“..: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly me…..
We have spoken of the condition that prevailed in the days of Noah which has extended to our Days, They were “ eating and drinking”..meaning they were full of self-gratification and indulgences .
But what is responsible for this, you may wonder? Listen “We know that, we are children of God and that ALL THE REST
OF THE WORLD AROUND US IS UNDER SATAN’S POWER AND CONTROL” (1 Jn. 5:19.tIb) “… The spirit that
worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2). Therefore “… all that is in the world (system of man) The LUST
OF THE FLESH (cravings for sexual gratification etc), and THE LUST OF THE EYES (greedy longings of the mind)
and THE PRIDE OF LIFE (confidence and assurance in one’s own resources or in the ability of earthly things)these
do not come from the Father, but are from the world (itself). 1Jn. 2:16 AMP.
Therefore the natural man without God’s mind is “… spiritually dead … drifting along on the stream of this world’s ideas of living and obeying its unseen ruler who is still operating in those who do not respond to the truth of God” Eph. 2:1, Philips.

In addition to this, the world is still directly under the influence of the law, without realizing that it is not obeying the law that can save us from ourselves, but rather our faith in the promised seed, Christ.
“Well then, why were the laws given? They were added after the promise was given to show men how guilty they are of breaking God’s law.
But this system of law was to last only until the coming of Christ, the child to whom God’s promise was made…” Gal. 3:17-19 TLB.
But men in their political and religious zeal have not still seen this, and the need to embrace the grace in the Son for total liberty in the world.
Now, all of these attitudes and character, outside of God, is what is called “the image of the earthy” 1 Cor. 15:47a, 48a, and 49a. Jon. 3:31.
This earthly nature is summed up in Rom. 8:5-8.
“ For those who are according to the flesh and controlled by its unholy desires, set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh… Now the mind of the flesh (which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit is death-death that
comprises all the miseries (sickness, poverty etc) arising from sin, both here and thereafter… (That is)…because the mind of the flesh-with its carnal thoughts and purposes-is hostile to God; for it does not submit itself to God’s law… so those who are living the life of the flesh – catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature -cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him “AMP.
So the heavens (controlling factors) and the earth (people in their earthly nature) which are now, by the same world are kept in store, reserved unto FIRE AGAINST THE DAY OF JUDGMENT and PERDITION OF UNGODLY MEN” 2 Pet.3: 7
Once again, it is evident from the above fact that, the present human ways of life are evil because his ways and thoughts are not godly. But that since “God in Christ” is the saviour of ALL MANKIND, (2 Cor.5: 19, 1Tim. 2:4, Lk. 3:6, Ps. 65:2, 1Jn. 2:2, 4:14). He has ordained in His Programme to get the lost man back to Himself by having the factors of man’s enemy in their mind and spirit dealt with as by fire. Col 1:21, Eph. 2:12, 4:18, Mal. 3:1-3

SO WHAT IS THE MISSION OF CHRIST ON EARTH AND WHAT IS HE SAVING US FROM?
“Therefore, since we are now justified-(believers) acquitted, made righteous and brought into right relationship with God – by Christ’s blood, we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God (that will come upon the ungodly)-we shall be SAVED (DAILY DELIVERED FROM SIN’S DOMINION) through His (resurrection)” Rom. 5:910 Amp. For “…the Bread that I shall give for the LIFE OF THE WORD is my flesh” Jon. 6:51.

Therefore the sin’s Dominion to which we are being delivered from daily is the “life of the world,” that constitute THE EARTH (earthly nature-the old man). Hence we read “MORTIFY (KILL) YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE EARTH, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection” etc. Col. 3:5 Compare Heb. 6:7-8.

Now, you can agree with me that these evils can only be found in the nature of man and not the physical earth, where your mango and guava trees are grown. Again, notice that, these natures are called “MEMBERS” meaning they have power and alive, so where you cannot destroy them through your faith in Christ, then eventually God’s fire will come in to do it. Then there will be no more earth -mankind of sin. Hence we read “ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the EARTH and the HEAVEN fled away; and there was found no place for them” Rev. 20:11.

So what is it that is required of us in this matter? The word of God says,
‘ “so kill (deaden, deprive of power the evil desire lurking in your members – those ANIMAL IMPULSES and all that is EARTHLY IN YOU that is employed in sin; sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, (don’t worship the good things of life.) For that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).. It is on account of these (very sins) that the (holy) anger of God is ever coming upon (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will) the sons of disobedience; among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to (such practices). But now put away and rid yourselves (completely) of all these things; ANGER, RAGE, BAD FEELINGS TOWARDS OTHERS, CURSES and SLANDER and FOULMOUTHED ABUSE AND SHAMEFUL UTTERANCES from YOUR LIPS: Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerated) self with its evil practices.” Col 3:5-9 (TLB, Amp)

But when you follow your own wrong inclinations your lives will produce these evil results; impure thoughts,
eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons), hatred and fighting,
jealousy and anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself, complaints and criticisms, the feeling that everyone
else is wrong except those in your own little group-and there will be wrong doctrine, envy, murder drunkenness,
wild parties, and all that sort of things. Let me tell you again as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the kingdom of God” Gal. 5:19-21 Tlb.

