What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?](Mark 10:17)
"What must I do to enter heaven where there is no death?"
This has been the unceasing questions of all the people throughout all ages who [through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage](Heb.2:15]. In reality, it is an even more pressing question to us in these last days. Then, how many people throughout the ages have actually found the definite answer to this question and obtained eternal life? Through the Bible, we are plainly assured of the heart aching fact that in contrast to the thousands of millions of people in all ages who have asked this question, deplorably few have found the answer, with all the rest having died without hope.
To give a clear answer to this question, [What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life])Mark 10:17), is the unique purpose and mission of this book.
When we become subject to the power of death without hope due to our fall by the transgression which we had brought upon ourselves, our infinitely compassionate Father [loved the world (sinners) so much that His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life] (john 3:16). We well know that it was to give eternal life to us sinners that God made His Son [who knew no sin to be sin] (2cor. 5:21). Then, "What is eternal life and on what conditions can be gained" become the most important questions.
1. The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 16:19)
In the Bible, there are plainly revealed two ways and methods for eternal life: the first one is in John 3:16 as mentioned previously, that [God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him (Jesus) should not perish but have everlasting life.] Jesus also made clear this first way and method by saying, [You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me] (John 5:39).
[And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life] (John 6:40). This is the first way and method for eternal life.
Jesus teaches us the second way, [Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life; and...has passed from death into life] (John 5:24). Now we see clearly that there are only two ways and methods for eternal life, and are simple and easy. These two formula are combined together in one place - in the prayer of Jesus to His Father - [He... lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: Father... this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ (the Son), whom You have sent] (John 17:1-3). So now, when a person is filled with the profound knowledge of the holy Father and the holy Son, he or she has already received eternal life and become a real son or daughter of God, over whom the power of death cannot have dominion. In the 66 books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, there are found innumerable ways of interpreting the truth, the light, and various messages. But all these different ways merge in one place, which is the only road in heaven or on earth. It is a straight and broad road from earth to heaven, a road of the knowledge of the only true God and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent.]
When men continue to follow the narrow ways of hidden truths of light shining from the respective books of the Bible, they at last arrive at the road of John 17:3. From then on, all hidden mysteries that could not be understood by the little dim lights that have been leading them, will suddenly be clearly understood. On this new road, they will find themselves as if riding on an express bus or flying in an airplane, as if their journey toward heaven has been like riding in a slow-moving wagon on a gravel road until now. They will realize that they have already received the key from God that unlocks all the mysteries of the Bible and all the mysteries of heaven and earth. The happiness! The gratitude! The joy! Who will be able to measure them? This is the happiness that only those who have experienced can posses.
[But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day] (Prov. 4:18). This is the key of heaven that Jesus meant when He said, [And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven] (Matt. 16:19).
If John 3:16 is esteemed as the head verse of all the Bible, its conclusion and completion is John 17:3. This verse, John 17:3 is the golden road, the road of everlasting life that leads straight from earth to the very throne of God in heaven. This is also the one and only key that unlocks the pearly gates of the kingdom of heaven. It is said that we have in the Bible a key that unfolds the universe to all mankind, a key that makes known hidden mysteries of the Bible.
Ellen Gould White said "The knowledge of God and Jesus Christ expressed in one's character is an exaltation above everything else that is esteemed on earth or in heaven. It is the very highest education. It is the key that opens the portals of the heavenly city. It is God's purpose that all who put on Christ should posses this knowledge." Yes. The knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education. It is the subject that we will so eagerly seek to learn in heaven throughout eternal ages. To impart the knowledge of God and Christ, to form characters in accordance with this knowledge, should be the purpose of all gospel workers and teachers of religion.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.] (Prov. 9:10). [I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings] (Hosea 6:6). But [My people are foolish, have no understanding] Jer. 4:22 RSV). [There is no knowledge of God in the land] (Hosea 4:1). My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge] (Hosea 4:6). Who do you think He means my people?" He is referring to all the people on the earth, especially those who in search of eternal life, pray in church every morning, every week and worship God in family circles every morning and evening. But what an astonishing sigh we hear - "My people are destroyed!" What is this all about? What knowledge are we so destitute of and will we be destroyed without? I believe that this sigh comes from our lack of knowledge of [the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.]
This is the true knowledge which is our eternal life; therefore, I earnestly hope that you read through this book repeatedly with a prayerful and thirsting spirit, as a thirsty deer longs for a flowing stream, so that you may not belong to those for whom God heaves a sigh, but to those children of eternal life, the sons and daughters of God who run on this heaven-bound road with unspeakable joy and thanksgiving.
