What is it all about ?

Radical grace preachers will say, "Of course, the gospel is all about grace. It is all about Jesus. It is all about the goodnews. It is all about Jesus, Jesus, Jesus .. "
I will tell them, I do not deny it. But Jesus did not tell us to preach it in this way. It is because if the gospel is all about "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus only", He would not remind us to keep His words or do His words. He would command His disciples to preach 'me, me, me.."; but why did He tell them to do the will of His Father, do His words, do His commandments, do good to thy neighbour, do His works, do hunger and thirst after His righteousness..?

• Mat 5:6 KJV  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
• Mat 7:21-24 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
• Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)

The kingdom of God is about doing the word of God
In fact, Jesus did not preach that the gospel is about 'me, me, me only'; He preached that the gospel is about 'do His words, do His words, do His words always'. Radical grace preachers will argue, "If we preach all these doing, isn't we preaching self-effort?" I will tell them, Yes, there is self-effort. I have mentioned that 'self-effort' is not a totally banned effort in the New Testament. You won't find the Bible saying that all self-effort is evil. Of course, we don't work our own salvation but we need effort to repent and do His words. If we do His words, we love Him and honour Him; otherwise, we betray Him and do not love Him. That's why the Lord has told us many parables to do His words and commandments, ie. to

1. do diligence (in dividing the word of God - like the wise virgins), 
2. do investment (in God's values in the heart of the people - like the wise stewards), and 
3. do good (in the kingdom of God and in the churches - like the sheep) - Please read Matt 25 again. 

A good disciple is the one who will do the word of His master
We may deceive others by keep saying that we preach 'Jesus, Jesus, Jesus only' or we always call 'Jesus, Jesus, Jesus only'. But the Lord knows that we do not truly love Him. We love ourselves and use His name to impress others. We tell others not to do His words and commandments, so that they will, in the end, do our own words.

• Joh 14:15 KJV  If ye love me, keep my commandments.
• Joh 15:10-14 KJV  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. ..  (14)  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

I can understand the heart of a master only after I saw some kung Fu movies. There was an old master who taught every skill to his disciple only to discover that his disciple was only interested to use his name to get more membership and riches without really practising the skills. Yes, in this case, the disciple may argue that he has high regard for his master's name or his master's kung Fu; but he would never have the real interest to practise the skills. He has deceived his master by doing nothing about the skills of his master. Similarly, the disciples of Jesus Christ could have tried to deceive the Lord too if they would just want to prosper without doing the His words.

Of course, I don't practise Kung Fu and I am not a Kung Fu fan. I am just using it as an illustration. Please don't radically conclude that I am having a Kung Fu's spirit just because I used its illustration. Of course, the gospel is not about doing the Kung Fu; it is about doing God's word.

They will argue, "When John The Baptist called the people of Israel to repent and be baptized, he did not want them to do it because they needed to be holy or to turn from their sins. He called them to repent, or to "defect" because the saviour would come. Hence, repentance is just an indication to turn to God without any relation to sins ..."
I will tell them,

Ding dong between preaching grace or preaching repentance?
Radical grace preachers do not preach repentance. Although they insist that they have always preached repentance, they have no conviction to preach it. We know that they could never preach repentance; they could only 'ding dong' between grace and mind changing philosophies. If we know their doctrine, we will know that they love radical grace, not radical repentance. They strongly believe that the goodness of God will lead them to repentance without any preaching of repentance. Hence, it is clear to us that they would not preach repentance. However, many of their followers are confused about preaching of repentance and doing of repentance. They were deceived to think that repentance is just mind changing without turning away from sins. 
    
::

Is it possible for someone to be overpaid in a religious or social organisation ?

The answer is yes, It is possible to overpay a certain individual in a religious or social organisation if .. there is no proper internal control or governance and the remuneration committees are collaborative parties. I may not be qualified to comment about the person's salary or income if he is a king, a dictator, or a tyrant of his own country. However, I would question about the necessity of paying a monk, a pastor, a religious leader, or the CEO of a religious or social organisation the same amount of salary from the funds collected for religious or welfare purposes. Probably we need to go back to the basic goal and objective of such fund in the organisation again, and question ourselves, Why should we use up most of the fund to pay a few high ranking individuals in the organisation? Will it defeat the purpose of setting up such an organisation or fund if the basic goal of the organisation is not met. We should be objective about it and not thinking of whether the certain individual concerned here is our favourite church pastor or temple monk, or whether he shares the same religious faith with ours.

Most religious people today are very 'biased' towards their own faith
We have heard of cases where a CEO, a monk, or a temple medium who was paid 100 times more than what an average income earner could get. When the news broke out about their exorbitant salaries or misappropriation of the organisation's fund or temple's fund, people would start to condemn them as 'greedy monks' or 'greedy Pharisees' who enriched themselves at the expense of the poor or the needy who needed the social funds. However, the irony is when we know that the pastors are getting 100 times or 1000 times more than what we could get, we dare not accuse them. Why? We are probably afraid that they would turn back and accuse us for being jealous. However, I would still think that it doesn't make sense: When some pastors knew that the Pharisees had earned too much, they would accuse the Pharisees for being hypocrites who enriched themselves at the expense of the poor; however, when they themselves are earning fat salaries too, they would just justify themselves by saying that they are reigning and prospering in the will of God? I would think that only religious or the 'blind' believers will 'collaborate' and give them whatever they want in line with 'their prosperity doctrine' or 'internal governance'.

