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CHAPTER 1 PARTAKERS OF AN ETERNAL INHERITANCE

JESUS IS COMING AGAIN Jesus told His disciples; the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. And as they heard these things, He added and spoke a parable, because He was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for HIMSELF A KINGDOM, AND TO RETURN (Luke 19:10-12) Jesus is of course the nobleman to whom He referred, and He said that once He had received His Kingdom, He would return. The two men in white apparel(angels), who were watching with the disciples as Jesus ascended into Heaven, said....Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? THIS SAME JESUS, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11) We need have no doubt whatsoever Jesus will return! He said however, that when He does return, will His disciples be expecting Him? He wants us to be waiting for Him with joyful expectation. We read His plea in Luke 18:8: Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?

RECEIVING THE END OF YOUR FAITH In 1Peter 1:3-8, 13, we are told that our salvation will be complete when Jesus appears. This has been made possible because of His resurrection and through our faith in Him right to the end, and our reward awaits us in Heaven. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: RECEIVING THE END OF YOUR FAITH, EVEN THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS.... WHEREFORE GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND, BE SOBER, AND HOPE TO THE END FOR THE GRACE THAT IS TO BE BROUGHT UNTO YOU AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. Always remember, that it is not how well we begin that counts, but how we end! Jesus said: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matt. 24:13) Satans powers are ever present with temptations and fiery trials, to try and lead us astray and discourage us from persevering right to the end. The word of the Lord tells us in Hebrews 10:38-39: Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw

back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. until Jesus comes! THERE ARE TWO KINGDOMS It is essential that we become aware of the fact that there are two existing kingdoms in the universe that are constantly at war with one another. The one being the Kingdom of Light and the other is the kingdom of darkness. Because of this, there is an ongoing battle between good and evil on the Earth, and mankind is, and has always been caught up in this fight. Both kingdoms have a king as ruler, the King of the Kingdom of Light and Righteousness is the Lord Jesus Christ, and the ruler of the kingdom of darkness is Satan. Satans kingdom consists of demon spirits, powers and principalities in high places, the Bible tells us this in Ephesians chapter 6. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph 6:12) Satan heads up this huge organisation and takes full advantage of the fact that most people who inhabit the Earth are blissfully unaware of this cruel enemy of theirs. Others pass it off as a mere fable or farfetched, whilst many of those who do believe, do not know what to do about it anyway! Satan is referred to as the god of this world(2Cor.4:4) and the prince of this world(John 12:31and 16:11). Satan, whose name means destroyer, has one object in mind, and that is to annihilate the Lords creation, and unsuspecting mankind in particular because Adam the first perfect sinless human was created in the image of the Lord. He uses his agents who are evil spirits and subject to his command, in order to carry out his diabolical plans of destruction of humanity. These demonic powers constantly war against those whose desire is to walk in the Truth and the Light of the Bible and do the will of the Lord here on Earth. We need to be alert and on guard concerning the cunning strategy of Satan and his army that would try to thwart us and bring discouragement and defeat through their persistent attacks on our lives. Satan uses lies and deception to attain his objective, he even distorts the very Truth of Gods Word which God has given to man, because his whole goal in this world is to rob, kill and destroy, and he has done this from the beginning. He questioned the Lords authority and Word to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by saying did God say? He purposes to rob our minds of our knowledge of the Lord, through bringing the spirit of confusion and deception, and replace it with manmade doctrines. He is the author of sickness and aims to kill our bodies through diseases that originate from him. However, the Lord Jesus Christ has, in His Word, given us the spiritual wherewithal to not only resist the onslaughts of the enemy, but to overcome in all adversity and under any attacks that we may suffer. And these spiritual weapons are infallible, because Jesus has overcome the powers of darkness by shedding His precious, Holy Blood through His sacrificial death on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus has redeemed us from this kingdom of darkness through His shed blood at Calvary in order that we might live for His glory . Col. 1:10-15 : That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in

light: WHO HATH DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS, AND HATH TRANSLATED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: To be ready, we must choose to come into the Kingdom of Light through the shed blood of Jesus, and then walk in His Light daily. We must renounce Satans evil works, and distance ourselves from his kingdom of darkness. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Co 6:17-18)

CHAPTER 2 THE DEITY OF JESUS

The deity of the Lord Jesus Christ has always been under attack, ever since He walked this earth, but there has been a notable resurgence of antagonism displayed in this regard just recently. Some Christian churches even, have been guilty of sowing doubt in the minds of their converts about His virgin birth and His resurrection. There are those who believe that, Jesus was a good man, a remarkable teacher and a prophet, and He was! But He is much more than that! There will always be the mockers and the scoffers and those wanting to water down the Gospel, questioning the very TRUTH on which the HEART of mans eternal salvation hangs. And that is THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST. Heb 5:8-9 says: And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him; There are many scriptures in the Bible that proclaim Jesus as God. He is called the Almighty, and we read this in Rev. 1:8: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. He is the only Potentate (Monarch, Ruler), as described in 1Tim. 6:15: Which in His times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; And in 1Corinthians, Jesus is referred to as the King of Glory.1Cor.2:8: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. In Philippians, He is described as being equal with God. Philp. 2:6: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: And Jesus said that He out dated Abraham, referring to Himself as, I AM! John 8:58: Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Jesus, the Lamb of God, is Lord and King. Rev. 17:14: These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful. And Thomas recognised Him as God, after His resurrection. John 20:28: And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.

The Apostle Paul, in the book of Colossians, elaborates on this truth, and describes the deity of Jesus Christ in depth: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: WHO IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Col 1: 12-20) When Jesus came to this world to redeem mankind, He was 100% God and 100% man, and that is why He and He alone could be our Redeemer. Remember that Jesus IS God! We read in the first chapter of the Gospel of John, verses 1-14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Jesus came to this world to redeem us from the kingdom of darkness and from Satans bondage, and He came as a human being. He was God made flesh! What an awesome reality! Isa 7:14: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. This prophecy was fulfilled with Marys immaculate conception, and the angel of the Lord told these things to Joseph to whom she was betrothed. We read this in Matthew 1:1- 25: But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS. The Name Emmanuel means God with us, and the name Jesus means salvation. We read in Isaiah chapter 9, verses 6 and 7, the wonderful prophecy given in the Old Testament of the coming Messiah - Jesus: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. The only hope for mankind to be saved from Satans domination in this world, was for God Himself to come in the flesh and shed His own Holy blood to pay for our sins. And this He did at Calvary. Romans 3:23 tells us : For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Man needed a Saviour, and that Saviour is Jesus. We read in John 14:6-17 the Words of Jesus concerning Himself: .. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. His words are spirit and they are life! (John 6:63) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Satan, on the other hand, is a liar and a deceiver and his words are carnal (appeal to our flesh) and are deadly. He comes to rob, to kill and to destroy (John 10:10). If we allow him to , he will rob our mind of the truth, and kill our body. He is not content until his plan of destruction of the person is complete. However, Jesus brings life more abundantly, in this life, and in the life hereafter, and when we are His, we are protected and need have no fear. Jesus said that the devil is a murderer, a liar and the father of all lies. John 8:44: Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. On the Cross, Jesus exposed the devil and made an open show of him and his demons, and He has given us the truth in His Word as to how to obtain eternal life. Man has the choice of believing Jesus and receiving the prize of Eternal Life, or rejecting the truth which will result in death (eternal damnation). Jesus spoke in parables on many occasions, illustrating and explaining to the minds of men the truths of eternal salvation or damnation. He came down from heaven to die for us, but also to teach and instruct us in His ways, and His Word records all He taught and instructed. His last promise that He WILL return - will be fulfilled when He comes back from heaven. THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE HIS WORD, PROCLAIM HIS WORD AND ACT ACCORDING TO HIS WORD TO THE END OF OUR LIVES HERE ON EARTH, WILL BE EXPECTING HIS RETURN AND WILL RECEIVE THE REWARD. Ninety percent of the Lords promises in the Word have been fullfilled, and those remaining will be fulfilled when He returns on the Day of the Lord, that awesome Day. This promise is confirmed in Revelation chapter 22. John writes, And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord

God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Rev 22:6-7) And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Rev 22:10-14) I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:16-17) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Rev 22:20) In the beginning everything that was created was created by Jesus. God, spoke and Jesus fulfilled the spoken word. The religious shouted crucify Him! and not one of the tens of thousands He had healed and taught, or those who had been close to Him, came to His aid in word or in action, but scattered, afraid, denying Him.( Remember that Jesus was God, and He was their Creator! They did it all in the name of Religion). To be ready, we must at every given opportunity confess Jesus before people, witness about Him and tell of what He has done for us and has meant to us. (Matt. 10:33) But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.

