New Moon Meeting: July 2006, 3:20 EST
The Water Seal

Zahakiel: Okay, I think all have responded. Luke, please open our meeting with a prayer.

Qinael: Our most holy and loving Father in heaven,

We thank you for this day of cleansing and growth, for this day of humility and glory, for we know that while this day is that in which we are reminded of the nakedness of our natural states, we are ever reminded through this that are not naked, we are not left alone, and that your glory shines through us, more and more to the perfect day.

We thank you for the unity of the brethren, which thing can only be accomplished by Your Holy Spirit, and for the promise that you will protect your Church and maintain it's purity.

We ask your blessing and presence upon this humble gathering of saints, and give thanks, knowing we have received what we have asked of you, for it is in the name of Yahshua the Messiah we pray,

Amen.

Zahakiel: Amen.

Naraiel: Amen.

Barb: Amen.

Happy Rock: Amen.

Kevin: Amen.

Crystle: Amen.

Igor: Amen.

Dumah: Amen.

Zahakiel: This month we are going to complete our trilogy of Seals.

We have already spoken about the “Blood Seal” which is that seal mentioned in Revelation 7 and Ezekiel 9. It is the blood of Christ, applied spiritually to a believer as a mark of divine favor, so that the destroying angels (Exo 12:23; Ezek 9:5; Rev 7:2, 3) do not visit upon us Yahweh’s wrath in the times of trouble and thereafter.

Last month we looked at the Spirit Seal, which involves a different kind of “sealing.” It is a system of symbols that “seals” the knowledge in prophecies until the right time for its significance to be known. (Dan 12:4) We noted that just as the blood of Christ is what justifies a believer, so the knowledge of prophecies allows us to know true doctrines from false ones; and this facilitates sanctification.

Now, there is a third type of Seal that we must discuss. This becomes clear, because we note that the principles above involved in the previous two Seals come in threes all throughout the Scripture. Repentance and Faith are associated with the first and second, but true conversion is also “sealed” by the outward evidence of Baptism. There is a calling out and a calling forth under the first two Seals, and these correspond to two of the three angels in Revelation 14, but there is a third angel’s message required to bind up the work of gathering the saints.

There is Blood and Spirit mentioned as witnesses in the earth, but there is also Water. (1John 5:6, 8) There is Justification and Sanctification mentioned as qualities necessary for salvation, (Rom 5:8, Heb 12:14 – where the word is translated “holiness”) but there is also Glorification. Glorification is likewise necessary for eternal life, because it is a change in the body that reflects the pure spirit within. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1Cor 15:52, 53)

Zahakiel: The reason we “must” put on incorruption is because earthly “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” (1Cor 15:50) I specify earthly, because Paul teaches further that, “there are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.” (1Cor 15:40) You’ll notice that most of the quotes so far have come from one chapter of the Scripture; that is because this section is Paul’s main discussion of glorification as it relates to human beings.

In the past two months we have seen that to receive the Blood Seal, one must repent of the life of sin. This involves accepting the Victory message under the First Gospel Angel. It is only after we have committed to living a life free of all known transgression, and accept the testimony of Scripture that “whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin,” (1 John 3:9) that we are Justified. Adventists in general know nothing of this fulfillment of the 1888 message that they were to have accepted, and pride themselves in being heralds of the Gospel Angels. The truth is, they have only a “form” of this great godliness, without any of the power thereof.

Zahakiel: In order to maintain Justification, and go on into Sanctification, one must manifest a determined and settled faith that the believer is held by Christ regardless of circumstances, trials or temptations. Additionally, in order to be Sanctified one cannot remain in the company of leaven; Christ warned His followers repeatedly that for their souls’ sakes they were to “beware the leaven” of false religious teachers. (Mat 16:6, 11; Mark 18:5, Luke 12:1) The Second Angel, by declaring that “Babylon is Fallen” informs us that confusion is at an end, that Yahweh is preparing a unified people that will not exert any leavening influence on those who are seeking the Heavenly inheritance.

That is a brief summary of what we have discussed in our last two meetings. Are there any questions on that material?

