The Apostle John

The Apostle John

May Never Have Died

CHRIST'S MISSION MANDATE

*The Orthodox Church has always believed that John never died. John returned to Ephesus and stayed in the house of Domnus. He converted many and performed miracles. One morning, before dawn, he took some of his followers to a place to pray. Then he ordered them to dig a grave as deep as his height in the form of a cross. He had them cover him with earth to the neck. They kissed him for the last time and placed a napkin over his face, wept bitterly and then covered him entirely. Others soon after, on hearing about this, dug up his grave and found nothing. The legend is found in "The Great Collection of The Lives of the Saints," translated from the Slavonic edition published by the Christian Print Shop of the Transfiguration Alms House in Moscow in 1914. It was translated into English by the Chrysostom Press, P.O. Box 536, House Springs, Mo. 63051 in 1994. P.441.

*Polycarp, an early Church Father and overseer of the Church at Smyrna, was one of John's pupils. Polycarp wrote about John the Presbyter or John the Elder as well as John the Apostle. Both Johns were active in the Church at Ephesus.

*Dionysius of Alexander (AD 265) did not believe the Apostle wrote Revelation in view of his reported early death (John had been boiled in oil). He proposed there were two Johns. Eusebius, of Caesarea agreed, one called John the Presbyter and one the Elder. The Elder's death may have been attributed to the Apostle in error. (Encyclopedia of Early Christianity; edited by Everett Ferguson, Garden Publishers., Inc., New York and London, 1990, P.782).

*Irenaeus, friend of Polycarp (AD 115-202), ascribed all five books (Gospel of John, I, II, and III John, Revelation) to John the Apostle and said he was exiled to Patmos. But he also mistook John the Elder for the Apostle. So he and Eusebius, advisor to Constantine, attributed the Book of Revelation to John the Elder. Philip of Side, in AD 430, used this misinformation to place the Apostle's death much earlier than tradition's date of about AD 100...during the reign of Trajan. Some today use this early date to place Revelation prior to AD 70. They then claim the prophecy of Christ's coming in Kingdom Power took place at the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in the first century!

*Attributing the Elder's death to the Apostle would explain why the latter is the only Apostle for whom no relics have been preserved. In the Greek Orthodox Church tradition, the Apostle, near death, asked that a grave be dug for him in the form of the cross. He was laid in the grave, covered to the neck and a cloth was placed over his face. Later, friends found no body. This legend is recorded in the "Daily Lives of the Saints and the Calendar of Feasts," by Tom Mitrakos of the Orthodox Calendar Co., 3131 Scenic Ct., Allison Park, Pa. 15101.

*The legend is also recorded in a book on "John, Whom Jesus Loved," by Dr. J. Culross (a book so old it has no date of publication by Morgan and Scott of London). He wrote that the belief continued through the Middle Ages. John's remains were sought, but never found. The belief became almost an article of popular faith. The English sect of Seekers, under Oliver Cromwell, expected John to reappear as the forerunner of Christ's glorious coming (P.240). While only a legend, it shows there is no conclusive evidence that John ever died.

*Domitian banished Christians from Rome before he died in 96 AD. John was among them. Under Trajan, from 98 to 117, it was a capital offence to be a Christian. Ignatius, another pupil of the Apostle John, was a martyr during this time. In the first list of martyrs, John the Apostle is not mentioned! (Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, P.742).

*In a book on "The Twelve" by the great Greek and Semitic scholar, published by John Winston Co., Phila., 1957, P.19, Edgar J. Goodspeed, author of over fifty books, says: "There is no record of John's martyrdom." Without such evidence, the Scriptures should be considered. We know of three important passages.

*The most convincing Scripture is that of the two voices telling John in unison: "You must prophesy again before many people and nations and tongues and kings." Rev.10:11. This was after heaven's voice told John to "seal the little scroll" out of which seven thunders spoke. It was after he ate the scroll...sweet to the taste and bitter to the stomach. It seems like an uncalled-for ritual without purpose. Nothing John wrote after that required him to "prophesy before many people and nations and tongues and kings" Rev.10:11.

*This ritual may rather be the climax of what John heard and sealed and had eaten to prepare him to help Elijah fulfill the Mighty Angel's word about Two Prophets having been appointed to stand against the Beast for 1260 days to fulfill God's Kingdom Power. John wrote about their future task which climaxes on the Lastday ... immediately after Trump Six has "passed by." "In the days whenever Trump 7 is about to sound, all things will be finished, as told to Daniel, concerning the mystery of God " Dan.12:9; Mark 9:1; Rev.12:10; Rev.10:6,7!

JOHN BEST QUALIFIED TO JOIN ELIJAH.

