The True Meaning of the Lord's Prayer

Today, I am delighted to share with you an online seminar on the revelation of the Old and New Testaments, specifically focusing on the true meaning of the Lord's Prayer as taught in Matthew chapter 6 and John chapter 8.

Importance of Understanding the Lord's Prayer

It is crucial for us to comprehend the true meaning of the Lord's Prayer because it contains promises that will be fulfilled at the time of the Lord's return. Reciting the prayer without understanding its significance will not benefit us. As we live in a time when these promises are set to be fulfilled, it is imperative to delve into the prayer's true meaning.

Main Reference: Matthew 6:9-13

Let us begin by reading Matthew 6:9-13:

"This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

Understanding the Prayer

1. "Our Father in Heaven" The prayer begins by addressing "Our Father in heaven." This signifies that God, who is the Most High, dwells in heaven, which is a spiritual realm. Wherever God is present, that place is considered heaven. Thus, when we pray, we acknowledge God as our Father and recognize His supreme position.

2. "Hallowed Be Your Name" This phrase means to honor and revere God's name. It is a call to acknowledge God's holiness and the sanctity of His presence.

3. "Your Kingdom Come" Praying for God's kingdom to come is asking for His divine rule to manifest on earth as it is in heaven. This signifies a desire for God's will to be established and His promises to be fulfilled in our world.

4. "Your Will Be Done on Earth as It Is in Heaven" This emphasizes our submission to God's will. Just as His will is perfectly executed in heaven, we pray for it to be realized on earth.

5. "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread" This request is for our daily sustenance, both physical and spiritual. It reflects our dependence on God for all our needs.

6. "Forgive Us Our Debts, as We Also Have Forgiven Our Debtors" Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of our relationship with God and others. We seek God's forgiveness for our sins and commit to forgiving those who have wronged us.

7. "Lead Us Not into Temptation, but Deliver Us from the Evil One" This plea is for God's guidance and protection against temptation and evil. We acknowledge our vulnerability and seek His deliverance from the snares of the devil.

The Seed of God and the Seed of the Devil

To call God "our Father," we must be born of God's seed, which is His word. Luke 8:11 explains that the seed is the word of God. Conversely, there is also the seed of the devil. The result of having one of these two seeds is vastly different.

In John 8:41-44, Jesus tells the Jews who claimed God as their Father that they are actually children of the devil because they do not accept the truth. Similarly, in Matthew 13, Jesus explains that both good and bad seeds were sown in the field, representing the church. Thus, among believers, there are those born of God's seed and those born of the devil's seed.

Conclusion

The Lord's Prayer is not merely a habitual recitation but a profound declaration of God's promises and our relationship with Him. It calls us to recognize God's sovereignty, seek His provision, practice forgiveness, and rely on His protection. Understanding its true meaning is essential for us who live in the time of its fulfillment. By aligning ourselves with God's will and being born of His seed, we become true children of the kingdom of heaven.

May we all strive to understand and live by the true meaning of the Lord's Prayer, so that we may fulfill God's purpose in our lives and be prepared for His return.

Continuing Lesson Seven: The True Meaning of the Lord's Prayer

The Significance of the Harvest

1. The Time of Harvest The time of the harvest is referred to as the end of the world, a period when the true nature of individuals is revealed. According to the parable in Matthew 13, both wheat (those born of God’s seed) and weeds (those born of the devil's seed) grow together in the same field (the church). At harvest time, the wheat and weeds are separated. This separation indicates the final distinction between true believers and false ones.

2. Distinguishing the Harvested At the time of the harvest, those who are harvested are gathered into God's heavenly barn, symbolizing their entry into the kingdom of heaven. In contrast, those who remain in the field are the weeds, who will be thrown into the furnace, symbolizing eternal punishment. The key to recognizing those who have been harvested lies in their adherence to God's word and their resulting transformation.

3. The Process of Harvesting Those who are harvested are those who have accepted and internalized the word of God. They are spiritually prepared and ready to be gathered into God's kingdom. The act of harvesting signifies a separation from the world and alignment with God's will.

4. Revelation and the Sealing In Revelation 7, it is mentioned that those who are harvested are sealed by God’s word and belong to the 12 tribes of God's kingdom. This sealing signifies their protection and ownership by God. They become part of the new creation, God's renewed people who are destined to inherit the kingdom of heaven.

5. The 12 Tribes of the New Kingdom The 12 tribes represent the complete and organized structure of God's kingdom. Those who belong to these tribes are the true children of God, having been born of His seed, harvested, and sealed. They are the ones who can genuinely call God their Father at the time of the Lord's second coming.

