by Walter Giddings
April 30, 2023
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-5
(Matthew 7:13-14). Does the mainstream media love The Truth? Does the mainstream church preach The Truth? Does Jesus equate The Truth to himself? Is the word mainstream equivalent to the broad “way that leadeth to destruction”?
p 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for
wide is the gate, and broad is the
way, that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be that go in thereat :
c 14 Because strait is the gate, and nar-
row is the way, which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew chapter seven.
“Few there be that find it.” Why so few?!! Would The God of our Fathers fail to admonish us; would He fail to warn us?
Greetings Kindred and Fellow Sheep. Are we the outright Rescues of The Good Shepherd, our Saviour Jesus Christ, the Righteous? We are on a first name basis here. My name is Walter. I am not your Teacher. The usual Rules apply. I am your Pedagogue. My duty is to lead you to The Real Teacher, our Master Jesus Christ.
Are there Scriptures that send cold chills up and down our spinal lifelines? Do certain Scriptures, the more we study them, cause dread, fear, horror, terror, and trembling? Or, does that depend upon another question? For whom, or for what do we have dread, fear, horror, terror, and trembling?
(Luke 13:23-24). Jesus said, Few there be that find the strait gate and narrow way “which leadeth unto life”!!
p 23 Then said one unto him, Lord,
are there few that be saved? And
he said unto them,
c 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate:
for many, I say unto you, will seek to
enter in, and shall not be able.
Which one will we be? Will we be the “many”? Or, will we be the “few”? “Few” is translated from G3641 oligos, ol-ee’-gos; of uncertain affinity; puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); ... The term oligarchy is from two Greek words found in The Koine Greek Text of the New Testament: oligos and G746 arche, ar-khay’; rule : the few rule. Whose spawn is it that wishes to rule an entire world of drastic depopulation? Do they love Jesus Christ? Or, do they hate Him with a ferocity that people of conscience find difficult to understand? (Mark : vv. 25-28).
25 When once the master of the
house is risen up, and hath shut to
the door, and ye begin to stand with-
out, and to knock at the door, say-
ing, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and
he shall answer and say unto you, I
know you not whence ye are.
Now how can Jesus not know somebody? (John 2:24-25). Was it John the beloved disciple who faithfully reported this?
p 24 But Jesus did not commit himself
unto them, because he knew all men,
c 25 And needed not that any should
testify of man : for he knew what
was in man.
John chapter two.
(Back to Luke 13:26-28). Could we be dealing here with a different kind of knowing?
c 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We
have eaten and drunk in thy pres-
ence, and thou hast taught in our
streets.
With this verse Pastor Jerry used to ask this question: Is “we have eaten and drunk in thy presence” Communion? I have verse 27:
p 27 But he shall say, I tell you I know
you not whence ye are; depart from
me, all ye workers of iniquity.
Iniquity means “lawlessness”! Is Jesus referring to all those who say “The law is done away”!?? Classmates you have Verse 28:
c 28 There shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth when ye shall
see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the king-
dom of God, and you yourselves
thrust out.
Luke chapter thirteen.
“There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Is that the deepest grief? Is that an extremely bitter end: to see from what “you yourselves” are “thrust out”?! To stare in to that Reward “you yourselves” could have had, if only?! Was it John Adams who said what most concerned him about the expression “eternal damnation” is the word “eternal”!
What will our End be?!! (John 5:28-29). How many kinds or types of Resurrection are there? Can we name the kinds or types of Resurrection?
p 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour
is coming, in the which all that are
in the graves shall hear his voice,
c 29 And shall come forth; they that
have done good unto the resurrection
of life; and they that have done evil,
unto the resurrection of damnation.
John chapter five.
Are there 2 kinds or types of “resurrection”? “The resurrection of life” and “the resurrection of damnation”! Does this mean that even though I am resurrected, I could still be damned? Wait a minute! Hold on there, buddy! Can we get a Second Witness? From what Pulpit have we heard of Two Resurrections?
(Revelation 20:4-5). This is Time-Out! There better be a Second Witness! Do both Resurrections occur at the same time, or at different times?
c 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat
upon them, and judgment was given
unto them : and I saw the souls of
them that were beheaded for the wit-
ness of Jesus, and for the word of God,
and which had not worshipped the
beast, neither his image, neither had
received his mark upon their foreheads
or in their hands; and they lived and
reigned with Christ a thousand years.
p 5 But the rest of the dead lived not a-
gain until the thousand years were
finished. This is the first resurrection.
“The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Does this mean we have 2 separate groups rising from the dead? Is there a whole group of the dead that are not risen for the Millennium? Does this mean that “the first resurrection” is only for those who “lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”? Is this what Jesus is talking about in John 5? Is the First Resurrection the Resurrection unto life”?
(Revelation 20:11-15). If this Scripture, the Great White Throne Judgment fails to send shivers up and down our spinal lifelines, then we are utterly lacking in spiritual discernment!! Is the Great White Throne Judgment the Judgment of those in “The Resurrection unto damnation”?!
c 11 And I saw a great white throne,
and him that sat on it, from whose
face the earth and the heaven fled
away; and there was found no place
for them.
p 12 And I saw the dead, small and
great, stand before God; and the
books were opened; and another
book was opened which is the book
of life : and the dead were judged
out of those things which were writ-
ten in the books, according to their
works.
“The dead were judged ... according to their works.” Is there some way I can get out of this?! How can I pass a judgment of my works?! “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” [Isaiah 64:6]. Did the endtime Prophet Isaiah see our bankruptcy?! Are the only works worth having the works that Jesus does through us? Why would we want a judgment of our works?
What happens to the dead who are “judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works”?!!
c 13 And the sea gave up the dead
which were in it; and death and hell
delivered up the dead which were in
them: and they were judged every
man according to their works.
p 14 And death and hell were cast into
the lake of fire. This is the second
death.
c 15 And whosoever was not found
written in the book of life was cast
into the lake of fire.
(Verse 14). “This is the second death.” Hold it right there! Stop! Do not pass “Go”. Do not collect 200 dollars salary. I am monopolizing this conversation. This could be serious. (Verse 15). Did this verse say whosoever is “not found written in the book of life” is “cast into the lake of fire”?!! [O God!]. Do all those, whose names are blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of Life, die twice ?!! How do I get out of this?!!
Could an answer be on this page? Or could an answer at least be in this chapter ? (Verse 6).
6 Blessed and holy is he that has
part in the first resurrection: on
such the second death hath no power
but they shall be priests of God and
of Christ, and shall reign with him a
thousand years.
Revelation chapter twenty.
Is “the resurrection of life” in John 5 better than “the resurrection of damnation”?
I want that!! I want the better Resurrection !!!
(Hebrews 11:35). Chapter 11 is the Faith Hall of Fame chapter whose every member has laid hold on eternal life. [1 Timothy 6:12,19]. “Lay hold on eternal life.”!
35 Women received their dead
raised to life again : and others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance,
that they might obtain a better resur-
rection.
Hebrews chapter eleven.
“Obtain a better resurrection.” Do we want that?
If we fail to “lay hold on eternal life” ...! That Lake of Fire! What kind of Fire is that? How HOT(!) is Supernatural Fire? Does it burn with such force that the whole place trembles and the roar of it becomes deafening as those sentenced to be cast into it are dragged there?!! (Revelation 19:20).
20 And the beast was taken, and
with him the false prophet that
wrought miracles before him with
which he deceived them that had re-
ceived the mark of the beast, and
them that worshipped his image.
These both were cast alive into a lake
of fire burning with brimstone.
Revelation chapter nineteen.
(Revelation 20:10). Who else gets this same sentence carried out, being cast into the Lake of Fire?
10 And the devil that deceived them
was cast into the lake of fire and brim-
stone, where the beast and the false
prophet are, and shall be tormented
day and night for ever and ever.
Is that it? Or is there more that have the same sentence executed upon them? (Verse 14).
14 And death and hell were cast into
the lake of fire. This is the second
death.
“This is the second death.” Why does the Revelator say Casting into the lake of fire and brimstone is “the second death”? Is that it? Or is there more that are sentenced to the second death?
15 And whosoever was not found writ-
ten in the book of life was cast into the
lake of fire.
Revelation chapter twenty.
In (Revelation 20:11-15), did we receive the Prophecy of a future event at the end of The Millenium? Is this future event The Greatest Show Trial in The History of Adam? In both verse 12 and verse 13 are we told repeatedly “the dead” were judged “according to their works”? Who can survive a Judgment of “their works”? Does The Great White Throne Judgment sentence all “the dead” to “the second death”? Is this why John 5 calls the 2nd Resurrection “the Resurrection of Damnation”? Have we noticed those in the 1st Resurrection are called “the souls”? Have we noticed all those in the 2nd Resurrection are called “the dead”?
Will all we in the 1st Resurrection be seated in the Gallery, and not hauled before the Bar in The Great White Throne Judgment ? Will all we in the 1st Resurrection witness the Greatest Show Trial in the History of Adam? If we die in Christ will we rise in the 1st Resurrection? Why are there so few?!!
(Mark 4:22-23). Do these words of Jesus come to mind?
c 22 For there is nothing hid, which
shall not be manifested; neither
was anything kept secret, but that it
should come abroad.
p 23 If any man have ears to hear, let
him hear.
Mark chapter four.
Do these words of Jesus have Fulfillment at The Great White Throne Judgment? Is it any accident that in our Day, as we approach the end of days, we are so technologically connected that it would be easier to name what is not made a record? Selfies, Facebook, Twitter, and the like, have erased family privacy! This is a Planetfall to the World’s Intelligence agencies! All of that Record is subject to recall!
Is The God of the Bible a far better Record Keeper than we are? Will there be video of “the things done in his body” for each one of “the dead” before The Great White Throne Judgment “whether it be good or bad”? (2 Corinthians 5:10). Will the Resurrection bodies contain the Record of “the things done” in our bodies, nuking all occasion to successfully lie?
10 For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ : that every-
one may receive the things done in
his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.
How can there be any escape from The Truth?! (Verse 11).
p 11 Knowing therefore the terror of
the Lord, we persuade men; ...
Second Corinthians chapter five.
Is God doing a great job of warning us what’s coming? We must now confront the greatest Terror (!) of them all !!!
What does the fire and brimstone of that Lake burn off?!! Scripture shows us it does not burn off the spirit. It does not burn off the soul. If spirit and soul do not have eternal existence we have a serious problem in Hermeneutics: The Harmony of the Scriptures! (John 3:36). If spirit and soul cease existence, upon what then can “the wrath of God” abide?
36 He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life; and he that believeth
not the Son shall not see life; but the
wrath of God abideth on him.
John chapter three.
“The wrath of God abideth on him.” How can the wrath of God abideth on one who no longer exists ?! Upon what then does the fire and brimstone kindle? What about the body? (Genesis 2:7). When and by what means did the body God formed for Adam gain Life?
7 And the LORD God formed man
of the dust of the ground, and breath-
ed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and man became a living soul.
Genesis chapter two.
“And man became a living soul.” Before man became a living soul, was he dead? Or living? Is this a picture of The Resurrection ? Before God breathed into his nostrils “the breath of life” was Adam a living soul? If spirit and soul have not a house, do The Scriptures define this as life? If spirit and soul depart is the body dead ?!
If our spirit and soul has departed are we asleep awaiting the awakening of new life, the Resurrection? Is, then, The Second Death infinitely more horrific and terrifying ?! Can we see that constitutes Eternal Separation from God ?! Eternal Torment!!! Eternal!!! Do we want that? How do I get out of this?!
(Revelation 2:11). Can those who rose in the 1st Resurrection “be hurt of the 2nd Death”?
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith unto the chur-
ches: He that overcometh shall not
be hurt of the second death.
Revelation chapter two.
Do we recall Revelation 20:6 where it is written that those who have part in the 1st Resurrection “on such the second death hath no power”? I want that!
(Revelation 21:8). Who gets hurt of the second death?
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving,
and the abominable, and murderers,
and whoremongers, and sorcerers,
and idolaters, and all liars shall have
their part in the lake which burneth
with fire and brimstone : which is
the second death.
Revelation chapter twenty one.
Do we want to be one of “the fearful”? Do we want to be “unbelieving”?
(Isaiah 43:2). How is it that the fire can kindle on the body of the 2nd Resurrection, but not on the body of the 1st Resurrection?
2 When thou passest through the
waters, I will be with thee; and
through the rivers they shall not
overflow thee: when thou walkest
through the fire, thou shalt not be
burned; neither shall the flame
kindle upon thee.
Isaiah chapter forty three.
“Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Why not? What is different? (Mark 2 Corinthians 5:1-5). [stand]. “Standing on the Promises”.
p For we know that if our earthly
house of this tabernacle were dis-
solved, we have a building of God
an house not made with hands, eter-
nal in the heavens.
c 2 For in this we groan, earnestly de-
siring to be clothed upon with our
house which is from heaven.
Why is “our house which is from heaven” likened unto clothing? Is that “clothing” as in “garments” or “raiment”?
3 If so be that being clothed we
shall not be found naked.
“Our house which is from heaven” : is it different from “our earthly house of this tabernacle” [verse 1]? Is this about our physical bodies? “Tabernacle” is translated from the Koine Greek word G4636 skenos, skay’-nos; [from G4633 skene, skay-nay’ a tent or cloth hut, translated “habitation”, or “tabernacle ] a hut or temporary residence, that is, (figuratively) the human body, as the abode of the spirit: “tabernacle”
(1 Corinthians 15:49). Did Paul preach this before in 1 Corinthians 15?
49 And as we have borne the image
of the earthy, we shall also bear the
image of the heavenly.
Well over a year ago, I had a brother dispute with me, insisting that the Resurrection body, “the image of the heavenly”, would also have blood! I was struck speechless ! The very next verse says:
50 Now this I say brethren, that flesh
and blood cannot inherit the kingdom
of God; neither doth corruption inhe-
rit incorruption.
First Corinthians chapter fifteen.
Why does Paul equate “flesh and blood” with “corruption” that cannot “inherit incorruption”? (Back to 2 Corinthians 5).
4 For we that are in this tabernacle
do groan, being burdened : not for
that we would be unclothed, but
clothed upon, that mortality might
be swallowed up of life.
“Not for that we would be unclothed.” Does being “unclothed” mean we are “naked”? Do we want to rise in a body that is already (as v. 4 says) “clothed upon”?
5 Now he that hath wrought us for
the selfsame thing is God, who also
hath given unto us the earnest of the
Spirit.
Second Corinthians chapter five.
Please be seated. “The earnest of the Spirit”. What is earnest money? Is that the older expression for down payment? Is that how serious God is about this transaction? Is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the down payment? On what?
(Mark 8:37). Is an exchange a transaction?
37 Or what shall a man give in ex-
change for his soul?
Mark chapter eight.
Is the Holy Spirit indwelling down payment for The Redemption? (Romans 8:9). Did The Great Transgression bankrupt us? How can we save ourselves ?!
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in
the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of
God dwell in you. Now if any man
have not the Spirit of Christ, he is
none of his.
Romans chapter eight.
“None of his”!!! How do I get out of this?!! (Isaiah 61:10). Did the End time Prophet Isaiah see The Hope of Salvation?
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for he hath clothed me with the gar-
ments of salvation, he hath covered
me with the robe of righteousness, as
a bridegroom decketh himself with
ornaments, and as a bride adorneth
herself with her jewels.
Isaiah chapter sixty one.
