IMPORTANT NOTICE

This last verse shows a voluntary and willing submission and confession to Jesus Christ to the glory of God. This is true because the apostle Paul showed that such confession is inspired by the actions of the Holy Spirit on such individuals (1 Corinthians 12:3). If one checks every occasion in the Old or New Testaments where the word “to confess” or its cognates are used, it will be seen that it is always placed in a context of persons using their “free will” and with heartfelt contrition. This scripture thus shows that all things in heaven, on earth and under the earth (the angels who are kept in chains in the bowels of the earth) will one day willingly proclaim the Lordship of Christ to the glory of God the Father.

And though every person will eventually find salvation in the dispensation of the fullness of times, those who persist in evil acts can miss out on the glorious period known as the Kingdom of Christ and God. Those who,

“sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins.”

• Hebrews 10:26

This applies to those who count “the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29). This type of sin is called “the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” that Christ talked about (Matthew 12:31) and referred to by the other apostles (James 5:20; 2 Peter 2:20–21; 1 John 5:16). Yet this sin is not unpardonable in the ultimate sense. It is only “unpardonable” during this present age (up to the Second Advent of Christ) and in the next age to come (when the Kingdom of Christ appears on earth and lasts for the Millennium). That is what Christ taught. Note carefully.

“All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world [Greek: age], neither in the world [age] to come [the Millennium]!”

• Matthew 12:31–32

This sin is different from ordinary sins because in this case the person who knows better actively and deliberately turns against what he recognizes to be the truth. Such people are doing “despite unto the Spirit of grace.” Unlike we who can have our sins forgiven in this age and when Christ returns to have all our sins forgiven at the judgment when the Kingdom of Christ appears on earth (at the start of the Millennium), these abject sinners who do despite unto the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this age, nor during the Millennium. They will not be living during the Millennium to gain forgiveness of sins.

Christ did not mean, however, that these vile sinners would never be forgiven sins in all circumstances. They simply will miss out on the blessings of forgiveness in this present age and miss out on seeing the rule of Christ on this earth during the Millennium and the judgment of the Great White Throne. When they are finally resurrected at the beginning of the dispensation of the fullness of times (Ephesians 1:10), they will look back and see what they missed out on as a reward. They (and the spiritual powers in the heavens that have sinned and caused mankind to sin abundantly) will then submit to Christ and confess His Lordship to the glory of God. Recall again the teaching of the apostle Paul on the ultimate harmony to emerge between God and man, and between God and all spiritual powers in the heavens, on earth and under the earth.

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God.”

• Philippians 2:10–11

The proper way, therefore, is to remain faithful to Christ. If people blatantly persist in the practice of evil and abandon all conscience toward evil, such people will suffer great losses. Not only can such people be handed over to Satan the Devil for punishment now, but also they will miss out on experiencing “the world to come.” This is why the apostle Paul was so severe in his writings toward outrageous sinners who persisted in their sins and break off any attempt to repent of them. He said, “Deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5). And, “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15).

Eventually they will, much later in the dispensation of the fullness of times (Ephesians 1:10), finally be reconciled to God and be saved. There is not the slightest doubt that all mankind will be saved at that time. God assures this.

Salvation Is Assured; the Kingdom of God Is Not

At this point it is essential to remind ourselves of one major doctrinal fact. The important phrase “Kingdom of God and Christ” is not to be equated solely with the teaching of “salvation.” The “Kingdom of God” is part of a salvation, in the sense of a reward  to those brought up from the dead at the first resurrection, but it does not represent the totality of salvation itself. The fullness of salvation is to experience being born into the very family of God and this will happen to all in the dispensation of the fullness of times. To be in the first resurrection means that we will witness and experience the Kingdom of God as well. It is an extra reward that all of us in Christ will receive if we remain faithful and thankful to God for what Jesus Christ has done for us. This is what Paul was endeavoring to experience by being in the “out-resurrection” — the first resurrection that occurs at Christ’s second advent — and this is what he wanted for all the Christians to whom he wrote. In effect, those of us who remain faithful in this age will inherit salvation and the Kingdom of God (the reward) at Christ’s advent. And while all will eventually gain salvation, all will not experience the reward — the Kingdom of God and Christ. It is just that simple!