To be continued…

(c) 2015 – Dr. David O. Ogaga

“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly me….. ”

CONFIRMATION IN SCRIPTURES AS A PROPHETIC PATTERN

That “the days of Noah” is a prophetic pattern for the judgment of the ungodly is evident when we read
“And He did not spare any of the people who lived in ancient times before the flood except Noah, the one man who spoke up for God, and his family of seven. At that time God completely destroyed the whole world of ungodly men with the vast flood…. And continue to punish the ungodly until the day of final judgment comes” 2 Peter 2:5-9 Tlb.

But as for the Saints, the righteous believers “if we would judge, ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” I Cor. 11:31-32 KJV.

Judging ourselves here, is our believe and acting on what the Lord is saying and not just following traditions of religion, even as Noah believed and his faith condemned the world. The “days of Noah” are therefore cited as an examples of God’s judgment against ungodly men, to show that those walking on the part of unrighteousness will not escape God’s wrath, as certain as what befell the world of Noah’s day. Compare Isa. 54:9, Ezek 14:14, 19-20.

Let it be fully noted that it is the ungodly that are dealt with in judgment , not just all humanity.
Again may I be told to say that “the days of Noah” is a prophetic pattern of the righteous judgment of God upon the world of the ungodly through His en-christed company, the overcomers , man child manifested sons of God’s Church on the earth.

2ND WORLD – THE WORLD THAT NOW IS ….2PET 3:7
“But the heavens (plural) and the earth which are now, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” 2Pet 3:7 KJV.

Now in dealing with the second world, we should bear in mind, that just like it was in the “days of Noah” (eating and drinking, which we know by now to mean living in an erroneous life of the flesh without the Holy spirit’s leadership), is still the same with us today. Therefore whatsoever made that world-system of man evil that qualified it for destruction, is also present with us today. Here we can also see that, the “heavens” speaks of the “ruling powers”, and the “earth” the people that are earthly – carnally minded; hence the destruction is that of “ungodly men”

May we not also forget that, in Noah’s days, he inherited the renewed earth after the flood. Gen 8:22,9:1-2. While the ungodly were “swept away” by the flood (Math 24:38 +), and this is the first world as described in verses 5-6 of 2 Pet 3.
Whereas verse 7, now talks of another world, THE WORLD THAT NOW IS. The question then is, HOW DID GOD REFER TO THIS “WORLD THAT NOW IS”?

In Gal. 1:4, we are told, Christ “. …gave (yielded) Himself up (to atone) for our sins (and to save us and sanctify us), in order to RESCUE AND DELIVER US FROM THIS PRESENT WICKED AGE AND WORLD ORDER…”AMP.
In the sight of God therefore, the world is wicked, (evil). So what constitutes this wickedness? It is simply because man’s economy and social structure is out of balance without God.

Politically God is not a Democrat, neither a Republican, He is not a Socialist (Communist) which has even denied God’s existence (Ps. 14:1) God is a sovereign theocratic ruler through “priest” and “prophets”, though He is revealed in the scriptures as a “King” because He has a “kingdom” and mankind, especially the saved are His subjects. More also, when Israel His chosen Nation, chose to have a king like other nation, that led to their having Saul as a king. God simply told Samuel, they have not rejected you but me.(1 Sam.8:4-7)

Now every king demands obedience, this is where we are all failing, right from the Garden of Eden, and of course the word is clear that “if we be willing and OBEDIENT we will eat the fruit (riches) of the land”, for “the earth and the fullness thereof belongs to God” Isa 1:19, Ps.24:1.

It is a known fact that, all economic and political concepts, are the byproducts of our educational system, “the high places” where man’s ideas are being idolized, a high ground for “secret societies”, to which one of the vice chancellors recently agreed that the ‘cults’ in our universities is only a carryover from the homes. Meaning that the home which is the foundation of the child’s moral and spiritual life, up to the university level, overflowing to the society is stinking.

When we come to area of religion, what we have is ‘Pentecostal rascals’ (ministers) with mind full of religious racketeering, with all perfected psychological methods of preaching and persuasion of humanistic salesmanship. The other face of which is the Orthodox “ white collar priest” with heads full of dogmas of “tradition of elders”, that have refused ground for the truth, thereby producing spiritual dwarfs who cannot grow up to the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ.

So what we see everywhere is a system of worship that is empty of true piety (devotion of God and good works), one can go on and on. The truth is, we are all without God and so wicked in our ways. Are we not therefore qualified for God’s holy fire to burn off this ugliness in the land? (2 Pet. 3; 7).

To be continued…

(c) Dr. David O. Ogaga

“..Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which
are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly me….. Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleths
righteousness..”

