SevenMysteries

Dr.PeterS.RuckmanPresident,PensacolaBibleInstitute

B.A.,B.D.,M.A.,Th.M.,Ph.D.

COPYRIGHT©1981byPeterS.RuckmanAllRightsReserved

(PRINT)ISBN1-58026-271-6

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SevenMysteries

Let’sturnto1Corinthians4:1–2.InthispassagePaulsays,“Letamansoaccountofus,asoftheministersofChrist,andstewardsofthemysteriesofGod.Moreoveritisrequired in stewards, that aman be found faithful.” A steward is somebody that isgiven something valuable to take care of, and he is supposed to take care of it for hismaster.When Eliezer was the “steward” of Abraham’s house (Gen. 15:2), everythingAbrahamhadwas under his hand.And it is required in a steward that amanbe found“faithful” because he has goods delivered to him that don’t belong to him. Now, weunderstandwhatwemeanwhenwetalkaboutstewardshipofmoney.Whenwetalkaboutstewardshipofmoney,wemeanGodgivingyoumoney,andthenyoutakingcareofthatmoneyandputtingitoutastheLordwouldhaveyoutoputitout.Butinthispassagein1Corinthians4,wearenottalkingaboutthestewardshipofmoney.

Now, you look at that verse, and notice that he is talking about the “mysteries ofGod.” He said, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, andstewards of themysteries of God.” He’s talking about a fellow taking care of some“mysteries.”“Moreoveritisrequiredinstewards,thatamanbefoundfaithful.”Inthepassageyou’rereadingright there,Paul is talkingaboutstewardshipoversomethingthathehasbeengiventoteachandhesaidastewardmustbefaithfulintakingcareofthethingsthatheisgiventoteach.Now,I’mgoingtomakeabroadstatement(andI’mnotgoing to repent of it one time, either nowor later)when I say that if everyminister inAmericahadbeenfaithfulintakingcareofthosemysteries,Americawouldnotbeinthemess it’s in today. IfeveryMethodist,Baptist,Episcopalian,Lutheran,andPresbyterianpreacher in thiscountryhadsimplydonewhatGod told them todo in thispassage,wewouldn’tbeinthemesswe’reinrightnow;andI’llprovethat.

Thatpassagesays,“stewardsofthemysteriesofGod.Moreover it isrequiredinstewards,thatamanbefoundfaithful.”ThentherearesomemysteriesofGodthataman isgiven to takecareof, andhe is tobe faithful inpreserving them.Doyouknowwhat theyare?They’renot themysteriesof theKingdomofHeaven—that’s adifferentset.ThesemysteriesareinaPaulineepistle—heistalkingaboutmysteriesthatapplytotheBodyofChrist.Now,howintheworldcouldamanbefaithfulinpreservingthemifhedoesn’tevenknowwhattheyare?Andwhat’smore,peopleinAmericadon’tevencarewhattheyare.TheaverageAmericanisacharacter.TheaverageAmericanisinterestedinhisbankaccountandhisSocialSecurity,hispensionorhisinsurance,andhiskidsandhishouse,andhiscarand inflation,and that’saboutwhere itends.Whenyoubegin to talkaboutthetruthtoanAmerican,you’retalkingtoabarnfullofowls.Imeanthey’renotzealousfor the truth. I read inmyBibleone time,“Blessedaretheywhichdohungerandthirstafterrighteousness:fortheyshallbefilled”(Matt.5:6).Ithoughttomyself,

“Boy, you don’t meet many people these days hungering and thirsting afterrighteousness.” Do you know anybody in the CIA or FBI or the National EducationAssociationortheIlluminatiortheBilderbergersortheCatholicChurchthat’s“hungeringand thirsting after righteousness”? Why, they’re hungering and thirsting for dialogue,peace, love, and votes! Righteousness? Are you crazy? If there are fifty Americans inWashington,D.C.,thatarehungeringandthirstingafterrighteousness,theycertainlydon’thaveanythingtodowithwhatI’vebeenreadinginthenewspaperinthelastthirtyyears.Americansdon’thungerandthirstafterrighteousness.Theytrytofindwaystogetaroundit.

Afellowsaidtoamanonetime,“DoyoubelievethemainproblemsinAmericaareignoranceandindifference?”Themansaid,“Idon’tknow,andIdon’tcare.”There’salotoftruthinthat.

I.GodManifestintheFlesh

Let us turn to 1 Timothy 3. This is the first mystery, called the “mystery ofgodliness.” If you don’t have aKing JamesBible youwon’t be able to find this versebecausethisisthegreatestverseintheBibleontheDeityofJesusChrist,andthereisn’toneBibleoutside theKingJames thatevenhas it. Isn’t that strange?WhywouldeverynewBiblesuddenlytakeaslapattheDeityofJesusChrist?Imaginesomesoul-winning,premillennial, independent, missionary-minded, fundamental, doubly-separated, spirit-filled fool standingupand recommendingaBible that tooka slapat theDeityof JesusChrist!Imaginethat!“TheoriginalGreek”musthavegonetohishead.

Now,youtake1Timothy3:16,“Andwithoutcontroversygreat isthemysteryofgodliness:Godwasmanifestintheflesh….”Doyouseethat?Now,ifyoudon’thaveaKingJamesBible,yourBiblewill say“who”wasmanifest in the flesh,“hewho” wasmanifestintheflesh,“it”wasmanifestintheflesh,andeverythingelse,butityouhaveaKingJamesBible itsays,“Godwasmanifestintheflesh.”That’s thegreatestverseinthe New Testament on the Deity of Jesus Christ. If a man would alter that verse orrecommend aBiblewhich altered that verse, he couldn’t do it if hewere intelligent orspiritual. He’d have to have something else in mind. There is no way you couldrecommendaBiblethatattacksthatverseandbeadedicatedmanofGod—nowayunderGod’sheaven.Andifyouwerededicatedineveryotherwayexceptthere,thatwouldbeoneplacewhereyou and thedevilwere in perfect agreement.A fellow said tomeonetimerecently,“Myprofessordoesn’tbelievetheKingJamesBible is thewordofGod,”and I said,“Well, that’soneplacewhereyourprofessorand thedevilare inagreement,andIdon’tknowwheretheydifferonotherpoints.”

Now, you take I Timothy 3:16—you know what that thing says? That thing says,“Godwasmanifestintheflesh.”Whatdoesthatmean?ThatmeansthatGodshowedupas a baby. Now, do you know why that is called a “mystery”? Because you couldn’texplainitifyoustayedupallnight.Now,tellmeaboutit,willyou?MarychangingJesus’clothes, or Mary saying, “Don’t put that in your mouth, Jesus, don’t put that in yourmouth.”Yousay,“Didthatreallyhappen?”Ofcourseitdid.Hewaslikeanyotherbaby.He“increasedinwisdomandstature,andinfavorwithGodandman”(Luke2:52).

I’m no Liberal. I don’t believe JesusChristwas just aman. I believe hewas “God…manifestintheflesh.”ButI’lltellyouonething—whenHecamedowntothisearth,Hecamedownasababy,andawomanhadtotakecareofHim.Someofyouprobablydon’tevenbelievewhatI justsaid.Yeah,man,awomanhadto takecareofHim—feedHim,washHim!AwomanwashingGod!Let’sseeyoufigurethatoneout,brother!Youknowsomething?When theLordwants tomessmenup,Hedoesn’thave todoanythingbig.First Corinthians 1:25 says, “the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and theweaknessofGodisstrongerthanmen.”ThefoolishnessofGod—theBiblesaysthat“itpleasedGodbythefoolishnessofpreachingtosavethemthatbelieve”(1Cor.1:21).Paulsaid,“WearefoolsforChrist’ssake”(1Cor.4:10).Paulsaid,“ifanymanamongyouseemethtobewiseinthisworld,lethimbecomeafool,thathemaybewise.”(1Cor.3:18).WhenGodwantedtomessupthehumanrace,Hedidn’thavetoputlettersoffireacrosstheskysaying“RepentorPerish.”Nothingofthekind.WhenGodwantedtomessupthehumanraceandmakefoolsoutofmen,Hedidn’thavetogooutofHiswayorexertHimself.GodneverhastoexertHimself.WhenGodwantstomakefoolsoutofmen,doyouknowwhatHedoes?He justdoessome littleoldnonsensicalnothing thatdoesn’tamounttoahillofbeans.Hejustletsawomanhaveababywithoutamanbeinginvolved. They’ve been trying to imitate it ever since. These nuts fooling around withartificial inseminationandcloningandtryingto transplant thisandtransplant that.Why,youkiddies,whoareyoutryingtofool?ThatGodinthatBiblemakesmanfourdifferentways.A test tubebaby isn’t even agood start at it.Godcanmake apersonoutof justground,right?Godcanmakeawomanoutofamanwithoutawoman.AndGodcanmakeamanoutofawoman,andGodcanmakeamanoutofmenandwomentogether.Now,I’ve got a God that canmake them four different ways! I mean, if you domanage tocounterfeit one of them, you’ve still got three to go! There is no danger in anybodycatching upwith the Bible. I hear folks say, “Back to the Bible, back to the Bible.” Iunderstandthatsentiment,youknow.Ihadasignonmycaronetimethatsaid,“BacktotheBibleorbacktothejungle,”andIbelievethat.Buttechnically,didyouknowthatisn’tright?Technically,itisn’tbacktotheBible.Youcan’tgetbacktotheBible.ThatBibleissofaraheadofyou,man,youhavetoruntocatchupwithit.