Crystle: None here.

Dumah: No.

Naraiel: No.

Qinael: I have none.

Igor: No questions.

Kevin: No

Zahakiel: All right, then.

So, we have Justification, Sanctification, and then Glorification. The way that we obtain each of these is by three steps: Repentance, Faith and Baptism. This can be demonstrated from the Bible by use of the verses I have quoted above, and we discussed the relationship between Repentance and Justification, as well as Faith and Sanctification already. But how does Baptism tie in to Glorification? Why is Water the sign of Glorification’s Seal?

At first it may seem non-intuitive, because we are not yet Glorified, but we (some of us) are already baptized if we are Church members. But if you think about it for a while, this is the way it must work. If you recall from the chart I made, Justification is past, and we have already repented – that should be easy to see. But now Sanctification is present, although we have already received the “gift of faith.” (Eph 2:8) And so, even though Glorification is future, we must have already received the Seal of it in order to attain it on the day it manifests. In other words, the thing itself, whether it be Justification, Sanctification or Glorification, may come in past, present or future, but in order to obtain them at the appointed times we have to have already received the Seal of them (in the past).

Zahakiel: Does everyone understand that? Consider this carefully, because it is extremely important to understand, and let me know if you have any questions.

Qinael: One moment.

Naraiel: It seems the Seals are related with what must happen on earth before any gift from heaven can be given.

Guerline: Ok for me.

Naraiel: We must receive all this things first in the earth.

Zahakiel: That is a good way to put it, yes. Specifically, it must happen in the believer (who is on earth) by faith, before any gift can be properly received.

Qinael: Okay, understood.

Dumah: Understood.

Crystle: No questions here.

Zahakiel: Here is an updated diagram (which has been in a growth process for the past two months) that fills in the extra information we have been discussing.

Let me know when you are ready to move on.

Barb: Ready

Pastor “Chick”: Ready here.

Kevin: Ok.

Crystle: Okay.

Guerline: Ok.

Naraiel: Ok.

Happy Rock: Ok.

Igor: Okay.

Qinael: Done.

Dumah: Ready.

Zahakiel: Now obviously, only the converted will be ultimately saved. We can sum up much of what we have been discussing for Adventists, therefore, in a single quote from Ellen White’s writings: “The requisite steps in conversion, in all cases, are faith, repentance, and baptism.” [The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Three, page 332] She repeated this idea several times, in various ways.

Now, it is true that Baptism is also a sign of repentance and a sign of faith. We read, “Christ came to John, repenting on the sinner’s account, believing in behalf of the sinner, that through the plan He had devised, of taking humanity, and in suffering and dying for man, the sinner would, through repentance, faith, and baptism, be accepted of God.” [Lift Him Up, page 79]

Qinael: Question...

Why did she list faith before repentance?

Zahakiel: Why would you repent if you did not believe in forgiveness, judgment, mercy, love, etc? The belief in these things is the major component of faith, and certainly prerequisite for the act of repentance.

Naraiel: Justification is related with faith

Qinael: <nods.> Okay. Was just comparing it with the chart.

Two levels of faith I suppose.

Naraiel: Justification must happen before sanctification.

Pastor “Chick”: All men have “the measure of faith”...

The second seal is the “faith of YAHshua”.

Guerline: Any one that comes to Him must believe that He exist and that He is rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Qinael: <nods.> To Giselle, my question was because justification is related to repentance, not faith. But, yes, I understand.

Guerline: So faith = belief.

Zahakiel: Yes, and in the Christian context, it is an active belief, a belief that brings forth visible signs of its presence.

Guerline: …and comes before repentance.

Zahakiel: Now, as we can see, there is repentance and belief (faith) contained within baptism in a very real sense; so really a valid Water Seal, one that is administered with the full approval of Heaven, means that the believer has already received the Blood and Spirit. They may not have a full understanding of these things, but by their commitment to Christ and His people, they have entered into a covenant to manifest the evidences of these by the inner working of the Savior in their lives; and this is exactly what happens. The more we study these matters (including these three New Moon meetings, as well as the verses and quotes associated with them) the clearer and more beautiful the principles will become.

