To Know and to Be Known in the Kingdom: The Now Kingdom

By Pastor James M. Lawson

There are two major themes throughout the book. The first major theme involves the dual nature of the Kingdom being both here and now and yet to come, but with the focus being on the here and now aspect and learning to live everyday life in it. The second major theme involves knowing and being known in Christs Kingdom. Another significant focus is on all relationships, starting with our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and then all other relationships with all people in our daily lives.

Strong comparisons and some examples attack the principles and practices of Religion, as true Christianity is shown by our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This book is about Relationship-vs-Religion. This book is full of controversy as it actually faces and deals with real problems, issues, and lies instead of avoiding them. This book provides teaching on how to have better, stronger, and healthier relationships with all people from all walks of life.

This book is very exciting because of its unique and aggressive attacks on institutionalized systems of religions and religious Churches and people. The approach and writing style is so Non-Traditional and Non-Religious that it stands alone, separate and unique, like no other Christian book has ever been written. This book reveals many secrets of the Kingdom, exposes many lies and false doctrines, and upholds the truth of Christ, His WORD, and His Kingdom, and supports the common people of the world.

With the many problems and issues we face in our world today, this book addresses many of them and provides possible solutions to help and improve on them.This book draws from personal life experience and exposes our human inadequacies and faults, while demonstrating the Non-failing awesomeness of an all-powerful, all-knowing God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 11, 2009
• ISBN: 9781449029456

Pastor James M. Lawson

One thing I hope all readers see and understand in my book (and future books), and Ministry is just how much I love the common people. As you will read in my books however, is how much I hate religion and religiosity, and anyone who chooses to remain in their self-righteous religious stubbornness. I also have a heart to reach out to and help Pagans of all sorts. However, I will not hold back any punches, I will expose lies and promote truth, and in doing so Im sure to upset some people along the way. If you get upset, I simply and humbly ask to slow down and really look at what I am saying, and also look in the mirror and evaluate your own life. I do have many great accomplishments, too may to tell here and now. Some are included within this book, others will be expressed as time goes on. Im just not much for tooting my own horn, instead I want each reader to be the judge. I write from my heart, and I take my writing and Ministry very seriously. Above all I hope each reader can feel, see, and understand my love, compassion, and especially my vigilance. I hope each reader enjoys my book, but I also hope everyone learns much from it as well.

Book preview

Contents

Dedications

Personal Ministry Proclamation Rock Force Church John 3:18

Note from the Author

Preface to the 1st Edition

Preface to the 2nd Edition

My Personal Mission Statement

Prelude (Expanded for 2nd Edition)

Chapter 1: The Escapism Issue

Chapter 2: To Know And To Be Known (with modifications)

Chapter 3: The God of the Living and Not the Dead

Chapter 4: The Seal/Mark of the Holy Ghost on His Saints

Chapter 5: You Shall Know Them By Their Fruits

Dedications

First of all I dedicate this book to my LORD and Savior: Jesus Christ.

Secondly I dedicate this book to my beautiful daughter: Shellby Lynn Lawson, who is my inspiration to be and improve on being the best Dad ever. Shellby is and will always be my little Princess. My Ministry is my legacy of which I do for her.

Thirdly I dedicate this book to:

• The Christian Heavy Metal music scenes and subcultures

• All people who may have been hurt or abused by religion

• Anyone involved in Paganism, witchcraft, or Satanism

• Anyone involved in Goth

• All artists in the Metal Music scenes

And lastly, my future (3rd and last wife), whomever you are. I need a mature Proverbs 31 Christian woman who loves Christ and loves Christian Heavy Metal music. I know you are out there somewhere, I know God has someone special for me. I need someone who can and will endure until the end and grow old with me, (if Christ doesn’t come back soon).

Personal Ministry Proclamation Rock Force Church John 3:18

As I make my small and humble beginning down this long new journey of pastoring my very own church: Rock Force Church; this Ministry Proclamation may be necessary. Many people within the religious world may soon make great and huge claims in direct opposition of Rock Force Church and me. Such conflicting claims may include, but may not be limited to, a heretic, a blasphemer, one who wears black and bears an image of evil, a controversialist, a destroyer of churches, and one who hates religion.

