Bible Believers' Newsletter 78
"We focus on the present Truth – what Jesus is doing now. . ." ISSN 1442-8660
Christian greetings in the precious Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; we are pleased you could join us in fellowship around God's unchanging Word.
It is so refreshing for me to return to God's Word and prepare this simple Message of grace. For some of us it will be revision, for others, it will help unfold what Jesus is doing NOW.
This newsletter serves those of like precious faith and whosoever will receive the truth is welcome to feed their soul from the waters of the River of Life. Everything presented should be confirmed personally in your own Bible. God bless you, especially if this is your first Newsletter.Your brother-in-Christ,
Anthony Grigor-Scott
We See by Faith, Not by Sight
Last week we studied Rregeneration, spiritual regeneration of the individual and quoted Jesus in Matthew 19:28 assuring His disciplres, "Truly I tell you, those who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory (that's this earth in the Millennium), you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve Tribes of Israel (after the Millennium). And every one who has forsaken houses, family or lands, for My Name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit Eternal life."
We explained how the natural redemption of this earth types the Spiritual redemption of our soul. Both follow three stages of faith in Justification by grace through faith, and Scriptural water baptism showing repentance was genuine; cleansing to prepare us for the Lord's use, or Sanctification; and the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, which is the new birth.
This week we shall consider regeneration from the perspective of Acts 3:17-23 where Peter explained to the Israelites, "Brethren, I know that through ignorance you delivered Messiah unto death and denied Him before Pilate and the heathen, as did also your rulers. But God had already declared by all of His prophets, that Christ should suffer in this way, so you have fulfilled His Word."
"Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the Presence of the Lord; (Peter is speaking of their new birth or regeneration); And (in due time) God shall send Jesus Christ, who before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution(or restoration) of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."
This "restitution (or restoration) of all things" is NOT speaking of the Millennium or of the new heavens and new earth so much as the ministry of these last days. This is a restoration of the FULL Word of God. It's a restoration of the FULLNESS of the Word "which God has spoken by the mouth of ALL His holy prophets from Adam who was His first prophet." Peter is saying that Jesus must remain in heaven until the FULLNESS of the Word is restored through the ministry of the Elijah of Malachi 4:5 and 6b, who is also the angel to the Seventh and last Church Age (Revelation 10:7). So we know this man was a prophet, for the Word of God comes only to a prophet, and before God can ever do anything of great moment He first must send a prophet (Isaiah 42:9; Amos 3:7; II Peter 1:20-21).
Furthermore, and contrary to volumes of theological guesswork written by religious men, Christ comes only three times. His first Coming was through the womb of a virgin to die on Calvary and redeem His Bride, a physical (Gk. "erchomai") Coming. His second Coming is not physical: Matthew 24:23-28 instructs us clearly NOT to look for a Man. Jesus said, "My second Coming will be a UNIVERSAL Coming: the SAME Light that shone in the East will be restored in the West". What is this, but "the restitution of ALL things spoken by the mouth of ALL His holy prophets since the world began". It's the revelation or unveiling of the FULLNESS of the anointed Word by the angel (or human messenger) of Revelation 1:1; 3:14; 10:7, etc., after Christ breaks open the Seven Seals which had closed the Bible and shut up the vision and prophecy, from Daniel unto "the time of the end" (Daniel 12:4, 9; Revelation 10:4).
No man can appear UNIVERSALLY. But His second Coming IS universal. Acts 1:9-11 and Revelation 1:7 instruct us that "EVERY Eye shall see Him". That's His elect, the true Church who see Him or receive His Word by faith. They tell us that a second group, "those who pierced Him," shall see Him. These are the 144,000 elect Israelites who will see Him by faith, three and a half years AFTER the true Church or Bride has been translated. And "they'll look upon Him whom they have pierced, and mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son. . . asking, "What are these wounds in Your hands?" He will reply, "Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends" (Zechariah 12:10; 13:6). These Israelites won't see Messiah with their naked eye for He'll be with His Bride at the Wedding Supper in the Sky. They'll see HIm with their heart, by faith or understanding of His Word, just as "every eye shall see Him" . . .but by faith.
A third group, "all kindreds (of Adam's race) of the earth" will see Him at this UNIVERSAL Coming, and "wail because of Him". These are the foolish virgin and other groups of the "saved." They will not see Him with their eyes but recognize that they have missed the translation because they were not born-again, and must be martyred for His Name in order to retain their names on the Book of Life and be granted into Eternal Life at the White Throne Judgment.
