Like a chestnut tree

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? (Galatians 2:14)

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED.” That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. (Romans 9:6-8)

Galatians 2:11-21 outlines the issues that the visible churches faced at that time. Circumcision was given to Abraham and his descendants as a symbol of God’s chosen people. However, circumcision was only a shadow of the real circumcision, the circumcision of the heart, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After Christ’s ascension, some Israelites joined the visible church, but they did not understand that circumcision done on the body was replaced by the ceremonial baptism. With their wrong understanding of circumcision, some Israelites tried to put a heavy yoke of the Law on the new members of the church. Paul explains here that true Israelites are the believers, chosen by grace, and that the Law does not lead to righteousness.

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly. (Galatians 2:21)

Paul never says that the sinless Adam could earn righteousness by works if he had endured till the end of the probation period, which the Covenant theologians insist. It is because his understanding (and all apostles’ understanding) of righteousness has a different root. Paul’s understanding of righteousness is always connected to Christ’s death (and resurrection). Paul does not talk about only death of Christ but also His resurrection as the two events are inseparable. Paul’s idea of righteousness is from God because Christ has also said this:

… regarding righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you no longer are going to see Me (John 16:10)

Christ has never told us that our righteousness is from His perfect keeping of the Law apart from His work on the cross. This is why God has shown me that the Covenant Theology along with the Active Obedience of Christ is rootless. Emphasis on the Law may appear to bring lawfulness in churches but keeping of the Law (agape) comes from God not from our own initiatives. True keeping of the Law is from understanding and knowing God, which the Word and the Spirit give. Distorting the words of God does not lead to lawfulness. On the contrary, it leads to death of churches, which we now face. That is what the false Christians intended to do as shown in Galatians 2:4.

Yet it was a concern because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy on our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. (Galatians 2:4)

The Covenant Theology has actually led people to legalism and false piety. Many Protestant churches have abandoned God’s absolute grace. The false Christians appear to live a pious and disciplined life. Many think their way of life will please God. But God does not approve of their works.

Galatians 2:14 may appear confusing to some. But its interpretation is simple.

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew (Christian), live like the Gentiles (unbelievers/idolaters) and not like the Jews (Christians), how is it that you compel the Gentiles (unbelievers/idolaters) to live like Jews (Christians)? (Galatians 2:14)

Paul asks us how we as Christians can compel the idolaters to live like Christians when we live like the idolaters. Peter was proud to be a physical descendant of Abraham and was enticed by his pride. While he thought he acted like a chosen man of God, he, in fact, acted like an idolater, who does not know God. Many in the Reformed churches say that they are chosen by God and yet, they believe in the miserable doctrines that lead them to death.

The Covenant theologians believe that our eternal life is from Christ’s perfect keeping of the Law. Some interpret the Law as agape. But the majority of them interpret the Law as the written code. And they promote people to keep the written code written in the Ten Commandments. True Christians uphold the Law by the power of the Holy Spirit. However, we do not believe that our eternal life is from Christ’s keeping of the Law apart from the cross.

Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life. (John 6:47)

This faith is always connected to Christ’s work on the cross.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Paul says that love is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:10). However, he often explains the Law as the written code that condemns and brings death to people. The righteousness that the saints receive is God’s righteousness that comes from believing in Christ who died and resurrected for His church. Our righteousness is not mere uprightness that Adam had. Christ died and yet, the work is not only from Him but also from the Father. Christ believed in the Father because He is one with the Father. We receive His righteousness by believing in Him.

No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it back. This commandment I received from My Father. (John 10:18)

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.” (Romans 1:17)

We died to the Law. Christ came and paid for our sins as the sole representative of the saints, which Romans 5 explains. As He resurrected to life and lives forever, the saints who believe in Him live forever. Christ’s sinlessness is for the once-for-all perfect sacrifice, which the Book of Hebrews explains in depth.

These things you have done and I kept silent; You thought that I was just like you; I will rebuke you and present the case before your eyes. (Psalm 50:21)

The biggest error that the Reformers in the seventeenth century have made is that they turned to speculative and miserable doctrines to please men, not God. Christianity is not for the majority of people but for few chosen. However, God was pleased to make a system (the visible church) through which His people were taught and trained just like He did in the OT.