We have seen from part 3 of this study that unbelief is the cause of the unforgiveness all through the ages.
This unbelieving, rebellious hearts of these people is what keeps them bound from enjoying the “rest” of the Lord (Mt 11:28) to which He has called us into, and so their sin is unforgiven in this age until they come again to this realization through the ministration of the sons of God. (2 Tim. 2:24-26), for the Lord said “… Receive the Holy Spirit; if you forgive any one’s sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven.” Jon. 20:23. And again,

THE FIRST WORLD, THE WORLD THAT THEN WAS.

So far It is evidence that, the use of the word “WORLD” is not in reference to the planet earth and her neighbours, but rather, to humanity with his system or arrangement of things’ that involves the way of life, social structures, culture, political ideologies etc, that is being fashioned and operated by man independent of God’s life and Spirit.
I Jon. 5:16, Rom. 8:7-8.

And this living outside of God’s life, despite its pull on man, the rejection of this extension of God’s mercies to man through the Holy Spirit, and the inability of man to acknowledge this operation of God, is what constitute what the Bible calls “ETERNAL SIN” (Mk. 3:22-30, Matt. 12:22-32, Acts 7:51, I Jn 5:16-17, Heb. 6:4-6). Only as long as one remains adamant to the call of God, thereby constituting himself as His enemy, because of his darkened mind and conscience, devoid of God’s glorious light does he stand in condemnation. Col. 1:21, 2 Cor. 4:3-4, compare verse 6-7.

This state of affairs, which is a reflection of the state of the mind of humanity and its manifestations in all facet of human endeavour, is what constitute “the world” which the Bible says is “the fashion of this world (that) passeth away” I Cor. 7:31. “AND THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY, and the LUST THEREOF” I Jon. 2:17a.

WHAT THEN IS THE FIRST WORLD? (2 PET. 3:6)

“For just as life went on in the days of Noah so will it be at the coming of the son of man. In those days before the flood people were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage until the day that Noah went into the ark, and knew nothing about the flood until it came and destroyed THEM ALL. So will it be at the coming of the Son of man.” Matt. 24:37-39.Lk.17: 26-27.

Here, we are told that the life of man in the days of Noah was fully preoccupied with self-indulgence, completely involved in the gratification of the self-appetite, and worldly cares, just like we are having in our age today, without taking heed to the warning of God that He will put an end to the wickedness of man. Gen. 6. And the Bible records that only Noah heed this warning of God in his days, ‘ in preparing an ark to the saving of his household.

This action of faith condemned the UNBELIEF OF THE REST OF THE WORLD (mankind) and won for Noah the righteousness before God which follows such a faith”. Heb. 11:7, Philip.

Therefore the FIRST WORLD here speaks of mankind in the days of Noah, for when we talk of “the world that then was…. “ 2Peter 3:6. It is evidence that it was not referring to the physical globe or planet earth, even as the scriptures confirmed that Noah inherited the physical earth after the flood. Gen. 9, rather it was the wickedness in man, the full manifestation of the flesh that was destroyed, hence we read

“And knew not until the flood came, and took them (wicked) ALL AWAY’ KJV. “..sweep them all away” RSV “…destroyed them all… “Philip. Compare Gen. 6:5-8, 7:6-24

Again, this is made plain in the words of Peter that, the word ‘world’ means ‘mankind’ “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. And spare not the OLD WORLD, but saved Noah the eight person – BRINGING IN THE FLOOD UPON THE WORLD OF THE UNGODLY… making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly” 2 Pet. 2:4-6 KJV

“making them an object-lesson for godless men in future days” NEB “. …..as a fearful example of those who wanted to live in defiance of His laws”. Philips

For the “Lord knows how to rescue a good man (such as Noah and Lot who believe in God’s word) surrounded by temptation, and how to reserve His punishment for the wicked (unbelievers in God’s saving power and mercies through the Holy Ghost in His messengers) until His day comes. Particularly for those who walk after the flesh and indulge in the lust of polluting passing, and scorn and despise authority, presumptuous and daring, self willed and self loving (creatures). They scoff and revile dignitaries (glorious ones) without trembling” 2 Pet. 2:9-10. Philip Amp.

So what are we saying? The world is always ending for the wicked and they are the ones that are always taken away through judgment and not the righteous, like the rapture teachers will want to make us believe.

Mind you the scoffers were … “saying, where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” 2Pe 3:4(KJV)).

Meaning where is the judgment he promised will come upon the ungodly, as stated in Mathew 24; but don’t forget that Peter wrote in AD 62-64. So they thought the judgment would not come again, hence they were eating and drinking like the ‘days of Noah’.

UNDERSTANDING THE TERM “THE DAYS OF NOAH”
From the record of Math. 24:37-39, it is crystal clear that the wicked – unrighteous ones in the “days of Noah” were the people that the flood took away, leaving behind Noah, the family and all living creatures, through the means of the ‘Ark’, to repopulate the same earth.