2. Signs and Wonders Cannot Give Eternal Life (Matt. 24:24)
[And this is the will of Him (our Father)] (John 6:40) that we should have the practical knowledge of [the true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent] (John 17:3). This is eternal life and also the will and purpose of our Father. Yet there is a large multitude of [foolish men] (James 2:20) in the world who apart from the true, practical knowledge of eternal life revealed in the Bible, seek after signs and wonders with reckless faith. It is commonly seen that such people are absorbed in impractical wonders, neglecting the words of the Bible, the knowledge of it which gives true life everlasting.
Jesus said, [It is the spirit who gives life... the words that I speak to you (the Bible) are spirit and they are life (John6:63). however, neglecting the words of life that proceed from the mouth of God, sad to say, multitudes today are driven here and there, deceived by miracles and wonders, gaining nothing in their hands despite their desperate longing to grab for eternal life. As a weary, exhausted wanderer in the desert who deluded by the mirage, pursues one mirage after another with scarce hope, only to finally collapse and die in a vast, lonely desert; likewise, there are countless numbers of Christians today who end their religious lives with the same miserable and pitiful pursuit. But people (fellow Christians) claim that this brother or sister fell asleep in the Lord with great hopes, making him or her a splendid bier of many flowers and giving a magnificent funeral march. By so doing, they only comfort themselves. Oh, what a deplorable fact it is!
I must say again that our salvation and eternal life is not obtained by wonders and miracles, most of which are wrought by Satan acting under the name of Christ. For there is nothing more effective and powerful in means to deceive and take captive all those are not standing firmly on the Word of God.
Consider the agents of Satan who performed the same miracles as those by Moses, the servant of God, before the Pharaoh of Egypt. Behold the great power of Satan brought terrible disasters to the righteous Job. Therefore, I hope you will not forget that Satan is a dreadful enemy who can skillfully imitate even those true miracles and powers that Jesus performed two thousand years ago. That is why Jesus gave warnings to us living in this last days saying, [For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect](Matt. 24:24). Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world] (1 John 4:1). He repeatedly warns us that men shall not obtain eternal life by wonders or miracles [but by every word (of the Bible) that proceeds from the mouth of God] (Matt. 4:4).
I hope you will remember that true wonders and miracles of God are wrought only in times of pressing needs, merely as an indication of His loving protection and tender care for His children, and that the miracle itself does not bring eternal life. Our only salvation and everlasting life lies the true knowledge of [the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent] (John 17:3), that is to eat and drink "the word" of God in the Bible and to live our lives according to the Bible, in His Word that has been from the beginning and that which contains the Spirit and life of God. Now, let us listen to the voice of our God. [To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn] (Isa. 8:20, N.I.V.) I believe you readers know well that "the light of dawn" mentioned here means the day on which Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness comes with His ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of angels (Matt. 25:31) to take back His people as He promised in John 14: 1-3. In order to see this glorious day, if we have thus far had the blind religion which is based on wonders and miracles rather than living on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, let us shake it off now and turn to a new faith and a new heart. Let us return to the Bible and to the Bible only, which is filled with the treasures of truth, with the grand truth of the universe being, [This is eternal life, that they may know You, the true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent] (John 17:3).
I say again that "eternal life" cannot be obtained by the power to heal diseases or to cast out demons, or by exercising authority as a prophet. It cannot be earned by attaining the position or authority of a pastor or an evangelist, a priest or the Pope. Also, "eternal life" cannot be attained in strife or in envy, nor through the authority of any denomination or power-wielding organization. Eternal life is gained solely through the sacred knowledge of [the true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.] Only this knowledge is eternal life and salvation. In this grand truth lies the way, the life, the resurrection, the kingdom of heaven, and God Himself. Let us return to the grand truth of the Bible with a humble heart.
There are so-called clergymen who are possessed by the power of Satan, and perform false miracles and wonders. We should not only be on our strict guard against them but also have compassion on them, since they are completely deceived into thinking that the miracles wrought through them are brought by the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But soon, the true character of their deception will be made manifest on the day of Jesus' Second Coming. [Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done wonders in You name?] (Matt. 7:22), so "why do you turn Your face from us, and pay no attention to us?" [And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you.'] "The power that flowed out from you so far was not of Me, nor of the Holy Spirit, but of the foul spirit, the evil spirit of Satan," Therefore, [depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!] (Matt. 7:23).
On that day, all the falseness shall be made manifest and they will see that all the miracles performed by them have been the deceptions and schemes of Satan. If you readers have been one of them, I entreat you with tears to make a resolution to shake off the enemy from you, and with courage and determination, come forward [to the only true God,] our mighty Father and to [Jesus Christ,] our tender Brother. Open your heart to Them and talk to Them about your situation. Please do not hesitate to ask Them which path in life you should take to become a true son of God and a true shepherd who can lead the flock of God to the right way of eternal life. Then I hope that when Jesus Christ, the King of kings comes, you will hear the blessed declaration, [Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of you Lord.] And the King will say... Come... inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'] (Matt.25:23.34).
