PRISON

By G.W.S. Ware

7-26-1937.

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Prison: any place of confinement, where freedom is absent.

Such prisons can be spiritual, mental and material. It is possible to be in all three of them at the same time. Most of people have never been in jail, but the majority of folks are in one or both of the other two, but are not aware of it. In fact no one has ever gotten out who did not believe he was in. A spiritual prison is a person serving one or more sins, but thinking they are not bad enough to send him to live with demons and sinners, forever. The mental prison, is like the spiritual in one way: all mankind is born into it; and the man who does find it out, and stays in, is because he is either a fool,or an idiot. Money, has been known to get criminals out of jail, but never out of the other two. It is the will of God for all human beings to be born into a mental prison, for his own Son came that way, but got out more rapid than any other human being (Lu. 2:40). (Jo. 7:46). Even good angels are not entirely out (Mat. 24:36); none but God is, hence no one should be depressed for being in a mental prison, but do the utmost to get as near out as possible, for this is the will of God (Ja. 1:5; Pro. 4:5). Man, when started, is in a deeper prison, than any other creation of God; and has greater height to attain to be free. Mankind as a whole, from the first, has had a trend to break out of his mental imprisonment. Personal and collective study, schools, colleges and universities, are the outstanding signs of man’s effort to free himself. But the hardest prison to break out of, is man’s spiritual one. Naturally, he cannot know he is in it, for that part of him in it is dead, and he feels satisfied about it. But a Man’s spirit is the man himself, whether he believes it or not. When a man’s spirit leaves his body, his body is dead (Ja. 2:26). While in the body the spirit was dead to God, but alive to sin–that was its prison. While in its human body, it would heed the message of God to it (Eph. 2:1; 5:4), now it is too late to escape, from this spiritual prison, prepared for Satan (Mat. 25:41).

The only way to escape this spiritual prison, is while the spirit and body of a human being are together. They hear the Word of God to them, believe it, then a new spirit is created, and God gives it to that person, and takes that old dead spirit and plots it out of existence, then the man has escaped the spiritual prison, for ever.

To get back to the mental prison again, would add, That it is not possible to get entirely out of it in this world. How far we are out in heaven, is not revealed, only that we shall know as we are known (1 Cor. 13:12). And that we shall be like the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Jo. 3:2), and there is no mental imprisonment, about such a life as that.

To come back to this world, would observe, That if a person thinks he is on top of the wall of his mental prison and is ready to leave common and ignorant people, and soar away to his kind, in a superior clime, not knowing that there is a pocket in the air, which will suck him down through a hole in the wall, to find himself among his kind who felt their importance. It seems to be a law in the mental world, that no one is out of this mental prison, who thinks he is. No man has the audacity to say he is out, only by a high look and a proud heart (Prov. 21:4).

A person in a mental, or spiritual prison, is in more danger of imprisoning himself in other prisons there, then if he was free, because he is not his normal self, hence, he will build around himself habits, impossible to climb over, so he is in a double prison, multiplied into as many bad habits as he will permit the Devil to force him to have. God reveals that such people "Laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers." (Is. 1:4). There is only one way to escape out of all prisons, and God repeats it twice to every one who will hear and heed. (Is. 61:1; Lu. 4:18.)

Being in prison is not natural to man, for God made man for freedom, a little lower than the angels, for his own glory. (Ps .8:5.)

A normal person is on the inside of his habits, and is responsible for being there. They are his castle or dungeon, as he select the kind he prefers them to be, for present or future gain and pleasure. If he decides to indulge his baser nature he gets on the inside of bad habits to do it, for it cannot be done with good habits. Without intent, he finds himself the prisoner of his bad habits. He may swell up and deny it, but that is only another bad habit, to deny the truth. It is revealed that evil spirits enter human beings (Mrk. 7:30; Lu. 4:40; 22:3). Human beings can have good spirits, to enter their spirits. (Gen. 41:38; 1 Cor. 3:16).

When a person forms a bad habit, the demon of that habit will enter, and fasten it in the spirit of that person; and when this is done, that person cannot free himself, for the demon is stronger than he is. None but God can do this for this for a person. Every bad habit has at least one demon to enforce it, or it may have legions, more likely has. The habit for sinful pleasure has legions of demons to hold people to it. After the habit for the pleasure of the card table or dance hall is formed, how many church members break away? Possibly, Some may, after growing old and satiated. When the bad habit of fornication and adultery is taken up, legion of demons rush in, soon the man’s eyes are full of it, (2 Pe. 2:14), and the women as deep pits, and the abhord of the Lord shall fall therein. (Prov. 22:14). Such people are void of understanding (Prov. 7:7). In other words, they do not use common sense. Such a prison, is awful, a noted Frenchman cried out, That it was like fire running through his veins. Notwithstanding all this, God has saved men and women out of this prison. (1 Cor. 6:10,11). When you call to God to save you, like he did them, put good habits in their place, else, these demons rush back to fill the place they left. (Mat. 12:43-45).

The fear of man, (Prov. 29:25.) is like a prison to most of people, yea, no one but what has been in it, more or less, some time in past life; and rare is the person who can truly say: "I am out of this prison." Open its narrow door, enter its world of room, see a multitude of active people, with the affairs of life. You see a pulpit with a preacher or pastor in it; a rostrum, with orators and lawyers on it; a legislative hall, a Congres, a Parliament, with the fear of man in them, in their visions of the next election. It is no rash statement to assert, That no one, apart from God, is out of this prison house of the fear of man. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, is the only human being free from it, which cost him his life, that he might deliver man to make him free. (Jo. 8:36.)

The greater prison, which includes all other prisons, is the prison of sin. Satan, the Devil, the arch enemy of God and man, put the race of men in it, but one fell stroke. (Gen. 3:4.) Most of men and women like this prison of sin, because for a season (Heb. II:25) they can enjoy sins of pleasure, profit and ease, which is so fashionable and congenial to their inclinations. Out where Paul was, the prisoner of Jesus Christ (Eph. 3:1), the way is straight and narrow (Mat. 7:14), and self denial (Mat. 16:24) must be suffered, hence, the prisoners of Jesus Christ are not as numberous as the prisoners, in the prison house of the Devil. (Mat. 7:13,14.) It is a fact, that the prisoners of Jesus Christ have more joy, (1 Pet. 1:8) than the prisoners of Satan (Jude 1:13). The prisoners of Jesus Christ, when released from their bodies, and after their bodies are raised from the dead, they will be like him (1 Jo. 3:2). Even here, while prisoners, have a glorious time. (Ps. 36:8).