“And the LORD said unto Noah, come thou and all thy house into the Ark; FOR THEE HAVE I SEEN RIGHTEOUS BEFORE ME IN THIS GENERATION… And God remembered Noah and every living thing…. In the Ark… And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and REPLENISH THE EARTH”. Gen. 7:1, 8:1, 9:1 Please read from Gen. chapter 6-9.

Therefore, for Jesus (Matt. 24:37-39) and Peter (2 Pet. 2:5) to allude to this particular account is a clear indication that “THE DAYS OF NOAH” is a PROPHETIC PATTERN of the “coming of the Son of man” and the “day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men” 2 Thes. 1:6-12.

People of God, let us understand that, the person that is coming is “the Son of Man” and not “Son of God”, and you know why? Because “… the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, BECAUSE HE IS THE SON OF MAN” (Jon. 5:22,27). As son of God, he cannot deliver judgment on men, because in that state he has not tasted what it means to be tempted as human in the flesh.

But who is this “Son of Man? This is the visible manifestation of ‘the Christ’ in power and glory through His Body, the overcoming church “the man Child” Company (Rev. 12:5) to execute judgment upon the world of the ungodly, as He “comes to be glorified IN HIS SAINTS, Look at it “… and ye shall see the SON OF MAN sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN” (Mk 14:62).
Here the “right hand of power” speaks of the authority that He wields, while the “clouds of heaven”, speaks of the “Saints” through whom this authority is manifested, just like he came through the Roman soldiers in AD 70 to Jerusalem. That was then his cloud of heaven.

Now we read “… Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His Saints to execute judgment upon all, and convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” Jude 14:15. Compare Math 19:41, 16:27, 25:31. Lk 12:8.

This “son of Man” is one person because “he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit”. “Now the Lord is that Spirit”. I Cor. 6:17, 2 Cor. 3:17. And because He is one, and in His Body the church, He identified Himself with the Saints when He said to Saul, “Saul, Saul, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME? This is because, Saul was killing the Christians and He, the Christ was in them.

Please may I be bold to declare to you that, it will be misleading to expect a physical “Son of Man” from the sky, for it is only through the church that Christ can be seen and known “… According to the power that worketh in us… “See Eph. 3:8-20.This may be a hard saying, but it is the truth nonetheless. But Jesus rightly said, talking about the coming of the Holy Spirit as him.

“ And when he is come; he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: …. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more”. Jon.16:8,10

This is the meaning of “… Out of Zion (the church) the perfection of beauty, God has shined” Ps. 50:1-2. So you see, the ministry of the “coming of the Son of Man” is for judgment upon the world of the ungodly just as it was in the days of Noah, and the days of Noah was the ‘world that then was’ it was a people that lived at that time and that condition and lifestyle that they demonstrated. The world mentioned was not the planet earth or any galaxy.

To be continued…

(c) 2015 – Dr. David O. Ogaga

“..Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which
are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly me….. Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleths
righteousness..”
Matt.13: 24-30; 37-43. In the interpretation given, of the parable of the wheat and Tares,. the FIELD IS THE WORLD (KOSMOS) – ‘the system of things’. The GOOD SEED – WHEAT are the TRUE DISCIPLES – Children of the kingdom. The TARES are the EVIL ONES – Children of the devil – the enemy that planted them. The HARVEST is the END OF THE WORLD

SO WHAT THEN IS THE END OF THE WORLD?
“Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be AT THE CLOSE OF THE AGE” Matt. 13:40 RSV. The Greek word used here is SUNTELLEIA, which means the consummation of a dispensation. That means the harvest is the bringing to an end the age of evil works under the power of Satan. It is this understanding of the words of Jesus, referring to the close of the age, that made the disciples to ask the question “ …. What will be the sign of your coming and the close of the age” Matt 24:3 RSV.

Since the word “coming” in the Greek is “PAROUSIA” which means “PRESENCE”, literally it should read,
“What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things”? Math 24:3. In other words, all the signs
(symbols?) He gave in the entire Chapter 24, are the things that signal the conclusion of the age of evil, realizing
that, He also spoke of His presence, till the end of the age when He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of
people of all nations…. Teaching them to observe all the things I have command you. And look! I AM WITH YOU
ALL THE DAYS UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF THE SYSTEM OF THINGS (close of the age).” (Math. 28:19-20). Int. Linear Trans.
Keep in mind again that he was dealing with the Jewish system then, so that age ended at the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
Again realize that it took some forty years after the death and resurrection of Christ for these things to be written and even before the fall of Jerusalem. They were still observing some Judaistic temple worship even after the Holy Ghost has been poured out hence Peter and John were still going to the Temple and healed the man by the gate. Acts was written between AD 62-63 , That’s some years before the fall which is the total end of the Jewish order of temple and sacrificial worship.

