WE ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST
This is a vital message for the world today, especially when so many people rely upon man, upon their churches or their governments, or doctors, or scientists, when we have all we need in Christ Jesus. Please prayerfully read and study this page for yourself, as great deceptions are upon us.
Colossians 2:8-10 ...'Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.'
What is the warning? That we 'beware' of the 'traditions of men', of 'vain philosophy and deceit' and of the 'rudiments of the world.' How many have been taken in by these things! There is more philosophy and tradition of men in the churches today than there is gospel truth! When Christ said ... "when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8), He sadly saw the state of the world and the churches in the end times which we live in today.
While the majority follows after the world, we need to beware! So let us first look at the meaning of the word 'complete'.
To be complete means to have all the necessary parts.
Ephesians 1:3 ...'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ..'
Colossians 1:19 ...'For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.'
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;" Colossians 2:8-13
So this means that in Christ we have all the necessary parts needed for life and godliness. There is nothing lacking when we are in Jesus, we are complete in Him. And when we look at this in light of the rest of scripture, then what Paul says makes sense and is very true that we are complete in Christ. You see the Bible tells us that God the Father gave all things into the hands of His Son. Take a look at the following verses:
John 3:35-36 ...'The Father loveth the Son, and hath GIVEN ALL THINGS INTO HIS HAND. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.'
Luke 10:22 ...'ALL THINGS are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.'
Matthew 28:18 ...'And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME in heaven and in earth.'
Paul confirms in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that 'Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.' So if God the Father has given His Son ALL THINGS, and as Colossians 2 above says that in Christ dwells ALL the fulness of the Godhead. Then doesn't that mean Christ has everything HIMSELF to give us, including teaching, instruction, victory over sin AND the Holy Spirit?
So there are two questions to answer:
1 - Why do the majority of professed Christians look to their church denominations and leaders, or the pope or Mary for truth and salvation when we are complete IN CHRIST, and He has everything we need?
2 - Why do many look to "another third being" for the Holy Spirit, when we are complete in Christ and Christ himself has ALL THINGS we need?
THE MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD!
One of the biggest issues with professed Christians today is that they give their allegiance to their churches and look to their churches for truth, rather than going straight to Christ. And this is why there is so much confusion, division and deception. And this is why the majority of professed Christians will be shut out of the kingdom, just like the foolish virgins.
What is the difference between the foolish virgins and the saints? What did the foolish virgins do? They relied upon others for the oil and not Christ. This is vital to understand.
Matthew 25:7-10 ...'And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.'
Have a real good think about this. The oil represents the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will 'teach us all things.' (John 14:26) But who did the foolish virgins rely upon? Christ? No! They relied upon OTHERS to teach them and to give them their oil. And while the foolish virgins were busy following others and trying to gain salvation through the various churches and leaders, instead of looking to Christ, the door was shut and they were forever lost!
But this is not so with the saints! They look to Christ alone and rely upon Him alone!
Revelation 14:1,4-5 ...'And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads... These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.'
The true saints of God, the ones who are admitted into the kingdom of God are those who are not 'defiled' by the various churches, as they look to Christ alone and 'follow Him wheresoever He goes.' They don't follow the churches, they follow their Redeemer!
This is the message that the whole world needs friends, that we are complete in Christ. Do you know what this also means? It means that Catholics need not look to their church, or the pope, or Mary, as we are complete in Christ. All other professed Christians, WHATEVER denomination or church you belong to, do not need to look to your church and leaders for teaching and salvation, as we are complete in Christ.
Through faith, we lack NOTHING with Christ in us. We do not need any other person or church denomination on this world for salvation, as God the Father has given all power to His Son. And we do not need to look to any man for teaching and understanding, as Christ has it all to give us HIMSELF. God did not give all power to any church denomination, man or woman. He gave it all to His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Therefore, if people continue to look to their churches and church leaders, and even dead people like Mary and the so called 'saints', they will NEVER be complete, but WILL be deceived. As we can only be complete in Christ alone.
John 4:14 ...'But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.'
Brothers and sisters! This is such a vital truth that everyone needs in these last days. There is so much deception all around us. Churches and religions are uniting in this ecumenical movement under Satan's banner for a false 'peace' (1 Thess.5:3). And our only safety is to drink of the water of life from Christ. No man or church can give you that water of life. It can only be sourced directly through the Son of God Himself.
