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The World to Come. The Restored Church of God presents David C. Pack. Answering life’s
greatest questions straight from the Bible, and announcing the wonderful good news of
the World to Come.
You have been learning about the delusion that millions hold in believing they have
been "born again" in this life thru the religious experience of "accepting Jesus." We continue
learning the truth of this subject. In this concluding part, you will learn what almost
no one understands---and it is the most exciting part of the subject.
This time we begin in the book of Hebrews, which reveals God's incredible purpose with
crystal clarity. The context begins in Chapter 1. The picture that now unfolds is truly awesome!
The introduction to Hebrews sets the stage by revealing that God has made Christ "heir"
of something very specific. Let's learn what: "God, who at [various] times and in [various]
manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken
unto us by His Son, whom He has appointed HEIR of ALL THINGS…For unto which of the
angels said He at any time, You are My Son, this day have I begotten you?"
Recognize that God created angels to be "ministering spirits" to assist the "heirs of salvation."
This is their role within God's Plan. While they are spirit beings, angels are not born
sons of God. They are not offered membership in the Family of God.
This is why Satan (as a fallen angel) so hates the idea that puny, fleshly man can receive
what he has never been offered, nor can ever achieve. Therefore, deceiving humanity about
the real meaning of being born again is of paramount importance to him.
The apostle Paul quotes two places in the Psalms. First again: "For unto which of the
angels said [God] at any time, you are My Son, this day have I begotten you? And again,
I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to Me a Son?" God has never said these things
to an angel! Hebrews 2:5 describes the Earth under the
"subjection of angels" now, but makes clear that these angels will not rule over "the
world to come." Paul quotes another Psalm, explaining what
has always been God's Purpose: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness
is the scepter of Your kingdom." A scepter is a rod or staff used as a symbol
of rulership or authority---and in His kingdom, God holds all power.
Finally, the same question about angels is reframed: "But to which of the angels said
He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool?" The answer---none!
Why? "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall
be heirs of salvation?" This sets the stage for what we must understand!
Let's really grasp the future that God has prepared for His children.
This amazing series of verses continues in chapter 2---and builds in understanding and
impact. Paul next quotes Psalm 8, where David asked the all-important question, "What is
man, that You are mindful of him?" Since God is eternal, and sits over the entire universe,
controlling all power, no wonder David asked, and Paul repeated, this question.
The astounding answer comes next: "You made him [man] a little lower than the angels;
You crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of Your hands."
God plans to give immense power and authority to His sons: "You have put ALL THINGS in subjection
under his [man's] feet. For in that He put ALL in subjection under him, He left NOTHING
that is not put under him. But now we see not yet ALL THINGS put under him." This has
not yet happened---but soon will, at the Return of Christ.
When God says "all things" will be put under man's feet, this is what He means. The vast
universe, with all of its quadrillions of stars and one trillion galaxies, will be put
under the authority of human beings who have been born into the Family of God. In fact,
the Moffatt translation renders the Greek word for "all things" as "the universe."
This is staggering knowledge! Take time to truly grasp it. Savor what can be your future---IF
you choose to seek and obey God. It is the reason you exist---it explains why you were
born! Let's take time to read several verses. They
remove all doubt about whether God is going to give ALL POWER to Christ and the other
"many brethren" of whom Christ is firstborn. First, "ALL THINGS are delivered unto Me of
My Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father…"
Next, "And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, ALL POWER is given unto Me in heaven
and in earth." Now another, "The Father loves the Son, and
has given ALL THINGS into His hand." And another, "Jesus knowing that the Father
had given ALL THINGS into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God."
Still another, "ALL THINGS that the Father has are Mine."
And finally, "For He [God] has put ALL THINGS under His [Christ's] feet. But when He said
ALL THINGS are put under Him, it is manifest [obvious] that He [God] is excepted, which
did put ALL THINGS under Him. And when ALL THINGS shall be subdued unto Him, then shall
the Son also Himself be subject unto Him [God] that put ALL THINGS under Him, that God may
be all in all." This last verse mentions ALL THINGS five times.
Together, these verses leave no room for misunderstanding. The final inheritance of God's future sons
will be truly incredible! Before continuing, consider a key verse about
another related aspect of salvation that few understand. We have seen that Christians await
a truly awesome salvation. But the whole creation also intensely awaits the appearance of many
new sons to be added to God's Family. The following is from the Revised Standard
Version: "For the creation [all things in the known universe] waits with eager longing
for the revealing of the sons of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not
of its own will but by the will of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation
itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the
children of God. We know that the whole creation [everything] has been groaning in travail
together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves [Christians], who have the
firstfruits of the Spirit [the FEW now called], groan inwardly as we wait for [birth] as sons."
All future "children of God" will liberate a creation now in bondage. A decayed and wounded
Earth, moon and stars will soon be renewed and returned to a state of beauty, harmony
and tranquility under the leadership of Jesus Christ and God's other children. This is part
of your calling. Continuing in Hebrews 2, notice Jesus "is
not ashamed to call them brethren [the other many sons]." Truly, the begotten Christian
has been called to "glory" and to be one of "many sons." Jesus' suffering and sacrifice
allow Him to be the "Captain of their salvation"---and potentially yours.
