Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
We teach that this faith is bound to bring forth good fruits, and that it is necessary to do good works commanded by God, because of God's will, but that we should not rely on those works to merit justification before God. For remission of sins and justification is apprehended by faith, as also the voice of Christ attests: "When ye shall have done all these things, say: "We are unprofitable servants." Luke 17, 10. The same is also taught by the Fathers. For Ambrose says: "It is ordained of God that he who believes in Christ is saved, freely receiving remission of sins, without works, by faith alone."
"In the first place, I ask that men make no reference to my name; let them call themselves Christians, not Lutherans. What is Luther? After all, the teaching is not mine [John 7:16]. Neither was I crucified for anyone [1 Cor. 1:13]. St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3, would not allow the Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christian. How then should I—poor stinking maggot-fodder that I am—come to have men call the children of Christ by my wretched name? Not so, my dear friends; let us abolish all party names and call ourselves Christians, after him whose teaching we hold. The papists deservedly have a party name, because they are not content with the teaching and name of Christ, but want to be papist as well. Let them be papist then, since the pope is their master. I neither am nor want to be anyone’s master. I hold, together with the universal (catholic) church, the one universal teaching of Christ, who is our only master." [Matt. 23:8]. (LW 45:70-71)
In
Ezekiel 4:9-17 we find an interesting passage of Scripture. It is a parable
which is applicable for our time. Ezekiel gives a story regarding “defiled
bread”. He is shown six different sorts of food that could be used in bread
making. The Ancient Antiochene Church of God teaches that each one of these
represents the spiritual food given to each dispensation. Since the beginning
of the Christian Church, we are in the sixth dispensation, thus, these foods
point to an understanding of the first six dispensations and the mysteries that
God reveals within each one.
God told the
prophet Ezekiel;
“But as for
you, take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet
and spelt, put them in one vessel and make them into bread
for yourself: you shall eat it according to the number of the days that
you lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days.” (Ezek. 4:9)
These seven
are:
1-wheat
2-barley
3-beans
4-lentils
5-millet
6-spelt
The difference
in these ingredients represents all different kinds of people that God is reaching
within each dispensation. We could say that they all come from the same “soil”.
God also sometimes represents people by using “trees” (Ezek. Ch.31). To show
the weakness of man God calls man “grass” (1st Peter 1:24).
These
ingredients given to the prophet Ezekiel also show the scarcity of food during
hard times. The small amounts that Ezekiel is instructed to eat represents a
rationing of food. God’s spiritual food throughout all dispensations is scarce
due to its lack of popularity.
Ezekiel was instructed
to put them into one vessel – each Truth builds upon the other. This vessel
represents God’s church. Each food also represents a spiritual doctrine or
teaching that was important to each dispensation. For our current (6th)
dispensation the Truth is the Message to the Laodicean Church (The Entire 7th
Message). During each dispensation of time God brought new Truth to His people.
As representing the Seven Dispensations we see that each time was opened with a
new covenant, each dispensation being introduced by a new agreement that God
made with His people. We are currently in the “Church” dispensation so we are
in the sixth (spelt) time. We are to expect “new light” for our time.
In the ancient
world “spelt” was used to create cereal. In fact, it was the chief cereal for
ancient Egypt in the days of Moses. This describes the state of the current
church epoch (7th), that of Laodicea. The Christian Church has
entered its “Spiritual Egypt” and has “fallen asleep”. Most Christians are
“eating” contaminated doctrine, “Egyptian cereal”. The watered-down doctrines
and false doctrines which have entered Christendom are major. Only the final sealing
angel can help God’s church at this “spelt” time. The church must learn and
accept the message for our dispensation - the Seventh Message.
This points to
the fact that dispensational theology is correct theology. The reason why this “spiritual”
food becomes a corrupt bread is because the true doctrines have become over run
by false doctrine and treated like dirt. Ezekiel the prophet was instructed to
mix all six ingredients into a bread dough and bake it over a fire made with
“human dung”, this is what makes it unclean. The human dung represents fallen
human “reasoning” and corruption entering the septenary mysteries – to defile
the mystery doctrines of the Seven Dispensations and in many cases, completely
do away with them.
Today the
corrupt Shepherds [Pastors] have replaced true dispensational theology with “replacement
theology” and “amillennialism” – both originating with the Roman
Harlot. The false doctrines regarding “baptism”, the “sacraments” and other
issues have also become obnoxious.
As God’s
children, we are never to think that all of our understandings are infallible.
