Clarified King James Bible

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Colossians 1 Next Chapter ¹ The first three chapters of Colossians have many verbs of the Aorist tenses, many of which resolve to Strong's 5777 Tense - Aorist, as explained below from this link: "The aorist tense is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time. There is no direct or clear English equivalent for this tense, though it is generally rendered as a simple past tense in most translations. The events described by the aorist tense are classified into a number of categories by grammarians...The English reader need not concern himself with most of these finer points concerning the aorist tense, since in most cases they cannot be rendered accurately in English translation, being fine points of Greek exegesis only. The common practice of rendering an aorist by a simple English past tense should suffice in most cases." The Bible full of untranslatable Aorist verbs with several different Strong's Greek Numbers: #5673 appearing 5 times, but simply pointing to #5777 explained above. #5656 appearing 2319 times, but simply pointing to #5777 explained above. #5660 appearing 714 times, but simply pointing to #5777 explained above. #5681 appearing 602 times, but simply pointing to #5777 explained above. #5658 appearing 516 times, but simply pointing to #5777 explained above. etc. — at least thousands of times total all pointing to the above Strong's #5777, which the above explanation states cannot be translated from Greek, but the past tense is usually OK. The correct tense of the Greek verbs appearing thousands of times are impossible to accurately translate as past, present, or future; the translators either have to guess, or just translate to the past tense. Among the number of Aorist categories is a prophetic Aorist tense, but it unknown how to recognize it in Greek, except by opinion; the purpose of this tense is to describe a future event, usually to show that it is so certain that you can view it as already completed. In other words, a future event in non-Greek languages is easily mistranslated to have already occurred, (past tense). This book was written by Paul, who had already experienced everything possible, (perfection, the kingdom, living in the light, raised to heaven, in the presence of Christ, God and the holy angels, etc.); and he was absolutely positive of the Colossian believers' eventual success, (probably even truly prophesying their success), providing (IF) the Colossians stayed on course in their faith and continued their hope of the gospel, maintained their mortifying the sins of their body, and stopped lying while stripping off the old man with his deeds, etc.). As confirmed by the Word of the Lord within, Paul wrote wrote prophetic verbs of certainty in the prophetic Aorist tense; but the translators, simply did the usual — translating prophetic Aorist tense verbs as past tense, which can be totally different than the writer intended. The entire world has been for many hundreds of years, and still is, without knowledge of how to accurately identify and translate, (without the translator's opinion based on his sect's doctrines), the old Greek Aorist tense verbs in the Bible. This prophetic tense mistranslation applies to Paul's other letters also. To recognize a mistranslated verb tense when reading, notice after he describes wonderful spiritual achievements by "you," (that are translated to have supposedly already occurred), and before or after that description, he warns them to not sin, then you will know all the wonderful spiritual achievements by "you" have not happened already, but are certain to happen if "you" continue your quest to overcome sin, the devil, and the world. One more clue: Paul speaks of wonderful spiritual achievements by addressing the reader as "you," but when he addresses a major spiritual achievement that he really has already attained, then it is no longer "you" but the word is "us," as in "God has translated 'us'." All this goes back to Peter's warning about reading Paul's letters: "There are some things in his letters that are hard to understand, which those who are unlearned and unstable wrest [twist] to their own destruction, as they also do the other scriptures." 2 Peter 3:16. If you are extensively taught by the Holy Spirit, you will not be misled by the false tense translations in the Bible, so whatever time you give to the reading of the Bible, you should give far more time to waiting on the Lord in humble silence; this is what the Word of the Lord within has described as being "biblically balanced." Now I can appreciate even more a previously received message from the Word of the Lord within: "When the books of the Bible were approved, there was great sadness in heaven." To read about this approval process, click here. ¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, ² To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ who are at Colosse. Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴ Since we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love that you have to all the saints, ⁵ Because of the hope that is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of truth of the gospel; ⁶ Which has come to you. This gospel brings forth fruit in all the world, just as it has done in you since the day you first heard it, and knew the grace of God in truth. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ to you on our behalf; ⁸ Who has told us of your love in the Spirit. ⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard of it, we have not stopped praying for you, and asking that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ That you might walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing in all things, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [The purpose of the earth is to create saints, which are sanctified, perfected, purified Christians; the purpose of a true Christian is to be an instrument of righteousness in the hand of God, who directs the sanctified Christian's every word to be spoken and every deed to be performed.] ¹¹ Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; ¹² Giving thanks to the Father, who will make you fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. [To partake is to share in the inheritance of a son, who is in union with Christ and the Father. To be a saint in the light is to have experienced the light to arise in your heart like a magnificent star; and then be guided by God, who is light, in everything to do and say; thus to be walking according to His will, not your own will any longer. From the Word of the Lord within: "Walking in the light is to be guided through life by God; walking in darkness is making your own decisions as to what to do and say. First the light arises, then the kingdom. Light comes from faith in the voice. The arising of the light will be unmistakable; it is an ego-shattering experience."] ¹³ Who has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear son;¹ [Translated is to be raised up together to sit with Christ in heaven. We know Paul was perfect, still walking the earth, but living in in the kingdom for he wrote: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and "God...has raised us up together [with Christ], and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," Eph 2:4,6; and "I charge you in the presence of God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels," 1 Tim 5:21; and "we are speaking in Christ in the presence of God," 2 Cor 2:17. The Colossians were not in the kingdom, based on verse 23 below. See the Footnote below to read George Fox's account of his translation into the kingdom. From the Word of the Lord within: "Do not be misled; you must enter the kingdom while on earth. You can live in heaven and still walk the earth." As George Fox ministered on the earth, he was translated to paradise; and then he lived in paradise. There is a guide to several other early Quakers' testimony of reaching the kingdom of God while on earth.] ¹⁴ In whom we have redemption, the release from the bondage of sins² through his blood; ¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created that are in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by him and for him; ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. ¹⁸ He is the head of his body, the church; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things he might have the preeminence. ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in him; ²⁰ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, to reconcile by him [Jesus], all things to himself [the Father]; by him [Jesus], I say, whether they are things on earth, or things in heaven.³ ["And when all things are subdued to him, then will the Son himself also be subject to him [God] who put all things under him, that God [the Father] may be all in all." 1 Cor 15:28. All things include all men and women.] ²¹ And you, who were at one time alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, now he will reconcile ²² In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight, ²³ If you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached in every creature under heaven;⁴ of which I, Paul, was made a minister. ²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is lacking in the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for the sake of his body, which is the church, ²⁵ Of which I was made a minister according to the dispensation of God that was given to me for you, in order to completely reveal the word of God; ²⁶ Even the mystery which has been hidden from ages and generations, but now is made revealed to his saints; ²⁷ To whom God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery in the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;⁵ [There are five stages of Christ being formed within you; see The Mystery, Christ in You for the detailed understanding. In his sermon early Quaker Stephen Crisp, who dwelled in the kingdom, testified that in one day under the government of Christ, (in the kingdom), one has more joy, pleasure, and delight than a thousand days outside it. However, as the Word of the Lord within has said: "Narrow is the road that leads to life, and few will find it. These are not paths of glory traveled lightly."] ²⁸ Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.⁶ [There are many scripture references to the requirement of perfection in the New Testament, (click to see), and in the Old Testament too, (click to see).] ²⁹ For this purpose I labor, striving according to his power that works mightily in me. Next Chapter