No one in the kingdom of God to day, on earth, is a founder of a religious denomination; but many of present day saints, are giving their best, to keep them distinct. All the founders of denominations, from those of the Roman Catholic, soon after the day of the Apostle Paul (2 Thes. 2:4), down to the day of Alexander Campbell (b,1788,d,1886), sprang up out of the sea of human speculation, to show more or less error, for no man, all are imperfect, (Ro. 3:10,11) can found a church more perfect than that Paul was in, founded by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is its head (Eph. 1:22), which need no man's head to help him. Hence, any denomination, founded by any man has error in it, and that error is the prison house of every member who stays in it. This a maxim, no christian can deny in the presence of God. Where is the Church, that I may join it, and be a free person? Consult the Holy Spirit, in the WORD OF GOD, and He will lead you into all TRUTH (Jo. 16:13). If you suffer yourself to be guided by what you think, or what some church founder says, and fix your heart that way, God will not turn you (Ps. 81:11,12), so you will stay in your denomination prison all the days of your earthly pilgrimage.

If, a denomination sets itsself up as the only one you can go to heaven through, (2 Thes. 2:4) avoid it as you would a plague, (1 Jo. 2:22), for no denomination, can be a saviour (Acts 4:12). You should be saved, before baptism (Mrk. 16:16), or a member of any denomination. To join a church in sin, is a prisoner of Satan going in, like Judas Iscariot (Jo. 6:71). Have you ever heard denominational prisoners talk about it? If so, almost invariably you will hear t his spiel: (Denomination, signifies a class, sect, or division). "It does not make any difference which denomination you belong to, all are going to the same place." And grave is not meant. "God is in one as much as in another, if I am sincere, in my belief." God looks on the heart, not on the denomination, of which we are a member. "Some things my denomination believe and practice, God's Word does not justify, but I am not responsible for that." (2 Cor. 6:17). "The Bible doctrine my denomination do not stress, or omit, is not essential to enter Heaven (Deut. 4:2,3). "I live a better life than some who teach the doctrine my denomination has something in their place." "On the Judgement Day, you will not be ask; which denomination were you a member, and your reasons for it?" (Eccl. 12:14). "My denomination suits me, I feel at home in it, therefore, I shall not ask the Holy Spirit to guide me through God's Word, to see whether my denomination is, right or wrong." (Prov. 28:26). "In my denomination, my parents lived and died, and they expect me to do the same." (Acts 5:29). "My parents are in Heaven, and I am going to risk the denomination they went there in." (Jo. 14:6). "I like my denomination better, than the denominations who do like Jesus did." (Mark 1:9). "It is not the amount of water; with water is enough." (Ro. 9:20). "The denomination I believe is nearer right than mine, is not as cultured." (Acts 28:22). "I am perfectly satisfied in my denomination." (Acts 26:5,19). "I do not believe in going from one denomination to an other." (Rev. 3:16).

Yonder, is a group of denominational pastors, you may hear one say: I know Christ commands us not to be called masters (Mat. 23:10), but the men who has me in charge, I call Presideing Elders and Bishops. To go where they send me, sometimes, its like a prison house, but I cannot leave without permission, unless I break my vows to my denomination." Another, says: "The men over me, whom I must obey, are more numerous than two. We, do not call them masters, but presbyters, but they control us, if we are obedient to our denominational vows." Another speaks his mind somewhat on this order: "I am not in as tight a prison as you two fellows."

Lets beckon to that Catholic Priest to come this way, to hear him on this subject. After informing him their desire, and asking, the Priest said: Our Pope, is our authority for Christ on earth, hence, all catholics, are controled by him, because he has power to direct Christ's Church, to advance its interest. He in council of our church, made sprinkling and pouring water, lawful modes of baptism; but your denominations tries to prove these modes of baptism by your Bible, which cannot be done. Yes, our Pope, and those he appoints, have us under their control, and all is pleasant, if we obey; else, our church cuts off our hope of heaven. Futhermore, I notice, you fellows call us priest, fathers, which your Bible forbids (Matt. 23:9). We bow to our Pope, as Christ viceregent on earth, and you are wrong, as you are. After holding his own, the priest passed on, thoughly satisfied with his prison, for in it he got his living, and many pleasures. Then, the two investigators, motioned to two pastors passing by, who came to attention, and when informed of what had passed, and were requested to state their position in their pastorates, and their views of being mastered by men. They answered, We believe the spirit of the New Testament for the relation of church and pastor is mutual, independent of all powers, save the church and pastor, directed by the Holy Spirit. We have no master, but Christ, who directs what to do through the Holy Spirit, by his Word in the Bible. In Acts 8:29:11:12:16:7, is revealed the control over preachers, and God is the same yesterday, to day, and forever. Preachers, are prisoners of Christ, and he sent the Holy Spirit, to be bishop over them; and when man steps in, to control preachers, look out, they go where angels dare not tread, to be master where Christ is. The investigators ask, where you ever sent by authority of man, and had to obey, to preach anywhere, and at any time? No, not even our local Church have no power to control us where to preach, and desires none. Jesus Christ is our only master and the Holy Spirit our only guide. We notice, you are educated, but many of your preachers are not; does it not irk you to come in contact and labor with them? We have none such among us, the authority over us, sends out none but those who are educated. Yes, we notice that men with eccleastical power, are educated men, and take in and send out only educated men, for uneducated men could not handle their errors of denominational doctrines successfully; but the Holy Spirit is now like He was when he first came, he select and sends out those who have the spiritual qualifications, regardless of their educational standard. You have men who should preach, but they are in your educational prison, who prefer to stay in, rather than to break out, hence their call to preach, has a prison burial, and their preaching power is lost to God. We find it a joy to come in contact with our uneducated successful pastors, there is something about them, found no where else. Your educational prison, send out a line of monotonous preachers, who carry their prison chains into the pulpits, in place of their personal freedom for the Lord Jesus Christ. True, some of our non college men are apparent failures, like some of your educated ones; the proportion seems to be about the same. All church goverments like yours will finally have an educational prison for those to preach among them. No prisoner of Jesus Christ, (2 Tim. 1:8) is free from man, if he is compeled to obey any of them. Ro. 6:16, tells us who our masters are. One of your pastors told me, years ago, the Holy Spirit pointed out his pastorates through his church superiors. Doubtless, Heb. 13:17, have been wrenched out of its place, to bring obedience from preachers under their charge, when it refers to church members and their pastors. As the two free pastors from men passed on, one of the interogators said to the other: I would break my prison shackles, and be as free as they, if one of their outstanding churches, would call me to its pastorate. The other, bowed his head and whispered: if, we are not willing to go into ubscurity among them to gain our freedom, we are unworthy of it, to be free from men masters, who with suave words and smiles and a position, lord it over us. We are so satisfied and use to having men master us, we feel it is the will of the Lord, but is it, is the question, each must settle for himself. The other remarked, He that runneth can read, if he has eyes to see.

