The Night Before the Final Exam

[bwme...@toast.net]

"Knowing that it is high time to awake out of slumber: For now is your
salvation nearer than when you first believed.

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off
the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light."
--- Romans 13:11 - 12.

Surely the point of this is not that a Prophesied Event is nearer now
than it was before. Something a normal fifth grader can figure out,
although most adults cannot.

What is this saying? What is:

1. "Your Salvation?"
2. "The Night?"
3. "The Works of Darkness?"
4. "The Armor of Light?"

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#1 is NOT the Gospel, obviously, since #1 is clearly a Future Event,
whereas we already have the salvation to which the Gospel refers, when
we Believe.

For example, "--- He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent
me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is
(has) passed from death to life. " --- John 5:24.

As He says, this person HAS EVERLASTING LIFE (right now! --- but see
[Endnote 1]); and he HAS PASSED from death to Life even some time
before "right now!"

"The salvation here referred to is, I submit:

"Beloved, now are we the Children* of God, and it does not yet appear
what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be
like him; for we shall see him as he is" --- 1 John 3:2, *KJV's "sons
of God" is a serious mistranslation --- see [Endnote 4]

"Looking for that Blessed Hope, the Appearing of the Glory of our
Great God and Saviour Jesus Christ." --- Titus 2:13,

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever
be with the Lord."
--- 1 Thess. 4:17. Etc.

#1 is the Rapture, "that Blessed Hope," and it marks the emergence out
of "The Night," which our Lord spoke of in John 9:1-4.

#2 --- The Night: John 9:4-5 --->

" I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the
night comes, when no man can work.

"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

The Lord was explaining the reason for this great man's (the man born
blind) situation. It was for God to be glorified through the MIRACLE
(sign) He was about to perform. This was a key event specially planned
from Eternity, and that blind man had been selected and privileged to
be the center of it, from before the ages began (and he was an
excellent choice! --- [Endnote 2]).

But the Lord also here explains something of the Night we are in
today, to which Paul refers in Romans 13:11, which He says had not
come yet at that time, but was about to. He says that works
(particularly the miracle He was about to perform) could only be done
before The Night had set in.

He says that once the Night had set in not even He could any longer
work Miracles such as this one (Evidential Sign miracles, around which
the Gospel of John is built)!!

He implies that it was Day while He, the Light of the World, was in
the world. At such time, He says, SIGNS (Evidential Miracles, such as
the Gospel of John is built around) are then possible, and occur. When
He is "absent," it is Night, and signs cease (but see the next 2
paragraphs, before you object).

He was shortly going to leave the world after He spoke these words;
and the onset of Night would then come.

Now, I'm happy to be able to tell you that there is a TRANSITION
period between Day and Night, and between Night and Day. It doesn't
instantly turn dark when 6:00 pm comes around. (You already knew
that, didn't you!)

Similarly, when the Lord "departed" from this world (Acts 1:9-11 ---
but see [Endnote 3]), that "Night" was on its way, but it was not
instant --- there was a transition period, which is recorded through
the history of Acts, alluded to in Paul's Epistles. This was an
important transition, with Signs continuing for a short period (Mark
16, 1 Corinthians 13, James 5:16, etc). Towards the end of this
transition, Paul stated that these signs would shortly cease (which is
commonly explained by the now completed Scriptures, which means that
no further Signs are necessary, nor will be given, during the Night
period now in full force. I believe there are some miracles, yes: but
no Evidential Signs --- eg, supernatural knowledge, prophecies,
tongues, etc. This is another big subject, not for here, at the
moment).

But the main thing I want to get at, here, is that THE NIGHT (#2) is
THE MYSTERY, of which the Apostle Paul is Steward (Ephesians 2:11 -
3:10, Colossians 1:24-27, Romans 9 - 11, etc), as Moses was the
Steward of the Law.

It is characterized by all the things above stated;

It is timed beginning shortly following the bodily departure of the
Lord from this world,

And it will end (the Day will follow it) with the Appearing of the
Glory of the Lord, which is the Rapture. Our Alarm Clock has already
rung (Romans 13:11-12) when it occurs; in fact, its occurrence IS the
Rapture!

And it is then that our Great Final Exam will take place:

"To the He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God,
even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his
saints." --- 1 Thess. 3:13

1 Thessalonians 2:19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of
rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ
at his coming?"

1 Thessalonians 5:23 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved
blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good
work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" --- Php
1:6

(Each of the 3 major Judgments coming is associated with its
corresponding major Resurrection --- ours being the Rapture --- 1
Peter 4:17, 1 Thess 3:13, Php 1:6, etc)

#3 --- The Works of Darkness:

The term here is obviously associated with #2, The Night.