And you know what? He is here with us right from the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2.), right from when He asked the disciples to “wait for the promise of the Father”. (Acts 1:4). For the Apostles saw Him come, in the upper room. And His presence in the saints, shall be intensified at the conclusion of things, just as the Spirit puts it
“And to grant rest with us to you who are afflicted, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in FLAMING FIRE, INFLICTING VENGEANCE UPON THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD AND UPON THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS. They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the PRESENCE of the Lord and from the glory of His might, when he comes on that day to be GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS.. (The reapers – angels)” 2 Thes 1:7-10
RSV.
Again let us understand that, this was a promise to the saints in Thessalonica as vengeance because of the persecution they were facing by Paul, so if they never realized this promise that means Paul deceived them, and if they did get a fulfilled promise, that means the Lord really came in Vengeance. This is why it’s important to understand the various comings of the Lord in the scriptures, when and how he came, and to whom and for what purpose, for he who comes to us as a judge, also comes as the Bridegroom. They are not the same comings but the same person. The letter of 2 Thes. was written in AD 50-51

UNBELIEF, THE COMMON SIN OF THE ‘AGES’
From 2 These 1:5-10, we have been able to see that, the wrath of God awaits those who know not God and refused to believe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he comes to be glorified in His saints, which also corresponds to the harvest of the age. Math 13:40. The weeds being the wicked unbelievers.

SO HOW LONG HAS THIS UNBELIEF BEEN AROUND AND WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF IT?
In Math 12:22, is a record of the story of Jesus healing a blind and dumb fellow and how the Pharisees derided Him by saying “This man is only expelling devils because he is in league with Beelzebub, the Prince of devils”. In Verse 32 we are told, Jesus said “And whoever says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, EITHER IN THIS AGE OR IN THE AGE TO COME” RSV. “..neither in this world, neither in the world to come” KJV. “not in this system of things nor in that to come” Int. Lin. Trans.

Looking at the above scripture and the various translations so compared, one might think that, it is referring to the
age of the Jewish law and that of the Grace that will be ushered in by the Christian era, while that is the true, the fact remains that this really goes back to the wilderness world, that is the nature of the people’s heart towards God, and the New Order, that will be introduced thereafter. Now look at it, why did He make the statement? “…He said this because THEY WERE
SAYING, HE IS IN THE POWER OF AN EVIL SPIRIT.” … “30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.” kjv Mark 3:22-30.

So you see, “the world” there refers to the age of unbelief in the power of God, knowing that the promise and plan
of redemption was made unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Gen 15:13, Acts 7:17, 26:6. Therefore these promise and the miracles performed on their behalf by God, in the wilderness through the Holy Ghost, their hearts was still hardened. Hence Stephen told them “Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, YE DO ALWAYS
RESIST THE HOLY GHOST: AS YOUR FATHERS DID, SO DO YE”. Acts 7:51, Matt 21:33-41.
And this their inability to acknowledge the power of the Holy Ghost made it impossible for them, to enter into the rest of God.
“For good news came to us just as to them; but the message which they heard did not benefit them, because it did
not meet with faith in the hearers–, as He has said, –as I swore in my wrath. They shall never enter my rest….
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and THEY TO WHOM IT WAS FIRST PREACHED
ENTERED NOT IN BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF.” (Heb.4: 3-6).

And it was this world of unbelief, which extended to the time of Jesus; and so He spoke to the Pharisees who will not believe on Him for healing a blind man. “ ….If ye were blind, ye should have no sin, but now ye say, we see, therefore your sin (unbelief) remaineth.” See John 9:39-41. In other words, as long as your sin (unbelief) remaineth, you cannot acknowledge the Holy Ghost, which is the outworking, and saving power of God. The work of the Holy Ghost is to” … Convince the world of the meaning of sin, of true goodness and of judgment. He will expose their sin because they do not believe in me;” Jon 16:8-9, Philips.

SO WHAT IS THE ETERNAL SIN (DAMNATION) ACCORDING TO MARK 3:29?
“If any of you should see his brother committing a sin (I don’t mean deliberately turning his back on God and embracing evil), he should pray to God for him and secure fresh life for the sinner. IT IS POSSIBLE TO COMMIT SIN THAT IS A DELIBERATE EMBRACING OF EVIL and THAT LEADS TO SPIRITUAL DEATH – that is not the sort of sin I have in mind when I recommend prayer for the sinner…. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, if they shall fall away (apostatize), to renew them again unto repentance; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, and put Him to an open shame”. I Jn. 5:16, Heb. 6:4-6. Philips, KJV.
But why is it impossible? It is because “if any one sin deliberately by rejecting the saviour after knowing the truth of forgiveness, this sin is not covered by Christ’s death; there is no way to get rid of it… Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled underfoot the Son of God and treated His cleansing blood as though it were common and unhallowed, and insulted and outraged the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to His people.” Heb. 10:26-29. Tlb.
Meaning the only way to get forgiveness is to acknowledge the Holy Ghost as the saving power of the Father. And if this can be done, then that sin is forgiven. So the constant rejection of the Holy Ghost is the unpardonable sin otherwise there is no sin that is not forgivable through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus.

