By: Scott Stevens
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Genesis 4:5
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.
And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Romans 9:13
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Introduction
Less than five hundred years after Christ rose from the dead the Catholic Church fathers debated the nature of the trinity (I John 5:7) at Nicea. They sought to explain the living God in a dead language (Latin) so that the world’s elite alone would be able to understand Him. Then the Catholic Church suppressed The Word of God so that only the priesthood had access to scripture. They expected this move to consolidate their power and unify their church. The Church that The Lord created wasn’t about them, so it is no surprise that their efforts were and continue to be unsuccessful.
Around a thousand years later The Holy Ghost revealed that salvation is by faith alone to a handful of men that were in colleges run by the Catholics. Through their teachings God began to open up His Word more widely and more perfectly. Some of the men God called to accomplish this task were, John Wycliffe, Martin Luther and William Tyndale. Like The Apostle Paul their work was the work of The Spirit of God. It wasn’t about them. It was about their love of the truth (John 14:6). The Lord moved through their faith and He included them in His plan to redeem the world. The Word of God was widely circulated among the people, as The Lord intended, and the average person, if he chose to, could read, believe and see that Jesus is real.
A little later, as a function of this reformation, what we know as The King James Bible was released. That Word was carried on every British merchant and military vessel. The Word became the reading primer for English speaking peoples around the world. Many believed on The Lord. It was as though a great light had been turned on and darkness was driven back (John 1:5).
This was a time of great innovation and creativity. Worldly historians call this period The Enlightenment. They suggest that it happened because man, all of the sudden, got smarter. The people of God know it was a period of sweeping revival among the Gentiles that was the fruit of faith in God’s Word. The corruption of the world was pushed back through the saltiness of the Church (Matthew 5:13). The blessings of God fell where believers lived because The Lord always honors faith. America, at its beginning, is the latest example of a nation dedicated to The Lord.
There were still many jots and tittles for prideful men to debate; and these debates gave rise to denominational churches as we now know them. Should we use wine or grape juice for communion? Should we meet on Sunday or Saturday? Shall we embrace the Calvinist theory or the Armenian theory? Infant Baptism? Sprinkling or dunking? And what about Spirit Baptism?
On the heels of all the debate, sound doctrine has been abandoned and the so-called church is straining at gnats and swallowing camels (Matthew 23:24). The modern Christian community is in greater spiritual darkness now then the Catholics were when they burned men at the stake for preaching God’s Word in the common language. They don’t even suspect that this is so, and in fact, many believe a great revival is underway! That is why it is called darkness; because you can’t see what’s right in front of you. What passes for Christianity today IS the great apostasy that lays the ground work for Anti-Christ (II Thessalonians 2:3, I Timothy 4:1).
At the same time The Spirit of God is moving to open up the mystery of His will in these times. This is the mystery of The Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13). The mystery has been revealed by The Lord to a messenger like Wycliffe, Luther, or Tyndale; And through The Spirit to a handful of likeminded men and women from around the world. Eventually, like the reformation, this move of The Spirit will proceed from the heavenlies and change the world. Not because those called to the Church of Philadelphia are anything, but because The Word of God will be accomplished.
The leadership of modern Christianity will reject Philadelphia just as the Pharisees rejected Jesus, and for the same reason: pride. Even though the scriptures which the Jewish church leaders claimed to understand clearly foretold Jesus’ coming and doctrine, they did not see it. The leaders of the modern churches will reject Philadelphia though the scriptures about The Church are clear. They will not recognize The Body of Christ when they see it. Just as Jesus did not look like what the Pharisees expected to see, Philadelphia won’t look like what the churchmen expect to see. Like their prideful predecessors, the Pharisees and the Catholics, today’s churchmen won’t acknowledge the authority of God’s messengers, so they will not receive correction, repent and seek mercy. As the Jews did in the previous age they will continue in their heresies until there is no remedy (II Chronicles 36:15-16), and they will face the righteous judgement of God prophesied in Revelation.