CHAPTER 3 THE PERFECT, ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE

The Word of the Lord tells us in the Old Testament, that the blood of animals only covered the sins of the people for a time, and these sacrifices had to be made continually, but Jesus blood sufficed for all time. The Bible tells us that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission for sin. (Heb 9:22) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Then, speaking of Jesus, we read in Heb 9:26 .... but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of HIMSELF. We read in Heb. 2:9-10 that He tasted death for every man in order that He might bring many to glory! But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. We are told in Heb. 9:28 that He came the first time to pay for our sin, and His second appearance will be to complete our salvation with the resurrection of the dead which we will discuss later. SO CHRIST WAS ONCE OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY; AND UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR

THE SECOND TIME WITHOUT SIN UNTO SALVATION.(Heb 9:28) We need to be of those who are looking for Him to appear the second time, so that our salvation which He began with His first coming, can be completed. When we receive Jesus as our personal Saviour, that is the start of our walk with Him, the beginning, and we certainly need to start there. However the Bible teaches that we need to persevere and continue following Him and obeying His commands and looking forward to , and eagerly awaiting His return, which will be the culmination and fulfilment of our salvation when we endure to the end. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Mat 24:13) We start our journey to Heaven the moment we receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour, but we must keep on going to the end. If I start a journey to Cape Town, the moment I leave Durban, I am on my way, however, I must continue otherwise I will not arrive in Cape Town. Jesus is coming again, and we must be ready and waiting for Him to take us with Him to Heaven when He comes! With His first coming, Jesus was to become the sacrificial Lamb, and this necessitated Him having to come in bodily form. We read in Hebrews 10:5 : Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared Me: For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do thy will, O God. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; (Heb.10:4,7,11,12,14,16-20) Jesus, fully God and sinless, came to earth in human form in order that He might identify with man. By doing this, not only is He able to understand the temptations suffered by sinful man, but through His death, He overcame Satan who had the power of death, so that we might be freed from the fear of death. We read this in Heb. 2:1418 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. No person has ever seen the Father or the Holy Spirit, but Jesus was actually seen, touched and experienced by His disciples and many others, and this is recorded not only in history books, but in His Eternal Word which is forever established. The Father represents the Authority, and the Holy Spirit is seen in the power and ability of Jesus.

Jesus, God manifest in the flesh, told His disciples in John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him. And in answering Philips question, we read in John 14:9-12. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. The Father represents the highest authority, and Jesus said that He and the Father are one. Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, He is God, and the coming Messiah (Christ) is also made mention of in the Old Testament. A JEWISH MESSIAH Orthodox Jews believe that their promised Messiah is coming to deliver them from their enemies. Every day they say today He will come, and at the end of that day they say tomorrow He will come. They have a continual expectation of His coming. The prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, proclaim Him to be God, King, Priest and Prophet. Isaiah chapter 9 verses 6 and 7 proclaim Him to be God and King. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. The Torah (Old Testament) also declares that He will be a Priest and a Prophet. A priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Psalm 110:1-4: The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. And a Prophet according to the spirit of Elijah. Malachi 4:5: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: Jesus fulfilled all these prophetic requirements of the expected Messiah, yet His own people did not recognise Him as such. Jesus - the Messiah, came as a suffering servant to die a sacrificial death to save mankind, and when He comes again He will come as Judge and King of kings. An earthly judge is a mere man with no power UNTIL he takes his position on the bench in court, then only does his authority as a judge give him the power to pass judgement. Jesus is now on the throne in Heaven, from where He has the authority and power to judge. The purpose for Jesus first coming to this world is found in 1John 3 :8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Jesus came to destroy sin, which is of Satan, so that we can live in the

victory that He attained for us. Col 2:14-15: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them ( the demonic powers) in it.(the cross) The evil spirits, demons, have now become subject to disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot cast out Satan, as we read in Jude 1:9: Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But we are instructed to cast out demons! Jesus spoke , and it is recorded in Mark 16:17: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; When Jesus sent His twelve disciples out to preach the Gospel and heal the sick, He also gave them authority to cast out devils, and we read this in Matthew 10:1: And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Then later we read in Luke that He sent out another seventy disciples with the same instructions: Luke 10:17-20 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. After His crucifixion, and just before Jesus left this earth and ascended to Heaven, He gave similar instructions to His disciples who had gathered together on the Mount of Olives. We read in Matthew 28:18-20: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Jesus told them that ALL power (authority) had been given to Him in Heaven and in earth, and because of this, He was sending them forth under His delegated authority to make disciples of men and women, teaching them to do the same things that He had taught them whilst He was with them on earth. And what had He taught them and instructed them to do when He had sent them out previously? Preach the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out devils, raise the dead! Matt. 10:7-8 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. They were in fact destroying Satans kingdom of darkness by Jesus delegated authority! In the Great Commission of the Lord, we read in Mark 16:15-18 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; IN MY NAME THEY SHALL CAST OUT DEVILS; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. When I came to know the Lord Jesus as my personal Saviour, and decided to follow

and obey Him, I also came to know that I had a personal enemy, namely Satan and that he headed up an organisation of demons who are bent on the destruction of mankind. Needless to say, as a medical doctor, scientifically trained, the reality of the existence of demons came as a shock to me at first. However, since then, I have witnessed the most amazing healings and miracles take place as I have cast out demons of blindness, deafness, cancer etc. all in the Name of Jesus. This is what Jesus told His disciples to do when He was with them, and I was now one of His present day disciples! Jesus cast out the unclean spirits that had taken up residence in people, resulting in dumbness, epilepsy and madness, so I followed in His footsteps, obeying His commands! All sickness comes from Satans cohorts, as Jesus said in John10:10 : The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: Then He continued.... I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Jesus came to destroy the works of the Evil one (1John 3:8) Jesus is not some religious icon, He is very, very REAL, and very, very much ALIVE! Every aspect of the life and ministry of Jesus is real and is recorded in history from His birth to His death, His resurrection and His ascension into heaven. All these historical facts were witnessed by hundreds. When He returns, He will be the same Jesus. We read in Acts 1:11: .... Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? THIS SAME JESUS, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. Jesus, came from heaven to be a living, human sacrifice so that we could be saved from eternal damnation. (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Act 2:38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. To be ready for His coming, you need to receive Him as your personal Saviour, be baptised AFTER you have believed, and receive the infilling of the Lords Holy Spirit. Then you need to be responding to His Great commission that He gave to His disciples, (even His present day ones), in Mark 16:15-20 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

CHAPTER 4 JESUS NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

All the heathen religions know the names of the god or gods that they worship and serve. They also know their abilities, capabilities and what they represent. But do we, as Christians know the name of our God and the power of His might? The Word of the Lord tells us clearly that all power and authority has been invested in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said that we could use His name in prayer. He said we could use His name in dealing with demons. He said we could use His name in

ministering to the sick. We read in Philippians chapter 2:9-11, speaking of Jesus: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Then again in Acts 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The devil hates this name and will do all in his power to destroy it. This is why the Name of Jesus is so often used by the world as a curse word! You never find people using the name of Buddha of Allah as a swear word, but the Name of Jesus (or Jesus Christ), is constantly spat out of the mouths of those who know no better, as a profanity! How this jars in the hearts of the believers, but how Satan rejoices. He will do anything to try and belittle the Name of the One who has overcome him and set his demonic forces in disarray! When we come in the Name of Jesus, EVERY KNEE MUST BOW! The measure of the Lords ability is invested in His Name, and, as His present day disciples, Jesus gave us the unqualified use of His name. The Holy Spirit gives the ability of Jesus as demonstrated in His power. (Rom 8:11) But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. Jesus said in John 16:23-24 And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. When we ask in His Name, Jesus endorses our request but we must ask according to His will which is His Word. Jesus gave us this exciting truth in Matt. 18:20:: For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. Jesus said in fact, that He is right there to see to it that what those two or three agreed upon, comes to pass. Lo I am with you always.(Matt.18:20) That is the secret. He is with us in the power (Holy Spirit) and the authority (Father) of His Name. Jesus taught us to pray in Matt 6:9-10 saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Lord and Father are both titles, and Jesus was praying to the highest authority. Jesus said in John 14:6-7....I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. Jesus made His Divinity and His authority quite clear when He spoke to the Jews, and we read in John 10:24- 30 : Then came the Jews round about Him, and said unto Him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of My sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck

them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one.