It is this process described above that will ultimately result in Glorification, so the Water seal is the sign of entrance into Yahweh’s kingdom because it is a promise to us that, just as we symbolically lay our old persons in the grave and arise as new creatures, so the Glorification process is the fulfillment of the symbol in a more tangible sense.

Zahakiel: Because the Water Seal should mean that the first two are already given, this is the reason why the CSDA Church has a very important “examination” process for potential members. Ellen White said this, which we reference several times in our studies and discussions of baptism: “Not one should be buried with Christ by baptism unless they are critically examined whether they have ceased to sin, whether they have fixed moral principles, whether they know what sin is, whether they have moral defilement which God abhors. Find out by close questioning if these persons are really ceasing to sin, if with David they can say, I hate sin with a perfect hatred.” [Manuscript Releases Volume Six, page 165]

Now I want you to take note of something you may never have seen in this quote before. It explicitly references both Justification and Sanctification, and we can see this now because we have been through the past two studies. Can anyone see where? It may require some thought, but consider “timing” for some help.

Qinael: <nods.> She says “Has ceased to sin” and “are ceasing to sin.”

Zahakiel: That’s right :)

I was speaking with someone recently about the CSDAs approach to studying the Bible and Ellen White’s writings. What I said was, we are not interested in placing our interpretations on these sacred works, but rather understanding and teaching the principles that underlie them. Then, when we are all educated (as opposed to indoctrinated) we can go over the books and see deeper into conditional prophecy, signs of the times, the balance between Church authority and conscience… and all arrive at the same conclusion, because we are led by the same Spirit.

This quote speaks of those that “have ceased to sin.” That is past tense; remember that Justification is something that happens the moment one accepts Christ, and by faith with no work involved. The life that has ceased to sin is simply the result of that past action. But then the quote speaks immediately afterward of these as people that “are really ceasing to sin.” That is present, ongoing… and thus it describes those who are “being saved,” and thus currently in the walk of Sanctification.

Zahakiel: After this they are to be baptized, as a sign of the death of the old man (now that the previous two Seals are received) to point forward to the day when our bodies will also be redeemed according to Paul’s description in 1Cor 15. Simply put, Baptism is the promise of Glorification. It is our visible commitment to the path that leads us to “the perfect day.” (Pro 4:18) This is why the Water Seal comes last in our studies, because, unlike the others, it is a shadow of things to come, whereas Blood is past and Spirit is present.

Does everyone understand this?

Pastor “Chick”: Yes

Naraiel: Yes.

Kevin: Ok.

Crystle: Yes.

Barb: Yes.

Igor: Yes.

Dumah: I understand.

Qinael: And I do as well :)

Guerline: As a result of the threefold process in issuing membership in the Church should not a person be instructed of these things before the last step of baptism?

Zahakiel: Well, they will after these studies, if they were not sufficiently before. Some of this material is new, and we learn it as we go along.

Guerline: Ok.

Zahakiel: Of course, all are taught about “repentance, faith, baptism.” That is standard. But there is always new light even on “old” doctrines

Guerline: :)

Happy Rock: Amen.

Zahakiel: Now, the concept of a “visible commitment” is being weakened in the world today, and none other is behind this trend than Satan Himself. Conversion is a spiritual matter, but if it does not have Baptism as the outward sign of it, it is not complete. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16) Some say, “Well, it does not say that ‘he that is baptized not shall be damned,’” and they use this to lessen the importance of baptism. Their observation about the verse itself is true, but it says both elements are required for one to be “saved;” and since Protestants do not believe in Purgatory, there are really only two options. Of course, we are not saying that Baptism is essential if there is no possible way to safely administer it. The thief on the cross, for example, could not be expected to have a baptism. But these are unique situations, and in the vast majority of cases, and as a principle, Ellen White’s statement was perfectly true; it is one of the “requisite steps” for conversion.

Another example: faith is a spiritual matter, but if there are no “works” associated with it, we may know with assurance that this faith is false. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17) The Scriptures say that, “the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.” (Mat 16:27) It is important, however, to realize that there is a difference between being rewarded “according to your works” and “because of your works.” If we have true faith, our works will correspond to that faith, and our reward will be “according” to those works, but because of that faith :) The Water Seal, as a physical act reflecting a spiritual truth, is actually a sign that we understand this principle.

Zahakiel: Satan is the one undermining this principle of visible tokens of commitment, as we shall see even more clearly in a moment. Biblically, when a man and woman are engaged, Heaven sees them as “married” in a sense, spiritually. We note that under Old Testament law, a woman who was betrothed (engaged) was treated differently than one who was not. (Exo 22:16) In fact, in most cases she was treated the way a wife would be regarding transgressions such as adultery. (Deu 22:23, 24) Joseph and Mary were not yet married, only engaged; yet it would have required a “putting away” for them to part, (Mat 1:19) the same term used for “divorce” elsewhere in the New Testament.

While all these things are true, the fact is that they were not married, and could not live together, have children, or any of those things lawfully until they had made that public declaration before witnesses that they were “one flesh.” (Gen 2:24) The physical signs make that which is spiritual complete. The Water Seal is a sign that the Blood has been received and the Spirit has been accepted.

But why should Satan care about this? Why should he undermine the principle of visible signs? It is because it is a subtle, but highly effective way to attack his true enemy. It is written, “And the Dragon was wroth with the Woman, and went to make war with the remnant of Her seed, which keep the commandments of Elohim, and have the testimony of Yahshua the Messiah.” (Rev 12:17) Now, when most people read this verse, they get the idea of persecution, imprisonment, soldiers marching out to get us following orders from powerful and wicked men. The day for such things is surely coming, but the “war” has been going on all along.

Zahakiel: Satan cannot approach Christ to attack Him directly, so He turns His fury upon the Bride of the Lamb. This way he can hurt Him, even though he is not permitted to enter Heaven.

If Satan can get Christians to teach “all” the truth, and preach the Gospel with power and conviction; if he can get them to have ministries accompanied by providential successes, and perhaps even accompanied with “signs and wonders,” yet they do not bind a people to Christ in spiritual marriage, he will be quite happy. He will have turned the Christian world into a machine for producing foolish virgins. Oh, they may believe a Bridegroom is coming. They may be standing out to wait for Him with a long list of “works” in hand, waiting eagerly for their reward. They may even have taken a bit of oil in their lamps. But when the Bridegroom comes, there will be nothing between them.

Any questions on this?

Kevin: No.

Crystle: None

Qinael: No.

Pastor “Chick”: None.

Dumah: No.

Barb: No.

Igor: No.

Naraiel: No.

Happy Rock: No.

Zahakiel: Baptism is the last step in a true conversion. And we need to talk about exactly what baptism is. It is not merely going down into the water and coming back up. It is not even professing faith in Christ and then doing this. The Bible says that those who were converted under the Apostles’ ministry, who followed Peter’s advice to “Repent, and be baptized […] in the name of Yahshua the Christ for the remission of sins, and […] receive the gift of the Holy Ghost…” it says that they, “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:38, 42)

They were not baptized to go off and form groups. They were not baptized to go sit in a room with a Bible. They were not baptized to go out and preach on their own without the support and blessing of the active and visible Body. No, none of these... They were baptized into a “doctrine and fellowship.” They had formed a bond not merely with the Head, but with the Body.

Naraiel: They were added as new parts of the body to join together in unity.

Zahakiel: Right.

Guerline: Amen, and this must be understood before considering baptizing someone.

Zahakiel: Certainly.

When Paul says that there are “many members, yet but one Body,” (1Cor 12:20) some draw the absolutely absurd conclusion that this is a sanction for diverse doctrines and creeds, for different Churches – as if Yahshua were any such divine polygamist. They say, “Well, we are different Churches, but all one Body in Christ.”

