Corporate Accountability: Use and Misuse
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1. Introduction 2. Religion and Prejudice 3. When Corporate Accountability Applies 4. The Misuse of Corporate Accountability 5. The Blessing of Corporate Accountability |
Introduction
Zahakiel: Luke, can you offer an opening prayer?
Qinael: Most holy and gracious Father,
We thank you for this time you have provided for your children to gather together, though far apart in location, and present themselves before you.
We ask that your Spirit attend to all present and those
who may read hereafter, that a blessing attend to the reading of the message
you have for us today. We ask that your
Spirit attend to all present and those who may read hereafter, that a blessing
attend to the reading of the message you have for us today.
In the name of Yahshua we pray, amen.
Rita: Amen.
Barbara: Amen.
Naraiel: Amen.
Zahakiel: Amen.
Ye: Amen.
Kimberly: Amen.
Zahakiel: This New Moon study is on the use and misuse of the Corporate Accountability doctrine. It is a little similar to a previous study, “The Curse of Meroz,” but with a somewhat different focus. On a recent trip to a second-hand bookstore, I saw a volume that caught my attention. It’s a book about Pontius Pilate that was written by a historian. Now, the author admits that, because not enough data is known about Pilate for a full biography, he has had to “fill in the gaps” a little bit, but he gave himself a number of rules for how this would be accomplished. Unlike many historical “novels,” this one is primarily concerned with authenticity, therefore:
- The book agrees with the Gospel accounts in every particular.
- No liberties were taken with the historical records about the individuals involved.
- All individuals whose names are given are actual historical characters (i.e., no proper names were invented just to flesh out the narrative).
- No actions undertaken by an individual contradict known historical facts about his/her personality.
- Nothing was “filled in” unnecessarily; only when there was an absence of any recorded activity did the author connect the dots, and even then did so with an eye toward the likely actions based upon what is known.
I find that this, to some degree, parallels how I have written The Sar’im Chronicles. Where this author has had to invent things, I have simply recorded what I have seen, but at the same time when treating issues that are not specifically revealed in the Bible, I have (at times) deliberately left things vague. For example, I may provide the specific names of angels; I feel that this is proper since the naming convention of Heaven is perfect, and the angels were given titles that reflect their personalities and/or roles. With humans, however, I have rarely given names where no names are provided in the text, and no actions that the known figures take contradict what the revealed texts show they would have done under the situations encountered. I find that there is a benefit to this approach, because it places one as far as possible above criticism, and in this author’s notes it appears that his diligence was rewarded. The first edition was written in the 1960s, and the author notes that thirty years later, recent historical and archaeological finds have yet to contradict anything he filled in, and on the contrary have confirmed many things he wrote.
Zahakiel: Being a serious historian, the rules that the author have set for himself are not unusual, but I provide some background on this book because I want to give you the context of one particular statement that caught my eye in the very first pages of the author’s introduction, and why this led to our New Moon topic today.
Quoting from the book, the author writes, “… to be anti-Semitic because of Good Friday is as ridiculous as hating Italians because Nero once threw Christians to the lions.” [Paul L. Maier, Pontius Pilate, Preface to the First Edition, p. viii, 1968]
This is a perfectly true statement. What it has done, however, is led me to realize that we need to separate – and clearly – the difference between being opposed to a decision, a philosophy, a religion, even a set of social conditions, and being opposed to any human being or group thereof. If we understand this clearly, we will have a powerful tool to evaluate and properly express several of the “controversial” statements of inspired writings such as John’s statements about the Jews, Paul’s statements about women, Martin Luther’s statements about the Roman Catholic church, even our statements about the mainstream Seventh-day Adventist Church.
What we must look for is the underlying principle, and then we must consider our often-taught concept of “Corporate Accountability” in the context of this principle. We must discern when it is to be applied, and how it may be misapplied, or we may be in danger of repeating the mistakes of the past – acting on religious (or other) prejudices like the Pharisees of Yahshua’s day. There are boundaries to even this far-reaching doctrine, and it is our responsibility to know where they lie, if we are going to properly represent Yahshua to everyone, being, as Paul, “all things to all men, that we might by all means save some.” (1Cor 9:22)
Are there any questions about this?
