METAMORPHOSIS FROM THE IGNORANCE OF SINFUL LIVING
TO THE INTELLIGENCE OF VIRTUOUS LIVING
THROUGH “THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST”

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” I Tim.3:16.

     There is a great mystery in the world today. It is a mystery known only in the counsels of GOD. When Satan began his “war in heaven” with a third of heaven’s angels at his side (Rev.12:7,4), little did he realize the depths of the Omniscient Grace of GOD to which the Holy Spirit, (hidden behind the veil of all that was taking place) would aid in the work of salvation for all whom the devil would enslave in sin by his rebellion. It is this mystery of GOD’S “salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” I Pet.1:10-12.

     As people are introduced to the Gospel of Jesus Christ its core message is the promise of deliverance from the threat of sin and death that all creatures on the face of the Earth have endured throughout history. Man’s mortality and desire to live are key to the success of our witnessing the truth of Christ’s salvation. Because of this, death needs to be clearly defined that man can see just what it is that Christ has delivered us from.

     With all of the pagan philosophy seen in the world and the church, the truth, “as the truth is in Jesus” has been smothered by the rubbish that men have invented in their vain imaginations. But the counsel is there to understand, as David so clearly said, “For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?” “The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.” Ps.6:5; 115:17. So, none of the dead are praising the LORD today. They “sleep” awaiting one of two resurrections: the first for the righteous (I Cor.15:51-58); the second for the unrighteous (Rev.20:4,5,12-15).

     Solomon, the world’s wisest man (I Ki.3:12) likewise said: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Eccl.9:10. How religious men have misused the New Testament Scriptures employing pagan mysticism to overrule the clear words of GOD and the prophets is a denial of the words of Paul, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (II Tim.3;16). Therefore, their betrayal of trust will be judged accordingly (Jn.12:48). Men in the church are so pompous and prideful in the worship of THEIR RELIGION (Rev.13:4, 3:17) that they treat the warning of GOD far too lightly: “all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Rev.21:8. Most people do not know how they being used and betrayed as pawns in Satan's goal to destroy everyone who stands in his way. Through deceiving the church leaders he deceives the multitudes. This is how it was in the days of Christ. And it is no different today despite the churches boastful claims while they evangelize sin and falsehood as part of the Gospel.

     In summation, all the testimonies of departed spirits, séances, and after-death experiences, its all part and parcel of Satan’s deceiving people to think life goes on when in fact it comes to an end, just as the LORD told Satan in prophetic utterance how he too will meet his end: “I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. ...I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.” Eze.28:16-19. And all who Satan has deceived to remain in sin will face the same: “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.” Mal.4:1-3.

     These words, having been glossed over by the church, shows the true condition of the church. In this reality of man’s sinful corruption of all that is “holy, and just, and good” it becomes instantly obvious that our death or our deliverance is dependent on the One who stands at the center of the controversy, not just over our sin, but of all sin, through all time. Within this fearful reality, pending a grave injustice against truth by secular and religious leaders alike, GOD the Father tenderly works to the blessing of all to fulfill His promise: “but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isa.66:2. Therefore, “the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.” Deut.23:5.

Nature's Evidence Supporting The Gospel of Salvation

     The Christ object lessons seen in nature are as diverse as the variety of plant and animal species. And as the Bible provides a verse that matches perfectly all of our experiences in life, so nature provides lessons for us to understand the controversy between good and evil, the struggles of life, and life’s tenacity to adapt and overcome in the midst of sacrifice.

     It is as David wrote: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” Ps.19:1-3. Within all of these lessons found in Scripture and nature, man has access to sufficient wisdom to diffuse all difficulties and to see GOD'S many promises to His children of the eternal glory that is to come to them "that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Rev.14:12.

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” Eph.4:12-15.

     Among the many lessons of nature there are two that shine bright rays onto our path. First, as we cultivate plants and animals to strengthen the most beautiful qualities that we desire, so GOD desires our permission to allow Him to cultivate the qualities of temperament and character that reflects the virtuous life of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is present, calling on the hearts of all men: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” Rev.3:20. With our prayerful yielding He takes our life’s character and enriches the soil of our heart with every nutrient from His Presence (Jn.14:18), adding water and sunlight to nourish it and grow in His Grace (Phil.1:6), and then prunes it and removes the thorns that prick whatever touches it (Rev.3:19). He allows foul weather to test its tenacity to withstand the elements, while never letting the storm break its stalk (I Cor.10:13). In this grand work of our sanctification the LORD grafts the beautiful qualities He desires to behold (Jn.15:4). Without the loving gardner’s care the rose whose stem is grated to a wild and untame root will in time of neglect revert back to its wild state (Eph.4:22), losing its adorable design. And we, having an inherent sinful nature are called to constantly turn to “the Sun of righteousness” until we come “unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Eph.4:13.

     The second grand lesson seen in nature addresses Man’s transformation from his sinful condition with its condemnation to one of virtuous living with its glorification. This may be likened to the metamorphosis of the caterpillar to the butterfly. In our sinful state we are bound to the Earth with its many threats and afflictions. But when faith in “the Gospel of Jesus Christ” takes root in the heart, that individual becomes “a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Cor.5:17. And with Christ dwelling in the heart He takes away the desire to sin, “to fulfill the lusts thereof.” After life's journey comes to a close, “if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Rom.8:11. Those who “die in the Lord” are as the chrysalis of the catapillar. They “sleep” in the cocoon awaiting the call of Christ, “in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life.” Jn.5:28,29. Finally free from the curse of sin’s dominion all of the redeemed will cry out: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” I Cor.15:55.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom.8:1. And the Spirit will never lead away from "the word of God" (Matt.7:24).