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Every Sunday, hundreds of millions who profess to be Christian assume they are being correctly
taught—and that they understand and believe—the truth of the Bible. In reality, almost no
one knows even the most basic teachings of God’s Word—or of Jesus Christ. Almost
all worship Jesus according to what is commonly believed, without the slightest proof from
their Bibles. Thus, the true doctrines of the Bible are unknown to Christianity—and
so is the meaning of nearly everything Jesus taught!
This is Part One of two broadcasts covering 20 verses that virtually the whole of Christendom
either misunderstands, ignores or rejects outright. Prepare to learn the truth—and
to be shocked at what you thought you knew!
The World to Come. The Restored Church of God presents David C. Pack. Author of 80 books
and booklets. Editor-in-chief of The Real Truth magazine. Read by countless and growing
numbers in every nation and territory of the world. In a violent age full of war, famine,
pollution, disease, disasters and economic uncertainty, and ever-worsening bad news.
Answering life’s greatest questions straight from the Bible, and announcing the wonderful
good news of the World to Come. And now, David C. Pack.
Over 100 million Bibles are sold or given away each year, with 92% of American households
having one. Such statistics show it is the world’s bestseller—yet, ironically, it
is also the world’s least understood book. All the verses you are about to see are ignored
and rejected by professing Christianity. Ministers and experienced Bible students know of these
passages, but choose to explain them away or never speak of them.
Most religious leaders have chosen to disregard what the Bible teaches. It is as though many
fear the truth, or to tell the truth! They fear being fired for teaching it—and they
fear their members will leave if they do. In all cases, they fear what men may say or
do, and give little or no thought to what God declares in His Word!
The majority of ministers appear to be of God. They profess to believe God wrote the
Bible. Yet, not understanding it, they twist verses to fit preconceived ideas. In fact,
theological institutes and seminaries of this world have developed a systematic way—and
this can be done consciously or unconsciously—of spinning or dismissing God’s plain words
and plain meaning in favor of making passages appear to say what they need them to say.
These theologians and religionists sell false teachings through use of specific verses—wrongly
understood and often taken out of context—that supposedly support their ideas. This permits
them to come from a basis of supposed Bible authority for beliefs. And it helps them to
much more easily snare the unwitting and unwary. If one is properly trained and sufficiently
grounded in the truth of the Bible, it is quite easy to see through and expose the deceptive
logic misapplied to a verse, and to correctly explain it. The apostle Paul warned of “dishonest”
people who “handle the word of God deceitfully,” because they, like their listeners willing
to believe them, “received not the love of the truth.” True ministers—never, under
any circumstances, follow these practices! What follows is simple, and the verses quoted
are seen to be not open to human interpretation. While the Bible is a long and sometimes complex
Book, the verses we will cover can be easily understood. The truths they bring will be
impossible to miss! Some background is necessary that introduces
all that follows. Blame for deception cannot be laid solely at the feet of modern Christendom.
There is another source, which drives the thinking of the whole world. It is key to
understanding why basic truths of the Bible remain hidden. This sets up the first verse
Christianity just leaves out—Revelation 12:9. This passage requires a little longer
explanation. Now let’s read it: “The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called
the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world.”
This verse is completely ignored by professing Christianity. Have you ever heard it from
the pulpit of your church? As the one who deceives all nations, including ministers,
Satan is ultimately responsible. His deception is extremely subtle. But of course God also
holds people accountable. Ephesians references the devil’s worldwide
influence: “In time past [the apostle Paul wrote] you walked according to the course
of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now
works in the children of disobedience.” Grasp this! Satan uses the air to broadcast—through
his spirit—an attitude of disobedience! His spirit sends moods, feelings and attitudes
of hostility into people’s minds. These work, as it says, to bring disobedience. This
airwave control gives the devil tremendous power, allowing him to send thoughts of deceit,
anger, pride, hatred, vanity, jealousy, ***, greed, envy and confusion into people’s
minds! The devil is much more powerful than most
realize. Look at the position he holds, and what this permits him to do: “The god of
this world [it says] has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light
of the glorious gospel of Christ...should shine unto them.” Satan blinds and deceives
on a staggering scale. The result is a world filled with disobedience—or lawlessness!
His cunning has been so seductive he has even been able to convince many that he does not
exist! Like Christians guided by God’s Spirit,
the children of disobedience are also inspired and guided by a spirit—that of this world’s
god. Satan broadcasts a spirit of rebellion against—and disobedience to—God’s Law.