They ignore the fact that THE Church is considered “the Body.” They ignore Paul’s statements that point out clearly that the “members” (individual humans) are the “members” of the one Body. He writes, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” (1Cor 12:13, 14)

And of course, by “Jews” there, Paul is speaking of believing Jews specifically, not the unbelieving ones who were antagonistic to the Gospel; (Acts 14:2) by “Gentiles” he does not mean the pagans that did not accept Yahshua. We are not talking about that “Two House theology” stuff – we understand the conditional nature of prophecy, and thus the clear conditionality of Israel’s election. An election of grace must be “made” sure by faith in Yahshua or it falls entirely. (Mat 21:43, 2Pet 1:10, Mat 23:38) Individuals, whether they are Jews or Gentiles, are brought in to the one Body. Paul does not say, “whether we be Anglican or Baptist, Adventist or Methodist, Messianic or Evangelical.” No, he is talking about individual persons, not distinct groups with diverse doctrines, because he says they must be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Cor 1:10) This is precisely that “unity” for which Yahshua prayed in John 17.

Naraiel: …and therefore all members must have the same name (as peculiar people).

Zahakiel: That is one of the places I was going next, actually :)

If Satan can get all to claim Christianity, but none to do the things that accompany a true baptism, he has succeeded in his war against the Woman. If he can get people to say, for example, that they are “Adventists in spirit,” while rejecting the name “Seventh Day Adventist” that was given to us for the precise function of being a testimony to others, to “wound the transgressors of God’s law, and […] lead to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,” [Testimonies for the Church Volume One, page 224] then he has stolen the Woman’s voice. The name “Seventh Day Adventist” was given to us for the sake of the world, not to make us feel good about going to Church on Saturday, or knowing what happened in 1844, or not eating pork. It has nothing to do (causatively) with what we are “on the inside,” but if we are true Adventists on the inside, we will be Seventh Day Adventists unto the world also, and in every sense regardless of circumstances. Names are neither promises nor prophecies; they are not subject to conditionality, and we never lose any name Yahweh has given to His people. That name, that testimony, is Agape for the lost.

Agreement?

Dumah: Mm hmm.

Qinael: <nods.>

Pastor “Chick”: Yes.

Naraiel: Yes.

Crystle: Yes.

Barb: Yes.

Igor: Yes, no one can take that away.

Zahakiel: Babylon, you remember, is confusion; if Christianity is confused, divided, conflicting, uncertain, then it have no power. Remember the words of Yahshua to the Father, requesting, “That they all may be one […] that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:21) If we are not one, the world will not believe!

Fortunately, the Second Angel that facilitates our sanctification, has declared that “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” (Rev 14:8)

I have been speaking, albeit indirectly, of the Trademark law above, which is an attempt by Lucifer to get us to surrender our name, and thus the testimony Yahweh has given us to bear. Some say that our testimony is our faith and our lives; this is true, yet what will be the quality of our faith or the tale of our lives, if we agree that human laws have the ability to bind or arbitrate the instructions of the Creator? I have been speaking, obviously, of the Third Angel.

The First angel, as we saw two months ago, deals with Justification and the Blood Seal. The Second deals with Sanctification and the Spirit Seal. The Third, naturally, must deal with Glorification and the Water Seal.

Zahakiel: In the chart for this month, you will see also a row labeled, “Call.” The First Angel, by bestowing Victory, calls one “Forth” from the grave of self and sin. The Second Angel, by providing Purity, calls one “Out” of Babylon and the leaven of false doctrines as discerned by prophetic understanding. The Third Angel, by granting Unity in the Christian’s protest of the Mark of the Beast, calls one “In” to the Body of Christ… and the sign of that entrance is Baptism.

Remember, according to Acts baptism is a call IN to a “doctrine and fellowship.” It is not a union with some nebulous “Christ” concept without the tangible Body of saints. Because of this, and let us follow it to the logical conclusion, if we are baptized into any organization (or lack thereof) that is NOT the one providing the doctrine and fellowship of Christ, it is not a true baptism. Thus, if one has been baptized by Conference after its fall, or by an independent Ministry, one was not baptized properly… one was never baptized at all. They may accept Christ, and they may be growing in grace and knowledge, but according to Ellen White, their “conversion” is not yet complete. This is a serious matter!

