The Lord Commanded Those Who Profess To Believe "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matt 7:13-14 NKJ)

 

In the Book of the Revelation is what is sometimes called the Epistle of Christ to the Churches.   Where Christians like to dismiss the requirements of the Gospels as being presented to the Jews prior to the crucifixion, it was the observation of Joseph A. Seiss in his work, The Apocalypse: Exposition of the Book of Revelation, that this wholesale dismissal of what is required by the vast majority of Christians cannot be stated of what is called the Epistle of Christ unto the Churches.   Seiss calls the addresses to the seven churches Epistles composed by Christ to all believers, and makes notice of the fact that few Christian commentators pay them any attention, as seen where he writes: “Exposition is also remarkably barren with respect to these epistles. Though in every way marked as of equal account with the parables, they have not received a tithe of the attention. We have hundreds of disquisitions on other special discourses of the Saviour, where it would be difficult to find tens devoted to these, His last and most solemn, dictated from heaven, superscribed with His own marvelous attestations, and urged upon all by the sevenfold admonition to hear and ponder what they contain. Even writers on the Apocalypse itself, in very many instances, have passed these epistles with hardly a word of remark". (from Seiss’ Apocalypse)

Every Christian should in fact view these Epistles of Christ as written directly from heaven to the individual believer, as seen in Siess’ words: “But as the seven churches were representative and inclusive of the entire Church, these epistles also give Christ’s judgment of the entire Church, and are necessarily anticipative of its entire history. In other words, they give us, from the beginning, the exact picture of the whole history of the Church, as that history, when finished, shall present itself to the mind of Christ as he contemplates it from the judgment seat, which is really the point from which everything presented in the Apocalypse is viewed. We may therefore read in them what was in the beginning, and what the career of the Church has been since, and will be to the end.” (from Seiss’ Apocalypse)

What does this means?   We cannot continue to profess with our lips to be the followers of Christ, without first coming to terms with the reality of what is being conveyed by Siess to the common believer.   In accordance with Siess' reasoning, when we read these Epistles of Christ, we are hearing the words that will supposedly be spoken to believers with regard to what is expected of them.   When understood in this manner, no other words in the Bible are of a greater importance to the modern believer.   These words and Epistles were not spoken to the Jews, the Gentiles, or any other group of people.   These words are being spoken to believers -- modern Christians.   In Barnes’ Notes we find this exact thought explored: “There is a solemn admonition to hear what the Spirit has to say to the churches. This is in each case expressed in the same manner, ‘He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches’ (Rev. 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). These admonitions were designed to call the attention of the churches to these things, and, at the same time, they seemed designed to show that they were not intended for them alone. They are addressed to anyone who ‘has an ear,’ and therefore had some principles of general application to others, and to which all should attend who were disposed to learn the will of the Redeemer. What was addressed to one church, at any time, would be equally applicable to all churches in the same circumstances; what was adapted to rebuke, elevate, or comfort Christians in any one age or land, would be adapted to be useful to Christians of all ages and lands”. (from Barnes’ Notes).

If it is true that these Epistles are the Lord speaking from heaven directly to believers in the Churches, then one of the most important questions we must ask is why they are not the focal point of modern Christian doctrine?   In comparison, all the other writings in the Bible pale, and are of a much lesser consequence in relation to what Christ has to say directly to the modern believer!   In recognition of this fact we must question the reluctance of the church to place these Epistles in their proper place before the people, as demonstrated in the words of Seiss: “Strange to say, the Church has nowhere included these epistles in the lessons prescribed to be read in the public services, except in a secondary and very remote manner. In the Church of England, Archbishop Trench remarks that it is impossible, if the canons of the Church be followed, for these epistles ever to be read in the public services. (NOTE: ‘It is very much to be regretted, that while every chapter of every other book of the New Testament is set forth to be read in the Church, and, wherever there is daily service, is read in the Church, three times in the year, and some, or portions of some, oftener, while even of the Apocalypse itself two chapters and portions of others have been admitted into the service, under no circumstances whatever can the second and third chapters ever be heard in the congregation.’ -- Epistles to the Seven churches. p. 10.) Though so specifically and urgently addressed to the churches, it would seem as if there had been some general concert to prevent them from being seen or heard.” (from Seiss’ Apocalypse).

