The Spiritual Significance of Numbers in Scripture – Number 5

Grace Through Faith

[Study Aired January 11, 2025]

Beginning in Genesis the number five is connected to grace through faith. It was through faith that Joseph waited for his dreams to be fulfilled, and when they were he showed great favor to his full brother by the same mother, Benjamin:

Gen 45:22  To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

Signifying the fruits of the work of grace, Joseph presented five of his brothers to Pharaoh:

Gen 47:2  And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.

Those five brothers in this story signify Christ presenting those His Father has given Him to His Father.

Signifying the grace and mercy we have been given and which we, as “the temple of God”, will in time extend to the whole world (Rom 11:30-32), nearly every measurement of the temple was a multiple of five.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

There were three entrances to the tabernacle. Three signifies the process of us as we are being judged. The first part was the gate of the court which was twenty cubits wide and five cubits high hung upon four pillars:

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.

The second was the door of the tabernacle:

Exo 26:36  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.
Exo 26:37 And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

The length of the court of the tabernacle was a hundred cubits:

Exo 27:9 And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits [5×20] long for one side:

The width (breadth) of the court was fifty cubits:

Exo 27:12 And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits [5×10]: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten [5×2].

The measurements of the wings of the cherubim are “five cubits”:

1Ki 6:24 And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits.

2Ch 3:12 And one wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub.

The height of the chapiters placed on the tops of the pillars before Solomon’s temple were five cubits each:

1Ki 7:16 And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits:

The lavers in which the Levites washed themselves and the offerings were ten in total with five on either side of the temple:

1Ki 7:38  Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths [5 times 8]: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.
1Ki 7:39 And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.

The candlesticks “before the oracle” were five on the right and five on the left:

1Ki 7:49 And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold,

The implements of the temple were in fives:

2Ch 4:6 He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they [the Levites who were not priests] washed in them; but the sea was for the priests [only] to wash in. [‘We have a sea as well as an altar, in which they that serve the tabernacle have no right to wash.]

Heb 13:10  We have an altar [the golden altar of incense within the first holy place], whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

The candlesticks which give light to all who are within the temple of God are in multiples of five:

2Ch 4:7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.

The tables at which the priests within the temple dined and the basins out of which they were fed were in multiples of the number five:

2Ch 4:8 He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold.

The measurements of the “molten sea”, used only for the cleansing of the priests, signifying the cleansing of all those “who first trusted in Christ” (Eph 1:11-12; Rev 15:2), were all multiples of five:

1Ki 7:23  And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits [5×6] did compass it round about.

While this molten sea was literally filled with water for the cleansing of the priests, that same ‘molten sea’ becomes ‘a sea of glass mingled with fire’ in Revelation 15:

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

Both water and fire cleanse us, but the fire follows the water:

Num 31:23  Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water.

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

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

This all relates to the Lord’s “nation of kings and priests… who first trusted in Christ [who] will rule with Him a thousand years.” It will be “though [our] mercy they [the rest of the world] shall receive mercy” (Rom 11:30-31).

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

What we are being told is that “Ye are the temple of God” and “by grace are ye saved through faith.” The ‘mingled with fire’ is the chastening work of grace experienced by “every son He receives” (Heb 12:6).  The grace of God chastens us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live Godly lives in this present age (Tit 2:11-12). That chastening grace is the significance of the number five.

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12  Teaching [G3811: ‘paideuo’, chastening] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world [G165: ‘aion’, age];

Understanding what grace does gives us a much deeper understanding of what this verse is saying:

Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, [chastening] grace did much more abound:

We are self-righteous stubborn sinners, but God’s chastening overcomes us.

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

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

That is the positive significance of the number 5. It is only “by [chastening] grace… through faith” that anyone comes to Christ, and both the grace and the faith are a gift from God.

What we are told is that the whole world is God’s “offspring” and that He will not lose a single soul:

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

These are Paul’s words to the pagan Athenians:

Act 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

All men of all time will be saved “by grace… through faith”:

Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Gal 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Gal 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. [hypocrisy]
Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Gal 2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

The wise and foolish virgins were five each:

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

The five foolish virgins are a negative application of the number five.

The holy anointing oil was of five parts, four spices and “and a hin of olive oil.” The four spices were measured in shekels which were divisible by five:

Exo 30:22 Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred  shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much,  even two hundred and fifty  shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
Exo 30:24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:
Exo 30:25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

The title ‘Christ’ (G5547) means ‘anointed.’ Christ was His Father’s anointed, meaning He had been given His Father’s spirit without measure:

Joh 3:34  For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

It was “the spirit [without] measure” that kept Christ from ever sinning. We have been “sealed with the holy spirit of promise”:

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

We have been given an “unction of the spirit” which gives us the ability to discern those who are “not… of us”, but Christ alone is referred to when we are told that ‘God gave not His spirit by measure unto Him’.

1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1Jn 2:20  But ye have an unction [G5545: ‘krismah’, anointed] from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

This word translated as ‘unction’ here in 1 John 2:20 appears only three times in the New Testament, and the other two times are in verse 27 of this same chapter where it is twice translated as ‘anointing.’

1Jn 2:27  But the anointing [G5545: ‘krismah’] which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing [G5545: ‘krismah’] teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

The Lord’s spirit is signified by ‘the holy anointing oil.’

The incense was of five parts, the fifth being salt, translated as “tempered together.”

Exo 30:34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, [1] stacte, and [2] onycha, and [3] galbanum; these sweet spices with [4] pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
Exo 30:35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, [5 – salt] tempered together [Heb: salt- malach-4414], pure and holy:
Exo 30:36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.
Exo 30:37 And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.
Exo 30:38 Whosoever shall make like unto that [another Jesus], to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.

David’s faith is signified by the “five smooth stones” which he “took out of the brook”, and he put them in his shepherd’s bag:

1Sa 17:38  And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
1Sa 17:39  And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
1Sa 17:40  And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
1Sa 17:41  And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

The smoothness of the five stones signifies the trial of our faith by God’s chastening grace and the “washing of water by the Word”:

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

We are lacking five things at the time the Lord chooses us as his wife:

Eze 16:4 And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born [1] thy navel was not cut, [2] neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; [3] thou wast not salted [4414: malach] at all, [4] nor swaddled at all.
Eze 16:5 [5] None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born. [The day we first come to Christ, while still in Babylon]

The children of Israel came out of Egypt “harnessed” which the CLV translates as “in five sections.”

Exo 13:18  But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed [H2571: ‘chomesh’] out of the land of Egypt.
Exo 13:18  Hence Elohim caused the people to turn about by the wilderness road of the Sea of Weeds. Deployed in five sections, the sons of Israel ascended from the land of Egypt. (CLV)

Some of the literal versions translate this Hebrew word H2571 ‘chomesh’ as “in the fifth generation” (ABP; CAB).

The ERR and the ECB both say ‘in ranks of five” for the word ‘chomesh’.

Exo 13:18  But God led Elohim turned the people about around , through the way of the wilderness of the Red Reed sea: and the children sons of Israel Yisra El went up harnessed ascended in ranks of five out of the land of Egypt Misrayim . (ERR)

Exo 13:18  and Elohim turns the people around, through the way of the wilderness of the Reed sea: and the sons of Yisra El ascend in ranks of five from the land of Misrayim. (ECB)

The stone cut out of the mountain without hands became a kingdom that destroyed and replaced the fifth kingdom of iron mixed with clay to become a new fifth kingdom which filled the whole earth:

Dan 2:32  This image’s [1] head was of fine gold, his [2] breast and his arms of silver, his [3] belly and his thighs of brass,
Dan 2:33  [4] His legs of iron, [5] his feet part of iron and part of clay.
Dan 2:34  Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
Dan 2:35  Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

These five kingdoms of men signify the object of Christ’s grace which is working with His elect in this age, and will come to all “in Adam” at the great white throne. The significance of the number five is the grace and faith which the Lord has gifted to those “whom He wills.”

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
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.

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw [drag] him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Psa 65:4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [ that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

God’s temple is covered with the number five. The anointing oil is all measured in increments of five, and the components in the incense are described in multiples of five. We are the Lord’s temple, where the Lord dwells.

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

The anointing oil separates to the Lord that which must be separated to Him. Nothing else can do so.

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw [G1670: ‘helkuo’, drag] him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The sweet smelling incense keeps the Lord’s people connected to their heavenly Father through our prayers and supplications with gratitude:

Psa 107:22  And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

The Lord is “working all things after the counsel of His own will”, and we will do well to “declare His works with rejoicing.”

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” Part 2

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”

(Pro 22:11-16)

[Study Aired December 11, 2025]

Pro 22:11  He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
Pro 22:12  The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
Pro 22:13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
Pro 22:14  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
Pro 22:15  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Pro 22:16  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Last week we looked at how God’s grace or favour is to correct us in this life, to judge us, so that we forsake ungodliness and worldly lust, and understand that no one can naturally do this unless we are dragged unto Christ by our Father in heaven (Joh 6:44).

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

We looked at how becoming a peculiar people zealous of good works (Tit 2:14) can only happen by the grace and faith of God that causes us to move with fear to the building up of the body of Christ (Heb 11:7, Eph 4:16), and is typified by Noah who “found grace^{H2580 = favour grace(-ious) pleasant precious [well-]favoured} in the eyes of the LORD”.

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

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth [The Church, the body, the Ark (1Pe 3:20, 1Pe 3:8)], according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

God’s name is being formed within the body of Christ, by our dying daily experience (Act 27:18-19, Rom 13:11), by the death of our old man, a death that is precious unto Him (Psa 116:15, 1Co 15:31), and it is also the trial of our faith that is precious unto God, reminding us how the faith of Christ is connected to the precious dying daily process (1Pe 1:7).

Psa 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

1Co 15:31  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: [This is how God is making a way for a good name to be chosen within the lives of His people, rather than the riches of this earth, gold that perishes]

The following verses of (Psa 103:1-14) reveal to us the benefits^H1576 that God extends to the body of Christ so that we can be partakers of the life of Christ, his body, the church, the bride that He has promised will be prepared (Rev 19:7). What greater benefit could there be in this life than to know that God is judging us, and in the manner that is also revealed in these verses below  (Heb 11:26-27, 1Co 3:21, Psa 103:1-14), which set the tone for the verses we will look at in this section of proverbs and once again remind us that “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold”.

H1576  benefits gemûl ghem-ool’
From H1580; treatment, that is, an act (of good or ill); by implication service or requital: – + as hast served, benefit, desert, deserving, that which he hath given, recompence, reward.
Total KJV occurrences: 19

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.

1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, [of good or ill] or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

Isa 35:4  Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence;^H1576 [of good or ill]  he will come and save you.

Psa 94:2  Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward^H1576 [of good or ill] to the proud.

Psa 103:1  A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Psa 103:2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:^H1576 [of good or ill]
Psa 103:3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Psa 103:4  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Psa 103:5  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psa 103:6  The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
Psa 103:7  He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
Psa 103:8  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psa 103:9  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
Psa 103:10  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Psa 103:11  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psa 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psa 103:13  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Pro 22:11  He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

Initially we don’t know what “pureness of heart” is by God’s standards, as we naturally clean the outside of the cup as the first man Adam thinking this is pureness of heart before God (Mat 23:25).

Mat 23:25  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, but within you are full of extortion and excess.

