Mystery of the Ages
(a 2nd critical review)
By William Hohmann
Chapter Seven - Mystery of the Kingdom of God (Pt. 2 of 2)
I would like to remind the reader of what HWA claimed earlier in this book, and was fond of saying: "The Bible interprets itself... it is not Herbert Armstrong's interpretation." Yet here we see HWA "interpreting" by drawing conclusions from Scriptures that do not support his assumptions.
He is the "nobleman" of the parable, who went to the Throne of God—the "far country"—to be coronated as King of kings over all nations, and then to return to earth (Luke 19:12-27). (p.305)
The referenced Scripture does not say Jesus was coronated, then returned. And again, HWA is trying to prove something through a parable.
Jesus was born a king. There was never a time He was not the King.
Matthew 2:2: "Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."
Matthew 21:5: "Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."
Mark 15:2: "And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it."
John 1:49: "Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel."
Why would HWA desire to have his readers believe Jesus was to later be made a king? Could it be part of the plot to diminish Jesus so as to make Him, while He was walking the earth, just the "mere" messenger of the gospel? In all religious cults that claim to be Christian, Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, is diminished in some fashion. In the case of HWA, the Kingdom/government ruled through law becomes more important than Jesus Christ. HWA has already declared salvation is dependent upon understanding and knowing his gospel of the Kingdom. I would also point out that he also declared that the church's function is to bring about salvation also:
The function of the Church is not merely to convert the "firstfruits"—not merely to bring about salvation to those specially called out of the world and into the Church, but to prepare and train them for these positions of leadership in the Kingdom when salvation will be opened to all the living. (p.332)
In all of this, HWA has made not only his gospel a co-savior with Christ, but his church as well. However, there is only one God; one Savior, and He is a jealous God who will not tolerate anyone or anything else being "beside" Him. HWA is guilty of setting up not one, but two false gods.
Again, he is in heaven until the "times of restitution of all things" (Acts 3:19-21). Restitution means restoring to a former state or condition. In this case, the restoring of God's government on earth, and thus, the restoring of world peace, and utopian conditions. (p.305)
Everything is seen in the context of the "government of God." Do we find in Genesis an account of Adam and Eve transgressing the government of God, or disobeying God personally? And what exactly was their sin, and what does it mean in this context to restore all things? Was not their sin an act of faithlessness? Could it be that it is faith that shall be restored? Faith and trust in Him? I would think that another chapter to this book should be entitled, "The Mystery of Faith" for HWA never touches on the subject except superficially, if at all, and yet who wouldn't agree faith is of utmost importance?
And what really is HWA inferring here? That somehow, God lost control of His "government" and law because Adam sinned? What of Satan's sin? Would that sin not also qualify for usurping the "government of God"? So poor God lost control over His creation, and it has taken Him now nearly 6000 years to correct the situation.
At its very climax when delay would result in blasting all life from off this planet, Jesus Christ will return. This time he is coming as divine God. (p.305)
One of the teachings of HWA was that Jesus was not "God" when He came the first time.1 According to HWA, Jesus "could have sinned" and not "qualified" as Savior, as though Jesus had the Adamic nature.
What a demonstration of the divine power with which the glorified Christ will rule all nations. Rebellion against God's law and God's rule must, and speedily will be put down. (p.308)
Can you realize that every unhappiness, every evil that has come to humanity, has been the result of transgressing God's law? (p.308)
This is part of the progression of HWA's to foster his false gospel. First, he claimed Christ will return and set up a Kingdom. This Kingdom is a government. This government is to set up the "law of God." In order to overcome any possible resistance to this progression and declaration, he makes the statement above: all evils are a result of transgressing God's law. It sounds reasonable, but it is not true. This is important for him to establish, yet he cites no Scriptures in support. For the most part at this point in the book, he doesn't have to. If people have bought into what he has written before this, by now they have unknowingly abandoned their critical thinking skills. Never mind the fact that the law has not existed since the beginning of humanity. HWA claimed it did, and gives other rationalizations for this belief, and they have already been addressed earlier in this critique. As stated earlier, in the HWA theology, everything is perceived from the perspective of the law. Everything else is excluded.
