Session 3
3. 三步作工
Review
Q. Will God directly come on the clouds to take the believers into the Kingdom of heaven?
A. Yes!
B. No, God will first carry out the work of judgment in the flesh.
C. I am not sure.
✅B. No, God will first carry out the work of judgment in the flesh.
`“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17).`
`Isaiah 26:9 for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.`
`Psalms 96:13 before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.`
There are more than 200 places in the Bible that talk about the work of judgment. Heaven and earth will pass away but God's words will not pass away, meaning the work of judgment must take place before God concludes His salvation for mankind. Therefore, we can see God's end-time work is not accomplished in one step, but rather is a process. God first carry out the work of judgment from the House of God, who are in the House of God? the believers right? He first cleanses and purify the believers on earth before He publicly appear to reward the good and punish the wicked.
Q. Why God will need to carry out the work of judgment❓
A. To purify and cleanse us of Satan's poisons (greed, selfishness, lust....)
B. I already believe in Lord Jesus, He will not judge me.
C. I’m not sure 😕
✅Correct Answer A. To purify and cleanse us of Satan's poisons (greed, selfishness, lust....)
Will God take the people into the kingdom of heaven who are still capable of sinning? the answer is absolutely NOT!!! If God takes people who can still commit sin what is Satan going to say? Satan is going to say, you should take me too. That is not going to work!! right!?!?!?We can see God does not tolerate anyone that can still commit sin in His house.
knowing God's requirements Let's look at the state of the believers today. Even though we have been forgiven by Lord Jesus Christ, but believers still live in the cycle of sinning during the day and repenting at night. Verbally, we may praise the Lord, but when it comes to practicing His words, obeying His arrangement, submitting to His will, we can still rebel and oppose. When our prayers are not answered or they are not answered in the way we want them to be, we complain. When we are tempted by worldly pleasures or Satan lure us with fame and gain, we can still turn our back against the Lord. We say we love God, but when our personal interests are jeopardized, we blame God for not caring and view God as an enemy. We can see even though believers have been forgiven by Lord Jesus, but people don't know the truth, we can still be deceived and fooled by Satan to forsake God and chase the world. after thousands of years of being corrupted by Satan people have become jealous, prideful, selfish, impatient, dishonest, utterly unlike the mankind God first created. It's God's desire to regain the humanity that has lost their testimony to God. It is God's desire to free humanity from under Satan's domain.
Three Stages
Some brothers and sisters may wonder how could God do more work. Brothers and sisters, let us think about a question first, how many stages of work does the Bible record that God has done?
Some say there are two stages of work. Do you agree? Which two stages are they? The Old Testament and the New Testament, right? The Old Testament records that Jehovah God issued the law, which is one stage of work. The New Testament records that the Lord Jesus was crucified as a sin offering, redeeming humanity. These are the two stages of work, right? However, after God completed these two stages of work, is His work finished? Is it complete? Is there no other work that God has to do?
Through our fellowship in the past few days, we can understand when one’s sins are forgiven, it doesn't mean they stop sinning, stop resisting God, and can obey and worship God. Because the sinful nature within people has not been resolved, they keep sinning and confessing. If God allows people who can still frequent sin to enter the kingdom of heaven, wouldn’t the kingdom of heaven be the same as this corrupt world? So, after God completed the work of redemption, people were not yet qualified to enter the kingdom of heaven, there is one more stage of work God needs to do. God still need to do a stage of work to purify people’s corrupt dispositions? Otherwise, this corrupt humanity could never break free from sin and be saved. So, how many stages of work does God actually have to do to save mankind? The Bible records the work of the Age of Law and the work of the Age of Grace. And the Bible also prophesies that in the last days, the Lord will return to perform the work of judgment. This final stage of work is what we are waiting for and it will accomplish the complete salvation of humanity, and it is the work that will conclude the age.
So, we can see there are actually three stages of work / or three steps in God's salvation of mankind. The first two stages of work are the work of the Age of Law in the Old Testament and the work of redemption in the Age of Grace in the New Testament. Adding the work of judgment in the last days God will come back to do, there are a total of three stages.
These three stages form the complete management plan for saving humanity. The previous two stages are finished, therefore, in the last days, when God comes, it is to carry out the work of judgment. This step of judgment work is the thorough work of saving humanity and also the work of concluding the age. As someone who believes in and follows the Lord, if we want to know God, to be made into overcomers by God, and to be saved by God, we must have understanding and knowledge of the entire process of God’s salvation of mankind. This is what it means to truly know God and be compatible with God’s plan, right? Today, let’s delve into the mystery of the three-stage work of God’s salvation of humanity.
