The Second Calling

What does being called by God really mean? Recently, a person whom I have a great deal of respect for, sent me a document, part of which had a section in it titled [The Called]. The following is an excerpt from that document.

Quote: "Recognition of those who are the called is best achieved through their synonymous description as them that love God. There are also numerous other Scriptures that further describe them. There are two Greek words (each occurring 11 times) which specifically refer to those who are members of this select group: One of these words is kletos (called); the other is klesis (calling). Another very important term is ekklesia, meaning called out, "which occurs 115 times and is almost always translated church. That is, a true church is composed of people who have been specially called by God out of the world system, then joined together in a local church to fulfill the purposes of their divine calling.

"Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (1 Corinthians 1:26). 

No I.Q. test, or physical exam, or social standing is used as a criterion; neither are any human achievements. "[God] hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Timothy 1:9).

God's call was strictly by grace, according to His own eternal purpose! The means by which God calls is the gospel: "Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2:14). No wonder, then, that we can know that all things work together for good on behalf of those whom God has called, and who, therefore, love God!"  End Quote

 [Romans 8] says the same thing that (2 Timothy 1:9) says just in another way. The KJV Strong's Version  

[Romans 8:28]  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

The Holy Spirit testifies to us making certain phrases repetitious from the scriptures above  ["to them that love God"] and ["called according to His purpose"] for emphasis. God wants us to take notice of something when He repeats words and phrases to us. 

The calling referred to in [Romans 8:28] is not referring to being called into the common salvation or {being born again or spirit salvation/justification}; for the following verse has this:

29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

Spirit salvation/justification does not mean that a born again Christian automatically is rewarded with a position in the Kingdom as one of the Church of the Firstborn. No, the Church of the Firstborn are called out from the second dead just before the Judgment Seat of Christ and the reason they are called out is because they are worthy to be resurrected from the second death. 

[Luke 20]

20:35  But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

20:36  Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 

The resurrection referred to in verse 36 is not the rapture! It is a resurrection that God called the "resurrection from the dead" or to be even more precise "the out-resurrection from among the dead". {See the underlying original Greek text for [Philippians 3:11]}.

[Luke 21] 

21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

One must live a life of obedience and faithfulness after they are born again. We must die to self, all day long every day! If we die to self we can love our brethren without fainting.

God is saying in the text above that He has a specific purpose in mind for those who have decided to love God and serve Him in obedience to His commandments and to be separated from the world [Satan's Kingdom] throughout this life in this body of death.  

John says that this worthiness goes hand in hand with loving one another.

[1 John 4]

4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

4:12  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

4:13  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

4:14  And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

4:15  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  

  James  2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

If we love God and love our brethren in all of our thoughts and deeds, if we practice the commandments of Christ to the glory of Christ, so as to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil, we will have no fear of the second death [Revelation 2:11] [Revelation 20:6] and, therefore, we can love God in boldness even unto our  physical death.

 Salvation of the soul is our present and ongoing salvation and His eternal purpose. He bought us with a price that only He could have paid, but we have been saved so that we might have soul salvation  [1 Peter 1:9] [Hebrews 10:39] [James 5:20]  and inherit the reward of the prize of the high calling, {the Kingdom of Heaven} to rule and reign with Christ for 1000 years and then go into eternity, to live in New Jerusalem with Christ forever and ever.

What will we do with so great a foundation as Christ's gift to us?

Paul says this:

[1Corinthians 3]

 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Spirit salvation {the foundation} is and always will be a free gift from Jesus Christ through His work on the cross plus nothing minus nothing. It is the starting point. It is the foundation from where we begin our journey to soul salvation. Our own works would never have been enough for God the Father to forgive us for our past sins, [Romans 3:25] thus, giving us spiritual rebirth. Spiritual rebirth gives us direct access to the throne of God the Father. It is everlasting, salvation of the spirit body for one who is born again of the Spirit of God. 

Soul salvation is ongoing and will only come to full realization {for the overcoming saints} just before the Judgment Seat of Christ. 

Spirit salvation is past. It was finished by Christ on the cross. We can add nothing to what Christ has done on the cross, neither can we take anything away from what Christ has done on the cross. This is referred to in the Word of God as being "in Christ".

Jude referred to this salvation as the 'common salvation'. [Jude 1:3] 

What is it that all Christians have in common? Yes, being born again of the Spirit! Being "in Christ"!

But can we say that all Christians allow Christ to rule over them and their daily lives? No! This is not common among all Christians! This is something that all Christians must work at! How? By dying to self!

[Philippians 2:12]  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Spirit salvation raises the Christian up to a position wherein we are given access to the inheritance that is Christ's through the Abrahamic covenant. It is not automatically rewarded to the saved! The reward of the inheritance is ruling and reigning with Christ in His Millennial Kingdom for 1000 years and then, afterwards, makes us Pillars [Revelation 3:12]  of the community in New Jerusalem [Revelation 3:12] and throughout eternity in the new Heaven and the new Earth. 

This is the reward of the inheritance. Soul salvation happens at the out-resurrection of the dead for the overcomers are worthy to proceed from the out-resurrection from the dead and receive this rewarding of the inheritance from Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Soul salvation actually occurs at the time of the out-calling from among the second dead. [Philippians 3:11]  Once overcomers have been found worthy to be out-resurrected from the second death [Luke 20:35] [Luke 21:36] they move on to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ where, they will be judged according to their works and receive their just recompense as the reward of their inheritance. [2 Corinthians 5:10]

The writer of Hebrews referred to soul salvation as 'so great salvation'. [Hebrews 2:3]

The God-Man, the Last Adam, Jesus, The Christ, our Saviour, is the only one that could have given us our gift of spiritual rebirth or eternal spirit salvation. 