If no one ever had any other god before the true God; if all children were reared to honor, respect and obey their parents, and all parents reared their children in God's ways; if no one ever allowed the spirit of murder to enter his heart, if there were no wars, no killing of humans by humans; if all marriages were kept happy and there were no transgressions of chastity before or after marriage; if all had so much concern for the good and welfare of others that no one would steal—and we could throw away all locks, keys and safes; if everyone told the truth—everyone's word were good—everyone were honest; if no one ever coveted what was not rightfully his, but had so much outgoing concern for the welfare of others that he really believed it is more blessed to give than to receive—what a happy world we would have! (p.308)
If all these things were so, there would be no need for the law!
1 Timothy 1:9-11: "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust."
HWA implies that it is the law that defines what is righteousness as well as what is sin. Without the law, in his view, people would do evil, as though the law was responsible . Yet laws come about as a result of people doing evil in the first place. For instance, if no one ever killed another in anger, there would be no need to have a law making it a sin to do so. HWA puts the cart before the horse in this regard.
But, further, God has set in motion physical laws that operate in our bodies and minds, as well as the spiritual law. (p.309)
Stop and think carefully about what HWA has just declared here. The "spiritual law" operates in our bodies just like the physical laws (laws of physics). In other writings of HWA, he has made this same declaration, equating the law as having control over us just as the law of gravity. Also note that the law is now declared to be the "spiritual law" and as usual, no references are given to attempt to support this declaration.
No longer will Satan be able to broadcast through the air into the spirit in man. No longer shall he be able to inject into unsuspecting humans his satanic nature—which we have been misled into calling "human nature." (p.310)
This ignores that the ultimate problem of mankind is not Satan, but man's heritage2 , being of Adam. Romans 5:14: "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come."
1 Corinthians 15:22" "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
Unless one is born from above; born of God, that one, born after the pattern of Adam, will perish.
HWA taught obedience to the law, claiming that obedience to the law was obedience to God. Jesus never referred to the law as "God's law," but rather, in conversation with the Jews of his time, referred to it as "their" law (John 15:25; John 8:17; John 10:34), the "law of Moses" (Luke 24:44; John 7:23), or "your" law (John 8:17, John 10:34); even stating it was Moses who gave them the law (John 7:19), never "God's law."
Where people have been misled more than perhaps any other deception, is in believing the law must be observed; must be kept. People were taught to be servants of the law; slaves of the law, for, as Paul declared in the above quote, you are the servant of the one you obey, and if you live to obey the law, you are the servant of the law, and all the law could ever do was condemn to death the one who broke it. No wonder Paul declared in Romans 7:6 that Christians die to the law in order to be bound to Christ. A Christian cannot serve two masters.
From the time of Christ's supernatural takeover, and Satan's banishment, God's law and the word of the Eternal shall go forth from Zion, spreading over the whole earth. (Isa. 2:3). (p. 311)
Isaiah 2:3: "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."
It is easy to misunderstand and misinterpret prophesies. The religious Jews of Jesus' time felt no prophet could come out of Nazareth, and the Messiah was to come out of Bethlehem. They didn't bother to think the Messiah could move.
In Jeremiah 31:31, the New Covenant prophesied for when Christ has returned and set up his Kingdom is described as not being like the old covenant (law) but is a New Covenant, written on the heart and not written on stone like the old one. But HWA doesn't bother to make the connection between the two similar prophesies.
The 6,000 sentence God placed on Adam's world, of being cut off from God, will be ended. (p. 311)
If there were such a "sentence" it was lifted by Christ after his sacrifice; not 2000 years later.
What glory! A new day shall have dawned. Peace shall soon come. Men shall turn from the way of "get" to the way of "give"—God's way of love. (p. 311)
HWA tends to redefine everything in relation to God and the "truth." HWA here defines God's way of love as being the way of give as contrasted to the way of get. This is wrong, but it serves HWA's purpose of getting people to give... to him.
This is not to say the way of love is not the way of give; that is just a small part of the overall picture. The way of God is indeed love. As Paul wrote, the only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love, and here we see the dimension missing from HWA's formula. Faith.
