The latter part of the above verse is repeated in verse 10: “Awesome as an ARMY with banners.”

The description of Solomon’s bride is given in vv.4-13. Verse 4 is supposed to be the address of Solomon to the bride (which is really the LORD’s bride). Tirzah was a city in the tribe of Ephriam (Josh. 12:24), & the capital of that district, the ordinary residence of the kings of Israel (1 Kgs. 14:17; 15:33).

Jerusalem was called the “perfection of beauty” (Ps. 48:2,3)

Terrible as an Army with Banners!

This has been supposed to carry an allusion to the caravans in the East as historians tell us, and the manner in which they are conducted on their travels by night. It is said that the caravans were divided into companies, called “cottors,” according to them; and each company was distinguished by the form of the brazier in which they carry their lights. It is said that after night, these braziers were placed on the ends of long poles & carried by a person who walked at the head of the company. Some had 10 or 12 lights, and were of different forms; some triangular, or like an N; some like an M by which each pilgrim readily knows his own company, both by day & night. A whole caravan, composed of many thousands of “hadgees,” divided into various “cottors” or companies, each having its own distinguishing “brazier” (pan holding burning coals) or light. This must have been a terrible sight at night! and in the day time. Splendid!

Talk about the appearance of an ARMY – a formidable sight! Yet, Solomon describes the “Bride” as such! This “ARMY” is “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and TERRIBLE as an ARMY with banners” -(Song of Solomon 6:10).

Some Bible scholars believe the “army with banners” should be “distinguished ones.” I love the first, since God’s Bride is & shall be a “Spirit Warrior,” and notwithstanding she had “distinguished” herself in battle, unlike the “Church whore,” i.e. “harlot who carries in her hand a golden cup FULL of ABOMINATIONS & the FILTHINESS of her FORNICATION.” -Rev. 17:4 The light this harlot carries is a false light – a whore to the core!! She fights not for the Lord, but against Him.

When the LORD chose a woman to be the mother of the Most High (Jesus), He did not go to Jerusalem but to a small village, Bethlehem of Judea (Mt. 2:1). He sought out a virgin (not a used harlot!), Mary by name. She was one of the lowest, not a maid of high station in the capital city, but a daughter of a plain man in a small town. She could have been chosen from the “Big City.” He could have chosen/picked Caiaphas’ daughter, who no doubt was fair, popular & rich, dressed in gold-embroidered raiment, & attended by a retinue of maids in waiting (as Martin Luther once wrote.). Luke 1:46-55 ought to be read, especially v.48: “For He (Lord) has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant...” NKJV. The stress should not be on the “low estate,” but on the word “regarded.” Her low estate is not to be praised, but God’s regard, as, when a prince gives his hand to a beggar, the meanness of the beggar is not to be praised, but the graciousness & goodness of the prince (see R.H. Bainton’s, The Martin Luther Christmas Book, 1948, pp.20,21.). [note: Mary’s song has its O.T. parallel in the Song of Hannah (1 Sam. 2:1-10.).

So, God’s Bride will be regarded as an “Army with Banners”.

God’s TRUE Church is His ARMY in the world, i.e. “is terrible as an army with banners.”

Our battle flag (ACMTC) has an Eagle sitting atop the world with a sword going thru the world: “Taking Jesus to All the World!” The True Ekklesia (Gk.) is in a state of, a CONSTANT STATE of militancy, always ready & willing to “Fight the Good Fight of Faith” (1 Tim. 6:12), always ready & willing to “wage the Good Warfare” (1 Tim 1:18), always ready & willing to “endure HARDSHIP as a Good Soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3), always ready & willing to “be strong in the Lord & in the Power of His Might” -(Eph. 6:10).

It (the ARMY) has its banners; the Gospel of Christ is an ensign (Isa. 11:12 says, “He (God) will set up a BANNER for the nations, & will assemble the outcasts of Israel, & gather together the dispersed of Judah...”).

