TILL I MAKE….. THY FOOTSTOOL
Last night I was musing about the terrible struggles our early Church fathers endured while trying to formulate Church Doctrine about the relationship Jesus had to His Father.
There were two or three main teachings that were in conflict, and the Emperor Constantine wanted, desperately, to bring about a consensus of doctrine, so the Church could progress in the work of evangelism. The infighting over doctrine was producing nothing but chaos and turmoil. The various Bishops were resorting to physical assaults and property damage on each other when their views of the Godhead were opposed. Character assassinations were more normal than abnormal.
Constantine died before he could solidify Church Doctrine. The infighting seemed to get worse with each effort he made. The Bishops were fighting carnally, trying to solve a Spiritual problem. It didn’t work then—it will not work now. It was only after three or four more emperors had tried and failed, and three to five decades worth of water had gone under the bridge, and a major Church split had occurred, that even a semblance of unified teaching was found. AND IT STILL WAS NOT CORRECT. It had been formulated by the minds of men rather than by the Spirit of God.
Suddenly, “out of the blue”, came a verse of scripture I had not thought of for months:
Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Thee are several places in scripture where David’s writing is reiterated, and it always seems to be pointing to Jesus Christ. I’ll print them out for you here.
Mat 22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Mar 12:36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, the LORD said to my LORD, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Luk 20:41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?
Luk 20:42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Luk 20:43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Luk 20:44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Before I was finished with my musings, I had digressed from the original subject entirely, and was ready to argue the point of who is going to get the job of evangelization done.
Most Evangelists, and many Pastors, seem to leave us with the impression that “we, the people” will accomplish the task with our tithes and offerings and witnessing to our neighbors and friends. They tell us that our method needs to be “fine tuned”.
There can be no doubt in our minds about whether the world will be turned to Jesus Christ before our earth is “folded up” or replaced by another one. That fact is well established by the scriptures (with due apologies to Hal Lindsey, Ervin Baxter and others). We can fully expect that nearly one whole generation, along with a good share of another generation, will turn to the Lord through Jesus Christ before the final curtain falls on this age.
It is “in the Book” if you will look for it. You will first have to discard some of the former teachings about the future course of events, or you will never be able to clearly see what the Word of God is trying to tell us.
The Bible tells us (James 3:16) “But where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Church history witnesses to a constant strife between factions endeavoring to promote the doctrinal system which they favored, and also the church political system which seemed more correct in their eyes. It qualifies to be classified in the “Strife” section. There was little or no lasting Good produced during those sessions of turmoil.
It is little wonder that a great abundance of incorrect teaching should evolve from such a condition within the Church when so much confusion, envying and strife prevailed. How could Humanity expect to be receiving Revelations of the Spirit of God when they were indulging their carnal natures to such an extent as they were? Impossible then, impossible now. We need to repent
But “Who, How, and When” must be dealt with before we can get a clear picture of the situation at hand.
First “Who?” must be answered. I think most of us will agree that it is Almighty God who is making the assertion about His right hand, and Jesus Christ’s enemies being made His Footstool.
Does Jesus have enemies? If so, who are they? “Yes, Virginia, Jesus has enemies, and they are getting desperate as we approach the closing of this age.
If Jesus is to be crowned the Victor, what will happen to the “hero” they worship and pay homage to? They know, and they don’t like it… not at all. The fanatical spirit they are following shows them all kinds of ways to cause havoc and terror.
Their “guiding spirit” is in panic mode… fighting for its life.
I think we will all agree that these false religions, all of them, are following, and being driven by, a wicked spirit that HATES our God with a passion
Our God, however, is quietly going about His business of convicting, convincing and saving great hordes of people in different parts of the earth… every minute, every hour and every day.
The Church is growing by leaps and bounds in spite of all they can do to hinder it. Also, in spite of the prevalent teachings that the Church will become so terribly decimated by demonic forces that it will have to be snatched away from planet earth to prevent it from being completely annihilated by evil forces.
The “footstool” is being prepared by the LIVING GOD for HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.
Mankind can only hope to have a part in the process as we lay down our carnal ways of doing things, and learn how to follow the guidelines of His Spirit. The programs and schemes of Man will do nothing more than get in the way of what God is (is) doing, and have to shoved out of the way by the Spirit of God.
Strife produces NOTHING GOOD. Likewise, ENVYING DOES NOTHING that is Spiritually constructive. Confusion and evil works are the ONLY thing produced by our carnally motivated efforts.
The only productive activity on our part is that which stems from, and is in harmony with, the Spirit of God. There are definite guidelines for Spiritual endeavor, and they must be followed if there is to be any hope for success.
“If any man strive for the masteries, yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully.” (2Ti 2:5)
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zec 4:6)
Hab 1:5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: FOR I WILL WORK A WORK IN YOUR DAYS, WHICH YE WILL NOT BELIEVE, THOUGH IT BE TOLD YOU.
Isa 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Isa 44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
Isa 44:4 And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
Zec 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (THE CHURCH)
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Isa 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
God is well able to accomplish whatever will be necessary when the time is ripe for His Plan to be fulfilled.
That plan calls for a world-wide awakening to Jesus Christ, which will affect the greater portions of two generations of humanity. An extremely high ratio of people will hear and respond to the Spirit of God when He calls to them.
The Bible tells us that the Lord will SEND REAPERS TO REAP A HARVEST at the proper time. We can “go to the bank” with that.
Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Rom 15:12 And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Psa 72:11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Isa 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Isa 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Hag 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
FROM THIS DAY UPWARD
FROM THIS DAY AND UPWARD
An interesting story lies hidden within the verses of the writings of Haggai, one of the Prophets that the Lord raised up to encourage the builders who had accompanied Ezra when he led several thousand Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and the Temple.
It was a daunting task, and there was much opposition to what they were attempting to do. Discouragement reached out a slimy hand to hinder the progress. The Lord countered with the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah.
Those prophecies, if we listen to them, can serve to encourage any one of us today who have a tendency to lose the vision of what the Lord is wanting done with, and in, and through us.
The date is: (Hag 1:15) In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
The Lord is chiding the people for their discouragement, and telling them why He has sent a drought and famine upon the land.
Hag 1:9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
Hag 1:10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.
Hag 1:11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands.
How thankful we can be that the leaders and the people hearkened to the voice of the Prophets.
Hag 1:12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, OBEYED THE VOICE OF THE LORD THEIR GOD, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
Listen to this next verse, for it tells us how anxious the Lord is for His people to obey the voice of those whom He sends into our midst to admonish us. As soon as they got started again on the work, God reciprocated with words of courage.
(Hag 1:13) Then spoke Haggai the LORD's messenger in the LORD's message unto the people, saying, I AM WITH YOU, saith the LORD.
(Hag 1:14) And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
Exactly three months later, when the foundation of the House of the Lord was completed, the Prophet again delivered a message from Heaven to the people and the leaders.
(Hag 2:18) CONSIDER NOW FROM THIS DAY AND UPWARD, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid, consider it.
(Hag 2:19) Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: FROM THIS DAY WILL I BLESS YOU.
The refugees from Babylon had made a small step toward the Will of the Lord. The Lord was making a GIANT STEP toward them. He will do the same for us today when we make a move toward a lifestyle that is closer to Him and His Will for our lives.
2Ch 30:9) For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
Almost always, a returning to God will bring about a change in our lifestyle, as well as a change in our relationship to the House of God, wherever that may be.
Without a regular meeting together with other believers, we will tend to flounder in our walk with God. We need the encouragement that comes from one to another when we worship together.
And we must shoulder our responsibilities for the upkeep of the House of Worship. It is an integral part of our walk with the Lord.
"--From this day and upward--- I will bless you."
(2Ch 31:5) And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
(2Ch 31:6) And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
An interesting story lies hidden within the verses of the writings of Haggai, one of the Prophets that the Lord raised up to encourage the builders who had accompanied Ezra when he led several thousand Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and the Temple.
It was a daunting task, and there was much opposition to what they were attempting to do. Discouragement reached out a slimy hand to hinder the progress. The Lord countered with the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah.
Those prophecies, if we listen to them, can serve to encourage any one of us today who have a tendency to lose the vision of what the Lord is wanting done with, and in, and through us.
The date is: (Hag 1:15) In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
The Lord is chiding the people for their discouragement, and telling them why He has sent a drought and famine upon the land.
Hag 1:9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
Hag 1:10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.
Hag 1:11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands.
How thankful we can be that the leaders and the people hearkened to the voice of the Prophets.
Hag 1:12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, OBEYED THE VOICE OF THE LORD THEIR GOD, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
Listen to this next verse, for it tells us how anxious the Lord is for His people to obey the voice of those whom He sends into our midst to admonish us. As soon as they got started again on the work, God reciprocated with words of courage.
(Hag 1:13) Then spoke Haggai the LORD's messenger in the LORD's message unto the people, saying, I AM WITH YOU, saith the LORD.
(Hag 1:14) And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
Exactly three months later, when the foundation of the House of the Lord was completed, the Prophet again delivered a message from Heaven to the people and the leaders.
(Hag 2:18) CONSIDER NOW FROM THIS DAY AND UPWARD, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid, consider it.
(Hag 2:19) Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: FROM THIS DAY WILL I BLESS YOU.
The refugees from Babylon had made a small step toward the Will of the Lord. The Lord was making a GIANT STEP toward them. He will do the same for us today when we make a move toward a lifestyle that is closer to Him and His Will for our lives.
2Ch 30:9) For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
Almost always, a returning to God will bring about a change in our lifestyle, as well as a change in our relationship to the House of God, wherever that may be.
Without a regular meeting together with other believers, we will tend to flounder in our walk with God. We need the encouragement that comes from one to another when we worship together.
And we must shoulder our responsibilities for the upkeep of the House of Worship. It is an integral part of our walk with the Lord.
"--From this day and upward--- I will bless you."
(2Ch 31:5) And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
(2Ch 31:6) And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
THE VIRGIN BIRTH
THE VIRGIN BIRTH
Each year, at Christmas time, our thoughts are directed to
the story of the conception and birth of Jesus, the Christ of God.