*God has always sent prophets to stand for His people at times of special revelation. He will not be without witnesses. There is no more important time in history than fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies regarding Messiah's coming for Israel and with all the Saints at the same time. John is prepared to stand with Elijah for 1260 days. John knows the messages of the seven Thunders and will warn of the "Great Day of God's Wrath and the Wrath of the Lamb" "Rev.6:16,17.

*As the Son of Thunder, John is positioned and commissioned to help finish God's Mystery and join in the "times for restoring all things" " Acts 3:21. The voices of the seven Thunders which he was told to seal relate to the last days. Immediately after John sealed and consumed the scroll out of which the seven Thunders uttered their prophecies, the Mighty Angel and voice from heaven, speaking as one voice, told him: "You must prophesy again before many nations and people and tongues and kings." It seems pointless for all the action in sealing and eating the scroll if the voices of the seven Thunders have no future release.

*The translation...of the Seven Last Plagues having "completed God's wrath" ... falls flat because all seven Plagues only "completed His anger" in the Greek text of Rev.15:1. Before the martyrs, including the Two Prophets, can enter the Temple in heaven on the Lastday, "the Last Plague must empty." Rev.15:8. In Act One of the Temple Drama, John reminds the Elder that he knows the origin and identity of the Martyrs. This gives credence to John having revealed what happens on earth to "complete God's Mystery" just before Trump Seven sounds. He is best qualified to witness and verify what takes place at the Tribunal of Act Two. Chronos-Time ends just before Trump Seven "in the days after the Great Tribulation." Rev.10:6,7.

*John will reveal the little Scroll's seven messages which are intended for the Beast and the wicked who rebel against God despite the Plagues. The wicked kill two billion people and move into the Holy Land. Trump Six describes the killing. Plague Six describes the gathering. The total Endtime encounter climaxes in this unique setting in which John found himself when the Mighty Angel appeared to tell him of these things.

*Consider that John knows the order of events leading up to and characterizing the Temple Drama. That knowledge sets him above any human as the logical one to join Elijah in their Herculean task for 1260 days. John knows what to expect.

*Witnessing the events of the last days in the presence of the Beast and False Prophet will be as real for John as when the Mighty Angel roared like a lion coming from heaven to his side on Patmos. As real as the armies gathered for war. And as real as the task he must fulfill as one of the Two Prophets prophesying for 1260 days.

*The evidence convinces us that he should be one of the Two Prophets. There is no evidence that John died. Of him it is said that "as to the time and place of his death, our ignorance is complete" (Dictionary of the Apostolic Church by James Hastings, Scribners, 1915. P. 627.)

*Christ's Mission Manifesto contains the hidden secret kept from Daniel about Daniel's end of time. It concerns the Two Prophets fulfilling Christ's Mandate. Preparing the Firstfruit of 144,000 Israelis is part of their Mission. That Mission is hidden to Christians who look for Christ prior to the Endtime. These Firstfruit are sealed and taken to heaven and will always "follow the Lamb." Let's examine Nine Reasons Christ's Mission Manifesto in Matt.16:28 and His "authority" in Rev.12:10 are still hidden.
NINE REASONS CHRIST'S ENDTIME MISSION MANDATE IS HIDDEN FROM THE CHURCH

*REASON ONE. Alone with Jesus a week after hearing His Mandate, Peter, James and John saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus on the Mount. They were told to keep it secret until He rose from the dead. Mark 9:9. In response to their one question about Elijah coming first, Jesus declared Elijah must come first and will "restore all things." Matt.17:11 places the word "restore" in the future tense. We have just begun to decipher their meaning as found in Mark 9:1 and Rev.12:10. The Mandate is the preface to Christ's being "ABOUT TO COME" in glory." Matt.16:27; present tense. Elijah must come first as one of "some who will survive (when He is about to come in glory) until after the Son of Man comes in Kingdom Power." Matt.16:28; Mark 9:1.

This hidden truth was complicated for the Disciples by His also telling them God's Kingdom would be given to a nation bringing forth its fruits...until Gentile Times cease and the full number of Gentiles come under the New Covenant. Matt.21:43; Luke 21:24; Rom.11:25-27. How could they relate to the Kingdom being given to the Gentiles if they were to see it coming in Kingdom Power? The relation of the Kingdom transfer to the CHURCH among the Gentiles, in contrast to Elijah's future coming to "restore all things," was lost in the interim!

That is the first Reason the Mandate remained a secret. They did not realize a "full number" of Gentiles must be saved before their (future) Kingdom is restored. It was enough for them to begin to understand the conversation Jesus had with Moses and Elijah about His pending death. And to know what rising from the dead meant...a truth they did not understand until He arose. Mark 9:10,32.

