Who is an Overcomer (Elect)?

WHO IS AN OVERCOMER?

The Jubilee

The Jubilee year was called every fifty years and was a time for forgiveness.  It stood as a reminder of God's providence and mercy.  The dedication of a year for this emphasis provided the community with a time to come back into right relationship with one another and with God. 

It was a season of total forgiveness and the complete evisceration of all debts:  legal, monetary, and criminal.  All land was restored to its rightful owner; all slaves and indentured servants due to unpaid debt were set free with no recurring penalties for that particular debt.  There is just one problem with the Jubilee – it was never honored or enacted by the Israelites of Canaan.

Leviticus 25:10 NET  So you must consecrate the fiftieth year, and you must proclaim a release in the land for all its inhabitants. That year will be your jubilee; each one of you must return to his property and each one of you must return to his clan.

An Overcomer

The translation of any Greek or Hebrew Biblical word to “overcomer” is not found in the scriptures.  A better word that is easily understood is “forgiver”.  An overcomer is essentially a person who forgives or lives by the principles and standards of the Jubilee as written above.  It is a person who is living or growing up into the Kingdom of God which is the laws and standards of Jesus Christ.  It is one who is coming into a state of maturity in Him. An Overcomer is putting on His Father’s mind and is coming to agree with what God does in the earth and how He accomplishes those goals. He is learning to say “Amen” to all that God does, bearing witness to Him in all things, and not disagreeing with Him. An Overcomer is one who is coming to understand the Father and His ways.

We cry out to God for mercy, knowing the total inadequacy of any personal righteousness or ability to hear His voice as we should.  We desire the authority of God only as a tool to better serve others, to have a greater ability to bring the blessings of God to the needy in the world.  It is not authority we seek, but responsibility.  The authority He gives is only a means to an end. Reputation is something we do not aspire to attain, for we have found that this is the first step toward pride that God must remove in order to teach us to serve God first.

God teaches the Overcomers that personal reputation is not needed to enable us to spread the Gospel.  Obedience is more important than reputation or performing good works, although good works are things to aspire.  One must learn that God is totally in control of all things and that He does not really need us to do His work.

The Elect

The word “elect” is used in sixteen cases within the New Testament, seven times in the Gospels by Jesus Christ although some are parallel examples. 

Use of the word “Elect” by Christ

but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

they shall gather together his elect from the four winds

And shall not God avenge his own elect

Word Study Dictionary:

eklektós; fem. eklektḗ, neut. eklektón, adj. from eklégō (G1586), to choose, select. Chosen, select. In the group of three important biblical words, eklektós, eklégō, and eklogḗ (G1589), choice or election, selection involves thoughtful and deliberate consideration.

The apostle Peter places a different wrinkle on the word Elect (eklektos).  The NET translation gives the following:  “who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”, replacing the word elect with the word “chosen”.  Many versions use the word “chosen” and others don’t use either word.

For now, we will consider the words “elect and chosen” to be synonyms.  Then is added “according to the foreknowledge of God”.  In my personal manner of thinking, nothing occurs that is not the foreknowledge of God.  God knows everything from the beginning to the end before it ever happens.  He is not surprised and never off guard.

1 Peter 1:2 KJV  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Some associate foreknowledge with predestined which means to determine in advance as many did the unsuccessful election of Hillary Clinton.  However, with God, the definition is somewhat different.  With the foreknowledge of God, it may only appear that certain events are predestined because they are foreknown with complete accuracy.  As Romans 8:29-30 reveals, God foreknew the Overcomers or the Elect and therefore He could predestinate them to be conformed to the image of His Son.  Of course, all that is written in these two verses were foreknown in the mind of God from the moment of creation.

