The Endtime Defense Of The Mystery Of Christ--Pt. 3 (MP3)

When releasing each program I try to make every comment count--just in case it's the last opportunity I have to speak with you. That's how close I believe we are to the departure of the Church. There's so many aspects to what Jesus accomplished at the cross. Yet in my opinion, the clearest is found in two Scriptures taken from the words of the apostle Paul. The first is in 1 Cor. 15:45-47 . . .

"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven."

It is here that Paul refers to Jesus as not only "The Lord From Heaven", but also as "The Last Adam". If you understand what's being said here--you can also understand what Paul is saying in Romans 5:17-19 . . .

"For if by one man's offence (the first Adam) death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one (the first Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (the Last Adam) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience (the first Adam) many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (the Last Adam) shall many be made righteous."

The New Testament teaches that all of us have sinned--there's no exceptions. We inherited our sinful condition (and the condemnation and damnation to hell that goes with it) as a free unmerited gift from the disobedience of the first Adam--the father of the human race. All of us received this "gift" of death without having to do anything to obtain it. Yet, Paul tells us that Jesus is the "Last Adam". I find it interesting that he didn't refer to Jesus as "the second Adam". There will not be another Adam--Jesus is "the last". Through the OBEDIENCE of the Last Adam (note that it's not our obedience)--the free gift of righteousness came upon all unto justification of life. This means that the Last Adam COMPLETELY REVERSED what the first Adam did--and that allows RIGHTEOUSNESS to come upon all believers in a similar fashion that sin and damnation came originally--AS A FREE GIFT. The only condition I see from the New Testament Scriptures to receive this "free gift of righteousness" (as God refers to it) is faith in Christ. That means we have no excuse for failure. It means any believer in Christ--no matter how weak or deficient in good works--can't be anything but completely righteous because it is given as a "free gift". 1 Cor. 5:21 calls this unique gift, "God's righteousness"--and that means it can never originate from you . . . it comes from God as a benefit of the "New Covenant in the blood of Christ". This is one of the most amazing Scriptures in the New Testament. Yet, few Christians believe it--or live it because they've been spiritually misled.

In John 3:14-16 Jesus said,

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Do you remember this Old Testament story--when Moses "lifted up the serpent in the wilderness?" A lethal plague had just started to attack the children of Israel. God instructed Moses to put a bronze serpent on a pole and carry it through the camp compelling those struck with the plague to look or gaze upon the serpent--and they would immediately be healed. All the people had to do was LOOK UP and gaze on the serpent. Everyone who did this simple act of faith was healed. It's extremely interesting that Jesus used this story to illustrate that when He was lifted up on the pole (the cross)--that whosoever (that means you and I) looks up and believes in (trusts) him will have eternal life. It doesn't get any easier to understand.

Much of the doctrine found in the modern church is contrary to what God said in His Word. Through popular teaching modern Christian leaders essentially say, "God--your promise here is dangerous and we know you didn't really intend to say what you did because it gives people too much freedom--so, as your representatives, we're adding additional requirements to your gospel to "protect" your people." When God says righteousness and eternal life are both free gifts through faith in Christ--that's exactly what they are! My Heavenly Father is not a liar where he promises you gifts--then demands that you perform work for them. This truth offends the falsely religious element (the majority) of the Christian church the most--because they must mix Old Testament religion (found in the Bible) with New Testament salvation (also found in the Bible). This "mixing" is commonly practiced to preserve religious power structures--and it's a train wreck waiting to happen. The rapture is a great blessing for believers--but it's a disaster, and a trap for the counterfeit religious world.

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." (1 Cor 15:21-23)

The Last Adam (The Lord from Heaven) is about to perform one of the final acts that completes this great blood-bought redemption. Jesus reversed the sin consequences of the first Adam's disobedience. As John proclaimed, the Lamb of God did indeed take away ALL the sin of the world. The only thing remaining is to restore the bodies of believers to the original state the first Adam enjoyed before his disobedience. That's what the rapture is all about and its not a fairytale like some leaders teach. The rapture is not a reward for Christian service. It's the completion of our redemption--it's Bible truth--and it is imeninent. That's the reason we're sounding such a repetitive warning.

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor 15:51-55)

Look up--the Last Adam--draws nigh!