It is only by God’s grace in our lives that our “lips” can be purified, cleaning the cup on the inside via the chastening and scourging process that God’s elect are called unto (Heb 12:6). What an incredible blessing and honour to be judged in this age so that by “the grace of his lips the king [Christ] shall be his friend” (Isa 6:5-7, Joh 15:12-15)

Isa 6:5  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips,(Rom 7:24-25) and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Isa 6:6  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isa 6:7  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.(Joh 8:36)

Joh 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.[“He that loveth pureness of heart”, 1Jn 5:2-3, Rom 5:5]
Joh 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

God is the one who is dragging us to Christ (Joh 6:44) and gives us the mindset of one who “loveth pureness of heart”, and by the grace of God and the faith of Christ we are being purified (1Jn 1:7) and realizing the gift of pureness of heart (“forget not all His benefits” of Psa 103:1-14) that makes it possible for us to be friends of our Lord (Joh 14:7).

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Pro 22:12  The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

These verses below in (Gen 32:30-31) explain how the LORD will “preserve knowledge”, and overthrow the words of the “transgressor” within us. The wresting match that the body of Christ is in right now is against powers and principalities (Eph 6:12) which are within us, however our hope of glory within, Jesus Christ (Col 1:27), is greater that he who is in this world (1Jn 4:4, 1Jn 2:16, Eph 1:21) and He will “preserve” His saints with the “knowledge” of God that will “overthroweth” the words of the first man Adam who is the transgressor that we can continue to overcome daily [within and without] through the faith of Jesus Christ (Luk 22:32, Eph 6:16). This battle will leave us “halted upon his thigh”, bruised but victorious because of God’s mercy toward us in this age that leads us unto repentance (Gen 3:15, Rom 2:4).

Gen 32:30  And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
Gen 32:31  And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted^H6760 upon his thigh.

H6760 “halted” tsâla‛
tsaw-lah’
A primitive root; probably to curve; used only as denominative from H6763 [rib, side], to limp (as if one sided): – halt.
Total KJV occurrences: 4

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

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

Gen 3:14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Pro 22:13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

Pro 22:13  The lazy person says, “I can’t go {to work} now. There is a lion outside. It might kill me.”  (ERV)

The problem is not acknowledging that Satan is the god of this world, “a lion without”, the problem is denying the power of God  that tells us we are more than conquerors through Christ who can overcome what the spiritually “slothful man saith”(Rom 8:37-39).

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We will not be “slain in the streets” by Satan if we remain diligent in God’s service (Php 2:12-13) which will have us positively lying dead in the streets of that great city as God’s two witnesses in this age, dead to sin and alive in Christ (Rom 6:2, Rom 6:11, Rev 11:8-11).

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

Rom 6:2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rev 11:8  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Gal 2:20)

Pro 22:14  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

It is miracle to come out of the false-doctrinated harlot system of this world that is likened unto “The mouth of strange women is a deep pit” and God does abhor our first man Adam, “he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein”, and consequently, we all have to go into Babylon to come out of her my people,(2Co 6:17-18), each man in his own order (1Co 15:22-23).

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (forget not all His benefits of Psa 103:1-14),
2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (forget not all His benefits of Psa 103:1-14).

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

Pro 22:15  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

I’ve applied this verse to children most of my life thinking of how our physical fathers correction did drive foolishness that was bound in our hearts far from us. Now we understand that the spiritual application is toward the sons of God who are being received of our heavenly Father, and these verses in Hebrews explain why we should be so grateful for His correction toward us, which makes it possible for us to be called sons in this age and not spiritual bastards (Heb 12:3-14, Joh 17:3).

Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Heb 12:5  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Heb 12:9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Heb 12:10  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.(Tit 2:11-12)
Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Heb 12:12  Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
Heb 12:13  And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Pro 22:16  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

If we only look at the outward appearance of a situation we won’t understand what is being said in this proverb (Joh 7:24, 1Sa 16:7). King David knew that those who oppress the poor to get increase and give to the rich will prosper in this evil world, and was even growing envious of their condition (Psa 73:3, Psa 73:17, Heb 10:25, Psa 84:10, Ecc 7:2, 1Co 15:31), until the Lord brought him to see the slippery path they were on, a path that would “surely come to want”, as opposed to the solid ground that God brings His children on when we are in the household of faith, being judged and learning to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts (Tit 2:12-13). We come to learn, over time, that He is faithful and that nothing is more valuable than the body of Christ and the discipleship that God has given us, which will preserve us in this ungodly world where we can shine as lights unto the first resurrection (Php 2:14-16, Rev 20:6).

Psa 73:3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psa 73:17  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. (Heb 10:25)

Heb 10:25  Not 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.

Psa 84:10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Ecc 7:2  It is better to go to the house of mourning,(1Co 15:31) than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Php 2:16  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

We will end our study here, being reminded of where it is that “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” is obtained in the house of God!

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” Part 1

(Pro 22:1-10)

[Study Aired December 4, 2025]

Many are called but few are chosen (Mat 22:14) and those few who are chosen in this age are the ones who are blessed to have a good name.

The good name is Christ, and His words are what make up his name (Rev 19:13), and our adherence to those words is what makes it possible for us to have a good name within us (Rev 1:3, it is a life long process to come to do the things that He says Luk 6:46). (Col 3:17)

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.

That name is more valuable than all the riches of this world, and in order to have it and retain it we need God’s holy spirit within us to refine and purify His word which is His name (Heb 11:25-27, Rom 8:9).

Heb 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.(Heb 10:38-39, Joh 8:36, Mat 20:23, Eph 2:8-9).

Heb 10:38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Heb 10:39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

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

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.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (free indeed – drink indeed)
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The good name is Christ that we want and desire, and it is for his name’s sake that we are hated of all, meaning for keeping His words (Mat 10:22). It is those same words that, if we continue in them, will produce the “disciples indeed” who will inherit eternal life (Joh 8:31-32).

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

Pro 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour^H2580 rather than silver  and gold.

Favour H2580  chên  khane
From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): – favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
Total KJV occurrences: 69
grace, 38
favour, 26
gracious, 2
pleasant, 1
precious, 1
wellfavoured, 1

God’s elect are called to have respect unto the recompence of the reward (Heb 11:25-27), and that is not naturally within anyone until God’s grace is poured out upon us in order to have this desire and right appreciation for the things of the spirit that we can only see through the faith of Christ (Eph 2:8).

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

The word favour^H2580 in this proverb is the word “grace” first used as “grace” in (Gen 6:8) and then the same Strong’s number as “favour” in (Gen 18:3). These two verses will help us understand why God’s “grace” or “favour” is more valuable than “silver and gold”. It is God’s favour or grace that chastens and scourges us so that we see the riches of this world and all the things that are passing for the dung that Paul contrasts it in comparison to “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).

Gen 6:8  But Noah found grace^H2580 in the eyes of the LORD.

Gen 18:3  And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour^H2580 in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

God’s grace or favour is to correct us in this life, to judge us, so that we forsake ungodliness and worldly lust, and no one can naturally do this unless we are dragged unto Christ by our Father in heaven (Joh 6:44). To be a peculiar people zealous of good (Tit 2:14) works can only happen by the grace and faith of God that causes us to move with fear to the building up of the body of Christ (Heb 11:7, Eph 4:16), as typified by Noah who “found graceH2580  in the eyes of the LORD”.

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

God’s name is being formed within the body of Christ, by our dying daily experience, by the death of our old man that is precious unto God (Psa 116:15, 1Co 15:31) and more valuable than the great riches of this earth, whether those riches are literal riches, including the kingdoms of this world that the devil promised to Christ if He would just bow down and subject himself unto him, as opposed to being subject to the will of God. We are called to be as Christ (1Jn 4:17) who made himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a servant, rebuking the devil and worshipping “the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve”, which will lead to the reward of rulership (Mat 4:8-10, Rev 11:15, Jas 4:7, Joh 6:44).

Mat 4:10  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Pro 22:2  The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

God is the one who makes the rich and the poor, whether that is someone who is spiritually rich, or physically rich, or physically poor, or spiritually poor. He makes them all and all things are ours (1Co 3:19-23) and God wants us to deeply appreciate all of His creation that he is going to save through judgement that begins at the house of God (1Pe 4:17).

1Co 3:19  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1Co 3:20  And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. (Joh 18:9)

We examine ourselves and die daily to the spiritually poor man within us, asking God for His spirit and the mind of Christ to enrich our lives “The rich and poor meet together” (Luk 11:13, 2Co 3:5). So we do meet that poor man within us if God is working with us and become the publican who sees his continual need for God’s grace in his life (Luk 18:10-14).

Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

2Co 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Pro 22:3  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on^H5674, and are punished.

It is a great blessing when we come to the point by God’s mercy to be able to “foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself” as opposed to when we were the ‘simple who passed on and were punished’, like the man in Proverb Chapter 7 who symbolizes us when we could not detect the lies of Babylon that seduced us and had us under their sway via the devil (Pro 7:6-19). No longer ‘passing on’, (“but the simple pass on”)^H5674, is a lifelong process of being scarcely saved (Pro 24:16, 1Pe 4:18) as God burns out of us all the wood, hay and stubble that has to go (Isa 33:8). In time the Son of God sets us free and sin’s seductive pull no longer has any hold on us as we gain dominion over it through Christ (Rom 6:9, Rom 6:14).

Rom 6:9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace

Pro 22:4  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

God must create the circumstances in our life that will humble us (Mat 23:12, Luk 18:14, Php 4:12-13), and along with that humbled spirit we have to have our hearts softened and changed so that we “fear the LORD”. If God will grant us such a heart it will result in having true riches, and honour, and life, which all come from God through Christ.

Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Luk 18:14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Php 4:12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [Ecc 3:18, Ecc 1:13 CLV]

Pro 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

Keeping our soul^H5315, our “nephesh”, is another way of saying ‘keeping under ourselves’ (1Co 9:26-27). It is a dying-daily and keeping-under-ourselves process that we will keep ourselves far from “Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward”. Those thorns and snares represent the false doctrines in this life which is all we can initially produce without Christ as our head and husbandman (Gen 3:18-19).

Gen 3:18  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Gen 3:19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

With Christ as our head we can resist the sin that results in embracing the lies of Babylon, typified by the crown of thorns on Christ’s head that was put there to symbolize for us that we can, through Christ, overcome the snares and the way of the froward, even unto the shedding of blood (Heb 12:4-6, Mat 27:29-30).

1Co 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly;(Php 4:13) so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Heb 12:5  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

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

Pro 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

We are the child being spoken of in this proverb, and if Christ is our Father, He will be the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2-4), meaning in the end we will not depart from the way, the truth and the life (Joh 8:32-33) that God can form in his kind-of-first-fruit elect who are predestined unto this high calling for the sake of those who we will one day save (Oba 1:21).

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.
Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

Pro 22:7  The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

In the positive, Christ is the rich man who rules over the poor in spirit, and while we are in theses earthen vessels, we are taking that which God has given to us, his talents that we have ‘borrowed’ in that sense and have become the servant to the lender, our God in heaven, who will bring all men to give an account “that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”(2Co 5:10, Rom 14:12-13, 1Co 3:11-15)

2Co 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Rom 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Rom 14:13  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

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.
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.

Pro 22:8  He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

“Sowing iniquity” is being self-righteous (Eze 33:13) and we will “reap vanity”, the vanity of receiving our reward in this life for blowing our own trumpet and not giving God absolute credit for every single thing that we’ve done in our life, both good and evil (Mat 6:2, Luk 17:10, Php 2:12-13).