Religious Conflict and Persecution

1. Conflict Between the Harvested and the Non-Harvested Just as it was during Jesus’ first coming, those who are not harvested often persecute those who are. This ongoing religious conflict is highlighted in John 8, where Jesus confronted the Jewish leaders who claimed God as their Father but did not accept His truth. This same conflict persists at the Lord’s second coming.

2. True Children of God vs. Children of the Devil Even if someone calls God their Father, their actions and whether they have been harvested reveal their true spiritual lineage. Those who persecute others and resist God's truth demonstrate that they are children of the devil, born of the devil’s seed.

Self-Reflection and Assurance

1. Reflecting on Our Spiritual Condition It is crucial for each believer to self-reflect and evaluate whether they are truly born of God's seed and have been harvested. This reflection involves examining our acceptance of God’s word and our transformation through it.

2. Meeting the Qualifications to Call God Father To be able to call God our Father, we must ensure that we are born of His seed, have been harvested, and sealed. This means living according to God's word and being part of His newly created kingdom and people.

3. Living as True Believers As true believers, we must strive to meet these qualifications and reflect on our spiritual journey continuously. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and secure our place in His eternal kingdom.

Conclusion

The true meaning of the Lord's Prayer extends beyond mere words; it encompasses the fulfillment of God’s promises and our alignment with His divine plan. At the time of the Lord’s second coming, being born of God's seed, harvested, and sealed are critical indicators of our genuine relationship with God. By understanding and living by the principles embedded in the Lord's Prayer, we prepare ourselves for the fulfillment of God’s kingdom and ensure our place as His true children.

Understanding the Kingdom That Comes

The Kingdom of Heaven: The Holy City New Jerusalem

1. The Kingdom's Nature and Origin The kingdom referred to in the Lord’s Prayer is the kingdom of heaven in the spiritual world, known as the Holy City New Jerusalem, mentioned in Revelation 21. Initially, God was with humanity on earth, as seen in Genesis, but due to sin, God had to leave, and the world came under the rule of the devil.

2. God's Plan of Restoration God’s intention has always been to restore this world and return to it. Despite the crucifixion of Jesus by those who did not recognize him, God's plan continued. Jesus promised in John 14:1-3 to prepare a place in heaven and return when it was ready. This place is the Holy City New Jerusalem, different from the Jerusalem of Moses' time, as it is a newly established spiritual kingdom built through Jesus' disciples.

The Coming of the Kingdom

1. Revelation 21:1-2 The Holy City New Jerusalem is promised to come to a new heaven and new earth, a promise reiterated in Revelation 3:12, where it will come upon the one who overcomes.

2. The One Who Overcomes The one who overcomes is the promised pastor or shepherd of the New Testament. This individual plays a crucial role in God's plan, as seen in Matthew 25:34, where Jesus talks about separating nations and granting the kingdom prepared since creation to the sheep-like believers.

3. Gathering of Sheep-like Believers The sheep-like believers are those who gather at the place where the Holy City New Jerusalem comes down. This place, the new heaven and new earth, is where believers must be to partake in the kingdom prepared by Jesus.

The Necessity of God's Return

1. The Creation of a Spiritual Kingdom on Earth For God to return to earth, the kingdom of God must be established on earth as it is in heaven. This has been God's intent since the time of Moses, as seen in Exodus 25, where Moses built a tabernacle based on heavenly visions.

2. The Reality of the Spiritual Kingdom The tabernacle in Moses' time was a shadow of the reality to come. At Jesus' first coming, he mirrored the actions of God in heaven (John 5:19). At the second coming, a promised pastor, shown the heaven of the spiritual realm and the Holy City New Jerusalem, builds the new heaven and new earth.

3. The New Heaven and New Earth When completed, this new heaven and new earth will be the place where God's kingdom descends, merging spirit and flesh. The promised pastor, having witnessed the spiritual world (Revelation 4 and 21), creates the 12 tribes of Shincheonji on earth, mirroring the heavenly kingdom according to the New Covenant Revelation.

Confirmation and Acceptance

1. The Creation of the Kingdom on Earth The creation of the kingdom on earth, as described in Revelation, involves the entire structure, names, and organization being stamped as per the chapters of Revelation. This kingdom, the 12 tribes, is the promised kingdom and people.