Colossians 1

¹ The first three chapters of Colossians have many verbs of the Aorist tenses, many of which resolve to Strong's 5777 Tense - Aorist, as explained below from this link:

"The aorist tense is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time. There is no direct or clear English equivalent for this tense, though it is generally rendered as a simple past tense in most translations. The events described by the aorist tense are classified into a number of categories by grammarians...The English reader need not concern himself with most of these finer points concerning the aorist tense, since in most cases they cannot be rendered accurately in English translation, being fine points of Greek exegesis only. The common practice of rendering an aorist by a simple English past tense should suffice in most cases."

The Bible full of untranslatable Aorist verbs with several different Strong's Greek Numbers:

#5673 appearing 5 times, but simply pointing to #5777 explained above.
#5656 appearing 2319 times, but simply pointing to #5777 explained above.
#5660 appearing 714 times, but simply pointing to #5777 explained above.
#5681 appearing 602 times, but simply pointing to #5777 explained above.
#5658 appearing 516 times, but simply pointing to #5777 explained above.
etc. — at least thousands of times total

all pointing to the above Strong's #5777, which the above explanation states cannot be translated from Greek, but the past tense is usually OK. The correct tense of the Greek verbs appearing thousands of times are impossible to accurately translate as past, present, or future; the translators either have to guess, or just translate to the past tense.

Among the number of Aorist categories is a prophetic Aorist tense, but it unknown how to recognize it in Greek, except by opinion; the purpose of this tense is to describe a future event, usually to show that it is so certain that you can view it as already completed. In other words, a future event in non-Greek languages is easily mistranslated to have already occurred, (past tense). This book was written by Paul, who had already experienced everything possible, (perfection, the kingdom, living in the light, raised to heaven, in the presence of Christ, God and the holy angels, etc.); and he was absolutely positive of the Colossian believers' eventual success, (probably even truly prophesying their success), providing (IF) the Colossians stayed on course in their faith and continued their hope of the gospel, maintained their mortifying the sins of their body, and stopped lying while stripping off the old man with his deeds, etc.). As confirmed by the Word of the Lord within, Paul wrote wrote prophetic verbs of certainty in the prophetic Aorist tense; but the translators, simply did the usual — translating prophetic Aorist tense verbs as past tense, which can be totally different than the writer intended. The entire world has been for many hundreds of years, and still is, without knowledge of how to accurately identify and translate, (without the translator's opinion based on his sect's doctrines), the old Greek Aorist tense verbs in the Bible.

