Matthew 15:21–39 The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

[Study Aired July 21, 2025]

The study for today is focused on the faith of a Canaanite woman, the healing of many with diverse issues near the sea of Galilee and the feeding of the four thousand. 

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

Mat 15:21  Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 
Mat 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

It is important to note that Jesus coming into the coast of Tyre and Sidon is significant in the sense that this is the first time that Jesus’ ministry stepped outside the boundaries of Israel. As we are aware, Jesus’ ministry was centered on Israel. In other words, He came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. His coming to Tyre and Sidon is therefore, to show us that the Gentiles, or those who are not of Jewish descent, are also going to be part of the commonwealth of Israel. 

Eph 2:11  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 
Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 

Spiritually, we can say that both Tyre and Sidon were part of the multitude that sought after Jesus.

Mar 3:7  But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, 
Mar 3:8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.  

As indicated in previous studies, the multitudes represent our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world who are not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven. We were part of the multitude until Jesus came and dragged us to Himself and therefore we became part of the church of the firstborn or the Jerusalem above. 

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.

As stated in verse 2, the woman of Canaan was from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon and therefore was part of the multitude. The woman therefore represents the church of the Lord’s elect during our captivity in Babylon or the churches of this world. When Christ came our way during this period of our walk, we were tormented by a demon, and therefore we pleaded with the Lord to have mercy on us. To be tormented by a demon means we were tortured by our false doctrines. The doctrine of burning forever in the lake of fire, the giving of tithes, the prosperity doctrine, etc., all served to torment us. We opened our mouth wide to receive the blessings of the Lord but nothing happened. We kept on failing to live righteously and were therefore worried about going to hell. 

Psa 81:10  I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
Psa 81:11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 

Our lives in the churches of this world were therefore characterized by torment because of our false doctrines. 

Act 15:10  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 

Mat 15:23  But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 
Mat 15:24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

Jesus not answering the woman in verse 23, implies that during this period of our walk in the churches of this world, we were not able hear from the Lord since our eyes were closed and our ears were dull of hearing. 

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, 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. 

As shown in verse 23, the disciples at this time of their walk with Christ, did not know Him, and therefore they represent our leaders in the churches of this world who send us away because we questioned them about our belief system, just as the woman cried after them. 

In our desperation, the Lord came to us to make us understand that His focus is on the lost sheep of the house of Israel. That was when we came to know that there is a special group of people to whom the Lord is ministering, but unfortunately, we were not part of this group. This reminds me of what happened to Elijah, when in his desperation, he told the Lord that he had been very jealous of Him, and He was the only one left. That was when the Lord told him that He has reserved 7,000 of His elect who had not bowed their knees to the doctrines of the church system of this world.

1Ki 19:14  And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 
1Ki 19:15  And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 

1Ki 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 

Coming back to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, we need to understand that it was the sheep which left the 100 sheep and got lost that the Lord pursued after, while leaving the 99 sheep in the wilderness without a shepherd. That one sheep is the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The fact that it was only one sheep means that those whom the Lord is dragging to Himself all have one mind and one judgment. 

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

Remember that the number one means unity. The fact that it was only 1 out of 100 sheep that got lost and was saved means that those who are being saved by the Lord in this age are few. The 99 sheep represent our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world who think they are all right and therefore need no repentance.

Luk 15:4  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 
Luk 15:5  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 
Luk 15:6  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Mat 15:25  Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 
Mat 15:26  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 
Mat 15:27  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.

The woman coming to worship the Lord and asking for help from the Lord means that we came to see at a certain stage of our walk that without the Lord’s intervention, we could not help ourselves. That means we were helpless in pleasing the Lord. 

Psa 51:16  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 
Psa 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 
Psa 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 

The Lord’s answer to the woman that it was not right to take the children’s bread and to cast it to the dogs is to show us that during our time in the churches of this world, we were dogs. Being dogs means that we were evil workers who walked according to the law of Moses. In other words, we tried to die to our flesh by our own effort, but we were not successful.

Php 3:2  Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  

In verse 27, the acceptance of the woman that she was indeed a dog is to show us that we must humble ourselves before the Lord to accept the fact that we had gone astray at a certain stage of our walk with Christ. Our acceptance of the fact that we have been receiving crumbs or pieces of His words during our time in the Babylonian system is what paves the way for us to start enjoying children’s bread, that is, the truth of His words. 

Gal 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 
Gal 3:27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 
Gal 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Mat 15:28  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

We know from the sum of the word of the Lord that the woman’s great faith is the Lord’s faith given to us as we leave Babylon to become part of the church of the first born or Jerusalem which is above.

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 

Gal 2:20  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. 

We must understand that Christ’s faith comes to us by hearing the truth of the word of the Lord.

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  

In verse 28, the Lord told the woman that what she wanted will be done for her. In this case, the woman wanted the Lord to deliver her daughter from being tormented by the devil. Indeed, the false doctrines in our heavens are being dealt with by the truth of His words in our lives, as we grow to know Him and experience the power of His resurrection in our lives.

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

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.   

Jesus Heals Many

Mat 15:29  And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 
Mat 15:30  And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: 
Mat 15:31  Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus departing from Tyre and Sidon and going near to the sea of Galilee where a great multitude came to Him where He healed them of all kinds of disease indicates that the Lord will surely save our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world who are represented by the multitude. At a certain stage of our walk with Christ, we were part of this multitude. The fact that these multitudes are closer to the sea of Galilee shows us that they were influenced by the deeds of the flesh of mankind. That is another way of saying that they are dominated by the flesh. This was our situation when we were part of the church system of this world. We could not please the Lord as we were captivated by the things of the flesh.

Rom 8:5  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. 
Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
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. 
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 

In verse 30, we are shown the consequences of focusing on the flesh. We became lame. Being lame means that we had difficulty walking due to a condition affecting our legs or feet. Spiritually, this implies that we were not able to please the Lord with our walk because of our flesh dominating us.

Gal 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 
Gal 5:18  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 
Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  

We are also told in verse 30 that among those brought to Jesus were the blind. We were spiritually blind at a certain stage of our walk with Christ, and therefore we could not understand the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven. This is what the Lord says about our condition when we were under the yoke of our flesh:

Isa 42:18  Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
Isa 42:19  Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’S servant? 
Isa 42:20  Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
Isa 42:21  The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. 
Isa 42:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. 

The third condition described in verse 30 is that we were dumb. In other words, we could not open our mouth to speak about the truth of His words. Although we are designated as His elect or watchmen before the foundation of this world, we were made dumb by the Lord when we were under captivity of the evil one in the churches of this world.

Isa 56:10  His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

Psa 38:13  But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

The last condition described in verse 30 is being maimed or wounded. It was because our sins had increased that was why the Lord wounded us.

Jer 30:14  All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.

The Lord used the very people who should have been our watchmen, to wound us when we were in the churches of this world.

Son 5:7  The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

In the fullness of time, the Lord came to us while we were part of the church system of this world to heal us of all our diseases so that we can serve the Lord in spirit and in truth. That was when we started to glorify God with our members.

