MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
The Seven Baptisms
Written by: Max Klein
Baptism means identification or association:
Introduction:
1. This meaning began in Homer's time. Homer wrote of the one-eyed giant, Cyclops who had trapped Ulysses and his men in a cave and was eating them one at a time. The ingenious Ulysses devised a plan. He had his men sharpen a large log and together they rammed this log into the eye of the one-eyed Cyclops rendering him blind. They identified (baptized) the sharpened log with Cyclops’ eye which changed Cyclops from a seeing giant to a blind giant. Having blinded the Cyclops, they were able to maneuver their way out of the cave. Another example by Homer: Homer's Odyssey, book 9, used baptism for hot metal identified (baptized) with water when a smith dipped a piece of hot iron into water. This is how a blacksmith would temper swords in the ancient world. After this identification, the sword was made stronger and so less likely to bend.
2. Xenophon said that the Spartan military recruits after finishing infantry training would identify (baptize) their spears with pig’s blood. They would run by a barrel of pig’s blood and thrust their spears into this blood. This ritual, identified their spears with killing and the soldier’s readiness for combat with the enemy.
3. Euripides used the word for a ship identified with the bottom of the sea when it sank. Before sinking, the ship was valuable; after sinking it had no value at all.
4. So "baptize" in the classical Greek meant to identify one thing with another so that the characteristics of the original thing were altered. Therefore, the interpretation of the word "baptism" is identification with something that brings about a change.
5. There are a number of cognates related to this Greek word such as bapto, baptizo, baptisma, baptismos, baptistes, and embapto. A few examples follow:
6. John 13:26, “Jesus then answered, ‘That is the one for whom, I shall dip [the future of the Greek word bapto] the morsel and give it to him. So, when he had dipped [the aorist participle of bapto; the sop now takes on a new meaning that of honor] the sop [the morsel], He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.”
To give someone a sop [a special bit of food usually a piece of bread or meat with a tasty sauce] was the highest honor of a banquet. At a banquet a special piece of bread or meat was prepared along with a special sauce for the guest of honor who would then honor someone by giving it to that person. Jesus as the guest of honor took this sop and dipped it into a special sauce and gave it to Judas. In this way, the Lord Jesus Christ honored Judas as a member of the family of God, and for his ministry as an apostle to the Lost Sheep of Israel. This honor should have given Judas second thoughts regarding his plan to betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin.
7. Matthew 3:7, “but when he [John the Baptizer] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism [identification: the Greek word baptisma], he said to them, “You brood of vipers [poisonous snakes], who warned you to flee from the wrath to come [Baptism of Fire: identification with the fire of Torments and then the Lake of Fire]?”
8. Hebrews 6:1-2, “Therefore, leaving behind the elementary teaching about Christ, let us advance to maturity, not laying again the foundation [of the basics such as]: a change of thinking about dead works [just as an unbeliever must have a change of mind about Christ to obtain salvation, so the believer must have a change of mind about legalism (dead works) in order to obtain the spiritual life], and of faith toward God [Faith-Rest Drill], (2) doctrine of baptisms [the Greek word baptismos; a reference to the seven types of baptism as found in Scripture] as well as the laying on of hands [ritual rebound in the age of Israel], and of resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgment [the Great White Throne Judgment].
9. Matthew 3:1, “In those days John the Baptizer [the Greek word baptistes; when John baptized someone into the Jordan River, the converts were identified with the plan of God and his kingdom.] came proclaiming [as a herald] in the desert of Judea.”
There are two categories of identification in Scripture namely an actual identification or a real baptism and a representative identification or a ritual baptism which uses water.
The four real or actual identifications with something that has significance.
1. The Baptism of Moses: 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 presents the baptism of Moses, "For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; (2) and all were baptized [the Greek word baptizo] into Moses in the cloud [the Lord] and in the sea." This was a real identification in which Moses was identified with the Lord and the open path through the Red Sea and the Jews were identified with Moses. By the way, none of the Jews got wet, only Egyptian unbelievers who were immersed in the water as a means of death.
2. The Baptism of the Cross is found in Matthew 20:22, “But Jesus answered [Salome by addressing her sons] and said, “You [plural: a reference to James and John] do not know what you [James and John] ask. Are you [James and John] able to drink of the cup [bear the punishment of all the sins of the world] that I am about to drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism [the sins of the world identified with Christ followed by the Father judging them] that I am baptized with [identified with]?” They [James and John] said to Him, “We are able. [the dumbest statement that James and John ever made]” [I selected the longer text as did Jerome.]
3. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Retroactive Positional Truth and Current Positional Truth) occurs at salvation for Church Age believers only.
Colossians 2:12. Having been buried [aorist participle] with Him [Jesus Christ] by means of the baptism [God the Holy Spirit identified us with the burial of Jesus Christ as part of our salvation] by means of which [Baptism] you have been raised up [main verb] with Him [in union with Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of the Father] through faith [at the point of salvation] in the operational power from the source of God who has raised Him [the humanity of Christ was given a resurrection body] out from the dead [physical death].
Romans 6:3-9:
Romans 6:3: Or do you not know that all of us who [a correlative] have been baptized into [identified with] Christ Jesus [Current Positional Sanctification: we are in union with Christ in his life in heaven], have been baptized into His death [Retroactive Positional Truth and so identified with his substitutionary spiritual death on the cross]?
Positionally, (in union with Christ) we share His righteousness, heirship, priesthood, destiny, election, eternal life, royalty, sonship etc. All these making us a new spiritual species in Christ Jesus. The plural correlative hosoi (ὅσοι) means that if we were identified with Christ in heaven and we were, then also we have been identified with Christ in his substitutionary spiritual death in which he removed the power of sin nature. Thus, the sin nature should not have power over our lives.
A few more points will be noted:
1. Note that the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation enters the believer into union with Christ at the right hand of God the Father which union is called current positional truth.
2. This verse also mentions identification with Christ in His spiritual death on the cross which identification theologians call retroactive positional truth. Retroactive positional truth also includes identification with Christ in His physical death and burial as well.
3. Identification with Christ in His death, then, has a two-fold connotation namely all personal sins were judged at the cross and since that is the case, God the Father is free to provide in grace, the Recovery Procedure. The second connotation is that good and evil were rejected by Jesus on the cross since good and evil are a part of Satan’s policy and plan. On the cross, Jesus relied on the proto-type spiritual life which operated under the two power options namely God’s power system.
4. So, the old sin nature’s ruling power over the Christian has been broken since all sins were judged on the cross and the Recovery Procedure has been provided. So, Retroactive Positional Truth has destroyed the sovereignty of the old sin nature over the life of the Christian.
5. Also, since Jesus rejected the good and evil policy of Satan so should the believer reject Satan’s policy of good and evil as the believer applies Retroactive Positional Truth.
Romans 6:4: Therefore, we have been buried together with Him through the identification [Baptism of the Spirit] into His death [physical], in order that just as Christ has been raised up from the dead [on Resurrection Sunday], through the glory of the Father [through the Father’s power], [So also we, the dead in Christ, will be raised from the dead by the power of the Father, and those alive at the Rapture, by the power of the Holy Spirit.] in this manner we also might walk in newness of life [Experiential sanctification should reflect our future ultimate sanctification.].
Christ had to die physically “and Jesus having shouted clearly with a loud voice said, Father, into your hands I deposit my [human] spirit, and having said this, he exhaled” (Luke 23:46). This last exhale caused His soul and spirit to depart from his mortal body resulting in physical death. Just as Christ had to die physically in order to obtain his resurrection body, so we must depart from our body of corruption, or mortality in order to receive our eternal body called our resurrection body.
The Newness of Life:
1. The newness of life provided through the baptism of the Spirit includes positional freedom from producing good and evil. Not only are we free from the tyranny of good and evil but we are also free from having to produce good and evil.
2. The believer has no obligation to improve the devil’s world through social action, socialism, welfare state, communism, environmentalism, or any social gospel, social action, getting involved, etc.
3. The human race is protected from Satan’s policy of good and evil through the laws of divine establishment which promote freedom instead of improvement at the cost of freedom.
4. In addition to the Laws of Divine Establishment the believer is insulated from good and evil positionally through the baptism of the Spirit.
5. Divorced from the Old Sin Nature positionally and its useless activity of human good and the function of evil, the life of the believer can be devoted to glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ through maximum knowledge and application of Bible doctrine.