Again, Dr. Martin provides us with another article (in blue):

How often do we seek God's will — and His word (as revealed in the Bible?) How often do we search the scripture for the truth about new ideas and concepts. When we are taught something new, what is our attitude about it? Is it one of immediate denial? Or is it one of, "I'm not sure about that, but I am going to properly research it to see if it is of God?"

With a good proper attitude, let us now examine some possible evils and sins that just might preclude us from the kingdom of God.

The Ignorance of Evil and Sin in Our Twenty-First Century

While most Christians of today lead rather peaceful lives and know the difference between right and wrong in most matters, there are still some evils and sins they may be practicing that they may not even be aware of. 

Four of these may be:

1. 1. The evil of murder. While most Christians behave themselves on a personal level and certainly don't consider themselves criminals, they ironically condone a certain form of murder. They have no problem in mentally, physically or spiritually supporting the concept of warfare. They surreptitiously support (at least in in their hearts and minds) the U.S. government's (and other similar governments) ongoing wars of attrition (U.S. Trump years excluded,) buying into the bogus excuses of protection from "terrorism." Many other Christians still buy into the facade of "fighting for freedom" (such as in the last two world wars, Korea and Vietnam). They refuse to read any books or articles on the subject or to educate themselves and others on the evils of warfare and how these wars are really contrived, managed and financed by the bloodline ruling elite that God allows to rule the world under Satan. They buy right into the propaganda promoted by our rulers and fall for the government's historic false flag operations. Worse, they defer to the Old Testament or out-of-context New Testament scriptures as their biblical validation. The concept that warfare is a Satanic ploy to eliminate the male species is never entertained. If we cannot discern this evil and sin now, will we have to learn it in the second resurrection?

2. 2. Matthew 25:31–40. On August 24, 2006, on a Christian forum, I asked a question, "Do we believe in Matt. 25?" The question generated 444 views and 13 replies. Many years later, the topic was reintroduced on another forum, with additional responses. Out of all of the responses from both postings, only one person would admit to fulfilling this scripture. All the other responses were a complete copout on why they didn't need to fulfill Christ's command. One person amazingly suggested we shouldn't even talk about it, as that would be boasting. I had to shake my head in utter disbelief that such an attitude could prevail among alleged Christians.

   Again, I ask the question, if we cannot learn the lessons of Christian charity and love (the very antithesis of evil and sin) for our fellow man in this lifetime, will we have to learn it in the second resurrection? To quote Dr. Martin: 

   1. In summing up this chapter on giving monies to Christ for the spreading of the Gospel to the world (that all of us should be active in doing), I wish to give a final method by which anyone can be assured that what money or contribution is given goes directly to Christ. This is a sure way that no one who loves the New Testament teaching can argue with. The teaching comes from Christ himself. Christ told people this certain way to give things directly to Him,

   2. "When the son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats... then shall the King say unto them on the right hand, Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked and ye clothed me: I was in prison and ye came unto me."

   3. • Matthew 25:31–40

   4. Christ went on to say that the righteous might be puzzled over this, because none of them ever gave Christ these things personally. But Christ went on to say: If you have "done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, YE HAVE DONE IT UNTO ME" (Matthew 25:40).

   5. There we have it! This is the assured manner to give something to Christ. If you help out the unfortunate brother in Christ, you have given something directly to Christ, "Ye have done it unto me."

   What Jesus is speaking of is what we today call "Christian charity." The problem is that most Christians don't practice it. Most are deluded into thinking that all of mankind's needs are already met through government sponsored programs of one sort or another. Little do they know or care that these programs do not address all of mankind's needs. Those that are "retired" and have the most time to contribute and help (and often have the most financial resources to contribute) seem to be the least concerned. Living the promised "good life" seems to be their preoccupation.

3. 3. Health — and the lack thereof. It is truly amazing that most Christians have absolutely no concept of good health. They buy right into the evil/satanic/allopathic/medicine/drug culture (pharmakeia) that prevails in our society today — and which was also in existence at the time of Christ. While healing the sick was one of the miracles performed by Christ, most Christians continue to blindly destroy their very own bodies — and those of their precious children. Drugs and vaccinations are almost never questioned, despite the large amount of evidence as to their ineffectiveness and dangers. New mandatory government requirements in Australia and in three states in the U.S. now require that all children be vaccinated. This is a subtle form of genocide that has gone unrecognized by both the Christian community and the world as a whole.