It is, perhaps, good that we observe His birth, for it is a
means of teaching future generations about how Jesus came into
the world which He had created.
Attempts have been made, deliberately or otherwise, to
discount the fact of the Virgin Birth. Indeed, there are those who
have ceased to believe it at all. This is sad, for it is of UTMOST
IMPORTANCE that we understand and believe that Jesus was
born of a virgin. Otherwise, our Salvation and Redemption
becomes mere theory, and we are found to be putting our faith in
a false hope. The Virgin Birth is just as essential to our Salvation
as is the Ressurection of Jesus from the dead.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a
sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall
call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and
shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.
Mary was NOT the mother of God, as some claim. She
brought forth a BODY which was to be indwelt by God. It
happened at the time of His baptism by John, when the Spirit
came upon Him, and the Voice came from Heaven, "This is My
Son--."
II Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, recon
ciling the world unto himself--
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was
sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a
virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.
Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this
be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said
unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of
the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing
which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
It is a well documented fact that in conception, the blood is
determined by the father. It is because of this fact that certain
paternity suits have been decided, by comparing the blood of the
child with the blood of the suspected father. God must have
planned for it to be that way, to reinforce the necessity of Christ
having had no earthly father.
If Jesus had been the offspring of a man, or by way of
sexual intercourse, His blood would have been of the same proper
ties as ours is. Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the
angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name
than they. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them
to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth
to make intercession for them.
Jesus, as our Heavenly High Priest, would take His own
Blood into the Heavenly Holy of Holies, there to sprinkle it upon
the Mercy Seat. No ordinary blood would suffice. It must be
blood that is not contaminated with the Nature of Sin.
Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but
by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having
obtained eternal redemption [for us].
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,
purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Joseph, like any other man would, had a problem when it
was discovered that Mary was with child. But the assurance of
God, in a dream, put his mind at rest, and he became obedient to
the Will of the Lord.
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this
wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before
they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to
make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the
Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of
David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is
conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Mary was STILL A VIRGIN when she gave birth to Jesus
in Bethlehem that night so long ago. Jesus was, literally, "born of
a virgin."
Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth
her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Each year, at Christmas time, our thoughts are directed to
the story of the conception and birth of Jesus, the Christ of God.
It is, perhaps, good that we observe His birth, for it is a
means of teaching future generations about how Jesus came into
the world which He had created.
Attempts have been made, deliberately or otherwise, to
discount the fact of the Virgin Birth. Indeed, there are those who
have ceased to believe it at all. This is sad, for it is of UTMOST
IMPORTANCE that we understand and believe that Jesus was
born of a virgin. Otherwise, our Salvation and Redemption
becomes mere theory, and we are found to be putting our faith in
a false hope. The Virgin Birth is just as essential to our Salvation
as is the Ressurection of Jesus from the dead.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a
sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall
call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and
shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.
Mary was NOT the mother of God, as some claim. She
brought forth a BODY which was to be indwelt by God. It
happened at the time of His baptism by John, when the Spirit
came upon Him, and the Voice came from Heaven, "This is My
Son--."
II Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, recon
ciling the world unto himself--
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was
sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a
virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.
Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this
be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said
unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of
the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing
which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
It is a well documented fact that in conception, the blood is
determined by the father. It is because of this fact that certain
paternity suits have been decided, by comparing the blood of the
child with the blood of the suspected father. God must have
planned for it to be that way, to reinforce the necessity of Christ
having had no earthly father.
If Jesus had been the offspring of a man, or by way of
sexual intercourse, His blood would have been of the same proper
ties as ours is. Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the
angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name
than they. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them
to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth
to make intercession for them.
Jesus, as our Heavenly High Priest, would take His own
Blood into the Heavenly Holy of Holies, there to sprinkle it upon
the Mercy Seat. No ordinary blood would suffice. It must be
blood that is not contaminated with the Nature of Sin.
Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but
by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having
obtained eternal redemption [for us].
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,
purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Joseph, like any other man would, had a problem when it
was discovered that Mary was with child. But the assurance of
God, in a dream, put his mind at rest, and he became obedient to
the Will of the Lord.
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this
wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before
they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to
make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the
Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of
David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is
conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Mary was STILL A VIRGIN when she gave birth to Jesus
in Bethlehem that night so long ago. Jesus was, literally, "born of
a virgin."
Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth
her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
THE VALLEY OF DECISION
THE VALLEY OF DECISION
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision.
For many years, I believed and taught that it was the PEOPLE who were making the decision-- to serve God or not serve Him.
But, that theory is one which the Lord stripped away when I became willing for Him to teach me what the scriptures were trying to tell us. After quite a bit of tearing down my former beliefs, He was able to start teaching me what is, I believe, more in line with His plan for humanity.
The word "decision" throws us off course, because it has come to mean differently now than it did when the KJV was translated.
I was sent a writing of a 17th century writer a few years ago, in which the word "decision" was used in its historical sense. It sheds light on the "valley of decision" which brings it more into line with the remainder of the passage.
In 1619, when the article was penned, the writer said that there would come a DECISION, in which the true believers would be SEPARATED from those who were not entirely sold out to God. IT IS GOD WHO IS MAKING THE DECISION-- separating the wheat from the chaff, a "threshing" if you will.
Only HE knows the HEARTS of men. We have to judge by the sight of the eye and the hearing of the ear. He reads the heart.
This is pinpointed in Mal 3 where it tells about the Lord making up His Jewels. They will be those who-- Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often (lit: Consulted) one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that FEARED the LORD, and that THOUGHT (lit: Reckoned) upon his name.
Malachi 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return (lit: look back or around), and discern (see clearly) between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (There is a vast difference between those who SERVE God, and those who joyfully bask in the sunshine of His Forgiveness, and neglect the personal refinement which He offers to them.)
II Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of GOLD and of SILVER, but also of WOOD and of EARTH; and some to HONOUR, and some to DISHONOUR. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
It is my firm belief that Malachi wrote of the same time of "decision" (separation) as Joel did when he wrote: Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit [as] a REFINER and PURIFIER of silver: and he shall PURIFY the SONS OF LEVI, and PURGE them as gold and silver, THAT THEY MAY OFFER UNTO THE LORD AN OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
God bless!
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision.
For many years, I believed and taught that it was the PEOPLE who were making the decision-- to serve God or not serve Him.
But, that theory is one which the Lord stripped away when I became willing for Him to teach me what the scriptures were trying to tell us. After quite a bit of tearing down my former beliefs, He was able to start teaching me what is, I believe, more in line with His plan for humanity.
The word "decision" throws us off course, because it has come to mean differently now than it did when the KJV was translated.
I was sent a writing of a 17th century writer a few years ago, in which the word "decision" was used in its historical sense. It sheds light on the "valley of decision" which brings it more into line with the remainder of the passage.
In 1619, when the article was penned, the writer said that there would come a DECISION, in which the true believers would be SEPARATED from those who were not entirely sold out to God. IT IS GOD WHO IS MAKING THE DECISION-- separating the wheat from the chaff, a "threshing" if you will.
Only HE knows the HEARTS of men. We have to judge by the sight of the eye and the hearing of the ear. He reads the heart.
This is pinpointed in Mal 3 where it tells about the Lord making up His Jewels. They will be those who-- Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often (lit: Consulted) one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that FEARED the LORD, and that THOUGHT (lit: Reckoned) upon his name.
Malachi 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return (lit: look back or around), and discern (see clearly) between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (There is a vast difference between those who SERVE God, and those who joyfully bask in the sunshine of His Forgiveness, and neglect the personal refinement which He offers to them.)
II Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of GOLD and of SILVER, but also of WOOD and of EARTH; and some to HONOUR, and some to DISHONOUR. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
It is my firm belief that Malachi wrote of the same time of "decision" (separation) as Joel did when he wrote: Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit [as] a REFINER and PURIFIER of silver: and he shall PURIFY the SONS OF LEVI, and PURGE them as gold and silver, THAT THEY MAY OFFER UNTO THE LORD AN OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
God bless!
Friday, April 28, 2006
WALK HUMBLY
WALK HUMBLY
Mic 6:8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
To do justly:
To give to all their due.
1. To God his due. “To love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as thyself.” This is God’s due and right from every man.
2. To your neighbor be true, never working ill to him. We should be trustworthy of our neighbor's property, money, reputation, wife or daughter.
3. To yourself be true. Do not deprive yourself of what God has provided for your soul. Keep your body in temperance, sobriety, and chastity; avoiding all excesses, both in action and passion.
To love mercy:
Not only to do what justice requires, but also what mercy, kindness, benevolence, and charity require. Be as zealous of Mercy for your brother as you would be for yourself.
But how can we do this? Certainly this is not a natural trait of humanity, and can be accomplished only as we submit to the Principles of God. It is not in mankind to conduct ourselves properly. We must have help if we are to get it done.
Walk humbly with thy God.
Without this humiliation of soul there never was, there never can be, any walking With God; for without his mercy no soul can be saved.
I sometimes shudder when I remember, from my own past life, how pride and arrogance have caused me to stumble, and even to fall flat on my face at times. I wonder, at times, how much further on the path of righteousness I might have been today if I had not had to rescue myself from mistakes caused by having rebelled against the principles of God when problems have come up in the concourse of life.
Did I get a "raw deal" at the Church I was attending, or the place where I work? Was I "double crossed" by someone in authority?
If so, it is extremely important that I walk very softly (humbly) before the Lord, for I am in extreme danger of losing sight of the main goal in life. My "pride of life" tells me that "a piece of the dog is good for the bite". Resentment yells, "Yeah, Man"! Resentment calls unmistakably, "Go for it."
It would be so self-pleasing for me to "take my little red wagon and go home". But that might also be a shortcut to the scrap heap, for such actions do not qualify as "walking humbly with the Lord". That is no more than Pride with a tinsel halo.