Guerline: And this explanation helps to understand better 1 John 5: 7...

Zahakiel: Concerning the three Witnesses? Absolutely.

Does anyone have any other comments or questions about this idea? This is the very heart of what the Water Seal message exists to teach us. Visible signs have a very important place in the Christian life; after all, we do not say that because the Sabbath day exists to teach us about spiritual rest, we may throw away the blessing of the day after we understand that. So are there any questions?

Kevin: No.

Happy Rock: No.

Dumah: No.

Qinael: No.

Pastor “Chick”: No.

Naraiel: No.

Crystle: None here.

Barb: No.

Igor: What about entrance in to the Body by confession of faith?

Zahakiel: I will speak to that in a moment, yes.

Now, we would accept those baptized by the General Conference before its fall in 1981 on profession of faith, perhaps. If they have lived a life of victory from that day to this, (although that would be a great miracle in itself) they have no need to be buried and raised again. On the other hand, they may desire (and I would agree with them) to give an outward re-commitment to the new set of Gospel Workers. (Mat 20:6, 7) This I would agree with partly because of the leaven they may experienced while the Conference was in the process of falling, and partly because of the benefits of showing separation from the Old House in a visible way. It may not be necessary for their salvation, but they would have an opportunity, similar to Christ, to restate or “renew their vows” as an example for others to follow.

When a man or woman of God errs in judgment and repents, even after baptism, he or she must not repent for his or her own sake only, but must seek forgiveness for the sake of those that have been wronged, and who may have been influenced negatively by observing our wording and conduct. The Bible has a “restitution” principle – we give back what we have stolen (even if in ignorance) and we repair what we have broken if at all possible. (Exo 22:7; 2Sam 12:5, 6; Luke 19:8) When we accept Christ, we do not simply say it and go our way, we submit to a public ordinance of renunciation of our past errors for not only our sakes, but also for the blessing of others.

Zahakiel: Physical signs like the Water Seal exist for an example, and must be understood like Christ’s baptism; though He knew no sin, He was baptized in a manner suitable for the remission of sins. Ellen White wrote, “Christ took upon Himself the nature of humanity, to make it possible for Him to suffer and to die as a propitiation for the sins of the fallen race. Through His merits repentant sinners may unite with divinity.” [Manuscript Releases Volume Eighteen, page 163]

Now, using that quote as a starting point, I’d like to follow a brief side-trail on something that has the potential in these last days to mislead some people regarding the nature of divinity, and the full significance of baptism, and how the two relate.

Some have not properly understood the complete unity that existed between the divine and the human nature within Christ. Because they do not understand how the two could perfectly join together in an unbreakable marriage, they have misunderstood some statements about His characteristics, such as this which is found in the Spirit of Prophecy: “He who had said, ‘I lay down my life, that I might take it again’ came forth from the grave to life that was in Himself. Humanity died: divinity did not die. In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death.” [The Faith I Live By, page 51]

Some have not understood this, believing that there is a line of distinction in nature between Christ’s divinity and His humanity, as if one was bound to earth, and the other was floating around somewhere as an omniscient, omni-present spiritual “self.” Thus they have (though they may not term it thus) only a part of Christ dying, “For in His divinity He is immortal,” they say; and in so doing they desecrate the very principle (an entire burial of the old) that baptism is supposed to represent.

Zahakiel: Baptism must be a complete death; no trace of “self” must remain, and those tendencies which remain in the character because of ignorance of the full measure of righteousness are merely as dust in the room to be swept away. But if any part of our Savior “survived” the crucifixion, then true victory as the Bible teaches it is impossible, for this is only accomplished by the death of self. Further, He did not fully pay the penalty for sin, the wages of which are death, not partial death or death to only one aspect of one’s being.