It is okay to have ones own personal opinion regarding certain things, but in
the end we must all agree with what God SAYS and what HE REVEALS.
God promises
His children: “In the last days you will clearly understand it.”
(Jeremiah 23:20)
God goes on to
reveal in this prophecy:
“Then the LORD
said, “Thus will the sons of Israel eat their bread unclean among the nations
where I will banish them.” (Ezek. 4:13)
Today literal
and spiritual Israel is scattered abroad. Right before the “rapture”
or “catching away” of the church, God is sending His final message to
the Laodicean Church. Many will assemble around it and ultimately true Israel
will be regathered. The “remnant” will become more purified as we approach the
Great Tribulation (Proverbs 4:18).
The churches
today are losing members not because of the Truth but because of lack of Truth. The fallen denominations are afraid to speak the Truth. They think that
it will make them loose even more members. The fact is the true sheep are
starving for the Gospel Truth. Instead, they go to a church and get fed politically correct dung. They are
starving.
Where are those
like the martyrs of old who were “not ashamed of the gospel”? The Lord has
warned; “The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the LORD; so, they
do not prosper and all their flock is scattered.” (Jeremiah 10:21) God also
warns that; “In that day seven women
[seven churches] will take hold of one man [Jesus Christ] and say, “We will eat
our own food [false doctrine] and provide our own clothes; [false
righteousness] only let us be called by your name [Christian in name only].
Take away our disgrace!” (Isaiah 4:1) This passage goes on to say that only
the true survivors who have trusted in the
Branch [Yeshua] and His kingdom [Davidian] shall prosper.
Ezekiel
responds to all of this; “…Ah, Lord God! Behold, I have never been defiled; for
from my youth until now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by
beasts, nor has any unclean meat ever entered my mouth.” (Ezek. 4:14)
Remember, in
this account of Ezekiel the “defiled bread” represents false doctrine, fake
teachings. One must be careful that what he or she is eating spiritually
is “clean” and proper doctrine - for spiritual health-sake. God, in His mercy,
allows Ezekiel to bake this bread over “cow dung” instead of “human dung”
(Ezek. 4:15) – thus making it clean for Ezekiel. Ezekiel represents those who
accept the pure septenary mysteries. Ezekiel’s message is for us right now,
today. God is allowing many [the elect] to understand this message and
how it applies to what is going on currently within the churches.
We must be
willing to give up old false doctrines [human dung cooked] and replace them
all with the LIGHT of God’s word. Apostle Paul refers to his old spiritual
ideas, when he was a Pharisee to be like “dung”. (Philippians 3:8 KJV) God goes
on in Ezekiel chapter four to talk about Jerusalem’s desolation. Why are they
punished? For refusing to listen to God, instead they eat the false human dung doctrines.
In Ezekiel
4:1-8 God is instructing Ezekiel to demonstrate that literal Israel and Judah
would be punished being displayed by how long Ezekiel would lay on his left and
right side. From verse 9 to 17 God’s gives another, more detailed instruction
of an additional 390 days. In this prophecy Ezekiel is to mix and eat defiled
bread. The context of the prophecy states that these 390 days are actually 390
years also.
This 390-year
prophecy starts with the beginning of the birth of Christ (end of 4 B.C.) and
terminates with Saint Augustine’s conversion to Christianity in 386 A.D. He was
made Bishop in Hippo in 395 A.D. It demonstrates that true dispensational
theology was finally rejected by St. Augustine’s introduction to replacement
theology. The early Christians tried to keep true dispensationalism in the
First Church (for 390 years) but failed due to the continued contamination
[human dung doctrines intermingling with Truth] climaxing in St. Augustine’s
complete rejection of it.
Protestants who
today accept “replacement theology” do not even realize that they are
accepting a doctrine of the Harlot Church. Most Christians are neither “hot”
nor “cold” regarding this extremely important issue. It is the issue of
our 7th Church time. The six food ingredients (first six
dispensations) have now become officially rejected through contamination.
It was also
during this time in the past when the Roman Church and Eastern Church were
coming into power during Constantine. Many false doctrines began to be
introduced into Fallen Christendom. It was at the final Council of Chalcedon in
451 A.D. that the true Antiochene Church went mostly underground. The Ancient
Antiochene Church of God has protected the uncontaminated dispensational
doctrines – protected through the “Dark Ages”. I have documented this fact in
previous articles and lectures.
