What is Embassy of Heaven Church? Published in the Kingdom of Heaven Year of Our Lord, 1991 Scripture references are from New King James Version. 13 pages What is the Embassy of Heaven Church? By Pastor Paul Revere      A woman recently remarked to me, "I've heard the Embassy of Heaven Church is very different from the other churches, that it is very unusual. What makes it so different?"      It's true, the Embassy of Heaven Church does have a very different and distinct calling. We have been called by the Lord Jesus Christ to establish His government, known as the Kingdom of Heaven, upon the earth.1 Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Even though Christ came to earth to set up His Kingdom, it's no longer visible. It's gone. Where is Christ's government? It's not around anymore. Therefore, He had to call us out of the governments of the world to reestablish His government.

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Bringing Christ's Government Down to Earth

     Christ's government was born 2,000 years ago. But there is no Church in the universe that has truly established His Government. In fact, if we look through the history books we'll find that many bodies of people came together in Christ's name and attempted to reestablish His government upon the earth. They tried, but they never pulled it off. They never hit the mark.

     The government, Christ's government, is in Heaven. But is His government also on earth? The scripture says that whatever you bind on earth, you will bind in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.^{2 Matthew 16:19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."} For Heaven's government to come to earth, men must come together and form a body. Christ also said, "When two or more are gathered together in my name, I am there among you."^{3 Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."} When two or more are gathered for common purpose, that is the definition of government. So when Jesus Christ asks us to come together, He's asking us to form a government. In fact, we become members of His Body. The question becomes, How many bodies can you belong to? Can you be a member of two governments? We already know that the worldly governments don't like that. The United States government doesn't want you to be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of Russia. Jesus also says, "You cannot serve two masters."^{4 Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."}

No One Can Serve Two Governments

     All governments are going to come into conflict with each other eventually. There is no way that you can serve two governments. Every government has purposes and methods established to get you to cooperate with them. They want you to be one with them in achieving their objectives.

     Most of the other churches are incorporated in the State. They get their life from their creator, the State. Some of these churchgoers are running into problems because their government isn't supporting them in their beliefs. They're coming into conflict over the abortion issue, for instance.

     The problem is that the State churches are attempting to be a government under the State government. They've done that through incorporation. Almost 100 percent of all the churches out there have incorporated as a body of the State. Oh, they think they have assembled as the body of Christ, but they are truly an extension of the State government.

     We believe that it is not possible to be incorporated in the State and incorporated in the body of Christ. How can we be incorporated as Christ's body and do as He demands and also serve another government that has completely different interests? The State government serves its own belly.^{5 Philippians 3:18-20 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame - who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.} It has money interests. It has no interest in morals, save as a pretense. Generally, people who are involved in State government have their hearts set on acquiring properties and in making money off whatever sources possible.

Incorporation Brings You Under the Law

     The Embassy of Heaven Church has been called to separate itself from the State government. That's what makes us unique. We are not an extension of the State. We are separate. The State and the Church are two completely different governments. Someone might see a member of the Embassy of Heaven Church doing something that is not normal, like traveling without State license plates. They say, "Our church doesn't get to do that." That's right. Incorporated churches have agreed to abide by all the laws of the State. Otherwise, they'll lose their corporate charter. They have put themselves under the law and must obey the State, regardless of what the legislature does. The Embassy of Heaven Church has made no agreements with the State.^{6 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."} The Church has not bound herself under whatever regulatory bodies the legislature wants to establish.

     I think we need a definition of government. All governments are formed by two or more gathering together for a common purpose. I think that would be a legitimate definition. When the State of Oregon formed their government they referenced a group of people as "We the People." Now when they said "We," they didn't mean everybody, just those who considered themselves as "We the People." They came together for common purpose and wrote a constitution. They also empowered a legislature to write bylaws. These bylaws are also known as statutes. The State also provided for incorporating into that body. In other words, municipalities, businesses and nonprofit organizations could become one body with the State, united under a common purpose.

     Today, almost all the churches have incorporated into the body of the State. The State churches, let's name them, Lutheran, Methodist, Assembly of God, Seventh Day Adventist, Catholic, and all the other denominations out there, have incorporated and become a part of the State body. That's why if you become a member of one of those State churches, you've already agreed, by your membership in that church, to abide by the State laws and to settle controversies according to State methods.