2. Welcoming the Kingdom If this kingdom has appeared, it is imperative to welcome it and verify its truth through the Bible rather than persecuting it. Believers are encouraged to open their hearts, confirm this revelation through scripture, and accept the fulfillment of God's promise.

By understanding these teachings, believers can recognize the significance of the Lord's Prayer and its fulfillment in the coming of God's kingdom. The true essence of praying "Your kingdom come" lies in the expectation and preparation for this divine kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

The True Meaning of "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread"

The Spiritual Daily Bread

1. Misinterpretation of Daily Bread Many people interpret "daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer as referring to physical sustenance. However, Jesus teaches us not to prioritize physical food, as seen in Matthew 6:31-32, where He instructs not to worry about what to eat or drink.

2. Spiritual Food Instead, the daily bread Jesus refers to is spiritual food—the Word of God. To understand this, we look at the manna provided to the Israelites during Moses' time (Exodus 16). While this manna was physical food, it symbolized a deeper spiritual sustenance.

3. Manna at the First Coming In John 6, Jesus explains that the manna in Moses' time did not grant eternal life, even though it sustained the people physically. Instead, the true bread from heaven that Jesus offers is His flesh and blood, which provide eternal life. This spiritual food is vital for salvation, just as the lamb's flesh was necessary for the Israelites' deliverance during the Passover.

The Flesh and Blood of Jesus

1. Jesus as the Word John 1 and 1 John 1 reveal that Jesus and God are the Word. Therefore, eating Jesus' flesh and drinking His blood means accepting and internalizing His teachings and revelations.

2. The Revealed Word At the first coming, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and provided the revealed Word, which was the spiritual food necessary at that time.

The New Covenant and Its Fulfillment

1. The New Covenant In Luke 22:14-20, during the Last Supper, Jesus establishes a new covenant with His disciples, promising that His flesh and blood will be consumed again when the kingdom of God is established. This signifies a future fulfillment.

2. Fulfillment in Revelation The time when the flesh and blood of Jesus can be eaten again corresponds to the fulfillment of the New Testament prophecies, particularly as described in the book of Revelation.

Understanding the Kingdom and the Promised Pastor

1. Revelation 5:9-10 The kingdom of God mentioned in Revelation 5 is the fulfillment of the new covenant. The daily bread at this time is the flesh and blood of Jesus, available to those who are part of this kingdom.

2. Revelation 1:5-6 and 7:14 The priests of this kingdom and the great multitude in white robes have been purified by the blood of Jesus. These individuals represent those who attain salvation at the time of Revelation's fulfillment.

The Hidden Manna

1. Revelation 2:17 Jesus promises the hidden manna to the one who overcomes. The hidden manna represents the revealed Word of the New Testament's fulfillment, which was initially hidden in parables.

2. Revelation 10: The Open Scroll The open scroll in Revelation 10 is given to the promised pastor, known as the new John, who must prophesy to many peoples and nations. This scroll contains the revealed Word that was once sealed but is now open for understanding.

3. The Sealed Scroll in Revelation 5 Originally, the scroll in God's right hand was sealed with seven seals (Revelation 5). No one could open it except Jesus, who gradually opened the seals (Revelation 6 and 8). The content of this scroll, now revealed, becomes the spiritual food—our daily bread—at the time of the second coming.

Conclusion

The daily bread we seek and consume at the time of the second coming is the revealed Word of God, specifically the fulfillment of the New Testament prophecies as described in Revelation. This spiritual sustenance is crucial for eternal life and salvation, just as physical bread is necessary for physical survival. Believers must seek the hidden manna, the revealed Word, by finding and following the promised pastor, the one who overcomes, as described in Revelation.

The Role of the Promised Pastor and Discerning True Spiritual Food

The Promised Pastor

1. The New John and Revelation The "promised pastor" or the "new John" is someone who, according to Revelation 22:8, has seen and heard everything Jesus revealed. This individual has been entrusted with the open scroll, symbolizing the revealed Word of God, and is commanded to testify to the churches.

2. Faithful and Wise Servant In Matthew 24:45-47, Jesus speaks of a faithful and wise servant who will provide food at the proper time. This food, at the time of the second coming, is the revealed Word of the fulfillment of prophecies in Revelation and Matthew 24.

3. Source of True Daily Bread All pastors and believers must receive their spiritual food—the true daily bread—through this promised pastor who has witnessed the fulfillment of Revelation. This is because the revealed Word of Revelation is essential for salvation at the time of the second coming.