The Spirit has lately told us that the LORD/ Lord is going to gather together those of His that are worn & torn, scattered & battered by the world. He will form up a NEW ARMY anointed with NUCLEAR SPIRIT POWER, appointed for WAR against the “BIG 4” (Eph. 6:12)! He is going to marshal His TRUE ONES, His DITINGUISHED ONES for His End Time purpose & plan. It will be TERRIBLE to the enemies of God & His People. The devil is also marshalling his troops for an ALL-OUT BATTLE for the souls of men & women, boys & girls... nations of this world. While nations speak of a nuclear war (III), e.g. Russia, N. Korea, China, Iran et al., God will have power over what they will & will not do. He is in TOTAL CONTROL!

When God’s people shed the old order of Churchianity and are renewed in His CLEAR LIGHT (SOS 6:10 = “clear as the sun” (Son!)), they will truly be awesome & formidable.

What a TERRIBLE (as in “terror”) MAJESTIC sight – Spirit Soldiers with banners... ready for WAR (Wage Aggressive Resistance)!!! The Amp. Bible says, “terrible as a bannered host”.

Fin

Paul wrote: “And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.” -Eph. 6:19

Just what was this mystery? He mentions it again in Col. 4:3 and Eph. 3:3. The Mystery, aka a hidden truth, was “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, & partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,” -Eph. 3:6.

This is our commission for our mission – take Jesus to ALL the World! Fight for the souls of men/ women/ boys/ girls/ nations/ tribes/ races. We also, at the same time, fight for our own souls that we will be honored by Jesus & His Father.

The Bible speaks of “The Mystery of iniquity at work” (2 Thes. 2:7), the anti-christian dominion of evil as well as the “Mystery of the Gospel”, i.e. the FORCE that contends for the FAITH. The sublime nature of the gospel is to SHUT the MOUTHS of the enemies! To expose & eradicate the idolatrous worship of the world, the flesh, & the devil... all that is impure & vile in the contemporary Church that God detests & hates. Today’s Church is more heathenish, hellish than Heavenly.

Are you ready for WAR?

   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 THE ARMY OF GOD AND ITS Mission Part 1

 -General James Green- (2016)

MISSION” and “Missions” are at the edge of the Christian's life and are inhérent in the very heart of the Ekklesia.

By "Christian" I mean those born again, Spirit-filled, obedient ones who have, and are, separated from the world in mind, and will; dedicated, consecrated...SOLD OUT to do the will of God in/on earth. Now that little description separates the real from the false.

If I use the word "Church" or "church" I do not mean this sick inane mess we know as the contemporary Church that pretends to be God's Army. NO! The real Church/church is God's Ekklesia (Gk. called out ones...from the world). So, let me settle it with my readers that I DO NOT believe that this inane thing is anything but men's invention. The word "inane" comes from Latin "inanis"-empty,

foolish, senseless, silly, absurd, void of intelligence, shallow, pointless, asinine, ridiculous, dumb, stupid, idiotic, fatuous, etc., etc.

Now that I've made myself clear, when I use the word "Church" (Catholic / universal) or “church” (any local gathering of God's true people), I will distinguish them by using "worldly Church/church." Mostly I'll just use the words "Army of God.".

Mission Possible or Impossible?

IS IT POSSIBLE to account for the Church's worldwide penetration and (slow) growth without focusing on her sense of mission? We who have labored at the task of "Taking Jesus To All The World" (Matt. 28:19), know that we have slowly but surely penetrated the nations of this present world with the (Pure) Gospel (for the unsaved / pagan) and with the overcoming message-dominion, discipline, deliverance, = warfare for the (genuinely) saved.

On the other hand, the Worldly Church (WC) has successfully spread, with haste, her denominationalism, delusions, and damnations.

The main difference between the True Church (TC) and the Worldly Church (WC) is numbers and money. The True Church's Mission has been, and will forever be, to please the Lord Jesus...to carry forward that which “Jesus began both to do and teach." (Acts, 1:1), in the power of the Holy Spirit/Ghost (Lk. 4:1,18), not in the power of man or men.

