Figs – Is, Was and Will Be – The Unknown Character of Christ and His Word

Zec 3:1-10 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD

Tony Cullen — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 02:36:39 +0000

Zec 3:1-10 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD

[Study Aired June 15, 2023]

Zec 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
Zec 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Zec 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Zec 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Zec 3:5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
Zec 3:6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
Zec 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
Zec 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
Zec 3:9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
Zec 3:10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

God’s elect are called kings and priests in Revelation 1:6 and 5:10, and we have one high priest Jesus Christ who is “the LORD of hosts” spoken of in three verses in this study (Zec 3:7, Zec 3:9-10).

Zec 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

Zec 3:9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
Zec 3:10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

In the first verse we read of “Joshua the high priest” who represents God’s elect who are called unto this high calling to be as our Lord and high priest (1Pe 2:9, 1Jn 4:17, Php 3:13-14, Heb 3:1-2).

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [to be like our LORD, as a king and a priest (Rev 1:6, Rev 5:10)]

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

[Moses’ faithfulness in all his house represents how Christ in us as our hope of glory (Col 1:27) can and will be the author and finisher of our faith (Php 1:6, Heb 11:1-2, Heb 11:6), building the house (Psa 127:1) and creating within us a mind that has respect unto the recompence of the reward (Heb 11:26, Heb 10:35)]

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.

Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

This third chapter of Zechariah reassures God’s people how “the LORD of hosts” will prepare the bride of Christ who is primarily represented in this chapter as “Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD“.

Zec 2:11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts (Zec 3:10) hath sent me unto thee.
Zec 2:12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Zec 2:13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

Zec 3:1 And he shewed me [speaking of the angel speaking on behalf of the Lord of hosts (Zec 2:1-4, Zec 4:1)] Joshua the high priest [who typifies the elect] standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

The last three verses of the second chapter of Zechariah are a prophesy of that time when the world will come to know those who are blessed to come in the name of the LORD (Psa 118:26), bringing the message from the LORD to, “Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.” His holy habitation is the body of Christ the church who will bring God’s true gospel message into the world “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph 3:10).

Psa 118:26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

Prior to these events being made possible, the bride needs to be made ready (Rev 19:7, Php 2:12-14) which is what this third chapter of Zechariah is all about, and concludes in the last verse (Zec 3:10) with a prophetic message that is also spoken of in the last three verses of chapter two (Zec 2:11-13).

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Zec 3:10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

Zec 2:11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
Zec 2:12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Zec 2:13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

Christ’s body is not wrestling against flesh and blood but rather against “Satan standing at his right hand to resist him” and it is because of Christ who works within the angel of the LORD as our hope of glory within (Col 1:27) that we can overcome the wicked one and endure unto the end (Eph 6:12-13, 1Jn 2:13-14).

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

1Jn 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
1Jn 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

Zec 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan [via the messenger “the angel of the Lord”], The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

It is the LORD who is working in us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure in this age, and in order to overcome the devil he must be rebuked of the LORD (Jud 1:9), which was demonstrated for us by Christ when He prayed for Peter that his faith fail not, knowing Satan wanted to sift him like wheat (Luk 22:31). This measure of faith given to us by God through Christ is the gift that Romans 3:27 makes it possible for us to endure the trials and temptations which we are assured we must go through in this life (Luk 22:31-32, 1Pe 1:7, 1Pe 4:12).

Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

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:

As mentioned, it is the LORD who is working in us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure in this age and it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom inwardly in the earnest of this relationship and outwardly at the last trump (Luk 12:32, Luk 17:21, Rev 11:15). In order for that to happen the devil must be rebuked so we can be scarcely saved through Christ, “The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem (Mat 22:14) rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (1Pe 4:18, Jud 1:23). God’s elect are that brand that is “plucked out of the fire” as the few who are “chosen” in this age represented by Joshua the high priest.

1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. (Zec 3:3)

Zec 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

God has given Satan the power to make the elect his target, seeking whom he may devour (1Pe 5:8), and yet because of our relationship with Christ we are able to resist him and grow through those divers temptations that come our way (Jas 4:7, Jas 1:2-4).

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

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

Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Christ sets us free from sin as he pulls us out of the fire and He works this deliverance through the body of Christ (Joh 8:36, Jud 1:23-25, 1Pe_4:18).

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

1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Zec 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

Zec 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

The filthy garments on Joshua represent our iniquities, which is our natural self righteous state, the way that seems right unto a man (Eze 3:20-21, Eze 18:20, Eze 18:24, Eze 33:13, Pro 14:12). God causes these sins to pass from us through Christ whose life in us is represented by the statement “I will clothe thee with change of raiment“. The righteousness of the saints is Christ’s righteousness that we pray we will be found in when He returns (Rev 19:8, Php 3:9).

Rev 19:8 And to her was granted (Eph 2:8) that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

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: “I will clothe thee with change of raiment” (Rom 3:27)

“Those who stood before him” represent the body of Christ who is used to wash or “take away the filthy garments from him” which is what we do for each other as many members or joints of the same body of Christ that supply that washing or feeding of the word that cleanses and nourishes us (Eph 4:16). We are saviours toward each other right now, able to forgive and wash each other with the life of Christ within us (Col 3:13).

Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (1Co 3:6).

Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Zec 3:5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

Having done all we stand ready (Eph 6:13), and are committed to feeding and clothing the flock being helpers of each other’s joy (1Co 9:16, 2Co 1:24). Putting the mitre upon his head symbolizes the crown of righteousness that we don’t let any carnal man take from us, but that we assist each other in holding fast to in this life, as we are clothed by each other with the righteousness of Christ that empowers us to go where our flesh does not want to go (Rev 3:11, Joh 21:18).

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

1Co 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

2Co 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Joh 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

Zec 3:6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,

Zec 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by

It is the angel of the Lord who represents the body of Christ the church (Col 1:24) who ‘charges us’ or ‘testifies to us’ or “protestedH5749 unto Joshua” what “the LORD of hosts” has to say, and if we are granted to read, and hear and keep what is told us “If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge” (Rev 1:3) then “thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by”. This blessing of judging God’s house and keeping his courts is speaking of the inheritance of the saints which is typified by these verses (Zec 2:12-13).

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.

Zec 2:12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again [1Jn 4:17].

Zec 2:13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

Zec 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

This is still the angel of the Lord speaking on behalf of “the LORD of hosts” to Joshua, and “thy fellows that sit before thee… men wonderedH4159 at” represent the body of Christ who are a special people “men of symbol (LITV)” or “men to serve as signs (Rotherham)” (2Co 12:12) who are reflecting the life of Christ that we are connected to as a branch to a vine (Joh 15:5).

H4159 môphêth

wonder, sign, miracle, portent
wonder (as a special display of God’s power)
sign, token (of future event)

Total KJV Occurrences: 36

“The BRANCH” represents Christ’s life in the body of Christ that only God can bring forth fruit in, seeing He is the one that gives the growth and increase to this branch (1Co_3:6 , Rom_11:16-21)].

Rom 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

Rom 11:18 Boast not (Rom_3:27) against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith (Rom_3:27). Be not highminded, but fear:

Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

[God spared not the natural branches, and those who are granted to have the life of Christ in them today are spoken of as “The BRANCH” that is not bearing the burden of Christ in love if we don’t fully acknowledge the work that God is doing in the body of Christ as His workmanship (Eph_2:10) that we are (1Co_4:6-17)]

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast (Rom_3:27).

