The Rod: Will God Spare It?

Chapter 1 – The Accountability Awakening

“The native magnitude of this [kingdom-accountability] truth must speedily

redeem it from all obscurity…This doctrine so potently contends against the
selfishness and laxity of believers in this latter day, that no one who considers the
matter can expect that its career will be otherwise than stormy…those who have
the single eye will perceive its amplitude of evidence, and embrace it, in spite of
the solemn awe of God which it produces, and the depth of our own personal
responsibility which it discloses.” -Robert Govett (1813-1902)

“...a host of living expositors of Scripture [are embracing kingdom-accountability

truth], a host which is increasing all the time.” -William P. Clark (1864-1953)

“We are glad to be counted amongst the rapidly growing number of writers who
are doing pioneer work in teaching the Scriptural, searching message of a deeper
Personal Responsibility…Forever suppressed these truths will not be - The Holy
Ghost is pressing them even now upon believers everywhere.” -W.F. Roadhouse
(1875-1951)

“[Christians are] slowly waking to the immense importance of responsibility

truth. It is tragic how many evangelicals abhor responsibility truth.…What will
such evangelicals feel when they discover the truth at the Judgment Seat of
Christ?” -D.M. Panton (1870-1955)

The writers of the above quotes were premillennial fundamentalists who were strong
defenders of eternal security. These men also preached that disobedient Christians (who
do not repent before they die) will be briefly punished at the judgment seat and then
excluded from Christ’s future one thousand year kingdom. This book will document that
multitudes of other fundamental Christian leaders throughout history embraced the same
teaching. These men were glad to see the powerful, motivating fires of this accountability
truth beginning to glow among the saints. Yet, these fires were later largely extinguished;
the consequences have been devastating. This precious accountability truth must be
restored!

Believers who lack the full truth concerning their promises and warnings are in constant
danger of becoming spiritually anemic. The Bible teaches that Noah moved with fear
when he heard the holy warning about the impending flood (Hebrews 11:7). Saints in this
perilous age also need the Lord’s warnings to keep them running in holiness:

“The denial of these solemn truths paralyses and destroys some of the most
powerful stimulants God has supplied…it empties of all horror the dread
warnings to the backslider, and leaves him, if it does not put him, in a drugged
 sleep; and it drives privilege over the precipice of responsibility….”
-D.M. Panton (1870-1955)

The Bible exhorts Christians to race for the prize of reigning with Jesus in His future
kingdom:

1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one
receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for
the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible
crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run… 27 But I keep under my
body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached
to others, I myself should be a CASTAWAY.

The context of this Bible passage is winning a crown at the judgment seat. What does it
mean to be a “castaway” at the future judgment seat? Paul is certainly not worried about
losing salvation in eternity. However, many advocates of the Biblical doctrine of eternal
security do not interpret such warnings in their fullness. Paul is striving to have a place in
the future kingdom of God. This millennial (i.e. 1000 year) kingdom is a prize for
suffering against sin, the world and the Devil:

2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also REIGN with him: if we deny him, he
also will deny us:

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the PRIZE of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 1:5… that ye may be counted worthy of the KINGDOM of God,

for which ye also suffer:

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the KINGDOM of God…

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto
men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
INHERITANCE: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall
receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do
such things shall not INHERIT the KINGDOM of God.

The above Scriptures reveal that the future millennial kingdom is a reward for
faithfulness. All Christians will spend eternity with God. This is the inheritance that
every child of God will enjoy. Yet, the millennial reign is a double portion. It is the
inheritance that firstborn sons will receive (Deuteronomy 21:15-17, Romans 8:29,
Hebrews 12:23). This privileged position is only granted to those who suffer with Christ
against sin and the world (Romans 8:17, Acts 14:22, 2 Thessalonians 1:5, etc.).
Christians who will not seek the prize of the kingdom will be held accountable for their
negligence. While their brethren are enjoying a double portion of glory, the disobedient
Christians will receive for the wrong, which they have done (Colossians 3:25).
Unfortunately, many modern Christians increasingly disparage the whole idea of such
accountability. They have been seduced by the blind world of humanism through the
influence of agnostics, liberals and psychologists that continually drink from the cesspool
of unbelief. Einstein once stated that he could not understand how there could possibly be
a God who would reward or punish his subjects! John S. Spong (a liberal Episcopal
Bishop) likewise presumptuously mocks the teaching that God the Father will judge His
saints. To Spong, the Biblical doctrine of God keeping records in order to reward or
punish on a future judgment day is similar to “Santa Claus.”

God is not influenced by such humanism. In true love, He will certainly reward and
punish His children according to their deserts:

Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him
chasteneth him betimes.

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth…

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore,

and repent.

This chapter is only an introduction to the accountability truth taught in the Bible. Many
objections are answered in detail in future chapters. This truth runs deeper than many
realize. Our rebellious emotions will clamor against it. To grow in understanding
concerning this motivating truth, we must diligently thirst for everything that God has to
teach us concerning it:

Proverbs 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for
understanding; 5 THEN shalt thou understand THE FEAR OF THE LORD…

Many will not understand the deep truth concerning the fear of the Lord because they do
not desire to know it! Instead of diligently seeking the sobering accountability truths
abundantly revealed in Scripture, many Christians actually flee them. In the 1920’s,
William Powell Clark (Resident Magistrate) identified one reason for this increasing
rebellion among God’s children:

“The real reason underlying the refusal of some dear children of God to accept belief in
the punishment of unfruitful believers - not eternal, but during the Millennial reign of
Christ - is an inadequate sense of the Justice of God. Acceptance of the belief in the
temporary punishment of such Christians during the Millennial reign safeguards the
eternal merits of Christ’s atonement on the cross, and at the same time, preserves the
absolute Justice of God.”
Awake in the Dark

