“Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked” – Part 1

(Pro 24:1-18)

[Study Aired January 8, 2026]

Why would we fret because of evil men, and why would we be envious of them? This entire chapter of Proverbs 24 gives us the answer to these questions, and will put us in remembrance of Christ who is building His temple, His body, the church (Psa 127:1), so that we can be strong against all the wiles of the devil (Eph 6:10-11) at the end of this age, our age, so that having done all we will be able to stand (Eph 6:12-19,  Mat 20:22-23, Mar 14:24-25).

Psa 127:1  A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

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

Mar 14:24  And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Mar 14:25  Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. (Col 1:27, Luk 17:21)

Pro 24:1  Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Pro 24:2  For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

What an apt description of humanity throughout history, right from the get-go. We have learned of war, “studieth destruction”, and have waxed worse and worse, the sins of the Amorites being fulfilled “in the fourth generation”, the fourth symbolizing the whole of humanity that will come to this understanding of the warring nature of the beast we are (Gen 15:16, Ecc 3:18).

Our lips talk of mischief and witness against us for years until the day of evil that God created is revealed and we come into judgement which has begun on the house of God (Pro 16:4, 1Pe 4:17).

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

We are told to not be envious against evil men, because before judgement comes upon us that is exactly what we do; we are envious of their supposed wealth and we want to surround ourselves around those who are doing well in the earth (Psa 73:1-3).

Psa 73:1  A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel (Gal 6:16), even to such as are of a clean heart (Joh 1:47).
Psa 73:2  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Psa 73:3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

All of this changes when we begin to be shown the man of perdition within our own hearts (2Th 2:2-4), who is being destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our heavens that are being cleansed so that we no longer “study destruction”, or “speak with lips of mischief”, no longer savouring the things of this world (Psa 73:3-9), but are blessed to have minds that are set on the things that are above and not on the earth (Col 3:2, Eph 5:2).

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.(Mat 24:26-27 the brightness is lightning that represents God’s judgements in our heavens)
2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
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.

Psa 73:3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (the one who prospers in the earth is the man of perdition who must be destroyed)
Psa 73:4  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
Psa 73:5  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Psa 73:6  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Psa 73:7  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Psa 73:8  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Psa 73:9  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling
savour.

Pro 24:3  Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
Pro 24:4  And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Remember those chambers of (Mat 24:26-27). There is a positive and negative ‘chamber’, and it is Christ who positively fills the chambers of our hearts and minds with all precious and pleasant riches, revealing exceeding great and precious promises (2Pe 1:4) which tell us that he who is our wisdom (1Co 1:30) is going to build the temple that we are, and by understanding establish it (Psa 127:1, Joh 2:19).

Mat 24:26  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Mat 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Psa 127:1  A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Pro 24:5  A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
Pro 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Pro 24:7  Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

We can’t open our mouths in the gate where we should be going to receive the counsel that we need (“the gate” is the place where the rulers of the city sit in judgment), but when the fit man Jesus Christ (Lev 16:21) lays hold of the scapegoat that we are, we take on a new strength, that being the life of Christ within us who is our sufficiency in this life (2Co 3:5): “A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength”.

If we are being led by the spirit of God (Rom 8:14-15) we will be seeking out wise counsel, and that is where we will find liberty, and safety (2Co 3:17).

That is the wisdom that is too high for our foolish flesh that cannot open our foolish mouth in the gate to speak nor to even seek out that wise counsel, which we must partake of in this life in order to overcome and endure to the end (Psa 73:22, Jer 5:4).

Psa 73:22  So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Jer 5:4  Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.

There are many verses with the word “counsel” in them, and those words are spirit and they are profitable (Joh 6:63).

Pro 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Pro 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Pro 15:22  Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Pro 19:20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

Pro 19:21  There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Pro 20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Pro 21:30  There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Pro 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Pro 27:9  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

Pro 24:8  He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
Pro 24:9  The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

These verses continue to demonstrate the fruits of one who does not understand nor receive counsel and is what produces thoughts of foolishness, which is sin. We end up being scorners who look down on the body of Christ, ‘going it alone’ and thinking that his relationship with Christ is solely between him and Christ, becoming an “abomination to men” because of this stubborn and self-righteous approach that Saul in us naturally takes, not seeking counsel, or obeying what God tells us to do (1Sa 15:22-23).

1Sa 15:22  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity (Eze 33:13) and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Pro 24:10  If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Pro 24:11  If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
Pro 24:12  If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

God sees all of mankind’s strength as being small, “thy strength is small”, because we all initially trust in our own arm and not that of the Lord, until the trials start to come that humble our flesh (2Co 1:9). All men’s hearts will faint in the day of adversity, starting with the elect who, out of that adversity, will cry out unto God and will be heard (Act 9:4-5).

2Co 1:9  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Initially we can’t help others, because we are yet carnal babes in Christ, and so it is written “thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain” [not able to help those who are dying daily (1Co 15:31), being drawn to death, and ready to be slain].

Our works are being tried at this time, and at first we do say, “If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not [pleading ignorance is no excuse in a court of law]; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?”. However, if God is working with us in this age, we will come to know that we are His workmanship going unto perfection because of His mercy shown to his children in this age, “as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (1Co 3:9-15, Heb 6:1-6, Mal 4:2-3, Mal 3:16-18).

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
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. [shall not he render to every man according to his works?]
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.

Heb 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Heb 6:3  And this will we do, if God permit.
Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

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.
Mal 4:3  And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal 3:17  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Pro 24:13  My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
Pro 24:14  So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

The honey is likened unto God’s word that is sweet in the mouth and bitter in the belly, and if God will permit we will be granted the strength needed via the bread of life (Psa 104:15) to endure that bitterness that represents the seven last plagues that must be poured out upon us in order to go unto maturity in Christ (Rev 15:8).

Keeping the knowledge and wisdom of God, abiding in the truth, will set us free (Joh 8:32) and “there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off”(Pro 23:17-19).

Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Pro 23:17  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Pro 23:18  For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
Pro 23:19  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

Pro 24:15  Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
Pro 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Pro 24:17  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Pro 24:18  Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

There are two main admonitions in these verses for us. One is speaking to our younger less mature stage in Christ when we blindly lay wait against our older more mature members in Christ, “Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief”(Rom 14:1-4).

Rom 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Rom 14:2  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Rom 14:3  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

The second admonition is speaking of our not despising those who are less mature, but bearing their infirmity all our life as Christ has done with us, and is doing, “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him”(Rom 15:1).

Rom 14:3  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Rom 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Rom 15:5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Next week, Lord willing, we will pick up where we left off, (Pro 24:19-34), as we continue to see why we should not fret because of evil and lawless men, with a strong emphasis on this part of the proverb that says, “Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked”.

Do not be beset by the sin within you that is being destroyed by Christ (Heb 12:1-2), and do not be discouraged or dismayed at a world that is failing and promised to come to the brink of destruction, not just physically, which could happen at any given moment in this nuclear age, but especially spiritually, all for our sakes to remind us that God is judging the nations within us and giving us victory over them through that judgment (Mat 24:6-9).

Heb 12:1  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,
Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Mat 24:6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8  All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

The world has already been ‘spiritually cursed’ (Mal 3:9)and is reaching that zenith of sin by God’s counsel and design, called the sins of the Amorites that must be fulfilled initially in us, and then, Lord willing, as the elect we will go through a lifetime of much tribulation in order to overcome this world of sin within, and be made ready for our Lord’s return (Act 14:22) that will come at the appointed time.