This prophetic tense mistranslation applies to Paul's other letters also. To recognize a mistranslated verb tense when reading, notice after he describes wonderful spiritual achievements by "you," (that are translated to have supposedly already occurred), and before or after that description, he warns them to not sin, then you will know all the wonderful spiritual achievements by "you" have not happened already, but are certain to happen if "you" continue your quest to overcome sin, the devil, and the world. One more clue: Paul speaks of wonderful spiritual achievements by addressing the reader as "you," but when he addresses a major spiritual achievement that he really has already attained, then it is no longer "you" but the word is "us," as in "God has translated 'us'."

All this goes back to Peter's warning about reading Paul's letters: "There are some things in his letters that are hard to understand, which those who are unlearned and unstable wrest [twist] to their own destruction, as they also do the other scriptures." 2 Peter 3:16. If you are extensively taught by the Holy Spirit, you will not be misled by the false tense translations in the Bible, so whatever time you give to the reading of the Bible, you should give far more time to waiting on the Lord in humble silence; this is what the Word of the Lord within has described as being "biblically balanced."

Now I can appreciate even more a previously received message from the Word of the Lord within: "When the books of the Bible were approved, there was great sadness in heaven." To read about this approval process, click here.

¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

² To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ who are at Colosse. Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

⁴ Since we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love that you have to all the saints,

⁵ Because of the hope that is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of truth of the gospel;

⁶ Which has come to you. This gospel brings forth fruit in all the world, just as it has done in you since the day you first heard it, and knew the grace of God in truth.

⁷ You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ to you on our behalf;

⁸ Who has told us of your love in the Spirit.

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard of it, we have not stopped praying for you, and asking that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

¹⁰ That you might walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing in all things, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [The purpose of the earth is to create saints, which are sanctified, perfected, purified Christians; the purpose of a true Christian is to be an instrument of righteousness in the hand of God, who directs the sanctified Christian's every word to be spoken and every deed to be performed.]

¹¹ Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

¹² Giving thanks to the Father, who will make you fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. [To partake is to share in the inheritance of a son, who is in union with Christ and the Father. To be a saint in the light is to have experienced the light to arise in your heart like a magnificent star; and then be guided by God, who is light, in everything to do and say; thus to be walking according to His will, not your own will any longer. From the Word of the Lord within: "Walking in the light is to be guided through life by God; walking in darkness is making your own decisions as to what to do and say. First the light arises, then the kingdom. Light comes from faith in the voice. The arising of the light will be unmistakable; it is an ego-shattering experience."]

¹³ Who has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear son;¹ [Translated is to be raised up together to sit with Christ in heaven. We know Paul was perfect, still walking the earth, but living in in the kingdom for he wrote: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and "God...has raised us up together [with Christ], and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," Eph 2:4,6; and "I charge you in the presence of God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels," 1 Tim 5:21; and "we are speaking in Christ in the presence of God," 2 Cor 2:17. The Colossians were not in the kingdom, based on verse 23 below. See the Footnote below to read George Fox's account of his translation into the kingdom. From the Word of the Lord within: "Do not be misled; you must enter the kingdom while on earth. You can live in heaven and still walk the earth." As George Fox ministered on the earth, he was translated to paradise; and then he lived in paradise. There is a guide to several other early Quakers' testimony of reaching the kingdom of God while on earth.]

¹⁴ In whom we have redemption, the release from the bondage of sins² through his blood;

¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.

¹⁶ For by him all things were created that are in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by him and for him;

¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

¹⁸ He is the head of his body, the church; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things he might have the preeminence.

¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in him;

²⁰ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, to reconcile by him [Jesus], all things to himself [the Father]; by him [Jesus], I say, whether they are things on earth, or things in heaven.³ ["And when all things are subdued to him, then will the Son himself also be subject to him [God] who put all things under him, that God [the Father] may be all in all." 1 Cor 15:28. All things include all men and women.]