At this moment, perhaps we have many confusions and questions in our hearts. Why does God need to carry out three stages of work to save humanity? Why not just two steps? And why does it have to span thousands of years, which seems so troublesome? Let’s read the following passages of words to understand God's intention in saving humanity:
“The 6,000 years of work of God’s management are divided into three stages: the Age of Law, the Age of Grace, and the Age of Kingdom. These three stages of work are all for the sake of mankind’s salvation, which is to say, they are for the salvation of mankind that has been severely corrupted by Satan. At the same time, however, they are also so that God may do battle with Satan. Thus, just as the work of salvation is divided into three stages, so the battle with Satan is also divided into three stages, and these two aspects of God’s work are conducted simultaneously. The battle with Satan is actually for the sake of mankind’s salvation, and because the work of mankind’s salvation is not something that can be successfully completed in a single stage, the battle with Satan is also divided into phases and periods, and war is waged upon Satan in accordance with the needs of man and the extent of Satan’s corruption of him. … There are three stages to the work of man’s salvation, which is to say that the battle with Satan has been split into three stages in order to defeat Satan once and for all. Yet the inner truth of the entire work of the battle with Satan is that its effects are achieved through several steps of work: bestowing grace upon man, becoming man’s sin offering, forgiving the sins of man, conquering man, and making man perfect”
This passage makes it very clear that God’s work of saving humanity is a battle against Satan, tailored to the needs of mankind. The objective of God's plan is to save mankind from Satan's control, enabling people to be completely gained by God.
This work is carried out in three stages, or three steps. God saves humanity from Satan's control step by step. Each stage of God’s work carries profound significance; and they are all critical in God’s management plan to save humanity. None of the stages can be skipped. These three stages are God's work in the Age of Law, the Age of Grace, and the Age of Kingdom .
Next, let’s discuss in detail how God saves humanity step by step and completes the three stages of work.
Q. What is God's ultimate goal in saving mankind?
A. Save us from Satan's influences and corruptions.
B. Save us from the earth.
C. To get us all to go to church.
Correct Answer ✅ A. Save us from Satan's influences and corruptions.
Age of Law
First let’s talk about God’s first step of work for man’s salvation: His work in the Age of Law.
Let’s think about this: why the first step of God's work in saving humanity is the work of issuing laws? We know that God issused the 10 commandments during the times of Moses. Some may ask why is issuing those laws and regulations necessary? Don't we all know we shouldn't kill and steal?
It's because in the beginning, humans were like new born babies, they didn't understand anything. They did not know how to worship God or how to live. They didn't even understand the most basic moral principles, such as that killing and stealing are sins. They often sinned and offended God without even realizing it.
Before God issued the laws, human beings committed sins arbitrarily and without restraint, and everywhere was filled with killing, wickedness, and so on. Brothers and sisters, have you heard of the story of Cain and Abel? Cain killed his brother Abel simply because he was jealous. This goes to show that the earliest mankind were complete ignorant of sin, not knowing what they should and should not do. Lacking even the most basic of moral restraints. In order to begin leading humanity away from sin and establish a normal life on earth, God began the work of the Age of Law.
“During the Age of Law, Jehovah laid down many commandments for Moses to pass on to the Israelites who followed him out of Egypt. These commandments were given by Jehovah to the Israelites and bore no relation to the Egyptians; they were meant to restrain the Israelites, and He used the commandments to make demands of them. Whether they observed the Sabbath, whether they respected their parents, whether they worshiped idols, and so forth—these were the principles by which they were judged sinful or righteous. Among them, there were some who were struck by Jehovah’s fire, some who were stoned to death, and some who received Jehovah’s blessing, and this was determined according to whether or not they obeyed these commandments. Those who did not observe the Sabbath were stoned to death. Those priests who did not observe the Sabbath were struck by Jehovah’s fire. Those who did not show respect to their parents were also stoned to death. This was all commended by Jehovah. Jehovah established His commandments and laws so that, as He led them in their lives, the people would listen to and obey His word and not rebel against Him. He used these laws to keep the newborn human race under control, the better to lay the foundation for His future work. And so, based on the work that Jehovah did, the first age was called the Age of Law”
Jehovah God issued laws and commandments to teach people how to live on earth, telling them not to kill, not to steal, not to commit adultery, and so on , giving them a basic understanding of sin, so that people knew what to do and what not to do. They also learned about keeping the law and observing the Sabbath. Those who kept the law were blessed by God, and anyone who broke the law was condemned and had to offer a sin offering for atonement.
God also enforced these laws, certain laws and regulations, if broken, incurred the wrath and punishment of Jehovah, such as being stoned to death or burned to death by heavenly fire. The Israelites experienced both the majesty and wrath of God, as well as His care and mercy. Mankind started to know that Jehovah God as the only true God who created the heavens and the earth and all things and thus they feared Him, obeyed His laws, lived normal lives on earth, worshiped God, and were able to live under God’s presence. This was the result achieved by God's work during the age of law.
Now, consider this: What would happen to mankind if God had not done the work in the age of law? Do you think human society would have existed until today without God issuing the laws to teach us? Absolutely not! Without the constraints of the law, without God's guidance, humanity would surely be living in chaos and soon be taken captive by Satan. Therefore, it was crucial for God to issue the laws to teach mankind! The work of the age of law taught people what sin and righteousness were, and showed them how they often sinned and needed sin offerings for atonement. This stage of God’s work not only led people onto the right track of human life, but also laid the foundation and paved the way for the next stage of God's work in the Age of Grace.
Name of Jehovah
We learned that in the Age of Law, God issued the law to teach people what sin is. Because this stage of work is relatively simple, just telling people what sin is, so God directly worked with His Spirit, and named Himself Jehovah. What does the name Jehovah mean? It means the God who is self-existent and everlasting. “Self-existent and everlasting” means that He is the one true God who has always existed and is eternal. “Self-existence” means that He has existed from the very beginning, and He is the God who exists forever. It is God who created the heavens and earth, and all things, and created mankind, and personally led mankind, ruling over all things. Speaking of “self-existent and everlasting”, it is telling us that He is the only true God, and there is no other God besides Him. This is the name of God in the Age of Law. So we can see God's name, Jehovah, in the Age of the Law was taken for the sake of teaching mankind who He is.
Q. Is God's work finished after the Age of the Law?
A. Yes!
B. No!
✅ The correct answer is B. No!
Age of Grace
Satan says, now you have to kill all these people, there are not enough sinful offering to go around for everyone.
So why is issuing law not enough to completely gain mankind from Satan's control? Although people in the Age of Law learned what sin was, how to offer sacrifices for atonement, and how to worship God due to the corruption of Satan, people often failed to keep the law. Especially in the later period of the Age of Law, people committed more and more sins, and there were not enough sin offering for atonement. People faced the danger of being condemned and executed by the law because there were not enough sin offerings. They earnestly prayed and called on God. If God carry out the next stage of His work, people would have been condemned and executed by the law because of their excessive sins, and the entire human race would have perished. Therefore, Jehovah God informed the Israelites through the prophets that the Messiah would come to redeem mankind as their sin offering. The prophecy says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). “And Jehovah has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Afterward, God fulfilled His promise by becoming flesh as the Lord Jesus to carry out the work of redeeming mankind.
“Then, during the Age of Grace, Jesus came to redeem the whole of fallen humankind (not only the Israelites). He showed mercy and lovingkindness to man. The Jesus that man saw in the Age of Grace was filled with lovingkindness and was always loving toward man, for He had come to save humanity from sin. He was able to forgive men their sins until His crucifixion completely redeemed humankind from sin. During this period, God appeared before man with mercy and lovingkindness; that is, He became a sin offering for man and was crucified for the sins of man, so that they might forever be forgiven”
In the Age of Grace, the Lord Jesus lived among people, preaching “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17), teaching people to confess and repent, to love others as themselves, to forgive others seventy times seven, to love God with all their heart, mind, and soul, and to worship God with their spirit and in truth, and so on. These teachings enabled people to understand God’s intentions, providing them with a clear goal and direction in their faith, and liberating them from the bondage of laws and regulations.
The Lord Jesus also performed many signs and miracles, healing the sick and casting out demons, forgiving people’s sins, and showing tolerance and patience toward people. Everyone felt God’s love and mercy, witnessed God’s amiability and loveliness, and drew closer to God. Ultimately, the Lord Jesus was crucified for people, becoming an eternal sin offering, and forgiving people’s sins once and for all.
From then on, as long as people confessed and repented to the Lord, their sins would be forgiven, and they would no longer be condemned and punished by the law. They would be qualified to come before God to pray and enjoy the peace, joy, and abundant grace granted by the Lord. It can be seen that the Lord Jesus’ work of redemption has brought tremendous salvation to mankind, enabling mankind to survive and develop until today.
We can see the main effect accomplished by God in the second stage of His work is to forgive mankind's sin, so that, people no longer needed to make animal offering or face the execution under the law. Instead, people can directly ask God for forgiveness.
