THE LIGHTSTREET JOURNAL

Bible Commentary updated with some regularity....and always new!!!

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SINCE PROPHECY IS SUCH A HOT TOPIC THESE DAYS, DID YOU EVER WONDER WHAT THE TRIBULATION SAINTS WILL STUDY AFTER THE BODY OF CHRIST IS RAPTURED?

Doctrine for The Tribulation Saints after the rapture of the Body of Christ: Here Israel is now back at the forefront under the law against the imminent judgment and earthly return of The Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Assuring whether those things are so... Analyzing a "2 Minutes With The Bible" study on a comment made about how believers today are to align ourselves with the book of James under this current dispensing of grace....

  VS.   

 

The following study entitled "Dead Faith" is in from the "2 Minutes With The Bible" series which is published by Berean Bible Society. These mini-studies have been enjoyed by grace believing saints for nearly 50 years originated from Cornelius R. Stam. Brother Stam's, writings have been shown in this ministry as his commentaries provide excellent instruction for those who have embraced Paul's distinctive writings as he received them from the Lord Jesus Christ concerning this marvelous dispensation of grace!

Please read the "2 Minute" snippet below as we search the scriptures "whether those things be so...."  Knowing that no pastor, teacher or ministry including LMM has attained, we strongly disagree with the last two paragraphs of Stam's commentary. We will pick up my analysis again (below) after Stam's lesson:

"DEAD FAITH"
by Cornelius R. Stam

"Nothing in the Bible is stated more clearly or with greater emphasis than the blessed Pauline revelation of justification by grace, through faith, without works.

Romans 4:5: “To him that worketh not, but believeth...his faith is counted for righteousness”. Ephesians 2:8,9: “For by grace are ye saved, through faith...it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast”. Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us”.

Yet James states, just as clearly that “faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone” (Jas.2:17). He challenges professing believers: “Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith BY my works” (Ver.18), and declares that “by works a man is justified and not by faith only” (Ver.24), since “faith without works is dead”.

Some have imagined a contradiction here, while actually there is none. There is a dispensational distinction, for to Paul had been committed “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph.3:1,2). His was “the preaching of the cross” (ICor.1:18), offering salvation by grace, through faith alone, to all who would trust Christ as Saviour.

James, on the other hand, was an apostle of the kingdom, proclaiming the kingdom rights of Christ and offering a changed way of life on earth which had already been experienced by the disciples in Judaea (Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-35)."

If Pastor Stam would have stopped here I would have forwarded this review to my friend who I have been discussing the distinctiveness of Paul's ministry with. But as my friend and grace teacher Curt would say; "Here is where the watermelon got dropped before being placed on the back of the tailgate". Continuing with Stam:

"Hence with James the emphasis is on works, not because good works can save or even help to save, but because true faith inevitably bears fruit and we can judge true faith only by the fruit it bears. Our Lord said: “By their fruits ye shall know them”. Hence James' epistle abounds with such phraseology as, “ye see”, “show me”, “I will show you”, etc.

What we must be careful to remember is that according to both Paul and James, faith comes first, then good works. Faith is the root, good works the fruit. The absence of fruit indicates that the root is dead, that while there may be an intellectual assent, there is no true heart faith, and “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb.11:6).

The source of justification is grace; the basis, Calvary; the means, faith; and the evidence, works. Think this through; accept God's grace and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. He will cause you to produce good fruit."

We know that James was written to the 12 tribes scattered abroad. We also know that this book was applicable to those under the dispensing of the law and it will be very relevant doctrine to those saints facing the tribulation in a future time. In addition, the books: Hebrews, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude and lastly The Revelation of Jesus Christ will help navigate Tribulation Saints through "Jacob's Trouble" until Messiah's return!

Under the dispensing of law, an outward expression of faith is required to testify of your faith in Jesus Christ. Not that your outward expression of faith saves, but it testifies of your faith in that quoting James later in chapter 2 verses 17 and 18 he says:

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Stam's comment including Paul:  ("Faith is the root, good works the fruit. The absence of fruit indicates that the root is dead, that while there may be an intellectual assent, there is no true heart faith, and “without faith it is impossible to please God”) drops the fruit before being placed onto the tailgate! He could accurately say this about James and his writings but not Paul and his doctrine!

Under grace, the absence of fruit unto dead works does not exist friends! As soon as you get into the business of fruit inspection to testify of someone's salvation you now put both books of Corinthians in question since it was obvious by their actions "fruit" according to Pastor Stam was not being displayed.

Friends, the bible tells us in Galatians chapter 5 that the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law!

But Paul does not stop there: And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

They (us) that are Christ's have (in past tense) crucified the flesh and if we live in the Spirit (and we do) let us walk by His leading....that is the challenge! We should live and align our lives in the righteousness that Christ has imputed to us, nothing more, nothing less.