1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

Mat 15:32  Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. 
Mat 15:33  And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 

In verse 32, we see the Lord showing compassion to the multitude because they had been with Him for three days without food. It is reassuring to note that the Lord was determined not to send the multitude away without food. The Lord’s compassion never fails and is available not only to us, His elect, but the whole of humanity who are His children.

Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

As we have indicated earlier, the multitude represents our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world. This verse therefore shows us that in the fullness of time, the Lord will show mercy to our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world and all of humanity as He heals them of every disease of the flesh. That is to say that the salvation of the Lord will also be theirs. 

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. 

What is said in verse 32 is in direct opposition to the false doctrine of Babylon which says that the Lord will burn all of humanity who do not know Him. The number three means the process of spiritual maturity through judgment. Jesus being with the multitude for three days therefore refers to the process of the second death through judgment in the lake of fire age, designated for all humanity including our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world. It is reassuring to know that in verse 32, the Lord has given His word that He will not send them away without food, lest they faint along the way. That is to say that all humanity shall come to know Christ through His word (food for the multitude).

1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

1Ti 4:9  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 
1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 

With our carnal minds, the thought of the Lord saving the whole of the human race is impossible because our minds cannot perceive how all humanity, including Satan and His cohorts, will come to know the Lord. That was demonstrated clearly by the disciples as they questioned Jesus in verse 33 of how they could have bread in the wilderness to feed the multitude. In other words, they wondered how the whole of humanity shall be fed with the word of the Lord. Remember that the disciples at that point in time were not converted and therefore behaved like us during our time in Babylon.

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.

Mat 19:25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 

Mat 15:34  And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 

The seven loaves that the disciples had means that the Lord’s elect shall be equipped with the complete knowledge of His word to be able to become saviors of humanity. Remember that the number seven means complete, and the loaves represent the word of the Lord.

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. 

Fishes signify mankind as shown by the fact that Jesus likened the kingdom of God to a dragnet cast into the sea that gathered fish of every kind – both good and bad fishes. In His interpretation, Jesus said that at the end of the age, His angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous. 

Mat 13:47  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 
Mat 13:48  Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 
Mat 13:49  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 
Mat 13:50  And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 

The few little fishes that the disciples had therefore means that at that time, they considered themselves too little or incapable of being saviors of the whole of humanity. When we look at ourselves, we do not see how we shall rule the nations and become saviors of all humanity. However, with God, all things are possible. These fishes being few means that those whom the Lord is saving in this age to become saviors of humanity are few.

Mat 15:35  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 
Mat 15:36  And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 

The Lord commanding the multitude to sit down implies that we must be at rest if we are to receive from the Lord. It is when we are at rest that we cease from using our own effort and depending on Him only. 

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

It is instructive to note that the seven loaves and the few little fishes must be broken by the Lord, and given to the disciples first, before the multitude are given their share through the disciples. As indicated, the loaves represent the word of the Lord which must be broken by the Lord. Breaking the loaves means rightly dividing the word of truth. By implication, this means making us understand the mysteries of the kingdom of the Lord. The Lord giving the broken loaves to the disciples first is to show us that in this age, it is only the Lord’s elect who are given to understand the mysteries of the kingdom. 

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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.

The few little fishes were also broken and given to the disciples first. This symbolizes that the elect shall be judged first in this age. Just as horses have to be broken before they submit, we, His elect, must go through the Lord’s judgment or suffering as the Lord puts our rebellious flesh to death.

Later, in an age to come (the lake of fire age), the whole of the Lord’s creation shall also be given to know the mysteries of the kingdom through us, His elect, as we share the broken loaves of bread to them. That is the period when they shall be broken or judged. In the final analysis, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord.

Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Mat 15:37  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. 
Mat 15:38  And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. 
Mat 15:39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. 

Everyone shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord in the fullness of time.

Hab 2:14  For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 

The fragments of seven baskets that remained signify the complete false doctrines in the hearts and minds of all humanity which shall be destroyed by the truth of the word of the Lord. 

The number of those fed was four thousand men. The number four thousand consists of four times three tens (4,000 = 4x10x10x10). The number four means the whole of the matter under discussion, and the number 10 signifies the fullness of the flesh. The three tens refers to the process of our spiritual maturity through judgment. The number four thousand therefore shows us that it is when the whole of the flesh of humanity has reached its fullness or their sins have reached the heavens, that the Lord will come to judge them in the lake of fire age, to become His children.  

The fact that the children were not counted implies that all will mature to become sons of the Lord and therefore there will not be children, who are tossed by every wind of doctrine, to be counted. 

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

The women who were not counted indicates that there will be one church as all humanity shall have the same mind and the same judgment. 

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

In this age, however, the Lord is sending the multitude away as He goes to Magdala which means a tower. This implies that the Lord is focusing on His elect in this age as He becomes like a strong tower for us to run into, to become safe in this life.

Pro 18:10  The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 

May His name be glorified in our lives. Amen!!

Psa 102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
Psa 102:7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
Psa 102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
Psa 102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
Psa 102:10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
Psa 102:11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.

“The set time” (see verse 13) during which God shows favour and mercy upon Zion is the time when we are granted to be abased under the mighty hand of God and see the Lord arise in our heavens, where he battles the powers and principalities which we must overcome through him (1Pe 5:6-9, Eph 6:12, Eph 1:21, Php 4:13). God shows us in His word what we must do to humble ourselves in these verses in (1Pe 5:6-9). It is of the Lord that any one of us can be humbled under His mighty hand, and so this list is to be understood as an admonition that Christ is able to fulfill in our lives as He works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 4:13, Php 2:13).

1. Cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you (Mal 3:10)
2. Be sober and be vigilant because God has created a very good adversary (Gen 1:31).
3. Resist stedfast in the faith, meaning we live by the faith of the Son of God (Gal 2:20-21) and understand and take comfort in knowing that we have a family who is filling up those same afflictions within their lives in this world on your behalf even as we learn to minister to each other’s needs as one body (Col 1:23-25). We are called to continue in that faith-filled relationship, to keep the faith, and endure through the afflictions which God has ordained for the health of the body as we learn to resist the devil stedfastly with the shield of faith that our Father gives as gift to His children.

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.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

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.

Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
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:
Col 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

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

Faith above all? Why? Because that shield of faith enables us to put on the whole armour of God found in Ephesians 6:11-17, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, and while you are standing you are then able to pray always as it says in Ephesians 6:18 – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” This standing and praying really demonstrates to us what optimal spiritual health represents in the mind of Christ, and it is something that we must cry out for as we come to see our lack of faith and how we need to be lifted up by the Lord.

Mar 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mar 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mar 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
Mar 9:26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

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:

The direct parallel in the flesh is when we see we don’t have optimal health physically we should, Lord willing, cry out to God to heal us and to bring us to that pool called “Bethesda, having five porches”(Joh 5:2). It is through Christ that we can reach that symbolic pool of physical healing and spiritual healing (Rom 2:4) and this story represents what we can do for each other spiritually as we bear each other’s burdens and help each other through this life, guiding each other toward the living waters (Joh 5:7-9, Heb 10:24).