Romans 6:5: For if we have become united with Him [Christ, the new husband] in the likeness of His death [the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross], and we have, and not only this, but also, we shall be [united in the likeness] of His resurrection [Current Positional Truth: in union with the resurrected Christ].
Romans 6:6: Be knowing this [through Retroactive Positional Truth], that our old man [our former husband, the sin nature dates back to the Garden] has been crucified together [with Him], in order that the [human] body, with reference to its sin nature, [the sin nature located in the body] might be rendered powerless [when we use Recovery Procedure and the two power options], that we should no longer be slaves to the sin nature.
“Our old man has been crucified with Him” meaning that the power of the sin nature has been broken on the cross. Since the power of the sin nature was broken by the work of the cross, we as believers have no excuse for not executing the spiritual life. We will not be able to say to Christ at our evaluation that our sin nature was too powerful for us to execute the spiritual life.
A few points for further clarification:
1. Retroactive positional truth is that phase of the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation which identifies the believer with Christ in His spiritual death, physical death and his burial.
2. In the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross all the personal sins in human history were imputed to Christ, but at the same time the other two trends of the old sin nature were not imputed for judgment.
3. Good and evil is the policy of Satan as the ruler of this world and the function of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life. In fact, the sin nature functions as the agent of Satan.
4. Good and evil were not imputed for judgment on the cross. Hence, in the spiritual death of Christ on the cross they were rejected to remain an issue in the angelic conflict, rejected to be perpetuated in human history as an issue every believer must face, and either overcome through the intake of doctrine or be entrapped by ignorance of doctrine and therefore lose out in glorifying God in time.
5. We are identified with Christ in His spiritual death, which means that we must understand that our sins have been judged and that good and evil has been rejected.
6. It all adds up to the fact that the sovereignty of the old sin nature over human life has been made powerless through retroactive positional truth.
7. The imputation of all personal sins of the human race to Christ on the cross means that the believer through the rebound technique is instantly forgiven sins, cleansed from all wrong doing which includes Satanic good and evil, restored to fellowship and filled with the Spirit.
Romans 6:7: For we who have died [the Christian is identified with the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ: theologically called Retroactive Positional Truth] have been acquitted [positional deliverance] from [the power of] the sin nature.
A few points for further clarification:
1. A dead person is discharged from the obligations of his former sphere of life. This is why the word “death” is used in this context. It is not a literal, physical death we are discussing but identification with Christ in His death.
2. As unbelievers we were under the authority of Satan as the ruler of this world, and under the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
3. Both the power of Satan and the old sin nature have been abrogated through the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation.
4. This passage, then, emphasizes the annulling of the power and the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
5. Positionally, the power of the sin nature has been broken. Experientially, the old sin nature controls to the extent that we fail to understand and utilize the provision and support of logistical grace.
Romans 6:8: Now if we have died with Christ, and we have [retroactive positional truth], we also believe that we shall live in association with Him [the instrumental of association; a reference to Current Positional Truth].
In this verse, the 1st Class conditional sentence shows the relationship between Retroactive Positional Truth with Current Positional Truth. The protasis, the ‘if’ clause states the reality of Retroactive Positional Truth and the apodosis, the concluding clause states the doctrinal inference and the reality of Current Positional Truth. While Retroactive Positional Truth presents positional rejection and separation from good and evil as the policy of Satan and the function of the old sin nature, Current Positional Truth relates the believer to the function of the royal family of God. In other words, they have separate functions.
Romans 6:9: Knowing that because Christ has been raised from the dead [He received a resurrection body], no longer can He die; [physical] death is no longer a master over Him.
Analysis:
1. Retroactive positional truth destroys the sovereign authority of the old sin nature over human life. Current positional truth, on the other hand, destroys the limited authority of physical death in human life.
2. Instead of being ruled by the old sin nature located in the cells of the human body and influencing our souls toward sin, good and evil, we now have a new sovereign, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are identified with Him in His deaths, in His burial, resurrection, ascension and session.
3. Before salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit our lives were under the absolute rule of Satan who is the ruler of this world and under the rule of the old sin nature which is the ruler of life, and under the limited rule of physical death. All of that, of course, has been changed since salvation.
4. Now both retroactive and current positional truth have abrogated the authority and power of these former rulers. The power of Satan over our lives has been broken through identification with the rejection of good and evil namely Satan’s policy and plan and through our position in union with Christ. The power of the old sin nature is broken through retroactive positional truth and the power of physical death is broken through current positional truth.
5. Therefore, having studied these things by principle and by implication we are now ready for application, verses 12 & 13 specifically.
6. Having been positionally liberated from the sovereignty of the old sin nature as an absolute ruler, and the authority of physical death, we must recognise and apply doctrine for the experiential victory commanded in verses 11-13.
Galatians 3:25-28, “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the authority of [have need of] a school bus. (26) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For all of you who were baptized into Christ [identified with Christ through union with Him] have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek [no racial distinction], there is neither slave nor free man [no social or economic distinction], there is neither male nor female [no gender distinction]; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [All Christians have the same privileges and opportunities to execute the spiritual life.]”
Current Positional Truth, Elaborated:
In the Church Age, Current Positional Truth establishes our relationship with Christ as opposed to religion. It refers to the Church Age believer in union with Christ and is the key to understanding the Church Age and how the royal family came into being. Therefore, it is the basis for distinguishing between Christianity and religion. Christianity is a relationship with God without merit whereas religion is a system of works to gain the approbation of God. Never shall the twain meet!
The mechanics of Current Positional Truth is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, whereby the Spirit enters us into union with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For also by agency of the one Spirit we are all baptized [identification resulting in becoming a new spiritual species] into one body [in union with Christ], whether Jews or Greeks [racial distinctions are removed], whether slave or free [class and economic distinctions are removed], even all were made to drink [the aorist passive, the voice of grace] the one Spirit [The Holy Spirit did not ask us whether we wanted to be put into union with Christ or not.].” Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord [becomes our Lord positionally at Salvation]), one faith [faith alone in Christ alone; Acts 16:31], one baptism [Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place at salvation].”
Current Positional truth guarantees that there will be no judgment for believers in eternity, Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Thus, the condemnation which occurred at the first birth was removed at the 2nd birth. As a result of being born with the sin nature and the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin, we were condemned to the Lake of Fire for all eternity, but now that has been removed. Romans 5:12, “For this reason just as through one man [Adam] the sin [nature] entered into the world [procreation], and so spiritual death through the sin [the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin to the sin nature], and so spiritual death spread to all mankind, because all sinned when Adam sinned [since we were all genetically in Adam when he sinned, we will receive Adam’s Original Sin].” However, at our spiritual birth, the 2nd birth, our pre-salvation sins were all forgiven including Adam’s Original Sin. After which, the Spirit entered us into union with Christ where there is now no condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Current Positional truth qualifies the believer to live with God forever. To live with God forever, the believer must have eternal life and God’s perfect righteousness, 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life, and this life is in his son [Since we are in union with Christ, we share this life.]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].” 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And He [the Father] made Him who knew no sin [perfection] to be a sin offering [imputation of sins on the cross] as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [current positional truth].” To live with God forever means you must have His life, and you must be as righteous as He is.
Positional truth guarantees the believer’s eternal security, Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death [nothing in death] nor life [nothing in life] nor angels nor principalities [ruling angels] nor powers [human organizations] nor things present nor things to come (39) nor height [nothing in heaven] nor depth [nothing in Hades] nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternal life in Christ is for all eternity!
Positional truth belongs to all categories of believers whether they be apostate, mature, immature, spiritually adult, or carnal. Since Current Positional Truth occurs at the point of salvation before experience in the Christian life begins, it doesn’t depend on that experience. 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus [at salvation], called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.” So, even though you may be carnal or in reversionism, you still have positional truth. Being in union with Christ has nothing to do with what you do [experiential righteousness], or don’t do [failure to execute God’s plan]. Current Positional sanctification is completely the work of God the Holy Spirit and so is not based upon our volition, but on the sovereign decision of God. We make the decision to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but we don’t make the decision to enter into union with Christ “all were made to drink the one Spirit” as per 1 Corinthians 12:13. God the Holy Spirit graciously did that for us and so it cannot be undone.
Current Positional truth creates a new spiritual species in Christ as per 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power; behold, new things have come to pass.” You become a new spiritual species at salvation by being put into union with Christ. It is what God does for you, and therefore it is grace. It is not what you do after salvation, such as the self-righteous works of legalism. The “old things” have to do with spiritual death and those things related to that death; the “new things” refer to things you receive at salvation such as the 40 assets and the unique spiritual life.
Positional truth should motivate the production of divine good and a pattern of life compatible with royalty as per Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his creation, having been created in Christ Jesus [a new spiritual species with many assets] for the purpose of divine good production [via experiential sanctification] which the God [the Father] has prepared in advance [in eternity past, God the Father provided election and predestination as part of our Portfolio of Invisible Assets], that we in the sphere of them [election and predestination] may pattern our lives.”
Even though a Christian may die the Sin on to Death, he will not lose his position in union with Christ (1 John 5:18-20), and so cannot lose his salvation. In order for a believer to lose his position in Christ, he would have to sin in that status, but since the believer cannot sin in union with Christ, he cannot lose his position in Christ and so cannot lose his salvation. Thus, it is comforting and reassuring to a believer to know that even though a loved one may have died the ‘sin on to death’, he has not lost his salvation.
Because we are in union with Christ, we share His:
1. Eternal life, 1 John 5:11, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life [At salvation, God the Father imputes this life to the human spirit], and this life is in his son [The Christian also shares the life of Christ through union with Him]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].”
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth and the life [eternal life]; no person [in human history] comes face to face with the Father [having an eternal relationship with the Father] except through Me.’”
2. Perfect righteousness, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And he (God the Father) made him [Jesus] who knew no sin (perfection) to be a sin offering as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in him [positional truth]. Sharing the righteousness of Christ, we become the objects of God the Father’s love as per Romans 8:39.
3. Election, Ephesians 1:4, “just as He [the Father] has elected us for Himself in Him [Jesus Christ] before the creation of the world [in eternity past], that we may be set apart [experiential sanctification] and blameless [ultimate sanctification] in the presence of Him [Father].”
4. Destiny, Ephesians 1:5, “By means of love, He has predestined us for the purpose of adoption as adult sons to Himself through Christ Jesus our Lord according to the grace purpose of His will.”
5. Sonship, Galatians 3:26, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
6. Heirship, Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit Himself testifies together [bears witness] with our [human] spirit, that we are the children of God. (17) Now, if we are children and we are, also heirs, on the one hand heirs of God [the Father], and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed [if it is true that], we suffer with Him [pass all three stages of undeserved suffering], that also we might be glorified with Christ.”
7. Sanctification, 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.”
8. Priesthood, Hebrews 7:12-19, “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change in the Law also. (13) For the One [the Lord Jesus Christ] concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe [the tribe of Judah] from which no one has officiated at the altar. (14) For it is evident that our Lord has descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests, (15) and this is clearer still, if another priest arises similar to Melchizedek, and there has, (16) who has become a priest not on the basis of physical requirement [a reference to the Levitical Priesthood] but on the basis of indestructible life [the Lord’s priesthood is forever]. (17) For this reason, it is witnessed, ‘You are a priest forever similar to the order of Melchizedek.’” [We are in union with Christ. Therefore, we are royalty and priests forever. We represent ourselves before God as royal priests.] (18) For, on the one hand, there is a rescinding of the former commandment [the Mosaic Law that authorized the Levitical priesthood] because of its weakness and uselessness (19) (for the Law brought nothing to completion), but on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope [the second door of hope for the Church Age believer—a personal sense of destiny—by which we enter the adult spiritual life] through which we draw near to God.”
Hebrews 7:26-28, “For it is fitting that we should have such a high priest, impeccable integrity, the One who cannot do evil, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; (27) Who does not need daily, like those Levitical priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He [Jesus] offered up Himself. (28) For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of His [God the Father’s] oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, who has become perfect forever [Jesus Christ is a perfect high priest].”
9. Royalty, 1 Peter 2:9, “ But you and only you are an elect [elect by God the Father] race [as a new spiritual species], a royal priesthood [since Jesus is a king-priest], a holy nation [God’s entity: a nation of priests: every Christian is a priest], a people for God’s own possession [a protected people], so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him [Christ] who has called [in eternity past] you out of darkness [spiritual death and the Cosmic Systems] into His amazing light [his plan];”
10. New Spiritual Species, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power [Old Covenant]; behold, new things have come to pass [This would include the New Covenant to the Church.].”
Current Positional Truth changes our relationship with Angels.
1. Through current positional truth the believer is higher than angels positionally.
2. Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, and so superior to all angels. By virtue of being in union with Christ, every believer is now positionally superior to angels.
3. Positional truth has fulfilled the believer’s triumph with Christ in the angelic conflict. We are victorious with Him already.
4. Furthermore, positional truth demands compatibility with experiential righteousness. Therefore, the believer’s walk on this earth must be compatible with positional truth since we have perfect security in Christ, we have the freedom to choose for Jesus Christ, to love Jesus Christ, to respond to His love, and to fulfill our purpose on this earth.
What positional truth is not?
1. It is not an experience, emotions or ecstasies.
2. It is not progressive; it cannot be improved in time or eternity.
3. It is not related to human merit or ability.
4. It cannot be changed by God, man or angels. It is eternal in nature.
5. It is not obtained gradually as you grow in grace, but in toto at salvation.
6. It is not known apart from the metabolization of doctrine.
7. From understanding the doctrine of positional truth, we progress in our spiritual life, but we cannot improve it since it is perfect at salvation.
8. We are not in Christ because of what we do (execution of the spiritual life) or fail to do (fail to execute the spiritual life), but because of what God has done.
A few points of explanation:
1. The conclusion from positional truth, whether retroactive or current, is that the Christian must apply these doctrines to his spiritual life.
2. In Romans 7:1-4 where we have an illustration of a woman whose first husband has died freeing her to marry another. This is what actually happens to us as believers at salvation. The old sin nature is the husband up to the point of salvation, but at the moment we believe in Jesus Christ positionally the sin nature is dead, as it were, the first husband has died and we have a new husband through union with Christ. Retroactive Positional Truth removes our first husband, the sin nature whereas Current Positional Truth enters us into union with Christ, our new husband.
3. The old sin nature-husband is still around, still seeking to regain his control over his former wife, the believer. But union with the second husband, the Lord Jesus Christ, has broken the first husband’s authority over the former wife.
4. The Baptism of Fire:
Matthew 3:11, “On the one hand I [John the Baptizer] baptize you [believers] by means of water because of a change of thinking [about Christ], but the one coming after me is mightier than I whose sandals I am not worthy to lace [loosen, remove]. He himself will baptize by means of the Holy Spirit [a reference to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Church Age] and by means of fire [a reference to the Baptism of Fire at the 2nd Advent].”
Baptism of Fire: The baptism of fire (identification with fire) is defined as the judgment of unbelievers both Jew and gentile at the Second Advent. They will be removed from the earth and placed in fire for 1000 years until the Last Judgment, Luke 3:16-17; Mathew 25:31, 33. The analogy to the Baptism of Fire is found in Matthew 24:36-41. The one left in the field is the mature believer; the one taken is the unbeliever.
Parables of the Baptism of Fire:
1. The wheat and the tares (the unbelievers), Matthew 13:24-30, 36-40.
2. The good and bad fish (unbelievers), Matthew 13:47-50.
3. The ten virgins: five wise, five foolish (the unbelievers), Matthew 25:1-13.
4. The sheep and the goats (the unbelievers), Mathew 25:31-46.
5. The talent test, Matthew 25:14-30. The one talent man represents the unbeliever.
If Jesus Christ had not been rejected by the Jewish people, then the age of Israel would have continued until its completion (the Tribulation completes the age of Israel). (However, they did reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah and so the client nation was destroyed, and the Church age was intercalated that is inserted before the age of Israel was complete.) After the completion of the age of Israel at the end of the Tribulation, comes the wrath of God namely the Baptism of Fire when the Lord removes both Jewish and gentile unbelievers from the earth and identifies them with fire forever. After which, the Millennial reign begins.
The Three Ritual Baptisms. None are extant at the present time. They are representative identifications in which water is used as a training aid to represent some principle of doctrine.
1. The Baptism of John is found in Matthew 3:2-6, “Saying, ‘Change your thinking [regarding Christ] for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ [The future king was already on the earth] (3) For this is what was communicated through Isaiah, the prophet saying, ‘The voice of one [John the Baptizer] proclaiming loudly in the desert [of Judea]. Prepare [the aorist tense is a one time-decision] the way of the Lord [an idiomatic expression for salvation]. Keep on making upright [the use of the Recovery Procedure followed by the development of experiential righteousness] His paths!’ (Isaiah 40:3) (4) Now, John himself kept on having a garment of camel’s hair [very uncomfortable] and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. (5) Then [after John went where God wanted him to be] Jerusalem kept on going out to him [face to face] and all Judea and all the districts around the Jordan. (6) and they were being baptized [identified with the kingdom] by him [under John’s authority] in the Jordan River [where Israel crossed when they entered the land], and they kept on confessing their sins [post-salvation confession of sins].”
MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
The Book of Revelation: Chapter Fifteen
A verse-by-verse commentary by Max Klein
Let us bow our heads; If we need to use the Recovery Procedure as found in 1 John 1:9, let us do so at this time that we might be in fellowship. (pause) Father, we thank you for the privilege and opportunity to study your word and for the freedom that you have provided for us here in Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.A.; furthermore, we express our appreciation to God the Holy Spirit who will enlighten us regarding the message this evening. We as priests pray this through the person of our Lord Christ Jesus, our High Priest, Amen.
At this particular point we are getting ready for the greatest judgment that God will ever administer to mankind in the historical sense. In chapter fifteen we see the protocol functioning of the seven last plagues in heaven and then the protocol functioning of the seven bowl judgements on earth in chapter sixteen. In chapters seventeen and eighteen we have two chapters concentrated on the evils of religion and how religion is the evilest system that Satan has ever invented. We will see in chapter 17 the fall, the judgment of the political aspect of ecumenical religion, and then in chapter 18 we will see the fall of the so-called spiritual aspect of ecumenical religion. Actually, these two chapters, 17 & 18, are simply an amplification of the seventh bowl judgment. Then we will move on to chapters nineteen and twenty to the termination of the devil’s desperation.
We should notice as we proceed that the seven last plagues of chapter fifteen are identical to the seven vials or bowls of chapter sixteen. They are synonymous terms. We know that from Revelation 21:9a, “Then, came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the last seven plagues.” In heaven they are simply called plagues; on earth they are called Bowl Judgments.
Revelation 15:1
Then I saw [constative aorist tense: the vision of the seven last plagues: chapters 15, 16] another [of the same kind: another system of judgment similar to the Seven Seals of Revelation 5-8 and the Seven Trumpets of Revelation 8-9] sign [something contrary to the usual course of nature: the Seven Plague Judgments; We know that this sign will be a teaching aid in the field of eschatology] in heaven [the 3rd heaven], great and remarkable [astonishing: judgments from God are always awesome], seven angels [wingless angelic aristocrats] who had seven plagues [ same as the bowl judgments of Revelation 16: seven disasters], which are the last ones [the terminating ones of history], because in them [the seven last plagues] the wrath of God has been completed [no more judgments except the putting down of the Gog Magog Revolution at the end of the Millennium].
Καὶ εἶδον ἄλλο σηµεῖον ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ µέγα καὶ θαυµαστόν, ἀγγέλους ἑπτὰ ἔχοντας πληγὰς ἑπτὰ τὰς ἐσχάτας, ὅτι ἐν αὐταῖς ἐτελέσθη ὁ θυµὸς τοῦ θεοῦ.
God is going to get the attention of those who are negative in the human race. God brings crisis evangelism to the human race via these Bowl Judgments which will be administered by the seven aristocratic wingless angels, the seven executioners. Though these seven judgments will be worse than anything the world has experienced, people will survive since judgments are generally local. These unbelievers living toward the end of the Great Tribulation who will not heed ‘crisis evangelism’ will face the Baptism of Fire at the 2nd Advent.
Revelation 15:2
And I saw something like a sea of glass [martyrs of the Tribulation in heaven with interim bodies in a state of tranquility and happiness] mixed with fire [refers to both the persecution and the martyrdom of these believers over a period of time and their subsequent imprecatory prayers which will be answered by the Bowl Judgments] even those who had been victorious [present tense of duration from the time of their salvation to the time of their martyrdom] over the beast-dictator [the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire whose power will not be able to force these believers to renounce Christ] both over his image [they will refuse to worship the beast-dictator via his image in the Holy of Holies] and over the number of his person [these great believers survived to grow spiritually even though they were persecuted under the computerized code number 666 by which the dictator will maintain control over ecumenical religion and by which he will persecute those who reject it], and they stood on the sea of glass, holding harps of God [indicates a state of happiness in an interim body].
Καὶ εἶδον ὡς θάλασσαν ὑαλίνην µεµιγµένην πυρί, καὶ τοὺς νικῶντας ἐκ τοῦ θηρίου καὶ ἐκ τῆς εἰκόνος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκ τοῦ ἀριθµοῦ τοῦ ὀνόµατος αὐτοῦ ἑστῶτας ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν τὴν ὑαλίνην, ἔχοντας κιθάρας τοῦ θεοῦ.
In this verse, we have the victorious martyrs of the future. This should teach us a great principle, that those who have Bible doctrine, those who are believers and have learned truth, have great victory in death just as they do in life. Those who understand doctrine and believe it, those who utilize the rationales of the second stage of the faith-rest drill, always understand that death is not a disaster, and that there are no accidents in the spiritual life. When death overtakes anyone of us it is not a tragedy, it is not a disaster; it is time for the Lord to take us home. We understand that no one ever departs from this earth by death, believer or unbeliever, apart from the Lord’s permission.
John’s frame of reference goes to a calm sea that looks like glass or crystal. A sea of glass or crystal cannot be influenced by the winds or the waves and tides. It represents tranquility and great happiness in heaven. This is used to represent these martyrs who will be in their interim bodies waiting for their resurrected bodies.
The playing of a harp in the Bible is always associated with happiness. To the contrary, ‘hanging a harp on a willow tree is a sign of great misery’ because there is no reason to be happy. This is describing the 5th cycle of discipline in terms of misery.
Psalm 137:1-2. By the Rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. (2) On the willows by the middle of it [the rivers of Babylon] we hung our harps.
In Isaiah 24:8, it states, “the gaiety of tambourines ceases; the noise of revelers stops; the gaiety of the harp ceases.”
Ezekiel 26:13. So, I will cause the sound of your songs to cease, and the sound of your harps will be heard no more.
The harp will accompany the hymn sung in the next two verses. Bible doctrine in their souls will give them victory over one of the most powerful rulers who will ever live.
How is it that these believers as well as all believers will be happy in heaven! Though there will be many reasons why a believer will be happy in heaven, let’s just view this from their not being on the earth. Furthermore, being in heaven, they will not be able to see what is happening on the earth, and my guess is that they will not even care. Not being on the earth, they will not be preoccupied with the economic, political or military concerns of those on this planet. They will not be concerned about health, their mate, their children, how they will be able to make ends meet etc. They will not be bombarded with all the arrogance, the silliness, and all the stupidity that goes on in this world ruled by Satan. This is to just give you an idea of the potential happiness in heaven only from the perspective of neither being or seeing what is happening on the earth.
The martyrs of the above verse will be “Victorious over the beast-dictator.”
The victory of these martyrs is based upon three factors. First of all, they will make good decisions as they advance spiritually. Secondly, they will have personal control over their lives and at some point, they will make their decisions even knowing the consequences will be death. Thirdly, they will have a very fine personal sense of destiny. These martyrs will depart from life victorious over the beast dictator. They will use the divine power of metabolized doctrine to defeat the most powerful person who will ever live as far as human beings. Since Satan is the ruler of this world his servants often have greater political power but this power cannot force renunciation of Christ from an advanced believer.
The Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire:
Revelation 6:2. Then, I looked, and behold, a white horse [of the first seal representing victory, conquest and dictatorship], and the one mounted on it [the rider is the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire] had a battle bow [most likely used as a weapon of terrorism and gorilla-warfare since the sword, spear and chariot are not mentioned]; and a crown was given to him [because the society was weak]; in fact, as a conqueror, he appeared [on the scene of history] so that he might conquer.
The Bible must be interpreted in the time in which it was written. To the Romans a white horse depicted victory, conquest and maximum authority. The horse of Roman generals in a triumphal procession was as white as they could get it, a good grey, in other words. The rulers of the Persian empire rode white horses at all times as a badge of rank to be seen from a distance. The white horse in the Bible is a symbol of several things: victory, leadership, rulership, but in our context, it refers to dictatorship in the Tribulation as a historical trend.
The Rider of this White Horse:
1. The rider is identified as the great dictator among dictators of the Tribulation. He is the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire and is given five different names in the Bible, all of which are related to eschatological passages. He is called the beast out of the sea in Revelation 13:1-10, the little horn in Daniel 7, the prince that shall come in Daniel 9:25, the scarlet, colored beast of Revelation 17:3ff, the wicked one (literally, the evil one) in 2 Thessalonians 2:7ff and is the subject of a number of Scriptures.
2. The Tribulation will be characterized by dictators, more dictators than at any time in history. Dictators usually come to power during economic hardship, and in order to stay in power, they usually take the country to war. Dictators must have something to occupy the minds of the people because they are not on a solid economic footing.
3. The decline of society throughout the world in the Tribulation, the removal of the pivot of mature believers at the Rapture, the disappearance of client nations, the removal of God the Holy Spirit as the restrainer of evil, all these inevitably result is the rise of dictatorships. All power spheres of the Tribulation will be under some form of dictatorship which is destructive to human freedom. All of these dictators of the Tribulation are the direct result of many evil decisions on the part of many evil people.
4. While the rider of the white horse specifically represents the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire, he also personifies all dictators of the Tribulation and, by application, all dictators of history.
5. One of the trends of the Tribulation is universal loss of freedom because of dictatorships. Dictators substitute their own arrogant volitions for the function of millions of free wills.
6. In this passage, we are not only looking at one dictator but we are looking at dictators in general inspired by Satan, influenced by the Cosmic System which brings about social degeneracy.
7. Occasionally in history there is dictator of great genius and humility who comes along and does something inspiring that last for a hundred years or so. For example, Julius Caesar, but in this passage, we are dealing with the arrogance of the typical dictator. Principle: Arrogance seeks to dominate its environment whether it is a self-righteous, arrogant Christian in a local church or an arrogant self-righteous dictator in the Tribulation.
The Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire: Passages:
Daniel 7:7b-8, “and [the transition from the historical Roman Empire to the Revived Roman Empire] it had ten horns [the ten-nation confederation in the first part of the Tribulation]. (8) While I was contemplating the horns [the ten nation- confederation], behold, another horn, a little one [the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire], came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it [This dictator decisively defeated three of the nations.]; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man [great perceptive ability; undoubtedly a genius] and a mouth speaking eloquently [Satan will promote and use an intelligent person for this very important role].”
2 Thessalonians 2:6-11. And so now you know the one who restrains [the Holy Spirit restrains evil in the Church Age] so that he [the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire] may be revealed in his own dispensation [in the Tribulation and not before]. (7) For the Mystery of Lawlessness [already people have made deals with Satan] is already operational only he [the Holy Spirit] who now restrains [will continue that ministry] until he [the Holy Spirit] is taken out of the way [at the Rapture]. (8) And then [after the Rapture] the Lawless One [dictator of the revived Roman Empire] will be revealed, whom the Lord shall destroy with the breath of His mouth [the least power of God] in fact he [the Lord Jesus Christ] shall neutralize him by the very appearance of His coming [at the 2nd Advent], (9) [The dictator of the Revived Roman Empire] whose presence [in history] shall be according to the modus operandi of Satan with all power and by means of extra natural signs [extra natural phenomena in the spiritual realm like healing] even lying wonders [propaganda]. (10) and by means of all deception of unrighteousness [This dictator is a pathological liar who has a ministry of disinformation and will deceive both unbelievers and some believers] to those who are being destroyed [ruined: If you do not possess truth, you will be deceived, ruined and destroyed.] because they did not receive the love for the truth [These unbelievers reject God at God Consciousness or at Gospel hearing or both; believers reject truth as related to their spiritual lives], in order that they might be delivered [from delusion, from destruction, from catastrophe]. (11) And so, for this reason, God will send them [unbelievers of the Tribulation] the modus operandi of delusion [from black-out and scar tissue of the soul; strong delusion among the masses produces a power to be exploited by demagogues] so that they should believe the lie [the propaganda of the Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire will take advantage of the strong delusion of the masses].”
The dictator of the Revived Roman Empire will be a criminal of criminals:
All criminality is acquired through arrogance. No one is born with a genetic tendency toward crime. It is all a matter of arrogance; e.g., authority arrogance, mental attitude arrogance, self-righteous arrogance, sexual arrogance, the arrogance of unhappiness, and above all, psychopathic arrogance. All criminals are such because of their own volition because they have made a decision to be a criminal. Environment is not the issue in criminality. The environment does not mold the criminal, rather the criminal molds the environment. Honor and integrity can belong to all, not just to one social caste. For example, there may be 8 siblings from a very poor home. Seven become wonderful responsible citizens while one becomes a criminal. Criminals are criminals not because of their environment, but because they will to be so.
Criminality actually begins with rejection of authority in the home. Rejection of parental authority eventually results in the rejection of all legitimate authority including God’s Laws of Establishment, and therefore the criminal is totally disoriented to life. He seeks to superimpose his authority on society. In arrogance, he gives lip service to the authority he encounters, but in his soul, he despises any and all authority except his own. A law-abiding citizen may be irresponsible without being a criminal, but all criminals are irresponsible all the time.
The criminal lives inside the Cosmic System. He is totally preoccupied with himself. He is hypersensitive about himself and insensitive toward others. Strangely enough, he is very self-righteous, and filled with self-justification regarding his criminal deeds. For example, it happens many times in prison-riots during which criminals will kill other criminals. When asked why they killed another criminal, they will answer because the other criminal deserved to die. He raped and killed children whereas I merely raped and killed adults for I would never touch a child.
The criminal is a bored person. He wants excitement and proof of his power. In fact, the criminal's desire for excitement is so great that he becomes jaded without constant stimulation from excitement. To the criminal, living without excitement is a put-down. Therefore, the criminal requires constant stimulation related to his crimes, sex, torture, alcohol, or drugs, making others afraid of him. Eventually, only extreme criminal activity related to torture, rape, and murder is satisfactory as an antidote to his boredom.
All liars are not criminals, but all criminals are liars. For the criminal, lying is a way of life. Therefore, the criminal becomes a pathological liar. Habitual deceit and lying is the criminal's total disregard for the truth in any form. Lying is the criminal's standard way of dealing with the world, a part of criminal manipulation.
The criminal is saturated with a lust pattern of arrogance. He has sexual lust, killer lust, power lust, approbation lust, money lust, stimulation lust requiring extensive use of drugs or alcohol, cruelty lust from which comes torture and abuse of others, as well as homicide. From his arrogant preoccupation with self, the criminal is involved in a lust pattern from which it is almost impossible to break away.
The Code Number 666:
Revelation 13:17. And that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark [the general identification system], or the name of the beast-dictator [of the Revived Roman Empire; for the leaders and clergymen in the ecumenical system] or the number [666] of his name [this number is related to the computerized system].
This mark or identification card is necessary for social activity, business activity, religious activity, and even survival at that time. Since the ID card is so important, it is printed or engraved or somehow marked on the body of the individual. We should remember that religion [Christianity is not a religion] is always cruel; it is always vindictive toward those who reject it. Ecumenical religion of the Tribulation will be no exception.
Religion persecutes the nonconformist by starving him out. There is also, of course later on persecution, torture, and murder, but here we simply have the economic isolation of the nonconformist. There is no honor code in ecumenical religion, no virtue, no grace, no system of impersonal love toward all. Instead, there is demonism, terrorism, persecution and economic ostracism.
Revelation 15:3
And they [the martyrs of the Tribulation in heaven] will sing [in worship; the futuristic present] the Hymn of Moses, the servant of God [what is emphasized], and the Hymn of the Lamb [a reference to His saving work, the source of all blessing], singing, Great and marvelous are Your works [the source of everything great in life], O Lord [emphasis on His 3rd royal patent namely the King over kings and the Lord over lords] the God [1st royal patent, the deity of Christ as the Son of God], the Omnipotent One [the one who controls history]; Righteous and true are Your ways [the whole concept of virtue related to his characteristics and functions], the King over the nations [the future king over the nations of the Millennium]!
καὶ ᾄδουσιν τὴν ᾠδὴν Μωϋσέως τοῦ δούλου τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τὴν ᾠδὴν τοῦ ἀρνίου λέγοντες, Μεγάλα καὶ θαυµαστὰ τὰ ἔργα σου, κύριε ὁ θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ· δίκαιαι καὶ ἀληθιναὶ αἱ ὁδοί σου, ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν ἐθνῶν.
