An Epistle For All Generations
This is a fictional addendum to the Bible written by a fictional first-century Christian after God had judged Israel.
Key words
- Addendum: extra information added at the end of a report, letter, contract, etc.
An addendum to the contract stated that the buyer would be responsible for all transportation costs.
- Fulfill: to do something as promised or intended
The president failed to fulfill his campaign promises.
- Charlatan: a person who pretends to have skills or knowledge that they do not have, especially in medicine
Patients who are led astray financially and emotionally by charlatans should be compensated.
- Doctrine: a belief, theory, or set of beliefs, esp. political or religious, taught and accepted by a particular group
Kenneth Copeland is responsible for spreading unbiblical doctrines.
- Heed: to pay attention to something, especially advice or a warning
The airline has been criticized for failing to heed warnings about lack of safety routines.
Read the article to find the answers
- Who wrote 'An Epistle For All Generations'?
- What marked the final end of the Old Covenant age?
- Are further visions or prophecies needed?
- What kind of sacrifices are Christians called to offer?
Greetings
To the faithful in Christ, in future generations,
Greetings in the name of our Lord, who has fulfilled all things according to His promise. May the peace and grace of our Savior be with you always.
I write to future generations who will call upon the name of the Lord as one who has seen the fullness of God’s covenant unfold before me. No longer are we bound to the old ways, for the shadows have passed, and the substance is Christ. Now we stand in the age of His reign, where all that was written has been fulfilled in Him. Know that all which was foretold has been brought to pass in Christ Jesus. The prophecies of old have been fulfilled, the Kingdom has come, and the New Covenant is now fully established in Him who is the Beginning and the End.
The End of the Old Covenant Age
Beloved, future generations, I urge you to remember this truth: the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem marked the final end of the Old Covenant age. Not one stone was left upon another. It was a divine declaration that the Old Covenant—the law of Moses, the sacrifices, the earthly temple—has passed away. Christ is the fulfillment of these things, and the physical temple is no longer necessary, for Christ is the true temple.
No longer do we look to prophets, for all that needed to be revealed has been revealed in Christ. The Old Covenant was a shadow, but now the reality has come, and the time for visions, tongues, and miraculous signs has passed. These things were given to confirm the Gospel during the time of the apostles, but now, in this age of fulfillment, we live by faith, not by sight.
There is no longer a need for prophets, visions, or miraculous signs. All has been revealed and fulfilled in the Son of God. The perfect has come and the fullness of God’s revelation is found in Christ alone.
Beware of Charlatans
Just as those in the wilderness fashioned golden idols to lead themselves away from the true worship of the Lord, so now there are some who fashion new additions to the sacred writings, seeking to bind the faithful with burdens that our Lord never laid upon us.
Every word of God proves true. Yet some, in their arrogance, create new doctrines and false teachings, obscuring the simplicity of the faith that has been handed down to you. Beware, brothers and sisters, of those who would place themselves above the Word, for they walk in the path of the serpent, who first said to Eve, "Did God actually say?".
Be on guard, for there will be those who claim to speak for God through new visions, prophecies, and miraculous healings. But know this: they are not true servants of Christ. They are charlatans, deceivers who seek to lead you astray for their own gain. They speak not by the Spirit of God, but by their own imaginations, or worse, by the spirit of deception.
Miracles, tongues, and prophecies confirmed the message of Christ in the first-century, but now the completed Word is all we need. Those who will claim these powers in your day are false, preying on the weak. Test everything by the Scriptures and reject those who seek to add to God's finished work.
In Christ, the final revelation has been given. The Word of God is complete, and no further visions or prophecies are needed. When the perfect came, the partial passed away. Therefore, let us hold fast to what has been revealed in the Scriptures and reject all who claim to bring new revelations.
All Prophecy Fulfilled
Know this truth: Jesus is the resurrection, the Sabbath rest, the temple, the promised land, and the sacrifice for sin. All of these things which were once seen in shadows and types have been fulfilled in Him, spiritually. There is no longer any need for them in a physical form, for in Christ, we have all things.