²¹ And you, who were at one time alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, now he will reconcile

²² In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight,

²³ If you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached in every creature under heaven;⁴ of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is lacking in the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for the sake of his body, which is the church,

²⁵ Of which I was made a minister according to the dispensation of God that was given to me for you, in order to completely reveal the word of God;

²⁶ Even the mystery which has been hidden from ages and generations, but now is made revealed to his saints;

²⁷ To whom God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery in the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;⁵ [There are five stages of Christ being formed within you; see The Mystery, Christ in You for the detailed understanding. In his sermon early Quaker Stephen Crisp, who dwelled in the kingdom, testified that in one day under the government of Christ, (in the kingdom), one has more joy, pleasure, and delight than a thousand days outside it. However, as the Word of the Lord within has said: "Narrow is the road that leads to life, and few will find it. These are not paths of glory traveled lightly."]

²⁸ Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.⁶ [There are many scripture references to the requirement of perfection in the New Testament, (click to see), and in the Old Testament too, (click to see).]

²⁹ For this purpose I labor, striving according to his power that works mightily in me.

Next Chapter

For a parallel display of the above verse(s) in New Intl, New KJ, New AmStd, Amplified, and KJV Bibles click here.
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¹ partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light; who has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.

partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light; who has delivered us from the power of darkness.

Notice in the previous verses, Paul referred to "you," the unfinished believers; but in this sentence he refers to "us," using the Aorist prophetic tense to group the unfinished believers together with himself who had been crucified, was free of sin, was one with Christ and God, and clearly in the kingdom, which the following scriptures show: (so the past tense was left in this verse because of the "us" reference).

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." Gal 2:20

"it pleased God to reveal his son in me." Gal 1:15-16
"But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking slyly, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by revealing the truth, we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the presence of God." 2 Cor 4:2

"we are speaking in Christ in the presence of God as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God." 2 Cor 2:17
"I charge you in the presence of God and the Lord Jesus Christ," 2 Tim 4:1
"I charge you in the presence of God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels,
that you observe these things without preferring anyone over another, doing nothing by partiality" 1 Tim 5:21
God...has raised us up together [with Christ], and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:4,6

This is Paul's evidence of he being freed from sin, (delivered from the power of darkness), being translated from the physical dimension of this world into the spiritual dimension of the Kingdom, to dwell with the saints in the light of God. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; so that you may show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Pet 2:9. John also gives us testimony of being in the Kingdom: I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, in the kingdom, and patient endurance of Jesus Christ. Rev 1:9. And George Fox in his Letter No.172 gives us evidence of being a partaker, (one who shares), in the inheritance of the saints:

So every one of us, that has come to the seed of God, that bruises the serpent's head, that led man from God, who is the prince of the world, the prince of darkness, and the prince of the air, the father of lies, a murderer from the beginning; the corrupter of mankind, the author of the separation from God, and the original of sin, the beginning of it, which led man from his dominion over the handiworks of God; which the royal seed Christ, destroys, and renews man again in the image of God, and brings him again to his dominion over the handiworks of God. And this hundreds of thousands are now witnessing; by which they come to be kings, and redeemed from the earth and come to be made kings upon the earth, in the image of God, over the handiworks of God, in the wisdom by which they were created ....Among these Christ is king, which thousands witness. Among these he is king.*

* Christ is king of you if He rules your every thought, word, deed; if not, He is not your king. From the Word of the Lord within: "Every man was his own king. The King is where He is king. If all that profess me, would possess me. Remember, every person who sins denies Him as Lord and Master."

By which exceedingly great and precious promises are given to us, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Pet 1:4

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold firm the beginning of our confidence to the end, Heb 3:14

I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory that will be revealed, 1 Pet 5:1

and translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.

The kingdom of God does not come with outward signs to be observed. Nor will anyone say, 'Look here!' or 'Look over there!' For the Kingdom of God is within you and around you. Luke 17:20-21. This single statement should be enough for you to realize that Christendom does not have a clue to what Jesus was preaching. They think the kingdom of heaven is only after you die. Some think that maybe we are all in the kingdom of heaven, without realizing it. Or they don't think. From the Word of the Lord within: "Do not be misled; you must enter the kingdom while on earth.

How can the Kingdom be within and around a man? A different dimension, occupying the same physical space. The Apostle Paul helps us understand the Kingdom of God within and around us, writing in the Bible's book of Acts: God .. is not far from each one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being, (Acts 17:27-28) — but we are not aware of this, because we are in a lower physical dimension. The physical dimension shares the same space as the higher spiritual dimensions. To enter the Kingdom of God within and around us, is to be dramatically translated to the spiritual dimension of consciousness and sight, in union with Christ and God, but walking on earth by the light of God. The world passes away from our sight when the Kingdom is entered.

Jesus said that was why he came to preach: I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God, ..because that is why I was sent. Luke 4:43. And he said it was near: The time has come, the kingdom of God is at hand [near]. Repent, and believe the gospel [good news]. Mark 1:15. And he talked about the kingdom more than any other subject; there are over 100 references to the Kingdom in parables, warnings, and exhortations.