Most Christians
in today’s churches have never even heard of “dispensational” or “replacement”
theology. The result of this sad situation will bring Fallen Christianity, the
world of Christendom, into agreement with the Anti-Christ and the False-prophet
[False Religion]. As true Christians we are to warn those who are stuck
in the fallen churches (because of their teaching contaminated doctrines). We
share the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and His last message to the entire
church. This last message is the counsel to the Laodicean Church (Rev. 3:14-22).
To know where you stand in prophetic history the dispensations must be properly
understood. This is why Jesus instructed us to “stay awake!”.Most Christians do not even know what
dispensation they are living in. This is sad.
In this Seventh Church Period, that of Laodicea,
we are to seek out the “goldrefined [tried] by fire” that we might
become “spiritually rich” and
“clothed in pure white clothes” - no
false doctrine - spiritually pure
doctrine only. (Revelation 3:14-22) We must remain “the light of the world”. (1st Thess. 5:5)
Even the
prophet Daniel saw this time of Laodicea. God informed him that many would; “…be
purged and purified, refined, but the wicked will act
wickedly. They will not understand.” (Daniel 12:10) Daniel states that
all of this will be going on because of “unsealed prophecy”. (Daniel 12:4)
We, as
Christians, do have unchanging Truth. Jesus is LORD. That is a static Truth.
While there are eternal Truths it is also true that new aspects of Truth
[unsealed Truth] are continually being revealed to the growing child of God’s
Word. Our knowledge of the LORD only increases as we remain in proper relationship
with Him. The fool states that he knows “it all” and that he has “heard
everything”. Christians are commanded to test what they hear carefully, not
quickly.
“What a shame –
yes, how stupid! – to decide before knowing the facts!” (Proverbs 18:13)
Family
pressures, pressures from fellow Christians, inner conflict and fear of
persecution all can stop or slow down our personal growth. When new truths are
placed before us from God’s word, we must carefully weigh them before the Word
of God – and all the facts. It is very true that most all refuse to accept
change, it can make one feel extremely uncomfortable. These are spiritual
growing pains. Many of us who study God’s word find ourselves attaching to
favorite Bible teachers. We may agree with them on many points but then one
point comes up, and well – hhhhmmm.
Unfortunately,
the Laodicean church is the picture of the Christian Church today. (Revelation 3:14-22) In the book of
Revelation Jesus shows us seven churches, each church is given specific counsel
to heed (learn/obey). These seven churches typify the condition of the
Christian Church throughout our space/time continuum. So, understand, that we
are in the 6th dispensation and that is what many refer to as the
“Church Age”. The “age” of the church is itself broken down into seven-time
phases or “epochs” – since 1900 A.D., we have entered the 7th Epoch
of the Church. This 7th epoch of the Church is called Laodicean. All
mysteries outlined in “sevens” mentioned in the book of Revelation are progressive in their unfolding (the
septenary mysteries). This includes the
counsel to the “seven churches”.
“And the
words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified
Seven Times.” (Psalm 12:6)
The problems
expressed in all seven churches overlaps into the next church period, so all
counsel to the seven churches is relevant even today, to one degree or another.
Predominately the Christian Church as of 1900 AD (CE) is in the seventh church
period, that of Laodicea.
Antiochene Church Records
Our early Antiochene Churchrecords show that the Antiochene church understood the seven
churches of Revelation ch.2-3 to represent consecutive periods in
ecclesiastical history. One of our earliest records of this understanding
can be found in the words of martyr Victorinus,
Bishop Pettau (303AD). A current conservative list which shows what time
period each church has dominated could be listed as such:
The Seven Churches….
Ephesus –
apostolic church (AD 30 – 100)
Smyrna
–persecuted church (AD 100-313)
Pergamos –
patristic period/state church (AD 313-590)
Thyatira –
papal church (AD 590-1517)
Sardis –
reformed church/protestant movement (AD 1517-1730)
Philadelphia –
missionary church (AD 1730 – 1900)
Laodicea –
apostate church/time of the “Whirlwind Prophecy” – war & material epoch
begins (AD1900-?)
When John the
apostle wrote the book of Revelation (AD 95-96) there were way more than just
these seven churches in existence but God chose these seven as examples as
pictures of the church in and throughout time. Christianity was already 60
years old when John wrote the book of Revelation. The Jewish system had already
received its destruction in AD 70. Now
John was shown the future direction of the Church - typified in and through seven
churches.
