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Koffee Kup Kandor Purpose

A website for those who wish to digest the "strong [solid] meat,"
not just "the milk or meat," of the Word of God. ~ Hebrews 5:12-14

The earth had been brought into existence for a purpose – “to be inhabited,” i.e., to be an inhabited province in God’s kingdom (Isaiah 45:18); and, following its ruin, the earth was restored in order that God’s purpose for the earth might be realized.

Man, LIKEWISE, had been brought into existence for a purpose, which is regal (Genesis 1:26-28); and following man’s ruin, God BEGAN a work of restoration in order that His purpose for man’s existence MIGHT ultimately be realized. ~~Arlen Chitwood

TOPIC INDEX LINKS:

 

Foreword 

Failure to understand and distinguish BETWEEN the salvation we presently possess and the salvation to be revealed WHEN our Lord returns has wrought untold confusion in Christian circles. 

Many Christians take Scriptures dealing WITH the salvation to be revealed and seek to apply them TO the salvation that we presently possess.  And misapplying Scripture in this manner, these individuals arrive at the erroneous conclusion that it is possible FOR a saved person to be lost, which not ONLY casts reproach upon the sufficiency of the finished work of Christ at Calvary, but ALSO does violence to numerous portions of the Word of God. 

Then, on the other hand, there ARE those Christians who recognize that the loss of one’s eternal salvation is NOT possible, BUT still fail to understand distinctions between the salvation of the spirit and the salvation of the soul.  Most from this group take many of these same verses and seek TO either apply them to the nation of Israel OR to unregenerate individuals, whether Jew or Gentile.  And applications of this nature not only remove the Spirit’s exhortations and warnings to redeemed individuals, BUT erroneous interpretations in one area of Scripture will often, for the sake of consistency, lead TO erroneous interpretations in other areas. 

Thus, the importance of understanding distinctions between the salvation of the spirit AND the salvation of the soul becomes self-evident. 

Let it be forever stated:  Redeemed man has come into a position from which he can NEVER be removed.  But this same redeemed man, in this position, is directly responsible to his Creator; and, at a future date, he WILL either inherit as a joint-heir with his Lord OR suffer loss in the presence of his Lord.  The former will be realized through the salvation of his soul, OR the latter will, instead, be realized through the loss of his soul.

For the preceding reason I believe the Holy Spirit has put in me a deep desire for soul-winning, as seen in Scripture, having to do with reaching those WHO already possess eternal life (those who have a redeemed spirit, those who have “passed from death unto life”), NOT with reaching those who are still “dead in trespasses and sins.” Soul-winning, rather than having to do with the free gift of eternal life, has to do with the faithfulness of the saved (resulting in works), a just recompense of reward, and life in the coming kingdom of Christ.  Most of the 'God's Word' commentaries in this site reference those spiritually saved [presently] and the path leading to soul salvation [future].  Or maybe better defined AS Christians coming into a mature knowledge and understanding of Christ’s coming reign over the earth, with His companions [co-heirs].

And as a Christian, NOT a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; BUT a citizen of heaven making my way through this world, politics are difficult to avoid.

I used to say God's Word and Politics can't, or shouldn't, be separated, but I was wrong.  Politics are of this world we are living, a world ruled by Satan and his angels [or demons].  Within this site The Metamorphosis,  Organizational Set-up of Satan’s Rule over the Earth, and Satan Rules the Earth describe the situation in which we are confronted.  Also Christians vs. Angelic Rulers Presently!,  Christians and the World,  In the Kingdom of Men, etc.

This country was founded with God as its cornerstone! Our rights come from God, NOT government! We give government what rights we the people want them to have, BUTsadly government politifecals (political feces) have suckered us into giving them way too many of our rights!  Remember we are in Satan's kingdom.

In Christ running the race for the salvation of my soul!

Pat

PS  My goal is affecting soul-winning for the spiritually saved.  A Soul-winning commentary follows.

Arlen Chitwood's book, Salvation of the Soul BOOK, in its entirety and in this site.

Word Document: Foreword Koffee Kup Kandor Purpose.docx which is SAFE to open and print.

Soul-Winning
Saving of the Life
By Arlen Chitwood of Lamp Broadcast

The expression, “salvation of the soul,” has been misused in Christian circles over the years to the extent that any correct Scriptural teaching on the subject has become almost nonexistent.  Soul-winning has erroneously been equated with reaching the unsaved with the message of the gospel of grace; and few Christians, viewing soul-winning in this manner, seem to even give the matter a second thought.

Books have been written on soul-winning, Bible colleges and seminaries teach courses on soul-winning, and soul-winning conferences are held by these same institutions and by various churches.  But, among these groups, almost without exception, soul-winning is viewed from a non-Scriptural perspective.

Soul-winning in Scripture has to do with the saving of the soul/life of those who are already saved, whether Israelites in the Old Testament or Christians in the New Testament.  When it comes to the saving or the losing of the soul/life in this respect, solely from a Scriptural standpoint, the unsaved are not in view.

But exactly what is soul-winning?  And why is there so much confusion on this subject today?  The questions are interrelated, and Scripture is quite clear concerning the answers to both.  Soul-winning, having to do with those who are already saved, is seen connected with a kingdom in both Testaments.  In the Old Testament, this kingdom was an existing kingdom (the Old Testament theocracy); and in the New Testament, this kingdom is seen as a coming kingdom (the coming kingdom of Christ).