I know I will continue to enjoy Pastor Stam's writing's but I needed to share with our reader's this analysis. None of us has attained friends...even the best of bible teachers including Paul himself as stated on Philippians 3!

Which Jesus do you follow ?

Your answer is based on the books you spend the most time with during your bible study....

16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.                 - 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

In the scripture above, the apostle Paul relayed something to us as members of Christ's Body! He wanted us to know that we no longer "know Christ after the flesh"; that is, after his earthly ministry. The reason for this was because Jesus Christ preached a different message to different people and has since revealed a new message and a new program. Jesus Christ's previous message or dispensed instructions were under the law for He said so Himself. The word "law" was found 269 times in 212 verses (both used as stand alone and contained in words) in the New Testament. Specific verses indicating that God was dealing with mankind under the dispensation of the law include:

• Concerning the birth of Jesus under the requirements of the law: Luke 2: 21-24 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons

• As pertaining to Simeon, that he should not see death until he saw the Lord's Messiah: Luke 2: 25-27  25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

• As pertaining to Joseph, Mary and Jesus; Luke 2: 38-39  38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

Friends, search the scriptures yourself and prove the fact that Jesus Christ's earthy ministry was operating under the law and His actions and instructions were to Israel  while being distinctively different from what He would reveal to Paul from heaven in His glorified state!

With the above being established, we can certainly understand why Jesus now told Paul to tell us that we shouldn't follow Him after the flesh since much more has been accomplished by Christ since His earthly ministry....namely His death, burial and glorious resurrection on our behalf!

So, which Jesus do you follow then? Do you follow the Jesus of the Four Gospels and take your doctrine from His teachings there? Does it make a difference? What did the risen Christ reveal to Paul later on this subject? Let's search the scriptures!

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. - Galatians 1:6-12

Notice that when Paul spoke of "another gospel", he did not say it was a false gospel! The Greek "heteros" is simply saying that it is indeed another gospel, but of a different type. The apostle reiterated, "which is not another" (Gk - allos). The point being is that the devil is most successful using God's word against man by taking it out of context or as in this case by trying to preach a 'good news' message not meant for the Body of Christ. Paul continued to say that if I come back to you and preach any other gospel then the one that I preached to you originally, let me be considered as once accursed!

Continued in the next column see " Which Jesus?"

BIBLE - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.......

Today's World News

Coastal Asia -

Acts 27

1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. 2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. 4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. 7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; 8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. 9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. 13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. 27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; 28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. 30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Acts 28

1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. 7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. 8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: 10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. 11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. 16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. 17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. 20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. 23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. 25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, 26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: 27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. 30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Which Jesus Do You Follow ( con't)

The apostle of the Gentiles continued as noted in verse 11 when he said "I certify" you brethren (or I make known unto you my brothers) that the good news that was preached to me by Jesus Christ was not after man, received from man or was it taught to me by a man! What I received, I received from Jesus Christ Himself! Paul notes that he did not receive it from man which meant that he did not receive this good news from Peter or any of the twelve apostles. Why? Because Peter's good news (or gospel) was NOT what God wanted to be dispensed to Paul. If Christ wanted Peter's gospel message to be communicated to Paul, then Paul would have received it by man.

These truths tie in with the basis of our article and question; Which Jesus do you follow? Your answer dictates whether you follow the Jesus who:

• yokes you under the requirements of the law meant for Israel.

• adheres you to His earthly ministry (as your doctrine; such as The Beatitudes)

• would approve of you wearing a WWJD bracelet since His expectations would be that you follow Him step for step!

OR

• encourages you to follow Paul according to the revelation of the mystery (under the dispensing of grace) that He told him about.

• is no longer known after the flesh but known as The Risen Lord Christ who wants hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

• approves of you as you study the word rightly divided according to the riches of His grace

Your answer does make a difference...

COFFEE CORNER

Mail Call!   While at work, Joe Smith received an e-mail about some disturbing news that stated "Due to the expiration of important certifications, your access to area XYZ has been revoked". Joe knew that this could be a major problem in that he would not be able to get his work completed without access to area XYZ! However, after further review of the e-mail, the man quickly discovered that he was not the intended recipient but instead "copied"  or "cc'd" as a reference only! As it turns out, a collogue of his was the man who lost his access! Joe, as the superintendent of area XYZ, simply needed to be aware of this. For a brief moment, Joe confused his TO mail with his CC mail. Not understanding that distinction for those brief seconds after reading the message caused severe anxiety for Joe until he realized the message was indeed TO someone else!  In a much similar example, when we read the bible, identifying our TO  mail is very important lest we make the same fundamental mistake as the person above. Without understanding the distinction between our "to" mail and our "cc" or our "reference only" mail, believers inadvertently "read themselves" into areas of the bible that God did not intend. The result when this happens: confusion! (see The Introduction of Dispensationalism)