In times when our emotions are in conflict with the principles of Godliness, it makes a lot of difference whether we "bow" our hearts in humble obedience to the Lord, or "bow" our neck in rebellion.
We seldom recognize our emotions as rebellion toward God, mistaking them as hurt feelings, or as having been misused (abused) by some other person.
We fail to realize that our God stands guard over us, and will only allow the conditions to come our way which He knows would be for our benefit. In other words, He scrutinizes every circumstance which He allows to enter our lives. Nothing takes Him by surprise
I think of Isaac when the tribesmen fought with him over the wells he had opened. He went and opened another one, and another one, until they didn't fight any more. Was he a Wimp? No, he was walking humbly with the Lord, knowing that if God had promised, He was able to make good on the promise.
The same was true of Abraham. When God commanded him to sacrifice Isaac on the altar, he humbly obeyed, believing that God was able to raise Isaac up again.
In my "mind's eye" I can see myself telling the Lord that He must be out of his ever-lovin' mind to ask me to do such a thing to one of my boys. I can also see myself shifting into "combat mode" when possession of the first well was challenged, if I had been Isaac.
I have, through the years, seen people who have reacted the way I would have liked to react when things went wrong. They usually have gone from bad to worse, finally becoming defiant to God Himself. Wounds and resentment have caused them to become openly disobedient to the ways of God, Standing in the way of sinners.
I have watched while folks have stopped attending worship services altogether, which is in direct violation to the Word of God, after having been "wounded" in the house of worship. Pride is the root cause of such a reaction, and will, invariably, lead to more suffering. Persistence will lead to certain Spiritual disaster.
Deu 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
Deu 10:13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day FOR THY GOOD?
Mic 6:8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
To do justly:
To give to all their due.
1. To God his due. “To love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as thyself.” This is God’s due and right from every man.
2. To your neighbor be true, never working ill to him. We should be trustworthy of our neighbor's property, money, reputation, wife or daughter.
3. To yourself be true. Do not deprive yourself of what God has provided for your soul. Keep your body in temperance, sobriety, and chastity; avoiding all excesses, both in action and passion.
To love mercy:
Not only to do what justice requires, but also what mercy, kindness, benevolence, and charity require. Be as zealous of Mercy for your brother as you would be for yourself.
But how can we do this? Certainly this is not a natural trait of humanity, and can be accomplished only as we submit to the Principles of God. It is not in mankind to conduct ourselves properly. We must have help if we are to get it done.
Walk humbly with thy God.
Without this humiliation of soul there never was, there never can be, any walking With God; for without his mercy no soul can be saved.
I sometimes shudder when I remember, from my own past life, how pride and arrogance have caused me to stumble, and even to fall flat on my face at times. I wonder, at times, how much further on the path of righteousness I might have been today if I had not had to rescue myself from mistakes caused by having rebelled against the principles of God when problems have come up in the concourse of life.
Did I get a "raw deal" at the Church I was attending, or the place where I work? Was I "double crossed" by someone in authority?
If so, it is extremely important that I walk very softly (humbly) before the Lord, for I am in extreme danger of losing sight of the main goal in life. My "pride of life" tells me that "a piece of the dog is good for the bite". Resentment yells, "Yeah, Man"! Resentment calls unmistakably, "Go for it."
It would be so self-pleasing for me to "take my little red wagon and go home". But that might also be a shortcut to the scrap heap, for such actions do not qualify as "walking humbly with the Lord". That is no more than Pride with a tinsel halo.
In times when our emotions are in conflict with the principles of Godliness, it makes a lot of difference whether we "bow" our hearts in humble obedience to the Lord, or "bow" our neck in rebellion.
We seldom recognize our emotions as rebellion toward God, mistaking them as hurt feelings, or as having been misused (abused) by some other person.
We fail to realize that our God stands guard over us, and will only allow the conditions to come our way which He knows would be for our benefit. In other words, He scrutinizes every circumstance which He allows to enter our lives. Nothing takes Him by surprise
I think of Isaac when the tribesmen fought with him over the wells he had opened. He went and opened another one, and another one, until they didn't fight any more. Was he a Wimp? No, he was walking humbly with the Lord, knowing that if God had promised, He was able to make good on the promise.
The same was true of Abraham. When God commanded him to sacrifice Isaac on the altar, he humbly obeyed, believing that God was able to raise Isaac up again.
In my "mind's eye" I can see myself telling the Lord that He must be out of his ever-lovin' mind to ask me to do such a thing to one of my boys. I can also see myself shifting into "combat mode" when possession of the first well was challenged, if I had been Isaac.
I have, through the years, seen people who have reacted the way I would have liked to react when things went wrong. They usually have gone from bad to worse, finally becoming defiant to God Himself. Wounds and resentment have caused them to become openly disobedient to the ways of God, Standing in the way of sinners.
I have watched while folks have stopped attending worship services altogether, which is in direct violation to the Word of God, after having been "wounded" in the house of worship. Pride is the root cause of such a reaction, and will, invariably, lead to more suffering. Persistence will lead to certain Spiritual disaster.
Deu 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
Deu 10:13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day FOR THY GOOD?
YE SHALL BE WITNESSES
YE SHALL BE WITNESSES
After the Crucifixion and Resurrection, Jesus spent most of 40 days with His disciples, telling them about the coming Kingdom of God. Some of it was easy for them to understand, but some was not.
At one point in the 40 days, Jesus performed a miracle in their minds and hearts, and it was much easier for them to understand after He did it.
LUK 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, :46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: :47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. :48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
Just before He was taken into Heaven, his disciples asked Him if he planned to "restore the kingdom again to Israel at that time (Acts 1:6). Their understanding was still quite faulty. Our understanding of the things of God is also very faulty, even yet today.
He told them plainly that it was not for them to know that yet. But He DID tell them about what was in the IMMEDIATE future for them.
ACS 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power (Exousia). :8 But ye shall receive power (Dunamis), after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
I had often read that verse, and passed right over something that the Lord evidently wanted me to know. I had often used it to encourage people to witness to others of the Lord's Goodness in their lives. It CAN BE USED in that manner, but I now know that the Apostles knew what Jesus meant, and began to act accordingly.
In the days between the Ascencion of Jesus and the Day of Pentecost, Peter spoke to the people waiting, and said:
ACS 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. :21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, :22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, MUST ONE BE ORDAINED TO BE A WITNESS WITH US OF HIS RESURRECTION.
There MUST be TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB
REV 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the NAMES OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB.
They chose Matthias. I am not sure but what they made a mistake there. It would appear that the Lord already had a man earmarked for the position. But I do not intend to argue the point either way.
The fact remains that the most important message of the early Apostles was centered around the RESURRECTION OF JESUS, COUPLED WITH THE NAME OF JESUS.
That should STILL be the main thrust of our preaching and teaching to the world of today.
Christianity is unique, in that it is the ONLY belief that has an empty tomb and a living leader. The Name of Jesus is the ONLY Name that produces miracles, and changes the lives of people who call upon Him.
ACS 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; :15 And killed the Prince of life, WHOM GOD HATH RAISED FROM THE DEAD; WHEREOF WE ARE WITNESSES. :16 And HIS NAME THROUGH FAITH IN HIS NAME hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
ACS 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, THAT BY THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, whom ye crucified, whom GOD RAISED FROM THE DEAD, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
It was by the resurrection that Jesus made fully the SON OF GOD.
ROM 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; :4 And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the
spirit of holiness, BY THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD:
PSA 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, THOU [ART] MY SON; THIS DAY HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEE.
ACS 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, IN THAT HE HATH RAISED UP JESUS AGAIN; as it is also written in the second psalm, THOU ART MY SON, THIS DAY HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEE.
All humans who have put their trust in the ability, and the promise, of Jesus to raise them up at the last day, have a hope that is steadfast and sure. It has stood the test of time.
JOH 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. :40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
JOH 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
JOH 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
The Bible tells us about a "BETTER RESURRECTION” that many people were aware of, and were attempting to attain to.
HEB 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
PHI 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,
PHI 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: :10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; :11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection (Exanastasis--A STANDING OUT FROM AMONG) of the dead.
REV 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. :5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection. :6 Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
After the Crucifixion and Resurrection, Jesus spent most of 40 days with His disciples, telling them about the coming Kingdom of God. Some of it was easy for them to understand, but some was not.
At one point in the 40 days, Jesus performed a miracle in their minds and hearts, and it was much easier for them to understand after He did it.
LUK 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, :46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: :47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. :48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
Just before He was taken into Heaven, his disciples asked Him if he planned to "restore the kingdom again to Israel at that time (Acts 1:6). Their understanding was still quite faulty. Our understanding of the things of God is also very faulty, even yet today.
He told them plainly that it was not for them to know that yet. But He DID tell them about what was in the IMMEDIATE future for them.
ACS 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power (Exousia). :8 But ye shall receive power (Dunamis), after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
I had often read that verse, and passed right over something that the Lord evidently wanted me to know. I had often used it to encourage people to witness to others of the Lord's Goodness in their lives. It CAN BE USED in that manner, but I now know that the Apostles knew what Jesus meant, and began to act accordingly.
In the days between the Ascencion of Jesus and the Day of Pentecost, Peter spoke to the people waiting, and said:
ACS 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. :21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, :22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, MUST ONE BE ORDAINED TO BE A WITNESS WITH US OF HIS RESURRECTION.
There MUST be TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB
REV 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the NAMES OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB.
They chose Matthias. I am not sure but what they made a mistake there. It would appear that the Lord already had a man earmarked for the position. But I do not intend to argue the point either way.
The fact remains that the most important message of the early Apostles was centered around the RESURRECTION OF JESUS, COUPLED WITH THE NAME OF JESUS.
That should STILL be the main thrust of our preaching and teaching to the world of today.
Christianity is unique, in that it is the ONLY belief that has an empty tomb and a living leader. The Name of Jesus is the ONLY Name that produces miracles, and changes the lives of people who call upon Him.