Notice, he said, the time has come, the Kingdom is near. He is not talking about a Kingdom thousands of years later. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus is recorded saying that some then standing with him, 2000 years ago, would see his glorious coming with the Kingdom before they died. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus is recorded saying all the end times' prophesies would be fulfilled before the generation of 2000 years ago died, (click here to see all).

From the Word of the Lord within:

Do not be misled; you must enter the kingdom while on earth.

Seek first the kingdom, and all else will be provided — provided you stay on course.

I will come again to the elect; I will be a crown to lead and guide them.

Happy are they who serve God in His kingdom.

Oh seek the Lord you mighty, for the kingdom is sweet, and pure, and holy.

He who does not seek the kingdom will be the poor.

Oh seek the kingdom you mighty.

Don't let the naysayers deflect you.

Holy is the kingdom, the surrounding radiance of it.

The world ends as you step into another dimension.

You can live in heaven and still walk the earth.

We stand in His presence; in the kingdom we stand before God and His holy angels; we behold His beauty.

We stand before Him that we might glorify Him.

We stand in the presence of God speaking forth His words as commanded.
A time of great rejoicing: a time of being told what to do.
The Father will reward those who persevere and stand before Him.

There is a wondrous beauty to be had.

My friends are in the kingdom, the covenanted.

Those inside are warm and humble.

From his style2 the following is George Fox's wonderfully inspiring, unparalleled Christian testimony of being translated into paradise and then the Kingdom:

"I saw also the mountains burning up, and the rubbish, and the rough, and crooked ways and places made smooth and plain,* that the Lord might come into his tabernacle. These things are to be found in man's heart; but to speak of these things being within, seemed strange to the rough, crooked, and mountainous ones. Yet the Lord said, ‘0h earth, hear the word of the Lord!'"

*Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth. Luke 3:5

......
"Now I came up in spirit, through the flaming sword,* into the paradise of God. All things were new, and all the creation gave another smell unto me than before, beyond what words can utter. I knew nothing but pureness, innocence, and righteousness, being renewed up into the image of God by Christ Jesus; so that I came up to the state of Adam, which he was in before he fell. The creation was open to me; and it was showed me how all things had their names given them, according to their nature and virtue. I was at a stand in my mind, whether I should practice medicine for the good of mankind, seeing the nature and virtues of the creatures were so opened to me by the Lord. But I was immediately taken up in spirit, to see into another or more steadfast state than Adam's in innocence, even into a state in Christ Jesus, that should never fall.** And the Lord showed me, that such as were faithful to him, in the power and light of Christ, should come up into that state in which Adam was before he fell; in which the admirable works of the creation, and the virtues of that may be known, through the openings of that divine word of wisdom and power by which they were made. Great things did the Lord lead me into, and wonderful depths were opened unto me, beyond what can by words be declared; but as people come into subjection to the spirit of God, and grow up in the image and power of the Almighty, they may receive the word of wisdom that opens all things, and come to know the hidden unity in the Eternal Being."

*So [God] drove out the man [Adam and Eve out of paradise, the Garden of Eden]; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep and guard the way to the tree of life. Gen 3:24

**There are two steps in perfection through the grace of Christ: 1st) to be raised up to the perfection of Adam and Eve in paradise, but still capable of falling to temptation, and 2nd) to be raised up to union with Christ Jesus, an everlasting perfection, which is incapable of falling to sin or temptation. Stephen Crisp, another eminent early Quaker, writes further of this two-step perfection:

For you know while the vessel is filled with wrath, envy, or with unrighteousness of any kind, such are not yet fit for the glory of God to shine forth in. When that is removed out by judgment; and Zion is set free from oppression, then the creature returns to God a pure vessel in the righteousness that was before the fall. So a man or woman may come to Adam's state that he was in before he fell, which was without sin. Against such the judgment of God does not go forth, but they have peace with God, and fellowship in what is pure, before sin and transgression were. Those who come to this state, may be entangled again; as was Eve, and if they do not watch, they may be entangled again; but if such are faithful to the power that redeemed them from the sin, and in the power resist the temptation, then such receive the seal of eternal life in Christ Jesus, who never fell, though he was tempted, and so come to an establishment in Him who never changes.

.......
"Moreover, the Lord God let me see, when I was brought up into his image in righteousness and holiness, and into the state of the paradise of God how Adam was made a living soul; and also to the stature of Christ, the mystery that had been hid from ages and generations: which things are hard to be uttered, and cannot be borne by many. For of all the sects in Christendom (so called) that I discussed with, I found none that could bear to be told that anyone could spiritually grow to Adam's perfection, (that is into that image of God, and righteousness and holiness that Adam was in before he fell), to be clean, pure, and without sin as he was. Therefore, how would they be able to bear being told that any should spiritually grow up to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; when it threatens them to hear that any shall come, while upon earth, into the same power and spirit that the prophets and apostles were in? Though it is an absolute truth, that none can understand the Apostle’s writings correctly without the same spirit by which they were written.