The first and most important thing that I want the whole world to know at the very beginning is this; Rock Force Church and myself are for, and about, the common people. Even though my Ministry will specifically focus on the Christian Rock/ Metal music scenes and subcultures of peoples involved within the music and entertainment scenes and industry; I will always be for the common people. Especially those who may have been hurt, abused, outcastes, ridiculed, and have been the victims of any form of wrongful treatment by the religious status quo. So Yes! I do hate religion and all forms of religiosity. Christianity is not religion, it’s a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

With that being duly noted, I stand for Christ, His true Church, His Pure (divine and unadulterated) WORD—Jesus is the WORD who became flesh and dwells among and within us anyway. I am against all of satan’s lies, and all of his man-made false doctrines and theologies that have infiltrated Catholic and Protestant Churches alike, and any and all religious church leaders who teach and preach false doctrines and hurt and mock the people of God with their poison of religiosity. Also should any church going pew sitter make their own choice of hypocritical religiosity than I am against those as well—they made their own choice.

The common people of the Catholic and Protestant churches all alike need love, truth, and peace. They need taught the truth of all of God’s WORD, even some of the extra Biblical books that are truly just as much God breathed and inspired WORD as the rest of the Bible. The Church, as a whole, has been lied to for far too long, and it’s time to expose the lies of devilish man, and to give the people the truth. Empower the people through knowledge (gnosis) and application of God’s WORD (which is Christ).

Likewise, the sinners need even more love, truth, and peace. I was once a sinner (and still have faults), all have sinned and come short of God’s Glory. Sinners are sinners, they always have been sinners, they will always be sinners; we should not expect anything less than for them to do what is natural to their lustful, fleshly desires, and that is to sin. They need Christ’s love, mercy, and if they choose—His forgiveness of their sin; but it’s their individual choice to make.

However, the opposite is true of the so-called proclaimed Church leaders; those that should know better. After all, the fact that they should know better already sets them apart. If those who have education, power, and positions of authority live in sin and do wrong by the common people; they will always receive the harsher judgment. God holds such people more accountable and more responsible than the common people; therefore suffering greater consequences and greater punishment. Therefor, if the Church leaders have taken the time to get higher education and even going to seminary schools, and only listen to what Man has to say and what Man’s ideologies, philosophies, and theologies are, and NOT take time to do as the Berean’s in Acts 17:11 did and search for themselves to see if man is true or not; than double shame on them. And triple shame when they turn around and teach and preach these very same lies of the devil to the common people who in most cases are ignorant of the truth. You have abused your power and positions long enough. You have lied to the people, while withholding the truth from them long enough. You have refused the truth, and have refused others to search and enter into the truth long enough. This is exactly what Jesus means in His very own words in the Gospel of Thomas #2.

G. O. T. #2 Jesus said, Those who seek should not stop seeking until they find. When they find, they will be disturbed. When they are disturbed, they will marvel, and will reign over all. [And after they have reigned they will rest].

The reason they will be disturbed is because they will find the truth and realize that they have indeed been lied to; such was my case. Then knowing the truth, the truth will make them free! They will be disturbed because they will learn that man and religiosity has lied to them. This verse from the Gospel of Thomas can also be directly linked to such verses in the Gospels where Jesus uses such words and phrases as: seek and you will find, knock and it shall be opened unto you, and everything that is hidden, shall be revealed; (found in: Mtt 7:7; Lk 11:9; Mtt 10:26; Mk 4:22; Lk 8:17/ 12:2).

If that makes me a controversialist, than so be it. But let the whole world know that I am for Christ, His Kingdom, and for the people. Love the people—hate sin! Hate anything attached to the sin, and any people who choose the sin of religion. The time is soon coming, and now is, when the entire Church Body (worldwide) will have to choose. Let there be a short space for repentance, and if chosen, receive Grace and Mercy. But if anyone chooses to remain stiff-necked in their religiosity, or if anyone chooses to hurt, abuse, mock, and ridicule others in the name of religion; then God Himself will bring swift, harsh, and public humiliating judgment on such individuals, leaders and common pew sitters alike.

Only one last remark remains, and this is to shut the mouths of most skeptics and keep them at bay. This IS the Ministry that God has ordained for me since before the foundation of the world. This is the Ministry that God has appointed and anointed me to walk in, if anyone is offended then take it up with God. I choose to please God and not man. If my Ministry or the clothes I wear, (or my appearance) offends anyone, then here is my question to you. Why are you offended?

Note from the Author

One of the very first things that I want the whole world to know is this. I consider myself to be both a student and a scholar of the Bible and Biblical studies. I have never claimed to know it all, nor will I ever make such claims. In our finite humanity, no man can ever make such claims. I’m not always right, you are not always right, we are all wrong sometimes, especially when it comes to God (who is infinite, all-powerful, and all knowing). Never just take any "Man’s" word for things, no matter how many titles or how much education anyone has; always read, study, and research for your self. Become your own student and scholar. I will spend the rest of my life studying, and I hope all people will do the same. Then along the way I will share what God has showed me with all that will listen.