There are many religions around the world. Religiousness is deeply embedded in our nature. Even those who say they do not follow a religion believe in themselves. All religions require people to do something for their gods. The Bible says that idols are people’s inventions. Our God does not require us to do something for Him from our own initiatives. It is God who does everything. Therefore, we know that anyone who says we can do something for God from our own initiatives is an idolater. One may think that people like doing nothing for their gods but on the contrary, people always seek new ways to please their imaginary gods.

The gospel tells us that grace is freely given to God’s chosen people. We do not gain faith by our own efforts. Faith is connected to the knowledge of God. That knowledge is not given unless the Holy Spirit enters a person. And the Holy Spirit speaks what is written in the Bible. He interprets the words of God. We are born spiritually dead like the dry bones in Ezekiel 37, unable to know and love God from our own initiatives. Moreover, Adam was unable to overcome the devil’s temptations although he was born upright. Adam did not know God as the Son does. Christ is the only one who truly knows the Father.

No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him. (John 1:18)

Christians want to believe that God’s grace is for all mankind. But we know that the Holy Spirit has come only to certain people. If indeed the Spirit has come to all mankind, we would not have what we face in this world – famine, war, greed, injustice, poverty, etc. The Bible tells us that there are evil people who blaspheme God. God separates the saints from those people who will be eternally condemned. Some say that people who do good works receive the Holy Spirit. Their definition of good works are the good works in the eyes of the world. Those good works are not connected to the knowledge of God. Besides, there are no good works from people who are born dead. God sees that there is no one who does good, not even one (Romans 3:10). Paul had much education under the Jewish religion. However, he considered everything as dung. The Jewish religion did not lead him to Christ.

But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, (Philippians 3:7-8)

Some ignorant people think that Paul’s education under Judaism led him to write what he wrote. The only benefit Paul received from Judaism was reading the Old Testament. When the Holy Spirit came to him, Paul realized that the Jewish knowledge of God was wrong. The Spirit gave him the true knowledge of God and the right interpretations of the words of God. In Galatians 1, he emphasizes that his mission and knowledge is given by God for a purpose. He mentions ‘man (or men)’ several times in the chapter and insists that he was not made an apostle to please men.

For I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is not of human invention. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12)

For many centuries, the Roman Catholic church ruled the Europe. Most people in the Europe were the Roman Catholic, and anyone against the church was considered a heretic. A Roman Catholic Order, the Dominicans, were called ‘Domini canes (hounds of God)’ and they spent much time studying the Bible, developed their theories about God, and persecuted anyone who was against the church. They openly adopted the ideas of Aristotle. Aquinas was a Dominican. And with his theories, the Roman Catholic church condemned the Reformers in the Council of Trent. Some theologians believe that Augustine, Luther, and Calvin followed the ideas of Plato and Aquinas and others followed those of Aristotle. Bringing Greek philosophers who did not know God into theology is an abomination. Even though they might have said some things right, their ideas are not better than pagans having their own ideas of an invented god. In any religion, there may be a glimpse of God there, but the pagans follow their own invented knowledge and theories. They are satisfied with their idols and never seek for truths that the words of God bring by the Holy Spirit. Some of them turn away from their sins and believe in the only true God when the Holy Spirit comes to them. All others remain blind and will be resurrected to eternal damnation.

I read that Luther relied on the Book of Galatians much. Luther was a God’s instrument to initiate the Reformation. But his knowledge had limits. We can see his limits by what the Lutheran church has become. If I remember it correctly, it was Luther who thought Adam did not need Christ in the garden of Eden. I may be wrong. Some of you who have more knowledge in this matter may know more about Luther’s idea of Adam in Eden. I think it is one of the limits that the Protestants had.

Paul emphasizes on the death of Christ continuously. He never mentions Christ’s perfect keeping of the Law as righteousness separate from the cross. Christ’s sinlessness is connected to once-for-all perfect sacrifice.

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)

Did Paul and other apostles emphasize on the cross because Adam was so perfect that his descendants need only forgiveness of sins? The Covenant Theology came because the theologians considered that the cross represents only the forgiveness of sins. They thought that Adam and we need more than the cross. Therefore, the perfect keeping of the Law became a mean to gain eternal life in their theory. The Bible never mentions of the probation period of Adam that the Covenant Theologians talk about. I can only conclude that they have failed to see the true meaning of the cross. Paul and other apostles always connect the cross to adoption through the union with Christ. As the Son lives eternally, the saints who are united with Him live eternally. Those who follow the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ think that what God really wants is obedience to the Law. However, what they call the obedience to the Law is only false piety. They attempt to weaken Christ’s work on the cross by emphasizing the Law. And Paul tells us today that we must not depart from the gospel of Christ.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Ephesians 2:4-8)

The Reformation heavily relied on the letters by Paul. The Covenant Theology also relies on what Paul wrote. And the question is: Did Paul really think that the Law is the way to get eternal life?