Where is the miracle-working power of the WC today? Absent! Where is the Spirit's guidance? Absent! Where is the obedience? Absent! Yet when we read Luke's inspired writings (esp. Acts), Luke provides us with: (a) a definitive pattern of the activity of the Holy Spirit to be followed during the entire Church age. Do we witness this among the WC? Not much. Entertainments and money grabbing have replaced the miracle-working-power of the Holy Ghost; (b) data for developing a doctrine of the Holy Spirit, and (c) revelation concerning how the ministry of the Holy Spirit must relate to the lives of the believers in Christ. Note, if you will, specifically two elements in the book of Acts that are theologically and practically normative: 1) the baptism in or a filling (up) with the Holy Spirit as God's promise for ALL believers (see Acts 2:39, cf. 1;5, 8; 2:4, 4:8, 31, 8:15-17; 9:17; 10:44-46; 13:9, 52; 15:8; 19:1-6. Most denominations of today either quench or deny the Holy Spirit. Some literally hate Him; 2) the numerous "acts" of the Holy Spirit that provided the church/Church with the standards righteousness, which are in part or totally missing today. Witnessing in the power of the Holy Spirit is terribly lame or entirely lacking today. All this BIG SHOW stuff in churchianity today is not the Holy Spirit, but works of the flesh (e.g. demons!): you turn off the power and where, oh where is the BIG PRAISE?, the light shows?, the mesmerizing preaching? GONE!

Back to my question: "Is it possible to account for the Church's worldwide penetration and growth without focusing on her sense of mission?" Yes and no. No, if you mean the true Army of God, the Ekklesia. Yes, if you mean churchianity. The Contemporary Church (CC) can penetrate and grow without focusing much on her sense of mission. Remember, money and men are the worldly Church's goal-not discipleship. But the Army of God (AOG) has discipleship in mind, e.g., "building strong Christian soldiers."

Get Real, People!

STOP PLAYING AND GET TO PRAYING—there is a war on. Although we may think theologically, we also must match that with ACTING evangelistically. No ivory-tower theatrics in this Army. If we teach and preach, we must practice.

Stop finding ways to disbelieve God's Written Word, for there is something there to instruct and to stimulate everyone who gets serious with his / her Christianity.

I write on misology at an opportune time; Islam, Communism / Socialism, and dozens and dozens of other nefarious "isms" are pounding away against Christianity with their acrimonious words and deeds. Few are the brave that will stand up these days for Jesus without compromise.

THE WORLD OF OF MEN AND WOMEN

THEY ARE THE OBJECT of God's, and our, mission (Jn. 3:16). Men and women, boys and girls, are not an abstraction, they are souls in need of salvation/redemption. Therefore, it is indisputable that mission are characterized by God's longing for the lost to be saved, for God's Word tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 that the Lord is "not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance." Also, in the book of Acts 17:30 we find this: "And the times of this ignorance (vv. 16-29) God winked; but now COMMANDETH all men everywhere to REPENT,” (see also Rom. 3:25). To shorten this writing, not giving a long study on "repent" and "repentance," let me just give you the Greek definitions here:

Greek

"matanoeo" [Strong's #3340]

This term is the one most commonly translated in the New Testament as "repentance” and literally means "to change one's mind or purpose, to repent.” From this same root comes the noun "metanoia". “after-thought, repentance” (Liddell, 503). This is a reversal of thinking. You see yourself differently: as fallen and corrupt.

"metamelomi” [Strong's #3338]

This term carries a more emotional implication and literally means, "to feel repentance, to rue, regret.' In four of the five New Testament occurrences, the ESV translates it as “change(d) his /their mind(s)." From this same root comes the noun "metamelos”: “repentance, regret" (Liddell, 503).

"epistrepho" [Strong's #1994]

Although never translated as "repentance", this word furthers the understanding of God's clear command for a change of mind, a heartfelt sorrow for sin, and a turning from sin. It means "to turn about, turn round; to return; to run towards; to correct, make to repent; to turn oneself round, turn about; constantly turning" (Liddell, 302). This is a change of the will. This is decidedly turning from sin and the ways of sin to follow the ways of Christ.