From a Church perspective, in view of the fact that the requirements of these Epistles will be presented to all believers as they come before the Lord in the day of judgment, we must understand what is contained in these epistles that make “...it is impossible, if the canons of the Church be followed, for these epistles ever to be read in the public services”.   Moreover, if these Epistles represent the requirements of the Lord with respect to the Gospel message, then when the Church relegates them to a position of secondary importance, we can see that Christians are in fact no different than the Sadducees and Pharisees who Jesus condemned as a people who ignored the essence of the Word of God.

The problem is this: Like the traditions of the Sadducees and Pharisees that Jesus condemned, canons of the modern church are not founded upon the requirements that Jesus set forth before the people, but are instead based upon Martin Luther’s perception of what Paul wrote with regard to his doctrine of faith and belief.   Two very profound factors make our adherence to these church cannons dangerous.   In the first place, Luther was a priest in the Church of Rome -- and the spiritual language and symbols the scriptures are written in, was quite alien to his understanding.   The second factor is demonstrated in the reality that what Paul wrote was incomplete from a biblical perspective -- designed for entry-level Pagans who had to totally alter their thinking and lifestyle merely to embrace what Paul called the “milk” of the gospel.   Thus, what Luther did, was to take the lowest possible denominator, and lower it still further -- and from a biblical perspective, Martin Luther would be considered the resurrection of Simon Magus in his deception of the Church.

One only has to study Christian history to quickly become cognizant of the fact that Paul’s incomplete epistles have led more Christians away from the essence of the Word, than towards it.   But this is not the fault of Paul, who outwardly declares to the reader that one must go beyond the “milk” in order to receive the Gospel of God.   That the church has continually ignored this warning, and fallen into a dogmatic pit in the creation of their many creeds and doctrines which attempted to explain in a carnal perception, what can only be comprehended with an Anointed Mind, is easily demonstrated.   This truth is expressed in the words of the Barnes’ Notes Commentary for James 2:26: “...all history has shown, the statements of Paul on the subject of justification are liable to great abuse. All the forms of Antinomianism have grown out of such abuse, and are only perverted statements of his doctrine”.  

Unless we believe that we will appear before the judgment seat of Paul, rather than Christ, we must very seriously re-evaluate Luther’s doctrine of faith, and come to terms with the criteria that the Lord himself has told us he will use to judge us -- which criteria is the works that we accomplish with our gift of life.  It is not that faith is not important -- because it is -- it is just that in making faith without action the whole thrust of our religious expression, Christians have embraced the Gospel in an incomplete manner.

If, then, it is true that faith and works must function together in a unified religious expression, we must then ask the question: What works are required of us?   Surely not the rituals and works of the Sadducees and Pharisees whom both Jesus and all the Apostles condemned!   Neither is it the works envisioned by modern day Christians!   But rather, it is the works that enable the disciple to open the inner "narrow gate" of the great divide between heaven and earth -- the gate that enables the disciple to dwell in both parallel realms simultaneously and fulfill the requirement to be in the world and not of it -- i.e., and it is this spiritual reality that is presented at http://GateOfEden.com .   It is these works -- works of the spirit -- that if you are found lacking, you cannot be saved regardless of your faith or belief.  

The Invitation

Enter The House With The Lord

The great truth that the modern believer must come to terms with is this: What is written in the literal words of the Gospels, is the invitation to the reader to become a disciple.   A very important insight into the very essence of the genuine teachings of Jesus and TheWay is contained in an article in the Encyclopedia Britannica under the heading, The History of Christian Mysticism, where it reads: “Although the essence of mysticism is the sense of contact with the transcendent, mysticism in the history of Christianity should not be understood merely in terms of special ecstatic experiences but as part of a religious process lived out within the context of the Christian community. From this perspective mysticism played a vital part in the early church. Early Christianity was a religion of the spirit that expressed itself in the heightening and enlargement of human consciousness”.   These words must be a profound revelation to a body of believers who have been barred from the use of reason through blind faith in the doctrines that Roman Emperors forced upon the Church.   When Jesus commanded his disciples: “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren” (Matt 23:8 NKJ) -- what he was saying is that the genuine follower of the Christ is the one who opens the inner door of the mind to the Master, and develops their “sense of contact with the transcendent”.  