Now,youtakethatthingrightthere—Godmanifestintheflesh.Didyoueverstoptothinkwhatathingthatis?Imean,“littlebabyJesus”needingattention,needingcare.Youladieswhohavechildren,youknowwhatitmeanstotakecareofababy.I’vegotsevenchildrenandfourgrandchildren.MynexttolastgrandchildwasnamedStephenAugustineRuckman.Andjustassureastheworld—justassureasthatbabywasborntheystartedcallinghim“Gus.”Theymaycallhim“Steve”inschool,andhe’sgoingtohavetosignhisname“Stephen.”Butthey’regoingtocallhim“Gus.”YoutakelittleGus,he’slikeanyotherbaby.Now,you ladiesknowwhatyouhave todo to takecareofababy.CanyouimagingGodinthatposition?Someofyoudon’tbelieveit.That’swhytheLordsaidit.TheLorddidittomakefoolsoutofpeople!Youcan’tfigurethatthingout.God,crawlingaroundonthefloor?“Timetoeat,honey.”Isn’tthatwild,man?Youcan’tfigurethatthingout.WhenGodletthatwomanhavethatbabywithoutamanbeinginvolved,Hebroughttonothingthewisdomofthisworld.Now,theBiblesays,“Whereisthewise?whereisthe scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish thewisdom of this world? For after that in thewisdom ofGod theworld bywisdomknew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that

believe” (1 Cor. 1:20–21). You know what men did to get around God? They usedwisdom.Fortheworldbywisdom—didyougetthat?“BywisdomknewnotGod.”YouknowhowmengetaroundknowingGod?Theireducation.“BywisdomknewnotGod.”

You take when little Jesus Christ was born. In Greece there were a bunch ofphilosophers,andtheywerecalled“loversofwisdom”—that’swhat“philosophy”means.Youknowwhattheydid?TheyusedwisdomtogetawayfromGod.AndtheLordlookeddownthere,andHesaid,“I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo.I’llconfoundyourwisdom.I’llbringittonothing.”Andtheysaid,“Howareyougoingtodothat?”Hesaid,“I’mgoingtoletawomanhaveababywithoutamanbeinginvolved,andthatbabyisgoingtobetheOnethatmadetheuniverse.”

Now,explainittome.

Youcouldn’texplainitifyoustayedupallnight.

Thereisnowaytoexplainthat.

Now,amysteryissomethingthat’ssowhetheryouexplainitornot.Andamysteryissomething you’re supposed to believe. That’s the first mystery. Do you realize that ifeverypreacherinAmericahadbeenfaithfulinkeepingthatmysteryandpreservingthatmystery, you wouldn’t have one Liberal in one pulpit in the United States? Whathappened?Somebodywasunfaithful.Somebodywasentrustedwithsomethinganddidn’tkeep it. And Paul said, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among manywitnesses, the samecommit thou to faithfulmen,whoshallbeable to teachothersalso” (2 Tim. 2:2). There wouldn’t be one Liberal alive in the United States if everypreacher had been faithful in the trust of the first mystery: the Virgin Birth—“God…manifestintheflesh.”

II.ChristInYou

Now,takeyourBibleandturntoColossians1:27;that’sthenextmystery.Paulsays,“thismystery among theGentiles;which isChrist in you, the hope of glory.” Seethat?Now,thatverserighttheresaysthe“mystery”isthatJesusChristisinsidethesavedman. Somebody said that is no mystery. Sure, it’s a mystery. You can’t explain that.“Christinyou,thehopeofglory”?

Letmeaskyousomething.Howcouldasinless,perfectSaviourstoopdowntocomein anddwell insidemyold,wickedvessel,myunclean flesh that goes into theground.Wormseatit.Asinlessmanisinsideasinner.Howdoyouexplainthatkindofthing?Didyoueverstoptothinkaboutall thewickednessHehastoputupwithinsideyou?I likewhatHughPyle says, “TheResident should be President.”And he says, “TheBoardershouldbetheBoss.”Whatdoesthatmean?Well,thatmeansifJesusChristisinyou,Heought to be running things, and notyou. If you’re aChristian, inside you you’ve got athrone,andthere’sroomforonlyoneperson.Whenyou’reonthatthrone,JesusChristisatthefootofthatthrone,andwhenJesusChristisonthatthrone,you’reatthefootofthethrone.Now,whichisit,brethren?Areyourunningthatthing,oristheLordrunningit?There isn’t any room on there for two of you. You’reworshipping at His feet, or He’sworshippingatyours.Isn’tthatadisgustingthought?Himworshippingatyourfeet?You

know,itrevoltedSimonPeter;andwhenJesuscamearoundandsaid,“I’mgoingtowashyour feet,” Peter said, “You aren’t going to wash my feet.” Peter couldn’t stand thethoughtof theLordkneelingdown in frontofhimandwashinghis feet (John13:4–8).There’sathroneinthere,andtheResidentshouldbePresident.TheBoardershouldbetheBoss.

TheLordJesusChrist isinthere,andinsidethatoldframeofyoursthereissinandrebellionandstubbornnessandlustandcovetousness.Jesussaid,“Forfromwithin,outoftheheartofmen,proceedevilthoughts,adulteries,fornications,murders,Thefts,covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride,foolishness:Alltheseevilthingscomefromwithin,anddefiletheman”(Mark7:21–23).Now,insidethatbodythereistheold“me,”andthereistheLordJesusChrist.Yousay,“Wouldyouexplainthat?”Youcan’texplainthat. IsChrist inyou,brother?He’s inyou?That’simpossible.He’sinme.Imean,youcan’texplainthat.You’vegotacouplehundredChristianshere.YouallswearthatChristisinyou.Well,whathavewegot?HavewegotfivehundreddifferentJesusesinhere?Thereisn’tanywayintheworldyoucanexplainthat!Hedidn’tjustsaytheHolySpiritinyou—hesaid,“Christinyou.”YouarecompleteinHim,andHe’sinyou.Now,howdoyouexplainJesusChristinmeandJesusChristinhimandJesusChristinherandJesusChristinhimifJesusChristisnotdivided?Howdoyouexplainthat?Youcouldn’tifyoustayedupallnight.That’swhyit’scalleda“mystery.”ThemysteryoftheindwellingChrist:“Christinyou,thehopeofglory.”

Youknow,somepeoplethinkthatwhentheygetsavedtheirtroublesareallover,butmanytimeswhenyougetsavedyourtroublesarejustbeginning.Doyouknowthatsomeofyoupeople really,honestlydidn’t realizewhat rascalsyouwereuntilyougot saved?JonathanEdwardssaid,“WhenIlookintomyheartandperceiveitsinfinitewickednessIthinkit’sapitdeeperthanhell.”BishopBerkley,theold-timesavedEpiscopalianbishop(nottheDeist),arealsavedman,said,“WhenIpray,Isin;whenIpreach,Isin;myveryrepentanceneeds tobe repentedof, andmy tearsneedwashing in thebloodofChrist.”Youknowwhatthatmeans?ThatmeansI’vegottwomeninthere,anoldmanandanewman.

Amansaidone time toaChristian, “Doyou still sin?”He said, “Yeah, I stillhavetroublewith sin.”And he said, “I thought youwere saved.”And theChristian said, “Iam.”Andhesaid,“Howcanyoubesavedandstillsin?”Andhesaid,“Well,Istillsin,butbeingsavedsurehascomplicated it.”Now, ifyou’resaved,youknowwhat that is,youknowwhatImean.Beforeyougotsavedyoucouldalwaysfindsomewaytojustifywhatyouweredoing.Andthenafteryougotsavedthatthingcameup;andyoutriedtojustifyit,anditjustdidn’twork.Yougotoff;andthefirstnightyouwerekindofnervousaboutitandkindofscared,butyousaid,“It’sallright,youknowitdoesn’thurtany.”Andthenthe next night you said, “Yeah, but itwaswrong—I shouldn’t have done it.”And thenaboutthenextnightyousay,“Well,Idon’tknowwhymyconsciencekeepsbotheringme—it’s all past anyway.”And about the fourthnight yougetmiserable andget downonyour face and begin to cry and tellGod about it.There’s a difference.Before aman issaved,allhe’sgotisonenature.Thatoldnaturesitsinthere;andthatoldnaturecantasteit,andhecanfeelit,andhecansmellit,andhecanseeit,andhecanhearit,andthat’sallhecando.He’sgot five senses.Then,whenyouget saved and that newman comes inthere,you’vegotasixthsense; andyoubegin to love thingsyou’veneverseen,you’ve

neverheard,you’veneversmelled,you’venever tasted,andyou’venever touched.Thatkind of stuff happens, and the old nature and the oldman begins to put up a roar.Hebeginstofuss.Hebeginstofight.Hedoesn’tlikeit.Beforeyougotsavedyousaid,“Boy,that’sgreat;yeah, that’sgood,man.Boy, that’scool,man; that sendsme—that’sgreat.”Afteryougetsavedyoustillstartpattingyourfootandyousay,“Yeah,that’sgreat,”buttheHolySpirit says, “Shut it off.”You say, “What for?That’s goodmusic.”TheHolySpiritsays,“Idon’tlikeit.”“Yeah,butIlikeit.”TheHolySpiritsays,“Idon’t.”Theoldnaturesays,“Well,can’tyouhavealittlebitoffun?”TheHolySpiritsays,“Shutitoff.”Thenyoucometochurchandstartsinginghymnsinchurch.Andthenewnaturesays,“Ilikethis.”Andtheoldnaturesays,“Ah,corny,man;corny,man.”Andthenewmansays,“Yeah,butit’sgood;it’sablessing.”Theoldnaturesays,“Man,whatadrag.Getoutofhere.”

See?Imean,yougetsaved,andyou’vegottwonatures.Now,whatisthat?That’samystery.That’s“Christinyou,thehopeofglory.”Listen,whenJesusChristsavedyouandgaveyouanewbirth,youknowwhatHedid?Hetookacivilizedmanandputhiminacagewithagorilla.Andyou’re thegorilla.Thatgorillagoesonandscratcheshimselfandpicksfleasoffhimselfandeatsbananasandhasaprettygoodtime,untilacivilizedmangetsinthereinthecagewithhim;thenthatgorillastartsgettingirritableandbeginstogrowlandbeginstothreatenandbeginstotrytostartafight,andhe’snolongerhappy.He’snolongeratrest.WhentheLordsavedyou,brethren,Heruinedyouforlife.

III.ChristandtheChurch

TurntoEphesians5,andI’llshowyouanothermystery.PaulsaysinEphesians5:32about thismystery,“This isagreatmystery:but I speakconcerningChristand thechurch.”Now,inthispassageherehe’stalkingabouttheLordJesusChristandHisbride.Inverse29he says,“Fornoman everyethatedhis own flesh;butnourishethandcherishethit,evenastheLordthechurch.”Andinverse25hesays,“Husbands,loveyourwives, even asChrist also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”And inverses30–32hesays,“Forwearemembersofhisbody,ofhisflesh,andofhisbones.Forthiscauseshallamanleavehisfatherandmother,andshallbejoineduntohiswife,andtheytwoshallbeoneflesh.Thisisagreatmystery:butIspeakconcerningChrist and the church.” Now, he says that if a man is saved and born again he’s inChrist’sbody.Andsinceaman’sbodyishiswife,thenthesavedpeoplewhomakeuptheBodyofChristarespokenofasawifeandabride—“Ofhisflesh,andofhisbones”(v.30).“Fortwo,saithhe,shallbeoneflesh”(1Cor.6:16).Now,howdoexplainthat?Imean,someofyoufellowsaresittinghere,andyourwifeissittingnexttoyou.Howcouldyoube“oneflesh”?Imean,obviously,youcangetupandgooutthedoorandleavehersittinghere.Wheredoyouget“oneflesh”from?Explainit.Youcouldn’tifyoustayedupallnight.That’swhywhenamandoesn’tgetrightheusuallybecomesanatheist—ifyoudon’tgetrightyou’llstumbleoverthatstuff.Therationalmindcannotexplainwhat I’mtalkingabout.That’swhyit’scalleda“mystery.”Now,lookhere.Heisupthereinthethirdheaven—I’mdownhere.I’mpartofHim;He’spartofme.Explainit.Youcouldn’tifyoustayedupallnight!

Iwas talkingone timewithaCampbellitepreacher, andhe said, “Well,noonecanknowforsurewherethey’regoingwhentheydie.”Isaid,“I’mgoingtoheaven.”Hesaid,“You can’t know it till you’re dead.” I said, “What are you talking about,man, I’m inheavenrightnow.”Andhesaid,“You’renotinheavenrightnow:I’mlookingatyou.”Isaid,“Youfool,you’relookingatmybody.I’mnothere;I’mupinglory.”Now,hecan’tunderstandthat.Ican’tunderstanditmyself,butlknowit’sso!YouknowwhatEphesians2:6 says? “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenlyplaces inChristJesus.” I bowmyheadand say, “Lordbless thismessage in theLordJesusChrist’s name,Amen.” I’min. I am in the throne room.“Letus therefore comeboldlyuntothethroneofgrace”(Heb.4:16).Wedon’tneedtogothroughachauffeurandadoorkeeperandasecretaryandavice-secretaryandallthatkindofbusinesstogetinthe front office: “Hail,Mary” and all thatmess. Down herewhere I havemy office astudenthastoknockonmydoortogetintotheoffice.Mysondoesn’thavetoknockonthatdoor—hejustcomesonin.Youknowwhy?I’mhisfather.(Youhavetothinkaboutthatawhile.Thatwillgetnexttoyou,man.Imean,ifGodisyourFather,youjustwalkinthefrontdoor.You’realreadythere“inspirit.”)

HowmanyofyoumenheretonightlovetheLord,letmeseeyourhands?Why,you’recrazy;Imean,howdoyoufiguretwohundredmenallinlovewiththesameman?Howdoyoudothat?Boy, thatwillblowyourmind,man!Now,letmeaskyouthis:howdoyougetalltheseandthenwomen,too?HowdoallyoumenandwomenwindupmarriedtoChristasoneunitwhenyoumakeupoverfourmillionunitsbetweenPentecostandtheRapture?Howdoyouexplainit?Nowayintheworld,man.It’sa“mystery.”Youcan’texplainit.

YouknowwhatPaulsaysabouttheBrideofChristinthisage?HesaidtheBrideofChrist in this age is “a chaste virgin” (2 Cor. 11:2). “I have espoused you to onehusband,thatImaypresentyouasachastevirgintoChrist.”Thenshe’snotmarried.She’schaste;fleshhasn’tjoinedflesh;nomarriagehastakenplace;she’sengaged;she’savirgin.AndheturnedrightaroundinEphesiansandsaidyou’re“ofhisflesh,andofhisbones” (Eph. 5:30), and you’re his wife. How do you explain that? I’ve got all thecommentariesathome.Theycan’t tellyouanything.You take twenty-twocommentariesandlaythemoutthere,andtheycan’ttellyouanything.