I believe this book is for everyone in the world, no matter what country, race, sex, color, creed, or even religion. This book should have a little something for everyone. It was written to expose the lies and share the truth with everyone and anyone willing to read, take heed, and choose for his or her self whom they will serve. I hope and pray that every living Pagan on the planet will one day read this book; and learn something new. Pagans of all sorts, creeds, and cultures, including but not limited to: witches, wicans, Goths, Odinists, Pythagoreans, and even Satanists. If for no other reason, than just for curiosity’s sake. I am 100% sure that I have written material that no other man has ever written before; and my approach is like no other as well. No other Church, Minister, or Ministry has ever written and approached this material like I have. In fact most Churches, Ministers, and Church people scorn Pagans and wont even so much as give you guys the time of day. But I genuinely love you, Jesus Christ genuinely loves you, and Rock Force Church genuinely loves you. Plus I can empathize with you all for hating religious Church, Ministers, and Church people. It’s time to REBEL against religion, in all of its forms, traditions, and formats. Join me and Rock Force Church in this New Revolution!!!

I have spent many years witnessing to, ministering to, and studying Pagans of all sorts; including but not limited to: witches, wicans, Goths, Satanists, and I even met an Odinist once. I do NOT know it all, but neither does any other human being; but I am and will continue to learn and study. I do currently have over 20 years of experience in the Christian Rock and Metal music scenes; and I know that many Pagans also listen to secular Rock, Metal, and Goth music. The Christian Rock and Metal music is my life "inside Christ" and my Ministry. It is who I am, I know who I am, and I’m known in the Kingdom in this Music Ministry. The music styles are the same just with different lyrics and approach. The talent is the same and sometimes even better. Therefore, I appeal to all people (on earth) who listen to any form of Rock, Metal, Industrial, or Goth music (Pagan or not), to join me and join this New Revolution!!! Let’s fight against religion together!

My general idea is NOT to try to create some kind of a bridge between Paganism and Christianity; because that is what the Pope and the Catholic Church did, as they Paganised their Church with bad traditions, rites, rituals, and holidays. True Christianity is all about a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ, as I explain this in great detail throughout this book. Yes, there are similarities between Paganism and Christianity; but again, only in the format of religion. I will explain much more and reveal many secrets on this subject in my second book, which will be titled: The True Abrahamic Covenant And The Authority Of The Believer. However, what I am working towards doing here is tearing down the walls of ignorance from both sides: the Pagans as well as the Christians. I have used some knowledge and secrets in this book, as you will see as you read this book, but my second book will certainly shock every reader. I hope to gain the Pagan’s attention, trust, and respect. If you hate Church, great, than join me because one thing I have learned over all the years of BAD Church, is how NOT to conduct Church. Hopefully, I know what NOT to do, and reach many that may have been hurt or abused in Church.

I also appeal to every Christian, especially those who claim to be one, I hope that all Christians will read this book and learn as well. Especially Christians because we all need the truth and all false doctrines need put to silence once and for all, and we must stop being offensive. Stop being "religious, high-minded, haughty, prideful, and closed-minded! Stop and choose to repent, or you will be the ones going straight to Hell!!! Then the very Pagans whom you scorned here on earth will rise up in judgment against you, and great will be your shame! Every child you abused, every teenager you mocked and out-casted, every person you ridiculed, even every server you treated unfairly and left little to no tips to; they will all rise up in judgment against you. You religious claimers" are the pigs of society! Stop claiming, stop acknowledging God with your lips while your heart is far from Him, and start being real! Get a real relationship with Jesus Christ, or go to Hell! Stop talking the talk, and start walking the walk. Repent or just get out of the way and shut your filthy backbiting and backstabbing viperous mouths. If you are offended than I must ask you why? Does the shoe fit? Did I step on your toes? Are you mad at me, or are you mad at Christ in me and the truth I speak? Read my personal Ministry Proclamation over again; before you read this book. If you are a true Christian than I can’t be offending you; true Christians know I’m speaking the truth here, and I have the balls to do it.

Another huge issue that I want to address and deal with very early on is the issue of laziness within the Church. Why are Church people so lazy? Why do most Christians spend less than 1-2 hours per week reading their Bibles on a national average? Sometimes, if and when some people do, they only read some (very short) devotionals. Or instead of reading whole chapters, they only read what they want to read and skip the rest. Why do many Christians have such weak or non-existent prayer lives? The answer to this issue is pure laziness. But who is really to blame? Do you know that Muslims teach, train, and make their children completely memorize the entire Qur’an even before they can read. Plus, many Muslims diligently spend 5-times a day praying. And we can’t even give the true and living God one full hour a day.