I would point out that there are THREE (3) great "Nights" of
Scripture: (1) The Days of Noah, (2) The present Mystery era, and
(3) the days preceding the Coming of the Son of Man. All of these are
characterized as times of Christ's absence from the World.

Luke 17:26 "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in
the days of the Son of Man: (the first and third of the above 3
Nights, not the second, since by definition the Mystery is not
revealed in the Synoptic Gospels)

1 Peter 3:20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine
longsuffering waited (characteristic of absence of Christ in the
World) in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which
a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

And if you don't know that these are characteristic of the present
Mystery, also, you've been out of town. Gal. 1:4. Get boned up.

What then, exactly, were the "works of darkness" occurring during all
these "Nights?"

Matthew 24:38 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating
and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah
entered the ark,

"So what's wrong with that? We GOTTA eat and drink and have marriages
(at least it used to be necessary) in order for mankind to continue.
Didn't God Himself ordain these things?"

Your lack of basic understanding of Biblical language, including
Figures of Speech. Again, figures of speech are picturesque language
for the purpose of calling attention to something they are used to
represent, and emphasizing the importance thereof. The emphasis being
made here was that such things, living merely on the basic animal
level, was ALL that they were doing.

They were living with NO THOUGHT OF GOD. And as the usual awful
result (for all three of the Nights), they were totally oblivious to,
and unprepared, for what was about to happen --- and THEY PERISHED.
Exacly what men are doing today, during the Mystery Era (and the Alarm
Clock is just about to ring), and exactly what men will be doing in
the lull following the Great Tribulation, just before the Son of Man
comes in like manner to the way He left, at the Mount of Olives, when
the worst holocaust yet will overtake them.

2 Thess. 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,
that they should believe The Lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.

God has ordained that EVERY PERSON ("all," above) who "believes not
the Truth" SHALL BE DAMNED.

Does that mean anything, to you? "Preach the Word!" --- 2 Tim. 4:1-4.

"If it ain't hell-fire preachin,' it ain't Gospel preachin'!" Cp.
Romans 1:18. Rather it's criminal "preachin.'" And stupidity, AAMOF.
"That which is highly esteemed amongst men is abomination to God."
"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!"

That's what was going on in the days of Noah. It was among the "Works
of Darkness," we are enquiring about, here.

People are asleep! (In Darkness). And the Day is Coming, when it
will be too late for them. And the job of every Believer is to put
off those works of darkness.

You understand?? Yea, sure! I know you've been born and raised in
"churches" where you've learned it ain't so, all your life.

PUT OFF THE DARKNESS!

The very refusal to speak for Truth is the act of speaking against it!
#4 The Armor of Light

The Armor of Light is the exact opposite, and counterpart, of the
Works of Darkness.

"If they speak not according to this Word, it is BECAUSE THERE IS NO
LIGHT IN THEM!" --- Isaiah 8:20.

The Armor of Light is the knowledge and the teaching of the
Scriptures.

Bob
Christ Died to Save You

[Endnote 1]
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This does not justify the sermon material we so often hear, that "we
are living that Eternal Life right now," implying that "there is not
that much difference to look forward to in eternity" (to the foolish
hearts of the listeners --- I cannot remember ever hearing a "pastor"*
who sermonized this mentioning any of the Scripture below to set the
perspective he had just distorted back into the proper perspective).

That implication is utter satanic crap, since it directly contradicts
a large portion of important Scripture, some of which I list below.
And since it is more effectual than any other thing in destroying our
present Christian lives in this world.

It would never happen in the kind of church God instructs us to have;
where a dozen Spirit indwelt Christians would immediately challenge
the implication, if they were allowed to speak, which is one reason
why they are not --- that is, if "churches" were really places of
"fellowship," or "worship," in this "Present Evil Age"
--- Galatians 1:4.

God tells us repeatedly, in dozens of Scriptures, NEVER TO THINK such
things as above:

Colossians 3:2-4 --- Set your affection on things above, not on things
on the earth...

Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall
you also appear with him in glory. Which is as far as "the East is
from the West" to what we have NOW.

Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,
whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which
we do NOT have now.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) Which WE WILL
NOT DO, THEN!

1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that
fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, Which we do not have, now.

1 Cor. 2:9 But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has
prepared for them that love him. Which we do NOT have now.

Titus 2:12-13 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present
world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the our
great God and Savior Jesus Christ; Which anyone imagining "we are
living our Eternal Life now" has no concept of doing

Romans 8:17-19 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and
joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may
be also glorified together. Suffering is for NOW; NOT THEN!
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy
to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
For the earnest expectation of the entire Creation waits for the
manifestation of the sons of God.

We are warned today NOT TO EVEN COMPARE THE THINGS OF "THIS LIFE" with
that which God has for us (Rom 8:18), even beginning with our death,
which the above sermon directly and satanically violates. Or can you
not read the above?

This is SO important! The effect of our having the right vision is so
enormous on the life we live now that it is no wonder satan squelches
it in so many above such pulpit sermons and commentaries. This is the
THEME OF HEBREWS 11.

And not only in the pulpits. Look and see what the commentaries
(almost ALL of them!) do to 1 Cor. 2:9, for just one example. As
Shakespeare put it, "This madness hath method to it!"
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[Endnote 2]
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This is one of many stories that answers so many "christian" critics
of God: ie, "Why does a good God allow suffering?" We hear it all the
time. "Especially of GOOD people?" But it's a valid question,
imagining that it might actually be an honest one, which it probably
is not. May I give you a study on this?
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[Endnote 3]
**********************************************
But in Luke 24:44, ". . . while I was yet with you . . ." indicates
that His official departure from this world actually occurred at His
Death, rather than His ascension from the Mount. Evidently not one
resident of Jerusalem (called "the world" by Him) ever saw Him after
His Resurrection: only Galileans did. And that is another fascinating
subject. ("Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye here . . .") And MUCH other
Scripture.
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[Endnote 4]
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According to the KJV, Matthew 5:44-45 says you can be saved by loving
your enemies, and Matthew 5:9 says by being a peacemaker. On the
other hand, also according to the KJV, John 1:12 says you become a son
of God by receiving the Lord Jesus.

ANY Christian will know that these are false statements, regarding the
Matthew passages at least; and in fact the above conclusion of John
1:12 is also a false statement.

These arise because of mistranslation, caused by the failure to
recognize the Scriptural figures of speech, "son" and "child." To
most translators they are essentially synonymous.

The errors in the Matthew passages are caused by rendering the word
for "sons," huioi as "children." And the error in John 1:12 is caused
by rendering the word for "children" teknon, as "sons." The exact
opposite error, and almost as serious.

James and John, we are told, were the "sons of thunder." Most adults
can figure out that this doesn't mean that they came into existence
when a bolt of lightning struck their mother. It surely must be clear
what the Lord meant by that statement: If you wanted to know what
thunder was like, all you had to do was hang out with that pair for
awhile!

Ever hear of Barnabas? The companion of Paul, until they were split?
Did you know that that wasn't his real name? His real name was Joses,
which has no etymological or any other connection with Barnabas. "Bar"
means "son." Barnabas is literally "son of a daddy." It's the
nickname the man acquired by his extreme reputation as a gifted
counselor who always helped people psychologically, via the Word.

And in the Matthew passages, if you wanted to know what God was like,
at least a step in finding out was to associate with people who were
peacemakers, lovers of their enemies, etc.

Figuratively, a "son" in Scripture is the representation of someone or
something. When the Lord Jesus is called, many times THE SON OF GOD,
that doesn't mean that He had a beginning (He actually acquired the
right to that titile only at Romans 1:4, but God regarded it as an
already accomplished fact throughout His ministry). But the title, THE
SON OF GOD can refer to no one but God, Himself, to anyone who
understands the figure. The ancient Jews did, and they sought to
stone Him for His use of that title. Modern idiots do not.

On the other hand, figuratively a "child" is the recipient, or
benefactor of something. A "child" of God, in John 1:12, which is the
correct word, means someone who is saved. He has received God's
salvation; he DID NOT EARN IT.

In Ephesians 2:1-3, we have both terms, and the figures of both must
be understood if you are going to get what's there in that passage.
We have "the sons of disobedience" meantioned there. And we are told
that they are one and the same with "the children of Wrath." This
will have theological implications that I don't want to get into here,
but it's a subject for study there.

Judas Iscariot is given a TITLE by the Lord, "The Son of Perdition."
Only one person can have a singular title*. The Apostle Paul
identifies the coming "Man of Sin" (whom Christians call the beast,
etc) as "The Son of Perdition." Those two passages alone identify
Judas Iscariot as the coming beast, or "antichrist," as some call him,
assuming John is speaking of the beast in the 1 John passages. Two or
three other "strange" passages, both about the beast, and about Judas
appear to verify this.

Eg, we may be called "sons of God (as many as are LED BY THE SPIRIT,
they are the "sons of God") but that is not a title. There is only
ONE "The Son of God," which IS a title, and only One Person can have
that title. And again, the Person Who holds that title could not
possibly be anyone other than God Himself.

Again, 1 John 2:28 - 3:3 calls us the "children" of God, not the "sons
of God," KJV notwithstanding. This is important, again. Not all
Christians, as above are sons of God. And a Christian, though he
ought to live as a son of God, does not need to do so to be a
recipient of the future Glory the passage speaks of. Every Christian
will particpate in that Glory.

STUDY THE BIBLE!

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