The hymn of Moses is actually divided into two parts: the book of Exodus, 15:1-18, and the other at the end of the ministry of Moses in Deuteronomy. The beginning of the ministry of Moses is characterized by the hymn, obviously written by Moses, celebrating the Lord’s deliverance of the Jews at the Red Sea. The end of the ministry of Moses is characterized by the hymn he wrote to teach the Jews after his death, Deuteronomy 32. The purpose of this hymn of Moses is given in Deuteronomy 31:19-22 which was to prophesy the failure of the Jews in passing the prosperity test. Though all the Jewish nations ultimately failed the prosperity test, the great Jewish believers living at the time of the Great Tribulation will not fail this test. They will remember the Hymn of Moses and take heed. As a result, they will be martyred, and in heaven in their interim bodies, they will sing this Hymn of Moses again found in Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32 and the Hymn of the Lamb.
The Hymn of Moses is to remind every generation that the key to everything in life is not the prosperity they happen to be enjoying at the moment, but how that prosperity came about. The key to almost everything in life is not what you have that you enjoy but, how did it come to pass that you have what you enjoy. How did it come about that you are prosperous? The real key is not what you are enjoying but the origin of what you are enjoying, and lest we forget, every blessing we have in this life, every bit of happiness, every bit of success, everything that is worthwhile, comes through the grace of God. God is the source of our blessing, and the same grace of God that gives us these things can remove them at any time, and generally the removal occurs because we can’t handle prosperity. So, we have the Song of Moses. It was taught to the children of Israel so that they would always associate their prosperity in the Land with the source of all prosperity, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
The purpose of the Song of Moses: Deuteronomy 31:19-22. Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the sons [citizens] of Israel; put it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the citizens of Israel. (20) For when I bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and are satisfied and become prosperous, then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and spurn Me and break My covenant [they will fail the prosperity test]. (21) Then, it shall come about, when many evils and troubles have come upon them [the cycles of national discipline], that this song will testify before them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants); for I know their intent which they are developing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore. (22) So, Moses wrote this song [as found in Deuteronomy 32] the same day, and taught it to the sons of Israel.
A related passage: Psalm 85:8-13. I will hear [positive volition] what the God the Lord will say [Wisdom comes from the Lord] for he will communicate prosperity to his people [by interpretation, the client nation, Israel], and to his gracious ones [the mature believers], but let them not return to stupidity [rejection of God’s truth bringing the nation down]. (9) Nothing but deliverance is near to those who reverence [respect] him in order that glory [establishing a pivot] may dwell in our land. (10) Grace and doctrine have met together [the two advancing columns]. Righteousness [imputed followed by experiential righteousness] and prosperity have kissed. (11) Doctrinal teaching shall spring up in the land, and God’s righteousness shall look down from heaven [the potential for fantastic blessing]. (12) Also, the Lord himself will give the good [divine blessing from executing His plan], and our land will give her increase [her prosperity: yield its harvest]. (13) Righteousness shall go before him that he [the believer] may march in the way [the believer follows God’s plan by remaining under his authority].
Though we do not have all of the lyrics of the Hymn of the Lamb, what we do have is found in Revelation 15:3-4. Regarding the Hymn of the Lamb, all blessing from the Lord Jesus Christ begins with the most permanent of all blessing which is eternal salvation. From the moment that we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we come under logistical grace, whether we are winners or losers. Whether we succeed spiritually or whether we fail spiritually, God is going to sustain us; God is going to provide for us; God is going to bless us which blessing should bring about thanksgiving.
Historical overview just prior to the 2nd Advent:
Psalm 2:
Verses 1-3 is the situation in the time of the devil’s desperation. In other words, it starts in the last half of the Tribulation.
Psalm 2:1. Why do the nations rage [the eschatology of the devil’s desperation], and the people plot [a time of great conspiracies] in vain?
Psalm 2:2. The kings of the earth take their stand [against our Lord in the last half of the Tribulation for nations will rage against God namely the king of the north, the pan-Arabic bloc, the oriental bloc, and the revived Roman empire.] and the rulers conspire together against the Lord [God the Father], and against his anointed [God the Son], saying,
Psalm 2:3. [This is what they think] Let us break their bands [the authority of divine establishment], let us destroy their restraint [the function of divine establishment], let us throw off the chains [the basis by which God protects the human race from self-destruction].
In verses 4-9, we have the plan of God the Father mentioned.
Psalm 2:4. And he [God the Father] who is enthroned in heaven laughs [an anthropopathism for his sense of humor]: the Lord [God the Son] scoffs at them, [an anthropopathism for his divine power as if the creature could ever challenge the creator.]
Psalm 2:5. Then [at the end of the Tribulation] he will speak in his anger [God the Father judges as the source of the seven last plagues though they are administered by the Lord Jesus Christ], and he will terrify them in his wrath, saying [a reference to the Seven last Plagues, the closing events of the Tribulation, the Armageddon Campaign and what will take place at the 2nd Advent such as the Baptism of Fire],
Psalm 2:6. But as for me [God the Father] I have installed my king [the coronation of Christ shortly after the 2nd Advent] on Zion, my holy mountain [the ultimate tactical victory of our Lord in the angelic conflict].
Psalm 2:7. I will proclaim the decree of the Lord [the printout of the computer of divine decrees]: he [God the Father] said to me [God the Son], You are my Son [1st Advent]; today [at the moment of the virgin birth] I have begotten you.
Psalm 2:8. [After His death, burial, resurrection and ascension] Ask from me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance [certain Church Age believers will share in this inheritance], plus the very ends of the earth as your possession [in the Millennium].
Psalm 2:9. And you will rule them with a scepter of iron [crime will not be tolerated which will be necessary to perpetuate perfect environment]; and you will shatter them to pieces like pottery [instant judgment of crime etc.].
Verses 10-12, divine advice to the nations of the Tribulation, advice which we could take as well.
Psalm 2:10. Therefore, you kings [you rulers] become wise [perception of the gospel followed by the perception of doctrine]: be warned [grace precedes judgment] you rulers of the earth.
Psalm 2:11. Worship the Lord with reverence [occupation with Christ], and rejoice with trembling [understand his authority].
Psalm 2:12. Kiss the Son [faith in Christ followed by perception of doctrine], lest he become angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath may soon be kindled [the approaching judgment, grace before judgment]. How blessed are those who take refuge in him.
Revelation 15:4
Who will certainly not fear [the subjunctive of emphatic negation makes this a very dramatic question: this verb also can be translated ‘respect and awe.’ At the 2nd Advent all unbelievers who will make up the majority of the population will face the reality of having rejected Christ and will be in great fear; the believers on the other hand will have great respect and awe for Christ at His coming], you [in the better manuscripts such as p47 and Aleph, the Greek pronoun σε ‘you’ exists] O Lord, but [one of the meaning of the Greek conjunction καὶ (kai)] will glorify Your person [So, to answer this question only the great believer will not only not fear the Lord at the 2nd Advent, but rather he will have great respect and awe]? Because only you are holy [both the deity and humanity of Christ have perfect integrity]; because all the nations [some with capacity for true worship, others without capacity] will come [to Jerusalem] and worship before you [at the 2nd Advent and throughout his reign]; because your righteous acts [His judgments at the 2nd Advent, His decisions during his Millennial reign and His handling of the Gog-Magog Revolution] have been revealed.
τίς σε οὐ µὴ φοβηθῇ, κύριε, καὶ δοξάσει τὸ ὄνοµά σου; ὅτι µόνος ὅσιος, ὅτι πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἥξουσιν καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν ἐνώπιόν σου, ὅτι τὰ δικαιώµατά σου ἐφανερώθησαν.
Most unbelievers live normal lives with little fear of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is because they ignore the issue by refusing to dwell or discuss the issue of salvation, or they rationalize away the issue by stating that there is no hell; there is no God etc. In other words, they are not facing reality. However, at the 2nd Advent, billions of unbelievers will see the Lord Jesus Christ and so will be forced to face reality and consequently they will suffer unimaginable shock and fear.
Fear as it applies to believer or unbeliever:
Fear is characteristic of demonization. People in the Cosmic System, both believers and unbelievers, are subject to fear. A believer can be courageous one day and if he starts living in the cosmic system, he has a personality change and becomes frightened. So, fear is characteristic of residence and function in the cosmic system.
Cowardice is the function of that fear under pressure. Mankind in the Cosmic System fears the truth of Bible doctrine in all three categories and, of course, man in the cosmic system fears the circumstances of life, whether it be death, disease, or disaster, the three “D’s” that are usually associated with disaster. Fear in contemplation of these things is often called worry. Worry is the anticipation; fear is the actuality.