God’s Elect
- Who They Are
- And What They are Here For
Since the foundation of the world, in every age, God Himself has chosen and sent men into the world to testify of Him. In the last days of the Jewish Age He sent His Son, Jesus.
Hebrews 1:1-2
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] 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;
The last word in Hebrews 1:2 is worlds, meaning aeons or ages. It refers to the idea that the framework of the ages was made by Jesus.
John 1:3
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Colossians 1:17
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
In the Jewish age and before Jesus dealt directly with men called prophets. They were sent as representatives of His Kingdom to reveal His plan for men. The centerpiece of the plan of the ages is Jesus (the son of God through the Holy Spirit and the son of Adam through Mary, the virgin) coming in the flesh to give His life to atone for the sins of the sons of Adam and His elect seed. Through faith in His sacrifice all true Christians receive salvation and eternal life.
1 Peter 1:11
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Jesus is The Word of God and all of The Old Testament prophets knew Him.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
In The Old Testament we see the phrase, “the word of the lord came unto me saying,” 16 times. In all of these cases Jesus is the word of the Lord. These all appear in Ezekiel and Jeremiah and mean that Jesus came to them directly. The phrase “The word of the Lord,” appears by it self 16 times. While these do not all refer to Jesus specifically, many of them do.
Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Deuteronomy. 5:5
(I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to shew you the word of the Lord: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,
1 Samuel 3:21
And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
Ezekiel 1:3
The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.
By two witness is anything established (Matthew 18:16, Deuteronomy 19:15). These many witnesses confirm that Jesus revealed Himself to certain elect individuals and commanded them to do things in ways that they could not refuse. After all, if God himself chooses to appear directly to you in His glory, you will have an experience that will change you forever. The prophet Daniel described it this way:
Daniel 10:8
Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
The prophet Ezekiel was chosen or elected by The Lord. He received a revelation of the throne of God and he describes what he saw. (The full account is in Ezekiel chapters 1-3.
Ezekiel 1:1-3
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. [2] In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, [3] The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.
Like Daniel, Ezekiel was beside himself after coming face to face with The Lord.
Ezekiel 3:15
Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
The Lord would often identify men whom he had chosen before they were born and then manifest himself to them later in their lives. Isaac, Jacob and Jeremiah are examples of this outward sign of election by The Lord.
Genesis 17:19
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
Malachi 1:2-3
I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, [3] And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
Jeremiah 1:5-6
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. [6] Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
Jesus calls John the Baptist the greatest of all the prophets. John was chosen before the foundation of the world to accomplish a particular mission. He was anointed with the Holy Ghost from his mothers womb and called Israel to repentance, preparing the way of The Lord (Isaiah 40:3). His message was rejected by the prideful and self-righteous, and in the end he was beheaded for his testimony. He was the last of the Jewish prophets and like Jesus he preached The Kingdom of God.
Luke 7:24-28
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? [25] But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. [26] But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. [27] This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. [28] For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Luke 1:13-15
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. [14] And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. [15] For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
At the end of the Jewish Age Jesus came in the flesh was baptized by John the Baptist. Early in his three year ministry ordained eleven men to the office of Apostle. [one of the twelve was a devil (John 6:70)]. Apostle in the Greek means messenger; one who is sent with full ambassadorial authority. Apostle is a title of office, like vice president or governor. It is like the title prophet, only it carries greater authority.
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Ephesians 4:11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
The Church is like a military rather than a political body. The Apostles are like generals, prophets colonels, evangelists lieutenants and so on. The Lord, the head of The Church revealed Himself to Joshua as the captain of the Lord’s host (army). When He appeared to Joshua, His elect, He said the same thing He said to Moses when He appeared in the bush as a flame of fire.
Joshua 5:14-15
And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? [15] And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Like all of the elect seed of God that went before them, the first eleven Apostles were chosen by The Lord. He chose them, they did not chose Him. He dealt with them just as He dealt with the Old Testament prophets. He appeared to them and showed them, in a way that they could understand, that He was God.
