Rev 8:7  The First Trumpet-Hail and Fire Mingled with Blood, Part 1

[Study Aired July 5, 2024]

Rev 8:7  The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Introduction

As we read this entire prophecy, it is of utmost importance to remember what the words we read signify and not be distracted along with the rest of the world by the words themselves. As a quick example to remind ourselves of this principle for understanding this prophecy, let’s look again at these verses:

Rev 5:5  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Rev 5:6  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

A lion is a dead lamb with seven horns and seven eyes??? We have already established that this book was “signified” to John, as things he and we are to read, hear and keep “for the time is at hand.” This entire prophecy is “things which must shortly come to pass” in the lives of all to whom it is given to “read, hear and keep the things written therein.”

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

“The time is at hand, [and] things which must shortly come to pass” are one and the same thought. This prophecy is for the person who can read, hear and keep the things written within this prophecy. It is definitely not for a single generation some two thousand years after the giving of this heavenly vision.

So the lion and the lamb actually have nothing at all to do with a literal, physical lion or lamb. These are spiritual symbols of Jesus Christ the Lord of glory. In like manner seven horns and seven eyes have nothing at all to do with the literal, physical number seven. Seven, as we have already discussed in great depth (see The Spiritual Significance of the Number Seven), is the symbol of that which is complete. So the “seven horns and seven eyes are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” In other words, these seven spirits are the complete work of the spirit of God in each of us. “The earth” as we will see below, and as we have already discussed in earlier chapters, signifies mankind in general, and in particular those of mankind in whom the spirit of God dwells and is doing His fiery work at this time.

The spirit of God is not physically divided into seven separate spirits. The church of God and the overcomers in that church are not in seven different literal churches in Asia. The angels or messengers to the church of God are not divided into seven literal messengers or angels. This entire prophecy is addressed to “He that hath an ear.” ‘He that has an ear’ is counseled to hear what the spirit is saying to all of the churches:

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

In like manner, the mysteries of the kingdom of God are not hidden by seven physical seals, on a physical scroll. Seven will always, without fail, signify that the subject with which it is connected is spiritually complete. The seven spirits are the complete spirit of God.

1Co 6:17  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

The seven seals completely seal and hide the mysteries of the kingdom of God within you.

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The seventh seal is the last seal that has kept us from seeing the mysteries of the kingdom of God within us. It is now being loosed from the book of this prophecy, and we are about to learn what signifies the complete (seven) judgment (trumpets) of our beastly man of sin. That complete judgment is presented to us as seven trumpet judgments upon “the earth” of our flesh, which causes our “kings, great men, our rich men, our chief captains, mighty men, every bondman, and every free man” within us to say the things we heard in these verses:

Rev 6:12  And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
Rev 6:13  And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Rev 6:14  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
Rev 6:15  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, 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;
Rev 6:16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Rev 6:17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The sixth seal tells us what to expect in the seventh seal. What we are to expect is the judgment of the kingdom of our old man, signified by “a great earthquake” which will introduce “the great day of His wrath”, and according to Christ, this “great earthquake” is just “the beginning of sorrows.” Something extremely painful to our old man must take place in our lives which is so painful that the Lord finally now has our attention. For one person that “great earthquake” which preceded “the great day of His wrath” was to be struck down and physically blinded on the road to Damascus. For others it is other extremely painful experiences like losing everything we have worked for all our lives. That was part of what happened to Saul of Tarsus. Everything he had ever worked for and accomplished was lost in a moment. Job and Saul of Tarsus typify how our judgment begins, and those experiences are signified by “a great earthquake” preceding “the great day of His wrath” which signifies the beginning of the judgment which is now on the house of God:

Mat 24:3  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world [Greek: aion, age]?
Mat 24:4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8  All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Jer 50:46  At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.

So this earthquake of the sixth seal is but the beginning of sorrows for our ‘earth’, signifying our life with Babylon’s harlot daughters. This “great earthquake” begins “at the taking of Babylon.” We “read, hear and keep”, meaning we live through this ‘earthquake.’ This earthquake isn’t a one-time only earthquake. Like all of Christ’s Words, this earthquake has that same “is, was and will be… shall never pass away”, aorist character about it, and it is mentioned again in “the things that are written therein” (Rev 1:3). This earthquake will continue to be lived and kept, culminating in the complete judgment and destruction of “great Babylon” within us. All of that is the work of the great earthquake of the seventh trumpet which signifies the seven last plagues.

Rev 16:17  And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
Rev 16:18  And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Rev 16:19  And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
Rev 16:20  And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Rev 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven [The Truth of Christ exposing the lies of Babylon and her doctrines], every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great [Truth utterly destroys all lies].

Isa 28:17  Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

These seven trumpets, according to Revelation 6:17, reveal “the great day of His wrath” because they culminate in the seventh trumpet, which is simply the seven last plagues. They are not the seven only plagues. The seven last plagues are preceded by the plagues found in the first six trumpets, but seven does not mean a literal ‘seven plagues’. What ‘seven last plagues’ signifies is that “the great day of His wrath” is come, and these seven plague “fill up” His wrath.

Rev 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

The trumpets are not completed until the last of the seven trumpets sounds and its seven plagues have been poured out upon our sinful flesh, which is the beast upon which up “great Babylon” sits within us. Here is the reason for the trumpets we are beginning to study:

Isa 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Rev 6:13 And the stars of heaven [all the false doctrines of Babylon] fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

It is the “stars of [our defiled] heavens, falling to the earth”, accompanied by “a great earthquake”, both in the sixth seal, that bring us to the point of being able to begin to hear these seven trumpets of “the great day of God’s wrath” and to begin “to read and hear and keep the things written therein”, which are right now being revealed to us in these seven trumpets of the seventh seal. This whole process is also called “war is in the heavens”, and it takes place during “the great day of His wrath” which is designed to purify and cleanse our heavens.

Rev 6:17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves [purified] with better sacrifices than these.

Rev 12:7  And there was war in heaven [The heavens of our hearts and minds]: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, [What and Where is Heaven]
Rev 12:8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. [His false doctrines and those who proclaim those false doctrines begin to be exposed within us]

‘There was war in heaven and the dragon and his angels prevailed not’ because The Truth, Christ, will always prevail over all lies.