Fear, elaboration of:
1. Fear is the enemy of thought. Cowardice is the inability to apply knowledge to a situation. Thus, fear and cowardice can only occur when the believer is out of fellowship with God.
2. Honor, and virtue are secondary components of true love, and so cannot co-exist with worry, fear, and anxiety since these are not virtues.
3. Virtue, and honor together produce courage which drives out fear.
4. Virtue eliminates all arrogance which includes fear, jealousy, bitterness, hatred, vindictiveness, implacability, and self-pity.
5. Confidence, a secondary component of love toward God motivates courage toward mankind.
6. Fear indicates that the believer is involved in the cosmic system, and therefore, cannot use any of the Problem-Solving Devices of the spiritual life.
7. Fear, like all mental attitude sins is self-punishing and self-destructive. The presence of fear in the soul overflows into the body as well—psychosomatics.
8. If you are afraid, you are out of fellowship for fear and the function of your spiritual life are mutually exclusive.
9. Fear eliminates a personal sense of destiny and the double column advance to occupation with Christ.
10. Fear sees the problem and falls apart, while faith sees the solution and keeps marching to glory. There are three great illustrations of faith: Abraham in sexual death, Moses at the Red Sea, and David against Goliath. Through the Faith-Rest Drill, each of these believers namely Abraham, Moses, and David emphasized the solution rather than the problem and so avoided the distraction of fear.
Other principles of fear:
1. Fear is a sign of arrogance and self-centeredness. Therefore, fear results in the function of three arrogance skills: self-justification, self-deception, and self-absorption.
2. The temptation to have fear calls for the function of the faith-rest drill.
Isaiah 41:10. Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; yes, I will hold you up with the right hand of My Righteousness.
2 Timothy 1:7. For God has not given us a lifestyle of fear, but of power and reciprocal love and sound-judgment.
3. Fear related to death will not prevent dying, but it will prevent the fulfillment of our very own spiritual life.
4. The more things you surrender to fear, the more things you fear. Today, you may be worried about only one thing; tomorrow about two things, etc. Soon you become so emotionally involved in fear that you have no identity. Irrationality means loss of identity, which means the accumulation of fear until you are afraid of life. Fear is something that, if not controlled, continues to develop in your life until you have no capacity, and as a believer you become a loser.
5. The extent to which you surrender to fear, the greater your capacity for fear and to that extent fear controls more and more of your life. Increasing fear means increasing insecurity, which destroys your capacity for love, life, happiness, and blessing. Under fear, no set of circumstances in life will ever make you happy. There is no way you can have true love or true happiness apart from a healthy mental attitude.
6. The greater your capacity for fear, the more you increase the power of fear in your life. The more you increase the power of fear in your life, the greater your failure to execute the unique spiritual life of the Church Age.
Still other principles related to fear:
1. It is possible to learn a lot of doctrine and yet fall apart in a sudden pressure situation.
2. Sudden disaster often places the believer in a panic situation resulting in a failure to apply doctrine to that situation.
3. The courageous person is able to think under great pressure, whereas the person with fear is not able to think rationally under great pressure. The difference is the ability to concentrate under pressure. Now, if you have a problem concentrating in normal situations, you will surely have a problem concentrating under pressure in an abnormal situation.
4. Concentration is not only required in learning Bible doctrine, but even to a much greater extent in applying Bible doctrine. This is especially true when historical disaster occurs, because in historical disaster, a person may have several categories of pressure to deal with, namely personal, national, and sometimes even international.
5. Adversity and great pressure can easily lead to stress in the soul when truth is not applied to the situation. When a believer is under stress, he is not able to think objectively.
The Jews expressed all the above principles of fear through their rebellion against Moses: “They said to Moses, ‘Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?’” (Exodus 14:11a). Now keep in mind that these Jews did not have to leave Egypt. Moses did not force them to leave. Arrogant people never take responsibility for their decisions. Furthermore, Moses was only God's agent. It wasn't his idea to bring the Jews out of Egypt; it was the command of God. God was going to remove the Jews from Egyptian slavery in order to make them a special nation (client nation) in history.
A coward dies many times, but a brave man dies only once. Under fear, emotion took control of these believers’ souls, and they became irrational. In their state of irrationality, they possessed a false view of their situation. Their false viewpoint was that they were already dead. The true view was that God would deliver them.
Exodus 14:12. Is this not the word which we spoke to you in Egypt? Let us alone that we may be slaves to the Egyptians because it is good for us to be slaves to the Egyptians rather than to die in the desert.
Initially, when the Jews heard that God was going to remove them from slavery, they welcomed the idea:
Exodus 4:31. And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.
However, once the Egyptians started to give them a hard time, they changed their minds about going:
Exodus 5:21. And they said, may the Lord look upon you and judge you [Moses and Aaron]! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.
Even with the continued assurance of the Lord, the Israelites refused to humble themselves to God’s purpose.
Exodus 6:8-9. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’ Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.
Removing Fear from Death:
1. Bible doctrine resident in the soul removes fear of death as well as fear of life.
2. The believer having executed the spiritual life is not afraid of torture and death. That means that martyrdom is never in vain. Martyrdom without renouncing Christ, is one of the greatest rewardable functions in eternity. At the very least, he will receive the Wreath of Life.
3. Before, Constantine the Roman empire was many times evangelized through dying testimony; after Constantine it was generally evangelized through living testimony. In history it takes both. Dying testimony requires like living testimony, that Bible doctrine is more real than anything in life. Otherwise, when called upon to live or die for the Lord Jesus Christ, he can’t do it.
4. The success standards of life must be replaced by the success standards of God’s plan. And the judgment seat of Christ will reveal that many people who have a comparatively humble station in life in the Lord’s eyes were the great heroes and heroines of history.
5. Only through Bible doctrine can God and His plan be more real than people, ambitions, situations, and pleasures. Beware that you do not function in life according to human viewpoint, on the basis of rationalizing doctrine to fit your ambitions and functions in life. The divine viewpoint must override peer pressure, and arrogant ambition must be replaced by doctrinal perception. When that happens and you fulfil the principle of being faithful, even unto death, there will be a special, super reward for you in heaven.
Principles related to stress:
1. Adversity is outside pressure of life; stress is inside pressure of the soul.
2. Stress is caused by oneself; adversity is caused by other people and outside circumstances.
3. Adversity is inevitable; stress is optional.
4. Stress destroys the spiritual life of the believer. Therefore, the believer must name the sin which caused the stress to God the Father as soon as possible.
5. There is a definite relationship between stress and cognition, namely stress lowers cognition.
6. Stress makes a person forgetful and impairs the memory in regards to acquiring new knowledge. Therefore, stress impairs the ability to learn.
7. Stress affects a person's perception of reality. At the Red Sea the Jews with stress in their souls considered themselves already dead.
8. If a person remains in a stress situation too long, all his cognitive ability will be destroyed, and he will enter into a psychotic state.
People controlled by emotion and possessing false priorities easily succumb to fear when pressure occurs. If the Faith-rest drill or some other problem-solving device is not used when a person faces difficult problems or pressures, the believer will easily enter into a state of fear. In a state of fear and stress, he cannot solve his problems rationally. Only the stable Christian with doctrine in his soul can handle the pressures of life and glorify God.
The Vision of the Heavenly Temple or the barracks of the execution squad: verses 5-8:
Revelation 15:5
Then, after these things [verses 1-4] I concentrated [on what would be revealed about the Seven Bowl Judgements], and the heavenly temple, the tabernacle [an appositional genitive; The tabernacle is the memorial in heaven to the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ in His strategic victory of the angelic conflict, the first advent.] which serves as a testimony [of the Lord Jesus Christ] in heaven was opened [to allow the execution squad of seven to move out],
Καὶ µετὰ ταῦτα εἶδον, καὶ ἠνοίγη ὁ ναὸς τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ µαρτυρίου ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ,
God’s policy is grace before judgment, always. There is always a grace period prior to any judgment of history and that grace period gives opportunity to reverse bad decisions. The unbeliever needs to change his thinking regarding Christ and the apostate believer needs to change his thinking by the use of the Recovery Procedure and to follow that by learning the spiritual life. In this way, they will be able to reverse the repercussions of divine judgment.