John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:19
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Jesus preached to the multitudes and healed people by the thousands. But He only ordained eleven Apostles while He was here in the flesh. He told them it was given to them, not everyone else, to understand the mysteries of The Kingdom of God and Heaven. This is given to the elect in all ages of this creation so that they can reveal the mysteries of God to the seed of Adam.
Matthew 13:11
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Luke 8:10
And he said, 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.
Jesus also says that as He is not of the world, likewise those that He has chosen are not of the world. Like Him, they and their missions were pre-ordained from before the foundation of the world. They were created and sent to fulfill a certain purpose. The mission of the elect is to reveal Gods plan of salvation, Jesus, to the sons of Adam.
John 17:6
I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
John 17:9
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
John 17:14
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:16
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17, which is the prayer by which Jesus establishes His Church, refers only to the eleven until verse 20.
John 17:20
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
This means that only by believing on The Lord through the word of the original eleven Apostles could one be a part of The Church, right? If that’s true, what about the Apostle Paul? He never knew Jesus when He walked in the flesh and he and his disciples are the men that The Lord used, through the power of His Spirit, to give us over two thirds of the New Testament! John Mark, who wrote Mark was a disciple of Paul; Luke, who wrote Luke and Acts was a disciple of Paul; The Apostle Paul wrote nearly all of the doctrine to The Church which Jesus created in John 17. Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul, is the elect seed of God and was chosen just like the original eleven and the Old Testament prophets.
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: [16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
God in dealing with His elect shows them in a way that they can understand that they WILL accomplish what he has chosen them to do. While the elect have free will, they will eventually accomplish God’s purpose even if they are rebellious (Jonah, for a time). Unlike the eleven that Jesus ordained while He was in the flesh, Paul met The Lord the same way Old Testament prophets did and he had about the same reaction.
Galatians 1:11-12
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. [12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Acts 9:4
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
In spite of what Jesus did with Paul, leaders of apostate Christianity reject the idea that God, in the Gentile age, continues to reveal Himself to His Apostles. That is because they have never had the experience. After all if they are the best that Christianity has to offer and The Lord has not revealed Himself to them He can’t be revealing Himself to others, right? What it really means is that those who think they are something are not His Apostles. It does not mean that He has no more Apostles. Most modern ministers are sons of Adam who, because of pride, refuse to accept those who the Lord sends just as Israel did when they rejected and persecuted the prophets. After hundreds of years repeating this pattern the iniquity (pride) of Israel was full and they rejected Jesus. Jerusalem was sacked and those who were not killed of the children of Israel were scattered about 70 AD, just as The Lord prophesied (Mark 13:2, Luke 19:44). Rejecting a messenger (Greek: Apostle) that The Lord sends is the same thing as rejecting God Himself.
John 13:20
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
The rejection of God’s messengers goes on from Genesis to Revelation. God sent people such as Enoch in the age before the flood (Genesis 5:22, Hebrews 11:5). He sent Noah to preach righteousness (II Peter 2:5). He sent Job to demonstrate the trial of faith (Job 1:8-12) and bear witness against the self-righteousness of his three friends. He sent Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel to minister correction to a prideful, stiff necked, rebellious people (Isaiah 30:9, Jeremiah 5:23 Ezekiel 2:5). And He sent John the Baptist to rebuke the self-righteous. He has not changed. He continues to send His elect to reveal The Lord to the sons of Adam to this day!
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Malachi 3:6
For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
He sends Apostles to each generation in this age as gifts to His Church to demonstrate the power of His Spirit and perfect the saints through correction and instruction in the mystery of God’s will.
Ephesians 1:9
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
1 Thessalonians 3:9-10
For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; [10] Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Ephesians 3:3-4
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
1 Corinthians 4:1
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Colossians 1:26-27
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
The Lord demonstrates that He is with the elect by the power of His Spirit confirming The Word with miraculous signs. Because the fashion of man changes (I Corinthians 7:31) God is righteous in sending elect messengers to each generation to be living witnesses of the mystery of Christ. They are sent to teach the sons of Adam His ways, which are unchanging. The Apostolic ministry of Christ Jesus opened up the age of the Gentiles (Luke 21:2) and will continue until the catching away of The Church of Philadelphia.
