The Doctrine of Restoration

There is a mindset in the Body of Christ that proclaims that the glory of God is to be found in the material possessions of the sons of God. Many affluent ministers fervently teach this heretic doctrine to the people of God on a daily basis. It is so sad to see the saints seduced by a word from the pulpit that kindles wantonness and a lust for things. It destroys any chance of peace and contentment and sets the saints in a mode of striving for the acquisition of things. This so-called doctrine of restoration is a farce.

At every opportunity ministers prey on the lust, greed and even needs of the saints. They promise financial restoration at every revival, conference or camp meeting. If God had only made good on those promises, the saints would be the wealthiest people in the world. Jesus came to the nation of Israel which had been conquered by the Romans and under Roman occupation. He established the church by planting the gospel in twelve men who came to be His disciples. Before He departed for heaven, the disciples asked Him specifically about the restoration of an earthly kingdom.

Acts 1:6-8

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The restoration of earthly rule and wealth has been kept in the power of the Father. He did not give that to Jesus to dispense to the saints at this time. Jesus said, In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you (St. John 14:2) The rule and the wealth will come to the Church, but it will come at the time appointed. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Rev 5:10) When Jesus returns to the earth to set up His kingdom, then the saints of God will receive all things.

The apostles were charged to make the whole world know what was delivered unto them. The focal point of their lives became ‘an opportunity’ to spread the gospel. The doctrine of things was not the focal point of the message to the world.

That is not to say those who have great possessions are not in the will of God. There are many Christians who are wealthy through their professions or businesses and will use their great wealth to finance the gospel. Our faith however, is for the things hoped for, not the things that are seen. Our faith is to be used as an anchor in hope for the invisible things of God. For example, eternal life, the new body, the power to set captives free and the preaching of the gospel in every nation. In teaching about the early church, saints today tend to view this early generation through the eyes of their own seduction.

They see and entreat the Church of the scriptures as a foreign entity; foreign in the sense that those early mindsets, sacrifices and spiritual dispositions are not relative to them. At some point the church has been redefined by the world we live in. The world offered and we accepted a fictitious perception of God, salvation and purpose.

Because of the deception and seduction in the Body of Christ, it is a task for ministers of the truth to convince the saints to accept the reality that the totality of this life is God’s purpose. There is no life outside of the purpose of God. Those of us who do not walk in His purpose are destined for eternal damnation. There is no great divide that will save us. Jesus made it very clear, He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad (St. Matt 12:30).

Many saints live in the reality of the world but want God to be sympathetic regarding the things that affect them. Therefore, there is much frustration in the Body of Christ because God is always dedicated to His own purpose. His concern and purpose is always constant no matter what state we find ourselves in. We have to embrace God as He is, and not as we want Him to be. We must believe on Him the way the scriptures have said. He is already triumphant!