The Sevenfold Way Part Two-Only One Access To God

Jesus Christ, The Sevenfold Way To God

Jesus Christ, The Sevenfold Way, Part Two-The Only Access To God and Way Into the Holy of Holies

There is only ONE Mediator between God and Man and that is the Man Christ Jesus. One of Satan's greatest attacks upon the Body of Christ at the present time is upon the message of the Cross and the truth of Christ being the ONLY way to the Father. There are not two ways to God but ONE, yet CHRIST, the one TRUE way, is a SEVEN FOLD way of approach for all who believe in Him. He is the ONLY way of access to the Father; the ONLY way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13); the ONLY way into the Holiest; the ONLY path to the new and living way; the ONLY way of Truth; the ONLY WAY; the ONLY Righteousness which sinful wicked man can obtain to be accepted by a thrice holy God. Millions are en route to eternity without God because of rebellion and sin; the cure for that rebellion and sin is found ONLY through Christ and the Cross. ANY OTHER GOSPEL that promotes any other way is a FALSE GOSPEL and inspired by SATAN! It is the earmark of the apostasy exploding upon the end time church which we must expose and resist through the power of the Holy Ghost

By Chris McDonald

TEXT: Genesis 3:24 - So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Hebrews 10:19-20 - Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, [20] By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

As we continue this sermon series on the sevenfold way of Christ to God, let this writer underscore once more the theme of this study. There is only ONE Mediator between God and Man and that is the Man Christ Jesus. One of Satan's greatest attacks upon the Body of Christ at the present time is upon the message of the Cross and the truth of Christ being the ONLY way to the Father. There are not two ways to God but ONE, yet CHRIST, the one TRUE way, is a SEVEN FOLD way of approach for all who believe in Him. He is the ONLY way of access to the Father; the ONLY way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13); the ONLY way into the Holiest; the ONLY path to the new and living way; the ONLY way of Truth; the ONLY WAY; the ONLY Righteousness which sinful wicked man can obtain to be accepted by a thrice holy God. Millions are en route to eternity without God because of rebellion and sin; the cure for that rebellion and sin is found ONLY through Christ and the Cross. ANY OTHER GOSPEL that promotes any other way is a FALSE GOSPEL and inspired by SATAN! It is the earmark of the apostasy exploding upon the end time church which we must expose and resist through the power of the Holy Ghost.

One major sign we see at the present warning us of the soon coming of the Lord Jesus at the rapture is the onslaught of apostasy in the church and the attacks from within on this very subject matter of Christ's divinity, deity and sole WAY for sinful man to approach and have access to a thrice holy God. As I write this second installment in this current sermon series I remember a time in 1998 when I heard a Charismatic church pastor in Lexington, Ky., smugly proclaim he didn’t believe the church was in apostasy or ever could be during our lifetime because he didn’t believe we were living in the last days.

I don’t know what Bible this so called minister was reading but it was not the same Holy Ghost inspired Bible I’m reading. The Bible says in the “IN THE LAST DAYS,” some who would depart from the true faith, i.e., the preaching of the Cross and Christ Crucified, succumbing to the onslaught of apostasy, which is a departure from the truth!

1 Tim. 4:1-2

The Holy Spirit through Paul used the term “some,” here which is not a contradiction to the words of Jesus who declared “MANY” would miss the narrow path of eternal life as well as a warning that the love of “MANY” would wax cold because of the evil of the end times. When considering the multitude of “professing” Christians, especially in America, it’s not a stretch to say that scores, possibly millions of people will depart from the faith before the rapture of the church.

Matthew 24:12

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

After the rapture, the apostasy will evolve into what the Holy Spirit through Paul called in Thessalonians, “a great delusion,” that will cover the hearts of those who reject the truth of the gospel!

2 Thes. 2:10-13

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

[13] But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

The apostasy of false teachers is serious, so serious that it should make us ALL search our hearts to see what we believe! True salvation is not based upon a ‘system’ of facts, it’s a UNION with the Lord Jesus Christ where we have taken up His cross, denied our own lives, and followed Him in obedience and faith at ALL costs.

The modern gospel, which is “ANOTHER GOSPEL,” and false, presents a Christ void of any demands for the sinner to repent of one’s sins and renounce the end of the seeking sinner’s OLD life. As A.W. Tozer said so long ago the “new cross,” preached behind modern pulpits “redirects” man instead of bringing man under DEATH’S SENTENCE which is the ONLY path for man to walk into NEWNESS of life! We die so HE can live through us!