“As for the black time to be expected.…God grant we may be of the number of
those that suffer, that...we may be raised and reign with Christ at his coming.”
-William Twiss (1575-1649)

“God shake us up. When Revival comes we shall see this [kingdom-
accountability] truth again!”
-W. F. Roadhouse (1875-1951)

Many Christians throughout history expected a revival of accountability truth in the last
days. The world is growing increasingly hostile toward Biblical Christianity. Earlier
writers knew that these accountability truths would be beneficial in helping a remnant of
God’s seeking people to face the temptations that will surely increase as the days grow
darker (2 Timothy 3:13):

“...the millennial crown and the first resurrection are a REWARD - the reward of
suffering for and with Christ; as I have just said, a special glory and special hope
over and above the redemption hope and glory, designed to comfort and support
believers under persecution: a need and use which I have little doubt the church
will before long be called on collectively to experience….” -William Burgh (1800-
1866)

“The throne for the overcomers! Is it possible? Are they to share the throne of the
Son of God? We can see now why, as we pass through the closing days of the age,
there must be such terrible conflict, and why the prince of darkness will challenge
every child of God who wants to ‘overcome’.…What is in the balance, therefore,
for every believer in the present warfare with Satan, which must intensify as the
age closes, is the millennial crown and throne….” -Jessie Penn-Lewis (1861-
1927)

“Only now is this royal [accountability] truth emerging, and general coming
persecution is likely to prove its powerful forcing-bed, for believers will see the
Coming Age more clearly when they have lost this.” -D.M. Panton (1870-1955)

“Now, I do believe, there never was a time that this doctrine (the connection
between reigning and suffering) would bear less to be overlooked, or required
more to be brought forward....” -Theodosia Powerscourt (1800-1836)

“...The expectation of a Millennium may then be the belief to which they will fly
for refuge against the violence of the storm which assails them; and which will
serve as an anchor, sure and steadfast to buoy upon and confirm their souls.
Whatsoever tends to weaken their confidence in this belief so far weakens and
impairs the passive resources of the Church in the days of the great apostasy
when she will want every resource that she can command.”
-Edward Greswell (1797-1869)
The truth concerning the future kingdom as a reward according to works will certainly
revive in the tribulation period (Matthew 24:14). However, as we continue to see an
increase in stage-setting and preliminary signs in these last days before the tribulation
period, it is reasonable to expect that this kingdom-accountability truth will also begin to
be revived before the rapture.

The renowned Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) also (though indirectly)
predicted a revival of kingdom-accountability truth in latter times. Robert Govett (1813-
1901) was one of the foremost defenders of this motivating, sobering truth in the days of
Spurgeon. Govett stood boldly for the precious truth of eternal security; yet he refused to
water-down the Biblical warnings to disobedient Christians. He publicly defended his
views in books and periodical debates, causing quite a stir. In regard to Govett’s writings,
C.H. Spurgeon predicted:

“We only express our heart when we say that we venerate and admire this author
and preacher, whose works will be more appreciated by future generations than
by this frivolous age.”

On another occasion, he predicted:

“The day will come when the idols of the hour will perish, and the writings of
such a man as R. Govett will be prized as the much fine gold.”

Such a day has arrived! The accountability truths that Govett stood for (and so many
other premillennial fundamentalists such as Pember, Panton, Craig, Tilney, Nee, etc.) are
presently being revived in varying degrees throughout fundamentalist and conservative
evangelical circles. The rotten fruit of rebellion (that fully manifested itself in the 1950’s
and 60’s) has ironically triggered a refreshing counter-reaction among a remnant of
God’s people! We desperately need to get back to the full teaching concerning the
judgment seat of Christ.

The words of Ernest Baker are a fitting conclusion to this introductory chapter. Baker (b.
1869) is best known for his book, The Revivals of the Bible (1906). It is called the most
comprehensive book ever written on the revivals in the Bible. Baker was a Baptist pastor
in Cape Town, South Africa. He was the editor of The Midnight Cry and The South
African Baptist. He writes:

“How does Revival come? It comes in many ways. But one way I want to
especially emphasize: And that is, that it comes by Truth that is preached with
freshness…whenever any new truth comes to light, or is recovered…it displaces
no truth….What I want to get at is this: Is there any truth not yet grasped, but yet
plainly taught in God’s Word, that, if fearlessly and plainly preached, would
bring quickening to the children of God, and set them on fire with a new zeal? I
believe there is….The truth awaiting to be taught, and which will set God’s
people on fire, is that the Prize of our High Calling is a Share in the Millennial
 Reign with the Lord Jesus….This new light broke on me some three and a half
years ago. I began to preach it with both lip and pen. But I found that many very
good people and good workers were not prepared to hear…that [our Lord] would
for a time exclude a believer from a share in the Millennial glory, was something
that should never be said. The opposition I encountered made me go quietly for a
time. But I have been digging and digging into the Word, and I now know where I
am, and am praying that never again may I allow the testimony of the Word to be
quenched in me. This truth is possessing and kindling me, and the conviction is
growing that if this is fearlessly taught it will prove the truth that will stir
believers out of their ease and smugness….Those who came out of Egypt with
Moses came out by faith….‘But with many of them God was not well
pleased’….God sware that they should not enter into His rest. They were excluded
from Canaan…this is the danger facing the unfaithful believer; exclusion from
God’s rest, God’s Canaan, the Millennial earth, the reign of 1,000 years.”

May the Holy Spirit grant the seeking reader greater understanding concerning the fear of
the Lord (Proverbs 2:5) and the word of the kingdom (Matthew 13:19-20)!

Pastor Joey Faust

Kingdom Baptist Church
http://www.kingdombaptist.org
Ph. 469-658-6046
Email: pastor@kingdombaptist.org