Incorporated Churches are Harlots

     The State churches, those who have incorporated and become part of the State, we consider harlots.^{7 Revelation 17:1-6} They're having intercourse with the State and what communion is there between light and darkness?^{8 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?} They're harlots, they're worse than harlots because they can't see they're harlots.^{9 John 9:41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains."} They are commanded to remain separate, yet they are sleeping with the world. The Bible is very clear, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."^{10 Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues."} Yet every State preacher that gets up on the pulpit can only preach the State's message because his church has joined with the State through incorporation. We can preach Christ's message without fear because we have no loyalty or allegiance to the State. We have exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ and God the Father.^{11 John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who have yielded Him their allegiance, He gave the right to become children of God. (NEB)}

Definition of True Church

     Now let's look at what makes up the Church body. To do this we need a definition of Church:

     All State churches are typically made up of people who consider themselves residents of the State. The State offers them privileges and benefits like public education, public libraries and welfare assistance. The State also has regulatory programs such as licensing drivers, vehicle registration and titling, building permits and business licenses. Those who participate in these programs show that they are one with the State. If the church is made of people who have acquired these licenses and privileges, then the church has fallen from grace and put herself under the laws of men.^{14 Galatians 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.} The church becomes a branch of the State. Her members do the will of the State. With their lips they may declare that Jesus is Lord, but with their actions they prove the State governs them.

Membership Requirements

     The Embassy of Heaven Church is different. You don't become a member just by walking in off the street and declaring that Jesus is Lord.

Reason for Separation

     Our separation is not because the State is good or bad. In other words, we do not separate from the State because it aborts babies or sends its young men off to fight bloody wars. We don't separate because the money system is bad or the public schools are full of drugs. We are not separating for those reasons, even though we do have a certain belief that their government is corrupt. The issue is not whether it is corrupt or whether it has good or bad aspects. We must separate from the governments of the world in their entirety, because we are giving our loyalty and allegiance to a new government.

Seat of Government

     This new government, known as the Embassy of Heaven Church, has a seat of government, just like any other government. Ours is near Sublimity, Oregon. Our constitution is the Golden Rule. Our code of conduct is based upon the Sermon on the Mount.^{17 Matthew, Chapters 5-7} We have Church officers.^{18 Ephesians 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.} Those who join are required to renounce their former government, just as anyone changing citizenship would be required to do. And they must put on the Church entirely. If they are unwilling to do that, they cannot become citizens of the Heavenly government.

No Licensing from State

     In becoming citizens of Heaven^{19 Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.} and residents of the Embassy of Heaven Church, we let go of all numbering and marking by our former government. If we need documents to identify us, the Church provides them. In other words, the State loses its interest in licensing and supervising our activities because we are being supervised by another government. If we belong to Christ's government, they cannot demand that we put a State license plate on a Church vehicle. Church vehicles have been dedicated to God's purpose. They have been removed from the ownership and control of the world. The State lacks authority to regulate the activities of a driver in a Church vehicle when that driver is a citizen and resident of the Embassy of Heaven Church.

     Thus, by requiring the members of the body to be completely separate, the Church itself is separate. If members of the Church retain licenses and agreements with worldly governments, the Church gets diluted. It is no longer a pure Church, but a compromised Church. More importantly, if members retain the marks given them by governments of the world, then the Church itself becomes marked. Just as the forest consists of the trees, so, too, the Church consists of its members. We cannot allow any of our members to remain marked by the State, lest the Church also receives the mark and the plagues that go with it.^{20 Revelation 14:9-10 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."} Therefore, none of our members can remain marked by governments of men. This applies to everyone in the Church. We are not saying that some members can be marked and some can't. No, everyone must purify himself.

Two Governments Share Territory

     Now that we know there are two governments, is the State over the Church or is the Church over the State? Neither question makes sense. It turns out that both governments are over the same territory. The State has most people convinced that they have a monopoly on government. If you're in the neck of the woods known as Oregon, Oregon will claim you as theirs if you remain in their territory long enough. The Church makes a claim to the same territory. Our Book says the earth belongs to the Lord and the fullness thereof.^{21 1 Corinthians 10:26 for "The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness."} There are no territorial limits to Christ's government.

