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Having passed beneath the first vail we pass beyond the spiritual divide and enter into the “holy or spirit begotten condition, hence forth we are no longer recognized according to the flesh, but as new creatures in Christ Jesus. Such, as the apostle explains, are forthwith in THE SCHOOL OF...

Some further thoughts to ponder, If indeed “Hell” and “Hades” are what the majority of Christians believe they are, viz. a place of fire and brimstone of endless torment, why then did Job pray to God, “Oh that in Hades thou wouldst hide me! That thou wouldst keep me secret until the turn of...

Another text supposedly to teach the doctrine of Hell as a place of fire and eternal torment is, Matt 13: 41, 42 “The Son of man shall send forth his angels (Servants or messengers, begotten of his spirit), and they shall gather out of his kingdom ALL THINGS (errors, falsehoods, deceptions)...

The following scriptures are likewise some which are generally relied upon by some who believe in the doctrine of Hell as a place of fire and eternal torment. Let us examine such to see if this be true. We begin with Matt 3:11, 12 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that...

The next text cited as a proof of eternal torment is Matt 25:41: “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” This is from The Parable of the Sheep and Goats and describes the fate of the...

“And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever, and ever; and they have no rest day or night.” (Rev 14:10, 11) Now we apply another test to our texts, one which indicates...

Consider carefully the scriptures that are used to teach eternal torment. Do not imagine that a study of such scriptures is too elementary, for though convinced the doctrine of eternal torment is false, many mature Bible Students cannot readily explain the scriptures used to support the...

The following is a Checklist for Interpreting Scripture This list of tests may be applied to interpretations of scripture to help determine its real meaning. You may think of other tests also. Does it square with the ransom? Is it in accordance with the divine plan? Is the scripture...

The following excerpt was taken from a discourse by Brother Robert S. Seklemian entitled, “Thus Saith the Lord” “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures; and said unto them, Thus it is written.”--Luke 24:45, 46 The expression, “Thus saith the Lord,” is...

Continued from our previous post. And so we see that the dividing line between the earthly (or natural man), the unconsecrated believer, and that of the spiritual (the New Creature), the fully consecrated is the “First Vail” or “Vail of Consecration” the “door” to the Tabernacle. This...

Having heeded the call echoed by the Apostle Paul to all believers residing within the courtyard condition, viz. “We beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God"—if you feel gratitude for the manifest love of God, and desire to please Him and enter into the blessings to which you are called--...

AFTER our Lord had fully consecrated himself, surrendering his will for that of the Father’s, or as the Apostle quotes it from the Old Testament, “Lo, I come; in the volume of the Book it is written of me; I delight to do thy will, O my God” (Psa 40:7,8; Heb 10:7) he immediately went down to the...

The “SECOND STEP” entering the Tabernacle proper. “You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver.” (Exod 26: 36) This door (the “First Vail”) represents our Lord even as the “Entrance Curtain” to the...

In our previous post we mentioned how the blind guides had deceived many into believing a mere professing of faith is all that is required of them to insure their heavenly reward, that and their membership in one of the various “pens” denominations or institutions devised by men. The blame...

“Wolves” in the Courtyard In our previous post we were discussing the progressive path of those (individuals’ 1, 4, 5 and 6) who whilst in the courtyard were steadily taking the proper steps leading them to the main goal or object to their justification now during the Gospel Age. Such...

Once again we enter the courtyard through faith in Christ as represented in the entrance curtain, the first step. "We see, then that justification by faith, faith in Christ, our first step toward holiness, brings us into a condition of peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1)...

For the moment we should like to proceed on to individual’s 4 and 5 in our examination of the courtyard, and return to 2 and 3 a bit later as 4 and 5 represents those individuals who are making proper progress as antitypical Levites (justified believers) on their way toward the true purpose or...

Let us now take a closer look at, …condition, along with the various steps necessary for entry, for progress as antitypical or prospective Levites, and what it takes to reach the next condition, the “Holy condition” as depicted by the first chamber in the Tabernacle, the “Holy”. While we’re...

THE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH The ultimate consequence of not responding to the call, and not putting on a wedding garment, is "weeping and gnashing of teeth." This difficult phrase appears seven times in the New Testament — six times in Matthew, once in Luke. The account in Luke provides...

THE WEDDING GARMENT A crucial point in the parable is the absence of a wedding garment. There has been much speculation as to the source of the wedding garment. Some declare it was the custom in Jesus’ day to present wedding guests with garments. However there is little evidence to support such...