However, to the unfaithful shepherds it will be spoken, [there you shall die and there your glorious chariots shall be the shame of your master's house. So I will drive you out of your office] (Isa.22:18.19). ['Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth'] (Matt. 22:13). Return, oh return from your ignorance immediately, dear elders! [He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches](Rev. 2: 29).
3. Eternal Life is Gained by True Knowledge
In China, it is commonly said, "Unless a precious stone is cut with a chisel it cannot be made a vessel of value, and unless a man learns, he cannot attain to righteousness." Chuangtzu, a sage of China also said, "Man who refuses to learn is like someone who attempts to soar up to the sky without proper skills."
To attempt to enter heaven without the knowledge of [the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent] is like attempting to fly through the heavens without any means. There is no difference in the foolishness of trying to do the impossible. So God says, [It is not good to have zeal without knowledge] (Pro. 19:2, NIV). It is indeed not good as well as impossible to have eternal life and come before God without knowledge.
You may ask, "Why by knowledge and not by faith?" And of course you are right to say so. We are saved by faith in Christ, not by knowledge alone. But by looking into the origin of faith, we find that we cannot have faith unless we have knowledge first. [So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God] (Rom. 10:17). Therefore, whether we obtain eternal life or not depends upon whether we have the necessary knowledge or not. That is, our everlasting life depends upon the true knowledge of [the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent] (John 17:3). So, to those children who do not give heed to this knowledge, God says, [I have written for him the great things of My law, but they were considered a strange thing] (Hosea 8:12). Therefore, [Behold, the days are coming ... that I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord (words of what is true knowledge)] (Amos 8:11). [Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out My hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call (Upon Me), but I will not answer; they will seek (Me) diligently, but they will not find (Me) because they hated knowledge ... and would have none of My counsel, and despised all (My) reproof] (Pro. 1:24-30).
[Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me ... I also will forget your children] (Hosea 4:6). Therefore, without a doubt, it is of immediate necessity that all religious workers and witnesses for God spread the knowledge of [the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent] (John 17:3), which is everlasting life to all. So, in order to impart this knowledge to all people, we ourselves must first know God as our patriarchs did.
God is calling today for those who will go into the perishing world with the true knowledge of eternal life. [Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?'] (Isa. 6:8). [My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge] (Hosea 4:6). [For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings] (Hosea 6:6).
4. The Precious Gift of Eternal Life That God Gives Solely to His Friends.
Jesus said that to [know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You (God) have sent] is eternal life, and I think that a deeper meaning is implied in the words "to know." It is more than to merely know each other's face and name. For example, a man working in a large company caused a big fire by a momentary mistake. Many workers were killed and he was sentenced to death. This news reached his close and intimate friend who came to him immediately, comforting and encouraging him, saying, "Do not be worried. Because I know President - of our country very well, if I only go and tell him about you, he will grant a general amnesty to you, and you will be released right away. Meanwhile, you can just wait with peace of mind." A few days later, he was released on a general amnesty as his friend had said. In this example, when the friend said, "I know President - ," he did not mean that he knew the President as the people generally know the president, but that he knew the President closely and personally. Likewise, to know God as the Creator and the King of the universe and Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior who came to save the world, is not enough. It means to know Them just as the friend of the man under the death sentence knew the President as a close friend. It is to know God as Enoch knew Him, who had walked with Him for three hundred years as a personal friend before he was taken up to heaven forever.
If God were to give eternal life to all who knew Him superficially as the Creator, and Jesus as God's Son and the Savior, there would be few deprived of eternal life. James said, [You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble!] (James 2:19). Yes, even Satan and his angels, and all the wicked people of the world know and believe that God is the Creator, the One who gives life and blessings to man. Even the idolaters and those possessed with demons acknowledge, believe and cry out to God. Then, shall God make this sinful world into an eternally dreadful and terrible one by giving such evil people eternal life? No, this can never be. Our heavenly Father will not, by giving them eternal life, make His universe more horrible. In the Bible, He has plainly declared that He would restore this universe to its original state, sinless and holy, by removing such people forever [in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone] (Rev. 21:8).
Therefore, eternal life is a precious gift of God that He gives only to those who obey the instructions and words of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. It is a gift only to those who have become intimate friends with Them, walking hand in hand with Them as Enoch did in the past. And these are the children He will invite to His everlasting kingdom as He did Enoch.
In the Bible we read, [Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died when he was one hundred and ten years old ... (and) another generation arose who did not know the Lord] (Judges 2:8, 10). [Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord] (1 Sam 2:12). Do you think that the descendants of Joshua, the prominent leaders of Israel, did not know that the Lord is the Creator of heaven and earth, and that He had divided the Red Sea for their fathers, and in the wilderness fed them with manna for forty years, and gave them water from a rock? Also, because the sons of Eli, the priest, did not know the Lord, is it written that they knew not God as the Creator? No. They did know the God of Israel. They knew Him well. But they turned away from Him who only found pleasure in giving them life and blessings, and refused to be friends with Him as Enoch was, betraying Him to live an impure and unruly life. Finally, they ended up perishing in their sins. I hope that my brothers and sisters who read this book learn from them, and become close friends with God and Jesus as Enoch was, because They will give you all the rich treasures of the universe unsparingly, one of them being the immortal life of God, the eternal life that we have been studying thus far.
Eternal life is a gift of God which is filled with His love and heart, which He gives only to His friends one by one, ever discreetly. I pray that those who read this book with eager interest will also receive this precious gift and enjoy the everlasting happiness of eternal life.
The Importance of the Knowledge of the Only True God and Jesus Christ.
(1) The Knowledge of the True God
[There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land] (Hosea 4:1).
[My people are foolish, they have not known Me. They are silly children, and they have no understanding] (Jer. 4:22). [My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ] (Hosea 4:6). [For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings] (Hosea 6:6).
It is the darkness of the misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth. This is the work outlined by the prophet Isaiah in the words, [O Zion, you who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah "Behold your God!"] (Isa. 40:9). The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of God's character of love and it is the children of God who are to manifest His glory. Through their lives and character, they are to manifest the grace of God which has been poured on them.
Our knowledge of God today is partial and imperfect. [But when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away] (1 Cor. 13:9, 10, RSV). [Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord] (Hosea 6:3).
[If you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God] (Pro. 2:3-5). This knowledge is gained by meditating upon the word of God, And this treasure may be earned by all those who would give everything they have for it.
In order to be representatives of God we must know Him first.
Moses knew God, personally. Through his close relationship with God, he was able to hear the call from heaven, to exchange his shepherd’s crook for the rod of authority, to leave his flock of sheep and take on the leadership of Israel.
In order to be coworkers with God, in order to become like Him and to reveal His character, we must know Him aright. We must know Him as He reveals Himself. A knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. If is the only safeguard against temptation. It is this alone that can make us like God in character. This is the knowledge needed by all who are working for the uplifting of standards in mankind. Transformation of character, purity of life, efficiency in service, adherence to correct principles, all depend upon a proper knowledge of God. This knowledge is the essential preparation both for this life and for the life to come. [And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding] (Pro. 9:10). Through knowledge of Him we are given [all things that pertain to life and godliness] (2 Peter 1:3). [This is eternal life, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent] (John 17:3). When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be one of continual obedience. Eventually, through His children, the final and full display of the love of God to the world will be clearly revealed, and the world will be lightened with its glory.
(2) The Importance of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The world doesn't need so much of anything else as it does and expression of the love of Christ through men. All heaven is waiting for channels through which God can communicate the holy oil to men, which when received, is a joy and blessing to their hearts. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were so filled with love for Jesus and for those for whom He died, that many people's hearts were melted by the words they spoke and the earnest prayers they offered. There is nothing that Christ desires so much as He does agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and character.
When Lifeless doctrines accomplish nothing, the love of Jesus will melt and attract the hearts of men. His ever-abiding love, His holiness, meekness, mercy and truth are to be revealed to the world through His disciples. Our love for Christ and for our fellow brethren will testify to the world that we live and learn from Him daily. And eventually, the whole world will be lightened by His glory.
(3) The Importance of the Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.
In His prayer to the Father, Christ said, [This is eternal life, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent] (John 17:3). This is the true education. It imparts power. The experimental knowledge of God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, transforms man into the image of God. It gives to man the mastery of self, bringing every impulse and passion of the lower nature under the control of the higher powers of the mind. It makes its possessor a son of God, and an heir of heaven. It brings him into communion with the mind of the Infinite, and opens to him the rich treasures of the universe. The knowledge of God and Jesus Christ expressed in character is an exaltation above everything else that is esteemed on earth or in heaven. It is the very highest education. It is God's purpose that all who believe in Christ should possess this. The knowledge of God and Jesus Christ revealed in the character of man is highly esteemed as having the greatest value both in heaven and on earth. It is the very highest education. This is the key that opens the portals of the heavenly city.
Eternal life is to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. But Satan, the enemy of mankind, with his angels, are determined that men should not have this perfect knowledge of the love of God. So all of heaven is anxious to see holy agents who will go to the world with the message of life today. [Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying: `Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?'] [My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge] (Isa. 6:8, Hosea 4:6).
Where are the sons and daughters of God who will answer to the voice of the Lord, today?
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