“He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation.” If we are clothed with “the garments of salvation”, are we clothed and not naked!!! Are all those rising in the 1st Resurrection clothed with “the garments of salvation”? Is there anyone, rising in the 2nd Resurrection, clothed with “the garments of salvation”? Or, are all who rise in “the resurrection unto damnation” naked? (Revelation 3:17). Is the worst church age, the last church age, the Laodicean church age, who are “neither cold nor hot” but lukewarm and Christ spues them out of his mouth?
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing; and knowest not
that thou art wretched, and miser-
able, and poor, and blind, and naked:
“And knowest not that thou art ... naked”! Have we noticed prisoners in orange uniforms led to trial? Do they change clothes in the courthouse so the Jury does not prejudge them without hearing the evidence? Is the 2nd Resurrection unto Damnation?
Can we imagine the dead, rising in the 2nd Resurrection, being hauled before the Bar naked, their shame apparent for all to see? Can we imagine the distant roar of The Lake of Fire burning with fire and brimstone! And as the record of our lives is revealed before “The Great White Throne” and all the Gallery of “the Saved”, will we begin to realize we are not surviving the Judgment of our works? Will we begin to know that the Flame of The Lake of Fire will kindle upon our naked bodies?
(Verse 18). Would God fail to warn the Laodiceans of their aweful Fate? Does God have an interest in making The Lesson indelible?
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold
tried in the fire, that thou mayest be
rich, and white raiment, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame
of thy nakedness do not appear; and
anoint thine eyes with eyesalve that
thou mayest see.
Revelation chapter three.
“That the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” As we stand naked before “The Great White Throne” will we shiver violently from head to toe with The Torment of Fear, wishing to God we could get a “do over”, wishing to God we had heeded the Laodicean Warning, or wishing that we had at least read it? Will we hear “His Name is not found in The Lamb’s Book of Life”? Will we shriek in agony, “It was there when I was born! It was there! How do I get out of this?!!!
Will we hear “Take him who is nameless, and cast him into The Lake of Fire! As we are dragged toward The Lake of Fire will our shivering become even more violent as our Nakedness feels The Flame kindle on it?! Is that Irreversible?! Our Spirit and Soul being houseless: will that be Eternal?! Did our Forefathers who framed the Republic study The Bible? Did John Adams reveal his Awe of The Bible? What worries me the most about Eternal Damnation is the word Eternal!
Bibliography
Matthew 7:13-14. “Few there be that find it.”
Luke 13:23-24. “Are there few that be saved?”
Luke 13:25. “I know you not.”
John 2:24-25. “Jesus ... knew all men.”
Luke 13:26. “We have eaten and drunk in thy presence.”
Luke 13:27. “ye workers of iniquity!”
Luke 13:28. “you, yourselves, thrust out!”
John 5:28-29. “they that have done evil”.
Revelation 20:4-5. “The 1st Resurrection.”
Revelation 20:11-12. “the dead were judged.”
Revelation 20:13-15. “cast into the lake of fire”.
Revelation 20:6. “the second death hath no power.”
Hebrews 11:35. “a better resurrection.”
Revelation 19:20. “cast alive into a lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:10. “tormented day and night for ever and ever”.
Revelation 20:14. “the second death.”
Revelation 20:15. “not found written in the book of life.”
Mark 4:22-23. “nothing hid.”
2 Corinthians 5:10-11. “the terror of the Lord.”
John 3:36. “the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Genesis 2:7. “man became a living soul.”
Revelation 2:11. “not be hurt of the second death.”
Revelation 21:8. Who gets hurt of the second death?
Isaiah 43:2. “when thou walkest through the fire.”
2 Corinthians 5:1-3. [stand] “being clothed”.
1 Corinthians 15:49. “the image of the heavenly.”
1 Corinthians 15:50. “flesh and blood cannot inherit.”
2 Corinthians 5:4. “clothed upon.”
2 Corinthians 5:5. “the earnest of the spirit.”
Mark 8:37. “in exchange for his soul.”
Romans 8:9. “none of his.”
Isaiah 61:10. “garments of salvation.”
Revelation 3:17-18. “the shame of thy nakedness.”
Eternal!!!