So here is…

The first trumpet

Rev 8:7  The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

We have in this verse six symbols: 1) hail, 2) fire, 3) blood, 4) the earth, 5) the third part of the trees burned up and 6) all green grass. Let’s take each of these symbols and allow the Word of God, not the fertile imagination of some man, to tell us what they signify spiritually. Before we get into the meaning of these six symbols, let’s remember and take note that this is “the beginning of sorrows” (Mat 24:7-8), and the beginning of God’s judgments upon His own house (1Pe 4:17). With that in mind, let’s remember these verses concerning the meaning of the words ‘fire’ and ‘hail’ and how those words are connected with God’s judgment which “first begins” upon His own house.

Mat 24:7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8  All these are the beginning of sorrows [Judgment upon the house of God].

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1Pe 4:15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
1Pe 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Our trials are to be expected. We will be “reproached for the name of Christ,” if we are faithful to His Word.

Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Christ is that “root”, and those who experience “judgment first beginning at the house of God” are those who “have… root in themselves”, because they were first offended, as Peter was, and they repented of being offended and are now no longer offended when they are “reproached for the name of Christ.” Never forget that ‘living by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’ necessitates that we can only be those who are not offended because of the Word, if we have first lived through that offense and have come to acknowledge that we “have no root in ourselves.”

Therefore what we are about to discover in each of these seven trumpets is that “the fiery trials which are to try us” must first expose the weakness of our old man and his kingdom within us. Then, and only then, with Christ, “the root of Jesse,” in us we too, with Peter, can “rejoice inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.”

Let us take these symbols in this first trumpet, and see what the scriptures reveal them to be. Whatever they are in this trumpet is what they will be throughout this entire prophecy.

What does ‘hail’ signify in scripture?

It is instructive to note that hail in nature comes down from the heavens and is very destructive to the things on the earth. That is exactly how this symbol is used spiritually. Here is what spiritual ‘hail’ accomplishes in the judgment of our earth in this verse of Revelation 8, which we are commanded to “read, hear and keep.” (Rev 1:3)

Exo 9:19  Send therefore now, [and] gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.

This is the story of the ten plagues which God poured out upon Egypt in the process of delivering Israel out of Egypt. “The field” is where the grass grows, and Christ tells us plainly that “the field is the world.”

Mat 13:38  The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

We are “in and of the world” until we begin to “die to this world.” Only then are we, by the process of judgment, “in the world but not of the world.”

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by [fiery chastening (Tit 2:11-12)] grace ye are saved;)

So the ‘hail’ of scripture destroys the “cattle” and all else we have in our “field” because the things of this world “are not of God.”

Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Where does this lust of the flesh originate? It originates in our “field… the lust of the flesh… the world” that is within us all by nature.

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

“All that is in the world” is encapsulated in these three overarching sins. Like the two overarching commandments of loving God and loving neighbor, all sins “hang upon” these three sins.

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

It is on the three sins of 1 John 2:16 that all the sins and all the lies of the churches of this world hang.  It is “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” that keep us from “coming out from among them” and being separate so that we ‘partake not of their sins and receive not of their plagues.’

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

It is not human or natural to be willing to be “hated of all men.”

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.

The hail in particular symbolizes that part of God’s Word which destroys the doctrinal lies which are all the doctrines of Babylon.

Isa 3:1  For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water.

When “the whole stay of bread and water is taken away from Jerusalem and Judah” all that is left is “the refuge of lies.”

Isa 28:17  Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

What is fire in scripture?

We have discussed this in depth and will not belabor this point but to quote a few verses demonstrating that ‘fire’ symbolizes the Words of the spirit of God.

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Christ said His fiery words were also spirit, and that is is His fiery words which will judge us all.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Joh 12:48  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Paul again makes these words that judge us all, words of fire:

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

So what is fire mingled with blood?

Let’s allow the fiery Word of God to demonstrate for us what is “fire mingled with blood.”

All Joseph ever wanted from his brothers who had wanted him dead, was that they acknowledge and give an accounting to their father of what they had done to him and to their Father. He tells us as much when he informs them that their evil deed wasn’t really their evil deed at all:

Gen 45:4  And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
Gen 45:5  Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
Gen 45:6  For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet [there are] five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
Gen 45:7  And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Gen 45:8  So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Before any of us are Joseph, you and I are first Joseph’s brothers. We think of ourselves as better men than to sell our Lord for thirty pieces of silver, or in the case of Joseph, twenty pieces of silver. Christ told His own disciples that He wanted them all to “drink of the cup of My blood in the New Testament.” In doing that, Christ was telling His disciples, who thought that they were better men than to ever deny Him, that they would indeed deny Him, and that in doing so they were no better of themselves than Judas, of whom God had already written in His book to be the betrayer of our Lord. So this is what happened just a few hours after drinking Christ’s blood.

Mat 26:72  And again he [Peter] denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
Mat 26:73  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Mat 26:74  Then began he to curse and to swear, saying I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
Mat 26:75  And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Mar 14:27  And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
Mar 14:28  But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
Mar 14:29  But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
Mar 14:30  And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, [even] in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Mar 14:31  But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

We all know that Christ was right and Peter was wrong, and that before the cock crowed Peter was looking Christ in the eye, cursing the air blue, and denying that He had ever known Christ.

Luk 22:60  And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
Luk 22:61  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Luk 22:62  And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

“And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.” That is “fire mingled with blood”, and you and I are all Peter and have all denied our Lord. We can delude ourselves that “we will not drink of such a cup as that cup,” but we will through “fire mingled with blood… drink of that very cup.”

We will stop here for now and continue our study of the spiritual significance of the first trumpet in our next study.

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

“Every man” means there are no exceptions to this “hail and fire mingled with blood” which is “cast into the earth.” Christ Himself drank of this cup. Who, then, are we to think that “Yet will not I” as Peter told our Lord? No, Christ did not deny His calling to die on the cross, but His flesh sweat blood resisting being murdered at the early age of thirty three, and he told His disciples that He would drink of this cup of the wrath of God upon His own “body made of a woman, made under the law.”