Seeing Him glorified and hearing God speak in a cloud was reminiscent of Moses on the Mount. And a foretaste of the glory to come. But this is about Kingdom Power just before He comes in glory. Elijah was on their minds. They needed to know about his coming before the Day of the Lord as the scribes taught. They could not be expected to know that Elijah's coming applied to the Endtime as well as to the task that John the Baptist had already performed...for by now the Baptist was dead!

They were also confused. Along with forecasting His death, Jesus said the scribes would seek to kill Him. They agitated for an entire week over whether Elijah must come first...if Jesus was to be killed. Jesus had told them once before that John the Baptist fulfilled Elijah's role. Matt.11:14. How greatly disturbing it was if the scribes sought His death, as He said, when they taught that Elijah must come first. But this was only one problem that caused their confusion.

They tangled over who might survive until Christ comes in His Kingdom. They argued over who would be greatest in the Kingdom. Their turmoil began when Jesus said He must die and the scribes would seek His death. They revealed their distress with their only question: "Why do the scribes teach that Elijah will come first"? Why would the scribes seek Jesus' death if this is true?

Christ's Mandate fulfills Daniel's Endtime Prophecy through the Two Prophets. Jesus answered: "Elijah indeed must come first and will restore all things!" His answer brought further confusion when He added: "Elijah has already come." The Church still needs to understand. The Two Prophets will die before Christ comes in glory. Moses died and was buried. He cannot be one of the Two Prophets. Elijah was taken alive to heaven in a whirlwind of fire. Jesus was about to die. The secret was hidden because Jesus said Elijah had come and yet must yet come to fulfill the Endtime Mandate.

*REASON TWO. John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah and was dead. "Elijah, indeed, comes to restore all things." Mark 9:11,12. This leads to the second reason the Mandate was clouded over. Jesus said "Elijah must come first and will restore all things." Then, for the second time, He said Elijah came in the person of John the Baptist. Matt.17:12. The Baptist was dead. He did not qualify any more than Moses to survive until Jesus comes in Kingdom Power. Did their confusion deepen because the Baptist had partially fulfilled Elijah's role? How about the view today that sees no eschatological reference to those who "must survive until Christ is about to come in glory"? They have let the Preterists rob the Church of its future fulfillment.

Far more engaging was another question. "Who was chosen, besides Elijah, to survive until Jesus is about to come in glory"? Matt.16:27-28. What did Jesus mean by being about to come to reward every one who is unashamed of Him? Mark 8:38. They wrestled with these questions all week. And many still avoid the issue by thinking Elijah's role has been fulfilled.

A week later on the Mount, God said: "This is my Beloved Son, listen to what He says." What He said was more exacting than what scribes taught or Malachi wrote about Elijah restoring the hearts of fathers and children toward one another before the Day of the Lord. "He must restore all things ("Set things right again." The New Jerusalem Bible. Matt.17:5,11). This is hidden from the Church by not relating the Mandate to Two Prophets returning from heaven! How many have considered that Two Prophets must prepare the way for Christ's return to "gather the called, elect and faithful above" as well as to save Israel? Mark 13:27; Rev.17:14.

The majority today accept that the Baptist was Elijah. And he was in a sense. But John denied being Elijah, though he had come in his "spirit and power." Jesus granted that he fulfilled Elijah's role. So the Mandate was obscured. John wrote about the Two Prophets who will show greater authority than the Baptist possessed. The Apostle foresaw them exercising supernatural power locally as well as globally before the peoples of earth. They do this up to within 3� days of the End! This is so incredible because the second reason for hiding the Mandate assumes the Baptist totally took Elijah's place.

Jesus then made a special remark about the Baptist and Himself to show He was thinking far beyond the Baptist. "Elijah already came and they did not recognize him. So they did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer by them." Matt.17:12.

This strikes at the heart of why Elijah needs to set things right. The Jews must be made aware that Messiah is "about to come" when the Two Prophets arrive in Kingdom Power. God's Power will be revealed by protecting 144,000 Firstfruit unto God and the Lamb." Rev.11:3; Rev.12:6,14; Rev.14:4. The Prophets will impress Israel with God's authority against the powers of darkness. They, and Believers, will be "purged, purified and refined." This will stimulate a united Jewish and Christian hope for Messiah. The "Authority of Christ," as predicted in Rev.12:10, will electrify the faith of Saints who will "love not their life unto death." Dan.12:9-11; Rev.12:9-11.