ACS 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; :15 And killed the Prince of life, WHOM GOD HATH RAISED FROM THE DEAD; WHEREOF WE ARE WITNESSES. :16 And HIS NAME THROUGH FAITH IN HIS NAME hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
ACS 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, THAT BY THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, whom ye crucified, whom GOD RAISED FROM THE DEAD, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
It was by the resurrection that Jesus made fully the SON OF GOD.
ROM 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; :4 And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the
spirit of holiness, BY THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD:
PSA 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, THOU [ART] MY SON; THIS DAY HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEE.
ACS 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, IN THAT HE HATH RAISED UP JESUS AGAIN; as it is also written in the second psalm, THOU ART MY SON, THIS DAY HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEE.
All humans who have put their trust in the ability, and the promise, of Jesus to raise them up at the last day, have a hope that is steadfast and sure. It has stood the test of time.
JOH 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. :40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
JOH 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
JOH 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
The Bible tells us about a "BETTER RESURRECTION” that many people were aware of, and were attempting to attain to.
HEB 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
PHI 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,
PHI 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: :10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; :11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection (Exanastasis--A STANDING OUT FROM AMONG) of the dead.
REV 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. :5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection. :6 Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE
OUR GOD IS A COMSUMING FIRE
One evening, a few nights ago, Pearl and I were in a service at the church, when, as clear as a bell, the words came to me, "For our God [is] a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29
I do not remember the circumstances that might have prompted me to think of that scripture, but I have learned that these things do not just happen without a purpose. It seems that something I had unwittingly said in another public service had made such an impact on one or more individuals as to drastically change the course of their thinking-- for their good. I had not known about it until much later. But, it had re-enforced the conviction that we can do so much more good when we allow the Spirit to "prompt" us in speaking what we are given for any particular situation. That occasion had been one of those times, and I had forgotten about it altogether. Other people had not forgotten, for it had impacted their lives.
The statement, "Our God is a Consuming Fire" comes near the end of the letter written to the Hebrew people, and seems to be the summation of the entire letter. It was written to a people who were enduring much severe persecution for their faith in Jesus, rather than the ceremonies and restrictions of the Law of Moses-- especially the "modern" interpretations of the Law. The persecution was so severe as to cause some of the Hebrew Christians to turn back and return to the Law and traditions of the elders. It involved a ceremony in which they publicly denounced the Blood of Jesus and the Grace of God.
The writer of the epistle called that ceremony Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Then, a couple of verses down, he writes, Hebrews 10:31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
In other words, "Be very careful what you do when in times of stress or distress, for-- Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Moses used the term "Consuming Fire" in Deut 4:21-24 when urging the Hebrews to be very careful in their walk with the Lord. In fact, the Lord used His Glory (which was like a Devouring fire Ex 24:17) to subdue rebellion and anarchy in the camp of Israel in the wilderness. See Numbers 14:10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. Numbers 16:19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. Numbers 16:42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
In the Hebrews letter, they are urged to listen carefully to what God is saying to them, for it is dangerous to let his voice fall on Spiritually deaf ears.
Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God [is] a consuming fire.
One evening, a few nights ago, Pearl and I were in a service at the church, when, as clear as a bell, the words came to me, "For our God [is] a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29
I do not remember the circumstances that might have prompted me to think of that scripture, but I have learned that these things do not just happen without a purpose. It seems that something I had unwittingly said in another public service had made such an impact on one or more individuals as to drastically change the course of their thinking-- for their good. I had not known about it until much later. But, it had re-enforced the conviction that we can do so much more good when we allow the Spirit to "prompt" us in speaking what we are given for any particular situation. That occasion had been one of those times, and I had forgotten about it altogether. Other people had not forgotten, for it had impacted their lives.
The statement, "Our God is a Consuming Fire" comes near the end of the letter written to the Hebrew people, and seems to be the summation of the entire letter. It was written to a people who were enduring much severe persecution for their faith in Jesus, rather than the ceremonies and restrictions of the Law of Moses-- especially the "modern" interpretations of the Law. The persecution was so severe as to cause some of the Hebrew Christians to turn back and return to the Law and traditions of the elders. It involved a ceremony in which they publicly denounced the Blood of Jesus and the Grace of God.
The writer of the epistle called that ceremony Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Then, a couple of verses down, he writes, Hebrews 10:31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
In other words, "Be very careful what you do when in times of stress or distress, for-- Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Moses used the term "Consuming Fire" in Deut 4:21-24 when urging the Hebrews to be very careful in their walk with the Lord. In fact, the Lord used His Glory (which was like a Devouring fire Ex 24:17) to subdue rebellion and anarchy in the camp of Israel in the wilderness. See Numbers 14:10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. Numbers 16:19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. Numbers 16:42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
In the Hebrews letter, they are urged to listen carefully to what God is saying to them, for it is dangerous to let his voice fall on Spiritually deaf ears.
Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God [is] a consuming fire.
BY INHERITANCE
BY INHERITANCE
Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Under normal circumstances, we inherit our name from our father. Jesus was no different than we are, in that respect.
It is true that the name was determined and declared at the time of conception. Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
WHO WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS? Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.
MARY WAS STILL A VIRGIN WHEN JESUS WAS BORN. Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
WHO WAS THE FATHER OF JESUS? Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Thus, Jesus inherited a better NAME than any other person could have inherited. The HOLY GHOST was His father. He also inherited a better NATURE than other humans do. He inherited better BLOOD than other humans do.
HIS NAME, HIS NATURE, HIS BLOOD-- made it possible for Him to purchase Salvation for us all.
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
JESUS ALSO QUALIFIED HIMSELF BY HIS STRICT OBEDIENCE TO HIS PURPOSE IN BEING AMONG MEN.
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
We can safely rest our souls in His care. Put full confidence in Him. Place no confidence in your own abilities.
Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Under normal circumstances, we inherit our name from our father. Jesus was no different than we are, in that respect.
It is true that the name was determined and declared at the time of conception. Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
WHO WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS? Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.
MARY WAS STILL A VIRGIN WHEN JESUS WAS BORN. Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
WHO WAS THE FATHER OF JESUS? Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Thus, Jesus inherited a better NAME than any other person could have inherited. The HOLY GHOST was His father. He also inherited a better NATURE than other humans do. He inherited better BLOOD than other humans do.
HIS NAME, HIS NATURE, HIS BLOOD-- made it possible for Him to purchase Salvation for us all.
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
JESUS ALSO QUALIFIED HIMSELF BY HIS STRICT OBEDIENCE TO HIS PURPOSE IN BEING AMONG MEN.
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
We can safely rest our souls in His care. Put full confidence in Him. Place no confidence in your own abilities.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
I WILL
I WILL…
Eze 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 36:29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 36:30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
Please take note that there are no “If’s” or “Maybe’s” in the above passage I have quoted. There are no conditions or qualifications to be met by the people involved. “It’s gonna happen.”
We have it to “look forward to”.
It will be “All of God, and none of us”.
A similar scripture is found in Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD: 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Note again that there seems to be NO REQUIREMENTS laid on the people. God will do it Himself, asking no odds of anybody.
Think about it. Pleasing God will be as natural as breathing. No more struggling with flesh, to bring it into line with the Word of God. No more of the fleshly desires that hinder our progress toward the ways of God.
Why would God do that for fallen humanity?
ISN’T THERE SOMETHING that humans have to do to help make this possible?
God NEEDS NO HELP from any of us. We have caused nothing but chaos thus far in trying to eliminate the human characteristics from our friends and neighbors. Made messes. Worked havoc.
We have NO CAPABILITIES whatsoever when it comes to implanting the NATURE OF GOD into the lives of other people. ONLY GOD CAN DO THAT!
The best we have been able to do thus far is to lay condemnation on our friends and neighbors for what they/we are NOT DOING. That was the purpose of the Mosaic Covenant. In 1500 years, it taught us that humans are incapable of measuring up to the LAW OF GOD’S NATURE. Ours is a nature of REBELLION TOWARD GOD.
But, REST ASSURED that God has a reason for what He says He WILL DO for humanity.
About 4000 years ago there was a man named Abram who found Grace in the sight of the Lord because he believed and acted upon what God said to him.
God, after 42 years of testing Abram, was satisfied with what he saw (Faith in what God said), and He made a COVENANT
OF PROMISE with the man Abram.
IT WAS A UNILATERAL COVENANT OF PROMISE.
Gen 22:15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 22:16 And said, BY MYSELF have I SWORN, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 22:18 And IN THY SEED shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
The SEED spoken of here is JESUS CHRIST. See Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
When Jesus ministered on earth, He CONFIRMED THE COVENANT with the Jewish people, but they would have none of it, and opted for the consequences--DESOLATION.
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall MAKE IT DESOLATE, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Luk 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
When Jesus spoke about the PROMISE OF THE FATHER, he was referring to the COVENANT OF ABRAHAM that He was confirming.
God’s COVENANT/PROMISE was to endure for a thousand generations.
Psa 105:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which HE COMMANDED TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS.
Who are the HEIRS OF ABRAHAM? Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the PROMISE.
Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, CANNOT DISANNUL, that it should make the PROMISE of none effect.
The COVENANT/PROMISE OF ABRAHAM WAS DESTINED TO AFFECTTHE WHOLE WORLD.
Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the HEIR OF THE WORLD, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH.
Bear in mind that this is a UNILATERAL COVENANT we are dealing with. UNILATERAL, AND WORLDWIDE.
IT WILL HAPPEN.
Eze 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 36:29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 36:30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
Please take note that there are no “If’s” or “Maybe’s” in the above passage I have quoted. There are no conditions or qualifications to be met by the people involved. “It’s gonna happen.”
We have it to “look forward to”.
It will be “All of God, and none of us”.
A similar scripture is found in Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD: 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Note again that there seems to be NO REQUIREMENTS laid on the people. God will do it Himself, asking no odds of anybody.
Think about it. Pleasing God will be as natural as breathing. No more struggling with flesh, to bring it into line with the Word of God. No more of the fleshly desires that hinder our progress toward the ways of God.
Why would God do that for fallen humanity?
