he? No! There are more ways of looking at things. If you view it from the eyes of God it will be much different than it appears to other people.

The comment was made, going back to havebeen saved, are being saved and shall be saved, showing here that if you lose your crown you can lose salvation. You're not once saved, always saved. No man—that means no man—can take you out of the hand of God the Father and Christ, but you can refuse and take yourself out of His hand if you so choose to do so.

Verse 12: "The one who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from My God; and I will write upon him My new name. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (vs 12-13).

How are we going to accomplish this then? Are we taking any courses at all on how to rule the world? We're certainly not taking Future World Economics 101—are we? And we are certainly not taking How to Rule Over Five Cities 101—are we? But we are learning not only the law. The whole key in all of this, even that little bit that we are has to be lost in Christ. That's where the strength really comes from.

Here is the training program, right here, 1-Corinthians 13:1: "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love..." And it should be love because the Greek there is 'agape.' I think I finally figured out why some books have 'agape' translated as charity and others as love: Because of the committees that they had with the King James Version of the Bible. Charity is a Latin word for love, 'charitee'—so those who wanted to put a little sprinkling of Latin in there translated it charity. To us today, 'charity' means relief for the poor. But this should properly be translated love.

If you had all these accomplishments, just think what the world would think of you if you could speak every language in the world. And to top it off, you could even speak some angelic language, which they don't know anything about. Can you imagine how 'Bilhilm' Clinton would be exalted in his own eyes if he could do that—or any man?

"…but do not have love, I have become... [the word in the Greek as is not there] ...I have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal..." (v 1). Meaning just so much dissonance. Just like the clanging of bells with no meaning to it. Or another way to look at it is if you scrape something backward on a blackboard, you know the funny noise and creak that makes and what it does to your nervous system.

And here's what everyone wants, here's how you build a church. Was it built on prophecy? Verse 2: "If I have the gift of prophecy..." Yes! Do people want to know? Yes! I've got an article right here; look at this, from one of the tabloids, The World Weekly News:Experts Etiquette for the Second Coming of Christ: What You Should Say if you Meet Jesus in Person? How many prophecies have we had of the return of Christ? I'll do a little prophesying here, which is this: He's going to come at the set time that He has predetermined according to the schedule that God the Father has given Him!

At that time, it's going to be a time when men think he's never going to come. And that's why all religions will amalgamate because they will be convinced that Christ won't return. You have to do away with that factor even in the Protestant churches in order to get them to buy the one religion thing. Everyone wants prophecy.

Verse 2: "If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge... [knew everything there was to know] ...and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love..." Why, if you could remove mountains—I tell you what—if you got in a road rage and you were driving down the freeway, you'd say, 'God, drop that mountain on that guy behind me, he's too close to me.' You would use it destructively. But what is harder to move than a mountain? The carnal mind. Conversion is harder.

"...but do not have love I am nothing" (v 2). It's as if you don't exist, because love is what we are learning to do to rule the world. That's what it is. Because then, love is also the fulfilling of the law, so it fits in knowing and understanding the law. But you cannot understand the purpose of the laws of God unless you understand His love.

Verse 3: "And if I give away all my goods..." It says 'to feed the poor' (KJV), but in the Greek, it means you could even give it away for a good cause.

Recently there was a man who gave $80-million to the Smithsonian Institute. He had already given them $20-million before that and they really don't know what to do with the $80-million because they don't have the plan formulated to use the $20-million. What did it get him? Thirty seconds on national TV! Maybe he was sincere in doing it but if he doesn't love God, what good does it do?

"...and if I deliver up my body that I may be burned..." (v 3) You talk about self-sacrifice for a cause. Remember when the Buddha priests in Viet Nam, in protesting the Viet Nam War, would cover themselves with gasoline and sit there in a stoic, lotus position and then strike a match and burn themselves up.

"...but do not have love, I have gained nothing…. [Here's how we learn to rule in the Kingdom of God]: …Love is patient and is kind..." (vs 3-4). That way you'll have those you rule over wanting to do what they should do. This is the opposite of the bureaucracies of this world, especially the IRS. Can you imagine a WIRS, the World Internal Revenue Service, collecting taxes for the antichrist? Anything but longsuffering and kind! They don't even warn you. They just come and take everything you have.

"...love envies not..." (v 4). Whoever gets a reward in the Kingdom of God for this or that or the other thing—not like James and John. They even got their mother involved and said: Mom, can you talk to Jesus for us? What do you want, son? Well, ask if I can sit on his right hand and John over here can sit on his left hand. So, she went up to Christ and said, 'I desire something of you, Lord.' And He said, 'What is it?' She said, 'That these two, my sons, one to sit at Your right hand and one to sit at Your left hand.' And He said, 'Woman, you don't know what you're asking, for it's not Mine to give. The Father is going to give it to whom it belongs.' Then the other ten found out about it and had almost a knockdown, drag-out argument. They were mad.

Then Christ had to say, Matthew 20:24. "And after hearing this, the ten were indignant against the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the nations exercise lordship over them... ['katakurieuo'—hierarchy down like the Catholic Church] ...and the great ones... [religious leaders] ...exercise authority ['katexousiazo.'] over them. However, it shall not be this way among you; but whoever would become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever would be first among you, let him be your slave. Just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (vs 25-28). And they left from there. That's how we're learning to do it, by serving and helping right now. Do it in an attitude of love; not only just an attitude of love but have the love of God.

1-Corinthians 13:

• "…envies not..." (v 4). Not going to be lusting after things.
• "...does not brag about itself..." (4). That means it doesn't boast in itself.

'Why, I did this, let me tell you, way back when…'—sometimes we need to tell some of the stories but there are some people and all they can do is talk about themselves. Who do they love then? Themselves! You try this; next time Larry King Live has on one of these movie stars or something, you watch how they vaunt themselves.