Army Church

OUR TASK IS therefore reduced to the question: "What is the essential character of the Army Church in the New Testament (N.T.)? Briefly I want to mention four characteristics:

1) People of God, or God's people as we see in 1 Peter 2:9-10, are described thus: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." Note please how "people" is used. In v. 9, three nouns with similar meaning are used: “race” (Gk: genos = a particular people); “nation”

Gk. = ethnos-understood not so much politically and geographically as culturally and sociologically; hence, a group people); and "people" (Gk. laos in the Biblical context it is used with reference to a specific people in contrast to the other peoples of the earth). We find "laos" repeated twice in v. 10, and is used in Biblical thought to distinguish God's own people from the world's. So, this particular use of "laos" is carried over from the Hebrew concept of "lam"; the noun used in the O.T. to distinguish Israel from the "goyim", or the Gentile nations.

(See Acts 26:18/ Hos.1:9-10; 2:23)

Peter uses 3O.T. passages (Ex. 19:5; Isa. 43:20, and 61:6) to point out for us how God's plan for salvation / redemption of the world was not frustrated by the failure of ancient Israel, and that a new Ekklesia/community/cult was founded by and around Jesus the Christ, whom God has made the principal Comerstone in the construction of His new "living" temple (cf. v. 5), and who has taken the place and inherited the honors and names of old social Israel hence, the Ekklesia Army/community has become the NEW Israel, and God's plan of salvation is being fulfilled in and through her missionary endeavor.

So the fact that the N.T. Ekklesia has taken racial Israel's place is indicative of her election in Christ—"a Chosen race", made up of both saved / redeemed Gentiles and Jews (see 1 Peter 2:10).

Let it be known that New Israel is God's sovereign will and work. We can say as the writer of Hebrews (11:13) says, we are a pilgrim community, whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:10). We can also rightly say that we are an eschatological community on the go. Therefore, dear readers, we cannot give absolute commitment to the state (USA); to any political, ideological, economic or cultural distinctives, as sooooo many do today. This means and I'm sure some will call me a "FANATIC"”—that we do not live from or for ourselves, but from and for the sovereignty of our crucified-risen-glorified cult leader, Jesus Christ the Lord our Commander-in-Chief over His Ekklesia Army.

Body of Christ

2) The Church is understood in Scripture as "the body of Christ," a metaphor expressing the spiritual and functional reality of the universal Church (Catholic). (Universal Church = Catholic Church)

The Catholicity of this spiritual body has a sociological dimension that now includes other colors/ nationalities, not just Jews (1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:4, 12, 16).

Temple of the Holy Spirit

3) In 1 Corinthians 6:15 Paul speaks of Corinthian believers as members of Christ and in 6:19 affirms that they are the temple of the Holy Spirit (see also Eph. 2:14-22; 4:16; 1 Cor. 3:9~16):

Institution

4) The Church (consisting of Christian soldiers-2 Tim. 2:1-4) is also institutional. By this I mean it has adopted (over a period of time, which I will later discuss) certain specific functions, rites, roles, goals, doctrines, etc. Sadly, the Church over the centuries has adopted some bad things, especially over the last hundred years-today the Church has become split between "Churchianity" and "Biblical Christianity." I've written numerous articles on this already (see our Recreant Philosophers, Stinking Rotting Corpse, and Clowning Around booklets).

We here at ACMTC decry the authority of the false (backslid, apostate) Church, which is now what the world sees as THE Church, the genuine Church. Never the less, both grow together in the world, one bringing forth false fruit, the other real.

Before we pass on to part two whereby I will cover the concept (false) of partial and absolute universalism, let me deal more with the Church as an institution.

Traditionally, the letters in the N.T. are divided into two groups:

1) The Pauline epistles and the Catholic epistles (not Roman Catholic). The latter we call "Catholic" because the letters are addressed to the Church in general rather than to a particular congregation or individual. In all these we find the Church Army on the way to becoming an "institution."