Note: “Christ made a full atonement, giving His life as a ransom for us. He was born without a taint of sin, but came into the world in like manner as the human family. He did not have a mere semblance of a body, but He took human nature, participating in the life of humanity. […] He might by His death destroy him who had the power of death. He could not have done this as God, but by coming as man, Christ could die.” [Manuscript Releases Volume Ten, page 173]

Let everyone understand what this means! Christ “could not have” died (being a divine Being) unless He had first clothed His divinity with humanity and come as a human in every aspect of humanity that this material form dictates. We note that He “laid aside” such things as His robe and crown, but He “clothed” himself in humanity, meaning that He did not lose anything of His character as He surrendered His role as the Captain of the Host and whatsoever other honors that were His due in Heaven.

Zahakiel: But in this clothing process, certain things that He could not do before, He now could (like dying), and certain things He could do before, He now could not do. Though divinity cannot die, Christ truly and entirely died, because He had taken on humanity in order to specifically eclipse His innate deathlessness. Notice that in His divinity, Christ had the power to break the bonds of death, as the quote says, but it was the Father that raised Christ through the Spirit, just as it is the Father who raises up those redeemed IN Christ to Glorification – do not fail to see the significance of this. It is written, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Yahshua the Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead)...” (Gal 1:1)

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” (1Pet 3:18-20)

Though Christ had eternal life of Himself, it was “God the Father” that raised Him “by the Spirit,” because He was truly dead. “The dead know not any thing,” (Ecc 9:5) remember, and to separate the “spirit Christ” from the “flesh Christ” and claim He had sentience in death to raise Himself is to do as the Gnostics have done, as have many Evangelical Christians through a misapplication of 1Peter 3 and Luke 16; this is as truly spiritualism as any séance ever was, and now applied to a most holy Person. It also greatly limits the ability to understand the true dignity of the baptismal process, by which we, through the water, follow Yahshua into the grave, and then beyond the tomb to glory.

Are there any questions on this?

Pastor “Chick”: No.

Qinael: No.

Naraiel: No.

Igor: I agree with you here.

Barb: No.

Kevin: No.

Guerline: No.

Happy Rock: No.

Dumah: I have one.. Our pioneers, when they would accept people on profession of faith, was that because they didn’t understand this principle?

Zahakiel: I think our understanding of how serious a commitment baptism is has grown as we as a Church have grown.

Even in these last days, we are adding questions to our stock for the examination, and refining our process.

Dumah: Okay.

Pastor “Chick”: In my 18 years of ministry, I have only met one man that I may regard as “fit” for being accepted by “profession of faith.”

Zahakiel: <nods.> It is as rare a case, perhaps, as the thief on the cross :)

Pastor “Chick”: Absolutely.

Qinael: <nods.> Even the “devout Jews” who didn’t know about Yahshua’s crucifixion and were there before it fell were commanded to be baptized.

Zahakiel: Right.

Now as we conclude, we have sometimes said that we can find knowledge in strange places, so I would like to include in this study a quote from a book about which there is some controversy concerning its authenticity. As such, I am absolutely not endorsing it for doctrine, or for the foundation of any teaching, but it purports to contain a quotation from the apostle Peter, as recorded by a Jewish scholar shortly after the time of the crucifixion and resurrection. I like the wording it employs, and that is why I am sharing it now.

It reads, and this is supposedly Peter speaking:

“This son was all ragged. His clothes were worn threadbare in trying to build and fit him a house, and he was ashamed. So he went to work to try to clothe himself; and the harder he worked the less success rewarded him. And after he had worked hard, his father went to work and wove him a seamless robe, and presented it to his son, and said, ‘My son, I love you, and I have prepared a white robe; will you accept it?’

“‘With many thanks, dear father,’ said the son. ‘Oh, how beautiful it is! How snowy white! How well it fits me! Oh! Father, I can never feel grateful enough. I thought thou wast angry and hated me, because I was poor and homeless and miserable and ragged; but if thou didst love me in my misery, I know thou canst love me now, and delight to make thy abode with me forevermore. Oh! Father, I don’t know how to show my gratitude to thee.’ The son was delighted with the change, while the father was equally delighted with the son, and they both rejoiced.

“And the father said to the son, ‘I delight to dwell with my children when they live in a manner that is suited to my taste; and, of course, this suits me, from the fact it is all my own work. Only be content, and do not soil thy robe, for it is so white and clean, a very little mixing with dirt and filth will so contaminate it, and will not be fit to be seen. And as long as you keep it unspotted from the world it will distinguish you from the world and make you a welcome visitor into the company of all that are dressed in the same robe; for this is merely the outward showing of the principles that live within; which principles are only developed by the outward appearance.

“‘And even it will be admired by those who may reject it; yet inwardly they must respect it. Though they may covet it, and raise the spirit of persecution against you, it is not because they dislike you, but because they are not like you; and this is the cause of envy everywhere.’” [The Hillel Letters Regarding God’s Providence To the Jews, Hillel the Third, as published in The Archko Volume or the Archeological Writings of the Sanhedrim and Talmuds of the Jews, Dr. McIntosh, Dr. Twyman, The Archko Press, 231 Jefferson, S. E., Grand Rapids, MI, 1929]

Say when you are finished.

Pastor “Chick”: Finished.

Crystle: Done.

Qinael: Finished.

Dumah: That’s really nice.

Barb: Finished.

Igor: Yes.

Guerline: Done.

Naraiel: Done.

Happy Rock: Amen.

Zahakiel: The first part of that quote does a wonderful job of verbalizing the balance between faith and works. What we receive, we receive by faith – and that is entirely independent of outward effort. What we maintain, we maintain by faith, and this is where our efforts become sanctified; the “work” of keeping our robes unspotted from the world is motivated by faith, and true faith is that kind which will motivate no other manner of work. Where we expect to be, and what we expect to become, is simply a visible manifestation of our faith; and that is every man being rewarded “according to his works,” (Mat 16:27) but not because of them. These are the three stages of salvation as outlined by the three Witnesses on earth, and by the three Seals.

The last part of that quote reflects the principle pointed out by the Bible, where it reads, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” (Luke 21:17) It is also a sentiment found in Ellen White’s writings, for she said, “The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads were the words God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground.” [Testimonies for the Church Volume One, page 59] Thus is seen the hostility of the world toward those who find peace in Yahshua.

Zahakiel: How do you know you are ready for the Water? The Bible tells us precisely, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Yahweh require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy Elohim?” (Micah 6:8) What He wants is exactly this: a thinking mind and a worshipping heart. Remember those words. A thinking mind will do justly and love mercy. It will offer “reasonable (or logical) service.” (Rom 12:11) A worshipping heart will walk humbly with the Almighty. It will operate, “by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by agape unfeigned.”(2Cor 6:6)

If any desire baptism, they desire a good thing… we have a Feast coming up in a few months, and who knows how many more there will be? I believe that all must attend if it is at all possible, and that nothing must be made to distract them from this objective, neither the things of this world nor “spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph 6:12)

Pastor “Chick”: Amen.

Zahakiel: I pray that all who desire may attend, and that many who do not now desire may come to desire it, for they must be Sealed before the Almighty that they may enter into life everlasting. The Three Angels’ Messages, as stated in a number of ways, and by various symbols, are the only means by which this can be accomplished; and these messages in their purity are committed to one people only on all the face of the earth.

“He saith unto them, ‘Come and see.’” (John 1:39a)

Are there any questions or comments before we close?

Okay. Please close our meeting with a prayer, pastor.

Pastor “Chick”: Ok.

Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank you for that “wisdom which is from above”...

Thank you for teaching us the “simplicity of the gospel.”

It is true that many will be “saved” who never knew the name Jesus or YAHshua, many who never had their names on a “church roll,” BUT, in this last generation, when you are making up your Jewels for the last time, You have given us a “sure covenant,” and we thank you for your love to us.

May all who have a desire to be among those who walk in the “fine linen” come “in” now, for it is in the name of YAHshua, our beloved Messiah,

AMEN.

Zahakiel: Amen.

Barb: Amen.

Naraiel: Amen.

Crystle: Amen.

Happy Rock: Amen.

Kevin: Amen.

Dumah: Amen.

Qinael: Amen.

Guerline: Amen.

Igor: Amen.