Mark 16:20
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: [5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
The fivefold ministry and line of authority [4:11] that was established at the dawn of the Gentile age will continue until [4:13] The Lord calls, unifies, and perfects a body of believers that will walk as he walked [4:15].
Ephesians 4:11-16
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] 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 fulness of Christ: [14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
This is a prophetic description of the perfected Church that the Lord established in John 17:20-22. It will be one with Christ and God the Father. It will be a Church under authentic Apostolic authority that, as a body, does the works that Jesus did when he walked in the flesh. The rise of this Church, which will minister the Gospel in His perfect love, will herald the end of the Gentile age. This is the Church of Philadelphia. (Greek: brotherly love) Philadelphia will be manifested (shown forth) during a time of great apostasy (falling away from the faith [2:3] ) in the church. Paul’s letters reveal that the mystery of iniquity began working in apostate Christianity at the dawn of the Gentile age. This is the pride of church-ianity. The saltiness of The Church of Philadelphia that holds back corruption and prevents (in the Elizabethan Let) [2:7] the rise of Anti-Christ. He emerges appearing not as a devil or a political dictator, but as a leader of apostate Christianity [9-12]. Apostates are deceived because they love themselves more than they love the truth, Jesus (John 14:6).
II Thessalonians 2:3-12
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; [4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. [5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? [6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. [8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Of the seven churches described in Revelation, only the Church of Philadelphia is promised to be spared the judgement of the great tribulation. When the ministry of Philadelphia is rejected by apostate Christianity, Philadelphia will be caught away, Anti-Christ will be revealed, and the time of the great tribulation will begin.
Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Churchmen don’t believe that The Lord continues to send Apostles because it makes them unimportant. Pride (loving themselves more than God) will prevent them from hearing the truth. They are modern day Pharisees that reject The Lord and His elect because, like the Pharisees, their churches are about them and how good they are. That is why they will be subject to the antichrist. He will tell them what they want to hear –that they are good (II Timothy 4:3, II Thessalonians 2:10-11). God’s messengers will tell them the truth as John the Baptist did: that they are sinners filled with pride and that they must repent. This is what Jesus told the Pharisees also. They wouldn’t hear it. The Gentile churches won’t hear it either (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
It is through man’s pride and consistent rejection of God’s messengers that His judgements are justified from Genesis to Revelation. It was the repeated rejection of the prophets culminating in the crucifixion of Jesus The Messiah that justified God’s judgement of Israel. It is through false Christianity’s rejection of those He has sent throughout the Gentile or church age that He will be justified in unleashing the tribulation upon the whole world. Apostate Christianity in all its forms throughout this age is what justifies God in bringing this judgement. The rejection of the Church of Philadelphia, The perfected body of Christ, will fill up the iniquity of the Gentiles just as the rejection of Jesus filled up the iniquity of the Jews. Philadelphia will be caught up with the Lord and the tribulation will follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:17
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.
1 Corinthians. 15:52
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.
The Seed of Satan and The Seed of Adam:
Pride, Self-righteousness and Man’s Rejection of God’s Grace
Lucifer AKA: Satan
Pride is the fountain-head of all sin. Lucifer, the anointed cherub that covereth, the mightiest of Angels, was cast out of Heaven because of pride. ( Isaiah 14:12-16, Ezekiel 28:11-19) Lucifer, known as Satan in this creation, is also called the father of lies, a thief, a murderer, and the prince (ruler) of this world.
Luke 10:18
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
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.
John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Satan’s agenda is to destroy the children of Adam by perverting God’s Word and/or persuading them that God’s Word is a lie. His ultimate aim is to rule over the seed of Adam through Anti-Christ, as God. He began his work in this world through the serpent. He beguiled Eve in the Garden of Eden by first twisting God’s Word and then calling God a liar. Adam’s fall and separation from God (spiritual death) followed.