Mat 20:22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Mat 26:39  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

1Pe 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

What cup did Christ drink of? His Father forsook His body which was “made of a woman, made under the law… in the flesh.” He drank of the same cup that He commanded His disciples to all drink. It was “the cup of His blood”, and He wants us all to know that it was for our sins against Him and His Father, that He died for us.

Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mat 26:27  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

We also will all “drink indeed of Christ’s cup” and we also are required to relinquish these temporal, corruptible bodies of flesh and blood. However, the reward is well worth the sacrifice of an already dying body:

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

In our next study we will consider the spiritual significance of the earth, the trees and the green grass, and how the fire of the Lord’s word affect each of this spiritual symbols within us:

Rev 8:7  The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

2Ki 18:1-37  “In what are you placing your hope?” – Part 3

(2Ki 18:19-22)

[Study Aired February 16, 2023]

2Ki 18:19  And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? 
2Ki 18:20  Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? 
2Ki 18:21  Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. 
2Ki 18:22  But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem? 

In the last two studies we were introduced to King Hezekiah who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord as David his father had done” and who had faith in the Lord, the God of Israel, “so that there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah who were before him.“

Then we were introduced to “Sennacherib king of Assyria” who came  up against all the fenced cities of Judah and took them, putting Hezekiah in a position where he sought peace with Sennacherib by giving him gold and silver from the temple of God. These actions only emboldened Sennacherib to further want to overtake the nation of Judah in war. Hezekiah turned to the Lord for deliverance with a humble and contrite heart that sought and hoped in the Lord in times of trouble. We reflected on how Hezekiah, as a type of the elect, comes to learn that you cannot make concessions with this world and expect that your trials will somehow be circumvented as a result of those actions.

In this third part of chapter 18, specifically 2 Kings 18:19-22, we will see how Sennacherib used Rabshakeh^H7262 his chief cupbearer, to send messages to Hezekiah and his foot soldiers to undermine their confidence in what Hezekiah could do in war against Assyria with the God of Israel as his helper and hope. 

This brings us to the verse on which our title is based, “In what are you placing your hope?” This was the question of this cupbearer Rabshakeh, whose role was that of a devilish scoffer who was sent by the king of Assyria (2Ti 3:1-5) to Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah. These three men were a bridge between the two kings, Sennacherib and Hezekiah, and are a type of how God’s elect will interact with the kingdoms of this world on behalf of Christ as those who will be blessed to come in the name of the Lord as the future kings and lords over this earth to bring the King’s judgments into the earth (Rev 11:15, Mat 21:9, Rev 17:14, Rev 19:16, Isa 26:9).

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

Mat 21:9  And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Rev 17:14  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 

Rev 19:16  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 

Eliakim the son of Hilkiah
– Original: אליקים
– Transliteration: ‘Elyaqiym’
– Phonetic: el-yaw-keem’
– Definition: Eliakim = God raises or God sets up (Rev_11:15 , Rev_20:6)
the son of Hilkiah, master of Hezekiah’s household
Josiah’s son, enthroned by Pharaoh
a priest who assisted Nehemiah

Shebna the scribe
– Original: שׁבנה שׁבנא
– Transliteration: Shebna’
– Phonetic: sheb-naw’
– Definition:Shebna = vigour
a person of high position in the court of king hezekiah of Judah; subsequently the secretary of Hezekiah 

Joah the son of Asaph
– Original: יואח
– Transliteration: Yow’ach
– Phonetic: yo-awkh’
– Definition:Joah = Jehovah is brother 
son of Asaph and chronicler to Hezekiah
a Gershonite son or grandson of Zimmah
a Korhite, 3rd son of Obed-edom and doorkeeper in the time of David
son of Joahaz and chronicler to king Josiah

2Ki 18:19  And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?

What we’re hearing from this opening statement of Rabshakeh is one of the many devices (Eph 6:16) of the devil which he uses to try to undermine our faith in our Creator’s power and faithfulness (2Co 2:11). Above all we are admonished to take the shield of faith, the faith of Christ to quench all such fiery darts of the devil.

Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [Mat 21:21] 

2Co 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Firstly, it’s all about perception and Rabshakeh’s goal is to drive home the point of how great “the great king, the king of Assyria” is [who typifies Satan, the god of this world]. Like Satan, king Sennacherib wants Hezekiah to bow down and worship him as he’s seated as high as anyone can be seated on his earthly throne, which does remind us of Satan, the god of this world (Mat 4:8-9, 2Co 4:4). 

Mat 4:8  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Our former conversations in this world (Eph 2:2) had us subject to the powers and principalities of this world that ruled over the beast against whom we could not make war until God delivered us, and another tactic or device (2Co 2:11) of Rabshakeh to undermine the confidence of the people in God was be to remind them of all the previous nations that he, Sennacherib, has already destroyed and taken captive (2Ki 18:33), symbolizing our former bondage to sin from which only Christ can deliver us (Rom 6:16, Rev 13:4, Joh 8:34-36).

2Ki 18:33  Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 

Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? [2Ki 18:33 “Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?“]

Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

These many accusations and this rhetoric of Rabshakeh as he comes up at the bequest of king Sennacherib to undermine the confidence of king Hezekiah, and how we overcome that spirit, are two central lessons we see unfolding in this section of scripture which was written for our sakes (1Co 10:11). We are admonished to not go back into the world by leaning unto our own understanding, saying, “Who can make war with the beast” and thereby coming under the law again which is where we housed our confidence in our flesh (Php 3:2, Php 3:9) as Demas, Titus and Crescens did having “forsaken me, [Christ and his Christ (Act 9:5)] having loved this present world” after having tasted of the heavenly things of the kingdom of God (Heb 10:35, 2Ti 4:10, Heb 6:4-6). That is another way of looking at this declaration of war coming from the king of Assyria, who is used by God to test the faith of king Hezekiah, who is coming to learn, in type and shadow, that nothing can separate him from the love of God, and he has nothing to fear from all Sannacherib’s boastfulness (Rom 8:36-39).