Consequently, it is Christ our Judge that gives us our soul salvation.

Spirit salvation is God's gift to us. Soul salvation is a reward  from God.

Spirit salvation required Christ to die to self forever. Soul salvation requires the believing saint to die to self forever.

As Christ was resurrected from death to live again, he must live through us daily as we die to Him daily.

Once we have been given that foundation [spiritual rebirth]  and come to rest upon that foundation, we are expected to begin our own work. We must begin building upon that foundation that Christ gave us. Our work is to die to ourselves every day for the rest of our natural lives and friend this is no easy thing to do. If we succeed in this we will have overcome and will realize soul salvation.

Do we love God? Do we love Him enough to be obedient for Him? Do we have the faith to love Christ and practice His commandments?   [1 Corinthians 3:11]  [1John 5:2]

All things work together for good on behalf of those whom God has called, and who, therefore, love God!

Praise God for this foundation in Christ, upon which, we may begin to do our works of {dying to self}.

So we see that we have been called from out of the world to become builders or laborers, to be doers of the Word, but only after our first calling, our gift of being spiritually reborn through the shed blood of Christ.

In James the Second Chapter we find another example of this second calling. 

This second calling has to do with soul salvation which is dependent on our own works. Remember the phrase {we in Christ}? Now let us rephrase these words in the following way {Christ in us} see the difference? By being faithful to our Saviour throughout our daily lives, by dying to self and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us Christ may be said to dwell in us. Christ in us - see?

Let us now develop this notion a bit further.

James begins his address with "My brethren". From his introduction we gather that James is talking to believers, not un-believers. 

[James 2] 

2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2:14  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?  

Did you notice that James said "What doth it profit"? When the word profit is used, the contextual reference can absolutely not be concerning spirit salvation; because Christians do not get the gift of spirit salvation through their own works. 

Profiting has to do with being "rewarded" for your own work not getting a "gift". Gifts are free!

2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

There! He said it again! The number two in God's vocabulary is a reference to something or someone being a witness. [Deuteronomy 17:6]

2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  

Then James expounds even further using Abraham as an example in the calling to "good works".

2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

2:22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect ?

2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

2:24  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

  And then he raises up Rahab the harlot as another example

2:25  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

and then James says something astonishing!!

2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

We know by this that James is talking about something more than our gift of spiritual rebirth through the finished work of Christ on the Cross. Yes, he is talking about what is expected of us after the gift of spiritual rebirth has been given us as a foundation from which we are to begin building upon.

In the previous chapter James had told his brethren

 [James 1]

1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

1:24   For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  

Did you know that a man can forget that he has been saved (forgetteth what manner of man he was)?       [ref. 2 Peter 1:9]

1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

So, now we see [of what sort] this "work" ought to be. Visiting those in need requires love for those poor people. Keeping ourselves unspotted from the world requires loving God even to the point that we forsake the world and anything that it may have to offer us. In other words, dying to self daily.

Peter also addresses this second calling

[2 Peter 1:10]   Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall  never fall:

  The word "if" means there is a condition that follows. If, we do what things? What is the condition or conditions? we know there is no conditions upon the work of Christ upon the Cross; so, this condition is upon someone else's work. 

Yes indeed! "If Ye do these things, ye shall  never fall:"

1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  

We know that Peter is not talking about spirit salvation here since we can't add to or take anything away from the work of Christ of the cross. No, he is talking about soul salvation as we shall see in just a moment.

1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

1:7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

1:8  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

1:9   But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.  Ref. [James 1:24]  {again, forgotten that he was saved}

Notice also that the last verse said "from his old sins." My friends, the sins that are in our future are not forgiven until we confess them!!! [1 John 1:5-10]

1:10  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 

1:11  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Peter is not telling us, in verse 10, that we must somehow make sure that we are saved! How do you check to make sure Christ carried out his work on the cross correctly and in obedience to the plan of his Father; as if to call into question God's very own work. How absurd is that thought? Jesus Christ [is God] manifest in the flesh!!! 

His Word simply says: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ an thou shalt be saved" {born again}. It does not say 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ plus something else or minus something else'. God forbid! Would that not add works to the cross of Christ?

Peter, in keeping with the context, is admonishing us to good works wherein we will not be hurt of the second death and {be rewarded with soul salvation} and be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ, so that we may inherit rewards and have an abundant entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. [1 Peter 1:9]

Neither is Peter saying to some that think they have been called into a Holy ministry, that they must make sure that Christ is indeed the caller. That would do great injury to this particular text and take it entirely out of the context wherein it rests. 

Hallelujah!!! 

In the words of G. H. Lang, [Firstborn Sons] concerning this verse,  "If words teach anything these words teach that our "calling and election " is only "sure" if we by much diligence make it so." 

How many times does the writers of the New Testament admonish us to diligently seek Him? We must work for soul salvation. Christ's work on the cross of Calvary gave us spirit salvation. Our works, by faith of dying to self {obedience}, will give us soul salvation. [Matthew 16:25  Mark 8:35  Luke 9:24  Luke 17:33]

Paul in his letters to the Corinthians really gives us something to chew on, for in Chapter 3 of First Corinthians, he says this to his brethren. 

3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 

3:2   I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 

3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  

Note: "Walk as men", means men walk as the old natural unsaved man, whom have never rested in Christ and experienced spiritual rebirth in the first place. These saved Christians could not be distinguished from the unsaved!!!

Then in [verse 13] he gives them a taste of some real meat 

3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 

 The [day] mentioned above is the day of the rapture of all Christians, {'the day' of the second death and the Judgment Seat of Christ}[2 Corinthians 5:10] but, for the non-overcomer it will be 'the day' of the second death for 1000 years;  reserved unto judgment under blackness of darkness until the Great White Throne Judgment. [1Corinthians 15:51-54] and [Revelation 20:12]

3:14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

This reward is received at the Judgment Seat of Christ and is the inheritance of ruling and reigning with Christ for 1000 years. This is what it     means to be an overcomer. [Revelation 2 and 3]

3:15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  

 These whom suffer loss will have no works to offer Christ, for as chaff, they have been burned up. They die the second death and thus cannot be judged until a thousand years later at the Great White Throne of Judgment [Revelation 20:12]. They could not withstand the fires of the sea of glass mingled with fire [Revelation 15:2]. Their works have been weighed in the balance. Were they Sunday School teachers at one time? Were they preachers whom lived the life of the Jet-Set?  Did they waste the gifts that would have enabled them to win the un-saved to Christ? Did they sing gospel songs for their own glory instead of for the glory of God?

Nonetheless, they are spiritually saved. They do have everlasting life for God cannot break His promise.  [John 1:12] 

They're names have been written in the Lambs Book of Life. [Revelation 20:15]

Yet. there is more, Yet...What?.......yet so as by fire.  

        [2 Corinthians 5]  

5:9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 

5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.   

The overcomer will receive the reward of entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. [Revelation 20:4,6] The non-overcomer will receive the hurt of the second death. [Hebrews 3:7-19] [Revelation 20:5]

5:11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

 The Holy Spirit, here, tells us that we are going to be held responsible for our works which we have built upon the foundation of Christ's finished work. Some works of the saved will survive the trial by fire [the Judgment Seat] and Christ will give a just reward for the faithfulness or fruitfulness of those works that are found worthy of His acceptance.

Reference: [Revelation 11:18]  And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they   should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. 

Reference: [Revelation 22:12]  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.   

Reference: [Philippians 3:10-14]

    3:10

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

    3:11

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

The word resurrection in the above verse, in the Greek, has the meaning of being resurrected out from those whom have been hurt of the second death. In the original Greek - the word resurrection, in this verse, has an EK in front of it. Therefore, this verse should read 'If by any means I might attain unto the out-resurrection of the dead.' Meaning, that this resurrection can not be a reference to the rapture of the church but rather occurs after the rapture of the Church. 

In addition to this, Paul is a Christian so why would he be concerned that he would not attain unto the rapture of the Church? 

Every Christian believer who has died or is living, at the time, will attain unto the rapture for all must appear in the kingdom with a garment. Will that garment be spotted by the flesh or will it be white as snow. [James 5:2] [Revelation 3:4] [ Revelation 16:15]  The garment is what determines whether we are hurt of the second death or not!!!

Those whom appear with spotted garments die the second death and will be hurt of the second death for they will be unworthy and unacceptable to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. [Luke 20:35] [Luke 21:36]

However, the overcomer will not be hurt or held by the second death. They have been found worthy of Judgment { garments clean and white } and reward of the inheritance is shared by Christ Jesus with His Bride. What Bride-Groom does not share his inheritance with his Bride?

The rapture of the church has already occurred, prior to this particular resurrection.

This is a resurrection, of those 'overcomers' found worthy to attain unto the out-resurrection from the second dead and to stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, {taken out from among those 'non-overcomers' who have been hurt of the second death} [Revelation 2:11] [Philippians 3:10-14].

 This is the 'Prize of the High calling'. [Philippians 3:10-14] This is soul salvation. [1 Peter 1:9]

[Philippians]

3:12   Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

 

3:13   Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

 

Paul is saying, at this time, that he does not consider himself to have attained to, or apprehended the required worthiness wherein he might reach the 'mark of the high calling' {soul salvation}.

 

Christ's death on the cross was comprised of two deaths. Death of the physical, natural body and the death of the soul body. Death of the soul is the 'second death'. Christ died to himself {poured his soul out; for the soul life is in the blood} [Leviticus 17:11]  in order that the will of the Father be done. Depending on the state in which we come before Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ {worthy or un-worthy}, this 'second death' may or may not 'hold' or 'hurt' our souls.  [Revelation 2:11]

[Hebrews 4:12] gives us a very clear picture of what the beginning of the destruction of the soul is like.

[Psalms 88] gives us a detailed picture of one who is hurt of the second death and is awaiting that day when his soul will be delivered from that darkness.

If we are found acceptable/worthy {have died to self} we will not be hurt of the second death and we will be instantly resurrected again, but, this time out from among those who are not found acceptable/worthy [the second dead]. (soul salvation) (see 3:11 above) see also [2 Corinthians 5:9]

3:14   I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The Prize of the high calling is inheriting with Christ His Kingdom and ruling and reigning, not only for that 1000 years; that is the Lord's Sabbath day [Hebrews 4] [Revelation 20:4], but, also throughout the everlasting ages. [Revelation 3:12]

Many saints will not be found worthy or acceptable at the Judgment Seat and many will suffer loss, for their unfruitful works, done in the flesh, due to unfaithfulness, and their works will be burned up.

["If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss"];  

But notice, the Holy Spirit is careful to remind us that these whom have suffered loss are nonetheless saved and then He follows with a hint in [2 Corinthians 5] of the reward yet to come, ["yet so as by fire"]. 

These are surely the most unfruitful, disobedient, and apostate of God's Children. They are saved, but that is all and they will miss the glory of sharing the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven with Christ for 1000 years and they will never rule at all in the eternal city of New Jerusalem [Revelation 3:12]. 

Here is what Jude has to say about these Christians.