2) From the call of John and Jesus to REPENT to well after their deaths, we see the emerging institutional Church the Holy Spirit guiding. By "institutional," I do not mean "denominational," this came much later of course.

Roughly around A.D. 100 -140, the Christian movement is approaching new challenges and problems (the delay of the "parousia” being one), new difficulties and needs were developing.

Jesus

With that, the movement-the movement had settled down to the task of being the Church Army in the world, fighting the good fight of faith, contending for the faith, and rescuing the perishing and the erring.

As time passed the "parousia" was no longer immediately expected, the soldiers of Christ were learning to adjust to the destruction of Jerusalem and their Temple, and relations with Judaism and the Roman Empire.

The Church therefore developed its own institutions, outside of Judaism, in order to spread the "Good News" and raise up solid Christian disciples/ soldiers...in the world. This naturally demanded some sort of an organizational structure, a decision-making apparatus, and a "definition of the function of its soldiers and officers.” This resuscitated the establishment of a creed, a canon, and an organized ministry. Hopefully, the Holy Spirit would overshadow all this. We must admit that *religious* man can ruin things, establishing and erecting things that are not ordained by God nor for His glory, but for man's benefit and glory. We certainly see this in today's worldly Church—it is actually more "goat” than “sheep.”

FINAL CANON

SOME CHRISTIAN LITERATURE of this period did not find a place in the final canon of the New Testament: a letter written by Clement, bishop of Rome, to the Church at Corinth; letters written by Ignatius, 'bishop of Antioch, to various Churches as he was on his way to martyrdom in Rome; and the Didache ("Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles by the Twelve Apostles”), a Church order from Syria. In addition, some Christians of this period were being influenced by a growing Gnostic movement still in contact with Judaism.

In the era of the "emerging church" (to be distinguished from today's, "Emergent Church"), it was faced with a threat from within, just as we are today. Then it was the growing influence of Gnosticism, today it is sheer backsliding and apostasy whereby the churchites openly Rebel like Hell, having become reprobate in word and in deed...even accepting and ordaining practicing homosexuals and performing same-sex marriages, hence, an ABOMINATION!!

Frankly, I personally see no recovery for today's worldly Church, I only see a need for those who have not become spiritual whores to GET OUT! So, the call to "COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE" is sounding loud and clear-and I for one have exited Babylon years ago.

God is still going to have a real and pure people, a people out of a people out of a people.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Army of God and Its Mission Part 2

  -GENERAL JAMES GREEN-(2016) 

DIRECTOR of the Institute of in-depth Evangelism, B.A., M.A., and M. Div., was quoted as saying: "History and Eschatology: However, one must not lose sight of the Biblical tension between the "now" and the "not yet” of the kingdom. On the one hand, the kingdom materializes in the concrete historical struggles of liberation. On the other, "the horizon must be kept open, toward the ultimate and definite Kingdom."

With the above statement, let us examine his "now" and the "not yet" aspect in Scripture. mentioned beforehand the "partial" aspect of God's Kingdom in other writings as opposed to what many now teach, the "allness" of salvation.

For awhile these two divided camps agree on many things, the division between only the repentant is included in the Kingdom of God (KÓG) versus the all will eventually be saved/included, e.g., "universalism" salvation or the call to ALL is certainly Scripture, e.g., salvation as an offer to ALL men, yet, the Bible teaches, IS NOT appropriated automatically but there's an act of faith, repentance of sin, belief in Christ Jesus - and ALL those who do not respond in the above REMAIN in their sins/transgressions. John 3:36 plainly teaches us this: "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.". This verse alone refutes universalism - the false idea that ALL will eventually be saved in the end...without repentance. This falseness is popular today. It gives way to lazy evangelism or no evangelism at all. I have written on this already, but allow me to delve into this falseness a bit further.

Heretic Robert Schuller and Billy Graham (Note: Both Are Now Deceased).

