As we follow world events there is every reason to believe we are truly living in the last days. World events are graphically pictured in the pages of our Bible, and in whatever daily news source we might read. These are perilous times. The tragedy is that Satan has seduced the majority of mankind, and mankind is lost in a maze of foolish reasoning. But, for us, there is hope. To attain that hope, it is necessary for us to understand some basic truth; and that basic truth is found in Ephesians 6. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph 6:12).

Most of Israel does not recognize the real and true nature of the enemy. Many believe that we are battling against flesh and blood. Brethren we are not battling against flesh and blood. Some are rejecting the concept that the real enemy is Satan and his demons. They reject the Bible definition that Satan is the ruler of darkness of this world whose spiritual wickedness is in high places. Satan is a spiritual being of superior intelligence and incredibly subtle. The root meaning of ‘subtle' is crafty, cunning, difficult to distinguish.

In Genesis 3 we find how Satan deceived Eve. Satan also deceives the world by counterfeiting God's one world government and calling it a one world order. Satan stole that idea from his very Creator---the one that created and placed him on earth in the beginning. Satan obviously lusted for a one universe government with him as the ruler of the universe. As Christians we can be assured that Satan's counterfeit will fail and will be defeated by a Spiritual force of a greater intelligence and power. At that time, we will join with Christ to enforce God's way; and God's government will prevail. Satan will be subdued by a greater intelligence and power--the power of God.

In the book of Daniel, we read of a time when the God of heaven will set up His Kingdom which shall never be destroyed. "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever" (Dan.2:44). And at that time, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Isa 11:9).

This Kingdom of God is a part of what Jesus Christ preached in the parable of the pound. Christ made it clear that rewards for following His way of life result in rulership over cities and nations when God's Kingdom is established. Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong said, "A kingdom is made up of: a king ruling over territory, occupied by people, who are governed by laws." He described exactly what God's kingdom is, what makes up a kingdom and what identifies a kingdom. The Kingdom of God will be established on earth from the ruins of Satan's manmade kingdoms. God will establish the one government over all. We will be very blessed, privileged and honored to have a part in that restoration of God's government and His way of life.

This will be the time of restitution that we read about in Acts 3:21. "Whom the heaven must receive until the time of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." The word 'restitution' is derived from a Greek noun meaning, restoration to a former state. "Restitution" becomes clearer in meaning when read that way. In order to be a part of God's Kingdom and help with the restoration to a former state, seven footprints and events must occur within the life of a Christian:

This is the message preached by Christ and taught by His disciples. The good news of God, and the good news of the Fathers Kingdom cannot be separated from the obedience to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our personal Saviour and soon coming King. This fact is made abundantly clear by Christ's Word in Matthew and Luke. "Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). We have to do the will of our Heavenly Father--His Words. Christ asked, "Why call you Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). As Christians we need to be examining ourselves in all areas daily. This sound advice from Scripture is good for us to see, to rehearse and to understand that God is clearly speaking to us. He is sending a message to His people. Christ further stated in the book of Matthew, "This people draws nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honours Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:8-9).

It is evident from the above verses that the Church of God, In Truth teaches through its articles exactly what Christ and the prophets taught. Christ and the Prophets warned the people not to obey the "will of man." If we substitute for God's Word the word of historians, it becomes plain that God will exact a penalty for disobedience. To accept the word of man rather than the Word of God is vain worship of God. If we worship in vain, we do not believe God; and we forfeit our right to a place of protection. As called Christians, we must follow in the footprints of Christ and obey His Word. This is the first footprint – believe the gospel message of Jesus Christ. When we are first "called," we are to believe. As we begin to mature and understand, we recognize that the good news message is going forth into the world. We now realize that we will be a part of the good news by helping Christ establish His government---restoring it to a former state. What an awesome privilege if we only believe and obey God's Word rather than man's word.

These two footprints are linked together by the Apostle Peter. Peter was asked after preaching to an audience, "What shall we do?" His clear answer was, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). "Repent" means to be deeply broken up about one's past way of life: One's thoughts, one's past attitudes, actions, goals, etc; Resolving to change and to continue no longer in sin. All these are defined as the transgression of God's law. You and I know that we should not break God's law. We are to obey His laws as Christ said, "Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish" ( Luke 13:3,5). The second footprint repentance is followed up by the third footprint of baptism. Baptism is a type of death and burial. It is total submersion into water. It is not sprinkling of water on top of our forehead, nor is it placing a finger in water and dabbing it on the head. It literally means immersion, buried down into the water. An example is found in Acts 8 as we read the story of Phillip and the Eunuch. Phillip was sent by an angel of the Lord to help teach the Eunuch. The Eunuch at the time was studying in the book of Isaiah. Phillip talked to him and said, "Understand what you read," the Eunuch said " how can I except some man guide me?" (Acts 8:30-31). "Then Phillip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the Eunuch said, see, here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized? And Phillip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Phillip and the Eunuch; and he baptized him" (Acts 8:35-38).

God's Holy spirit is given to those who obey Him. "And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to them that obey Him" (Acts 5:32). It all boils down to obeying God. Not the Talmud, not the oral laws of Judaism, not the Mishna, but God and His every Word, that is written in His Book, the Bible. "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: (For as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:14-17). By being baptized and having hands laid upon you to receive the Holy Spirit, you show you are willing to come under the authority [government] of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. By the laying on of hands, we receive God's Holy Spirit; we are given the "Spirit of Truth" (John 16:13). This is the "Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind" (II Tim. 1:7). Through this sound mind, the risen Christ can live His life in us. We see evidence of this through the Apostle Paul. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20). Christ penetrated Paul's mind through the Holy Spirit and Paul understood what Christ had done for him.

Having received God's Holy Spirit, we are now begotten as children of God. We are called the sons of God, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as He is pure" (I John 3:1-3).

In the epistle to the Romans, Paul said that we receive the Holy Spirit and are in sonship with Christ and God the Father. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the spirit of sonship, whereby we cry Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:14-17). It is encouraging to read these verses especially as we approach Pentecost. Our mind through prayer, fasting, and meditation should be focused on God's Word.

We need to abandon the old preconceived ideas and concepts, we are to put on the new man and put off the old man. "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:17,22-24). This is exactly what Satan did not do. He did not put on the new man; he wanted to go up and knock God off of His throne; he wanted every one to be a new man like him. Satan's concept of a new man is one that is corrupt, evil, satanic, and unforgiving. Many other descriptions are found in the Bible to describe Satan's character. God gave Satan this beautiful earth and millions of angels that were placed under his control. As a result of sin and rebellion, Christ had to come and sacrifice His life for man and creation. We need to be deeply humbled by His sacrifice, honoring Him with obedience in whatever He instructs.

Paul was moved in his letter to the Colossians when he said, "Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge [understanding] after the image of Him that created him" (Colossians 3:9-10). We can see that this growing process may take years of diligent work and sacrifice. The primary reward for a Philadelphian, [one who changes, grows and overcomes], is expressed in Revelation 3:12. "Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name." Everything goes back to Jerusalem. It began there, and it goes back there.

We are to keep right on changing, growing and overcoming– not looking back. We are instructed to "Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" ( Philippians 3:14). Luke states, "No man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). These verses should already be locked into our thoughts. It is not necessary to quote them word for word, but it is necessary to understand them. The hour is at hand. Being called, blessed, and chosen, we cannot afford to look back as we press forward to become pillars in the temple of God.

This exciting race is not easy. Only God can protect and save us from Satan's wrath. Satan knows that the Church of God, In Truth is warning people against the obedience to man's traditions as taught by Judaism. Judaism is rooted in Catholicism, and mixes God's truth with error. Our responsibility is to sound the alarm of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the other prophets. That alarm teaches that we should not teach and practice Judaism. It is not okay to postpone God's Holy Days. Many Churches teach that it is acceptable to God to mix religions and practice oral laws and traditions written in the Talmud and the Mishna. NO, it is not okay to do that! God clearly refutes the mixing of religions, that is called syncretism . It is God's Word we must obey! We must never look back! We must strive to receive the prize of the high calling. We must diligently strive to become the Bride of Christ and be a help-mate to Him! We must put our hand to the plow and go forward, not turning aside! We cannot afford to lag behind, drift or look back. We cannot wish our way into God's Kingdom. We must be a doers of God's Word, not just a hearer. It is the doers that will be in God's King dom, not the ones that hear, not the ones who can only quote Scripture and not put them into practice! No, it is those who want to obey! It is those who want to be a doer! It is those who want to aid Christ! It is those who want to help! It is those who will be a help-mate as a wife is to her husband. A wife does not continually criticize and tear her husband's authority down. She is there to help; She is there to encourage; She is there to do whatever it takes to aid and to help. That is what converted Christians should want to do for Christ! The Church of God, In Truth wants to help get His warning message out! Christ was critical of Judaism. We must follow Christ and commit to the same philosophy as He did. Christ warned the people of mixing false teachings with true religion. We must do the same thing as He did – the same thing Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Zechariah did and the same thing that the major and minor prophets did. All sounded the alarm and warned of Judah's syncretism. It was the tribe of Judah that brought Babylonish babble out of Babylon. The mixing of truth and error must be condemned and stopped!

Today many congregations are trying to unite the Churches together by socializing. They want them all to harmonize together; they want them all to just get along and be one great big happy family with syncretism [mixing religions] as the guideline. Everybody can think their own thoughts; everybody can obey their own will, rather than obey what God says we must do. To obey God is to march down that straight and narrow path. To obey God is to move in the direction toward God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ. To obey God is to be a doer, not just a hearer.