Notice the two Greek words: naos temple then skene tabernacle, the two are linked together. Jesus Christ tabernacles in the temple in heaven because of His strategic victory on the cross while Satan can only reside on the earth after having been thrown out of heaven. Furthermore, Satan could not stop the tabernacling of Jesus Christ during the 1st Advent, and he will not be able to stop the tabernacling of Jesus Christ at the 2nd Advent during His Millennial reign. Jesus Christ who tabernacles in heaven will come down to the earth at the 2nd Advent to destroy Satan’s power on earth and to rule for a thousand years.
Arrogant creatures have no sense of humor:
1. Like all people with more power than they can handle, the beast-dictator has no sense of humor, for in arrogance he takes himself too seriously.
2. Arrogant creatures are too uptight and can never enjoy a relaxed type of humor. When arrogance is faced with greatness, it resorts to slander. Slander is the weapon of the weak to attack the strong. The sins of the tongue are always the weapons of the weak to attack those who are strong, those who are beyond their power. The one who slanders is weak and the object of the slander is strong, so it is the weak attacking the strong.
3. With maximum doctrine resident in the soul the believer in the Tribulation is beyond the power of the all-powerful beast dictator.
4. In life, doctrine in the soul puts the believer in the Tribulation beyond the power of the beast-dictator, while in death, the interim life in heaven puts the believer beyond the power of Satan. So, there is a double protection of all believers: a wall of fire on earth; an interim life in heaven.
5. The beast-dictator will not learn the following lesson of humor: with all of his vast power over life and death, he cannot control the believer with maximum doctrine resident in the soul.
6. Bible doctrine resident in the soul of the believer is more powerful than all categories of human power. In other words, no one can destroy your power of thinking, only you can do it by bad decisions.
7. Therefore, the martyr of the Tribulation is beyond the dictator’s control in life because of the greater power of Bible doctrine resident in his soul. Furthermore, he is beyond the dictator’s control in death because of his residence in heaven in a state of perfect happiness. In heaven the martyr is also beyond the power and control of Satan who has been cast out of heaven in the middle of the Tribulation. Therefore, the humor of it all: Satan masterminded their martyrdom, now they are beyond his power in heaven in interim bodies with great happiness while Satan will be on the earth in great desperation and misery.
Revelation 15:6
Then, the seven angels who have the seven plagues came out of the temple, and they were dressed in a uniform made of pure and transparent linen, also they were wearing a golden baldric slung across their chests.
καὶ ἐξῆλθον οἱ ἑπτὰ ἄγγελοι [οἱ] ἔχοντες τὰς ἑπτὰ πληγὰς ἐκ τοῦ ναοῦ, ἐνδεδυµένοι λίνον καθαρὸν λαµπρὸν καὶ περιεζωσµένοι περὶ τὰ στήθη ζώνας χρυσᾶς.
There is aristocracy among the elect angels. The important thing to note is the uniform worn by this execution squad. Remember that the execution squad is not made up of privates, it is made up of one of the highest echelons of aristocrats among the elect angels and while they are the lowest in the aristocratic order they are still part of the aristocracy, the Seraphim and Cherubs being the highest.
As angelic heralds administering the seven last judgements of the Tribulation this uniform represents their Lord and master, Jesus Christ. Hence, the Greek adjective katharos (pure) represents the impeccability of Christ during the first advent, whereas the Greek adjective lampros (transparent) represents the deity of Christ, and together they remind us of the hypostatic union. They are wearing one of the highest and most distinguishing types of decoration related to the time of the Roman Empire when the golden baldric was set up in order to carry decorations. The golden baldric not only indicates the honors and the decorations these elect angels won as winners before man was created but they also indicate war. In this case, it will be God’s war against evil and that is exactly what the seven last plagues will do.
Revelation 15:7
Then one of the four living creatures [one of the four angelic heralds, seraph rank] gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.
καὶ ἓν ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων ἔδωκεν τοῖς ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλοις ἑπτὰ φιάλας χρυσᾶς γεµούσας τοῦ θυµοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.
There is a principle which comes out of this: God leaves no loose ends in history. Every evil perpetuated against believers, regardless of the dispensation, is put into the computer of the divine decree and at the appropriate time is judged. There are no loose ends in history and this, of course, was a great consolation to the martyrs of the Tribulation.
The timing of God’s punishment is perfect. God always remembers the victims, whether they are the victims of disorganized evil like crime or victims of organized evil like governmental persecution. Even though Satan is the ruler of this world no form of evil gets away without punishment from God. There is no evil ever committed in human history that is not handled by the higher court of heaven. The higher court of heaven always functions and the timing of the higher court is perfect, and therefore the importance of what we should call “the patience of the saints.” As believers we have to be patient. As believers we may not even see God’s administration of justice, but it will occur.
Sometimes Christians want to take revenge forgetting that “vengeance belongs to me, I will repay saith the Lord”. They want to do something about it themselves, they want to get involved themselves. Since God’s timing is always perfect, either in blessing or in judgment, the believer must avoid becoming personally involved. If the courts of the land will not prosecute leave it to the higher court of heaven where justice is always done.
The doctrinal application of protocol in heaven is very important. Note the seven applications of what we have been studying:
1. There is order in heaven. This means that there is order and protocol in God’s plan for us in time. The plan of God always follows protocol; the plan of God follows a no-nonsense policy, no silliness, no absurdities. Protocol is a reminder of this principle. The application should be noted: 1 Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” Protocol becomes thoughtfulness as a part of the plan of God; it becomes sensitivity; it becomes the function of impersonal love toward all, recognizing the privacy of others, the right of others to make their own mistakes or their own success.
2. The highest-ranking aristocracy of elect angels is involved in the chain of command and the execution of divine policy. Note that divine protocol is being executed by the greatest aristocracy in heaven, just as the highest-ranking order of knighthood in the royal family of God will rule and execute judgment for one thousand years of history, in the Millennium. When God wants something done, He uses royalty.
3. The success of the mission is based on respect for authority and the virtue of protocol. Respect for authority develops the virtue of protocol in every echelon of command and function.
4. Effective protocol demands virtue, first. Protocol is meaningless without virtue. Those who carry out this mission of judgment, the seven last plagues, have demonstrated maximum virtue during the prehistoric angelic conflict.
5. The divine plan for the believer in time cannot be fulfilled apart from respect for God’s authority, the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, the living Word; the authority of Bible doctrine as the written Word.
6. Good planning precedes good execution. Chapters 14 and 15 are planning chapters. The Bowl Judgments will be executed in chapter 16.
7. Judgements originating from God and the protocol of heaven result in the preservation and blessing for some portion of the human race.
Revelation 15:8
And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished [Not even in heaven can creatures, both angelic and human, stand in the presence of God when He is judging a segment of the human race. The function of the justice of God in judgment is too overpowering for creatures].
καὶ ἐγεµίσθη ὁ ναὸς καπνοῦ ἐκ τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἐκ τῆς δυνάµεως αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδύνατο εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν ναὸν ἄχρι τελεσθῶσιν αἱ ἑπτὰ πληγαὶ τῶν ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλων.
Divine judgments are from the integrity of God and so are perfect. It should be noted that once the administration of the seven plagues occurs on earth, there will be the abnormal times related to historical disaster. This is reflected in the temple being closed and filled with smoke from the glory with emphasis on his perfect integrity and power of God. So, Smoke from God is related to the function of divine justice and judgment. The glory of the Lord is the perfection of His character and therefore the judgements of the Lord are just as perfect as the blessings of the Lord. There is nothing unfair, nothing cruel, nothing wrong, nothing that is non-virtuous about these judgements.
A supporting passage:
Isaiah 6:3-4, And one [of them] called out to another [seraph] and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of the armies [angelic armies], the fullness of the whole earth is his glory. (4) Now, the door sockets trembled at the sound of his [the seraph] voice who called out while the temple in heaven was filled with smoke. (5) Then, I [Isaiah] said, ‘Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips [unclean thoughts]’ ‘My eyes have seen the King, the Lord of the armies’. (6) Then, one of the seraphim flew to me, with a burning coal in his hand which he had taken from the altar with tongs. (7) Then, he touched my mouth with it and said, ‘Now hear this, this has touched your lips; therefore, your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is forgiven’.
The protocol in heaven is warning us on the earth. The mentioning of the shutting down of the heavenly temple has application to us; Historical and personal disasters disrupt normal function in life; they disrupt normal expression of worship on the earth, and it means for us that the opportunities that we have had to take in doctrine on a consistent and daily basis are going to be shut down in a severe crisis. It means that the teaching of the Word of God under normal circumstances of tranquility will no longer exist.