Qinael: No.
Naraiel: No.
Barbara: No.
Crystle: No.
Ye: No.
Kimberly: No.
Religion and Prejudice
Zahakiel: Although this study will touch on how people are to be treated, this is primarily a doctrinal matter; our focus will be specifically on the doctrine of “Corporate Accountability.” To get there, however, we have to look at a few sensitive things. This is an absolutely necessary step, because to the people we address with this message, the idea of “my Church” held by many, and our statements that the various religious systems have “fallen,” is a sensitive one indeed. A part of our job is often to speak to those who have grown up in the Seventh-day Adventist faith – among others – and tell them, “Your leaders have betrayed you. Your doctrines are not what they were in the days of our pioneers. The sermons you hear from the pulpit on Sabbaths are tainted by worldliness and apostasy. Your tithes and offerings are going to shed the blood of the saints.” How can we say these things and not be dismissed out of hand? How can we say these things and not be attacked immediately, before our reasons are even known?
Admittedly, it is a difficult task. For some audiences it is not even possible, because many are looking for any old hook on which to hang doubts. I remember when I first heard about Adventism, and what they taught about the pope, my reaction was, “How can you go around saying bad things about other people’s religions?” And I had there my excuse to ignore what the teachings were actually saying. This is a common approach to avoiding the issues raised, and I certainly found it a welcome discovery back then in my unconverted state. But if we study the Scriptures and see how Christ and His followers dealt with sensitive matters, we will certainly be better equipped than before we learned these things. The Scriptures say things about “the Jews,” and about women. We say things about people of other religious traditions. The things that are said, in all these cases, are (or were) true; yet they must be spoken and explained carefully in light of their right contexts, lest opposition be aroused before what is really being said is properly conveyed to the audience.
For one common, modern example, there are many in Adventism, particularly in the independent groups, who live in manifest terror of Roman Catholics. These are the ones who see Jesuits in every shadow, and infiltrators in every congregation. I am not saying these things have never happened, and I am not saying with absolute authority that they do not happen now… to some extent. But the people I’m thinking of make it a major doctrinal consideration, and the Gospel message is largely obscured by the various conspiracy theories often espoused and promoted by the gullible and fearful. We need to understand that while we may oppose the doctrines, the heresies, the abominable light in which Yahweh is sometimes presented by the teachings of various groups of people, the people themselves are not our enemies.
Zahakiel: I have said it this way in the past regarding that particular system: we must be anti-Catholicism, because it misrepresents the Savior of mankind; but we must never be anti-Catholic. Yahshua was never anti- anyone; He came to save all. (1Tim 4:10) We may be opposed to many of the teachings of Judaism, both that which existed in Christ’s day and that which has largely become secularized in modern times. But we must never be against the people; we must seek to bring them to the Messiah they have so long awaited. We may be against the idea of women in prominent ministerial roles, but we must clearly understand the reasons why this is so, and not think of either gender as being the greater or lesser except in their divinely assigned roles and the authority attending them. We need to be aware (for another example) of the social issues regarding racism that were present when Mrs. White wrote some of her words. What she wrote she wrote in order to best advance the Gospel work, but we need to understand that many of the specifics of culture in the 1800s do not apply today, and never was the work of inspiration a judgment upon the basic worth of any particular human being.
Everyone understand so far?
Qinael: <nods.>
Rita: Yes.
Ye: Yes.
Kimberly: Yes.
Barbara: Yes.
Crystle: Yes.
Zahakiel: In these last days, we need to understand that even the very men who may take us to court for our beliefs may be salvageable. We may bitterly oppose the principles they have espoused, and state with utter conviction that the spirit that would strip men of their religious liberty is the very heart of Satanism, the very evidence of a Beast-marked system… but as long as we are permitted, we must labor for the men themselves.