I COULD QUOTE MANY "CHRISTIANS" who hold to this false notion, but let me quote heretic Schuller and Billy Graham. Their "religious humanism” is very dangerous; it is seductive evil. Billy Graham once said that Schuller "has done some of the greatest things for the Kingdom of God of any man in our generation." HA!!! LIKE ROBBING PEOPLE AND COVERING THEM IN HERETICAL SLIME!!!

R. Schuller's now-defunct house of prostitution, aka, the Crystal Cathedral, was a mockery of Biblical Christianity. Below is a recorded conversation between these two "religious' giants:

Robert Schuller asked Graham, "What do you think is the future of Christianity?" Graham's response was: "Well, Christianity and being a true believer [?] you know, I think there's the Body of Christ. This comes from ALL THE CHRISTIAN · GROUPS around the world [ROMAN CATHOLICS and all SIN-PRACTICING and QUEER- SUPPORTING DENOMINATIONS_`included!!??]. Outside the Christian groups, I think everybody who knows Christ, whether they are conscious of it OR NOT, they're MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST." [What?]

[Graham] went on to say: “...whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world, or the Christian world, they are members of the body of Christ, because they've been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus, but they know in their hearts that they need something that they don't have, and I think that they turn to the only light they have [YOU MEAN MUHAMMAD, OR THE MOON-god ALLAH, OR BUDDHA??!!], and I think they are SAVED, and that they are going to be in heaven with us.’’

Schuller queried: ‘‘What, what I hear you saying is that it's possible for Jesus Christ to come into human hearts and soul and life even if they've been born in darkness and never had an exposure to the Bible. Is that a correct interpretation of what you are saying?’’

Graham replied: "Yes, it is, because I believe that..."

[John 3:3-"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot

see the kingdom of God.”

Quoted portion from Dr. Cathy Burns' Billy Graham and His Friends, pp. 18-19.]

Billy Graham once believed that Jews (and other religionists) were lost if they did not repent of their sins and become born-again Biblically. He blames his change of mind on the ecumenical movement. Billy boy says in A Prophet with Honor, p. 225, "The ecumenical movement has broadened my viewpoint, and I recognize now that God has His people in all Churches." Enough said about goofy Schuller and backslid Billy.

Universalism's Problem

THIS "PAIN IN THE SPIRITUAL BUTT has been with the Church ever since the days of Origen. I won't go into all the controversies except to point out that ultimately this issue hinges on the reality of the Gospel and Biblical teaching of the N.T. that salvation is made available to ALL and judgment which continues upon ALL who deny and reject this free offer.

Scriptures, which are not a few, teach directly and indirectly, explicitly or implicitly the "Plan" of salvation and the certainty of both present and future judgment.

Scriptures also teach the "Narrow gate" vs. the "Broadway" (Lk. 13:23). The Johannine passages that deal with the universality of both the LORD'S love and His wrath (Jn. 3:16, 36, etc.). The universal reconciliation and judgment passages in Paul's writings (1 Tim. 4:10; 2 Thes. 1:9), the warnings found in the epistle to the Hebrews (Heb. 2:2; 4:1; etc.), and the story of the judgment day in Revelation 19:11 etc.

Only God Knows!

SPEAKING OF HIS JUDGMENTS or last-day judgment: This is only known to Him (and whom He chooses to let know).

So, in the Gospel presentation, there is both the positive-men can escape Hell-and the negative-no salvation...no escaping Hell. This negative side has to do with the fact that His FINAL WRATH has only been postponed, not revoked-the latter idea (revoked) being what so many would like us (and themselves) to believe. Backslid evangelical Rob Bell tells us that "Love Wins Out," meaning that God's love will not allow anyone to go to Hell.

Sorry, Mr. Bell, THERE IS STILL A HELL!!!

Thus, my dear Christian brothers and sisters in the Lord, the true Gospel ALWAYS leads to a call to repentance.

IF...

