HHMI Newsgroup Archives
From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 1997 12:33 AM
To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup
Subject: The Inheritance - Part I
From: drleves@ibm.net
To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject: Chapter 4 "The Inheritance"
From Eddie:
***************
The article below was sent by one of the members of this newsgroup. The CONCEPT and THEME associated in this article and
the ones which will be sent associated with it is the basic THEME and SPIRITIAL PRINCIPLE that I communicate in my book, "Who is the Bride
of Christ?". If this articles speaks to your heart, you NEED to order my book, "Who is the Bride of Christ?" as the same CONCEPTS are
presented in the book. Believers NEED to understand these Biblical truths. The Christian world is so "salvation oriented" that they fail
to understand that MUCH of what Yeshua taught in His parables and what the Apostle Paul tried to communicate in His epistles was the
spiritual principle that the salvation of the believer is different from the REWARDS of the believer which is based upon our service in the
Kingdom of God. Our REWARDS for being faithful servants and stewards in God's Kingdom will determine your POSITION and AUTHORITY and
RULE in the Kingdom of God. The GREATEST in the Kingdom of God will be the BRIDE of Christ. If this is so, shouldn't we
understand this Biblical truth and KNOW what her spiritual characteristics are ??? For those members who have read my book,
isn't this the basic message of the book ???
**************************************************************************
Shalom
Here with Part of the book I mentioned earlier "The Inheritance"
I will be sending part of this book in sections
Section one
Dr D. Levesque
CHAPTER FOUR
What is the Kingdom of God?
Seeing the Kingdom of God
The Lord told us to seek the Kingdom of God first. Sadly, very little is taught, or even understood, about the Kingdom of God in
today's Christianity.
We are told by the Lord that we must be "Born Again" (given salvation) in order to "SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD." "Jesus answered and said unto
him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Notice it says to be able to
observe it, "SEE IT."
The Lord instructs us further on how to enter into this Kingdom: He uses several parables and devotes His entire ministry teaching us how to
come within the walls of His Kingdom. Our Lord began His ministry by crying out that the kingdom of heaven was at hand (Mark 1:15). He
further stated that "except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case ENTER
into the kingdom of heaven," (Matt 5:20). He also said, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall ENTER into the Kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt 7:21). Again he said, "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go
in" (Matt 23:13).
These are heavy statements and on the surface seems to prove that we can lose our salvation. However let me try define for you just what the
Kingdom is and what it represents.
Take, for instance, two persons born in England. One is of royalty, and the other a common person. Both are English, but only royalty can
live within the palace grounds (Kingdom). You must be born into it or married into it according to the standards of the world. But the
Kingdom of God's standard is that first we have received the inheritance by our spiritual birth (born again.) Finally we must by choice be
overcomers and not sell out the rights to this blessing, like Essau.
Being born again, we have the right to SEE the Kingdom. But only through Christ can we earn the right to ENTER it. In a later chapter we
will deal with the birthright and inheritance and how the first born has the right to the inheritance which is the Kingdom.
Paul likens all this to an olympic race with the crown set before us (the Kingdom). You need a crown to be in the Kingdom. This crown, my
friends, can be lost, thrown away, or even neglected. Edward the eight in 1936 lost his birthright of being king of England because he chose to
break British law by marrying a divorce women. His brother George received the inheritance on default, Like Edward we also can lose this
birthright.
Serious consequences in eternal life will take place if your crown is lost, for REWARDS intended for you will be given to another. Remember
the parable of the ten talents recorded in Luke 19 beginning around verse twelve. We are told that the servants got one talent each and
were told to "do business till I come." In other words they were to use the funds (gifts, blessings,) and make a profit with them while the
master was absent. The first servant earned ten, and the second five, and the third did not earn anything with what the master had entrusted
to him. Therefore, the first was rewarded with AUTHORITY OVER TEN CITIES (Kingdom), the second was rewarded with AUTHORITY OVER FIVE
CITIES, and the last servant's talent was given to the one who had made ten talent's. Remember, the Lord said "To whom much is given, much is
required" (Luke 12:48). Every born again person in the Church of Jesus Christ is responsible to continue the work that the Lord started
and to continue being His representative (Ambassadors) until He comes back.
This is the reason why there is so much confusion concerning salvation argued in the Church today. They read that you can lose
something and immediately the religious carnality of man's understanding takes over and wants to add to the PERFECT GIFT from God because of
unbelief. You cannot lose what is given to you, but you can lose God's REWARDS. You see, the Kingdom of God is won. Jesus said, "No
man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). Again notice that he said, "Nor thieves,
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, SHALL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD" (1 Cor 6:10). This means that after calling
upon the Lord we must become converted so we can spiritually observe (SEE) the "Kingdom of God within us," this in turn will give us the
hunger and desire to develop, and grow, and not live in the past or in the desires of the flesh. Peter, had seen the Kingdom of God, and he
wanted to follow the Lord with his fleshly desires, but he was told that he first had to be converted.
If we do not become converted we will lose out on the Kingdom and the blessings that the Lord would have for us, not just later in heaven, but
right now in the present time. In the book of Revelation the Lord tells us to be an overcomer and many promises are given to those who finish
the race that is set before us. One of these promises is found in the third chapter of the book of Revelation, beginning at verse twenty
one.
The Lord says, "To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to SIT with me on my THRONE, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father on His
throne."
Notice the reward is to sit on His (the Lord's) throne. That is authority, my friends, above all authorities, men and angels. How does
one overcome the world? Well the flesh certainly won't overcome it, nor will any religious works qualify, but only that new life that is born of
God. That means that no one can overcome in his own capacity, in his own human goodness, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit..
The only gauge by which we can judge ourselves is by the fruit of the Spirit. If love is absent from our motives, our actions, then it's all
flesh and that is not accepted before the Lord. The Church at Ephesus had all the good works, but it lacked the one basic ingredient, love
(Rev 2:4).
ENTERING THE KINDOM
The Lord told us in the Gospel of Matthew to "Seek ye first the kingdom of God" (Matt 6:33). He is telling us here to set the priorities of this
life to the kingdom of God.
What is this "kingdom"? It points on the one hand to a spiritual state, "The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy spirit" (Rom. 14:17); and it points on the other hand to the future reign during the millennium. The concept of
the kingdom includes both the life in the spirit today and rewards in the future to come.
Today's spiritual condition decides the reigning in eternity to come with the Lord. Our spiritual condition also governs the race that Paul
exhorts us to run for the crown, which is the Kingdom. You don't rule in the kingdom without a crown. This also refers to the inheritance and the
birthright of which we will be speaking. The "righteousness" spoken of here is to be attained through seeking; and thus it cannot have
reference to justification or to the righteousness of God as is presented in the book of Romans.
This righteousness in Matthew 5-7 exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees and without it no one can enter the Kingdom of
God. Therefore it speaks specifially about the believer's conduct as mentioned in Matthew chapters 5 and 7.
He further instructed us that "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to ENTER into the kingdom of God"
(Matt 19:24). This is related to (Matt 6:33) where the issue is the priority of the believer.
If our priority is on the riches of this world the Lord says that our hearts will be there also, and therefore it would be easier for a camel
to go through the eye of a needle.
Now, perhaps, you are one of those who believe or have been taught that the eye of the needle the Lord spoke of is not really a needle's eye,
you may claim it to be a gate in the walls of Jerusalem. I personally believe that the eye was no gate but is just what the Word says. It is
an impossible situation with no human solution available, but it is only possible with God's solution.
We are also warned by the Lord that "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, HE SHALL NOT ENTER THEREIN" (Mark
10:15). This only concerns the experience of the substance of faith, and without this childlike faith no one can enter into the kingdom.
We are also told that the kingdom is a mystery and that "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in
parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand" (Luke 8:10).
Those who seek this kingdom will understand the mysteries of it because the Holy Spirit will instruct them. They will see and hear what the
Spirit says to the churches. Some religious systems, in the scope of their understanding of what mysteries are, will try to convince you that
these things are God's business and that we don't need to know or understand. The scriptures tell us differently. It tells us to "seek
those things which are above" (mysteries). Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, writes "Having made known unto us the MYSTERY of his own
will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself" (Eph 1:9). God does not want us to be ignorant but well learned in all
things pertaining to the mysteries of God's plan for us.
The Scriptures also reveal that this Kingdom is within us. It speaks of the incorruptible seed within us, that is, the Chief
cornerstone on what we have to build on in our lifetime. It also means we can have the peace and joy of the kingdom right now because that is
the character of the kingdom that lies within us.