Php 3:2  Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

Php 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:

Heb 10:35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward [Heb 11:26]. [incentivized]

Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. [incentivized]

2Ti 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [Php 4:13, 1Co 10:13]
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eliakim, Shebna and Joah are all being told to plant a seed of doubt in the heart of king Hezekiah based on Rabshakeh’s trash-talking ways that asks, among many other things, “What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?” His goal as a messenger of king Sennacherib is to undermine the confidence of the people and king Hezekiah in any way he can, like the roaring lion that Satan is who seeks whom he may devour (1Pe 5:6-8).

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 
1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world [kept from the evil through the faith of Christ. (Joh 17:15)]

The three men, Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah, represent the process of judgment [3] “the same afflictions [that] are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” which we fill up (Col 1:24) as we put off our flesh so we can trust in the living God who can and will deliver those with whom He is working through the much tribulation of this life (2Co 1:8-10). This is why Paul didn’t want the church to be ignorant of the fact that they had severe trials in Asia (Act 14:22), which represents the world, because it is only with those fiery trials (1Pe 4:12) that we can come to “not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.” In other words, putting off the flesh (Php 3:1-3) is how we grow in confidence in what God can do in our lives to overcome the enemy and learn that we are more than conquerors through Him (Php 3:4, Heb 10:35-37).

2Co 1:8  For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 
2Co 1:9  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
2Co 1:10  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

Php 3:1  Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Php 3:2  Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. [contrasted with true spiritual circumcision in the heart (Rom 2:29)]
Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit [Joh 4:24], and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Heb 10:35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 
Heb 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. [Luk 21:19]
Heb 10:37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Php 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 
Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [Paul’s physical curriculum vitae]
Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 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, 
Php 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: [Gal 2:20]

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. [Christ loved us and demonstrated that love by laying down his entire life for us, and now with the faith of Christ we can do the same thing Lord willing (Php 2:12-13, 1Jn 4:17)]

2Ki 18:20  Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? 

Rabshakeh represents the scoffers and evil men who will come upon the scene as we near the end of this age (2Ti 3:1-5). Inwardly, when God begins to judge us and pour out his wrath upon the kingdom of our old man, it becomes evident that these evil men and scoffers and seducers were residing on the throne of our own hearts.  There is also a dispensational way to look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 which was written to admonish us and help us be armed with the mind of Christ (1Pe 4:1) and His faith, which can quench all the these evil and lying spirits that are going to abound more ‘as the day approaches’ (Luk 12:45, 2Pe 3:3-4).

Luk 12:45  But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; [“This is the impatient spirit of man’s flesh that says ‘my Lord delays his coming,’ and we are told to watch and pray and faint not through cleaving to Christ who gives us the faith needed to patiently possess our souls when the whole world is saying ‘curse God and die’, beating the menservants and maidens who represent Christ and His body that serves us” (Job 2:9)].

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: [‘religious’ but not able to believe that God is completely sovereign and that we have no free will] from such turn away.

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: [1Co 2:16, 2Ti 1:7] for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; [Suffering in the flesh and ceasing from sinning results in our growing in the zealous mind of Christ (2Co 7:11)]

2Pe 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
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.

2Ki 18:21  Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. 
2Ki 18:22  But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

The accuser of the brethren is in full force with these verses (2Ki 18:21-22) reminding these messengers of Hezekiah how the nation of Judah’s former conversation was Baal worship explained in these words, “the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.”  The devil is good at twisting the word of God, or speaking with a forked tongue as he did with Adam and Eve in the garden and Christ while He was being tempted (Gen 3:1-5, Mat 4:6), and this is no different a spirit as Rabshakeh goes on to deceitfully remind them that the God in whom they now trust is the same God they trusted in then, “But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?” This is a twisted lie that Rabshakeh is hurling at these men to try to make them believe that they and the nation haven’t changed and are in fact still worshiping the same god and spirit that Jeroboam the son of Nebat had introduced to the nation of Israel. The lesson for God’s elect is that we are not the same people who have come out of Babylon, and the main reason we are not is because we worship God now in spirit and in truth, obeying the commandments of God demonstrating our love of God and the children of God, which actions also demonstrate our love toward our neighbor as well (Joh 4:24, 1Jn 5:2, Joh 13:35, Mar 12:31).

This statement “Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him” was true for us when it was true, as explained in 1 Kings 14:15, but Hezekiah ,who is a type of Christ, has brought about a reformation, and now the people are worshiping God in spirit and truth, at least in type and shadow. The type and shadow representing how Christ in us as our hope of glory (Col 1:27) gives us the power to no longer lean to our own understanding [upon “the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it“] less and less, and so we read of Christ with this prophecy of the workmanship that we are in Him “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax (Luk 12:49) shall he not quench: [that which He has started or kindled in us will be accomplished (Php 1:6)] he shall bring forth judgment unto truth” (Isa 42:3, Isa 53:5). 

1Ki 14:15  For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD to anger.

Isa 42:3  A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

The reed also represents a tool of measurement which was used to measure the temple of God (Rev 11:2), revealing that judgment is upon us now through Christ (1Pe 4:17) and that has to be where our focus remains as we die daily (1Co 11:31) and are accounted as sheep for the slaughter just as Christ was (Rom 8:36, 1Jn 4:17). The moment we get caught up in the fray of this world or try to judge matters which are none of our business to judge, we are in fact disobeying God and measuring the court which is not to be measured by God’s elect now, but later in the lake of fire (Rev 11:2, Rom 14:4, Joh 8:34).

Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Also, in the positive light of “this bruised reed“, we are bruised as the body of Christ filling up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ (Col 1:24) who “was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa 53:5). In the positive use of being pierced, Christ came out of Egypt (Hos 11:1) and overcame the flesh by the power of God’s holy spirit, being strengthened to endure until the end of His life the piercing of His hands and feet that He would endure for our sakes, and now gives us the power to follow His example (Psa 22:16, Zec 12:10, Gal 2:20).

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 

Hos 11:1  When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Psa 22:16  For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

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.