1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice that it did not say denying the grace of our God! No, these have turned the grace of our God into an abomination! They are Christians!!!

1:5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 

The children of Israel were saved! Remember the blood of the paschal-Lamb on the door-posts? They were destroyed, not because they were not saved; no, they're souls were destroyed because they would not cross over and take the kingdom of the Canaanites in faith and belief that God would do their fighting for them.

Christian are you believing God?

1:8  Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 

1:10  But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

May I ask you a question? Can the unsaved corrupt themselves? Not hardly, they are already dead in trespass and sin; they are thoroughly corrupt from the top of their heads to the bottom of their feet. Only the saved can corrupt themselves!!!

1:11  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Did you know that Cain was saved? Why would an unsaved man make offerings to a God in whom he did not believe? Yes, Balaam was saved! He believed in God but, he was disobedient to God, just like Cain! Core and all of his family were saved but, his family and friends rebelled against Moses and they suffered the destruction of the soul [Psalms 88] for their rebellion. 

1:12  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

Friend, why would these ungodly men be expected to produce fruit unless they are saved? Why are they now considered to be twice dead if they haven't already died the second death or been appointed unto the second death [destruction of the soul}?. {"Who were before of old ordained to this condemnation."}

1:13  Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 

The word "forever", in verse 13 above, means for one age and the only age yet to come is the 1000 year age {rule and reign} of Christ just out ahead of us whom live today.

Yes, these are saved, but.........

Revelation 20:5  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.

The word glory, throughout the New Testament, is always a reference to the majesty that belongs to Christ and the saints who overcome.

The phrase "yet so as by fire" is used, in the 1 Corinthians verse above, to give us the word picture of someone caught in a burning building. They have escaped burning to death, yet to some degree, they are burned while they are yet escaping. 

We find more explanation when we turn back over to Revelation Chapter 2 wherein Christ is warning the church in Smyrna. 

2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 

Now we know what the [second death] is because the Holy Spirit reveals it to us in the Gospels. Christ is our example. His death and resurrection are the exact picture of the first and second death that Christians whom overcome will experience.

Every Christian will die the second death. 

The overcomers will die and immediately be out-resurrected from those whom continue to be held by the second death {hurt by the second death} and in their glorious spiritual bodies will be ushered into the Judgment Seat of Christ and ultimately into the Kingdom of Heaven to enjoy the Bridal feast of the Groom. They have certainly not been hurt of the second death. [Philippians 3:7-21] [Revelation 20:6] 

However, the non-overcomers will most assuredly be hurt of the second death. They will not only suffer the second death, but, their bodies will also be cut asunder thus dividing the saved spirit from the corrupt soul and the redeemed body which was provided for them at the rapture. [Hebrews 4:12]

Now since we know that Christ will not keep "some" of the saved from the second death, then for how long will Christ leave them there?  

We know they are saved, otherwise they would not have been raptured.  

And, knowing that they are saved, we also know that Christ would never leave them there, nor forever forsake them, so, for how long will they be there?  

Since [eternity] has not yet begun, then there is really only one period of time or [age] that is in view here and that is the 1000 year Millennial Reign of Christ. [Revelation 20:5]

What exactly is the reward of these whom are not approved at the out-resurrection of the dead?

Now we know that when God makes up his mind that His disobedient children will not go in, they will not go in. 

How doe we know? Why friend there is ample evidence in  [Hebrews 3]. The Holy Spirit reveals this to us:

3:7  Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice,

3:8  Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:   

Ref. for Hebrews 3: [Numbers 14:11]    

In the example of [Hebrews 3:19] the people referred to as [they] are God's people [Israel] under the blood of the Paschal Lamb smeared on the doorposts before leaving Egypt [this is an example or type pointing to the saved saints of the Church dispensation].

The Children of Israel were disobedient, unfaithful, children of God because they failed to believe God and claim victory at Kadesh-Barnea.  

3:9  When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.   

{referring to the wilderness journey}

3:10  Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 

3:11  So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)   

{They would not go into Canaan, the land of milk and honey, a type of the Kingdom of Heaven {Millennial reign of Christ}.

3:16  For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.   

Those that provoked were those whom believed the ten spies and did not believe God

3:17  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 

3:18  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not ? 

3:19  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Moses is a prime example of one of those who, because of unbelief, did not enter into the promised land wherein the Kingdom was eventually established. In [Deuteronomy Chapter 3]  Moses prayed to God for a change of mind. Why? Because Moses, instead of speaking to the rock at Meribah struck the rock and in doing so, disobeyed God and God counted it as unbelief. [Numbers 20:11-12]

3:25  I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. 

3:26  But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. 

3:27  Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan. 

3:28  But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

  Again, we see in a [type] found in [Genesis 27] where Esau tried in vein to reverse that which had already been decreed. 

27:30  And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 

27:31  And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me. 

27:32  And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau. 

27:33   And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed. 

27:34   And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. 

27:35  And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing. 

27:36  And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? 

27:37  And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? 

27:38   And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

 Here we see that, even after great travailing, Esau had lost his birthright and the blessings which accompanied that birthright. This serves us as a type of the present day Christian whom, even though they are considered to be a son or child of God, they can squander away their rights to the inheritance of ruling and reigning with Christ, that is theirs by birthright, [being born again in Christ and thus having the potential to be co-heirs with Him when He is come into His Kingdom], and yet lose that inheritance due to unfaithfulness and dead works because they were unworthy to be called out from among the second dead.

Esau had given up his inheritance to Jacob for a bowl of soup. This inheritance was carelessly thrown away because of the carnal desires of Esau.

Do you know any Christians that are throwing away their birthrights because of carnal living? 