Two Prophets Display God's "NOW Kingdom Power and Christ's Authority." We stress the NOW of the Kingdom Mandate because of its relation to Revelation's only specific reference to Daniel's Endtime Countdown. Rev.12:10,14; Dan.7:25; Dan.12:7. At their final meeting with Jesus, the Disciples asked if He would then restore the Kingdom to Israel. They did not fathom the Endtime context of His being "about to come." He said they were not to know "Chronos or Kairos Times." Acts 1:6-7. He had revealed Believers will "know the End is Near." Matt.24:33. Why then should there be concern about Elijah centuries before the Endtime?

NOW becomes the Power and the Kingdom of our God and the Authority of His Christ." The 42 month Endtime Mandate fulfills Daniel's and Revelation's countdown and conflict because:

1. The great red dragon is cast from heaven.

2. The accuser of our brothers before God day and night is cast to earth.

3. The Two Prophets are appointed to prophesy until their task is finished.

4. Their expected resurrection and ascent to heaven on the Lastday strikes a triumphant chord among all the Saints.

5. God's Power enables Believers to overcome Satan by the Lamb's blood.

6. They overcome Satan and love not their life unto death. Rev.12:10-11.

7. God's Harvest Firstfruit, 12,000 Israelis from each tribe, are fed and kept safe during the Endtime.

8. They are sealed and taken to heaven on the Lastday. The Lamb meets them on Mt. Zion and, as the Son of Man, escorts them on heaven's clouds to the Ancient of Days.

9. But He first reaps the wicked to the winepress of God's great anger. Rev.14:1-19; Dan.7:13.

10. Jesus sends His angels to gather the rest of the Harvest above, the Elect, when He appears in glory. Elijah's task is fulfilled and "all things completely restored." Matt.17:11; Acts 3:21.

Seeing this prophecy fulfilled in the Baptist is like a short-circuit of the Mandate.

*REASON THREE for the hidden Mandate. Jesus told them the Times and Seasons were under the Father's jurisdiction. That includes the Day of His glory. The Mandate concerns the Endtime only. Knowing the End is Near relates to specific signs showing the Endtime is Here. The Mandate concerns one of five Endtime Catalysts. We must relate the Son of Man being ABOUT TO COME IN GLORY to the Imminence which involves all five of these Endtime Catalysts. See PRIMEKEY to Revelation.

The Disciples, and we, misread what Jesus meant in contrasting the restoration under Elijah to the people's rejection of the Baptist and of Himself. He will not come until Israel recognizes the prophetic nature of His Mandate of power and authority. The Baptist came in Elijah's spirit and power. Elijah and John come in Christ's Power and Authority. Many rejected the Baptist and denied Christ. The Two Prophets come and the entire world, including the Beast, recognize their supernatural mission. The unlimited power of Christ's authority will prevail, no matter what, until the Mandate is finished and we know the "appointed time" comes within 3� days...because the Lastday is known to the Father alone. The relation of Daniel's Endtime to the Mandate alone is the true context for imminent expectancy.

*REASON FOUR for the hidden Mandate is that few expect the Two Prophets to set the stage for "the Branch" to unite two offshoots of God's people in a Holy Temple of the Lord. He is the High Priest for both. He will rule as Shepherd, Priest and King through one Holy Temple over the nations. Jer.33:15; Zech.6:12-13; Rev.2:26; Rev.12:5; Rev.19:15. Many do not see why the two Olive Trees "stand before the Lord" to prepare for uniting Israel and the Church under Christ in the New Covenant. Rom.11:12-27; Heb.8:8-12; Rev.11:3-11.

None can harm these Two. They stand up for the Saints. They devour their enemies with fire proceeding from their mouths. Jews and Christians learn to trust each other. Heaven may be shut up so no rain falls during their time to prophesy. They exercise Christ's Authority to turn rivers to blood and administer Kingdom Power to smite the earth with any plague they wish. They feed 144,000 harvest Firstfruit until less than three days before the Lamb takes them to heaven from Mt. Zion. And before the last Martyr dies to determine the Day of the Lord. Martyrs and the Firstfruit sing two Songs before God to climax that Day by uniting two branches of God's People and presenting the Son of Man to the Ancient of Days. Unity of Jews and Christians results from their ministry. Dan.7:13; Rev.14:3-4; Rev.15:3-4.

*REASON FIVE for the hidden Mandate. Many spiritualize the Mandate, or say these Two stand for all the Saints. They have no sure word of prophecy for Believers. Preterists spiritualize the truth by saying Jesus came in AD 70...to destroy; but not to deliver. Pre-Tribs short-change the truth by asserting He may come years prior to that Day...before all Believers unite as "one"! They would even remove the promise of being "kept from wrath" for those who "endure to the End." Rev.3:10.