John 15:4-5 ...'Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.'
This is the message of the 'third angel' of Revelation 14. A warning not to be deceived by the 'beast power'. A warning not to put our trust in man and seek man's teaching, because man will deceive us. But rather to surrender entirely to Jesus Christ and trust in Him FULLY, and receive our teaching and salvation from Him alone.
"Christ in you the hope of glory. This is the everlasting gospel. That is the third angel's message." (A.T.Jones, General Conference Bulletin, 1893, p.150)
Why do you think Jesus said that no man should be called 'Rabbi', or teacher (Matthew 23:8)? Because as Jesus confirmed in that verse, He is our only teacher and master. And Jesus knew that if we trusted in the teaching of man, then we would be deceived, as the thoughts of man are 'evil' (Jeremiah 17:9) and man is not capable of giving understanding the way the Lord can.
Does the Bible ever say we are complete through the church? Does it ever say that we are to follow a church denomination wheresoever it goes? No. The Bible tells us that we are only complete in Christ and that we are to follow Christ wheresoever He goes:
Revelation 14:1-5 ...'And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads ... These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.'
Will the majority of professed Christians ever be complete and receive the Father's name (seal) in their foreheads if they choose to follow their churches and their leaders instead of following Christ? They put their trust in man and will end up being deceived into receiving the mark of the beast. But as John confirmed above, it is only those who follow Christ wherever He goes who receive God the Father's seal. And what is Christ's promise to them? Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Revelation 3:10
Meaning Christ will keep you from deception and from receiving the mark of the beast! Simply being a member of a church, having your name on the church books does not do anything for your salvation. Jesus the Son of God is our Saviour, not the church.
What counts is having our names "written in heaven", not in the church books. (Luke 10:20)
We need to stop putting our trust in the church leaders and surrender all to Jesus Christ, as He has everything we need for life and godliness:
2 Peter 1:2-4 ...'Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.'
Through whom do we become 'partakers of the divine nature'? It is through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And it is through Jesus that we can escape the lusts of the world and gain complete victory over all sin, as Jesus has everything we need for life and godliness. And that includes the Holy Spirit. You see, Jesus is the one who knows our every weakness. He is the one who knows what we need in this fallen human nature, because He took on our fallen nature (Hebrews 2:16-18, Romans 1:3, Romans 8:3) - and conquered! This is why God the Father has given everything to His Son, because it is only through Christ that we can be renewed and restored to God.
Do you realize that we too can have the fulness of God in us? Paul confirms in Ephesians 3:19-20
...'And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.' This is an amazing truth and promise! Christ living His life in us! All the fulness of the Godhead [the Father] dwells in Christ. So with Christ living in us, we too can have God's fulness in us.
This is the gospel message friends! This is the 'everlasting gospel' of the three angels messages (Rev.14). But great deceptions are in the world and even greater deceptions are coming, just as Revelation 13 reveals. And as Paul told us in 2 Thessalonians 2, those who have not a love for the truth, will be allowed to be deceived by the 'strong delusion' coming and will be forever lost!
So we need to come out of BABYLON, come out of the system of apostate religion, and unite with the Lord Jesus!
Our safety is not uniting with the various churches. Our safety is not looking to the leaders for teaching and guidance, as we have only one true 'teacher' and Master, and that is our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 23:8). This is why Paul said for us to 'BEWARE' in Colossians 2. Because the world and the churches are full of 'philosophy' and 'tradition of man', which the majority of people have been deceived by. So remember the words of God. We are not saved by any church. We do not need to be a member of any denomination, or follow any person. And we do not need to look to 'another' for the Holy Spirit, as we are complete in Christ!
Colossians 2:8-10 ...'Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.'
Revelation 3:20 ...'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.'
THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST
Let's now look at the Holy Spirit. The majority of churches teach that the Holy Spirit is some 'third being' of the 'trinity'. But yet the Bible says that the Father has given ALL THINGS into the hands of His Son and that we are COMPLETE IN Christ. Now we need the Holy Spirit for life and godliness right? But if we need to look to 'another' for that Spirit, then we cannot be 'complete' in Christ as Paul says above. So let's look at this. Take a look at what Peter said at Pentecost:
Acts 2:32-33 ...'This JESUS hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having RECEIVED OF THE FATHER THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST, HE HATH SHED FORTH THIS, which ye now see and hear.'