In Christ, we are spiritually raised to new life. We no longer look to a future physical resurrection, for in Him, we have already been raised to new life. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. He is the firstborn from the dead, and in Him, we have passed from death to life.
No longer do we observe the physical day of rest, for Christ is our eternal Sabbath. As it is written, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". The true rest for the people of God is found in Him, not in the observance of days and rituals. There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, and that rest is in Christ.
The temple made with hands has passed away, for Christ Himself is the true temple. As He said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up", speaking of the temple of His body. We no longer need a physical building, for in Him we are built together as a spiritual house, a holy temple in the Lord.
The land of promise was always a shadow of the greater inheritance to come. In Christ, we have received our true inheritance, which is not of this earth, but is the heavenly Jerusalem. The physical land is no longer of importance, for in Christ, we have entered into the true promised land, the Kingdom of God.
No longer do we offer sacrifices of animals or incense, for Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed once for all. Now, we offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Him. We are like living stones, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. These sacrifices are the fruit of our lips in praise, and our acts of love and mercy offered in service to the Lord.
Those Outside the Kingdom
To future generations, heed this warning: not all will enter the Kingdom of God. For it is written, that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Those who continue in sin, who love a lie and walk in the darkness, cannot partake of the life of Christ.
Drunkards, the sexually immoral, idolaters, and those who love falsehood have no place in the Kingdom. Such people deceive themselves if they think they can live in sin and still inherit the promises of God. Let none be deceived—without repentance and faith in Christ, they are cut off from the Kingdom. The way is narrow, and only those who follow Christ will enter.
Obligations of the Faithful in All Generations
Remain steadfast in the Gospel, knowing that His words will never pass away. There is no need for new revelations or burdens, rest in the finished work of Christ. In Him, all is complete. Hold to the simplicity of the Gospel, which is love of God and love of neighbor. Be vigilant against those who claim new prophecies, tongues, or healings. Test all things by the Scriptures and reject what is false. Trust in the Word, and reject those who would lead you astray.
Since Christ is our High Priest and sacrifice, we are called to offer our spiritual sacrifices. Let the fruit of your lips acknowledge His name, and your prayers, praise, and thanksgiving be the incense rising before God. Let your deeds of charity and mercy be your offering, for to do good and to share what you have are sacrifices pleasing to God.
Hindrances to the Faith
Just as the Pharisees placed heavy burdens on the people, some will seek to elevate their own teachings above the Word of God. Reject such pride, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Many will trust in the philosophies of men rather than the wisdom of God. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes. Fear of human disapproval leads many astray, but in the fear of man lays a snare. Do not seek to please men, but God alone.
If anyone teaches a different Gospel, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. Do not associate with any Christian who does not obey the instructions in the Gospel. Do not regard them as an enemy, but let your distance from them serve as a silent testimony that you will not tolerate falsehood.
Trust in Christ
Walk in the Spirit, trusting in Christ’s reign, even when circumstances are difficult. The Kingdom of God is not seen with human eyes, know that Christ reigns and will guide you by His Spirit. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The law is fulfilled in love. Keep the commandment given from the beginning. Love one another as Jesus loved His disciples. In this love, we fulfill the law and show ourselves to be true disciples of Christ.
May you, future generations, stand firm in the truth. Christ has fulfilled all things, and in Him we are complete. All that was needed for salvation has been accomplished. Rest in His grace, for it is finished. The Kingdom of God is more valuable than any possession, more precious than gold or silver. Do not seek to add to what He has done, but walk faithfully in His light until the day your physical bodies pass away and you are blessed with your glorious new angelic bodies.
May the peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always. Amen.
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- How many references to the actual Epistles of the New Testament can you find in this fictional Epistle?
- Why do you think there are so many unbiblical beliefs and practices in Christianity?
- Have you ever read any of the Apocrypha?
- What do you think of the Prosperity Gospel, the Word of Faith movement and Charismatic Christianity?
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