Author: Don Gerrity

Is Sanctification A Life Long Process?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Christian Living, Q&A: Salvation, Q&A: The Truth About...
Is Sanctification A Life Long Process?

To understand the truth about a person being sanctified we need to first understand what the word ‘HOLY’ is defined as. What does the Bible mean when it uses the English translated word ‘HOLY’. This is a matter of great importance in interpreting passages about a believer and how they are SANCTIFIED. Is sanctification a life long process, where we are moment by moment becoming more and more Holy? Or does a believer’s sanctification happen in an instant, from the very moment that they believe on Christ and His finished work on the cross, having in the past, PAID the just penalty for all our sins?

When we look up the English translated word SANCTIFY in the New Testament in the Greek , what do we find as the definition of the word? What we find is Strongs G37:

G37: ἁγιάζω hagiázō, hag-ee-ad’-zo; from G40; to make holy.
( Strongs Concordance)

So, the word Sanctify literally means to MAKE HOLY. So we see that how we define the English translated word HOLY matters much in seeing the truth about being sanctified as believers. So, when we further look into this in Greek, we are pushed to look into the word ‘Holy’ which is, as G37 tells us, G40:

G40: ἅγιος hágios, hag’-ee-os; from ἅγος hágos (an awful thing) (compare G53, G2282); sacred (physically, pure, MORALLY BLAMELESS or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing), SAINT.
(Strongs Concordance)

In essence, the meaning is ‘most holy thing, a saint’.

Let us first look at this word Holy as it is used whenever the ‘Holy Spirit’ or ‘Holy Ghost’ is mentioned.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the HOLY Ghost.”
(Matthew 1:18 KJV)

The Holy Ghost is GOD right? So how Holy and set apart is God from all of His creation? Hugely set apart! He is the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. The one and only God of all that exists! So when the word HOLY in ‘Holy Spirit’ is used in the Bible, it is basically saying that God is completely SET APART from all of His creation. He is the almighty God who always existed and always will. Now, THAT is definitely a set apart being! Yes? The word HOLY in the name ‘Holy Spirit’ is Strongs G40 in Greek.

You see this word HOLY is used by many in so many different ways by believers today that it has become a pivotal part of how they believe about Salvation and justification with God. This is something we must get right! To be Holy is basically to be PERFECT and SET APART. Understanding this as the proper definition of the English translated word for HOLY, we now return to the word SANCTIFY (G37) in the New Testament because it references the very same word ‘HOLY” in the ‘Holy Spirit’, which is G40.

Apostle Paul used this word SANCTIFY many times in his ministry such as,

“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being SANCTIFIED BY THE HOLY GHOST.” (Romans 15:16 KJV)

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but YE ARE SANCTIFIED, but YE ARE JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the SPIRIT OF OUR GOD.” (1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV)

This last quoted Scripture from 1 Cor. 6 is a real eye opener. Sanctified by what? It states by the SPIRIT OF OUR GOD and when you look that phrase up in the Greek, it literally means the HOLY SPIRIT.

The word ‘sanctified’ is G37 and again, it is not defined as believers striving to become more sanctified by living more holy lives, as if we can even do that in our own efforts. Yes, of course a believer is to live right outwardly in love towards others and in good works. But regarding this word SANCTIFY that is not we see as the meaning. The word Sanctify literally means ‘TO MAKE HOLY’. Does that mean we have to make ourselves Holy to be sanctified by God? Not according to Scripture!

“And THE VERY GOD OF PEACE SANCTIFY YOU WHOLLY; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be PRESERVED BLAMELESS unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV)

In this verse, it is GOD who is making the believer HOLY. And it is God who keeps us in this state of being called ‘HOLY’. It is not our work; it is God’s work to make a person HOLY! That is in fact how we are saved is it not? Apostle Paul taught so,

“For BY GRACE are ye saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the GIFT of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.  For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN Christ Jesus UNTO good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:9-10 KJV)

The writer of Hebrews also states so,

“Wherefore Jesus also, THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY the people WITH HIS OWN BLOOD, suffered without the gate.” (Hebrews 13:12 KJV)

Do we read, in any of these verses, that a person is sanctified by our works and right living? NO! A person is sanctified by God through belief in Jesus the Christ (God in the flesh, who is God!)

“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, BECAUSE GOD HATH from the beginning chosen you to salvation THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT and belief of the truth:” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV)

Again, we see that it is GOD who is setting a believer apart and making them Holy, which is the very definition of the word sanctification (G37), ‘TO MAKE HOLY’.

“But of him ARE YE IN CHRIST JESUS, who of God IS MADE UNTO US wisdom, and righteousness, and SANCTIFICATION, and redemption:”
(1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV)

Small but powerful verse! In 1 Corinthians 1, we see that many were kinda arguing who is greater among them,

“Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.” (1 Cor. 1:12-15 KJV)

Even though Paul had been given such wisdom by God to preach the good news of the grace of God through Christ crucified, Paul in no way wanted to be known like this! Paul tells that not to do this. In fact, Paul lists his weakness and boasts of that instead, stating in verse 27, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” and in verse 29 that “no flesh should glory” in God’s presence. Paul is telling them, we are weak, but then we are strong because it is the Lord God that sanctifies us and sets us apart as a HOLY being. That is why Paul says “But of him are YE IN CHRIST” in verse 30. He is telling these believers that they may be saved because of Paul’s preaching but that he was only a conduit chosen by Christ to preach and that it is ALL GOD’s work making us saved , set apart and HOLY beings by belief in Christ crucified, died and risen, having paid for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) !