True Biblical salvation is change produced by the Spirit of God who comes into the heart of the one who by faith believes in Christ and what He did at the Cross! Let the reader understand further however that when one is born again this process or union with Christ does not cease! Many get saved today and run back to their old life tomorrow. That is NOT true salvation but sadly the lot of millions of professing individuals in these modern times.

After the Fall Barred Access To God; After Christ FULL Access To God

Genesis 3:24

So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life

Jesus Christ has come that we might be saved and given FREE access to the Father. He is the ONLY way to this access since the Fall! Before the Fall, man had access, however, when man sinned, that access was taken away, man was driven from the presence of God and as our text shows Cherubims were placed at the entrance of the east of the Garden to Eden to “keep the way of the tree of life.” Commentators believe this was done because had Adam and Eve partook of the tree of life now in a fallen state it would have doomed the human race for eternity.

Cherubim are heavenly creatures who dwell in God's presence and have certain duties:

1. They guarded the tree of life in Eden when man was driven out (Genesis 3:24)

2. They are one means of God in travel (2 Samuel 22:11; Psalm 18:10)

3. They take God's throne (at least His traveling throne) from place to place (Ezekiel 1;
Ezekiel 9:3; Ezekiel 10:1-20; Ezekiel 11:22) (DAKE)

This revelation was further developed under the Old Covenant economy of the tabernacle of Moses and the Temple of Solomon where the Great High Priest ONLY could come, and that just once a year, into the presence of God behind the veil that separated the Holy Place from the MOST Holy Place, called the Holy of Holies. In the Holy of Holies sat the Ark of the Covenant upon which sat the mercy seat where, on the Great Day of Atonement, blood was to be sprinkled for the sins of the Great High Priest AND for the nation of Israel.

The mercy seat was made of pure gold with cherubims on both ends looking down at the broken law, which was represented by two tablets placed within the ark’s compartment, along with a golden pot of manna and Aaron’s rod that budded in the wilderness rebellions of Korah.

Hebrews 9:4-5

The Cherubim were also represented on the linen curtains, which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies where the ark and mercy seat dwelt, further impressing upon those who’d dare intrude into the holy presence of the ALMIGHTY GOD that man’s access to Him was barred!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Moral man, no matter how moral is NOT MORAL enough to come into God’s presence! That is where the gospel has taken a wrong turn in modern times as we’ve convinced people they are “good” enough to merit heaven based solely upon their “works” or “character” here in earth. Man is a SINNER and must come to the CROSS where man’s life is not “redirected” to a higher plane, but man DIES in union with Christ destroying the sin nature within him!

Man can only come and have access to a HOLY GOD through the shed blood of ONE who has not sinned and is perfect; that ONE is the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who is the ONLY WAY for man to be granted this access!

This is the message of the upcoming Jewish Fall Feast of Yom Kippur, which is actually the celebration of Israel’s National Day of Atonement as recorded in Leviticus 16. There is only ONE acceptable COVERING and APPROACH to God and that is through the BLOOD of the CROSS OF CHRIST!

One intention of the severity of God’s judgment on Nadab and Abihu as recorded in Leviticus 10:2 was to magnify God’s requirement of respect, reverence, admiration and acceptable WORSHIP for and within the most holy place, within the veil, where the Shekinah, or divine glory, was pleased to dwell between the cherubim.

Leviticus 10:2 - And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.

Leviticus 16:1-2

And the Lord spoke unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the Lord, and died; [2] And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

God’s dwelling between the cherubim is a warning to THIS generation that because of man’s disobedience and rebellion in breaking God’s law man cannot flippantly approach God as millions believe they can. MILLIONS of well meaning but deceived individuals think their membership in a church organization, confessing to a priest, being a good moral person, paying their taxes, being kind to animals, not drinking, smoking, dipping or cussing all make them “acceptable” to God. IT WON’T! That’s the lie of the purpose driven life message which tells people that if they just “find their purpose” and “do it” they will be acceptable and pleasing in God’s sight. NOTHING we “do” can please God except that which CHRIST does through us!

God looks to the humble and contrite who humble themselves daily under His mighty hand so He can raise them up through the power of His Spirit which works through the parameters of the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross. What good SIR will it do you to fulfill YOUR purpose on earth if you have never been born again? YOUR purpose is NOT good enough to grant access to a HOLY GOD mister because you’re a sinner! Being a SINNER with purpose will send you to the same HELL that being a sinner WITHOUT purpose will! I don’t mean to sound unkind but the message of the gospel is NOT about purpose it’s about REPENTANCE and FAITH in Christ and Him Crucified!

The call of salvation according to the Holy Spirit is rejected by most because “not many noble, not many mighty,” choose this path of repentance and obedience required by the Word of God to obtain saving faith.

1 Cor. 1:18-31 - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. [20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. [22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: [23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; [24] But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. [25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. [26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: [29] That no flesh should glory in his presence. [30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: [31] That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Before the veil in the Old Covenant Tabernacle some of the priests came every day to burn incense upon the golden altar, but within the veil none must ever come but the high priest only, and he but on one day in the year, and with great ceremony and caution. The HIGH PRIEST was a type of Christ, who alone has entered into the HOLY OF HOLIES in heaven to become man’s ONLY MEDIATOR between himself and God and open up a new and living way for man to DWELL in the presence of God and for God to DWELL in the hearts of men!

Hebrews 9:4-8

Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; [5] And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. [6] Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. [7] But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: [8] The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Hebrews 9:10-12

Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. [11] But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; [12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

As our mediator and Great High Priest, Christ ENTERED into the HOLY PLACE in heaven, obtained eternal redemption for ALL and opened access into the same throne room for ALL who will put their faith in His Finished Work on the Cross and thus, be “COVERED,” in and BY HIS BLOOD. The HOLY OF HOLIES where Aaron alone could go once a year was a type of the place where God manifests His special presence; it’s a place where mortal man (no matter how religious or spiritual mortal man may think himself to be) must not be made common. If none must come into the presence-chamber of an earthly king uncalled, no, not the queen herself, upon pain of death <Esther 4:11>, was it not requisite that the same sacred respect should be paid to the Kings of Kings?

Esther 4:11 - All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

The message of the Jewish Feast of Yom Kippur is the gospel message of the New Covenant. Access to God is now made possible by those who put their faith in Christ and Him Crucified, which is in reality the truth of the TRUE gospel of Christ; Paul says in Hebrews that “all who believe in Christ now have boldness to enter into the holiest, through the veil, every day” <Heb. 10:19-20>; and we come boldly (not as Aaron must, with fear and trembling) to the throne of grace, or mercy-seat, <Heb. 4:16>.

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

In Ephesians, the Holy Spirit states it a different way signifying because of this access made possible by the blood of Christ, we as believers are welcome to come at all times into the holy place not made with hands and “MADE” to “sit together with Christ in heavenly places by faith.” <Eph. 2:6>.

Ephes. 2:6

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Under the Law, Aaron could NOT come near at all times, lest he die; under the NEW COVENANT of GRACE, we can now AND MUST come near at all times that we may live: those who stand afar off from this presence do so at their own eternal peril. The call of the gospel is “COME,” COME, without money, without price. Under the dispensation of Law, God appeared in the cloud upon the mercy-seat; because of the blood of Christ and the power of the New Covenant of GRACE, we but now with open face behold, not in a dark cloud, but in a clear glass, the glory of the Lord, <2 Cor. 3:18>.

2 Cor. 3:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Under Law, Aaron had to make atonement for himself and other priests by sacrificing a bullock; thus, even though God dwelt on the MERCY SEAT in the Temple, no person could approach it except through the mediation of the high priest, who offered the blood of sacrifice

Numbers 29:8 - But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the Lord for a sweet savor; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish:

After sacrificing the bullock, the high priest chose a goat for a sin-offering and sacrificed it. Then he sprinkled its blood on and about the mercy seat <Lev. 16:12,14,15>. Finally the scapegoat bearing the sins of the people was sent into the wilderness <Lev. 16:20-22>. This scapegoat symbolized the pardon for sin brought through the sacrifice <Gal. 3:12; 2 Cor. 5:21>.

Leviticus 16:12

And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil:

Leviticus 16:14

And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

Leviticus 16:15

Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

Leviticus 16:20-22

And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: [21] And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: [22] And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

Galatians 3:12

And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them.

2 Cor. 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

NOW, under GRACE, we no longer go through ceremony, ritual or exercise to be clean and “covered,” WE COME TO CHRIST! We don’t come to a “religion,” a “denomination,” “church affiliation,” or even movement – we come to the CROSS and DIE! Christianity is not the answer the world’s problem in the sense of what it has been made into today by millions – just another religion. The answer to the world’s problems and man’s sin is the One that Christianity is to represent – the Lord Jesus Christ. True Biblical salvation takes place not upon belief in a system of facts, but in the union of a PERSON – the Lord Jesus!

That is why the false teaching of false teachers and ministers of the gospel masquerading as angels of light GRIEVES the HOLY GHOST so! When the gospel message is messed with, men perish lost without God and find their destination in eternal hell, not heaven. God is not willing that ANY man perish, but unless man comes God’s prescribed way, neighbor that individual will be lost and will die in their sins!

The Spirit of Error In These Last Days

1 Tim. 4:1-4

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

2 Tim. 4:1-4

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Men are departing from the faith because men are being led astray by error behind pulpits. There are four main areas of “error” found in the modern gospel message today – ALL have to do with the attack within on the divinity, deity and LORDSHIP of the Lord Jesus Christ.

One, false teachers promote a gospel that causes men to “depart from the faith.” The Holy Spirit makes it clear that these men are “within” the church, within the field of so-called religion yet they masquerade as teaching and preaching “truth,” when in fact they are preaching demonic lies.

Let the reader understand once more that this passage in 1 Timothy 4 speaking of seducing spirits and doctrines of devils in the last days is not dealing with the philosophies and false teachings taught by the unbelievers out in the world. It is talking about false teachers within the church itself. The Spirit of God warns those who will hear His voice that preachers and some teachers will turn away from the faith and become false teachers leading others astray by their own error. They will turn away from the Lord Jesus Christ, away from the preaching of the Cross i.e. the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

“[Christ] who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25).
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4).
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

There is only one true faith that can save a person and that is faith in the Cross. I know that sounds so terribly simple to most reading this but neighbor you’d be shocked at the number of professing Christians who have faith in everything BUT the Cross of Christ! A person can have all kinds of faith and he can have faith in all kinds of people and things and religions. But only one faith can save a person: the faith in God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the faith from which a person must never depart.

Apostasy is a departure from Truth, and anyone who claims to know the Lord, and cannot sense that the Church is presently departing from Truth as never before, if that be the case, then that Christian sadly and regrettably has become a part of the apostasy.

In fact, that is the case with a great number of modern Christians, and the situation is only going to get worse. In this vein the Holy Spirit tells us NOT to forsake the assembling of ourselves together of those with likeminded faith.

Hebrews 10:23-26

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. [26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

When we speak of attending Church we need to qualify what we say for many think attending church is tied into the building we go to on Sundays. To be frank and blunt, most Churches shouldn’t be attended and in fact RAN from like a diamondback rattlesnake!!!! I know that rankles the seeker sensitive movement/church growth seminar crowd who believe that going to church is what saves you. You’re no more saved by going to church than you are car by being in the garage!

Most churches (and the number sadly is growing rapidly with the increase of apostasy) aren’t proclaiming the Truth, and in fact, are teaching “another Jesus, another gospel, all by another spirit” (II Cor. 11:4). Let me be a little clearer: To whatever degree your Pastor is preaching the Cross, to that degree he is preaching the Gospel. I want to state it yet again to make sure the reader gets the point. To the degree your pastor or whoever is leading your church is preaching the CROSS, to that degree he is PREACHING THE TRUE GOSPEL that will save men’s souls and set the captive free.

No matter the spiritual gifting, i.e. evangelist, pastor, teacher, apostle, if any preacher is not preaching the Cross and JUST the Cross, then he is not preaching the Gospel at all, and should be shunned at all costs. This does not mean the man of God preaches the same topic every week; what it DOES mean is that the man of God keeps the CROSS at the center of ALL that he preaches! The Cross is like the center or spoke of a wheel on a bike. From the center spoke, all the other spokes stem to form a perfectly balanced wheel that drives the bike.

When it comes to the gospel, the CROSS is the central spoke from which ALL doctrine must come. The Cross of Christ is not just “part” of our theology it IS our theology! The Holy Spirit screams this to those who will hear through the writings of Paul to the Corinthians:

Galatians 6:4

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

1 Cor. 1:17-19 - For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

[18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

1 Cor. 1:20-23

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. [22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: [23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

One, many Churches proclaim a modernist gospel, which is no more than a social gospel. It is a gospel of ethics, i.e., “The Golden Rule.” These Preachers do not believe the Word of God and certainly do not believe in the Cross. At the same time, there is a large group of Charismatic Preachers who claim to be Spirit-filled, but who denigrate the Cross, even referring to it as “past miseries,” and claiming that it was the greatest defeat in human history. They encourage their followers to flee the Cross. Pure and simple, these Preachers are “enemies of the Cross of Christ.”

The Apostle then said: “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Phil. 3:18-19). The name of the game for these particular Churches is “money.” And, Paul said, “O man of God, flee these things; and follow after Righteousness, Godliness, Faith, Love, Patience, Meekness” (I Tim. 6:10-11).

1 Tim. 6:10-11

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Philip. 3:18-19

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: [19] Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

As the Holy Spirit through Paul screams: Flee these Preachers and flee these Churches!

Secondly, there are some Preachers who preach the Cross somewhat. By that I mean they preach the Cross as it regards sinners being saved, but not at all thereafter. What this writer means is that these churches preach the cross as a means of salvation but reject the operation of the Holy GHOST in the believer’s life after they get saved. The work of the Holy Ghost is VITAL to the understanding of the FULL message of redemption. If one preaches the cross without the Holy Ghost one winds up with legalism more than likely or a dead formal religion void of life at the very least.

Most Fundamentalist Churches fall into this category. While what these Preachers proclaim is true and correct as far as it goes, the problem is, it just doesn’t go far enough because as we just stated it shuns the teaching and understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer AFTER they get saved.

Consequently, most of the hearers of this message void of the preaching of the Holy Spirit will not live in victory, but rather defeat, and no matter how hard they try to do otherwise. In fact, most Christians who truly love the Lord attend these types of Churches. As should be obvious, these Churches, even though not going far enough, still, are a thousand times better than the ones in the first category.

Thirdly, the Churches which proclaim the Cross of Christ as it regards the sinner being saved, and as well, as the Source of Victory for the Christian, is actually the type of Church which should be indicative of all Churches.

Such Preaching, which is the “preaching of the Cross” (I Cor. 1:18, 21, 23), will develop strong Christians, actually that which true Christianity ought to be. Regrettably, there aren’t very many of these type of Churches, and simply because the Message of the Cross has all but been lost in the last few decades.

The Message of the Cross, which is the true Bible Message, is a total way of life, actually that for which Jesus died, and not just “part” of our statement’s of faith. It’s a dependency on Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit and NOT a dependency on ANYTHING that man or the world offers with its siren song promising victory which in fact is really nothing more but an invitation to death!

There is an eternal law of the Holy Ghost that says, “I WORK totally and completely within the parameters of the Finished Work of Christ (Rom. 8:2).” This is called the LAW of the Spirit of LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS!

Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

And of course, when He, God the Holy Ghost, works, great and mighty things begin to happen!!

Before the Spirit will move however the CROSS must be the anchor of one’s faith and must be the MESSAGE of the CHURCH that wishes to see God move. Now if you just want a Sunday morning social gathering or just come to church to make sure all your business associates think you attend then this doesn’t mean anything. The modern church has become very adept at operating without the power of the Holy Ghost! That is sad but true. We have so much activity today that it could choke a mule. NONE OF THIS ACTIVITY does ONE SINGLE THING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD but merely appeases the flesh of sinful men and gives false relief to a sinful conscience that needs to COME to the foot of the Cross of Christ and REPENT and ask the HOLY GHOST to deliver us from this nature of sin that is the source of every defeat we experience as believers.

THE CROSS IS THE BAROMETER and has always been, going back to Cain’s vicious murder of Abel over the sacrifice of a lamb compared to the sacrifice of the work of Cain’s hands, the the dividing line between the True Church and the Apostate Church. As we near the end this conflict is going to get more and more pronounced as should be evident to the reader.

It is impossible for any Christian to walk in perpetual victory, unless that Christian properly understands and walks in proper faith concerning the Cross. Living for God in a pleasing manner simply cannot be done otherwise! The Church is facing the concentrated powers of darkness in these last days prior to the rapture. These demon spirits and fallen Angels to be sure, have great power but they do not at all have power as the Holy Spirit!!!! Still, they have far greater power than any human being no matter how “religious” or “holy” that person thinks they are.

That is why all of these “fads” and “crazes” are so dangerous and damnable to this writer. It’s not that we just chase after things that don’t matter to a proverbial hill of beans but when church leaders promote such foolishness it’s as if we’re taking the gun, loading it with bullets, handing it to Satan and saying, “Here, shoot my people.” God help us. We’re tinkering with men’s souls preachers when we preach anything LESS than the pure, unadulterated Word of God and lifting HIGH the banner of the Cross, the only source of ACCESS to God for sinful man!

The Holy Spirit through Paul said, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). This is spiritual warfare!

It’s going to take more than pious platitudes, the right purpose, finding “your best life now,” higher self-esteem, or intellectual knowledge to overcome the powers of darkness seeking to destroy the souls of men and especially our young people; it’s going to take the Power of God.

This is why Satan has unleashed his most heinous attack against the true gospel that centers on the Cross and the fact Christ and Him Crucified which IS the power of God!

Romans 1:16-18

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

1 Cor. 1:17-21

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. [18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. [20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Let this writer state the message of this journal ONE MORE TIME as to not leave any room for question. There is NO other access to God except through Christ; and there is no other way to Christ except one come by means of the Cross, taking up the cross daily, denying one’s self, and following after Christ in repentance, humility, faith and love.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Matt 16:24-25

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.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

There is one requirement to this unlimited access. We not only must believe in Jesus, accepting Him as our Lord and Saviour, but as well, we must understand that all of this was made possible by what Jesus did at the Cross. That’s at least one of the reasons that Paul also said, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14).

As it regards this access, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle said, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off (that speaks of Gentiles) are made nigh by the Blood of Christ (by what Christ did at the Cross on our behalf)” (Eph. 2:13). He then said, “And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross, having slain the enmity thereby (meaning that the sin debt was removed, at least for all who would believe)” (Eph. 2:16).

And then last of all, he said, “For through Him (Christ and what He did at the Cross) we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Eph. 2:18). The idea is, that if the Believer doesn’t come to the Father, at all times understanding that such access is made possible by what Jesus did at the Cross, the Holy Spirit will bar the way, so to speak, just as the Cherubim of old barred the way back to the tree of life, the way into the Holy of Holies and the path to the mercy seat that sat on the Ark of God.

The Cross is the centrality of the Gospel. It is the intersection for all things, the foundation for all Faith, the repository of all Doctrine. Whatever is not built on this foundation, which is the Rock, Who is Christ Jesus, of necessity must be building on the sand, which ultimately will be swept away (Mat. 7:24-27).

The tragedy is, much of the modern Church world is trying to obtain access by means other than the Cross. Such cannot be done! This means that all in the so-called Faith camp, who denigrate the Cross, as many of them do, can have no access to God, despite their claims. This means that the Modernists, who place no value on the Sacrifice of Christ, have no access to God. This means that those who advocate humanistic psychology have no access to God.

In fact, anyone who places Faith in anything, irrespective as to what it might be, or how good it may seem to be on the surface, other than “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” has no access to God. All access is strictly limited, to those who place their full trust and confidence in Christ, and what He did at the Cross on our behalf.

If we do not understand Christianity in that fashion, then we do not understand Christianity! If we do not understand the Bible in that fashion, then we do not understand the Bible! God has access to us only through the Cross of Christ, and to be sure, we have access to God only through the Cross of Christ.

When one believes in Christ’s finished work, the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, comes inside our hearts and lives and brings newness of life and power to enable us to do just that. The sin nature that exists in every single human being born since Adam is so powerful and strong that mortal man cannot live for God in his own strength.

Mortal man cannot please God either outside faith in the Cross of Christ and what the Lord accomplished for us all who believe and trust in His name today. Society in general and even many in the realm of institutionalized religion glorify the physical sufferings of our Lord seeking to establish Christianity as just another religion. However, as deeply horrifying as the sufferings of Christ were on the Cross, what saved mankind was the fact that His shed blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat in heaven and appeased the justice of God so all who come to God through Christ can be justified.

When Christ cried “It is finished,” He basically decreed that now the way to God which was blocked because of sin was now open and ALL who believe can now come into the presence of God. When Adam and Eve fell, God drove man out of His presence in the Garden and Eden and place a flaming sword to keep them from partaking of the tree of life in a fallen state.

Rom 5:2 - By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God

Ephes. 2:18

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Ephes. 3:12

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him

Sin created a barrier between God and man whereby man cannot reach God in a fallen state. That is why the Lord had to put Cherubim with a flaming sword at the gate of Eden so Adam and Eve could no longer have “access” to the tree of life.

That was a picture of ALL fallen humanity today. CHRIST is the TREE OF LIFE that stands in the middle of the heavens but man cannot go where he is because of sin. When the Pharisees were spewing their venom at Christ denying He was the Son of God and had come from above He told them they “could not come to where He was going.”

John 7:34-36

34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?

John 8:21-22

21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.

John 13:33-35

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The religious of Israel could not understand this and the modern church world is increasingly NOT understanding it today! There is NO way for those who die to make heaven their home unless they have been BORN again friend. There is NO way for those who die to see the face of Jesus on His throne and live eternally with the Lord UNLESS they be “BORN AGAIN,” having their sins WASHED by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. This same blood I speak of was the payment for man’s sin debt to God that HAD to be paid for man to be with Christ. Jesus told the religious of Israel, “Ye shall die in your sins,” and where He went, they could not come.

Neighbor that is going to be the eternal decree upon millions who have not been to the Cross! That has already been the cry from heaven for millions of souls already in an eternal hell composed of fire and brimstone, torment and agony. Man cannot save himself and cannot get to God except man come through the CROSS! Hear the words the Spirit of God speaks to you today.

Some of you reading this right now feel a tug at your heart’s door telling you something is not right. You go to church, sing in a choir, teach Sunday School, pay your taxes, treat your family right, give to charity, have a good job, have great status in the social circles of the city you live, but you have NOT BEEN TO THE CROSS OF CHRIST, humbled yourself, repented of your sins, and been born again. And no matter how morally “good” you may think you are, you are not “GOOD ENOUGH” to get to God except you come through Christ.

Just as God placed a flaming sword at the gate of the Garden of Eden, there is a closed door to heaven except for those who are IN CHRIST and have placed their faith in His finished work!

However, because of the Cross and Christ shedding His precious, life-giving Blood there is no longer the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in Moses’ Tabernacle and Solomon’s Temple – a prophetic picture of the blocked access to God for ALL humanity because of sin. When Jesus died the veil was rent signifying that heaven’s door was open to ALL who would believe in what HE did for us at the Cross and be washed in His precious blood!

I know that offends some of you reading this. Some of you reading this are so religiously smug that you think you too good to kneel at an old fashioned altar, cry out to God for mercy on your soul and repent of who you are. It’s hard for man to admit he is a sinner. It’s hard for man to admit he needs a redeemer. It’s hard for religious man to admit there is NO way he can save or deliver himself. It’s hard for religious man to admit his absolute depravity outside the grace of God through the power of the Holy Ghost and the power of the shed blood of Christ.

We no longer have a flaming sword or cherubim standing between us and God; we now have complete ACCESS to the Father and hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. My Lord, don’t you feel that. I just felt the anointing of the Holy Ghost show up as I wrote that last statement. We’re saved today and bound for heaven because of the finished work of Christ!

Because Christ Jesus, the SON of the Living God, through the work on the Cross “passed into the heavens,” we can HOLD fast our profession. We have NOT a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in ALL points tempted as we are, YET without sin! Because of this, we can COME boldly, unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain MERCY, and find GRACE to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:12-16

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. [14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Father beckons to your heart and soul today through the work of His Son and the convicting “pull,” and “tug” of the Holy Ghost to “COME” into His presence today and be blessed; be healed; be delivered; be set free from fear, depression, oppression; be saved today in the precious name and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; be changed by the power of the Holy Ghost and offer yourself to the Father in total dedication, service and humility. He waits today for you to do so because He has made the way possible. Jesus Christ is a sevenfold way to God and He IS the ONLY ACCESS we have to the Father. I pray you know this Christ today; it’s getting late neighbor and its harvest time.

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