To be continued…

(c) 2015 – Dr. David O. Ogaga

“..Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which
are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly me….. Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleths
righteousness..”
Gal.1: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father

So what are we saying? The word WORLD (Kosmos) should be seen appropriately as “the system of THINGS” For
we are still Living in the present age, but not affected by the “system of things” that characterized the period of the
time. Therefore note that “The course of a world which is evil is itself evil and to live in accordance with it is to live in
trespasses and sins”

A FURTHER LOOK AT THE WORDS AGE (AION) AND WORLD (KOSMOS)
With the true meaning of the words Age (Aion) and world (Kosmos) as specifying periods, ages, time and the state of affairs (system of things) that characterized that period of existence.

Let us now look at some Scriptural implication of these words as used in the Bible.

In Heb. 1:2 we are told of the worlds that Jesus created ..“God…
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of ALL THINGS by whom also
HE MADE THE WORLDS. KJV. Notice that, the worlds here is plural, so it is not one world as if referring to our
globe as people commonly believe. He has ordained that ALL CREATION shall ultimately belong. “(Philips)” ….
through whom He created ALL ORDERS OF EXISTENCE.” NEB “. … through whom He made THE SYSTEM OF
THINGS”. (Int. Lin. Trans).

A critical comparison of the above translations, of the word “WORLDS” as used here, means that all prevailing
states of affairs or the various “systems of things” that existed, are existing and that will ever exist are the direct creation (ordination) of God in Christ. Hence we read

“He created everything there is – nothing exists that He didn’t make; Christ Himself is the creator who made everything in heaven and earth, the things we can see and the things we can’t, the spirit world with its kings and kingdoms, its rulers and authorities, all were made by Christ for His use and Glory”. Jn. 1:3, Col. 1:16. Tlb,. See also I Cor. 8:6, Rom. 11:36, Rev. 4:11, Eph. 2;7.

So it is talking of existing ages, times, seasons past, present and future of his creations, and it is called worlds.
Therefore we can see that, everything in existence, the state of affairs, even in the AGES-AION to come are the direct
creation and in control of God’s power – His Christ.

WHAT WORLD (AGE) ENDED WITH THE COMING OF CHRIST? (HEB. 9:26).
“For them must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the END OF
THE WORLD hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself”.

Let it be noted that this chapter of Hebrew 9 is dealing with the priesthood ministry of Jesus, with the shedding of
His blood, foreshadowed by the blood of bulls and the tabernacle arrangements. The fact is, through the law covenant by God with the children of Israel, God initiated a Jewish Epoch, (age) with all that the law stood for, that mapped out that period of history, as regards God’s relationship with mankind; the characteristic features of which includes, a priesthood, a system of sacrifices, dietary regulations as found in the book of Leviticus and of
Tabernacle and Temple worships, with festivals and Sabbaths that were all “a shadow of the things to come; but
the body (fullness, reality) is in Christ”. Col. 2:17.

Therefore, with the coming of Christ, and the nailing of these laws and ceremonies to His cross, by the offering up
of His blood, as the ultimate sacrifice, thereby introducing a New Covenant according to Col. 2; 13-17, Heb. 8:13, Mk 14:22-24, He made the Old Covenant with its ritualistic systems of worship to terminate-end, and this is called “the WORLD” (Heb.9: 26), and so making all sacrifices to come to an end through Christ singular sacrifices.
In other words, that was the climax of the history, of the Jewish age of ceremonies and mode of worship. Compare Gal.
4:21-31, 2 Cor. 3:6-16. And that is what is meant by the END OF THE WORLD here in Heb. 9:26.

But again, it should be noted that, this Jewish system of worship and doing things, did not actually end until AD 70, when the temple worship was destroyed by the Romans and so completely terminating the priesthood, the sacrifices and the laws that pertains to it, with the Jews completely scattered.

This is the true meaning of the answer Jesus gave to His disciples, when they said, “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and THE END OF THE WORLD?” Matt. 24:3 “close of the age?” RSV. “End of the age?” NEB. “Conclusion of the system of things?” Int. Linear Trans.

And this is the way it should read, the close of an age, instead of “the world” as used only in the King James version.

“The abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel…. Stand in the holy place” Math.24:15. Dan. 9:27, was the
Roman soldiers who moved into the Holy place in the Temple, destroying and dislodging all the Jews that took
refuge there during the siege. Quite an abominable thing for the Jews, that a Gentile should enter the most Holy
place, which only the Jewish high priest is qualified to enter therein once a year, to offer sacrifices for the sins of the
people. The Jews accused Paul of haven “POLLUTED THE TEMPLE” because he went in there with some Greeks-Gentile believers. Acts 21:28. In the true sense of it, all the areas surrounding the Temple was referred to as the Holy Ground .That then was the abomination, it’s not yet future.