Thus, it is no wonder that corruption and confusion have marked the proclamation of this message throughout Man’s Day.  Satan, the present ruler in the kingdom — ruling from a heavenly sphere through the Gentile nations on earth (cf. Daniel 10:13-20; Luke 4:5-6; Ephesians 6:12) — knows that the ultimate outworking of that contained in the message surrounding the salvation of the soul will bring about an end to his rule.

Accordingly, Satan has done all within his power, over millenniums of time, to destroy this message. And exactly how well he has succeeded can be seen on practically every hand in Christendom today (cf. Matthew 13:31-33; Luke 18:8; Revelation 3:14-21).
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See Arlen Chitwood's book, Salvation of the Soul BOOK, in its entirety in this website.

Aside

I'm a trichotomist [tripartite viewpoint] which I define as a Christian who believes the number three is God's number meaning divine perfection and therefore believes there are not just two aspects of salvation -- spirit and body -- but three -- spirit, body and soul . 

1 Thessalonians 5:23 is one biblical scripture that supports my trichotomist position:

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, body and soul be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (NIV)

(“Salvation” in Scripture, having to do with the “gospel,” with “good news,” has past, present, and future aspects — I have been saved [Acts 16:30-31; Ephesians 2:8-9], I am being saved [1 Corinthians 1:18; James 1:21], and I am about to be saved [Hebrews 1:14; 1 Peter 1:9].  And the context MUST ALWAYS be referenced to ascertain which of these three aspects of salvation, which of these three aspects of the gospel message, is being dealt with in the passage.

And when one does this, he will find, FAR MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, that present and future aspects of the gospel, of salvation, are being referenced, not the past aspect. ~Arlen Chitwood)

If interested in a list of biblical trichotomies I've gathered so far, click on the following Word document (199 Trichotomies to date).  It's SAFE to open. Trichotomies of the Bible.docx

Also, aside, If of interest, is over 50 pages of types/antitypes also SAFE to open. Types and Antitypes Two.docx
To website CONTENTS Page.

Note:  If you should desire to print any of the commentaries within this website, click on the link to the Word Document referenced at the bottom of the commentary, where available, and copy/print the Word Document!  Try the Word Document link Types and Antitypes Two.docx above as an experiment.  The other way is to copy into a Word Document, reformat to your liking and then print (lots of work)!   Note that all of Arlen Chitwood's books can be found in Charles Strong's Bible One where he provides a Word Format (document) for most of his books making them easy to copy and print.  ALSO some of Arlen Chitwood's ENTIRE books in this website: Salvation of the Soul BOOK, The Study of Scripture BOOK, Seven, Ten Generations BOOK, We Are Almost There BOOK, Moses and John BOOK, Brought Forth from Above BOOK, Israel from Death to Life BOOK, So Great Salvation BOOK, Mystery of The Woman BOOK, God’s Firstborn Sons BOOK,  From Acts to the Epistles BOOK and The Time of the End BOOK.  A complete list of his books in this site can be found at BOOKS by Arlen Chitwood.

To say sin can exist in one in the light would be to say God can sin.

Where and How does one begin a Study of the Word of God?
By Arlen Chitwood of Lamp Broadcast

The question is really self-answering.  Where and how did God begin when He revealed His Word to man?

The Bones

God began, at the outset of His Word, by setting forth a skeletal framework of the whole panorama of that which He was about to reveal; and His subsequent revelation would be the sinews, flesh, and skin to cover the bones forming the skeletal framework.  Or, to state the matter another way, God began, at the outset of His Word, by laying a foundational structure, upon which the whole framework of His revelation to man would subsequently be built.

Now, back to the question, Where and how does one begin a study of the Word of God?

There’s only one place and one way to begin.

A person must begin at the beginning.  A person must begin where the foundation has been laid.  A person must begin where the skeletal framework has been given.

In short, a person must begin where God began.  If one begins elsewhere, he will have nothing upon which to build the structure; he will have nothing upon which to attach the sinews, flesh, and skin.

And herein lies the very reason for the vast confusion that presently exists in theological circles today.  Christians have failed to begin with the foundational structure.  They do not know and understand the structure of the Word, set forth at the beginning.  And, as a consequence, they have no bones upon which to place the sinews, flesh, and skin; they have no foundation upon which to build.

It Simply Can’t Be Done That Way!

A person doesn’t begin with the gospels (except perhaps John, which parallels Genesis [refer to the Foreword  in this book, The Study of Scripture]) or the Pauline or general epistles.  These are not beginning points.  Rather, these parts of Scripture have to do with the structure being built upon the foundation.  These parts of Scripture have to do with the sinews, flesh, and skin being placed on the bones.

The beginning point was given through Moses.  The foundational outline, the skeletal framework, was set forth at the very beginning, in the opening section of Genesis.  And it is here that one must begin if he is to begin correctly.  He must understand the foundational beginning of the matter first if he is to properly understand that which is subsequently built upon the foundation.

To further complicate matters in Christendom as it exists in the world today, many Bible teachers [probably most], when dealing with Genesis 1, teach that this chapter has to do with creation alone.  Such a teaching destroys the septenary structure and foundational aspects of Scripture at the outset.

Suffice it to say, understanding Genesis 1:1-2:3 any way other than Creation, Ruin, Restoration, and Rest — showing a septenary structure and providing a foundation for all that follows — is not possible if Scripture is allowed to interpret itself by comparing Scripture with Scripture.