[Genesis 25]  

25:29  And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 

25:30  And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.  

25:31  And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.  

25:32  And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? 

25:33  And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.  

25:34  Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. 

The KJV Strong's Version

There are other examples of God's providence, but let me get on with the subject matter of unfaithful Christians who will not enter into Christ's 1000 year day of rest. 

We have seen that in [Hebrews 3] the Holy Spirit refers to Christ's rest and we know that God considers the seventh day to be His Sabbath for in [Exodus Chapter 20]   the scripture emphatically says as much. 

20:11  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

In [2 Peter 3] the Holy Spirit testifies of this 

3:8    But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

Christ's first advent was during the forth [1000 year] day and almost two [1000 year] days have gone by since then and the Sabbath rest of Christ is the next [1000 year] day on God's calendar; [a Sabbath rest, following six 1000 year days of His providential works] and Man's rebellious works. 

Now let's look at [Hebrews 4] 

4:1  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it 

What Promise might we come short of? 

[Romans 4:13]    For the promise, that He should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 

In verse 13 above, Paul says that the righteous, whom are in Christ and have Christ in them, are heirs of the world {age to come}, now look at what Paul says in [Ephesians 3].

[Ephesians 3] 

3:1  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 

3:2   If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 

3:3  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 

3:4   Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ 

3:5   Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 

3:6  That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 

 The overcomers of the Church Age are fellow heirs with Christ. Fellow heirs of the promise God made to Abraham and his seed. The saved of the [Church dispensation] are the only ones to whom the Gospel of the grace of Christ has ever been preached and precious few of them have ever been taught the "whole" gospel, referring to the gospel of the grace of God {spirit salvation} in addition to the gospel of the glory of Christ {not being held by the second death and ruling and reigning for 1000 years.}

All Christians are considered to be the body of Christ, yet, there are conditions to inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven with Christ as we have seen, and will see later on, that will have great bearing upon a Christian being called out of the second death to live as the Bride of Christ during the Millennial Reign of Christ as Eve was taken out of the body of Adam and destined to rule with him.

Let us take a look at the covenant wherein some Christians will inherit the Kingdom of the next Millennium with Christ.

[Genesis 17]   

17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 

17:2  And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 

17:3  And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 

17:4  As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 

17:5  Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 

17:6  And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 

17:7  And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 

17:8  And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. 

17:9  And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

 This Promise was to Abraham's seed, the Israelites. Jesus was born of a Jewish virgin and, therefore, was Jewish. But, when the leaders of Israel rejected Jesus as the Christ {their Messiah} and had Him crucified, they forfeited the part of that inheritance {the double portion} called The Kingdom of Heaven. Nevertheless, a remnant of Israel will indeed inherit the Earth and rule over the nations of the Earth for 1000 years. They had been promised the Land through Abraham and when Christ appeared He had offered them a great deal more, a double portion, [a heavenly kingdom] as well. 

[Mathew 4:17]  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

How many times had He taught "Behold the Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto" this example or that example in the four Gospels? How many signs and wonders {miraculous healings and wonders} had he done before their very eyes. They knew who He was and they rejected Him because they didn't want His kind of kingdom.

Indeed, Christ is the future King of that Heavenly Kingdom but they rejected Him and Christ took that portion of His inheritance away from Israel and He has now offered it to the 'new creature in Christ' of the Church dispensation. 

[John 10] 

 10:16   And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 

And again  

[Ephesians]  

1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1:6   To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

1:7   In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;  

1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 

1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Thus, the Jew will inherit the Earth and rule and reign from Earthly Jerusalem [Ezekiel 37] and the overcoming saints will inherit the Heavens associated with the Earth {Kingdom of Heaven} and rule and reign from the same heavenly kingdom from which Satan and his minions rule today. [Revelation 12:9] [Revelation 20:6] 

This writer is going to depart from the main body of the subject matter at hand to briefly bring the reader a couple of interesting side notes.

First, for those whom have an issue with the doctrine of [dispensational theology] the Holy Spirit referred to one of those dispensations; "dispensation of the fulness of times" [the Church dispensation], in the above verse.

Second, there is another reason as to why Christ's Kingdom has to wait for the fullness of times. I refer the reader to the writings of Arlen Chitwood [Had Ye Believed Moses]. Here he is expounding upon the days prior to and just after Christ's crucification.

"Israel's religious leaders, along with the masses whom they had misled, -- following "the way of Cain" (cf. I John 3:12; Jude 11) -- were so intent on doing away with Christ at this point that they echoed a statement with far-reaching, negative ramifications, a statement which would affect not only that generation of Jews but all succeeding generations as well: "His blood be on us, and on our children" (Matthew 27:25); and the chief priests echoed another statement at this time with equal far-reaching, negative ramifications: "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15).

The Jewish people had rejected their King and the proffered kingdom; and Israel's religious leaders, in a climactic statement, pledged allegiance to a pagan Gentile king ruling within Satan's realm of power and authority (cf. Luke 4:6; John 18:36, 37).

And not only had the Jewish people rejected their King, but they were adamantly intent on continuing in "the way of Cain" and slaying their Brother, slaying their King. Death and shed blood, as in Genesis chapter four, were about to become the central issue. The people were about to become unclean through contact with the dead body of their Messiah, a condition which would have to persist for two days, for 2,000 years, from the point of their becoming unclean (Num. 19:11ff)." Underlining bolding and Italics are mine

"They had become unclean through contact with the dead body of their Messiah!"

What does [Numbers 19] say? 

19:19   And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.

The third day, since Christ died, is almost upon us. Christ came before on the fourth day [fourth 1000 year day].  [Genesis 1:2]. On the seventh day Israel shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean. That day {the third day counting from the fourth is the seventh} and is near, even upon us. {4 + 3 = 7} The seventh day is God's Sabbath day. It is His day of rest.

According to the Book of Revelation, Israel will most assuredly be bathed in the Holy Spirit [purify himself] (yes, (himself) since God considers Israel, corporately, to be a Firstborn Son [Exodus 4:22]  [Exodus 4:22]  [Exodus 4:22]  [Exodus 4:22]  and will dwell in the Promised Land of Israel, in the presence of God, the Son, in the Earth, in Jerusalem, during the seventh millennium, [God's Sabbath rest], the millennium reign of the King of Kings and His servant Kings and [the saints of the dispensation of the Church]. [Zechariah 13:6] [Zechariah 13:9] [Revelation 1:6] [Revelation 5:10]

Now let us get back to [Ephesians 1] 

1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

1:13  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, 

1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Note: the word {earnest} in [verse 14] is the Greek word [Arrhabon] meaning: money, which in purchasing, is given as a pledge or down payment until in the full amount [the time of redemption] will subsequently be paid. Our down payment is the seal of the Holy Spirit and if our work {dying to self after we are sealed} on Earth, is accepted of our great Judge at the out-resurrection from the dead, we will rule with Him, in His kingdom, for 1000 years. 

1:15   Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 

1:16   Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 

1:17   That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 

1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

Here in the verse just above we again find that [second calling]. A calling to share with Christ His inheritance in the age to come. That calling is soul salvation. The calling of [verse 18] cannot possibly be the calling unto spirit salvation for we do not hope to be born again; we are already born again. It is past tense not future tense!!! Being born again {spirit salvation} is not a hope, it is a gift. It is assurance, not something we hope for; it is already ours, if we have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 

1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 

Note: The reference to the next world {in the Greek, the word 'Aion',  meaning 'age'} is yet to come. It is the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.

1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 

1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. 

The members of the Church, if they will overcome, can become fellow heirs with Christ and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. {They can attain soul salvation.}

[Ephesians 3] 

 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

And Again  

[Revelation 21:7]

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Now let us go back to [Hebrews 4] to continue the discussion of the Sabbath rest of Christ.

4:3  For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.   

Notice the {type} mentioned in the next verse.

4:4  For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 

4:5  And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 

4:6  Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:   

Did you notice "it remaineth that some must enter therein"?

4:8  For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 

4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  

There it is. This is the affirmation that there is coming a day of rest for Christ, A 1000 year day, the Sabbath rest of Christ and therefore ours also if we can just overcome and share His Millennial Kingdom with Him. Will we have a part of the body of Saints who are called out as His Bride or, to use the other metaphor, Church of the Firstborn Son's.

4:10   For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.   

Christ shall have His rest!!! Will we share it with Him?

4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

Verse 11 says: [Let Us labor] a call to overcome self {to die to self}. A second calling!!!

Now we see that the Sabbath or seventh [1000 year] day is near upon us [There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.] [Let us labour {works doctrine after being born again} therefore to enter into that rest] and has the Holy Spirit not admonished us that some of God's people can and will be excluded from entering into His [day] of rest {1000 year millennial reign.}

However, there will be those whom have overcome that will have the glorious reward of a place as a Priest-King, or Servant-King, in the Kingdom of Heaven and in the eternal city of New Jerusalem of the new Heaven and the new Earth. That's right, dear reader, the rewards are everlasting.

[Revelation 3:12]

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

What does the Church have to do to overcome? 

We know that our eternal Salvation is not what is in question here since that is a free gift through the finished work of Christ on the Cross plus nothing, minus nothing.

However, many Christians are in an apostate or backslidden state and outside the Will of God, therefore, they are not led of the Spirit [they do not {love} God]. 

[Romans 8:14]   For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

8:15   For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 

8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:   

But, we have the chance to become firstborn sons!!!

8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

"if so be that we suffer with him"  Do we suffer for Christ's sake? Do We Love Him enough to suffer for His sake?

[1 John 5] 

5:1  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 

5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  

5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  

5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Do we [really] Love God? Have we ever [really] taken the time to stop and ponder this question? If not, isn't it time that we do this before it is eternally to late?

Christ is heir to the kingdom of the Jews for He is the {Son of David} but since He is also the {Son of God}, and a man, He is also heir to the Kingdom of Heavens.

 Please note: God gave dominion to Man {Adam and Eve} and Satan cheated Eve with lies, and consequently Adam as well, out of ruler-ship over the kingdom. Now Christ {a man and yet none the less God Himself} has won it back via the cross and He will have dominion.

Therefore, when the time comes for Him to inherit the kingdom [Revelation 19], He will not only rule from the throne, through David, in Jerusalem {on the Earth} [Ezekiel 37:24-28] but, He will also rule from the Heavens where Satan and his angels [the powers and principalities of the air] rule from at the present. This is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

[Ephesians 1:19]   And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 

1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 

 That world {age} which is to come is the age of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.

Satan will be violently removed from that kingdom which he, through the trespass of Eve,  now rules. Satan and his throng of fallen angels, will be cast to the earth during the [Time of Jacob's Trouble] {the last three an one half years of the seven years of tribulation}. [Revelation 12:7-9]

In the following verses Isaiah prophecies to Israel, by a proverb from God, against the anti-Christ, the future King of Babylon.  See [Revelation 12] and [Revelation 14] as reference.   

[Isaiah 14]  

14:3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, 

14:4  That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased ! the golden city  

ceased ! 

14:5  The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. 

14:9   Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 

14:10  All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? 

14:11  Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. 