Moses vs. Christ

     The two governments may share the same territory, but they operate on very different principles. The State is founded upon the principles of Moses. The Church is founded upon the principles of Christ. The State is of the Old Covenant, the Church is of the New Covenant.^{22 Jeremiah 31:31-32 "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah - not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them," says the LORD.}

     The State, being like Moses, controls its people by laws. They have a legislature that makes thousands of laws, just as Moses was involved in making laws to control the people. The State requires obedience to book after book of rules and regulations. If one of the State's children needs correction, the State uses threats, fines, jail and confiscation of property to coerce obedience.

     The Embassy of Heaven Church, on the other hand, does not impose laws upon our people. Simply by loving God and loving neighbor, we fulfill all the law and the prophets.^{23 Matthew 22:40 "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."} We are self-regulating. Our intent is to love our neighbor. If you want to modify the behavior of one of our members, you remind them to love their neighbor as themselves, and they respond.

     In the Embassy of Heaven Church, if someone refuses to treat his neighbor as he would like to be treated or continues receiving benefits and privileges of the world, he receives instructions from the word of God. If he fails to modify his behavior, he will be cast from the Church and sent back to the world for further instruction. Jesus Christ talks about the body and says if the eye offends you pluck it out, or if the hand offends you cut it off and cast it from you.^{24 Matthew 5:29-30 "And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell."} Christ's body is the same way. If anyone refuses to remain in Christ and act in a Christlike manner, he shall be cut from the body and cast away.^{25 Matthew 18:15-17 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear you, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector."} Most people desire the higher level of living and since they want to remain in the liberty of Christ's government, their actions are easily modified to a Christlike activity.^{26 James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.} The Embassy of Heaven Church is an attempt to work toward the perfection of Christ and to be a light on a hill to the world.

     If the Embassy of Heaven Church were part of the world, then we could not be a light to the world.^{27 Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."} We would blend with the darkness. Therefore, we must remain separate, shining our light into the dark places. One of those dark places is the State. The State, being of the Old Covenant, holds her children in bondage. The Church, being of the New Covenant, sets her people free. We are called to rescue the lost who are in bondage and bring them into freedom.^{28 Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love.} The State, being jealous of our liberty, persecutes the Church.^{29 Galatians 4:28-30 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.} They cannot receive the Embassy of Heaven Church because they know it would signal their own doom. Jesus Christ is the end of the law for all those who believe.^{30 Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.} If there is no more law, there is no more need for the State. For all three branches of government are complete in Christ. He is our Judge, Lawgiver and King.^{31 Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King; He will save us.}

Church Provides Licensing Documents

     For one who is in the State, he is required to be regulated. He's required to get a driver's license. He's required to get a vehicle registration. He's required to get a business license. He is a regulated person. But for one who is in the Embassy of Heaven Church, it's exactly the opposite. If he were to go and get a State driver's license, he would be violating both governments. He is not a resident of the State and nonresidents are not eligible for State licenses. And he has violated the Church because he must remain separate from worldly governments. You can only be a member of one body.

     The Embassy of Heaven Church, realizing that it is a government, just as the State is a government, has created documents to aid its members and the world in identifying the source of her authority.^{32 Matthew 28:18-19 Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."} Thus, the Embassy of Heaven Church issues traveling identification cards that are similar to a State driver's license. She issues vehicle registrations, certificates of title and registration plates. She also issues Passports. These traveling documents help identify us as ambassadors sent on a mission by the Embassy of Heaven Church. As the Church grows, other documents may be issued to establish the authority under which we are operating.

Intercourse with World is Adultery

     If the Church is to be undiluted and pure when handed over to Jesus Christ, then it must remain unadulterated. In Biblical terms, if the people of the Embassy of Heaven Church were to go out and become participants in the governments of the world, they would be committing adultery. The reason is because our husband is Jesus Christ,^{33 2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.} our government. If we go after strange gods or strange governments, then we have committed adultery. It's just like a woman who is supposed to be with her husband, but goes to bed with another man. She is an adulteress. Our husband is Christ. Our husband is not the State. The State demands our obedience, but the State is a stranger to us. To someone who is part of the State, the State is his shepherd. For us, we have only one shepherd, Jesus Christ, our husband. When He commands us to do things, we obey Him. If someone from the State commands us, we treat him like a stranger. We flee from him.^{34 John 10:5 "Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."}

     The State makes us look like we are evil and anarchists, yet we are 100 percent obedient to the One who calls us. We only look like lawbreakers because we are not obeying their house rules. But we are not of their household, we are of the household of God.^{35 Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.} They persecute us, and from the Church's perspective, make up phony charges against us. If their law enforcement officers see us traveling in a Church vehicle, they may try to charge us with failing to display a driver's license. This is a ridiculous charge. How can we be expected to display a driver's license issued by their government, when we belong to another government. We present them with our Church driver license that shows we have authority to use the highways in the Kingdom of Heaven, but some of them refuse to acknowledge that the Church is an authority.