Genesis 3:1-5
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? [2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: [3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. [4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Cain: The Seed of Satan
The Lord then showed Adam that a blood sacrifice was necessary to cover his sin. (Genesis 3:21). Then Abel offered the acceptable sacrifice, the blood of the firstlings or new lambs [4:4]. This is an allegory (type and shadow) of the blood sacrifice of Jesus which God planned to provide from before the foundation of the world (I Peter 1:20). Cain brought the sacrifice of the fruit of the ground, which The Lord had cursed, and was rejected [4:5]. This is an allegory for self-righteousness and pride -the righteousness of the flesh which is under the curse (Genesis 3:17). When The Lord told Cain that “sin lieth at the door” He was giving him a second opportunity to make the correct sacrifice [4:7]. Prideful Cain, the seed of Satan, was enraged [4:5]. He refused God’s grace and murdered Abel, God’s elect seed.
Genesis 4:3-7
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. [4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. [6] And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? [7] If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
The Lord provides the acceptable sacrifice in the Garden of Eden as a foreshadowing of the perfect sacrifice He would provide in Jesus. Abel’s willingness to do it God’s way is an allegory for a true Christians faith in Jesus’ sacrifice.
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Scripture repeatedly shows, in type and shadow, that God would provide the acceptable sacrifice. The seed of Satan always operates in pride and self righteousness, never accepting the grace of God and yielding to His ways. This contrast provides the sons of Adam with a clear choice: believe God, do it His way and be blessed or agree with the seed of Satan, walk in self-righteousness and pride, and go to hell. Because God allows this contrast throughout the ages, He is righteous to send the sons of Adam who prefer the ways of Cain to Hell.
Pharaoh: The Seed of Satan
The righteousness, love and power of God working through His elect is contrasted with the hard-heartedness and pride of the seed of Satan in the account of Moses and Pharaoh. Moses was the elect seed of God. He lead the children of Israel and other sons of Adam out of captivity. The entire account is in the book of Exodus. Moses’ election was confirmed when The Lord appeared as His angel on Mount Sinai.
Exodus 3:2-4
And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
The Lord pre-ordained Moses to a particular mission that would bring sweeping change to His relationship with man. This is the purpose of all of God’s elect. They demonstrate the power of God, who the sons of Adam cannot see. This provides the sons of Adam with a choice: believe God and have eternal life with Him, or walk in pride, self righteousness and rebellion with the seed of Satan, and go to hell.
Exodus 4:2-5
And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. [3] And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. [4] And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: [5] That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
Exodus 4:31
And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.
As in the case of Cain and Able, God also allowed another seed (Pharaoh) to be raised up that He would show His power against.
Exodus 9:16
And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
Pharaoh, the King of Egypt, was the seed of Satan. He was pre-ordained to condemnation. Like Cain he was given opportunities to repent, but because of pride he would not let Israel go, as The Lord commanded by His servant Moses. Pharaoh was shown mighty signs and wonders and would not turn from pride and rebellion. He did not fear God, though He saw his power. Many in Egypt that were not of the line of Israel, but were the seed of Adam recognized Moses as a man chosen by God and believed.
Exodus 11:3
And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.
They also believed when Moses told them to sacrifice an unblemished lamb and place the blood of the lamb on the door posts and lentils of their home to prevent the death angel from taking their firstborn. This is a foreshadowing of Jesus, the Lamb of God, and His blood atonement for sin and the gift of eternal life. Once again God shows the sacrifice that He would accept and those that did as Moses instructed, by faith, were protected. Then Moses led out a mixed multitude (Jews and other sons of Adam) of six hundred thousand men and their families from Egypt.
Exodus 12:38
And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
God ordained Moses from before the foundation of the world to demonstrate his power and carry blessings for those who would believe and bring judgement to those who reject The Word of God. The Lord also used Moses to demonstrate how Godly authority would operate among the people. First The Lord told Moses that He would speak to him then Moses would speak to Aaron, the high priest, then Aaron would speak to Pharaoh and the people.