Satan, is the arch prisoner of eternity, and the cause of all prisons. Before then, every where was heaven, and Satan, with another name, was a great Angel in it, till he touched something forbidden of God, which sin, the first sin, made this mighty angel, a great Devil, father of all demons and human sinners. He caused the first war, which was in heaven, between good and demon angels (Rev. 12:7-9). Our Lord Jesus Christ, is the only human being, who saw them fall (Lu. 10:18). Satan and his demons fell to the earth before the creation of man, for he was there, to put sin in the race of men, like he had done to his fellow demons (Gen. 3:4; Jude 1:8). At the fulness of time, God sent his Son into this world to destroy the works of Satan (1 Jo. 3:8). This work is done by Jesus Christ, in two ways and at two different times. The first time is now; when any sinner believes in Jesus Christ, the work of the Devil is destroyed in his spirit, by his spirit being created a new spirit (Eph. 2:10), which Satan cannot touch (1 Jo. 5:18). The other time and place, will be a collective one, when they are driven into Hell (Matt. 25:41,46). Man's Creator tells him plainly, that if he will not come out of his prison house of bondage to serve Satan, by indulgeing his body and mind in sins they want to do, he will be compeled to bow (Phil. 2:10), when it will be too late for him to be saved from sin and Satan, but will have to endure them, forever (Prov. 14:32; Ps. 9:17). Any person, who will not, for any cause, come out his prison Satan has him in, tells every body, by that act, that he is blinded by the Devil (2 Cor. 4:4). I told this once, to a sinner past middle life, he said he did not believe it, which was a sure sign, Satan had him, blind, and in his prison. The Devil has this world teeming with his prisoners (Ro. 3:23). All of them seeking rest, and finding none. Satan feeds his prisoners on sin, for this is all he has to feed them, and sin when digested, is not rest, but shame, suffering and death to joy and pleasure.

No sin is without cost to the sinner, whether committed by sinner or saint (Gal. 6:7), for God punishes his people, if they go into the prison of Satan (Ps. 6:1), and sin cause death (Jam. 1:15).

Some of the best satisfied, and successful prisoners of the Devil are women. His first prisoner, was a woman, and she captured the first man for him (Gen. 3:12), and the Proverbs of Solomon, repeats warnings against bad women, which is a generic term and means men of that class, also, as the most dangerous prisoners the Devil employ, to enslave other men and women for him. Men and women are warned not to come near them, for their steps takes hold of Hell (Prov. 5:5).

Often, when a prisoner of Satan is urged to leave sin and Satan, and become a prisoner of Jesus Christ, he will answer thus quite often: "I am satisfied with my present life, I have many comforts and pleasures as I am. I see no need to deny myself of these pleasures, to take up the cross of Christ, to fight against natural inclinations, as long as I live on earth." Herein he describes the broad road to death (Matt. 7:13), and feels contented in it, because he sees and feels no present danger. So said and did all the wicked young of my generation, but they are all dead now, and what good did their sins do them? None, for fighting against sin, will prolong human life (1 Tim. 4:8). To kill onesself, gradually by sin, is an awful suicide, to go before God, to be disposed of for eternity.

Some times, a prisoner of sin will ask a prisoner of Christ to go with them into their prison, but call it their places of pleasure (Prov. 1:10), is how such should be treated. It reflects on ones common sense, to be made a prisoner of the Devil, by one of his prisoners, who gets nothing from Satan for the capture, while the one he takes into sin, loses so much. It is so tragic, dangerous, useless and foolish, for a child of God, to be made a prisoner of Satan, by a child of the Devil (Acts 13:10).

One prisoner of Satan says to another: what sin does Satan bribe you with to keep you his prisoner? Well, I do not like the way you state your question, answer it yourself, about yourself, which ought to be more satisfactory to you than any I could give, for no such answer is possible. But, if you want my answer, here it is: I take none of his sins to stay with him, I hate him, and all of his sins, for none of them are of any value; I challenge you to name one that is, all of them has death in them, further on. They both cried out: O, that we could rid ourselves of our sins, and be free from the Devil. Yonder goes a prisoner of Jesus Christ, come by and tell us how to make the change. You cannot change your nature, which is like Satan. If you hate your sins to leave them the Holy Spirit will give you a new nature, like God, then you become the prisoners of Jesus Christ on earth, for service, and sons of God for glory. So the change was made, and the angels rejoiced (Lu. 15:7). Another prisoner of Satan came by, and was told he too could break from Satan, but the man would not, because there were certain sins he wanted to enjoy, by committing them awhile longer, so he remained a prisoner of the Devil, as the others went on their way rejoiceing, and surrounded by the angels of God, to keep demons off them (Heb. 12:22).

Another prisoner of Satan came along and said: There is nothing a prisoner of Jesus Christ gets that I want; I serve neither Christ nor Satan, I do as I please and serve myself, not knowing in doing that, he was serving Satan (Jo. 8:44). A prisoner of Jesus Christ, spoke out and said: "I am not satisfied with myself, I want more of God, than I have." A fellow prisoner told him: Brother, you will always feel that way on earth, it is a sign you are on your way to heaven (Ps. 42:1; Matt. 5:6).

Every prisoner of Jesus Christ, often fights off Satan, to keep him, from makeing their bodies, temples for him to live in. David, failed one time to keep Satan out of his body; when David found it out, he cried to God for help, God drove Satan from David, but the effects of Satan in David was a trouble to him, as long as he lived. Satan did his best to enter the young man Joseph, by means of a faithless beautiful woman, but made a failure, to the honor of Joseph, and glory of God, and to the credit of all men.

Satan, prefers the body and mind of a prisoner of Jesus Christ, to the body and mind of his most successful servants, who are in the world, which is already full of sinners and demons; but he never has many church members as he can use against God; for he uses all of them to make the church of Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:24), a symagogue of Satan (Rev. 2:9). This is why Satan is so eager to have infants baptized, and all of his prisoners taken into churches of Jesus Christ. Satan, can burn up a church of Christ from its inside, but cannot from without. Satan had one member in the first church of Christ (Jo. 6:71), and had more later on (Jude 1:4, 10-16; 1 Jo. 2:19). An outstanding prisoner of the Devil, who got into the Church of Jesus Christ, was Diotrephes, who felt himself superior to the Apostle, and cast some of the prisoners of Jesus Christ, out of Christ’s Church (3 Jo. 9,10). Diotrephes, at present time, aims to be deacon and on up, and if he sees a chance to be Bishop in an other Denomination, he will make a spring, and land among them, to reach the hightest point among them–any thing to be above a common church member, which is a trifle in his estimation, only a means to an end, to array himself as an angel of light, to out preach, pray and shine any of his fellows. His fervent sermons charms the sinners in Zion, and his fluent prayers eases them up, on their way to hell (Matt. 7:22,23). If any preacher, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, reads this, he can examine himself, and if he finds that he is not a worker of iniquity, but trust in Jesus Christ to save him, need not be uneasy about that Day. He will be willing to be guided by the Holy Spirit through this life. Satan had ambition to imprison Jesus Christ, but could not (Matt. 4:9; Lu. 4:29,30). Jesus, was never in prison, men nor demons could do it. Every person should live right to be like Jesus, to stay out of jail. God suffered many of his people to be cast into prison, for wise purposes. Paul, in prison for Christ’s sake, had time and opportunity to write Scripture for God, to man. Professed prisoners of Jesus Christ, made John Bunyan, a prisoner for twelve years, which gave him time and thought to write Pilgrim Progress, which he would not have written, if he had been out to preach Jesus Christ, for people would flock to hear him preach, and ignore the State Church clergimen. No, Satan could not imprison the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor break his bones, but he had him arrested, gave him a mock trial, whipped his flesh, and crucified his body, thinking he would have him accursed (Deut. 21:23). This is explained in Gal. 3:13, read it. Satan is a coward before one fighting prisoner of Jesus Christ (Ja. 4:7), and King over all his human prisoners, and demon subjects. He, and his demons, are not angry as they flee from a fighting prisoner of Jesus Christ, for stark terror lends them speed to flee from the armies of God, round about that one (Ps. 34:7; 2 K. 6:17). This view of Satan will hearten any prisoner of Jesus Christ, who has faith enough to resist the Devil. The greatest help the Devil has, is not in his legions of demons and sinners on earth, but in the fleshly mind of the prisoner of Jesus Christ, which often craves to do what Satan wants him to do (Ja. 1:14). When it dawns on a prisoner of Christ, that Satan is trying to enslave him again, he treads down his desires, and puts Satan to flight. No prisoner of Christ would suffer the Devil to cause him to sin, if he think, that all heaven and hell is looking on to see what he will decide to do.