     We cannot present a State license because we are barred from doing that. If we do, we have committed adultery with foreign governments. The State cannot demand something that is impossible to present. Would they expect someone from the State of Oregon to get a driver license from the Embassy of Heaven Church? No. They would want their people to get it from them. In the same terms, would the State of Oregon want one of their residents to go to the State of California to get a driver's license? No! Yet, that is what they are doing by demanding that the Church present a State license. Why would someone from a foreign government be expected to get a driver's license from them? It is not reasonable. They're asking for the impossible. They're asking us to depart from the government of Jesus Christ.

Ambassadors for Heaven's Government

     The territory of Oregon happens to be bigger than the Embassy of Heaven Church as far as the property that has been dedicated to it. But God has His land and His people planted in the midst of Oregon's territory. Six miles east of Sublimity, Oregon is an Embassy claimed for Heaven's purpose and belonging to the homeland.

     The Embassy of Heaven Church is literal. It's not just an accidental name. It is real. It is an Embassy sent from the Kingdom of Heaven to be on earth. It is an embassy in the world just as any embassy might be in the United States representing Russia, Canada, Mexico, China, or the Kingdom of Heaven. Its people, who have also been sent from Heaven, are known as ambassadors.

     We are ambassadors in the world.^{36 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.} Our laws are the Kingdom of Heaven laws, which are reflected in the Sermon on the Mount. Our ambassadors will lose their ambassadorial status if they participate in the politics of the world, if they become involved in State affairs. If an ambassador goes down and gets a State driver's license, he would lose his ambassadorship. He would lose his salvation. He effectively will be cast from the Kingdom of Heaven. He would be thrown out because he would be considered an adulterer or an adulteress with the world.^{37 James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.}

Members Receive New Names

     There are several characteristics of Church members that set them apart as a peculiar people. One of the more unusual actions we take is receiving a new name when we become a Church member.^{38 Matthew 16:17-18, Acts 13:9} We effectively start over. We are born again.^{39 John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."} The reason for this is probably very similar to what our ancestors did when they fled to America to escape persecution in Europe. They Americanized their names. For exactly what cause and reason they were doing it I'm not sure, but there is something that happens when you do it. You lose your previous identity. You lose your allegiance and loyalty to the former government. These people were leaving one government behind and giving their allegiance to a new government.

     The Embassy of Heaven Church has a very similar belief. When we enter into the Embassy of Heaven Church, we desire to start a new life. But the world, being very jealous, will not believe that we have a new allegiance, that we have a new loyalty. The problem is that we still remain within their territory, but we have joined a new government. We have expatriated ourselves from the worldly governments. The State refuses to recognize that we have been translated into the Kingdom of His beloved Son.^{40 Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.} So we are persecuted. To reduce that persecution, not for the purposes of fraud or deceit, but just simply to reduce that persecution, we acquire a new name to separate us from the old.

     Here's how it works. God gives me the name of Paul Revere. I begin using my new name in every area of life. Paul Revere has no birth certificate with the world. He has no public education diploma to help him gain employment with the world. He has no marriage certificates with the world. He has nothing that the world can lay its hands on. He starts over. He even gives up his own name to become a part of the Kingdom of Heaven through the Embassy of Heaven Church. He quits partaking of all those voluntary benefits and privileges worldly governments offer. He doesn't qualify for the gifts offered to State residents. He gives up his right to vote in the State elections. He gives up his State driver's license. He converts his vehicles over to the Church and returns the State certificate of titles, registrations and State plates. He labors as God commands him, leaving behind the State privilege of corporate employment.

No Insurance Policies

     He also gives up his insurance policies, because the insurance companies will not recognize the Embassy of Heaven Church and its mission. For instance, auto insurance companies require that those they insure have a State driver's license. Insurance companies are comprised of State people who have formed a body and incorporated with the State. They want you to make agreements with them and abide by the State insurance laws. We cannot serve two. Unless there is an insurance company that is separate from the world, there is no place that someone from the Embassy of Heaven Church can go to get an insurance policy.