Can pastors earn more than the Pharisees, and not becoming like the Pharisees?
Hence, I find that the pastors' accusation against the Pharisees is even more hypocritical than the Pharisees themselves. Is there any logic for them to accuse the Pharisees for being too rich or too law-conscious, while they themselves are 100 times or 1000 times richer than the Pharisees who prospered through religious activities and businesses in their temples too?
Some of them will say, "Why not? It's God's favour. Law-conscious people would not get God's favour. That's why the Pharisees were rich but they were hypocrites. But we are grace conscious and we will get God's favour. That's why we are rich and we can never be hypocrites because we believe in grace. Our religious businesses are different from theirs. We don't believe in self-effort, so we just collect the funds and proceeds from the people who are from God because we are from God. And so, we can live like the king, like king David, and like king Solomon. What's wrong if we can live like the kings with no sweat and no self-effort. Are you jealous?"
I will tell them, I am not jealous. I am just curious. While you may think that you are kings, but please think, What have you contributed to the society. If you are like king David, then you should reign like a king to deserve the king's salary. At least King David fought for the people and built schools, bridges, roads, hospitals, orphanage, and probably many social welfare organisations to take care of the poor. Did you do all these when you claimed that you could live like Him too? No, if you have done nothing, you have only boasted like the Pharisees.

Did the Bible say that we shall reign like the 'kings' today?
They will argue, "What's the problem? The Bible says We are destined to reign. If we reign we ought to prosper too. If we prosper, we should prosper now. It makes no sense to prosper after we died. If we have to wait, we would miss all the enjoyment in this world. I would have missed my Ferrari cars, my luxurious houses, and my beautiful wives.. Please think of how to prosper now, not when you are in heaven with Christ. It makes no sense to prosper in heaven when you have everything there. If you want to prosper, you should prosper now like me.. Haha.. jealous? That's your problem. We, the radical grace preachers, will never need to be jealous of others. We will only make others jealous of us.." I will tell them, The problems are:

1. you have twisted the Bible
2. you have boasted like a Pharisee
3. you have misunderstood reigning with Christ

1. You have twisted the Bible - You have quoted 'destined to reign' out of its Bible context: Rom 5:17-21 KJV  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) .. (19)  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  (20)  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  (21)  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. This Bible passage is not talking about reigning in life because we can prosper and boast about God's favour (or boast like the Pharisee in Luke 18:10). We can reign in life because we have overcome sins. If we have overcome sins, it doesn't mean that we should always prosper and live like the kings or the Pharisees. That is not the interpretation of the Bible. They will argue, "But that's promise of the Bible. Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things should be added unto you Matt 6:33-34." Can you remember, Just before Jesus said so, He had reminded us of the riches of king Solomon too? Therefore, it means that if we seek ye first the kingdom of God, all the riches of king Solomon would be added unto us too. That's why it is the promise of God: we should reign like the kings, we should live like the kings. This is the Bible interprets the Bible.." I will tell them, I thought you had told your believers that all the teachings of the Lord from the sermon of the mount in Matt5-7 were for the Jews under the law and they have become obsolete now? Why are you quoting from these Bible verses now? However, contrary to what you said, Jesus would not want the people to think of the riches of king Solomon; He wants us to think of nothing in this world. Of course, He would not want us to think of reigning or prospering in this life like the Gentiles or the Pharisees too: Mat 6:31-34 KJV  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  (33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  (34)  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. I will tell the radical grace preachers, You are preaching contrary to the Lord's words. When you preach that grace will reign, you are preaching that you will reign like the kings in this world. But when Jesus preach that His disciples will reign, He told them that they will reign with Him in the 'next' generation: Mat 19:27-28 KJV  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?  (28)  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Hence, it is not about prosperity and reigning in life here; it is about reigning with Christ in the future. I don't care how you reign in life; just don't reign like the 'snakes' and 'frogs'  in our 'gardens' and make all kinds of hissing noises which synchronise with each others to justify your kingly salaries, lifestyles, and lies. 
2. You have boasted like a Pharisee. They will argue, "No, we can never be a Pharisee. Why? It's because we did not preach the law. Hence, no one can accuse us for boasting. When we boast, we boast in the Lord. When we prosper, we prosper in the Lord. When we enjoy, we enjoy in the Lord. Even when we sin, we sin in the Lord. What's wrong? All of us do sin ! However, if we sin and we are in the Lord, we can never be condemned. I don't care how you sin, if you sin and you believe in the Lord, you are under grace even if you don't repent from your sins. Repentance is just to metanoia or change your minds..." I will tell them, We don't have to preach the law to be like the Pharisees. We can behave like the Pharisees or the hypocrites by preaching anything if we are hypocrites within. It is so foolish to have missed the real teaching of the Lord when He said: Mat 12:33-34 KJV  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.  (34)  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Hence, we will not judge if a person or a preacher is preaching the right thing or saying the right thing based on what he said or declared eg. confession of grace, righteousness, or goodness, but based on what is in his heart. If they are boastful, they are boastful. It will not change the fact that they are boastful if they boast in the law or in the Lord. They are equally disgusting to me. 
3. You have misunderstood reigning with Christ. Reigning with Christ is not prospering with Christ. Hence, when Jesus told Peter that he will reign with Him in the future in Mat 19:27-28, He did not refer to prospering or becoming materially richer in Him. Of course, it makes no sense to prosper with Him in heaven when we will have everything in Christ. However, reigning with Christ will make sense if it is judging with Christ when He comes again. Hence, can we conclude that all of us will judge with Christ or reign with Christ based on Mat 19:27-28? I don't think so. Please read the promise of Christ to Peter again. It was spoken to him and the twelve only:  

Mat 19:27-29 KJV  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?  (28)  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Then Jesus continued and said to the believers that they will inherit everlasting life) (29)  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  

