John wrote:
Bro. Mike,
If you have time, maybe you could help with this. Throughout the old testament when God's people were at war, do the spoils of war represent fruits? Wait, I've got more. Matt.8:11-12, are the children being cast into darkness because they are children? Not matured? I just finished 'Who is left, who is taken.' WOW!!!! Not only were these that were taken with the flood the evil ones, this works with taking the tares first in ch.13:30. I don't mean to be a bother, but trying to let patience possess my soul is tough. I just have to talk to someone. Thanks, John
PS What is the whole title of the Wigrams book set ? I have found one local at Booksamillion but its only new testament.
Hi John,
Thank you for your questions.
When you realize that the "giants in the land" are your sins and passions and lusts of your flesh which must all be overcome and destroyed "leaving nothing alive that breathes" then it becomes obvious that "the land" itself is our bodies. God's command to Israel to "go forth and possess the land" is an Old Testament way of saying:
Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Deuteronomy 20:16 But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
Now if God has granted you the eyes to see these truths, then you should have no trouble seeing that, yes indeed, the 'spoils of war' are the fruits of the spirit being produced in our lives. They are not our works even though they are worked in and through us. They are the works of "Christ in us." Just look at how this is explained to ancient Israel:
Deuteronomy 6:10 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,
Deuteronomy 6:11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;
Deuteronomy 6:12 [Then] beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
It is sad truth that whenever God blesses us, we always tend, through our flesh, to turn all of our blessings into a curse. Even the apostle Paul was not immune to this principle:
2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
God can and does humble His elect. We simply must acknowledge that our works are not our works:
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
"We are His workmanship."
Yes, those cast into outer darkness certainly include "the sucklings" who have for a long time now refused to "go on unto maturity."
Matthew 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
They are still, to this day, teaching nothing more than the six 'milk doctrines' of Hebrews 6:1-2.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
"Eternal judgment" is universal salvation and this is not the meat of God's Word. Even this doctrine is but milk, which will hold us back from maturity if we make the mistake of considering it a doctrine of "strong meat."
The book you ask about is fully titled 'Wigram's Englishman's Hebrew Concordance.'
I hope this has answered your questions, John.
Mike