In that specifically religious context, to love the men and women involved in a bad system does not mean that corporate accountability does not apply. Indeed, it is the very reason why divine love drives us to warn them about their circumstances, in many cases. In other words, we must love the people, and because of this we must often use hard words and direct (often unpleasing) testimonies, because even the largely ignorant have a level of accountability for the actions of that system.
Do you see the balance there?
Rita: Yes.
Ye: Yes.
Kimberly: Yes.
Crystle: Yes.
Zahakiel: Let’s look at some Scriptures to highlight the ideas I have just presented.
When Corporate Accountability Applies
Zahakiel: The Bible tells us, in verses we have read and used numerous times before: “Adonai sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, ‘The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.’ Therefore Yahweh shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together; the Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.
“For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek Yahweh of hosts. Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. Therefore Adonai shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.” (Isa 9:7-17)
Let me know when you have read all the above.
Rita: Done.
Qinael: Finished.
Barbara: Finished.
Naraiel: Finished.
Ye: Finished.
Kimberly: Yes.
Crystle: Finished.
Zahakiel: Now, from that passage we find a number of clear indications for when corporate accountability applies to all the people of a given system. They are these:
1) Corrupt leadership – Though some have said, “But that’s just the men at the top; God will remove the bad leaders and save the system,” this is not the way He operates. We read, “they that are led of them are destroyed.” At the same time, this is not an arbitrary sentence on Yahweh’s part – we notice that because the leadership is corrupt, the people “err,” and eventually become as hypocritical and insensitive as the men that adopted the evil policies.
2) A faulty interpretation of prophecy – We read that “the prophet […] teacheth lies” in these systems. This does not mean that there are necessarily going to be visions confirming the wrong course of the fallen system. It means that the teachers may mis-interpret the prophecies already given and thereby turn the promises into lies. The false prophet Hananiah, who opposed Jeremiah, did not see a “vision” of Babylon releasing Israel in two years, but because he had a misplaced confidence in the permanence of Israel as a nation, he misinterpreted the promises for the country’s safety, and thereby were many people unprepared to accept the warnings of national exile. (cf., Jeremiah 28)
3) An opposition to warnings past and present – We find, in this passage from Isaiah 9, that Yahweh does not quickly apply the penalty for corporate apostasy. He will first send warnings, allowing the people to see the nature of those whom they have followed, and then, if they will not stand in protest to these leaders (as did the sons of Korah – Num 16:32, 26:11) then only are they visited with the punishment that they will have chosen. The passage above tells us, “that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, ‘The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.’” Yahweh, in warning, disrupts their plans. He slows the progress of their advancement in evil yet they will not take wisdom from this and realize that the Almighty is not with them. Instead they will say, “We will try another way. We will rebuild with another kind of material (i.e., doctrine and character from a spiritual standpoint) and keep doing what is in our hearts to do.”
4) Despising the messengers of heaven – Associated with #3, in which the warnings are ignored, we find that the warning-bearers are not ignored. They are despised. We read in the passage, “the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them.” We read in other passages that the people generally go further than this, from turning away to persecution. (Acts 7:52) We know from experience that many whom we warn represent “a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Yahweh; Which say to the seers, ‘See not,’ and to the prophets, ‘Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.’” (Isa 30:9-11)
5) A lethargic laity – This condition, know in Adventism as the “Laodicean” state, often appears in fallen systems. The passage reads that the inhabitants of the system do not “seek Yahweh of hosts.” Having rejected the warnings, they begin finally to say, “Yahweh will not do good, neither will He do evil.” (Zeph 1:12) Thus, thinking they will be able to see the “signs” of the coming judgment, they resolve to sanctify their lives at the last possible moment, and thus continue in worldliness and sin.
Zahakiel: Those five factors again are: Corrupt leadership, a faulty interpretation of prophecy, an opposition to warnings past and present, despising the messengers of Heaven, and a lethargic laity.
Are there any questions about these?
Rita: No.
Crystle: No.
Naraiel: No.
Zahakiel: When these five factors are present within a system, you may know that the people are in danger, and must be warned.
Kimberly: So you are trying to say why people reject truth?