Jesus name is above all other names, in this name is invested all authority. The Apostle Peter, speaking to the crowd in Acts 4:12 told them: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. What name is that? The LORD JESUS CHRIST ! We cannot be saved by any other title or name e.g. god, Buddha, Krishna or Allah. I personally am looking forward to that day when Lord Jesus Christ comes back to fetch the living and the dead. I am expecting His return and I am proclaiming it. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever..(Heb. 13-8) And the Word is forever established. Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (Psalm 119:89) This is and will always be my hope according to the Word. Jesus tells us that we can ask anything in His Name. John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it. We can pray Lord Jesus please help me in any given situation, according to your Word. He never leaves us or forsakes us and He is there with you right now so speak to Him and tell Him what is on your mind. We now have a High Priest who continually makes intersession for us. Heb 8:1: Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; Heb 7:25: Wherefore He (Jesus) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Jesus is our mediator, and therefore we must come in His Name. We cannot come in the name of the Holy Spirit, because only Jesus can save us. Nowhere in the Bible did believers speak to the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that His words are spirit and they are Life: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63) The Words of Jesus teach, lead and guide us and are His instructions to us. There is no other way, Jesus is the only way and He said when you pray ask in My Name His name is LORD JESUS and He will answer. A more excellent Name: The Bible says that Jesus inherited a more excellent name than any angelic being. Hebrews 1:1-4 tells us: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained A MORE EXCELLENT NAME than they. He is the express image of God. He is the brightness. He is God speaking to us. That name is just as wonderful as He is. That Name is just as mighty as He is. That Name is just as powerful as He is. That Name is just as great as He is . That is the reason it is a more excellent Name. Let us ponder on the Excellency of Jesus - His Name is just as excellent. Psalm 8:1 - A Psalm of David, says: O LORD our Lord, how

excellent is Thy name in all the earth! who hast set Thy glory above the heavens. His is a name above all other names: Paul prays for all believers in Jesus when he writes in Ephesians 1:17-23: 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 (Jesus) : 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, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, 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: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all. Your Name Provides Your Identity: The name of a person identifies that person, and I have always said that if someone suffering with amnesia, unable to remember his name, should end up in a foreign country, he would end up with no identity. Without knowing your name, all records of you become useless. We all agree that a rose will always be a rose no matter what name it is given, and two of the names given in the Word with reference to Jesus, are the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley. (Song of Songs 2:1.) In my own position I have a name, James, and that is my identity, but I am a medical doctor, I am a provider to my family and staff, I am a preacher of the Gospel, I am what is required of me at that particular moment according to my God given attributes. Pertaining to Jesus, His Name is recorded in Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE. These are His attributes. The angel proclaimed His Name to be Jesus confirming the name Emmanuel (God with us) which was prophesied by Isaiah in chapter 7 verse 14. We read this in Matthew 1:21-23: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Jesus is GOD WITH US. Jesus said: Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 10:32) I have noticed on a number of occasions, that in company it is acceptable to speak about God, but dare to mention the name of Jesus, and people become embarrassed. Jesus said now that you have seen Me you have seen the Father (God). Seeing Me you know the Father

(God). The Father (God) and I are one. A scribe questioned Jesus on the Law, and we read in Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: Some teach that God is 3 different individual Gods. 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 The Bible says God is one, 1 x 1 x 1 = 1. The Lord says that He is one God. The attributes of God, Father = authority, Holy Ghost = power, Son = reality. All their abilities were within Jesus to destroy Satan and his demon powers. Jesus had many attributes as recorded in the Bible, some of which are: Teacher, Mediator, Advocate, Intercessor, Prophet, Sheppard, the Door, Son of God, Son of man, to name but a few, but there are many more to add to this list. Jesus said all POWER (authority) has been given to Me in Heaven and earth, and He promised this delegated power to those who believe. He told His disciples to go and wait in the upper room until they received power from above. The power He would send, would empower them to do the works that they had seen Him do, while He was with them on Earth. (John 14:12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. The Bible says Jesus is LORD of all and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ ( the Messiah or Anointed One) is LORD. (Phillp. 2:10-11) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. His complete name LORD JESUS CHRIST indicates His supreme authority. Moses said to the Lord, what shall I say is Your name?. The Lord replied, say that I AM sent you. It is obvious from this that the Lord was indicating that He is always in the present tense and thus always present to undertake for our needs at any given moment. I AM your healer. I AM your Saviour. I AM the supplier of all your needs. All these attributes are vested in the LORD JESUS CHRIST. IN HIM DWELLS THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY: As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. FOR IN HIM DWELLETH ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY. AND YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM, WHICH IS THE HEAD OF ALL PRINCIPALITY AND POWER: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; (Col 2:6-11) The Word tells us not to stay at the beginning, but that we are to move on to perfection.(Heb.6:1) Jesus, as a human, had His own will but chose to be obedient to His Supreme authority, and He implores us to follow His example in choosing His will instead of our own. Because, as our Creator, He knows each one of us intimately, it is obvious that He is well able to direct each one of our lives each day. John 6:38-40: For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me,

that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. To be ready for His coming, we must remember that, whatever we do, we must do in His Name - the name of Jesus, according to His will and for His glory!

CHAPTER 5 ETERNAL LIFE

RESURRECTED LIFE IS IN JESUS Jesus spoke to His disciples about everlasting life when He said in: John 6:47: , He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life. This truth is confirmed in 1John 5:10-13 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. This promise is repeated in John 6:47: He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life. Jesus came down from Heaven and would return to Heaven once His mission of the salvation of mankind was accomplished, and this was completed with His death and resurrection. Thereafter His ascension took place before the very eyes of His disciples. He had prepared them for this, saying in John 6:62: What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before? He told them that where He was going, they could not go with Him. John 7:33-34:....Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto Him that sent Me. Ye shall seek Me, and shall not find Me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. Jesus promised us Eternal Life if we remain in Him, because He IS Eternal life! He also promised that He would raise us up in the last day - when He returns! John 6:44: No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:54: . My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 14:1-4: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Jesus has promised to prepare a place for us in Heaven during the time He is away from us, but that He is coming again to fetch us, to raise us up to be with Him for eternity. 1Thess. 4:13-17: But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them

also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. This passage of scripture says that those who died in Christ and who expected His return to fetch them, will be first to rise from their graves into the air, the air which is above the ground or grave. Those who were raised will suddenly in the twinkling of an eye receive new spiritual bodies and those saints who are alive at that time will also receive new spiritual bodies, and will be taken by the Lord Jesus to Heaven. I believe the word clouds in this sense is actually an expression of extreme euphoria and contentment. A cloud in itself is virtually a mist. We have heard the expression I was in the clouds, I was on cloud !We will certainly be in the clouds on that wonderful day. What a marvelous promise! The hope of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we will arise to be with Him when He comes! Jesus was the very first to have a resurrected, spiritual body, a heavenly body when He was raised from the dead. Many who had known Him well did not recognize Him immediately in His resurrected body. We read the account of Mary at His empty tomb in John 20:13-17: And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God. The resurrection of the dead is one of the doctrines of Christ as described in Hebrews chapter 6, and if we do not believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead physically, we deny the very essence of the Gospel. 1Cor. 15:12-24 Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God,

even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 1 Cor. 15:35: But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 1 Cor. 15:42-58: So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Because we have the assurance from the Word of the Lord that the dead in Christ will be raised at the coming of the Lord, and that those of us who are alive in Christ at that time, will all receive Heavenly bodies and ascend to heaven with Jesus, let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad doing all we can to live for Him and serve Him with all our might and do His will, until that glorious time! As it is written: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. FALSE TEACHING ON THE RESURRECTION Paul suffered severe persecution for preaching the true Gospel which he had received directly from Jesus, and in virtually all his letters to the various churches afar, he warned about false teaches, false doctrines and false christs, and how to recognize them. We must remember that these teachers were sincere people but were deceived by Satan in the area of doctrine through tradition. In the case of Hymeneus and Philetus we read the account of them in 2 Tim. 2:17-1 and Tim. 1:19-20 - Paul handed them over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh so their souls could be saved. They must have preached that people were already in heaven bodily, saying that the coming of Christ had already taken place.

2Tim. 2:15-18: Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Then we learn that Paul released Hymenaeus (1Tim. 1:9:20) from his divine covering so that Paul was no longer responsible for his protection unless Hymenaeus repented. The religious leaders and scribes often spurned the teachings of Jesus and of the Apostle Paul and those who brought truth, and their fate is well known to us. Satans prompt reaction to the TRUTH proves the impact that it has on his kingdom. We often read in newspapers under the heading of DEATHS and in REMEMBRANCE, messages that imply that loved ones have already been resurrected and are already in Heaven body, spirit and soul, and all involved are sincere and genuine believers. But praise the Lord, it is written in 1Cor. 15:51-52 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Before Pauls conversation on the road to Damascus where he met Jesus, Paul was a Pharisee who believed in the resurrection of the dead, but In the same religious system there were the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. The chief priest Caiaphas was a Sadducee. Paul, when confronted by the religious system, used this fact to confuse them. Nevertheless Paul was persecuted by both systems. GLORIFIED BODIES Jesus, (fully God), came from Heaven, to redeem mankind, and for this purpose He required a human body in order to dwell on Earth. He was God incarnate God made flesh. We read in Heb. 10:5 : Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared Me: Peter refers to his physical body as a tent or tabernacle, indicating that it is of a temporary nature for our time here on Earth. He says in 2 Pet. 1:13-14 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. The Word tells us that our physical bodies of flesh and blood are corruptible, meaning that they decay, and therefore cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but it says that these bodies of ours will be changed in an instant to become incorruptible bodies that will arise to Heaven when Jesus comes to fetch us. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1Co 15:52) Jesus physical body was so badly beaten that it did not look like that of a human person due to the wounds that He received.(Read our book The Lords Table and Healing). The Word tells us that Jesus was unrecognisable. As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: (Isa 52:14) When He was raised from the dead after three days, Mary Magdalene (who was very well acquainted with Jesus), did not recognise Him, but thought He was the gardener. She spoke to Him, asking Him where He had taken Jesus body. When Jesus called her name Mary, only then did she recognise Him.