What is being said here is that Christianity in its original form as a spiritual religion, and the natural environment of the genuine Church is mysticism -- which is defined as one's personal communion with God.   Believers are commanded to have no other Teacher, than the Christ.   And while the doctrines of the simple faith which Paul called the "milk" of the Gospel that was intended for "babes in Christ" is fine for heathen converts who Paul preached to, these elementary religious concepts that are preached today from the pulpits of our Churches, were never intended to be the whole of the Christian message.   Therefore, if we have not yet sat at the feet of the Master in the inner Kingdom -- and have with our own spiritual eyes gazed upon the Mysteries of God -- then we have yet to accomplish the completed and perfected works that the Lord himself has said would be required of us.   Moreover, if we truly had faith, then we would have been faithful to the Lord’s teachings in every aspect of our lives.

In the Book of Revelations, the word faithful appears eight times, and is used either to describe a person who is faithful -- as in a faithful martyr or servant -- or the word is used to present the idea that what is written is a faithful and true rendition of things witnessed.   This is not to say that faith is not an absolutely necessary attribute -- or that ones faithfulness is not an essential quality -- but these characteristics are always portrayed as a supportive virtue of the faithful servant who continually observes and practices the Word of God.

In total contradiction to modern Christian doctrine, the criteria of judgment that will be used for the followers of Christ is not passive faith, or philosophical belief -- but rather, the criteria is the peoples “works” -- i.e., what they accomplish with their lives -- and it is used in this fashion eighteen times.   At Revelation 3:2 we find an example of one of the main differences in the religious perspective of the first century followers of Jesus -- those who knew him, and personally sat at his feet and learned the requirements to enter the Kingdom -- and what we believe today: “for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God” (Rev 3:2 ASV).

All genuine Christians must therefore ask the question: What does it mean when Jesus condemns the people because they failed to have “perfected works” -- which in many other translations is rendered “completed works”?   From the perspective of what Jesus taught his faithful disciples, completed and perfected works is demonstrated by their ability to enter into the inner (Luke 17:20-21) parallel realm that he called Heaven, and another realm he called the Kingdom of God, and be spiritually pure enough to sit in the House and be taught by the One Teacher.   To follow Christ, literally means to go to where the Master is.   Since the Master is in the Kingdom, then we cannot be his followers if we are not with him.   Thus, the term “works”, takes on a whole different dimension that neither the Sadducees, Pharisees, the Church of Rome, nor the modern believer is able to comprehend.   And when this reality is understood, Paul was 100% correct to proclaim that believers can't find salvation in the ritual works of the Law.    Yet, because those who read the Bible are of a carnal mindset and lifestyle, the reality that Paul is attempting to convey is beyond their ability to even imagine.

The One Teacher

 

In addition to the scriptures where Jesus commands the disciples not to be called teacher, for there is only One Teacher (Mt 23:8), this same Truth can be demonstrated using the first century witness known as the Recognitions of Clement, where St. Clement quotes the teachings of the Apostle Peter.   In chapter 59, under the heading of The True Prophet, Clement writes: “But I would not have you think, that in saying this I take away the power of judging concerning things; but I give counsel that no one walk through devious places, and rush into errors without end. And therefore I advise not only wise men, but indeed all men who have a desire of knowing what is advantageous to them, that they seek after the true Prophet; for it is He alone who knoweth all things, and who knoweth what and how every man is seeking. For He is within the mind of every one of us, but in those who have no desire of the knowledge of God and His righteousness, He is inoperative; but He works in those who seek after that which is profitable to their souls, and kindles in them the light of knowledge. Wherefore seek Him first of all; and if you do not find Him, expect not that you shall learn anything from any other. But He is soon found by those who diligently seek Him through love of the truth, and whose souls are not taken possession of by wickedness. For He is present with those who desire Him in the innocence of their spirits, who bear patiently, and draw sighs from the bottom of their hearts through love of the truth; but He deserts malevolent minds, because as a prophet He knows the thoughts of every one. And therefore let no one think that he can find Him by his own wisdom, unless, as we have said, he empty his mind of all wickedness, and conceive a pure and faithful desire to know Him. For when any one has so prepared himself, He Himself as a prophet, seeing a mind prepared for Him, of His own accord offers Himself to his knowledge”.