Eze 33:13  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

Mat 6:2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

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

The “good name” that we’ve been talking about is obtained by Christ alone who can and does burn up that first name within us, that first beastly number of 6.6.6., his image, his mark, and number of his name (Rev 15:2) that is incomplete and in need of going through a process of judgement that will bring us unto perfection on the third day (three sixes) (Luk 13:32).

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

This “rod of his anger^{H5678 = wrath, rage} [that] shall fail” is part and parcel of the self-righteous spirit within all men that wants to correct others without examining ourselves first (2Sa 12:7, Mat 5:22)

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

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

It is for this cause that judgement must begin at the house of God (1Pe 4:17) so that this self-righteous spirit can be burnt out of God’s children making them vessels “meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2Ti 2:21, Jer 18:6).

2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Jer 18:6  O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Pro 22:9  He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

When our eye is single it is a work of the Lord who makes it possible for us to understand that singleness, or simplicity (2Co 11:3) that is in Christ, seeing ourselves as one body with many members (Rom 12:4).

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity^G572 that is in Christ.

Simplicity G572 haplotēs hap-lot’-ace
From G573; singleness, that is, (subjectively) sincerity (without dissimulation or self seeking), or (objectively) generosity (copious bestowal): – bountifulness, liberal (-ity), simplicity, singleness.

With this conviction in our hearts we understand the spiritual significance of no man ever hating his own flesh (Eph 5:29-30). Through Christ we are able to acknowledge His body and be blessed to give our life up for each other as a joint that supplies in love (Eph 4:16). It is with this ‘good’ or “bountiful eye” which God gives His children that we will be blessed, giving our bread both physically and spiritually to the once spiritually poor who represent the elect. We are not exempt from taking care of others as we have opportunity in the world, but we are especially to do good unto the household of faith, unto our own flesh and blood (Gal 6:10, Mat 5:47-48).

Pro 22:10  Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Inwardly we are doing battle against powers and principalities that are constantly trying to create doubtful disputations in our hearts and minds (Eph 6:12-13). It is with the faith of Christ that we can quench all the fiery darts of the devil (Eph 6:16) as we bring every thought into to subjection unto him (2Co 10:5-6).  That is when “strife and reproach shall cease”, and that is how a “good name” is being formed within the lives of those who have been called to overcome in this age (1Jn 2:13-14).

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 6:12  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.

2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

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

Rev 21:9-12 Who Shows Us The Bride

 [Study Aired July 18, 2025]

Rev 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
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:

Introduction

In today’s study we will discover what this thing called “the new Jerusalem” is, and we will ask and answer why we are being told that the angel showing John the bride, the Lamb’s wife, is “one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues.” The spirit could have just said, ‘An angel showed me the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ Instead the holy spirit wants us to know who that angel is. We are told that the angel who shows John ‘the bride” is “one of the seven angels which had the seven vials.” Today we will see why we need to know that little detail.
We will also see what is meant by the phrase “in the spirit”, and we will notice that this exact same phrase “he carried me away in the spirit” is used earlier in this prophecy in connection with the revelation of another woman, who is in sharp contrast with this woman who is called “the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” Both are revealed to us “in the spirit” by “one of the seven angels which had the seven vials” (Rev 17:1).

We will also ask what it means to “have the glory of God”, and we will see why the Lamb’s bride is “like a stone most precious… clear as crystal.”

Finally we will see why this city, which is called “the bride, the Lamb’s wife” has a great high wall, twelve gates with twelves angels, and why those gates are named after the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. We will begin with our first verse, verse 9.

Rev 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

So why are we given the information that it was ”one of the angels which had the seven vials of the seven last plagues?” When we remember that this is the same angel who showed John the judgment of the great harlot, and he then told John that he, this angel himself, signifies John and John’s fellow servants “and of his brothers”, then we know that we are given this tidbit of information so we can understand that the person who shows us the judgment of the great harlot within us will always be a fellow servant of our brothers who keeps the sayings of this book.

Notice the other contrasting use of this phrase, “He carried me away in the spirit…” ‘In the spirit’ signifies “speech…with … demonstration of the spirit and of power.”

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

1Co 2:1  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
1Co 2:2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1Co 2:3  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1Co 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God [demonstration of the spirit].

This angel who showed John both women was speaking “in the demonstration of the spirit and of  [the] power [of God]”, and he was doing so because his words were the ‘signified’ (Rev 1:1) Words of God. Words that “are spirit” are used to signify a meaning which a natural man simply is not equipped to understand. Nevertheless, they are defined by “that which is written” and cannot be made to mean just anything any false prophet wishes to make them to mean.

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14  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.

This angel is not speaking with enticing words of man’s wisdom.

This whole prophecy is written “in the demonstrataion of the spirit and of power.” The great whore of Revelation 17 deceives the whole world with her “pharmacai.”

Rev 18:21  And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
Rev 18:22  And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
Rev 18:23  And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries [‘pharmakeia’, G5331] were all nations deceived.
Rev 18:24  And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

So let’s examine how “the demonstration of the spirit” works. Let’s place Revelation 17:1-4 beside Revelation 21:9-12 and notice how the spirit demonstrates the differences  between these two ‘women’:

Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Rev 17:2  With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Rev 17:3  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:4  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Now let’s compare these four verses with the four verses we are examining today:

Rev 21:9  And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
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:

Both of these women are revealed to us by our fellow servant who keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book. That is who this angel which has one of the seven vials full of the seven plagues, tells us he signifies:

Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

If you are so grateful for what Christ has done for you that you share that gratitude with others then you have “the spirit of prophecy”.

Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel [That would be you and me] to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Rev 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Rev 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Twice now John has attempted to worship “the angel who showed [him] these things”, and twice the angel which showed him these things forbade him from doing so. This what Paul was speaking of when He said:

Col 2:18  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:19  And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

We are told twice that it is “one of the seven angels which had the seven plagues” who is showing us both the judgment of the great harlot within us and the bride, the lamb’s wife, within us. All men are held captive to the lure of the great whore before they “come out of her” and become “disciples indeed” by abiding in Christ’s Words.

In other words, the whole experience of mankind is shown to us by our fellow servants, “by the church” (Eph 3:10), who are our own brothers “who have the testimony of Jesus Christ and who keep the sayings of this book” (Rev 22:9).

Let’s make this as clear as we can. What we are being told in these verses is that the revelation of Jesus Christ within us is accomplished only “by the church”, by the various members of His own body, the members of His church are the instruments who the holy spirit uses for  this purpose. Those who are disciples indeed and who abide in the Words of Christ do so only because the spirit has dragged them to do so:

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw [G1670: helkuo, drag] him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Saul of Tarsus, the Christian hunter and slayer, is the perfect example of this Truth. On his way to Damascus to collect some more Christians for punishment and possible death, he was “dragged” by the holy spirit to Christ:

Act 22:7  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 22:8  And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

Saul was later renamed ‘Paul’ after his confrontation with Elymas the sorcerer on the Island of Cyprus (Act 13:8-9). He knew he had done nothing to deserve being used as an apostle. This is his own assessment of who he was in the church of God:

Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”

Paul typifies everyone of us. All he had ever done was kill Christians, and yet the Lord chose him as a part of His body to show the mysteries of the kingdom of God to his fellow servants. Paul was supported by the church at Antioch and by the Philippians and by others within the body of Christ:

1Co 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

The “Lord gives to every man [in whatever capacity] to make all men… by the church… see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God.” This is why we are told twice that it was “one of the angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues.” These angels signify “the church, which is His body”:

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:

It is “by the church” that all these “mysteries… of the kingdom of heaven… which from the beginning of the world have been hid in God”, and in His word, are now being “made know to all men.”

That is who you are if you are given eyes to see it. It is you and your “fellow servants who keep the sayings of this book” who have those seven vials full of the wrath of God, which you are given to pour out upon the doctrines of Babylon within yourself first, and upon all to whom you show these things. What this means is the angels with the seven vials of the wrath of God are you and me “speaking often one to another… making known to all men…” that this entire revelation of Jesus Christ is the revelation of Jesus Christ, because this revelation, and all that is revealed within it “is the patience and faith of the saints”, the church, ourselves and our fellowservants who keep the sayings of this book. Here “is the patience and faith of the saints.” Here are you and me:

Rev 14:9  And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Rev 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: [the seven last plagues]
Rev 14:11  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Rev 14:12  Here [Verses 9-11] is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Rev 14:13  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

We live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Mat 4:4, Luk 4:4). Therefore, we all must bear a cloak of iniquitous, self-righteous flesh before we will be judged and brought to repentance and then given to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God (Mat 13:10-15). ‘The sea’ is the word which the holy spirit uses to signify all the winds of false doctrine into which we are all born:

Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

“This is the patience and faith of the saints.” The saints are granted to know that the beast overcomes them while they are in Babylon. This is every one of us. This is the experience of all men. There are no exceptions.

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.

You and I are “one of the angels with the seven last plagues.” You and I are all those who see and who know that all men will live by every word that is written here in this prophecy.

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

What that verse tells us is that all men will be judged according to their works which the Lord causes them to do (Isa 63:17).

Isa 63:17  O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day [of judgment] shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

“Every man” includes you and me. We are blessed to be judged in this age. We are blessed to be the first to die daily with Christ. We are blessed to be the first to have our works made manifest in this present time while judgment is on the house of God first. Living by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God means that because we are the first to be ‘crucified with Christ’ and judged in this age, therefore the ‘second’ death has no power over us because we were the first to die to our old man and to live to Christ.

We will pause our study at this point and in our next study we will begin with a few verses which inform us that we are being baptized into the death of Christ.

Rev 16:17-21 The 7th Vial, Part 1

[Study Aired March 30, 2025]

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

Introduction

In our last study we saw that the seals, trumpets and vials are all part of “the judgments of the great day of God Almighty” upon the darkness in our lives:

Rev 16:12  And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
Rev 16:13  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Rev 16:14  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

 “Spirits of devils” are ‘doctrines of devils’, working miracles that deceive us:

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

What this tells us is that all of this takes place while we are still in darkness, and while we are still “children of disobedience…children of… [God’s] wrath”.

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course [G165: ‘aion’] of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

It is our false doctrines which gather us together to withstand the Lord and His doctrines.

These seven plagues begin to be fulfilled within our lives after we come to know and believe on Christ, but while we still “have no place in us for Christ’s word.” That is an unheard of, but very Biblical doctrine, as Christ demonstrates for us in John 8.

Joh 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed [‘I know you are Christians’]; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

These seven plagues of the seven angels are poured out upon us when we are “building on the foundation of Jesus Christ”, but we are building with the “wood, hay and stubble” of “the commandments and doctrines of men” instead of taking great care of that with which we are building.

Mat 15:9 But in vain they [you and I] do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

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

Col 2:22  Which all are to perish with the using; [at ‘the great day of God Almighty’] after the commandments and doctrines of men?

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 [great] 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.

Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth [Christ].

At this time in our walk we are “holding the Truth in unrighteousness.” Here is the apostle Paul speaking of these very same plagues upon our lives, by which we “keep the things written therein”:

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

God’s Truth is the spiritual Words of Christ as exemplified in His life. “The air” is the symbol for that spirit. It is into this part of our walk, when we think we believe on Christ yet we are still rejecting Him and His life and His words, that this seventh vial is poured out. It is while we think we are out of Babylon, but we simply cannot let go of “that great city”:

Rev 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

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

This seventh vial symbolizes spiritual warfare in which we are engaged as we are “coming out of… that great city” (Rev 18:4). Therefore this seventh vial is “poured out… into the air.” The Greek here for ‘air’ is G109, ‘aer’. Here is how this word is used in scripture:

Rev 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

The darkening of our sun and air by reason of the smoke from the bottomless pit signifies the darkening of our understanding of spiritual matters. Here is how this word is used elsewhere in the New Testament:

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course [the ‘aion’] of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air [G109: ‘aer’], the lying and rebellious] spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

This ‘air’, G109, ‘aer’ of Ephesians 2:2 and Revelation 9:2, is the abode of the “principalities and powers” of the spiritual realm against which we are wrestling and fighting in this verse:

Eph 6:12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world [Greek: ‘aion’, same as “course” in Eph 2:2], and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. (NLT)

Here is the King James Version of this verse:

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].

So it is for the purpose defiling the spiritual realm of our heavens [the G109, ‘aer’ of Ephesians 2:2 and Revelation 9:2, that this “seventh vial [is] poured out.” It is through the work of this vial that our heavens must be cleansed at the coming of Christ into the ‘air’, the spiritual realm of our lives destroying the ways of our old man while purging and purifying our “air”.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens [signified by ‘the ‘aer’ of Eph 2:2 and Rev 9:2] should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves [our hearts and minds] with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

“The holy places… made with hands” was the physical temple in Jerusalem. What is “heaven itself?” What are the “heavenly things themselves” of which the temple was but a mere pattern? Here is the ‘temple’ of the ninth chapter of Hebrews:

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

Where does “the man of sin sit as God”?

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.

“All men shall worship the beast”, which ‘beast’ we all first are. This ‘beast’ is even given “to overcome the saints.”

Ecc 3:18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Rev 13:7 And it was given [aorist tense] unto him [the beast] to make [aorist tense] war with the saints, and to overcome [aorist tense] them: and power was given [aorist tense] him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

This is the work of the seventh vial. Our ‘air’, signifying our understanding of spiritual matters, is darkened, and our understanding of spiritual matters is taken from us as we continue in the death throes of our old man, the beast within us, to resist the purpose for this “great and marvellous” work which is the work of these seven last plagues of the wrath of God upon all of our false doctrines and lying spirits which are loath to leave the temple which was his throne but is now through ‘Christ in [us]’, Col 1:27, ours to begin to enter in Christ. Our heavens are now beginning to be cleansed because the seven plagues of the seven angels are now beginning to be fulfilled within us:

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

So we are now told:

1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air [the realm of the spirit]: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

“The air” is invisible. “The air”, when it is in motion, is called “the wind”, and “the wind” is another symbol of the spiritual realm.

Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

“The air” is the realm of the spirit. When the seven plagues have been fulfilled and have accomplished their predestined mission of showing us all of the blasphemous nature of ‘the aer’ of our old man, then, and only then, we are told:

Rev 16:17  And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
Rev 16:18  And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Rev 16:19  And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

The old man has run his course. That which withholds has withheld until he has been revealed for what he is, and he is now slated for destruction. “It is done.” He will now be destroyed by the brightness of the coming of the proper and rightful king of His throne, which is our hearts and minds, “the heavens themselves… the temple of God” in which God will now, through Christ, dwell with us in “this present time” and at the appointed time with all men of all time:

2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let [will withhold], until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

So, as with all things, we must be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, in “earnest” form, in down payment form first, if we hope to do so at “the redemption of the purchased possession”, known as that “blessed and holy first resurrection”:

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5  But the rest of the dead [who do not reign with Christ a thousand years] lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Rev 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Rev 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Why are we told “there was a great earthquake such as was not since men were upon the earth?” Why are we being told here in this last vial that “the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath?”

It is very appropriate that Babylon is mentioned at this very juncture in this “great and marvellous” revelation of Jesus Christ within His elect saints. What are the things of this world which we are so loathe to relinquish? What is within “the Jews who believe on Christ, but have no room in them for Christ or His Word?” What is one of the sins that so easily besets us all? What is it that caused “all they which are in Asia” to forsake Christ in His elect apostles who had raised up these seven churches, to whom this revelation is addressed? It was the attachment to the false doctrines of Babylon which caused the whole church to treat the apostles who founded those churches as their enemies?

Here is why “great Babylon” is mentioned here in the last of the seven last vials which fill up the wrath of God. It is because we have been building upon Christ with the lying doctrines of “wood, hay and stubble” of the traditions of Babylon, and we are loathe to separate ourselves from those traditions. We have been so faithful to God in so many ways; we hate the Nicolaitans, we have had good works which were better at the end then at the beginning, but we have left our first love, and have permitted that woman Jezebel to spread her doctrine within our midst.

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.
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.

Having seen the opening of the seven seals in this prophecy from God, to Christ, to us, (Rev 1:1) will we now declare we have never built upon the foundation of Christ with wood, hay and stubble? Will we deny that this part of the seventh trumpet, which is an integral part of the seventh seal, is not ours to fulfill? Will we deny these words of God?

1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

When we deny the need to fulfill these plagues and their function of burning out of us “every sin that so easily besets us”, we are making Christ and His apostles liars and setting ourselves up on Christ’s throne in our hearts.

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,

If all things are ours (1Co 3:21-22), then the “darkness upon the throne of the beast” is ours as long as we are in that darkness. We all come to Christ “out of [that] darkness… [out of] the course, the ‘aion’ of this world, [and out of] the traditions of men.” These are the very things which are the wood, hay and stubble, within us which fuel the fire of the Sun in these seven plagues which scorches us and burns us up. The fire of 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 is the same fire doing the same thing; purifying us before we can begin to enter into the temple.

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

The story of King David’s adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband, Uriah, after being made king over all Israel, demonstrates that God’s wrath is not confined to the sins of our early walk. Nevertheless there in no contradiction in saying that God’s wrath upon the sin and darkness in our lives subsides as we “come out of that darkness into the glorious light” which is Christ. So, too, the wrath of God subsides and we can say “in times past we walked according to the course of this world… and in times past… we were by nature the children of wrath even as others”.

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Being “the children of wrath, even as others” is plainly said to be “in times past.” So where do we stand with God when He brings us “out of darkness, into His marvellous light?”

2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

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

Remember the fifth plague of the seven angels is “darkness upon the throne of the beast.” These plagues are upon us while we are “walking in darkness… walking according to the prince of the power of the air… as children of disobedience.” In Christ we are “called out of darkness into His marvellous light.” So is there now any change in our relationship with our heavenly Father? John 3 tells us we now have “everlasting life”, whereas “the wrath of God abode on us before we believed.” What does the spirit reveal is our relationship with our God now? We read it in Ephesians 2, but let’s read it again in Colossians 3.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
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.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Col 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

We all “were… children of disobedience… when you lived in them.” However, we no longer live in “our members which are upon the earth”. We are now “seated with Christ in the heavens” and “in time past… we were the children of wrath even as others… when the wrath of God abode upon us.”

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:6 and He raised us up together and seated us together in the heavenlies [or, heavenly realms] in Christ Jesus, (ALT)

We will pause our study at this point and when we resume our next study we will be shown the extent to which Christ identifies with us and we with Him, by acknowledging that the curse placed upon Christ is also placed upon us as His body:

Act 22:6  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
Act 22:7  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 22:8  And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

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

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

Proverbs 3:13-35 – “Christ the tree of life”

[Study Aired Nov 21, 2024]

In this section of Proverbs we are being shown what fruit will be given to those who are granted to lay hold on wisdom (Christ): “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her”. Christ of course is represented by that “tree of life” that very few are drawn unto in this age and able to “retaineth her” (Joh 6:44, Mat 22:14, Joh 8:31-32). The manifest knowledge of God is made known by the church through Christ (Eph 3:10) and therefore wisdom is connected to the feminine “She is a tree of life” and happy “is every one that retaineth her”, the church being represented by a woman whose head is Christ.

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word (“lay hold…retaineth her (Rev 1:3)”), then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Christ did not lay down his life so we could be preserved in our flesh, he laid down his life so that we could have true life which comes from the tree of life that we all initially reject by laying hold onto Christ in a way that seems right to us (Joh 6:53, Pro 14:12, Gen 3:6, 1Jn 2:16).

Joh 6:53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Redemption comes through Christ and His Christ as we are like Him in this world (1Jn 4:17, Joh 3:17, Joh 20:21, Oba 1:21), needing to lose our life that we may gain it (Mat 16:25), being strengthened to do so as we partake of the tree of life that will make it possible for us to be “quickened by the Spirit” (Rev 11:3  Joh 6:63) with the goal of enduring unto the end of this age (Mat 24:13), being blessed to fulfill God’s purpose in the next. The ark is preparing today by “filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Col 1:24, 1Pe 3:18-20).

1Pe 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust [- and so must God’s elect- ], that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh (Gal 2:20), but quickened by the Spirit: (Joh 6:33, Joh 6:51-55, Joh 3:16-17, Eph 5:30, Joh 20:21, Psa 107:20, Oba 1:21)
1Pe 3:19  By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
1Pe 3:20  Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah (Mat 24:37), while the ark was a preparing, wherein few (Mat 22:14), that is, eight souls (the new man) were saved by water (Eph 5:26, Rom 6:3-4).

Pro 3:13  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Pro 3:14  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Pro 3:15  She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

We did not find wisdom, rather we were dragged to wisdom which resulted in our getting understanding (Gal 4:9).

Gal 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Our Father dragged us to Christ (Joh 6:44) so we could experience joy and happiness in this life, with persecutions (Mar 10:30-31, 3Jn 1:2). Christ’s life in us is better than anything we can obtain in the physical, and although we all start off in the natural circumstances of the riches of Egypt like Moses (Heb 11:25-26, Eph 2:1-2), if God is working with us our appreciation for the spiritual is going to grow and our priorities in life are going to reflect that blessed change of heart (Heb 11:25-26, Mat 6:33, Eze 36:26-27).

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 (Mat 10:31): for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Notice what God deems as precious and invaluable, and it is always the relationship that we have with Him through Christ, which exists because of the life of Christ within us, our hope of glory (Rom 8:9, Col 1:27). God sees the firstfruit of His creation, His workmanship, for what they are, a starting point that will bring forth many children, and therefore the few at this time are more precious than the many spoken of in (Mat 10:31).

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Mat 10:31  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

It is the few who will be used to save the world, and redeem His banished (2Sa 14:14). ‘The few’ are the weak of the world who have the life of Christ in them now, and that life is what is being spoken of in terms of its value when we read, “She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her” (“the church”).

Pro 3:16  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Pro 3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Pro 3:18  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

With this understanding that wisdom is Christ who is manifested in the church, we can then understand that “Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour” is again referring to the life of Christ within the church. Length of days is something that will be obtained by enduring to the end by the power of God’s holy spirit, which power is represented by the right hand. The left hand represents the “riches and honour” that God will bestow upon those who have been given the mind of Christ and acknowledge that all that we’ve been given, including our salvation, is a gift of God (Eph 2:8) and of which we contribute nothing. Our left hands work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is Christ’s spirit giving us the power to overcome and accomplish these labours in the earth (Tit 3:8) that were ordained from the foundation of the world (Php 2:12-13, Joh 15:15-16).