The same occurred with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who had a long conversation with Jesus during their walk together, and yet did not recognise Him until He broke bread with them. Then suddenly they realised that He was Jesus. (Luke 28:13-31) Then Jesus disappeared just as suddenly as He had appeared. On another occasion, His apostles did not recognise Him when He appeared to them, and they thought that He was a ghost. (Luke 24:36-37) And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. Jesus had received a new, incorruptible, heavenly body. He could speak, eat, and was visible, but was able to appear and disappear at will, and pass through walls. His new body retained, and will always bear, those nail print marks in His hands and feet, and the pierce mark in His side, to prove to mankind that He died, and the way in which He suffered death for us. When He comes back, our human bodies will instantly be changed to spiritual bodies like His, incorruptible, that will go to Heaven. He said to Mary, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.(John:20:17). This was after three days and nights in the grave. I have not yet ascended to the Father, the highest seat of authority in heaven - the judgement seat. From which Lord Jesus shall judge the living and the dead. Jesus went to pray on the Mount of Transfiguration, and He took with Him His three closest disciples, Peter, John and James, to give them a glimpse into the future. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared in their spiritual bodies. Remember that Moses died and was buried, but his grave was never found, and Elijah was taken up to heaven alive, but both had spiritual bodies, they spoke, were recognisable, appeared and disappeared. On the mountain the appearance of Jesus changed, and He shone brightly, the glorified Jesus was revealed. We read this in Luke 9:29-34: And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him. And it came to pass, as they departed from Him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spoke, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. Luke 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him. Jesus proved His deity to His three disciples by allowing them to witness His glorification: And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. (Matt. 17:9) Not only was His deity revealed, but the resurrection of the dead was foretold. This truth was stored in the minds of these apostles, and would later be revealed by them in the Gospels. Jesus is coming back for the living and the dead believers in Him. Jesus told His disciples: All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. ( Matt. 18:19).

This includes power over graves below the earth. Jesus said: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Rev 1:18) Jesus said He did not come to break the Law, but to fulfil the Law. He fulfilled every aspect of the Law, and paid the final price for our salvation, by sacrificing Himself for us.

THE CULMINATION OF OUR SALVATION Two examples used regarding salvation, often confusing the church, are the thief on the Cross, and Lazarus and the rich man. The thief on the cross confessed that he had sinned and repented by saying we deserve our punishment, but this Jesus is an innocent man. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise. (Luke 23:42-43) In saying this, he professed that Jesus was Lord and that he knew that He would be resurrected, and he asked Jesus to remember him. The word says that today is the day of salvation. The thief believed with his heart and confessed Jesus deity with his mouth. Rom 10:9-10 says: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. And we read in Rom 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Jesus was saying to this thief, today your name is written in the Book of the Lamb because you have believed, and you will be in Paradise with Me. Jesus did not go to heaven that day, He went to the grave. After three days and three nights He said to Mary Magdalene, dont touch Me, I have not ascended to My Father and your Father. This robbers body will be resurrected when Jesus returns, and his new spiritual body will ascend to heaven. The Words says in 2 Peter 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. And we read in Psalm 90: 4: For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (A watch in the night is about 4 hours). The parable of Lazarus and the rich man is described in Luke chapter 16. We have no knowledge concerning their obedience to the Law which determined their salvation in the Old Testament. Lazarus died and was taken to paradise by angels. The rich man died and was buried. In this account, it would appear that Heaven and hell are adjacent to one another, with a deep gulf in between, and Abraham presiding. The aim of this parable is to show that the Lord is not a respecter of persons; He does not prefer the mighty self righteous man above the down and out. All are equal in His sight. We read the account: Luke 16:20-25: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have

mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, Jesus knows exactly what lies ahead for us and He receives us with open arms. Jesus is the beginning and the end of our faith. (Heb 12:2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Luke 18:8). . Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? In other words will He find any believers who trusted or believed that He is coming back to fetch them. Each one of us must answer this question individually and personally. SO CHRIST WAS ONCE OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY; AND UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR THE SECOND TIME WITHOUT SIN UNTO SALVATION (HEB. 9:28) To be ready, we must BELIEVE that when He appears, we will be resurrected and our salvation will be complete!

CHAPTER 6 THE DOCTRINES OF CHRIST

Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 1. Repentance from dead works, 2. Faith in God , 3. Baptism in water representing death and resurrection, or burial and resurrected life, 4. Laying on of hands for healing, receiving the spiritual gifts as described in 1 Corinthians chapter twelve. 5. resurrection of the dead and the coming of Jesus to fetch His Bride those and who trust and obey, and are waiting for Him, 6. Eternal judgement. I personally believe that the last two doctrines will happen in an instant as the Book of Life is opened, in the twinkling of an eye or as a flash of lightening. The judgement of Christ does not mean eternal damnation but rewards received for obedience. Others will be judged for their disobedience. The Lord makes it very clear in His Word concerning those who bring not the doctrines of Christ. We read in 2 John 9-10: Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: There is no other way, Jesus is the way to Heaven and He is coming back to fetch His Bride! The Baptism of the believer represents dying of the Old Man and the resurrection of the New Man believers baptism. (Rom 6:3-11) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore

we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. In Ephesians chapter 4:11-13, we read where Jesus gave gifts unto men: Eph. 4:1113 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: He appointed people to equip His (Body), the Church (1) apostle, (2) prophet, (3) evangelist, (4) teacher and (5) pastor to shepherd the flock. He gave man a free will to accept or reject His Words. People can either accept and believe, or reject this message of salvation to their detriment. Our response to His Word will decide our destiny in the end with the return of Jesus Christ on that awesome day! We dare not judge who is going to heaven or who is there, for then we make our self as God. Jesus is coming back to raise the dead and to judge the living and the dead by opening the Book of Life and rewarding or condemning. He is the only righteous Judge able to do this. In the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1). Five of these virgins were ready and waiting for the Bridegroom, but the other five foolish virgins were not ready, so they missed the Bride Groom. The thief in the night comes when you are not expecting him, not ready (Luke 12:39). If you are not looking forward to Jesus return or expecting His coming, you will miss that final step of your glorious salvation. I studied medicine for six years in order to become a medical doctor, however, if I had not written my final exam, those six years of very hard work, effort and experience, would have been wasted. The Jews expected their Messiah to be a mighty conqueror when He came, and the majority of them were not expecting Him to come when He did, and so they missed Him with His first coming. When He comes again, the Bible tells us that they will look upon Him whom they had pierced. We must be alert and waiting! FABLES AND FALSE DOCTRINES Man made doctrines and traditions of man, have caused great divisions and animosity over the ages in the Body of Christ. The Bible warns us not to follow traditions of man, because they make the commandments of God of none effect (Mat 15:6-9), but the warnings of false teachers and prophets who bring a false gospel,are even greater. Gal. 1:8: But even if we or an angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel to you that what we have preached to you, let him be a cursed. Meaning: cut off from God and salvation. Most denominations have their man made doctrines and traditions. I belonged to a denomination which taught me that when I was christened as an unbelieving baby, I was saved and became a covenant child. And because I was thus saved, I could never

go to hell, but would always go straight to Jesus. The Word distinctly says in Mark 16:16: He that BELIEVETH and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. A baby cannot believe, and the Word says that you must believe BEFORE you are baptised. You must be born again by the Spirit of God, before you are baptised.And in John 3:3, Jesus said to Nicodemus,... Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus spoke harshly to the Pharisees, reprimanding them for hanging onto their manmade traditions whilst ignoring His commandments, and we read this in Mark 7:78 : Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men..... And Mark 7:13: Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. Jesus emphasized the fact that the liberating truth which He had come to bring, was contained in His words! John 8:31-32: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. His words will free you from Satans lies to live the life that Jesus came to give you. We so often hear the term, but THEY say! Well it matters not one whit what they say. Because all that counts is what Jesus said! And Jesus said, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matt. 7:13-15) The path to eternal life is narrow, difficult to find only a few will be on that narrow path to eternal life. The path to eternal destruction is wide, and many thereon. Here Jesus is speaking to religious people. He was warning them then, and He is still warning His Church today, beware of false prophets and their false doctrines that will lead us away from the narrow way and onto the broad way to destruction! 2 John 1:7-11: For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed:For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds. Gal 1:8-9: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Can we discern these false prophets and doctrines? Yes, we can. By knowing the TRUE doctrine of Christ. The devil even tried to deceive Jesus by quoting scripture out of context, but Jesus knew all about Satans whiles, and He knew the Word He is the Word! More than ever before, we need to be abiding in sound Biblical truth whilst

looking forward to His return. Our Salvation is by grace alone Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Over the years, men who have been called into full time service for the Lord, have acquired titles to indicate their office or function in the Body of Christ. The problem with this practice as I see it is twofold. Firstly, we do not find the disciples in the early Church using these titles when addressing one another, so it would appear that there is no biblical foundation for it. Then secondly, there is always the danger of the elevation of man and pride setting in. Titles such as, Reverend, Prophet, Father, Priest, Dominee, Arch Bishop etc. These titles tend to exalt man. I function in the Body of Christ as an evangelist, but I am not Evangelist van Zyl. My name is James. The Word warns us not to call any person Father. Matt. 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. In the Roman Catholicism, which uses the same Bible as other Christians, we find they refer to their priests as Father, and to the Pope as His Holiness. The Pope is a man who has been ordained in Rome, and has had the title bestowed upon him by man. He has been given supreme authority over the Roman Catholic Church. His name changes when he leaves this office and is replaced by another person. The Roman Catholic church believes that the pope has supreme authority in Christendom, on earth and in heaven. Without giving it a second thought, we will address a priest as Father, although the irony of it is that he is not even married and has no children. Unwittingly we concede to his authority as Father. Likewise, a nun, unmarried, is addressed as mother, such as Mother Theresa. In an interview, when asked what we had to do in order to be saved, she answered, we must be kind. She is an icon in the world today, and the pope is in the process of beatifying her. However, before canonization takes place, they are searching for one miracle that was performed by her in her life. The exaltation and worship of Mother Mary has always been a prominent doctrine of the R.C. Church. I know of members of the Roman Catholic church who are of the kindest, generous and most self sacrificing people on earth. Just look at the dedication of their priests and nuns They are wonderful examples of service and self denial in the interests of the poor, needy and most lowly. However the Bible calls these dead works in the light of trying to earn ones salvation. Isaiah declares in Isa 64:6 : But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And we read in Eph. 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. We are however called to do good works for the glory of the Lord once we have been saved, but these good deeds should follow after our salvation which is by GRACE through FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ. Good works are part of the gospel, BUT NOT PART OF OUR SALVATION. Grace is synonymous with the Lord Jesus Christ and there is no other name by which we can be saved. To be ready, we need to have thankful and grateful hearts, praising our Lord for His goodness and mercy EVERY DAY!

CHAPTER 7 HAVING THE MIND OF CHRIST

We must however have our carnal minds renewed through the Word of the Lord in order to receive spiritual truth and live with a greater understanding that , although we are in this world, we are not of this world! We are sojourners, pilgrims fulfilling the task the Lord Jesus has given us to do whilst we are still on this Earth. We should not become so entangled with the cares and the riches of this world which serve only to choke the precious Word that nourishes and gives us life for each day. The things of this world are only temporary and will all pass away, so our time, efforts and energy should be spent with Eternity in mind. That which is around us keeps changing, but each generation thinks that what they see and experience in their lifetime, will be forever. We should be storing up treasures in Heaven and not on this earth which will be destroyed. Treasures in Heaven will be forever and ever, but it will take the renewing of our mind to be conformed to the mind of Christ in order for us to perceive this spiritual truth. ( Read our book, Gods Divine Wisdom for Man). The Bible tells us that we must renew our mind and bring our thinking in line with the Word of the Lord, according to His plan and purpose for us as we walk in the Light, but Satan will always oppose godly thinking, because the mind is the battlefield! Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philp. 2:5) We must put off the things of the flesh- the carnal man, and bring every thought into line with the mind of Christ. Ephesians 4:20-23: But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. The same truth is repeated in 2 Cor. 10:3-5: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; The words of Jesus must abide in our minds. And our minds must abide in His Word we must meditate day and night on His Words, (think, believe, act). If you are without a brain or mind you are a cabbage, because your mind controls you. Some attributes of the mind are thoughts, imaginations, memory. Through the mind we experience knowledge, wisdom, doubt, confusion and fear. The brain, mind, sub conscience and conscience are the same and control our thinking and consequently our body, life and future. We must develop the mind of Christ by renewing our minds with His word. The Lord uses His Word to instruct our mind. Satan uses his evil spirits to destroy our mind. We have a free choice as to what we allow into our mind. Jesus had a physical body that was real and was able to perform all normal functions required of a human being. He had a mind, invisible but Holy unseen but very real that controlled His body. He spoke the Words of His Father that were Holy instructions they were of one mind. We must have the mind of Christ to take control of our carnal minds and bodies. Man will be recognised by their fruit, and Jesus spoke of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, fruit which He expects us to display. He gives the gifts of the Holy Spirit to man as His Spirit wills, as described in 1 Corinthians chapter 12.

Our mind, speech and actions, must portray our obedience to the instructions of Jesus. Jesus said in Luke 6:46: And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? He also said in John 14:15: If ye love Me, keep My commandments. In other words, we must do what He has instructed us to do. The Bible tells us that Life and death are in the power of the tongue(Prov. 18:21). ETERNAL Life or death is in the power of the tongue expressed by our words. Whatever is on our mind, in our thoughts, will come forth as spoken words, and will affect our lives. (Mark 11:23) For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Our mind is part of our soul. We are to save souls (people). We also find that in many cases in the Word, the mind and spirit are interchangeable. MIND AND SPIRIT Job. 38:36: Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? Isa. 26:3: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Rom. 7:25: I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Rom 11:34: For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? Rom 12:16: Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Rom 14:5: One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 1Cor. 2:16: For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 2Ti 1:7: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. SPIRIT AND MIND Mar. 14:38: Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Joh. 13:21: When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Rom. 1:9: For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Rom. 8:9: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 1 Cor. 14:14: For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 2 Cor. 4:13: We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I

believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Eph. 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: Col. 2:5: For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 1Jn. 4:13: Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. The Apostle Paul exhorted the members of the Body of Christ to be of one mind and spirit.Phil. 1:27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; To be ready, we need to have the fear of the Lord and to be in one mind with Christ. That is to love what He loves and hate sin and all evil in the same way that He hates it. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. (Prov. 8:13)

CHAPTER 8 END TIME ENDURENCE UNDER PERSECUTION

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. (1 Tim. 1:15-17) The Word of the Lord makes it quite clear that we must persevere as we see the signs of the End Time approaching. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Heb 10:35-39) Jesus declares the same in Matt. 10:22: And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. The Apostle Pauls life is a wonderful example of persistent endurance in all situations and during every form of persecution, for the sake of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He says in 1Tim. 1:15-17:This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Paul had been a Pharisee of Pharisees and a student of the esteemed Gamaliel who

was a teacher of great acclaim. He was delegated immense authority by the Jewish leaders before his conversion on the Road to Damascus when He met with the risen Lord Jesus. He was a Roman citizen by birth, kept all the Jewish Laws strictly, and was held in high esteem by his peers. In addition to this, by nature, he was a very zealous, determined and persistent man! He had tasted power and high position but after he had a real encounter with the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, a great change took place in his life! Paul cried out, who art thou Lord, and the answer came: I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Then Jesus instructed Ananias to baptize Paul and to pray for him and Ananias, aware of Pauls reputation, hesitated, and we read in Acts 9:15-16: But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for My name's sake. After being filled with the Holy Spirit and being baptized by Ananias, (Acts 9:4-13), Paul then spent three years in the desert, during which time he was taught by Jesus. (Gal 1:12) For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. He had no professors or lecturers. He had no Bible or text books as reference, yet he wrote over a third of the New Testament, recorded for more than 2000 years. He tells us that although he was separated from the other apostles and disciples so that he could not be influenced by their teachings, (in case his doctrine differed from theirs), after three years, when they were united, they found that they had exactly the same doctrine. The knowledge and accuracy of the gospels and the epistles of Paul were verified by the Old Testament prophecies which had been given approximately 1000 years previously. A total of between 6000 and 8000 prophesies in total. These were, and still are, being fulfilled in detail. The Lord said I am telling you now so that when it happens you will know that I am the Lord. Jesus said that Paul was going to suffer persecution for His Name - Lord Jesus Christ, and we read Pauls account of his suffering in 2Cor. 11: 23-27 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Paul speaks about his thorn in the flesh, saying in 2 Cor. 12:7-10: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. Paul speaks openly about how he suffered for spreading the Good News of the Lord

Jesus Christ. He endured hardship and persecution and it is significant that he never mentions sickness in any of his descriptions of his suffering. (Read our book; Pauls thorn in the flesh) Although Pauls longing was to be with the Lord, he knew that for the sake of the brethren, he was still needed, so he was prepared to persevere to the end! Such was his dedication to the Lord and to his calling, and we should have the same attitude! He says in Phil. 1:21-24 : For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. Paul writes to Timothy warning him of the fact that as he continues serving the Lord, he can expect the same suffering in his life, and we read in 2 Ti 3:10-12: But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. YEA, AND ALL THAT WILL LIVE GODLY IN CHRIST JESUS SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION. Like Paul, we must count it all joy, to serve our Lord, regardless of the tests and trials that come our way we must endure to the end, in spite of every demonic attack that will try to silence us! We need to be ready for His appearance, just as Paul was, right to the end. He counted it as a privilege to have fought the good fight, because he knew what awaited him as a reward because of his perseverance throughout his calling. The Word of the Lord declares that it is through suffering persecution with endurance that the character and nature of the Lord Jesus is developed in us. The truth is that when we are faced with the hardship and trials brought upon us by the enemy, as we endure and overcome, we become stronger. We read in James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. The same truth is confirmed in Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And the Apostle Peter puts it this way, For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: ,(1Pe 2:19-21) We must endure to the end with a vision for our sanctification, and a passion for Jesus! This is not the time to grow cold in fact, just the opposite is true, we need to rekindle our first love. Jesus said to the Church at Ephesus, and we read in Rev 2:34 ....And hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. As we bear patiently and labour without fainting, we must do so with the fire of our first love for Jesus still burning in our heart.