The Lord God opened to me by his invisible power, how that ‘every man was enlightened by the divine light of Christ.’ I saw it shine through all, and that they that believed in it came out of condemnation to the light of life, and became the children of it; but they that hated it and did not believe in it, were condemned by it, though they made a profession of Christ. This I saw in the pure openings of the light without the help of any man; neither did I then know where to find it in the scriptures; though afterwards, searching the scriptures, I found it. For I saw in that light and spirit which was before the scriptures were given forth, and which led the holy men of God to give them forth, that all must come to that spirit, if they would know God or Christ, or the scriptures correctly, which they that gave them forth were led and taught by."

The Kingdom is the prize for losing your sinful life; the prize that is beyond man's imagination, the prize that has been ignored by Christendom.

² In whom we have redemption, the release from the bondage of sins through his blood. The original Greek for release from bondage of sin could be translated as release from bondage, forgiveness, or remission, of sin. Release from bondage of sin is far more accurate, and perfectly describes the purification necessary to avoid being banned from heaven. The cleansing of the Word, the cleansing in the Light, both attained by waiting on the Lord, listening, hearing, watching, and obeying — such cleansing is a release from the bondage of sin. But the poor souls, who were trying to translate the Bible, had not experienced release from bondage of sin within themselves, and so obviously chose to emphasize forgiveness instead. Yet release from captivity, from the prison house, from the oppression, is what Christ said he came to do:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor [in Spirit]; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted [who mourn due to their slavery to sin], to preach release to the captives [of sin], and recovery of sight to the [spiritually] blind, to deliver [free] those who are oppressed [in slavery to sin], Luke 4:18-19

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound [in slavery to sin]; Isa 61:1-2

and for what Paul said Jesus sent him to the Gentiles to accomplish:

"I [Jesus] now send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, release from sin's slavery, and an inheritance among those who are purified by faith in me." Acts 26:17-18

Clearly forgiveness is not deliverance, recovery, healing, opening the prison, release, turned from power of Satan, — while release from the bondage of sin accurately describes all.

³ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, to reconcile by him [Jesus], all things to himself [the Father]; by him [Jesus], I say, whether they are things on earth, or things in heaven. Jesus died so all persons will be reconciled with God; but each person must first experience the painful removal of sin because reconciliation can only occur between pure objects; for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness, and what communion has light with darkness? 2 Cor 6:14. All will be reconciled to God: the few who are crucified, purified, and perfected while on earth with great reward; and the many who are purified in Hell. "Therefore because the disobedience of one man led all men to condemnation; even so one man's act of righteousness exculpates (pronounces not guilty of offences) all men to right standing with God and righteousness of life." Rom 5:18. "We trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe." 1 Tim 4:10.

All things in heaven and earth are reconciled to God through and by Christ — except Satan, who was the original rebel, and who deceived all others.

⁴ the gospel, which you have heard, and which was (past tense) preached in every creature under heaven; Peter tells us the word of God, which endures and lasts forever, is the word by which the gospel is preached, 1 Pet 1:23; which word Paul tells us in our hearts, Rom 10:8. Now clearly scripture does not last forever, and scripture is not the source of the gospel being preached to you. But the Spirit of Christ does last forever, and Christ is the Word of God; so Christ does the preaching in every creature under heaven.

We are told that the grace of God has appeared to all men, Tit 2:11. And in Romans, the good tidings were described as: But I say, Have they not heard? Yes truly, their sound went into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world, Rom 10:18, Psa 19:4. George Fox expands on this gospel being universally preached, in refuting the false doctrine of predestination:

he who enlightens every man that comes into the world, enlightens these [the nations of Esau, and of Ishmael, and of the Egyptians, and Babylon] as well as others; and his grace which has appeared unto all men, has appeared unto all these as well as others; and if they did not believe in it and receive it, it was to be a witness against them, and they were worthy of the judgment and condemnation; else how will God judge the world in righteousness, according to the gospel, the power of God, if that the gospel is not preached to, or in every creature under heaven; and that Christ has not tasted death for every man, which were dead in old Adam, that they might believe and be turned unto God? But [by] the light of the gospel, which enlightens every man that comes into the world, and the grace of God in the gospel, which brings salvation, has appeared unto all; and God has poured out of his spirit upon all flesh in his new covenant, so that all flesh might see the salvation of God.

................. (and further down in the same writing)

For Ishmael and Esau had the covenant of circumcision, in the flesh, as is said before, a type of the new covenant and circumcision in the spirit. And the gospel was preached to them, being preached to every creature under heaven.

And Cain had his day of visitation; for the Lord told him, ‘if he did well, he should be accepted; and if not, sin lay at his door:’ so there was a promise of God to Cain, if he had believed it and received it; so his destruction was of himself. And so was the old world's, for grieving God's good spirit, and not receiving righteous Noah's preaching, who was a preacher of righteousness; and therefore, their destruction and condemnation came upon themselves, for going from the spirit of God in themselves, and not regarding this righteous preacher Noah.

........................................ and in his writing: The Great Mystery of the Great Whore Unfolded and Antichrist's Kingdom Revealed Unto Destruction:

The gospel, which is the power of God, which is the glad tidings to sinners, was preached to Abraham, before ever it was heard at Jerusalem, and the shepherds in the field received the message of the good tidings of the glorious gospel from the angel, which was sent to them of the Lord; who said, ‘Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,’ and this was before the gospel was heard at Jerusalem. And all the fathers and prophets, that heard the power of God, heard the gospel; for the gospel is the power of God, glad tidings to the seed, and great joy to the poor captives. And this gospel was preached to Adam; the seed of the woman was promised to bruise the serpent's head, and that was, and is, the power of God, the glorious gospel; but as for such as know no gospel in manifestation nor operation, but only the scriptures which do but declare of the gospel, show that they are without, in the world, and have no other knowledge of the gospel, but natural knowledge, which is not unto eternal life, nor can edify the body of Christ, which is immortal.

....................................... and in his writing: To All Who Claim to Be Christians:

For ‘Christ has enlightened all,’ that they might see, and poured out his spirit upon all, that they might understand and obey. The apostle says, ‘he has tasted death for all, and is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world; and the gospel, which is the power of God, is preached in every creature under heaven;’ so that all are left without excuse, and God is just and righteous in his judging of the world, for all have had a visitation by God's light, grace, spirit, and gospel.

And so, the gospel is also preached in a man, when the Spirit of God visits a man, in the day of his visitation, which all men have. Paul proves that the gospel was preached during the time of Isaiah in Rom 10:16: But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah said, "Lord, who has believed our report?" Rom 10:16. Paul also proves the gospel was preached to Abraham: saying, And [know] the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, [the Lord] preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand , saying, "In you will all nations be blessed."

Now, if the gospel, (which is a mystery), has been preached in all men, as this verses plainly states: the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached in every creature under heaven, the preaching has to be done by the Spirit of Christ himself. Only the Spirit could reach the far corners of the globe. In the days of the Apostles, the Americas had not even been discovered; and prior to Christ, there were no Apostles to send out to the world to preach the gospel.

The Lord preaching the gospel is easily accepted because we know that the Lord teaches us:

Paul clearly states that we must be taught by hearing Jesus speak to us:

you must not walk as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.
Who being past feeling [pangs of conscience], have given themselves over to fleshly indulgences, to work all impurities with greediness.
But you have learned differently from Christ;
Assuming you have actually heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus. Eph 4:17-21 .

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
He will guide the humble in what is right and teach them his way. Psalm 25:8-9

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you shall go; I will guide you with my eye. Psalm 32:8

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word or God. Rom 10:17. This is a critical scripture for understanding what is faith. Remember, Paul tells us in Rom 10:8 that he preached the word of faith that is in your heart. So faith is hearing the word of Christ from within your heart, and recognizing it as the Spirit of God speaking to you, or Christ speaking to you; and believing it enough to obey. Thus to believe is: to believe, [trust, depend on, obey] on the word, Christ, heard in your heart. Blessed are those who hear the word of God [from within their hearts] and keep [practice, obey] it.

And so are they blessed who hear the gospel preached by the Lord and believe it. This is more evidence that faith comes from hearing Christ, the word of God, speak to you from within your heart. As Jesus said: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev 3:20. God is fair. God is just. God is righteous. He would knock equally at every man's heart. He visits every man. He reasons with every man. Every man has his chance. The day of visitation can come from a true preacher, with written or spoken words supplied by the Spirit of God, or directly in a man's heart from the Spirit of Christ. At judgment, every man will remember his day of visitation.

From the Word of the Lord within: "The gospel is not a book to be read; it is to be revealed in your heart ."

The everlasting gospel, the mystery, is explained by the great early Quaker, Isaac Penington:

"'Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth,'

If you know the Preacher that preached this,

if you have heard this preached in your own heart,

if you have met with that fear there, which God's Spirit teaches and gives,

if you have known the hour of God's judgment, and had the axe laid to the root of the tree; and

if you have been taught by the Son to worship the Father in Spirit and truth;

you have, without doubt, met with the gospel, the everlasting gospel."