Name of Jesus
In the Age of Grace, because God became flesh and personally performed the work of redeeming mankind. God’s name changed from Jehovah to Jesus. What does the name of Jesus mean? It means “God is with us.” In Hebrew, it is called Immanuel, which means God is with us. It signify the first time God became flesh to live among men. From this we can see, as God's work progresses from one stage to the next, His name also changes to reflect the work He is doing at the time.
Q. Is God’s work finished after the Age of Grace?
A. Yes.
B. No, the work of redemption is finished, but men still commit sins.
C. I don’t know.
B. No, the work of redemption is finished, but men still commit sins.
Age of Kingdom
Satan says, yes you have saved these people from the cross. You may believe in you, but they still listen to me. Brothers and sisters, is God going to let Satan continue to control people?
Driven by their sinful nature, people live everyday immersed in corrupt disposition. They often lie involuntarily, commit sins, fight for fame and fortune, are jealous and competitive, are arrogant and self-righteous, and refuse to submit to anyone. They struggle to practice patience and tolerance, fail to love others as themselves, and find it even more difficult to love and obey the Lord. For 2000 years, all believers in the Lord have lived in a cycle of committing sins during the day and confessing at night, deeply experiencing the pain and torment of living in sin, a fact that no one can deny. Can people who live in sin like this be considered saved? Are they qualified to enter the kingdom of heaven? Certainly not.
Mankind still live with Satan's corruption, they have not escape Satan's control, can God's work really be considered finished in this way? Absolutely not.
The Lord Jesus said,
`“Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant stays not in the house for ever: but the son stays ever” (John 8:34–35).`
`“You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45).`
`“Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:45).`
Q. What work will God return to do in the last days?
A. Take us directly to heaven.
B. The work of judgment.
C. To forgive our sin again.
Correct Answer ✅ B. The work of judgment.
God is righteous and holy. How could He allow those who frequently sin and resist Him to enter His Kingdom? Therefore, after the Lord Jesus completed the work of redemption, He repeatedly prophesied His return. He would come again in the last days to carry out a step of judgment work to thoroughly cleanse and save humanity, leading them into the kingdom of heaven, just as the prophecy of the Lord Jesus says:
`“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:12–13).`
`“Sanctify them through Your truth: Your word is truth” (John 17:17).`
`“He that rejects Me, and accepts not My words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).`
`“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17).`
It is evident that the Lord will express the truth and do a stage of judgment work when He returns, guiding people to understand and enter into all truths, that is, to save people from sin and the influence of Satan completely, and bring people into the kingdom of God. This is a stage of work that God has planned long ago, and it is also the last stage of work in God’s management plan. Let us read a few passages of words to understand this truth clearly.
“Though Jesus did much work among man, He only completed the redemption of all mankind and became man’s sin offering; He did not rid man of all his corrupt disposition. Fully saving man from the influence of Satan not only required Jesus to become the sin offering and bear the sins of man, but it also required God to do even greater work to rid man completely of his satanically corrupted disposition. And so, now that man has been forgiven of his sins, God has returned to the flesh to lead man into the new age, and begun the work of chastisement and judgment. This work has brought man into a higher realm. All those who submit under His dominion shall enjoy higher truth and receive greater blessings. They shall truly live in the light, and they shall gain the truth, the way, and the life”
“By means of this work of judgment and chastisement, man will fully come to know the filthy and corrupt essence within his own self, and he will be able to change completely and become clean. Only in this way can man become worthy to return before the throne of God. All the work done this day is so that man can be made clean and be changed; through judgment and chastisement by the word, as well as through refinement, man can purge away his corruption and be made pure”
“Christ of the last days uses a variety of truths to teach man, to expose the substance of man, and to dissect the words and deeds of man. These words comprise various truths, such as man’s duty, how man should submit to God, how man should be loyal to God, how man ought to live out normal humanity, as well as the wisdom and the disposition of God, and so on. These words are all directed at the substance of man and his corrupt disposition. In particular, the words that expose how man spurns God are spoken in regard to how man is an embodiment of Satan, and an enemy force against God. In undertaking His work of judgment, God does not simply make clear the nature of man with a few words; He exposes and prunes over the long term. All these different methods of exposure and pruning cannot be substituted with ordinary words, but with the truth of which man is utterly bereft. Only methods such as these can be called judgment; only through judgment of this kind can man be subdued and thoroughly convinced about God, and moreover gain true knowledge of God. What the work of judgment brings about is man’s understanding of the true face of God and the truth about his own rebelliousness. The work of judgment allows man to gain much understanding of the intentions of God, of the purpose of God’s work, and of the mysteries that are incomprehensible to him. It also allows man to recognize and know his corrupt essence and the roots of his corruption, as well as to discover the ugliness of man. These effects are all brought about by the work of judgment, for the essence of this work is actually the work of opening up the truth, the way, and the life of God to all those who have faith in Him. This work is the work of judgment done by God”
These words make it very clear that the redemption work done by the Lord Jesus only forgave people’s sins, but did not remove the sinful nature within people, and did not completely save people from sin. Therefore, God’s work of saving mankind has not ended, and God needs to express more truths and do a stage of judgment work to completely purify and save people. In other words, the redemption work of the Lord Jesus was entirely paving the way for the judgment work of the last days. The judgment work of the last days is the most crucial and core aspect of God’s salvation work, and it is the only path for mankind to be saved and enter the kingdom of heaven. If people can accept God’s judgment work of the last days, there is a chance for their corrupt dispositions to be cleansed. They will no longer sin and resist God but will truly obey and love Him. Only then can God’s work of saving mankind be completely finished, and the six-thousand-year management plan be successfully accomplished.
If people want to solve the problem of sin, they must accept the truth of God’s judgment work expressed in the last days, tackle their own satanic nature, They need to thoroughly understand how these corrupt dispositions trap and destroy people, leading them to live in sin. Then, they can reject these satanic things and live by the truth. Only in this way can people be gradually cleansed and saved. Only by experiencing the judgment and chastisement of God’s words can we recognize our satanic nature and the truth of our corruption that resist God, have a true understanding of God’s righteous disposition which does not tolerate offense, and develop a fear of God and ultimately break free from the bondage and restraint of sin, live out the likeness of a true human being, and bear a beautiful testimony for God of breaking free from sin and overcoming Satan.
When God returns in the last days, He will not only reveal all the mysteries in the Bible, but He will also reveal the entire inside story of God’s management plan, such as the purpose of God’s management work, the mystery of the incarnation, how God performs the work of judgment to purify and save man, the outcome and destination of all kinds of people, and how the kingdom of Christ will be realized on earth, etc. He will also reveal and judge the root of mankind’s sin and resistance to God, that is, the satanic nature and satanic disposition within man, and He will also express various truths that man must practice and enter into in their belief in God, such as the correct viewpoints that believers should have, how to establish a normal relationship with God, how to be an honest person, how to fear God and stay away from evil, and how to achieve submission to God and love God, etc. These truths are the truth realities that man must enter into to cast off corruption and be saved by God.
Those who have been cleansed through judgment will be protected by God and survive the disaster. Then, the new heaven and the new earth—the kingdom of Christ—will appear on earth. Those who survive will be God’s people, living forever in the kingdom of God and enjoying God’s promises and blessings. This is exactly the fulfillment of the prophecy in Revelation:
`“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).`
`“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:3–4).`
Name of Almighty God
Will God have a new name when He returns in the last days? In fact, the Bible long ago prophesied that the Lord would come with a new name.
Isaiah clearly prophesies:
`“And the Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory: and you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name” (Isaiah 62:2).`
And Revelation says:
`“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 on 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 on him My new name” (Revelation 3:12).`
Both of these verses clearly mention that God will have a new name, it is not the same as the names used in the past. Therefore, when the Lord comes again, He will definitely not be called "Jesus" anymore. So, what will be His new name? It is Almighty God. This completely aligns with the prophecies in the Book of Revelation.
`“I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, said the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).`
`“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunder, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God Almighty reigns” (Revelation 19:6).`
What is the meaning of the name Almighty God?
“… during the Age of Law Jehovah was the name of God, and in the Age of Grace the name of Jesus represented God. During the last days, His name is Almighty God—the Almighty, who uses His power to guide man, conquer man, and gain man, and in the end, bring the age to its close.”
The word “Almighty” encompasses God’s inherent disposition, what God has and is, God’s work, and all the truths God has expressed. That is to say, through the truths expressed by Almighty God, we come to understand God’s almightiness, God’s disposition, what God has and is, the practicality of God, the principles of God’s work, the way God saves humanity, and how God ultimately lead humanity into the Millennial Kingdom, and guiding humanity to a beautiful destination. This is all the effect achieved by God’s almightiness. Therefore, the name Almighty God not only represents God’s salvation to deliver us from Satan’s influence and manifest God’s omnipotence, but more importantly, it signifies that God will end the Age of Grace, ushering humanity into a new age, the Age of the Millennial Kingdom, and bringing an end to human history. All this will be accomplished through the work done under the name of Almighty God.
`Revelation 16:7 “And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, *Lord God Almighty,* true and righteous are your judgments.”`
Resolve Notion of God's Name Change
“Some say that the name of God does not change. Why, then, did the name of Jehovah become Jesus? It was prophesied that the Messiah would come, so why then did a man by the name of Jesus come? Why did the name of God change? Was such work not carried out long ago? May God not do newer work today? The work of yesterday can be altered, and the work of Jesus can follow on from that of Jehovah. Cannot, then, the work of Jesus be succeeded by other work? If the name of Jehovah can be changed to Jesus, then cannot the name of Jesus also be changed? None of this is odd; it is just that people are too simple-minded. God will always be God. No matter how His work changes, and regardless of how His name might change, His disposition and wisdom will never change. If you believe that God can only be called by the name of Jesus, then your knowledge is far too limited”
“In each age, God does new work and is called by a new name; how could He do the same work in different ages? How could He cling to the old? The name of Jesus was taken for the sake of the work of redemption, so would He still be called by the same name when He returns in the last days? Would He still be doing the work of redemption? Why is it that Jehovah and Jesus are one, yet They are called by different names in different ages? Is it not because the ages of Their work are different? Could a single name represent God in His entirety? This being so, God must be called by a different name in a different age, and He must use the name to change the age and to represent the age. For no one name can fully represent God Himself, and each name is able only to represent the temporal aspect of God’s disposition in a given age; all it needs to do is to represent His work. Therefore, God can choose whatever name befits His disposition to represent the entire age”
After reading those words, we can understand the significance of God changing His name. God is always new and never old, and His work is always moving forward. His name continues to change as the ages and His work change. With every stage of His work, with every new age, God takes on a new name, one that possesses temporal significance, to represent the work He does and the disposition He expresses for that age. Understand this, we won’t delimit God within just the two names of Jehovah and Jesus. We won’t delimit God within our own notions and imaginings. We all know that what God has and is encompasses all things. He is utterly wise and almighty! No human language could fully express this. Not just one or two names, no matter how many names there are, they could fully represent what God has and is. This is why God takes on a different name for each age.
God was called Jehovah in the Age of Law. Jehovah was the name that God set for the Age of Law, and it only represented His work in that age, and His dispositions of mercy, majesty, and wrath that He expressed then. Later, God personally became flesh to appear and work, doing the work of redemption under the name of Jesus. He began the Age of Grace and brought the Age of Law to a close. The Lord Jesus brought mankind the way of repentance and forgave our sins, bestowing peace and joy, and abundant grace upon us. Ultimately, He was crucified, redeeming the whole mankind. Jesus was the name God set for the Age of Grace, and it represented His work of redemption for that age along with His disposition of love and mercy. In the last days—if the Lord Jesus returned with the name Jesus, God’s work would just remain in the stage of redemption. So in the last days, when God initiates a new age and His new work, would He really still be called Jesus? Certainly not. Lord Jesus will return in the last days to appear and work with the new name Almighty God, beginning the Age of Kingdom and ending the Age of Grace. He expresses truths and carries out the work of judgment beginning from the house of God, to fully save mankind from sin and from Satan’s influence, and to make a group of people complete into overcomers. After that, He will rain down the great disasters to reward good and punish evil, obliterating the dark, evil old age, and then Christ’s kingdom will be realized on earth. This will entirely fulfill Revelation’s prophecies:
`“I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, … which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).`
`“Alleluia: for the Lord God Almighty reigns” (Revelation 19:6).`
To better understand this aspect of truth, let’s look at an example. It’s like when you’re a teacher at school, how do students address you? They will call you “teacher,” right? But what if you become a doctor? Then they’ll call you “doctor.” And if you open a store and become the boss? Of course, they’ll call you “boss”! You see, when your profession changes, if your title doesn’t change, people won’t know your latest occupation. So, as your profession changes, your title changes too. Even if others change how they address you, you’re still you, right? In the same way, God does different work in different ages, and begins new ages with different names. Although the name of God and work may change, His essence will never change. It’s all the work done by one God. In other words: God’s essence will never change, but His name can change.
Q. Is accepting and praying in the name of Almighty God a betrayal of Lord Jesus?
A. Yes
B. No, it is the same God, it is just His name has changed.
B. No, it is the same God, it is just His name has changed.
All Three Stages Is Done by God
So, is everyone clear now? The three stages of work in the Age of Law, the Age of Grace, and the Age of Kingdom are the three different stages of work God has done in different ages to save humanity.
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First stage: the Age of Law. Jehovah issued the laws and commandments to guide people in their lives and make them aware of sin. Saving man from the ignorance of sin.
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Second stage: the Age of Grace. The Lord Jesus was crucified to redeem all humanity, allowing people to confess and repent their sins. Saving man from the consequence of sin.