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

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

Tit 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Joh 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

How good and how pleasant it is to dwell with the family of God in harmony (Psa 133:1), and to receive peace that passes all understanding (Php 4:7). This peace is obtained by cleaving unto our husband who is the tree of life, who we lay hold on, not neglecting so great a salvation (Heb 2:3, Heb 10:25-26). Retaining and continuing in the truth will bring happiness and it will set us free from the bondage of sin that can so easily beset us in this life (Heb 12:1-4, Joh 8:36).

Psa 133:1  A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

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

Contrast these last two verses (Psa 133:1, Php 4:7) with these….(Heb 2:3, Heb 10:25-26)

Heb 2:3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Heb 10:25  Not 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.
Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully [neglecting so great a salvation] after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, [Heb 6:4-6]

Pro 3:19  The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
Pro 3:20  By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

All of these words are talking about what the Lord does within the body of Christ (Pro 3:19-20). The earth symbolizes the church where we are baptized into Christ’s death (Jer 22:29, Rom 6:3-4) and the earth is founded upon the Rock Jesus Christ (Mat 16:18), via a process of judgement (“O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD”). It is Christ who establishes the understanding in our heavens, “established the heavens”, with better sacrifices than these as we read in (Heb 9:23-24).

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

God’s word is like a hammer (Jer 23:29) and it breaks up the depths of our faulty earthly foundation, “By his knowledge the depths are broken up”, so that living waters can spring forth (Gen 7:11-13).

Gen 7:11  In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened (Isa 45:8, Rev 3:8, Rev 3:12, Rev 3:20).
Gen 7:12  And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. (Act 14:22)
Gen 7:13  In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;

The manifest knowledge of God is made known through the church (Eph 3:10), through the great cloud of witness (Heb 12:1) that drops down the dew that represents the words of God, “the clouds drop down the dew”, that sustain the body of Christ in this life while the ark is preparing (Psa 103:13, Hos 14:5-6, Gal 6:16).

Pro 3:21  My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Pro 3:22  So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
Pro 3:23  Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Pro 3:24  When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

If the rain water had not been collected during the time that Noah and his family were on the ark they would have had no drinkable water, and the same is true spiritually for the body of Christ who must gather the manna, or rain, that represents God’s word (Christ), daily, and so we read, “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.”

Sweet is the sleep of the labourer who labours for the meat that shall not perish (Joh 6:27), and God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him (Heb 11:6), and that spiritual reward and accompanying physical blessing is explained with these verses (Php 4:19, Mat 6:33, 3Jn 1:2). “Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”

Pro 3:25  Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
Pro 3:26  For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Christ tells us not to fear the wars and rumours of wars in this life that we will hear of (Mat 24:6), because these events symbolize for our sakes (2Co 4:15) the desolation of the wicked within us. The LORD will be our confidence in the midst of our chastening and scourging experiences that we all must be partakers of (Heb 12:6-8), and He shall be our confidence as He takes away the confidence that we have in our own flesh through the fiery trials of this life (Php 3:3), resulting in our being able to stand in the Lord, and not think we’re standing by our own might or power. This is what it means, “and shall keep thy foot from being taken” (1Co 10:12-14).

1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1Co 10:14  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry (the idolatry of our hearts that tells us we have free moral agency and can stand by our own might and power independent of God Php 2:12-13, 2Th 2:3-4).

Pro 3:27  Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Pro 3:28  Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

As God’s elect we are to do good unto all, especially unto the household of faith (Gal 6:10, Luk 16:9-11).

Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity (Pro 3:27), let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Luk  16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
Luk 16:10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Luk 16:11  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [by not fulfilling Gal 6:10], who will commit to your trust the true riches?

The way we conduct ourselves in this age as God’s ambassadors (2Co 5:20) is of the utmost importance to God (1Pe 2:12-13).

2Co 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us (Rom 12:1): we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works [fulfilling Gal 6:10], which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1Pe 2:13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

[eg: David’s friendship toward Jonathan who protected David from Jonathan’s father Saul typifies our making “to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations” (Luk 16:9, 1Sa 18:25, 1Sa 20:33-42)].

Luk 16:9  And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

1Sa 18:25  And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

1Sa 20:33  And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
1Sa 20:34  So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.

1Sa 20:41  And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

Pro 3:29  Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
Pro 3:30  Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Pro 3:31  Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Pro 3:32  For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
Pro 3:33  The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

We are hidden in Christ (Col 3:3) not hiding from the world, but rather being a light in this dark world (Mat 5:14-16), by ‘being in the world and not of it’ which means we “Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee”.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The high standard that Christ sets for the elect is to “Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm, Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways”. Why?, because “the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous” and “The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just”. In other words, we are not to measure the court in this life (Rev 11:2). That is not our calling to be entangled with the affairs of this world (2Ti 2:4, 2Co 6:17). Rather, we are to be at peace with the truth that the Lord knows all men’s hearts, and can cause each man to stand and fall as His workmanship, whichever fold the Lord has anyone in (Rom 14:4, Joh 10:16, Rev 11:2).

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.

2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

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

Joh 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Pro 3:34  Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Pro 3:35  The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

We’re living in an age where scorners are everywhere saying ‘where is the promise of his coming?’ (2Pe 3:4). That is what Christ prophesied would happen at the end of the age, that iniquity would abound and the love of many would wax cold (Mat 24:12). The Lord scorns the scorner within us and so we must be given His correction in our life in order to rule over that evil spirit and continue to be abased right until the return of our Lord (1Pe 5:6-9).

2Pe 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

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

If God will permit us that grace and the ability to stand in the day of adversity, it will not be by our might or power but by the abundance of His holy spirit (Zec 4:6), the free gift that He will give the body of Christ who will narrowly escape (1Pe 4:18): “The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools” (Mal 3:17-18).

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

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.

Lord help us in our unbelief (Mar 9:24), and grant us the faith to commit our lives unto you “as unto a faithful Creator”, the tree of life!

The Book of Joel – Chapter 2:1-11,  Part 1 – The Day of the Lord

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” –  Mal 4:5

[Study Aired July 27^{th 20}24]

The Day of the Lord

Joe 2:1  Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 
Joe 2:2  A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. 
Joe 2:3  A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. 
Joe 2:4  The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. 
Joe 2:5  Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. 
Joe 2:6  Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. 
Joe 2:7  They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: 
Joe 2:8  Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. 
Joe 2:9  They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. 
Joe 2:10  The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 
Joe 2:11  And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? 

Introduction

The sequential step from “Repentance” studied in last week’s Chapter One of Joel is in rigid lockstep with the dreadfully enigmatic “The Day of the Lord”, the revelation of Jesus Christ signified in Revelations. For our former Babylonian selves, the obscure meaning of that term remained fearfully unsolved, regardless of our masking joyfulness with endless affirmations that “Jesus loves us” as we choked down the glazed death rings (doughnuts) and drank the awful coffee.

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
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. 

For the Berean student of Christ (Acts 17:10-15), and as far as joyfully receiving repetitive verses go, the following one in Matt 13 holds the key, yet it is equally baffling to the Babylonian mind. Even though Matt 13:10-17 was referring to the parable of the sower, Jesus’ answer to his Elect, primarily represented as the Apostles, though not solely named as such, ‘is, was, and will be‘ an ‘earth’ shattering realisation that it is only a very, very limited few who will be given to understand The Mysteries of the Kingdom of God. It is they, alone, who in this age since the cross, and stealthy hidden in Gideon’s physical account, are given to go and fight the spiritual enemies within themselves as individual joints constituting the Bride of Christ.

Mat 13:10  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 
Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
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 13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 
Mat 13:14  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias [Jehovah’s help], which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15  For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 
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.

Jdg 7:2  And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. 

Gideon’s army (Jdg 7:18) is severely stripped from 32,000 to 300 men to fight the relatively massive Midianite army. In this case, the number 3 (3 x 100) carrying trumpets and lamps represents the progression of the Lord’s Elect, who see by the light of Christ’s spiritual word, the enemy in the dark and gloomy night approaching within and blow the war trumpet alarm to fight the giant enemies by Christ’s power and might, not by their strength.

Jdg 7:7  And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped [like dogs, signifying faithful devotion] will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place [home, effectively back to symbolic Babylon].

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

This prelude brings us to the incredibly exciting understanding of “The Day of the Lord.”

Heb 3:15  As it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.”
Heb 3:16  For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?
Heb 3:17  And with whom was God [their Husband] angry [symbolically “bitter” – Col 3:19] for forty years? [because they couldn’t understand that He needed Shulamite-like kisses of espousal devotedness – Son 1:2] Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
Heb 3:18  And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed?
Heb 3:19  So we see that it was because of their unbelief that they were unable to enter.

Significations:

The first verse of today’s Study in Joel, Chapter Two, describes our formally fearful anticipation of “The Day of the Lord” in him being our enemy! In ancient Israel, an enemy was announced by blowing a trumpet. Today, after the cross, it is represented by Christ’s spiritual message to all to whom he has given ears to hear the trumpet and eyes to see the enemy and to spiritually divide the truth. It is the day of judgement first, “nigh at hand” for the Bride of Christ while she is in the flesh and for the remainder of the world represented as Gog and Magog, their ‘day of the Lord’ as unrefined spirit beings in the Resurrection to Judgement, the Lake of Fire.

Rev 8:12  And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
Rev 8:13  And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth [Gog and Magog as numerous as the stars of heaven] by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

Joe 2:1  Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

Christ’s Bride is the heavenly New Jerusalem above, who inherits Christ, him being “the holy mountain”; they, now in marriage, are unified as one ‘holy mountain’.

Isa 57:12  I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.
Isa 57:13  When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; 

Zec 8:3  Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and [New] Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. 

Our Lord’s holy mountain is established by much violence in our earth as Michael and his angels, meaning Christ, fight our battles within since Christ’s strength is made manifest in the ‘weaker vessel’ (1 Pet 3:7), the Woman, the Bride of Christ we hope and pray to be.

Mat 10:34  Think not that I [Christ] am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 
Mat 10:35  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36  And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Eze 33:2  Son of man, speak to the children [The Bride of Christ] of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land [you and I], if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
Eze 33:3  If when he  [you and I] seeth the sword come upon the land [our spirit; our conscience], he blow the trumpet, and warn the people [Primarily, first judge yourself before you are capable of warning others, but not limited to your hypocritical self – 1 Cor 11:30];
Eze 33:4  Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword [God’s word] come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 
Eze 33:5  He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
Eze 33:6  But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. 
Eze 33:7  So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

In the Gideon scriptures mentioned above, he represents Christ, and his 300 men are the selected Elect, having come out of the 32,000 men of Israel representing the world, fleeing Egypt and, later, Babylon, similarly and all spiritually representing Assyria, Sodom and Old Jerusalem. With three aspects of lust written in their hearts, they are the Lord’s selected faithful Elect, all remaining subject to (1) the lust of the eyes, (2) the lust of the flesh, and (3) the pride of life. This symbolises the progression (Number 3) of the Bride of Christ and the forgiveness of her lofty sins (pride) by her Lord’s faith and spirit.

Rev 11:8 And their [the joints of the Bride] dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city [Old Jerusalem, the disappearing Whore within each of us], which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where [Spiritually today if you hear his voice] also our Lord was crucified.