The fruit of being blessed with that faith that God grants us in the measure that He gives is witnessed in our ability through Christ to live these words out in own lives (Mar 9:25-26) and to see it unfold in the lives of others… “When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.”

Joh 5:7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
Joh 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
Joh 5:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

This second part of our study with Psalm 102 will look at the deliverance of God and how that deliverance by God’s definition does not mean being delivered from our flesh necessarily, but rather being able to see “the set time” realized, which is the time that we go boldly unto the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. It is the time when we have lost confidence in our own flesh [brought to our wits’ end] and understand that our lives can only be quickened by putting off that flesh and receiving the new life of Christ’s words that are spirit and that quicken the new man being formed within us.

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

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

There is wonderful imagery throughout this Psalm being used to bring us to understand the helpless condition to which God drags his people in our flesh and in our spirits so that we can learn of, and trust in, his mighty hand reconciling us to Himself as He delivers Zion, the body of Christ, by arising and showing us mercy at the throne of grace.

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.

Psa 102:13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Like all deliverance which God brings to us, it is done in a process and in an order that reassures us that we truly are more than conquerors through Christ and that He is the one granting the grace and faith that we need to endure unto the end.

Deu 7:22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

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

The trials and lessons which God gives us along the way are so critical to our maturing (Act 14:22) as we’re brought to the point where we are equipped through God’s spirit to save others, as typified so wonderfully in the life of Joseph when he gave his brothers messes of food and changes of raiment that represent the store and provision that God is laying up in the church today (1Ti 4:16, Eph 3:10).

Those who will be fed and clothed spiritually by us in the future will know in time that we had to endure unto the end and lose our life as Christ did for us, so that we could gain life and have that life of Christ formed in us to give to the rest of humanity (that life of Christ is represented by the food and clothing that Joseph gave his brothers). The love and care that we show to each other in Christ as we help each other endure through this life of trials and much tribulation is the needful and necessary training ground that is preparing us to be kings and priests under our Lord.

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

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,

Gen 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

Gen 43:34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

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.

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

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

God is in the process of showing His people “the set time” or the appointed time that he has determined to bring growth to the body of Christ through trials that mature us in this age (thinking within ourselves Dan 2:20-22, Rev 17:12-14, Rev 12:3). We must initially be bound by that great red dragon within and come to see that we have seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns that all must be destroyed by Christ who is going to do this in “the set time“.

That process of destruction will be looked at in this study, as we consider how God is sovereign over all the powers and principalities of our heavens that He is using to humble us in these marred vessels, in order to come to see his hand that has alway been about His business through our Lord Jesus Christ working within us “both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Luk 2:49, Php 2:13).

Psa 102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
Psa 102:7 I watch, and am as a sparrow^H6833 alone upon the house top.

Of these three birds mentioned in these two verses, only the sparrow, which is a song bird, was considered a clean bird (Lev 14, Luk 12:6-7).

H6833 tsippôr tsippôr – Phonetic: tsip-pore – Strong’s: From H6852; a little bird (as hopping): – bird fowl sparrow
Total KJV Occurrences: 40
•bird, 22 / birds, 10
Gen_7:14; Lev_14:6(3); Lev_14:7; Lev_14:51(2); Lev_14:52(2); Lev_14:53; Deu_22:6; Job_41:5; Psa_11:1; Psa_124:7; Pro_6:5; Pro_7:23; Pro_26:2; Pro_27:8; Ecc_12:4; Lam_3:52; Hos_11:11; Amo_3:5 / Gen_15:10; Lev_14:4; Lev_14:5; Lev_14:49; Lev_14:50; Deu_14:11; Psa_104:17; Ecc_9:12; Isa_31:5; Eze_39:4

•fowl, 5 / fowls, 1
Deu_4:17; Psa_8:8; Psa_148:10; Eze_17:23; Eze_39:17 / Neh_5:18

•sparrow, 2
Psa_84:3; Psa_102:7

In Leviticus 11:13-19 we learn of the birds that God considered an abomination for Israel to eat, and they included the pelican and the owl.

Lev 11:13 And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
Lev 11:14 And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;
Lev 11:15 Every raven after his kind;
Lev 11:16 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
Lev 11:17 And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
Lev 11:18 And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,
Lev 11:19 And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.

These birds represent something symbolic, and so we are not talking about gastronomy when we look at the meaning behind these clean and unclean birds, but rather they are set in scripture to show us a pattern in our heavens that reveals that process by which we are being given dominion over those unclean birds in our heavens as we present ourselves a living sacrifice coming out of Babylon.

Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Son 1:15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes.

Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

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.

Lev 14:6 As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:
Lev 14:7 And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.

Lev 14:30 And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;

It is interesting to note that three birds are mentioned, the first two being unclean and the third, the sparrow, is connected with the thought “I watch” and the “watch[ing] and pray[ing]” of Matthew 26:41, as well as the “watchman unto the house of Israel” of Ezekiel 3:17, with the second part of this verse “alone upon the house top”.

Psa 102:7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.

Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Eze 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

We start off as fishers in the world like Peter or the solitary pelican (Mat 4:18-19) and then we are carried into Babylon, wise in our own conceits (Pro 3:7) saying we see (Joh 9:41), even while we yet abide in darkness, feeding like an owl does in the night (1Th 5:6-9) on unclean animals because, just like the desert, there is no stay of bread or water when we are in Babylon (Isa 3:1).

Mat 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Joh 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

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,

Isa 3:1 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, [referring back to verse 6 of our study: Psa 102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl].

Psa 102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

Sin lies at the gate of our hearts “all the day”, and those who were sworn against Paul to destroy him are a type and shadow of the enemy within us at the gate, the flesh which is against the spirit (Gal 5:17) that must be overcome by Christ in us who is our hope of glory (Col 1:27). That hope of overcoming and the process thereof is described in these following verses:

Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Act 23:12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Mat 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Mat 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Mar 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Mar 3:26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
Mar 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

We are the first fruits of God who are first to see that we are that wicked generation that is guilty of the blood of all the prophets (Mat 23:35) and only able to overcome because of the grace and faith of Christ that has been provided so that we can bound the strong man (Mar 3:27, Joh 8:36). The parable in (Mark 3:25-27 is talking about a house divided, and that house has a strong man in it by the name of Satan, and so we are learning that it is only through Christ that we can be more than conquerors as we overcome the “strong man” or the powers and principalities in our heavens by a far greater power found in Christ.

Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

The scriptures don’t say what the outcome was of those men who made a vow against Paul (Act 23:12), but symbolically they would represent that part of Paul’s heavens — because all things were for his and our sakes — that has to die. Regardless of whether those men ever ate again (and they probably were loosed from their vow – see “John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible” commentary on Acts 23:12 for an example), symbolically we are already dead men walking who had no stay of bread or water.

2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2Co 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

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

Luk 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

Psa 102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
Psa 102:10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
Psa 102:11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.

These next three verses tie into the concept of not having any stay of bread or water, and coming to realize that you’re starving to death like the prodigal son of Luke 15, which represents the spiritually malnourished lives we first must live in Babylon (Luk 15:11-22).