IF ALL ARE SAVED, if there is no final judgment, why call the sinner to turn from their sinfulness? Why do we find judgment in all the N.T.? Almost every sermon in Acts has judgment mentioned. Why does the apostle John emphasize over and over the terrible peril of unbelief? Why does Paul boldly, coldly and bluntly declare that those who disobey the Gospel will suffer the WRATH of God? (2 Thes. 1:8). Why does Jesus over and over again bring up the subject of Hellfire?

Our job as witnesses is not finished dear ones. God some day will judge the world-yes, this all-loving, all-compassionate God will divide the sheep from the goats (a fitting metaphor). Don't be taken in by all these "God is love and He will not punish anyone" liars.

Mission represents the URGENCY of this tension. -Playing Church only adds to God's Wrath.

We have a LOST generation right now, right here in good ol' USA, in need of a Savior-many are searching.

NO OPTION!

LISTEN UP!!! No option is available to the Church; to be the Church Army signifies commitment to the urgent enterprise.

Let me say here, mission is not simply an informative task but alsó a passionate plea for souls to come to Christ and be saved. SAVED!! Not to join ACMTC or any other Church, but to find Jesus and be SAVED! (Check out 2 Cor. 5:20, esp. in the Amp. Bible).

But we keep running up against this antithesis of "all are already saved because they are God's creation," or "all will eventually be saved because God loves them."

But if ALL men are saved, or will be saved, why all this missions urgency? If ALL men are already, or will be reconciled to God, wouldn't it be logical to see that God's Word does not contradict itself? Seems like the Holy Spirit would make it known to All men that they are already saved; but, you see, the Holy Spirit convicts men of sin and of unrighteousness.

Today's worldly Church cares little for Biblical salvation, only Church attendance and tithes. They are more interested in the quantitative, not the qualitative. "The teachings and warnings about the perilous consequences of unbelief and the certainty of God's judgment / punishment has faded into the background. Now we have boys like Joel Osteen teaching us to "Have Your Best Life Now. This would be good if he meant giving your WHOLE life WHOLLY to Christ, not giving your WHOLE life in pursuit of fame and fortune as he and his wife does.

Now Not Yet

THE CHURCH, the TRUE Church, holds to the tension between the "now" and the "not yet." believe that the Kingdom of God is now; I also believe that its fullness is yet future, its completeness. We experience the Kingdom of God presently, and (hopefully) will'eternally, forever, be in it with Jesus. Both the prophetic and the apocalyptic are realities.

The Kenosis

BOTH THE PROPHETIC and the apocalyptic are supported by the N.T. Scripture. God became a man, born of a virgin, called Jesus. "This Kenosis has its greatest expression," as one Bible scholar writes, "in the struggle of the cross. Out of the feeling of forsakenness, however, emerges hope for the future (“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"). Thus, the present is negated in the liberating action of the cross and pushed unto the certainty of God's future." Thus, we have the promised Savior, the substance, coming in due time out of the shadow.

You see, we can be "caught up" in the Spirit, as at Patmos John was, whereby he experienced both the "now" and the "future.” He could see what was going on around him, yet he could sail into the future. This is hope, dear ones, HOPE. If all he had to do was endure the present, and accept it as determinative of his future, this would lead to depression.

Jesus made reference to this when He told Nicodemus, "And, no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man WHICH IS (present tense) in heaven” (John 3:13) Jesus could experience heaven while on earth. So can we!

LET US PRAY

WE NEED TO PRAY for those who are stuck in the mire of Churchianity that God will free them. We need to pray for those who have come out that they will let God lead their lives, for many are wounded and need healing and direction, as we did once. Let us pray that we will continue to be a strong contender for Biblical Truth and hopefully become more influential in the thinking of dead theologians and churchmen and churchwomen...to inspire them to grab hold of the true meaning of missions.

God knows that there needs to be a welcomed return of the basic essentials of the Christian faith, which has been laid aside or trashed for popularity and prosperity.

The revival of the occult, the sick fascination with LGBTQ Esex, the lust for wealth, the craving for entertainment and so on, gives us every reason to fight the good fight of faith.