Scripture tells us that the gospel is a mystery: "The mystery, which has been hidden from ages and generations, but now is made revealed to his saints." Col 1:26. And for certain Christendom, (without a saint to its name), has no idea what the gospel is. They are not even aware that the gospel is a mystery. They think the gospel is:

Jesus Saves from going to Hell by believing in Him; or
the Biblical books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; or
the imminent, one-time coming of the kingdom,
(which imminent one-time coming has taken 2000 years so far).

From the Word of the Lord within: "The gospel is a mystery to the natural man; he cannot conceive it. The gospel is not a book to be read; it is to be revealed in your heart. The gospel is pretty radical; it is mind boggling — unity with Christ; this I offered free of charge to anyone. Unless I purify you, you can have no part of me."

George Fox explains the gospel being revealed in a man's heart in his writing Concerning the Light:

The apostle was sent to turn people from the darkness to the light, from the power of Satan to God. Now this was the state of preaching to them while they were in darkness, whom the God of the world had blinded their eyes. They preached so that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine in them. Mark, shine in them. Therefore the god of the world has blinded the eye of the mind, and to such the Gospel is hidden. For darkness cannot comprehend the light, while the god of the world has blinded your minds. Therefore the Apostle was sent to turn them from darkness to the light, light shines in darkness. So the god of the world has blinded them, lest the light of the glorious Gospel should shine in them. Now where it shines in the heart, it gives the knowledge of the glory of God, where it comes forth. And where it shines in darkness, and darkness comprehends it not, there is the god of the world that has blinded the mind, and to such the Gospel is hidden, which is the power of God; and the light of the glorious Gospel is not comprehended, which is the image of God; and it does not shine in them, to give them the light of the knowledge of God. Now as such are turned to the light, the eye comes to be opened, and from the darkness these come; and these come from the power of Satan, the god of the world, that has blinded their eye, that the light of the glorious Gospel shines in them, to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. To such the Gospel is not hidden, by the manifestation of the Truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. Now here is the state not turned from the darkness to the light, and their eye is not opened; then the god of the world has blinded them. Such are in the unconverted state. To the unconverted, the Gospel is hidden, though light shines in darkness, and the god of the world blinds their minds. So this is the time those, who are darkness, are not yet turned from the darkness, and the darkness does not comprehend the light. Now where God has commanded the light to shine out of darkness; (mark, out of darkness), such come to be turned from the darkness to the light, such witness conversion, and the image of God shines in them.

Considering two scripture statements:

it appears the gospel has multiple layers because it being preached in every man is obviously not even close to the light of the glorious gospel shining to reveal the glory of God in the saints, (those purified and sanctified). Take heart: Nothing is hidden, except what is meant to be revealed. Mat 10:26, Luke 12:2. Seek, and keep on seeking with your whole heart and soul, and you will find.

Paul was sent by Jesus to preach the gospel (good news) as follows: "I [Jesus] now send you to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins, release from sin's slavery, and an inheritance among those who are purified by faith in Me." Acts 26:17-18.

In addition, Jesus is also recorded as promising that you can become one with him and God and that you can enter the kingdom of heaven while you are still on the earth; see John 14 with footnoted commentary (click) and then John 17 with footnoted commentary (click). Have you ever been told that you can and must enter the kingdom while you are still on the earth? Have you ever been told you can become one with God and Jesus, which is necessary for salvation to be achieved? Yet both events are part of the good news Jesus came to preach; and then he died on the cross to show us the extent of our obedience required to attain: 1) freedom from the slavery of sin, 2) purity, 3) the kingdom of heaven, and 4) to become one with him and God.

So, the gospel is the ministry of the Spirit to totally free you from sin, as you repent from your old ways of selfishness on the inward cross of self-denial; to be washed, cleansed, and purified; to then be translated into the kingdom of Christ; and then to live in union with Christ and God, on earth and forever.

⁵ The Mystery of the Ages, Christ in You, the Hope of Glory. God has extended the gift of himself to all men, simply by believing in, and following by obedience, his Son, Jesus. This gift is to have Christ formed in you, so that you are a part of God himself — the glory: righteous, pure, perfect, holy, and full of love, joy, and peace. When he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. Everyone with this hope purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3. Paul further refers to this glory: When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Col 3:4. There are five stages of Christ being formed within you; see The Mystery, Christ in You for the detailed understanding.

⁶ we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; so that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To enter the Kingdom you must let God make you pure and perfect by his grace, you must crucify you lusts and affections — mortifying the deeds of the body. Notice, Paul says: warning every man; for if you don't persist in seeking his grace, if you don't strive to enter by the narrow gate and the compressed way, if you don't lose your life to save it, you will fall short of the mark — and fail to produce fruit, fail to please God, and fail to enter the Kingdom.

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