July 1, 2018 Hear the Word of Jesus Only

Long for the Life That Only God can Give

God is the God of eternal life. There are many gods in the world, but God is unique in that He lives eternally. He sent Jesus Christ so that we could have eternal life. Jesus Christ is the only way we can gain eternal life. No one can get eternal life without Jesus Christ.

Mankind is different from beasts because he has spirit. While the consciousness of a beast disappears when it dies, a man’s consciousness remains forever even after his body disappears. This is called the soul. The problem is that there are only two ways that the soul can go: eternal glory or eternal punishment.

When God created Adam, He told him, “Do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day you eat of it, you will surely die.”(Genesis 2:17) But he ate the fruit, and because of him, all mankind after him was destined to die. This does not mean the death of the body, but it indicated that the soul of man would go to hell and receive eternal punishment. Jesus Christ came to the world in order to open the way of salvation for us, by bearing the debt of Adam’s sin, before the punishment began.

Moses and Elijah are Gone, Only Jesus Remains

One day, Jesus took Peter, James and John up to a high mountain. The disciples witnessed an amazing scene on the mountain: Jesus was transfigured before them and His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as light, and Moses and Elijah were talking with Him. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the prophets. How excited Jesus’ disciples must have been because their teacher was having a conversation with two of the greatest characters from Israel’s history!

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three shrines here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright could overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “this is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” Then the disciples fell on their faces and were terrified. And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus Himself, alone. (Matthew 17:1-8)

We should note carefully that God, after hiding Moses and Elijah from their sight, said, “Listen to Jesus!” The Law and the Prophets in the Old Testament is almost twice the size as the New Testament. Nevertheless, God hid the Law and the Prophets from them in that moment and said, “Listen to Jesus!” Today, many people claim to believe in Jesus but still have Moses and Elijah in their hearts. But the time of the Law and the Prophets ended with John the Baptist. (Matthew 11:13). Now, we must listen to Jesus’ words(John 8:31, 15:7).

Salvation Lies in Listening to Jesus

When the Law was given to the Israelites through Moses, they strove to obey it. Through their history they learned that when they kept the Law they were greatly blessed. Nevertheless, even though they enjoyed the blessings of keeping the Law their souls were not saved.

If we could count the number of people who kept the Law throughout all of the generations of the children of Israel, there would be a great many people. But the Bible tells us that only 144,000 Israelites will be saved(Revelation 7:4). What kind of person can be included in that number? Revelation 14:4 says, “These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.” Only those who belong to Jesus Christ the Lamb can be included in that number.

There were many great people of God in Old Testament times such as Abraham, Moses, and John the Baptist. They must go through judgment before they can enter heaven. Therefore, it is not accurate to say that they are saved. It is only those who believe in Jesus Christ who can proclaim, “I have been saved!”(John 5:24)

Those who heard the word of God before Jesus Christ appeared will be judged in the last Day, and after the judgment, those who will be saved will be separated from those who will perish. But those who do not believe in Jesus after He appeared will not even have such a chance, for they are already condemned. (John 3:18)

We must to listen to Jesus’ word. John the Baptist proclaimed, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is here!” And Jesus declared the same thing. None of those who heard John’s message and repented were saved. When Paul went to Ephesus he came upon some disciples. Paul realized that they had never been baptized in the name of Jesus nor received the Holy Spirit. They had received the baptism of John. Paul told them, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is Jesus.” And then Paul baptized them in the name of Jesus. When Paul laid his hands on them the Holy Spirit came upon them(Acts 19:1-7). The disciples that Paul encountered in Ephesus had repented when they heard John’s message, but it was only after they heard the word of Jesus through Paul that they were saved. It matters who you listen to.

The Voice of Conscience vs The Voice of Jesus

There are many people who do not believe in Jesus and many of them obey their conscience. Their conscience acts like a law to them just as the Israelites were under the Law. The more people follow their conscience in the society, the better society gets. But this will not save their souls. Those who rely on their conscience cannot accept the grace which God has so freely given to the world through Jesus Christ.

Those who govern their actions will consider themselves righteous, and therefore they will not acknowledge their need of God’s grace. Others still believe in Jesus but are still bound by their conscience. They will be judged by their conscience and they will not be able to declare that they have received grace.

Just as Moses and Elijah disappeared in the cloud and Jesus alone remained, we must remove the shrines of conscience and let only Jesus in our hearts. Romans 8:2 says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. Conscience, like the Law, is the law of sin and death. It always tries to rob us of the grace of Jesus Christ by condemning us. The only way to win is by the law of the Spirit.

If we are to have any conscience, it should be a good conscience toward God.’(1Peter 3:21) The conscience that enables you to discern good and evil might make you appear godly, but it leads you to death. Judas Iscariot was faithful to his conscience. When he saw Jesus whom he had sold for thirty pieces of silver, his conscience drove him to kill himself.

We must listen to the words of Jesus only. Peter walked on water after he heard Jesus’ say, “Come.” But what happened when he heard the sounds of the wind and the waves? Once you have heard the word of Jesus, do not turn your head to any other sounds, such as the wind and the waves, the Law and the prophets, or even your own conscience.