Lord help us to remain faithful watchmen to the very end (Luk 21:36, Mat 24:13).

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.
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Pro 8:1-36 “Does not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

[Study Aired Jan 9, 2024]

In this study we will look at some answers in God’s word to the questions “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?” (Pro 8:1).

Christ is our wisdom (1Co 1:30, 2Co 3:3-5) who cries out to us and beseeches us to present our lives a living sacrifice to him (Rom 12:1-2), as we hold fast our profession of faith (Heb 4:14, Heb 10:23, 1Co 9:25).

1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ (Rev 20:12) ministered by us (Eph 3:10), written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
2Co 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:(Eph 1:11-12)
2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

If we are granted to cleave to our Saviour and resist the lies of the devil as the body of Christ (Jas 4:7, Joh 6:44), which is the church (Col 1:24), then we will be blessed to put forth our voice, which will be reflecting the mind of Christ, the voice of living waters (Zec 14:8, Joh 7:38, Rev 14:1-2).

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

Zec 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; (Gal 4:26) half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
Rev 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

This process of bringing forth of living waters is accomplished by resisting the lies of the devil represented by the crown of thorns (Mat 13:22, Gen 3:18, Heb 6:8, Job 2:9) around Christ’s head (Heb 12:4, Mat 27:29). We must hold fast to the crown of life that God has given us through Christ that represents his mind, and resist the lies, or the thorns and briers of the devil (Rev 3:11, 1Co 2:16).

Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Mat 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

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

1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

The body of Christ are the first to come to trust in God (Eph 1:11-12) and acknowledge and recognize that all the work being done in us is His workmanship that we are blessed to be a part of (Eph 2:10).

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

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.

We give glory and honour to God as we die daily and learn obedience through that dying process that requires judgement (1Pe 4:17). Ultimately that process of judgement will lead to the blessed and holy first resurrection where the saints will cast back the crowns of righteousness forged in their lives at Christ’s feet. These actions symbolize our acknowledging that we were his workmanship, who were prepared from the foundation of the world to accomplish those works of God to His glory, works that required that we overcome the powers and principalities that we wrestle against in our heavens and gain victory over through Christ alone (Rev 4:8-11, Php 2:12-13).

Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy,(Joh 17:17) Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Pro 8:1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

These straightforward questions are really a declaration of the truth that wisdom does cry out and understanding does put forth her voice. Christ is the head of the church whose voice is contrasted with that of John the baptist of whom we read, “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it”. Christ’s voice, was connected to baptizing with fiery trials and contrasted with John the baptist who baptized with water unto repentance (Joh 1:23, Mat 3:11, Heb 12:25-26)

Joh 1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth (John or Christ Luk 7:33-34), much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (Heb 9:23-24)

Christ is our wisdom who cries out to us in our hearts and minds, and he also uses the church of which He is the head to “put forth her voice”, meaning the manifest knowledge of God is being made known through the church (Eph 3:10) as God gives increase to each joint that supplies in love what is needed for the edifying and building up of the body of Christ (Eph 4:16).

Pro 8:2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
Pro 8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

Wisdom cries from the highest quarters, “the top of high places” which represents Jerusalem above the mother of us all where God’s people are raised through Christ (Gal 4:26, Eph 2:6).

We are in the world and not of it (1Co 5:10), and so if we are being led by the holy spirit in this life, it will be in “in the places of the path” (Rom 8:14, Psa 1:1-3, Psa 23:2-3). It will be with Christ, who makes a way where their appears to be none, in the sea where we will learn to become more than conquerors through him (Php 2:12-13, Isa 43:16, Psa 107:11-15).

Isa 43:16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

Psa 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
Psa 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
Psa 107:13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
Psa 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

The church crying “at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors” are all symbolic locations that point to how Christ in us as our hope of glory gives us the ability to enter into the narrow gate (Mat 7:13-14), at the entry of the city which city represents the church of the first born (Heb 12:23), whose doors can only be opened and closed by Christ (Rev 3:7).

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Pro 8:4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
Pro 8:5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

God’s existence has been expressed through the Word, Jesus Christ (Mat 11:27, Joh 1:1-3), who made all things (Rom 1:20, 1Co 8:6). All that physical creation reveals a spiritual reality to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, and are given the ability to compare spiritual with spiritual using the physical realm (Mat 13:16, 1Co 2:12-14). The world will be without excuse once their eyes are opened to these truths, but today very few are given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Mat 13:11).

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” of (Psa 8:4), tells us that even though God calls, or is mindful of us, we also know that many are called of God and few are chosen and remain faithful till the end (Mat 22:14, Rev 17:14) as a result of God’s visitation in our life which is His judgement (Luk 19:44). It is those who go onto be judged and are blessed to endure that judgement until the end, who are being blessed to do the work of casting His bread upon the waters that will return in time (Ecc 11:1, Isa 55:11, 1Co 10:16).

The elect are that bread upon the water, the flesh and bones of Christ (bread of life) that is sacrificed for the world today as we are led by our Saviour (Eph 5:30, 1Jn 3:16). Our desire should always be to point people to Christ, with a readiness of mind to speak the truth to anyone who asks us with “meekness and fear” the reason for the hope within us (1Pe 3:15). These two verses were looking at, (Pro 8:4-5), are an invitation to the wedding supper if God is visiting us in this age (Psa 8:4), which means he will judge us in this age, and finish that work of faith in us through Christ (1Pe 4:17-18, Php 1:6).

Pro 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Pro 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Pro 8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
Pro 8:9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Pro 8:10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Pro 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

The opening questions of verse one, “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?”, which are a proclamation of what God’s words are, is answered for us with such statements as, “I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things”, and, “my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips”, as well as, “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them”.

God is holy (1Pe 1:16), and to those who are blessed to be in pursuit of His mind in this life, a clear and evident truth arises that shows us that God’s words don’t contradict themselves and are “all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge”.

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

If we are blessed to receive God’s instruction in this life and lean not unto our own understanding (Pro 3:5-8), we are promised a clarity of mind and peace that is more valuable than any physical things we could desire such as silver or gold (Php 4:7).

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Wisdom is better than rubies, and “all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it”.  These negative uses of gold and silver and rubies and their rejection is just the same as Paul saying, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Php 3:8).

Pro 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Pro 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

It is God’s wisdom that will bring us to see the beasts that we are (Ecc 3:18), and the fear of the LORD will motivate us to “hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate” within me.

Many translations has “witty inventions” ^H4209 translated in a positive sense, as “discretion” or “sound judgment”. However, H4209 is also defined as ‘an evil plan or thought or mischievous devise or lewdness’, and here is this verse in a couple of those translations:

Pro 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.(KJV)
Pro 8:12 I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, And a knowledge of devices I find out. [good or evil!] (YLT)
Pro 8:12 I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, And I find out a knowledge of purposes. [good or evil!] (LSV)

There is no one who dwelt on this earth that was more prudent and wise than Christ, and this verse, “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions”, is a reminder to God’s elect that with Christ as our head we can avail ourselves of that prudence that dwells within Christ and receive whatever knowledge we need for “find[ing] out knowledge of witty inventions” [good or evil] by simply asking our Father in heaven for those things we need (Jas 1:5). 

