| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ( F ) GODS� FOUNDATION � PROCESS OF DETERIORATION, COMPLETE DESTRUCTION As was scripturally examined in section E, it is concluded that Gods� foundation, by its� very spiritual nature, could not have been lost nor stolen. Thereby negating any comment, notion, idea or statement in regard to an alleged " restoration " of any portion of His foundation. The word restore, the act of a so-called restoration of any portion of Gods� foundation, necessitates that one of the two remaining possibilities would have had to occurred with Gods� foundation. Where in all of holy scripture is evidence conclusive to show that Gods� foundation, ( which comprises His Son, Jesus Christ ( chief cornerstone ) along with His apostles and prophets ), has been to some degree in a process of deterioration, damaged or destroyed completely ? What prophecy or any portion of Gods� inspired Word declares that at some moment in time prior to Christs� second coming or during the last days there would be damage or utter destruction of His foundation and thus a need for restoration ? Where in any portion of holy scripture is there any direct statement or hint that God will restore His apostles and prophets in the time of the last days or at any time prior to Jesus� second return to earth ? The simple answer for all of these questions is no where. You won�t find any such evidence. For example, simply go through Christs� own prophecy as he speaks with specific regard to the last days and the time prior to His second return to earth. In each gospel which writes of Christs� prophecy, not once is there any mention of the foundation of God in need of a restoration ( Matthew 24 / Mark 13 / Luke 21 ). Not once is there any mention that at some point in time after Christs� ascension there would be a deterioration of Gods� foundation ( i.e. Christ, apostles and prophets ) or entire destruction of His foundation. Moreover, go through the prophecies of the New Testament apostles and prophets themselves. No New Testament writing makes any direct statement or hint of God restoring His apostles and prophets to His church. No New Testament writing makes any direct statement or hint of Gods� foundation ( i.e. Christ, apostles and prophets ) being damaged, entirely destroyed or in a process of deterioration. Instead rather, the referenced scriptures which have thus far been shared have shown that Christ is a sure and everlasting foundation ( Isaiah 28:16 / 2 Timothy 2:19 / Jeremiah 10:10 ) and that Gods� righteous foundation is an everlasting foundation ( Proverbs 10:25 ). The writings of the Proverbs have revealed the everlasting and enduring strength and stability of the righteous people of God which would certainly include Gods� apostles and prophets. The scriptures of Matthew 7, Luke 6 and 1 Corinthians 10 all reveal that Christ, the Word of God, is the spiritual Rock who provides security, support and stability. There is no deterioration, damage or destruction when we are founded on Christ; 24. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. - Matt. 7:24-25 17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. - Matt. 16:17-18 47. Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48. He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. - Luke 6:47-48 35. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; - John 10:35 In these gospel scriptures, Jesus directly equates the hearing and doing of His Word to being founded on a rock. In section B of this study, scripture shows that the Word of God is a integral aspect of Gods� foundation which is made up of Christ, the apostles and prophets. The apostles and prophets were the direct link to God for the purpose of receiving, distributing and thus establishing for all of sinful mankind the Word of God in written form. Thereby making the apostles and prophets part of Gods� foundation along with Christ who Himself is the Word of God and thus the chief corner stone of that righteous foundation. Again, take particular note of Christs� words in Matthew chapter 16. The rock spoken of is the Word of God. That revelation knowledge which comes directly from God and not mankind who is flesh and blood. Thus the rock, that is to say, the Word of God, is that foundation upon which Gods� church is established and built up. Confirming and in direct agreement with Ephesians 2:19-22 and 1 Peter 2:4-6. Moreover, note also that it is against this very Rock, Gods� Word, ( aka Gods� foundation ), whereby not even the gates of hell will be able to prevail. What must we conclude therefore regarding the apostles and prophets of Gods� foundation ? Nothing lost or stolen away, nothing in deterioration, nothing damaged or destroyed. No need for any restoration. No need to restore Gods� apostles and prophets of His foundation much less Christ Himself, the chief corner stone of that spiritual foundation. More and more when we as Christians allow God, via the study of His Word and guidance of His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to direct and instruct our mindset concerning His apostles and prophets of His foundation, it quickly becomes very clear that the notion of God restoring His apostles and prophets is simply inexcusable and absurd. Such a mindset is seductive and devilish for that line of reasoning runs in direct opposition to the evidence and teaching of holy scripture. But how many of us who call ourselves Christians actually ever took the time, study and research of Gods� Word with the help of His Holy Spirit and examined such a statement regarding God restoring His apostles and prophets in the time of our present church ? Jesus Christ, is the spiritual Rock, the chief corner stone; 32. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33. As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. - Romans 9:32-33 4. And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. - 1 Corinthians 10:4 6. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. - 1 Peter 2:6-8 Notice from Romans 9 and 1 Peter 2 that there is no mention of Christ being damaged, deteriorating or destroyed. Rather it is the disobedient and unbelieving who stumble and are crushed, ( see also Matthew 21:44-45 & Luke 20:17-19 ) and therefore in need of restoration. Christ, the Word of God, that spiritual Rock is the chief corner stone of Gods� foundation for the Christian church. Nothing lost, stolen away, deteriorated, broken, damaged or destoyed here and therefore no need for God to restore any portion of His solid, unbreakable foundation, His apostles and prophets included. Now take note of these words regarding Gods� righteous, in the book of Isaiah; 17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. - Isaiah 54:17 The servants of the Lord - that is, the Christian, which also includes the apostles and prophets of the Lord � have their righteousness in God, not of themselves. As a conclusion therefore, no weapon that would be formed, built, established, for the purpose of opposing or destroying Gods� righteous people will succeed. With this kind of protection from God, the scripture further shows why people like Gods� righteous apostles and prophets do not need to ever be restored because they themselves are protected by God Himself. God shields and establishes His righteous people with an indestructible foundation because the foundation is God Himself and His righteousness. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |