Discover The Mystery Of Christ

A Statement About Current Events:

[Because of system changes at Google, this will be the last post for the “Mystery of Christ” project. We plan to keep all previous files available at this location for future access. Let's all continue to be active end-time watchers. The return of Jesus Christ is imminent. If you want to continue with us, you can visit at: http://www.rockofoffence.com]

Due to the recent controversy involving Oral Roberts University and the accusations against Richard Roberts as President of ORU, we need to make some clarifications. We do not believe this crisis has any bearing on the past ministry of Oral Roberts senior--who is the father of Richard Roberts. We do not necessarily agree with all the church doctrine that Oral Roberts, his family or the faculty of ORU teaches. On the Rock of Offence website, we include the recent vision of Oral Roberts senior concerning the return of Christ because we find no reason to doubt its authenticity.

Rock of Offence will continue to post articles that affect the overall Body of Christ even if we disagree with the author on other subjects. We need to recognize that our enemy, Satan, knows his time is short and is doing everything possible to discredit and stop Christ's Gospel. The recent controversy involving financial abuses in 3 mega-church ministries (whether the abuse is true or not) is yet another public scandal that moves our enemy closer to his goal of discrediting the message of the New Testament Church. We need to recognize the true purpose for these events and not allow our confidence in Christ to be destroyed. Our faith is never to be in ORU, Oral Roberts or any church organization or personal ministry. One clear teaching of Rock of Offence since its conception is that our faith must only be in Jesus Christ. "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand--all other ground is sinking sand".

End Of Statement

On the subject of the ongoing debate about "the rapture of the Church", I've decided to post the testimony of Oral Roberts from the fall of 2004. His prophetic vision has been named "The Wake-up Call", which is actually a warning sent out to the Church about the Second Coming of Christ. Our Heavenly Father usually gives us a short period of time to prepare after giving such warnings. For this reason, it's far more urgent today than it was in 2004.

We are posting Oral Robert's vision for informational purposes and to issue the warning that it contains. Some leaders in the Body of Christ are saying the exact same thing. Yet, most have refused to warn their congregations about this soon to occur event. Again--the posting of this information on our website is not meant to suggest that we agree with everything Oral Roberts teaches.

If you want to see a discussion of this subject, please visit our website at:

http://www.rockofoffence.com/wup-oral.html.

As we approach what some refer to as the "Last Trump" of 2007 during the fall Jewish feasts, I wanted to add one more teaching by Perry Stone entitled, "The Methuslah Factor". In this teaching Perry gives us some of the types and shadows found in the Old Testament that points toward a future departure of the New Testament Church. Many sincere Christians today mock and poke fun at any teaching on the rapture. They fail to understand that our Heavenly Father is very serious about the subject because Jesus Christ shed his blood to guarantee that it will happen. This sobering information is a wake-up call for all modern-day believers in Christ.

I don't intend to be redundant, but I do need to repeat some comments. Providing these teachings by Perry Stone does not necessarily mean that we're in agreement with "everything" his ministry teaches. Some listeners may incorrectly assume that we totally agree with all his beliefs because we put this particular teaching on our website. We host many teachings from various viewpoints on Rock of Offence. Yet, that is never meant to suggest that we agree with everything the author writes. We appreciate and agree with Perry's perspective on what many understand as "the rapture" and that's why we decided to post these audio files. We strongly desire to have these comments on Rock of Offence because they complement our overall understanding about the "Mystery of Christ" and they dispel much of the misinformation and false teaching found in the modern church concerning end time events.

As world events continue to line up with the prophetic Scriptures, the need arises to provide more information about the imminent departure of the New Testament Church. Evangelist Perry Stone, an articulate Bible prophecy teacher, provides a brief outline for the days ahead and answers some important questions concerning "the rapture". This presentation is available for viewing on "YouTube.com", which is a public forum. The MP3 audio portion of this program can be heard here and the YouTube video links are available on the home page of the Rock of Offence website. On occasion, I want others to comment when their views are close to my own. Perry adresses the issues in a clear and concise manner. This is important because there's too much false teaching circulating through the church about the rapture. Leaders have miserably failed to prepare Christians for one of the most important Biblical events in history. When discussing the endtimes I've never seen the views of any two people perfectly match, so there's always some compromise. Yet, placing this teaching on our website also adds some variety to a very difficult and controversial subject. Besides, you're probably tired of listening to my voice all the time -- so I'll give you a break.