But with Christ's coming shall begin the process of re-education—of opening deceived minds—of un-deceiving minds, and bringing them to a voluntary repentance. (p.311)
Hebrews 8:11: "And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest."
What HWA cannot understand is that it is God who will change the hearts of people, and not people changing their own hearts through some process of Orwellian re-education. It is not completely a matter of "bringing them to a voluntary repentance" but rather God "granting them repentance."
Acts 11:18: "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."
2 Timothy 2:25: "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;"
HWA taught that repentance was a process of self-flagellation, as it were. One had to "work up" an attitude of "I'm bad" in order to please God, as though it was some process of purging not unlike what was seen under the Chinese communist regime in times past when one of their top people were perceived to "slip" from the strait and narrow.
There are other resources on this website that cover this in greater detail. In the meantime, rest assured HWA will continue to pound into the minds of his followers and readers that the law, given only to Israel by covenant, is the law that somehow applies to all men at all times in all places, contrary to the law! No one can become a party to a covenant who was not originally a party to it once it has been ratified (put in force). Even HWA declared this in his "Which Day is the Christian Sabbath" booklet, then went on to include Christians into that covenant! [Read my critique of the booklet.]
Once a covenant is signed, sealed, or ratified—confirmed—it cannot be added to (Gal. 3:15). Anything appearing beneath the signature is not legally any part of the covenant. You read of the actual making of the old covenant, and sealing it with blood, in Exodus 24:6-8. And notice (verse 8), it concludes with the words "the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you." (Which Day is the Christian Sabbath) (p.319)
Seeing as people's critical thinking skills have been suppressed through the indoctrination techniques and mind control techniques after that, the faithful follower will never even think to question HWA was wrong or could be wrong. The answers to problems must lie elsewhere, and convenient scapegoats are easy to find.
Notice what God promised his people: "...if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day...all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. (p.319)
The assumption HWA wishes his followers and readers here to make is that they are now God's promised people; not Israel. But God is addressing ancient Israel. It is an assumption to believe this, or any of what God directed toward Israel and required of them, applies to modern day Christians. If it did, there would be plain Scriptures to support this conclusion. The "truth" would be "plain" but instead we see no such evidence. All we see are assumptions and rationalizations—a dangerous way to base one's beliefs on. What better way to fall into error? Yet HWA did this time after time.
He follows by describing what would happen to Israel, and what will happen, then makes a heading of how God will deal with other "nations"—and this is important to see: God is talking about nations and not individuals, regardless of nationality, later known as Christians.
Once the returning Christ conquers this earth, he will usher in an era of total literacy, total education—and give the world one new, pure language. This subject by itself needs a book to describe. The whole literary processes of the whole earth changed. Today, all languages are corrupt. They are literally filled with pagan, heathen terms—superstition—misnomers—exceptions to rules—peculiar idioms.
God says: "For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent" (Zeph. 3:9). (p.230)
It seems everything has to be defined as corrupt and defiled. HWA's followers are conditioned to revile anything outside the group. If language is defiled and corrupt, then so would be the thinking process of those in the world! This is but part of the process of rejecting anything or anyone outside the group that might produce evidence counter to their now excepted beliefs.
Never again will any person become rich from investing in the labors and creative ability of another person. No more stock markets, world banks, financing centers, insurance companies, mortgage companies, loan agencies, or time payments.
In God's abundant government people will buy only what they need, when they can afford it, when they have the cash to pay for it. No more interest. And no more taxes. (p.322)
Just before this declaration of HWA's, he stated that Jerusalem would become the financial center of the earth! More cognitive dissonance.
Also, all these things are pictured in a negative light. Why? One must think a bit to make the connections.
Before doing so, it should be pointed out that HWA became rich off the "labors and creative abilities" of others by demanding tithes from their incomes; their wages.
Why would, for instance, insurance companies be painted in such a negative light? They serve a valuable service in that one could provide for their family in the event of their untimely death. After all, only an "infidel" doesn't take care of his own family. But insurance requires the payment of a premium; money spent on an "intangible" that HWA sees as better "spent" on him, therefore this negative regard for insurance companies. To word this another way, HWA didn't mind robbing widows and orphans.
