“In the first century, GOD HIMSELF chose Paul and committed to him authority directly under Christ, the gospel work to the Gentiles. He was not chosen APART FROM, orCONTRARY to or IN OPPOSITION to Peter or to the HEADQUARTERS at Jerusalem, as dissenters have CHOSEN THEMSELVES, apart from, and in opposition to, God’s headquarters today. When Paul went to Jerusalem headquarters, it was by revelation from God. He communicated to the leaders there what he preached to the Gentiles, lest he might be preaching contrary to them as God led them, and thus might have been preaching IN VAIN—as he would have been, if he preached aDIFFERENT gospel (Gal. 2:2 and 1:8-9). “Paul was called separately and directly by Christ. He was NOT one of Peter’s sons in the Lord. He was not one UNDER Peter who, on his own, broke AWAY from Peter and God’s headquarters, and set himself up as HEAD of a competing church seeking toDESTROY GOD’S Church. The dissenters today cannot claim they are following Paul’s example.” Why can’t people agree on what God teaches about government? Because the carnal mind cannot be subject to God’s law and government (Rom. 8:7). So people, who are weak spiritually, carnally reason around the government of God and cling to their self-destructive ways. Let’s continue with Mr. Armstrong’s member letter: “YOU, brethren, today, ALL were called, directly or indirectly, through me and THEGOVERNMENT OF GOD doing the work of God—you are all MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS INCHRIST. Compare I Corinthians 4:14-16: ‘I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ (or who pose as being), yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.’ So far as following Paul’s example is concerned, God IN PERSON directly called and guided Paul in a way He does not YOU, and the turning away of the dissenters CANNOTbe justified by any comparison with Paul, and the government of God through Paul. “Brethren, we in God’s Church are being trained and prepared, NOW, to RULE in the Kingdom of God during the Millennium. What KIND (principle) of government are we being trained to administer? “At that time, beginning with Christ’s coming and the resurrection, Christ will beKING of kings over ALL NATIONS (Rev. 19:16). Directly under Christ, over Israel—that is, all the nations springing from the 12 tribes of Israel—will be the resurrected David. Notice: ‘For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Eternal of hosts, that I will…burst thy (Israel’s) bonds…but they (Israel) shall serve the Eternal their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them’ (Jer. 30:8-9). “Notice again: At the beginning of the millennial reign under Christ, God will unite Israel (ten tribes) and Judah once again into ONE NATION, in the land of ancient Israel (Ezek. 37:22) with one king over them. ‘And David my servant shall be king over them’ (vv. 24-25). Again, ‘And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David’ (Ezek. 34:23). “Of course, also under Christ will be others over the Gentile nations, but God has not revealed who specifically. But, UNDER DAVID, God does tell us who shall rule those of each of the 12 tribes. “Peter had asked Jesus what positions the 12 apostles would have in the Kingdom during the Millennium. ‘And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel’ (Matt. 19:28).” God’s government of rule from the top down is so clear from the Bible. You would expect unconverted people not to understand. But what about those who have learned the truth about God’s government and then rejected it? Their future is dangerously shaky! Mr. Armstrong continues in the letter: “Will there be others UNDER each king over one tribe? “Turn to Luke 19, beginning with verse 11. Jesus gave a parable to His disciples, because they thought the Kingdom of God should immediately appear in their time. (Some dissenters, like the Baptists or other Protestants, are now coming to believe it did appear then, IN THEIR HEARTS.) “‘He said therefore, A certain nobleman (Christ) went into a far country (God’s throne in heaven) to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return (to Earth). And he called his ten servants (so-called lost ten tribes of Israel), and delivered them ten pounds (British money, here representing symbolically God’s Holy Spirit, or spiritual gifts for the operations in the work of God in the Church, NOW) and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens (Judah—the Jews—His own to whom He came and who received Him not—John 1:11) hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom (Second Coming of Christ to RULE all nations), then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he (Christ) said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou AUTHORITY over TEN CITIES. And the second came, saying Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he (Christ the King) said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.’ And the one who had accomplished NOTHING in God’s Church, now, lost even that which had been given to him. “This shows we are REWARDED (not saved) according to OUR WORKS—according to how much we have GROWN in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ—how much we have SUPPORTED GOD’S WORK, either actively in a specific position, or by our prayers, encouragement to those who do serve, tithes, etc. “Later, from heaven Jesus said: ‘He that overcometh, and keepeth my WORKS unto the end, to him will I give POWER over the nations, and he shall RULE THEM with a rod of iron’ (Rev. 2:26-27). “Brethren, we are in training, now, for that rule in the Kingdom of God. “And what PRINCIPLE of government? From the TOP DOWN. From GOD—it is HISgovernment—the GOVERNMENT of God the Father. Under Him is Christ. Under Christ, over Israel will be the resurrected DAVID. Under David, each over one of 12 tribes, the12 ORIGINAL APOSTLES. Under each of them, rulers over CITIES!!”
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 04:45:35 +0000
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