The gospel of Jesus Christ comes among mankind, to free every one, who will believe it, it has never made a failure; on the other side, it has never saved a human being, who failed to believe it. All of each class, go to their places, which is separated by a great gulf (Lu. 16:26). It is a wonderful revelation, that over there, all the prisoners of Jesus Christ, will be free to take on their redeemed bodies, be like Christ, rule kingdoms, judge angels, praise God, as rivers of pleasure, flow on forever; while prisoners of Satan, in his awful prison (Jude 6,13; 2 Pet. 2:4,17) will be there forever. All man needs to do to escape this prison of Satan, is to believe, take God at his word, to give him eternal life, for Christ’s sake.

After this, there is one thing, by command of God, he is put in special charge, to keep his body and mind under control of his redeemed spirit (1 Cor. 9:27). This charge is never given to any prisoner of Satan, because his spirit is dead (Eph. 2:1), and has no life to control any thing. No dead spirit can believe any thing, until it is quicken, given enough of life to believe God’s WORD, in Christ Jesus (Col. 2:13). It sounds strange to a prisoner of Satan, for a prisoner of Jesus Christ to tell him that his body and mind is like his (Ro. 8:7), but his spirit is a child of God (1 Jo. 3:2), to keep his body and mind obedient to God (Ro. 12:1), which is a warfare (1 Pet. 2:11), against each other. The other replies: That being true, I have more peace than you, and less trouble, as your Scriptures says (Ps. 73:5); that is true, but if you will read on to the nineteenth verse, you will see, that futher on, will be a time, when you will be consumed with terror. I far rather have my warfare against my evil inclinations now, than give way to them, for them to consume me with terrors, then, when it will be too late to fight them. Futhermore, when my spirit is in control, I have peace, no one can understand (Phil. 4:7). The other man said: "I don’t like my prospect for eternity, it frighten me to think of it; I do not like sin, it gives me nothing, for efforts to commit it, it often shames me; every one I commit, seems to turn loose more demons to drag me down to hell, where I shall be consumed with terrors." The voice of God is heard: "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life (Jo. 3:36)," the man believes, he is no longer a prisoner of Satan. After this, the man’s life is reversed; his spirit is alive, and makes prisoners of his body and mind to be subject to the laws of life for his spirit, which they do not like to do, for as yet, they prefer some of the pleasures of sin, which separates them from God (Ps. 5:4), hence, the spirit will not let them go into sin.

These two powers in a prisoner of Jesus Christ, each has a will to rule the other, hence, the spirit must be watchful (Rev. 3:2), for they are two to one against it. When they conquer by fouling the spirit with sin, then, the spirit is surrounded by demons, in place of angels. The spirit cannot see God (Matt. 5:8), because it gave way to its fleshly nature, the impurity of which, covers it from God. Satan rushes up and would make the spirit dead again, in sin, but he cannot touch it (1 Jo. 5:18). Now, when a spirit like it gets itself in that fix, it cries unto God, who hears, and brings it up again (Ps. 40:2,3), to renew its warfare against sin, in all of its treacherous forms, through its carnal mind.

In Matt. 7:22,23, is foretold the condition of some of the most artful prisoners Satan ever had; they were dumbfounded to know, they had been imprisoned by the Devil to work for him, while thinking they were on their way to heaven, because of their good works, while they worked iniquity at the same time. No wonder they were assign their portion with hypocrites (Is. 33:14). Why should such men go through their lives under such delusions? One answer is, They thought they could be public prisoners of Christ, and secret prisoners of Satan, to enjoy some sins under cover, of not much, if any harm in them (Ps. 26:2; II Cor. 13:5). Do this here, so that won’t be your fate, there.

Some prisoners of Satan, will study the Word of God, interpret it to please themselves, or some one else, take their interpretations as their word of their god, hence, go on as prisoners of Satan, till death wakes them up, with Satan there to claim his own, whom none can prevent, for no other one will own them as their prisoners, while they were on the earth. Every satisfied prisoner of Satan on earth, thinks he can guide himself in reading the Bible, and get all out of it, all there is in it to get. This is a delusion of Satan, for a man gets out of the Bible, precisely what he believes there is in it for him. This is why so many prisoners of Satan read the Word of God to them, yet remain prisoners of Satan (Heb. 2:1; Mrk. 4:14); they let Satan handle the Bible for them, hence they can read God’s Word to them, to become free from sin and Satan, not believe it and stay slaves of Satan, to commit sins for him, against God (Ps. 51:4).

Satan, blinds the eyes of his prisoners, so they cannot see the wrath of God which is coming down on them (Eph. 5:6); and so they can enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb. 11:25), the end of which they cannot see, else it would take out of sin all the pleasure they see and feel in it. He blinds them to the fact that prisoners of Christ have more joy and pleasure in this world, than any one has gotten out of sin, from Adam, till now. All history of the prominent prisoners of Satan, show, they got no lasting joy, for serving him. No prisoner of Satan can show where he ever had a moment of joy. When he appeared with Eve, he had no joy; when he provoked David (1 Chr. 21:1), he had no joy; when he stood before God, he had no joy (Job 1:6); when Christ ordered him out of his presence, he had no joy (Matt. 4:10). So it is whereever Satan is seen. How can he give pleasure to his prisoners, when he has none himself. He lost it all when he touched off sin in heaven, and made himself a Devil. His brief sojourn in heaven, after this, may be the analogy of the sinners pleasures of sin for a season. Satan, never smiles, never laughs, never shows joy, because he has none (Rev. 14:11), and has no way to get it, or show it. A roaring devouring lion (1 Pet. 5:8); transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14), hence, he the first hypocrite; accuses the prisoners of Christ, continually before God (Rev. 12:10); God, calls him the great dragon, the old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world (Rev. 12:9), yet after he is shown to man as he is, the majorty of mankind are his prisoners, lured into his prison (Matt. 25:41). Satan is a deceiver (2 Jo. 7), which men won’t tolerate in man, yet walk along with Satan in sin, to be deceived. Jesus Christ called Satan, an enemy, the devil (Matt. 13:39). It is revealed, that Satan is a liar, and the father of it (Jo. 8:44). How long Satan was a Good angel, before he lost his first estate (Jude 6), is not revealed. It was before the creation of man, for then, he was a devil (Gen. 3:1). Since his fall, he has never spoken a kind word, gave a gentle look, done a good deed, or helped a human being, or sorry he made angels under him, demons. His malignant nature makes it impossible, to have a desire to do it. The way Satan treated Eve, in her innocence, the mother of us all, should cause any person with a sane mind, to resist him, not to be his prisoner, then his slave, then down to his chains of darkness (2 Pet. 2:4), then to hate him (Ps. 139:21,22), and take his prisoners from him, by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