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The bruising of Christ and the healing of Christ’s body are closely related in scripture (1Co 10:16), and we have all spit on Christ and smote Him on the head with a reed (Mat 27:30), whereas Christ spat on the earth, which represents the church, with the water of the word, and took the earth and put it upon our eyes to take away our blindness (Joh 9:6). The earth here represents the church where the manifest knowledge of Christ is made known in the body of Christ (Eph 3:10). Lord willing, we will continue to acknowledge our blindness and our need to die daily and be washed with the word of truth He gives to those who are blessed to hunger and thirst for it and abide in it (Joh 9:41, Mat 5:6).

1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 

Mat 27:30  And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

Joh 9:6  When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

The verses we will look at next week carry this same theme of how Satan tries to undermine our faith and relationship with God and each other, and yet as the story unfolds, we will see king Hezekiah is given wisdom to defeat the enemy by not engaging with him and instructing the people to do the same thing with the command “answer him not” (2Ki 18:36).

2Ki 18:36  But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

[Study Aired October 20, 2022]

2Ki 8:7  And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. 
2Ki 8:8  And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 
2Ki 8:9  So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels’ burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 
2Ki 8:10  And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 
2Ki 8:11  And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. 
2Ki 8:12  And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.
2Ki 8:13  And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. 
2Ki 8:14  So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover.
2Ki 8:15  And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.

As was mentioned last week, the first section of chapter eight of 2 Kings represents more of the positive sowing that is happening by way of the woman who represents the body of Christ whose son was healed. In the verses we’re looking at in this section of Kings, we’ll see the negative tares that will be sown and used according to the counsel of God’s own will via king Hazael who represents Babylon within us who rejects the message of the true gospel of God (Eph 1:11). As always these things are written for our sake and for our admonition upon whom the end of the ages is come as they motivate us to ‘come out of her my people’ that we be not partakers of her plagues (1Co 10:11, 2Co 6:17). 

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

After Hazael kills Benhadad the king of Syria, he in turn becomes the king of Syria as Elisha prophesied, and things just wax worse and worse (2Ti 3:13). Elisha was weeping over the future events he knew were going to come upon Judah just as Christ wept over Jerusalem (Luk 19:41-42). All of this story is to tell us the mindset we should have as the body of Christ as we near the end of this wicked generation knowing there is both an inward and outward application that God has to give us to understand. The world will not repent because of the hardness of their hearts, and those who do repent (Rom 2:4) are those who will be sealed with the holy spirit of promise experiencing God’s goodness in this age (Eph 1:13), typified by a set “mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof” (Eze 9:4, Mat 24:22). 

2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 

Luk 19:41  And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Luk 19:42  Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Mat 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

The elect are typified by these verses in Ezekiel that describe six men who came from the way of the higher gate which represents Christ who is judging God’s elect at this higher gate that lies toward the north from where judgment comes (Eze 9:2-3, 1Pe 4:17). There are six men representing our flesh which needs to be put off in order for us to be clothed with linen, which is a symbol of Christ’s righteousness within us making it possible for us to have a writer’s inkhorn^H7083 by our side, which symbolically means we can now read, hear and keep the sayings of the prophecies of Christ that bless us (Rev 1:3) due to his judgments which take us out of our previous foolish state of not knowing God (Pro 24:7, Psa 14:1). It is “one man”, and that one man represents Christ who is doing the work within us (Php 2:12-13) as we go into the court where the brasen altar is which represents a place of washing and repentance. All these thoughts in Ezekiel 9:2-3 lead up to the most important verse telling us the mindset of those who have been truly washed with the water of the word in this age (Eze 9:4).

Eze 9:2  And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. 
Eze 9:3  And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn^H7083 by his side; 
Eze 9:4  And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads (Eph 1:13, 1Jn 2:20) of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

2Ki 8:7  And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. 
2Ki 8:8  And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 
2Ki 8:9  So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels’ burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 
2Ki 8:10 And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 

The king of Syria represents Babylon who, although they seek the Lord, will not find the spiritual healing which will only come to a few in this life (Mat 22:14). Elisha coming to Damascus reminds us that Christ is not far from anyone (Act 17:27, Mar 12:34, Rev 3:20, Mat 13:16). Not everyone is being dragged to Christ, and even those who are dragged to Christ are not assured of continuing in a relationship with our Lord unless it has been ordained to be that way (Joh 6:44, Joh 8:31-32).

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

Act 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 

Mar 12:34  And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

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 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

So Hazael, at the request of the king, is sent to enquire of the man of God if he shall recover from his disease. Hazael is also told to bring a gift to Elisha “every good thing of Damascus, forty camels’ burden” which represents the many wonderful gentile (camel) works that we do in this life without giving credit to Christ for being the one who has done them (Mat 7:22-23). Bringing forty camels foreshadows the great tribulation and death that is going to come to the king of Syria, and the nation of Israel (2Ki 13:22) and represents the death of our old man within us as well (Gen 6:3).

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

2Ki 13:22  But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 

Gen 6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years (40 years x 3) (Deu 31:2 , Deu 34:7).

Hazael is now standing before Elisha and asks this question on behalf of the king of Syria: “Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?” The treachery in Hazael’s heart has not been revealed yet and even when it is, he can’t believe that he is the murderous man: “But what, is thy servant a dog“, that Elisha describes with such detail in the next few verses (Pro 14:5, 2Sa 12:7).

Pro 14:5  A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. 

2Sa 12:7  And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 

Elisha’s response to Hazael is, “Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.” So essentially Elisha was telling Hazael that Benhadad would have survived if he hadn’t killed him. The mindset of Hazael is typical of one who crucifies Christ afresh, and he was the king’s servant who betrayed him, representing our flesh that denies Christ and, but for the grace of God, would crucify him afresh as well “and put him to an open shame” (Mat 10:33, 2Ti 2:13, Heb 6:6).

Mat 10:33  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 

2Ti 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 

Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

All these events unfolded as they did according to the counsel of God’s will (Eph 1:11) at the hand of a king’s servant, Hazael, who was caused by God to do these treacherous events to further destroy the kingdoms of men around him. 

God anointed these events through Elijah who was told of the Lord years prior, to “anoint Hazael to be king over Syria”, of which truth Elisha was just now coming to understand since he was not yet with Elijah at that point in time (1Ki 19:15-17). This all demonstrates God’s sovereignty over all the plans of mankind and how that plan is only revealed to the few (Amo 3:7) who, by the grace of God, don’t bend the knee to Baal (1Ki 19:18) as was explained to Elijah prior to his being commanded to go anoint Hazael (1Ki 19:15, 1Ki 19:1-14).