Could Adam achieve the enhanced status of mankind by not eating the fruit for a probation period? Did Christ have to keep the Law to gain righteousness as a man? Does Christ’s righteousness from the Law give saints the eternal life? Is the eternal covenant of God work-based? What is the function and the meaning of Christ’s obedience?

It is believed that the Book of Galatians was written before Paul wrote the Book of Romans. Galatians will give us insight what was in Paul’s mind when he wrote and preached to Christians at that time.

When Christianity started after Christ’s resurrection and ascension in Acts 1, the visible church had similar issues that the Reformers had in the 16^th and the 17^th century. One is that the church had people who followed legalism or antinomianism. Another is that people struggled to understand the Trinity, the two natures of Christ, and the divine election (total grace). The word, Trinity, came much later, but the doctrine is already there in the writings of the apostles in the NT.

I understand that those issues were the main focus of most of the writings of the NT. It may appear that Paul and James had different ideas about works. But they wrote what they wrote because of the issues that presented in churches at that time.

I think the NT was written in a different way compared to the OT. God chose some to write the NT and they wrote as witnesses to the works of God. And their writings have the equal authority as God’s own words. Most importantly, God gave them the authority to interpret His words by the power of the Holy Spirit following what Christ did when He taught on the earth. Each has a different level of understanding. Although they were given the same task of preaching the gospel, their circumstances and tasks were slightly different. For example, Paul was given the task of building churches in Asia whereas Peter was sent to the circumcised (See Galatians 2:7). Each saint is given the same and yet different tasks in this world.

As I write here, I also learn. I am no theologian. But I know God is not pleased with the Covenant Theology along with the Active Obedience of Christ. I do not doubt that God wants us to re-examine the meaning(s) of Christ’s death, which all apostles emphasized.  

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

Regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification have been studied by numerous theologians. They are all connected. Some theologians spend much time studying the Ordo Salutis (the order of salvation). The order of salvation is explained in Romans 8:29-30. No other words are needed. Once the Holy Spirit comes into a person at the appointed time by God’s plan, he is called for regeneration. From God’s point of view, this order of salvation is strictly for men’s understanding. God has chosen people to be His children before creation and shape them to be like Christ. That is the order of salvation. It is not something that men can speculate on. The Ordo Salutis has been discussed much because of people in churches who do not have the assurance of salvation. Those who have received the assurance, do not need more than Romans 8:29-30.

Regenerated men are surely justified, sanctified, and glorified. All is done by Christ and the Holy Spirit. Since the understanding of sanctification has become crooked, I’d like to talk a bit more about sanctification. Those justified are inevitably sanctified. The sanctification is immediate. Some may say it is continuous, but one does not become holier than before. Being holy or holiness is the unchangeable status of an elect. However, our knowledge grows over time and our faith gets strengthened. Our deeds naturally reflect our faith and knowledge of God. Therefore, the changes in our deeds become more obvious over time. However, this change may not be something men can recognize. Some people can fool others by their deeds. For example, one may confess faith before members of a church congregation, go to church for many years, participate actively in church activities, study the Bible, study theology, and/or become an elder of a church without having the Holy Spirit. One may even become a minister or a theologian. This is actually happening all around the world because theology has become men-oriented. We cannot say a person is a saint (reborn) just because he/she recites the Creeds and the Reformed confessions. But we are led by people in churches to believe that these are the signs of a saint. We cannot know who is a saint by merely observing deeds. We must remember that Arius fooled many by his pious life. However, God gives His people the assurance of salvation through His words by the Spirit. This is a gift of God, and it cannot be taken away by men’s efforts.

Salvation is not only about being saved from the second death. Salvation also indicates being born again as an adopted child of God, being co-heir with Christ. It is impossible for a person being saved from the second death and not being an adopted child of God. Ministers and theologians focus much on sin and punishment but not on this adoption and the kingdom of God. They say that sin, punishment, and the emphasis on the Law keeps the antinomians away. That is what the Reformed theologians and ministers intended in the 17^th century. But they are guilty of using the heretical doctrine (the AOC) to control many people and leading them to legalism and false piety. A saint is born of water and the Spirit from heaven to become a part of the priestly kingdom, which is God’s ultimate purpose of creation. This work of salvation is done by Christ and by the Holy Spirit according to the Father’s plans. Christ speaks the same thing in John 3:5.

… Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5)

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. (Titus 3:4-8)

Salvation is the sole work of God as all the Apostles confess in the NT. When God saves a person, He sanctifies him/her by His power. If anyone says, we have the Holy Spirit so we can initiate good works or God wants us to do good works with Him, he does not know how sanctification works. If we do anything good in the sight of God, we must know that the good works are from the Holy Spirit and yet, God invites us to be glorified together with Him. For that, we praise God for His love, kindness, and mercy. Our regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification happens because of what Christ (Truth) did – washing us and sending us the Spirit. Wrong understandings of sanctification leads wrong understandings of salvation and vice versa.

Not to us, LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, because of Your truth. (Psalm 115:1)

You may have heard of the New Perspective on Paul (NPP) by N. T. Wright. If you haven’t, you can google and find some information. Basically, what it says is that justification is not by faith alone. Therefore, the theory denies that the Reformation is from God but from men. Because of what has happened during the Reformation, we have the Bible in our hands and do not seek to have our sins atoned for every Sunday during the mass. The Reformation freed us from the false worships and idolatry. But what the theory tells us is that the Roman Catholic church was right, and the Reformers were wrong. Therefore, it denies that God has full control over His churches and the world. It is an evil idea. Anyone wise should not even dream of studying such ideas. We do not eat a rotten fish to see if it is really rotten. The smell warns us not to eat it. It appears that Mr. Wright is receiving enough glory and praises from men on the earth. Those who receive much glory on the earth will not receive anything in the coming kingdom even if they claim that they have done something for God.

What I am concerned about is that the Protestant churches are not defending themselves from this evil idea. Those who say they follow the Reformed faith use the two-fold obedience of Christ, the active and the passive, to refute the NPP. Although they claim they are Calvinists, the Active Obedience of Christ (AOC) is from Anselm.

As the Protestant ministers and theologians focused on the Law and a moral life in the 17^th century, the understanding of sanctification changed. Sanctification of a believer is done by God alone. However, they say that it is achieved by men and God. If Calvin had said it, I would say that he spoke a lie in ignorance despite all the good works done by God through him. But I think the idea is from theologians in the 17^th century who wanted their new church to rule the nation and to maintain social and political stability. The result was Oliver Cromwell. John Owen who taught Cromwell had ambition in politics because he did not understand why God separated the civil government from the church. What we call the Reformed faith is not from Calvin but from John Owen and his followers. Therefore, the Reformed churches are wrongly claiming that they follow the Reformed faith when their origin is from the 17^th century England. This wrong understanding of sanctification have the devil a foothold. The two-fold obedience of Christ opened the door to the false understanding of sanctification. It is very absurd that people use the two-fold obedience of Christ to defend themselves from the NPP because the root is the same. People who are used to the Reformed doctrines born in the 17^th century England eventually follow the NPP. It is no coincidence that N. T. Wright is an English man, who has learned theology in England. And he is an Anglican. They still have the king as the head of the church because they are still confused.

Concerning this wrong idea of sanctification, it is still carried by well-known theologians. I once watched a Youtube clip by Michael Horton on sanctification. And I think his ideas are aligned with John Owen. The clip is by the Gospel Coalition (TGC). And it appears that the theologians and ministers in TGC claim themselves the new Calvinists. The new Calvinists are the Owenists or the new Owenists in my opinion. Owen is praised by many Reformed theologians and ministers. Most people do not know the errors of Puritanism. Some Reformed churches draw a line between the Reformed and the Puritan. But they share the same root. I am not given the task but there will be some people chosen by God to take down what John Owen had built. Theology must stay pure from human philosophies that originate from unbelievers.

The greatest error of the theologians in the 17^th century England is that they preached as if everyone could become the elect. Although they said that God saves only His chosen by grace alone, they gave the impression that anyone could be saved on the condition that they know that they are sinners and seek God’s grace (come to church). We do not know how many saints are in the world. There have been many deserters within churches. And we now see their treacherous acts clearly in churches who have abandoned the Reformed faith. Their idea of sanctification is merely going to church on Sundays, participating in church activities, obeying church authorities, etc. You look and see if there are many saints in the world. I do not think so. If there are, they quietly mourn over churches’ treacherous acts. I do not see anyone shouting that churches around the world are evil. The judgment has started with the white horse.