Zahakiel: These are the five factors that demonstrate the people are corporately accountable for system-wide sin.
Kimberly: Are you saying all 5 must be present?
Zahakiel: All five will be present. Consider, if any one were absent the condition would not persist for long :) For example, if # 4 was absent, and they did not despise the messengers of Heaven, they would reform.
Kimberly: Got it.
Zahakiel: In Judaism, the examples are given right there in the Bible – warning after warning was sent, but the messengers were resisted and abused, the prophecies were misinterpreted to obscure the warnings, and the leaders continued to grow more and more lax in righteousness (even while, ironically, growing more and more strict in policy).
In Catholicism, the history of the Reformation certainly shows this pattern. The leaders had devised outlandish readings of the Scripture; they had proposed doctrines entirely opposed to the Scriptural teachings, and were using these things to create a “mystery” religion so far from the laity that they were made wholly dependent upon the word of the priests. The warnings that came to them were rejected, the messengers despised and often killed, and the people quickly lost that evangelistic fervor described in the pages of the New Testament. Of course, there were missionaries, but these were specialized men who had learned to promote traditions and not Bible doctrines. The “common” church members had little to do with winnings hearts and souls, sinking into spiritual lethargy.
In neo-Adventism we find this pattern present in every particular. The policies of the leaders are based upon preserving an earthly kingdom, even at the expense of other believers. This has led to a faulty interpretation of Ellen White’s many, many words about civil courts, lawyers, the permanence of the current Church system, even the Sunday Law prophecy. The warnings are ignored; setbacks such as losing the lawsuit against Kinship International are not seen as the gentle hand of the Almighty seeking to awaken them to their true course. The messengers of warning are sent to jail, disfellowshipped, committed to poverty – sometimes all three. The people are, often enough, proud of their Laodicean state, thinking that it is for people such as they that the Savior is returning.
Now some have said, “What about those who have not had the opportunity to learn these things?”
Zahakiel: It is true that we are not equipped to judge individual cases, yet we have sufficient Scriptural teachings to indicate that the penalty for apostasy is not limited only to those who make the decisions, or even those who follow knowingly. This is how serious the matter is, for Korah’s “little children” were also swallowed up by the earth. Countless infants were involved in the destruction caused by the flood of Noah’s day. “In Adam all die,” as the Bible applies this principle as widely as it can possibly be applied. (1Cor 15:22)
In the book that gave me the idea for this study, I read of Pilate, of whom the Gospels record, “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it.’” (Mat 27:24) But was Pilate truly innocent here?
He was under the influence of corrupt leaders, both the Sanhedrin that wished to have Yahshua silenced, and Roman policy that sought to advance and maintain its territory by bloodshed and conquest. He was under the influence of falsely-interpreted prophecy, for he was not only a member of a polytheistic nation, but also sought to appease the Jewish leaders, who were expecting a worldly Messiah and an earthly kingdom. He ignored the warnings, for his wife wrote to him saying, “Have thou nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.” (Mat 27:19) He despised the greatest possible Messenger, having Yahshua scourged though he could find no wrong in Him. He was spiritually lethargic, going along with the tide of opposition, rather than judging based upon his own perceptions and thoughts.
Zahakiel: Do you see how the five factors were all present there so that, even though he washed his hands of the affair, his guilt nevertheless remained?
Rita: Yes.
Zahakiel: Except for the very young, whose destiny until the age of accountability is generally based upon the sanctification of those unto whom they are committed, (1Cor 7:14) none are left truly unwarned. Paul writes, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Rom 1:18-21)
Here we find that the Almighty will work through conscience and impressions for those who are not able to hear the words as the saints speak them. It is written that the “wrath” of Yahweh is revealed against all unrighteousness, and conversely that “that which may be known of God is manifest in them” who are watching. What doctrine is needed to explain that using a civil court to protect a divine kingdom (supposedly guarded by Christ Himself) is a great error? Only those who are “vain in their imaginations” believe that this is acceptable in God’s eyes – yet we have encountered so many of whom it may be said, “their foolish heart was darkened.”