Wow! The Holy Spirit has just been 'poured out' at Pentecost and Peter is now speaking to the crowds that have gathered. And what does Peter tell them concerning the Spirit that had just been given? He confirms that it was Jesus Himself who received the Holy Spirit FROM THE FATHER and Jesus had now 'shed forth' this Spirit HIMSELF. Amazing! So does Jesus have everything we need? Yes!
John 20:19-22 ...'Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you ... And when he had said this, HE BREATHED ON THEM, and saith unto them, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY SPIRIT.'
Now take a look at what John saw in a vision from God:
Revelation 5:1,6,7 ...'And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals ... And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.'
So John sees Christ (the lamb) HAVING the Holy Spirit (7 Spirits of God) as part of Himself. There is no 'third being' involved. It's just God the Father and His Son Jesus who has His Father's Spirit to give to us. Which is why the Bible says that we are complete in Christ and that everything has been given into the hands of Christ.
If Christ did not have the Holy Spirit Himself, and the Holy Spirit was 'another being', then we could not be complete in Christ and Christ could not have everything as the other Bible verses above say.
But thankfully, we do know the truth, that Christ does have everything, and we are complete in Him, because God the Father has given all things into the hands of His beloved Son. And to confirm this even more, let us look at some more Bible verses:
Matthew 18:20 ...'For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.'
John 14:16-21 ...'And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.'
Many people stop at the words 'I will send you another comforter'. And miss the context of what Jesus was saying above. Clearly Christ was speaking of HIMSELF!
Titus 3:4-6 ...'But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.'
Galatians 4:6 ...'And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.'
2 Corinthians 3:17 ...'Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.'
Philippians 1:19 ...'For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.'
This is truly amazing! It is Christ who 'dwells in our hearts' (Ephesians 3:17). It is Christ who lives in us (Galatians 2:20). It is Christ in us, that 'Spirit' which gives us life (Romans 8:10-11). Christ has everything we need! We need not look to 'another', as God the Father has given all things to His Son, including His own Spirit! This makes Christ COMPLETE, and it makes us complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
Galatians 2:20 ...'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.'
Colossians 1:27 ...'To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.'
This is a vital message for the world today, especially when so many people rely upon man, upon their churches or their governments, or doctors, or scientists, when we have all we need in Christ Jesus. Please prayerfully read and study this page for yourself, as great deceptions are upon us.
Colossians 2:8-10 ...'Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.'
What is the warning? That we 'beware' of the 'traditions of men', of 'vain philosophy and deceit' and of the 'rudiments of the world.' How many have been taken in by these things! There is more philosophy and tradition of men in the churches today than there is gospel truth! When Christ said ... "when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8), He sadly saw the state of the world and the churches in the end times which we live in today.
While the majority follows after the world, we need to beware! So let us first look at the meaning of the word 'complete'.
To be complete means to have all the necessary parts.
Ephesians 1:3 ...'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ..'
Colossians 1:19 ...'For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.'
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;" Colossians 2:8-13
So this means that in Christ we have all the necessary parts needed for life and godliness. There is nothing lacking when we are in Jesus, we are complete in Him. And when we look at this in light of the rest of scripture, then what Paul says makes sense and is very true that we are complete in Christ. You see the Bible tells us that God the Father gave all things into the hands of His Son. Take a look at the following verses:
John 3:35-36 ...'The Father loveth the Son, and hath GIVEN ALL THINGS INTO HIS HAND. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.'
Luke 10:22 ...'ALL THINGS are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.'
Matthew 28:18 ...'And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME in heaven and in earth.'
Paul confirms in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that 'Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.' So if God the Father has given His Son ALL THINGS, and as Colossians 2 above says that in Christ dwells ALL the fulness of the Godhead. Then doesn't that mean Christ has everything HIMSELF to give us, including teaching, instruction, victory over sin AND the Holy Spirit?
So there are two questions to answer:
1 - Why do the majority of professed Christians look to their church denominations and leaders, or the pope or Mary for truth and salvation when we are complete IN CHRIST, and He has everything we need?
2 - Why do many look to "another third being" for the Holy Spirit, when we are complete in Christ and Christ himself has ALL THINGS we need?
THE MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD!