What does Peter say to us in these words? That the True Prophet “is within the mind of every one of us”.   This concept is Spiritual -- and is the foundation of the Living Church that the Lord inaugurated.   Jesus warned his followers not to go to a teacher or religious authority in this world -- even when that teacher or authority says that he knows the Christ.   What is very clear in these words which are parallel and in harmony with the Bible, is the followers of Jesus were not to learn from men -- who themselves do not know -- and in true Spiritual fashion, they were only to go to the Source of all Knowledge, the True Prophet within them.  

The Apostle Paul wrote that the baptized believers at Corinth did not know the Gospel of God, and could not be taught the Mysteries and true Christian teachings because they were too carnal to receive them.   Like the Christians today, Paul warned that the baptized and committed believers at Corinth would look upon the Mysteries of God as "foolishness"!!   This great dilemma that Paul wrote about -- and has been continually ignored by the majority of Christians throughout history -- was explained by Peter when his disciple Clement wrote his warning to believers: “…and if you do not find Him, expect not that you shall learn anything from any other”.  

From a first century Christian perspective, there is only one way that you can learn and know the truth, and that is through your own dormant spiritual nature.   “Expect not that you shall learn anything”, says Peter, if you attempt to learn from the doctrines of men -- even when these men are the leaders of your church, synagogue, mosque, or temple.   Why?   Because Jesus himself commanded: “But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren” (Matt 23:8 NKJ).   Therefore, whoever will teach you -- except by example and the manifestation of the Light in their own lives -- from the perspective of the New Covenant, is a disciple of the AntiChrist.

Peter embodies the very essence of the genuine teachings of The Way in the words: “But He is soon found by those who diligently seek Him through love of the truth, and whose souls are not taken possession of by wickedness. For He is present with those who desire Him in the innocence of their spirits, who bear patiently, and draw sighs from the bottom of their hearts through love of the truth”.   But what is Truth?   Surely not the doctrines of the fourth century Church of Constantine that Christians continue to embrace to this very day!    Surely not the heathen mindset and lifestyle that Christians continue to live!   Thus, by virtue of their unfaithfulness and abandonment of the spiritual essence of the teachings of TheWay, Christians have made themselves apostates to the Inner Kingdom!!!

In this statement of Peter to his disciple Clement, you will find the dividing line between the genuine Christian and the Christian of the flesh -- i.e., the genuine Christians are those who are willing to embrace the Light, and learn only from the True Prophet which they manifest in their lives by only doing what is of the Light -- whereas, the Christians of the flesh calls upon the name of the Lord, but they adhere to the teachings of men, and live in accordance with the culture of this world.   Once these words of Peter are realized in the life of the believer, only then is it comprehended that it is the desire for the Truth -- and the Truth alone -- that will turn you in the direction of TheWay.   It is this desire that must rule your hearts and minds in such an all encompassing manner, that the believer rejoices in the labors of clearing the rubble of this world out of our lives, and strives to make themselves the "good ground" of the parable of the Sower and the Seed that is the only consecrated environment which the Lord will recognize as being genuine.   In this respect, the True Prophet can only be found by those who cultivate and prepare themselves -- physically, mentally and spiritually, for the coming of the Lord within themselves -- which is the true meaning of the Revelation (see Gate Of Eden).  

From a New Covenant perspective as set forth in the parable of the Sower and the Seed, you already have the Word planted in the essence of your heart and mind.   Throughout the parables, the Word is spoken of as being male, and the disciple as female.   What this means is that one only has to apply a practical knowledge to the equation in order to understand the process that is taught in the parable of the Sower and the Seed.   In the same way that a woman attracts a man to her, the disciple attracts the manifestation of the Word into his life by preparing the environment of his mind and body in the endeavor to make it the good ground.   In the same way that a man is seeking an attractive woman in which to place his seed, the Word is seeking an attractive environment in this world in which to manifest the Light.  

All the confusion and conflict of religious doctrine that is present in the world today can be attributed to one dominant cause -- i.e., for the believer to prepare themselves does not mean that the True Prophet can be found by those who search for him holding firm to the doctrines of men, or the lifestyle and culture of this world -- but rather, one must prepare themselves to make their life so it will be in conformity with the Will of God.   Peter warns that those who do not become disciples of the Light, and fail to cleanse themselves from the defilements of this world, the True Prophet remains “inoperative” -- they cannot see him, hear him, or even conceive of his existence, even though he dwells in the spiritual kingdom within each and every one of us.    The True Prophet can only be revealed to those who truly desire the knowledge of God, and reject everything else.   But what is the knowledge of God?   The knowledge of God is Truth and Light, and can be possessed only by those who are prepared to move beyond this world of carnal opinion and dogma.