As Ellen White wrote, “Force is the last resort of every false religion.” [The Signs of the Times, May 6, 1897] What doctrine is needed to teach the Christian that conversion at the point of a sword, such as during the Crusades, is not the way of the Son of God, who allowed Himself to be hung on a cross, rather than exercise His power either to win doubters by impressing them with miracles, (Mark 8:12) or to save Himself? (Luke 23:35)
For a final example in this section… in the world today, there is a lot of anti-Muslim sentiment; this is all over the news. Here we must apply our balance and see that, rather than being anti-Muslim, we must be opposed to the teachings that are espoused by these individuals, while loving the men and women themselves. They must be taught, gently, that their faith contains – at its heart – the same spirit that motivates the Trademark Lawsuits against Advent believers. In that religion, the teachings indicate that unbelievers are to be either killed or reduced to subjugation. This is one of the largest differences between Islam and Christianity in terms of the worldview. Although Christians have, at times, incorrectly adopted this policy, it is not in any way representative of the teachings handed down from Heaven. Although nominal Christians adopt a form of it now (make them stop what they are doing or penalize them) it is far from the heart of Christ.
Zahakiel: Nowhere in the Bible, Old Testament or New, are infidels (i.e., unbelievers) to be punished for their unbelief by the hand of man. Nowhere in the Scriptures are individuals punished because they believed differently from the Israelites. Those who had committed to the faith and then sinned were, at times, cut off from the nation or killed; but this is not the same as those who had never chosen to identify with the religion of Yahweh. The adulterers, murderers, and other heinous sinners – these were active covenant-breakers, and their continued presence would have corrupted many. Those non-Israelites who had gone beyond the limits of grace would often be destroyed with their country, but there is a very important distinction to be made here.
The nations that were cut off for paganism and idolatry were not cut off specifically because they were pagans and idolaters. They were cut off because their paganism and idolatry had caused them to rebel against the character of Yahweh, to become so evil in their thoughts and practices that they were a danger both to themselves and to the emerging Israelite nation that was designed to teach the world of the Creator’s love. This is how they “filled up the measure” of Yahweh’s wrath. (cf., Mat 23:32) This is important to our topic of Corporate Accountability, because we need to see that Yahweh does not punish men for their beliefs, even if they are different from our own – but, He does punish for the character and actions that may result from following those beliefs that are designed (by demons and evil men) to lead their victims away from salvation.
Does anyone have any questions about this most important distinction? This is why the teachings themselves are our enemies, not the men and women thereby enslaved.
Ye: No.
Kimberly: No.
Rita: Could you restate the previous sentence in a clearer way?
Zahakiel: Okay, let me put it this way: just as salvation is not a matter of “works,” but of character, so being lost is not a matter of what we have done. Beliefs do lead to character; a right belief, if practiced, leads to a right character. A false belief, if practiced, leads to a wrong one.
The key here is character; this is what Yahweh seeks in His servants.
Rita: Good. Thank you.
Zahakiel: Ok.
Pastor “Chick”: What we have done is an indicator of the character we have developed.
Zahakiel: Right, and this is the meaning of the Scripture that says we are judged based upon the “the things done in [the] body.” (2Cor 5:10) They are the indicators of the character.
Returning to our example, Muslims must come to “know” Christ in order to have a proper view of the Creator and thus be prepared for Heaven. This does not make them any different from any other human beings, for so do Catholics, who think that God is a Trinity that has instituted the sin-repent cycle; and so do most Protestants who think that God eternally burns the “immortal souls” (a non-Biblical term/concept) of those who reject Him in continuous, conscious torment. Corporate Accountability, as we will see in the next section, is not designed to make the “true Church” proud of its status, or to foster prejudice. It is designed to teach us that we have a responsibility to our fellow humans.
The Misuse of Corporate Accountability
Zahakiel: Now we will look at the misuse of the Corporate Accountability doctrine. Having seen the true use of it, we need not spend much time looking at examples to the contrary, but it is important to be able to identify the way it has been misused in the past, so that our testimony against fallen systems will be accurate and effective.