I repeat, what an incredible future for those whom Christ "calls…brethren." Notice again:
"For both He that sanctifies [Christ] and they who are sanctified [begotten Christians]
are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren."
There will be no difference between Jesus and His younger brothers and sisters, except
He will have greater authority. Do you see what is described here? The Christian
goal is to be born into the kingdom of God---to become a spirit being ruling with Christ.
What could be more wonderful---more glorious---to look forward to? The cherished traditions
and fables of men, about life after death, or anything else, have absolutely no worth.
This includes the fiction that deceived millions believe about a supposed "born again experience"
in this life. The truth of the Bible is the only knowledge of permanent worth. Christians,
having come out of a deceived, confused world, are set apart from the world by the truth.
(Read John 17:17.) If Christ is "not ashamed to call them (Christians)
brethren," then we, God's begotten sons---possibly to include you---must not be ashamed to defend
the very truth that sanctifies them---and to defend the truth of the gospel. We must
"grow up" unto Christ and hold to the true doctrines of God. We must qualify to stand
beside Jesus Christ over "all things." This means understanding the truth about being
born again! Many early servants of God had His Spirit
before it was given to the New Testament Church. It was only by God's Spirit that the Old Testament
prophets recorded the Scriptures. Notice: "For the prophecy came not in old time by
the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
King David had God's Spirit. After adultery with Bathsheba, he poured out his heart in
prayer asking forgiveness, and that he could continue to have the Holy Spirit within him.
Let's read: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast
me not away from Your presence; and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me
the joy of Your salvation; and uphold me with Your free Spirit."
These verses are clear. We could cite many others to demonstrate that Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob will enter the kingdom. God's Spirit was certainly dwelling in these men, but they
were not---and are not---yet BORN into the kingdom.
Numerous judges and pre-Flood preachers, along with many prophets, were begotten of God exactly
as Christians are today. But they have also not yet "entered into" the kingdom.
This question arises: If these men were also begotten of God's Spirit, how could Jesus
be called "the only begotten Son of God"? The answer is simple. He was the only one
begotten by the Father directly in a human womb. No other person has ever been born of
a *** with God as Father. In this sense, Christ was the only begotten Son of God.
Hebrews 11:39-40 proves the prophets and patriarchs are still awaiting their birth into God's
kingdom: "These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us [also] should not
be made perfect." The patriarchs are awaiting "us" (potentially
you)---to become "perfect," born again, divine spirit beings in the Family of God.
The Bible is filled with many accounts of God's greatest servants battling to overcome
sin. In nearly every case, they had to learn difficult and sometimes painful lessons. Examined
collectively, Moses, Noah, David, Samuel, Peter and others fought every kind of problem
known to man. Those begotten of God can still sin---and can even commit the unpardonable
sin, leading to an abortion---a miscarriage---and loss of eternal life. Suffice to say, Christians
can sin. Those born of God cannot. This booklet, Just What Is the Unpardonable Sin?, brings
much more explanation of this little understood sin.
The apostle John wrote that Christians sometimes sin. The begotten can slip up and temporarily
get off track into sin. Here is how he expressed it: "If we [Christians] say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that
we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us…And if any man sin,
we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
This passage is straightforward. The last verse explains that Christ is our advocate---our
High Priest (read Heb. 4:15)---to whom we may go in time of need for forgiveness.
Paul represents a classic individual example of how one of God's greatest servants fought
to overcome sin. At the end of his life, he was able to say that he had "fought the good
fight" and had "run his course" knowing a "crown" awaited him. But this did not happen
without much effort to defeat, thru spiritual war, the human nature he strove to overcome.
Romans 7:14-23 will educate and encourage you that you are not alone on your path to
overcoming Satan, society and self---all of which lead to SIN!
Paul added, "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal [physical flesh], sold under
sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate,
that do I." He continued, "for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which
is good I find not. For the good that I would [do] I do not: but the evil which I would
not [do], that I do." It was as though whatever Paul did or did
not want to do, his human nature, his flesh, caused him to do exactly the opposite! Why?
God inspired the answer for us: "I find then a law, that, when I would [try to] do good,
evil is present with me…But I see another law in my members, warring against the law
of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin."
Paul went on to add that only thru the power of Christ's mind in him was he able to overcome
and obtain final victory to keep God's Law---rather than obeying sin. Only in this way could Paul
later say that he had "fought the good fight" and had "run his course" to victory.
Understand that Christianity is an all-out war! But Christians should expect to win---as
long as they remain close to God to obtain strength for overcoming.
God looks on the intent of the heart. It is one's overall desire and motivation that is
important to God. He wants to know if, after a person sins, he is sorry for it and is determined
to do better. Jesus "was in all points tempted like as we
are." He understands the temptations that beset us even better than we do. He watches
to see if we will be sober and vigilant as we root sin out of our lives.