14:12   How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 

14:13   For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14:14   I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 

14:16  They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

When that event in [verse 15] occurs, Christ and the Saints, whom have been found worthy of the out-resurrection, enter into His kingdom and will begin to rule as the powers and principalities of the air for the entire 1000 years of the next age [The millennial reign of Christ from the heavens above the Earth].

Thus, the Kingdom of Heaven will be established at the same time that the 1000 year millennial reign of Christ begins on the Earth through the resurrected Jews of the valley of dry bones. [Ezekiel 37]

The Israelites will inherit their portion [The Earthly Kingdom] and the [Bride of Christ/Church of the first born] which is called out of the second death from general assembly of the saved [The Body of Christ] will inherit their portion [The Heavenly Kingdom].

The Bride of Christ must be removed from the general assembly of the saved, the raptured body of the {last} Adam, corporately known as the Church (the mystical figure of the Body of Christ in this dispensation) [Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, ]   [1 Corinthians 12:27] just as Eve, the bride of the first Adam, [as a type] was taken out of, or formed from, the body of the first Adam. 

God didn't form Eve from a separate or different handful of clay. No, He purposefully intended to take Eve from the first Adam so as to clearly indicate, by [type], that the Bride of the Last Adam [Jesus] would, by predestination, come from the body of the Last Adam, The Church body. [Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 1 Corinthians 12:27 ]

Prophecy in this manner glorifies God to the greatest degree.

Now we can see why it is so important to use scripture to interpret scripture. The word ekklesia in the Greek really means [a called out assembly]. It can be used to describe the set aside assembly of any group of people, and not necessarily just the general assembly of the Church.

[1Corinthians 15:45]   And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  

Jesus Christ is that quickening spirit. He raised Himself up by His own power, for He is God. [Click on the word [quickening] to see the Strong's reference to the meaning of the word quickening.

We are compelled by proper exegesis and hermeneutics to follow the rule of first mention. Therefore, we must use the Genesis account as the type by which all else will be followed or patterned after throughout the Scripture. Thus, Christ is the last Adam and since the general assembly of the Church is considered to be the body of Christ, [Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 1 Corinthians 12:27 ] then the general assembly of the Church must also be considered to be the body of the last Adam and since the bride of the "first Adam" {Eve} was removed from the first Adam's body, then the bride of the last Adam the Church of the Called Out or First Born must be removed from the general assembly of  the Church {the body of Christ} at the out-resurrection from among the second dead.

Since there is an expectation from our Lord, of labor or works, we must look farther for more instruction on how we may attain unto the out-resurrection from among the second dead by our works.

In the parable of the talents, [Mathew 25] Christ refers to the works or labor of the servants when the Lord returned from a long journey 

25:14  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 

25:15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.    

He gave. What is justification? A gift. Now once they have the gift what are they expected to do with the gift?

25:16  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.   

The servant is expected to grow or increase his gift. right?

25:17  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 

25:18  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 

25:19  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.    

Do we know what the word 'reckoneth' means? Let me help. It means to settle accounts!

25:20  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.   

Does this servant seem to be ashamed? [1 John 2-28]

25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  

25:22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 

25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  

25:24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:  

25:25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.   

What is the most common excuse we hear from those whom do not share their Christian faith with others? Is it not that they were afraid of hurting feelings, or making someone feel uncomfortable or that they might scare them away from ever becoming a Christian. My friend, let me ask you a question! Are you afraid that you are going to scare them deeper into hell? Do you think that they are going to hurt any less than they already have been adjudged to hurt once apostate Christians are cast into the fiery furnace  [Matthew 13:42] [Matthew 13:50] or the unsaved are cast into the lake everlasting flames? [Revelation 20:15]

[Jude 1:22-23] offers us this advise concerning our apostate brethren. 

And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

These are not unsaved people. Why would the unsaved have any care, at all, concerning an appearance before Christ in a spotted garment? The unsaved are dead, naked, in trespasses and sin and don't believe in God in the first place!!!

25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:  

25:27  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.   

With usury means with increase!!!

25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 

25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.   

The works of the flesh will be taken away. Works of the flesh are burned up. Works of the flesh are not accepted of Christ. Works of the flesh make the Christian un-worthy!!!

25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  

Matthew says this about apostate Christians. They are unprofitable! He did not say they will lose their everlasting life.

[Jude 1:13]  Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

The word 'ever' in [verse 13] means 'one age' and the only age yet to come, before the great White Throne of Judgment, is the 1000 year reign of Christ. 1000 years is not everlasting.

[Psalm 88] is an interesting chapter to read if you don't believe the saved can suffer just recompense of reward for rebellion and unbelief. Korah and his throng are just as saved as anyone else whom had the blood of the Paschal Lamb on their doorpost before they came out from Egypt!

Old Jonah could tell you a thing or two after his death and resurrection from the bars of Hell and Jonah was saved. Jonah Chapter 2

So we can see, by this example, that there is not only loss but also a negative reward of being [cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.] This is an example of being hurt of the second death. In our courts today this would be called a preliminary hearing to determine if one is denied bail and held over {or reserved} for a later date of final judgment. In the Word of God that Judgment is the Great White Throne of Judgment. Yes, many of the saved will stand at the Great White Throne of Judgment for they will not be worthy to stand {be called out from the second dead} unto the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Now some teachers of the scriptures would have us to believe that this reward is nothing more than merely being separated from the immediate presence of the Lord and the weeping and gnashing of teeth is nothing more than mere mental anguish.