The worst misuse of this concept is when it leads us to believe that we are to take the responsibility for punishing unbelief or apostasy into our own hands. As I’ve said above, the punishment for unbelief is not committed into human hands. Ideally, it was never to have been committed to human hands, (Exo 23:23-30) although due to the circumstances surrounding the emerging Israelite nation, wars and politics were permitted to accomplish this goal to a degree. (Deu 7:20-25, 1Sam 8:1-9) In these last days, with the light brighter than ever it was before, we must perfectly reflect the mind of Yahshua about these matters, with no societal or circumstantial allowances.
Anti-Semitism, (which has to do with individuals, and not beliefs) anti-Catholic, anti-Muslim and anti-Sunday-keeping sentiments are ready examples of the misuse of corporate accountability. It begins with a proper premise, that by accepting the false doctrines of religious leaders, these individuals have been led from the path of truth. It ends, however, with an improper conclusion – that they are therefore “bad” people (above others who are morally bad) and should be feared, avoided or mistreated. Again, the Bible places a clear distinction here: we are not to penalize people who believe differently from ourselves, although we are told that it is often proper to avoid the covenant-breakers, those who claim to be of the faith, yet are in rebellion.
Even while sending the believers out among the heathen to actively minister, Paul instructs converts, “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators, yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” (1Cor 5:9-13)
Zahakiel: This is essentially the same distinction above regarding idolatry and paganism not being the cause of Yah’s wrath directly, but the consequences of these actions, leading to a rebellious character. Does everyone see that?
Rita: Yes.
Naraiel: Yes.
Ye: Yes.
Kimberly: Yes.
Crystle: Yes.
Zahakiel: So how do you know if you are properly applying Corporate Accountability? There are probably several ways, but two of the easiest are these:
1) What is your attitude toward those of another faith? Is your desire to teach them, or to slander, avoid or abuse them? Do you manifest a spirit of agape toward those of other religious beliefs, even if those beliefs lead them to treat you poorly? I am not talking about religious “tolerance” here, because we are not saying that the beliefs of all men are equal, and that idea ultimately discredits evangelism; I am talking about religious freedom. This is different. Men are free to believe as they like, and we are free to try and convince them that what we believe is correct :) There is no force, no compulsion in this system – but it is admittedly a delicate arrangement, and one that has, historically, not often been properly used.
2) What is your fear regarding the last days? If your primary fear, when discussing the time of judgment and standing before Yahweh without an intercessor, is about your own safety, you are not going to be able to properly utilize the concept of Corporate Accountability. This is a selfish fear, and one that does not properly reflect the intentions of Christ toward those in fallen religious systems. If we are to have any “fear,” as the word may be applied within the framework of the Victory message, it is to be for the safety of others who have been misled and deceived. If we can disagree with the beliefs of others, but love them anyway and seek to correct them with a proper spirit, one of humility and patience, then we are on the right path. We accept that the individuals for whom we labor are accountable for their decisions, and the decisions of those to whom they have yielded religious authority, but these people themselves are loved by Heaven, and every bit as precious in Yahweh’s sight as are we.
Zahakiel: To conclude this section, I would like to re-iterate that there is a difference between tolerance and acceptance. To accept that other people have different faiths does not restrict our ability or desire for manifesting a spirit of “outreach.” It also does not mean that we cannot teach (often with a “hard testimony”) against the positions of other Churches or individuals. We read in the Scriptures that individuals were often singled out by the apostles in fervent warning to the flock: “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” (2Tim 2:16-18) “I wrote unto the church, but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words; and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.” (3John 1:9, 10)
Certain beliefs were certainly singled out as destructive: “And every spirit that confesseth not that Yahshua the Messiah is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” (1John 4:3) “Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called, which some professing have erred concerning the faith.” (1Tim 6:20, 21) We are clearly to warn others about errors and false teachers, but always, always with a spirit of love, and with a desire – not to harm even those against whom we testify – but to save our hearers from fatal mistakes.
Are there any questions about this section?