Why do teachers spiritualize or sacrifice the Mandate that affects people, tribes, tongues, nations and then two corpses over which many gloat and send gifts to one another while the Saints glorify God? Rev.11:10-13. We need to prepare for what happens when Believers are deprived of freedoms we enjoy. This is not a spiritual experience to show Christians may "dress in sack-clothes" to defeat their enemies. Nor should it be ignored as if it will not affect Believers. We must expect the Mandate to be fulfilled before Jesus takes us to Himself. We must realize that Gentiles in the Church include the martyrs singing their Song of Moses when the Firstfruits to God and the Lamb enter God's presence to sing their song.

Believers must "Come out of the System" prior to the Endtime. Let us not spiritualize the Mandate of Christ or God's command that applies to Babylon the Great. His people must avoid dependence upon the global religious-economic System. We must act before it is too late to settle personal debts and be prepared for suffering and sharing together.

The Mandate involves a global conflict with God's Kingdom Power limiting Satan's power; but not totally in killing the Saints. Satellites and computer technology will circle the globe to circumscribe, circumvent and monitor activity. Christians who tuck their tails beneath the dogma of escape to heaven may be unprepared to serve the Lord or survive to the End.

The "times to restore all things" (with Unity among all Believers) begin with the Mandate for the Two Prophets. Preparation for the Lastday sees God's Kingdom Power in total conflict with evil forces. Jews and Christians must band together. Heaven's power prevails in the war against Satan's power in heaven; only to erupt on earth with unparalleled intensity. Even the Altar in heaven cries out for justice, holiness and truth during the Plagues. Finally, with the last Plague emptied, the Martyrs petition God and the Lamb presents His 144,000 trophies to God in songs. Rev.14:1-4; Rev.15:1-4.

If you think Christ came in AD 70 or that He is coming at "any-moment," how does Elijah come first? Why would Paul state the Lawless One will be revealed first? A vital part of readiness for the Endtime is the upcoming need to separate from the System under Great Babylon. By respecting what Jesus said about the Nobleman going to a far country until he returns to take the Kingdom, we will understand the need for specific Endtime signs.

Jesus gave the story of the Nobleman because the Disciples expected the Kingdom was "ABOUT TO COME at once." The same false hope exists today. We will know the Endtime has begun. Then we must be Overcomers by keeping His works to the End. That's His message to the Church. Rev.2:25-27; Rev.3:10-12. The rewards to "serve God in heaven" here promised are won by Trib-Saints!

The Nobleman went to a distant country to receive his kingdom and returned. His citizens had hated him and refused his reign over them. He received the kingdom and returned to reward those who served him faithfully. On that day he slew those who did not want him to reign over them.

Applying the parable, Christ's enemies were represented by Caiaphas, the high priest and head of the Sanhedrin. Caiaphas decreed Jesus was about to die lest the whole nation perish under the Romans (John 11:47-53...He may have become a Believer). Killing Jesus did not save the nation. Jesus held no hope for them until Gentile Times are finished and He returns and the Jews accept Him. He appeals to Israelis to "beg to escape" when they "know their kingdom is near" on the Lastday. Luke19:44; Matt.21:43; Matt.23:38; Luke 21:36.

Jesus told the entire Sanhedrin: "From now the Son of Man would be seated at the right hand of power until He comes in the clouds." Luke 22:69; Matt.26:64. He told Pilate His kingdom was NOT of this world. John 18:36. The NOW of Kingdom Power and Christ's Authority cannot be spiritualized anymore than Christ's coming in Person; nor than His coming in Power through the Two Prophets. Rev.12:10.

The chief priests and Pharisees gave the orders, if anyone saw Him, to report it so they might seize Him. John 11:57; John 12:1. The parable of the Nobleman did not require Caiaphas to live until Christ returns to destroy His enemies. It did not mean he or the Council would be taken captive in AD 70 any more than their seeing Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of God meant they must live until it comes. Caiaphas spoke for all the people. John 11:51-52. The Council represented the nation's guilt in Christ's death. Many of them believed. John 12:42.

Some of those to whom Jesus spoke have actually seen His word fulfilled. They are in heaven where He "sits on the right hand of power"; for Stephen saw Him as he was stoned to death. And they will be raised up to share His glory at His return. "Every eye will see Him and those (Believers) that pierced Him coming with Him in the clouds of glory." Rev.1:7. Again, we cannot spiritualize the Mandate or the Two Prophets from the task of preparing for His coming with all the Saints.

Jesus lamented their failure to recognize the Day of His Visitation. Luke 19:40-44. They have suffered "Vengeance and wrath" for two millennia. Luke 21:22-24. At the end of the Times of the Gentiles, when their full number of Believers comes to the faith, He will destroy their enemies and reward His faithful servants. Matt.16:27; Rom.11:25; Rev.11:18.