This seventh footprint is another controversy within the realm of God's Church. Nearly every error is based on a false assumption, and it is taken carelessly for granted. This one is no exception. The error in this case is the untrue assumption that when we repent, accept Christ as our savior, become converted, be baptized, and receive God's Holy Spirit; we are then born again. The misapplication of the meaning born again has led to the view that we experience a mysterious feeling when we accept Christ as our personal Savior. Notice the cause for confusion in the Churches. It appears that the English language has two different words to express the Greek word ‘Gennao.' The first or beginning of new life in the reproductive process is called conception or begetal. All human life comes from an egg cell. This egg cell must first be fertilized, impregnated, conceived or begotten from a sperm cell from the father. This first part of the process is never called a birth. A begotten egg cell is called an embryo. Later, it is called a fetus. In the human kind, it begins with an egg cell the size of a tiny dot or a pinpoint. Before it can be born, it must be nourished in the womb of the mother. In the womb it grows until it is ready to be literally born. At conception it has only been begotten, it is a fetus for several months. When this fetus has been delivered from the mothers womb, it enters into the world as a tiny baby. It has now been born! This is all very plain and simple and very easy to understand. If you will notice: it follows the exact pattern of the Spiritual realm. It becomes important to pay attention when we are taught to follow the seven footprints necessary to enter God's Kingdom. We are living those seven footprints or stages of growth until we become born again into the Kingdom of God – which is the seventh and final footprint we are to follow.

The New Testament Greek had only one word for two different meanings. They are two widely different phrases of this word "Gennao"--- Gennao in Strong's is #1080 which means to procreate, begot, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delive red. Three of these six words mean, to conc eive or begot, but not to be born. The remaining three words of the definition mean the actual birth. King James makes a mistake in using the English word ‘born.' The word actually means begotten of God. This is where most of the confusion has occurred.

The experience of conversion that the New Testament speaks about is a begetal-- a conception and impregnation, not yet a birth! The plain, simple meaning of this subject emerges clearly in John 3. Christ helped Nicodemus to understand the difference between being born of flesh and born of the Spirit. Reading John 3 will help clarify what we are talking about in God's seven footprint plan. "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." [Nicodemus understood what being born meant because he asked a very simple question in verse 4], "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" Nicodemus did not understand Christ's reference to a second birth. He thought only of a physical birth. He knew of physical birth since he had seen it. His mind did not grasp Spiritual things. Christ immediately taught him to understand the Spiritual through the physical. Vs. 6, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Christ plainly said that when he is born again or born of the Spirit, he will be spirit. Notice verse 8, "The wind blows where it lists, and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell where it came from, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." We are not spirit; we do not have a spirit life, we are still physical. We are begotten [impregnated] with a small measure of God's Holy Spirit. We are judged by the fruit it produces.

The Apostle Paul understood this when he wrote a whole chapter on the subject. Paul, was flesh and blood as we are; and he talks about being beaten, shipwrecked and thrown in prison. He knew that he was not a spirit being; he knew he was yet flesh. "Now this I say brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God: neither does corruption inherit incorruption. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. [This is exactly what Christ was saying to Nicodemus in John chapter 3]. And as we have born the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 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. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?"(1 Cor. 15:59,47,49.53-55).

The physical process of reproduction is a direct type of the Spiritual. The physical process pictures the Spiritual concept of begotten and reveals the spiritual at birth. The Bible reveals the difference. God makes it very clear for us to understand. When we are born again, we will be born again as a Spirit being. We will not be born again as flesh and blood! There are people who will be resurrected to a new life. These people will be in a body of flesh and blood. They have not repented; they have not changed. They will come back to life to be called; they will be given a chance as we are given a chance today to qualify to be rulers, priests and kings. Yes, the Church of God is being judged today--a day of judgment.

In summation, mortal human life begins when the sperm cell from the body of the father impregnates the ovum of the mother. It is at this point that the father begets the child. The child is not yet born. The nine month period that follows is called gestation. The fertilized ovum is called an embryo. A few months later it is called a fetus. During this period the embryo fetus is in a process toward birth. Along the way it must change, grow, develop and be nourished by the mother. Nine months after the child is begotten, it is ready to be born. At birth the child bears the image of the father and the mother.

The spiritual birth follows the same pattern as a physical birth. The person believes the gospel, repents, is baptized and receives the Holy Spirit [is impregnated/begotten]. The Holy Spirit dwells or lives within our body [the temple or womb] until we are changed [born again]. We are begotten into this living hope. The hope we read about earlier. This hope comes from following these footprints toward God's Kingdom. You and I do have hope if we obey God and His word.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy has begotten us [impregnated us]" (I Peter 1:3). We are begotten by God's Spirit, begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Paul adds, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Greeks, whether we be bond or free; and have been all been made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where is the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where is the smelling? But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him" (1 Corinthians 12:13-18). Just as the human fetus develops and grows physically during the pre-birth gestation period, the newly begotten Christian develops and grows Spiritually in the pre-birth state! We are in that state right now! We are preparing to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. As it says in Romans 8, "The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:16-17). As we read these verses, we understand why Paul was moved to continue writing. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Rom. 8:18,21,23).

It is a very humbling experience, to be begotten by God, knowing that we have been impregnated with His Holy Spirit. Realize that through this process we will eventually be born again as a spirit being. Hopefully, as we pray to God on our bent knees every day, we can earnestly thank Him for all that He does for us. As we press toward the prize of our high calling . Never forget that God blesses us, protects us, takes care of us and promises to nurtures us daily until we are born again of His Spirit!!