One of the biggest issues with professed Christians today is that they give their allegiance to their churches and look to their churches for truth, rather than going straight to Christ. And this is why there is so much confusion, division and deception. And this is why the majority of professed Christians will be shut out of the kingdom, just like the foolish virgins.
What is the difference between the foolish virgins and the saints? What did the foolish virgins do? They relied upon others for the oil and not Christ. This is vital to understand.
Matthew 25:7-10 ...'And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.'
Have a real good think about this. The oil represents the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will 'teach us all things.' (John 14:26) But who did the foolish virgins rely upon? Christ? No! They relied upon OTHERS to teach them and to give them their oil. And while the foolish virgins were busy following others and trying to gain salvation through the various churches and leaders, instead of looking to Christ, the door was shut and they were forever lost!
But this is not so with the saints! They look to Christ alone and rely upon Him alone!
Revelation 14:1,4-5 ...'And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads... These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.'
The true saints of God, the ones who are admitted into the kingdom of God are those who are not 'defiled' by the various churches, as they look to Christ alone and 'follow Him wheresoever He goes.' They don't follow the churches, they follow their Redeemer!
This is the message that the whole world needs friends, that we are complete in Christ. Do you know what this also means? It means that Catholics need not look to their church, or the pope, or Mary, as we are complete in Christ. All other professed Christians, WHATEVER denomination or church you belong to, do not need to look to your church and leaders for teaching and salvation, as we are complete in Christ.
Through faith, we lack NOTHING with Christ in us. We do not need any other person or church denomination on this world for salvation, as God the Father has given all power to His Son. And we do not need to look to any man for teaching and understanding, as Christ has it all to give us HIMSELF. God did not give all power to any church denomination, man or woman. He gave it all to His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Therefore, if people continue to look to their churches and church leaders, and even dead people like Mary and the so called 'saints', they will NEVER be complete, but WILL be deceived. As we can only be complete in Christ alone.
John 4:14 ...'But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.'
Brothers and sisters! This is such a vital truth that everyone needs in these last days. There is so much deception all around us. Churches and religions are uniting in this ecumenical movement under Satan's banner for a false 'peace' (1 Thess.5:3). And our only safety is to drink of the water of life from Christ. No man or church can give you that water of life. It can only be sourced directly through the Son of God Himself.
John 15:4-5 ...'Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.'
This is the message of the 'third angel' of Revelation 14. A warning not to be deceived by the 'beast power'. A warning not to put our trust in man and seek man's teaching, because man will deceive us. But rather to surrender entirely to Jesus Christ and trust in Him FULLY, and receive our teaching and salvation from Him alone.
"Christ in you the hope of glory. This is the everlasting gospel. That is the third angel's message." (A.T.Jones, General Conference Bulletin, 1893, p.150)
Why do you think Jesus said that no man should be called 'Rabbi', or teacher (Matthew 23:8)? Because as Jesus confirmed in that verse, He is our only teacher and master. And Jesus knew that if we trusted in the teaching of man, then we would be deceived, as the thoughts of man are 'evil' (Jeremiah 17:9) and man is not capable of giving understanding the way the Lord can.
Does the Bible ever say we are complete through the church? Does it ever say that we are to follow a church denomination wheresoever it goes? No. The Bible tells us that we are only complete in Christ and that we are to follow Christ wheresoever He goes:
Revelation 14:1-5 ...'And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads ... These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.'
Will the majority of professed Christians ever be complete and receive the Father's name (seal) in their foreheads if they choose to follow their churches and their leaders instead of following Christ? They put their trust in man and will end up being deceived into receiving the mark of the beast. But as John confirmed above, it is only those who follow Christ wherever He goes who receive God the Father's seal. And what is Christ's promise to them? Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Revelation 3:10
Meaning Christ will keep you from deception and from receiving the mark of the beast! Simply being a member of a church, having your name on the church books does not do anything for your salvation. Jesus the Son of God is our Saviour, not the church.
What counts is having our names "written in heaven", not in the church books. (Luke 10:20)
We need to stop putting our trust in the church leaders and surrender all to Jesus Christ, as He has everything we need for life and godliness:
2 Peter 1:2-4 ...'Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.'
Through whom do we become 'partakers of the divine nature'? It is through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And it is through Jesus that we can escape the lusts of the world and gain complete victory over all sin, as Jesus has everything we need for life and godliness. And that includes the Holy Spirit. You see, Jesus is the one who knows our every weakness. He is the one who knows what we need in this fallen human nature, because He took on our fallen nature (Hebrews 2:16-18, Romans 1:3, Romans 8:3) - and conquered! This is why God the Father has given everything to His Son, because it is only through Christ that we can be renewed and restored to God.