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Excerpted from The Study of Scripture, Beginning and Continuing, in this site.

Word Document:  Where and How does one begin a Study of the Word of God by Arlen Chitwood.docx which is SAFE to open and print.

Highly recommend reading A ‘The’ Key to the Scriptures following on this page.  Truly for me THE KEY to understanding scripture.

To website CONTENTS Page.

Message in the Gospels, Acts and Epistles
A Central Message Continuing from the Old Testament
By Arlen Chitwood of Lamp Broadcast

Salvation by grace through faith, contrary to much popular teaching and belief, is NOT the central message dealt with throughout the New Testament — NOT in the Gospels, NOT in Acts, NOT in the Epistles.  NOR is this the central message dealt with throughout the Old Testament. NOR does any single book, Old Testament or New Testament, deal with this message in a central respect.

John’s gospel and Romans are two books often dealt with as centering around salvation by grace.  But NEITHER book is structured in this manner.  John’s gospel, in this respect, is NO DIFFERENT than any one of the other gospels; and Romans, in this respect, is NO DIFFERENT than any one of the other epistles.

The SAME central message pervades ALL Scripture.

The first man, the first Adam, near the beginning of Scripture, was created to replace the incumbent ruler in the kingdom associated with one province in God’s universal kingdom — the earth (Genesis 1:26-28).  And the second Man, the last Adam, near the end of Scripture, is seen returning back to this earth to take this kingdom from this same ruler (Revelation 11:15).

And all that lies between these two points, separated by almost the whole of Scripture and 6,000 years of time, has to do with a restoration of those from the lineage of the first Adam so that they can realize an inheritance with the last Adam when He takes the kingdom, realizing the purpose for man’s creation in the beginning.

Salvation by grace DOES NOT, in and of itself, automatically move man back into the position which he occupied prior to the fall. Rather, salvation by grace places him in a position where he CAN one day find himself completely free from sin, enswathed in Glory, and seated on the throne with the second Man, the last Adam.

And though Scripture, as seen throughout, opens at the only beginning point possible — salvation by grace through faith — Scripture NEVER remains at this point.  Rather, Scripture moves on and concerns itself FAR, FAR more with present and future aspects of salvation/deliverance than with the past aspect.

And the preceding is what can be seen throughout the different chapters of this book:  Message in the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, by Arlen Chitwood pdf

Word Document which is SAFE to open and print: Message in the Gospels, Acts, Epistles by Arlen Chitwood.docx

To website CONTENTS Page.
A person, untrained in the theology schools of the land, but understanding the Word of the Kingdom, often has a better grasp of the whole of Scripture than many of those who are teaching in the theology schools.
A "The" Key to the Scriptures
Mysteries of the Kingdom, Chapter Thirteen
By Arlen L. Chitwood of Lamp Broadcast

Instruction in the Kingdom

Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old." (Matthew 13:52).

The Word of the Kingdom — the message surrounding the kingdom of the heavens (Matthew 13:11, 19, 24) — is the central message of the New Testament.  Whether studying the gospels, the book of Acts, the epistles, or the book of Revelation, an individual will be studying Scriptures dealing centrally with a message pertaining to the kingdom.

The person understanding this message will possess a proper foundation to build upon as he studies different parts of the New Testament.  However, if this message is not understood, the converse of the preceding will be true.  That person will possess an improper foundation to build upon; and his studies throughout any part of the New Testament will, accordingly, be adversely affected.

This is why an individual instructed in the Word of the Kingdom can be likened to the householder in the text.  Not only will he be able to go to the Scriptures and bring forth things that are “old” (things he has already seen and understood) but he will also be able, from the things that are “old,” to begin seeing and bringing forth things that are “new” as well (things he has not previously seen and understood).

And, according to the text, he will be able to do this because he has been “instructed unto the kingdom of the heavens.”  He now possesses a key to the Scriptures, a key that will open numerous passages of Scripture to his understanding, passages that otherwise would have remained closed.

Such an individual, as he studies and learns new things about the Word of the Kingdom, will progressively find himself being able to, more and more, take the “old” and see and understand that which is “new.”  And the more that person comes into an understanding of the Word of the Kingdom, the more he will see Scripture opening up to him in this fashion.  The latter, in this respect, is inseparably linked to and dependent on the former.  

This is what an understanding of the Word of the Kingdom will do for an individual in his quest for a proper knowledge of Scripture.  And, though this has been the experience and testimony of numerous Christians, this is not simply what they might have to say about the matter.  Rather, this is what the unchangeable Word of God has to say about the matter.

The Word of God clearly reveals that a person instructed in the Word of the Kingdom can go to the Scriptures and bring forth out of this storehouse of unlimited treasures “things new and old.”  But by the same token, apart from an understanding of the Word of the Kingdom, though an individual may be able to see and understand certain truths, the same situation referred to in Matthew 13:52 simply doesn’t exist.

The preceding will explain why this whole realm of teaching lays center-stage in Satan’s attack against the Word during the present dispensation.  An understanding of the Word of the Kingdom is the key to a proper understanding of Scripture as it relates to Christians, and Satan knows this.  He knows that if he can corrupt or destroy that which will open the door to a proper understanding of the numerous other scriptures bearing on the subject, he can best accomplish the purpose for his present work among Christians.

Satan’s efforts toward this end are something easily seen in the first four parables in Matthew chapter thirteen.  These four parables present a chronology of Satan’s work as he seeks to subvert the Word of the Kingdom, and this chronology covers the progressive results of his work in this respect throughout the entire dispensation.

Satan’s attack in the first parable, the parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23), was seen to be against those hearing the Word of the Kingdom.  He sought to stop the matter at that point, preventing individuals from understanding this message and subsequently bringing forth fruit.  Four types of individuals are seen responding to the message, with Satan being successful in his attack against three of the four.  Those seen in the first three of the four categories fell away and bore no fruit.  But Satan’s attack against those in the fourth category proved to be unsuccessful.  They heard the Word, received and understood the Word, overcame Satan’s attack, and bore fruit.

Then, the next parable, the parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43), centers on Satan’s attack against the ones bearing fruit from the previous parable.  Satan placed those with a false message (false teachers) in the midst of those bearing fruit, seeking to subvert the message and stop that which was occurring.  That is to say, he sought to corrupt the true message through the introduction of a false message.  And this was done with a view to stopping that which had resulted from a proclamation of the true message.  This was done with a view to stopping those Christians who were bearing fruit from doing so.

Then the next parable, the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), shows that which happened in Christendom over the course of time during the dispensation because of this false message.  The mustard seed germinated and took a normal growth for awhile.  But then something happened, which caused it to take an abnormal growth and eventually become a tree.  And after this abnormal growth had occurred — after the mustard bush had become a tree, something that it wasn’t supposed to become at all — the birds of the air (ministers of Satan, seen in the first parable [Matthew 13:4]) found a lodging place therein.

And the fourth parable, the parable of the leaven (Matthew 13:33), completes the picture.  The false message introduced near the beginning of the dispensation is likened to leaven placed in three measures of meal (“Three” is the number of divine perfection, and “meal” is that which is used to make bread.  Leaven [a corrupting substance] was placed in the meal [resulting in corruption in the bread]).  And this leaven would continue to work (this false message would continue to permeate and corrupt the true message) until the whole had been leavened (until the whole had been corrupted).

This is the revealed direction that Christendom would take relative to the true message concerning the kingdom following the introduction of the leaven, following the introduction of a false message concerning the kingdom.

These four parables together show a history of Christendom throughout the dispensation in relation to the Word of the Kingdom.  This message — the central message of the New Testament — was taught universally throughout the churches during the first century.  But the introduction of a false message resulted in changes.  Christendom itself took an abnormal growth; and this abnormal growth was such that the false teachers eventually found themselves welcomed within that which they, through their false message, had corrupted.

Corruption though didn’t stop at this point.  The working of the leaven continued, and it would continue until this false message had permeated all of Christendom.  This corrupting process would continue, according to the text, “till the whole” had been leavened.

And, viewing the matter solely from the standpoint of that which can be seen in the world today, what has been the end result of the working of the leaven?  As the dispensation draws to a close, where does the Church find itself today?

The answers are easy to ascertain.  All one has to do in order to see and understand that which has happened is to go into almost any church of the land (fundamental and liberal alike) and listen for any mention of things having to do with the Word of the Kingdom.  A person will listen in vain.  Because of the working of a leavening process that is in its final stages, the true biblical message surrounding Christians and the coming kingdom is practically nonexistent throughout Christendom today.

This leavening process recognizes no bounds or barriers.  Fundamental Christendom finds itself just as permeated with the leaven, as it relates to the Word of the Kingdom, as does liberal Christendom.  From the theology schools to the pulpits of churches to the pews in these churches, the whole of Christendom finds itself in exactly the same state insofar as that revealed throughout the first four parables in Matthew chapter thirteen is concerned.

Many of the fundamentalists, not understanding the true nature of the leavening process, look upon themselves as having escaped this corruption.  But such is not the case at all.  Insofar as any understanding and proclamation of the Word of the Kingdom is concerned, the fundamental groups find themselves in exactly the same state as the liberal groups.  They find themselves permeated through and through with exactly the same corrupting leaven.  There is absolutely no difference between the two groups in this respect.  Neither understands nor proclaims this message.

Seminaries — fundamental and liberal alike — are training students in everything but the one message that will open the Scriptures to their understanding.  And these same seminaries are turning out graduates who are filling the pulpits of churches with a message completely void of any reference to the Word of the Kingdom.  These seminary graduates don’t know the truth of the matter, and, as a result, their entire ministries are negatively affected.  The various flocks that the Lord has entrusted to their care are not being properly fed; and, in reality, for the most part, Christians under their ministries are slowly starving to death.

Christians throughout the churches today are simply not hearing the one message, above all other messages, which they should be hearing.  And the reason is given in the first four parables of Matthew chapter thirteen.  The working of the leaven over almost two millenniums of time has produced a corruption extending throughout Christendom that has all but destroyed the message surrounding the Word of the Kingdom.  And, as a result of this corruption, the Bible, for the most part, remains a closed book for the vast majority of Christians.

The preceding is why a person, untrained in the theology schools of the land, but understanding the Word of the Kingdom, often has a better grasp of the whole of Scripture than many of those who are teaching in the theology schools.  The person having an understanding of the Word of the Kingdom possesses a key to Scripture that a person without this understanding does not possess.  He can go to the Scriptures and bring forth things both “new and old”; but the same thing cannot be said for those who lack this understanding.

Why?

Why will instruction in the Word of the Kingdom open the Scriptures to a person’s understanding like nothing else?  Why is an understanding of this message so vital if a person is to possess a correct and proper grasp of Scripture?  The answer could be looked upon in a twofold respect.