If we interpret the words of the Lord correctly, we would not say that every believers will reign like Peter or the twelve Apostles, but everyone who follows the Lord will inherit everlasting life based on the words and the Lord's teaching above. They would argue, "How can the Lord tell us to forsake our parents, wives, and children? No, of course, family first. If we have to forsake our family members, this can never be from the Lord. Hence, we believe that all the teaching of Lord in the 4 Gospels before He was resurrected was not for us. It was for the Jews. It has become obsolete. Halellujah, we are now under grace today. Hence, we don't have to follow any of the Lord teaching now; instead, we will just need to follow the teaching of Paul or the teaching of grace..we are under the New covenant today." I will tell them, I will not argue with you here whom we must listen to, but I can confirm that the teaching of the Lord can never be obsolete. Please read the teaching of the Lord to us again. He did not say that everyone must abandon their loved ones; but he did say that everyone would abandon their loved ones if they need to do it 'for His name's sake', if it is ..    I've been asking myself, Will there be a scenario when we have to abandon our loved ones for His name sake? One very obvious answer to me is:  we must deny our loved ones or refuse to give in to them when they are radically under the influence of false doctrine or lawless philosophies and they demanded us radically that we should listen to them and follow them. In this case, we have no choice but to 'forsake' them or leave them alone if we cannot win them over. Jesus would not want us to compromise with false doctrine because of our loved ones. Jesus has prophesied that the false prophets would use our loved ones to entangle us and prevent us from being effective witnesses and disciples for His kingdom.

The Bible has warned us not to live like 'thieves', Judas Iscariot, or the prodigal son
Some preachers will argue, "What's wrong if we live like kings ? In fact, Jesus was very rich. Imagine what would happen if all the sinners from Israel would come to Jesus ? Jesus could be very rich ! He could be richer than any mega church pastors today. Many rich sinners, like Zacchaeus, would not hesitate to give all their money to Jesus to help the poor. Even poor people, like the woman with the alabaster jar of perfume, would have given all to Jesus too. Hence, how can we think that Jesus was poor? He could be a multi-millionaire too. He wore 'branded' clothes which was so expensive or valuable that the Roman soldiers would cast lots for it. So, it showed that Jesus lived luxurious lifestyle. He also rode on a new donkey which was equivalent to a new Rolls Roys today. Hence, if He could live luxurious lifestyle and enjoy life, so can we. If we serve the Lord, all the more He will bless us. He will make sure that we can really enjoy like Him, prosper like Him, and reign like Him.. we have no apology for saying this radically and preaching the prosperity gospel to make everyone rich.. "
I will tell them, Yes, I do not deny that Jesus could be very rich. To many, it is still a question mark whether He had enough funds to do charitable works to take care of all the poor in the country. But it was very clear to me that He had not lived in luxurious lifestyle. No, He lived simple lifestyle. I am not very sure if He wore 'branded' clothing, but no one was jealous of what He wore or how He lived. In fact, the Pharisees thought people would be jealous of them as they showed off their clothing and abundance through the 'favour' of God.
Now, if Jesus was very rich and He would never use the money collected to pamper Himself or anyone of His disciples, many preachers or pastors today would be guilty if they are thinking or 'eyeing' on the riches of God or the treasury of the Lord just to live like the 'kings' themselves. If Judas Iscariot were still alive today, he could be one of those pastors who think that he should live like the 'kings' too with major entitlement to the funds and interpret that Jesus would never ask him to take care of the poor, but to enjoy himself.

• Joh 12:4-8 KJV  Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,  (5)  Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?  (6)  This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.  (7)  Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.  (8)  For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

Many of those who think that they should be rich and reign like kings in our churches could be the pastors and they would demand the Lord to bless them and give them whatever portions they desired. This would again remind me of the parable Jesus had told us in the parable of the prodigal son:

• Luk 15:11-14 KJV  And he said, A certain man had two sons:  (12)  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.  (13)  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.  (14)  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

Jesus might be rich but He did not live luxuriously 
By the way, did Jesus ride on a new donkey ? Yes, it was a young ass. Yes, it could be a Rolls Roys in our days, but it does not mean that He lived a luxurious life:  

• Joh 12:14 KJV  And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 

But this was His last journey to Jerusalem before He would die on the cross ! Please think,

• If He was not born in the room of luxurious 'hotel' but in a 'garage' where He was laid in a manger, 
• If He rode on his last journey of life upon a borrowed donkey from someone unknown, and,
• If He died in a tomb that was not his own, 

do you still think that He lived a life of luxury? Only totally blinded people would say that Jesus was so rich that he lived a luxurious life. Yes, he may be a God who is rich and has unlimited supplies and resources but he chose to live simple life. We may even consider Him to be a eco-friendly God who would collect the fragments of breads and would not waste resources like the prodigal son. 

We would never be jealous of salaries which are 'peanuts'
Some pastors will still argue, "Why are you so condemning, so cynical, and suspicious of our salaries? Is it because you are jealous of our high income? We are God's servants. Hence, we are answerable only to God. And, if we are the anointed ones, we would deserve even more from the funds collected because of us or because of our preaching. We are the pillars of God's revenues for the kingdom of God. We are destined to reign. God would not want us to be poor. Why can't we insist that we should be paid adequately and freely with the favours of God. Do you know that the Bible commanded us not to muzzle the ox which works for you? And we are that ox which chew the 'words' for you faithfully every Sunday.. Do you want us to be paid with 'peanuts' ?"
I will tell them, What a shame? Do you think that the public would criticise your pay if your pay is only 'peanuts' ? No, of course, we are not talking about peanuts here. We are talking about salary that is more than the salary of a king or a president in some countries. With that kind of salaries, some pastor could literally live like a king. When the news came out about the salaries of some celebrity pastors or monks, no people would want to be a busybody gossiping about their salaries if it is just 'peanuts'.

• 1Ti 5:17-18 KJV  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.  (18)  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.  

If we really have the mind of Christ, we would never make the public jealous of our salaries 
Yes, the Bible did tell us to pay God's servant adequately, but not incredibly by depleting the funds radically. Probably, only radical grace believers would think that it is ok to pay their pastors radically because of their brain-washed radical belief in grace, prosperity, favour, generosity, and abundance in God, wrongly preached to give them the deceitful idea that their pastors should 'reign' like the kings in the Old Testament (like king David or king Solomon). However, please think if Jesus was the real king and He did not get all the salaries He deserved, can you claim credit? I would question you if you boast that you have the mind of Christ to prosper too. I would doubt if you have the mind of Christ to live like Christ if you claim that 'as He is, so are you'? 

• 1Pe 4:1-8 KJV  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  (2)  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  (3)  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  (4)  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  (5)  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  (6)  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  (7)  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  (8)  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (This Bible passage is more relevant ever to anyone in Christ, not just for the believers but also for all the pastors during the end time too.)
• 1Pe 1:13-14 KJV  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  (14)  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
• Php 2:4-7 KJV  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  (5)  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
• 1Co 2:15-16 KJV  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  (16)  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
  

Lawless preaching without proper execution of internal governance and law in our churches would put doubts on our sincerity to the preaching of God's words
I will ask some 'very rich' pastors who claim that they are 'very humble' under the grace of God, Did you say that you would always tell your wife not trust you, when you were on any oversea trip, because you admitted to her that you could fall into the temptation and commit adultery? You said that no one could keep the law including yourselves. So, you had advised your wife to check on you, to woo you back (if possible, she should go for expensive plastic surgery), and to put on sexy clothing. Yes, I was initially impressed by your honesty and frank confession about your vulnerability from the pulpit. However, later I realised that you were just saying it with the intention to preach lawless doctrine which justifies the sinners, the lawless, and the believers, for not keeping any God's laws or commandments. In fact, I am beginning to doubt on your sincerity now when you said that you were vulnerable to sins and you needed your wife to check on you too. Why? It is because, if you are really humble and think that you would need your wives to check on your infidelity, you would have made sure that your internal control for your church governance would check on your misappropriation of funds or your exorbitant salaries too. However, why do you neglect the internal control and governance? Hence, I would conclude that your inconsistent preaching about your vulnerability to sins and your prosperity doctrine (which influence the thought of your believers to determine on your salaries and to justify your lifestyle as the 'kings') would just show us that you are still very hypocritical in your radical favour and prosperity preaching too. Why must you wait until the news agency or the news media starting to report on your exorbitant salaries, before making the last minute's 'adjustment' on your internal check or governance on your salaries? I hope that the internal check or governance has already been in place for the past 20 years; otherwise, you could have been drawing exorbitant salaries for the past 20 years and no people dare to question it. You would be answerable to the Lord.

Right preaching with the right value system will lead the believers and churches to the right believing and right living
I will tell the pastors, I will not dispute with you whether you will need to preach to your believers radically that it is necessary for their wives to check on them, for any infidelity, because you think that none of them can keep the law based on the following Bible verses:

• Mat 5:27-28 KJV  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:  (28)  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

However, I will insist that every church or organisation must have good internal control, law, and governance to protect their funds and the interest of each members. Every church organisation will do right only if there is the right internal control or right internal governance. However,

1. a lawless organisation will never have the right internal control and do right. 
2. a lawless person will never have the right internal value system and do right too. 

Hence, right governance or right value system will lead to right believing, and right believing will lead to right doing. But, if we preach otherwise or believe otherwise, we will have many churches full of corruptions or many rich pastors with exorbitant salaries.

Right preaching of God's laws in the believers and churches will bring life
I will tell them, Yes, you are right to say that no one can keep the law because all of us have sinned. But does it mean that we do not need to have the law of God in our lives or in our churches? No, that's a lie. When Jesus brought out the law 'Thou shalt not commit adultery' in Mat 5:27-28, He did not say, 'Since you cannot keep the law, therefore you don't have to keep the law'. No, on the contrary, He showed us that we must all the more keep the law of God. We must repent for the remission of sins.

• Mat 19:17 KJV  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
• Act 17:30 KJV  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
• Act 2:38-39 KJV  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  (39)  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Wrong preaching of God's laws will bring lawlessness and destruction
In the last days, we will know the false prophets by their fruits. If they've preached that the believers should not keep the law of God, they would not follow the internal governance of the churches. Instead, they will argue, twist, and justify with their words to enrich themselves through the church funds and live like the kings ('reign' like the kings also). Many of them have started to quote the words of Jesus from Mat 5:27-28 radically and out of its context. Why? So, that they will not feel guilty when they cannot keep any law, commit adulteries, or misappropriate the church funds to enrich themselves. They could be worst than the Pharisees whom Jesus called 'vipers'. They have become the hypocrite of hypocrites (or viper of the vipers). They do not only want to enrich themselves with 'God's favours', they would also justify all the lawless deeds of the rich and corrupted pastors who sin with their lawless arguments. No wonder, Jesus would reject them even if they have done great works in His name:

• Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
• Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)

The word of Jesus in the sermon from the Mount can never be obsolete
Have the words of the Lord come true, or have the words of the Lord become obsolete? You can answer it yourselves. Just look around, do you find many pastors who have committed adulteries, misappropriated church funds, and lived like the 'kings'? If you do, the words of the Lord have not become obsolete but they have come true ! Many pastors or preachers have sinned but the most ironical thing is: They would insist that they are more righteous than others because they are under grace, they have the New covenant, they have the blood of Jesus, they are the righteousness of God in Christ, they are the disciple whom Jesus loved .. Has the grace of God been abused? You bet. Where did they learn all these radical grace doctrines, arguments, and justification for their deceitful sins ? I am afraid, It is not from the Lord - it is from the spirit of the frogs:

• Rev 16:13-16 KJV  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  (14)  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.  (15)  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.  (16)  And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (The war of the end time is not the war between armies and armies or tanks against tanks; it is the 'war' between God's people and the false prophets and the frogs. We may not be able to explain all the events and creatures in the book of Revelation; however, they could be figurative description of how the false doctrines and lawless principles will come and reign in the churches and in the lives of some believers. And hence, there could be a 'fight' in the spiritual realm or in heaven between the Word of God and lawlessness.)

The words of Jesus are only harsh to the false prophets who will never repent in obedience to His words
Many of them will argue, "Why are you so condemning? Why are you so harsh with these wicked words on those who sinned, committed adulteries, or stolen funds from the churches? Have you forgotten that we are commanded by the Lord to preach grace and forgiveness to those who sinned? Why don't you give them the second chance? We should love the sinners and not their sins .. How many of you know that your pastor is still growing, even God's prophets?"
I will tell them,

1. Yes, we love sinners but we don't love false prophets. Some people who think that they are full of 'grace' would accuse me and say,"What? Can you call yourself a believer of Christ and don't love? We are ask to love everyone including the enemies and false prophets.." I will tell them, Ok, you may love everyone; including the false prophets, the beast, and the dragon too? Of course, I have to be honest and let you know that I can try to 'love' the false prophets, but I know that the Lord did not say that we cannot speak harsh words to the snakes, frogs, and vipers..
2. Yes, those words are very harsh words or condemning words to the false prophets, but those words are not from me. They are from Mat 7:15-23. You should ask the Lord, "Why must you speak harsh words to the false prophets or us?" I am sure the Lord will give you a 'satisfactory' answer.
3. Please don't ask me to give you grace or second chance. I am not the one who can give grace or second chance. You should ask God.
4. I believe that God is gracious. He would give second chance, third chance, or many chances to everyone. However, He would not keep giving chances to the false preachers who will never repent. They may just want to change their minds, 'metanoia', and twist their evasive doctrine every now and then to argue with others or to exalt themselves as God's 'anointed' ones or as the 'Christs'. Jesus would be very gracious to sinners who come to Him in simple and clear repentance but He would be very harsh to the false prophets who always want to justify and devise their own 'repentance'. The following Bible verses are His words and promises to the sinners who would just repent in obedience to His words:

• Joh 6:37 KJV  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
• Luk 5:32 KJV  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.    

However, He would no longer be gracious to them if they have turned to become false prophets who have evil fruit. The problem is: many of them are still thinking that they are the normal sinners who would repent. However, they are no longer the ordinary sinners when they would prophesy in the name of the Lord, cast out devils, and do many wonderful works in His name. Jesus would never give second chance to the false prophets who have evil fruit. He would be very harsh to them, not because they preached too much law, they are legalistic, they behave like the hypocrites, they believe in other religions, they are sinners, they are gangsters, they stole money, they committed adulteries, or they cheated others; but because they twisted their own 'repentance' and taught others to follow them. Jesus would be very harsh to the false prophets who think that they deserve a second chance when all the 'chances' have been given to them to repent:

• Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, ..(17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  .. (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
• Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)

Yes, I agreed that the words of the Lord are very harsh now, but it is only to the false prophets, not to the sinners or the believers. I find it comforting to know the commandments and judgement of the Lord whenever I read the words of the Lord above, because I know that the Lord will keep the kingdom of God free from the evil people or prophets who are hypocrites or who have evil fruit. However, if you find it condemning, you will have to question yourselves, have you repented? Or have you turned from your repentance and go back to lawlessness because of the false prophets? 

::

Did Jesus come as a radical saviour ?

No, Jesus did not come as a radical saviour; He came as a saviour who preach diligence and warnings to His disciples.

• Mat 24:42-44 KJV  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  ..  (44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
  Mat 25:4-13 KJV  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps... (13)  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
• Mar 13:34-37 KJV  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.  (35)  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:  (36)  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.  (37)  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
• Luk 21:33-36 KJV  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.  (34)  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  (35)  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  (36)  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
• 1Th 5:6 KJV  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
• 1Pe 4:7 KJV  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
  Rev 3:2-3 KJV  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  (3)  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
• Act 20:31-32 KJV  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  (32)  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 

Like what I have said, We don't need to preach a radical God to show people that God is radically good by hiding His laws or twisting His commandments. Similarly, the name of Jesus is 'radical' enough for the world. We should not change His name or attach some kind of radical titles, promotional offers, or special 'promises', to His name. His name is sacred. Hence, if we don't preach a radical God, radical Jesus, or radical Holy Spirit, we will not preach radical grace or attach any kind of radical title to God's grace. Grace is sacred. Grace means a lot to the sinners who need the forgiveness of God.

• 2Co 12:9-10 KJV  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 

Grace is different from Old Testament favour or blessing
Grace is different from favour which prospered the Jews and the Pharisees in the Old Testament. Many radical grace preachers today could have preached their Old Testament mentality when they confessed and boasted about God's favour or radical grace as their riches, their glory, their anointing, or their righteous standing before God. They would just love to boast about anything which they think it is from God. However, it is not the grace of Jesus Christ. Grace does not boast. Grace of Jesus Christ under the New covenant is given only to the humble sinners who repent through the baptism of Christ. It is given to those who are humble. If we are truly humble, we will not boast about God's favour, God's riches, God's blessings, God's prosperity, our success, our glory, and our reign in life. We will not boast about our blessings over others because of our righteous standing before God. We will not boast like the Pharisee in the following Bible verses:

• Luk 18:10-14 KJV  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  (11)  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  (12)  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

If we use our righteous standing, favour standing, or 'radical grace standing' above others to bully others, accuse others, or humiliate others, we would not be any difference from the Pharisees even if we argue vehemently that we are different from them because we have always preach radical grace - it can only show that we do not have the grace of the Lord ultimately:

• Mat 18:31-34 KJV  So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.  (32)  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  (33)  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  (34)  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

a. justification by faith or by grace is only the beginning of a believer's forgiven life so that he can do more with the words and commandments of God in his life. The grace for cancellation of debts or forgiveness of debts is not given so that we can have more future debts or more future lawlessness. It is certainly not an excuse or license to have more future sins with no more repentance (or to sin wilfully). 

• Luk 13:2-10 KJV  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  (3)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (4)  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  (5)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (6)  He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.  (7)  Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  (8)  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:  (9)  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.  (10)  And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

b. Grace is not forever - it is given for the purpose of repentance, turning back to God's commandments, keeping God's laws, and doing His words. Grace is not given for the purpose of enjoying or living in lawlessness forever. Grace is not there forever if we are forever lawless in our hearts or minds. However, if we repent, keep the commandments of God, and live with the laws of God in our hearts and minds, God will remember all our lawlessness no more and He will be our God forever: 

• Heb 10:16-17 LITV  "This is the covenant which I will covenant to them after those days, says the Lord: Giving My Laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds;"  (17)  also He adds, "I will not at all still remember their sins" and their lawlessnesses. ..  
• Heb 8:10 LITV  Because this is the covenant which I will covenant with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord, giving My Laws into their mind, and I will write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." 
• Luk 19:8-10 LITV  But standing, Zaccheus said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor. And if in anything I accused anyone falsely, I restore it fourfold.  (9)  And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, for he also is a son of Abraham.  (10)  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the one being lost.

Hence, the cancellation of debt or forgiveness of debt is not given so that a believer can have more future debt or lawlessness forever. It is certainly not an excuse or license to have more future sin or lawlessness without any repentance. However, many preachers have deceived the believers into thinking that they can literally expect forgiveness of all their future sins, and even supernatural cancellation of all their future financial debts, if they will just radically believe or do and teach their 'holy communion's blood cleansing' ritual, 'pure grace' confession, 'supernatural' favour, 'mind changing' philosophy, or 'false repentance' to disregard and to 'repent' from all the laws and commandments of God. I did write about some preachers who have managed to quote the Bible out of context and capitalise on this 'supernatural' deception or 'cancellation of debts' to transfer effortless wealth to themselves. (see "Supernatural cancellation of debts - Is it really a supernatural transfer of wealth, a religious gimmick, or just a vain religious boasting?" in my previous post here.)

God is not radical; if He is radical, He is not God
Have you ever asked yourselves, "Why would a God like Jesus who is omniscience, omnipotent, and omnipresent tell His disciple not to be radical; but to be bound by the constraint of life.". You may ask, "What constraint?" I have already mentioned, Jesus would always ask His disciples to 'watch' or walk circumspectly. If Jesus were radical, He would preach like one of the radical grace preachers today. He could have said, "Don't listen to anyone who tell you to watch every step of your path. It's because if you are with me, you can never fall. You are always saved because I am all sufficient and all powerful. I will supply everything and make sure that you can never 'die'. Just enjoy my radical grace, radical power, radical blessings, radical prosperity, radical healing .. etc. You do not need to watch and pray. You do not need to save any money. You can just spend all the money from your banks, from your inheritance, or from your fathers, and STILL prosper by whatsoever you are blessed or favoured by me. You can live like the prodigal son, and yet my radical grace, anointing, blessings, and power will keep you from lacks. You don't have to worry about lacks. You just need to worry about how to spend all your money..." Yes, this is one form of radical grace but why didn't Jesus preach the goodnews or His goodness in this way? Why would He need the radical grace preachers to preach it like this? It doesn't make sense. If Jesus were to preach like this or tell us to preach like this:

1. Jesus would have preached like the Pharisees who preached the 'corban' to exalt themselves at the expense of God's word and God's commandment (Mk 7:11-13, Mat 15:5-6) 
2. Jesus would have contradicted against the word and the nature of God who wants all His children to be diligent with His words:

• Psa 119:9-11 RV  BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  (10)  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  (11)  Thy word have I laid up in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Psa 119:105 RV  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path,
• Pro 4:18-27 RV  But the path of the righteous is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.  (19)  The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.  (20)  My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  (21)  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.  (22)  For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.  (23)  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  (24)  Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.  (25)  Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.  (26)  Make level the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.  (27)  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Jesus have commanded all His disciples to live diligent lives too
Do you know that Jesus do not like to waste money, waste food, waste bread, or waste resources, even He has the power to multiply money, bread, riches, and prosperity ?

• Mat 14:19-20 KJV  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.  (20)  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
• Mat 15:37 KJV  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

Can you imagine, Why would Jesus, who have unlimited supply of bread or food, let His disciples collect all the fragments of food or leftover food? Does it mean that He is a stingy God ? No.
Hence, we should tell the serpent off if he will come again and tempt us by saying that he is a better God because he could prosper us with his words, open our eyes to more riches, and supply all our needs and desires without any constraint, demand, or commandments. He is lying !

• Gen 3:2-6 KJV  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:  (3)  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.  (4)  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  (5)  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  (6)  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

We should tell him, "No, serpent, God is not stingy when He gave us His commandment not to eat so much or not to eat from every tree. God would not want us to be radical or like you who would covet for everything or waste everything when you are in power. Your desire for self-glory is a bottomless bit. But God want us to be prudent and mindful of others who are in lacks and to live with self-constraint. I believe that, if a soldier (or servant) cannot constraint himself or learn to live a constraint life, he can never be a good general (or a good leader) who will constraint himself when he is in power. Lucifer is an example:

• Isa 14:12-15 KJV  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  (13)  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  (14)  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.  (15)  Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Hence, if anyone says that Jesus is a radical saviour or radical preacher of grace, prosperity, salvation, money, blessing, anointing, favour, wisdom, gospel, glory, or riches, I will question them, If you are a preacher of God, do you really know the things of God? You may not believe in God's judgement, but do you really believe that God will reward everyone in the end time, whether you are a believer (or non-believer) ?

• Mat 16:23-27 KJV  .. (24)  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. .. 27)  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
• Mat 25:1-13 KJV  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. ..  (11)  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  (12)  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  (13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
   

The five wise virgins are the five diligent believers. The other five are foolish or ignorant believers who refused to listen to the word of God or to the light of God. The radical grace preachers could have interpreted the Lord's parables in Matt 25 as the obsolete parables or warnings for the Jews before the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, I would think that the parables in Matt 25 are for us. They are warnings for the churches too. Why do I say so?

1. The three parables were all about the end time and we are at the end time now. 
2. We are now at the end time as the Bride would prepare herself for the second coming of Christ in the end time. Hence, the Bride or the Church would become the focal point for the kingdom of God; not the Jews.  1Co 12:13 KJV  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
   2Co 11:2 KJV  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
   Rev 21:1-2 KJV  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  (2)  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3. 1Co 12:13 KJV  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
   Rev 21:1-2 KJV  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  (2)  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
4. The three parables were not taught to the world or to the Jews, but to the disciples. The sinners would never know the parables and they are totally ignorant about buying oil for their lamps, serving God, and keeping God's commandment (to love others as thyself). Mat 24:3-4 KJV  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  (4)  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.. Matt 25 .. the ten virgin, the servants, and the sheep and goats .. 
5. The three parables could be interpreted clearly as three clear warnings to three different groups of believers in the kingdom of God: 

• Warning to the virgins (the churches). They must be diligent in knowing and having the light (or the word) of God, 
• Warning to the servants (the preachers or pastors). They must be diligent in multiplying or investing God's values and Bible values in people's lives.
• Warning to the goats and sheeps (the believers). They must be diligent in good works and God's works.

Are God's warnings still for us or the churches in the end time ?
Many radical grace preachers could have argued and said, "Why must we preach about the end time with glooms and dooms? In the last days, everyone in our churches are saved. We don't have to warn anyone. The watchman analogy to warn people or to tell people to repent is all nonsense. If we have believed in Jesus, we are forever saved. We can never die. That is a sure promise. It is yes and amen promise..."
I will tell them, If you think that you don't have to be a watchman, you are not fit to be God's preacher. If you think that you don't have to be a watchman, will tell others to sleep and relax instead? Well, it is your choice if you would still insist after reading Eze 3:2-27!

• 2Co 1:18-20 KJV  But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.  (19)  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.  (20)  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Did you read the whole Bible passage before you give the promises of God to the people? I would think that all the promises of God are yea and Amen because God never changes His words. Similarly God's prophets and the Apostles would never preach 'ding dong' promises or doctrine. However, it does not mean that all God's promises are yes to everyone who think radically, behave radically, or confess radically. We would know why we need to be diligent if we know the Lord warnings in His parables about the comparison between

1. the tares and the wheat (Matt 13), 
2. the fallen seeds and the good seeds (Matt 13)     
3. the wise virgins and the foolish virgins (Matt 25)
4. the wise servants and the foolish servant (Matt 25)
5. the goats and the sheep (Matt 25)
6. the wolves in sheep skin and the sheep (Matt 7:15-23)

In the end time, the Christians and non-Christians will live together very closely, and you may not know the difference between the Christians and non-Christians . If this is true, how can we argue that all the warnings of the Lord above are for the non-Christians only? No. The reasons for the Lord's warnings are very clear:

1. All these are warning for events which will happen in the end time
2. The comparison is obvious between the believers and non-believers who will live together very closely
3. It is very hard to tell the difference between a believer and non-believers.  

Many of you may ask, "Can it be possible? Can believers and non-believers lived so closely together that it is hard to know the different between them?" Please do not be offended if I say 'Yes' and that many of them are not saved too. The Bible has shown us many examples and warnings, but the false prophets could have blocked the following warnings from the Holy Spirit by telling the people with their 'smooth' interpretation:

• Mat 24:38-42 KJV  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  (39)  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (40)  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (41)  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (42)  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
• Act 5:1-5 KJV  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,  (2)  And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.  (3)  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  (4)  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.  (5)  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
• Act 8:9-24 KJV  But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:  (10)  To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.  (11)  And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.  (12)  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  (13)  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. ..  (18)  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  (19)  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  (20)  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  (21)  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  (22)  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  (23)  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.  (24)  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Radical grace preachers would say that we don't have to preach the above warnings to our churches because the above warnings are for the sinners and the people of the world, not for us. They argued that this will never happen to us because all of us in the churches are the true believers. I will tell them, I won't argue with you whether you are a true believer or not, if you are the only one in your church. However, if you have 20,000 people in your church and they always come to listen to you everyday, can you guarantee that all the 20,000 in your church are true believers. If Peter, Paul, or the Apostles could not guarantee that everyone in their churches were true believers, how can you give such guarantee? If you cannot guarantee that everyone of you in your church are true believers, you cannot lie and deceive them that God's warnings are not for them. Hence, you cannot just push away all your responsibility if you are really a God's preacher. (see "The death of Ananias and Sapphira is the clear evidence that there is still judgement in the church of God" in my another post).  


If grace is Jesus Christ, can we conclude that radical grace is radical Jesus Christ?
No, this is absurd. However, they will argue, "Why are you preaching against grace or radical grace? Grace is not a doctrine. Grace is Jesus Christ. Hence, if you preach against grace, you are preaching against Jesus Christ. And you would be law-conscious and you become the Pharisees.."
I will tell them, I won't argue with you if you insist that grace is not a doctrine and that grace is Jesus Christ, although I know that grace is a gift of God and it came from Jesus Christ based on the following Bible verse:

• Joh 1:17 KJV  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

I won't argue with you too if you would tell people to believe in grace. However, I would definitely question your interpretation or intention if you tell people to believe in radical grace. Do you know that when you argue that grace is Jesus Christ, your radical believers would also argue that radical grace is their radical Jesus too? Their radical Jesus is not our Jesus; it is lawlessness clothed with 'an outer layer of radical favour'. Hence, the sinners of the world can never receive the grace of Jesus Christ by merely hearing favour or the preaching of favour; they must receive the grace of Jesus Christ by hearing the preaching of repentance and doing the word of the Lord. Why do I say so? It's because the Lord had told us clearly to preach repentance and do repentance for the forgiveness of our sins; not the forgiveness of sins (or grace) for repentance in the reversed manner:

• Luk 3:3 KJV  And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
• Luk 24:47 KJV  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Must God forgive us first before we repent or must we repent first before we receive God's forgiveness? 
Hence, I am not surprised to hear the world start telling us in the end time that they must reverse what God has told them to do, that is:

• God must forgive them first before they can repent and do His words (or commandments), when God has clearly commanded them to repent for the forgiveness of their sins. 

They have probably been influenced by the serpent to open their eyes to the riches of the world by following the sin of Adam. The Bible has clearly told us that Adam had also opened his eyes to the riches of the world by listening to the lawless advice of the serpent to reverse what God said or to rebel against what God had commanded him to do, that is:

• God must prosper him first, so that he would become like gods, before he needed to obey any God's command (Gen 2:16-17, Gen 3:4-6)

Like the prodigal son, Adam and the people of the world could have abandoned and forsaken the light of God because of their rebellion.

• Luk 15:12-31 KJV  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.  (13)  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living...  (25) Now his elder son was in the field: ... (29) And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:  (30)  But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.  (31) And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
   

The blessings of the Father is not dependent on the enjoyment of the world or on our feelings
Both the prodigal son and the elder son could have been influenced by the world to think that there is more enjoyment:

1. when they were in the world or
2. when they could see clear favour or physical expression of love from their father

However, both of them were wrong ! They could experience the blessing of the father if they would never depart from him. The moral of the story is: We don't get eternal blessing from the world or from our feelings (eg. anger, jealousy, pride, satisfaction, or happiness); we get eternal blessing if we would never depart from God's word, His light, His kingdom, and His commandments:

• Psa 119:29-48 KJV  Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.  (30)  I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.  (31)  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.  (32)  I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.  (33)  HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.  (34)  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.  (35)  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.  (36)  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.  (37)  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.  (38)  Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.  .. (44)  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.  (45)  And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.  (46)  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.  (47)  And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.  (48)  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes... (130)  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.  (131)  I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
• Joh 1:1-12 KJV  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  (4)  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  (5)  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.  (6)  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  (7)  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  (8)  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  (9)  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  (10)  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  (12)  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Thick darkness will come when every true believers will have to wake up and speak up
If we read John 1:5, we know that "the Light, the Word, or the Commandment shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not". The darkness will never keep the Light or God's commandment. As thick darkness starts to hover towards end time, we know that one day we may have to confront the king of the world, the Lawless one, or Lucifer. What shall we do ? We may need to declare the word of God boldly for our salvation in Christ to reject the philosophy of the lawless ones:

• Psa 119:44-48 KJV  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.  (45)  And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.  (46)  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.  (47)  And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.  (48)  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
• Rev 12:16-17 KJV  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.  (17)  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (In the end time, the majority will be deceived and overcome by the 'flood' (by the false doctrines or lawlessness philosophies); only a remnant of the believers will keep God's commandments and refuse to take in the mark of lawlessness).
• Rev 14:11-12 KJV  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.  (12)  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
• Rev 22:13-14 KJV  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  (14)  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
• Zep 1:8-18 KJV  And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. ..  (15)  That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,  (16)  A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers ...   

 The day of the abomination of desolation will come as prophesied by the Lord
Many Bible scholars would tell us that the book of Zephaniah is a past prophecy about the physical desolation of Jerusalem or Israel. However, I would think that it could be a prophecy about spiritual desolation of the churches in the world today, before the second coming of Christ. The churches could become the spiritual abomination of desolation as many false prophets would rise and become well-established in the churches. They would twist the law of God with the spirit and the tongue of the frogs through the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. And they would invade all the churches with their doctrines like the flood that cover the earth:

• Rev 12:15-16 KJV  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.  (16)  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
• Rev 16:13-14 KJV  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  (14)  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
• Mat 24:10-15 KJV  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  (11)  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  (12)  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  (13)  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  (14)  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  (15)  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 
• Zep 2:10-15 KJV  This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.  .. (15)  This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand... 
• Zep 3:1-6 KJV  Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!  (2)  She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.  (3)  Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.  (4)  Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.  (5)  The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.  (6)  I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

::