Taken captive by Gentiles, this generation and its Days of Vengeance will not pass away before all these things are fulfilled...with Messiah ABOUT TO COME to end Gentile domination over His people. God's judgment on Israel is temporal; the Diaspora will end. That Day is Near as the Two Prophets unite the Saints and Israel for Messiah's return.

The truth should not be spiritualized or sacrificed for a premature hope.

*REASON SIX for the hidden Mandate tends to remove the Mandate from the days Christ is "about to come to reward every Believer." He was explicit about The Sign of His coming to reward us. He was explicit about the Mandate which obligates faithful Believers to be worthy of Him until the End. These truths counter the Disciples' misguided zeal or our misdirected hope that Christ's coming may occur before the Mandate is finished. He will appear after The Sign of Seal Six. Peter said: "Jesus must remain in heaven until the times to restore all things." Endtime Power is one of the specific signs for knowing His Presence is near.

We must not think the Day of the Lord is just for the Church. That Day will not overtake Believers as a thief. But in order to make it an any-moment possibility for the Rapture, many have stretched out that Day to a period of time to escape Great Tribulation. That Day must be seen as a single Day for Christ's Glory as well as our Deliverance and Israel's Restoration.

Jesus revealed His Mission Manifesto at the highpoint of His fame and at a crisis point in training the Twelve. Many disciples defected. John 6:66. The crucial point of the Manifesto calls for taking up the cross with Him. Many rejected Him. On top of that, the true Disciples learned the Kingdom would be given to a people producing the fruits thereof...and only restored to Israel when Christ returns at the times of restitution. Acts 3:21; Acts 15:14-17; Dan.7:27.

The Crisis of Faith developed among many disciples when Jesus claimed to be the Bread of Life. He would give His life. They must "eat His flesh to live forever." He would return to heaven. Four times He promised to raise up every Believer on the last day. For He will not lose one the Father has given Him. He offered eternal life. This was perplexing to many who were satisfied by "the loaves."

His true followers remained faithful...but did not understand His message about "the loaves" after feeding 5,000; then 4,000. He scolded them for their hardness. Then He dramatized their blindness. He healed a blind man in two stages to illustrate their slowness of spiritual insight. He took steps to "restore" the sight of the blind man of Bethsaida. This word to "restore" pops up a week later by His saying "Elijah must come and will restore all things." Mark 8:22-25; Matt.17:11.

Would they understand the implications of the Mandate? Do we see its relation to the End? The Mandate that "some would not die until after He comes in Kingdom Power" was at the very center of the crisis of taking up the Cross to follow Christ until He comes in glory. The Transfiguration on the Mount underscored the glory coming through Christ's suffering! Instead, they argued among themselves over who would be most important in the kingdom.

The two-step miracle in healing the blind man is one key to understanding the dual process to restore all things...before we can expect His return to reward us. One step concerns God's Kingdom Power. The other concerns our cross-bearing. The second act to restore sight to the blind man, after seeing "men walking around like trees" (Mark 8:24), was a lesson on their slowness to perceive the Kingdom was not delayed; but given to Gentiles for their salvation. Until the number to be saved and martyred reaches its fullness, suffering for Him will continue until He comes in glory to reward us. Fullness for Gentiles and for Israel occurs on the Lastday. Unity over the Mandate must come first!

The lesson of the Mandate sees Elijah coming as part of a Double Perspective for restoring all things and rewarding the Saints. True Disciples were confused. But they confessed Jesus was the Christ. They did not fully know His Mission. Nor that some would indeed survive until He is about to come in glory. After feeding the multitudes twice, they did not understand the "loaves." But each time Peter professed He was the Christ of God. They never forsook Him after He arose victorious over death. They would learn what He meant in using two steps to heal the blind man. Will the Church's vision deepen from these lessons? Or must we see the Mission-Mandate being fulfilled and ourselves unprepared to help one another during the Endtime conflict?

Immediately after requiring the Disciples to be faithful, Jesus promised He was about to come in glory to reward them. Matt.16:27; Mark 8:35,38. He closed His Manifesto with the Mandate: "Some here will not taste death "by any means..." until the Mission to restore all things is fulfilled, until the Two Prophets die. He did not say: "Some of you will survive." Elijah was absent. "Some here" (in the situation of His being about to come to reward every Believer) will survive...including Elijah. The Two Lampstands come before the Day of the Lord. They serve Israel and the Saints and display Kingdom Power when Christ "is about to judge the living and dead at His appearing and kingdom." 2 Tim.4:1

*REASON SEVEN for today's veil over Christ's Mandate. Instead of recognizing the Church must overcome to the End, many regard the Church as an exclusive spiritual Kingdom unrelated to the elect remnant in Israel. They see the CHURCH caught up to heaven prior to the End. They cannot allow John to represent the Church to the End. Their doctrine eliminates The Sign for us to "know the Day of the Lord has come." They saddle 144,000 Jewish servants with the task to spread the Gospel during the Endtime. Christ's Presence is climactic for the resurrection and rescue of all the Saints; not just for the redemption of Israel.