Today we see churches actually calling their church ‘The Corinthians’, such as “Corinthian Baptist Church” as only an example name. Now I use this only as an example of many many church names that use the word ‘Corinthian’ in their name. Yet, in the Bible the Corinthians were one of the worst examples of a group of believers in how they were living outwardly! So much so, that Paul says they have even exceeded the sins of unbelieving Gentiles!

“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.” (1 Corinthians 5 KJV)

So wicked, that Paul mentions fornication, where a son had sex with his father’s wife, and yet the church has done nothing about it! And mentions there are more sins that he cannot mention that are not even seen by gentile unbelievers!

Paul’s writings to the church at Corinth is actually a REBUKE to the way this body of BELIEVERS is living! Notice that Paul writes to them from the beginning and addresses them as eternally saved believers, even though they were committing such wickedness.

“Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that ARE SANCTIFIED in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who SHALL also confirm you UNTO THE END, that YE MAY BE BLAMELESS in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. GOD IS FAITHFUL, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:1-9 KJV)

Paul says that these Corinthian church members, ARE SANCTIFIED, as in are ALREADY sanctified. Not that, after Paul tells them to stop living outwardly so wrong that THEN they will be sanctified. NO. They are ALREADY sanctified, “in Crist Jesus”. And there is no one in IN CHRIST who has not been saved by BELIEF on Christ and HIS finished work on the cross. When a person accepts the GIFT of Salvation by God’s grace, Jesus Christ crucified, their Spirit of Man DIED with Christ on the cross, was buried with Christ and rose again WITH CHRIST in the Spirit. Many believing Christians, do not know that in the Spirit, they are ALREADY RISEN WITH CHRIST and IN CHRIST, right now, COMPLETE IN CHRIST! Read Colossians 2 and it will surely bless you my fellow believers in Christ!

Sanctification is not a lifelong pursuit. It is not us working to be more Holy. The truth is by Scripture that at the very moment of belief on Christ, WE WERE SANCTIFIED, WE WERE completely forgiven all our sins in our life (future sins too), WE WERE MADE BY GOD the righteousness of God, IN CHRIST.

You, my brother or sister in Christ, have been COMPLETELY and UTTERLY changed at the CORE of your being, in your Spirit, and made a NEW CREATION. A complete change in our core being from an UNRIGHTEOUS nature to a RIGHTEOUS nature.

There has been a change in you! Your feelings about it have NOTHING to do with this truth either!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW. AND ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD, who hath reconciled us to himself BY JESUS CHRIST, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, NOT IMPUTING their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 KJV)

There WAS (past tense) a HUGE EXCHANGE made when a person believes on Christ and His blood sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) All believers from all of time, were placed on that cross with Christ and the “wages of sin”, which is DEATH (Romans 6:23), happened. The full penalty for sin was PAID IN FULL, a debt we could not repay. BUT ALSO, and this is what many believers today may not know, when Jesus paid for our sins, He also gave us HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS! Jesus knew no sin and yet God imputed our sins to Christ and then imputed Christ’s righteousness to us!

NOW THAT IS SANCTIFICATION! THAT IS GOD SETTING US APART FOR HIMSELF!

Why The Judgement Seat Of Christ Is Not At The Great White Throne Judgement

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times
Why The Judgement Seat Of Christ Is Not At The Great White Throne Judgement

First we need to see the differences between the Judgement Seat of Christ for believers and the Great White Throne Judgement seat for those who reject Christ. The roles of each event are very different in method and focus as shown by the context of each event.

The fact is, if the two coming judgments are actually combined into one judgment at the Great White Throne, then good works become a requirement for salvation which goes against the Gospel of grace Apostle Paul taught. Why do I state that?  Because ‘works’ play a role in both judgments but in very different ways and neither are for determining Salvation. Many pulpits push ‘works for salvation’ which is the very false gospel message Apostle Paul fought so hard against in his writings. Jesus also gave stern warning against this false gospel as well in Matthew 7:22-23.

THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
(Bema Judgement Of Believers In Christ)

The Judgement Seat of Christ has a role and it is clearly all about eternal rewards, or denial of rewards, for an already saved believer where works after salvation are ‘tested by fire’ to see if they were good or bad.

This is referred to by some as the Bema Seat of believers. Although the Bema seat was used for harsh judgement at times (The brother of John, James was beheaded at the Bema Seat for example). But it was also used for Olympic style events for rewards and prizes as a ceremony. And this is the context Paul is using. We see this proper context in 1 Cor. 9 as Paul is encouraging the Corinthian believers, and us today,

“24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV)

This is not a race for salvation but for gaining eternal rewards for a believer’s life well lived, not dead and carnal, but alive and having good works in Christ.

“10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than THAT IS LAID, which is Jesus Christ.