I once talked about a Presbyterian minister who taught me about the redemptive history of Israel in my early 20s. I had a chance to meet him again in 2019. Although God later showed me in my dream that he is His instrument, the minister spoke highly of Plato and Aristotle to my disappointment. I told him that God hates their ideas. In 2018, I came to know that many theologians study Greek philosophies. I wondered if they would enhance my knowledge of God and decided to buy some books. That night God showed me something in my dream. I thought in my dream, ‘What a waste. Why would I spend money on something I will eventually throw away?’ I did not know that it was about my decision to study Greek philosophies. The next morning my mother told me, “Whatever you are about to do, don’t do it. God warned me in my dream.” Then I knew that the same message was given both to me and my mother. God simply does not want us to study Greek philosophies or any human philosophies. There is the Biblical logic flows within the Bible. It is different from men’s ideas. At first, the Presbyterian minister did not like what I told him. But later I heard that he threw away most of theology books that he had. I consider that Anselm and Aquinas heavily relied on human logic and philosophies. Their theology is not for the elect only but for all men. John Owen and likewise theologians also wanted to develop theology for all men. They wanted to change England to a Protestant nation. They needed theology that could convince many people if not all people. All the Reformed theology books I saw have their roots in the 17^th century England when the treachery of Protestant churches started.

Before we move to another book of the Bible, I’d like to share my thoughts on certain topics. First one is about the Three Forms of Unity (TFU).

During the Reformation, many people wrote about their ideas about God. Luther, Calvin, and other ministers and theologians wrote books, articles, confessions, catechisms, etc. that shaped the Reformation. God gave them the heart and knowledge to teach others who had been oppressed by the Roman Catholic church for a long time. And ministers and theologians who supported the Reformation put much time and efforts on teaching people. Therefore, the words of God and their interpretations became the center of the public worship and education.

Among all the catechisms and confessions, the TFU is considered to have much reputation and authority. It consists of the Belgic Confession (BC), the Heidelberg Catechism (HC), and the Canons of Dort (CoD). The BC and the HC were written in the 16^th century whereas the CoD was written in the 17^th century. I consider that the BC and the HC are useful tools to teach people within churches about the Reformed doctrines. The CoD has a slightly different character because of its history. However, it is also a useful tool to teach people.

Most Protestant churches that originate from the Reformation despise the TFU or any Reformed confessions. Many Christians have not heard of them. Some people haven’t even heard of the Reformation. Ministers do not talk about them because they know that they are not following the Reformed doctrines. On the other hand, some churches (especially the Reformed) put too much emphasis on the TFU as if they are God’s own words. While they praise the TFU, they misinterpret God’s words and promote idolatry. They have wrong understanding of the covenants and righteousness. And most of the Reformed (if not all) follow the errors of the Covenant of Works and the Active Obedience of Christ, which are ironically not mentioned in the TFU.

The TFU has not been modified unlike the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) as far as I know. They remain intact without being rewritten. I think the TFU, especially the BC and the HC, has little of men’s ideas about God. They teach us the central doctrines of the Reformation. And yet, they have their own limits simply because they are not the Bible.

Some ministers or theologians study German, French, Latin, Dutch, etc. to understand the original language used for the writings written by the Reformers. They study the TFU word by word and spend a long time studying it. While they admit that the TFU or any other Reformed confessions/catechisms are not infallible like the Bible, they study them as if they are God’s own words. The Reformation taught us certain truths about God. Yet, they left us issues that we face now such as the errors of the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ, righteousness, lack of understanding of the Holy Spirit and the kingdom of God, etc. If we interpret the words of God only through the Reformed confessions, we are likely to make errors. There are people who think they know the Bible because they learnt the Reformed doctrines from youth. If we try to learn about God from the Reformers’ point of view, we may know certain truths but cannot move forward. We end up putting ourselves in a small box and put a lid on it. It is time to read the Reformed confessions with a critical eye and see how it misled us to the error of the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ.

I read it somewhere that the idea of the Covenant of Works was started by Ursinus and Olevianus, who wrote the HC. However, this should not stop us using the HC for learning. The HC does not talk about the Covenant of Works like the WCF. Like I said, there are certain truths of God revealed and confirmed during the Reformation. If my dream was given by God, I was told, “Your mother has four daughters. The second one is the most beautiful. But the third one the most important.” And I saw myself assigned to serve the third daughter. The second reformation in the 16^th century was indeed the most beautiful. Many people were killed by the Roman Catholic heretics as they looked forward to coming of Christ.