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1Co 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1Co_11:18-19)

Zec 3:9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

The stone “I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes” represents ‘Peter’ or the church that is built upon the rock Jesus Christ (Mat_16:17-19) and it is still the angel of the Lord who is telling us what “the LORD of hosts” is going to do, which is described for us in detail in (Rev_3:12) revealing to us that God already knows who it is that is going to move with fear in this age and “hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” of the previous verse (Rev_3:11)].

Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art PeterG4074 – piece of rock , and upon this rockG4073 – a mass of rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God [“I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day” the day of the Lord], and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Zec 3:10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

The world during the thousand year reign of the saints will be called to learn of Christ’s righteousness (Isa_26:9) “under the vine and under the fig tree” meaning under the rule of the saints represented by “the fig tree”, the church, the Israel of God that is under the head of the church Jesus Christ represented by “the vine”. (1Ki_4:25 , Joe_2:22)

1Ki 4:25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

Joe 2:22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

May “the LORD of hosts” continue to give us eyes to see and ears to hear (Mat_13:16) his voice through the body of Christ, that is our humble prayer: “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD”.

The Book of Jeremiah – Jer 29:15-32 They… Have Spoken Lying Words In My Name

Mike Vinson — Sun, 23 Jan 2022 02:59:24 +0000

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gwq9210ro7sjpp8/20220123-Study_MikeV-LyingWords.m4a?raw=1

Jer 29:15-32 They… Have Spoken Lying Words In My Name

[Study Aired January 23, 2022

Jer 29:15 Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;
Jer 29:16 Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
Jer 29:17 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
Jer 29:18 And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:
Jer 29:19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.
Jer 29:20 Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:
Jer 29:21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
Jer 29:22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
Jer 29:23 Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.
Jer 29:24 Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
Jer 29:25 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Jer 29:26 The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
Jer 29:27 Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?
Jer 29:28 For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
Jer 29:29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
Jer 29:30 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
Jer 29:31 Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:
Jer 29:32 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.

This section of scripture is addressed to “The king that sits upon the throne of David and… all the people that dwelleth in this city [Jerusalem], and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity.”

The king sitting on the throne of David at the time of this writing was the evil king, Zedekiah. Zedekiah was placed upon the throne of David by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. In this particular case “the king that sitteth upon the throne of David” signifies our old man who is sitting on the throne of David in our hearts and minds before he is dethroned and destroyed by the brightness of the truth of Christ when we are finally given eyes that see and ears that hear. “The throne of David” is the throne of Christ, and this is the fate of this evil king within us who is usurping the Lord’s throne which is in our hearts and minds:

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, [We are made to realize that we are in bed with the great whore.] and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; [Our man of sin is revealed only after we acknowledge we are in bed with the great whore.]
2Th 2:4 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. [sitting on the throne of David]
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth [G2722: katecho, hold back] that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [G2722: katecho, hold back]will let, until he be taken out of the way.
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:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [that they need not go into Babylon nor fulfill the seven last plagues]
2Th 2:12 That they all [the “old man” in “every man”] might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

“That ye be not… troubled… by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us… that the day of Christ is at hand” is speaking of the first resurrection, the redemption of the purchased possession and not just the earnest of the spirit of that promise. What has happened within this fellowship is not new. The same perverse spirit was alive and well when this epistle was written. There were already those who were teaching that the kingdom of God within was itself the first resurrection.

2Ti 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Ti 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

The Greek word ‘katecho’ in 2Thessalonians 2:6-7 is the same word translated as ‘hold’ in this verse:

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [G2722: katecho, to restrain] the truth in unrighteousness;

The “man of sin” who occupies Christ’s throne in our hearts and minds ‘restrains’ and holds back the Truth in unrighteousness and in many self-righteous, false, lying doctrines such as “the day of Christ is at hand”. The kingdom of God certainly is at hand within, but the day when “the Lord and His Christ” will rule the kingdoms of this world has not yet arrived, and we are with patience waiting for it:

Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

That is why this 29^th chapter of Jeremiah also addresses all the false prophets in both Babylon and in Jerusalem which were then under the yoke of the king of Babylon. This is the chapter of Jeremiah which informs us that we cannot come out of Babylon until seventy years are fulfilled, just as we are told in the book of Revelation that we cannot come out of Babylon until the seven plagues of the seven angels are being fulfilled. Here are these two prophecies side by side:

Jer 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

Rev 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Now let’s carefully notice the tenses in these two verses. The Hebrew first:

Jer 29:10 For thus saith^{H559 [H8804, Qal Stem]}the LORD^H3068, That after^H6310seventy^H7657 years^H8141 be accomplished^{H4390 [H8800, Qal Stem]}at Babylon^H894 I will visit^{H6485 [H8799, Qal Stem]}you, and perform^{H6965 [H8689, Hiphil]}my good^H2896word^H1697 toward you, in causing you to return^{H7725 [H8687, Hiphil]}to this place^H4725.

The first three verbs are not in the future tense as it seems to appear, but they are all in the Qal Stem, which is the Hebrew equivalent of the aorist tense. The last two verbs are Hiphil, and Hiphil is simply the causative of the Qal Stem.

Here is the TVM definition of Hiphil:

H8818
Hiphil

a) Hiphil usually expresses the “causative” action of Qal -See [H8851]

So, everything said in Jeremiah 29:10 is an ongoing process being caused by the Lord Himself. The same is true in the Greek aorist tense as it concerns Revelation 15:8:

Rev 15:8 And^G2532 the temple^G3485 was filled^{G1072 [G5681, aorist tense]}with smoke^G2586from^G1537 the glory^G1391 of God^G2316, and^G2532 from^G1537 his^G846 power^G1411; and^G2532no man^G3762 was able^{G1410 [G5711, imperfect tense]}to enter^{G1525 [G5629, aorist tense]}into^G1519 the temple^G3485, till^G891 the seven^G2033 plagues^G4127 of the seven^G2033angels^G32 were fulfilled^{G5055 [G5686, aorist tense].}

The first verb and the last two verbs are in the aorist tense. The “no man was able” is in the imperfect tense because it is speaking of what is taking place within the verbs which are in the aorist tense. In other words, what we are being told is that ‘the temple is being filled with smoke from the glory of God… and no man is able to enter into the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels are being fulfilled.’

Indeed, our salvation is a process, and we are all “waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God” at the future time of “the redemption of the purchased possession”, which we possess now only as a sure “promise” of God in “the earnest of the spirit”:

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

So where is Babylon mentioned in Revelation 15:8? It is mentioned in the statement that “no man was able to enter into the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” It is in the very next chapter we are informed that the very last of those “seven last plagues”, which must be fulfilled in our own lives before we can ‘enter into the temple’ in heavenly Jerusalem, is the judgment of “great Babylon” within each of us:

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 [Psa 107:27 – “wits’ end”], 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, 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.

That “voice out of the temple of heaven from the throne” that says “it is done” is all said in the aorist tense, which means it is the same as saying ‘No man could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels are being fulfilled.’

Rev 16:17 And^G2532 the seventh^G1442 angel^G32 poured out^{G1632 [G5656, aorist tense]}his^G846 vial^G5357 into^G1519 the air^G109; and^G2532 there came^{G1831 [G5627, aorist tense]}a great^G3173 voice^G5456 out of^G575 the temple^G3485 of heaven^G3772, from^G575 the throne^G2362, saying^{G3004 [G5723, present tense],}It is done^{G1096 [G5754, perfect tense].}

The first two verbs are in the aorist tense and the last two, the present tense and the perfect tense, are being expressed within the context of what is taking place within the aorist tense.

The seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials of the book of Revelation flesh out the meaning of ‘being brought to our wits’ end’ before we can enter into our desired haven, which ‘’haven” is our heavenly temple of Revelation 15:

Psa 107:24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
Psa 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
Psa 107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Psa 107:27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end [an “earthquake such as was not since men were upon the earth” (Rev 16:18)].
Psa 107:28  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psa 107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven [“The temple” (Rev 15:8)].
Psa 107:31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Notice the events which must occur in this very order. “Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble…” We cannot cry to the Lord until we are brought into great trouble, “a great earthquake… the stormy winds which lift up the waves” of life which brings us to our “wits’ end”.

Only ‘then does the Lord calm the storms of our lives and make the waves still’, and only “Then are [we] glad and the Lord brings us to our desired haven, which is our rest in Him (Heb 4:1-4) and in knowing that “all things work together for [our] good” if we are indeed “the called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28).

Being brought to our old man’s wits’ end is called a “wonderful work of God”. As Revelation 16 demonstrates, we do not see it as such at first. While we are rooted and grounded in Babylon, we all blaspheme God because of the plague of the hail. We just naturally do so because of what the hail is doing to all the lies which dominate our heavens at that time of judgment in our lives:

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.

The hail and the waters are both the truths of the Word of God. They both symbolize the doctrines of Christ which oppose, burn up and destroy all the lies of the adversary, which are so cherished by our self-righteous old man:

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.

As counterintuitive as it sounds, the ‘hail’ and the ‘fire’ both accomplish the same thing. They both destroy all the lies to which our old man is so attached.

Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Jeremiah typifies all who are faithful to the Lord’s words today. The Lord’s true prophets “do the things [He] says”:

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Luk 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
Luk 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
Luk 6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Christ, along with His doctrine, is the ‘Rock’ upon which we must build our spiritual house.

1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

We build that ‘house’ by remaining faithful to His Words in all things. No prophet of Christ ever asks for money but gives to others what has been freely given to him:

Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

No true prophet of Christ ever sets dates:

Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

No true prophet of Christ will ever take up a sword to defend himself:

Mat 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.

A true prophet of Christ does not talk around loving your enemies and attempt to parse foreign enemies from domestic enemies. A true prophet of God loves all men of all time.

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

A true prophet of God follows in the footsteps of our Lord:

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Our Lord “broke the sabbath” (Mat 12:1-8 and Joh 5:18). He did not appear on the first day of the feast of Tabernacles, therefore He did not keep the holy days properly (Joh 7:8-9).

Mat 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
Mat 12:2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Mat 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Mat 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
Mat 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
Mat 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
Mat 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Joh 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Joh 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Christ did not disagree with the Pharisees. He agreed with them that He, like David, ate “that which was not lawful for him to eat”. He agreed with the Pharisees that He, like the priests, “profaned the sabbath”. What was His defense…? “In this place is one greater than the temple… [and] the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.” That is another way in which Christ was “like unto [Moses]”. He was a reformer, and the settled establishment hated Him and His “time of reformation”:

Heb 9:10 Which stood [the tabernacle of Moses, verse 6] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Paul followed in Christ’s steps and admonished the Galatians and the Colossians against keeping days, months, times and years… the traditions of men (Gal 4:9-10 and Col 2:8).

Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements [G4747: stoicheion], whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Gal 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Gal 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments [G4747: stoicheion, traditions of men] of the world, and not after Christ.

Jeremiah, as a type of our Lord and His Christ, has been proven beyond any doubt to be a true spokesman for the Lord. Not only has he led an exemplary life, but every prophecy he has ever made over many years has come to pass, and this is what all who claim to be God’s people should know about those who claim to speak for God:

Deu 18:20 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.
Deu 18:21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
Deu 18:22 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.

Deu 13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
Deu 13:2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
Deu 13:3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

If a prophesy does come to pass, if that prophet is telling you to worship ‘another Jesus’ do not listen to that prophet.

2Co 11:4 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 [G430: anechomai, hold oneself up against] him.

Knowing that the Lord always has and always will make good on His Word, Jeremiah admonishes his own people:

This is the second time the Lord inspired Jeremiah to use this phrase, “vile figs”. The first time is:

Jer 24:1 The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.
Jer 24:2 One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.

The Lord in His patience and His mercy and for our benefit is given to repeating Himself. Here is what He says about these “vile figs” in chapter 24:

Jer 24:3 Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
Jer 24:4 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Jer 24:5 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good [Rom 8:28].
Jer 24:6 For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.
Jer 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

These ‘good figs’ which are carried away into Babylon “for their good” are those who “love God and are the called according to His purpose”. Of themselves they are no better than the evil figs. They are “given a heart to know [the Lord]”.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Just like Jeremiah, “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God [and] are the called according to His purpose.”

“We know” that all things work together for good to them who love God…” but knowing that fact necessitates the Lord also knows who does not love God and who are not “the called according to His purpose, to be “the firstborn among many brothers”.

“We know” that the Lord has all our days “written in [His] book… before the world began.” He knows in advance who will be His “firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb” (Psa 139:16, 2Ti 1:9, Tit 1:2, Rev 14:4). For any of that to be true, then He also knows in advance those who are not His in this age. Those who are not His in this age include these “evil figs”, and this is what He is doing with all who are not given to come back out of Babylon to rebuild His temple:

Jer 24:8 And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:
Jer 24:9 And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.
Jer 24:10 And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

“The hundred and forty and four thousand… firstfruits unto God and the Lamb” must “wash their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb” just like the “great multitude which no man can number” (Revelation 14). So also must “the good figs” endure much of the same punishments as the evil figs. The only difference is that God has determined in advance that the good figs would endure their judgment first.

In chapter 24 we are simply told that if we will simply accept the Lord’s chastening grace and acknowledge our trespasses and our self-righteous iniquity and repent, then the Lord will show us His mercy and drag us back to Himself in “this present time” (Rom 8:18). There is no mention of false prophets in chapter 24.

Chapter 28 deals with the false prophet, Hananiah, who tells the people he is speaking for the Lord while denying the words of the Lord by Jeremiah. In this 29^th chapter it is revealed that there are false prophets even among those who were carried away captives into Babylon. Let’s begin at verse 15 again:

Compare these words concerning the “vile figs” with what is said of these same “bad figs” of chapter 24:

Jer 24:8 And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:
Jer 24:9 And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.
Jer 24:10 And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

It is almost the exact same admonition, and He again admonishes us for having ears that cannot hear and eyes that cannot see:

Jer 29:19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.
Jer 29:20 Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:
Jer 29:21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
Jer 29:22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
Jer 29:23 Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.

Nebuchadnezzar “roasted” both of these false prophets, Zedekiah and Ahab, in the fire for “speaking lying words in [the Lord’s] name”. The physical adultery of these false prophets typifies their and our infidelity to the Lord’s words:

Eze 16:17 Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver [the Truth], which I had given thee [the doctrines of Christ], and madest to thyself images of men [false doctrines, lying words], and didst commit whoredom with them,

Inwardly and outwardly we must contend with false prophets and false doctrines which hate the Truth given to our new man. These false prophets and these false doctrines become our very personal enemies, the stumbling block of our self-righteous iniquity, whose bitterness toward the “fair jewels” of the Truth within us, leads those lying spirits to seek to have the Truths within us incarcerated and bound up in such a way that Christ within us cannot be seen nor heard.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [G2722: katecho, hold back, restrain] the truth in unrighteousness;

The apostle Paul was just such a person who, as Saul of Tarsus, was zealous for the law of Moses and wanted to incarcerate and destroy any who preached the doctrines of Christ. Saul of Tarsus wanted to hold back the Truth.

Act 22:4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
Act 22:5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

Such is that very same spirit which was in Shemaiah the Nehelamite hundreds of years before Saul of Tarsus began his campaign against the disciples of Christ:

Jer 29:24 Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
Jer 29:25 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Jer 29:26 The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
Jer 29:27 Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?
Jer 29:28 For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
Jer 29:29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
Jer 29:30 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
Jer 29:31 Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:
Jer 29:32 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.

In the Old Testament true prophets were known by whether their prophecies came to pass. This prophecy concerning Shemaiah was one more proof of Jeremiah’s prophetic credentials. In the New Testament true prophets are known by whether they are faithful to “that which has been written”:

1Co 4:6 Now these things, brothers, I applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us ye might learn not to think above that which is written, so that ye may not be puffed up, one over the one against the other. (ACV)

“That which is written” is what Paul called “the demonstration of the spirit and of power”:

1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Christ words are spirit:

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you [“that which is written” (1Co 4:6)], they are spirit, and they are life.

The “demonstration of the spirit” simply shows that we are “not thinking above that which is written” (1Co 4:6). The “demonstration of the spirit and power” is the God-given strength to stand true to Christ and His doctrines with no fear of what men might think or do.

It is not given to New Testament prophets to prophesy as Jeremiah did of the imminent death of false prophets who withstand our words of Truth. Instead, this is what New Testament prophets are instructed as it relates to those who withstand us:

1Co 4:5 Therefore do not judge anything before time, until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make public the deliberations of the hearts. And then praise will come to each man from God.
1Co 4:6 Now these things, brothers, I applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us ye might learn not to think above that which is written, so that ye may not be puffed up, one over the one against the other. (ACV)

The fact is that neither Christ nor Paul ever thought above that which is written, inasmuch as Christ and His reformation was prophesied in the Old Testament:

Deu 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
Deu 18:16 According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
Deu 18:17 And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
Deu 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Deu 18:19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Deu 18:20 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.
Deu 18:21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
Deu 18:22 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.

“I will put My words in His mouth” is not saying “I will have Him to repeat what I have given to you, Moses.” Yet twice Moses is inspired to tell us that the Messiah would be “Like unto me”. What does that mean? How was Christ “like unto [Moses]”? The answer is that both came to bring men into a covenant with God. Moses brought the old covenant to the physical nation of Israel. Christ brought the New Testament, the new covenant, to the same people, and when they rejected Him He then went to the Gentiles and declared that being the seed of Abraham, being a Jew and being circumcised was now all of the spirit, in the heart:

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

This same rule of the spirit applies to all the false prophets of our day. We do not prophesy of imminent death for each of the “many false prophets [who] have gone out into the world”:

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The prophets of the New Testament simply repeat “that which is written”, and it is “that which is written” which “heaps coals of fire upon their heads”:

Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

The prophets of the New Covenant simply “try the spirits to see whether they are of God”. If they are not of God, then the ‘death’ of modern false prophets who speak in the Lord’s name when their words contradict our Lord’s Words and His doctrines, comes to them as it has come to our own old man whose works were “tried in the fire” of “that which is written”:

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.

“Every man” includes both those who are being judged in “this present time” as well as those who are ‘in danger of Gehenna fire’, which is ‘the lake of fire’. It is also called ‘the second death’:

Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell [Greek: Gehenna] fire.

Mar 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation [“the resurrection of damnation” (Joh 5:29 Greek: krisis, judgment)]:

Joh 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [Greek: ‘krisis’, judgment].

Those who are partakers of this new covenant are also instructed on how they are to know who is speaking the words of the Lord and who is not speaking for the Lord:

1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

The “many false prophets [who] have gone out into the world” will often tell you the antichrist is a man who will arise on this earth only in the last generation before the thousand-year reign of Christ. The Truth is that “even now there are many antichrists”, and there have been “many antichrists” since the days of the original twelve apostles:

1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

The God’s Word translation make verse 19 more understandable:

1Jn 2:18 Children, it’s the end of time. You’ve heard that an antichrist is coming. Certainly, many antichrists are already here. That’s how we know it’s the end of time.
1Jn 2:19 They left us. However, they were never really part of us. If they had been, they would have stayed with us. But by leaving they made it clear that none of them were part of us. (GW)

The false prophets who “have gone out into the world” almost all confess that Jesus was a real historic person who lived in a body of flesh and bones. So, what does John mean when He tells us that “every spirit that confesses that Jesus is come in the flesh is of God”? He tells us in the very next verse that He means Jesus is “even now” living His life in us:

1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. [Because they are not faithful to “that which is written”]
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

1^st John 4:6 displays the spirit that was in Jeremiah. Jeremiah knew that he was faithful to what the Lord told him to speak to the people, and he dared to stand on his calling. The apostle John never shied away from using the first-person pronouns ‘we’ and ‘us’ when referring to the Lord’s true prophets:

1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Just agreeing with the apostle John will bring you to be hated of all men just as our Lord was who also “spoke… with authority” and not as the ecumenical false prophets of His day:

Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Mat 7:29 For [G1063: ‘gar’, because] he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

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.

Mat 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

Being hated of all men for Christ’s name’s sake is a good place to be. We are not the litmus test of truth in and of ourselves. We are the litmus test of truth because we “try the spirits [by] that which is written”.

Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Here are the verses for next week’s study:

Jer 30:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Jer 30:2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
Jer 30:3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
Jer 30:4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
Jer 30:5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
Jer 30:6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
Jer 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
Jer 30:11 For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
Jer 30:12 For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.

Gospels in Harmony – The Coming of the Son of Man and the Lesson of the Fig Tree

Aaron Lohman — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 01:38:33 +0000

https://www.dropbox.com/s/307gvivibvhxarr/20210817-Study_AaronL-FigTree.m4a?raw=1

Gospels In Harmony – The Coming of the Son of Man and The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Mat 24:29-33, Mar 13:24-31, Luk 21:25-33

[Study Aired August 17, 2021]

The Coming of the Son of Man

Mat 24:29a Immediately after the tribulation of those days …
Luk 21:25 there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Mat 24:29b …the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven,
Luk 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:
Mat 24:29c …and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Luk 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mar 13:29a So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass…
Luk 21:31b …know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Mat 24:33b …know that it is near, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

In our last study we were given the understanding that the abomination of desolation happens early in our journey of seeking the kingdom of God. We take on the name of Christ, but we eat our own bread and wear our own apparel thinking this will take away our shame. We glory in our self-righteousness.

Isa 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

Jer 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Then we were warned of the great tribulation to come.

Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

This great tribulation is receiving the false doctrines given to us by the Sadducees, scribes and Pharisees in temples made with hands. The disciples were just showing Christ how glorious the temple they were building would become. We thought the temples in which we worshiped were also glorious. We had no idea that God did not dwell in temples made with hands when we “accepted Christ as our savior”. We were no different than the pagan Athenians whom Paul spoke to in the midst of Mars’ hill.

Act 17:22-28 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 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: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

In this study we are given the signs of the process of our salvation.

Once we receive the false doctrines of Babylon, the sun and moon are darkened, symbolizing that Christ and His truth are hidden from us. Our hearts are failing from the fear of these false doctrines, and our mind is destroyed. Then for a few chosen, the following happens in this age for others in the ages to come.

Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

What is the sign of the Son of man, where does it happen and who shows us the sign of the Son of man?

Rev 1:1-20 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: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

The sign of the Son of man is having the ability to read and hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. The spirit of Truth changes our mind, and the body of Christ (cloud of witnesses) shares the truth to build the church.

Joh 15:26-27 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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.

Christ continues his answer with another parable and shows us a sign.

The sign is a young fig tree puts forth its leaves. What does this mean? What came to mind was that a young fig tree does not produce fruit and must mature. In order for a fig tree to produce the best fruit possible, it must be pruned. In order to enter into the kingdom of God, you must produce good fruit.

Luk 6:43-44 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

Here is how a fig tree produces the best fruit.

Fig Tree Pruning – How To Trim A Fig Tree – By Heather Rhoades

“Figs are an ancient and easy fruit tree to grow in the home garden. Mentions of figs being grown at home go back literally millennia. But, when it comes to fig tree pruning, many home gardeners are at a loss as to how to properly trim them. With a little knowledge, this “ancient” mystery is as easy to do as growing a fig tree. Keep reading to learn more about how to prune fig trees.

Pruning Fig Trees After Transplanting

There are many situations where you might want to prune a fig tree. The first time you should be doing fig bush pruning is when you first transplant your young fig tree. When a fig tree is first planted, you should trim a fig tree back by about half. This will allow the tree to focus on developing its roots and becoming well established. It will also help the fig tree grow side branches for a bushier tree. In the next winter after transplanting, it is best to start pruning fig trees for “fruiting wood.” This is wood that you will be pruning to help keep the fruit healthy and easy to reach. Select four to six branches to be your fruiting wood and prune away the rest.

How to Prune Fig Trees After They are Established

After a fig tree is established, the best time to prune a fig tree will be in the dormant (winter) season when the tree is not growing. Begin your fig tree pruning by removing any branches that are not growing out from your selected fruiting wood, as well as any dead or diseased wood. If there are suckers growing from the base of the tree, these should be removed as well. The next step in how to trim a fig tree is to remove any secondary branches (branches that are growing off the main branches) that are growing at less than a 45-degree angle from the main branches. This step in pruning fig trees will remove any branches that may eventually grow too close to the main trunk and will not produce the best fruit. The last step in how to prune fig trees is to cut back the main branches by one-third to one-quarter. This step in fig tree pruning helps the tree put more energy toward the fruit that will be produced next year, which makes for larger and sweeter fruit. Pruning fig trees the right way can help you to improve your fig crop. Now that you know how to prune fig trees, you can help your fig tree produce better and tastier figs.”

[Read more at Gardening Know How: Fig Tree Pruning – How to Trim a Fig Tree]

Who knew that knowing how to properly prune a fig tree, or any fruit-bearing tree for that matter, would help you understand the process of entering into the kingdom of God.

We are the tree being transplanted, and we must be pruned by half, and as we become mature our branches must still be pruned. This is all a spiritual representation of our old man being removed until the end.

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.

We have a new beginning once the Spirit of Truth enters our mind. The doctrines we once held as truth became idols of our heart causing us to believe we were in total control of our lives and are completely being destroyed and will continue until the last one is destroyed.

Isaiah 65 tells us about the processed of being pruned and the fruit it produces.

Isa 65:1-25 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom. Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me. But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

Paul tells us how we change once this process of salvation begins.

Eph 4:17-32 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Here are our last verses of today’s study.

Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Still today His words are here and causing the intended effect, which is bringing salvation to His elect in this age, and His words will continually be fulfilled and not pass away until God is all in all.

1Co 15:25-28 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Teacher’s Choice – “This Generation Shall not Pass, Till all These Things be Fulfilled” – Mat 24, Part 5

Tony Cullen — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 03:33:33 +0000

“This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled”

A study with Matthew 24 Part 5 Verses 32-43

[Study Aired January 13, 2020]

Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. [Mat 24:36]
Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. [Rev 16:15]

This section of Matthew chapter 24, along with every other section of this prophecy, is telling us what is happening to this generation that shall not pass until all these things are fulfilled, said this way: “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

The “This generation” is speaking of those who are predestined to be judged first in this life (1Pe 4:17, Eph 1:12 , Joh 15:16, Rom 8:28-30), and that judgment is expressed through parables that hide Gods purpose and meaning from those who are not meant to understand these things that are hidden from the world at this time by God’s design (Mat 13:10-11).

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?

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

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 whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [1Jn 4:17, Eph 1:4]
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. [Psa 8:4 , Luk 19:44]

We can rejoice in knowing that Christ is associating “This generation that shall not pass” to a fig tree and his branch that is yet tender and putting forth leaves (Mat 24:32), making the point clear that this is an event happening to a small elect group who have been called to this blessing (Luk 12:32). The next comparative parable starting in verse 37 (Mat 24:37) that demonstrates God is dealing with a little flock at first declares: “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be“. Then for added confirmation this is talking about believing and blinded Christians, two women grinding at the mill are spoken of starting in verse 40 (Mat 24:40), one is taken the other is left; meaning one is caught unawares, that being the one who is taken, and the other being left representing the small remnant whom God has blessed and given eyes to see and ears to hear how this generation is to keep the sayings of this prophecy in every age, so that we are always ready and about our Father’s business as Christ was (1Th 5:4).

(The world is seeking Christ with blind hearts (2Ti 3:7) not knowing that He is found and understood by being about our Father’s business (Luk 2:49), a business that can only be accomplished within those who have God’s holy spirit within them (Rom 8:9) as Christ accomplishes that work within us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 2:13). That is why we are able to read, hear and keep the sayings of the prophecy today in this generation (Rev 1:3), with eyes that God has mercifully enlightened to see the truth (Mat 13:11).

2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

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. [“my Father’s business“]

Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

We are told to “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” of Matthew 24:42, a verse that corresponds with Matthew 24:36). We are told to “know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up” in Matthew 24:43, a verse that corresponds with Revelation 16:15.

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Let’s now look at this second-to-last section of verses of this chapter of Matthew 24 keeping in mind, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

The “yet tender” and “putteth forth leaves” time of this fig tree’s growth tells us “that summer is nigh“, and this parable as we will see is connected to the generation that “shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled“. The growth of that fig tree is given to those who are of that generation who are having their faith tried in the fire so that they can grow and go unto maturity in the Lord.

When we know that we are in sinful flesh (Psa 51:5), we will want to cover ourselves by dying daily (Rev 16:15 , 1Co 15:31), and when we understand the need for the sacrifice of Christ in our lives, for the need for a physician to heal us spiritually (Mar 2:17, Joh 9:39) “when ye shall see all these things“, it will be with the mindset that we will see the need to purchase gold tried in the fire so we can have eyes that see and ears that hear (Rev 3:18). It is when we are assured “that it is near, even at the doors“(Rom 8:16), meaning Christ our hope of glory is within (Col 1:27, 1Jn 4:2) and the holy spirit is working in us (Php 2:13), that we can fill up what is behind of His afflictions for his body’s sake which is the church, through this process of being spiritually healed by Christ’s word (Col 1:24 , Joh 17:17).

Adam and Eve covered themselves with the leaves of a “fig tree” that is symbolic of their own works of discerning good and evil without the burnt offering of Christ, symbolized by the skin of the lamb that was given to them for a covering (Gen 3:7 , Gen 3:21).

The “fig tree” can be symbolic of both Israel of old (2Ki 18:31, Psa 105:33, Isa 36:16, Jer 5:17, Hos 9:10, Amo 4:9), and as it is in this parable, the “fig tree” (Mat 24:32) representing the new man in Christ, “the Israel of God” (Luk 13:6-9, Gal 6:16) who is covered by works of righteousness that are now attributed solely to Christ as he or she knows “that summer is nigh” and have been blessed to pray that their flight is not in the winter or during the sabbath where symbolically we are being told no spiritual work can be accomplished (Mat 24:20). Because we can see all these things for what these parables mean we can “know that it is near, even at the doors“. What is near? “That summer is nigh“, and that summer represents the life of Christ within us that can bring forth that growth, that tender branch that brings forth leaves for the healing of the nations within me today (Rev 22:2).

Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

“All these things” must be fulfilled in this generation with which Christ is working, and what must be fulfilled is the tearing down of the old temple within us (Mat 24:2) and the building up of the new temple that can only occur by being given a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1) which replaces the old heaven and earth that “shall pass away“. It passes away by the new creation being formed through the keeping of the sayings of the prophesy (Rev 1:3), which statement reveals the process of judgment that comes about that tears down the old temple, through reading, hearing, (Mat 13:16) and keeping (Joh 8:31-32) the saying of Christ, the words that “shall not pass away“.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” is just another way of showing us that “the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it” through His eternal words which will not pass away (Joh 6:68).

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Very specifically, Christ tells us of His return, both inwardly and dispensationally, “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels^G32 of heaven, but my Father only.”

Inwardly we know God is the one who gives the increase (1Co 3:6) which comes at a time He has predetermined for us (1Pe 1:20, Eph 1:4, Eph 2:10), and so we are warned not to be presumptuous in regard to our labour in the Lord where we journey to a far city, Jerusalem above (Eph 2:6), and labour together for the meat that shall not perish (Joh 6:27), experiencing growth that comes about through Christ working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure of watering and planting, which all precedes the increase given from our Father in heaven (Jas 4:13-15).

Right after Christ declares “that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only“, He continues on with this parable pointing to the building of the ark which is the symbolic event of old representing how we must be working out our own salvation today, knowing that it is Christ who is working this work within us, even as we move with fear to the saving of our own and others’ spiritual houses (Heb 11:7, 2Pe 1:1)

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. [Psa 40:10, Isa 56:1, Rom 10:10]

2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

We were all “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark“, which is a reminder that Noe, who represents Christ, has entered into our temple, represented by “the ark“. When this initially happened, we “knew not until the flood came, and took them (us) all away“, which is what God’s word does to the many beasts within us that need to be brought into subjection two by two by the grace and faith of Christ (Gen 7:9 , Eph 2:8).

The flood that represents Christ’s words coming into our life systematically takes away all the false doctrines within God’s elect as we are baptized with the fire of His word that cleanses and sanctifies us in this age (Joh 17:17). That word is sweet in our mouth but bitter in our belly (Rom 6:3 , Rev 10:9, Eze 3:3). The world is not experiencing this fiery baptism by God’s word today [the bitter in the belly part] but will experience the water baptism of John during the rule and reign of Christ, and then the spiritual baptism of fire in the lake of fire at the end of the age where the rest of the world will learn it is a bitter thing “that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts” (Mat 3:11, Rev 19:20 , Jer 2:19). We are admonished therefore in Revelation 2:24-25) to hold fast to God’s word until He comes.

Rev 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Rev 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

The elect of God and those who say they are spiritual Jews and are not (Rev 3:9) are represented by these two groups mentioned in this verses that simply tell us: “then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left“.

That “synagogue of Satan” of (Rev 3:9) is initially within us and can only be destroyed by the brightness of Christ coming into our lives (2Th 2:8) so that we are not taken or “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph 4:14).

“Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left” reminds us that while we are “in the field“, which represents the world (Mat 13:38), a work is being accomplished by God “grinding at the mill” within two folds, one that God has predestined to “be taken” [Joh 10:16] and “the other left“[Luk 12:32].

Joh 10:16 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.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. [Mat 24:36]
Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. [Rev 16:15]

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

These last two verses of our study tonight focus on the urgency of staying spiritually awake and praying always that we may be counted worthy to escape those things that are going to come upon the earth (Luk 21:36, Hab 2:2-4).

Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

The angels^G32 or ‘messengers’ of God “know not what hour your Lord doth come“, as it is declared in Matthew 24:36.

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels^G32 of heaven, but my Father only.

The lesson of urgency cannot be any brighter than it is in this last verse of our study tonight: “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up“. The confirming words of this scripture in the book of Revelation tells us the same thing (Rev 16:15) and describes that generation that “shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled“.

Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

The “goodman of the house” is none other than Jesus Christ, our hope of glory within, who is the author and finisher of our faith (Php 1:6, Heb 10:35 , Heb 11:26), who knows how to bind all the powers and principalities within us “except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house” (Mar 3:27), so that we can and will overcome through him (Mar 3:27 , Eph 6:12, Eph 1:21). He is the reason we can be more than conquerors and be convinced we are truly “This generation [that] shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled“.

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

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.
Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

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.

Mar 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Why Did Christ Curse the Fig Tree?

Mike Vinson — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 17:38:33 +0000

Hi Mike,

Why do you think Jesus cursed the fig tree, and how does it relate to us? This experience is listed in the scripture Mark 11:13-14. I would really appreciate it if you could help me understand it.

Thanks,
D____

Hi D____,

Thank you for your question about why Christ cursed the fig for not having fruit on it at a time when it wasn’t even expected to have fruit. Here are a couple of verses in the Old Testament which demonstrate the spiritual significance of the fig tree:

Hos 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

Joe 1:7 He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.

So the fig tree is the type of what had been, up to that time, God’s physically chosen people, the physical nation of Israel. With this in mind let’s read those verses in Mark:

Mar 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
Mar 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
Mar 11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Christ had come to them, but as with the fig tree, He deliberately came at the time when they weren’t even expected to bear any fruit. He came to them at a time when they were preordained to reject and crucify Him.

Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But Why did “His own receive Him not”? This is why:

Act 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
Act 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Act 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Act 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Christ knew Israel would reject and crucify Him. That was why He came into this world:

Joh 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

So Christ cursed His own fig tree for not bearing fruit even though He knew it was not the time for it to bear fruit. It all tells us simply that Israel was doing “whatsoever God’s hand and His counsel determined before to be done”. Christ was indeed hungry, but He was not pitching a temper tantrum, and He was not upset at the tree for not bearing fruit before its time. He did it all for our sakes, to teach us what He is doing:

2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Here is an Old Testament prophecy of what God intended to do with physical Israel and all physical nations, from the beginning:

Jer 8:13 I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.

So here is that story again:

Mar 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
Mar 11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

The spiritual application of this story for all of us is that “the flesh profits nothing” and while in this flesh, it is not the season for bearing fruit. We must die first before we can bear fruit.

Joh 12:24 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.

The spiritual lesson in this story is that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God”. Christ’s cursing of the fig tree at a time when it could not bring forth fruit is the cursing of all flesh, the old, “first man Adam” in all of us who must die and be destroyed for “the new man, the last Adam” to be born.

1Co 15:31 Every day do I die, by the glorying of you that I have in Christ Jesus our Lord: (YLT)
1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

That is the spiritual message behind the physical cursing of the fig tree. I hope this helps to explain why Christ cursed the fig tree while it was not even the season for it to bear fruit.

Your brother in the Christ,
Mike

Revelation 6:12-17 – Part 2

Mike Vinson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:01 +0000

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Rev 6:12-17, Part 2 – The Sixth Seal

[Additional material added October 16, 2009]

Updated May 10, 2024

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:

Introduction

Last week we saw that all the symbols of this sixth seal, herald “the great day of His wrath.”

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

The book in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne, is the revelation of Jesus Christ, and the revelation of Jesus Christ is the revelation of the great day of His wrath, and the great day of His wrath includes seven trumpet judgments, culminating in the seven last plagues and the “sea of glass mingled with fire” for those who are given the victory over the beast and his over his image and over his mark and over the number and his name”:

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.
Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

The realization of the magnitude of this revelation prompts us all to ask, “Who shall be able to stand?” Our study today will be centered around finding the Biblical understanding and meaning of all the symbols which the holy spirit is using to signify the principalities and powers which dominate the heavens and the earth of our old man, “the first man Adam.”

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:

What do all these symbols mean?

1) What is a great earthquake?

We already know that the “earth” is Bible-speak for God’s own people in rebellion against Him and His Word.

Jer 22:1 Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,
Jer 22:2 And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:

Jer 22:5 But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

Jer 22:29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

What does Christ say of “those Jews which believed in Him” but could not abide in His Word? What does Christ tell us of the multitudes who believe in Him to this very day but cannot do the things He tells us to do?

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.

Just a few verses later Christ tells us what “the Truth” is concerning the multitudes who have come to Christ, as a whole.

Joh 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

“If you will not hear these words… this house shall become a desolation… You cannot hear my word.” That is the meaning of the “earth” within us, and that is what we are told experiences “a great earthquake… in the great day of God’s wrath…against all ungodliness within us.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

2) What is the sun?

We already know that the sun in scripture also stands for Christ, “the Sun of righteousness.”

Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Christ tells us that He is “The Light of the World.

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

“The sun” therefore signifies the doctrine and words of Christ which are “a lamp unto [us]”:

Psa 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The darkening of the sun, or the sun becoming black as sackcloth of hair, is the blotting out of The Truth by the multitude of lies which dominate our flesh, our beast. Our flesh much prefers the damnable doctrines and “smooth things” proffered by the false prophet, and all the churches of the great whore, Babylon.

Isa 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
Isa 30:9 That this is a rebellious people,
lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Isa 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

Christ reveals in His parables that we first appreciate the good news of His Word, but then we succumb to the trials and tribulations which fidelity to Christ and His doctrine automatically produce:

Mat 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
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.

3) What is signified by the moon?

We already know that “the moon” is “the lesser light, to rule the night.” The moon has no light within or of itself, but it is given to reflect a certain amount of the light from the sun, so it is said to “rule the night.”

Gen 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

Psa 136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

The ‘moon’ signifies the carnal-minded wife of the Lord’s carnal-minded people under the law of Moses, as Jacob interpreted Joseph’s dream:

Gen 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
Gen 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

Joseph’s father, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, signifies the Lord’s first carnal nation of Israel, who insisted on the crucifixion of our Lord.

Act 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together
against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Act 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Act 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Act 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Joseph’s mother, Rachel, is signified by the moon in Joseph’s dream. From Eve, in Genesis, to Jezebel in Revelation, women and wives signify both the Lord’s first whorish wife who is rejected and destroyed. It is only through that death and destruction that we are transformed and we can then begin to be prepared to become His faithful and true wife. The Lord’s first ‘wife’ is signified by the ‘moon’ the “lesser light which rules the night.” In Christ’s time here on this earth in a body of flesh and blood, that ‘wife’, signified by the moon became which became “as blood”, signifying her murderous hatred of Christ and His Christ, was apostate Judaism:

Mat 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Mat 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Mat 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Mat 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Mat 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

That is “the moon that rules the night.” The “moon” wants to appear as light, but it has no light within it. It has no real light of its own, unlike Christ when He is within.

Then there is this:

Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We are all ruled by the moon, and we are all “of our father the devil” before we become “children of light… sons of our Father which is in heaven.”

Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

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 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

4) What is the meaning of the moon becoming blood?

We already know that blood is where the “nephesh”, meaning ‘the creature’, dwells. The life is not in the blood. “It is the spirit that gives life.” The spirit is not in the blood, but the nephesh which is sustained by the spirit, is in the blood.

Gen 9:4 But flesh with the life [Hebrew: nephesh, soul] thereof, [which is] the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. (ASV)

The verse in Genesis 9 above tells us that “the soul”, or ‘nephesh‘ is in the blood.” It does not say the life is in the blood. The point being that a “living soul” is also a dying soul, whereas a life-giving spirit is not subject to death.

Eze 18:4 Behold, all souls [nephesh] are mine; as the soul [nephesh] of the father, so also the soul [nephesh] of the son is mine: the soul [nephesh] that sinneth, it shall die.

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening [Greek: life giving] spirit.

When both the sun and the moon are unable to give their light, then indeed the Son of God, who is also the Sun of righteousness, has been slain and “the moon has become as blood.” Peter knew the meaning of this phrase, and he tells us as much in his words on the day of Pentecost. Peter knew that his forsaking of and his denial of Christ, along with all the disciples, made him complicit in Christ’s death. Peter knew that in his unconverted state, the blood of our Lord was upon his hands and that “the sun had been turned into darkness, and the moon [had] become as blood” with his denial of the Lord, ushering in the day of God’s wrath and the beginning of His judgment upon our sinful flesh.

Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Act 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

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?

Acts 2 is the account of the coming of the holy spirit to drive out the beast, the man of sin who was sitting on the throne of God in the hearts and minds of those who were given the holy spirit that day. There were no outward heavenly signs, yet Peter knew exactly what he was talking about when He said that the spiritual sun had been darkened at the death of our Lord and he knew that the spiritual moon had shed the blood of our Lord. Both the ‘sun’ and the ‘moon’ were within Peter and both are within each of us who have had our own part in the shedding of the blood our own Savior. We have all had our own spiritual apostate part in ‘turning the moon into blood’ before the Lord comes to destroy the man of sin within each of us with the brightness of His coming:

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:

It is only through the judgment which begins at the house of God that we begin to turn from all our ungodliness and unrighteousness:

Isa 26:8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
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.

These six seals are just the unsealing of the judgments of God upon our flesh, our ‘world.’ There are yet seven trumpet judgments, which culminate in the seven last plagues, and those are all yet to come as Christ are signified to be revealed within us.

5) What are the stars of heaven?

We already know that “the stars of heaven” are God’s angels, or messengers, for either good or evil, sent into the heavens of our hearts and minds, working all things after the counsel of His own will” (Eph 1:11).

Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Rev 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
Rev 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

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:

So “the Sun of Righteousness” is darkened by an angel, a star that “falls from heaven unto the earth.” This “star” is given the key to the bottomless pit. This is an evil messenger; “an evil spirit from the Lord,” sent to trouble us.

1Sa 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
1Sa 16:15 And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

6) What is the meaning of a fig tree with “untimely figs?”

We already know that the negative meaning of a fig tree (just as the negative application of the word ‘earth’) is just another type of God’s own people Israel, physical or spiritual, who turn their back on the Word of God. “Untimely figs”, like a woman with child, is immature fruit which will never be brought to term and must therefore be destroyed.

Hos 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

There will be no “untimely figs” in the kingdom of heaven, and God will have no sucklings in His kingdom. All to whom it is given to be in that blessed and holy first resurrections will be “of full age.”

Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child [Greek: nepios, a baby], differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [ to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

7) What is the mighty wind?

While this word is not the Greek word ‘pneuma’, it is nevertheless, a symbol of the spirit of God, through which He operates to produce both good and evil. Here is how Paul uses this Greek word ‘anemos‘ (Strong’s number G417).

Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind [Greek: anemos, spirit] of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

The spiritual opposite of being “tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine,” is “speaking the Truth in love”, which ‘love’ is defined as “keeping God’s commandments” (1Jn 5:2-3). One is a good and truthful “wind” while the other is “every wind of doctrine.”

For those with “eyes that see” Christ used the word “wind” in the very same way:

Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds [G417: anemos] blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

It was the same plural “winds” that blew and beat upon both houses, and it is the same “winds” which proved what was the foundation of each house. We all first build on the sand, and we are all “tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine”, and our spiritual house experiences a “great fall” before we are given to build upon the rock. Both houses are tried by the “truth in love” Word of God, and both house are tried by “every wind of doctrine.” Both houses are made manifest for their occupants of the foundation on which the house has been built. The one house will fall and be destroyed, while the other house and its occupant “abideth ever.”

Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

It is the winds of millions of false doctrines which will beat upon the house of God and prove whether it is built upon the rock of the sayings of Christ, and a desire to obey God, or whether it is built upon a desire to be seen of men and received by men. Our persecutions come from “they of your own [spiritual] household”, and they come “because of the word.” That is the meaning of “The winds beat upon that house…”

Mat 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

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.

The wind of Christ, “speaking Truth in love”, is the foundation of rock.

Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

8) What are the heavens as a scroll rolled together?

We already know that God dwells in His people, and that the heavens into which Christ entered to cleanse them, is the hearts and the minds of His people.

Psa 123:1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

This is those heavens where God dwells:

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these [“the blood of calves and of goats” (vs 19)]; but the heavenly things themselves [His disciples, mankind] with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself [“Christ in you” (Col 1:27)], now to appear in the presence of God for us:

“Heaven itself” is the hearts and minds of His people. Our heavens are in need of being cleansed, simply because we have all been “children of disobedience”, and as the beast which we are by nature, we have all “defiled the temple of God.” As unbelievers, we have incurred the wrath of God. Therefore the “man of sin” within us must be destroyed by the brightness of His coming into the heavens of our hearts and minds.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [the Lord’s day (Rev 1:10)] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 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.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
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:

These verses, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 and Hebrews 9:23-24 reveal exactly where Christ dwells and what that “cloud” which received Him out of their sight is.

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 with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

So our hearts and our minds are the heavens which had to be cleansed by “better sacrifices than the blood of bulls and goats”, and into which Christ is entering and destroying the man of sin who was sitting on His throne in our hearts. This is called “the great day of His wrath” in the prophets, and this is how that great day is described:

Isa 34:1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.
Isa 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
Isa 34:3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
Isa 34:4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

Isa 34:8 For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

Why are our heavens likened to “a scroll when it is rolled together?”

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

This is just the sixth seal, and we are told, “the great day of His wrath is come.” What do “the heavens” have to do with “the day of God’s wrath?” The answer to that question is found in these verses:

Heb 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
Heb 1:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
Heb 1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

The “folding up of a vesture,” and “a scroll when it is rolled together,” both signify “they shall perish, but you remain…” Our old heavens will perish in “the great day of God’s wrath”, but as is always the case, “he himself shall be saved yet so as by fire.” Look at these three verses.

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.

…and these verses:

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

“The heavens being on fire shall be dissolved… the heavens shall pass away…” That is the fate of our old defiled heavens and our old earth and our old defiled temple of God. That is what is signified by:

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.

We will pause at this point and finish in our next study of the significance of the symbols in the sixth seal which the holy spirit uses to reveal Christ within His own body to those who are given eyes that see and ears that can hear “the things of the spirit.”

First Fruits To Babylon For Their Good

Mike Vinson — Sat, 02 May 2009 11:33:00 +0000

Mike,

As always, it’s great to share with you… appreciate the feedback. It’s an interesting process God has set forth.
He first calls us; gives us a testimony (change in character, behavior, attitude, etc.) with our idols of our heart getting deeper and deeper roots we begin to witness to the non- church world with our testimony and encouraging words of what Christ has done in our lives and what He can do in theirs. A few become ‘believers’ and are called, THEN after many years of service and wonderful experiences in ‘the church’, when we least expect it He calls us out of the called church and gives us another testimony and shows us the sin and errors of our ways (spiritually), and opens our eyes, strengthens us and we begin to get to know the True Word and Who He really is and what He really has said in sum. Then He commands us to be a witness for Him with the ‘believers’ who were right where we were, though we cease ‘trying’ to do so much, but rather wait and rest in Him to do it as He brings the opportunities to witness to us So our works are truly in Him.
Yet it seems much more difficult to be a witness to your ‘brothers’ who believe wrongly like you than it does to be a witness to the non- church world.

Blessings,
M____

Hi M____,

That is a very good summary of the plan of salvation. Being in Babylon is being “under the law.” And being ‘under the law’ is how we are brought to Christ.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

So while we experience deliverance from Egypt, and we even gain mastery over the giants who have ruled the land for so long, we still have to acknowledge that we must be, and have been, carried away into Babylon, and have served the king of Babylon, and we must acknowledge that we must, and have partaken of God’s wrath on our ungoldly ways. If we are given to acknowledge this truth, and we do not try to avoid God’s wrath by either a “place of safety” or a “secret rapture,” then we will “come out of her,” be the firstfruit figs God speaks of in Jer 24. As these “figs that are first ripe,” we will acknowledge that we have indeed been “children of wrath even as others.” If we cannot see what you have outlined in this letter, then we are the “evil figs” which cannot be eaten and who proclaim that they will not partake of the cup of God’s wrath:

Jer 24:1 The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs [ were] set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.
Jer 24:2 One basket [ had] very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.
Jer 24:3 Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
Jer 24:4 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Jer 24:5 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
Jer 24:6 For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull [ them] down; and I will plant them, and not pluck [ them] up.
Jer 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [ am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

Look at that. Being sent into Babylon is “for our good.” The next chapter tells us why this is so. It is because it is there in Babylon that we partake of the cup of God’s wrath, and “no man can enter into the temple until the seven vials of the seven angels is fulfilled” within “every son who the Lord receives.”

Rev 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
Jer 25:28 And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.
Jer 25:29 For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.

God is not an abusive Father as some seem to think. It is “all working together… for our good” as any loving father knows:

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

But the truth is that we are all “vile figs” and “children of wrath” before we become the firstfruit figs which must also drink of the cup of God’s wrath, and that is what is so hard to witness to others. The words “evil figs” proceeded out of the mouth of God, just as surely as did the words “good figs.”

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

So we are all children of wrath, even as others, we are all children of disobedience before we become the sons of God.

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this worl d, 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.

We have no record of the apostle Paul “fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind” other than “breathing out slaughter” against the body of Christ, and yet he acknowledges that all that is in Adam is in his own flesh and as such he himself has been a child of wrath.

Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [ how] to perform that which is good I find not.

The concept that it is “God who is working all things… even the wicked for the day of evil,” is a completely foreign concept to the Babylonian world, out of which we must come.
Yes, indeed, it is harder to be a witness to that than it is to be a witness to the goodness of God.

Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

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:

Your brother in Christ,
Mike