 

12 Now if any man build upon THIS FOUNDATION gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed BY FIRE; and the fire shall TRY EVERY MAN’S WORK OF WHAT SORT IT IS. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive A REWARD. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall SUFFER LOSS: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED ; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15 KJV)

A person is saved and all sins forgiven from the moment they believe on Christ and His finished work on the cross (John 3:14-18,36, John 6:37-40, Eph. 1:13-14, 1 Cor. 15:1-4). Jesus is the once for all final blood sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2, Hebrews 10:10). A person is COMPLETE IN CHRIST and ALREADY RISEN WITH CHRIST in the Spirit once they believe (Colossians 2), and are right now the righteousness of God, IN CHRIST (2 Cor. 5:17-22). Salvation is not decided at the Judgement Seat of Christ. All at this event are ALREADY SAVED and SEALED by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14) and in Heaven with glorified resurrected bodies after the Rapture Event (the Harpazo snatching away of believers in the air). There will be joy at this event but also for some great remorse at lost opportunities in their life. Even those with all works burned as only stubble, who lived as carnal Christians with no reward-able works, will have great loss of rewards but are still saved because no one is saved by works.

“15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall SUFFER LOSS: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED ; yet so as by fire.” (2 Cor. 3:15 KJV)

The Great White Throne Judgement Of Unbelievers

The Great White Throne clearly has a DIFFERENT ROLE. A very somber role. This is a judgement of condemnation where an unbelieving person who rejected Christ in their lifetime will be shown EVIDENCE of why they are condemned and this is shown by their works and deeds as evidence for sins that MUST BE PAID. A lifetime of sin debt! Jesus gave stern warning in Matthew 7:22-23 about relying on self righteous works for salvation. At this judgement the proud boastful unbelievers will be in shock to hear Jesus say to them the scariest words ever, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”.

A person either has their sins paid by accepting the gift of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9) by belief on Christ (John 3:14-18) or they reject the gift of salvation and must pay for their sins themselves. At the Great White Throne Judgement, what really determines the reason why they are being condemned is not their works, but that they rejected the only way to be saved from paying for their own sins; belief on Christ and His finished work on the cross. They are not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Every believer on Christ for justification in salvation is written in this book, the moment they believe on Christ.  Those at the Great White Throne Judgement are not found in this book. That is why they are standing in judgment at the Great White Throne.

“15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15 KJV)

That is the pivotal deciding factor at this judgement. Their works are just shown a damning evidence. Apostle Paul is clear that, “…the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 KJV)

So, my point is that a person’s works are not mentioned in either judgment seat, as a determination of salvation. Belief on Christ alone decides that!

“He that BELIEVETH ON HIM is not condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned ALREADY, because he hath NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18 KJV)

That is very clear, and straight up truth by Jesus’ own words.

Salvation Myths About How A Person Is Forgiven Their Sins?

Don Gerrity Q&A: False Salvation Invitations, Q&A: MYTHS
Christian Memes

HOW DO WE GAIN FORGIVENESS OF SINS WITH GOD?

By being a good person and doing good works? NO!

Read Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:23, and Isaiah 46:6.

By Asking God for forgiveness? By confessing sins to God? NO!

“God Forgive me” is not in any verse related to Salvation. Actually, it is not even found in the New Testament! The unsaved person is not asked to confess his sins to get forgiven nor saved. the fact is, that we couldn’t remember all our sins anyway! No salvation passage requests either of these. Some say what about 1 John 1:9? Yet by context, that passage is about a believer RENEWING FELLOWSHIP and not about an unsaved person.

By going to confession with a priest? NO!

A priest is just a man and cannot forgive sins. In fact, the word ‘confess’ in the New Testament is defined in the Greek as ‘ to agree’, or ‘profess’ in relation to belief on Christ and His finished work on the cross. (Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8, John 1:20, John 9:22, Romans 10:9 and so many many more!)

By going to church? NO!

No where in the New Testament does it say to be saved one must attend a formal religious organization nor church building.

By forgiving others. NO!

Some will state Matthew 18 but in Matthew 18 Jesus is addressing the Jews and Pharisees who believed it was their Law of Moses following and good works that saves. Jesus then goes on to show them the extremes of the Law so that they are actually found guilty of breaking the Law. Jesus was preparing them for the soon coming New Covenant which He would bring forth from the event of the Passion of Christ and the Cross, paying for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

By giving all your money to the poor. By Helping others? By being good? NO!

It is good to give to the poor and those in need. It is good to live right before God. Yes. But doing so does not erase any of your sins. This would be work you EARNED but salvation is not of ourselves nor our good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). And even verse 10 states UNTO good works. So that is AFTER salvation and not about how one gets saved.

Apostle Paul wrote,

“Now to the one who WORKS, his wage is NOT RECKONED on the basis of GRACE, but as what is DUE. But to the one who DOES NOT WORK, but BELIEVES in Him (Jesus) WHO JUSTIFIES the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Romans 4:4-5 KJV)

By giving your heart to Christ? NO!

We do not give our heart to Christ. By belief on Christ God imputes our sin to Jesus on the cross and God imputes Christ’s righteousness to us (2 Cor. 5:17-21). God gives us a new heart. A new creation in the Spirit. We are already risen WITH CHRIST in the Spirit, COMPLETE IN HIM (Colossians 2). This is not done by any of our effort. It happens only by belief on Christ’s finished work paying for the sins of the world. In John 3:3, Jesus is clear that to be forgiven sins and saved, “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus then goes on to tell us HOW to be saved in verses 14-18 and it is all about BELIEF on Christ alone. Nothing else is mentioned.

We also read in Scripture how the “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9 KJV).

Some will say ‘but what about Romans 10:10?’ It does say with the heart a man believes on Christ unto righteousness but that is not an unbeliever giving his heart to Christ. It is just that they have come to an end of themselves trying to work to be righteous before God and to obtain salvation and they are crying out to God in belief to save them. This happens at the moment of belief and actually right after a person gains the knowledge of the Gospel of grace and believes it.

By just saying a prayer to God. NO!

No where does the Bible state that a person must pray to God to be saved. It only states to BELIEVE ON CHRIST. Yes, you can pray to God in this belief; absolutely. But going to an alter call and just saying a prayer saves no one and forgives no one. Only by BELIEF on Christ, as God in the flesh, having paid for your sins is a person saved.

By changing our life from sinful deeds to good deeds? NO!

Many believe this because they use the modern dictionary definition of the word REPENT and not the Bible’s definition of the word repent. Repent in the Greek is defined simply as ‘change your mind’. So when Scripture states REPENT, replace that word with ‘change your mind’ and you will see the intended true meaning. REPENT is NOT defined as TURN FROM SIN. IN fact, Scripture shows GOD REPENTING many times. I ask you; Does God Have Any Sin To Repent About? NO! Of course , we should turn from sin, but that does not save us you see. Nor will it forgive us our sins. The desire for outward right living comes from the inside NEW Spirit we were given as believers.

By making God Lord of your life? NO!

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:11 KJV) Notice how? ‘THROUGH’ Jesus Christ our Lord. This just states that Christ is the Lord and whether we believe it or not it is true. Romans 6:11 is all about a believer and their dedication to Christ. It is not about Salvation and forgiveness of sins. A person who is not yet saved by belief on Christ, cannot make Jesus Lord of their life. By belief on Christ as God and His finished work are we saved. Nothing else is required.

See my article about how the teaching of Lordship Salvation is not Biblically correct.

By surrendering your life to Christ? NO!

The unsaved person giving everything to the Lord when everything is already the Lord’s will not save a person. Isaiah 64:6 states, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; “ to God. We cannot save ourselves! Nothing we DO can erase any sins we have committed! Belief on Christ’s finished work on the cross and His resurrection is what saves a person and makes them righteous having all their sins PAID FOR BY CHRIST.


HOW DOES THE BIBLE SAY WE ARE FORGIVEN OUR SINS THEN?

Belief in the blood shed by Christ (Eph. 1:7) and belief on Christ and HIS FINISHED work (John 3:14-18, John 6:37-40, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Colossians 2, Romans 5 and 6) on the cross having paid in full the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) as the ONCE FOR ALL FINAL sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). And by belief on the resurrection of Jesus. And ‘…whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9 KJV)

 

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19 KJV)

Again, the word ‘Repent’ simply means ‘change your mind’ – not turn from your sins.

 

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and BELIEVETH ON HIM, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40 KJV)

 

“He that BELIEVETH ON HIM is not condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned ALREADY, because he hath NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18 KJV)

Who do you say Jesus is? Will you believe that He paid for your sins on the cross 2000 years ago? If so, you are saved eternally from the very moment of this belief and are SEALED by the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is not about feelings. It is not about our good deeds nor works, or even our self! It is about BELIEF ON CHRIST ALONE.

“In whom ye also TRUSTED, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV)

 

2 Thessalonians 2: Is This About A Post- Tribulation Rapture or a Pre-Tribulation Rapture Of Believers on Christ?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times
2 Thessalonians 2: Is This About A Post- Tribulation Rapture or a Pre-Tribulation Rapture Of Believers on Christ?

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a FALLING AWAY FIRST, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” (2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV)

Is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 showing that The Church Age believers in Christ (us today) will go through the Tribulation Period to come? Some say yes. But in context they would be wrong.

The KJV Bible is a year 1611 Translation. Now this is interesting because in the 1599 Geneva Bible, an earlier translation, it reads differently as:

“Let no man deceive you by any means: [a]for that day shall not come, except there come a DEPARTING FIRST, and that [b]that man of sin be disclosed, even the son of perdition”

Some End Time teachers say that in the GNV Bible, the English phrase ‘departing’ sure sounds a lot like the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, the snatching away of church age believers PRIOR TO the Tribulation Period, known in the Greek as Harpazo! And so, in 2 Thes. 2:3, it can also have a meaning to withdraw, or to depart, or even to remove, as well as the KJV Bible’s translated ‘falling away’.

So we see that before the 1611 King James Version of the Bible was published, the English word ‘departure’ was the accepted translation for apostasia. This is very interesting! Why? Because, if this is so, Paul is clearly teaching a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Yet, some debate this as well because the KJV Bible clearly translates ‘apostasia’ as a ‘falling away’.

The 1599 GNV Bible has warrant but so does the 1611 KJV Bible. So there is a debate about this idea. It may be correct that it is ‘departing’ or ‘falling away’ , or maybe even both.