Precious in the sight of the Lordis the death of his faithful servants. (Psalm 116:15)

I consider that the writings by the Reformers heavily focused on the letters of Apostle Paul. Although Paul had the right understandings of God, the Reformers overlooked some important truths that the whole Bible tells us. I’d like to go through some of Paul’s letters to address the limits of the Reformation concerning righteousness, the covenants, Adam, etc.

Paul was given the task of building visible churches outside Israel. He was sent to the gentiles who were not born under the Law. However, some of letters are written for the Jews who were born under the Law. During the Reformation, the Law, the Ten Commandments, was emphasized because of immoralities committed by the Roman Catholic church. Somehow the Law and sin became the center of the Reformation as we now see in the Reformed churches. I doubt that that was Paul’s intention. For the sake of the gospel, people beat one another with the Law when no one keeps the Law. Can the guilt caused by the Law bring someone to Christ? The Bible says no but people think it is how the gospel works.

In the new reformation, God teaches us about the kingdom because the time is near.

Then I will turn your festivals into mourning,

And all your songs into songs of mourning;

And I will put sackcloth around everyone’s waist,

And baldness on every head.

And I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son,

And the end of it will be like a bitter day.

“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord God,

“When I will send a famine on the land,

Not a famine of bread or a thirst for water,

But rather for hearing the words of the Lord. (Amos 8:10-11)

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. (Matt 23:15)

God orchestrated the Reformation in the 16^th century and it was very beautiful. Many people sought after God’s words. They read the Bible together. They sang in God’s words together. They died for God’s words. Five hundred years have passed. And we see little of love for God’s words in each church. Ministers and theologians tainted the truths with lies in the 17^th century. Almost all theology books and articles are full of the error of the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ. If their theories are so orthodox, why do ministers and theologians frequently mention of Greek philosophers? This is the reality of the saints living at present. There is no church to go to. If any of you understand the orthodox doctrines of Christianity and have been eagerly looking for a church that speaks truths, you know what I am saying here.

If I go to the Roman Catholic church, I face the lies of Thomas Aquinas. If I go to a Protestant church, I am likely to face people rejecting the Five Solas and TULIP. Even if I go to a Reformed church, I see people following the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ. Among all, I find this group of people the most stubborn. They walk the path of scribes and Pharisees mentioned in the NT. What about other denominations? There is no point of going to a church who do not hold the Trinity doctrine. And it is wise to avoid any church that emphasizes on the worship on Saturdays or praise the Israel nation in the middle east.

It is extremely difficult to find a church who speaks the truths of God. The ministers and theologians are glad to speak of Greek philosophers and their ideas. They do not know how much God hates them. 

God wants us to know that the Reformation has gone astray. He will make things clearer in this new reformation. Anyone who loves unbelieving philosophers’ ideas of a god does not belong to the kingdom of God. The reason they follow human ideas of God is because they have not received the Holy Spirit. Even though they read the Bible and theology books day and night, their understanding of God is wrong. They may appear to speak truths, but time reveals their evilness.

God wanted me to know the treachery of the Protestant churches. What most churches are doing each Sunday is worshiping an idol called Jesus, who they claim had to keep the Law perfectly to gain righteousness. This is an evil idea of men. Jesus Christ did not need to keep the Law to gain righteousness neither for Himself nor for the saints. Our righteousness is not from keeping of the Law. Christ kept the Law perfectly because He is righteous and is one with the Father. But the scribes and the pharisees saw him sinful and judged him guilty. While I was in a Reformed church, my sadness was overwhelming. And I came to truly understand the meaning of God’s enemies that are frequently mentioned in the Psalms.

If an enemy were insulting me,
    I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me,
    I could hide.
But it is you, a man like myself,
    my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
    at the house of God,
as we walked about
    among the worshipers. (Psalm 55:12-14)

The Psalmists often mention of God’s enemies. And this may be the reason why so many false Christians refuse to sing the Psalms during worship. They want to live happily with non-believers on the earth and say that non-believers are not so bad. They say that because Christianity has become all about being moral, civil, and kind to others. All they focus on is how good they look to others. Soon they say that God saves everyone. This is the result of what happened in 17^th century England. The theologians and ministers chose to change truths of God for political power and stability. Combining human philosophies with truths of God resulted in rejection of the Creeds and the Reformed faith that we find in many Protestant churches. There are some who claim that they follow the Reformed faith. But most of them have accepted the idea of theologians in the 17^th century England – the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ, which makes them no different from those who don’t hold the Reformed faith. They eventually accept work-based salvation and all other immoralities.