Now,asfarasspiritsareconcerned,I’mjoinedtoHimrightnow.HowdoIgetthat?“ButhethatisjoineduntotheLordisonespirit”(1Cor.6:17).So,themarriagehasalreadytakenplaceasfarasthespiritgoes;butthemarriagehasn’ttakenplacesofarasthe body goes, because my physical body is down here and His is up there. In 2Corinthians5:6–8,Paulsaid“knowingthat,whilstweareathomeinthebody,weareabsentfromtheLord:(Forwewalkbyfaith,notbysight:)Weareconfident,Isay,andwillingrathertobeabsentfromthebody,andtobepresentwiththeLord.”So,you have a double thing. You have a bride that’s a virgin in one sense and a marriedwomaninanothersense.Yousay,“Explainthat.”Youcan’texplainit.Youaresupposedtobelieveit.Paulsaid,“Thisisagreatmystery”(Eph.5:32).Itisagreatmystery.“ButIspeak concerning Christ and the church.” Now, I don’t fully understand everythingaboutwhatI’mgoingtosay,andnaturallyIwouldn’tbecauseit’sa“greatmystery,”yousee;butifIunderstandeverythingtheBiblesayslikeIthinkIunderstandit(andImightbewrong), thebest thingsdownherearecounterfeitsfortherealthingsup there.When

GodinvitesmentoHim,doyouknowwhatinstinctsHeappealsto?Self-preservationandself-propagation,becausethesearethestrongestinstinctsinman.Whenyougettofoolingaround with sex and start putting lewd and naked pictures of women around and startslappingaroundthemarriagebedontelevisionandstartdiggingintopeople’sprivatesexlivesandthrowingitallover thescreenandallover theradio,you’replayingwithfire.Self-propagationisthestrongestphysicalanimalurgeinthehumanbodyoutsideofself-preservation. If you take animal instincts and turn them loose, you’re going to get ajungle.

Now,doyouknowwhatGoddoeswhenHeappeals tomen?He says, “Come to awedding”(Matt.22:3).There’sthefeast.It’samarriagefeast.What’safeastfor?Tofeedyourbelly.WhenGodwantstogivementhegospel,Heappealstotheirphysicalinstincts.“Whosoeverwill,lethimtakethewateroflifefreely”(Rev.22:17).“Iamthatbreadoflife”(John6:48).Seethatbusiness?TheLordknowsmen.AndtheLordknowsmenwanttopreservethemselvesandpropagatethemselves.AndwhenGodAlmightyspeaksaboutaplaceformentocomeandgetwhattheydesireandwhattheywantandwhattheyprofess tobeafter,Hecalls it twothings—loveandfood.Didyouever thinkabout thatprodigalson(Luke15:12)?Thatoldprodigalsonlefthome.Iknowwhattheyoungmanwanted.Hewanted love andmoney and good clothes and good food.There is nothingfunniertomethantoseeayoungmanthesedaysrunningawayfromhome,tryingtofindthatstuff.Youseethemoutthereonthehighwaywiththeirhairallover,likeasheepdogthat fell off the back of a garbage truck, and they’ve got this sack on their back, andthey’restandingthere in therain.Youknow,theguywouldgetoffwithlessworkifhejoinedtheArmythanstandingoutthere,andtheguy’sgottosleepsomewherethatnight;thenabunchgoesbyandmugshimandstealswhathe’sgot,andhesleepsout thereatnightontheground.Listen,man,theprodigalgotthemoneywhenhegothome:“putaringonhishand”(Luke15:22).Hegottheclotheswhenhegothome:“Bringforththebestrobe,andputitonhim”(Luke15:22).Hegotthefoodwhenhegothome:“bringhitherthefattedcalf,andkillit”(Luke15:23).Andhegotthelovewhenhegothome.It’sathome.Itisn’toutthere.It’sathome.It’swiththeLord.

Now,ifIdon’tmissmyguess(andIcouldmissmyguess),whatheavenisgoingtobeisthebestthatyoueverenjoyeddownherepushedupbeyondwhereyourphysicalfleshcould stand it.Youknowwhat heaven is going to be like? It’s going to be like gettingpluggedinto220voltsandjuststaying.Now,youstopandthinkaboutthatforawhile.Idon’tunderstandall these things, but I’mcertain that everything thatman really enjoysdown here is a depraved, fallen counterpart of something that’s real. And, bless God,somedayI’mgoingtoknowthereal thing.Anditsure isn’tCoke!YouknowwhatI’vealwayswanted?I’vealwayswantedtogetinaplacewhereIcoulddoanythingIwantedtodoandsayanythingIwantedtosayandthinkanythingIwantedtothinkandnothaveanybodyinterferewithme.AndI’mgoingtotellyousomething(I’mgoingtoprophesy!).Someday I’m going to be in a place where I can do anything I want to do and thinkanythingIwanttothinkandsayanythingIwanttosay,forever,andneverevenhavetocheck to see if it’s right, because it’s going to be right! Now, you know what that is,brethren?That’sheaven!Andifyoumissthat,youmissthewholething.Imean,ifyoumissthat,whatelseisthere?What’sbetterthandoingjustwhatyouwanttodotwenty-fourhoursadayandthinkingandsayingwhateveryouwanttothinkandsayalldaylong?

Perfectliberty,perfectfreedom,andneverhavingtoworryaboutwhetherit’srightornot!Now,ifyou’vegotsomethingbetterthanthat, tellmeaboutit,okay?I’mbroadminded;I’vebeenaroundallovertheplace.I’veneverheardofanythingbetterinanyplaceI’veeverbeen.

IV.TheRestorationofIsrael

Now,theseare“mysteries.”Thesearenot thingsthatyoucanexplain.Ifyoucouldexplainthem,theywouldn’tbemysteries.Amysteryissomethingthatyou’retobelievethat you can’t explain. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be foundfaithful”(1Cor.4:2).AsIsaidbefore,ifeveryministerinAmericahadbeenfaithfulinpreservingthesethingsI’mtalkingabout,Americawouldn’tbeinthemessit’sintoday.For example, if aman had been faithful in teaching the“mysteryof godliness,” thereisn’tanybody inAmerica thatwouldeverdoubt theVirginBirth.Theyweren’t faithful.Now,rememberthesecondmystery:“Christinyou,thehopeofglory.”Ifthey’dbeenfaithfulinteachingthat,thentherearethousandsofChristianswhowouldn’tbeupsetanddisturbedallthetimeaboutcommittingthe“unpardonablesin.”Whenthisungodlystuffintheirlivescomesup,theywouldrealizetheyhavetwonaturesandwouldlearnhowtodealwith them.Three is thedoctrineofeternal security.Two is thedoctrineof the twonatures.OneisthedoctrineoftheDeityofJesusChrist.

Allright, turntoRomans11:25.ThisnextmysteryisdealingwiththerestorationofIsrael.IfPresidentCarterhadbelievedthat,hewouldn’thavegivenSadat theedge.Butthe Pious Peanut fromGeorgia didn’t believe that.You knowwhy?Because hewasn’tfaithful.Youstartthisstuffandpeoplesay,“Wellnow,BrotherRuckman,youknowwhattheydoaboutoil,youknow,and….”Yeah,I’veheardallthatstuff.“Thejustshalllivebyfaith” (Rom.1:17).The ideaofacountryputtingonacoin“InGodWeTrust”andthenwhenarowstartsbetweenthechosenpeople,thatGodgavethelandto,andIshmael,whomHetoldtogooutoftheland(Gen.21),theytrytositinthemiddleandgetalongbecause they’re worried about the oil and gasoline!Well, then take the cotton pickin’inscriptionoffyourcoin.Don’tgoaroundsaying“InGodWeTrust.”Say,“InRockefellerWeTrust.”

I’ve seen all this business about, “Well, if you do this, oooohhh,” you know.Backthere in1933 they tried toget ridofprohibition; theysaid,“Lookatall thedamage it’scausing.”Why,I’vegotstatisticsathomethatshowthatinthelasttenyearsprohibitionwasineffect,therewereonly1,385deathsduetotryingtoenforethelawsofprohibition.Doyouknowhowmanydeathsyouhavenowinayearbecauseofdrinking liquoranddriving?Youhavemoreinoneyearthanyouhadinthosetenyearsgunningthemdownwithmachine guns.The government takes awayyour guns and leaves you your liquor.The SurgeonGeneral says, “Smoking is dangerous for your health.”Hey, stupid, whatabout that liquor? Iwonder howcome theSurgeonGeneral has said nothing about theliquor?Inournationtherearefivemillionalcoholicwomen,andtheinsaneasylumsarepackedfull.Itisn’t“dangeroustoyourhealth”?Itisn’tdangerousforhighbloodpressure?Howcomeyougotothedoctor,andhesaystocutdownonyourdrinking?Oh,comeonman,ifit’snotdangerous,whycutdownonit?

Now, He says over there in Romans 11:25, “For I would not, brethren, that yeshouldbeignorantofthismystery.”Seeit:mystery.“Lestyeshouldbewiseinyourown conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of theGentilesbecomein.AndsoallIsraelshallbesaved:asitiswritten,ThereshallcomeoutofSiontheDeliverer,andshallturnawayungodlinessfromJacob.”Andhesays,“As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching theelection,theyarebelovedforthefathers’sakes.ForthegiftsandcallingofGodarewithoutrepentance” (Rom.11:25–26,28–29).Now,seewhatyou just read there?YoureadthatanunbelievingJewisanenemyofthegospel.“Asconcerningthegospel,theyareenemies…butas touchingtheelection”—the fact thatGodchose them,“theyarebeloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are withoutrepentance.”ThemysteryisthatGodisnot throughwithIsrael.Andeven thoughGodmay look likeHe’s throughwith Israel,He’s not throughwith Israel. SomedayGod isgoingtotakethatwanderingJewandbringhimbacktoPalestine(He’sdonethat,1948),andaftertheJewshavebeenreduceddowntoaboutfourorfivehundredpeople,Godisgoing toget them saved in theTribulation and convert them to JesusChrist.That’s themysteryofthebelievingremnantofIsraelwhichisgoingtoturntoGod.

Thepassagebeforeitsaysthat“asconcerningthegospel,theyareenemies…butastouchingtheelection,theyarebelovedforthefathers’sakes.ForthegiftsandcallingofGodarewithout repentance.”Now, do youknowwhat that says in plainEnglish?Thatsays,inplainEnglish,youhavetolovethatJew.Youknow,Gentilesdon’tgetalongwith Jews.Do you knowwhy aGentile doesn’t like a Jew?Because a Jew canmakemoneyandaGentile lovesmoney, that’swhy.One timeonabus inoneof those townsover inPoland,aGentileandaJewwere talking,and theGentilesaid to theJew,“Youknow, theydon’thaveanyJewsinourvillage.”AndtheJewsaid,“That’svy it’sstillavillich.”There’salotoftruthinthat.

TheyhadoneofthesestoriestheyusedtotellaboutwherePatBoonegotupandsangPeace in the Valley and ten thousand Catholics joined the Protestant church, and BingCrosby sang Ave Maria and ten thousand Protestants joined the Catholic church, andEddieFishergotupandsangThere’saGoldMineintheSkyandtenthousandJewsjoinedtheAirForce.

Youknow,youtelljokeslikethatandsomefolksjustsitaroundandstareatyou.Yousorrystuffedshirt!Letmetellyousomething.IfIhadafiletakenofyousincethetimeyougotupthismorning,alldaylong,wouldyoulookasdignifiedasyoulookrightnow?Don’t kid me, boy! Listen: when you get a bunch of people that are so dignified, sostarched,andsostiffthattheycan’tlaughatjokesabouttheirraceortheirreligionortheirdenominationorthemselves,there’ssomethingwrongwiththem.Haveyouevernoticedthatnodictatorshaveasenseofhumor?That’ssomethingworthknowing.CharlemagneandNapoleondidn’t tell jokes.NeitherdidMussoliniorAdolph.Dictatorsdon’thaveasenseofhumor.

Afellowsaidthatthiscountryhasreachedtheplacewherepeoplearesosensitiveandso touchy that a fellow has to qualify everything he says before he says it, for fear ofoffendingsomebody.Ididn’tgetyouintothatshape,brother;thetelevisiongotyouintothatshape.Theygotyouintotheshapewhereit’saterriblethingtolaughatsomebody’s

color,butit’sallrighttolaughatadirtyjoke.Weareraisinganationofhypocrites,that’swhat they are. That’s what Christ called them, “Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites”(Matt. 23:13).Youknow, I appreciate all the sense of humor that’s left in this country;boy,we’llneedallwehavebeforewegetthrough!

Now,you take that Jew.You’vegot to love that Jew,and I’llgrantyou, that Jew ishardtogetalongwith.AndI’llgrantyouthatJewsoutthereintheworldareunlovablecharacters. We talk about stubborn Irishmen and bull-headed Irishmen and stubbornDutchmenandstubbornGermans,andmaybethere’ssometruthinthat;butdoyouknowthatwhenGodAlmightywantedtopickoutaraceofpeopleforstubbornpeople,doyouknowwhathepickedout?HepickedoutthatJew.Hesaid“stubborn,”“stiff-necked,”“uncircumcisedinheartandears”(Ps.78:8;Acts7:51).DoyouknowwhyGodpickedthosepeople?Becausefirstofallthey’reprobablythemostunlovable,unlovelypeopleonthefaceofthisearth.Ofcourse,I’veknownChristianJewswhowerefinemenandlovedtheLordandbelievedtheBook.ButlikeIsaid,you’vegottolovethosepeople.Idon’tcarewhatkindofjunkyouread,you’vegottolovethosepeopleandtakecareofthem.Ifyoudon’t,theLordwillfixyou.AndHe’sbeenveryconsistentinhistory.

EverynationthatturneditsbackonthatJewandmessedthatJewup,theLordmessedthemup.DoyourealizethatatonetimeSpain—notEngland—wastheforemostnationonthefaceofthisearth?Doyourealizethatatonetimethosepeople(Balboa,Cortez,PoncedeLeon,Columbus,VascoDaGama,Magellan)ruledthewholeworld.WhathappenedtoSpain?Spain hasn’t been a fifth-rate power in three hundred years.Did you ever thinkaboutthat?Somethingtothinkabout,isn’tit?Itwasn’ttheBritish;itwastheSpaniards.When Coronado came over here, he got off there at the Gulf and walked clear up toKansas.SomeofyouwouldhaveahardtimedoingthattodayontheInterstate.Thatguywalked through Louisiana,Arkansas, andOklahoma clad in armor and fighting yellowfever.WhateverhappenedtoSpain?Well,I’lltellyouwhathappened.About1492,afterColumbussailedtheoceanblue, theyput in theInquisition.They’dtakeJewsandforcethemtobebaptized,or theywouldconfiscate theirpropertyor run themoutof townorexilethem:theywouldstealtheirpropertyandkillthemandtorturethem—murderthem.Then, one day, the Spanish fleet went up in the English Channel and met Sir FrancisDrake, andSirFrancisDrake sank that fleet, andSpain has never been anything since.EverynationthateverpersecutedthatJewgotitintheneck.

Now,youlistentowhatI’mtellingyou.In1918therewasafellownamedWeitzmannwhodiscoveredacertainkindofgunpowderthatwasagreathelpforthealliesinWorldWarI.HedidsuchaservicefortheBritishandtheEnglishspeakingpeoplethattheysaidsomethingoughttobedoneforhispeople,theJews,toshowgratitudeforwhathe’ddoneforthem.So,LordBalfourandabunchoffellowsgottogetherandsetupwhattheycalled“TheBalfourDeclaration.”TheBalfourDeclarationwas adeclaration togivePalestinebacktotheJewsasahomeland,butwhenLordBalfourandtheothersstartedtogetthethinggoingthroughaboutthetimethatwarended,aroundtoParliamentcametheGrandMuftiofArabia.Hewalkedinthereandsaid,“Ifyouletthemoverthere,Rockyandmewillshutdowntheoil.”ThenParliamentgottogethertotrytodecidewhattodoaboutthatthing,andtheydecidedtovoteonwhethertheywouldmakeitaBritishmandateorreallyopen it up and really give it to those Jews.When they got together for that vote, theleadingspeakerinParliamentgotupandsaid,“I’magainstit.”Whowasthat?Thatwas

oldWinston“WinniethePooh”Churchill.“Greatman,”washe?Hesaid,“Don’tgiveitbacktothem.”SirJohnHalsam,theoldPuritanintheHouseofCommons,gotupwithtearsrunningdownhisfaceandtookhisKingJames1611AVandopenedtoAmos9andreaddownthroughthelastthreeverses,andhesaid:“Gentlemen,youknowthatGodgavethat land tohischosenpeople,andyou’renotdoing right.”So,abunchofJewsgotonshipsandwentovertheretoPalestine,andwhentheygotofftheshipstheyfoundbarbedwireonthebeaches,concentrationcamps—theyweren’tGerman,theywereEnglish.

You’vegottolovethatJew.YouhadbetternotputthatJewinafurnace.OldWinnieChurchillgotupandsaidthathedidn’tthinktheyshouldgivethelandtotheJews,andtheLordsaid,“Okay,boy!”AndwhenGermanygotthroughwithEngland,itwasblood,sweat, and tears in Coventry. You knowwhat England is today? It’s a fifth-rate worldpower, and some of you folks ate better thisweek than amiddle-class Englishman haseateninthelastyear.Youdon’tbelieveit?Gooverthereandsee.Don’ttakemywordforanything.Imean,yougooverthereandseeifI’mtellingyouthetruth.

YouknowwhathappenedtoGermanyoneday?Germanysaid,“Allright,we’llwhipEngland.”SotheydecidedtowhipEngland.AboutthattimetheJewishquestioncameup,andabout the timetheJewishquestioncameup, theLordsaid to thatJew,“GobacktoPalestine. It’s a Britishmandate; but go back there, and I’llmake it your own countrysomeday.Don’tworryaboutitbeingamandate.Goback.”ButtheJewsinGermanysaid,“Butmama,businessisgood.”

TherewerepeopleinGermanyin1923and1924puttingwallpaperintheirhomesofmillionmarkstamps,becauseitwascheapertomakethewallpaperoutofstampsthanitwastogodownandbuythewallpaper.GermanwomenandGermanmenwereoutinthestreetsdigginginthegarbageandgleaninginthefieldsforpotatoes,andtheJewscameover therewith gold dollars and bought up the houses and everything in them. Listen!Hitlermay have been crazy, but hewasn’t stupid.You have to think about that.That’sprofound, brother. When Hitler wanted to take advantage of that thing, he said, “Thetrouble is that Jew.Get rid of that Jew.”And the Lord said to that Jew, “Go back, goback.” Listen, every Orthodox Jew in Miami, New York, and Detroit has an OldTestament;andevery timeeveryOrthodoxJewinAmericapicksuphisOldTestament,thelastbookinhisOldTestamentin2Chronicles,andthelastversein2Chroniclessays,“Lethimgoup”(2Chron.36:23).Thereisn’tanyJewintheU.S.A.whodoesn’tknowwhathe’ssupposedtodo.Notoneofthem.Ifhe’sanOldTestamentOrthodoxJewundertheLaw,heistogetbacktoPalestine.Now,theLordsaid,“Getback.”AndthatJewsaid,“I’mnotgoingback.”AndtheLordsaid,“HeinrichHimmler,Ihaveajobforyou.”Andlisten,whenhegot throughwith theJews, theywentback.Andthey’reback therenow.And they’re going to be back there until theLord comes. The persecution thatAdolphHitlergavetothatJewisnothingcomparedtothepersecutionthatJewisgoingtohaveduringtheTribulation.Hitlerkilledsixmillionofthem.IntheTribulationtheAntichristwillgetridoffourteenmillionbeforeyoucanturnaround.Underwhatkindofasetup?We’lltalkaboutthatlater.

You’vegot to love that Jew.You’vegot to takecareof that Jew.“AndIwillblessthemthatblessthee,andcursehimthatcurseththee:andintheeshallallfamiliesoftheearthbeblessed”(Gen.12:3).Letmetellyoualittlesecret(andI’mnoNazi).From

what Iunderstandabouthistory, ifoldHitlerhad takencareof thatJew,hewouldhaveconqueredEurope.ThoseEuropeansweren’t that good; they turned their backsonGodyearsago.Hedidn’tdoit,butyouknowwhatIwishHitlerhaddone?IwishhehadputallthoseJewsinconcentrationcampsandtakencareofthemandfedthemthreebigmealsa day and preached the Gospel to them. That would’ve been a novel turn of events,wouldn’t it? The Lord said, “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him thatcurseth thee.” That fellowmade onemistake. Hemessed up with that Jew.When hemessed up that Jew, do you knowwhat the Lord did? He took his mind. Kurt Zeitlerwouldcomeinandsay,“Weneedtoretreat.”“Don’tretreat.”AndPauluswouldcomeinandsay,“Weneed to retreat.”“Don’t retreat.”AndRommelandModelwouldcome inandsay,“We’vegottoretreat.”“Don’tretreat.”Hewouldn’tlistentohisgenerals.Andifhe had listened to his generals, he would have whipped Russia and England. But hecouldn’t think. The Lord took his mind. Do you know why the Lord took his mind?Because hemessedwith that Jew.Now, you don’twant to go crazy.You’d better keepyourhandsoffthatJew.You’dbetterlovethem.I’lljusttellyouwhatyoushoulddo.Youshouldgohomeandgetdownonyourkneesandsay,“Lord,helpmelovethem,”andyoushouldwinasmanyofthemasyoucantoChrist.IjustwanttotellyouGentilesthatinChrist“ThereisneitherJewnorGreek” (Gal.3:28).WhenaJewgetsconverted,he’snolongera“Jew.”He’saChristian.

V.MYSTERY,BABYLONTHEGREAT

Now,takeyourBiblesandturntoRevelation17:5.Here’sawoman.She’soutinthewilderness.She’sseatedonabeast,andthebeasthassevenheadsandtenhorns.AndthenRevelation 17:5 says that thewoman has an inscription on her forehead:“MYSTERY,BABYLONTHEGREAT,THEMOTHEROFHARLOTSANDABOMINATIONSOFTHEEARTH.”Now,youknowwhatthisis?Thisisa“mystery.”Thisissomethingyou’resupposedtobelieve,butyoucan’texplain.

All right, she’s called a“woman” (Rev. 17:3).Now look atRevelation 17:18.Youneverhavetoworryaboutprivateinterpretation:theBiblewillinterpretitself.Youdon’thavetodependuponmetotellyouwhatthewomanisorwhothewomanis.Asamatteroffact,I’mnotgoingtotellyouwhetheryouaskornot.WhatyouneedtodoisopenyourBibleandseewhattheBiblesays.Revelation17:18says,“Andthewomanwhichthousawest is thatgreatcity,whichreignethover thekingsof theearth.”See that thingrightthere?Hetoldyouwhatthatwomanwas.Thatwomanwasacity.Andthatwomanwasacitythatreignsoverthekingsoftheearth.Doyouknowofacitythatreignsoverthe kings of the earth? (Now, don’t mess up the program. I mean, no helps and nokibitzing,please!)Verse4:shehasa“goldencupinherhandfullofabominationsandfilthinessofherfornication,” and she is“arrayed inpurpleand scarlet colour.” Doyouknowofacitywhosecolorsarepurpleandscarlet,that’sbuiltonsevenmountains(v.9), that reigns over the kings of the earth,whose symbol is a golden cup? Surely, youpeoplehaveneverseenagoldencupanywherewithpurpleandscarletaroundit.Imean,whatbigotwouldseeathinglikethat?(Keeptalkinglikethisandfolkssay,“Bigot,bigot,bigot,bigot.”Listen,you’resonarrow-mindedthatifaflysatonyournosehecouldkickyouinbotheyesatthesametime.)There’snothinginthisworldthatpreventsmeasafree

Americanmale,fullgrown,fromlookingatasignandlookingatthecolorsonit.Ihavegotmyconstitutionalrights,andI’vegotaBible;andthatBibletellsmeI’mtolookoutforacityonsevenmountainswhosecolorsarepurpleandscarletandwhosesymbolisagoldencup.Yousay,“Whoisit?”Iwouldn’tevenbothertotellyou.You’dthinkIwasprejudiced.I’mnotprejudiced.TheLordisprejudiced.TheLordwrotetheBook.Ididn’twritethatthingintherethatyou’rereading.Thatisn’toneofRuckman’sbooks.That’stheLord’sBook.AndHesaidthatit’spurpleandscarletandthatshehasagoldencup.