ISN’T THERE SOMETHING that humans have to do to help make this possible?
God NEEDS NO HELP from any of us. We have caused nothing but chaos thus far in trying to eliminate the human characteristics from our friends and neighbors. Made messes. Worked havoc.
We have NO CAPABILITIES whatsoever when it comes to implanting the NATURE OF GOD into the lives of other people. ONLY GOD CAN DO THAT!
The best we have been able to do thus far is to lay condemnation on our friends and neighbors for what they/we are NOT DOING. That was the purpose of the Mosaic Covenant. In 1500 years, it taught us that humans are incapable of measuring up to the LAW OF GOD’S NATURE. Ours is a nature of REBELLION TOWARD GOD.
But, REST ASSURED that God has a reason for what He says He WILL DO for humanity.
About 4000 years ago there was a man named Abram who found Grace in the sight of the Lord because he believed and acted upon what God said to him.
God, after 42 years of testing Abram, was satisfied with what he saw (Faith in what God said), and He made a COVENANT
OF PROMISE with the man Abram.
IT WAS A UNILATERAL COVENANT OF PROMISE.
Gen 22:15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 22:16 And said, BY MYSELF have I SWORN, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 22:18 And IN THY SEED shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
The SEED spoken of here is JESUS CHRIST. See Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
When Jesus ministered on earth, He CONFIRMED THE COVENANT with the Jewish people, but they would have none of it, and opted for the consequences--DESOLATION.
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall MAKE IT DESOLATE, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Luk 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
When Jesus spoke about the PROMISE OF THE FATHER, he was referring to the COVENANT OF ABRAHAM that He was confirming.
God’s COVENANT/PROMISE was to endure for a thousand generations.
Psa 105:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which HE COMMANDED TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS.
Who are the HEIRS OF ABRAHAM? Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the PROMISE.
Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, CANNOT DISANNUL, that it should make the PROMISE of none effect.
The COVENANT/PROMISE OF ABRAHAM WAS DESTINED TO AFFECTTHE WHOLE WORLD.
Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the HEIR OF THE WORLD, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH.
Bear in mind that this is a UNILATERAL COVENANT we are dealing with. UNILATERAL, AND WORLDWIDE.
IT WILL HAPPEN.
ISAIAH 66
ISAIAH 66
GODS FINAL VICTORY
THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH
Ø Gal 4:26 (Weymouth) But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and *she* is *our* mother.
Ø (KJV) Gal 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath a husband. (Ten Tribes under the Law)
Ø Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Isa 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
Ø 1Ki 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built?
Ø Isa 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Ø Isa 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, (broken, crushed, as opposed to arrogant and haughty) and trembleth (respects and reveres) at my word.
Ø Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Ø Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Ø Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Isa 66:3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
Ø Eze 23:37 That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bore unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.
Ø Eze 23:38 Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths.
Ø Eze 23:39 For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.
Isa 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
Ø 2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them STRONG DELUSION, that they should believe a lie
Ø 2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
Ø Joh 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
Ø Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Isa 66:6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies.
Ø Psa 68:33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
Ø Psa 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
Ø Psa 29:4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
Ø Psa 29:5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
Ø Psa 29:6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
Ø Psa 29:7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
Ø Psa 29:8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
Ø Psa 29:9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
Ø Psa 29:10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King forever.
Ø Psa 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace
Isa 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Isa 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Ø Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Ø Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Ø Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Ø Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Ø Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Isa 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Ø Phi 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Isa 66:10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
Isa 66:11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
Ø Psa 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (the Church, the City of God); they shall prosper that love thee.
Isa 66:12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
Isa 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
Ø Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Ø Isa 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
The Church, the New Jerusalem, the Israel of God, the Zion of God will become the Centerpiece and Nourisher of the World.
Isa 66:14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
Ø Isa 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Isa 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
Ø Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
Ø Psa 97:3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
Isa 66:16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
Ø 2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
There is much of this portion that is not clear to me, but I have no doubt that it stands for some aspect of what God will do in the future.
Isa 66:17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
Isa 66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
It seems to me that an Evangelistic campaign has either taken place, or is in the future, that will cause other people in Europe and other places who were not of the ten tribes of Israel, to know about Jesus Christ and the Salvation He offers to all mankind.
What a gathering (to Jesus) that will be! Can God do it? Let’s WATCH HIM!
Isa 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
Isa 66:20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem (the Church), saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
Isa 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
As I said at the beginning of this series of files, “I do not make a claim to having all the answers, or knowing all that can be known on the subjects at hand.”
I have gladly shared with you what I believe the Lord has quickened to me since October 2005. I sincerely hope that these files can help you as much as I have been helped to understand what the Prophet wrote about, and why the Lord had him write as he did.
Seeing what I believe the Lord has shown me about His Faithfulness to Abraham, as portrayed by His kindness to wayward Israel and Judah, has given me a different view of the God we serve. It has also given me a much different interpretation of Scriptures than I was able to have previously.
Marion Fretwell
Feb 15. 2006
GODS FINAL VICTORY
THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH
Ø Gal 4:26 (Weymouth) But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and *she* is *our* mother.
Ø (KJV) Gal 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath a husband. (Ten Tribes under the Law)
Ø Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Isa 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
Ø 1Ki 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built?
Ø Isa 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Ø Isa 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, (broken, crushed, as opposed to arrogant and haughty) and trembleth (respects and reveres) at my word.
Ø Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Ø Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Ø Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Isa 66:3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
Ø Eze 23:37 That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bore unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.
Ø Eze 23:38 Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths.
Ø Eze 23:39 For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.
Isa 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
Ø 2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them STRONG DELUSION, that they should believe a lie
Ø 2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
Ø Joh 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
Ø Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Isa 66:6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies.
Ø Psa 68:33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
Ø Psa 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
Ø Psa 29:4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
Ø Psa 29:5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
Ø Psa 29:6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
Ø Psa 29:7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
Ø Psa 29:8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
Ø Psa 29:9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
Ø Psa 29:10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King forever.
Ø Psa 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace
Isa 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Isa 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Ø Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Ø Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Ø Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Ø Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Ø Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Isa 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Ø Phi 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Isa 66:10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
Isa 66:11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
Ø Psa 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (the Church, the City of God); they shall prosper that love thee.
Isa 66:12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
Isa 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
Ø Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Ø Isa 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
The Church, the New Jerusalem, the Israel of God, the Zion of God will become the Centerpiece and Nourisher of the World.
Isa 66:14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
Ø Isa 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Isa 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
Ø Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
Ø Psa 97:3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
Isa 66:16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
Ø 2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
There is much of this portion that is not clear to me, but I have no doubt that it stands for some aspect of what God will do in the future.
Isa 66:17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
Isa 66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
It seems to me that an Evangelistic campaign has either taken place, or is in the future, that will cause other people in Europe and other places who were not of the ten tribes of Israel, to know about Jesus Christ and the Salvation He offers to all mankind.
What a gathering (to Jesus) that will be! Can God do it? Let’s WATCH HIM!
Isa 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
Isa 66:20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem (the Church), saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
Isa 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
As I said at the beginning of this series of files, “I do not make a claim to having all the answers, or knowing all that can be known on the subjects at hand.”
I have gladly shared with you what I believe the Lord has quickened to me since October 2005. I sincerely hope that these files can help you as much as I have been helped to understand what the Prophet wrote about, and why the Lord had him write as he did.
Seeing what I believe the Lord has shown me about His Faithfulness to Abraham, as portrayed by His kindness to wayward Israel and Judah, has given me a different view of the God we serve. It has also given me a much different interpretation of Scriptures than I was able to have previously.
Marion Fretwell
Feb 15. 2006
ISAIAH 65
ISAIAH 65
THE OVERCOMERS
THE NEW EARTH
It would seem logical that this chapter should follow closely behind the last chapter, in which the people who are trying to please the Lord are in a repentant mode and are calling on God for Mercy to be extended to them.
It seems that they have been doing the Will of God to a measure, but many things that they are doing and allowing are causing much pain and disgust to the same Lord they are serving. God cannot allow such a condition to continue, for He intends to make His People a Praise in the earth.
The spirit of MAN was too prominent in the lives of the believers, and the resultant attitude of pride and arrogance was creating a bad smell in the nostrils of the Lord.
We do not like to think of ourselves as being creators of such a stench, but when faced with reality, we are forced to admit that we fall far short of that which is pleasing to the Lord.
He represents COMPLETE HOLINESS, while we are a deplorable mixture of that which is EARTHY and that which is HOLY.
And that has not seemed to bother us, until----.
UNTIL, that is, we get serious about our condition and begin to ask God for help in our efforts to line our lives up with His Holy Word.
Many Christians ARE getting serious about the relationship that has existed between them and the Lord. The “call” to an OVERCOMING life is going out into the world of believers. Some are hearing the “call” while others pay no attention because they do not discern the stirring within the body of believers.
The first part of the chapter seems like a brief resume of historic activities of the Northern ten tribes in their idolatrous wanderings. It also seems to include the Southern people of Judah.
Judah has been exceedingly rebellious to the Lord, in that they have stubbornly refused to recognize Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as their Messiah.
God WILL NOT, however, forget nor neglect to fulfill His COVENANT PROMISE to Abraham of 4000 years ago. As the time of fulfillment approaches, He will apply tremendous Spiritual pressure to the Seed of Abraham in an effort to bring them into line with His intended purposes for their lives. How thankful we are for His Faithfulness!
Isa 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
This verse brings to mind the phenomenon of furnishing the Ark of Noah with passengers for the yearlong voyage on the floodwaters. I believe the selection of the animals was the handiwork of the Lord, rather than Noah.
Isa 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day (over 2700 years to the ten tribes, and 2600 years to Judah and Benjamin) unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
Isa 65:3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; (brick was strictly forbidden as a means of worship to the God of Israel, because it represented the work and tools of mankind.)
Isa 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; (God also had very strict rules about clean and unclean meats, etc. for the Israelites)
Isa 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
Just as we humans are affected, emotionally, by what we smell, so the Lord is affected by what He smells.