In the New Testament, there are many references to the Old Testament. But you will not find the phrase, “Thus saith the Lord” anywhere in the New Testament. For God has blotted out the name Jehovah from the New Testament. Therefore, once you have heard the words of Jesus, remove the Law of Moses from your heart and be free from your conscience! Be free from the law of sin and death!

Just listen to Jesus

Sometimes during the holy communion you can see people weep and confess that they are sinners before they eat the bread. Strictly speaking, sinners cannot eat the bread. If anyone confesses that they are sinners, he or she is under the Law or conscience. Jesus Christ has already paid for the penalty for our sins when he shed His blood on the cross and died. Now our confession must be one of gratitude for His grace.

Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”(John 6:63) The words of Jesus are the words of eternal life. That is not true of Moses’ words. If Moses’ words had given people eternal life, Jesus Christ would not have had to shed His blood. Peter recognized this and that is why he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!”(John 6:68)

Suppose that one person does not believe in Jesus but lives a godly life, keeping the Law of Moses. Another was a thief and an adulterer, but came to believe in Jesus and received His love. Which of these two will be saved? The answer is the latter. That is the gospel and grace, ands it is difficult for people to understand by man’s way of thinking.

Hear the voice of Jesus. Do not listen to the word of Moses or your conscience. Reject the law of sin and death, but follow the law of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not speak on His own, but only speaks of what Jesus told us(John 16:13). When the Bible says, “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” what it is really saying is, “Listen to the voice of Jesus.” Even if your conscience condemns you and declares you still a sinner. Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven!” you are now forgiven. Once Jesus said, “You are saved,” you are now saved!

When Jesus healed a lame man, He said, “Take up your mat and walk!” Therefore, you, take up your mat and walk! Do not say, “Please help me stand up.” If you listen to the voice of your conscience telling you that you are undeserving, you will perish in the end. Trust the Holy Spirit! Listen to the word of Jesus only!

God is the One and Only who dwells in the highest place. He is the creator, and He is the judge. We, as human beings, were like beasts, and we deserved to be abandoned. We deserved to be thrown into the lake of fire and to receive eternal curses. But God sent his only begotten Son into the world, and gave the blessings to betroth himself to mankind.

“I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD.” (Hosea 2:19-20) God not only said this, but he also said: “In that day I will respond,” declares the Lord— “I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth; and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, and they will respond to Jezreel; I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” (Hosea 2:21-23) Our faith is the betrothal between us and the Almighty God. Therefore, just as the woman of a married household and the destination of the married household can be considered as one and the same, we are also eternally united with God. From this time on, God has given us the promised word that he would fulfill everything.

From the year 1960, I had prayed to God in the promise that I would train 10,000 workers with a burning spiritual mission in their hearts, and I have been praying this prayer for 10 years. I have also not stopped praying for a building that would house these 10,000 workers. Finally, it has been fulfilled. This is because I had received the fullness of inspiration through faith, perseverance and humility.

From the time that I was called as man with a clear spiritual mission, I have not travelled one step to the right or to the left. I have only been walking on this lonely and singular path. I have taught thoroughly the souls that the Lord has given me, and they have become those with a burning sense of mission like that of the apostles. I have made them ready to participate in the first resurrection, and I have worked until death and with truthfulness so that that they would be able to receive the crown of righteousness.

But, to our shock and sorrow, a great trial has come upon the church. Those members of the church that belonged to the flesh have left the church. And even though the church had made plans that were sure and ready to pay off the debts completely by the year 2026, suddenly half of the church offerings have been reduced, and we have fallen into great trouble. Day by day, as if we are walking on water, we are persevering with fear and tension. The days that I will remain on the earth are not long. Therefore, I ask for more of the fullness of inspiration from God, and I wish to fully feed my beloved Lord’s Church, and then finally leave this world, having overcome all trials.

My Sungrak people, whom I truly love, what can I do more for you, and how longer can I do it for you? Please save the church, which is the body of the Lord. The Lord has now been abused by thieves and criminals. Please give me strength. Even now, tighten the belts around your waist and give your offerings generously to the church. This is a work directly related to the state of your souls. Has not the Lord said that he would pay it back most certainly, when he said, “I will pay it back when I come back”? He will most certainly pay it back. I appeal to you will all my might and with tears: please save the church.

Let us not associate with those who have left the church. They are not Sungrak people. They are those who want to accuse pastor Ki Dong Kim as a wealth hoarder, want to cast him out, and want to accuse him of having harmed the church. But they are those that are going to be destroyed by the word that is preached on this pulpit. It will happen with great power. They are not spiritual leaders at all. They are merely those who have given true pain to the church. Let us therefore, truly unite for the sake of the church. Thank you very much.

Coming Soon

Outline translated by Daniel Hong and John Kim
Letter translated by John Kim
Interpretations by Daniel Hong
Korean Summary by Ki-Taek Lee