Now,let’slookatverse5.She’ssaidtobe“themotherofharlotsandabominationsoftheearth.”Well,ifshe’sacity,howwouldyoufeelifyouwerelivinginthatcity?See,that’s the question. It isn’t a matter of what the Greek says or what the Hebrew says.That’sgotnothing todowith it.Thequestion ishowwouldyou feel ifyouwere in thatcity?TheLordsaidthatthatcitywasa“whore”(v.1).She’saprostitute.Aprostituteisawoman that sells herself formoney.Whoever that city is, that city goes alongwith theworldtogettheworld’sfavor.Itrunsthekingsofthisearth.IfsomebodyisfightingtheMoslemswhenthatsisterisaround,thenallofherleadersbecomeCrusaders.See?AndifSovietRussia isgoing to run things, thenallher leaderssuddenlybecomeCommunists.ThatoldPapaJohnnyPaulover therehasgothimselfa timerightnow.Youknowwhathe’sgottodorightnow?He’sgottoconvincetheseCatholicsthathe’saChristianwhileatthesametimehavingfellowshipwithatheists.That’squiteatrick,ifyoucandoit.Doyouknowwhathis job is?His job is todeliverSpain,France,WestGermany,andItalyovertoSovietRussia.That’shisjob.Now,youmarkwhatI’mtellingyou.Theproof’sinthepudding.Waitawhile.Idon’tknowhowyougoonprofessingtobeaChristianandatthe same time profess you ought to be getting along with atheists. Saved people whobelievethatBibledon’tgetalongwithatheists:butJohnPaulIIdoes!

All right,you take that city that’sbuilton sevenhills.Lookatverse6.That city isfilledwith“thebloodofthemartyrsofJesus.”Doyouknowofanycitybuiltonsevenmountains,whosecolorsarepurple and scarlet, that reignsover thekingsof the earth,whosesymbolisagoldencup,whoisguiltyofkillingChristians?Oh,Iwonderwhatcitythatcouldbe?Now,Idon’thave to tellyouwho thatwoman is ifyou’vegotbreathingsense.Andifyouhaven’tfiguredoutbynowwhothatwomanis,accordingtothewordofGod,youneedtohaveyoureyeschecked.ThatwomaninyourBible,fromstarttofinish,isRome.AndChristdidn’tsayto“bewareoffalseprophetsthatwillcomeinthenameofLeninandKarlMarx.”Hesaid“manyshallcomeinmyname”(Matt.24:5).Letmeaskyousomething:whoputthespearinHisside—aRomanoraRussian?(John19:34)Letmeaskyouthis:whopoundedthenailsin—aRomanoraRussian?(Matt.27:35)Letmeaskyouthis:whowhippedHim—aRomanoraRussian?(John19:1)Letmeaskyouthis:whoputPaulinjail—aRomanoraRussian?(Acts25:12)Letmeaskyouthis:whocutoffJames’shead—aRomanoraRussian?(Acts12:2)Letmeaskyou this:whoputPeter in jail andwanted tokillhim—aRomanoraRussian?(Acts12:4)Letmeaskyouthis:whoputJohnontheislandofPatmoswhenhewasupinyearsandmadehimworkinasaltmine—aRomanoraRussian?(Rev.1:9)Youknowwhat’swrongwith folks inAmerica?They’rebigots.That’s theproblem.There’snothing that Ihave toldyou that a fourthgradekidcan’tunderstand.Youunderstand itperfectly.Thethingisthatsomeofyourkinfolkaremessedup.Yousay,“Well,I’vegotadearoldmother andadearoldgrandmother, and theyare fineChristians.” I didn’t say

someofthemweren’tChristians.Ibelieveyou’vegotsavedCatholicsalloverAmericainspiteoftheirchurch.Ireallydo.Ibelievewe’vegotsomesavedCatholicsthathavebeenwatching television programs or reading gospel tracts. I believewe’ve got some savedCatholics all over that are just afraid to get out of the church. But that isn’t going tochangethatBookany.ThatBooksaysthatthatchurchisaprostitute.Andshewillselloutwhatshebelievesandwhatsheprofessesinordertogetalongwiththeworld.She’llletherownpriestsgetkilledinAfricaifshecangetcontrolofAfrica.Shemightevengetinablackpope.

VI.TheMysteryofIniquity

Take your Bibles and turn to 2 Thessalonians 2:7. This is called the “mystery ofiniquity.”In2Thessalonians2:2–8,Paulsays,“Thatyebenotsoonshakeninmind,orbetroubled,neitherbyspirit,norbyword,norbyletterasfromus,asthatthedayofChristisathand.Letnomandeceiveyoubyanymeans:forthatdayshallnotcome,except there comea fallingaway first, and thatmanof sinbe revealed, the sonofperdition;WhoopposethandexaltethhimselfaboveallthatiscalledGod,orthatisworshipped;sothatheasGodsittethinthetempleofGod,shewinghimselfthatheisGod.Rememberyenot,that,whenIwasyetwithyou,Itoldyouthesethings?Andnowyeknowwhatwithholdeththathemightberevealedinhistime.Forthemysteryofiniquitydothalreadywork:onlyhewhonowlettethwilllet,untilhebetakenoutoftheway.AndthenshallthatWickedberevealed….” Inverse7hesays,“Forthemysteryofiniquitydothalreadywork.”Themysteryofiniquity—that’sthemysteryoftheAntichrist.Now, Idon’thave time togo into that toodeeply,because that’sanothersermoninitself(seethebookMarkoftheBeast,1969).Sufficeittosaythathisnumberis666.Hehasasign:it’sakiss.Hehasasalute:it’stwofingers.Hehasaletter:it’sanX.Andhehasaname,areligion,arace,andamark.There’smoreinformationintheBibleonhimthanthereisonanyothermanintheBibleoutsideofJesusChristHimself.He’stheAntichrist.That’sanothermessageinitself.

VII.TheRapture

Now, takeyourBibles and turn to1Corinthians15:51–55,“Behold, I shewyouamystery;We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In amoment, in thetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrump:forthetrumpetshallsound,andthedeadshallberaised incorruptible,andweshallbechanged.For thiscorruptiblemustputonincorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptibleshallhaveputonincorruption,andthismortalshallhaveputonimmortality,thenshallbebroughttopassthesayingthatiswritten,Deathisswallowedupinvictory.Odeath,whereisthysting?Ograve,whereisthyvictory?”ThefinalmysteryistheRapture.ThefinalmysteryisthedisappearanceoftheBodyofChrist—“inamoment,inthe twinklingof an eye.”Now, he says there are two kinds of people.Thosewho arealivewhentheLordcomesaretobecaughtupwithoutdying.Thosethataredeadwillbepulledupoutoftheground.So,hesaysthatifyou’remortal,subjecttothemortalityrate,you’llbecaughtupwithoutdyingandputonimmortality.Ifyou’redeadandburiedwhen

theLordcomesback,thenyou’redowninthegroundrottingandyou’recorruptible,andyoucomeoutofthegraveandputonincorruption.Hesaysinverses54–55,“Thenshallbe brought to pass the saying that iswritten,Death is swallowed up in victory.Odeath,whereisthysting?Ograve,whereisthyvictory?”ThekindthatarealivewhentheLordcomes,deathdoesn’tgetthem.“Odeath,whereisthysting?”Theonesthatareburiedcan’tstayintheground—“Ograve,whereisthyvictory?”Thelivemangoesupwithoutdying;andthedeadmangoesup,andthegravecan’tkeephimdown.

OnetimeMaryandMarthahadsometroublewhentheirbrotherLazarusdied.Marthawent to see Jesus, and she said,“Lord, if thouhadstbeenhere,mybrotherhadnotdied” (John11:21); andhe said,“Thybrother shall rise again.”AndMartha said, “Iknowhe’llcomeupagaininthelastday,thelastresurrection,thegeneraljudgmentoftheunsaveddead.”AndJesussaid,“Martha,you’vebeenreadingthetrainingunionandtheBTUliteratureandtheRAandtheSunbeamforsolongandfoolingaroundwiththeLottieMoon, that youdon’t knowwhat’s goingon.”AndHe said, “If youhadbeen studyingyourBible,you’dknowthat‘Iamtheresurrection,andthe life:hethatbelievethinme, thoughheweredead, yet shallhe live:’ (firstclass) ‘Andwhosoever liveth andbelievethinmeshallneverdie’(secondclass).”BothresurrectionsarerightthereinthatpassageinJohn11:25–26.Soyou’vegottwokinds.It’sagreatcomfortformetoknowthatifIdiebeforetheLordcomes,thewormscan’tkeepme.Theycaneatme,buttheycan’tkeepmedigested.Imean,I’mgoingdown,but“Youcan’tkeepagoodmandown.”I’mcomingbackup,brother!Youknow,IhavestoodbythegraveofmanyaChristianatafuneralandlookeddownintothatholeaftereverybodyhadleft.AndIsaytotheground,“Youcan’tkeephimdown,youcan’tkeephimdown.Youhavehimforawhile,buthe’sgoingtocomeup.”Andthat’swhat’sgoingtohappen.“Ograve,whereisthyvictory.”Thegravecan’tkeephim.They’recomingup.

