THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (PART 1)
“But Let Every Man Take Heed How He Buildeth Thereupon”
“Dr. Haldeman, for many years the pastor of the First Baptist Church in New York City, and a great preacher of Truth, one day placed two chairs, side by side, on his platform.
He described the one as a careless, carnal Christian, caring but little for things spiritual, and the other as a spiritual saint going all the way with God. Then Dr. Haldeman, in his graphic way, asked, ‘Will these two Christians enter alike into the rewards of the Kingdom of our Lord?’ His reply with an emphatic voice was, ‘Not so long as there is a just God in heaven’.”
IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY (by R. E. Neighbour)
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
In our last issue, we began to present evidence concerning a Believers conditional entrance into the millennial kingdom. I would like to continue along the same line of reasoning, by introducing the doctrine of “The Judgment Seat Of Christ”. How is it different from “The Great White Throne Judgment”? When does it take place? What works must a Believer do to attain rewards?
THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
If you will refer to “God’s Timeline for Man”, you will notice that we have two judgments. One judgement (The Judgment Seat Of Christ) before the 1000 year kingdom that takes place at the comig of Christ, and a second judgement (The Great White Throne Judgment) after the 1000 year kingdom is over.
In issue 2, we discussed in detail the message of the book of John. The message to the unbeliever is this: “Believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, and you will receive the gift of being raised up on the resurrection at the last day, and you will never be cast out and you will never perish”. Now the judgment on the “last day” is called the “Great White Throne Judgement” (Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne); and it is at this time (Last Day, Great White Throne, The Eighth Day Circumcision, Second Resurrection) that God will separate the Believers from the unbelievers.
John 12:47-48 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
When that final “Great White Throne Judgment” takes place on the “last day”, you as a “child of God”, will not come into condemnation, but will pass into eternal life. This is the gift of God that we receive when we believe on Jesus Christ as our Savior.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Have you trusted (believed) in Jesus Christ as your savior? That He alone has paid the full price for your sins! If you trust in any other thing, whether it be your works, your church, you own goodness, etc., and not in the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the cross, God’s word says that you are condemned already.
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
It is such a tragedy that anyone would reject such a gift that is to be received through simple faith alone. All one must do to accept the gift of God is believe that Jesus Christ has taken your sin upon Himself, and paid the full price for your sins. In doing so, you will receive the gift of eternal life, and the promise of never perishing.
“How precious did that grace appear, The hour I first believed.”
AMAZING GRACE
“When we preach the gospel, we tell others that we receive eternal life through believing in Jesus Christ. If a person believes in Him, he will have eternal life. Everyone who understands the Word of God knows that in the church age today, as soon as a man believes, he has eternal life. This is our message.”
THE GOSPEL OF GOD (by Watchman Nee)
EIGHTH DAY CIRCUMCISION
If you will refer to our timeline once again, you will notice that this Great White Throne Judgment takes place on what is referred to as the “eighth day”. It is on the eighth day, that God commanded that “Every man child among you shall be circumcised.”
Acts 7:8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day;
“Eight is the number of new beginning and resurrection. The eighth day is the beginning of a new week. The Jewish child was circumcised the eighth day, which was its birth into covenant relations. –And the eternal order of blessedness is to begin with the eighth thousand years from Adam.”
THE APOCALYPSE (by J. A. Seiss)
Circumcision was a covenant between God and the Jewish nation; a visible mark proving that they were God’s children.
Genesis 17:10-12 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
As a Believer, we have been bought with a much more precious thing. The blood of our God and Savior!
1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
The moment that you ‘believe’ on Jesus Christ as your savior, you are spiritually circumcised into God’s household. An invisible mark (on the heart), proving you are God’s child.
Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Colossians 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
All who were uncircumcised on the eighth day, were cut off from God’s people.
Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
On that “eighth day”; the day of the Great White Throne Judgment; if you have not been “spiritually circumcised” into God’s family “through faith”, you will be cut off from His people and cast into a lake of fire.