Regardless, Paul shows us the Pre-Tribulation viewpoint by the very context of the Epistle of 2 Thes. 2, in any case, even if ‘apostasia’ is translated as ‘falling away’.

The context is that there was a forged deceiving letter going around as if Paul wrote and sent it. But it was a fake. The letter of Paul to them was to refute this fake letter because the fake one was teaching that they had ALREADY entered the future time period named in Scripture as ‘The Day Of The Lord’. The Book of Revelation describes the day of the Lord as a time of God’s wrath in the Tribulation Period upon those who are deemed wicked after which Jesus would setup His 1000 year Kingdom Age, ruling and reigning on the Earth. This fake letter circulating caused fear as the believers thought they had missed the Harpazo Rapture! Paul goes on to assure them that no believer from the church age will miss this event, even if they physically die. They will either be alive and changed or dead and rise again bodily and changed to our new glorified bodies as Christ now has.

Now here we see clear context! I mean, why would the fake letter have UPSET and placed FEAR in these believers, if they were taught by Paul previously to be a Post Tribulation rapture? That alone shows that Paul had previously taught them that the Harpazo, what we refer to as ‘The Rapture’ today, will come BEFORE the Tribulation Period.

Paul goes on to mention that the restrainer (Holy Spirit) must also be REMOVED from Earth before the Antichrist rules on Earth during coming Tribulation Period. The Holy Spirit indwells believers and when believers of Christ are snatched away off the Earth, the Holy Spirit indwelling will also be removed. The Holy Spirit in the Tribulation Period will still be active on Earth but not the same way as He is now in this age of grace we live in.  This is further supporting a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of Church Age believers. Paul calls this our ‘blessed hope’ in Titus 2:13. Not God’s wrath for His Bride of Christ.

Matthew 20: The Parable Of The Worker’s Vineyard. 1st Shall Be Last. Last Shall Be First.

Don Gerrity Matthew, Q&A: Parables Of Jesus
Matthew 20: The Parable Of The Worker’s Vineyard. 1st Shall Be Last. Last Shall Be First.

“1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.”
(Matthew 20:1-19 KJV)

Some are using ONLY verse 16 and not using proper context and teaching others that those poor today will be first in Heaven and the rich today will be last in Heaven, or will not even make it to Heaven and lose Salvation. Others teach that this means those who do more good works will be first and those with little good works will be last in Heaven. Is that truth though? Not according to the context of all of Matthew 20.

Looking at just verse 14 alone we see the truth of this parable.

” 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. ” (Matthew 20:14 KJV)

In the previous chapter of Matthew 19 we see the rich ruler and the disciples in wonder at who then could be saved? The disciples then asked Jesus, what about us? We have been with you all this time. Jesus tells THEM they will be twelve leaders in the future Kingdom Age.

In Matthew 20, Jesus tells a parable to further clarify about Salvation and who will make it to Heaven. The Jews and disciple were taught it is their works and Law of Moses (Ten Commandments and 613 other Laws) following that matter. That those who do more good works, who worked longer and harder than others, would be greater in Heaven. This parable is about Salvation. Jesus is explaining to them about the Jews verses the Gentiles in regards to Salvation. This is not just about personal lives and good works.

Jesus told this parable just before verses 17-19 where we read,

“17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” (Matthew 20: 17-19 KJV)

He is telling them, right after the Parable that the Jews are going to reject Him and crucify Him to death! So this is a big part of the context too.

This parable is about the Jewish People who rejected Christ and the Church Age believers after the resurrection of Jesus, The Christ. The Jews rejected Christ so Jesus sent Apostle Paul to the gentiles. The gentiles are THE LAST and the Jews are THE FIRST in the parable.

The Last will be the first and the first will be the last and if we look at the dispensations, this is what it will be. We currently live in the ‘times present’ of Ephesians, called the church age, an age of God’s Grace under the New Covenant. This age was a mystery to the Jews at the time of Jesus’ ministry. They lived in what Paul says in Ephesians ‘times past’. They looked for the coming Messiah to setup the Earthly kingdom but instead, they had misinterpreted the Old Testament/Torah prophecies and when Jesus did not immediately take over and save them from the oppressing Romans, they rejected Christ. Of course, not all rejected Him but the majority did. Jesus died on the cross, rose again and ascended. Jesus foretold them that Israel would be invaded and dispersed and that happen in 70AD.

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension on the road to Damascus, Saul (a well known top persecutor of believers in Christ and an expert of the Law of Moses, who was present at the stoning to death of Stephen) had an encounter with the RISEN Christ. And God sent HIM to preach to the Gentiles the Gospel that saves us today in this dispensation, the Church age (times present).

Once believers are raptured in the future, the church age will END and God will again turn to Israel to save them during and after the Tribulation Period called the time of Jacob’s trouble, as the prophet Daniel foretold in his 70 weeks prophecy. The time of this is ‘future times’.

So, the first will be last; that is, the Jews will be last saved as a people. The Last will be first; that is, the church age believers will be resurrected first at the Rapture before the new dispensation starts and God turns to save the nation Israel and the Jewish peoples.

Also, as with many of Jesus’ parable, we see a double meaning. Believers come to believe in Christ at different stages of our lives. Some when young, others while old, others in the very last few minutes of their life even! Salvation is ONLY by belief in Christ’s finished work on the cross and NOTHING else is REQUIRED for our justification before God (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:14-18, Ephesians 1:13-14, Colossians 2, Romans 5 and 6, John 6:37-40, 1 Cor. 15:1-4 etc etc etc). Just like the thief who came to believe on Christ and asked Him to remember in when He enters His kingdom . That man was saved right hen and there just before he died. No change of life in good works required. No water baptism required. Just BELIEF ON CHRIST.

Those coming to belief in Christ who are young are the first. Those coming to believe in Christ when older, having more sins committed are the last. Yet ALL are SAVED COMPLETELY with ALL sins forgiven by Jesus’ payment.

As believers, we are ALL COMPLETE IN CHRIST (Colossians 2:10). It is not that those with more sins than others will be less forgiven. Jesus paid for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD; all sins (1 John 2:2). And that as Jesus stated in John 3,

“…whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) from the very moment of belief on Christ and His finished work on the cross (Ephesians 1:13-14, Colossians 2 and 3), sealed forever by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

That is the true context of Matthew 20. See how taking just one verse and coming up with opinions does not matter against the true Gospel of our Salvation? The Gospel of God’s Grace Through Christ Crucified, died and risen.

John 12:25, ‘He that loveth his life shall lose it.’

Don Gerrity John | 1 John
John 12:25, ‘He that loveth his life shall lose it.’

What does Jesus mean by this? Does this mean that we cannot enjoy anything in our life or we will lose salvation? Some are actually teaching this. Yet, to believe that as truth they would be ignoring COUNTLESS other Scriptures and even Jesus’ own words regarding Salvation and Justification with God by faith alone in Christ.

Let me state clearly that John 12:25 is not contradicting justification by faith alone. In fact, it is not even about our justification in Salvation.

As believers, are we living for the now or for our future with God?

This is a figure of speech. ‘Loving our life’ is all about this Earthly life and the NOW. Jesus stated , “Don’t lay up treasure on earth” (Matt 6:19). Living for only the NOW, with a focus on that as the main thrust of our living, is failing to serve Jesus. This life now is fleeting to say the least! Will your life be ended in the next seconds? Hours? Weeks? Could be in 2 seconds from now. The next verse in John 12 is Verse 26,

“26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:25-26 KJV).

The person who “hates his life” is one who is living for the life to come. He/she understands that this life is fleeting, the Lord Christ Jesus is everything. They are believers who have a focus on the things of God, helping spread the good news of the Gospel of Salvation. Having good works FROM Salvation (not for). It is these who are obeying Jesus who stated that we should be laying up treasure in heaven, not Earth (Matt 6:20).

It is not that we cannot love things in our life right now on Earth. It is a figure of speech about our focus in life. As believers, we are in a race as Apostle Paul wrote and we should be focusing on this race for Christ and the Gospel preached. Sharing the Gospel. Supporting those who are. Helping the needy in love. Loving our enemies. Feeding the sheep. This is serving Jesus and will one day be honored by God.

Apostle Paul, talking about earning rewards once a saved believer gets to Heaven puts it this way,

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. ” (1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV)

At the Rapture Event, there will be a Judgment Seat for believers and Christ will REWARD the good deeds for the Gospel and loving others. It is not working for our Salvation nor working to keep our salvation. It is that “…without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a REWARDER of them that diligently seek him. ” (Heb. 11:6 KJV)

Matthew 24:13: ‘endure unto the end’

Don Gerrity Matthew, Q&A: The Truth About...
Matthew 24:13: ‘endure unto the end’

Must believers ‘Endure until the end’ to remain saved based on Matthew 24:13?

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. ”
(Matthew 24:13 KJV)

I know many Christians believe that iof they do not endure to the end that they may lose their Salvation because many pulpits misuse this one verse in Matthew 24. Yet, using proper context, that is not correct from Scripture!

Notice that there are many passages of Scripture that state the opposite and that it is God ALONE who does the work of saving, securing, and keeping believers saved eternally.

In John 6:39, Christ states that He will not lose any saint.

“And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. ” ( John 6:39 KJV)

In John 10:28-29, it is Christ and the Father who promises to keep believers eternally saved and will never let go; not believers who hold onto God and keep themselves saved by any works we do.

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29 KJV)

In John 17:12, it is Christ and the Father who do the keeping. And ‘none of them is lost’.

“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. ” (John 17:12 KJV)

In Romans 4:5 Paul writes,

“But to him that WORKETH NOT, BELIEVETH ON HIM that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5 KJV)

God IMPUTED our sin to Christ, and Christ’s righteousness to us and GOD MADE US, the righteousness of God, in Christ.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” ( 2 Cor. 5:17-22 KJV)

Paul states in Colossians 2 that this was done without our hands but that we are COMPLETE in Christ (present tense) by the operation of God; not by us.

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision MADE WITHOUT HANDS, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried WITH HIM in baptism, wherein also ye are risen WITH HIM through the faith OF THE OPERATION OF GOD, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together WITH HIM , having forgiven you ALL trespasses; BLOTTING OUT the handwriting of ordinances that WAS against us, which WAS contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to HIS CROSS; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2: 9-15 KJV)

So many more Scriptures seemingly in contradiction to believers having to endure to the end to remain saved! And whenever we discover a contradiction in Scripture it means we missed proper context somehow. The many verses in proper context over rule any opposing view regarding Salvation.

“Immediately AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: “: (Matthew 24:29 KJV)

I personally have come to believe that, by reading the words in Matthew 24 and especially verse 29, it shows it is all about the coming Tribulation Period where in the beginning of the Antichrist rule it will seem peaceful but warning signs will be happening and eventually the Antichrist will show his true evil colours. The Tribulation Period starts at the END of our current church age. So Matthew 24 and 25 are addressing the Jews of that future time period. This is the proper context of Matthew 24 and it makes all the difference in the world to the meaning of ‘endure to the end’. The END here is the END of the Tribulation period!

In fact, if we look not many verses later, at Matthew 24:22, we can see that the ‘enduring’ in verse 13 is referring to the physical state of the person under persecution of the Antichrist; not Spiritual salvation. Physically saved from Antichrist’s persecution.

“And except THOSE DAYS should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. ” (Matthew 24:22 KJV)

What days? The days within the Tribulation period, during the Antichrst’s rule on Earth, where God’s judgment is falling upon the Earth and the Antichrist is persecuting believers and all who do not take the Mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:17 KJV).

That is the true context of enduring in Matthew 24.

Titus 1:16: ‘but in works they deny him’

Don Gerrity Titus
Titus 1:16: ‘but in works they deny him’

Does Titus 1:16 Refute The Eternal Security Of A Believer?

A person was trying to convince me that sin after Salvation will mean going to hell. He was convinced that our bad works can disqualify our Salvation and one of the verses of Scripture that he was using to back up his belief was Titus 1:16.

“They profess that they know God; but IN WORKS they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:16 KJV)

Immediately I knew, he was not using proper context. He is a legit, sincere person seeking God, like countless who have listened to a preacher in a pulpit; though a preacher teaching falsely. This person was sincere in his belief but simply does not know the Gospel as taught by Paul. Easily swayed in belief by lack of knowledge of the Word of God and the importance of using proper context. I knew this because the letter to Titus is all about God’s Grace, not works, when read with context. It is a letter from Apostle Paul to Titus and all about how Titus should go about setting up churches in Crete, a most unruly Island community.

Even not knowing this, he ignored the verse right before verse 16, verse 15, and it is clear that Paul is not even talking about believers!

“15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled AND UNBELIEVING is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:15-16 KJV)

Paul is talking about unbelievers and not a generalized bunch of unbelievers either. Apostle Paul is writing to Titus about a specific group of Judiazers in Crete. In fact, in Titus 1, Paul is informing Titus how to deal with the false teachers, much like the Judiazers in the Galatian church. These false teachers taught about Jesus and said they were Christians, yet they believed that following the Law was required for Salvation. They were teaching the false Salvation equation of GRACE+WORKS=SALVATION. Something that Apostle Paul fought so hard against in Galatians, Ephesians, Romans etc.

If Paul was teaching works as a requirement for salvation in Titus 1, then why would he state the opposite in his writings in Galatians 3, Galatians 5:4 and Ephesians 2:8-9? Paul is not contradicting himself nor the Gospel of Grace Jesus gave him to preach to the Gentiles. So believing works are a requirement of Salvation would go against proper context.

This is just another example of just how important using proper context is! DO NOT BELIEVE ANY BIBLE TEACHER, PULPIT, WRITER (including myself!) without verifying what the Word of God shows – IN PROPER CONTEXT!

ONLY God’s Word is the truth and there are many teaching falsely about the foundational truths of the Gospel of Grace Through Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, ‘Fear God, and keep his commandments’ or lose Salvation?

Don Gerrity Old Testament, Q&A: The Truth About...
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, ‘Fear God, and keep his commandments’ or lose Salvation?

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. ” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV)

Some are teaching that it is our Works that will determine if we gain entrance to Heaven or hell based on this one verse and it is very wrong.

Point 1: This is in the Old testament – not the new. That matters because today we live in the Age of God’s Grace, the CHURCH AGE. So there is a difference to this truth.

Point 2: Solomon was seeking wisdom through pleasure from a HUMAN perspective. Solomon concludes that from a human perspective, life has no meaning or even purpose. He has come to the conclusion that IT IS ALL VAIN.

Verse 13 and 14 is his conclusion of his experiment in seeking pleasure for wisdom and he even states this, “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Eccles 12:13-14)

Solomon was Living under the Law and he has come to an end of himself and concludes that anything he does is vain and that they all need God. To fear God in reverence of the fact that we cannot do anything to save ourselves really. Pleasure seeking is in the end not fulfilling. And that, we should be living in respect of God and with good works of the Law, which he was living under.

Today, we live under the New Covenant of God’s GRACE through the finished work of Jesus Christ crucified and risen. The New Covenant of God’s Grace has replaced the Old Covenant Law following. Under the New Covenant,

The law functioned in God’s purpose as a temporary covenant from Moses till John the Baptist announced Christ. (Galatians 3:16 & 19, Matthew 11:12-13, Luke 16:16)

  • Christians are dead to the law. (Galatians 2:19)
  • The law frustrates grace. (Galatians 2:21)
  • The law was a curse that Christ redeemed us from. (Galatians 3:13)
  • The law brings wrath upon those who follow it. (Romans 4:15)
  • The purpose of the law was to increase sin. (Romans 5:20)
  • Christians are not under the law. (Romans 6:14)
  • Christians have been delivered from the law. (Romans 7:1-6)
  • The law makes you sinful beyond measure. (Romans 7:13)
  • The law is fading away. (2 Corinthians 3:11)

We cannot ignore these verses.

Under this New Covenant, believers will be judged for their works and so Solomon was right that we all will be judged by our works. Yet, differently depending on belief or unbelief in Christ.

For unbelievers… this is judgement at the Great White Throne judgement of unbelievers. The rejected the gift of Salvation that Christ provided paying for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) and so Christ’s righteousness was never IMPUTED to them by God due to their rejection of the GIFT OF SALVATION. And so, their sins remain unpaid and they have chosen to pay for their own sins because they think their works are good enough.. but they are not! (Matthew 7:23)

But for believers in Christ… at our bodily resurrection we will stand before the Bema Judgement Seat of Believers by Christ (1 Cor. 3). This is NOT the Great White Throne Judgement. Our works will be judged, but not for Salvation or condemnation to hell like the Great White Throne judgment of unbelievers. Believers in Christ will be judged of their works AFTER their moment of conversion in belief of Christ for righteousness and will determine ETERNAL REWARDS.

And even those found at this judgment who have no rewards are still eternal saved in Heaven (1 Cor. 3:15). The word SIN is not even mentioned when Paul describes the Bema seat judgement of believers. Why? Because the sins of the whole world were paid for by Christ on the cross (1 John 2:2) and whosoever believeth on Christ is born again in the Spirit (John 3:14-18, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Eph. 1:13-14, Colossians 2).

God will not condemn a believer to hell because of their works because Salvation is not by works in any manner (Ephesians 2:8-9). We cannot boast about how we are saved because Christ paid it all.

John 14:14; ‘ask anything in my name and I will do it’

Don Gerrity Q&A: The Truth About...
John 14:14; ‘ask anything in my name and I will do it’

The Truth Of John 14:14, In Context

“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:14 KJV)

Reading this one verse out of the proper context of all John chapter 14, some believe Jesus is promising to give us any and all we want just by invoking His name. That is very wrong teaching! It is very wrong believing.
Let’s look at more surrounding context to see the true meaning.The previous chapter is the context of the subject in chapter 14. In chapter 13 is the Last Supper and Judas goes off to betray Jesus. Jesus’ time of the passion has come and His suffering and eventually the cross. Jesus foretold the disciples He would be persecuted and put to death and rise again earlier.And Peter is very worried now, as are the others. Jesus knows what will happen to the disciples through this ordeal about to begin and in chapter 14 is talking about them coming under persecution. Chapter 14 starts with,

“Let not your heart BE TROUBLED: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1 KJV)

Look how Jesus loves them even in the very face of His passion events about to unfold.

Jesus does not say, nor mean, ‘ask anything from me and I will do it’. In verse 14, Jesus specifically states “…ask any thing in my name”. This has a totally different meaning.

So I ask you, would anything against the will of God be granted in Jesus’ name? No. Only what God’s will is for us. Jesus is about to suffer and die. That is God’s will to save us. And He is encouraging the disciples to believe on Christ and continue in His name as they soon face hardships in persecution. Jesus is talking to them as ambassadors of Christ, speaking and living in His physical absence as He is about to die on the cross.

In the last verse of chapter 13, Jesus tells Peter he will even deny knowing Christ three times. An analogy, though paling in comparison to the passion of Christ, shows the true meaning of John 14:14 and ‘in Jesus’ name’.
Did you ever watch a TV show and a police officer is running after a store robber and yells out, “Stop in the name of the law!” ? The officer does not yell out to ‘stop in my personal name’. The officer acts on behalf of the government as an ambassador for the city government. He is to follow government laws in his job and the task at hand, which includes protecting others. The government GRANTS HIM certain authoritative powers to do their jobs ‘in the name of the government and it’s power’. Now can a police officer go and do whatever ‘they will’ in the name of the government? NO! They can only work by the will of the government with it’s rules and regulations right? They do their jobs in the name of the authority and will of the government; in their name.

That is the truth of John 14:14. If we ask anything in the name of Jesus, as an ambassador of Jesus, and so in the will of Jesus, in His physical absence He will do it. He will still be with them!

Jesus continues in John 17 and prays for the disciples to the Father, and us also as believers and ambassadors with great encouragement. Read it. It is so amazing a prayer for us by Jesus to the Father! A prayer that WILL be answered!

In the Gospel of Grace Jesus gave to Paul to teach the Gentiles (you and me today!), he also talks about believers being ambassadors for Christ to the world. That from the moment we believed on Christ that our Spirit was reborn in the very righteousness of God, IN CHRIST, and that we become ambassadors for Christ because Christ lives and works through us.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Now then WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(2 Corinthians 5:17-21 KJV)

Using proper context is so very important and gives us greater discernment against false teaching. Always be suspicious of a teaching based on one verse out of the context it was written. Even if being falsely taught in a pulpit.