The Holy Spirit uses parables as literal instruments of instruction. So, we would do well to literally believe Jesus has reserved a place, for the disobedient and unfruitful of his fold. A special place called the Outer Darkness and I trust that the recompense of this reward will be such that it will warrant literal weeping and gnashing of the teeth for those whom reap this reward and that the length of time for this separation will be for [one] day. One of God's days is one thousand years.

There are other parables, with varying degrees of revelation in each concerning outer darkness, but I won't go into those at this point.  

No, our everlasting life {spirit salvation} does not require that we do anything but believe or [rest] in Jesus, for He is our eternal rest, but once we are saved God expects us to walk the walk not just talk the talk? 

There is another age on God's calendar. His Sabbath. Our Sabbath, if we overcome. An age that will last for 1000 years and we are expected to get prepared for that age if we want to rule and reign with Christ during that glorious age.

"Let us labour" indicates that we are going to be held responsible for doing some kind of work. Why does that have a familure ring to it?

James 1  

1:21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.   

Did you catch that? James uses the word 'souls' not 'spirits'. These are two entirely different bodies. Man has three bodies just like God has three bodies. Man, if he is born again has a spirit body, a soul body, and a physical body. [1 Thessalonians 5:23] [Hebrews 4:12] Soul salvation is relegated to the present and future. Salvation of the spirit body of the saved is in the past and occurred when they first believed! Spirit salvation is a gift. Soul salvation is a prize or a reward for faithfulness and obedience.

God manifests Himself in three ways, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit. [Mathew 3:16-17] [1Corinthians 12:3] 

God's children, having been created in His image, also has three manifestations; spirit, soul and body.

Let us go on.

1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.    

Doing is working!

1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  

1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.    

He has forgotten that he was saved for a purpose; the purpose of bringing others into the family of God and His Kingdom; therefore glorifying God to the utmost of our abilities!

1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 

1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.  

1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.  

Note: Here in [verse 27] James tells us that our works should consist of dying to self in order to do the things that Christ commanded us to do.

 In  [James Chapter 2 ]  he really zero's in on how works play's into the issue of entry into the Kingdom of Heaven and the salvation of the soul.

The key to how we go about doing our work is found in [1 John 4] for we must do our works for the right motive. 

4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 

4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 

4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  

4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  

4:12  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 

4:13  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.  

4:14  And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 

4:15  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.  

4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  

4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 

4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  

4:19  We love him, because he first loved us. 

4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen ?

4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Let us review.

Yes, there are actually two aspects of salvation addressed at length in the above texts. The first is Salvation of the Spirit; the free gift of Christ's finished work on the cross, and the other is Salvation of the Soul; the reward of being given entry into the Kingdom of Heaven to reign with Him as a Servant-King, based on our own works of dying to self in this lifetime, which are built upon the foundation which Christ provided for us as a free gift. 

The events that determines our entry into the kingdom are determined in this lifetime and culminate in the out-resurrection from the dead {salvation of the soul} [Philippians 3:11] and the rewards bestowed upon the worthy at the Judgment Seat of Christ. [2 Corinthians 5:10]

 In [2 Corinthians 5] below Paul tells us: 

"...we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" to receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

  So we see that our reward can also be of a [bad] or negative nature as well as good or positive nature.  

[2 Corinthians 5]   

5:7   For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  

5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  

5:9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.   

Labor is work!

5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.    

But that does not mean that we will all appear before Christ at the same time. Fore more on this important distinction please read our study on Will We "All" Stand Before the Judgment Seat of Christ?

5:11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

In [Colossians 3] Paul, again, nails this truth down for us. 

3:24  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 

3:25  But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. 

[Verse 25] is just as plain as the nose on our face and the writer of Hebrews confirms it in this next example

[Hebrews 2] 

2:1 Therefore  we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 

2:2  For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 

2:3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 

[Verse 3] shows us the second calling, the salvation of the soul (so great salvation). It is based upon [our] works for we will receive "a just recompence of reward;"  

That this scripture is not talking about the birth of the spirit body or Spirit Salvation, is evident since, the Word of God plainly states that we cannot do any kind of work to be spiritually born of God. [Ephesians 2:8-9] That particular work can only come though the finished work of our Lord and Saviour on the cross. It is through this foundational rebirth that we are considered to be God's children, and thus have the hope of inheritance and ,therefore, are expected to obey His Word. 

God's Word does not stop at spiritual salvation and God has indeed placed the doctrine of [works] upon the finished foundation that is Jesus Christ. God expects {all} of His Word to be taught to His flock, not just  part of His Word. 

If we neglect to teach all of the Truth then we are no better off than the Scribes, Pharisees, and the Sadducees. For in Chapter 23 of Mathew Jesus had this to say of them that would not allow the people to hear the preaching of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

23:3  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 

23:4  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 

These heavy burdens were the traditions that they had developed over hundreds of years.

23:5  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

23:6  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

23:7  And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 

23:8  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 

23:9  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  

23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 

23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 

23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 

23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 

23:14  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 

23:16  Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 

23:17  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 

23:18  And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 

23:19  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 

23:20  Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 

23:21  And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 

23:22  And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 

23:23  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

23:24  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 

23:25  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.   

These leaders of the Jews were full of extortion and excess. Reminds me of some Christian television ministries of today!

23:26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 

23:27  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed  appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 

23:28  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 

23:29  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 

23:30  And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 

23:31  Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 

23:32  Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 

23:33  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?   

This hell, that these Jews are being threatened with, is not the everlasting hell that will be cast into the everlasting lake of fire. This rather, is a temporary holding place wherein they must be held until their final judgment. In the Greek this word is 'Geenna' {gheh'-en-nah }. According to Strong's this place is similar to the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned.

23:34  Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 

23:35  That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 

23:36  Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 

23:37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 

23:38  Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.