First, an understanding of the Word of the Kingdom is the only thing that will provide the true Biblical picture surrounding the purpose for the Christian life.  Why did God bring the new creation “in Christ” into existence?  Why is God taking an entire dispensation to do a work among the Gentiles?  Why is the Holy Spirit presently in the world performing a work among Christians?

And second, an understanding of the Word of the Kingdom is the only thing that will provide the true biblical picture surrounding direction for the Christian life.  What is the goal toward which everything pertaining to the new creation “in Christ” moves?  What is the spiritual warfare about?  What is the race of the faith about?  What will be the end result of victory or defeat as it pertains to the warfare or the race?

An understanding of the Word of the Kingdom will answer questions surrounding the Christian life unlike anything else in the Word of God.  This is the only thing that will present the complete biblical picture in its correct fashion.  Only out of this teaching can all the issues surrounding the Christian life be properly addressed, and only out of this teaching can one find the true motivation for Godly Christian living.

But, if all the preceding is true — and it is — then why is this message so fought against in Christian circles today?  It would appear that acceptance rather than rejection would always be the norm.

Such though is not the case at all.  Rather, with rare exceptions, rejection is invariably the norm.  And the reason is seen in the working of the leaven in Matthew 13:33.  The negative attitude of Christians toward the Word of the Kingdom is simply the end result of a work of Satan that has been going on for almost 2,000 years.

1.  Purpose of…

The overall picture of the Word of the Kingdom in the New Testament begins with the offer of the kingdom of the heavens to Israel in the gospel accounts.  Israel spurned this offer, the offer was taken from Israel, and an entirely new entity was then brought into existence to be the recipient of that which Israel had rejected (Matthew 21:33-43).

The one new man, the new creation “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:15) was brought into existence to bring forth fruit where Israel had failed.  And, since Israel had spurned the offer, God, in relation to this one new man, turned to the Gentiles.  God set aside an entire dispensation, lasting two days, 2,000 years, during which time He would perform and complete a work with an entirely new creation.  And this would be accomplished through removing “a people for his name” from among the Gentiles, though with “a remnant according to the election of grace [believing Jews]” being included (Acts 15:14; Romans 11:5).

And, in order to carry out His purposes surrounding this new creation, God sent the Holy Spirit into the world.  Throughout the present dispensation, the Spirit of God is in the world performing a work in the antitype of that which is seen in Genesis 24.

As Abraham in this chapter sent his servant into the far country to procure a bride for his son, God has sent the Holy Spirit into the world to procure a bride for His Son.  And, as in the type, so in the antitype — the search occurs among those in the family.  The Spirit of God is conducting His search among those comprising the one new man, for this one new man forms the body of Christ, and the bride is to be taken from the body (cf. Genesis 2:21-25; 24:2-4, 9; Matthew 22:14).

And also as in the type, once the search has been completed, the bride will be removed.  As Rebekah was removed from Mesopotamia, so will Christ’s bride be removed from the earth; as Isaac came forth to meet Rebekah, so will the Son come forth to meet His bride; and as Rebekah went with Isaac to his home, where she became his wife, so will the bride go with Christ to His home, where she will become His wife (Genesis 24:61-67; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 19:7-9).

2.  Direction for…

The goal toward which everything pertaining to the new creation “in Christ” moves is exactly the same as the goal set forth in the beginning, in the opening two chapters of Genesis.  The point out ahead toward which all things move is the earth’s coming Sabbath.

And it matters not whether one is viewing the reason for the existence of the one new man, the reason for the present dispensation, or the reason for the Spirit of God having been sent into the world, the point toward which everything moves is always the same.  It has to be, for this is the way matters were set forth and established at the beginning of God’s revelation to man (Genesis 1:1-2:3).

And properly understanding the spiritual warfare and the present race of the faith is contingent on properly understanding things surrounding the goal that lies out ahead.  It is contingent on properly understanding the reason God has brought the one new man into existence, the reason God has set aside an entire dispensation to deal with this new man, and the reason God has sent His Spirit into the world to perform a work during the dispensation.

Christians are engaged in a warfare against spirit beings in the heavens, which is part and parcel with the race of the faith in which they find themselves engaged; and whether Christians do or do not understand all the various things about this warfare and race, Satan knows every one of these things all too well.  And he is ever lying in wait to defeat the Christian in the warfare or sidetrack him in the race.

And the end result will be either victory or defeat.  An individual will either overcome in the warfare and race or he will be overcome.  And what is at stake in either victory or defeat?  The greatest thing God could ever design for redeemed man is at stake.  

The Spirit of God is presently in the world opening the Word of God to the Christians’ understanding, calling their attention to one central fact — They are being offered positions as co-regents with Christ in His kingdom, forming the bride that will reign with the Son as consort queen.

That’s what is at stake.  And knowing this, is it any wonder that Satan, very early in the dispensation, set about to accomplish the things outlined in the first four parables in Matthew chapter thirteen?  Is it any wonder that he has done and continues to do everything within his power to corrupt and destroy the true message surrounding Christians and the coming kingdom? 

From Genesis to Matthew to Revelation

Several things must be kept in mind when studying the parables in Matthew chapter thirteen.  The first four were given outside the house, by the seaside; and the last three were given after Christ had reentered the house.  This fact, often overlooked, is significant beyond degree if one is to understand these parables correctly.  Then, a chronology is seen in the parables, which carries the reader from the beginning of the present dispensation to the future Messianic Kingdom.