   A wealth of information is now available online on good, natural health. But most Christians choose to ignore it and continue to rely on their allopathic doctor. This in itself is a violation of the first commandment, by putting another god before the true God. Dr. Martin states:

   • Because God’s Holy Spirit is resident within us, our bodies are considered the temple of God.

     “What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?”

     • 1 Corinthians 6:19

   Is this the way we show respect for God's temple? Is this the way we set an example for the world? By putting poisons in our body — and our children's bodies? By eating the improper acidic foods that cause us to get sick — and refusing to eat the biblical foods found in the Garden of Eden? By refusing to take the wonderful supplements God has graced us with to help keep us full of energy and free from sickness?  Again, if we cannot discern evil and sin in this lifetime, will we have to learn of it in the second resurrection?

   Starting in the year 2020, mankind suddenly was thrust into a "plannedemic" of epic proportions. The entire world was overnight set up for an eventual genocide. Amazingly, most people (including Christians) cannot see it for what it really is. The result is that people in general, families, friends and co-workers have been torn apart in their response to the issue. Documentation on the medical, political, and religious aspects are well documented on this site. Still, most are blinded to the obvious truth. And yet we are to be called to be teachers to the world?

   4. Imprisonment — and the lack of concern for our fellow human beings. Most Christians would be shocked to learn that our entire American judicial/law enforcement/prison system has morphed into what I call The American Gulag System, a duplicate of the old Soviet Stalinist gulag system. Fair justice is rarely delivered. Starting with the wrongfully convicted, we have 20% of the prison population serving time for crimes they did not commit. Then we have unjust punishments for many people who serve harsh sentences way out of proportion to the crimes committed. Half of all prisoners are in for drug related offenses. And half of them are non-violent. Locking these people up has done little to curtail the drug problem. Ironically, the "legitimate" drug industry continues to operate unscathed, producing toxic drugs that maim and kill people on a daily basis, all prescribed by our friendly doctors.

   Then we have prison conditions, which for many is simple slavery in a prison industry where they have to work for pennies on the dollar — and putting people on the "outside" out of work. Medical services and healthy food are scarce and/or of poor quality, often resulting in a long term death sentence. The list of dehumanizing conditions is endless.

   The concept of rehabilitation was done away with decades ago, except in Europe, where many prisons are being shut down due to their rehabilitation success. They actually treat prisoners like human beings, rather than caged animals like we do in the U.S.A.

   And what did Jesus have to say about those in prison? He said, "...I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Matthew 25:36. When was the last time you visited someone in prison? When was the last time you offered to help someone who is wrongfully convicted? Can you even imagine what it is like to be imprisoned? Do you even care? Will compassion and concern for others have to be learned in the second resurrection?

Where Does Attitude Really Come From? 

Attitude comes from "desire." Desire to do what God says to do. Desire to please God. The Bible has many scriptures on the subject of desire. How badly do you want to do God's will?

Is It a Lottery — or a Reward?

Yes, there is a lottery. The fact that you are reading this article (and others) is that lottery. You were chosen to be given the opportunity to understand the kingdom of God by lottery. Most people in the world have not yet been given that opportunity. But you still haven't won a winning ticket for entrance into the kingdom of God.

The practice of the above four evils and sins would appear, in my mind, to cast doubt on one's qualification for the kingdom of God or the first resurrection. All four of these evils and sins have one thing in common; they deal with the very essence of life itself — and the expansion of the family of God. They deal with how we (and/or others) will live or die in this lifetime. If we cannot understand these basic concepts now (through biblical and non-biblical education, life experiences and guided by the Holy Spirit), then when will we learn them?

Worse, these evils and sins represent an unloving, unrepentant attitude. Attitude is key to obtaining admittance into the kingdom of God. Those who we know (through scripture) that will be in the kingdom of God all had one thing in common; they all had the right attitude!

The main advantage that twenty-first century Christians have over those who have gone before us is the vast amount of knowledge available to us. We live in what is termed the "Information Age." We have more information available at our fingertips than most people in previous eras had in a lifetime. 

Yet, how many of us make use of this information? How many people study the many research documents on the ASK site, this site and countless other sites? In my opinion, very few. 

So what did those who have gone ahead of us do that guarantees their admittance into the kingdom of God?