God showed me in my dream that He has started another reformation. You may judge me by my deeds and find me guilty of sins. You may say I have no right to say what I’ve said. I am not sinless. I live the life of Romans 7. But God says I am holy because Christ redeemed me with His blood. The saints are bought with the precious blood of Christ. Our merciful and faithful God will keep all His promises and restore His church.

Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom, and I will eliminate it from the face of the earth; Nevertheless, I will not totally eliminate the house of Jacob. (Amos 9:8)

On that day I will raise up the fallen shelter of David, and wall up its gaps; I will also raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old; So that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by My name,” Declares the Lord who does this. (Amos 9:11-12)

Behold I am about to put a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel. I will not spare them any longer. The high places of Isaac will become deserted, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be in ruins. Then I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with the sword. (Amos 7:9)

The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of armies has sent me to you. For who has shown contempt for the day of small things? But these seven will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—they are the eyes of the LORD roaming throughout the earth. (Zechariah 4:9-10)

In this chapter, God shows Amos the swarm of locusts and then fire as the ways to end Israel. Amos says each time, “Lord God, please pardon! How can Jacob stand? For he is small.” God could wipe out everyone in Israel. Indeed, God can destroy everything in the world. However, our merciful God has chosen to save some through Christ.

I consider this plumb line as the words of God. In other words, it is Christ, the Word of God. The plumb line is in the hand of Zerubbabel, who is a biological ancestor of Jesus Christ as we find in the genealogy in Matthew 1:12. In Zechariah 4:9-10, Zerubbabel indicates Christ. Christ has been given all authority by the Father. He, as the Word of God, judges all people. He knows who belongs to Him.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. (Matthew 28:18)

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.” (2 Timothy 2:19)

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; (Romans 8:29)

A plumb line is used in construction to see a wall or a building is straight. God’s kingdom is like a building and Christ is the cornerstone. By God’s words, the building is built up. And the temple shows the laws of God. The temple is God as we read Revelation 21:22. The temple is also the saints who are united with God through His Spirit and Word.

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Amos 7 tells us that God chose not to end all creation despite its corruption. However, all people will receive the judgement according to the words of God. Whoever is straight, just as the plumb line is straight, will escape demolition. Everything built by men will be demolished at the end with a great crash because they are not straight as the plumb line. In other words, they perish because they do not have the Holy Spirit in them.

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and its collapse was great.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your festive assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fattened oxen. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.But let justice roll out like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:21)

Woe to those who are carefree in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the dignitaries of the foremost of nations, to whom the house of Israel comes. (Amos 6:1)

I went to many different churches in my youth. And I heard people saying that the church building is a holy place, a sanctuary, etc. To many Christians, a church building or a place of worship is considered as a sanctuary or a holy place. People donate a lot of money when they build a church building or a place for worship. They encourage one another to donate more by saying that God should have a magnificent place to receive worship from many people. However, what they build is another tower of Babel.

The Reformation in the 16^th century helped us to separate from the Roman Catholic church. The Reformation taught us the basic knowledge of God including how we are saved and the way we should worship God in public. However, what I now see is that the Protestant churches are similar to the OT churches as if we are re-living the OT era. I feel that many people quote the OT wrongly and fail to connect the OT and the NT. The OT is a shadow of the NT. However, many ministers and theologians consider the OT as reality, not shadow. I heard the Reformers in the 16^th century grew their hair and beard long to look like the OT patriarchs. Churches, especially those who call themselves orthodox, focus on the Law, sins, and civil order, rather than the kingdom of God, which is the sole purpose of all creation. About this kingdom, God revealed it clearly through the works of Christ, who taught us the truths of God. The Son has revealed the reality of the kingdom where God dwells with His people forever. Now I see that some things did not go well since the Reformation.

Does God dwell in a certain place on the earth? The answer is no. God continuously communicates with His people through the Holy Spirit even when we do not realize His presence. God is not present only in a worship place or during worship ceremonies. God is always with His people even now.

… behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

We worship God on Sundays as the Reformers have taught us. And there are certain things that we include in a public worship such as reading the Bible verses, prayers, and listening to sermons. But we cannot say God is satisfied with our worship of Him just because we keep the forms of a public worship. God sees the hearts of all members of a church. God can reject and does reject worships from men regardless of the forms of worship.