That process we spoke of at the start of this study with that pelican of the wilderness, owl of the desert and sparrow alone upon the house top, is the same process that God takes us through in detail in these three last verses for tonight’s study. It is a glorious outcome that proceeds from having “eaten ashes like bread” and having “mingled my drink with weeping, explained to us in this parable of the prodigal, and it is something the Father makes happen “because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down”. As the Master Potter, He creates us marred in His hand and predestines us to fall a set amount of times (i.e. completely) so that, ultimately, we see how frail and temporary we are, and how we need to see “my days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.” It really is at that point that we come to our senses and cry out “How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”

Luk 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
Luk 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
Luk 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Luk 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
Luk 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
Luk 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Luk 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luk 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luk 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Luk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Luk 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Luk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at Part 3 of our study entitled “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion” as we look at more examples of what the status of our first man Adam must become if we are going to experience God’s mercy in this generation to see more deeply what that “set time is come”, is, was and will be.

Psa 102:12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Psa 102:13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
Psa 102:14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
Psa 102:15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
Psa 102:16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
Psa 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
Psa 102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
Psa 102:19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
Psa 102:20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
Psa 102:21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
Psa 102:22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
Psa 102:23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
Psa 102:24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
Psa 102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Psa 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
Psa 102:27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
Psa 102:28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

Psa 85:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
Psa 85:2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
Psa 85:3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
Psa 85:4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
Psa 85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
Psa 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Psa 85:7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
Psa 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Psa 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
Psa 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Psa 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Psa 85:12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
Psa 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

Psalms 85 is about the process of redemption and forgiveness which come about by grace through faith (Eph 2:8).

The first indicator of this process is with the word Korah which has the symbolic numbers ‘three’ and ‘two’ that add up to five; and ‘five’ refers to grace and faith, which is the means by which all the world, all of Israel who represents the world in some instances in God’s word, will be saved. It is a witness of our flesh (of which Edom is a type) that will be destroyed by the combination of the names: ‘three Israelites'(the process), and ‘two Edomites’ which equals five (5), which number symbolizes grace and faith.

Korah^H7141: From H7139; ice; Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites: – Korah.

The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, the firstborn son of Isaac and the twin brother of Jacob. The struggle that they had in the womb is important for us to remember because it is the life-long struggle to which we are called as we die daily and spiritually war against our flesh and the powers and principalities in our heavens through Christ within the church, which is his body and the spiritual womb that we are in today who are promised to go unto perfection on the symbolic third day or first resurrection (Jerusalem above, the mother of us all) (Gen 25:23, Gen 25:34, Heb 12:16-17, Col 1:24, Gal 4:26, Luk 13:32).

The world’s population and borders have always been shaped by God through the decisions that He causes in the lives of humanity and through all the events of this life over which He is sovereign. The life of Esau, who sold his birthright unto Jacob and as such was denied the blessing that his father then bestowed upon Jacob who obtained that birthright through misleading means initiated by his mother Rebekah, is a profound snapshot of one such moment in history that would dramatically affect all nations after it (Gen 27:5-29, Gen 27:30-42). God gives us these types and shadows to remind us that when a nation is born in a day, the same effect will be had on all the nations of the world in time (Isa 66:8, Gen 22:17).

These two brothers (Jacob and Esau) truly demonstrate the severity and the goodness of God for all the world to see (Rom 11:22, Rom 9:13) and their story was written for our admonition upon whom the end of the ages is come (1Co 10:11). God let this blessing come upon Jacob in such an underhanded way to remind us that we’re not better in any way shape or form than Esau – that Esau simply represents our flesh over which God either gives us victory or does not. This again demonstrates the severity and goodness of God, and as we will see tonight, God willing, it is God’s goodness which is connected to the repentance (Rom 2:4) which leads us unto redemption and was the reason why the meal prepared for Jacob’s father was very typical of the passover (Gen 27:9).

This theme of the redemption of all of humanity (1Co 15:22), and the means by which it is achieved, becomes louder and clearer for us as we look at the sum of God’s word and understand that these ancient stories are speaking about the very present reality which we are experiencing together as the body of Christ (1Co 10:11, 1Pe 1:12).

In last week’s study, Gale showed me the verses that connect the two swallows of Matthew 10:28 to the Leviticus offerings of two birds in Leviticus 14:48-53, and the Lord used that revelation to remind me that these two goats offered to Jacob’s father in Genesis 27:9, who is a type of God in this case, is symbolic of the two goats being offered in Leviticus 16:8.

Again, we must see ourselves as both goats, the one that is sacrificed on the altar through Christ and the one that must be in the world, but not of it, where we fill up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ through the evil experience He allows us to go through for the benefit of all the world (Joh 17:15, Ecc 1:13). We live by every word of God (Mat 4:4), and so we are the goat that is sacrificed (Gal 2:20), and we are the goat that is set free into the wilderness as Christ was, to be tempted in all diverse manner (Mat 4:1, Heb 4:15). We are called to bear each others’ burdens in this wilderness, and Christ’s cross becomes our reason for rejoicing once we mature and start to see that this cross, this affliction, is what fills up what is behind of His sacrifice and makes it possible for us to be sealed “with that Spirit of promise” (Mat 16:24, Luk 13:32).

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:

Rebekah, the mother of Jacob, represents the called-out elect church who has to be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove against an enemy who wants to take our crown (Esau wants the crown some other way – Joh 10:1, Mat 10:16, Rev 3:11), so she tells Jacob to hold fast to the commandments that she is going to give him, as our Lord does of us (Gen 27:8, Rev 3:11, Joh 14:15), to set the stage for her son Jacob so that he can receive this birthright.

On the other hand, Hagar, who despised Sarah (Gen 16:4), is very much alone as a type of the spiritual Gentile church we are at first, as we try to defend our birthright in the flesh (Gen 21:14-18, Joh 8:33). She is cast out and rejected and goes into the wilderness, which is where we all must first go before we can become the type of the church of which Sarah is a type (Gal 4:30). Again, Jacob is assisted by his mother Rebekah through and through, and she is a type and shadow, as is Sarah, of how the church, the mother of us all, along with each joint that makes up our spiritual mother (Jerusalem above – Gal 4:26), supplies our needs so that we can endure until the end and receive this birthright (Eph 3:10, Eph 4:16).

The introduction of the study this week starts with these stories with which we are all very familiar, and I noticed the great significance of God inspiring 1 Corinthians 10:12, which tells us to “take heed” right after He tells us that all these stories we just looked at were written for our admonition. So by heeding the stories, we can, through Christ, do all and stand (Eph 6:13).

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.

We are sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, as it is called, and have been blessed to come to know that it will be through a lifetime of coming out of Babylon and having the seals, trumpets, and vials poured out upon our first man Adam (Rev 6:1-17, Rev 8:1-13, Rev 16:1-21) that God is sealing us with the promise of becoming a new creation through a process that we, as God’s kind of first-fruits, first witness to all the world (Jas 1:18, Rev 11:3).

Psa 14:7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Psa 53:6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Jer 30:18 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.

Jer 33:26 Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.