In chapter 62, Clement then goes on in his quotation of the Apostle's teachings: “And, therefore, since amongst these philosophers are things uncertain, we must come to the true Prophet. Him God the Father wished to be loved by all, and accordingly He has been pleased wholly to extinguish those opinions which have originated with men, and in regard to which there is nothing like certainty - that He the true Prophet might be the more sought after, and that He whom they had obscured should show to men the way of truth. For on this account also God made the world, and by Him the world is filled; whence also He is everywhere near to them who seek Him, though He be sought in the remotest ends of the earth. But if any one seek Him not purely, nor holily, nor faithfully, He is indeed within him, because He is everywhere, and is found within the minds of all men; but, as we have said before, He is dormant to the unbelieving, and is held to be absent from those by whom His existence is not believed”.

The importance of this statement to the people of the simple faith is the very essence of the New Covenant promise!   What Clement is stating is that you -- you the reader of this web page -- regardless of who you are, or your present station in this life -- has the ability to find the True Prophet and know the Truth -- but, so long as we continue to cling to the doctrines of men, and the philosophy and materialism of this world, the True Prophet will remain dormant as to an unbeliever.   A believer in Christ, then, cannot be defined as someone who believes in the manner of their choosing -- in what is culturally correct -- or in the doctrines of their church -- but rather, genuine belief in Christ means that the person believes that if they incorporate the teachings of Christ in their life -- and then live them in word, thought, desire and deed -- that they will begin the process of opening the inner door to the Kingdom and learn directly from the True Prophet.

What we must therefore recognize is the fact that, many who call upon the name of the Lord are in reality unbelievers, because they attempt to call upon the Lord while holding fast to the doctrines of Constantine, Justinian, Darwin, and a whole host of other prophets and servants of the AntiChrist.   It is in reference to these false teachers and their flocks that the Lord spoke of when he said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matt 15:8 NKJ).   Why?   It is because the doors to the Kingdom are only opened with the desires of the purified heart, and not with the lips.   What you say means little -- but what you do and accomplish with your life is of paramount importance in the eyes of the Lord.

If one truly loves the Lord, then they will strive to rid themselves of all falseness, and cling only to the Truth.   Whoever is therefore not willing to surrender to the Truth, are the unrighteous people that the Apostle speaks about: “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Th 2:10-12 KJV).  

What the Apostle is here stating is that only those who rid themselves of the baggage of this world, and truly walk in The Way, will perceive the reality of Life -- all others, regardless of how well-meaning they are, regardless of how they praise the Lord with their lips, will be given a “strong delusion” -- bound over to the Synagogue of Satan for Correction.     In our analysis of this great truth it is important for us to comprehend the flaw that the authors of the scriptures saw in the people of the Nations -- i.e., they called upon the name of the Lord, but they lived their lives in accordance with their culture -- and thus, they denied God their actions and deeds.

The Importance Of Faith

 

Where does faith enter into the picture?   Perhaps this is best put into perspective where it is written: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first” (Rev 2:19 NKJ).   The paramount criteria of judgment is the people’s works -- then love -- then service to their fellow man -- then faith -- and lastly, their patience.   In the list of criteria that the Lord will use to test us, it is important that we recognize that the word “works” is used a second time in his acknowledgement of the people’s improvement, as seen where it is written: “and as for your works, the last are more than the first”.   If this is true, we ask, why isn’t the requirements that Jesus established more readily preached in our churches today?   One of the major problems is that once the Roman Church severed itself from its spiritual roots, defiled the scriptures and killed the genuine disciples of Jesus, the shepherds of the people became a class of quasi-religious philosophers and speculators -- having never fulfilled the Gospel message in themselves, and having never opened the doors to the Kingdom, they preached about spiritual realities they knew nothing about.   Being speculators, they completely ignored the most important elements of the Gospel message.

 

For those here who embrace Church doctrine, you are playing Russian Roulette with your life.   As stated in the below, because Christians read the Gospels from an entirely different mindset than that of the Bible's authors, all they see is the error of their Church dogma.