Crystle: No.
Rita: No.
Barbara: No.
Ye: No.
Kimberly: No.
The Blessing of Corporate Accountability
Zahakiel: The truth of the matter is that Corporate Accountability is a blessing. It is not, as one might be tempted to think of it, an “unfortunate” aspect of Yahweh’s character that somehow lessens His perfect justice. The responsibility given by Heaven is genuine, and this is the reason why Adam’s sin plunged the entire race of humanity into trouble.
At the same time, if it were not for corporate accountability, humanity’s history would have ended in Eden. Many do not realize this, but we actually exist because of corporate accountability. If guilt were immediately visited upon fallen leaders, and all those under them ultimately spared, you might say, “This would solve the problems in the Churches today.” Yet if that were the case, Adam and Eve would have been immediately slain for their sins. Cain would not have been born, that is true… but neither would Abel and Seth have been born, the first being a perfect early example of redeemed humanity, and the second the ancestor of Christ.
If Adam and Eve had sinned and been immediately killed, could Yahweh have simply started over with another man and woman? No… for Lucifer’s claims would have been validated: Yahweh rules by force, and will only sustain those who serve Him while destroying those who disobey. This is not the case at all, although it almost sounds right on the surface… although there will certainly be a Day of Judgment, in which all will be called to account for their choices, Yah seeks to redeem those who have departed from His service, and because of this possibility the human race was allowed to continue. Similarly, Yahweh could have simply put all the righteous men to “sleep” before the flood and started over… but instead He preserved Noah and his family, so that the mercy of the Creator could be displayed toward all the sons of Adam from the beginning right up until the end.
Zahakiel: The Scriptures say, “in Adam all die,” but the rest of the verse reads, “even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1Cor 15:22)
Are there any questions about that idea?
Rita: None.
Barbara: No.
Crystle: No.
Ye: No.
Kimberly: No.
Zahakiel: We can only be saved because of Corporate Accountability, which states that you receive the same punishment, or reward, as those who have spiritual authority over you. It is by Corporate Accountability that “all Israel shall be saved;” (Rom 11:26) that all who become Israel – both those of the blood-nation and those who become Abraham’s seed through union with Christ (Gal 3:29) – will receive the inheritance due the character and faith of Yahshua Himself. By abandoning the legacy of the first Adam, and coming under the headship of the Last Adam, (1Cor 15:45) we become “accountable” for the merits of Christ Yahshua; and when seen in this light, we find that even this doctrine, under which many will ultimately be punished, is a part of the Gospel, or the “Good News.”
This is what we have to share with others, that by faith in Yahshua, in the Victory He has won for us over sin, self and Satan, we may receive everlasting salvation, regardless of the nation or system in which we were once entangled, and we may receive forgiveness for those things of which we were once guilty, and once accountable. With this in mind we warn those who, like Pilate, would wash their hands of the sufferings of others while disregarding warnings, or that think they will be “okay” because it’s “only the leaders” who are persecuting the saints. With this in mind we exercise pure and uncompromised love even toward those who are of different faiths, opposing the doctrines; but accepting the people, and in all things treating others as we ourselves would like to be treated.
Are there any questions before we close?
Ye: No.
Kimberly: No.
Rita: None.
Crystle: No.
Barbara: No.
Zahakiel: All right, then. Pastor, please offer the closing prayer.
Pastor “Chick”: Dear Heavenly
Father,
Thank you for your wisdom and providential leading. Thank you that Corporate Accountability is the law of Heaven and Earth, reflecting the perfect character and order of YAH. Thank you that we have had this opportunity to learn more of the “nuts and bolts” of this much mis-understood and mis-applied doctrine.
May we, as YAH’s last called
out people, perfectly live out Corporate Accountability as we show forth the
praises of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
In YAHshua’s name, AMEN.
Zahakiel: Amen.
Qinael: Amen.
Israfel: Amen.
Rachel: Amen.
Rita: Amen.
Crystle: Amen.
Ye: Amen.
Kimberly: Amen.
Barbara: Amen.