Do you realize that we too can have the fulness of God in us? Paul confirms in Ephesians 3:19-20
...'And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.' This is an amazing truth and promise! Christ living His life in us! All the fulness of the Godhead [the Father] dwells in Christ. So with Christ living in us, we too can have God's fulness in us.
This is the gospel message friends! This is the 'everlasting gospel' of the three angels messages (Rev.14). But great deceptions are in the world and even greater deceptions are coming, just as Revelation 13 reveals. And as Paul told us in 2 Thessalonians 2, those who have not a love for the truth, will be allowed to be deceived by the 'strong delusion' coming and will be forever lost!
So we need to come out of BABYLON, come out of the system of apostate religion, and unite with the Lord Jesus!
Our safety is not uniting with the various churches. Our safety is not looking to the leaders for teaching and guidance, as we have only one true 'teacher' and Master, and that is our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 23:8). This is why Paul said for us to 'BEWARE' in Colossians 2. Because the world and the churches are full of 'philosophy' and 'tradition of man', which the majority of people have been deceived by. So remember the words of God. We are not saved by any church. We do not need to be a member of any denomination, or follow any person. And we do not need to look to 'another' for the Holy Spirit, as we are complete in Christ!
Colossians 2:8-10 ...'Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.'
Revelation 3:20 ...'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.'
THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST
Let's now look at the Holy Spirit. The majority of churches teach that the Holy Spirit is some 'third being' of the 'trinity'. But yet the Bible says that the Father has given ALL THINGS into the hands of His Son and that we are COMPLETE IN Christ. Now we need the Holy Spirit for life and godliness right? But if we need to look to 'another' for that Spirit, then we cannot be 'complete' in Christ as Paul says above. So let's look at this. Take a look at what Peter said at Pentecost:
Acts 2:32-33 ...'This JESUS hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having RECEIVED OF THE FATHER THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST, HE HATH SHED FORTH THIS, which ye now see and hear.'
Wow! The Holy Spirit has just been 'poured out' at Pentecost and Peter is now speaking to the crowds that have gathered. And what does Peter tell them concerning the Spirit that had just been given? He confirms that it was Jesus Himself who received the Holy Spirit FROM THE FATHER and Jesus had now 'shed forth' this Spirit HIMSELF. Amazing! So does Jesus have everything we need? Yes!
John 20:19-22 ...'Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you ... And when he had said this, HE BREATHED ON THEM, and saith unto them, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY SPIRIT.'
Now take a look at what John saw in a vision from God:
Revelation 5:1,6,7 ...'And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals ... And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.'
So John sees Christ (the lamb) HAVING the Holy Spirit (7 Spirits of God) as part of Himself. There is no 'third being' involved. It's just God the Father and His Son Jesus who has His Father's Spirit to give to us. Which is why the Bible says that we are complete in Christ and that everything has been given into the hands of Christ.
If Christ did not have the Holy Spirit Himself, and the Holy Spirit was 'another being', then we could not be complete in Christ and Christ could not have everything as the other Bible verses above say.
But thankfully, we do know the truth, that Christ does have everything, and we are complete in Him, because God the Father has given all things into the hands of His beloved Son. And to confirm this even more, let us look at some more Bible verses:
Matthew 18:20 ...'For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.'
John 14:16-21 ...'And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.'
Many people stop at the words 'I will send you another comforter'. And miss the context of what Jesus was saying above. Clearly Christ was speaking of HIMSELF!
Titus 3:4-6 ...'But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.'
Galatians 4:6 ...'And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.'
2 Corinthians 3:17 ...'Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.'
Philippians 1:19 ...'For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.'
This is truly amazing! It is Christ who 'dwells in our hearts' (Ephesians 3:17). It is Christ who lives in us (Galatians 2:20). It is Christ in us, that 'Spirit' which gives us life (Romans 8:10-11). Christ has everything we need! We need not look to 'another', as God the Father has given all things to His Son, including His own Spirit! This makes Christ COMPLETE, and it makes us complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
Galatians 2:20 ...'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.'
Colossians 1:27 ...'To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.'