Romans 8:29-30 KJV  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  (30)  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

The time prior to the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ may be shorter than we think.  To be an elect Overcomer it is necessary to learn to be a forgiver and that is not always an easy task.  It is my opinion that only the elect Overcomers of the present and of past ages will be participants in the first resurrection.  The others who are alive at the time will be allowed to live during the Millennium although they will eventually die to be part of the second resurrection.  Those written in the Book of Life will perhaps be given a few symbolic stripes and then be glorified.  Others may be given additional symbolic stripes or retained as a slave under the Godly tutelage of a glorified Overcomer until the “Jubilee of all Jubilees” occurs.  This is the metaphoric symbolism of the “Lake of Fire” which is the judgment of the “fire of God’s Law”.  God’s Law is fire.  God appeared as fire to Moses.  The Lake of Fire is the fire of God’s judgment and the fire of God’s Laws.

Contrary to popular American belief, not everyone with a church membership will be raptured (harpazo / gathered up).  Having the salvation provided by Christ is the first step but will not necessarily result in rapture.  Obtaining the down payment of the Holy Spirit as in the upper room during the Acts is the second step but will not necessarily result in rapture.  Having a forgiving nature, trusting that God is always in control, and growing in the character of Christ until His appearance is the final step and should result in being gathered up as the elect of God.

The rapture (Latin translation of the Greek word Harpazo) will not result in a mass of individuals being whisked away to Heaven forever.  They may be in the presence of God for 8 days but their purpose is to be the priests and rulers on the earth under the leadership of Christ.

Earthquakes, Economics, & Politics

EARTHQUAKES, ECONOMICS, & POLITICS

To borrow a phrase from the title of an old rock tune by Jerry Lee Lewis, There will soon be a “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”.  The majority of the shaking will involve economics and politics but there may be a physical shaking involving earthquakes. 

In my opinion, the number of earthquakes and volcanos has been increasing over the past few years.  There are some pundits claiming there is no increase – it is the same as it has been for many years, it is merely the reporting that has been emphasized and it appears there are more earthquakes and volcanoes.

If the reader has been following my Revelation comments, it should be known the understanding I have discovered to be the most logical is the historical prophetic interpretation found in the writings of Dr. Stephen Jones as one example.  For many years I have studied and pondered the writings of Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, John Walvoord, Peter Goodgame, Patrick Heron, Timothy McHyde, Chris White, and some others of lesser value.  I initially rejected the historical approach, but a few rereads later convinced me of its veracity.  What was once Revelation prophecy is now history except for the collapse of the Mystery, Babylon system which appears, from most news reports, to be occurring at the present.

Revelation Earthquakes

Earthquakes are mentioned often in the Revelation and they should be considered as metaphoric symbolism of an event which emotionally or politically shakes the people and nations. Natural disasters, when they occur, may also foreshadow great political changes or economic as of the present.  As an example, the earthquake presented by the sixth seal would practically destroy all earthly life and all building structures if it was not referring to an invasion of an outside force resulting in political upheaval. 

Revelation 6:12-14 NET  Then I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the full moon became blood red;  (13)  and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind.  (14)  The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.

A literal understanding of the sixth seal would present an earth shattering catastrophe.  If literal, the signs in the heavens:  sun, moon, stars and the sky, would portend an invasion of the solar system by perhaps the so-called planet X.  The earthquake moves every mountain and island.  If this is worldwide then perhaps the entire crust of the earth spins the opposite direction of the inner earth or mantle.  Everything would surely be destroyed and there would be little need for the remainder of the Revelation.

The Fall of Babylon

Revelation 16:18-20 speaks of the destruction of Babylon with a description that is very similar to, but greater than, the sixth seal.  A great earthquake divides the city of Babylon (which is not an actual city but a metaphoric description of the system in general) into three parts.  This earthquake is also explained as “unequaled since humanity has been on the earth, so tremendous was that earthquake NET”.  This description signifies the utter chaos that will enfold the world, particularly the Western nations, when this economic and political shaking takes place.

Revelation 16:18-20 KJV  And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.  (19)  And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.  (20)  And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

Although there may be an actual earthquake, since God may want to emphasize this shaking, this upheaval is describing the monetary and economic conflagration of the majority of the world, particularly Europe and the USA.  The effect on China is questionably, but Russia appears to have isolated themselves from the Rothschild banking system and the amount of debt accumulation.  This scripture is prophesying the economic and political shaking of many peoples and nations.  Verse 19 states the cities of the nations fall since many USA cities are near bankruptcy.  Every island flees signaling that even small countries will be affected.  The elite, including many politicians, will be relieved of their world and national control as the mountains are said to disappear or be leveled. 

A similar end-times prophecy can be found in Haggai 2:6-7.

Haggai 2:6-9 NET  Moreover, the LORD who rules over all says: 'In just a little while I will once again shake the sky and the earth, the sea and the dry ground.  (7)  I will also shake up all the nations, and they will offer their treasures; then I will fill this temple with glory,'says the LORD who rules over all. 

(8)  'The silver and gold will be mine,'says the LORD who rules over all.  (9)  'The future splendor of this temple will be greater than that of former times,' the LORD who rules over all declares, 'and in this place I will give peace.' "

The nations will be shaken and the money of the bankers and elites (the top 1%) will be taken from them and given for the benefit of the Temple of the Lord.  Recall the Glory of the Lord removed Himself from the temple built by Solomon and never inhabited the temple built by Ezra and modernized by Herod.  The Temple of God (the Holy Spirit) is now residing within the body of every Christian believer.

The book of Hebrews quotes a section of the Haggai prophecy and adds a certain short explanation

Hebrews 12:26-29 NET  Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too."  (27)  Now this phrase "once more" indicates the removal of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may remain.  (28)  So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe.  (29)  For our God is indeed a devouring fire.

Certain things will be shaken i.e. removed from usefulness or value.  This may include the authority of the elites and political leaders and the removal of monetary debt of nations instigated by the world banking system.  One viewpoint is that an actual physical earthquake, wherever it occurs, will be so destructive and expensive that it will cause hyper-inflation and bring about massive political change as well. This actual earthquake has been considered (NOT prophesied) to occur along the USA west coast.  If so, it would be a wake up call for the far left liberal snowflakes.  In the aftermath, Mystery Babylon will collapse and the Kingdom of God will begin to be established.

A Prediction or an Astute Observation?

One Bible teacher, who lived in Washington State for a while, concluded that Washington State is the spiritual headquarters for Washington D.C. (or serves as a telegraph of future events).  Events that occur in King County, Washington, where Seattle is located, are future signs of what is happening, or will happen, in Washington D.C.  About 60 miles north of Seattle is a town actually named, Mount Vernon, which is next to Martha Washington Creek.  Events happening in Mount Vernon, Washington appear to reveal the occurrences that are happening or will happen in the White House in Washington D.C.  It appears that the Pacific Northwest could be in for a great shaking, such as an earthquake, as a sign of things soon to come in Washington D.C.

It is quite likely we could see a sequence of events possibly emerge in 2017.  The first two events may occur in the state of Washington with a massive actual earthquake, followed by actual volcanos shaking “the sea also and the dry land” as of Haggai 2:6.   This would possibly be a sign of war i.e. the climactic war between Babylon and the Kingdom of God.

The Foundation of the Crisis

There was a great earthquake that occurred when Jesus was crucified at Passover (Matthew 27:51) and again when He was raised from the dead (Matthew 28:2). If we see a quake or two in 2017, these events in Matthew may indicate the timing for such an event as indicated above.

The Federal Reserve recently raised interest rates another .25% to .75%. This may not seem like a lot, but it is enough to begin eroding the value of all those zero-percent bonds that have been sold in the past 9 years in the amount of ten trillion dollars.

As long as the Federal Reserve Act remains in force, it is estimated the national debt will continue to double with every president. The economy needs money to function, and borrowing (from the Federal Reserve) is the only way to create money and put it into circulation. Either the people themselves or the government is forced to borrow, because if the borrowing stops, we have a liquidity crunch, and immediately go into a depression. The Babylonian system is based on the creation of fiat debt-money.

The problem is that the people themselves have been paying off their ongoing debts faster than they are borrowing for new debts. That means the government must make up the difference or send the country into a depression. Unlike in past years, the people can now no longer afford to borrow. They have reached their debt limit as a whole.

Bonds are debt notes. When the government borrows money, which is only done through the Federal Reserve, they give their creditors bonds in return.  A bond puts the government into debt.  Bonds are evidence of the bondage that the USA is under. The US government, the USA in general, and/or New York City is not Mystery Babylon, as some prophecy teachers have claimed. Mystery, Babylon is worldwide, or at least Western World wide.  The debtor is a servant (slave) of the lender.  The US government is the slave of Mystery Babylon which in our case is the Federal Reserve.  Europe is the slave of Rothschild International banks, which are similar to the USA’s Federal Reserve.  Our debt is created through borrowing money from the Federal Reserve rather than the USA government printing their own money as authorized in the Constitution.  Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy attempted to create real government money and they were assassinated.  Andrew Jackson was totally opposed to the national banking system of his day, and Jackson is highly admired by President Donald Trump.

The Redeemed Debt Note

THE REDEEMED DEBT NOTE

When a person steals, his crime, according to scripture is considered a debt to be paid to the victim and this payment is called restitution.  If it is a crime that cannot be repaid such as murder or rape the instigator is put to death.  If the criminal guilty of theft, is unable to pay then someone may pay for them by redeeming their debt note.  When a human sins he owes a debt to God, but of course that human is unable to pay.  To be forgiven of sins of which they are unable to pay, they must be redeemed by someone capable of paying the debt note.  The debt note redeemer for sin must be without sin and thus not in debt themselves.  The person who paid the debt note for all people by His death is Jesus Christ.

In Leviticus 25:47-53 it is stated that a person who has sold himself as a servant or slave to another due to his poverty (or other reasons) can have his debt note redeemed by a kinsman – not by a stranger but only by someone of his kinship or linage.  Jesus fulfilled this legal aspect which is explained in Hebrews 2:14-16, by coming as a flesh and blood person as all others have come after Adam and Eve.

Hebrews 2:14-16 KJV  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;  (15)  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  (16)  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Leviticus 25:53 continues to say the redeemed is to serve or reconstitute his redemption as a hired servant.

Leviticus 25:53 NET  He must be with the one who bought him like a yearly hired worker. The one who bought him must not rule over him harshly in your sight.

As a citizen of the Kingdom of God, we have been redeemed from the life of sin and death and are now a servant of our Redeemer, which is Jesus Christ.  We are no longer a servant of the “god of this world” but are now a servant of the God of Heaven and according to Romans 6:18 we are a “slave to righteousness”.

Romans 6:16-18 NET  Do you not know that if you present yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or obedience resulting in righteousness?  (17)  But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were entrusted to,  (18)  and having been freed from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness.

No person can sin so greatly and so often that their debt becomes unpayable.  In the Old Testament a person could lose their land, their family could be enslaved as payment of debt, and the actual person could also be enslaved for his many debts.  However, God enacted a divine redemption of almost unparalleled grace known as the Jubilee year which would release all servants and slaves including land back to the original owner.  However, this was actually never practiced by the twelve tribes of Israel throughout their time span until deported and slaughtered by first the Assyrians against northern Israel and next by Babylon against southern Judah.

All debt notes have a time period to be rectified before the debt note is finally due and foreclosure begins.  Judah’s idolatry in addition to a refusal to honor God and His laws including the Jubilee year had finally run in time limit and foreclosure was imminent.  God sent the Babylonian military as an act of foreclosure on Judah’s debt note.

King Zedekiah and the people of Judah prayed to God asking for mercy from the impending invasion of the Babylonian military.  The prophet, Jeremiah, related to Zedekiah concerning the impending doom and destruction.  He said that God would retract and rescind the invasion is the people of Judah would agree to honor the Jubilee and comply with its legal provisions.  The people originally approved to honor the Jubilee and released all servants and slaves.

Jeremiah 34:7-10 NET  He did this while the army of the king of Babylon was attacking Jerusalem and the cities of Lachish and Azekah. He was attacking these cities because they were the only fortified cities of Judah which were still holding out.  (8)  The LORD spoke to Jeremiah after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to grant their slaves their freedom.  (9)  Everyone was supposed to free their male and female Hebrew slaves. No one was supposed to keep a fellow Judean enslaved.  (10)  All the people and their leaders had agreed to this. They had agreed to free their male and female slaves and not keep them enslaved any longer. They originally complied with the covenant and freed them.

However, when the Babylonian army withdrew their invasion, the Judeans changed their mind and took back their servants and slaves.  God also rescinded His actions and allowed the Babylonian military to continue as before.

Jeremiah 34:11 NET  But later they had changed their minds. They had taken back their male and female slaves that they had freed and forced them to be slaves again.

Seventy times seven is 490 years.  This is the length of time Judah did not honor a Sabbath year or a Jubilee.  The Judean survivors of the Babylonian assault were taken captive for 70 years before allowance was made to return and rebuild.

Matthew 18:21-22 NET  Then Peter came to him and said, "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother who sins against me? As many as seven times?"  (22)  Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, I tell you, but seventy-seven times!

After telling Peter to forgive seventy times seven rather than merely seven, Jesus then tells a parable concerning the Kingdom of Heaven (or God) and the principle concerning forgiveness.

The Kingdom of Heaven has a king which is God who decides it is time to settle accounts with his slaves (subjects of citizens of the kingdom).  The first subject to settle owed 10,000 talents which is a huge sum during the 1^st century.  Some exegetes consider this debtor to be the nation of Judah specifically the capital city Jerusalem.  Unable to pay, the debtor, his family, his land, and all his possessions are to be sold for payment.  The debtor pleads for mercy (repents) and is released, along with his family, and forgiven of his debt.

Matthew 18:23-35 NET  "For this reason, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves.  (24)  As he began settling his accounts, a man who owed ten thousand talents was brought to him.  (25)  Because he was not able to repay it, the lord ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and whatever he possessed, and repayment to be made.  (26)  Then the slave threw himself to the ground before him, saying, 'Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.'  (27)  The lord had compassion on that slave and released him, and forgave him the debt.  (28)  After he went out, that same slave found one of his fellow slaves who owed him one hundred silver coins. So he grabbed him by the throat and started to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe me!'  (29)  Then his fellow slave threw himself down and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will repay you.'  (30)  But he refused. Instead, he went out and threw him in prison until he repaid the debt.  (31)  When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were very upset and went and told their lord everything that had taken place.  (32)  Then his lord called the first slave and said to him, 'Evil slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me!  (33)  Should you not have shown mercy to your fellow slave, just as I showed it to you?'  (34)  And in anger his lord turned him over to the prison guards to torture him until he repaid all he owed.  (35)  So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart."

The forgiven slave then accosts a personal debtor and has him placed in prison.  When this incident was told to the king, he negated the forgiven debt and demanded it be paid in full.  The lack of Sabbath year and Jubilee observance by the Judeans which provided rest and forgiveness to servants, slaves, animals, and land owners which also led to their deportation for 70 years may be the main topic of the parable.

This parable is viewed by some as a loss of salvation if all is not forgiven.  This would mean that salvation is impossible because a completely clean slate of forgiveness is also impossible.  Since this answer contradicts the gospel message, there must be another logical solution.  There may be a possible answer by Dr. Stephen Jones, which I will submit although I am not presently certain of its validity, which will require further research.

There are two resurrections mentioned in scripture (although some say there are three).  The first is the harpazo (rapture [Latin], the gathering of the elect [Matt. 24:31], caught up together [1Thes. 4:31]) and the second resurrection is at the end of the Millennium (Revelation 20: 5 and 12-13).

Dr. Jones has a name for each resurrection:  the first is called the Jubilee or Tabernacles resurrection; and the second is named the Passover resurrection and salvation.

They can lose part in the first resurrection, but they will not lose their justification, or their Passover-level salvation.  Dr. Stephen E. Jones, Creation's Jubilee, God's Kingdom Ministries

It has been my thinking that the first resurrection or rapture at the second coming of Jesus would be the righteous dead and righteous living and that the second resurrection would be the unrighteous dead.  Dr. Jones basically agrees but adds a caveat – the second resurrection would include the common Christian who did not live the life of an overcomer or true subject of the Kingdom of God.  This is not doctrine – just something to consider.