PRIDE, whether of Race or of Religion, creates an exceptionally foul odor in the nostrils of the God of Heaven.
Isa 65:6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,
Isa 65:7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains (IDOLATRY), and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
Look at what a mess the Church (The Israel of God) has gotten into as a result of depending on the wisdom and understanding of men, rather than trusting and obeying the Word of God.
Ø Isa 1:29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
Ø Isa 1:30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
Ø Isa 1:31 And the strong shall be as tow (straw), and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them
Isa 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
As Abraham made intercession for Sodom, and God would not have destroyed it for ten righteous people, in like manner God will have Mercy on the children of Abraham for the relatively few “good grapes” (Overcomers) that are present in His Church today.
We human beings could become discouraged by what we see wrong in the Church, but it is not so with the Lord. He KNOWS WHAT HE WILL DO, and HOW HE WILL DO IT. He will do what is necessary to bring order out of the chaos. TRUST HIM!
Isa 65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob (the natural seed), and out of Judah (the natural seed) an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect (chosen ones) shall inherit it, and my servants (Overcomers) shall dwell there.
Much of the next few verses is still a mystery to me because I do not have sufficient knowledge of history or the future, as the case may be
Isa 65:10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.
There is an interesting bit of information about the Valley of Achor I will share with you, if I may. In the days of Joshua, a man name Achan disobeyed orders to not touch any of the spoils of battle, and sneaked a Babylonish garment and some other loot of battle into his tent and buried it under the floor. He thought no one would know about it, but either did not know or did not care, that God would see it. It cost Israel a terrible defeat in an important battle. When Joshua asked the Lord about the defeat, he was told about the disobedient soldier, Achan. The end result:
Ø Jos 7:23 And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD.
Ø Jos 7:24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
Ø Jos 7:25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
Ø Jos 7:26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor (TROUBLE), unto this day.
God, through the Prophet Hosea, made a statement which seems to fit the errant ten tribes of Israel. Hosea’s wife was typical of the ten tribes in more than one way. The Lord caused the Prophet to declare that after her whoredoms were finished she would return to the Lord. Here is what the Prophet said:
Ø Hos 2:13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgot me, saith the LORD.
Ø Hos 2:14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
Ø Hos 2:15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the VALLEY OF ACHOR FOR A DOOR OF HOPE: AND SHE SHALL SING THERE, AS IN THE DAYS OF HER YOUTH, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
The troubles that had been experienced while learning that it is better to obey than to disobey, would eventually become a source of joy and hope to the wayward people of the Lord.
Isa 65:11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
This one is probably referring to the idolatry the Ten Tribes practiced while wandering after the fall of the Assyrian empire.
Isa 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spoke, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
Spiritual dearth was the reward of having turned away from God to idolatry.
Isa 65:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
Isa 65:14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
Isa 65:15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
These verses seem to be addressing the people of Judah, who in their blindness have been unable to recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah. They are still in Spiritual Famine.
Ø Jer 29:20 Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:
Ø Jer 29:21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
Ø Jer 29:22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
Isa 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Ø 2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
Ø 2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Ø 2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
Ø 2Pe 3:6 Whereby the WORLD THAT THEN WAS, BEING OVERFLOWED WITH WATER, perished.
Ø 2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, RESERVED UNTO FIRE against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Ø 2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Ø 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Ø 2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Ø 2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Ø 2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Ø 2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, LOOK FOR NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH, WHEREIN DWELLETH RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Ø 2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Ø Heb 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Ø Heb 12:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
Ø Heb 12:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Ø Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
Ø Heb 12:22 BUT YE ARE COME UNTO MOUNT ZION, AND UNTO THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, AND TO AN INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF ANGELS,
Ø HEB 12:23 TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN, AND TO GOD THE JUDGE OF ALL, AND TO THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT,
Ø Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Ø Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Ø Heb 12:26 WHOSE VOICE THEN SHOOK THE EARTH: but now he hath promised, saying, YET ONCE MORE I SHAKE NOT THE EARTH ONLY, BUT ALSO HEAVEN.
Ø Heb 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, THAT THOSE THINGS WHICH CANNOT BE SHAKEN MAY REMAIN.
Ø Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Ø Heb 12:29 FOR OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE.
Ø Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Ø Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem (The Church, Mt. Zion) coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Ø Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the TABERNACLE OF GOD IS WITH MEN, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Ø Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Ø Psa 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
Ø Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Ø Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ø Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
DO YOU REALIZE THAT WE HAVE PRACTICALLY NOTHING TO TELL US WHAT “HEAVEN” WILL BE LIKE? ALMOST ALL WE KNOW IS WHAT EARTH WILL BE LIKE AFTER IT IS CLEANSED BY FIRE.
There are some scriptures in the Bible that cast SERIOUS DOUBTS on the validity of some of our present teachings about HEAVEN. We have, presently, a mixture of teachings that refer to other subjects, that have been lumped together with other teachings, and relegated to HEAVEN.
Isa 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Isa 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
IN THE NEW EARTH
Isa 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die a hundred years old; but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed.
Isa 65:21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
Isa 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Isa 65:23 They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
Isa 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Isa 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
It seems that there will be a “world within a world” on the earth. If I understand correctly, the Kingdom of God will be the dominant force on the planet, but not everyone will be a member of that Kingdom. Whole nations will be affected by its influence, but will not be part of it.
Ø Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Ø Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Ø Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
Ø Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Ø Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
Ø Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
According to my understanding, this blissful condition will endure within the Holy City for a thousand years, before the final destruction of evil will be carried out on the planet.
Ø Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Ø Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Ø Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Ø Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Ø Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Ø Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Ø Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Ø Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Ø Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Ø Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever
Ø Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Ø Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Ø Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Ø Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Ø Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
THE OVERCOMERS
THE NEW EARTH
It would seem logical that this chapter should follow closely behind the last chapter, in which the people who are trying to please the Lord are in a repentant mode and are calling on God for Mercy to be extended to them.
It seems that they have been doing the Will of God to a measure, but many things that they are doing and allowing are causing much pain and disgust to the same Lord they are serving. God cannot allow such a condition to continue, for He intends to make His People a Praise in the earth.
The spirit of MAN was too prominent in the lives of the believers, and the resultant attitude of pride and arrogance was creating a bad smell in the nostrils of the Lord.
We do not like to think of ourselves as being creators of such a stench, but when faced with reality, we are forced to admit that we fall far short of that which is pleasing to the Lord.
He represents COMPLETE HOLINESS, while we are a deplorable mixture of that which is EARTHY and that which is HOLY.
And that has not seemed to bother us, until----.
UNTIL, that is, we get serious about our condition and begin to ask God for help in our efforts to line our lives up with His Holy Word.
Many Christians ARE getting serious about the relationship that has existed between them and the Lord. The “call” to an OVERCOMING life is going out into the world of believers. Some are hearing the “call” while others pay no attention because they do not discern the stirring within the body of believers.
The first part of the chapter seems like a brief resume of historic activities of the Northern ten tribes in their idolatrous wanderings. It also seems to include the Southern people of Judah.
Judah has been exceedingly rebellious to the Lord, in that they have stubbornly refused to recognize Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as their Messiah.
God WILL NOT, however, forget nor neglect to fulfill His COVENANT PROMISE to Abraham of 4000 years ago. As the time of fulfillment approaches, He will apply tremendous Spiritual pressure to the Seed of Abraham in an effort to bring them into line with His intended purposes for their lives. How thankful we are for His Faithfulness!
Isa 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
This verse brings to mind the phenomenon of furnishing the Ark of Noah with passengers for the yearlong voyage on the floodwaters. I believe the selection of the animals was the handiwork of the Lord, rather than Noah.
Isa 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day (over 2700 years to the ten tribes, and 2600 years to Judah and Benjamin) unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
Isa 65:3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; (brick was strictly forbidden as a means of worship to the God of Israel, because it represented the work and tools of mankind.)
Isa 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; (God also had very strict rules about clean and unclean meats, etc. for the Israelites)
Isa 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
Just as we humans are affected, emotionally, by what we smell, so the Lord is affected by what He smells.
PRIDE, whether of Race or of Religion, creates an exceptionally foul odor in the nostrils of the God of Heaven.
Isa 65:6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,
Isa 65:7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains (IDOLATRY), and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
Look at what a mess the Church (The Israel of God) has gotten into as a result of depending on the wisdom and understanding of men, rather than trusting and obeying the Word of God.
Ø Isa 1:29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
Ø Isa 1:30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
Ø Isa 1:31 And the strong shall be as tow (straw), and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them
Isa 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
As Abraham made intercession for Sodom, and God would not have destroyed it for ten righteous people, in like manner God will have Mercy on the children of Abraham for the relatively few “good grapes” (Overcomers) that are present in His Church today.
We human beings could become discouraged by what we see wrong in the Church, but it is not so with the Lord. He KNOWS WHAT HE WILL DO, and HOW HE WILL DO IT. He will do what is necessary to bring order out of the chaos. TRUST HIM!
Isa 65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob (the natural seed), and out of Judah (the natural seed) an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect (chosen ones) shall inherit it, and my servants (Overcomers) shall dwell there.
Much of the next few verses is still a mystery to me because I do not have sufficient knowledge of history or the future, as the case may be
Isa 65:10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.
There is an interesting bit of information about the Valley of Achor I will share with you, if I may. In the days of Joshua, a man name Achan disobeyed orders to not touch any of the spoils of battle, and sneaked a Babylonish garment and some other loot of battle into his tent and buried it under the floor. He thought no one would know about it, but either did not know or did not care, that God would see it. It cost Israel a terrible defeat in an important battle. When Joshua asked the Lord about the defeat, he was told about the disobedient soldier, Achan. The end result:
Ø Jos 7:23 And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD.
Ø Jos 7:24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
Ø Jos 7:25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
Ø Jos 7:26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor (TROUBLE), unto this day.
God, through the Prophet Hosea, made a statement which seems to fit the errant ten tribes of Israel. Hosea’s wife was typical of the ten tribes in more than one way. The Lord caused the Prophet to declare that after her whoredoms were finished she would return to the Lord. Here is what the Prophet said:
Ø Hos 2:13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgot me, saith the LORD.