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [Solomon, a type of the elect, does not ask amiss (1Ki 3:11-13, Jas 4:3, Mat 6:8)]
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Pro 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Pro 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Pro 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

This is the great epiphany in our lives when we come to see the strength that we have when we learn of God’s faithfulness to provide for those who ask of Him both counsel and sound wisdom. When we come to see that Christ is our wisdom and our strength, through whom we can endure all things, we acquire great confidence and hope in this life (Joh 14:20).

Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

It is by Christ that “kings reign, and princes decree justice”, whether they be carnal kings or holy kings who are connected to the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. It is also true that by Christ “princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth”. How else can we call God sovereign unless the world itself, including its kings and princes, nobles and judges, are all living and moving and having their being in Christ (Act 17:28)? For God’s elect, the difference with that relationship is that God has earmarked those who are His to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection, which will be attained through much tribulation (Rom 8:28, Act 14:22).

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.

Pro 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Pro 8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Pro 8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
Pro 8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
Pro 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

The bible is redundant, but it is a blessed redundancy for those who see the hope filled message being given.

God loves those who love him, but He loved us first and shed His love abroad in the hearts of those that He softened in this life (1Jn 4:19, Rom 5:5). He also caused us to want to seek Him early in this life as a kind of first fruits who, as a result of this relationship, we are promised we would find Him “and those that seek me early shall find me”.

Only Christ can be Christ, so it is the true Shepherd who leads “in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment”, and he does this so “That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures”.

The treasure or fruits that we receive come about by being connected to the vine, Jesus Christ (Joh 15:5), who gives us “durable riches and righteousness” and promises exceedingly great and precious in this life that are of more value “than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver”.

Pro 8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Pro 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Pro 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Pro 8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
Pro 8:26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
Pro 8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
Pro 8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
Pro 8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Pro 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
Pro 8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

All of these verses are talking about Christ and his relationship with the Father prior to the creation as well as after he, Christ, created all of the heavens and earth as the beginning of God’s creation who was given the power to do that (Rev 3:14). 

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

It is also speaking of the predestined work (Pro 8:22) that is unfolding in the body of Christ through God’s spirit that makes it possible for His workmanship (Eph 2:10) to have a start and finish in the lives of those who are being dragged to Christ in this age (Joh 6:44).

Wisdom here is personified, making an intimate relationship more visible for us to embrace (Pro 8:35, Joh 17:26).

Pro 8:35 For whoso findeth me [Wisdom, Christ] findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

Joh 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Pro 8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
Pro 8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Pro 8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Pro 8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Pro 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

The final admonition to the church in these verses (Pro 8:32-33) is stated this way in (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”.

Verse 34 reminds us of the zealous and faithful approach that must be taken in order to find God (Jer 29:13, Heb 11:6), and when we find Christ we find life and “obtain favour of the LORD”, as opposed to “he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death” (1Jn 3:14).

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Ezekiel 40:1–27 The Vision of the Temple Part 1

[Study Aired December 16, 2024]

Introduction

Ezekiel chapter 40 is looked at as one of the most difficult sections of scripture in the Bible. According to Matthew Henry Commentary, the Jews will not allow any to read this portion until they are thirty years old and tell those who do read it that, though they cannot understand everything in it, “when Elias comes he will explain it”. However, if we believe that the mysteries of the kingdom of the Lord has been given to us, His elect, then it means that we already have the keys to unlock what the Lord is telling us here in Ezekiel chapter 40.

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.
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

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.

Isa 22:22  And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

To understand this chapter, we need to note that this chapter deals with the measurement of the temple in Jerusalem. However, this temple is as large as a city. Thus, the city is the same as the temple in this case. If we look at the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21, we can see that there is no temple within the city.

Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.   

Rev 21:22  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

In other words, the temple of the Lord is the same as the city of the New Jerusalem. This is to let us know that Jerusalem above which is the city of the living God is what is being measured here in Ezekiel chapter 40.

Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

The New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21 is the final representation of the church which includes all humanity. However, what is presented here in Ezekiel chapter 40 shows us what we go through to become part of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21.

As we are aware, this temple or city refers to the assembly of the Lord’s elect or our gathering together now. In Hebrews chapter 12, we are told that this assembly is the church of the firstborn and we are given additional information that this church is not perfect yet in the sight of God and therefore He is shaking us once more. This shaking of the earth and our heavens is the judgement of our old man or flesh which shall result in the cleansing of our hearts and minds and the destruction of our flesh. That is how we come to see the Lord as a consuming fire. The fire is the word of the Lord which destroys our old man or flesh.

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

In Ezekiel chapter 40 that we are going to review, we are given information to show us that this city is not perfect yet as we shall see by the measurements given. On the other hand, the city of the New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21 is perfection at its best. It gives us glimpses of our perfection as we unite with our Lord Jesus Christ. The measurements of the New Jerusalem are based on twelve or multiples of 12 which signify Christ.

Rev 21:10  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11  Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Rev 21:12  And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
Rev 21:13  On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

On the other hand, the measurements of this city in Ezekiel chapter 40 are based mainly on the numbers 6 and 10 which refer to man with all his weaknesses because of the flesh. A key therefore to understanding this chapter is knowing the spiritual significance of numbers as we shall see shortly.

The Vision of the City

Eze 40:1  In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither. 

The number twenty five on a positive note, signifies the time to start reigning as a royal priesthood. That means the beginning of our obedience to the Lord as we learn righteousness through His judgement of our flesh.

2Ki 14:2  He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2Ki 15:33  Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

2Ki 18:1  Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
2Ki 18:2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

The twenty-fifth year of the captivity of the people of Israel in this case implies the time that the Lord comes to us with the spirit of His mouth and His brightness to liberate us from our captivity to the false doctrines of Babylon and to make us obedient to Him so that we can start reigning over the flesh. The tenth day of the month is to show us that it is when our flesh has reached its fulness in terms of sin that the Lord comes to us with His judgement. The fourteenth year means that we are beginning to make spiritual progress with the Lord’s coming to us. In other words, we have not attained yet but we are definitely on our way.

Gen 31:41  Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
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.

Eze 40:2  In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. 
Eze 40:3 And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. 

When the Lord comes to us and delivers us from our captivity to the false doctrines of Babylon, and causes us to see the church of the firstborn, it is the same as the Lord lifting us up in the spirit and setting us upon a very high mountain to see the New Jerusalem which is described in verse 2 as the frame of a city on the south. In the Bible, high mountains represent the assembly of the Lord’s people. Thus, this high mountain is the gathering of the Lord’s elect that we see as the structure on the mountain representing a city on the south. The fact that the city is “on the south” means that the church of the Lord is not yet perfected as we are still closer to the sea, that is, we are still battling with the flesh of humanity.

Isa 40:9  O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isa 13:2  Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
Isa 13:3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.

The man whose appearance was like that of brass is our Lord Jesus Christ who is standing at the gate.

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

In the Book of Revelation, we also see Jesus with His feet like fine brass, which is consistent with our assertion that the man whose appearance was like brass is Jesus Christ.

Rev 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Jesus standing by the gate in the vision in verse 2 means that Jesus is the gateway to the New Jerusalem or the church of the firstborn. This implies that salvation is through Him alone.

Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

In verse 2, the Lord was carrying a tape measure and a measuring stick. That is to show us that it is the Lord who is always measuring us to see if we are conforming to His image or standard. For example, when the Lord appeared to John at the island of Patmos, He showed John that the complete church system of this world has fallen short of His standards. For example, let’s take a look at what He said regarding the church in Ephesus.

Rev 2:1  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Dan 5:27  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

It is as we leave Babylon to enter the gate of the assembly of the elect that we are measured and found wanting by the Lord.

Eze 40:4  And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. 

As our eyes are being opened by the Lord to see and our ears are hearing the mysteries of the kingdom of the Lord, we are to declare them to the house of Israel which represents the Lord’s elect.

Exo 19:3  And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
Exo 19:4  Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.
Exo 19:5  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Setting our heart upon all that the Lord is showing us means that we must obey His words. Obedience to the Lord’s words is how we progress spiritually.

Jer 42:5  Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us.
Jer 42:6 Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”

The Gateway that Faced East

Eze 40:5  And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. 

The first structure to be measured was the wall that surrounded the city or temple. Our Lord Jesus Christ has a measuring reed of six cubits by the cubit and an hand breadth. It is the Lord’s elect that are being measured to ensure that we attain the standards of Christ. All others are not being measured in this life.

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

In verse 5, the man who represents our Lord Jesus has a measuring reed of six cubits long. It is important to note that this measurement was not based on the common cubits but the cubits of the sanctuary, which was different. Here in verse 5, we are told that the cubits of the sanctuary is a hand breadth (approximately 4 inches) longer than the common cubits that was used as a measure in those days. The common cubit was eighteen inches. The outer wall of the house measured one reed in thickness and one reed in height. That is to say that the thickness and height of the wall were all six cubits.

It is important to note that the number six is the number of man. What this means is that when the Lord calls us from the churches of this world to come to the church of the firstborn or temple to worship, we were frail men and women with all kinds of weaknesses. However, through the Lord’s judgement of our old man or flesh, we gradually become like Christ. As explained earlier, the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation shows us where we are going, that is, becoming like Christ. Here the wall’s measurement is 144 cubits (12×12 cubits). The number 12 is the number of Christ and therefore in the final analysis, we shall be like Christ. The number of Christ in this case refers to His obedience to God while He lived here on earth. As He is, so are we. That is to say that we shall all bear the image of Christ in this life.

Rev 21:17  And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Eze 40:6  Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad. 
Eze 40:7  And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed. 
Eze 40:8 He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed. 

Our Lord went up the steps to the gateway that faced east and measured the entrance which was one reed broad. The other threshold of the gate was also one reed broad. The east gate means that it is where the sun rises. That is to say that our entering through the gate after our captivity in Babylon is the beginning of the rising of Christ in our lives.  It is worth noting that in verse 6 and 7, the measurement is given in reed but the distance between the little chambers is given in cubits. What this implies is that we must pay attention to the numbers and not to the unit of measurement. The number ‘one’ means ‘unity’. What this suggests is that as His elect, we are required to be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement for the building of the city or the church of the firstborn.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The little chamber here refers to our heart and mind or the temple within each of us which together forms part of the New Jerusalem. The fact that we have a distance of five cubits between the little chambers is to suggest to us that each of us is separate from one another by the grace through faith that we have received (the significance of the number 5).

Eph 4:7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

In verse 8, the porch of the gate within also measures one reed. The porch here refers to a covered area that joins the entrance or gate of a city. When we are given the privilege of entering Jerusalem which is above or the church of the firstborn, we are sheltered by the Lord from the world and all that may destroy us during this initial period as we are given to have the same mind and judgement.

Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Eze 40:10  And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side. 
Eze 40:11  And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits. 
Eze 40:12 The space also before the little chambers was one cubit on this side, and the space was one cubit on that side: and the little chambers were six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side. 

It is significant to note in verse 10 that the little chambers of the gate were three on one side and three on another side. This is to let us know that the process of our spiritual maturity is through the Lord’s judgement (the significance of the number 3).

In verse 11, the measured breadth of the entry of the gate was ten cubits with the length being thirteen cubits. The number ten means the fulness of the flesh and the number thirteen signifies rebellion. This suggests that it is when our rebellion has reached its climax that the Lord comes to us to usher us into the city of the living God.

In verse 12, we are made aware that the little chambers were six cubits or one reed on each side. The measurement of six cubits is to emphasize that we are dealing with man with all his flaws.

Eze 40:13  He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door. 
Eze 40:14  He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post of the court round about the gate. 
Eze 40:15  And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits. 
Eze 40:16  And there were narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were palm trees. 

The measurement of twenty five cubits of the gateway from the top of one little chamber to the top of the opposite little chamber in verse 13 indicates that entering the gateway to the church of the firstborn is the beginning of our kingship as shown in the following verses:

2Ki 14:2  He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2Ki 15:33  Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

2Ki 18:1  Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
2Ki 18:2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

What we are therefore being told is that what links us from one to another (from the top of one little chamber to the top of another) is the fact that our entering of Jerusalem above or the church of the firstborn is the beginning of our reign over the flesh and the subsequent reigning over the kingdoms of this world.

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

In verse 14, the room at the far end which led out to the court was measured to be sixty cubits. The number sixty (60 = 6 x 10) signifies the fulness of the flesh in man and therefore the measurement of 60 cubits affirms that the Lord comes to us when our sins have reached the heavens to lead us into His court for cleansing.

As stated in verse 15, the open space of the gate without to the open space of the porch of the gate is fifty cubits. The number fifty means liberty. This verse is therefore to remind us that as we enter the church of the firstborn, we are on our way to be liberated from the shackles of the flesh.

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Co 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

The narrow windows of verse 16 is to remind us of the narrow road that leads to our reigning with Christ.

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The posts which were palm trees is to indicate that this narrow road is preserved for only the Lord’s elect who are symbolized as palm trees.

Psa 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

The Outer Courts

Eze 40:17  Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement. 
Eze 40:18  And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement. 
Eze 40:19 Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward. 

Our journey through the temple of the Lord starts from the gate of the entrance, through the porch of the inner gate which leads to the outer court. The outer court of the temple was the place for atonement, worship, and cleansing in preparation to meet God. As we have seen from the beginning of the journey through the temple, the measurements we observed were mainly 6 cubits, 10 cubits, 13 cubits, 60 cubits and fifty cubits. With the exception of the 50 cubits which speaks of our liberty in Christ, all the other measurements show us man’s frailties, our rebellion and the fulness of our flesh. It is at the outer courts that we start the process of cleansing as we are judged by the Lord.

It is therefore instructive to note in verse 17 that there were thirty chambers upon the pavement that surrounds the inner court. The number thirty represent our rulership over our flesh and later the kingdoms of this world. This is because both Joseph and David became kings at the age of thirty. The number thirty therefore symbolizes the time that our new man starts to reign in our lives as our old man has commenced the dying process. The fact that there were thirty chambers on the pavement is to tell us that Christ has started his work in us to judge us first in this life by beginning the process of putting the old man to death for the birth of the new man who is to reign in our lives.

Gen 41:46  And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

2Sa 5:4  David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

Num 4:23  From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

We are informed in verse 18 that the pavement in the lower courtyard ran alongside the gateways. It was as wide as it was long. This implies that all that we go through in the outer court in terms of cleansing is part of the entry process to meet the Lord in the holy of holies. The fact that the pavement in the lower courtyard was wide and long means that there are many who are called but only few are chosen to proceed to the holy of holies.

The fact that in verse 19, we are told that the distance from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner courtyard is measured as hundred (10×10) cubits eastward and northward is to let us know that at this point of our walk with Christ, we are yet sinners as our sins have reached their fulness and our judgement has begun.

Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Rev 18:8  Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

The North Gate

Eze 40:20  And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof. 
Eze 40:21  And the little chambers thereof were three on this side and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits. 

The north spiritually represents the judgement of the Lord. The gate to the outward court looking towards the north in verse 20 therefore signifies the beginning of the judgement of the Lord as we enter through the north gate to the outward court. As we have indicated, the outer court of the temple is the place for atonement, worship, and cleansing in preparation to meet God.

Jer 1:13  And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
Jer 1:14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Jer 4:6  Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.

This process of cleansing is symbolized by the judgement of our old man or flesh and is affirmed by the fact that there were three little chambers on one side and another on the other side. The number three means spiritual maturity through judgement. The three little chambers, the arches, and the entrance hall were the same size as those in the east gateway. This northern gateway was fifty cubits in length and twenty five cubit in width. As we have shown earlier, the number fifty means liberty and that of twenty five signifies the beginning of our reign as kings. This implies that the judgement of the Lord is to liberate us from the chains of the flesh and to begin to reign over it. In the fulness of time, we shall reign as kings over the kingdoms of this world.

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

Eze 40:22  And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them. 
Eze 40:23  And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits.

Here in verse 22, we are told that the windows, the arches, and palm tree pictures were the same size as those in the east gateway and that there were seven steps which lead to the inner court.  The fact that the measurement of the windows, and their arches and the palm trees were the same as those in the east gate spiritually signifies that whether we come through the north gate or the east gate the experience is the same. In other words, we all go through the same spiritual experience.  This experience is the seven steps indicated in verse 22.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

In verse 23, we are told that the inner courtyard had a gateway opposite the north gate just like the east gateway and the measurement from gate to gate was an hundred cubits. As indicated, the northern and the eastern gateways being alike means that our experiences are the same in terms of our walk with Christ. The measurement being one hundred (10×10) cubits implies that we come through the gateway to the inner court being full of the flesh and needing to be judged by the Lord.

We therefore thank God for His mercies towards us in choosing us in Him before the foundation of the world.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Amen!!

“Journey Through the Kingdom to God’s Throne” – Part 1

Kingdom Fundamentals

[Study Aired Nov 5, 2024]

When beginning our study of our journey to the kingdom’s throne, we must first understand Christ’s fundamental teaching about the kingdom itself: “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation… for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). This truth establishes that our study of physical approaches to God’s presence – through gates, courts, and the temple itself – must be understood spiritually, for these patterns reveal internal realities in our approach to God.

The journey begins at the city gates: “Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD” (Psalm 122:2-4).

From there we proceed to the temple courts, where a middle wall of partition separated the outer court from the inner courts. This wall represented the law that kept Gentiles separate from Jews: “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:14). As Paul further explains, Christ abolished “the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace” (Ephesians 2:15). This wall marked a boundary that Gentiles could not cross, as God commanded: “Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary” (Ezekiel 44:9). Christ removed this barrier, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14). Beyond this wall stood the inner courts: “Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’s house” (Jeremiah 26:2), with “the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east” (Ezekiel 43:4). Within these courts stood the great altar and laver, both speaking of our purification in Christ. The brass altar, where sacrifices were offered, points to Christ’s sacrifice: “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). The laver, where priests washed before service, represents our cleansing by God’s Word: “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:25-26).

“Beyond this lay the temple building itself with the Holy Place containing the prescribed furnishings. The golden candlesticks were designed according to God’s specific pattern: “And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold… his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same” (Exodus 25:31). These candlesticks provided light in the Holy Place: “they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light” (Exodus 25:37). Their spiritual significance is revealed in the New Testament, where Christ shows that candlesticks represent His churches: “The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20). This light must be maintained through obedience, for Christ warns: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place” (Revelation 2:5). The prophet Zechariah connects this to the Spirit’s work: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).”

Finally, separated by the veil whose colors speak of Christ: “And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen” (2 Chronicles 3:14). Like the tabernacle entrance, the blue represents His heavenly origin, the purple His royalty, the crimson His sacrifice, and the fine linen His perfect righteousness. This veil itself represented Christ’s flesh: “By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:20).

The biblical pattern reveals progressive stages of drawing near to God’s presence, each with its own spiritual significance as “the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present” (Hebrews 9:8-9). This progression follows the pattern described by the psalmist: “They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God” (Psalm 84:7), showing how each stage brings us closer to His presence and transforms us in the process.

The Apostle Paul reveals how we can understand spiritual things through physical things: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead” (Romans 1:20). Therefore, to begin our journey to the Most Holy Place, we must first enter through a gate, which is synonymous with door, for Jesus said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9). This isn’t a physical door but a spiritual reality, further emphasized when He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Only after passing through this entrance can we proceed along the path that leads to God’s presence, for “through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). As we study these doors and gates, and the path that gives us access to the Most Holy place we seek their spiritual significance, remembering Jesus’ words that “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63), just as the tribes of Israel entered Jerusalem’s gates to go up to the temple: “Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD” (Psalm 122:4).

This spiritual entrance is described as narrow and demanding: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). This narrow way isn’t a physical path but an internal journey of transformation. As Solomon wrote, “The way of life is above to the wise” (Proverbs 15:24), and Isaiah confirms, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21). This spiritual way was foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament, where God provided physical patterns to teach spiritual truths about entering His presence.

The Old Testament provides several types and shadows that reveal Christ as our entrance to the kingdom. Consider first the door of Noah’s ark: “And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark… and the LORD shut him in” (Genesis 7:1,16). This single door of salvation foreshadowed Christ, who declared “I am the door” (John 10:9). Just as only those who entered through the ark’s door were saved, spiritual salvation comes only through Christ: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

The tabernacle entrance deepens this typology: “And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework” (Exodus 26:36). These colors prophetically speak of Christ. The blue represents His heavenly origin, for “He that cometh from heaven is above all” (John 3:31). The purple signifies His royalty, as He is “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16). The scarlet points to His sacrifice, for “In whom we have redemption through his blood” (Ephesians 1:7). The fine twined linen shows His righteousness, for He “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Psalms reveal spiritual understanding of gates: “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter” (Psalm 118:19-20). These verses point to Christ, who is our righteousness: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

The prophet Isaiah foresaw the spiritual nature of these gates: “Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in” (Isaiah 26:2). This righteousness comes not through external observance but through the faith of Christ: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe” (Romans 3:22).

Ezekiel’s vision of the temple gate provides further insight: “Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut” (Ezekiel 44:1-2). This exclusive entrance prophetically speaks of Christ, who alone provides access to God.

These Old Testament types find their complete fulfillment in Christ’s New Testament declaration: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). This teaching establishes that there is no legitimate spiritual access except through Christ, the true Door. Jesus further emphasizes this truth: “I am the door of the sheep… by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:7,9). This salvation isn’t merely the future but present reality, for “he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36). Having established Christ Himself as the only entrance, we must understand the internal conditions He produces in those entering through Him.

Access to this spiritual kingdom requires specific internal conditions. First among these is spiritual poverty: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). This spiritual poverty manifests as humility, for “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). David understood this when he wrote, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

Beyond humility, entering the kingdom requires profound internal transformation. Jesus declared, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). This new birth is an internal reality, as David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Paul describes this as being “renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23).

The holy spirit plays a crucial role in this kingdom access. Jesus promised, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things” (John 14:26). This Spirit guides us into truth: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses, “for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

The ultimate reality of kingdom access is Christ’s indwelling through the Spirit. Paul reveals this mystery as “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Jesus Himself promised this intimate dwelling: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). He later prayed for this reality: “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one” (John 17:23). This indwelling is so essential that Paul declares, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).

Now that we understand Christ as the Door, we must learn how to seek and find this entrance. Jesus provides the key principle: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). This seeking isn’t physical but spiritual, for “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

The nature of this spiritual seeking is revealed in Christ’s words: “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field” (Matthew 13:44). This parable teaches that finding the kingdom’s entrance requires valuing it above all else. As Solomon wrote, “If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:4-5).

This seeking involves the whole heart. God promises, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Half-hearted seeking won’t suffice, for “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). This “violence” refers not to physical force but to the intensity of spiritual pursuit – a complete denial of self, as Christ taught: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

The process of seeking requires spiritual discernment, which itself is a divine gift. As Solomon prayed, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad” (1 Kings 3:9). Paul explains this necessity: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Therefore, we must pray as David did, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18).

Finding the entrance requires divine revelation. Jesus declared, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw (drag) him” (John 6:44). This dragging comes through the Spirit’s work: “For as many as are led (brought) by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). We can’t find the entrance through natural wisdom but only through God’s revealing Spirit.

The seeking process involves stripping away false dependencies. Jesus taught, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). This doesn’t mean literal hatred but rather putting Christ above all other relationships and dependencies.

This seeking requires persistence. Jesus illustrated this through the parable of the widow: “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?” (Luke 18:7). He taught this parable specifically that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).

Our entrance through Christ requires putting away old patterns of thinking and living. Paul emphasizes this: “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” (Ephesians 4:22-24). This transformation happens as we are given to yield to Christ’s indwelling life.

The Spirit leads us to diligently search the Scriptures, as Jesus commanded: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). Yet this searching must transcend mere intellectual study. As Paul explains, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).

Our seeking involves intense spiritual warfare. We face opposition from our flesh, for “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh” (Galatians 5:17). The world system opposes us, hence John’s warning: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15). Beyond these, we face spiritual opposition, 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.” (Ephesians 6:12). Therefore we must “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). This armor includes “having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness… taking the shield of faith… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:14,16-17).”

Throughout this seeking, persistent prayer becomes our lifeline. Jesus promises, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it (the door, Jesus Christ) shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). This prayer must flow from faith, align with God’s will, and persist without ceasing. As Paul instructs, we should be “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).

Our journey isn’t solitary. God places us in fellowship with other believers, warning us against “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Through this fellowship, we experience mutual edification and growth, for the body is “fitly joined together” (Ephesians 4:16).

As we consider the evidences of having found the kingdom’s entrance, we must remember Christ’s foundational teaching that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). Therefore, the evidence appears first in our internal spiritual condition before manifesting in external ways. Jesus taught, “Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit” (Matthew 7:17).

The first evidence is a new spiritual understanding. Paul describes this transformation: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed(ing) away; behold, all things are become(ing) new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new understanding comes through the Spirit, for “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

A clear evidence appears in our relationship to sin. John writes, “Whosoever is born of God (the new man) doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he (the new man) is born of God” (1 John 3:9). This doesn’t mean sinless perfection, but rather a fundamental change in our relationship to sin. Paul explains this transformation: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under (chastening) grace” (Romans 6:14), for “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6).

The presence of divine love provides another crucial evidence. John states plainly, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death” (1 John 3:14). This love isn’t natural affection but supernatural, flowing from God Himself: “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).

Evidence appears in a new relationship with God’s Word. Where once the Scriptures might have seemed dry or confusing, now they become our essential nourishment. As Jeremiah testified, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jeremiah 15:16). Job expressed similar devotion: “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). The psalmist declares, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103). This fulfills what God taught Israel: “man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live” (Deuteronomy 8:3).

A transformed prayer life provides further evidence. Paul describes this change: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Prayer becomes communion rather than obligation, for “the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).

Changed priorities mark those who have found the kingdom’s entrance. As Paul testifies, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7-8). Worldly attractions lose their appeal, for “if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

Evidence appears in our response to trials. James writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3). Rather than being defeated by difficulties, we find them working spiritual growth, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Perhaps the most profound evidence is Christ’s increasing manifestation in our lives. Paul describes this process: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). This manifestation brings increasing conformity to His image, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29).

Finally, true entrance into the kingdom produces an earnest anticipation of Christ’s return. Paul describes believers as those who “love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). This hope purifies us: “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).

Having understood how we enter the kingdom through Christ, our next study will examine the gates of Jerusalem as they reveal deeper aspects of our spiritual journey. As the psalmist declares, “The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God” (Psalm 87:2-3). Each gate in Jerusalem’s walls held specific purpose and position, providing profound insights into our ongoing spiritual walk. From the Sheep Gate where sacrifices entered the city, to the Water Gate where Ezra read the law, to the Valley Gate representing humility – each entrance teaches vital spiritual truth.

As Paul explains, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Lord willing we will discover how these ancient gates, arranged by divine wisdom, illuminate our path of spiritual growth and transformation in Christ.

Psa 69:10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
Psa 69:11 I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
Psa 69:12 They that sit in the gate^H8179 speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

There is a right way to mourn for the sins of this world, and we ought to be ‘sighing and crying’ for the abominations that the Lord is showing us in this life (Eze 9:4). The emphasis as always is to first look within and be sure that we are not adhering to any of the traditions of the world that represent the vanity of our flesh (Mar 7:7).

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

Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

We are to do good unto all men as we have opportunity and as verse 7 of Isaiah 58 shows us, but especially unto the house of God who is “thine own flesh” that we hide not ourselves from (Col 1:24, Heb 10:20, Eph 5:30, Heb 10:25, Mal 3:16).

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Isa 58:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isa 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

It is when we are given to live the acceptable fast of (Isa 58:5-7), then we will know for ourselves what is this “reproach” unto our “soul” or what it is to become “a proverb unto them” as our Lord was (1Sa 8:7, Psa 44:14, Isa 53:3, Luk 6:23, Heb 11:25-27).

Zep 3:18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
Zep 3:19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth[^H6760 Gen 32:31], and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
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 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

We certainly are “the song of the [spiritual] drunkards” of verse 12 and their song is the opposite of ours. This is every man’s song at first, until we become sober, spiritually, by the grace and faith of God.

Jer 51:7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Eze 2:1 And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.
Eze 2:2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.
Eze 2:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.
Eze 2:4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.
Eze 2:5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
Eze 2:6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
Eze 2:7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
Eze 2:8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
Eze 2:9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;
Eze 2:10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

We sing a song to the world that speaks of a narrow way: “lamentations, and mourning, and woe”, written both “within and without” to remind us that this message is as much for our first man Adam ‘within’ who is being given the ability to heed the admonition, as opposed to those who we witness to ‘without’ who may like the fruit of our life, but are not willing or able to see the need to wear “sackcloth” as our “garment” or to heed the warning being given, by not just hearing the word but eating the roll that is sweet in our mouth but bitter in our belly (Rev 11:3, Eze 33:31-33, Eze 3:1-8, Rev 10:9).

To the unconverted world, this is the time to eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die (Luk 12:19-22), whereas the elect know that we die daily (1Co 15:31, Heb 9:27, 1Pe 4:17), and that it is better to be in the house of mourning where we are reminded that better is the day of one’s death than the day of one’s birth (Ecc 7:1-2) or than it is to spend a thousand days without (Psa 84:10-12) with those who are on slippery ground that God has delivered us from (Psa 73:18).

“They that sit in the gate”

With a negative and positive application revealed, the word “gate” is symbolic either of the heart of man that stubbornly withstands God or one that becomes compliant to God through judgment. But God has promised that one day we will “possess the gate of his enemies” (Gen 22:17), meaning the counsel of God will stand after our hearts have been judged, which is what happens symbolically at the gate (Pro 19:21).

Deu 21:19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

Deu 22:15 Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel’s virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:

Deu 25:7 And if the man like not to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband’s brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.

Jos 20:4 And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.

Rth 4:11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

We are given power to rule over or not rule over our own hearts or gates, that which enters into a man, and that which goes out of our gates, depending on where Christ our kinsman redeemer is situated in our life (Mat 15:9-14, Rth 4:1-11).


The most encouraging promise of our Lord concerning the church which is Christ’s body is that “the gates^G4439 of hell will not prevail against it” (Mat 16:18). In other words, all the ungodly counsel of evil men who are God’s sword (Psa 17:13) will accomplish only that which God has predestined for them to accomplish to His glory (Act 4:27). We overcome the negative Babylonian gate that Samson carries away (Jdg 16:3) by suffering with Christ outside the gate in this life we’re called to lose (Heb 13:12, 13).
gates^G4439

– Original: πu^G965 ́u⁹⁵⁵ ηpar
– Transliteration: Pule
– Phonetic: poo’-lay
– Definition:
1. a gate
a. of the larger sort
1. in the wall of either a city 2. a palace
3. a town
4. the temple
5. a prison
2. the gates of hell (likened to a vast prison)
3. metaph. the access or entrance into any state
– Origin: apparently a primary word – TDNT entry: 21:22,0
– Part(s) of speech: Noun Feminine
– Strong’s: Apparently a primary word; a gate that is the leaf or wing of a folding entrance (literally or figuratively): – gate.
Total KJV Occurrences: 4
•gate, 4
Luk_7:12; Act_3:10; Act_12:10; Heb_13:12



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The Virtuous Body of Christ - Part 11 Discussion

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“The virtuous body of Christ” - Part 11

May 15, 2016

with Steven Crook

Properly watching or locking a gate is important to anyone who understands that security is important for the thing or things the wall, fence or hedge are guarding. The gate is the entrance or exit from the thing that is being protected.

In our study today, we are going to examine three verses from Proverbs 31 which show us another angle of who we are to Jesus Christ and who Jesus Christ is to us.

Our Husband is known

Jesus Christ is obviously important to the body of Christ also talked about as the virtuous body of Christ in this series, but Jesus Christ is much more than a man we can imagine in our minds. In fact, Jesus Christ is the way, truth and life to the plan God has for all of humanity.

That all is fairly straight forward and obvious to any Christian, but there are Jews who are in the flesh and Jews who are of the heart, and Jesus Christ to the latter group is much more than a mere man.

Pro 31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:24  She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Pro 31:25  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Jesus Christ is known in the gates. How is He known in the gates when He sits among the elders of the land?

Elders traditionally are those who are highly respected and esteemed in their communities. They would obviously be those who were trusted and approved of among those in that same community, so how would Jesus Christ be known in the gates when He sits among these elders?

First off, what is the gate being referred to, and secondly who are the elders?

There are many different gates we can refer to and many aspects we could expound upon, but I am going to focus on a very important gate, namely the gate to the tabernacle. This gate and the things that apply to it can corporately be applied to the gate of the “new city” as well, but I don’t want to get to far ahead of myself.

Exo 27:16  And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.

Exo 38:18  And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.

Exo 40:33  And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

We’ve talked a lot of about the blue, purple and scarlet colors and the fine linen within this series, so just take those same principles and apply them to this study.

Hopefully, we will see how the gate and the elders are all connected together with Jesus Christ. Here are some of the verses covering what we should consider the gate as in the New Testament.

Mat 7:12  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

The gate can either be wide or strait, but what is the “strait” gate. A few studies back in the awesome hands series, I covered what the “strait gate” is.

In fact, the awesome hands part 96 was named, “Straight Gate”. Instead of “reinventing the wheel” (pun intended if you re-read or listen to that study), I will just copy here what I wrote in that study because it fits directly here.

Remember, I am directly speaking on the tabernacle, the gate, and the fine linen objects currently in the awesome hands series, so it is very appropriate to include in this study and amazing timing of the Lord.

Jesus tells us that “strait is the gate and narrow is the way” that WE must us to ENTER into the kingdom of God.

So, it becomes very important that we understand what this “straight” gate is all about.

Mat 7:12  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait G4728 gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The “strait” gate is G4728 and also means narrow, but it is a STANDING NARROW GATE. Here is the root of G4728.

G4728

stenos
sten-os'
Probably from the base of G2476; narrow (from obstacles standing close about): - strait.
Total KJV occurrences: 3

G4728
stenos
Total KJV Occurrences: 3
strait, 3
Mat_7:13-14 (2), Luk_13:24

This is only used a handful of times, but is from the base of G2476.

G2476

histēmi
his'-tay-mee
A prolonged form of a primary word στάω staō (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively): - abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare G5087.
Total KJV occurrences: 156

G2576 means to STAND and is used 156 times in scripture with the majority being “stood”, “stand” or “standing”.

G2476
histēmi
Total KJV Occurrences: 161
stood, 60
Mat_2:9, Mat_12:46, Mat_13:2, Mat_20:32, Mat_26:73, Mat_27:11, Mat_27:47, Mar_10:49, Mar_11:5, Luk_5:1, Luk_6:8, Luk_6:17, Luk_7:14, Luk_7:38, Luk_17:12, Luk_18:11, Luk_18:40, Luk_19:8, Luk_23:10, Luk_23:35, Luk_23:49, Luk_24:36, Joh_1:35, Joh_6:22, Joh_7:37, Joh_11:56, Joh_12:29, Joh_18:5, Joh_18:16, Joh_18:18 (2), Joh_19:25 (2), Joh_20:11, Joh_20:19, Joh_20:26, Joh_21:4, Act_3:8, Act_9:7, Act_10:30, Act_12:13-14 (2), Act_16:9, Act_17:22, Act_21:40, Act_22:25, Act_24:20, Act_25:18, Act_27:21, Rev_5:6, Rev_7:9, Rev_7:11, Rev_8:2-3 (2), Rev_11:1, Rev_11:11, Rev_12:4, Rev_14:1 (2), Rev_18:17
stand, 36
Mat_12:25-26 (2), Mat_12:47, Mat_20:6, Mat_24:15, Mar_3:24-26 (3), Mar_9:1, Luk_6:8, Luk_8:20, Luk_11:18, Luk_13:25, Luk_21:36, Act_1:11, Act_5:20, Act_8:38, Act_25:10, Act_26:6, Act_26:16, Rom_5:2, Rom_14:4, 1Co_15:1, 2Co_1:24, Eph_6:11, Eph_6:13-14 (2), Col_4:12, Jam_2:3, 1Pe_5:12, Rev_3:20, Rev_6:17, Rev_10:5, Rev_15:2, Rev_18:15, Rev_20:12
standing, 23
Mat_6:5, Mat_16:28, Mat_20:3, Mat_20:6, Mar_3:31, Mar_13:14, Luk_1:11, Luk_5:2, Luk_9:27, Luk_18:13, Joh_8:9, Act_4:14 (3), Act_5:23, Act_5:25, Act_7:55-56 (2), Act_24:21, Rev_7:1, Rev_11:4, Rev_18:10, Rev_19:17
set, 11
Mat_18:2, Mat_25:33, Mar_9:36, Luk_4:9, Luk_9:47, Joh_8:3, Act_4:7, Act_5:27, Act_6:6, Act_6:13, Act_22:30
standeth, 8
Joh_1:26, Joh_3:29, 1Co_7:37, 1Co_10:12, 2Ti_2:19, Heb_10:11, Jam_5:9, Rev_10:8
still, 4
Mat_20:32, Mar_10:49, Luk_7:14, Act_8:38
establish, 3
Rom_3:31, Rom_10:3, Heb_10:9
appointed, 2
Act_1:23, Act_17:31
established, 2
Mat_18:16, 2Co_13:1
standest, 2
Act_7:33, Rom_11:20
abode, 1
Joh_8:44
brought, 1
Mar_13:9
continue, 1
Act_26:22
covenanted, 1
Mat_26:15
holden, 1
Rom_14:4
lay, 1
Act_7:60
make, 1
Rom_14:4
present, 1
Jud_1:24
setteth, 1
Mat_4:5
stanched, 1
Luk_8:44

Here are a few of those verses:

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

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.

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

The "strait" gate is one that is a narrow standing. We are called to STAND in the Truth of the Word of God and we are FREE because of it. However, that does not mean we are not slaves/prisoners to our Master Jesus

Eph 3:1  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Eph 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

We are all called to be witnesses to the work the Lord has started in us all and will eventually work in all of mankind.

Look at what Jesus immediately says after telling us to enter in at the straight gate:

Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17  Even so every GOOD TREE bringeth forth good fruit; but a CORRUPT TREE bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Eph 4:14  That we HENCEFORTH be no more children, 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;

False prophets have false doctrines. False doctrines are for and about another Jesus. Jesus tells us that these false prophets are trees which are known by their fruit. Therefore, prophets of the Lord, are also trees and will ALSO be known by their fruit.

As the body of Christ and those who have the testimony of Jesus, we are the acacia wood of the temple which is coupled together to form the frame of the tabernacle of God. However, we are used to carry the WORDS of the book WITHIN US as we carry the weight of the covering of the tabernacle on us, the frame of the tabernacle.

If you want to know more about the acacia wood, please read the last 5 or 6 awesome hands studies.

How the “narrow standing gate” connects to Proverbs 31 is very revealing to how we know how to deal with false idols and false doctrines and WHY the Husband of the virtuous body of Christ is known in the gate when He sits among the elders.

Pro 31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:24  She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Pro 31:25  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Notice in verses 24 that the virtuous woman MAKES fine linen and SELLS it and makes GIRDLES that are wearable by those who buy these goods.

If you were paying attention to the GATE that is MADE of FINE LINEN, then you would also recognize that this gate hangs off of STANDING PILLARS.

The tabernacle has an outer gate where all of Israel must come through to enter into the outer court of the tabernacle and then the inner tabernacle has another fine linen gate leading into the holies.

The outer gate is hung on four pillars and the inner curtain or gate is hanging on 5 pillars, but the thing to take away from this example, and for this study, is that the pillars and the gates are all collectively the “tabernacle”, the Head and body, or otherwise known as Jesus the Christ.

Within that body there are appointments made for elders who are to be overseers.  It is very appropriate that Paul speaks about following him AS he follows Jesus Christ.

1Co 4:15  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
1Co 4:16  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1Co 4:17  For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1Co 11:2  Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Php 3:16  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Php 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Php 3:18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

1Pe 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1Pe 3:14  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

The “watchers of the gate” will always be those who point you to Jesus Christ. Once we individually KNOW the Truth, once we individually KNOW Jesus Christ, then we become those lights in the world who point the way to the narrow gate and way.

That is what making and selling “fine linen” to the merchants is all about. Merchants are those that buy and sell themselves. So, who is BUYING your GOODS?

Who is looking at your CLOTHING and determining what it is you are wearing? After all, your CLOTHING is STRENGTH and HONOR and causes YOU to REJOICE in what is coming for all of mankind.

2Co 5:2  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
2Co 5:3  If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
2Co 5:4  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
2Co 5:5  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
2Co 5:6  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

Rev 4:4  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Rev 4:5  And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Rev 10:1  And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Rev 19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

It should be clear that we are clothed with Jesus Christ, our Husband, but Jesus Christ came proclaiming doctrine. His words are His doctrine and we too, Lord willing, will always be “watchers in/of the gate” and proclaim “His doctrine” to those who are buying our goods.

As watchers, we need to always be listening and taking note of the doctrines that try to “enter into the city” of our hearts and minds, as well as the body of Christ’s heart and mind, so that we can be faithful watchmen.

Isa 52:8  Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.

Isa 62:6  I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,

Jer 6:17  Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

Jer 31:6  For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.

If you are wondering why I mention and watchmen and the gates together, please review my recent awesome hands series which talk about the “overlay” of gold found on various items in the tabernacle.

The crux of it is that the Hebrew word “overlay” is directly connected to “watchmen”.

Exo 25:13  And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay H6823 them with gold.

H6823

tsâphâh
tsaw-faw'
A primitive root (probably rather identical with H6822 through the idea of expansion in outlook transformed to act); to sheet over (especially with metal): - cover, overlay.
Total KJV occurrences: 46

H6822
tsâphâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 38
watchman, 14
2Sa_18:24-27 (5), 2Ki_9:17-18 (2), 2Ki_9:20, Isa_21:6, Eze_3:17, Eze_33:2, Hos_9:6-8 (3)
watch, 5
Gen_31:49, 2Sa_13:34, Isa_21:5, Hab_2:1 (2)
watchmen, 5
1Sa_14:16, Isa_52:8, Isa_56:10, Jer_6:17, Mic_7:4
look, 2
Psa_5:3, Mic_7:7
looketh, 2
Pro_31:27, Son_7:4
watching, 2
1Sa_4:13, Lam_4:17
behold, 1
Psa_66:7
beholding, 1
Pro_15:3
espy, 1
Jer_48:19
waited, 1
Job_15:22
watched, 1
Lam_4:17
watcheth, 1
Psa_37:32
watchman’s, 1
Eze_33:6
well, 1
Pro_31:27

A watchman “covers” the city with his watching eyes and attentive service to the safety of the city or thing he is watching over.

Our Husband Jesus Christ is known in the gates as the elders always points to Him and His doctrine.

Our job as the wife of Jesus Christ is to make fine linen coverings to sell to those who are buying so that they too can have strength and honor as their clothing.

Of course the making is always in the form of being DOERS of the WORD and not hearers only, and that can ONLY be accomplished by God working it out in us daily. Let us always pray for this to take place in our lives.

It is an honor for a kings to search our all matters of scripture, and this is especially true for the kings and priests we all are being raised up into. Let us all be diligent watchers at the gate for the voice of the True Shephard.

Pro 25:2  It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.