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
JUDGMENT BASED UPON WORKS
We now come to the main topic and purpose for which this article was written. The question of whether we are a child of God was settled at the cross; but the question of our possible reward for obedience or punishment for disobedience will come into judgment at the return of our Lord. That there is a judgment to determine reward according to works which we have done after salvation, scripture leaves absolutely no doubt.
Romans 14:10-12 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:9-11 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;
“It is here that every believer will have his life reviewed and judged. The results of that judgment will either be the receiving of a reward or the suffering of loss. Contrary to the teaching of many popular Bible teachers today, not all born again believers will rule and reign with Christ when He returns to establish His kingdom, but only those who have gained a reward.”
BEYOND THE RAPTURE (by Gary T. Whipple)
So we see that not all Believers will be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Colossians 3:23-25 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Our reward from God for being obedient is the inheritance of the kingdom. Sadly though, not all of God’s children will receive the inheritance, for not all Believers will be found obedient at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
“A Christian can lose his inheritance, not his salvation, by his evil conduct.”
KINGDOM OF GOD VISUALIZED (by R. E. Baughman)
“The recompense for suffering for Christ is the heavenly inheritance, the glory and sovereignty that Christ has won and will share with His faithful followers.”
GOD’S PLAN (by G. H. Lang)
Ephesians 5:5-6 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
“Just as salvation separates the worldly people, in the same way, reward also separates God’s children. God separates His children into the obedient and disobedient.”
THE GOSPEL OF GOD (by Watchman Nee)
So when does this judgment take place? It takes place at the second coming of Jesus Christ, prior to the beginning of the 1000 year kingdom. (See timeline)
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Matthew 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
“. . ., at what time will the reward be given out? It will be given out when Christ comes in the glory of His Father with His angels. When Christ comes in the glory of His Father with His angels, that will be the time for Him to establish His kingdom on the earth. Hence, it is only when the kingdom begins that the reward will begin.”
THE GOSPEL OF GOD (by Watchman Nee)
Dear Believer,
I come before you today, that I, as Paul also tried with the Corinthians, to persuade you (knowing the terror of the Lord) to live holy, separated lives from this world. It is my hope and prayer that you would understand that each Believer will be judged upon their works (whether good or bad). Do you understand that you need to FEAR GOD?
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 10:30-31 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Do you understand that God expects you to be holy and perfect?
1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
“Thus we see conclusively that the Church is not excused from holy living, and that salvation by grace never eliminates God’s call to separation, and sanctification, and to a holy life.”
IN HEAVENLY PLACES (by R. E. Neighbour)
Do you understand that without the ‘Fear of God’ a Believer cannot perfect holiness?
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Do you, as a Believer, still believe that you are immune from punishment?
Hebrews 10:28-29 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Romans 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
“It is the resurrection of an old and (one had thought) obsolete assumption that all curses are for the Jew, and all blessings are for the Church. Such a thought assumes that more privilege means less responsibility; it assumes that Jewish disciples with far less light will, if they sin, incur far severer punishment: whereas the exact reverse is ever Paul’s warning cry – How much more, how much more! (Heb. 12:25, Rom. 11:24).”
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (by D. M. Panton)
Luke 12:47-48 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
“So it is, that greater light, and added grace, bring greater responsibilities, with greater judgments upon those who do despite to the Spirit of grace.”
IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY (by R. E. Neighbour)
When Jesus Christ returns, every Believer will stand alone before Him. It is at this Judgment Seat that we must give account of the life we lived after we became His child.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
It is at this Judgment Seat that our eyes will meet His, and every thought, every word, every act of obedience or disobedience will be brought to light.
Revelation 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Psalms 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
WORKS TESTED BY FIRE
At the moment we believe, we have a foundation that is a Rock. It is a foundation which cannot be moved, shaken or destroyed.
Matthew 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
It is a foundation not built upon sand, but upon the Rock of Christ. No amount of wind, water, fire, etc. will be able to move it.
1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Regardless of whether we are an obedient or disobedient Believer, our foundation will always be Jesus Christ. We will never have to look upon what is built upon the foundation (our works) to see if we are saved. As a Believer, we need only to look upon the (finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross) foundation.