Ø Hos 2:14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
Ø Hos 2:15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the VALLEY OF ACHOR FOR A DOOR OF HOPE: AND SHE SHALL SING THERE, AS IN THE DAYS OF HER YOUTH, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
The troubles that had been experienced while learning that it is better to obey than to disobey, would eventually become a source of joy and hope to the wayward people of the Lord.
Isa 65:11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
This one is probably referring to the idolatry the Ten Tribes practiced while wandering after the fall of the Assyrian empire.
Isa 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spoke, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
Spiritual dearth was the reward of having turned away from God to idolatry.
Isa 65:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
Isa 65:14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
Isa 65:15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
These verses seem to be addressing the people of Judah, who in their blindness have been unable to recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah. They are still in Spiritual Famine.
Ø Jer 29:20 Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:
Ø Jer 29:21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
Ø Jer 29:22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
Isa 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Ø 2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
Ø 2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Ø 2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
Ø 2Pe 3:6 Whereby the WORLD THAT THEN WAS, BEING OVERFLOWED WITH WATER, perished.
Ø 2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, RESERVED UNTO FIRE against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Ø 2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Ø 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Ø 2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Ø 2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Ø 2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Ø 2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, LOOK FOR NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH, WHEREIN DWELLETH RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Ø 2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Ø Heb 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Ø Heb 12:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
Ø Heb 12:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Ø Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
Ø Heb 12:22 BUT YE ARE COME UNTO MOUNT ZION, AND UNTO THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, AND TO AN INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF ANGELS,
Ø HEB 12:23 TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN, AND TO GOD THE JUDGE OF ALL, AND TO THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT,
Ø Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Ø Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Ø Heb 12:26 WHOSE VOICE THEN SHOOK THE EARTH: but now he hath promised, saying, YET ONCE MORE I SHAKE NOT THE EARTH ONLY, BUT ALSO HEAVEN.
Ø Heb 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, THAT THOSE THINGS WHICH CANNOT BE SHAKEN MAY REMAIN.
Ø Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Ø Heb 12:29 FOR OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE.
Ø Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Ø Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem (The Church, Mt. Zion) coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Ø Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the TABERNACLE OF GOD IS WITH MEN, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Ø Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Ø Psa 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
Ø Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Ø Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ø Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
DO YOU REALIZE THAT WE HAVE PRACTICALLY NOTHING TO TELL US WHAT “HEAVEN” WILL BE LIKE? ALMOST ALL WE KNOW IS WHAT EARTH WILL BE LIKE AFTER IT IS CLEANSED BY FIRE.
There are some scriptures in the Bible that cast SERIOUS DOUBTS on the validity of some of our present teachings about HEAVEN. We have, presently, a mixture of teachings that refer to other subjects, that have been lumped together with other teachings, and relegated to HEAVEN.
Isa 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Isa 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
IN THE NEW EARTH
Isa 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die a hundred years old; but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed.
Isa 65:21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
Isa 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Isa 65:23 They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
Isa 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Isa 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
It seems that there will be a “world within a world” on the earth. If I understand correctly, the Kingdom of God will be the dominant force on the planet, but not everyone will be a member of that Kingdom. Whole nations will be affected by its influence, but will not be part of it.
Ø Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Ø Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Ø Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
Ø Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Ø Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
Ø Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
According to my understanding, this blissful condition will endure within the Holy City for a thousand years, before the final destruction of evil will be carried out on the planet.
Ø Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Ø Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Ø Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Ø Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Ø Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Ø Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Ø Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Ø Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Ø Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Ø Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever
Ø Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Ø Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Ø Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Ø Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Ø Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
ISAIAH 64
ISAIAH 64
HEARTFELT REPENTANCE
IN THE CHURCH
WILL BRING VICTORY
Millions of people are frantically awaiting “the shout” that will signal the “catching away” of all Christian folks into the ether, where there will be nothing but righteousness, peace and joy forever after.
That will be wonderful, IF AND WHEN IT HAPPENS THAT WAY. I, personally, believe that the Lord said something entirely different than what our theologians have heard, and are teaching.
Here is another classic example of what CAN happen when men attempt to interpret a Spiritual Book, using the tools of a mind that has been sold to carnality, the archenemy of Spirituality.
If the Holy Spirit of God dictated the Word of God, and it did, then it becomes an exercise in futility to attempt to interpret it with a mind permeated with sin and carnality. The ONLY result will be confusion, misdirected faith, and faulty understanding.
We have SO VERY LITTLE scripture to describe the hereafter (Heaven and Hell), that we should probably not be talking about it very much.
Almost ALL of the scriptures we have relegated to Heaven and the Kingdom are, actually, directed by the Spirit to the times in which we live today.
We have been schooled to anticipate the “sweet bye and bye” while we live in the “nasty now and now”.
We have also been taught that what the world calls Israel (Jews) is to be the sole possessor of the “Fertile Crescent” as a homeland. For decades, now, Christian people have been making pilgrimages to Israel, to see what it is like to “walk where Jesus walked”. Many of them have wanted to move there because “that is where it’s at; that’s where it’s gonna be.”
Again, I am reading my Bible differently. While I have to admit that, at times, it does seem to be saying what modern men say it is indicating, there are literally scores of times where it paints an entirely different picture than the one seen by most of our modern teachers.
In chapter 64 we get a glimpse of what is still in front of us in 2006. It tells us of the Northern Tribes of Israel who have heard and obeyed the Gospel (re-formed on the wheel of the Potter), crying out to God in repentance for the condition of the Church, which is now their “homeland”. Listen to their (our) pleadings:
Isa 64:1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains (Governments) might flow down (tremble) at thy presence,
Isa 64:2 As when the melting (crackling) fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
Ø Rev 6:15 And the kings (governments) of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men (giant corporations), and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Ø Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us (no hint of surrender to Jesus) from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Ø Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Is this a picture of the TOTAL COLLAPSE of the monetary and political systems that have been developed by mankind in their attempt to govern themselves without obedience to the principles of Godliness? I would be in favor of that conclusion.
Ø Psa 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Ø Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ø Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Ø Psa 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Isa 64:3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
Ø Exo 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Ø 1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Ø 1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Isa 64:5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; FOR WE HAVE SINNED: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
Can this be a picture of a worldwide repentance and turning to God for Mercy and help? I believe it is.
What means will the Lord use to bring it about? He already knows. He has known since before He promised to give the world to Abraham.
Ø Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Isa 64:7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
Ø Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Ø Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Ø Jer 18:3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
Ø Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Ø Jer 18:5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Ø Jer 18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Isa 64:9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity forever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
Ø Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?
Ø Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Ø Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Ø Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Ø Psa 79:5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry forever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
Ø Psa 79:6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
Ø Psa 79:7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
Ø Psa 79:8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
Ø Psa 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
Isa 64:10 Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Soon, Oh So Soon, the Church was plagued with “Men of Violence” thrusting one another and seizing control of its affairs for their own purposes and benefit. The pure workings of the Holy Spirit were pushed to the side and replaced by the products of the human mind. True Worship was mixed with legends and traditions of idolatry, and the Church suffered over 1200 years of desolation and wastedness.
A definite move toward the True Gospel was experienced in the 1500’s, but the spirit of man was not ready to relinquish control yet, so the Church was divided into factions called denominations. Each denomination that made its appearance was formed around the revival of a truth that had been trashed by the universal church during what is called the Dark Ages.
Most of the denominations were, however, a moving in the direction of restoring the worship that had existed in the Church in it was young.
Isa 64:11 Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
Today, many people are sincerely seeking a path that will lead the Church back to the simplicity of its youth, and to the fullness of the early blessings.
Oh, if we could just identify the problem, and thoroughly repent of having participated in the errant practices of the past, we would surely see the Hand of God move again.
The “Denominational System” has such a firm grip on our thinking, after 400 years, that it is proving to be a much harder task to break loose than we anticipated when we embarked on such an endeavour.
Isa 64:12 Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?
“Lord, will You extend more Mercy and Compassion to us?
One writer has expressed it: Wilt thou refrain thyself - Wilt thou refuse to come to our aid? Wilt thou decline to visit us, and save us from our calamities?
Wilt thou hold thy peace - Wilt thou not speak for our rescue, and command us to be delivered?
The Prophet Ezekiel left us a promise.
Ø Eze 36:35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
Ø Eze 36:36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I THE LORD BUILD THE RUINED PLACES, AND PLANT THAT THAT WAS DESOLATE: I THE LORD HAVE SPOKEN IT, AND I WILL DO IT.
Ø Eze 36:37 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.
Ø Eze 36:38 As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
HEARTFELT REPENTANCE
IN THE CHURCH
WILL BRING VICTORY
Millions of people are frantically awaiting “the shout” that will signal the “catching away” of all Christian folks into the ether, where there will be nothing but righteousness, peace and joy forever after.
That will be wonderful, IF AND WHEN IT HAPPENS THAT WAY. I, personally, believe that the Lord said something entirely different than what our theologians have heard, and are teaching.
Here is another classic example of what CAN happen when men attempt to interpret a Spiritual Book, using the tools of a mind that has been sold to carnality, the archenemy of Spirituality.
If the Holy Spirit of God dictated the Word of God, and it did, then it becomes an exercise in futility to attempt to interpret it with a mind permeated with sin and carnality. The ONLY result will be confusion, misdirected faith, and faulty understanding.
We have SO VERY LITTLE scripture to describe the hereafter (Heaven and Hell), that we should probably not be talking about it very much.
Almost ALL of the scriptures we have relegated to Heaven and the Kingdom are, actually, directed by the Spirit to the times in which we live today.
We have been schooled to anticipate the “sweet bye and bye” while we live in the “nasty now and now”.
We have also been taught that what the world calls Israel (Jews) is to be the sole possessor of the “Fertile Crescent” as a homeland. For decades, now, Christian people have been making pilgrimages to Israel, to see what it is like to “walk where Jesus walked”. Many of them have wanted to move there because “that is where it’s at; that’s where it’s gonna be.”