1. God spoke; and they listened. They had the right attitude.

2. Then, they put their knowledge into action.

Based on that understanding, it is my personal belief that the decision for selection to be in the kingdom of God in the first resurrection (for our present Information Age generation) will be based on these same two factors (attitude and action); and not based solely on the more obvious and grievous sins listed in the Bible (and discussed previously in this article.) It's all about attitude and taking action.

Our attitude will determine one's teachability. That is, our ability to learn basic concepts when presented to us, either through the Bible, other educational teaching, or through life experiences. It will not be a matter of simple scriptural enlightenment through God's lottery system alone. If we are to be leaders, teachers, rulers, etc., then we must have the mindset to learn the lessons that those positions require. We must be teachable. Amazingly, only half of the people reading this article even anticipate being in the kingdom of God.

Our action will also be based on how we have put God and Christ first in our lives — and what "They" are doing with our lives (because we have asked Them for Their help). This action is manifested in our daily lives through repentance, and described in the Bible as the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). And that, in turn, would be manifested in many different ways, such as by fulfilling Matthew 25:31-40. As the old adage goes, "Actions speak louder than words." It is not something we can do by ourselves, but is something God and Christ can help us do. This is important to understand. 

And what will happen if we do not qualify for the kingdom of God? A scriptural reference to the "weeping and gnashing of teeth" is found in Matthew 8:12 and Luke 13:28. The term in this scripture implies an extreme emotional response to not being accepted into the kingdom of God (upon being resurrected in the second resurrection instead.)

Since most professing Christians in our generation will probably not come to a correct understanding of the kingdom of God before their death (refusing to change and adhering instead to the false doctrine of going to heaven), they could hardly be expected to generate such an extreme emotional response upon their eventual discovery of their non-acceptance into the kingdom of God (when they are eventually resurrected in the second resurrection). These scriptures are obviously directed to those whom God has enlightened (either now, in the past or in the future) — and who thought that they would be included in the kingdom of God.

“For many are called, but few are chosen”

Matthew 22:14

It should be noted that Matthew 13:29 says that, "And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God." (NLT) This means that no one particular country or geographic area has an advantage over another. The kingdom of God will be preached to everyone equally, so all will have a chance to qualify. In our present-day world, this would appear to be accomplished through inspired individual Bible studies and through the Internet, as few established churches understand or preach the kingdom of God as Jesus directed.

What happens when one makes a conscious decision to live a life that will merit consideration into the kingdom of God? One begins to think like God. One begins to look at life and our fellow human beings as God does. One desires to improve himself and aspire to the highest rung of our abilities. One begins to imagine that they are already there in the kingdom, learning even more and sharing our God-given talents as God inspires us. And, one becomes truly happy. In reality, we are letting God "work through us."

One also makes a positive affirmation to achieve this noble goal. Most Christians are not taught this principle. By thinking positive thoughts and saying positive words, we can subconsciously affect all of our life goals and beliefs. Activities as simple as taking the survey at the top of the page, by "Liking" our two Facebook pages, or making a post on our other Facebook page can go a long way to not only helping us to affirm and achieve our goal, but also to inspire others to achieve that same goal. It is a win-win situation that God will be watching.

Finally, one becomes inspired to preach the kingdom of God, as Jesus did and as He instructed His followers to do. We each can do this in our own unique way. Paul said, "...you ought to be teachers." Read Christian in Name Only. Check out how you can personally preach the gospel of the kingdom of God through Facebook, reaching one third of the world.

This is truly our highest calling in life. It is our "ultimate reward!"

It is my hope that this article will help inspire an understanding that results in changes to the lives of today's Christians — and that all of today's Christians might eventually be considered for the kingdom of God and the first resurrection!

Ken N.

January 1, 2009

Check out additional ASK articles on the kingdom of God and the first resurrection.

Kingdom of God — Here Now or Yet to Come? audio lecture by Dr. Martin

Read this article on the first resurrection from the BibleResearch.org

Read about God's blinding of our eyes and hardening of our hearts.

Looking for an ekklesia that teaches the kingdom of God?

The Bible mentions the "kingdom of heaven" 32 times

Biblical examples to preach the "kingdom of heaven"

The Bible mentions the "kingdom of God" 69 times

Speaking in tongues and other church anomalies