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Third stage: the Age of Kingdom. Almighty God will express all truths to judge and cleanse people’s sinful nature, enabling them to be purified and enter God’s kingdom. Saving man from the root of sin (sinful nature)
Each stage of work is linked to the next, and each step is built upon the foundation of the previous step, each more profound and elevated than the last. They are closely linked, inextricable, and one would not work without the others.
Without the work of the Age of Law, no one would know what sin is, and we’d all be trampled by Satan, living in sin. We’d be wrested away by Satan, obliterated, making the work of the Age of Grace impossible. Without the redemption work of the Age of Grace, mankind would suffer punishment for committing too many sins and we wouldn’t have made it to this day. So what if God didn’t do the judgment work of the last days? Without it, we’d never escape the bonds of sin or be worthy of entering the kingdom of heaven. We’d end up destroyed for being profoundly sinful. Clearly, without any step of these three stages of work, mankind will be taken captive by Satan and could never be fully saved.
These three stages of work comprise God’s full management plan for God’s salvation of man. Each step is even more critical than the last, and they are parts of God’s meticulous arrangements to save mankind. This fully shows us God’s great love and salvation for humanity and shows us His wisdom and almightiness.
So, brothers and sisters, the three stages of work progressively deepen. Are Jehovah, the Lord Jesus, and Almighty God one and the same God? In fact, all three stages of work are done by one God. Although God’s name is different, and the methods and content of His work are different, the three stages of work are all done by one God. Some might ask, “If the names and work of God in the three stages are different, how can we be sure that they are done by one God?” This is a good question. Let’s read a few passages of words to clarify.
“From the work of Jehovah to that of Jesus, and from the work of Jesus to that of this current stage, these three stages cover in a continuous thread the entire gamut of God’s management, and they are all the work of one Spirit. Since the creation of the world, God has always been at work managing mankind. He is the Beginning and the End, He is the First and the Last, and He is the One who begins an age and the One who brings the age to an end. The three stages of work, in different ages and different locations, are unmistakably the work of one Spirit. All those who separate these three stages stand in opposition to God. Now, it behooves you to understand that all the work from the first stage until today is the work of one God, the work of one Spirit. Of this there can be no doubt”
“Though the work of the two incarnate fleshes is different, the essence of the fleshes, and the source of Their work, are identical; it is just that They exist to perform two different stages of the work, and arise in two different ages. No matter what, God’s incarnate fleshes share the same essence and the same origin—this is a truth no one can deny”
These passages make it very clear that God’s work is always progressing. In each stage of His work, God takes a different name, which He uses to start and end an age, and the name represents the work God does in each age. This way, we humans won’t limit God to the names “Jehovah” and “Jesus” or confine God within our own notions and imaginings. Regardless of how God’s name or work methods change, there is eternally one Spirit at work, and God’s essence never changes. God is always God; this is absolutely certain.
So how can we be certain whether it is the same Spirit, the same God, who is at work? What is the key? The key is whether one can express the truth and do the work of saving humanity. Whoever can express the truth and God’s voice, and do the work of saving humanity is undoubtedly God Himself. This is the most crucial point.
For instance, in the Age of Law, under the name “Jehovah,” God issued laws and commandments to guide human life and make people aware of what sin is. These laws and commandments constituted the basic truths for human behavior. In the Age of Grace, under the name “Jesus,” God initiated new work. The Lord expressed many truths, gave humanity the way of repentance, and was crucified for humanity, completing the work of redeeming all humankind. The Lord Jesus’ work saved people from the condemnation of the law, ending the Age of Law and ushering humanity into the Age of Grace. This undeniably proves that the Lord Jesus is the Savior. Although the name and work of the Lord Jesus differ from those of Jehovah, the truth expressed by the Lord Jesus represents the essence of God and that the Lord Jesus originates from the same source as Jehovah God. Thus, it is evident that the Lord Jesus and Jehovah are one Spirit and one God.
The work of Almighty God continues the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus. Almighty God is the Spirit of truth who will come, capable of expressing truth to judge humanity and save people from their sinful nature. Almighty God is the second coming of the Lord Jesus, the second incarnation of the Holy Spirit. In the last days, Almighty God comes to do the work of judgment. Although the name of Almighty God is different from that of the Lord Jesus and Their work differs, Their source is the same. It is the same Spirit who utters His words. It is the same God who, in different ages, uses different methods to accomplish His work of salvation. If people deny that the three stages of work are done by one God and Almighty God incarnate will be the return of the Lord just because the name and work have changed, isn’t that extremely foolish and ignorant?