As of the year 1900 AD we have
entered the seventh and final phase of the church – the seventh church period
known as theLaodicean Era. (This based on
the historic records of the church – documented by our 20th Century
Church Fathers.)
"The character of the Church today is
Laodicean, and as the Laodicean Period is to continue until the Church of the
"New Born" is taken out, we cannot hope for any great change until
the Lord comes back." ~ C. Larkin (Many good protestant churches hold to
this Truth today.)
These mysteries - found
and properly taught - in God’s word are never to be taken lightly. “So
then, men ought to regard us (apostles) as servants of Christ
and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.”
(1 Corinthians 4:1)
In this Laodicean Period of the
Christian church Jesus is doing something…He is knocking at your door. Do you
hear Him? (Revelation 3:20) (Proverbs 3:5-6) God has stirred up a spiritual
storm on this planet…through this storm Jesus is giving THE KNOCK!
We are immersed in what the Ancient
Antiochene Church calls; “theWhirlwind Prophecy!” The storm
has begun! (Jeremiah 25:12-38)
As true Christians it is time to
accept the pure doctrine of Sola Scriptura. It is time to follow the Shepherds
Way…our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We must obey God above man. (Acts 5:29)
Now: Today the church finds itself broken
apart into denominationalism.
(Acts 20:28-31) The Laodicean period started in AD 1900 and continues on into
our time. (2nd Peter 3:3-4) Here at “The Shepherds Way” &
“Nugget of Truth” we teach that after the first 400 years of the church (during
the Pergamos Period) Satan
introduced the false Christianity by melding the church and state (creating a
religio-political system). Also, the Babylonian mystery religions infiltrated
the church. The
“world of sectarianism” began. (The Nicolaitans infiltrated the church –
Revelation 2:15)
The “Babylonian
Cup” started to enter the church during the Pergamos Period. Through the modern
ecumenical movement this cup has entered in fullness. We are now
officially in the Whirlwind Prophecy. (Jeremiah 25:12-38)
Today the false
teachings are blossoming in America through all of the fallen denominations. This is the Laodicean condition of the
church. It is no longer a big deal to have distorted views about Jesus and the
Bible. As long as you call yourself “Christian” everything is okay. These false
teachings have entered the theological schools and “New Age” psychology
has become the “new world religion”. Today those caught in the fallen world
of Christendom are being called OUT of Babylon! God’s word is
calling them out.
God wants to
keep His children free from false worship. Why? Because true worship has to do
with proper relationship. If one truly loves God, he or she will also hate that
which is displeasing to God. We (as true children of God) are commanded to stay
away from those who out-right hate God. (2nd Corinthians 6:14-17)
Distancing
oneself from old religious practices and teachings that are false can bring
problems. Close friends and even relatives may oppose such a change in
your lifestyle. To become a true Christian, one must truly count the cost.
(Matthew 10:32-37)
The true
Christian Church has the WORD of God.
Our attitude toward the
Scriptures (the Christian Bible) governs our conceptions and conclusions. We
hold to Sola Scriptura (the Bible
Alone). (Proverbs 30:6) Our teachings do not allow for additions or
subtractions from God’s word. All of our biblical doctrine must be found in
Scripture and taught from Scripture. Having stated that, we also
recognize the importance of understanding other things such as the Seven Rules
of Biblical Interpretation which help substantiate additional facts, also using
historical facts and factual archeology.
Please stay
with us here at “The Shepherds Way”. We truly believe that we have the food
that the Laodicean church needs to awaken. We have been blessed to have the
pure connection with the first Antiochene Church. Study God’s word with us as
often as you can. Learn the doctrines - become “sealed with the Truth”.
(Isaiah 8:16; Ephesians 1:13-14) Learn just where we are in prophetic history.
Learn and understand the Whirlwind
Prophecy. (Jeremiah 25:32; 23:19-20)
Through the Whirlwind Prophecy the false-Christians
are being exposed. (Jeremiah 25:32-38; 1st Peter 4:17) God is
“sifting” His people.
God has
promised His true children; “In the last days you will clearly understand it.”
(Jeremiah 23:20)
Praying for all
the saints…resting in my Savior Jesus
Christ…
NOTE:
Some of this is including portions of older articles written by E.W. King. Eric
is the teacher of “The Seventh Message”.
All rights reserved. Permission has been given to share this article.
Also, as of October 10th
2024 we are starting our Seventh Year of this extremely important ministry –
“The Shepherds Way” & “Nugget of Truth”. Praise God!
Eric covers the History of how Doctrine was Protected.
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