• "...is not puffed up. Love does not behave disgracefully..." (vs 4-5). That is, in a rude, arrogant way.
• "...does not seek its own things..." (v 5).

Because when you seek to love someone else and help them, who provides for you? God does! You do these things not so that you can gain something but to help the other person so that they can be uplifted. God will take care of you.

• "...is not easily provoked..." (v 5). I think we all flunk that one.
• "...thinks no evil..." (v 5). Well, we're flunked out on that one. But this is how we train to be kings and priests, by learning to exercise love.
• "...Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the Truth. Love bears all things..."  (v 6).

Boy, I tell you, when we start ruling in the Kingdom of God, we're going to have to bear a lot—aren't we? We're going to have to really exercise the love of God because this earth is going to be in terrible shape. There are going to hundreds of millions dead. There are going to be people who are shell-shocked, demon-shocked.

There was this movie about Alcatraz, the three that escaped and then the one that they put in there and illegally tortured and turned the man into an animal—literally turned him into an animal. I saw the first part of the movie. I couldn't stand watching any more of it so I just turned it off. I can't stand that kind of thing, that anyone would do anything to another human being like that. But there are going to be those. We're going to have to open the prisons. There will be the tortured and the maimed. One thing that's going to be, when we have the power to heal them, the power to have God's Spirit to raise them up. That's going to be something. But we're not going to be able to do it unless we have the love of God.

• "...bears all things, believes all things..." (v 7).

That is, of course, not a lie, but believes all things concerning the Truth.

• "...hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..." (vs 7-8).

This is how we're going to succeed in ruling the world. Think of that. God has given the plan right here.

•  "...But whether there be prophecies..." (v 8).

Now, these are prophesies of men, not God's, because Christ said of His prophecies, 'heaven and earth will pass away but my word shall not pass away.' These are prophecies of men. They shall fail. Have they failed? Yes, over and over again!

• "...whether there be languages, they shall cease..." (v 8).

God is going to restore the languages, one pure language to all human beings. And I guarantee you it won't be Hebrew, because Hebrew is not a pure language. Hebrew is filled with all kinds of pagan names and things. And the 'Kabbalah' written in Hebrew is Satan's witchcraft book, the very depths of Satan. You can guarantee it won't be Hebrew. So all the sacred-namers, just take a bow and go on. Don't bother us with those silly doctrines. If you don't love God, it doesn't matter how you pronounce the name of God. You have lost it.

• "...whether there be knowledge" (v 8).

That is, knowledge as we have it today, it's going to vanish away. We'll have the true knowledge of God. When we teach history, we're going to teach the true history.

And I've often thought of this: I wonder what it's going to be like in the Kingdom of God? We want to know what it was like at the time of the Flood. Well, we'll just have Noah teach us! He can tell us, he knew. He put up with it 120 years. What was it like building the ark? He can tell us, yes! And I imagine, you stop and think about it, if man has the ability to do all of these video things that we have now, don't you think that God has got the whole history recorded? Remember, Christ said, 'I'm the Beginning and the Ending.' We'll be able to know all of that. That's why knowledge as we know it today shall pass away.

Verse 9: "For we know in part... [That's just what it is today. As much as we know of the Word of God, it's still in part. As much of the Holy Spirit of God we have, it's still in earnest.] …and we prophesy in part." That's true. I know it will make some people mad but I'll guess at some things, ring my cowbell so you'll know that it's not doctrine. What we know in prophesy, it's still in part. And the greatest way to understand prophesy is to look at it after it's fulfilled and then you can see it in all of its great detail.

"...and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect has come... [this is what we all long for, that which is perfect] ...then that which is in part shall be set aside. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I reasoned as a child; but when I became a man, I set aside the things of a child. For now we see through a glass darkly, but then we shall see face-to-face..." (vs 9-12).

Even what we know today is like looking through a glass darkly. But let's understand the great calling that God has given us—to rule the world. That's pretty powerful stuff. People spend money, fortunes, travel, anything, if they could gain power to rule the world, and God is giving it to us at no cost except our lives devoted completely to God.

"...but then we shall see face-to-face..." (v 12). What's it going to be like to know God face-to-face? That's something! I think about it every once in a while. It's hard to really keep your mind on it, but what would it be like to see Christ face-to-face, and God the Father face-to-face? Man, that's going to be something.

"...now I know in part, but then I shall know exactly as I have been known.… [Then he gives the way to ensure that all of this will take place.] ...And now, these three remain: faith, hope and love... [they are living; these are living, spiritual things] ...but the greatest of these is love" (vs 12-13).

And if you do these things, you will rule the world and you will fulfill His calling. So don't look at things as they are now. Look at what God has called us to, and it is tremendous, brethren.

Scriptures from The Holy Bible in Its Original Order, A Faithful Version by Fred R. Coulter

Scripture References:

• Psalm 2:1-3
• 1 Corinthians 1:18
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
• Romans 5:1-5
• 1 Corinthians 1:18-21
• Romans 1:18-28
• 1 Corinthians 1:21-28
• Ephesians 2:8-10
• 1 Corinthians 1:29-30, 24, 31
• 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
• Galatians 6:3
• 1 Corinthians 2:1-13
• Ephesians 1:11-14
• Matthew 25:14-21
• Luke 19:16-18
• Revelation 2:26-27
• Revelation 20:6
• Daniel 7:25-27
• Revelation 3:8-13
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-4
• Matthew 20:24-28
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Scriptures referenced, not quoted:

• Matthew 10
• 2 Thessalonians 2

FRC:bo
Transcribed: 1/08
Reformatted: 9/18/11