Each of these three different groups at different points in time will "see" or UNDERSTAND the Word for THEIR day. We must lay aside all else to ensure we are among the "every eye" group, for very, very soon now, there'll never be another Gentile redeemed. If you doubt that, read between the lines of your newspapers and you'll "see" the wickedness of the men who govern Australia . . . and the world.
The worldly denominational church is looking for a Man to step out from heaven. The Catholics reckon He'll come to them. The Baptists believe He's one of their group, as do the Pentecostals. Like Israel so long ago, they imagine (without considering the absurdity of their fantasy) that this Man will be seen UNIVERSALLY by EVERY EYE. But how will those asleep, or on the other side of the world see this huge Fellow in the dark? What about coal miners down in the pit? They've placed a carnal interpretation upon God's unchanging Word. They are all looking for the WRONG thing, and rejecting the promised Word.
Christians are not anticipating a Man this time. The four Gospels, the epistles and the Book of Revelation promise nothing of the kind. They all agree that the word used to describe the Second Coming is the Greek "parousia", which is NOT a physical Coming.
The word "parousia" means "arrival and subsequent PRESENCE". It may be said that you are in the Presence of the Lord as you read this Newsletter, or that you are in my presence. Likewise, were we speaking on the telephone, you would be in my presence and I would be in your presence although you may be in Zimbabwe whilst I am at my desk in Australia. That is the difference between a physical or "erchomai" coming and a "parousia" coming. Sadly, our translators used one English word to describe two Greek words with very different meanings.
Christ's THIRD Coming is His second physical (or erchomai) Coming when the glorified Jesus returns WITH the glorified saints of ALL Ages. Together they'll step out upon the ashes of the wicked. The City of London is fomenting atomic warfare, using America and NATO countries to bring to pass plans that are hundreds of years old and will leave earth's creatures "neither root nor branch," only ashes (Isaiah 13:9; Malachi 4:1-3; Matthew 3:12; II Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 19:20; 20:5, 10).
Clearly from our Scripture in Acts 3 addressed to Israel, before earth can be restored toits original order of perfection, the FULLNESS of the Word spoken by the mouth of ALL God's holy prophets since the world began must be restored.But the FULLNESS of the Word is Christ, who was spoken into the virgin Mary by the Angel Gabriel. When she received his Message by faith, It became the flesh of Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14). His second Coming is the FULLNESS of the spoken Word now taking flesh in His Bride. Christ has returned in WORD Form as "the Message".
Christ's second Coming or "parousia," first to us Gentiles, then during the Tribulation to Israel, is not a Man but the FULLNESS of the anointed Word. The revelation of the Seven Seals in 1963 brought Christ back to earth in WORD form. Paul foretold, "When that which is perfect (or COMPLETE) is come, that which is in part (PART-Word and a Mediator) shall be done away" (I Corinthians 13:10).
Suddenly the Bible takes on real meaning. It begins to make sense. That's the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart. Jesus said, "The Holy Spirit will guide you into ALL Truth and reveal what will come to pass in YOUR day" (John 16:13).
Acts 3:22-23, "Moses truly said to the fathers, "A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, (an Israelite) like me; Him shall you hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you. (That Prophet was the Lord Jesus Christ). And it shall come to pass, that every soul, who will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people" (or cast into the Tribulation). This Christ's unseen second or (Gk.) parousia Coming to Israel in W_O_R_D form, cleaving the Mount of Olives. Through the ministry of Moses and Elijah He will "restore all things spoken by the mouth of ALL His holy prophets since the world began".
God specifically promised to send ONE Prophet with this ministry of restoration to we Gentiles. Malachi 4:1-6 says that before God smites the earth with a curse such that fire from heaven consumes all sinners, He will send the anointing of the Spirit that was on Elijah, Elishah and John the Baptist upon another Brother Branham whose ministry has "RESTORED the faith of the children to the understanding of our apostolic fathers" (Matthew, Paul, Luke, etc,).
This prophet will be the angel or messenger to the Seventh Church Age. Revelation 10:7, "In the days of the Voice of the seventh angel, when HE begins to reveal his Message the mystery of God should be finished as God spoke to His servants the prophets." The FULLNESS of the Word is Christ Jesus (I Corinthians 13:10).
In Matthew 17:1-13, Jesus took three witnesses up into a high mountain apart from the others. There God showed thim a vision of Jesus' second physical Coming glorified, preceded by the actual Moses and Elijah to Israel during Daniel's Seventieth Week, after the close of the Gentile dispensation.
The disciples inquired of Jesus, "We appreciate all God has shown us, but isn't Elijah supposed to visit the Gentiles FIRST for the "restitution of ALL things spoken by the mouth of ALL God's holy prophets since the world began"?"