     Insurance looks like a pretty nice deal. In fact, it would be nice if the Church could someday set up a fund to handle similar situations. But, unfortunately, our problem is not what they're doing. They have their good points and their bad points. The problem is that insurance belongs to the world and by joining an insurance company you become a member with the world.

Removal from the Banking System

     We also remove ourselves from the banking system, again for the reason of not becoming members with the world. The banking system imposes hundreds of rules and regulations upon you, because you are a member with them. We can only serve one and that is Jesus Christ.

     You'll find that Embassy of Heaven Church members will get out of debt.^{41 Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.} We have an old phrase, "You have a year and a day to get out of debt." Debt causes you to be in bondage and to enter into agreements with nonbelievers. The Church cannot be involved with other bodies. We can only belong to one body and that body is Christ. We know there are many gods, but for us there is only one, and that is Jesus Christ.^{42 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.}

Remaining Separated

     If we become members with any other gods, any other bodies or any other governments then we've diluted the Church. And to the Embassy of Heaven Church it is crucial to our salvation that we remain one body, separate from the rest of the world.^{43 Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.} The world would love to get in and have interests. They would love to have the Embassy of Heaven Church incorporate into them. They would love the Church to have bank accounts and participate with them. But no, we are going to become undefiled before God so that we make ourselves presentable to Him, so that when Jesus Christ returns we can hand Him a pure and undefiled Church.

     Just because we are a separate government doesn't make us horrible people. We are a peculiar people.^{44 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.} We have used the same glue of the universe as the State used to form a government. When two or more are gathered together for common purpose, you have government. We are also government. And the State is jealous of our government. They do not want to acknowledge our existence. Yet today we are received by many institutions as a government, as a unique government.

Forgiving Trespasses

     Another characteristic of those in the Embassy of Heaven Church is that when we are persecuted, when we are struck on one cheek, we do not strike back as people of the world do.^{45 Matthew 5:39 "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."} We do not start lawsuits.^{46 1Corinthians 6:1-7 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be defrauded?} We offer the other cheek. We take the Sermon on the Mount very seriously. We do not return evil for evil.^{47 1 Peter 3:9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.} We are quick to forgive trespasses.^{48 Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.} All that we ask is that we be restored back to the way they found us. And even if they don't, we still forgive them.

No Oaths

     We will not swear oaths, for our "yeas" are "yea," and our "nays" are "nay."^{49 Matthew 5:33-37 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."} We will not return evil for evil, but we will return evil with good. Therefore, we cannot go to war. We cannot kill our enemies.^{50 Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."} We will treat our enemies as we would want to be treated. We want to be as perfect as our Father is in Heaven.^{51 Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."}

Proclaiming the Kingdom on the Road

     We are continually striving to give to those who ask.^{52 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.} Our greatest conflict has been with State driver and vehicle licensing. We have spent many years perfecting our Church documents so that we will not be a stumbling stone to the world. We would like the world to receive us, but we will not compromise our Heavenly citizenship and ambassadorial status.

     Today, many police officers have recognized our Church traveling documents. Some have seen the Heaven plates on our vehicles and have said they will never cite us. We have ambassadors who travel from State to State preaching Heaven's message in Church vehicles. When they stop at State border inspection points, the officers might notice the Heaven plates, but they flag us on through. Ambassadors have even gone into Mexico and back. There's been three border patrol officers studying the front plate and two on the back, wondering how these Heaven plates could be, yet they flag us on through. They apparently recognize the Church as having been sent by God.

     Every once in awhile we end up with a community that will not accept one of our ambassadors. They see him traveling in a Church vehicle and they cite him or throw him in jail.^{53 Luke 21:12-13 "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony."} They may stack the charges on thick and turn the furnace up seven times hotter. This gives us an opportunity to testify of another authority, one called Jesus.^{54 Acts 17:6-8 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king - Jesus." And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things.} The city officials may get jealous, but as they practice their wickedness, eyes are opened to the light. We are grateful for the conversions made as we humbly suffer in their courtrooms and jails.

     We've had a few members who have backslid, who have not remained with us. The State, seeing this, says, "Ah ha, maybe the rest of the members won't stand either." Then they persecute us even more, hoping we'll give up our Heavenly citizenship, hoping the Church will collapse. But what we're finding is the more they persecute us, the more the Church grows. Numbers are added to our ranks daily because of the persecutions.^{55 Acts 2:46-47 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.} Amen.