Eze 39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

It is through this blessed life of much tribulation (Act 14:22) that God destroys the first foundation of the elect and demonstrates to the world the incredible spiritual and physical energies (a peculiar people, zealous of good works – Tit 2:14) that this Spirit of promise will accomplish through the church as Christ works in us both to will and to do just that (Rev 19:7, Mat 20:23, Php 2:13).

Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

The following verses in Ephesians are very connected to this week’s study, and it is where we find tonight’s study title: “in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise“.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
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.
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,

Psa 85:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favourable^H7521 unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

It is God’s land to do what he wills, and He wills to be favourable unto His people, His land, that will be worked with first as the weak of the world, to demonstrate all glory and honour our His to do what He determined from the foundation of the world to do (Eph 1:11).

This brings us back to our types and shadows of the old covenant, and in Romans 9 we see that God’s plan must unfold in a decent and orderly way as per the mind of Christ, to reveal His true nature and the purpose He has purposed for all of humanity (1Co 14:40, Rom 9:1-21).

That is why it is favourable^H7521: because it is God’s hand that is accomplishing it all to a perfect and glorious salvational end for all of His children (1Ti 4:10).

H7521 râtsâh raw-tsaw’
A primitive root; to be pleased with; specifically to satisfy a debt: – (be) accept (-able), accomplish, set affection, approve, consent with, delight (self), enjoy, (be, have a) favour (-able), like, observe, pardon, (be, have, take) please (-ure), reconcile self.

He brings us back from the “captivity of Jacob” which symbolizes the bondage of sin that only Christ can set us free from (Rev 13:4, Joh 8:36).

Psa 85:2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

God speaks of things that are not as though they were (Rom 4:17) and such is the case in this verse. It takes the sum of God’s word, line upon line, percept upon precept, to see and be reminded that we are being saved, and that the blood of Christ, is was and will be, applied unto our lives that are being saved.

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Again we see the connection in (1Co 6:11) that it is “by the Spirit of our God” that “you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” of (Eph 1:13).

There is a great pause (“Selah”) here before the verses that follow, and this reminds us to reflect on where we have come from and how it is that God uses His “wrath” and “the fierceness of thine anger” to set us free from the bondage of sin.

Psa 85:3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
Psa 85:4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

Ultimately, God will take “away all thy wrath” and turn away “the fierceness of thine anger” which will lead to our salvation in this age.

God is blessing His people to be able to endure until the end (Mat 24:13) through the fiery trials of this life that we will eventually no longer think of as being strange (1Pe 4:12), but rather, we will understand that they are needful and necessary for “thine anger toward us to cease”; and the means to the end that God is accomplishing with those few jewels of His that he is perfecting ‘today’ for the rest of the world.

Zec 9:16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land (Psa 85:1).
Zec 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

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.

Isa 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
Isa 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger (Heb 12:26-27, Eph 6:13).

Psa 85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
Psa 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

These rhetorical questions do away with the false doctrine of eternal torment: “will thou be angry with us for ever”, for this age or any lasting period of time, and remind us that there is perfect and just weight, and perfect and just measure with our Father who will draw out his anger to all generations, but that anger will cease, and He will “revive us again”, and His people will “rejoice in thee” again.

Pro 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

Deu 25:15 But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land (Psa 85:1) which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Psa 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Psa 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psa 85:7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

No greater act of mercy can be shown on this earth today than the one that God is showing to His people by not only showing mercy by giving us eyes to see and ears to hear the true gospel, but by also letting us be part of that mercyful process of redemption or reconciliation that an unbelieving world will come to believe in through the church.

Php 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

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.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

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,

These two literal translations below of this verse 7 show what is hidden in the ‘mood’ of the KJV, proving again the process toward that end result that God promises to all. It is by what we can bear to be shown (“show us O Lord your mercy/kindness/lovingkindness”) that we understand what is being granted or given to us:

Psa 85:7 Show us, O Jehovah, thy kindness, And Thy salvation Thou dost give to us. [YLT]

Psa 85:7 Show us, O Yahweh, thy lovingkindness, And, thy salvation, wilt thou grant us. [Rotherham]

Psa 85:7 Shew^{H7200 [HGH8685]} us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant^{H5414 [HGH8799} = Mood -Imperfect H8811 which expresses an action, process or condition which is incomplete… These relate not so much as to one occasion, as to a continued condition..The kind of progression or imperfection and unfinished condition of the action may consist in its frequent repetition…] us thy salvation. [KJV]

Psa 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

There is no greater folly than the sin of conceit, to think that we have gotten where we’ve gotten by our own accord, or to look down on a sinful world in bondage and not identify with every sin of this world, and so we are warned in this verse to “not turn again to folly”.

This section of Romans (Rom 11:16-20) demonstrates our proclivity to forget how we have become who we are and where we have come from, and so we pray that we can continue to be a people humbled under His mighty hand who “will hear what God the LORD will speak” for as it goes on to say “he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints”.

Rom 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Rom 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Psa 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

When we do see that God’s salvation is near, and we have a proper fear of him, then His glory will dwell in our land/earth (Rom 11:20).

Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Psa 85:9 Moreover^G4133 [² is near^{G1451 3}the ones^{G3588 4}fearing^{G5399 5}him^{G1473 G3588 1}his deliverance];^{G4992 G1473} so that^G3588 [²may encamp^{G2681 1}his glory]^G1391 in^{G1722 G3588} our land.^{G1093 G1473}

Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth^G1093 [“land” in ABP+], as it is in heaven.

Conversely, if we lose our respect for the commandments of God and don’t see each other as Jesus Christ and become “highminded” thinking that we can strike out on our own and don’t have need of the many membered body of Christ that we are, then that too will be of the Lord and His glory will no longer dwell in that land.

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

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
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 that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Psa 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Psa 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Psa 85:12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.

Mercy and truth meet together in Romans 11, and it is only by God’s righteousness through Christ that we can truly have peace with our King of peace ruling and reigning in our hearts.

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:

Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Truth in the inward parts is what God is forming within the body of Christ, and that truth is the good and perfect gift that comes from above.

Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psa 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Pro 20:30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

The LORD will give good, and He alone can give the increase as we are caused to decrease.

Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all [Jas 1:17-18].

1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Psa 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

These last few verses show us where true righteousness comes from, and that it is what God uses to “set us in the way of his steps”; and it will be through a lifetime of believing in, growing into, and enduring this relationship until the end, that we will finally experience the fullness of this verse in Ephesians which we are living out today “in the way of his steps”.

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.

Dear Mike,

I have always believed that God is working all things after the council of His own will. My problem is more believing that His will is to bring all men to ultimate salvation rather than most to an eternal torture pit.
J____

Hi J____,

I’m sorry to hear that you are still struggling with the concept of a monstrous God who will torture anyone in an eternal pit of literal flames for all eternity over a predestined life of unbelief which is called in its entirety “a vapor that appears for a moment then vanishes away”.

Jas 4:14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Calvin really was a given a monstrous demon. Let me ask you a couple of questions which I will, Lord willing, one day ask Calvin himself.
1) Do you believe that the mercy you are being shown, and the belief and faith you are being given is at the expense of those who do not believe? I hope you find it in your heart to believe that is true, because it is.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

2) Do you believe that the mercy you are being shown is for the purpose of showing that very same mercy to those who do not, in this age believe? I pray you are granted the faith to believe that to be so, because it is. That is why those who believe in this life are given that faith, according to the scriptures.

Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

A third question I will ask is, why is God saving a remnant at this time? Is it not for the purpose of using that remnant for the purpose of “having mercy on all?”

Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Now I want to help you, but all I have to offer is these Truths, straight out of the Word of God. So please answer those questions if you respond.
God’s “firstfruits” are not His only fruits. Hence the name ‘firstfruits’. Again, all unbelievers will be brought to the faith through God’s firstfruit elect.

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

Your brother in a loving Father and in His loving Son,
Mike

Mike,

I would like to make some observations if you would bear with me. Moses had requested that he be allowed to see YHWH’s glory which was refused, but he was allowed to see His back parts as He passed by the crevice in the rock and removed His hand. Verse 29 of chapter 34 records that Moses’s face was aglow because He had been speaking to him. It would appear that the exposure of Moses’ face to that initial sight of His glory in His back parts remained throughout the forty days He instructed him which culminated in His rewriting the Ten Commandments on the two new tablets Moses had fashioned and placing them in Moses’ hands. And of course they are the tablets Paul referred to in 2Co 3.
The Two Laws theory proposed by the Church of God Seventh- day was of course adopted by H W Armstrong. Their reading of Gal 3:19 was that the ceremonial law was “added” to the eternal, immutable, inexorable Law of God, the Ten Commandments, two years after YHWH spoke them when the tabernacle had been completed and Leviticus was written detailing the service of the tabernacle. Actually, the tabernacle was finished after one year, but they wrote two years.
Moffet translated Gal 3:19, “Then what about the Law? It was interpolated for the purpose of producing transgressions till such time as the Offspring arrived to whom the promise was made;” That translation puzzled me and even more puzzling was the word translated “because of” which is charin, the accusative form of charis translated ‘grace’, favor or thank in most places. During my studies years ago I decided to call a university department of Greek and spoke with an associate professor of Greek who also taught at Northwestern College. He said he translated it, “By grace of or by favor of transgressions.” Paul’s statements in Rom 7 would be amplification of his statement to the Galatians. And 1Co 15:56 would give us a further clue that the strength of sin is the Law.
Just a note. Thanks for your time,

A____

Hi A____,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. It is obvious to anyone reading Galatians that “the law” under discussion includes the ten commandments, along with the law of circumcision. It takes the influence of Babylon to blind our eyes from seeing that “after faith is come we are no longer under the schoolmaster… the law”.

Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [ and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Gal 3:20 Now a mediator is not [ a mediator] of one, but God is one.
Gal 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [ to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

We did not argue in WCG that the ten commandments could give life. I well remember Herbert himself likening the ten commandments to a mirror which could show you your sins, but it could not wash your face for you. That is “the law” which “could not give life, was not of faith, concluded all under sin… under the law, shut up unto the faith [“of Jesus”] which should afterwards be revealed.” That is what “brought us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith”, the faith of Christ. “But after faith is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster”.
But I am preaching to the choir.
I appreciate what your Greek scholar friend said to you about the Greek word ‘charin’ in Gal 3:19. Yes, that does indeed add great weight to what Paul reveals to us in Rom 7. “We do not produce sin, the law is the strength of sin, and sin is the sting of death.”
That is all blasphemy to anyone who believes in free moral agency.
We are blessed above many to see these truths which are hidden from the eyes of the entire Christian world.
Stay in God’s Word. In doing that you will be staying in the spirit.

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

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Hi Mike,

I enjoy your site and have learned a lot. My former pastor said to me one day “If God blessed us only when we deserved it, we would never get blessed.” Is there any truth to that?
Thanks,
T____

Hi T____,
Thank you for your question, and I am pleased that you “have learned a lot.”
You ask:

My former pastor said to me one day “If God blessed us only when we deserved it, we would never get blessed.” Is there any truth to that?

Here is what the scriptures teach:

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

So yes, that is certainly true. Such statements as that are common among the orthodox pastors of all the churches of Babylon. They all seem to realize that God’s grace is given to undeserving sinners. They are read and quote Paul’s statement:

1Ti 1:15 This [ is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The apostle Paul was not claiming to be the very worst man who had ever lived, but he had made a career of persecuting the church before he was struck down on the road to Damascus, and he considered himself to be a pattern for Christ’s mercy. It is very instructive to know that the word ‘chief’ in verse 15 and the word ‘first’ in the following verse are both translated from the one Greek word ‘protos’:

1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

This Greek word ‘protos’ appears 100 times in the New Testament, and of that 100 entries, 89 of those entries are translated with the English word ‘first’, as in ‘first lady’.

Paul is not claiming to be the very first Christian, any more that Michelle Obama is the very first American lady. But he is telling us that because it was he who was “breathing out slaughter” against the first Christians when he was struck down on the road to Damascus, that Christ was using him as “a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to [ completely undeserved] life everlasting. The apostle Paul was not walking along the road to Damascus using his so called “free will” and asking Christ to forgive him of his sins. Paul thought he was actually doing what the law of Moses called for:

Deu 13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
Deu 13:2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
Deu 13:3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deu 13:4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
Deu 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn [ you] away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

The apostle Paul considered Christ and all who followed Him to be false prophets whom he was commanded to “put to death,” and Paul was diligently living by those words. God had not yet given Paul his spiritual vision. Paul could not yet see that the very law he was so diligently observing also prophesied of a day of reformation by a Great Reformer:

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

Moses was a great reformer who forbade Israel from continuing in the former practice of building an altar at just any convenient place. After Moses it became a sin worthy of death to offer an offering anywhere other than at the tabernacle of Moses, and later at the temple in Jerusalem. All arguments to the contrary, there was no law requiring the keeping of the sabbath or tithing until Moses:

Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression,

Scripturally speaking “there was no law… from Adam to Moses.” So just as Moses was a reformer who brought in the law, so too, was Christ a reformer who brought in a New Law:

Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

This too, was foretold in the law of Moses, but Paul simply could not see it:

Deu 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me [ a reformer]; unto him ye shall hearken;

This is all dealt with in depth in the paper entitled, The Law of Moses Versus The Law of The Spirit in the Essential Reading on iswasandwillbe.
Paul certainly was not doing anything worthy of being given the calling he was given so, yes indeed! “If God blessed us only when we deserved it we would never get blessed.”
What that should reveal to your former pastor and to any reasonable mind is the truth of these verses:

Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially [ not exclusively] of those that believe.
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Too often the word ‘bless’ is spelled with dollar signs for those two s’s. It is seldom seen for the dying process that is God’s grace. Read the letter on The Purpose and Function of Grace, in that section of the FAQ’s on iswasandwillbe. com.
There is one event to all. Whether righteous or wicked, we will all endure the wrath of God on all of our ungodliness and unrighteousnesses. The only difference is that of timing and reward. The promise of life, symbolized by the payment of a day’s wages in the parable of the workers in the vineyard, is common to all mankind:

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
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.
Mat 20:10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
Mat 20:11 And when they had received [ it], they murmured against the goodman of the house,
Mat 20:12 Saying, These last have wrought [ but] one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
Mat 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? [ A days wages]
Mat 20:14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
Mat 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
Mat 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

The “few chosen” are those who are paid first. That is the point of the parable. It points out how good it is of God to save all, even as he is being accused of being unjust by those who “have borne the heat of the day.”
We were chosen and elected in Christ “before the world began” so our own will has nothing to do with our election:

2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called [ us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Salvation was promised to “all in Adam:”

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

Did your free will cause you to be “in Adam?” Of course not. It was a sovereign work of God.
I hope this helps you to see that we really are blessed by God even when we do not deserve it. But I hope you can also see that this principle is just as applicable to unbelievers as it is to “those who believe.”
Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Dear Mike,

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

It seems to me you are adding to the Bible here. Also, Paul asks what the fate of those that do not obey will be. Does this not, at the least, imply it will be unpleasant? And Jesus speaks of people being beaten with “many stripes” and “few stripes”. That sounds most unpleasant for those on the receiving end. If the fire is symbolic as you claim, then why compare it to being beaten with stripes?
Love,
R____

Hi R____,

I am at a loss at how you figure “I am adding to the Bible”. It is I who pointed out to you that God’s elect endure the very same fire that is in the “lake of fire”. It is compared to “stripes” for the very reason that the word “fire”, as in “fiery trials”, is symbolic of the very stripes we receive if we are indeed the house of God being judged now”. I quoted the verse which calls the stripes we ourselves receive, “fiery”, from just four verse prior to 1Pe 4:17.

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

Now if “you” are tried by “fire” and “every man’s works” are to be tried by “fire” how am I “adding to the word” when I point out that this “fiery” judgment “begins at the house of God?

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. [ The “lake of fire” Isa 33:14 and Rom 11:30-31]
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.

No, it is the “great whore” of Babylon who has turned the Hebrew word for age, (olawm) into eternity, and the Greek word for age, (aion) into eternity, who has “added to God’s Word” and who will be tormented by that very doctrine until the day all her adherents confess that “he himself will be saved; yet so as by fire”.
I showed you in Isa 33:14-15, and Jer 5:14, that the word ‘fire’ is the symbol for the Truth which is the Word of God. It is the great whore and all of her harlot daughters who insist on making that fire literal and eternal, thus making a loving heavenly Father into some Satanic monster whose vengeance is insatiable and whose mercy is nonexistent.
I hope this helps to relieve you of this monstrous black eye the great whore has placed on our loving heavenly Father “who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”, that it is “so as by fire” that we are all saved, either now or in the symbolic “lake of fire” Peter refers to when he asks “what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel”.
Yes, indeed, it will be very “unpleasant” to be in that “consuming flame” referred to in Isa 33:14-15, but it will be that very flame which will save those who are placed there to receive mercy at the hands of those who have gone through that very same “consuming flame” and “fiery trials” while in these vessels of clay.

Isa 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Isa 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
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.

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

I have five children who have endured many “fiery trials” at my loving hands. You can bet it was very “unpleasant” as you say, but it was the fire of my own words which my children had disobeyed, and it was through my mercy that they were disciplined.
I challenge you and anyone else to explain to me how any loving father can torment for eternity in literal flames a son for whom he professes love and tells us that “His mercy endures for ever”? I challenge anyone to explain why, in all the verses above, this fire is symbolic, yet when it come to the lake of fire, a symbolic figure if ever there was one, for some reason this fire is not symbolic?
Isaiah say “the righteous” are that fire. Jeremiah say the same thing. Peter tells us we have endured that same fire. Paul reveals that “every man… is saved; yet so as by fire”. So who now is it who is “adding to the word of God”?
It is that great whore of Rev 17-18, and all of her harlot daughters, who refuse to acknowledge that everyone who is not a believer in this life, and whose name is not in the book of life at the great white throne will be cast into a symbolic lake of fire to “receive mercy through the mercy” of those who now are receiving mercy at the hands of a loving heavenly Father.
If indeed, “the days of every man who has ever lived were written in God’s book before there were any of them”, how can a loving heavenly Father not, “save every man… by fire”?

Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.
Isa 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Isa 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
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.
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.

Fire saves! Christ and His Words are that fire which will save all men.

1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially [ not exclusively] of those that believe.
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Now Who is it who is “adding to the Word”?
Your brother in a loving Savior “who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth”.

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Mike

I was recently talking to a friend of mine and shared with him my belief in the doctrine of Universal Salvation. It seemed to interest him quite a bit. He started telling me that he thought it was called “inclusion” because of the doctrines that Carlton Pearson started teaching. I visited a few websites, and the orthodox masters poetically destroyed with words the beauty of Universalism. My question to you is, does Carlton Pearson’s doctrine line up with Universalism or is it something different. Sounds a little different to me.

Thanx for your response

K____

Hi K____,

Carlton Pearson’s ‘Doctrine Of Inclusion’ denies the plain words of our Lord:

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

And again:

Luk 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? [Here’s the answer to your question about Carlton Pearson’s ‘doctrine of inclusion.’] And he said unto them,

Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Just so you will know, K____, Carlton Pearson has stated publicly that you do not even need to know Christ to be saved. He believes that a Hindu can remaining a Hindu and be saved. Like A. E. Knoch, Carlton Pearson’s doctrine of ‘grace’ is as flawed as his doctrine of universal salvation. Both of these men, along with the entire orthodox Christian world, believe that Christ died for them so they won’t have to die. Christ died and rose again so that we, too, can die and rise again:

Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Between the likes of A. E. Knoch and his Concordant Publishing Concern with their ‘no works’ doctrine, and Carlton Pearson with his ‘doctrine of inclusion;’ and the many who follow their insidious teachings, those who believe in the truth of universal salvation are as vulnerable to the lies of the Adversary as are all those who believe in eternal hell fire.

The knowledge of ‘universal reconciliation’ does not equate to spiritual maturity. In fact it is nothing more than “sincere milk of the word” which Peter says we should use only “that ye may grow thereby:”

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Be sure to read Strong Delusion if you haven’t yet done so. Also read The Law of Moses Versus The Law of The Spirit under the subhead ‘The Scriptural Function of Grace.’ I will paste it in below.

If you can see what Paul is saying about grace in Tit 2:11-12, you will have a better scriptural understanding of the subject of ‘grace’ than 99% of the great scholars of Christendom (You do know what I mean by ‘Christendom, don’t you?):

“TheScriptural Definition And Function Of Grace

Tit 2:11-12 The grace of God… chastens us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world…

Yes, the King James Version has “teaching” where I have “chastens” but while it is true that teaching can involve discipline, “teaching” is not the best word to convey the seriousness with which God deals with “ungodliness and worldly lusts…” Chastening is a great part of the scriptural function of Grace.

The Greek is paideuo (Strong’s #3811). It is the same word translated “chasteneth” in Heb 12:6: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth (paideuo) and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” “When we are judged, we are CHASTENED of the Lord…” (1Co 11:32).

