Jesus is Our Savior: by Samuel West

JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR

Most people are not aware that Jesus is the Savior of all mankind—
both good and evil. "For therefore we both labour and suffer
reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of
all men, especially of those that believe." (1 Tim. 4:10) All mankind
will receive an immortal, physical body when resurrected. The
faithful and obedient "believers" will receive an immortal physical
body in the first resurrection and inherit the earth in eternal life.

The rest will have to spend another thousand years with the spirits
in prison (hell). "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the
thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on
such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God
and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Rev.
20:5, 6)

We need to understand our existence in eternity. Our
real self is a spirit; even as God is a spirit and Jesus is a
spirit. Jesus was the first spirit of this creation and the only
spirit begotten of the Father—the bright and morning star. "In this
was manifested the love of GOD toward us, because that GOD sent his
only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1
John 4:9) Jesus was the beginning of this creation.

"In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with GOD,
and the Word was God [of this creation]. The same was in the
beginning with GOD. All things were made by him; and without him was
not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was
the light of men." (John 1:1-4) Our spirits were created long before
Adam walked on the earth. "And God said, Let us [GOD and Jesus] make
man in our image, after our likeness... So God [Jesus] created man in
his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female
created he them." (Gen. 1:26, 27) This was the spiritual
creation, "1 ...in the day that the LORD God [Jesus] made the earth
and the heavens, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the
earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God
had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to
till the ground." (Gen. 2)

The physical creation of Adam and Eve is recorded in the second
chapter of Genesis. Like Adam and Eve, each of us at birth are united
with a physical body and become a
living soul. "And the LORD God [1] formed man of the dust of the
ground, and [2] breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [his
spirit]; and man became a living soul." (Gen. 2:7)

At death the spirit leaves the mortal body and returns to Jesus for
judgment. "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and
the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecc. 12:7) The
righteous "believers" are saved in the bosom of Abraham with all the
saints of God. The rest are taken to the spirits in prison (hell).

We are given an example of conditions after death with the story of
Lazarus and the rich man. "23 And in hell he [the rich man] lift up
his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus
in his bosom... 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a
great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you
cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence."
(Luke 16) The rich man was in "torments" because he realized that he
had squandered his life on worldly delights and was not spiritually
prepared for mortal death. Those who live with the spirits in prison
have no association with either the saints of God or those in mortal
life. This is the heaven and hell most religions acknowledge. These
are the two places spirits live between death and the
resurrection. "The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all
liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimstone." (Rev. 21:8)

After death of the mortal body, Jesus opened a dispensation of the
gospel to the spirits in prison (hell). "By which also he went and
preached unto the spirits in prison." (1 Pet. 3:19) Why? "For for
this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that
they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live
according to God in the spirit." (1 Pet. 4:6) When the law on baptism
is obeyed, they transcend to the bosom of Abraham. "Else what shall
they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at
all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" (1 Cor. 15:29)

Righteous "believers" receive their immortal physical bodies in the
first resurrection at the beginning of the Millennium. At the end of
the Millennium and the short season, comes the end of mortal man and
the second resurrection. "And they went up on the breadth of the
earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved
city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."
(Rev. 20:9)

Unbelievers come forth in the second resurrection. They cannot share
in the grace that brings forgiveness of sins and the grace that
confirms men into the kingdom of God. They can only be judged
according to works in the flesh. After the final resurrection, man
enters eternity again and there is no more death. "12 And I saw the
dead [unbelievers from the spirits in prison], small and great, stand
before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened,
which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those
things which were written in the books, according to their
works. ...14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire."
(Rev. 20) "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." (1 Cor. 15:53, 54) Satan is then cast off
with his followers as spirits never to associate with the rest of
mankind again.

Jesus told us, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
(John 14:2) "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies
terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of
the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and
another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one
star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the
resurrection of the dead." (1 Cor. 15:40-42)

The "believers" inherit the new earth in its celestial glory. "And I
saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first
earth were passed away; and there was no more sea [evil]." (Rev.
21:1) "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have
right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into
the city." (Rev. 22:14)

There are obviously great differences between the salvation of those
that "believe" and the salvation of those that do not believe. We
have seen those that "believe" are taken to the bosom of Abraham
after death and the unbelievers are taken to hell to await their
resurrection. Those that "believe" and live by the commandments of
God receive their physical, immortal bodies in the first
resurrection. The rest remain in hell to come forth after the
Millennium in the second resurrection. Believers inherit the earth
in its celestial glory with GOD and Jesus in a paradise that we can
only imagine. Those who were honorable men of the earth and accepted
the gospel in the spirit will inherit the lesser terrestrial glory
like the moon. The rest begin eternity in one of the multitudes of
kingdoms in the telestial glory that is compared in glory to the
stars.