The Mission to build His Church and complete the Mandate was announced in the same Manifesto a year before the Disciples asked about Signs of His coming. Multitudes had just rejected His teaching. Pharisees demanded a sign which He refused to give. He performed great miracles and His popularity was at its height. But they wanted to make Him King. When He refused that also, the leaders sought to kill Him. Many of His own disciples forsook Him. John 6:15; John 7:1; John 6:66. Elijah and John are needed to fulfill the Mission. Restoring all things will instill great faith among the righteous.

The Mandate reveals faithful service involves martyrdom until the last day. Telling the Disciples He was "about to come in glory to reward them" directly correlates with all things about to happen for the Jews at The Sign of His coming. Matt.16:27; Luke 21:36! That includes His "gathering of the Elect above after the great tribulation." Mark 13:24-27. The reward for being unashamed of Him until He comes involves martyrdom for many. A year later He reminded them to expect persecution to the End...loving not our life unto death. Rev.12:11.

This Mandate, buried in the pages of Church history and English translations of Mark 9:1, comes alive in the NASB. The context of Matt.16:28 is the same as Mark 9:1 with a big problem attached by Mark. We might not have known Mark's solution today except for the NASB. The Mandate should no longer be judged a mistake or a "delay" in God's plan. It shows some would survive until AFTER God's Kingdom comes in power; but that suffering death until Christ comes in Person is necessary for sharing His glory. See Meditations.

The NASB unveils the secret hidden for so long. Faithfulness requires willingness to take up our Cross until Christ comes in glory. I did not understand the secret or the problem until I read Mark 9:1 in this version. "Some will not taste death until they see the Son of Man after He comes in Kingdom Power." This cannot mean some will die after He comes in glory. They will continue to die until nearly the Hour that He appears in glory.

Sadly, some solve the problem by attributing a "mistaken" dream of Christ to return in their lifetime. Revelation reveals the Endtime conflict. Albert Schweitzer, missionary and New Testament scholar, came to doubt his faith by concluding Jesus was mistaken about some surviving until He comes. He did not see what Jesus meant. A growing number today are trying to explain the problem by teaching He came in AD 70. The Greek text has kept the secret nearly 2,000 years. The Kingdom was not postponed nor delayed. Nor was Christ mistaken. The Two Prophets and some of many Church members will not suffer death, "by any means," until the last few days before He returns.

Mark actually solves the problem. Some were appointed to survive until Jesus comes in Kingdom Power; but obviously not until He comes in Person. There are two stages to restoration of the Kingdom to Israel. Peter speaks of the "times to restore all things." This explains the need for the spiritual lesson of taking two steps to heal the blind man. God's Power and Christ's Authority continue while the Two Prophets finish the Mandate and the Mystery of God. Their task ends in the days when Chronos "Time is no longer...when the two Prophets are killed and Trump 7 is about to sound and Christ is about to come." Rev.10:6-7; Rev.11:6-7; Matt.16:27.

The Mandate ends with the full number saved and martyred and ready for rewards. God's purpose involves two Branches being united in one OLIVE TREE. Under God's Witnesses, the final contest with Satan ends with "the fullness of the Gentiles and fullness of Israel." The full number of Gentiles must be saved and the full number of Believers martyred and all Israel saved when the Day of the Lord comes. Rom.11:25-27.

The Two Prophets are two Olive Trees representing the two Branches. They are two Lampstands before God. Zech.4:11; Rev.11:3-11; Rom.11:11,12,24,25. One Branch is the Church. The other is Old Testament Saints whose branch was broken off. The CHURCH continues until Israel is grafted back into the true Olive Tree. Martyrs before Christ comes belong to the Church; not to ethnic Israel. The view that the Church is an exclusive spiritual Kingdom unrelated to a future redeemed Israel is a critical part of the hidden truth about the Mandate to restore all things. Christ's revelation includes the rapture; but these two are inseparable. That is why Jesus said He will "bring His rewards with Him for each one...and raise up every believer on the last day." Matt.16:27; John 6:38-40.