At the end of his life, Paul could write with confidence: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. (2 Tim. 4:6-8) To be ready, we must fight the good fight of faith by PERSEVERING and ENDURING to the end. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1Tim. 6:12)

CHAPTER 9 END OF THE AGE AND THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING

Knowledge shall increase The Lord gave His servant Daniel, wonderful visions and dreams which we read of in the Book of Daniel. He prophesied the date of birth of the Messiah and also the times of the end of the age. We read the word of the Lord in Daniel 12:4: But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. We see truly how people are running to and fro as never before, searching for answers and solutions to problems, some of which are new on this earth and have never had to be faced before. We also see just how much mans knowledge has increased over the last hundred years with the discovery of so much intricate technology and equipment such as jet planes, satellites, computers, telecommunication, etc. Yet mans increased knowledge has not provided the much needed solutions to the worlds chaos and its rapid decline in every aspect. We are no further with world peace, global famine, the decay of morality or corruption of man! (Read our book Mans Wisdom is foolishness with God). We really do desperately need the Lords intervention. The world at present is just as Jesus said it would be in the last days. When inquired of by His disciples, Jesus told them what the signs would be that would herald His return, and we read His answer to them in Matthew chapter 24: And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matt. 24:3-8) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matt. 24:11-13: This passage of scripture speaks for itself. We have witnessed all over the world - the

numerous wars, earthquakes, famines and life destroying diseases that have been on the increase, and seem to be escalating at an alarming rate. Then in Luke 21:22-28, we read of additional information in the same dissertation that Jesus gave: For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Just recently we have seen the horror of the devastating tsunamis the sea and the waves roaring and mens hearts failing them for fear. The Lord said that all shall be shaken, and we see this warning being confirmed in Heb. 12:25-29: See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet ONCE MORE I SHALL SHAKE NOT THE EARTH ONLY, BUT ALSO HEAVEN. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. The Lords purpose for this shaking is so that only that which is lasting, which is of eternal value, will remain. We are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, so let us serve the Lord with reverence and awe! Learn from His teaching, how close we are to Jesus coming! This is why I felt compelled to write this book at this particular time. I feel deeply, the burden and the weight of having to sound the trumpet and the necessity of warning people to be prepared for His coming, to make ready for this awesome event which is will affect our eternal destiny. CORRUPTION IN LAST DAYS Right at the start, the Lord established His rules, His commandments and His boundaries for man. He is after all our Creator and He knows what is best for us. He wants to bless us, but He can only do so if we abide by His instructions and ways of living. He said to His people in Deut. 11:26-28 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. However, mans nature has always been to think that he knows better than his Creator,

and consequently he is determined to do things his way. He desires to prove his own ability and power, saying in essence that he does not need God. But herein lies mans downfall! Listen to the Lords words in Deut. 8:17-20: And thou say in thine heart, my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God. The Lord has established HIS CONSTITUTION FOR MAN AND WE WHO ARE HIS, MUST ABIDE BY THIS CONSTITUTION! Every country has its own constitution, which has been drafted by that nation, and its citizens are required to keep its statutes and laws, however mans constitutions do not measure up to the Bible, the Lords PERFECT CONSTITUTION for His people, and remember that Heaven is a THEOCRACY AND NOT A DEMOCRACY. We are not His advisers, we are His servants! He is King of Kings and we are His subjects and must adhere to His rules with joy, because, unlike many of the leaders of countries whose citizens suffer under corrupt dictators, Jesus rules in righteousness! The corruption, violence and lawlessness that we see in this world today, come as a direct result of mans disobedience to his Creator! The chaos we witness around us is the consequence of mans wilful and Godless behaviour in opposition to His directives for living! We cannot blame the Lord for all the disaster that surrounds us, because it is of our own doing through rebellion to His clear instructions for living! Jesus said that in the last days before His return, man would be making choices. He declared that the gulf between good and bad would widen. Rev 22:10-11: And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. There are those however, that in spite of the Bibles warning, will choose to do their own thing in these last days. The Word declares their state in 2 Tim. 3:1-5: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Jesus said that in the last days before His return, it would be as it was in the days of Noah and of Lot: Luke 17:26-30 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted,

they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. I believe the fire and brimstone that rained down upon them, was a volcanic eruption. The Lord controls the elements and uses them for His purposes - including judgement. Jesus said that just before His return, it would be like the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. Only a remnant were saved from the fire and brimstone that rained down from Heaven to destroy them because of their sin and unbelief. 2 Peter 2:6-9 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: The words of Jesus ring in my ears. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8) Will there still be any who believe and act upon that which I instructed in My Word? We have been warned that many will believe another Gospel, another Jesus and be following a different gospel.(Gal. 1:6). The Lord had to judge the world in the time of Noah not only because of all the corruption, but because of the VIOLENCE! We read in Gen. 6:11 to 13 : The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Now, as we look around us at the world, we see the very same conditions today! No wonder the Lord, once again, has to judge the world with all its evil. In the days of Lot the medium of judgment was fire. Gen 18:16-33: And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him. And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and BECAUSE THEIR SIN IS VERY GRIEVOUS; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto Me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt Thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from Thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in

Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt Thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And He said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spoke unto Him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And He said, I will not do it for forty's sake. And he said unto Him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And He said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And He said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And He said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. And the LORD went His way, as soon as He had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place. Out of the two mighty cities, only four people were saved because they were obedient to the Lords instructions. One of the four was Lots wife, but she did not make it in the end, because like Eve, she did exactly what the Lord had warned her not to do. There were eight saved during the flood on Noahs ark, and four (minus one) saved from the fire and brimstone that fell on Sodom and Gomorrah. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it. (Mat 7:13-14) THE REMNANT We read in the Bible that there has always been a remnant of the Lords people throughout the ages, a remnant who have received, believed and obeyed the truth of His Word. The Apostle Paul, speaking of the Israelites, says in Romans 11:1-5 : I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, and digged down Thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. When Elijah, prophet of the Lord, thought that he was the only one left in Israel who had not forsaken the Lords covenant, the Lord assured him that there were in fact 7000 others who had remained faithful to Him.(1Kings 19:14 and 18) There will still always be those who hear the Truth of the Word, recognise it as Truth, and then act upon what they have believed. 1Thess. 2:13: For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

References of Remnant in the Bible Isa 1:9: Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Jer 15:11: The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction. Jer 23:3: And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. Eze 6:8: Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries. Joel 2:32: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. Rom 11:5: Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. There will always be a remnant. Just as there was in the days of Noah. 1Pet. 3:20 ... when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. Only Noah and his family were saved because they had faith and believed the Lord to the end. And the Lord fulfilled His promise of rain in due season and in His appointed time. Jesus tells us that at the end He will shorten the time for the sake of the believers, because if He does not shorten that perilous time, who will be able to stand the horror of it all?. The chaos caused by rebellious man intensifies as Jesus return becomes closer. However, nobody knows the exact time of His coming. Thats why we must be ready. Mens interpretations of the book of Revelation differ considerably as we come closer to the end of the age, especially regarding the timing of events. They speak of a) Rapture, b) Second coming, c) Great White Throne Judgement. If I state that the words Trinity and rapture do not appear in the Bible there is an immediate reaction, but everyone accepts these additions to the Word. But because these words are not found in the Bible, it could bring confusion. Trying to interpret the end through mans inability to fully understand the Book of Revelation, brings conflicting opinions. When will Armageddon take place? And The Great White Throne Judgement? Some divide the Tribulation into 3 parts, viz. pretribulation, tribulation, post tribulation and then they form their own doctrines and predict times as to when Jesus will return. We read the word of the Lord in 2 Peter 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. We read the words of Jesus, concerning the end of the age and of His coming : Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. BUT OF THAT DAY AND THAT HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN, NO, NOT THE ANGELS WHICH ARE IN HEAVEN, NEITHER THE SON, BUT THE FATHER. TAKE YE HEED, WATCH AND PRAY: FOR

YE KNOW NOT WHEN THE TIME IS. (Mark 13:31 -33) The Bible tells us : Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. (Rev. 1:7). For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Rom. 14:11). I believe that these are those awaiting His coming, whose names are written in the Book of Life, those expecting His return and are prepared for Him. If we are not ready for His return we will miss out. How many of us can He count upon to be ready for His appearing? Let us not miss the Bridegroom as the five foolish virgins did. The gospel is so simple to understand and to obey, but religion and the wisdom of manmade doctrines, often cloud and screen its simplicity. Jesus said that we should become as little children in order to accept and receive, the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matt. 18:3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. The enemy uses subtle ways to try and make the Bible and the Gospel appear complicated and beyond our ability to understand. (2 Cor. 11:3) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. And 1Cor. 1:20 declares: Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (Mark 13:22) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. To be ready, we must be constantly alert, watching and praying that we do not fall into temptation and deception. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matt. 26:41) Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. (Mark 13:33)

CHAPTER 10 ISRAELS END TIME SIGNIFICANCE

A very important aspect of our preparation for the Lords coming, is the stand we take concerning the Nation of Israel (Eretz Israel the Land of Israel). We need to be pledging our allegiance to the Lords Holy Land as the Nations of the world come against her on every side, and her enemies surround her. The Bible tells us in prophecy that this attack on His people and their Promised Land will take place in the last days, and it also says that the Lord will severely judge those nations that are guilty of this. We need to be praying much for Israel, the apple of His eye at this time, before His return. Just recently there has been much controversy amongst the nations regarding the dividing up of ISRAELS LAND, and Israels capital city JERUSALEM. However we need to know the truth behind this diabolical plan of Satans. Jesus said to His disciples in His End Time discourse, Take heed that no man deceive you!(Matt. 24:4) We must not be deceived when it comes to the worlds opinion regarding the Land of Israel. It matters not what man says, but WHAT DOES THE LORD SAY? We need to realise that the Lord Himself has determined the boundaries of the Promised Land, because it is HIS LAND and He is entitled to entrust it to whom He chooses ! Concerning its boundaries,

we read in Genesis that the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, and , you must remember, that the Lord NEVER breaks His covenant. (Gen 15:18) In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The nations seem to think that they have the right to dictate to Israel what to do with their land, and where to build and not to build, and the Lord warns of this in His Word. (Joel 3:1-2) For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for My people and for My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted My land. (divided My land). He also warns of His judgement upon the nations who have come against Israel , saying that He will deal with them in the same way in which they have dealt with His Nation. (Oba. 1:15) For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. It is important to note that the Gaza strip as it is now known, is not an isolated piece of territory that can be divided from Israel and given to the whoso ever at the whim of other nations. This portion of the Land of Israel is described in the Bible on numerous occasions as Judea and Samaria. They are places where Jesus walked and did many of His miracles. Gaza is part of the land which the Lord promised to Abraham in Genesis 15:18, and it has never been rescinded. Nations are often referred to as trees in the Bible, and Jesus referred to the Nation of Israel as the fig tree in Mark 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that the Nation of Israel was to play a very important part in discerning the times and seasons in the last days before His coming. This is repeated in Luke chapter 21: 29-33: And He spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, in the Lords perfect time, came to redeem mankind, as we read in Gal 4:4-5: But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. But the Word tells us that His own people did not recognise Him as the Messiah of God the Christ. John 1:11:He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. Consequently, when the destruction of the Temple took place in 70 AD the Jews were scattered throughout the Diaspora, just as the Lord warned would happen because of their disobedience (Ezek. 12:15) And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries. We all know how badly the Jews have been persecuted and how much they have suffered, especially over the last 2000 years. The Holocaust ,during which time six million Jews were exterminated and placed into mass graves, is well documented in history. The Jews were virtually exterminated, and Ezekiel prophesied that these dead bones would

live again! (Ezez. 37:4-10) Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. We have seen this come to pass over the past 62 years. The Lord promised this in Psalm 102:13-16 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. WHEN THE LORD SHALL BUILD UP ZION (Israel), HE SHALL APPEAR IN HIS GLORY The Lord intended the Jews dispersion to be for a season, for a specific time period in order to fullfill His purpose for the salvation of ALL, - gentiles included! Rom 11:2526; For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: The Lord however promises to gather again from the four corners of the Earth, those whom He had scattered, and bring them back home to their Promised Land, Israel. Ezek. 36:24-28 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. And we have seen this promise taking place in the Land of Israel since it became a Nation again in 1948. It was a miracle for a nation, to be born in a day, but that is exactly what happened as was prophesied by Isaiah so many centuries ago. Isa 66:8: Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Israel, the Lords Promised Land was once again inhabited by the Jews, and the shekel, the Hebrew language (which had ceased to exist for all those years), their flag and army were once again in use. The deserts bloomed

again and there was rejoicing as Jews flocked home after having had no homeland for decades. Then in 1967, Jerusalem once again came under Jewish rule, and Jews were able to pray at the Western Wall in the Old City. This wonderful promise of the Lord, this prophecy that is being fulfilled before our very eyes in Israel today, is not only an indication of the Lords faithfulness, but a wakeup call to this generation, those of us who know that this is the sign of the Fig tree blossoming and heralding our soon coming King. Rev. 1:7 Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Jews. We must never forget that they have given us the Word of the Lord the Holy Scriptures. The Patriarchs were Jews, the Apostles were Jews, Jesus our Saviour was a Jew, the Early Church consisted of members who were predominantly Jews. Yet for our sakes they were cast aside so that we could become part of the commonwealth of Israel. We gentiles, who were without hope and without access to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were accepted in the Beloved. Read Eph2:11-15. The Word says of the Jews: For if the casting away of them( the Jews) be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? (Rom 11:15) The Lord promised that He would make Abraham a great nation, and that those who blessed him would be blessed. Gen 12:2-3 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. He also said in Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. The Jewish people have suffered extreme persecution at the hand of ignorant and satanically inspired men over the centuries and we need to repent of Anti Semitism which is still rife throughout the world. We need to bless them and see the Lords blessing on our life. Christians are rediscovering this biblical truth that is profound both in its simplicity and power. Our opportunity is to take the Lord at His word and bless, not curse, His people. Paul taught long ago that though the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy (Rom. 11:31). Anti-Semitism has one source Satan - who was motivated by the knowledge that the One who was to be his conqueror, Jesus the Messiah, would come through a people that would be specially prepared by the Lord! Anti Semitism has existed because Satan dreaded, not only the birth of the Messiah, but also the return of the MESSIAH! Hence all the attacks on Israel, and particularly on Jerusalem (East side), because that is the place to which Jesus the Messiah is going to return, and Satan knows that his time is short. Today, the Jewish people are looking for their Messiah to come and deliver. As Christians, we are looking for Jesus to come and bring salvation. He is the same Messiah Jesus Christ. Mark 13:29-30 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. (Read our book Israel or Ishmael). It is the King of the Universe who holds the final solution for Satan his total destruction and the triumph of the Lord over evil. Until then, we have much to do. For His Kingdom! To be ready, we must be praying for the Jewish people, for Israel and for the peace of Jerusalem, because this is on the very heart of the Lord.

CHAPTER 11 END TIME EVANGELISM AND FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Jesus, in answering His disciples question as to when His coming would be, declared these significant words : And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matt. 24:14). The Apostle Mark records the same truth, and puts it this way: And the gospel must first be published among all nations.(Mark 13:10). This is of vital importance to the Lord, because He has chosen this method to get men saved BY PREACHING! (Proclaiming). 1Cor. 1:21-23: For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, IT PLEASED GOD BY THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING TO SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. We read the same truth recorded in Rom. 10:13-15: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH, EXCEPT THEY BE SENT? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, AND BRING TIDINGS OF GREAT THINGS! The Lord took me to His Word in connection with Jonah. He gave instructions to Jonah to go and preach to the rebellious people of Nineveh, but because Jonah was disobedient he became fish food for 3 days and 3 nights. However when he eventually obeyed, the entire city of Nineveh, with over 120,000 souls were saved from total destruction. (Jonah 4:11). The Lord Jesus said that all nations must hear the Gospel preached before His return! This is what inspired me to have all the books that I have written over the past 30 years (both in English and Afrikaans ), put onto one CD which is available from the Stanger Christian Centre, so that it can be sent to any nation for the purpose of preaching the Gospel in this end time. You may make as many copies of this CD as you wish. The books have no copyright on them and anyone is welcome to translate them, print them or reproduce them, as long as the contents are not added to or changed. They are also freely available on our website, which is www.stangerchristiancentre.co.za. The Word must go out into all the world, and we all need to be involved. Time is of the essence. Paul challenged Timothy in 2 Tim.4:1-4: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; PREACH THE WORD; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Jesus said And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matt. 24:14). And we need to be obedient to His instructions in preparation for His return. Our hearts

desire is to be a part of the fulfillment of this prophecy, by encouraging people to send a copy of the CD to the unsaved throughout the whole world. One CD can be copied and reach thousands of people with the gospel. END TIME PARABLES BEARING FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS On the 23rd of March 1979, a prophecy was given in the Stanger Town Hall, and the Lord declared through His servant that night, what He had ordained for this place. It was indeed and without doubt an anointed word from the Lord, given at length and in detail, describing how He planned to do a work in this place that the Nation (South Africa) would know about. When the prophecy was being given, it was accompanied by loud thunder and lightning, although there had been no sign of rain or cloudy weather when we arrived at the Town Hall, - and, thunder storms are very rare for our area! The Lord said through His servant that there would be signs and wonders, miracles and even a literature ministry. Every detail (and there were many) has come to pass even the accurate description of what the building would be like, down to the corrugated metal roof. However, the reason for my bringing this to remembrance in the context of the subject of this book, is because the message from the Lord to our eager and earnestly seeking small group of believers that night, ended with these words: And when you see these things come to pass, know that it is I the Lord that has done it. But look not at the signs and wonders of man, but to the fruits of righteousness of love, of temperance and of Holy living. The many wonders and miracles that we have seen the Lord do in this place will fill books and books if we were to record them all, and we rejoice at each one as it takes place. We never take His wondrous works for granted and we always give Him every bit of the honour and glory that is due to Him and Him alone. But we are very conscious that the Lord is equally concerned, maybe even more so, about the fruit of righteousness that must be evident in our lives. It is most significant that when Jesus had completed giving His disciples a description of the signs of the end times in Matthew chapter 24, He went on to give them four end time parables. These were the last parables that the Lord told before He was crucified, and therefore they are of major importance, particularly in context with end time teaching. They are parables directly relating to fruits of righteousness. We will discuss their contents individually, but significantly, the fourth parable ends at the end of Matthew chapter 25, and we read at the beginning of the very next chapter, Matthew chapter 26: 1-2: And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, He said unto His disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. In other words, once He had told them the signs of the times which included these crucial four parables, He then went straight on to tell them about His imminent crucifixion at Passover. He had despatched this all important end time message, and now it was over to His disciples to react upon it! Before He starts telling them the first parable , comes His warning in verse 42 : Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matt. 24:42) Then He begins directly with the first parable in verse 43 of Matthew chapter 24. First Parable THE WISE SERVANT

The account of the wise servant is found in Matthew 24:43-51: But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The Lords message is very clear for us to be ready and on the job that He has entrusted to us until He returns! Be prepared, by keeping on, keeping on! Second Parable THE TEN VIRGINS We all know the lesson to be learnt from the parable of the five foolish virgins found in: Matthew 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Jesus is our Bridegroom, and we must be waiting for His arrival in readiness and with expectancy filled with His Word and constant in prayer! We must remain ready! Third Parable THE FAITHFUL SERVANT In this parable, Jesus challenges us to be investing in the Kingdom of Heaven while we are here on Earth. He has given each one of us individual talents and abilities that He intends us to use for His Glory and for the extension of His Kingdom. Whatever treasures we store up in Heaven will never rust or decay. Matthew 25:14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 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. Then he that had received

the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 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: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 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. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. We will be well rewarded by the Lord on judgement day if we keep investing in eternal treasures. Fourth Parable THE GOATS AND THE SHEEP This last of the four end time parables is so much on my heart! Jesus is concerned about those who are poor, hungry, without clothes and shelter and those in prison. The Word of the Lord constantly reminds us that we should be mindful of the poor, the widows and the orphans. Are we as concerned as He is? Matthew 25:31-46: When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of

the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. To be prepared for His coming, we must be involved in caring for those in need, because that is the very heart of our Lord. Let us start with those around us - let us become more conscious of the needs of others right under our noses. We have an extensive, ongoing literature ministry to prisons from the Christian Centre, and whilst I was writing this book , I received the following letter from a man in prison, someone whom society and many churches could have labeled a complete failure a washout, as Lazarus the beggar. But Jesus saw him in his need and reached out His hand to him and saved him, and now the whole world is able to see and know his name through the website, www.stangerchristiancentre.co.za - and their lives, just as mine was, will be touched by his testimony. All glory to Jesus! Letter: 20 February 2009 Dear Dr James and Meg van Zyl, Greetings in the mighty name of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Firstly I would like to ask you this question. Do you pray for the book before you distribute them to us. If the answer is yes, then I want you today to know that the God that you are serving is so real He is alive and doing miracles. I was studying and reading one of your books, when suddenly I felt this joy that I have never felt. People were surprised at what was going on with me, it was like I was drunk, and I started to be very active in the Word of God, the lustful things I was doing vanished, and I am now spreading the Word of God. God is doing wonders in my life, I am very happy and thank you so much for your books. I really cant put them down, when I am having Bible study, I have one of your books at my side and I dont want to talk to anyone else, more especially if I am on my bed during 7pm. On the 12th February I received your package. Dr James you are really doing a great job and I would like to tell you that God is recognizing everything that you are doing, most especially to the poor. I pray every day that you and your ministry grow so that every corner of the earth may know the truth and be saved. I would like to tell you my testimony as I have not done so, so that you could know me better. My name is Radzilani Godfrey Takalani (happy). I was born on 1 January 1979, my mother (biological mother) gave birth to me and put me in a plastic packet and took me near the river and put me there when I was one day old. I was found by people who were passing by as they were going to work (on the 1 January 1979), they took me to

the police station, this tragedy happened in Orlando East in 1979. I dont even know the where this place is, then I was taken to Orlando childrens home where I was raised until I was 8 months. Another couple from Venda, Limpopo came and adopted me, they took me to Venda where they raised me with love in 1989. They divorced due to a lack of knowledge and they decided to do that without thinking about me. One day I was searching for my school papers, I was 17 years old by the time I came across a letter, which was an application for a birth certificate. On it was the name of my adopted father and mother, and said that the child was adopted in 1980 at the childrens court of Dzanani. I didnt understand English properly, so I decided to take the letter to school so that I could ask my English teacher to explain to me was adopted meant. She was very surprised, but told me that it means that my mother and father whom I know as my parents are actually not my blood and flesh. As I was growing up I realised that I needed to know the truth of who I am and how I landed up in their care. My mother told me what I have just explained to you in this letter. Then the problem started when my (adopted) mother died, remember I was staying alone with her as she and my father had divorced in 1989. When my mother died, I tried to call her relatives who as she was not Venda speaking, she was from Tsonga. When they came I told them that her wish was that she needed to be buried in Mapumalanga where her father and mother were buried. Then they told me that they want everything which belongs to my mother. They took all the furniture, everything including the chairs and they told me that they dont know me at all, in fact I was bought and they have nothing to do with me. I asked them where I should go as they were rejecting me, and they said I must go to my (adopted father). They even took my mothers bank book. It was in 2004 when my mother died. I went to the police station to report this matter. They were told to return everything, but they only returned the bank book. When I went to my father, He told me that it was not his idea to adopt me, he did not want to do it, but it was my mothers wish. He then said he wanted nothing to do with me and I must not come back as his wife doesnt want me in her house. He said he would come to my place where I was staying, but he never came. I was alone and my mothers family took her and buried her without me. I dont even know where her grave is. They told me that I must not come to their place, and if I come they will kill me. I never went there again and it pains me not know who I am. It really hurts me but I know that there is only one person who knows what is going on in my life, and that is God Almighty. He even knows the place of my biological mother. The reason that brought me into prison was that people were provoking me, and telling me that I was bought for R35. Some were saying that I was from the toilet, some said I was found in the rubbish bin. I did not have shoes, no food. It was really hard for me to live this life. I used to work, helping builders sometimes, they would pay me and sometimes they would promise to pay me and never pay. I would dig toilet pits and some time I would clean a yard for some food. It was very hard. I would sometimes go to bed without food. I had a girlfriend that used to visit me at work, then we had some differences and her sister intervened. She said that I was found in a rubbish bin and that I was a son of a bitch, and why I was abandoned was because she was a prostitute and was very angry at her position. Then I stabbed her two times, and I was arrested for attempted murder. This is when I found Jesus while I was on trial in 2007. I received Jesus Christ as my Personal Saviour. When I went to court I pleaded guilty and I was sentenced to 15 years in prison. I found it was a blessing, the sentence, because it made me see the

light of Jesus Christ. I have a meal everyday and even though I dont get visitors, it doesnt worry me, because I am with God. I do need someone to sign for me after 6 years of my sentence in order to go home, I know that God will provide someone. I see you as my father and mother in Christ and God is all of our Father. I need your help and guidance until I come out of prison. I am doing grade 10 and want to finish my grade 12 and do some courses with UNISA to obtain a degree or diploma. Please pray for me, I need your full support and as my family in Christ I believe I am not lost. I thank you also for the pen that you bought me, and every letter I receive from you is like my visitation. I really appreciate your letters. I am also doing social programmes, life leadership skills, anger management, money skills, HIV and AIDS awareness, entrepreneurship management, mind renewal, child and sexual abuse and drug and substance abuse. It was my first time to come here since I was born. I need your help concerning how I should live, especially in living for Christ in prison, because it is so hard in here without anyone to visit or guide me. Yours truly Godfrey Radzilani Important It is important to note the Lords comments at the conclusion of each of the four end time parables we have discussed His stern admonition to those who have been disobedient to His warnings. First one: The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Second one: Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Third one: : but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Fourth one: Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Let us take note of all of the above so that we are ready for our King! To be ready, we must ask the Lord to give us a burden for lost souls, and then we need to intercede for the lost, - for those who do not know Jesus. We must ask Him to give us hearts of compassion for the poor and hungry, the widows and orphans and then we need to respond with the appropriate acts of kindness, as He leads and guides us. Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isa. 58:6-7) 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. (James 1:27) CHAPTER 12 CHRIST WILL RETURN ..there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.( 2 Pet. 3:3-4) .But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (1Thess. 5:1-10) BE READY TO GIVE ACCOUNT 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. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2Pet. 3:8-12) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Dan 12:1-3) .....And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they

shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:30-36) BE PREPARED FOR HIS COMING The Lord requires us to be humble James 4:6 and 10... Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.... Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. The Lord requires us to search our heart motives in all we do. And in everything we do, we do it not for man but as unto the Lord. The Lord requires us to confess our sin as we are guilty of committing it. 1John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Lord requires us to walk in love. John 13:34: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. The Lord requires us to forgive unconditionally, regardless of who has sinned against us or hurt us. Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Read our book The Power of Forgiveness). STRIVE UNTO SANCTIFICATION We are: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Tit 2:13-14) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. (1John 3:2-3 ) My prayer for each one of you is that :.the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Thess. 5:23) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (Rev 19:6-8)

To be prepared for His coming, we, as the Bride of Christ, need to be at that place, where we are ready to cry out in one accord. COME ! (Rev. 22:17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Then we will hear our Lords response.... Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Rev 22:20)