For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17)

He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Even in the Reformed churches, people call a church building or a place of worship as “a holy place”. A church building or a worship place is not God’s dwelling place.

Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?’ (Acts 7:48-50)

Amos 5 and 6 warn those who are at ease. Those who think they possess God’s blessings are about to receive God’s wrath.

The Lord God has sworn by Himself, the Lord God of armies has declared: “I loathe the arrogance of Jacob, and detest his citadels; therefore I will give up the city and all it contains.” (Amos 6:8)

Although the kingdom of Judah boasted of lawful worships and sacrifices to God, they could not escape His wrath. When everything is destroyed, God’s people will eagerly seek the real kingdom found in the Bible.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

Hear this word which the Lord has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt: “You only have I known among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your wrongdoing.” (Amos 3:1-2)

Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod and on the citadels in the land of Egypt and say, “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria and see the great panic within her and the oppressions in her midst. But they do not know how to do what is right,” declares the Lord, “these who store up violence and devastation in their citadels.” Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: “An enemy, one surrounding the land, will take down your fortifications from you, and your citadels will be looted.” (Amos 3:9-11)

It is easy to interpret that the OT prophecies are about God’s anger towards the Israelites who did not keep the Law. And the emphasis on the Law is evident in the Book of Nehemiah and the Book of Ezra. Although the importance of keeping the Law was emphasized after the return of the exiles, the minds of the most Israelites did not change.

In the early years of the Reformation, God’s grace was in the center. As time went, the Law and sin became the focus. Adam became a supreme being in people’s thoughts because he was born sinless. Many theologians and ministers praise Adam who was sinless and was living in the garden of Eden. They want to go back to Eden. Consequently, ministers talk rarely about the Spirit and the kingdom of God. Churches are re-living the OT time. Now I see that the history repeats. But this is also God’s will. Those without the Spirit will understand neither the OT nor the NT.

In Amos 4, this phrase is repeated multiple times: “Yet you have not returned to Me.” Although God showed the Israelites the signs and wonders, they did not understand or have faith in God. Whenever God tested them, they failed and followed idols. The greatest idolatry is written in Exodus 32. They made a golden calf and believed that it was God who had brought them out of Egypt. While Moses was receiving the instructions concerning the Tabernacle where the lawful worship of God must happen, they invented their own ways of worshiping God including making the golden calf. They did not want God to have His own wills or thoughts. This history repeated throughout the history of Israel. And the golden calf appears again in 1 Kings 12.

After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt. (1 Kings 12:28)

The Tabernacle was replaced by the temple built by king Solomon in Jerusalem. It was God’s will that Solomon built the temple as a shadow of the coming kingdom. The temple in Jerusalem was the only authorized place of worship. But king Jeroboam did not want his people to go to Jerusalem. So he made two golden calves, one in Dan and the other in Bethel. Jeroboam I was appointed to become the first king of the Northern Israel by God, but he did not know or thank God. All the kings of the Northern Israel did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam I. And Amos prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II, who was no different from Jeroboam I. It is believed that Jeroboam II had much wealth and the Northern Israel prospered during his reign. But God announced that their wealth would become nothing in Amos 3:14-15. Even though God warned them, they did not return to God as written in Amos 4.

When the Reformation happened in the 16^th century, God gave people the zeal to worship Him right and to leave the false ways of worshiping God, which the Roman Catholic church invented. Looking at the Protestant churches around the world now, they have become like the Roman Catholic church. Even though God sent prophets and disasters, they do not turn away from the evil ways. Instead, they persecute those who speak truths of God.

Since the coronavirus, the natural disasters appear everywhere in the world and more frequently than before. But the churches continue to do their evil ways and say that God will save them. They are Adam-worshipers and people-pleasers. They think they are chosen by God. I am not saying that people should keep the Law to get saved. Everyone goes as destined. Obedience to God is the result of being born again by water and the Spirit. Obedience is not the condition to get saved. Rather, it is the result of being one with God.

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

Only those chosen by grace before the world began will be saved. The rest will be judged according to their deeds. The Bible is there as the evidence. The warnings are there but they block their ears and cover their eyes.

“Therefore so I will do to you, Israel;
Because I will do this to you,
Prepare to meet your God, Israel.”
For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind,
And declares to a person what are His thoughts,
He who makes dawn into darkness
And treads on the high places of the earth,
The Lord God of armies is His name. (Amos 4:12-13)