1Ki 19:15  And the LORD said unto him [Elijah], Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 
1Ki 19:16  And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 
1Ki 19:17  And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 
1Ki 19:18  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 

2Ki 8:11  And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed:^H954 and the man of God wept.

2Ki 8:11  Elisha began to stare. He stared until [Hazael] felt embarrassed. Then the man of God began to cry. (ERV)

ashamed: H954 bûsh boosh   A primitive root; properly to pale, that is, by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed, or delayed: – (be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with, a-) shame (-d), be (put to) confounded (-fusion), become dry, delay, be long.  
Total KJV occurrences: 119

Everything Elisha says to Hazael and his reaction to those prophecies reminds us that the world does not know “the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes” (Luk 19:41-42, Eze 9:4, Joh 8:36). We are incredibly blessed to have His peace in this world, a peace that passes all understanding, given to us by God so we can endure unto the end (Php 4:6).

Luk 19:41  And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Luk 19:42  Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Eze 9:4  And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 
Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Elisha was broken up over what he knew was coming, but he was not overwhelmed or destroyed by it. Peace is not peace as our flesh wants to define peace, but peace comes to us when we can believe Christ and labor for our daily bread, which He gives to those who seek the kingdom of God first and His righteousness (Mat 6:33). We labor therefore for that peace which passes all understanding, and it is peace that needs to be nurtured by thinking on things true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Also think of the virtue of Christ we see in the body of Christ that goes out from each of us and any praise, think on these things so God’s peace can be sustained within us (2Co 4:8-10, Php 4:8).

2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 
2Co 4:9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 
2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body [Eph 5:30]. 

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2Ki 8:12  And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. 

This section of scripture is a type of the destruction of Babylon at the hands of the wicked Hazael who was anointed to be this driving spirit in his day (Rev 17:16). The terminology reveals that this mayhem which is prophesied to ensue is synonymous with the destruction of the churches and false doctrines and strongholds in the flesh which mankind holds onto at all cost, “Their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.” It is very reminiscent of the ten horns upon the beast that shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire (Psa 17:13, Rev 17:16).

Psa 17:13  Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: 

Rev 17:16  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 

2Ki 8:13  And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. 

Hazael then asks Elisha, is “thy servant a dog” that he should bring all this destruction, to which Elisha answers, “The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria“, meaning, “Yes, you are a gentile dog in spirit being used in the service of God to accomplish His will.” Of course Hazael doesn’t see it this way, and yet he won’t stop at anything to get to the prominent place of power after which he is lusting even after being given the witness by God’s servant, Elisha. It doesn’t matter what God’s elect says to people during the thousand-year reign, or even today for that matter. A man convinced against his own will (which is not free) is of the same opinion still (and that stubbornness is of God as well [1Sa 15:23, 1Sa 16:14]), the lesson being it is only Christ who can convert our hearts so that His spirit within us can give us the ability to believe and continue to abide in that belief until our last breath (Php 1:21).

1Sa 15:23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 

1Sa 16:14  But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. 

Php 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

2Ki 8:14  So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover. 
2Ki 8:15  And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.

In this 14th verse we see the forked tongue of the devil being revealed in Hazael who tells Benhadad the truth that he will recover, but fails to leave out the detail that he’s going to kill him on the morrow (Gen 2:16-17, Gen 3:1-5). 

Gen 3:1  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 
Gen 3:2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 
Gen 3:3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 
Gen 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [“He told me that thou shouldest surely recover“]
Gen 3:5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Something done “on the morrow” is a biblical phrase that often accompanies judgment as these verses below indicate. Keep in mind as we read those verses that “all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us”. In other words, that judgment is needful upon our flesh and it leads to life in Christ if we are blessed to be judged (1Pe 4:17) in this life (Gen 19:34, Exo 18:13, Exo 32:30, 1Sa 18:10, 1Sa 31:8, Jas 4:14-15, 2Co 1:20). 

Gen 19:34  And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. [First man Adam who cannot be ‘crucified with Christ’ (Gal 2:20, Gal 5:24)] 

Exo 18:13  And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

Exo 32:30  And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

1Sa 18:10  And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. 

1Sa 31:8  And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

Jas 4:14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 
Jas 4:15  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

The way in which he kills him ‘on the morrow’ is symbolic of how Babylon’s doctrines suffocate the life of Christ in us and blind us to the truth of God’s word which can set us free if we are granted to continue in them (Joh 8:31-32). He took a thick cloth and “dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died.” Dipping it in the waters of Babylon, not the living waters of God’s words, and spreading it on his face where, in a right relationship, symbolizes how we see Christ face to face in earnest (1Co 13:12-13, Eph 1:14). In Babylon, Christ is hidden from us, and there is no chance for life. The end result of these evil actions is that Hazael got the promotion he was looking for in his flesh as this is all that mattered to him.

1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 
1Co 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Obviously Hazael is not a type of one who sighs and cries for the abominations of the world, but more perfectly demonstrates the problem with our carnal nature which needs to be destroyed by the brightness of God’s coming (2Th 2:8). 

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

Gospels In Harmony – Guilty of Death

Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, Luke 22:54, 67-71, John 18:12-13, 18-24

[Study Aired January 25, 2022]

John 18:12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 
John 18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
John 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
John 18:20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
John 18:21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
John 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
John 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
John 18:24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 
John 18:14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
John 18:15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
Mark 14:55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
Mark 14:56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
Matt 26:60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses saying,
Mark 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
Mark 14:59 But neither so did their witness agree together.
Mark 14:60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
Matt 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Luke 22:67 And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
Luke 22:68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
Luke 22:70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Matt 26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy:
Mark 14:64 what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
Luke 22:63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, 
Mark 14:65 And some began to spit on him, 
Luke 22:64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
Luke 22:65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

We read in our last study how Christ was betrayed by Judas, Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant and Christ healed the servant. These things represent our different positions in our process of salvation. Judas represents the time when we believe but our lack of understanding that judgment must take place in order to be saved causes us to betray Christ. Peter represents the stage in our walk that we think we will do anything to help Christ achieve saving the world but do not understand the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of those that take the sword will perish with the sword.