The devil portrays his ministers as though they represent God and teach His truth. Notice:
“Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if
his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness.”
A deceived world is blissfully ignorant of this understanding, and pays the price!
The second verse—Isaiah 59:2—is related to Revelation 12:9. Let’s read it: “Your
iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face
from you, that He will not hear.” Mankind is cut off from God because of its sin. Adding
Jeremiah 5:25 makes this clearer. Grasp the implications: This is not God’s
world! It is cut off from Him—held captive by an unseen kidnapper. All of humanity has
been deceived into believing the soothing words of this great captor, thinking themselves
better off under his care and leadership. 6,000 years ago, the devil first captured
Adam and Eve, and as a result, all inhabitants of Earth ever after! However, the world has
remained a willing captive ever since—and remains cut off from God.
The third verse Christianity disregards is the definition of sin. I John 3:4: “Whosoever
commits sin transgresses also the law: [get this!] for sin is the transgression of the
law.” This is one of the greatest points in the Bible: the difference between what
God approves and what He does not. There have been endless ideas about the definition of
sin—what it is and is not. Yet the Bible defines it with surprising simplicity. When
someone transgresses or breaks “the law,” he has sinned.
When one breaks man’s laws, he earns a penalty, such as a fine, jail time, or worse for capital
offenses. Likewise, when we violate the laws of God, we earn a penalty: “The wages of
sin is death,” the Bible says. Wages are something you earn as a payment for what you
have done. If you sin—break God’s Law—you will die eternally. Suddenly, knowing what
constitutes “God’s Law” is of extreme importance!
The subject of what is God’s Law has been twisted and mangled. Greater Churchianity,
as I call it, has blurred this concept beyond recognition. However, this need not be complicated.
This leads us to the next few verses that Christianity just blows off.
The fourth verse never talked about in Christendom is Matthew 5:17, where Jesus said, “Think
not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but
to fulfill.” The word “fulfill” means to “verify,
fully preach, perfect, fill to the full.” In other words, Jesus came to verify and perfect
the 10 Commandments—to expand their meaning. Matthew 5 is then filled with examples of
how the 10 Commandments have been made even more binding today. For instance, Jesus said,
“It was said by them of old time, You shall not kill…but I say…that whosoever is angry
with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” Instead of abolishing
the Commandments, Jesus magnified them. Read Isaiah 42 and verse 21.
Ministers of this world twist these and other scriptures to sidestep and reject Jesus’
plain meaning about the importance of keeping God’s Law. They dismiss clear verses, such
as Paul’s statement, “Do we then make void the law through faith? [As most today
claim, Paul adds…] God forbid: yes, we establish the law.”
This leads to the fifth overlooked verse—and it is crucial. I John 5:3: “For this is
the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous [or
burdensome].” Many who claim to have love believe God’s Commandments are grievous.
God declares otherwise! Paul called God’s Law “holy, just, good…and spiritual.”
The Psalms say it is perfect, sure, right and pure.
Blessings flow from keeping God’s commands. Ancient Israel was instructed to keep them,
because—with the whole Bible—they form His Instruction Manual on how to live. God’s
Word reveals the only way to achieve a truly successful, happy and abundant life!
The sixth verse takes this connection further. Romans 13:10: “Love works no ill to his
neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Get this! The Bible defines
love as obedience to God’s Law. It is that simple. There is no ambiguity or confusion!
Yet most are ignorant of the true definition of love. Ministers everywhere speak endlessly
about God’s love, while completely missing all of these vital scriptures that define
it. Jesus also said, “If you love Me, keep My
commandments.” Nowhere does Jesus say, “He who professes to love Me—yet breaks My commandments—still
loves Me.” If you are among the two billion who profess to be Christian, and someone asked
you whether you love Jesus Christ, you would surely answer yes. But how would you prove
it? What evidence could you provide? To most, love is little more than a vague
idea that cannot be defined, everything from a feeling in the heart to just doing good.
A wide range of ideas exist, because few consult the only source that provides an absolute
definition. The first four commandments—not serving
false gods, not making or worshipping images (or idols) of God, not taking God’s name
in vain, and observing the Sabbath—reveal how to love God. The remaining six—honor
father and mother, do not kill, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, or covet—reveal
how to love other human beings. When one obeys God’s Law, he automatically practices love—toward
God and others. Love is easily demonstrated because action is required.