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he [the Bride alone since the cross] that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Isa 2:12  For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Isa 13:4  The noise of a multitude in the mountains, [Babylon within and the world] like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle [within the incipient Bride’s.
Isa 13:5  They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land [of the Elect of God]. 
Isa 13:6  Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. 

To the anxious Babylonian who unknowingly believes in “another Jesus” (2 Cor 11:4), ‘the day of the Lord’ is seen as one event of the outward return of Christ being witless of the obscure inference of a Second Resurrection, meaning, the Resurrection to Judgement. Even though he erroneously believes that Jesus loves him as he is, a certain doubt dogs his conscience because of verses such as Joel 2:2, and he dismisses it as a terrifying day for some other far worse sinner. Unwittingly for him, that day is the return of Christ, not for him, but for the Lord’s “little flock” Elect.

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved [in one of the two resurrections]

Of course, ALL Christians confess their sins and call upon Christ’s name, not knowing that they worship “another Jesus” (2 Cor 11:4) since they insist upon eating and drinking their own doctrinal bread and water.

Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves [from Adam to the end of the One Thousand Year reign] shall hear his voice, 
Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life [the First Resurrection]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [G2920 – meaning “judgement”, the Resurrection to Judgement resulting in salvation].

As former Babylonian Christians, verse 13 was all we needed to understand, as it speaks plainly, yet we did not grasp the meaning of “grace” in the following verse, which represents chastisement.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
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 [and not after the other Jesus’ doctrine modelled in our image]. 

Grace is God’s “gracious love and favour.” But what does grace do for us? Well, when we sin, grace does much more abound with God’s loving Fatherly chastening and scourging until we are brought to see that it feels so good when we finally quit banging our heads against the wall of “turning grace into lasciviousness.” As formally did we, lasciviousness is precisely what our Babylonian brothers and sisters do. They think that they are solely saved by Christ’s work on the cross and that they don’t have to do anything because “Christ died for us, so we don’t have to die”! THAT IS LASCIVIOUSNESS – colloquially expressed as greasy grace.

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, [scourging, chastening, rebuking] grace did much more abound.

Heb 12:5  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching [G3811 – Paideuo- Phonetic: pahee-dyoo’-o – Definition: 1. to train children a. to be instructed or taught or learn b. to cause one to learn 2. to chastise a. to chastise or castigate with words, to correct] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Apart from the Bride of Christ, the entirety of mankind ever to exist, having unwittingly cast themselves as royalty and been thrown into the Lake of Fire, will most torturously, yet temporarily, while ‘chastising grace’ works its utterly devouring work, will assuredly give God the glory for its molten re-casting them as God’s fine gold.

Lam 4:1  How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.
Lam 4:2  The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! 

Zec 9:3  And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets [Having cast her own righteousness]. 
Zec 9:4  Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire

Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city [Ephriam, Israel, Old Jerusalem, Egypt, Sodom & Babylon – The Great Whore; you and I], that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
Rev 18:17  For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
Rev 18:18  And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

The Elect of God today, the Bride of Christ, has had her day of gloominess and thick darkness and is now joyfully receiving the ‘gloomy foreboding’ chastisement and eagerly being re-cast as her Lord’s fine gold in his image. At the First Resurrection, when Christ’s Bride ascends into Christ, her sisters and brothers remaining on Earth will, with loin loosening fear (As was King Belshazzar’s in Dan 5:1-7), bitterly lament for their day of darkness remaining throughout the One Thousand Year reign by Christ and his Christs (plural) rod of iron on into the early stages of the Resurrection to Judgement. Only then, and upon their acknowledgement of their waywardness, will their dawning glory break forth in Christ.

Luk 23:45  And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Luk 23:46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Luk 23:47  Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly [the Bride of Christ] this was a righteous man.
Luk 23:48  And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
Luk 23:49  And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. 

Joe 2:2  A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

After the First Resurrection, Babylonian Christianity and the world will realise, with much consternation, that they are not resurrected to eternal life. They will experience fear, as “a great people”, the Bride of Christ keeps them in forced peace during the Thousand Year reign. Their future will remain jittery since they will see the apostles and other long-dead truthful followers of Christ now resurrected, similar to how Joseph’s brothers in Egypt felt when they found Joseph alive.

Continuing in the following verses of Joel, there is hidden “one event to all” mankind, beginning first with the Bride of Christ being devoured by her Lord’s fiery word. Upon her resurrection to life and inheriting her Lord as her Husband, she will be His very same fiery sword that prepares the world to be utterly consumed by fire from Eden at the end of the One Thousand Years when fire consumes Gog and Magog, the world.

Joe 2:3  A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
Joe 2:4  The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
Joe 2:5  Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

Eze 39:6  And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Rev 20:7  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8  And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 
Rev 20:9  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are [the entirety of mankind ever to have lived], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever [age lasting fire until all mankind and the Devil and his angels are refined as gold in a furnace].

Joe 2:6  Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.

At the beginning of the Resurrection to Judgment, the entire world will endure immense mental suffering, which will manifest as “blackness.” This is because every jot and title of the previous understanding of the Lord’s word is as dark as the curtains in Solomon’s temple that hide Christ and his Bride, who are likewise depicted as “black” to their understanding. As a result, people will believe that they are about to be engulfed in the lie of a physical eternal fire.

Son 1:5  I [The Shualmite who symbolises the Bride of Christ] am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem [the rest of the world], as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 
Son 1:6  Look not upon me, because I am black [… it is useless in this day and age to understand me], because the sun [Christ, the noonday sun, burnt black all of her whoredoms] hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards [all symbolic 40,000 plus disunited Christian denominations realising that they are not invited to the wedding supper]; but mine own vineyard have I not kept [since, and now, Christ is her vinedresser and workmanship].

All in the Lake of Fire do not realise that the intense pain they feel is actually a part of their spiritual refinement, not literal burning while they are still alive since spirit bodies cannot die, but rather a much lengthier physical version of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith-building firey event (Dan 3:8-30). Those three young children (probably in their teens) no doubt felt dreadful consternation while being bound to be thrown alive into the furnace. Likewise, it is similar to Joseph’s brothers living every day for seventeen years with the expectation that Joseph will exact sudden fiery retribution upon them until their old man, their father, Jacob, died. Only then did they ever come to be at peace with their brother Joseph. The death of their old man signifies the ultimate end of the Lake of Fire coming upon the whole world as they come through that fiery experience, having been purified of the carnal-minded, rebellious old man.

Zep 1:14  The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Zep 1:15  That day [is] a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Zep 1:16  A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
Zep 1:17  And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
Zep 1:18  Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

Joe 2:7  They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:

It is Christ, our husband, who runs upon our proud walls and its embedded breasts like fortification towers of Old Jerusalem, denoting the formally proud yet, repentant Rahab-like whore we have been before we become purified by our Lord’s fire and made his Bride. The joints of the Bride, the Elect of God are the “they” who “run like mighty men”. Having been saved by Christ, she now goes forth in the Lake of Fire and likewise breaks down her sister Babylon’s proud walls and whorish ways.

Son 8:10  I [The Bride of Christ] am a wall, and my breasts like towers [having powerfully put off her whorish ways]: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour.

Oba 1:21  And saviours [Plural] shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau [Zion and Esau represent the entire world]; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S. 

Joe 2:8  Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall [not by chance] upon the sword, they shall not be wounded [H1214 – to cut off; gain by unrighteous violence].

The destruction of the Old Jerusalem we are is done in an orderly manner in Christ’s timing. We look forward to falling upon the sword of God’s word and are most certainly wounded in spirit and gained a contrite heart while yet we live.

Psa 118:16  The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
Psa 118:17  I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
Psa 91:7  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Joe 2:9  They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.

We are the city of Old Jerusalem being destroyed. God’s word enters through our eyes, which are the windows of the Lord’s spiritual understanding. Even though the wise virgins likewise sleep with the foolish, Christ, under cover of darkness, quietly puts his hand through the hole to the latch of our door.  Yet, and to the collapsing Babylonian world around us today in 2024, and at an undisclosed time of Christ’s imminent return, the Elect of God with him will climb upon the destroyed houses of man’s government and demonic spiritual ideologies. Christ’s wife, in iron rulership with him (Rev 2:27), will have come stealthily like a thief in the night yet in plain sight to force the Beast to submit to Christ.

Son 5:2  I [The wise virgins, the Bride of Christ] sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night [the dew is the ravishing life-giving word of God, enflamed by his kisses better than wine].
Son 5:3  I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? [He died, is resurrected and made pure and is returning to bless his Bride with her inheritance in Him]
Son 5:4  My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels [my heart ‘betwixt my breasts’, my seat of his spirit – Son 1:13] were moved for him.
Son 5:5  I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

(Myrrh is a dedicated anointing oil only for Aaron and his sons, representing the Bride of Christ and her priestly commission. It represents the pure unadulterated spiritual word of God. She, in unity with her husband, is anointed by him and made holy. Exo 30:32  Upon man’s flesh shall it [Myrrh] not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. Exo 30:33  Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger [Expose Christ’s truth to a heritic], shall even be cut off from his people.)

Joh 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

1Th 5:2-11  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 
1Th 5:3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, [who have perfect vision through the windows of their spiritual understanding] that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 
1Th 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Most starkly, the following concluding verses of Joel’s expressions of The Day of the Lord are mirrored in Revelations, where Christ’s word (the sun) has become inky black to our collapsing world, and the 40,000 plus Babylonian Christian churches, depicted as the moon, worshipping “another Jesus” become even darker than the previous 2,000 years since the cross. At this point, Christ’s Christ, the “stars” with their testimony are likewise utterly hidden since their Lord has finished spiritually martyring them beneath him, their altar.

Joe 2:10  The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

Rev 8:12  And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
Rev 8:13  And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

Joe 2:11  And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Rev 6:9  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Rev 6:10  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 
Rev 6:11  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

That “little season” has existed ever since the cross, yet, as seen in the spring growth of the fig tree, it is even at our door (Luk 21:29-33) and is to the Babylonian world, that dreadful Day of the Lord the Bride, paradoxically, has relished since understanding her jaw-dropping calling.

Lord willing, Christ has made the Bride ready for the ‘Return of her Lord’ in next week’s study.

Book of Obadiah – Oba 1:12 …Neither Shouldest Thou Have Rejoiced Over the Children of Judah in the Day of Their Destruction…

[Study Aired February 21, 2024]

Obadiah 1:12  But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.