*REASON EIGHT for the hidden Mandate involves three single words in Mark 9:1 that seem to call for a closer date than the Endtime: "Standing; Here; and See." 1. Standing means "appointed." Paul uses this word of the Day God has "appointed" to judge all men. Some are appointed (standing) to survive to the End and the Two Prophets are appointed to stand (same word) before the Lord of earth 1260 days." Rev.11:3-4.

2. "Some appointed Here" is not a physical reference to place but to the Endtime setting when Christ is about to appear. It's a metaphor in Revelation: "Here is wisdom. Here is patience of the Saints." Some were appointed Here in the setting and circumstances for His being "about to come in glory."

3. Jesus used the word in the aorist tense, subjunctive mood to indicate the uncertain timing for future action. Mark alone makes it certain that "some had been appointed to not taste death until they see the Kingdom of God after it has come in *power* (perfect participle). The Endtime situation is clear by Matthew's account that the Son of Man is then about to come in glory." Matt.16:27.

Mark 9:1 alone shows some still "standing" after the kingdom comes in power and as "having seen it come" by using the perfect tense for both words. Their deaths occur *after* having seen the Son of Man having come in Kingdom Power through the Two Prophets. "Truly," I say to you, "some have been appointed here (in this Endtime setting) who will not taste death, by any means, until they see the Kingdom having already come in Power." Even the Two Prophets will survive until after they see God's Kingdom Power when Christ is *about* to come in glory!

*REASON NINE for the hidden Mandate is sharply delineated. Robert Stephanus chose the Biblical chapter and verse divisions in AD 1550, sixty years before the KJV was translated. He was troubled about the problem of the second perfect participle in Mark's account. If no Believer will taste death after Jesus comes, how would Mark's suspenseful revelation make sense? Why would some taste death after He comes?

Baker's translation of the KJV by George Berry in 1897 reflected the perfect participle. He included Mark 9:1 in the same paragraph with Mark 8:38! "Until they see the kingdom of God having come with power"; not after He comes in glory. While the KJV's translation of Baker's text (the Textus Receptus used in 1611) honors the participle, it places Mark 9:1 with events of the next week and next chapter ...relating to Christ's approaching death rather than to His coming in kingdom power

Robert Stephanus avoided the problem by separating Mark 9:1 from chapter eight and placing it in the next chapter to start events a week later. That separated the Mandate from the Mission. He should have closed chapter eight with the verse about not tasting death. The experience on the Mount a week later points to Christ's death (Luke 9:31) and to Elijah's coming as part of the Mandate in Mark 8:38. Matt.17:11. Willingness to die for Christ is the test of a true disciple. Elijah will die after coming in Kingdom Power before Christ comes in glory. Mark 9:1 should have been Mark 8:39. Matt.17:11 and Mark 9:1, and what occurs in Matt.16:28 prior to Matt.16:27, occur during the Endtime just before Christ appears!

Stephanus dodged the seeming dilemma of what it means to survive until Christ comes. He uncoupled the Mandate from the prospect of martyrdom when Christ is "about to come to reward them". This is acute in Mark because Jesus stresses the need to be worthy of Him through martyrdom. Stephanus put the Mandate with the Transfiguration experience of glory instead of uniting it with willingness to die with Christ. That experience on the Mount illuminates the glory to come; but removes Mark's emphasis on not being ashamed of Him until He comes in glory. Enduring until Christ is *about* to come needs to be maintained as a vital part of the Church's hope for rewards. Mark 8:39 in place of Mark 9:1 would have shown the connection.

What happened "about eight days later" on the Mount has led many to assume the prophecy of some surviving until Christ comes was fulfilled when He was glorified on the Mount. Luke 9:28. That kills the force of "some not tasting death by any means" until Christ is about to appear. Some suggest Jesus was mistaken or disappointed and later was forced to postpone His coming.

*Preterists claim Christ came in AD 70 as that "generation was passing away." What a negative ending for God's promises to Israel when Gentile Times are finished! The generation will not be assimilated "before" or "after" all these things are fulfilled. The 12 tribes will be restored to the land. Ezek.48.
Daniel predicts the Endtime of 1290 days will be fulfilled when the "dispersion of the Holy People has ended" (LXX, Dan.12:7). Jesus and Revelation allow that they will be cut short to 1260 days. Matt.24:22; Rev.12:6. The Covenant viewpoint that the Kingdom is fulfilled in the Church may be as much a form of Anti-Semitism as calling the Jews "Christ-Killers." All men are guilty and the Endtime Remnant of Israel will inherit the Kingdom at His Presence. Luke and Paul reveal the Jews will receive Christ as their Messiah on the day He is revealed in glory. Luke 21:28,31; Rom.11:25-27. Mel Miller
Posted Jan.27, 1999 to pinn.net/~ lastday; now lastday.net