Time payments are useful for acquiring things you need but do not have the funds for when you need them. But again, money is being spent by the member or perspective member that might have gone to him.
Then taxes are cast in this evil light. The bane of mankind. No problem though, for HWA has a "better" idea—tithing, and this is where he goes next in this chapter that is dealing with the "gospel of the Kingdom" where the burdens of the old covenant are required of Christians today, and in the "World Tomorrow."
But the tithing system will be universal. (p.322)
No Scriptural references; nothing to back up this matter-of-fact statement of his. Let the reader read on to see how HWA goes about justifying this teaching without a "thus saith the Lord."
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? [And God answers] In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:8-10). That's a prophecy for now.
And what a blessing that will be. None of the financial burdens that curse most peoples today. (pp. 322-333)
What's wrong with this picture? Several things.
1. This is addressed to Israel and not the whole world.
2. Tithes are based upon produce and livestock. One does not put money in a "storehouse."
3. This prophecy is for now only because HWA declares it so. Again, he offers no proof of his conclusions.
In short, under the New Covenant, which Christ is coming to usher in, what we shall see on earth is happiness, peace, abundance and justice for all. Did you ever read just what this New Covenant will consist of? Did you suppose it will do away with God's laws? Exactly the opposite. "For this is the covenant [that Christ is coming to establish, you'll read in Hebrews 8:10]...I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts...." (pp. 326-327)
Notice if you will that this New Covenant is ushered in at the return of Christ; and not before. Also, HWA neglects to point out a few other pertinent facts: This covenant is directed toward Israel and Judah, just as the Old was, and this covenant is not to be like that previous covenant (verse 9), ergo that previous law.
This New Covenant was already instituted by Christ, and began on that day of Pentecost. God poured out His Spirit on those assembled in Jerusalem at that time and place.
Hebrews 9:20: "Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you."
Not something to happen in the future; it happened then.
Matthew 26:26-28: "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
God gave seven annual Festivals and Holy Days he commanded to be observed. They contained great and important meaning. They pictured God's master plan for working out his purpose for humanity. They were established forever. Jesus observed them, setting us an example. The apostles observed them (Acts 18:21; 20:6, 16; I Cor. 5:8; 16:8). The true, original Church—including gentile converts—kept them. (pp. 327-328)
This should be getting old by now; but God commanded these Festivals to be observed by Israel, and no one else.
They did not so much picture some master plan as much as they pointed to Christ and His redemption of mankind.
They were not established forever, and HWA does not bother to "prove" this.
That Jesus observed them is not a reason to conclude He was setting us some example. He was Jewish, born under the law (Gal. 4:4) and was obligated to observe them.
That the apostles would have kept them is also no proof that Gentile Christians were to keep them. Gentile converts were envisioned as "grafted in" to those who were of Israel and were in receipt of the promises made to Abraham, justified by faith only.
From here, HWA goes into a discussion as to how the nations of the world will be keeping the Feast of Tabernacles during the reign of Jesus Christ. What is left unanswered and unaddressed is that they are not required today. He makes the reader assume that, if they were required before of Israel, and all other people had fallen into paganism, and if all nations future are to keep them, they must be kept today. It is another rationalization—another assumption. And as I have stated so many times prior, assumptions and rationalizations are no way to go about basing your beliefs.
Then he brings up another sophistic argument concerning the Holy Days, commanded of Israel to keep, insisting that Christianity today "hates" those days, and that this is a proof they are to be kept, through the rationalization he uses. But Christianity does not "hate" the Holy Days. They are, if anything, indifferent about them. They are seen for what they are; days commanded of Israel, and no one else. To assume they are required of all is to make a very large assumption.