You can visit Perry's website at: http://www.voiceofevangelism.org/home.cfm

We are not connected with Perry Stone's ministry in any way and the inclusion of his comments on Rock of Offence in no way suggests that he agrees with everything we teach. However, his comments on the rapture are too important when we consider the urgency of the hour. I value Perry's insight because he is among the few teachers that study Bible prophecy with a keen understanding of Jewish history and customs. It's the only way to properly and accurately interpret endtime events. As we've said many times on this website: The rapture IS NOT a reward for Christian commitment or service. Any ministry that teaches this is not giving you the truth. The rapture of the New Testament Church is the completion of our salvation -- the redemption of our bodies, which was paid in full nearly 2000 years ago by the blood of Jesus Christ. I'm excited that we may be near to seeing our Lord face to face!

When releasing each program I try to make every comment count--just in case it's the last opportunity I have to speak with you. That's how close I believe we are to the departure of the Church. There's so many aspects to what Jesus accomplished at the cross. Yet in my opinion, the clearest is found in two Scriptures taken from the words of the apostle Paul. The first is in 1 Cor. 15:45-47 . . .

"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven."

It is here that Paul refers to Jesus as not only "The Lord From Heaven", but also as "The Last Adam". If you understand what's being said here--you can also understand what Paul is saying in Romans 5:17-19 . . .

"For if by one man's offence (the first Adam) death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one (the first Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (the Last Adam) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience (the first Adam) many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (the Last Adam) shall many be made righteous."

The New Testament teaches that all of us have sinned--there's no exceptions. We inherited our sinful condition (and the condemnation and damnation to hell that goes with it) as a free unmerited gift from the disobedience of the first Adam--the father of the human race. All of us received this "gift" of death without having to do anything to obtain it . Yet, Paul tells us that Jesus is the "Last Adam". I find it interesting that he didn't refer to Jesus as "the second Adam". There will not be another Adam--Jesus is "the last" . Through the OBEDIENCE of the Last Adam (note that it's not our obedience)--the free gift of righteousness came upon all unto justification of life. This means that the Last Adam COMPLETELY REVERSED what the first Adam did--and that allows RIGHTEOUSNESS to come upon all believers in a similar fashion that sin and damnation came originally--AS A FREE GIFT. The only condition I see from the New Testament Scriptures to receive this "free gift of righteousness" (as God refers to it) is faith in Christ. That means we have no excuse for failure. It means any believer in Christ--no matter how weak or deficient in good works--can't be anything but completely righteous because it is given as a "free gift". 1 Cor. 5:21 calls this unique gift, "God's righteousness"--and that means it can never originate from you . . . it comes from God as a benefit of the "New Covenant in the blood of Christ" . This is one of the most amazing Scriptures in the New Testament. Yet, few Christians believe it--or live it because they've been spiritually misled.

In John 3:14-16 Jesus said,

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Do you remember this Old Testament story--when Moses "lifted up the serpent in the wilderness?" A lethal plague had just started to attack the children of Israel. God instructed Moses to put a bronze serpent on a pole and carry it through the camp compelling those struck with the plague to look or gaze upon the serpent--and they would immediately be healed. All the people had to do was LOOK UP and gaze on the serpent. Everyone who did this simple act of faith was healed. It's extremely interesting that Jesus used this story to illustrate that when He was lifted up on the pole (the cross)--that whosoever (that means you and I) looks up and believes in (trusts) him will have eternal life. It doesn't get any easier to understand.

Much of the doctrine found in the modern church is contrary to what God said in His Word. Through popular teaching modern Christian leaders essentially say, "God--your promise here is dangerous and we know you didn't really intend to say what you did because it gives people too much freedom--so, as your representatives, we're adding additional requirements to your gospel to "protect" your people." When God says righteousness and eternal life are both free gifts through faith in Christ--that's exactly what they are! My Heavenly Father is not a liar where he promises you gifts--then demands that you perform work for them. This truth offends the falsely religious element (the majority) of the Christian church the most--because they must mix Old Testament religion (found in the Bible) with New Testament salvation (also found in the Bible). This "mixing" is commonly practiced to preserve religious power structures--and it's a train wreck waiting to happen. The rapture is a great blessing for believers--but it's a disaster, and a trap for the counterfeit religious world.

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive . But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits ; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming ." (1 Cor 15:21-23)

The Last Adam (The Lord from Heaven) is about to perform one of the final acts that completes this great blood-bought redemption. Jesus reversed the sin consequences of the first Adam's disobedience. As John proclaimed, the Lamb of God did indeed take away ALL the sin of the world. The only thing remaining is to restore the bodies of believers to the original state the first Adam enjoyed before his disobedience. That's what the rapture is all about and its not a fairytale like some leaders teach. The rapture is not a reward for Christian service . It's the completion of our redemption--it's Bible truth--and it is imeninent . That's the reason we're sounding such a repetitive warning.

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption , and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption , and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor 15:51-55)

Look up--the Last Adam--draws nigh!