Matt 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Christ is now taken into custody and begins the process of being charged, judged and sentenced. Christ’s first phase of His ministry has come to an end, and the next phase is beginning. This phase is the process of judgment.

John 18:12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 
John 18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
John 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

In all the previous attempts the leaders of the Jews and the people tried to capture Christ, he escaped.

John 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. 

John 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. 

This time Christ allowed himself to be apprehended for the very purpose of his word being fulfilled proving his place as the prophet of prophets and being the son of God.

Deut 18:20-22 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. 

John 14:1-2 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Christ now answers Annas.

John 18:20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 
John 18:21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 
John 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
John 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

Christ knew they had no witness to testify against him. Annas is trying to get Christ to say something that would convict himself.

John 18:24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 
John 18:14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Since Annas could not get Christ to confess against himself, he sent him to Caiaphas. As Christ is moved to the next location Peter and another disciple follow along.

John 18:15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
Mark 14:55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. 
Mark 14:56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
Matt 26:60 At the last came two false witnesses saying, 
Mark 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 
Mark 14:59 But neither so did their witness agree together.

The leaders of the Jews finally have Christ where they want him but cannot find two or three witnesses that agree with each other, so the high priest Caiaphas starts to question Christ.

Mark 14:60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
Matt 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Luke 22:67 And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: 
Luke 22:68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
Luke 22:70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Matt 26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy:
Mark 14:64 what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

The Jews earlier in Christ’s ministry tried to stone him for this very same thing. It was not time for him to be taken then.

John 10:31-40 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

The leaders have tried and convicted Christ even without following the law of Moses.

Deut 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Christ now has been accused, tried and convicted and must endure the sentence to come.

Luke 22:63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, 
Mark 14:65 And some began to spit on him, 
Luke 22:64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
Luke 22:65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

Just a few hours before this mockery, Christ was feasting with his disciples. He was brought to his wits’ end and cried out to the Father and asked for the cup of wrath to be removed. He then acknowledged that the will of the Father must take place and gave in to His will. Next, he was betrayed by Judas and then all the disciples fled away.

We have all feasted with Christ and betrayed him. We are all guilty of accusing Christ of blasphemy. We are guilty of condemning Christ to death. When our old man sits on the throne as though he is God, we blaspheme Christ. Of course this is how it must be. We are the betrayers and accusers so the man of sin can be revealed.

2 Thess 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

This is still not the end of our struggle. We must completely deny Christ before we are saved. In our next study Peter, representing us, the elect of God, will demonstrate how we deny Christ.

Gospels In Harmony – Christ Begins His Three Days in the Earth

Mat 26:46-57, Mark 14:41-53, Luke 22:47-54, John 18:3-14

[Study Aired January 4, 2022]

Mark 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 
Matt 26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
Mark 14:43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, 
John 18:3 having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, 
Mark 14:43 and the scribes and the elders cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 
Matt 26:48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
Mark 14:44 and lead him away safely. 
John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 
John 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
John 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
John 18:7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
John 18:8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
John 18:9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
Matt 26:49 And forthwith Judas came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
Matt 26:50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?
Luke 22:48 Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Matt 26:50 Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus,
Luke 22:49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Luke 22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 
John 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Matt 26:52 for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Matt 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Matt 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
Luke 22:53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Matt 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. 
Mark 14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
Mark 14:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. 
John 18:12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 
John 18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
Matt 26:57 where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
John 18:14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

In our study today Christ is taken into custody by the leaders of the Jews. They have had enough of the Gospel of Christ and have judged him to be a heretic worthy of death. In our last study Christ was at His wits’ end and begged the Father to release Him from what was to come, if it were His will. After an angel ministered to him, Christ, knowing the will of the Father, submitted to the Father’s will. Now it is time for the three days in the heart of the earth to begin.

Matt 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The preaching of the gospel is now over, and the next stage has begun.

Mark 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 
Matt 26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
Mark 14:43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, 
John 18:3 having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, 
Mark 14:43 and the scribes and the elders cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 
Matt 26:48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
Mark 14:44 and lead him away safely.

Judas was chosen to betray our Lord. This is for our sake. Christ must go away so the Comforter can come.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Christ knew what was going to take place and boldly spoke to the group coming to seize him, and it shocked them.

John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
John 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
John 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

This is a fulfillment of the scriptures.

Psa 40:13-15 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

Psa 70:1-3 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.

Isa 28:11-13 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Christ asks them a second time.

John 18:7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
John 18:8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
John 18:9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

John 17:11-12 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Only the son of perdition is lost. Judas represents the son of perdition within each of us. We all have betrayed Christ and come short of the glory of God.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Judas now fulfills his calling.

Matt 26:49 And forthwith Judas came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
Matt 26:50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?
Luke 22:48 Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Matt 26:50 Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus,

Now the other disciples are fearful of losing the Lord and want to take action.

Luke 22:49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

Peter drew his sword and cut off the right ear of the high priest’s servant. This has been set up since the foundation of the world in order to destroy the old and bring in the new. Christ performs His last miracle and heals the injured man.

Luke 22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

The right ear, being one member of the body, must be healed so the body can be one.

1Co 12:12-21 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Christ now scolds the disciples, reminding them that their way is not His way.

John 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Matt 26:52 for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Matt 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Matt 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

The scriptures must be fulfilled.

Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

At this stage in our walk we resist evil, thinking it is the right thing to do. Christ must do the will of the Father and resist not evil.

Matt 5:38-39 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Christ now acknowledges to the Jews that it is their time to take Him so the scripture will be fulfilled.

Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
Luke 22:53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Matt 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

The disciples have now forsaken Christ not long after they swore they would never be offended.

Matt 26:31-33 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

We do not have the faith required to not be offended at this time in our walk with Christ. Until the holy spirit comes to us, we will be offended by the truth.

Mark 14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
Mark 14:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

This man represents our old man’s sin being uncovered because of our lack of faith and understanding what is taking place.

John 18:12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 
John 18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
Matt 26:57 where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
John 18:14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

As was mentioned earlier, Christ is now captive in the earth, and His judgment is beginning. We all go through this same judgment and must submit to what is written in our books.

Matt 16-18 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Christ does make a way of escape for us and will not lose any he has been given.

Matt 10:19-22 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Joh 6:39-40 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. 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.

Matt 26:21-30, Mark 14:18-26, Luke 22:21-23, John 13:18-32

[Study Aired November 2, 2021]

Joh 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
Joh 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
Joh 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Joh 13:21a When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, 
Mar 14:18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said,
Joh 13:21b and testified, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Luk 22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Mar 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
Joh 13:22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
Joh 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Joh 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
Joh 13:25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
Mar 14:20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish,
Mat 26:23b the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Joh 13:26 He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Mat 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Joh 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Joh 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
Joh 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Joh 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
Joh 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Joh 13:32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom,
Mat 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Mar 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Luk 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

Today’s study picks up after Christ washed the feet of the twelve disciples. Washing feet represents being a servant. Christ gave us this example and commanded his disciples to do the same for each other. We are to be the servants of the body of Christ. We do not serve each other by the ritual of foot washing as many practice. We wash each other’s feet by giving our time, energy, thoughts and support by laying down our lives as a living sacrifice.

Rom 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

This study will focus on those who are and are not able to eat at the Lord’s supper. Our first verses tell us that among the chosen there is a betrayal taking place. 

Joh 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
Joh 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
Joh 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Joh 13:21a When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, 
Mar 14:18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said,
Joh 13:21b and testified, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

Being with Christ at the table represents being called and chosen. Being called and chosen, you may partake in the passover and have your feet washed, but that does not entitle you to eat the Lord’s supper. The disciples at this stage cannot determine who is the betrayer.

Luk 22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Mar 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
Joh 13:22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

Notice the disciples are looking at one another doubting that any of them is a betrayer. It takes Christ in us to determine the betrayer within the group of the called and chosen.

Joh 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Joh 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
Joh 13:25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
Mar 14:20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish,
Mat 26:23b the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Joh 13:26 He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Mat 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

Judas is the betrayer who has been chosen by Christ since the beginning of the world. The scriptures are now fulfilled.

Psa 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

Judas represents the called and chosen that cannot continue in Christ’s word who fall away without repentance and cannot go on into perfection in this age.

Joh 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Heb 6:1-6 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Judas also represents the fornicator within us that must be destroyed.

Joh 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Joh 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
Joh 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Joh 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

Christ has now delivered Judas to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.

1Co 5:1-13 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Judas will not be saved until the lake of fire, and he is used as a warning to the elect to examine their hearts continually for any fornication taking place within themselves.

Psa 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Now is the Son of man glorified. It takes being cast away to Satan for this to take place.

Joh 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Joh 13:32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

The Lord’s Supper can now take place.

Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom,

The new testament is now beginning. The old is passing away.

2Co 5:11-21 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The churches of the world have turned this into a ritual. The Lord is not creating a ritual for mankind to perform. The Lord is telling us what it takes to reign with him in the kingdom of God.

Mat 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, 
Luk 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

Eph 5:1-21 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

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Gospels In Harmony – Who Betrays Jesus?

Mat 26:3-5, 14-16, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-6

[Study Aired October 12, 2021]

Luk 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
Mar 14:1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread:
Mat 26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Mat 26:4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
Mat 26:5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Luk 22:2b for they feared the people.
Luk 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
Luk 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
Mat 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Luk 22:5a And they were glad,
Luk 22:6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

In our last study Christ said, “Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.” Our verses in this study tell us that it is the chief priests, the scribes and the elders of the people that conspired to kill Christ.

Luk 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
Mar 14:1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread:
Mat 26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Mat 26:4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
Mat 26:5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Luk 22:2b for they feared the people.

“They feared the people?” If they were justified in their accusations, why would they fear the people? This is a fulfillment of the following scriptures:

Psa 2:1-3 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

They feared the people, so they needed someone close to Christ to betray him.

Luk 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
Luk 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
Mat 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Luk 22:5a And they were glad,
Luk 22:6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

Satan entered into Judas. Did Satan enter into Judas by his own will? This is what the world teaches. The world teaches if we are evil by our own “choices” then Satan has free reign within us. The world uses the following verses to convince their followers that Satan and themselves have freewill. The world also says their followers can even control Satan.

Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1Pe 5:6-9 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

The scriptures are used in such a way we will be deceived. Let’s see what the scriptures say about our so-called free will.

Joh 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that what soever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Rom 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Eph 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

We have no freewill. Christ has chosen everyone to do what they do, whether it be evil or good, so that the scriptures may be fulfilled. Judas was chosen to be the betrayer. He is a type and shadow of the time in our walk when we deny Christ and follow the doctrines of the world, selling his doctrines for thirty pieces of silver. Another way of seeing this is losing our first love.

Rev 2:1-5 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

As we know, Judas is not able to repent and do the first works and is removed. Judas represents our old man which cannot repent and therefore must be removed. The thirty pieces represent the process of judgment of the flesh, and the silver represents repentance.

Going back to our first verses in the study, we see when this takes place in our lives.

Luk 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
Mar 14:1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread:

The feast of unleavened bread, beginning with the passover, was two days away. This represents the time we received the witness of Christ in the negative sense. We received the message of another Jesus. The messengers appeared as angels of light but were full of darkness. Paul shared the following message so we can be aware of what happened to us during this time in our walk.

2Co 11:1-15 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

As we look back at our journey, we are able to see clearly and understand that the process of salvation begins as us being the betrayer so that our old man can die. This fulfills the scriptures within us.

Gen 2:16-17 And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Eating you may eat of every tree in the garden; but of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil you may not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, dying you shall die. (LITV)

Even though we are commanded not to eat “of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” that is exactly what we do so that our old man is killed. This is the only way to life and the only way we can serve God.

Eze 18:1-9 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying, What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.

Joh 12:23-26 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

We all betray Jesus. This is nothing we do ourselves, but it is done so that we can gain life. Christ sent Satan to us so He could lay down His life for us.

Joh 10:14-18 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

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