Salvation for mankind is not outdated, NO!!! The Kerygmatic, missiological, scriptural, ecclesiastical, praxeological and liturgical need reemphasizing.

Recognizing that the Church Army is the bearer of the Gospel of liberation (from sin) to others must first be liberated from all that hinders its true Christ-expression or robs it of a true sense of its own responsibility. I figure this is why today's worldly Church isn't concerned with the salvation of souls, its very own soul is bound to the world.

We may have come out of the world, but let us allow the Holy Spirit to drive the world out of us. How can we tell others to be free if we are bound? How can we witness about unity of the faith if we ourselves are divided? The harsh reality is this: The Church is divided; the world is divided. This ironic state of being is getting us nowhere.

So, in the light of our awareness of this dramatic reality of the worldly Church,

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

We're doing all we can here at ACMTC. We print and send out tons of free materials for both the lost-sinner, the Church- sinner, and the and the front-line soldiers. JOIN US IN THE WAR FOR SOULS!!! Amen.

---

Promises Salvation in Spite of Sin

By: General James Green -- 1/3/24                             

One Bible scholar wrote:

“It is a travesty on Biblical scholarship that the eighth chapter of Romans should be used to encourage a SECURITY that promises salvation in spite of sin.”

If one reads Romans 8 carefully, one will see how many times the word “if” is used: “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit IF indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now IF anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And IF Christ is in you... But IF the Spirit... dwells in you... For IF you live according to the flesh, you will die; but IF by the Spirit... you will live... and IF Children, then heirs... IF indeed we suffer with Him... But IF we hope for what we do not see... IF God is for us, who can be against us?,” VV. 9, 10, 11, 13, 17, 25, and 31. [ See my articles on the “if”/ “then” clause for extensive research on the words “if” and “then” (as in Rom. 8:17)]

Since I have written other articles on “Once Saved Always Saved?” and “Can a Christian Lose His Salvation?,” I will be short. This question has caused a great separation in the Body of Christ. I have over the span of 5 decades read from many scholars, theologists, preachers, experts in the Greek et al. Some teach what I call true security as opposed to a false security, which breeds a fake hope, carelessness, and unfounded confidence. True security (TS) demands knowledge of the “conditions” on which it rests. The “if”/ “then” clause bears this out. Rom. 8:17 is a case-in-point: “and IF Children (of God), THEN heirs.” To be heirs one must have the Spirit- the “condition.” Greek scholars point out that “if” (8:17) is “ie,” introducing a fulfilled condition. That is, the Spirit constantly bears testimony in company with our human spirit that we are Children of God... heirs. Only IF one has the Spirit, we come into possession of the privileges of sonship; sonship is a permanent and assured possession IF one stays in the faith- a “condition.”

True security demands complete obedience. There are inexhaustible texts- O.T./N.T. that contrast the “right way” as opposed to the “wrong way.” The perseverance of the saints is #5 in the “Once Saved Always Saved” TULIP doctrine;

#1 is “Total Depravity”;

#2 is “Unconditional Election”;

#3 is “Limited Atonement”;

#4 is the “Irresistible Grace”;

#5 is “Perseverance of the Saints.”

No one objects to the #5 but, as one author wrote, “It is the ‘perseverance of sinners’ that must be opposed.” Once Saved – Always Saved teaches one CANNOT lose his or her salvation no matter how in the hell they live. No “conditions,” just assurance! Jesus made it clear in John 10:27-30 that His sheep hear His voice, and they follow Him. Every word is sublimely true. His sheep have eternal life. The absolute safety of the sheep is certain. BUT there is another statement (implied): what about the sheep who do not follow Him, i.e. straying, or of another fold? Can they cash in on His promises? What of those who sin and still believe they’ll make it in? Please note, these are all present-tense statements: “They are hearing My Voice;” “They are following Me;” “I am giving eternal life;” those who are so doing “shall never perish.” There is no post-tense, “They once heard My voice.”

Jesus starts out His discourse with, “...he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door,” the “condition.” Can one merely join a church, without heart repentance, and be in Jesus’ fold? NO!