When one obeys any of the last six commandments, he—knowingly or not—is outwardly indicating
love toward his fellow man. Consider adultery. Though vast numbers break the seventh Commandment,
most would agree adultery is not showing love toward one’s spouse. Now think of the devastation
that results: broken trust, marriages, homes, relationships with children, and more. By
faithfulness, spouses show love toward each other.
Similarly, obeying commands one to four show love toward God. Sadly, most don’t even
know these laws—and thus do not truly love God, despite what they may proclaim.
The World to Come will continue after this brief message. Discover more from David C.
Pack! Visit our website worldtocome.org. See The World to Come broadcasts, read and order
books, booklets and articles, all free of charge. To continue learning about the topics
covered in this broadcast, visit worldtocome.org today! Now back to David C. Pack.
The seventh passage that most outright reject is in Mark 7. As you read, ask if you have
ever heard it quoted by a minister. Jesus said this to the Pharisees, “[Isaiah] prophesied
of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honor Me with their lips, but their
heart is far from Me…In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments
of men.” He added, “Laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, as
the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things you do…Full well you reject
the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.”
This is a strong indictment of the religious elite of that time! Jesus stated that the
Pharisees professed to worship God, but inside they were far from Him. The context was they
sought opportunity to accuse Him and His disciples of breaking their tradition—the commandments
of men—merely because they didn’t wash their hands when they ate. The disciples were
not breaking any laws of God. Jesus labeled the Pharisees’ worship vain, meaning “to
no purpose, fruitless.” While God does authorize use of traditions
(II Thessalonians 2:15), they never supplant or contradict His laws. The Pharisees, like
so many today, claim to know God. The apostle John wrote, “He that says, I know Him, and
keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Today’s religious elite reject God’s instructions and instead teach and hold to popular traditions:
Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Sunday-keeping, the false trinitarian god, the false gospel
about Jesus instead of the kingdom of God, the fictions that God’s Law was “nailed
to the cross,” tithing is “done away,” the saved go to heaven, and a host of other
traditions. In fact, virtually all the teachings of orthodox Christianity are manmade!
Like the Pharisees, the world’s ministers preach false doctrines and lead people away
from God. If Jesus were here today, He would indict these ministers in the same manner!
Ask yourself whether you are worshipping Jesus Christ in vain. Do not assume His warning
only applies to others. Assume it could mean you! Investigate why you believe as you do—why
you observe popular traditions. The eighth passage rarely even mentioned by
ministers is in James 2. First, understand that some assert keeping the 10 Commandments
is “legalistic” merely because salvation is by grace. How do grace and obedience to
God connect to salvation? And does obeying the law—your works—mean you are trying
to earn salvation? Now James: “Faith, if it has not works,
is dead, being alone…You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your
works, and I will show you my faith by my works…But will you know, O vain man, that
faith without works is dead?…[Regarding Abraham] See you how faith wrought with his
works, and by works was faith made perfect?” Most assume that grace and works are mutually
exclusive. The Bible says no such thing. In fact, God’s Word demonstrates both are required.
Think of salvation in this way: A wealthy father approaches his son heading off to college
with this offer: “Son, upon graduation, I will give you one million dollars if you:
Maintain a B average, never get drunk and never cut classes.” Ask: If the young man
meets these conditions, will he receive the million dollars? Yes! Has his conduct earned
him the money? No! Of course not. He merely did what all young men should do at college.
Yet he would not receive the million dollars if he did not meet the preconditions—the
qualifiers! Salvation is the same. Of course God offers
far more than a million dollars, but only those who obey Him—who qualify—may receive
His offer. Why cannot millions of Christians understand such basic logic?
There is nothing one can do to earn salvation. It is completely a gift from God. No amount
of commandment-keeping can atone for violating God’s Law. Only Jesus’ blood can do this.
However, reward in the next life, after receiving salvation, is determined by your works. The
commandments describe personal responsibility—what you must do. Yet, when fully understood, obedience
is not you doing it, but rather Christ in you, who will keep the same commandments He
did when in the flesh 2,000 years ago! Don’t accept the reasoning of men. Examine
the pages of your Bible. All of James 2 discusses how faith and works
go hand-in-hand toward achieving salvation and eternal reward. Christians demonstrate
faith in God by doing good works and keeping His Law. Yet it requires Christ’s faith
working in them to succeed. The ninth verse is Matthew 4:4: “Man shall
not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
Most Christians do not study their Bibles, never mind diligently. They do not use God’s
Word as His Instruction Manual. They do not live the Bible. They do not “study to show
themselves approved unto God” or “rightly divid[e] the word of truth.” If they did,
especially this world’s ministers, broadcasts like this would be unnecessary. Everyone would
already understand all these verses. Fifty years ago, a newspaper article exposed
Christians’ ignorance of the Bible. Since then, this has worsened. This article begins,
“Some months ago, a Protestant pastor administered a Bible quiz to the members of his congregation.
The questions were very simple. Anyone with a general knowledge of the Bible should have
been able to answer all of them easily. The results staggered the pastor. Only 5% of his
flock [it continues] made a commendable grade on the test. 15% failed to give a single correct
answer. 60% were unable to name the 4 Gospels. 75% could not identify Calvary (Golgotha)
as the place where Jesus was crucified…The vast majority of Americans today are Bible
illiterates. They simply have never read the book which they profess to regard as the ‘Word
of God.’” So sadly true! The reporter concluded, “A great many people
have turned away from the Bible because when they do try to read it, they find they cannot
understand it…To the modern reader, it has a remote and antiquarian flavor. It is likely
to leave him with the impression the Bible is an ancient history book that has no real
relevance to his life here and now.” Society almost considers biblical knowledge
irrelevant. J.B. Phillips, of the Phillips Bible translation, wrote this: “It is one
of the curious phenomena of modern times that it is considered perfectly respectable to
be abysmally ignorant of the Christian faith. Men and women who would be deeply ashamed
of having their ignorance exposed in matters of poetry, music, or painting, for example,
are not in the least perturbed to be found ignorant of the New Testament.” I would
add they are even more ignorant of the Old Testament.
The Bible of a true Christian is not gathering dust on a shelf. He is daily studying it—every
word from God’s mouth. The tenth passage that is ignored by virtually every professing
Christian relates to this entire broadcast. In Matthew 24:4 and 5, Jesus warned, “Take
heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ [I am
the Messiah]; and shall deceive many.” The first “many” here are the vast majority
of thought-to-be Christian ministers who proclaim Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, but who
do not believe or teach what He taught. Neither do they come with His authority.
Six verses later, Jesus added, “Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”
Not only would false prophets deceive the great majority, they would also infiltrate
the true Church, Christ warned, causing many true Christians to fall away. During the last
days, false prophets were foretold to increase in number and in their power to deceive. Here
is Jesus’ chilling warning: “There shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and
shall show great signs and wonders.” You must understand the power, influence and
grave danger presented by false prophets and false teachers—and grasp what it means to
you. There are many deceivers at work today. But how many are taking heed, as Jesus said?
How many are doing their homework on something so vital? How many are carefully examining
those claiming to represent God? The Bible says prophets fall into one of two
categories—true or false. All—past, present or future—are one or the other. They cannot
be both, and they cannot be in-between. Within the category of false prophets are two types:
Those who claim to be a prophet, but falsely foretell events, not being inspired by the
true God—and those who do not necessarily claim to be a prophet, but who teach falsely
about prophecy—and for that matter any other aspect of God’s Word. The latter would include
false teachers and false ministers. Like false prophets, false teachers assert they are vested
with God’s authority. Rather than falsely prophesying future events, they teach false
doctrines supposedly from the Bible. Therefore, Jesus’ warnings also apply to false teachers,
who work in the same way. Understand. On the surface, false prophets
rarely appear to be what they are. They are incredibly seductive and seem to be men of
God. We saw that effective deceivers have the ability to almost miraculously transform
themselves into something they are not. This is how they are able to deceive so many. Think
of popular televangelists and religious personalities. The most famous are invariably the smoothest
in style, tone, emphasis, body language and word choice. These men come off as sincere
and believable. The result is that thousands sit in stadiums mesmerized by these religious
actors. In fact, some could win an Academy Award if they were actors.
The New Testament describes how false ministers and false prophets attempt to confuse even
God’s people. Therefore, God must show exactly how to distinguish the true from the false—the
genuine from the impostors. Many verses do this. God allows no room for doubt or confusion.
Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly
they are ravening wolves.” If such men appeared as vicious wolves, who would follow them?
Because they can portray themselves as men of God—some masterfully—fooling many is
easier than taking candy from a baby. Do not let them fool you!
We have examined 10 verses that should now be impossible to misunderstand. While the
Christian world either rejects, never discusses, or spiritualizes away their true meaning,
don’t you. Part Two examines 10 more verses. Do not miss
it. In the meantime, you may want to read my book The Bible’s Difficult Scriptures
Explained! Until next time, this is David C. Pack saying,
“Goodbye, friends.”
This program was made available by Restored Church of God members and donors from around
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