I say it is the fault and responsibility of the Pastors, Ministers, and Church leadership. Why? Because we are the ones responsible for feeding and caring for the sheep (the common people), of the Church. God has ordained us (but NOT all Ministers), and specifically put us in charge and responsible for the sheep of His pasture. I am absolutely sick and tired of hearing Church leaders and others make comments like, The people need milk and not meat. Yes, a brand new baby Christian, just like a natural baby, needs milk, and the basics. But after a while they need to learn to eat meat and stand on their own two spiritual feet. I’m also sick and tired of hearing comments like, A message can’t go over 20-30 minutes maximum, or you’ll loose their attention. That’s bull-crap! However, if a preacher is long winded, speaks a lot of blah, blah, or talks much but NOT really saying anything significant; than yes, that preacher needs to shut up, sit down, and listen to what God is really saying to His people. I’m also sick and tired of trying to read a lot of Christian books where the author fills each page with a lot of words, but it is all blah, blah, and NOT really saying anything. If anyone is going to speak or write, make it meaningful and educational, make it deep and NOT shallow; and stop boring the people to death. I’m also sick and tired of shallow Christianity. But I have been in many services in my life that have lasted 3-4 hours long; and people are sill begging for more because it’s good Spiritual meat. Anyone who puts a limit on the people are in actuality putting limits on God Himself. Let God out of your boxes! He’s NOT really in them anyway!

In my experience, a few, (very few), people that have told me that I’m giving more than they can handle have approached me. For starters, my question is how do they know it’s too much? I’m sure many people are familiar with this old fable: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. If it’s too much for you, don’t choke on it, just slow down and eat smaller bites at a time. But as an ordained Minister, I say it is well over due time to raise the bar and step up, with no standards or limits on God. Stop letting people be lazy! I think most people are prone to laziness as human beings; even I’m prone to it often, but I work hard (every day) at overcoming it. As each individual reads this book, you should notice I highly encourage people to read, study, and research God’s WORD for themselves. I suggest that everyone who may read this book to read it about 5-6 times. Stop being lazy and read God’s WORD, and as you read—pay attention to all details. Don’t just read your pet scriptures either, or what is convenient to fit your life style; read it ALL, the whole Bible and other books as well. If you are a young baby Christian, start slow and with the basics, but don’t stay a baby—begin to eat some meat. There are too many Christians in Churches all across America who have gone to Church all of their lives, but are still Spiritual babies because they don’t know God’s WORD for themselves.

Yes, I do cover a huge amount of material in this book. Yes, I will be covering huge amounts of material in all of my future books. And yes, as a Pastor I will preach and teach huge amounts of material in all of my services. Get used to it!!! It is all part of the Ministry that God has ordained for me to operate in. Once any human being gets used to eating meat, milk just doesn’t cut it anymore. Anyone can train their bodies and their minds to handle and process a great deal of work and knowledge if they just work up to it. Ask any college student, the more you work and practice at learning huge amounts of material at any time, the more you get used to it and start expecting it. Also ask any person who has served or currently training in the Military, and see how much they program their bodies and minds to handle. Plus even though I do provide huge amounts of material and meat in my books, I hope and pray that I am able to make it all as simple as possible, and break it down in laymen’s terms. My goal is to write and speak simple enough that any teenager, as young as Junior High age or lower, should be able to read, comprehend, and understand what I’m saying. Remember that I’m for the common people of the masses anyway. But I do believe it is high time to raise the bar, and stop limiting God and ourselves. Learn and get used to more, and stop being lazy! Enjoy this book, but by all means—learn from this book.

Preface to the 1st Edition

As I begin the process of rewriting, enhancing, and upgrading the very first book that I actually had published; I want to provide the history of this particular project. This should not be any mystery to people who know me; but for the majority, who do not know me, I am an ex-felon. My life is NOT perfect, in fact far from it, I have made many bad choices, many mistakes, and have done some of the worst deeds conceivable by God’s and society’s standards. I committed a crime during the worst years of my life, of which took place in 1998, but no one knew anything, as it remained a dark secret for almost 4 full years. A crime of which I still have great remorse over.

Finally, after almost four years I decided to talk about it, get some help and counseling, and the process began. About the end of October of 2001, I moved back up