Thank God, that in inaugurating the New Order, He is creating a New People for Himself through the Spirit. Heb
8:7-13, 1 Peter.2:5.

But may we heed the word of the Spirit, admonishing us that “ALL these happened to them (the Jews) are
examples…. as objects of lessons to us… to warn us against doing the same things, they were written down so that
we could read about them, and learn from them IN THESE LAST DAYS AS THE WORLD (system of things, the age) NEARS IT END” I Cor. 10:11 Tlb. Compare I Tim. 6:17, 2 Tim. 4:10, Matt. 13:22.
And in I Cor. 7:31.Paul said “the fashion of this world (age) passeth away”. That is the system of the Jewish order was passing away . This was written in DA 57-58, and Jerusalem with the Temple worship fell in AD 70.

DIRECT INFLUENCES OF THE PAST AGE ON THE PRESENT ONE
The lesson drawn from the above analysis is that, the present world order can affect a person’s spiritual life, which
the Bible refers to as “the cares of this world” (Matt. 13:22); an example of whom was Demas

“please come as
soon as you can, for Demas has left me. He loved THE GOOD OF THIS LIFE. (Present system of things)… :2 Tim.
4:10, Tlb, Int. Linear Trans.

But who is the controller of this present world-age? The word says, “And if indeed our gospel be found veiled, the only people who find it so, are those on the way to perdition. Their unbelieving minds are so blinded by the god of this passing age” 2 Cor. 4:3-4.
This same god of this world is identified in John 12; 31 as “the prince of this world’ seen also as the unseen ruler in the heart of men,

“ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” .. “To you, who were spiritually dead all the time that you drifted along on the stream of this world’s ideas of living, and obeyed its unseen ruler (who is still operating in those who do not respond to the truth of God) “Eph2: 1-2,kjv, .. Philips.

Now, it is this unseen controlling power, in the heart of men that makes them enemies of God, for “you yourselves
who were strangers to God, and in fact, through the evil things you have done (are) HIS SPIRITUAL ENEMIES…” Col. 1:21. Philips.

But how did man become the spiritual enemy of God? It is as man in Adam became one with Satan – evil, by
partaking of “the tree of knowledge of good and evil (for) “to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his
servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death…” (For) “to be carnally minded is death…” (Gen. 3:1-6,
Rom. 6:16; 8:6).

It therefore follows that, the present corruptions, evils, foolishness, pride, wars among family members, nations and even in religious circles, unbelief in the hearts of the so called Christians of what God Himself is doing and wants to do, goes far back beyond the age of the Jewish order of the Old Covenant.

This is made plain by the parable of the WHEAT and TARES. Matt.13: 24-30; 37-43. In the interpretation given, the
FIELD IS THE WORLD (KOSMOS) – ‘the system of things’. The GOOD SEED – WHEAT are the TRUE DISCIPLES – Children of the kingdom. The TARES are the EVIL ONES – Children of the devil – the enemy that planted them. The HARVEST is the END OF THE WORLD.

Now notice something, the parable states clearly that “the wheat” and “the tares” shall be here till the end of the world, so it is very erroneous to teach that some people would be “raptured” before the end of the world. It is also clear that what the reapers gathered to be burnt are the tares – weeds “system of things” (aion) verse 30 and not the world (Kosmos).

It is always the wicked that are removed not the righteous, just like Noah in his days. He was left behind, and the wicked were taken out, i.e. destroyed. That is what it means to be taken. Therefore to teach that the righteous will be raptured out is not Biblical.

To be continued…

(c) 2015 – Dr. David O. Ogaga

“..Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which
are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly me….. Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleths
righteousness..”

The need to understand the use of the word AGE (AION) AND WORLD (KOSMOS).
What do we really mean by the term “The end of the world” “The elements shall melt
with fervent heart” “the world to come” etc. Are all these referring to the physical globe? What exactly are the
“Heavens and earth that shall pass away”? What is the nature of the fire that will do this melting? What influence will
it have on us to know that, there is a different between the use of the words AGE and the word WORLD? etc.

AGE in the Greek is“AION” and may refer to a period of time in man’s history, whether having or not having specific dates of demarcation. “space of time” “clearly defined and marked out epoch” “age” and also “life time”, “life” and generation”.

For instance, when we read that Christ” will rule as king over the house of Jacob forever” Luke 1:33,it literally means “to (for) ages”. And the “fig tree” that was also cursed “forever” Math. 21:19 is also for the ages “or “age abiding” which is actually the house of Jacob (Jer. 8:13) referring to the Old Covenant that shall pass away forever. Heb.8: 13.

Another good example, of the meaning of the word, is found in Luke. 20:34-35 which says, “The sons of this AGE marry-but those worthy of that AGE and the resurrection – neither marry nor are given in marriage”. Compare Mk. 10:30. It denotes a long period of time, as in Acts 2:21, 15:18, Luke 1:33. Referring to the time of the prophecies about Christ, before the final fulfillment.