During my studies involving end-time events, I was confronted with an interesting fact. Some churches teach that Jesus was born around 1 AD (Note: there is no "0" AD) and was crucified in 33 AD. I held to this belief for years. Yet, I discovered that because of errors in our calendars, the evidence more accurately points to 3 B.C. as a date for Christ's birth, which places his crucifixion on or around 30 AD. Why is this important? Because in Christ's famous "Olivet Discourse" (Matthew chapter 24) he warned of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple, and the horrible murder and scattering of the Jewish people--and His Second Coming. This was partially fulfilled when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD--and suddenly Israel was a nation no more. Jesus also prophetically spoke of a future time that the "fig tree" (a prophetic symbol for the Nation of Israel) would spread its leaves once again--and "this generation" would not pass away "til all these things be fulfilled". Concerning Christ's meaning of "this generation" many argue that Jesus was only referring to the generation he was currently living in. Others claim that he was speaking of a future generation that witnessed the reappearance of the "fig tree" and the spreading of its branches--which represents a "completed" Israel. The Bible suggests that a "generation" is about 40 years. I found it interesting that the Roman empire fulfilled Christ's prophecy given in 30 AD, because Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed almost exactly 40 years later in 70 AD, fulfilling the "generation" time limitation that Jesus spoke about. However, the language Jesus used in the Olivet Discourse is his typical style where he taught in parables and mysteries that perplexed his audience. It's my firm belief that when Jesus used the term "this generation", it carried not only a fulfillment for 70 AD, but also a much later future fulfillment. It isn't one or the other--it's both!

In 1948 the nation of Israel was born and some Christians expected Jesus to return 40 years later in 1988. Israel had reappeared on the world stage for the first time after disappearing in 70 AD--an incredible Divine miracle. Yet, God may not consider Israel truly "reborn" until Jerusalem is secured, a city that is the center-piece of all Bible prophecy. From 1948 until 1967 Jerusalem remained under foriegn occupation. This means that 1948 may not be the year God respects. Everything changed following the "Six Day War" of 1967 when Jerusalem was recaptured by Israel. Do the math--what year falls 40 years after 1967? Do you see why some of us have a sense of urgency? The Jewish possession of Jerusalem is one of the strongest Biblical signs I see in the prophetic Scriptures. God repeatedly used a "40 year generation time schedule"--and Jesus re-enforced this view by linking His return with a generation time frame--the same one he used in 30 AD just before his crucifixion. Have you replaced Christ's redemption with one of the popular religious counterfeits? Time is about to run out--and we need to heed Saint Paul's warning to judge ourselves. The end of the "Church Age" is near.

We're back! I apologize for our absence. Some changes were made on our website. We can now keep all the audio material available--along with 3 new hard-hitting commentaries entitled, "The Endtime Defense Of The Mystery Of Christ". In the previous Final Countdown programs we talked about the disastrous situation that exists among believers that will cause many to wrongly think they've met God's requirements to "depart with the Church". For the last ten months I've listened to many professing Christians defend their qualifications to be included in the rapture. Most of these testimonies were not a blessing--and reinforced my concerns that many so-called "Christians" are in serious trouble and don't realize it. For this reason, I decided to take a more direct approach toward some of these blatantly false and popular beliefs. Shock therapy may be all we have time for. It's now 2007 and many of us think this could be the year the Church Age ends and the rule of anti-christ begins. Time is very short--even if we miss the mark. Yet, a very important Biblical timeline comes to an end between May and November this year. Many who describe themselves as a Christian will be caught off guard when these events unfold. The information in the next three programs can help you escape from this deceptive and deadly religious trap. Stay tuned--and keep those ipods charged and ready!

Due to limited server space and the importance of the information on this page--we will keep it available a while longer. Notice that I've added the MP3 introduction to our CD (toward the bottom of the page). As 2006 unfolds we'll consider additional material that continues to build on "The Mystery of Christ". I have much more to say on this subject--unless the Lord returns first. At some point these programs will be removed (they remain available on CD) to make room for new material. If you desire, feel free to download these files to your computer for safe keeping. We want to thank you for your interest in our iPod/Godcast page and may Jesus Christ our Lord continue to bless you during the new year.

Today we’ll bring everything together by addressing a common misconception about God’s Grace, discover what the “Table of the Lord” has to do with “The New Covenant In Christ’s Blood”—and hear Saint Paul’s exciting revelation about the Lord’s Table when he said, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” We’ll end by answering the question about “who goes” when the translation finally occurs. Don’t miss this program.

This introduction sets the stage for our discussion on the CD entitled, "The Mystery Of Christ". It is a prerequisite for all the programs on this page. Following the introduction informtion is provided on how to receive New Testament salvation. We included this additional material so that our website visitors can have free access to everything found on the CD version. Each program sequentially builds on the one before it--so they should be listened to according to their release dates to avoid confusion.