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
We as Believers have a sure foundation; a foundation that has already been through the trials of fire. A foundation that has been tested and will stand up against all judgment.
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
“According to this passage of scripture, every Christian will have this same foundation at the judgment seat, which is, Christ (verse 11). This speaks of the finished work of Christ on the cross and reveals that everyone there will be saved.”
BEYOND THE RAPTURE (by Gary T. Whipple)
There is but one foundation that God will accept! It is not Satan, the Pope, Buddha, Mohammed, Mary, Joseph Smith, the watchtower,ourselves, etc., it is only Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
When we appear before the judgment seat of Christ, our foundation will surely stand, for it has already been “tried”. Paul though, gives us a warning:
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
We are warned by Paul, that after the foundation has been laid, that we need to be careful how we build upon the foundation. In other words, we are to be careful what kind of works we have after we have become a child of God. We are to “take heed” how we build upon our foundation of Jesus Christ. We can either build with gold, silver and precious stones (good works), or wood, hay and stubble (bad works).
1 Corinthians 3:12-13 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
“An exposure of the disciple’s work follows at the Judgment Seat.” — The foundation is not tested; it is , as Isaiah says, already a tried Stone: it is the superstructure which the fire searches. No believer will be put on trial for his standing, but for his walk; not for his faith, but for his works; not for his life, but for his living; not for his foundation, but for his superstructure.”
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (by D. M. Panton)
At the judgment seat of Christ, our works will be tested through fire. If our works are those of gold, silver and precious stones (works that stand up to the fire), then we will receive the reward.
1 Corinthians 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
“Here it says that if his work remains, he will be rewarded. It does not say that if his faith remains he will be rewarded. The matter of reward depends on one’s work.”
THE GOSPEL OF GOD (by Watchman Nee)
But if we build upon the foundation wood, hay or stubble (works that will be burned up), then we shall suffer loss of reward. But even with loss of reward, the tried foundation will stand against the fire, and we as Believers shall still be saved.
1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
“The results of this firey test will be a just recompense of reward, which means, every man will receive exactly what he deserves!”
“Please notice that after their baptism of fire they will be saved (verse 15). This will be because of the foundation of Christ’s finished work on the cross. Therefore, that which is described as suffering loss cannot be their salvation, but rather their rewards.”
BEYOND THE RAPTURE (by Gary T. Whipple)
“While a genuine Christian who becomes a backslider will not be judicially condemned for ever, there will be a very serious measure of personal, practical condemnation when such an one stands before the judgment seat of Christ, to be dealt with according to works since conversion.”
Dr. Griffith Thomas (quote taken from “The Judgment Seat of Chris” by D. M. Panton)
“. . ., God will never save a person because he has merits, and He will never reward one who has no merit.”
THE GOSPEL OF GOD (by Watchman Nee)
“If we please Him in this present Age, we shall also receive the Age to Come; and if we walk worthy of Him, we shall also reign together with Him.”
Polycarp (quote taken from “The Judgment Seat of Christ” by D. M. Panton)
CONCLUSION
As we close, let us make mention of those Believers who “feel” like it is not right to work for reward. That somehow, it is more honorable to work because we “love” our Lord, or that works are our way to “pay Him back” for what He has done for us. Scripture very clearly teaches that when we do not work for reward, we are being disobedient.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And God has commanded us to work for rewards. (Matt. 6:33, 1 Cor. 3:8, 1Cor. 15:58,
1 Tim. 5:18, Heb. 6:10, Rev. 2:3)!
Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
And why does God want us to lay up treasures for ourselves “in heaven”?
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Where is your heart Believer? Is it in this world with the “stuff” you treasure? Or is it in heaven “where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt“? Scripture tells us that when Christ is revealed at His coming that we are to “Remember Lot’s wife”.
Luke 17:30-32 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife.
Scripture also teaches that he that cometh to God must believe “that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” A child of God must believe (have faith) that God is a rewarder. If you come to God without this truth, then you are working for the wrong reason. Without faith, scripture teaches that “it is impossible to please him”. Are we better than Moses, who had “respect unto the recompense of the reward.”
Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
“For reward is merely the tangible expression of the approval of God, and we may no more deny Him the pleasure of expressing that approval than we need abjure it for ourselves. He who despises a throne despises Him Who confers the throne. It was one of our Lord’s rebukes of the Pharisees (John 5:44),”
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (by D. M. Panton)
Why are you working Believer? Are you working to get saved? Then you should place your faith in Jesus Christ alone and what He did for you on the cross. Are you working to pay God back? You can never pay God back (for all of your righteousness is as filthy rags). Everything that you have in this life is already His, and was given to you from Him. Are you working out of duty to God? Then it is “impossible to please Him”, for “He that cometh to God, MUST believe that “He is a rewarder” of those that diligently seek Him. Will you not seek the reward from Him that seeth in secret, and will reward you openly at the Judgment Seat? Will you not seek the honor that comes from God only?
John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
Why is it then, that a Believer will not receive this truth of the kingdom? Scripture leaves no doubt to this truth of kingdom exclusion. Why do they cry out with all the excuses that “All Believers sin” and “no one can be holy”. Is that so? What about Paul, Enoch, Steven, Joshua, Caleb, and at least 144,000 Jews in the future? Are not these Holy before the eyes of God?
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Revelation 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
“Perhaps you, dear friends, sitting before me, feel that God has failed in His purpose; at least, so far as you are concerned; that you are not holy and without blame. Now, you understand that we all believe in holiness, and we believe that a Christian can live a life free from self-condemnation. The Apostle Paul said: ‘herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men’.”
IN HEAVENLY PLACES (by R. E. Neighbour)
“It is urgent that we be found at last to be among them that have ‘loved His appearing”
(2 Tim. 4:8), and therefore have purified themselves, even as He is pure (1 John 3:3).
THE RAPTURES AND THE TRIBULATION (by G. H. Lang)
Could it be that these faithful Believers, along with so many others, feared God? And that you my friend do not fear God?
Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
So many times have I heard a Believer say to an unbeliever: “Well if your right, then neither of us have anything to worry about, but if I’m right . . .” Well my fellow Believer in Christ; I say unto you that if you are right, then we will both enter into the kingdom. But if you are wrong my friend, then we had both better repent and fall on our faces in fear before God, and ask for mercy before the prescence of the Almighty.
Psalms 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
“The discussion on the subject of Entrance into the Millennial Kingdom, lately begun in ‘The Voice upon the Mountains,’ is to cease. The editor found, that a continuance of the topic would endanger the very existence of his periodical. Hundreds withdrew, when the discussion began; and others threatened to follow their example. How is this? Why will not Christians listen to an argument on this point wholly drawn from Scripture? Because they do not like it. They wish to assume, without proof from the New Testament, the doctrine – that every believer will without fail enter the millennial bliss. In this I behold the commencing fulfillment of 2 Tim. 4:3,4.”REWARD ACCORDING TO WORKS (by Robert Govett)
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
“The notion that the future Kingdom is a kind of classless society where all are equal and rewarded equally has contributed in no small way to the laxness witnessed in the lives of many in the twentieth century church.”THE REIGN OF THE SERVANT KINGS (by Joseph C. Dillow)
We have entered that time in history that 2 Timothy so declared almost 2000 years ago. A time the Book of Revelation refers to as “The Church of Laodicea”.
“Its name designates it as the Church of mob rule, the democratic Church, in which everything is swayed and decided by popular opinion, clamour and voting; and hence a self-righteous and self-sufficient Church. It is described as thinking itself the perfection of Churches. It said in its heart, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need in nothing;’ but never was a body of people so woefully self-deluded.”THE APOCALYPSE (by J. A. Seiss)
2Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
(Warning: All quotations from authors are only for the purpose of showing that other men throughout history have held similar beliefs. Those authors beliefs as well as the beliefs of myself should NEVER REPLACE the study of the Holy Scriptures. I encourage all men to lay the books of other men aside and to receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God….and the Spirit of Truth will guide you into ALL TRUTH)