About twenty six hundred years ago, Satan had a woman slave, shrewed, beautiful, aristocratic and talented; all of which won for her a king for her husband, and her heart was so base, she committed murder to please him (1 K. 21:10), and fed 450 of Satan’s priests, while a famine raged in her husband’s kingdom; and because her preachers could not pray fire out of Balaam their god, and were put to death by law (1 K. 17:30; Deu. 13:30), she swore to murder Elijah, God’s prophet. After such service for Satan, how did he reward her? She was cast out of an upper window, and dogs ate her flesh, and dogs gnawed her bones. This example, should move any prisoner of Satan to day, to break from him while he can. If you feel no danger, it is a sign Satan has you stupefied, which should alarm you. Jezebel, was consumed with terror, when too late.

How the angels of glad thoughts rush in to cheer our Spirits, when the vision is changed to look on God, through his WORD, with the eye of faith and practice, to see his attitude is toward us, and what he wants ours to be to HIM. We first see that his nature is love, HE IS LOVE (1 Jo. 4:8), and that he is love to mankind (Jo. 3:16), it means that God feels devotion toward mankind; delights in mankind; has strong affection, for mankind. This is proven in God coming to mankind, in Christ Jesus (Jo. 14:9), lived a righteous life for him, then died for him to forgive his sins, to give man a new nature, like the nature of God. This love of God is every where, Man, lives in it (Acts 17:28); God’s love has all power (Matt. 28:18); God’s has all wisdom and knowledge (See, 38, 39, 40 and 41st, chapters of Job). God’s love, which is God, can save any prisoner of Satan, who is willing (Heb. 7:25) to be saved from Satan.

God’s love is everlasting, and changeless (Ja. 1:17). When God imparts his love, with its divine nature (2 Pet. 1:3,4), by creating a human spirit anew, it is everlasting life to that spirit, Which is kept by God’s LOVE for that spirit (1 Pet. 1:5).

Elijah and Jezebel, were the outstanding prisoners of God and Satan of their day, and for all time, a man and a woman. Jezebel, had kingly ancestors, and a king for her husband. She had great power, and used it all for Satan. Elijah, was poor, in course apparel, nothing but a prisoner of Almighty God, to do his will, which was so hard to do at times, he fain would have died, which he never did (2 K. 2:11), but, 1500 years later, came with Moses to earth, to converse with Jesus Christ (Mrk. 9:4). What a signal honor Elijah shared with Moses. Could they help the humanity of Christ, for coming death, better than angels? Jezebel, has never been heard of, since being eaten by dogs, and never will be (Prov. 10:7). This Jezebel, and this Elijah, got treatment according to the nature of their masters. God, gave Elijah what he had, and Jezebel got what Satan had for her. They both got what they serve for–all their masters had. Wise, in human beings, each, to decide correctly, which one is in control, to pay off at end of life.

The Creator of human beings, reveals to them, that fornication and adultery, are sins against their bodies (1 Cor. 6:18; Prov. 7:7-23), which bring disease, and holds their sinful spirits, till he puts their bodies in the grave, and their spirits into Hell (Lu. 16:23).

No one can become, or stay a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and believe, That there is anything worth having in any sins, big or little, fashionable or abominable, white or black, or any other kind; none of which can pass over God’s highway (Is. 35:8), into heaven.

Pride, caused a great angel to make himself a devil (Is. 14:12), and their pride prevents sinners from leaveing his service for the kingdom of God. I had no sinful pride, as I entered in, I was dead to sin, then I became a spiritual babe (1 Pet. 2:2), to grow up to manhood, and still growing, I trust.

Satan, did not create any thing, it is the prerogative of God (Jo. 1:3). In Isa. 45:7, is this revelation: "I make peace, and create evil; I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things." Asked, Who created sin? Many, would answer, Satan, for God is not the author of sin, which is true, for he cannot sin (Ti. 1:2), hence, all that he created was good (Gen. 1:18). Satan, is the father of liars, but not their creator. All of them are his prisoners, bound to him by ties of spiritual fatherhood. Satan, misused the good things God had created, to sin against Him; hence, God, created the forbidden fruit which Adam ate, and made sin for himself, and us all, but he did create the tree and fruit. Hence, created evil for Adam, when His law was broken. Satan, murdered (Jo. 8:44) the spiritual life of man, perhaps, not knowing, that God would become a human being, himself, live man’s life, and die his death, to save man from Satan. God, reveals that human beings who go up to His Kingdom, go through great tribulation (Rev. 7:14), for Satan is down here among men to spread havoc among them, to retard his day of coming judgement (Rev. 20:10). It is not revealed but it may be, That when the number of sinners saved through Jesus Christ, is in right proportion to the number of angels lost through Satan, his short time will be ended (Rev. 12:12), and heaven will be everywhere.

No demon can free itsself from sin, and it has no Saviour to free it. It is correct, to speak of demons in the neuter gender, for they cannot propagate themselves, and the only way to have more company, is to deceive men and women into sin, and stay in it till death of body. After a person’s body is dead in sin, it loses the death of Jesus Christ, and is cast into hell, because he would not believe it for himself. No man, can defraud a man, like Satan does, when he baits a man into sin, till his body is dead (Is. 14:9). Far better be a dog, cat or snake on earth, than such a person. When a man or woman sell themselves to the devil (K. 21:20), they are elated at the prospective price, but when they begin to receive full pay (Matt. 8:12), which goes on forever (Rev. 14:11), is terific.

All prisoners of Satan are one with him, and all that he has, and be compelled to take full pay, whether they want it or not (II Cor. 5:10). When a person stays a prisoner of Satan, till he is in prison in hell, he prays that his brothers be warned not to come to that place of torment (Lu. 16:28), which is the only sympathy heard of in hell, and none from the Devil and his angels. They lost all sense of it, when sin gave them their malignant nature. It is passing strange, any person will serve Satan, knowing his nature and coming doom; but all his prisoners are deluded to think, they are serving themselves with the sins they commit. The gospel sounds in their ears to wake them up (Eph. 5:14), to flee the wrath to come (Rev. 6:16,17). It is easy to think, that demons in hell, will taunt humans, for loseing by their sins, all that God had in store for them; and if lost men and women, tirade demons for losing their first estate (Jude 1:6), and for being cast out of heaven (Rev.12:4-9), but both sides are in there together, forever.