Now,theyusedtosingbackintheolddays,“There’sgoingtobeameetingintheair,in the sweet, sweet by and by, I’m going to meet you, greet you there in your homebeyondthesky.”I’mwaitingforthemtocome.I’vepreachedontheSecondComingofChristmorethansevenhundredandfifty times,andHehasn’tcomeyet.Someof thesefolksout in thecountrysay,“Ah,He isn’tgoing tocome.Mygranddadused toalwaystalkaboutHiscoming.Mygranddad’sbeendeadforfiftyyears.”Yeah,butHe’sgoingtocome.OldNoahkeptsayingthatitwasgoingtorain.Onefellowsaid,“Well,yousenileold fool. It hasn’t rained around here in a hundred and twenty years, and you’ve beenpreachingthat.”Hesaid,“Yeah,butit’sgoingtorain;it’sgoingtorain;it’sgoingtorain.”Andonedayitdid.AndI’mheretotellyouthatonedayI’mleaving.Imean,iftheLordcomes,I’dgouprightnow.IftheLordcomes,I’mleaving.Bye-bye.Idon’thavetowaitforthatplanebackMondaymorning.I’djustassoonmeetmyfamilythreethousandfeetintheair,goingstraightup.It’sallrightwithme.

If theLord came rightnow, everypane in thisbuildingwouldburst out, andyou’dheararoarouttherelikeacobaltbombgoingoff.Andyoutalkaboutacrisis!Policemenrunningallover,andsirensgoingoff.Peoplewillgocrazy,man!Doyourealizewhatitwouldbe like if ithappenedin thischurch?Imean,suppose theLordcomesrightnow.Bam!Wealltakeoff.Alongabout10:30atnightSmokeyandDickTraceycomeinhere.Thereareahundredcarsparkedoutherewithnobodyinthem.Thelightsareoninthisbuilding.TheFuzzcomesinthisbuilding,andhere’sonepersonsittingoverhere,andone

overhereandoneoverhere.IfJesuscamerightnow,rightthisminute,doyourealizethatif you’re sitting here unsavedwhatwould happen to you?Youwould lose yourmind;you’dgostark,ravingmadbecauseyoucouldn’tbelievewhatyouwouldsee.Youwouldbesittinghere,andallofasudden,Blam!Youreardrumswouldjustaboutcomeoutwithablast,andtherewouldbeglassflyingallovertheroom.Whenyougotupoffthatfloorandshookyourheadandlookedaroundthatroom,you’dseeacouplehundredquartsofbloodrunningdownthatfloorandbloodyclothesalloverthosebenches.You’dgocrazy.

Now,afewdayslatertheworldwillfixitup.They’llsay,“Wheredidallthepeoplego?”Andoutthereintheworld,they’llsay,“Well,acertainplanetcamebythatattractedacertainkindofnegative…”—oh,they’llfixyouup.They’llhaveafellowstepoutofaUFOandsaythatwehadtotakethosepeopleoutbecausetheyweredisturbingthepeace,andtherecouldn’tbeanypeaceonearth—oh, they’ll fixupyouchumpsthatbelieveineducation.They’llwrapyouupasneatasapeddler’spack,boy,andmailyouout.

IftheLordwouldcomerightnowwe’dleave.Wham!Howdoyoudothat?TheLordjustdisintegratesallmyatomshereandputsthemtogetheroutsidethere.Idon’thavetoworry about bumping my head on the ceiling—I’ll go right slap through that ceiling.Christhadaresurrectionbodythatwalkedrightthroughacloseddoor(John20:19).YouthinkI’mgoingtohavetroublewiththatceiling?Why,JesusChristwentuptogloryinJohn20:17andcameback.HetoldMarynottotouchHimbecauseHehadn’tgoneupyet.TwohourslatertheyheldHimbyHisfeet(Matt.28:9).Hewentupandcamebackintwohours.That’smoving.

I wish it were tonight. As God is my witness, I can’t understand a Christian notwantingJesusChristtocomebacktonight.Didyoueverstoptothinkaboutthis?Ifyou’resaved, everyproblemyou’vegotwouldbe solved tonight.Youhave cancer?Well, youwouldn’thavetoworryabout itanymore.Itwouldbeallover.Youworryaboutgettingdiabetes?Youwouldn’t have toworry about it.Youworry about your kids not gettingmarried?Youworryabout themgettingmarried?There isn’toneproblemyouhavethatthe Second Coming of Christ wouldn’t take care of.We had a bunch of people downSouthacoupleofyearsagosinging,“Waitalittlelonger,please,Jesus.”ItoldthemIwasgoingtowriteasongcalled“Hurryupalittlequicker,please,Jesus.”ThelastprayerintheBibleis“Evenso,comeLordJesus.”

Ireadastoryonetimeaboutacoloredmanwholefthislittleboyoutsideastore.Hehad togoupstairs and see adoctor, andhe said, “Nowson,you stand righthere at thecornertillIgetback.Don’tyougooffnomatterwhathappens.Youberighthereatthecorner.”Thatboystayedthereforaboutthirtyminutes,anditbegantorain.Ashopkeepercameout and said, “Youngman,wouldyou like to step inhere andget dry?”He said,“No,sir.”Andhestoodthereawhile,andthestorekeepercameoutagainandsaid,“You’regoing to catchpneumonia standingout in the rain.Won’tyoucome in?”Theboy said,“Mydaddytoldmetostandrighthere.I’sgonnawaitrighthereforhim.”Andhestoodtherethroughthestormforthirtyminutes,andafterawhilethefathercameoutandwassorrytoseehissonwet,butwasgladthathehadobeyedhim.Andtheywentofftogether.Thatboydidwhathisdaddytoldhimtodo.

Jesus Christ said to “occupy” till He comes (Luke 19:13). Do you know what itmeans to“occupy”? It means to have an occupation—itmeans to stay busy. Are you

busy?“OccupytillIcome.”

IheardTomMalonesayonetimethatalittleboygotsavedupthereinhischurch,andaboutfourweekslaterhisdaddygotsavedandgotbaptized.Hesaidthenightthedaddygotbaptizedthatlittleboywanderedupontheplatformrightthere(everybodylaughedinthe congregation), and when his daddy came up out of the water the little boy turnedaround to the congregation and said, “Now, if the Lord comes, daddy won’t be leftbehind.”Andthewaythatthingworkedwasthatthatlittleboyhadgottensavedamonthbeforethatandhadwitnessedtohisdaddy,andhisdaddyhadtoldhimtoshutup.Thatlittleboybegantocry,andhisdaddywantedtoknowwhatwasthematter;andthelittleboysaid,“Well,ifJesuscomesyou’regoingtobeleftbehind.”Andthedaddysaidtohiswife, “Who’s been giving that kid that garbage, anyway?”And she said, “Down at thechurch.”Hesaid,“Well,youtellthemtoshutupwiththatstuff,oryoucan’tgobackthereanymore.”Afterabouttwoweeks,heheardthemprayingatnight,andthelittleboybegantocryinhisprayerandsay,“Pleasesavedaddy,Lord,pleasesavedaddy,soiftheLordcomeswe’llallgouptogether.”Andtheoldmancameinandforbadehimtogobacktothatchurch.Thatlittleboyandhismotherwentonprayingforthedaddy.

Thatfellowwentawayonatravelingtripsomewhereandrightinthemiddleofabigsales conference at some hotel he got up from the table and said, “Boys, I don’t knowwhat’swrongwithme. I think I’m losingmymind.”And hewent back home and gotsavedandwentdowntothatchurchandgotbaptized.Whenhegotbaptized,hecameout,and the littleboywasstanding thereon theplatformandsaid,“NowifJesuscomeswewon’thavetoleavedaddybehind.”

Now, if the Lord would come tonight, would you be left behind? The Bible says,“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son ofmancometh.”(Matt.24:44)

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