So we can see that, the basic sense of “AION is “AGE” or “PERIOD of EXISTENCE” and it often denotes a long space of time. (Jn.1:45). Liddell and Scots “A Greek-English Lexicon” (P 45) List as a definition of AION: “Space of time” clearly defined and marked out epoch, age, and era. It signifies a period of indefinite duration, or time viewed in relation to what takes place in the period”.

And in this sense, the word AION is very close in meaning to the word WORLD (KOSMOS) which means “an order, SYSTEM OR ARRANGEMENT OF THINGS” In Gal. 1:4 we read of our being “delivered from the present evil world” KJV. “Present evil age” RSV. “Rescued us from the present evil world order” JP Philips. “Present age of wickedness” N.E.B. “Present wicked world” (Jerusalem Bible) “Present wicked system of things” (Int. Linear Trans.)

So you see, what is meant by the WORLD is not the globe, the stars in the galaxy or planets known and unknown.
Neither is it referring to the universes, but rather to the way of life, social structures, cultures, philosophies, political
ideologies, religion and the economic lifestyle of humanity, devised by man himself outside of God. It speaks of the
products of the carnal mind of man, which is enmity and death, Rom. 8:7-8 “for the whole world system, based as it
is on MEN’S PRIMITIVE DESIRES, THEIR GREEDY AMBITIONS and THE GLAMOUR OF ALL THAT THEY THINK SPLENDID” but “not derived from the father” “and we also know that the world around us is under the power
of the evil one? 1 Jn. 2:16; 5:19 (Philips).

Therefore when Paul wrote “quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your
mind over” (Rom. 12:2 (Int. Linear Trans)

it was not the time, period of itself that set the fashion, pattern or models for the people of that time, that he was saying they should change from. But the standards, practices, manners,
customs, ways, outlooks, styles and other features that formed the life style of that age. Walking in the way of the
world, is what the bible says in Eph. 2:2 as “following the course of this world “RSV. “Following the way of this world” Jb “when you followed the evil ways of this present age” N.E.B. “that you drifted along on the stream of this world’s ideas of living, and obeyed its unseen ruler (who is still operating in those who do not respond to the truth of God” .. (Philips).

Therefore “… the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of ALL MEN, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, for he gave Himself for us, that He might rescue us from all our EVIL WAYS and make for Himself a people of His own, clean and pure, with our hearts set upon Living a life that is good” Titus 2:11, 12, 14 (RSV, Philips).

To be continued …

(c) 2015 – Dr. Daivd O. Ogaga

Dt.32: 7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee

8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.      

9 For the LORD’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance…..

Acts 17: 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

“And hath made of one blood”. All the families of men descended from one origin, or stock however different their complexion, features, language, colour etc. maybe. All men originate from one common parent. And that is exactly what the word ‘blood’ is often used to denote in scriptures, that is race, stock, kindred.

So the above scripture completely proves that all the human families are descended from the same ancestor; consequently, all the variety of complexion, etc., is not to be traced to some other causes other than that they were originally different races created.

Prophet Malachi lend his voice to this when he said…

Heb.2: 1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

First began to be spoken by the Lord.

What was this Great Salvation that was first began to be spoken by the lord.

In Mark.1: 14 -15, we are told.. “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel”.

So we can see that what Jesus began both to speak first is the message of the kingdom.

It is evident that though John the Baptist went before our Lord to prepare his way, it cannot be properly said that he preached the Gospel; Just as Christ’s preaching was only the very beginning of the great proclamation of this great message

Essentially it was the Spirit of Christ in the Apostles and Evangelists, the men who heard him preach, that opened the whole mystery of the kingdom of heaven to the rest of mankind, especially in the land of Judea as the Father confirmed their words with signs and wonders following that declaration.

So then we read of the Lord bearing them witness and confirming their words with signs following as in …

Joel 2: 23 “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month”.

What do we really mean by this? What was Joel talking about? Yes I know we have used this to speak of the latter Rain in movement of the past ages of Church history,. But let’s take a closer look.

In 1 kings 17:1 , Elijah prophesied before Ahab “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word”.

Now the authority of Elijah was hinged on the word of God previous in Lev.26:1+, that if they should go into idolatry, then God will punish them and there will be no rain, meaning no food for them. So this is what Elijah stood upon to make the declaration to King Ahab. See it here…

The rich Young Ruler boasted of haven kept all the laws, and his evidence is his wealth – (Mathew 19:16-26).

To the Old Testament saint, the proof of your obeying the law is your wealth, so when Jesus said the poor you will always have with you, it means there will always be Jews who will not keep all the laws in order to prosper.

The Jews never tied their poverty or ill health to a devil but lack of obedience to the law. See Deuteronomy 28:1+

But how it is today in the New Testament, all misfortunes, poverty etc is tied to the devil. Does the devil originate after Christ death to cause our poverty?