This is how “where sin abounds, grace [ in the form of corrective chastening] does much more abound” (Rom 5:20 and Rom 6:1 and 2). Anyone who believes that they can come and stay ‘just as I am’ doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘Father’, nor the scriptural definition of grace. “Grace… chastens us [ to] deny ungodliness and worldly lusts…” (Tit 2:11, 12).

We may certainly come ‘just as I am’, but we had better “go and sin no more lest a worse thing (discipline from a loving Father) come unto thee” (Joh 5:14).

This is surely a ‘wet blanket’ to those who want only to hear about the salvation of all. There is no way around Mar 9:45 and Heb 12:6. It is “EVERY SACRIFICE” and “EVERY SON”. There are NO EXCEPTIONS! The doctrine of universal reconciliation through a false definition of grace is just as nourishing to the Adversary as the false doctrines of eternal death or eternal torment. What do we think the word ‘dragged’ means? Chastening IS certainly a ‘dragging’. No child goes willingly and cheerfully to be disciplined.

We are “justified freely by his grace” (Rom 3:24). There is no charge and there is nothing we can do to earn the chastening and scourging [ of] “EVERY son whom He receiveth” (Heb 12:6). It is given freely.”

I hope I have answered your question.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your response. Would you please expound on being “guilty of turning grace into lasciviousness”? I tried to clarify this myself using “e-Sword”, but couldn’t find the reference/explanation.

Bless you for your assistance!

C____

Hi again C____,

The reference was to a verse in Jude:

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.

I doubt that you will find an explanation of this verse simply because very few Christians realize that “grace… chastens.”

This truth is hidden by the King James translation which translates the Greek word, paideuo, as ‘teaching’ instead of ‘chastens’ in Titus 2:10-12. Consequently grace is defined simply as ‘unmerited pardon’. That incomplete definition makes grace an inactive noun. But grace, in reality is a very active verb, that chastens us to forsake ungodliness and to live godly lives in this present world. Be sure to read the section on the ‘Purpose and Function of Grace’ in the paper on Strong Delusion.

I am constantly accused of two extremes. Either I am guilty of preaching and teaching that:

1] Everyone is going to be saved whether they sin or not. Those who make this accusation believe that I teach that we are saved in our sins. They invariably go on to reason that if we are going to be saved regardless of what we do, then we might as well continue in sin. That is the reasoning of a “carnal… babe in Christ.”

2] On the other extreme, I am constantly accused of teaching salvation by my own works. This accusation comes mostly from those who want to “turn the grace of God into lasciviousness.” They truly see grace as a dead noun with no power working in their daily lives. To these folks ‘grace’ has only to do with what Christ did for us while He was on the cross. These folks are mystified by scriptures like:

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:

This verse, and all the verses that talk of suffering for Christ’s sake, just simply don’t fit into their half-true, dead noun understanding of the definition of the word ‘grace’. They blindly wonder what could possibly be “behind of the afflictions of Christ?” Yes indeed, ‘grace’ is a “free gift”. You have done nothing to deserve this wonderful gift of God. You can do nothing to deserve God’s wonderful gift of ‘grace’. But what is it that we are talking about here? What is this undeserved gift? It is:

Tit 2:11 … The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching [Greek: paideuo – chastening] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

There is no charge for this free loving gift from a caring heavenly Father. It is simply His loving nature that bestows this free gift upon us.

Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening [Greek: paideia] of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth [Greek: paideuo], and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening [Greek: paideia], God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth [Greek: paideuo] not?

This being a scriptural fact, rest assured that if you are God’s elect:

Rom 5:20 … Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound:

Of course this defines God’s consuming fire as the very function of grace, so that this principle will be the instrument for the purging of all of mankind in God’s last and greatest work of ‘grace’, known in spiritual words as “the lake of fire.”

Many Christians know and see the need for purging sin out of their lives. However, it is rare for them to see that this is the very function and purpose of ‘grace’.

I hope this helps you to see that ‘turning grace into lasciviousness,’ is a very common thing when you don’t understand the scriptural definition of ‘grace’. Again, grace is an active, loving verb in the life of God’s elect in this age and in the lives of all others in the ‘lake of fire.’

Mike

Dear Mike,

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. This is a subject near and dear to me. You see, ten months ago my son was killed in a car accident on his 20th birthday. At the time of his death, none of my family knew the truth of God, as I understand it now. Through this devastating loss, I was lead (dragged) on a quest for the “real” God and to know and understand Him and His truth. My son was “saved” in a baptist church, and I had taken him and his brothers to “church” all of their lives and read to them out of the bible and taught them as best as I could. Little did I know I was teaching them completely FALSE doctrine. I have so much guilt for this, as I feel that as a student of the bible, I should have known better. Two days before my son’s accident, we had a conversation (and I believe this was by God’s design) that has haunted me ever since. My son was telling my how he had this struggle within, how it was like he had two voices in his head, one telling him to do the “right” thing, the other telling him “just have fun”. He was just your average/ typical teenager. I know he sincerely believed in God/ Christ’s sacrifice and wanted to please God, he just had NO CLUE about the “meat” of God’s word. He also was more interested in typical teenage stuff. I have pretty much accepted that he will most likely be in the second resurrection, and I am okay with that. I completely trust God to know what is best, and I completely trust in God’s mercy in judgment. I don’t claim to understand everything, and probably will not in this lifetime, but God has blessed me with trust, and that is enough for now. I just want to be sure from now on that I have God’s complete truth.

Thanks again so much for your ministry.
Love in Christ,
L____

Hi L____,

Thanks for sharing your story with me. I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your 20 year old son just 10 months ago. Austin, my youngest of five, Isa 20, and I cannot imagine any of my children dying before me. I thank God that He has opened your eyes to know the comfort that is His Word in a situation such as the loss of a child.
But you are exactly right about your son. He is in very good, very just and very loving hands, and he will be given the same mercy you have been shown, and that same mercy will come through you, just as Joseph was used by God to show mercy to his family. God really is love.

1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1Jn 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

It is through the love of one person to another that “the rock cut out of the mountain without hands” eventually becomes “a great mountain that will fill all the earth.” “All the earth” is all men who have ever lived and who ever will live on this earth.

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

That is as true for your son as it is for us. Christ will not be filled until every person who has ever lived on this earth is filled with Christ.

Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

It is “the church which is His body” which fills Christ, and it is Christ who fills His Father. It is by means of “the church which is His body” which will be used to show mercy to all who are not in that blessed and holy first resurrection.

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.

What a wonderful blessing it is that God has seen fit to reveal His mind, His plan, and Himself to you. We truly have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavens.

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.

Continue to “try the spirits”. It will pay great dividends in the things of the spirit.
Please join us on Ustream at 11 a. m. EST on Sunday mornings. We are going through the book of Revelation, and applying the admonition of chapter one verse 3 to “read, hear, and keep the things written therein.” When you approach scripture with the understanding that we are meant to “live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, and we do not apply “every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God,” to someone else at some other time and some other place, then all prophecy becomes new and exciting and alive, because it is now within, and it is now personal.
I hope to see you with us Sunday morning.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike