Fritz Springmeier

authority. If we get to the real problem, the root of why they mistranslate Jn 1:1, it goes backto that the false authority called the Watchtower Society taught them that.The Kingdom of GodIn the OT the kingdom (i.e. the rule or sovereignty) of God means his almighty power,ordering the created world and establishing within it righteousness and justice, the vindicationof his people, and mercy and deliverance for the sick, and the oppressed.In the NT no precise definition can be given, because according to the context the termKingdom of God my cover a wide range of meanings including "sovereignty", "kingship","exercise of royal authority," "reign," and "territory ruled by a king." In some passages it isequated in a sense with eternal life, in others the church. In some passages it is related to thegospel, salvation, repentance, and the new birth. Jesus' disciples become kingdom rulers andpriests.A summary that catches the concept of the Kingdom is:The Lord God omnipotent reigns. And if you are of the kingdom of God, then that means He isreigning in your life; if He is not, then you are not of His kingdom—it is that simple.INTRODUCING A PROBLEMPart of the problem within Christendom is the way the gospel is defined and presented topeople. The following pages are designed to pull people away from the rut Christendom is in,but it is only a mere introduction to call God's people to rethink God's gospel and salvation.Charles Hodges is but one of several brothers-in-Christ who have realized that Rom. 5:18,"Therefore as by the offense of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so bythe righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." The scripturesconfirm then that all men are saved except those whom the Bible excludes from union withChrist. Human nature was not the object of the atonement for the nature was not the object ofsin, simply because human nature is an abstraction, it is people who sin. The fall of Adaminvolved distinct persons "many were made sinners" Rm 5:19. Therefore all are of the electexcept those plainly excepted by the Word of God. Christ told a certain group of people theywere the seed of Satan.Who is exempt from entering the Kingdom? People who individually refuse to walk inobedience to God. "for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." Gal 6:7"And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done." Rev20:12,13The individual misdeeds are:1. Not knowing Christ personally (Mt 7:23)2. Not treating the least with love (Mt 25:42, 45)3. Not obeying Christ (John 3:36)4. Doing evil (Jn 5:29b)5. Exchanging the truth of God for a lie (Rm 1:24,25)6. Dishonorable passions and refusing to acknowledge God (rom 1:26a, 28)7. Passing judgement on others, while doing the same (Rom 2:1,2)8. Having an impenitent heart9. those who are immoral, idolaters, adulterers, sexual perverts, thieves, greedy, drunkards,revilers, robbers (I Cor 6:9b, 10)10. those who are fornicators or covetous (Eph 5:5,6)