Jesus also warns that "no one having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). When a person
hears the voice of the Lord and begins to follow after Him, he is to forget the past and press on in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This
sometimes requires us to leave friends, family, job, career, or whatsoever, and not regretting having put his hand to the plough in the
vineyard of the Lord.
The disciples were exhorted "to continue in the faith, and that we must, through much tribulation, ENTER the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
Tribulation is another factor that one will encounter when they seek to ENTER into the Kingdom of God.
Some false doctrines today have invaded the church presenting a false Gospel. They teach that the believer will not suffer or have
tribulations. They also teach that he will prosper in the flesh. These teachings are all against the teachings of the kingdom of God. The Lord
said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Sooner or later if the Lord tarries we will all suffer grief, disappointments, the sorrow of seeing loved ones die, and afflictions on
our dying bodies, either by accidents or disease. But the Lord also said "But be of good cheer, for I haveovercome the world" (John 16:33). Just
what does that mean? It means that regardless of what the tribulation is, the sorrows and the consequence of grief, we can and will overcome
all these things through Him that first overcame it for us, through the Lord Jesus.
Some of you who have been taught this false doctrine, will say that this is confessing negative doctrine; if you believe in a negative way it
will happen to you. They use the passage in the Scriptures where Job said, "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that
which I was afraid of is come unto me" (Job 3:25). This is where they get this doctrine of positive confession: don't tell anyone something
that is true and confess that you are sick, because you will be. Does not the scriptures say that "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he"
(Proverb 27:7). First, these two scriptures are not related at all to the premise that people establish from them. "And David said in his
heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul:" (1 Samuel 27:1). Did Saul ever kill David?
I do believe that the Gospel is positive, it's Good News, and we need to have a good positive image of ourselves in Christ, but let's not dilute
the Word and say that God cannot point us over to Satan like he did to Job. That is His right, I know that through trial or tribulation Jesus
is still aboard this ship. He is the Captain of my salvation in this world and the next and He will deliver me from every affliction. He
said, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord shall deliver him out of them all" (Psalm 34:19).
The Word tells us that the unrighteous will not enter into the kingdom of God, "Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 6:9-10). "Envying, murders, drunkeness, revellings, and such like: as I have also told you in time
past, that they which do such things (practice) shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal 5:21). And the Lord also said, "Not every one that
saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall ENTER into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt 7:21).
Now these are definite rules of what one must do to enter the kingdom. This is not speaking about eternal salvation which we covered in the
first chapter, but it speaks of the reward of running the race, inheriting the kingdom, and also fulfilling the birthright.
Notice that we are warned that "fornicators" will not inherit or ENTER into the kingdom of God. Just what is a fornicator? A fornicator is
one that is doing what we would call "Shacking Up" in our modern terminology. A sexual union without a commitment is a defilement of
God's commandment. The Scripture also mentions the word "effeminate." The world is trying to use the word "GAY" to identify with this
sin. There is nothing "gay" about being an effeminate person. It's no disease, and certainly it is not a natural thing. It is sin, just as
the Bible tells us, therefore it can also be healed like any other sins.
One of the signs of the last days, is the rise of the Homosexual movement (Gay,) Jesus said "Likewise as it was also in the days of
Lot (Luke 17:28). It was during this time that God brought judgement to Sodom and Gomorrah, because of homosexual pervesion commited there.
Today we see the demands of lesbians and homosexuals, to have special rights and this lifestyle taught as a natural thing in our
schools. This lifestyle brought about the terrible disease of AIDS, sadly it claimed many innocent victims, I believe this is one of God's judgement
on this perverted lifestyle.
Another item that hinders people from entering the kingdom is "Abusers." This also covers many things. Drug abuse would be one. The
Greek word sorceries mentioned in Revelation 9:21 is "pharmakon" which means (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") this
speaks about the drug culture of today.
"Envying" is another hindrance. Jealousy, of the same root as envy, needs to be dealt with for it is also included in this list. This list
does not exclude anyone. It's a complete list of our failures. We may not be murderers, but each category has roots which touch every human
being in the world. You may ask then how anyone can "ENTER the kingdom of God."