As previously shown, the first four parables (given outside the house, by the seaside) present a history of Christendom as it relates to the Word of the Kingdom; and this history covers the entirety of the dispensation.  To understand why conditions in Christendom are as they presently exist, one has to go back in history and follow the course of events leading into the presently existing situation.

And going back in history after this fashion involves one thing.  It involves going to the Scriptures to see what the Word of God reveals about the matter, not what the various history books on the Church written by man reveal.  All of man’s writings on Church history might as well be categorized as “secular” insofar as this aspect of Church history is concerned.  That which man has written simply doesn’t deal with Church history in this respect, though this is the main crux of the matter seen within the way Scripture deals with the subject.

The earliest period of Church history is dealt with in the book of Acts, following the inception of the Church.  This period covers that time when the kingdom was being reoffered to Israel (from 30 to approx. 62 A.D.).  And accordingly, the message throughout this book, centers on the proffered kingdom.

The epistles (some written during the Acts period, some following) deal centrally with the same message seen in Acts — one having to do with the kingdom.  These epistles simply form different facets of instructions written to Christians surrounding the same central message.  And these epistles, as the book of Acts, provide information surrounding early Church history.

Both the book of Acts and the epistles deal with the Church during the first century only.  But there are two places in Scripture that deal with a history of the Church throughout the dispensation.  One is in the parables in Matthew chapter thirteen, before the Church was even brought into existence; and the other is in Revelation chapters two and three, at a place in the book where the Church is being dealt with at the judgment seat in the heavens following the dispensation (though the record itself was given during the early years of the dispensation).  Thus, one complete history is seen in Scripture at a point preceding the dispensation, and the other is seen in Scripture at a point following the dispensation.

In Matthew chapter thirteen, before the dispensation began, a history of the Church — in relation to the Word of the Kingdom — is seen in the first four parables.  And, in Revelation chapters two and three, at a point in the book that follows the dispensation, a history of the Church — in relation to the Word of the Kingdom — is seen in the seven letters (seven epistles) to the seven churches.

The first presents a history of the Church in this respect from the perspective of the Lord using parables; the second presents a history of the Church in this respect from the perspective of the Lord using epistles to seven existing churches in Asia.  But both show exactly the same thing.  The Church is revealed to have begun one way (a mustard bush, an entity laboring for Christ’s sake [Matthew 13:32; Revelation 2:2-3]), but the Church is seen ending another way (a tree, a completely leavened entity, one neither cold nor hot, one described as “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” [Matthew 13:32-33; Revelation 3:15-17]).

Then, all of this is intimately connected with God’s original structure of His Word at the beginning.  The parables in Matthew chapter thirteen and the seven epistles in Revelation chapters two and three are structured after a fashion that is in complete keeping with the way God set matters forth at the very beginning of His revelation to man, in the opening chapters of Genesis.  And this is easy to understand, for the latter rests upon and is inseparably linked to the former.

Scripture begins with a foundational framework upon which the whole of subsequent Scripture rests — six days of restorative work (a restoration of the ruined material creation, with man created at the conclusion of this work, on the sixth day), followed by a seventh day of rest, a Sabbath day.  And the preceding relates the story of the whole of Scripture beyond this introductory framework.

Man, following his creation, fell.  And he, through this fall, became a ruined creation, bringing about not only his own ruin but the ruin of the restored material creation once again as well.  And God, following this ruin, again set about to perform six days of restorative work — which this time had to do with both man and the material creation.  And this latter restorative work will be followed by a seventh day of rest — a Sabbath rest awaiting the people of God, the coming Messianic Era (Hebrews 4:4-9) — in exact keeping with the pattern set forth in the beginning.

Each day in the former restoration was twenty-four hours in length, including the Sabbath;  and each day in the latter restoration has been/will be 1,000 years in length, including the Sabbath (cf. Matthew 16:28-17:5; 2 Peter 1:16-18; 3:1-8).

All of Scripture beyond the foundational framework in the opening two chapters of Genesis rests upon and forms additional information for this framework.  And it matters not whether one is dealing with the framework set forth at the beginning or with subsequent Scripture, all restorative work can be seen moving toward the same goal — a coming Sabbath of rest.

Then, with the preceding in mind, note the first four parables in Matthew chapter thirteen.  Events in these parables form one facet of a commentary on that which occurs during the two days immediately preceding the Sabbath, which covers the entire present dispensation.  And, viewing events in the remaining three parables, which move beyond the present dispensation and progress into the Messianic Era itself, it’s easy to see and understand how all these parables move toward this same goal — the same goal set forth at the beginning of Scripture, the coming Sabbath.  Everything moves toward this goal.

And exactly the same thing can be seen in the seven epistles to the seven churches in Revelation chapters two and three.  This sequence of epistles simply forms another facet of a commentary on that which occurs during the two days immediately preceding the Sabbath.  And, from the overcomer’s promises, along with that which is revealed in chapters one and four, it’s easy to see and understand that all of this (exactly as the parables in Matthew chapter thirteen) has to do with the Church in relation to the Word of the Kingdom and the coming Sabbath.  Again, everything moves toward this goal.

Thus, it should be a simple matter to see that anything in the New Testament that has to do with the Church centers around things having to do with the coming kingdom.  And though man may write his history books completely separate from this message, Scripture centers its revealed history of the Church completely on this message.