Oba 1:12  But thou shouldest not^H408 have looked^{H7200(H8799 Qal)} on the day^H3117 of thy brother^H251 in the day^H3117 that he became a stranger;^H5237 neither^H408 shouldest thou have rejoiced^{H8055 (H8799 Qal)} over the children^H1121 of Judah^H3063 in the day^H3117 of their destruction;^{H6 (H8800 Qal)} neither^H408 shouldest thou have spoken proudly^{H1431 (H8686 Hiphil) H6310} in the day^H3117 of distress.^H6869

H408 – Al, not, no, nor, neither, nothing, do not, let not, let there not be, a negative particle

H7200 – Ra’ah, (Qal) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider, have vision, regard, look after/at/upon/out, see after, learn about, observe, watch, find out, give attention to, discern, distinguish, gaze at, a primitive root

H3117 – Yome, day, time, year, a working day, a day’s journey, days, lifetime, period (general), today, yesterday, tomorrow, from an unused root meaning to be hot

H251 – Awkh, brother, half-brother (same father), relative, kinship, same tribe, each to the other (reciprocal relationship), of resemblance, a primitive word

H3117 – see above

H5237 – Nokriy, foreign, alien, foreigner, foreign woman, harlot, unknown, unfamiliar, wonderful, from H5235, Neker, calamity, disaster, misfortune, from a primitive root H5234, Nakar, to recognise, acknowledge, know, respect, discern, regard, be recognised, observe, pay attention to, pay regard to, notice, perceive, be willing to recognise/acknowledge, acknowledge with honour, be acquainted with, distinguish, understand, make oneself known, act or treat as foreign or strange, disguise, misconstrue, disguise oneself, act as alien

H408 – see above

H8055 – Samach, (Qal) to rejoice, exult, a primitive root

H1121 – Ben, son, grandson, child, member of a group/guild/order/class, children, youth, young men, people, of lifeless things, i.e sparks, stars, arrows, from a primitive root H1129, Banah, to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue, establish a family, be built/rebuilt, established, be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine)

H3063 – Yehoodah, Judah = praised, from a primitive root H3034, Yadah, to throw, shoot, cast, cast down, throw down, give thanks, laud, praise, confess, give

H3117 – see above

H6 – Abad, (Qal) perish, vanish, die, be exterminated, be lost, strayed, a primitive root

H408 – see above

H1431 – Gadal, (Hiphil) to make great, magnify, do great things, a primitive root

H6310 – Peh, mouth, extremity, end, weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sam 13:21 from a primitive root H6284, Pa’ah, to cleave in pieces, break/dash into pieces, shatter (used once in OT)

H3117 – see above

H6869 – Tsarah, straits, distress, trouble, vexer, rival wife, from H6862, Tsoriy, Zorites or Zorathites = see Zorah, hornet, from H6881 Tsorah, Zareah or Zoreah or Zorah = hornet, apparently another form for H6880, Tsirah, hornets, from a primitive root H6879, Tsara, to be diseased of skin, be leprous, be a leper, have leprosy

The Hebrew word used for stranger is:

H5237 nok-ree’ meaning strange. Used in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful): – alien, foreigner, outlandish, strange, woman.

From H5235 [neker] something that is strange, an unexpected calamity

From H5234 [naw-kar] A primitive root; properly to scrutinize, that is, look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (with suspicion implied), to disregard, ignore, be strange toward, reject, resign, dissimulate.

This primitive root word appears first in Genesis 27:23

Gen 27:23  And he discerned (recognised) him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.

It is also used to describe how Joseph interacted with his brothers when they came to Egypt:

Gen 42:6  And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.
Gen 42:7  And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

It is used in Ruth’s interactions with Boaz:

Rut 2:10  Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

In the new testament, the Greek words for strange include:

G3581 xen’-os. Apparently a primary word; foreign, 

…and…

G245 allotrios. Another’s, that is, not one’s own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile: – alien.

From G243 allos. A primary word “else”

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers (G3581) and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.

As fellow citizens of the household of God, we are taught by grace, not meat. This meat can be quite delicious, as ‘strange’ is translated in Hebrew as ‘wonderful.’ There are some “wonderful” sermons performed in Babylon by very charismatic “men of God”. When I was coming out of Babylon, I moved from a Baptist church to start attending an Assemblies of God church. Hillsong, at the time, was one of the largest churches in Australia, and they had just opened a new campus in Brisbane. Each Sunday night they put on quite a performance. For all the congregation it was a “wonderful” and entertaining experience. However, their doctrine was not the truth, and so when you pulled back the curtain, you started to see that their truth was not ‘truth’ at all. Their Sunday evening performances were actually a little “strange.” Now we see the truth in Christ. We are ministered to by the words of Christ (the bible), and we now know that it is a good thing we, the body of Christ, are established (built) with grace, not with meats.

Heb 13:8-9  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange (G3581) doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

John 10:4  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 
John 10:5  And a stranger (G245) will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers (G245).

The voice of the stranger is subtle because false doctrines are wrapped around the “gold and silver” of Babylon:

Eze 16:17  Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images [doctrines] of men, and didst commit whoredom with them.
Ezk 16:18  And tookest thy broidered garments, and coveredst them: and thou hast set mine oil and mine incense before them.
Ezk 16:19  My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, wherewith I fed thee, thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savour: and thus it was, saith the Lord GOD.

A few verses prior describes how beautiful and appealing these false doctrines seem:

Ezk 16:13  Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.
Ezk 16:14  And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezk 16:15  But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

The Hebrew word for fornication is H2181 A primitive root meaning “highly fed and therefore wanton.” Wantonness means “lack of care”, bad behaviour that is intentional or shows no care about bad things that might result. It is the same word as lascivious.

Jud 1:4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jud 1:5  I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

Eze 16:26  Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.
Eze 16:27  Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way.

The word ‘lewd’ is H2154 zimmaw meaning “a plan, especially a bad one.” From H2161 zaw-mam’ a primitive root meaning to plan, usually in a bad sense: – consider, devise, imagine, plot, purpose, think (evil). The word is first used in Genesis referring to the tower of Babel. My eldest daughter has been introduced to Lego and is becoming quite skilled at building towers and cities. Children have wonderful imaginations, and their schemes and plans to build a great city are “wonderful” to watch. Her Lego towers are not very strong though, as for the tower of Babel the issue God had was their hearts and their desire for building it. They were building it for a name (H8034) meaning the idea of a definite and conspicuous position, an appellation (denomination), honour, as a mark of individuality. It was a defiant act saying, “Look, God, at all we can do, all we can touch, all we can achieve on our own and in our own name, so as to establish our own name.” 

Gen 11:4  And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name [H8034], lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
Gen 11:5  And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
Gen 11:6  And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined [H2161] to do.

Any doctrine that is antiChrist (against Christ) is the voice of the stranger. The word ‘imperious’ is used to describe the true nature of “her”, meaning domineering:

Eze 16:30  How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman;
Eze 16:31  In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;
Eze 16:32  But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband.

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

Christ is the truest example of a faithful wife because He was obedient to God. In type, Christ is a faithful wife of God, teaching us the importance of submission, faithfulness, and obedience to one husband. Likewise, we the elect are called the bride of Christ, in the same manner being submissive, faithful, and obedient to our one husband, Christ.

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

Both Adam and Eve followed the voice of the stranger (the serpent) instead of the voice of God. They didn’t have the tools to try the spirits, and so in that sense they were blind.

Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground [Your own dying, carnal body of dust] for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life

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

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

2Pe 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Nevertheless, we have been given Christ’s light, His word, His grace which teaches us to forsake ungodliness.

Conclusion and Spiritual Principle. We have been given valuable (and valuable is an understatement) riches the world sees not. While the world (the strangers: Egypt and Babylon) are desiring the fruits of the tree of knowledge and evil, we have been given to eat the words of life. The voice of the true shepherd leads us, drags us, and impels us to eat his bread. His words give us life and it is his words alone that will remain. 

Ricky Gervais, an atheist, has a different view, he says “… Science is constantly proved all the time. You see, if we take something like any fiction, any holy book… and destroyed it, in a thousand years’ time, that wouldn’t come back just as it was. Whereas if we took every science book, and every fact, and destroyed them all, in a thousand years they’d all be back, because all the same tests would [produce] the same result.”

This is known as the empirical method. In Science, so as to ensure reliability and validity of results, they follow the rule of seeing is believing and the importance of controlling for variables and being able to have repeatable results, but Science cannot see faith. Men of Science are not willing to admit they don’t actually know how hot the center of the sun is. They provide estimates, and speak with confidence on the topic, but no scientist has been brave enough to venture out and collect reliable and valid samples. 

The Achilles heel of science is “things unseen,” and things not seen do exist, such as faith. We know faith is:

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

We don’t have to feel threatened by the atheist’s arguments above, because we can discern the voice of the stranger in Ricky’s words. We should be grateful we have been given the gift of faith in greater supply than him; not of our own doing, but ordained of Christ before the world began. That truth is humbling. Like Gideon’s army being whittled down to 300 men, it is God who has preordained who will lap of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, compared to you ‘will boweth their knee to drink.’ 

Interestingly, it is those that lap like a dog who are chosen. A dog symbolises obedience to their master, and we are willing to let our master guard us while we drink.

I read a quote somewhere which says,‘time will destroy all your books.’ The books of Babylon, the scientific works, and wonderful treasures of Egypt won’t last. While physical books of the bible gather dust on shelves, the words written within the bible cannot be destroyed because they are life and truth. It is these words, the words of Christ, we consider of most value because we have been given the faith to see value in things unseen.

Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
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.
Heb 11:28  Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29  By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Heb 11:30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Heb 11:31  By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Heb 11:32  And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

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.

Numbers 36:1-13 Marriage of Female Heirs

[Study Aired January 15, 2024]

Introduction

Chapter 36 is the last chapter of the Book of Numbers, and it focuses on how we can guarantee our inheritance through marriage with Christ. In Chapter 27, we encountered the five daughters of Zelophehad who came to Moses to demand the inheritance of their father. Their father Zelophehad did not have a son but only five daughters. This is how the story unfolds in Numbers chapter 27: 

Num 27:1  Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Num 27:2  And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying,
Num 27:3  “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons.
Num 27:4  Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father’s brothers.”
Num 27:5  Moses brought their case before the LORD.
Num 27:6  And the LORD said to Moses,
Num 27:7  “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.
Num 27:8  And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.
Num 27:9  And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.
Num 27:10  And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
Num 27:11  And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the LORD commanded Moses.’”

Zelophehad means ‘firstborn.’ From the scriptures, we know that the Lord is the firstborn of creation. What this implies is that Zelophehad symbolized our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

What we need to understand is that during the Lord’s life here on earth, He did not convert anybody and therefore died without having sons. However, after His death, the church was born when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples to endow them with power on the day of Pentecost. We can therefore say that at the Lord’s death, He left us the church of the firstborn. The five daughters of Zelophehad therefore represent the church. Being five daughters means that the church is born by grace through faith, which is the significance of the number five.

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

The names of the daughters of Zelophehad reveal to us the process the church goes through to become mature to receive an inheritance. The first daughter’s name “Mahlah” means ‘disease.’ We start our walk with the Lord being diseased. That is, we were burdened by sin. The second daughter’s name is “Noah” which means ‘rest’ or ‘relief.’ It is when Christ comes to us that we begin to experience relief or rest in Him. The third daughter’s name is “Hoglah” which means ‘a partridge’, a kind of bird. It is when we find rest in Him that we are likened to a bird that has escaped from the snare of the fowler.

Psa 124:6  Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 
Psa 124:7  We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! 
Psa 124:8  Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

The fourth daughter of Zelophehad is called “Milcah” which means ‘Queen.’ Since the Lord is the king of Kings, being His bride means we are queens. The fifth daughter is called “Tirzah” which means ‘Delight.’ On the day that we shall sit on thrones with our Lord Jesus Christ, that will be a delight!!

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

The daughters of Zelophehad told Moses and Eleazer that their father did not have sons and was not part of those who rebelled against Moses and Aaron. However, he died in his own sin. The statement “he died in his own sin” must be interrogated. According to Strong, the statement can mean sin or the punishment for sin. Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) also affirms that the statement could also mean punishment for sin as shown below:

H2399
חטא
chêṭ’
BDB Definition:
1) sin
1a) sin
1b) guilt for sin
1c) punishment for sin

As we indicated, Zelophehad symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ. As shown in verse 4, Zelophehad did not rebel against Moses and Aaron. This implies that our Lord Jesus Christ never rebelled against God the father who is symbolized by Moses and Aaron. As explained, Zelophehad dying in his own sin means that our Lord Jesus Christ died as a result of the punishment of sin as the sins of the whole world were laid on Him. As indicated, Zelophehad having no sons implies that while Jesus was here on earth, He did not convert anybody.

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

The daughters of Zelophehad petitioned Moses and Eleazer to consider giving them an inheritance since it was not the fault of their father for not having sons but only daughters. At His death, the Lord gave birth to the church, which is represented by the five daughters. However, before He died, not any of the disciples was converted to become a son.

One good thing about Moses is that he consulted the Lord in everything. When this matter was brought before him by the daughters of Zelophehad, he did not use his own discretion to judge the matter. As the Lord’s elect, we need to depend wholly on the Lord for guidance and not rely on our own understanding.

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Pro 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

The bride of Christ or the church of the firstborn, represented by the daughters of Zelophehad shall surely be rewarded with an inheritance. Verses 9 to 11 all say the same thing but in different perspectives. We, His elect, are Jesus’ brethren, His sons and at the same time, His kinsmen that are next to Him of His family and therefore are destined to receive an inheritance. 

Heb 2:11  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 
Heb 2:12  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

The time the church of the firstborn shall receive an inheritance is when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. That is at the time of the first resurrection.

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.

With all these in mind, let’s look at today’s study which shows us what we must do to maintain our inheritance.

The Request not to Marry from Other Tribes

Num 36:1  And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel:
Num 36:2  And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.
Num 36:3  And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and shall be put to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance.

The elders of the families of Manesseh, the son of Joseph, came to Moses concerned that if the daughters of Zelophehad married men from the other tribes of Israel, they shall lose their inheritance to other tribes over time. As a result, the inheritance of the families of Manesseh which they received by lot will diminish. The inheritance signifies the reward we shall receive in the fullness of time. Receiving our inheritance by lot means that it is the Lord who does all the work through us to make us worthy of a reward or prize. 

Pro 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

These verses bring to our attention the fact that our reward is not guaranteed. The Bible has in several places warned us about not being able to receive the reward. That is the same as being disqualified for the prize or crown.

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

Rev 3:3  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Heb 6:7  For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 
Heb 6:8  But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
Heb 6:9  Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.

In these verses under discussion, we are made aware of one of the specific reasons why we may fall short of receiving the prize – through marriage. In other words, if the daughters of Zelophehad marry men from other tribes, they run the risk of losing their inheritance. That is to say that we must avoid being unequally yoked. It is not only in marriage that we become unequally yoked. When we find ourselves still under the dictates of the flesh, even though the light of Christ has shown forth in our hearts, then we are unequally yoked. 

2Co 6:14  Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 
2Co 6:15  What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16  What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17  Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
2Co 6:18  and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

In the Bible, a typical example of a man who lost it even though he started well is Solomon. No wonder his name is absent from Hebrews chapter 11 which talks about the hall of fame of faith. That is, those who had persevered in faith. The reason for Solomon’s fall was due to being unequally yoked. 

1Ki 11:1  Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women,
1Ki 11:2  from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. 
1Ki 11:3  He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.
1Ki 11:4  For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
1Ki 11:5  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
1Ki 11:6  So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done.

These things are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 
1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Num 36:4  And when the jubilee of the children of Israel shall be, then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.

The Jubilee year is the fiftieth year. It is the time that liberty is proclaimed throughout the land of Israel as each person returns to his property and to his clan. It is a time that the people of Israel rest from their labors and slaves are set free. This time of Jubilee is when the inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad shall be added to the inheritance of the tribes that they marry other than their tribe. Spiritually, we are being told that it is during the first resurrection that we come to see those who had lost their reward during their time here on earth.

Lev 25:8  “You shall count seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall give you forty-nine years. 
Lev 25:9  Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. 
Lev 25:10  And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan. 
Lev 25:11  That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of itself nor gather the grapes from the undressed vines. 
Lev 25:12  For it is a jubilee. It shall be holy to you. You may eat the produce of the field.

Num 36:5  And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well.
Num 36:6  This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.
Num 36:7  So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 
Num 36:8  And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers.
Num 36:9  Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.

In these verses, the daughters of Zelophehad are required to marry within the tribe of their father in order to keep their inheritance. That is another way of saying that we must marry only those who are in the Lord. Marrying anyone who does not share in our common faith or being unequally yoked is a sure way to lose our crown.

1Co 7:39  A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

We can easily become unequally yoked by association. We can depart physically from Babylon, but if we continue to retain in our heavens their false doctrines, then they can become false idols which will eventually cause us to lose our inheritance. 

Eze 14:1  Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. 
Eze 14:2  And the word of the LORD came to me:
Eze 14:3  “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them? 
Eze 14:4  Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Any one of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols, 
Eze 14:5  that I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols.

Num 36:10  Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad: 
Num 36:11  For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father’s brothers’ sons:
Num 36:12  And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. 
Num 36:13  These are the commandments and the judgments, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.

At the Lord’s command, the five daughters of Zelophehad all married their cousins to retain their inheritance within the tribe of Manasseh. We can see that it is what the Lord wants that is important and not what we desire. The five daughters may have had their preferences in terms of who to marry which may be outside their tribe. However, they set their desire aside to be obedient to the Lord since they value their inheritance more than their lives here on earth. Moses also was looking forward to the reward as He considered the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures of Egypt or the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ set us the ultimate example of focusing on the joy that was set before Him as He despised the shame of what He was to go through.

Heb 12:1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 
Heb 11:25  choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
Heb 11:26  He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Talking about how we can guarantee our reward or inheritance, we are also told through the word of the Lord to keep our bodies under subjection.

1Co 9:24  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
1Co 9:25  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we, an imperishable.
1Co 9:26  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
1Co 9:27  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (ESV)

The question is how do we keep our bodies in subjection? The word of the Lord tells us that if we walk in the spirit, then we do not come under the dictates of our flesh or bodies. The “walk” in this case means being ‘occupied with’ according to Strong’s Dictionary. The word of the Lord is spirit, and as we desire to live by His word or become occupied with His words, the Lord enables us to obey His words and therefore we are able to walk in the spirit.

Gal 5:16  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:17  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Gal 5:18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

May the Lord help us to focus on the joy that is set before us just as our Lord did and is seated on the right hand of God!! Amen!!

Book of Obadiah – Oba 1:2 Thou art Greatly Despised

[Study Aired December 13, 2023]

Oba 1:2  Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised

Oba 1:2  Behold,^H2009 I have made^H5414 thee small^H6996 among the heathen:^H1471 thou^H859 art greatly^H3966 despised.^H959 

The seven Hebrew words used are:

H2009 – Hinneh, behold, lo, see, if, prolongation for a primitive particle H2005, Hen, behold, lo, if

H5414 – Nathan, (Qal) to give, put, set, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend, put on, put upon, appoint, assign, designate, make, constitute, a primitive root

H6996 – Qatan, young, small, insignificant, unimportant, from a primitive root 

H6962, Koot, to loathe, be grieved, feel a loathing, detest, loathe oneself

H1471 – Goy, nation, people, swarm of locusts, other animals, from the same root as 

H1465, Gevah, the back, behind, from H1460, Gev, the back, back, midst, from a primitive root H1342, Ga’ah, to rise up, grow up, be exalted in triumph, be lifted up, be raised up, be exalted

H859 – Attah, you (second pers. sing. masc.) a primitive pronoun of the second person

H3966 – Meod, Vehement, exceedingly, much, might, force, abundance, muchness, greatly, very, up to abundance, to a great degree, with muchness, from the same as H181, Ood, brand, fire brand, from an unused root meaning to rake together a poker (for turning or gathering embers) (Root word used three times in OT)

H959 – Bazah, (Qal) to despise, hold in contempt, a primitive root

Here is a literal translation of verse 2 including the root words:

Oba 1:2 Behold (you are) given to be small [to loathe yourself], [you will] be raised up, you, a firebrand, held in contempt.

The new man loathes the old man, because they are opposites (in opposition) and will hold it in contempt just as the new man is held in contempt by the flesh. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he refers to this conflict:

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind [G5426] the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

It is the carnal mind (false doctrines) which make up the old man and it is the carnal mind that is enmity (hostility) against God.

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

As we mature in Christ we begin to place much more emphasis on understanding the things of the spirit, by spending time in the Word, because we know that focusing on the flesh does not please God. 

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God

The Greek word used in Romans 8:5 for mind (for they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit) is:

G5426 
phroneō [fron-eh’-o]

From G5424; to exercise the mind, that is, entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; intensively to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience): – set the affection on. From a root word G5424 “the faculty of perceiving and judging”.

As the elect we are interested in understanding the Word of God, and we are very concerned with being obedient to His Words. This is what makes us “able ministers” as shown in 2 Corinthians.

2Co 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers [G1249] of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life

The elect are “able ministers”:

G1249
diakonos

Thayer Definition:

1) one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master, a servant, attendant, minister

1a) the servant of a king

We are, and are to be, servants of Christ, our King. He is the true King of kings and Lord of lords. He chose us to be servants; we didn’t choose to be invited to be a servant in his Kingdom because it is He who appoints us to this role.

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

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

Isa 43:10  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me

Good servants, primarily are obedient to their King. This is how we can keep every word of Christ and at the same time apply the spiritual principle of not keeping every “letter” which has been written in the Bible, instead discerning truth from error as we start to put away the idols from out of all our land. As servants we are given the keys to the Kingdom so we may better understand the spirit behind the letter of what has been written:

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

It is our reasonable service to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. This is achieved by renewing our mind (putting away the flesh/the idols and giants out of our land).

2Ch 15:6  And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
2Ch 15:7  Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
2Ch 15:8  And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin.

Nations are destroyed within us (false doctrines) as Christ (true doctrines) increases in us. Christ is moulding us into a firebrand, a “new sharp threshing instrument having teeth” that is comfortable in fire, discerning truth from error:

Isa 41:13  For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Isa 41:14  Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 41:15  Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

Sharp denotes the Word and how we use it in conjunction with the Holy Spirit 

H2742 chârûts (khaw-roots’), incised or incisive; hence a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing sledge (having sharp teeth); (figuratively) determination; decision

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God has three seasons in which he is harvesting all of mankind to himself so he may be all in all (1Co 15:28).

The first season of harvesting is the first of the firstfruits which is Christ.

1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

The second season is the harvest where the firstfruits are brought to God. The elect are a type of firstfruits.

Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth [That is Christ], that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures

The third season is the “feast of ingathering” which occurs at the end of the year and is when all in Adam will be dragged to their Creator.

Here is how it appears in Exodus:

Exo 34:22  And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end.

Ultimately this work of harvesting will bring both the sower and the reaper joy. We find our peace and joy in being a servant of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Joh 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Joh 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Joh 4:36  And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

It is also comforting to know that Christ also thinks of us as more than just servants. He calls us His friend.

Joh 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Joh 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Conclusion

Spiritual principle: We are to keep every word of scripture, but also understand the letter kills, but it is the spirit that giveth life.

Because of Christ in us, he is making us “able ministers” of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.