Jesus replied, "Elijah shall come to the Gentiles BEFORE God deals with Israel, and his ministry will truly restore the fullness of the Word." (This Elijah was the late William Branham (1909-1965), the angel to the Pentecostal or Laodicean Church Age whose ministry restored the apostolic faith).
"But I tell you, that another Elijah (John the Baptist) has come already, our friend John the Baptist (Matthew 17:11), and they chopped-off his head! Likewise shall the Son of man suffer".
The ministry of John the Baptist restored NOTHING. He "laid the ax to the root of all trees" (the spiritual principles of Pharisees, Essenes, Sadducees, Herodians, Zealots and whatmore). John was the "messenger" of Malachi 3:1, Isaiah 40:3-5, Matthew 11:10-13 and Luke 1:17).
Had John the Baptist restored Israel to the faith of their fathers he would have denied the One he was sent to introduce and also Moses who came after the Old Testament Patriarchs. More than three years posthumously, John's ministry resulted in "turning the faith of the fathers to those predestinated to become God's Children, born of His Spirit," fulfilling Malachi 4:6a.
This earth cannot become Christ's footstool until the times of restitution of all things spoken by the mouth of all God's holy prophets since the world began, because we have to be "one" or in agreement by faith with Jesus, as Jesus is at one with God (John 17:21-26). After the end of Christ's Mediation for ignorance (in the Office of Son of God) and after the restoration of the apostolic faith, Jesus returned in W_O_R_D form after Laodicea in the Office as Son of Man and Judge(John 5:27).
Furthermore, Enoch, one man taken from the seventh generation from the first Adam, was a type for the end time saints. Because Enoch walked in faith. And without a Mediator, he pleased God and was translated. Christ's end-time Bride is called out of the seventh generation from the last Adam. And without a Mediator, we share Enoch's testimony because we have the FULLNESS of the Word.
God had to send us a prophet in these last days to RESTORE the one and only faith once delivered to the saints, FINISH the mystery of God, and call His people OUT of Babylon to be filled with the Spirit for manifestation of the Sons of God and the honeymoon in the eternal and restored land of the millennium.
Hebrews 1:1, 13 instruct us that after Jesus had purged our sins forever by the all-sufficient sacrifice of His own Life, He "sat on the right hand of the Divine Majesty on High." Now God has neither right nor left hand. The term "right hand" signifies authority. It shows that Jesus is adopted, placed or recognized by the Father and that His Word has equal Authority as God, Who said, "Sit on My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool (or Judgment Seat)." Jesus didn't sit on anybody's hand, He became God's right hand Man. Whatever He says, God will do. "ALL power is given unto Me in heavens and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). That is how it will be for Christ's Bride in the manifestation of the Sons of God.
Now in the regeneration, just before the final physical restoration of all things in a new (or regenerated) heavens and earth, there will be a Judgment. Twelve Old Testament Patriarchs and twelve of the New Testament apostles will sit in twelve thrones, judging the twelve Tribes of Israel, and the saints will judge the world.
It is essential that we recognize God promised and has sent us a prophet before the end. Jesus Christ cannot physically return to earth until "the restitution of ALL things spoken by the mouth of ALL His holy prophets since the world began." That Word can come only by a vindicated prophet. I believe the late William Branham was that Prophet. You must receive what I've said, then "search the Scripture, whether these things are so" (Acts 17:11).
Without the Message of that Prophet, whoever he was, there is no way one can be born-again in this day. Speaking of the 144,000 elect Israelites Peter said, "The soul that does not receive that prophet shall be destroyed from among His people" (Acts 3:23). As we have received the Elijah Jesus promised us in Matthew 17:11; Revelation 1:1; 3:14; 10:7, etc.), One cannot receive the Message if he rejects the messenger. Without this Message there can be no restoration.
Oh, you say, "But I love Jesus." Jesus said, "If you love Me, you'll obey My commandments, and My commandments are not hard." One of His commandments said, "He who receives a prophet in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ receives a prophet's reward" as be a friend of God. Another stated, "Elijah truly shall first come and restore all things."
Think on these words. This prophet has introduced Christ's second or unseen 'parousia' Coming. Christ is here NOW. nl078.htm
Pass it on . . . please send this article to someone you know Brother Grigor-Scott is a non-denominational minister who has ministered full-time since 1981, primarily to other ministers and their congregations overseas. He pastors Bible Believers' tiny congregation, and is available to teach in your church.
Bible Believers' Church
Gunnedah NSW
Australia 2380e-mail Bible Believers
URL Bible Believers' Website
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