During the first century, Christians would have understood a history of the Church in keeping with Scripture, for the Word of the Kingdom was universally taught throughout the churches of the land.  Today though, the situation is completely different.  Because of the working of the leaven over almost two millenniums of time, the message surrounding the Word of the Kingdom has become so corrupted that two things would be evident:

First, a Church historian wouldn’t know enough about the Word of the Kingdom to even include it within his account in the first place, much less ascribe to this message a central place in his account;  and second, even should a Church historian write about the matter, Christians wouldn’t be able to understand that which he was writing about.  Because of the working of the leaven over almost two millenniums of time, the truth about the Word of the Kingdom has become so corrupted that it would be completely alien to their way of thinking.

And that’s where we are in a supposedly enlightened twentieth century Christendom, immediately preceding Christ’s return for the Church.  We’re at a point where there is far more material available for Bible study and research than has ever existed in the history of the Church — everything from the extensive computer study and research programs to new books being printed every day.  But we are also at a point where the birds of the air are freely lodging in the branches of the tree, where the leaven has almost completed its work.

Warning

The parables in Matthew chapter thirteen deal far more extensively with the negative than they do with the positive.  More space is given in the first parable to those who fail to bring forth fruit than is given to those who do bring forth fruit.  And the emphasis in the second, third, fourth, and seventh parables is on different facets of this same work of Satan as well.  Only the fifth and sixth parables, which have to do with Christ’s redemptive work as it relates to the earth and to His bride, form an exception.

Thus, the central thrust of these parables is seen to be far more negative than positive.  These parables have to do centrally with exposing the work of Satan throughout the dispensation in relation to the Word of the Kingdom, along with relating where this will lead, both during and following the dispensation.

As the dispensation draws to a close and Satan’s corrupting work nears its final stage, the whole matter goes almost completely unrecognized in Christendom.  And the reason for this is easy to see and understand.  The leavened state of Christendom is being viewed by those who have themselves been adversely affected by the leaven.

They are, in this respect, as the two disciples on the Emmaus road who were walking alongside the resurrected Christ and didn’t even know Him.  Their inability to recognize the Christ of the Old Testament Scriptures resulted from their inability to properly understand these same Scriptures.  It was only after these Scriptures were opened to their understanding, followed by Christ breaking bread, that their eyes were opened.

And Christians today, viewing a leavened Christendom and not seeing or understanding its true condition, are simply not viewing matters from a correct biblical perspective.  Their inability to recognize the true condition of the Church stems from their inability to understand that which Scripture reveals about the matter.  And, if their eyes are to be opened to the truth of the existing situation, such will occur only through the truth of the Word being presented to them and being accepted by them.

But will such occur during the present dispensation?  Will the truth about the coming kingdom ever be proclaimed in such a manner that it will be accepted, allowing the eyes of Christians to be opened?

One here and one there will hear and understand the message, but not the Church at large.  Conditions can only deteriorate in the latter respect.  Such was assured — the pattern was set — when the woman placed the leaven in the three measures of meal.  Conditions can only deteriorate, until the whole has been leavened.
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Word Document:  A Key to the Scriptures by Arlen Chitwood.docx which is SAFE to open and print.

See Arlen Chitwood's book, Salvation of the Soul, in its entirety in this website.

To website CONTENTS Page.
If one believes:
“Once Saved, Always Saved,” the “Rapture” and the “Judgment Seat,”
“What” is Christ going to judge at the “Judgment Seat”?
He’s not going to judge whether we spend eternity in heaven
 – that was a “given” by grace the moment we believed.

The answer:
He’s going to judge the Works produced through us
by the Holy Spirit versus the works produced through us by “self.”

Gold, Silver, Precious Stones vs. Wood, Hay, Stubble

My Testimony regarding Soul Salvation!

Having been saved, since I believed, I was publicly baptized in the church at the age of 17 years.  I considered myself a moral person and tried to abide by God's Commandments.

Attending church was not enjoyable for me.  It seemed my pastor was always condemning me for sins I had committed.  He repeatedly seemed to reference my sins and said just don't commit them.  I always sat in the far back pew so I could exit the church during the invitation.  There was no need to hear the invitation since I was already saved.  On TV all I ever heard about sinning was just 'don't sin.' 

I had faith I would go to heaven regardless of my level of sin.  Sins would only determine whether I would be placed in the front pew, the back pew, or somewhere in between.  Heaven was a done deal. (Without knowing it I held the same position as Calvinists regarding salvation [Got Questions - What is Calvinism and is it biblical?].)

At the age of 21 years, lacking 6 days, I married.  We were both virgins.  No thought of being unfaithful until the age of 25 when I was put in an uncompromising situation and was unfaithful.  It was enjoyable and I was hooked.  Then came the booze and unsavory places.  Enough of my earthly "cavorting" least it sound boisterous – for it's something I regret and confess for forgiveness often!  I know God has forgiven me, but I still find it hard to believe how sinful I was for so many years.

In 1997, after three marriages, my Main Squeeze, Marsha, and I married.  Marsha, a genuine blessing from God, who has not a bad bone or thought in her, upon our moving to Sulphur Springs, began immediately to fit in.  She's a people person, while I'm not comfortable around groups of people**.  Marsha became a student of Dr. Mark and Carol Miller's Key of Three (Hope of Glory) Bible study.  During that study Marsha, Carol and Dr. Miller saw an opportunity for Dr. Miller to do his trickster thing!

In June of 2005 Dr. Miller, my doctor for whom I have great respect, offered to discuss with me in the privacy of his home a medical problem.  I felt that act, in itself, humbling!  While discussing the problem Dr. Miller became, unknown to me, The Trickster. He made me an offer that I couldn't justify refusing!  He offered me sessions of Bible study on Saturdays.  He knew much of my time was that of leisure and a valid excuse to decline his offer was not likely.  There I was, out on a limb.  Dr. Miller would be making a sacrifice, not me!  A sacrifice of his limited leisure time for a peon like me!  The Trickster had struck!  I was overwhelmed and bound!  I learned that Marsha and Carol were in on the trickery.  They were together awaiting the outcome.

Time for the first Saturday morning session arrived and the "creeks didn't rise," so I had no excuse not to show!  I didn't want Bible lessons, but here was this prominent doctor and his consort queen, a lovely consort queen, who were willing to give me some of their precious private time – on a Saturday much less – and I had nothing to give in return other than hearing their teachings.  That made me even more obligated to meet and listen!  (Marsha was also applying her typical subtle pressure and planned to go with me!)

Every nerve in my body stirred that Saturday morning, before and during that first lesson.  I had to truly concentrate to override my nerves.  (A shrink diagnosed one of my problems to be caused by perfectionism!  That was laughable because the only things I ever came close to perfecting were sins!)

Their teachings were much different from what I anticipated, nothing like my Bible course in college.  A full understanding of what they were teaching escaped me at first, but I recognized a contrast with the prevailing philosophy of "just don't sin!"  Their approach to overcoming sin was of interest!  Knowing how to overcome sin I truly needed!

After a few sessions things started to fit in place.  Their lessons became easier to understand.  I began to "get it."  For the first time I could envision possibly living according to God's Word!  I understood how to be proactive!  Get in the Word!  I became filled with hope!  The soul aspect of salvation became relatively clear to me and God gave me the burning desire to study His Word in earnest.

(**I grew up, and still remain, absent of confidence. Competition, any type, I avoid for fear of failure. What little success I've had in life was accomplished without supervision.  If given a desired outcome and left alone to accomplish, I was mostly successful.  No one looking over my shoulder or assisting me.  Organization was a gift.  But moving on to why I have no confidence or at least why I think I have no confidence:
A number of moons ago Dr. David Jeremiah gave a sermon titled David Jeremiah - Faith that Death Cannot Destroy VIDEO Sermon [no longer available] referencing Hebrews 11:20-22.  Toward the end of that sermon Dr. Jeremiah spoke of his upbringing related to his father.  In the eyes of his father he never did anything right.  Everything he did his father could have done better.  He never met his father's expectations.  Dr. Jeremiah closed his narrative by saying his father never blessed him.

I recognized his account of not being blessed as not only relevant to me, but also my two children, Brett and Ashley.  Not wanting to be like my father, I was careful not to be critical of them, but then didn't show my love either.  I didn't bless them, for which I ask God for forgiveness.  Although my not blessing them, substituting earthly endeavors, didn't affect their confidence, it did result in their losing love and respect for me.  Please don't make my mistakes and lose the love and respect of your children.)

The following prayer is sort of a brief summary of what I have learned about the Soul aspect of salvation:

Dear Father, I'm running the race with the hope of surrendering to the Holy Spirit so He may produce righteous fruit through me, so when standing in front of Your Son at the Judgment Seat, He will reward me with His Glory by calling me good and faithful servant and out-resurrect me into His Millennial Kingdom, to rule and reign with Him. 

In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our High Priest, I pray.  Amen!

I'm so blessed to be chosen from the called to receive the desire and epignosis necessary to recognize the Soul aspect of salvation! 

(Aside, the following may be of interest: The following Word Document, which is Safe to open, contains over 50 pages of types/antitypes seen throughout the Bible: Types and Antitypes.docx.)

See Arlen Chitwood's book, Salvation of the Soul BOOK, in its entirety in this website.

To website CONTENTS Page.
God's Path to Glory Diagram, Gates and Paths, LEGAL SIZE.docx was designed using architectural software.  A challenge to my patience, but I endured.  The diagram shows the gates and path to soul salvation, the first gate being the “positional grace” gate.  Safe to open and print.  Just remember legal size and landscape setting.
Aside:  Political Issues the Bible Addresses

While political issues such as the size/scope of government and economic systems are not explicitly addressed in Scripture, there definitely are some political issues the Bible does address, such as abortion (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6; Exodus 21:22-25; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5) and gay marriage (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). For the "strong meat-of-the-Word partaker", abortion is not a matter of a woman’s right to choose. It is a matter of the life or death of a human being made in God’s image. Endorsing gay marriage is giving approval to a lifestyle choice the Bible condemns as immoral and unnatural. Therefore, non-carnal Christians should support issues/candidates that are pro-life and should support issues/candidates that oppose gay marriage and uphold the biblical/traditional understanding of marriage.  Also reference Christians and Politics in this site.


The following Word Document is SAFE to open:  Political Issues The Bible Addresses (1).docx

To website CONTENTS Page.

Father, Thank You for each and every day
You have blessed us here on earth.
Thank You for Your tender mercies.
Thank You for giving us friends and family to share with.
Please bless our friends, relatives and those we care deeply for.
Where there is joy, give them continued joy; where there is pain,
give them Your peace and mercy.
Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence.
Where there is need, fulfill their needs.
Bless their homes, families, finances, their going outs and their coming ins.
In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

 God spelled backwards!

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