Without Accepting the Judgment in the Last Days, All Previous Efforts Will Be in Vain
Brothers and sisters, through today's fellowship, we have learned that God will return to end the Age of Grace and launch the Age of Kingdom, doing the work of judgment beginning from the house of God. God's judgment work in the Age of Kingdom is the final step in His three-stage work, and it is the work that concludes God's management plan. Whether a person can accept and obey it has a direct bearing on their final outcome.
The Lord Jesus said, `“Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and in Your name have cast out devils, and in Your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22–23).`
Many people do not understand why despite believing in the Lord all their lives, enduring much suffering, and keeping the Lord's name, they have not received the Lord's approval. Instead, they are deemed evildoers by the Lord. . What's going on here? It is because they do not accept God's work in the last days, their corrupt disposition has not been cleansed, and they can still rebel against God, resist God, deny God, and betray God. They rejected the Christ of the last days, condemned the appearance and work of God, and refused to accept God's salvation in the last days. This is the reason for their condemnation! God has accomplished such great work to save humanity and paid such a high price. Yet, people not only do not believe or accept it, but instead resist God, deny God, and condemn God. This is the most severe betrayal of God and blasphemy against God. Such people no longer have a sin offering; they are forever spurned and eliminated by God. Therefore, not accepting God's work in the last days is the evidence of being condemned. The outcome is perdition and destruction, with no chance of salvation or entry into the kingdom of heaven.
In contrast, those who sincerely believe in God, long for God’s appearance, and accept God’s judgment and chastisement in the last days to attain purification are the most blessed people. They are the overcomers that God will make in the last days, who will enter the next age with God and enjoy eternal rest. Now, the great disasters prophesied in the Bible have already come. If we do not welcome the Lord, we will fall into these disasters. The disasters we are going to see in the future will be more devastating, earthquakes will be over magnitude 9, or even magnitude 10. In the future, typhoons, and volcanic eruptions will be very powerful. After one disaster comes and destroys some people, another disaster will come and destroy more people. Each wave of disasters will destroy one group of people, and in the end, all the nonbelievers and evildoers will be destroyed. Only those who accept and experience God’s judgment in the last days and attain purification will be preserved by God and survive the disasters. God will completely defeat Satan and fully gain glory, and God’s six-thousand-year management plan will be successfully accomplished. Thereupon, the new heaven and the new earth—Christ’s kingdom—will appear on earth. Those who survive will be God’s people, living forever in God’s kingdom, enjoying God’s promises and blessings. Conversely, even if someone accepts the first two stages of God’s work, endures much suffering, and pays a high price, if they do not accept the final stage of God’s work and cannot achieve a change in life disposition, they will not receive salvation. This is God’s righteous disposition, it's such a pity and regret when people believe in God but then give up halfway and abandon their previous efforts to have it come to nothing. Lastly, I would like to share another passage of words with brothers and sisters.
“Those who are able to stand firm during God’s work of judgment and chastisement during the last days—that is, during the final work of purification—will be the ones who will enter into the final rest alongside God; as such, all those who enter into rest will have broken free of Satan’s influence and been obtained by God after having undergone His final work of purification. These humans, who will have been finally obtained by God, will enter into the final rest. The purpose of God’s work of chastisement and judgment is in essence meant to purify humanity, for the sake of the ultimate rest; otherwise none of humanity could be classified into different categories according to kind, or enter into rest. This work is humanity’s only path to enter into rest. Only God’s work of purification will cleanse humans of their unrighteousness, and only His work of chastisement and judgment will bring to light those rebellious elements of humanity, thereby separating those who can be saved from those who cannot, and those who will remain from those who will not. When this work ends, those people who are allowed to remain will all be cleansed and enter a higher state of humanity in which they will enjoy a more wonderful second human life upon the earth; in other words, they will commence their human day of rest, and coexist with God. After those who are not allowed to remain have been chastised and judged, their true colors will be entirely exposed, after which they will all be destroyed and, like Satan, will no longer be permitted to survive upon the earth. The humanity of the future will no longer include any of this type of people; such people are not fit to enter the land of the ultimate rest, nor are they fit to join in the day of rest that God and humanity will share, for they are the targets of punishment and are evil, unrighteous people. They were redeemed once, and they have also been judged and chastised; they also once labored for God. However, when the final day comes, they will still be eliminated and destroyed due to their evil and as a result of their rebelliousness and inability to be redeemed; they will never again come into being in the world of the future, and will no longer live among the human race of the future. … The entire purpose behind God’s ultimate work of punishing evil and rewarding good is to thoroughly purify all humans so that He may bring a purely holy humanity into eternal rest. This stage of His work is the most crucial; it is the final stage of the whole of His work of management”