One chapter later, in I John 3, the Greek word gennao is again used and could be correctly
translated 2 different ways. Let's see. God's character will have already
been perfected in those He "quickens" at the resurrection. At this time, they will no longer
be able to sin. Now the verse: "Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for His
seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
This is a fascinating verse. Again, it can be translated 2 ways, both correct. Some translators
render this verse as begotten instead of born, because they understand Christians do not
practice sin as a way of life in this life. In other words, they do not habitually sin---they
strive not to sin. Now consider another way to view this verse.
If one is born of God in the resurrection, is now in the God Family, he cannot sin---it
is impossible! This is also true! This second explanation is almost certainly what God intended.
Here is why. Let's reread a verse from earlier in the series:
"Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God…NOW are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be:
but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as
He is." As explained previously, a Christian is now
a begotten son of God. However, in this life, it "does not yet appear what we shall be."
The Christian is not yet "like Him"---"as He is."
The context is clearly talking about sons of God who are not yet born. By verse 9, it
is apparent that what is being described is how Christians will be "like Him" at the resurrection.
We have already covered what it means to be like God---born again! Let's repeat the questions:
When do Christians become inheritors---and no longer heirs? When is one truly born again?
Recall Paul wrote, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom
of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption." Fleshly human beings cannot enter God's kingdom---the
Family of God---ruling the entire Earth. Jesus told Nicodemus that, "Except a man be
born again, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God." When Nicodemus was confused, Jesus said, "That
which is born of the flesh IS flesh" and "that which is born of the Spirit IS spirit."
God's Word teaches that the dead in Christ are resurrected at His Return. But some will
not believe this, preferring to believe the dead go to heaven after having been born again
in this life, upon professing or accepting Jesus.
But the Bible explains: "Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say
some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection
of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching
vain, and your faith is also vain." This is God's answer to all who will not believe
in the resurrection of the DEAD---in being born again. Now notice: "For if the dead rise
not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are
yet in your sins [correctly understanding the resurrection becomes serious]. Then they
also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished."
There are few scriptures stronger than these. If there is no resurrection, then Christianity
is a VAIN RELIGION! So says GOD! Only thru Jesus, the firstborn, can others
be born later. Jesus comes first, with others appearing later in their own order. But when
does this happen? When are others "born again"? "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ
shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward
they that are Christ's [take note!] at His coming."
Christians are born again "at His Coming"---not before!
Now here is what happens at the resurrection: "Behold [meaning, look and listen], I show
you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trump [Christ's Return]: for the trumpet shall sound, and
the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible
must put on incorruption, and this mortal [body from human birth] must put on immortality
[a divine body at spirit birth]." The flesh is changed to spirit only at the
resurrection. Let's examine one more crucial verse from
Paul to remove all doubt about when it occurs and what happens when it does: "But I would
not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep." Most are ignorant
about the resurrection---and them which are asleep. Now notice why Paul said this: "that
you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." Many are asleep in Christ---sleeping
in the grave, awaiting the resurrection and rebirth. This is the Christian hope.
Here is exactly when the resurrection occurs: "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in
Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the
Lord." Jesus said, "I will come again." Isaiah wrote,
"Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold,
His reward is with Him." The prophet Daniel recorded that at that time "many of them that
sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake [from sleep]…to everlasting life."
The knowledge that the dead are asleep in the grave has been understood since long before
the New Testament era. Jesus taught the gospel of the kingdom of
God---and we stress this greatest of truths in our broadcasts and publications. As with
the truth of salvation, and being born again, the ministers of this world have created a
substitute gospel about the Person of Jesus. My booklet, Which Is the True Gospel?, is
vital to seeing what is at stake in this colossal deception. Jesus Christ is not the gospel.
He was the Messenger of the gospel. The truth is that Jesus announced an all-powerful,
world-ruling government would come to Earth. It would be preceded by a time of terrible
world trouble and confusion---our time NOW! The saints would receive their inheritance
at His Return and the establishing of His government.
Jesus' disciples asked Him what would be the sign of His Coming and the end of the age.
He warned them of deception from many who would come "in His Name," saying that "Christ
is Christ," explaining that they would put an emphasis on Christ's Person instead of
His Message---what Christ announced. But He also foretold, "This gospel of the kingdom
shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Remember, if the kingdom of God had been preached thru the centuries, from the time of Christ
to the present, proclaiming it today could not be a sign that the world has reached the
end of the age. Think about this! Impostors and false leaders suppressed the preaching
of the true gospel to the world until the 20th century. Starting in 1934, Herbert W.
Armstrong began the fulfillment of this prophecy. The Restored Church of God continues it, and
will continue preaching this gospel for only a little longer in these final days. We are
also teaching people how to see and enter into God's kingdom. We are teaching them how
to be BORN AGAIN! It is astonishing that the enormous amount
of New Testament proof revealing the staggering truth about being born again is so ignored
and misunderstood. Jesus, Paul, Peter and John taught it over and over---and with clarity---for
those who will examine their plain words! For the final time, I urge you to read this
vital booklet, What Does "BORN AGAIN" Mean? This series now comes to an end. I have done
all I can to make this subject easy to understand. Will the marvelous truth of its message stay
with you? If so, for how long? Now, what will you do about it?
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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