Again, I am reading my Bible differently. While I have to admit that, at times, it does seem to be saying what modern men say it is indicating, there are literally scores of times where it paints an entirely different picture than the one seen by most of our modern teachers.
In chapter 64 we get a glimpse of what is still in front of us in 2006. It tells us of the Northern Tribes of Israel who have heard and obeyed the Gospel (re-formed on the wheel of the Potter), crying out to God in repentance for the condition of the Church, which is now their “homeland”. Listen to their (our) pleadings:
Isa 64:1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains (Governments) might flow down (tremble) at thy presence,
Isa 64:2 As when the melting (crackling) fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
Ø Rev 6:15 And the kings (governments) of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men (giant corporations), and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Ø Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us (no hint of surrender to Jesus) from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Ø Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Is this a picture of the TOTAL COLLAPSE of the monetary and political systems that have been developed by mankind in their attempt to govern themselves without obedience to the principles of Godliness? I would be in favor of that conclusion.
Ø Psa 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Ø Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ø Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Ø Psa 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Isa 64:3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
Ø Exo 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Ø 1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Ø 1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Isa 64:5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; FOR WE HAVE SINNED: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
Can this be a picture of a worldwide repentance and turning to God for Mercy and help? I believe it is.
What means will the Lord use to bring it about? He already knows. He has known since before He promised to give the world to Abraham.
Ø Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Isa 64:7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
Ø Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Ø Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Ø Jer 18:3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
Ø Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Ø Jer 18:5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Ø Jer 18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Isa 64:9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity forever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
Ø Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?
Ø Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Ø Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Ø Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Ø Psa 79:5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry forever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
Ø Psa 79:6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
Ø Psa 79:7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
Ø Psa 79:8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
Ø Psa 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
Isa 64:10 Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Soon, Oh So Soon, the Church was plagued with “Men of Violence” thrusting one another and seizing control of its affairs for their own purposes and benefit. The pure workings of the Holy Spirit were pushed to the side and replaced by the products of the human mind. True Worship was mixed with legends and traditions of idolatry, and the Church suffered over 1200 years of desolation and wastedness.
A definite move toward the True Gospel was experienced in the 1500’s, but the spirit of man was not ready to relinquish control yet, so the Church was divided into factions called denominations. Each denomination that made its appearance was formed around the revival of a truth that had been trashed by the universal church during what is called the Dark Ages.
Most of the denominations were, however, a moving in the direction of restoring the worship that had existed in the Church in it was young.
Isa 64:11 Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
Today, many people are sincerely seeking a path that will lead the Church back to the simplicity of its youth, and to the fullness of the early blessings.
Oh, if we could just identify the problem, and thoroughly repent of having participated in the errant practices of the past, we would surely see the Hand of God move again.
The “Denominational System” has such a firm grip on our thinking, after 400 years, that it is proving to be a much harder task to break loose than we anticipated when we embarked on such an endeavour.
Isa 64:12 Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?
“Lord, will You extend more Mercy and Compassion to us?
One writer has expressed it: Wilt thou refrain thyself - Wilt thou refuse to come to our aid? Wilt thou decline to visit us, and save us from our calamities?
Wilt thou hold thy peace - Wilt thou not speak for our rescue, and command us to be delivered?
The Prophet Ezekiel left us a promise.
Ø Eze 36:35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
Ø Eze 36:36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I THE LORD BUILD THE RUINED PLACES, AND PLANT THAT THAT WAS DESOLATE: I THE LORD HAVE SPOKEN IT, AND I WILL DO IT.
Ø Eze 36:37 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.
Ø Eze 36:38 As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
THAT I MAY KNOW HIM
THAT I MAY KNOW HIM
According to the testimony of Paul, there was one predominant desire and motivating force in his life. I have copied out a few scriptures here to highlight that driving desire in his life.
As you read them, please bear in mind that Paul had been "saved" for many years before he gave this testimony. This desire of his life had nothing to do with having his sins forgiven, nor escaping hell. He had walked intimately with Jesus, and was well acquainted with the Holy Ghost prior to this time. In fact, he had received revelations from God that he was forbidden, or unable to express, to relate to anyone else. (I have a "sneakin' hunch" that Paul saw the same thing as John, the Revelator, saw on the Isle of Patmos. I cannot prove it, however).
So, WHAT IS PAUL TALKING ABOUT HERE?
Is it possible, can it be, that there is some kind of an experience that is "better" than what Peter told the people about on the day of Pentecost? Paul knew about, and had doubtless experienced all of that a long time ago. Yet, he "has the pedal to the metal" for some reason, pursuing something more that he has learned about.
Why all the fuss, Paul? You're saved. You're on your way to Heaven. What more can you want? Can you tell us something more about what is driving you toward Christian Excellence?
Phi 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, THAT I MAY WIN CHRIST,
O.K. Paul, are you telling us that we can have a DEEPER knowledge of Jesus Christ than we get in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, with Speaking in Tongues. Are you telling us that we arrive at that DEEPER KNOWLEDGE via the route of "blood, sweat and tears?
And, Paul, what do you mean by "WINNING CHRIST"? Haven't we had Him all the time we have been saved? Is this, also, something that requires an effort on our part to attain to?
Phi 3:9 AND BE FOUND IN HIM, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Paul, is "BEING FOUND IN HIM" better than what you had in Salvation?
Phi 3:10 THAT I MAY KNOW HIM, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Paul, is there a special meaning to what you have written here? We learned, from the word you used, that to "know" can also mean to "perceive" and "understand", but stops short of meaning "full knowledge". No one can FULLY PERCEIVE or FULLY UNDERSTAND Jesus Christ.
But, Paul, why are you hoping to ATTAIN to the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, and the FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS. What makes them so attractive to you? You must have seen something we do not see. Where can we learn about these things? Who will teach us?
Phi 3:11 IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.
Here, again, Paul, you used a word that is translated "Resurrection of the dead" but means quite a lot more than what meets the eye. It is used only once in the Bible. It actually means, and is translated by other translators, "A STANDING OUT FROM AMONG THE DEAD"
It CANNOT MEAN THE GENERAL RESURRECTION. It MIGHT NOT BE REFERRING TO THE FIRST RESURRECTION. Does it mean the "BETTER RESURRECTION" spoken of in Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, NOT ACCEPTING DELIVERANCE; THAT THEY MIGHT OBTAIN A BETTER RESURRECTION:?
Are we missing something here, Paul? Is there something better than awakening in the Presence of the Lord after the sleep of death? If so, who can teach us about it?
Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Sounds like you are saying you are trying to "grab" what the Lord had "grabbed" you for. What are you talking about, Paul?
Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this ONE THING I do, FORGETTING those things which are behind, and REACHING FORTH unto those things which are before,
Phi 3:14 I PRESS TOWARD the mark for THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.
What about the HIGH CALLING?
According to the testimony of Paul, there was one predominant desire and motivating force in his life. I have copied out a few scriptures here to highlight that driving desire in his life.
As you read them, please bear in mind that Paul had been "saved" for many years before he gave this testimony. This desire of his life had nothing to do with having his sins forgiven, nor escaping hell. He had walked intimately with Jesus, and was well acquainted with the Holy Ghost prior to this time. In fact, he had received revelations from God that he was forbidden, or unable to express, to relate to anyone else. (I have a "sneakin' hunch" that Paul saw the same thing as John, the Revelator, saw on the Isle of Patmos. I cannot prove it, however).
So, WHAT IS PAUL TALKING ABOUT HERE?
Is it possible, can it be, that there is some kind of an experience that is "better" than what Peter told the people about on the day of Pentecost? Paul knew about, and had doubtless experienced all of that a long time ago. Yet, he "has the pedal to the metal" for some reason, pursuing something more that he has learned about.
Why all the fuss, Paul? You're saved. You're on your way to Heaven. What more can you want? Can you tell us something more about what is driving you toward Christian Excellence?
Phi 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, THAT I MAY WIN CHRIST,
O.K. Paul, are you telling us that we can have a DEEPER knowledge of Jesus Christ than we get in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, with Speaking in Tongues. Are you telling us that we arrive at that DEEPER KNOWLEDGE via the route of "blood, sweat and tears?
And, Paul, what do you mean by "WINNING CHRIST"? Haven't we had Him all the time we have been saved? Is this, also, something that requires an effort on our part to attain to?
Phi 3:9 AND BE FOUND IN HIM, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Paul, is "BEING FOUND IN HIM" better than what you had in Salvation?
Phi 3:10 THAT I MAY KNOW HIM, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Paul, is there a special meaning to what you have written here? We learned, from the word you used, that to "know" can also mean to "perceive" and "understand", but stops short of meaning "full knowledge". No one can FULLY PERCEIVE or FULLY UNDERSTAND Jesus Christ.
But, Paul, why are you hoping to ATTAIN to the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, and the FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS. What makes them so attractive to you? You must have seen something we do not see. Where can we learn about these things? Who will teach us?
Phi 3:11 IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.
Here, again, Paul, you used a word that is translated "Resurrection of the dead" but means quite a lot more than what meets the eye. It is used only once in the Bible. It actually means, and is translated by other translators, "A STANDING OUT FROM AMONG THE DEAD"
It CANNOT MEAN THE GENERAL RESURRECTION. It MIGHT NOT BE REFERRING TO THE FIRST RESURRECTION. Does it mean the "BETTER RESURRECTION" spoken of in Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, NOT ACCEPTING DELIVERANCE; THAT THEY MIGHT OBTAIN A BETTER RESURRECTION:?
Are we missing something here, Paul? Is there something better than awakening in the Presence of the Lord after the sleep of death? If so, who can teach us about it?
Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Sounds like you are saying you are trying to "grab" what the Lord had "grabbed" you for. What are you talking about, Paul?
Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this ONE THING I do, FORGETTING those things which are behind, and REACHING FORTH unto those things which are before,
Phi 3:14 I PRESS TOWARD the mark for THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.
What about the HIGH CALLING?
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