In contrast to these Holy Days, HWA insists that the days kept by Christianity are "pagan" days: Christmas, New Year's, Easter, and others, claiming God hates these days. So, let's put on our critical thinking caps and ask the logical question, "What makes these days "pagan"? Their originations? Then wouldn't it make sense if people were observing Christmas only if they were observing the birth of some pagan deity? But the "rationalization" to brand it pagan was in relation to the time of year (near the winter solstice) and the fact that there is no command to observe the birth of Christ. In other words, if there is no command to observe it, it is the same as a command to not keep it. Therefore, by this rationalization, it is wrong to try and honor God and His Son by having some observance that acknowledges the birth of the Savior of mankind; arguably an important event! So what if we don't know the exact day? What if we did? But then we get into other rationalizations made concerning birthdays in general, in order to discredit an observation of the birth of Jesus the Christ.
If we applied the teachings found in the writings of the apostles, we would understand that we are not to judge others for their observance of a "day" when we personally have a problem with it. We are not to force our views or opinions on others over disputable matters. But the temptation is too great for those self-righteous ones who feel they must tell others what they can and can't do; what days to observe and not observe, building their whole belief system one assumption upon another; one rationalization upon another.
Yet HWA rationalizes that God does not accept this kind of "observance" or "worship." To word this another way, God does not take into consideration one's faith. Your faith is subordinated to things physical, such as the observance of days. HWA here is removing people's faith and replacing it with physical things, yet God declared those who worship Him must do so in faith and in truth, and the truth here is that Jesus was born and did die for sinners so that they could have everlasting life. This truth and faith are what are being done away with in true hypocritical fashion, replacing faith and truth with the observance of the "proper" days which were not commanded of Christians in the first place! Those that would seek to deceive will do everything they can to ruin faith and get people's focus and attention off of Christ and on to something else, in this case the observance of Holy Days, insisting they are required of Christians.
Another critical thinking exercise then: What happens, according to HWA, if one does not keep the Holy Days? What happens to one who does not keep the Sabbath? HWA declares they are not Christians. They are the deceived. Their faith in Jesus as their Christ is counted as nothing; faith is counted as nothing. Observance of days is what defines a Christian to HWA. The Sabbath is the "sign" of a true Christian. Critical thinking would have us ask, "can a false Christian keep the Sabbath?" If so, then how can it possibly be the sign of a true Christian? If it were, then all false Christians would be true Christians based upon their observance of the Sabbath! You may try to rationalize around this, claiming the false Christian doesn't really keep the Sabbath, but then I would have to ask you, "do you always keep the Sabbath perfectly?" Then what's the difference between you and the "false" Christian? Nothing. Remember, the law required perfect obedience. If you are going to make the law the yardstick whereby Christians are judged, then you condemn yourself, and you have neglected faith.
HWA now reiterates the coming Kingdom and government of God. (p. 330) Rarely does he mention it is Jesus who rules this Kingdom, and is King of this Kingdom. The main focus is upon the Kingdom, and not the King. The wording is "Kingdom of God" and not "Kingdom of Jesus Christ." Along with this, HWA dangles the carrot out by saying that there will be converted people ruling under God in this Kingdom. Who are these converted people? Those who follow HWA. Those who "prove" their allegiance to God by keeping the law; keeping the Holy Days; keeping the Sabbath. It is a religion of works without faith.
Notice now the wording of HWA concerning this above:
The only hope of justice—of peace—of truth—of right solutions to all this world's problems—is the coming in power and glory of Christ to set up world government. Right government. The government of God! (p. 331)
What is the focus on? Jesus Christ, or this government? Which is more important? Without the King, there is no Kingdom. Salvation is not a result of believing in the Kingdom, but in Christ. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life—not the Kingdom. Jesus is the resurrection; not the Kingdom. The problems of mankind are not solved by the Kingdom and government, but by Christ.
This gospel of the Kingdom preached by HWA appears to be in line with what we read in Scripture. But how far off does a gospel need to be in order to be false? When the apostle Paul addresses the Galatians regarding the gospel, he calls them foolish for being so easily influenced by a false gospel; a gospel that is not about the "hearing of faith." They became influenced by those who insisted on teaching the law. (Gal. 3:1-3)
In the soon-coming government of God, every official placed in authority shall have been tried and tested, trained, experienced and qualified, by God's qualifications. (p. 332)
But what of those ministers who claim to head the government of God on earth today, through the church? How was HWA tried and tested, trained and when did he acquire the experience to head "the" church? He claimed to have personal revelation from God. This is an easy claim to make, and who is going to prove you lied? In this, HWA was his own witness. He was not tried and tested; he was not trained.