Exodus 7:1-2
And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
Once the children of Israel were out of Egypt Moses set up captains of the people to judge small matters and he judged more weighty ones. The full account is in Exodus 18.
Exodus 18:25-26
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. [26] And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
God further established Moses as His man in the sight of Israel through many miracles. He was known to have great authority from God. Yet Israel, who were the children of Adam, murmured and rebelled against Moses. (This parallels the rebellion to Apostolic authority during the church age which began with the many problems Paul had keeping order and teaching sound doctrine in churches he established)
Exodus 15:24
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
Exodus 17:3
And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
God is not pleased when His people rebel against those He has set in authority. This is so even when those in rebellion are hearing from Him themselves. Moses’ brother Aaron was the first high priest of God over the children of Israel. Moses’ sister Miriam was a prophetess. When these two came against Moses because he took an Ethiopian woman to wife The Lord was angry enough to kill Miriam, but Moses persuaded Him not to.
Numbers 12:1-8
And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. [2] And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. [3] (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) [4] And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. [5] And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. [6] And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. [7] My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. [8] With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
The elect seed carries authority with God. A relatively small number of people (the elect plus those that believe according to their witness) believe The Word and know The Lord in every age. But the elect, the seed of God, have a more intimate relationship with God by His choice, not by their own. The elect are here for one reason: To expound The Word, reveal the mystery of God’s will to each generation, and to demonstrate His power so that the Son’s of Adam can have an opportunity to CHOSE to believe God.
The Pharisees: The Seed of Satan
Jesus, God’s only begotten son, brought grace and truth to the world to save the seed of Adam. The Old Testament prophets foretold His coming and those who believed were the old testament saints.
Psalm 34:9
O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
2 Chronicles 6:41
Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
Salvation has always been about Jesus, and He has always revealed Himself through the testimony of His elect seed.
Isaiah 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.
Isaiah 9:6-7
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. [7] 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 for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Jesus coming in the flesh was the fulfillment or fullness of all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Romans 10:4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
John 1:14
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.
John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
By the time The Lord came in the flesh, the controlling religious faction among the Jews were called Pharisees. They had become self-righteous and filled with pride. Jesus did not have any trouble identifying them as the seed of Satan.
John 8:23-24
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. [24] I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 8:38-44
I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. [39] They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. [40] But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. [41] Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. [42] Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. [43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. [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.
Jesus Himself identified the religious leaders of his day as the seed of Satan. When the Pharisees said they were not born of fornication they were referring to being the children of Cain the first seed of Satan. Reading all of John 8 in context reveals that many that witnessed Jesus rebuking the Pharisees believed on Him (John 8:30-32). This is one of many New Testament examples of the seed of Satan being used to show the righteousness of the Lord through contrast. Then the children of Adam can decide what to believe, and are without excuse if they do not receive salvation. The seed of Adam that CHOSE to believe on The Lord are given power to become the sons of God through His grace, which He extends through the elect seed. The seed of Satan, many leaders of the Pharisees, offer the contrast of pride and self-righteousness so that people will have a clear choice: admit you are a sinner, accept grace or walk in pride and self-righteousness.
John 1:12
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:
If the seed of Adam (people like you and me) choose to believe God, through grace we are adopted into His household and share in all of the blessings of the elect.
Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The fullness of Jesus’ ministry was the promise that anyone who was perfected in the faith could walk as He walked.
Luke 6:40
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
The ministry of the Apostles in the church age is the perfecting of the faith of the saints. The reason there aren’t a lot of people walking in the power the Lord promised, is because the leaders of apostate Christianity consistently rejected His messengers.
Ephesians 4:11-12
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
1 Thessalonians. 3:9-10
For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; [10] Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Teachers of Works Righteousness: The Seed of Satan
The church in Thessalonica is an example of a church, or body of believers (Greek: ekklesia) that CHOSE (elected) God [1:4]. They were the seed of Adam and they became followers [1:6] of the elect that included Paul, Silvanus and Timotheous [1:1]. These men were ALL Apostles [2:6]. In every case where we and us appears it is speaking of the Apostles. In every case where ye and you appears it is speaking of the children of Adam who chose or elected God. By faith in The Gospel preached by the elect seed of God they became the adopted children of God. They went on to do the works of faith that the whole family of God are called to do [1:7-8].
I Thessalonians. 1:1-2:6
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. [2] We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; [3] Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; [4] Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. [5] For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. [6] And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: [7] So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. [8] For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. [9] For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; [10] And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
[2:1] For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: [2] But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. [3] For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: [4] But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. [5] For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: [6] Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
Again, The Lord suffers the seed of Satan so that stark contrast between good and evil can be seen by Adam’s seed, the great majority of mankind. God is then righteous to judge both the seed of Satan, who are foreordained to condemnation, and also those of Adam that walk in pride and self-righteousness.
Romans 9:22-24
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: [23] And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, [24] Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Those who chose to walk in pride (many of them are apostate Christians) think it is not fair that God would fore-ordain only the elect to salvation. Out of the same pride they think it is unfair that some are fore-ordained to condemnation. They believe they are more righteous than God and are justified in their own minds just like the generation of Jews that Jesus was sent to.
Romans 9:14-21
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. [15] For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. [16] So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. [17] For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. [18] Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. [19] Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? [20] Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? [21] Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
The Apostle Paul taught that heresies served to show (make manifest) those that have God’s approval.
1 Corinthians 11:18-19
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. [19] For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Jesus rebuked and chastised the self-righteous and identified them as the seed of Satan. In like fashion the Apostle Paul preached that those that taught the doctrine of works righteousness were of the devil. Works righteousness and hypocrisy are outward manifestations of pride, and are the ministry of Satan and his seed. Paul asserts those that preach a works doctrine may look good, but that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Philippians 3:17-19
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. [18] (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: [19] Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Paul also taught that many would rise up from in and outside the church and teach these heresies.
Acts 20:28-31
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. [29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. [31] Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
And Jude, the Lord’s brother, made it clear that there were men that are foreordained to condemnation that would preach Satan’s doctrines of pride and self-righteousness. Denominational, apostate Christianity is rife with these people.
Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Turning grace into lasciviousness means that they said that those who preach grace are authorizing sin. [Paul was often accused of this. (Romans 3:8) but never encouraged people to do evil just because they were under grace (Romans 6:15)] This is one of the lies of the self-righteous that the Apostle of grace warned might seduce the believer into placing his trust in his own works rather than the sacrifice that God ordained, Jesus. Those that place their faith in works or personal righteousness, deny the perfection of Jesus’ sacrifice as ordained by God. Works righteousness or faith in anything of ourselves is pride, and those that teach and embrace pride are workers of iniquity, just as Lucifer is. Cain, the seed of Satan, was the first practitioner of the false religion of self righteousness and pride.
1 John 3:12
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
Jude 1:11
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Workers of iniquity do not know the Lord though they regularly pretend to. All of apostate Christianity are of this class. Many are the seed of Satan.
Matthew 7:21-23
Not every one 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. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Conclusion
The ministry of the Church of Philadelphia is now made manifest by the Spirit of God. As when Jesus walked in the flesh the scriptures are in the hands of those who claim to be His. Search them out. Philadelphia, His body The Church, will make known mysteries that have been hid from the foundation of the world. As a scribe instructed in The Kingdom of God brings forth both things old and things new, Philadelphia will testify of that which was, is, and is forevermore.
Herein is the doctrine of the three seeds. The seed of God, His elect, pre-ordained to salvation; The seed of Satan, pre-ordained to condemnation; The seed of Adam, the great majority of mankind that must choose to believe one way or the other. The seed of Adam must decide: is life all about Jesus or is it all about them?
Those with ears to hear, let them hear.