Jesus tells us that it is impossible with man. It is only possible with God. This means that its impossible with our own works, but only
possible with God's will.
Whatsoever would hinder us from entering in the kingdom we must overcome by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
FOUR TYPES OF PEOPLE in the world today
Today there are four different kinds of people:
(1) Those who have entered within the sphere of the kingdom of heaven and yet are unsaved; these are the lost in the world who need to hear
the Good News, and believe, repent and be born again.
(2) Those who have heard about Christ but are in a religious system that teaches that you are saved by works of the flesh; works such as
baptism, belonging to a certain denomination, or by obeying man's ordinances. These are the nominal Christians, they carry the name of
Christians but are not saved. They need to humble themselves and be "Born Again" as the scriptures tell us.
They sometimes attending churches that preach the Word. But they fail to obey the Word that tells them that they must be born again. There are
many people in what is called today's Christianity. They often are very religious, putting on garments of piety but they themselves are lost and
in need of salvation.
(3) Those who have been saved and are in the domain of the kingdom of heaven, yet they fail to keep the teaching of Matthew 5-7, are called
CARNAL christians. They don't walk in the Spirit, neither do they have the fruit of the Spirit. These Christians will not ENTER the kingdom of
God, less they heed the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church in the book of Revelation, and repent.
They fail to commit themselves to the great commission of the Lord's which commands us to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:"
(Matthew 25:19)
These are the people in the church who want to be served rather than serving others, they are always griping about something. They are not
the generous type of persons who love to support their church.
They get offended if things don't go their way. They are never pillars in the church but rather caterpillars that move from one church to
another spreading their discontentment and encouraging others to rebellion.
They are like the strangers who followed Israel in the wilderness, always complaining. One of their favorite sayings is, "Well I am not
being fed here" or "I want meat and all I am getting is milk." Peter instructs the believers to "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of
the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).
No preacher or pastor on the earth is able to feed you meat, only the father has the meat. Jesus saith unto them, "I have meat to eat that ye
know not of, my meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:32-34).
Again in Hebrews 5, the word exhorts us to become teachers of God's Word and not to continue on basic foundations. When one begins to obey
God he begins to eat meat. It does not come in instruction or a message but only in mixing faith with what you hear {see Hebrews 4:1-4}.
These individuals will miss out on the invitation that God sent out by His Holy Spirit, saying, "Blessed are they who are invited to the
marriage supper of the Lamb" (Rev 19:9).
(4) Those who are Spiritfull saved believers who keep the teaching of Matthew 5-7 are filled with the Spirit of God; and they truly
overcome. They are committed persons who demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, which is love (Agape).
They are not perfected yet, but understand the doctrine of grace, not only to others but toward themselves. They are always serving. They are
not offended by others and are subject to correction.
Love is the reason for their action. Therefore in the future they shall reign with the Lord. At the Lord's coming they will have watched and
prayed to be ready.
The Lord will capture them all away to His heavenly home and when all things are resolved finally here on earth they will come back to reign
with Christ. They sing out with the Spirit "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come" (Rev 22:17).
Another fact about the kingdom should be mentioned for the scriptures tell us that "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least
commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosever shall do and teach them, the same
shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt.5:19).
This warns those who teach the Word of God not to water down its meaning, nor use the liberty that we have in Grace to break the fine
points of righteousness. need for discernment One who has the responsibility as a pastor or elder, teacher, must have
discernment, and not permit every wind of doctrine to invade the church.
Reviewing what we have studied so far, we have learned that Eternal Salvation is secured; it cannot be lost, stolen, or given away. The
kingdom, however, is another issue. This must be earned: it can be lost, it can be stolen (see Rev 3:11). It can even be given away as
Esau did when he sold it to his brother Jacob. In the next chapters we will be emphasizing the different aspects of this kingdom and its
requirements according to the Word of God.
From Eddie:
*************
All believers who have accepted Yeshua/Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior will be in heaven but the BRIDE will be the
GREATEST in the kingdom of Heaven and have the GREATEST REWARDS because she is an "overcomer".
Many in Christianity confuse the "overcoming" bride as being the "saved" and carnal Christians as "losing their salvation".
However, carnal Christians do not lose their salvation, only their ETERNAL REWARDS (I Corinthians 3:13-15).
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