HWA then brings up Abraham and claims that Abraham was the only man on earth of character who was meek and "submissive and obedient to God—to God's laws..." (p. 333). This lie has been emphasized over and over by HWA; everything is about God's law, being equated on par with God Himself.
The only way HWA and those who would follow him can make a case for Abraham having had the law given to Israel, and having kept that law is to use inference and assumption from one Scripture:
Genesis 26:5: "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."
Notice God says "my laws" and not some other law, given to Israel later.
On page 334, HWA quotes how Gentile believers are heirs according to the promise in Abraham, yet HWA neglects to tell his readers about these promises in that they are not based upon law or obedience to the law.
Romans 4:13-16: "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,"
Three men—Peter, James and John, among the original twelve disciples—were privileged to see the Kingdom of God in a vision (Matt. 17:9) (p. 336)
As mentioned before, everything is seen through the lens of the Kingdom. In this transfiguration, Jesus is seen in a glorified state, in the company of Moses and Elijah. There is no setting, such as a Kingdom. What is important but overlooked by HWA is what was said from on high. They hear a voice, from the Father, stating: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." (Mt. 17:5) They were instructed to hear Jesus; not Jesus AND Moses and Elijah. Yet HWA constantly insisted Christians were to "hear" (heed) Moses and the law.
Actually, the gospel and religious development is merely spiritual education. (p. 337)
The gospel is not to be so trivialized as HWA does here. The gospel is:
"...the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)
It is not a matter of education, it is a matter of belief. It is a matter of faith. One either examines the evidence and believes it, or they do not.
HWA now goes into the realm of speculation as to which men of the Bible will be performing which functions in the Kingdom. His favorite phrase here is "It seems evident" which really means he is guessing. But his guess is as good as anyone's, so why not proffer his? After all, who can possibly prove him wrong?
Summary statements:
HWA claimed to reveal the "Mystery of the Ages." Indeed, in Scripture there are mysteries from the foundation of the world, but these mysteries of HWA's are not the mysteries of Scripture revealed.
The mysteries of the Bible, such as the mystery of the Kingdom of God, have entirely different revelations in Scripture than that of HWA's interpretations. Everything is interpreted through the law. Grace and faith were given little more than lip service.
Luke 8:10: "And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."
HWA rejected the revelations of the Kingdom of God given from the book of Acts forward. It is as though there was no death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Romans 11:25: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."
The law had a lot to do with the blindness that was Israel's. There was a lesson to learn from the law; that no one could keep it perfectly—all came under its condemnation who tried to live by it. To many, it became an end in itself.
2 Corinthians 3:12-14: "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ."
Those hung up in the law cannot see that that which was abolished is what Moses had with him when his face shown. Those hung up in the law cannot see that this veil has to do with adhering to the Old Testament law.
1 Corinthians 4:1: "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God."
In the New Testament Scriptures, these mysteries are discussed and alluded to. What is of interest is whether these mysteries of HWA are the same mysteries that the true ministers of God are stewards of.
Ephesians 1:9: "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:"
Ephesians 3:4" "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)"
Ephesians 6:19: "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,"
Ephesians 5:32: :This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church."
Ephesians 6:19: "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,"
Colossians 1:26: "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:"
Colossians 1:27: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"
By William Hohmann (former WCG member; Ambassador College graduate, 1976, B.A., theology)
Exit & Support Network™
April 2005
Be sure and read: Kelly Marshall's critical review of Mystery of the Ages.
Table of Contents & Intro | Chap. 1 | Chap. 2 | Chap. 3 | Chap. 4 | Chap. 5 | Chap. 6 | Chap 7
Footnotes for Chapter Seven:
1 See Jesus' Two Natures, which show He was both God and man.
2 This can also be referred to as man's "fallen nature."
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