All the material things created in the beginning are temporal and were created on the foundation of invisible things that are the true and eternal. The proclamation of Jesus Christ—who is the Word of God—was the beginning of the creation. He proceeded from the mouth of God in the words “Let there be Light”—for the absence of knowledge is darkness and the revelation of knowledge is light. And God divided the Light—that he pronounced good—from the darkness, thus separating knowledge from ignorance and truth from lies.

It was the desire of God to share the fullness of knowledge exclusive to him. Therefore, to make known the unknowns, physical counterparts of spiritual things were created that could be seen, heard, felt, and comprehended. In this manner, the knowledge of invisible things is made manifest through material things—not only so that all things might become evident and clearly understood, but also so that all things might be tried and proven for the eternal purpose of God. Thus, upon his command, “Let there be Light,” creation immediately commenced, and invisible knowledge took on material forms.

And not only did God create all things materially as similitudes of the invisible, but he also set his creation in motion, creating illustrations and narratives expressing the truth. And he chose prophets whom he sent to bear witness to the Truth and to prepare the way of the Lord.

When Jesus spoke, he spoke in parables, and it is written that without a parable, he did not speak. Using the material things he created, he brought to light the invisible things they were patterned after.

Currently, many misconceptions about scripture arise from the failure to embrace every word. To understand the New Testament rightly, it is necessary to have knowledge of the things written before by holy men of God inspired by the Holy Spirit. These holy men were given shadows of the things to come to pass on to those who would follow, so that when they came to pass, they would be recognized.

The writings of the New Testament are essential for opening up a fuller understanding of the things written before the birth of Christ; they open up the mysteries to the understanding of those things written before. Jesus said, “Therefore every scribe who is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

Declaring the former things null and void, declaring them superseded by the latter, is akin to locking the door of the house. The Door of Salvation, promised by the New Covenant, is unlocked by the prophets’ writings: “Salvation is of the Jews.”

The Bible is one book; the testaments are equal and inseparable. Jesus did not come to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfill them. We are to continue in the fulfillment until all things are completed. Heaven and earth will pass away, but not one word of the Lord will fail or change.

Notwithstanding, faith that is handed down from one generation to another tends to gather pollutants. Like the pure waters from the melted snow atop the mountains running downstream into the wide rivers, those who drink of the traditions of men risk becoming drunken with religion rather than having a true relationship with God. The Lord despises man-made religion, particularly when those who claim His name espouse it. He desires a personal relationship with his children.

Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word of God.” The various false doctrines preached are akin to the pot of stew made by the sons of the prophets that contained death. Even some who are faithfully seeking God sometimes do not taste the falsehoods descended from religious traditions that have found their way into the pot.

To remove harm from the pot, every word of God must be accepted; nothing can be refused. As Elisha cast meal into the pot and the harm was removed, we are to seek for ourselves and believe every word of God to recognize the wild gourds that poison the stew, even when it opposes long-established doctrines of faith. (2 Kings 4:38-41)

When every word of God is embraced, truth is restored and souls are healed.

Rome’s hold was broken by the Reformation. However, it was rightly called a reformation, for it was not a full restoration of the Word.

Christianity does not need reformation; it needs restoration. The word of God did not originate from Rome. Any attempt to reform the religion that came out of Rome will bring along wild gourds with it. We must completely abandon all institutionalized religions and rely solely on the word of God.

Restoring the original source of faith is essential for knowing the Lord; this means returning to Abraham, the father of faith, and his descendants who followed in his footsteps, as well as to Jerusalem, the city where God chose to place His name.

Those who protested against Rome and sought to reform the Church would have been better off completely cutting ties with it and embracing Jerusalem and the Bible instead of trying to reform a religion that is inherently corrupt. Even now many Christians still cling to traditions and embrace the reformation rather than a restoration.

Through reformations, Christianity has created a multitude of denominations and divisions. Restoration of the word of God is the only road to revival. For restoration, believers must actively pursue truth and relinquish long-standing doctrinal errors and institutional bonds. The meal of God, the true bread of life, must be cast into the pot to destroy the harmful heresies.

The unbiblical teachings and traditions that have been handed down and accepted—many for generations—must be destroyed to bring in fullness. Pray earnestly for a complete restoration of the true gospel, first received by the saints, so that revival may come to the body of Christ and salvation throughout the world.