As men have founded religious denominations, in this world, so did Satan, before them, organized one in heaven with his willing angels, but his denomination was cast out, down into this world (Rev. 12:9). There are legion of them, each busy deluding men and women to sin for ease and pleasure, to be driven with them, into hell (Ps. 9:17). Demons know how dareing men and women are, indulge in a few mild sins and get to heaven also. This is the most successful bait the demons have to tole men and women into their prison house of sin, which finally drops them into eternal fire (Matt. 25:41). All, the prisoners of Satan, should know that he rules them, to commit sin, that he cannot use them, any other way. To break God’s law (1 Jo. 3:4), is what he wants done. The reason Satan wants it done, is, because it is holy, righteous, good for man–an expression of God’s character, to sin, is to slander God’s character; for which, and in which, he employes all of his prisoners. When one wants to quit sinning, all do at times, Satan, sends legions of demons, through men and women, who are his, to make them to bring forth more sin for Satan.

It is passing strange that Prisoners of Satan think, because they can follow their own will, have more pleasure, than the prisoners of God, who must follow his will, which has joy and pleasures (Ps. 16:11), for them who follow it. Those young men and women, of my generation, who sinned to enjoy themselves, found that the results of their pleasures, was sorrow. I am a living witness for God, that this is true. Satan, has no joy and pleasure, its not in his nature; his demons, are like him (Matt. 8:31), they have no joy. No man, unless deluded by Satan, will try to get pleasure out of sin, where men and demons have never found any but what would end in sorrow, shame and punishment.

Prisoners of Satan, in this world, can be known by many outward signs, conversation and company are generally the best signs to locate them. They will hunt up their kind for company, and hear them talk, is their delight. They don’t aim to go to hell, but they prefer being with those who are going. They dislike to be reminded of eternity. It gives them an uneasy feeling, and they change the subject, to suit their nature.

Satan, take the fear of hell from them, till they believe there is no such place; then they go on, feeling less concerned than ever before. If one of his is determine to go to heaven, he tells him, that he himself can build a character to go there on, which is impossible (Is. 64:6). One prisoner of Jesus Christ shows more morality in his spirit, than all the lost men and women can show (Ro. 5:10).

If the imagination of the prisoners of Satan could be seen, it would convince men and angels, that it was so impure, demons could dwell in it (Matt. 15:19). Satan prompts his prisoners to fill their minds with evil things, if put into action, would land them in the penetentiary, grave and sheol, where demons are confined.

A hypocrite, is a prisoner of Satan, who tries to be a hybrid of Angel and demon, but is a full blooded devil, despised of God and Men. (Matt.27:4; Rev. 3:16).

No prisoner of Satan, can purify his past sins, by present and future good deeds. Sin, requires the life of a God, which God gave through his Son, Jesus Christ, to blot sin out to all who will believe in Him (1 Jo. 1:7).

All prisoners of Jesus Christ has His nature to save them from Satan, nothing else can (Jo. 5:24). This is the only thing man can get, Satan cannot touch (1 Jo. 3:18); for his life and nature, is hid in Christ, in God (Col. 3:5). God, sends the news about Jesus Christ, to the prisoners of Satan, "To open their eyes, that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified in." (Acts 26:18). This is what our Lord Jesus Christ said to Paul, about all prisoners of Satan on earth. Now, may we notice some of the collective forms, factions, counsels, clubs, denominations; any organization, in which they can find renown, pleasure profit in things they crave; and brace each other in sin.

About 1900 years ago it was foretold, that Satan would organize, what would appear to be a religious denomination, which means, a sect, class, or division. Satan’s coming denomination would have these marks, found in His Word to day. In examination of denominations, justice should govern. The word denomination, means, a sect, class, or division.

The Lord Jesus Christ, said he would build his church (Matt. 16:18), of which he would be its head (Eph. 1:22), and no man or woman can take his place (Is. 48:8; Matt. 28:16), but he fore told that many would try it (Mark, 13:22). In Thes. 2:1-11, and elsewhere in God’s word, is foretold some of the marks of this coming denomination would have, when organized, namely:

1–Falling away from Christ’s Church.

2–Men of sin, or Satan would be revealed in it.

3–He opposeth Christ’s Church.

4–He exalteth himself against God.

5–Exalteth himself over those who worship God

6–Sitteth in the temple of God.

7–Setting himself forth as God.

8–The mystery of lawlessness.

9–Power and signs and lying wonders.

10–Deceit of unrighteousness, to those who perish.

11–Will not receive the love of truth.

12–Will not be saved

13–God sendeth a working of error.

14–That they should believe a lie.

15–That they all might be judged who believe not the truth.

16–Have pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thes. 2:1-12.

17–Giving heed to doctrine of demons. 1 Tim. 4:1.

18–They themselves, measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, are without understanding. 2 Cor. 10:12.

19–Giving heed to seducing spirits. 1 Tim. 4:1.

20–Forbidding to marry. 1 Tim. 4:3.

21–Shown to be in control of a local church of Christ, 3 Jo. 1:10.

What vivid portrayal of the mighty church formed and grown since that day and this. These prisoners of Satan, formed themselves into a denomination, soon after the enfluence of the Apostle had waned in the earth; for then Satan left Baalism as his leading denomination, reached out and that part of Christ’s church that suited his purpose, combined the two, and has been advertiseing ever since: Behold this great church, the like of which, no man has been able to found, though many have tried it, none have touch me. In past time my church have put millions to death, who opposed my church. No other denomination has done so mighty a work, though some few have tried it. One, tried it after I quit, but its leader got hung for it. As soon as I could not put people to death by law, for fighting my church, I quit. My church, is a peaceable one, if every body would join my church all would be well, and people could do as they please. If, by mistake, one does wrong, one of my preachers can pray his sin away, for a small gift. My church, years ago my church pronounced its human head infallible, hence, none but he is that among the denominations of earth, for none but that, in a small world like this. Other denominations, permits their preachers to marry, in order to control their bodies, but my preachers, have such a standing, I have other arrangements for that, which no other denomination, has power to do, for I brought over from my ancient practice of Baalism, with which I use to slay the Isrealites. My prisoners in my church believe, that if they were turned out, or join an other denomination, hell will be their doom; for I put terror in them to keep them in my church. It is easy to come into my church, no change of nature is required, like in some denominations, because, if one should bring such a nature into my church, I would have to quench it, before my distinctive pleasures could be enjoyed. When a person comes into my church, he is sworn never to leave it; but if he should join an other denomination, we place our curse on him, so what good does it do him. I began my denomination on earth, as soon as I had two human beings; I did not have them at first, but I soon got them to leave their Creator, by believing my word. Since then, Jesus Christ entered the world as a man, and set himself up a denomination, and adopted my method to get members, all, who would believe his word, are in his denomination to day. Any man can be in my denomination, whether he says he believes my word or not, I take him in, and humble him down, futher on. Christ’s denomination is built with human spirits who will let him make them anew. Many want to, but I take the desire from them, a few does in spite of my efforts. I build my denomination, on what the eye can see, and mind, flesh and blood can feel; which gives me a tremendous advantage. If Jesus Christ, was not Almighty, I could take my army of angels, and wipe his denomination off the face of the earth, I dare not go too far, lest, lest he cast all I have of the earth, like he did out of heaven. I started my denomination on earth with the first three human beings, and Christ came in and began his with the third man. It infuriated me so, I had my third member to rise up and kill him. This was a mistake, for it gave heaven the first man from the earth, while my future home was compeled to come second, and besides, it ruined Cain’s enfluence among men. All of Cain’s life, I did not like his mark. It hurt his looks in my denomination, in its beginning, and does it no good, now. Men, demons and angels must worship something; hence I told them to make for themselves gods they could understand, as God was too high up in heaven to be understood. I could have told them about heaven, as I dwelt there a long time, but I would not, as I did not want to disrupt my denomination, of human beings.

God, Created the two first members of his denomination, but I proselyted them and made one of my own. I did such a though job, he could not them back as I had got them out, by persuasion to do a wrong deed, which changed their godlike nature into one like mine, which I got by doing a wrong act in heaven. If knew, if I lost them, God would have to die in their place, and I also knew, that spirits of every body, but my two church members, could not die, and I was not quite sure that they could, for they were the first, I ever saw, and I did not know that they were made with two parts, one could die, and the other live on, as spirits do. When the Almighty, saw, that I had started a denomination with his material, he grew angry, and pronounced a curse on all three of us, but he lost his denomination, but I kept mine. If, I had had more time, till I could have induced them to eat of the fruit of the tree of Life, they could not have died, and would have been mine, forever, like my demons, or rather, my angels are. At that time, man was the wonder of all spirits, spirits in a material body, amazed all other created beings. I soon saw a chance to exalt myself as King over the human family. I had made myself King over legions of my fellow angels, which was the first denomination, I ever organized, so I had some experience, to change the human family, and, make me another kind of a denomination. At that time the human family was in a glorious state, equeal, if not superior to me and my angels, before we lost our first estate, I studied ways and means to induce them to permit me to organize my human denomination, with them, as my two constituent members. I knew I could not get them out, by force, scare, or promise, I decided to persuade them to doubt God’s word, and believe mine. I looked on the man first, but decided he was too much of a match for me, so I bided my time to catch the woman alone, soon I had to believe my word, and she was the first member I took into my denomination. I still knew better than to tackle the man, but I thought the woman would get him to come with her, which he did, so my denomination, was the only one of its kind anywhere. As my sin caused my expulsion from heaven, so their sin, caused them to be driven out into the earth, where I was cast, so we both order of beings, have been out in the world together, ever since. Soon, my denomination was large, but after a time, some of my church, began to call upon the name of the Lord, who heard them, he will not hear me, but I notice he will hear them when they call in earnest. I was amazed that he did, as man had my nature, BUT I suspected he had a plan to take them from me, but I did not as much about then, as I do now. My denomination grew so fast, and so much like me, and his grew so slow, and so unlike him, he took all eight of them into a boat, and made all of my members die by drowning them. I tried to get even with him, by killing millions of his church members, by my denomination, since the day of Christ.

My denomination in christendom, is far the largest one in it, though I failed to get it organized till about 250 years after my rival had his going, but when I did start, it was such a mighty rush, nothing could stand before it. Unlike the denomination of Christ, I used the armies of the earth, to make large my denomination, and when I had it ready, I had it to stamp out and slay, the church of Christ, but a remnant fled, before I could kill them, to the caverns and secret places of the earth, where they held themselves a thousand years. These were prosperous days for my denomination, for it had the earth at its feet, Kings bowing to my man, who I had made Christ’s vicegerent on earth, but in reality, my representative. Human-being are hard to manage, much harder than my fellow angels. God wants none of them, or me, but his whole nature goes out in love for the human family, even, after I had robbed them of his nature, and put mine in its place, which so aroused his nature against me, he determine to take every one back, who will believe his word and cast my nature out of him, like he did me out of heaven, and put a new nature in him, which I cannot touch. When I sinned in heaven, God cast my sin on me, and here I am on the earth, between heaven and hell; I cannot return to heaven, hence, when I lose this earth, I drop into hell; but when mankind sinned God, cast their sins on his Son, who paid the death penalty for every one who will believe God’s word about it. If, each one of my denomination, would believe this fact, I would lose all of it, but I put a strong delusion in them, that they are on their way to heaven in it, and that there is no way to heaven, outside of my denomination. My christian denomination, is stronger than all the others combined, but I have a much stronger denomination, than it. It is some 400 years younger, but outnumber its older sister denomination. Then much older than either of these, I have a denomination, composed of different cults, yet I term them one denomination with me, their founder. Really, this is my original denomination, begun with two members, right in Paradise, where God walked. This denomination, outnumbers my other two denominations. My denomination, between the two, sends missionaries to the other two, but it is all in the family. I also have many minor denominations, who do not believe they are mine, but they are, for it is written: "They that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh," as God, is assigned to me. Among these, were the intellectual giants of the earth, which I segregated in one of my minor denominations, to give them self importance. Jesus the Christ, I failed to get, but I had him put to death; Paul, I had but lost, so I had him beheaded; Moses, I lost, but faild to get a good angel to rail back on me, over his body. Such a powerful magnet of human inteligence, in my small denomination, draws many back from leaving me.

All the wars going on in 1937, of are in two of my big denominations, one christian, the other non christian.

These whom I have deceived, to think that I am lovely marvel at this; their own love for the sins they can commit to stay in my denominations, is why they think I am lovely. They see their sins, and they think that I am that way, but I am not: I am Hate, like a consuming fire, I hate myself, my demons, my denominations, all earth, all hell, all heaven, all angels, AlmightyGod–every thing. When human beings are killed, they cannot be redeemed, and I have them in hell, so I can hate them forever. God is love and I am hate, before me there was none. God, created me a mighty angel to do his will, but I have made myself a mighty demon of hate to do my own will, and I have gone a long way toward success. I took myself from God, robbed him of armies of angels, fought for the territory of heaven; caught the human-family, as it fell from the hand of its Creator, gave it my nature to do my will; forced God to become a human being himself, to save a few of them; and had to create a special world, for me, and members of my denominations, and other subjects, and in order to have it occupied, he burns this world to rout us out, and bring all his armies of angels, to have us occupy our special world." So, ended the epilogue of Satan.

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"WHOM THE LORD JESUS SHALL SLAY WITH THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH." 2 Thes. 2:8.

Even in discussion, what a relief it is to get back under the shadow of the of the Almighty. (Ps. 91:1).

Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged (Is. 60:5). Shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom (Dan. 2:44). I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star (Rev. 22:16). Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Rev. 2:10,11.

God knows what is in man (Ps. 139:1-4), but God permits Satan to cast each prisoner of his into prison ten days to be tried, to find out for each one, to show self what it is, to have no confidence in its flesh, to escape out of its prison (Phil. 3:3), but to be brought out by the Lord Jesus Christ (Is. 61:1; Phil. 3:9). The "ten days," is probably, a relative term, to stay in prison, till each one know beyond the shadow of a doubt, that freedom comes only, through the Lord Jesus Christ; and this with the certainty of an accomplished fact, done by Almighty God.

A church of Jesus Christ, is two or more persons, who have obeyed his command to repent (Matt. 4:17), baptized, as he was (Mark 1:9,10), join themselves together, to show forth his death (1 Co. 11:26), join themselves together, to keep the Lord Jesus Christ as their head, and themselves, his spiritual body in their community; and do God’s will throughout the world. Mark 16:15. Such a church, is the only thing on earth, time cannot touch. When time sprang into youth, at word of its creator, "and the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy," it was because of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Such a church, is the only thing that will have passed through all time, and all the spots and wrinkles from the contact removed, and Christ will present it to himself, a glorious church (Eph. 5:27).

Such a church, is the only one not founded by men, and it was founded by the MAN CHRIST JESUS, which no other man can do (1 Cor. 2).

Such a church is a better play ground for hypocrites than any place in the world. Here, he can act naturally and act it, any where else, he cannot. Judas Iscariot, found it easy till after his last act (Matt. 27:3).

Such a church, is the only one on earth, which does not cater to the carnality of man.

Such a church, is the only one which can overcome the synagogues of Satan (Rev. 3:9).

Such a church, is the only one on earth, which has no go betweens, between Jesus Christ, and a lost sinner; such as instruction from man, join a church, infant baptism, baptism by immersion or some other way, have praying people gather around, pray and weep and beg God, till the sinner has a sensation, his sins are pardoned for Christ’s sake.

Such a church, points every body to Jesus Christ, directly, saying: Believe what he has done for you personally, the Holy Spirit, will free you from sin, create you a new spirit, then come and join the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and be baptized, according to his command (Matt. 28:19).

Such a church, is the only one, which keeps Christ’s supper in his Church, where he put it (Lu. 22:14). but other churches have tried to transfer it to parties, the spirit of denominations to day, (1 Cor. 1:12-14) and take it together, which is not possible (1 Cor. 11:20 R.V.).

Outside of such a church, stands Satan, appointed of God, To receive the guilty flesh of a member, when expelled from its fellowship for his crime to destroy his flesh, that the spirit may be saved (1 Cor. 5:5). This seems to be an unwilling work, Satan is compelled to do for God, When His Church obeys the command, when it has a guilty member, to turn it over to Satan. We, infer Satan is unwilling from the fact, when he is in control of a church, no one is turned over to him, for he already has them to stay in the church to sin against God, to have both soul and body destroyed in hell (Lu. 12:5).

When Christ is in control of his church, believers in him are received as members, but when his church takes in other denomination, unfriendly to the spirit of Christ, he commands his church to repent (Rev. 2:14-16). Such a church, when it finds itsself wrong, gets right, and ask no head man’s permission, for it has none but the Lord Jesus Christ.

Such a church, is a self perpetuateing body, with dynamic force, irresistible against death, Satan, and his synagogues (Matt. 16:18).

This church of Jesus Christ, is the only one in this world to day, in which the Apostles could work without a hitch, if they were sent back to work as they did, no one knowing their past history, not even themselves knowing what they had been, yet just like they were, 1900 years ago. Their spirit of truth would recommend them to the churches of Jesus Christ as pastors, for country and urban churches. The other major denominations, with their man made goverments, could not use them as pastors, for lack to measure up to their man made standards to function as pastors. Then, again, their zeal to obey the commands (2 Thes. 3:6) of Jesus Christ, would make them unpopular with the prisoners of Satan, who has gotten into the churches of Jesus Christ (Jo. 6:70), by his knowledge, to try them out. Those educated, and worldly pleasure minded members, would band against them. But the church of Jesus Christ, has more than twelve such pastors. Faith, says, they are eleven to one, as Christ set the proportion. In this estimate, denominations, ruled by men, in place of the Holy Spirit through its godly members, are not included.

When Christ created the world, he made an ephoch in eternity, which spread more joy every where, and angels were amazed at the wonderful display of creative power of Jesus Christ; but when he created a spiritual kingdom, from the debris made by Satan, in his havoc of mankind, by becoming man himself, living his life, dying his death, bringing up his resurrection, to form a spiritual church, controled by himself, that through time should overcome all opposing forces, to the glory of God; was so transcendent, beyond the first creation, they desired to look into it (1 Peter 1:12). Jehovah, through Christ (John 1:3) made all things, in six days (Ex. 20:11), but in creating his spiritual kingdom, represented by the Holy Spirit, through his WORD and his Church in the world, it required more than twelve thousand days of living as a human being himself, to make a foundation of righteousness, on which build for human beings. The material creation was done in a collective sense, and in a short time; but this spiritual creation was in the mind of God, before the world was (Eph. 1:4). It seems (2 Cor. 4:15) that the vast material creation, which is beyond the mind of man to grasp, was a preparatory creation to have a field to carry on his greater creation, of a spiritual kingdom, out of the lost spirits of mankind. The material creation was done by God, the Son, how far back in eternity, no one knows; but [illegible insertion], unlike the first one, it is done by God, the Holy Spirit (Jo. 3:8), and as far as known, the spirits of Abel (Gen. 4:4;Lu. 11:51), was his first act of creating a spirit into Christ’s spiritual kingdom, amind his material Universe. As known, the material universe, or rather universes, how many no one knows, were made in six days, and the work ceased (Gen. 2:2); but in this creation of Christ’s Spiritual Kingdom, is a gradual process, but complete in each act of creation (Heb. 4:3) to the glory of this kingdom (2 Thes. 2:13). God, The Holy Spirit is in this world (Jo. 16:13), to do a separate work of creation on every person, who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Jo. 3:36). God the Holy Spirit is not personally in heaven, like God the Father, and God the Son, But he is personally in this world, comforting, and guideing those whom he has created, and creating the spirit of every person, who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and place it and keep it in the spiritual kingdom of God (1 Peter 1:5). If human beings could realize that when they feel uneasy because of their sins, that it is the Spirit of God with them, to be anxious for him to create their spirits, singly, into Christ’s marvelous spiritual kingdom on earth, whose outward form, is the church, to which, the Holy Spirit places them in it (Acts 2:47). When prisoner of Satan, will take Christ, for his personal Saviour, the Holy Spirit, makes a creation of his spirit, more wonderful and lasting than all the material creation of God, for it shall pass away (2 Pet. 3:10), but he will be in an everlasting Kingdom, to the glory of God (Dan. 12:3).

Copyright © 2006 Brett W. Smith. All rights reserved.