Distinguishing Between God's Food and Satan's Food

1. Satan's Food Satan's food is symbolized by false teachings and doctrines propagated by false pastors, as seen with the Nicolaitans in Revelation. These false teachings lead believers astray, causing spiritual adultery and idolatry.

2. Deception and Destruction Revelation 13 describes how Satan's pastors deceive and overcome the saints, leading them to worship falsehood. Revelation 17 and 18 further illustrate this with the prostitute Babylon, who deceives nations with the wine of adultery (false teachings) and leads them to destruction.

3. The Consequences Eating Satan's food results in spiritual death and separation from God. Thus, discerning between God's true Word and Satan's lies is crucial for salvation.

The Importance of Forgiveness

1. Forgiveness as Taught by Jesus Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35. He illustrates this with the parable of the unforgiving servant, teaching that those who have been forgiven much must also forgive others.

2. Spiritual Implications Forgiveness is a key tenet of Christian faith. Without forgiving others, believers cannot expect to be forgiven by God. True faith involves love, forgiveness, and unity in Jesus' name, rather than persecution and division.

Avoiding Temptation

1. The Abomination and Desolation Matthew 24:15 speaks of the "abomination that causes desolation," a reference to a profound spiritual corruption that will lead many astray. Revelation 3:10 also warns of an "hour of trial" that will test the whole world.

2. Praying for Strength Believers must pray to resist temptation and maintain their faith. This involves vigilance and adherence to true teachings to avoid falling into spiritual deception.

Conclusion: Seeking True Spiritual Sustenance

To achieve salvation, believers must:

1. Identify and Follow the Promised Pastor: The one who has seen and heard the events of Revelation and is appointed to testify to the churches.

2. Discern True Spiritual Food: Understand and accept the revealed Word of God as their daily bread, avoiding false teachings and doctrines.

3. Practice Forgiveness: Embrace forgiveness, love, and unity, as taught by Jesus, to align with God's will and receive His forgiveness.

4. Pray Against Temptation: Remain vigilant and steadfast in faith to resist the trials and deceptions prophesied to come.

By following these principles, believers can partake in the spiritual sustenance necessary for eternal life and be prepared for the fulfillment of God's kingdom as revealed in the book of Revelation.

Understanding the True Meaning of the Lord's Prayer

The Time of the Lord's Second Coming

1. Appearance of the Destroyer At the time of the second coming, a destroyer, described as the beast with seven heads and ten horns, will appear to destroy God's temple (Revelation 12 and 13). This destroyer represents the ultimate evil at the end times.

2. The Kingdom of Babylon The kingdom of the destroyer is described as Babylon, the kingdom of demons, in Revelation 17 and 18. This symbolizes a reign of falsehood and spiritual corruption.

3. God's Victory and Reign Revelation 19 depicts the judgment of Babylon, marking the end of the devil's reign and the beginning of God's eternal reign. A great multitude in heaven will glorify God, signifying the restoration of His kingdom, power, and glory.

The Era of God's Reign

1. Completion of God's Kingdom The fulfillment of the Lord's prayer involves the establishment of God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. This includes the coming of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, and the establishment of the 12 tribes of Shincheonji.

2. The Purpose of God's Work God's work over the past 6,000 years has aimed to restore His kingdom on earth. The era of God's reign will be realized through the establishment of His promised kingdom, marking the culmination of His divine plan.

Praying for God's Kingdom

1. Ending the Devil's Reign Believers should pray for the end of the devil's reign and the completion of God's kingdom on earth. This involves participating in God's words and seeking the fulfillment of His promises.

2. Understanding and Action Understanding the true meaning of the Lord's prayer requires more than recitation. Believers must realize its significance and actively seek to fulfill God's will on earth.

Next Steps in the Curriculum

1. Future Lessons The next lesson will delve into Matthew 8, discussing the subjects of the kingdom and those who will take their places in the kingdom of heaven.

2. Anticipation and Unity Believers are encouraged to eagerly anticipate future lessons, remain united in faith, and continuously seek spiritual growth.

Concluding Prayer

1. Gratitude and Protection The concluding prayer expresses gratitude for the understanding of the revealed word and the presence of the promised pastor. It seeks God's protection and blessings for all who listen to these teachings.

2. Commitment to God's Word The prayer emphasizes a commitment to understanding and living by God's word, ensuring spiritual and physical well-being.

By grasping the true meaning of the Lord's prayer and actively seeking its fulfillment, believers can participate in the establishment of God's kingdom on earth and prepare for the era of His eternal reign.