This mortal life is like a snap of the fingers compared to eternity.
If we seek the best condition after death, we must follow the path of
those who "believe" We are all born alien to the kingdom of God—even
Jesus. Those who "believe" obey the gospel of Christ. "I am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek." (Rom. 1:16) Jesus compared the gospel to a gate. "Enter
ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it." (Matt. 7:13, 14)

Every kingdom/counry has laws that must be obeyed and officers to
administer those laws. "For our gospel came not unto you in word
only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much
assurance." (1 Thess. 1:5) What is the word of the gospel? It
begins with a correct understanding of GOD and Jesus and an
overwhelming desire to live according to the will of God.

The first principle of the gospel is faith. "Without faith it is
impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
(Heb. 11:6) Gospel faith is the most powerful force in the
universe. "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to
tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of
David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith
subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped
the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge
of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in
fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." (Heb. 11:32-34)

Sin can only be forgiven if we are truly penitent. "From that time
Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven
is at hand." (Matt. 4:17) The gospel went first to the Jews, "and
then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do
works meet for repentance." (Acts 26:20)

We are cleansed of sin through the regeneration— being born again
through the waters of baptism. "Buried with him in baptism, wherein
also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God,
who hath raised him from the dead." (Col. 2:12) "Jesus answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)

"38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto
you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many
as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2)

Being pure in heart and confirmed into the kingdom, each must share
in the sacrifice made by Jesus through the Eucharist. "53 Then Jesus
said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the
flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life;
and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6)

The power of the gospel is the Melchisedec Priesthood. Not even
Jesus was permitted to preach the gospel without first being properly
called and ordained. Jesus was ordained an Apostle, Prophet, and
Lawgiver like Moses (Acts 3:22) under the hands of the Father.
Holding this highest office He also held the lower office of High
Priest. "4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that
is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not
himself to be made an high priest; but he [the Father] that said unto
him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 10 Called of God
an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. " (Heb. 5; Luke 4:18)

Jesus went to John the Baptist to be born of water because John was a
Priest of the Levitical Priesthood and held divine authority to
baptize with water; but, John could not baptize with the Spirit. "I
indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh
after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he
shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." (Matt. 3:11)
What was different about the priesthood that Jesus received? He was
called and ordained to the Melchisedec Priesthood and therefore held
divine authority to baptize with the Spirit. Without the Melchisedec
Priesthood, none can enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus organized the kingdom with all of the officers of the
Melchisedec Priesthood. "And he gave some, apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists [High Priests]; and some, pastors
[Elders] and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work
of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all
come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ." (Eph. 4:11-13)

This calling and ordination is essential to anyone being legally
confirmed into the kingdom. "And I will give unto thee the keys of
the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall
be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven." (Matt. 16:19) "Beginning from the baptism of
John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be
ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. " (Acts
1:22) "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and
had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom
they believed." (Acts 14:23) "Neglect not the gift that is in thee,
which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of
the presbytery." (1 Tim. 4:14)

Believers are those that have faith in God, Jesus, and the
priesthood. They must repent and seek to do the will of God. They
must be born of water and the Spirit—including receiving a gift of
the Holy Ghost—by one holding the Melchisedec Priesthood. Each
initiate must then share in the sacrifice made by Jesus through the
bread and wine of the Eucharist.

The Melchisedec Priesthood was lost by the time the final form of the
beast (Papal Rome) was organized in 570 AD. Satan was given complete
dominion over the souls of man for 1260 years. "And there was given
unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was
given unto him to continue forty and two months. And it was given
unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power
was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." (Rev.
13:5, 7; 12:6, 14)

Exactly 1260 years later Joseph Smith claimed to organize the Church
of Christ and claimed a restoration of the Melchisedec Priesthood
through angelic ordination [the same as Moses and Jesus]. "And I saw
another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting
gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every
nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." (Rev. 14:6)

A remnant of the Melchisedec Priesthood remains today. Joseph Smith
was martyred on June 17, 1844; but, James J. Strang (400 miles away)
claimed the same hour to have been ordained under the hands of angels
to the same priesthood. He ordained L. D. Hickey one of the twelve,
who ordained Samuel Martin a High Priest, who ordained Lloyd Flanders
a High Priest, who ordained Samuel E. West an Elder, who has ordained
other Elders.

The gate into the kingdom of God is open to you. You could be a
Biblical believer, a saint in the kingdom, be taken after the mortal
body dies to the bosom of Abraham, be given an immortal physical body
during the first resurrection, live with Jesus on the earth during
the Millennium, and enter eternity on the earth in the celestial
glory.

For more information contact Samuel E. West at Samuel270@aol. com, or

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