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

Gospels in Harmony – John 11, Section 4 – Lazarus is Dead

Aaron Lohman — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 21:10:08 +0000

Gospels in Harmony – John 11, Section 4 – Lazarus is Dead

(This Series of Studies Examines the Meanings of Names and Places)

[Study Aired July 14, 2020]

Joh 11:1-16 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore, his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Picking up where we left off starting in John 11:6:

Joh 11:6-9 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

Here is the interpretation.

When (the savior and deliverer) had heard therefore that those (whom God Helps) was (full of sin), (the savior and deliverer) abode (witnessing) where (eyes are being opened and sharing life giving waters). Then after that saith (the savior and deliverer) to the (followers but not yet believers), Let us go into (praise and confession) again. The (followers but not yet believers) say unto (the savior and deliverer), Master, the (killers of Christ) of late sought to (kill) (the savior and deliverer); and goest thou thither to (the house of misery and affliction) again? (the savior and deliverer) answered, Isn’t there a (foundation of Light)? If (those who do know Christ and the Father) (understands the doctrine and does what is said) of the (Light), they (walk the narrow way), because they (understand) the (Christ).

Abode two Days = witnessing of himself (The Light) the head and the body

Deu 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Twelve hours in the day = Foundation of Light – The Spiritual Significance of the Number Twelve

Day, Light = Christ and His Christ

Gen 1:3-5 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

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

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

Sees = knowing, understanding and doing the will of the Lord

Joh 7:16-18 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Pro 14:5-8 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Pro 28:4-7 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

Joh 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

But if (those who do not know Christ and the Father) (do not understand the doctrine and do not do what is said) of the (Light), they (are like a drunken man), because they (cannot understand) the (Christ).

Isa 19:14 The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.

Isa 28:7-13 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Continuing at verse 11:

Joh 11:11-16 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

These things said (the savior and deliverer): and after that (the savior and deliverer) saith unto them, Those (whom God Helps) (are spiritually dead); but (the savior and deliverer) goes, that (the savior and deliverer) may (cause them to understand the truth). Then said the (followers but not yet believers), Lord, if he (whom God Helps) sleep, he (whom God Helps) shall do well. Howbeit (the savior and deliverer) spake of those (whom God Helps) (spiritual) death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said (the savior and deliverer) unto the (followers but not yet believers) plainly, Those (whom God Helps) are (spiritually dead). And I (the savior and deliverer) am glad for your sakes that I (the savior and deliverer) was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let (the savior and deliverers) go unto those (whom God Helps). Then said the (unstable double minded), which is called Didymus the (unstable double minded), unto the other (followers but not yet believers), Let us also go, that we may die with (the savior and deliverer).

Sleep = spiritually dead, not knowing anything of the spirit

Job 8:5-9 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow

Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Now the full interpretation:

Now (those who do not know Christ and the Father) which are (full of sin), (whom God Helps), of (the house of misery and affliction), the (dwelling place) of (their rebellion) and (the rebellious and bitter one). (It is (the church) which (sanctifies) the (The Body) with (the word), and (washes) (the saviors and deliverers) (way of life) with (the churches) (glory), our (body), (whom God Helps), is (full of sin).) (the rebellious and bitter ones) sent unto (the savior and deliverer), saying, Lord, behold, those (whom God Helps) whom (the savior and deliverer) (chastens) is (full of sin). When (the savior and deliverer) heard that, (the savior and deliverer) said, This (sinfulness) not unto the (unrepenting of our sins), but for the glory of God, that the (Christ and his Christs) might be glorified thereby. Now (the savior and deliverer) (chastens) (the rebellious and bitter one), in (their rebellion), (whom God Helps). When (the savior and deliverer) had heard therefore that those (whom God Helps) was (full of sin), (the savior and deliverer) abode (witnessing) where (eyes are being opened and sharing life giving waters). Then after that saith (the savior and deliverer) to the (followers but not yet believers), Let us go into (praise and confession) again. The (followers but not yet believers) say unto (the savior and deliverer), Master, the (killers of Christ) of late sought to (kill) (the savior and deliverer); and goest thou thither to (the house of misery and affliction) again? (the savior and deliverer) answered, Isn’t there a (foundation of Light)? If (those who do know Christ and the Father) (understands the doctrine and does what is said) of the (Light), they (walk the narrow way), because they (understand) the (Christ). But if (those who do not know Christ and the Father) (do not understand the doctrine and do not do what is said) of the (Light), they (are like a drunken man), because they (cannot understand) the (Christ). These things said (the savior and deliverer): and after that (the savior and deliverer) saith unto them, Those (whom God Helps) (are spiritually dead); but (the savior and deliverer) goes, that (the savior and deliverer) may (cause them to understand the truth). Then said the (followers but not yet believers), Lord, if he (whom God Helps) sleep, he (whom God Helps) shall do well. Howbeit (the savior and deliverer) spake of those (whom God Helps) (spiritual) death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said (the savior and deliverer) unto the (followers but not yet believers) plainly, Those (whom God Helps) are (spiritually dead). And I (the savior and deliverer) am glad for your sakes that I (the savior and deliverer) was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let (the savior and deliverers) go unto those (whom God Helps). Then said the (unstable double-minded), which is called Didymus the (unstable double-minded), unto the other (followers but not yet believers), Let us also go, that we may die with (the savior and deliverer).

Lord willing, we have gained a little spiritual insight into what our Lord is doing with the body of Christ, His church. To many this is a hard saying, and they do not have this ability to spiritually discern the scriptures. We will have mockers and accusers that say we are too spiritual, but that is not our concern in this age. Our main concern is coming to know Christ and His Father, and we do this through dying daily to the carnal mind.

Joh 6:60-66 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him.

1Co 2:12-14 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1Co 15:31-34 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

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

1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Gospels in Harmony – John 11, Section1 – Lazarus is Dead

Aaron Lohman — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 17:56:42 +0000

Gospels in Harmony – John 11, Section 1 – Lazarus is Dead

[Study Aired April 27, 2020]

Joh 11:1-16 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

In this study we are going to look at the names and towns mentioned and see what they represent in our journey into the Kingdom of God.

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus,

Lazarus

BTSCTVM+ Definition: Lazarus = whom God helps (a form of the hebrew name Eleazar)

an inhabitant of Bethany, beloved by christ and raised from the dead by him 2. a very poor and wretched person to whom Jesus referred to in Luk_16:20-25

– Origin: probably of hebrew origin H499

Lazarus is the friend of Christ whom he loved. Who does Lazarus represent?

Pro 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Pro 22:11 Love a pure heart and kind words, and the king will be your friend. (ERV)

Joh 15:12-17 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

All the parables we reviewed in Luke 14-17 in our previous studies prepared us to understand the significance of this story Lazarus. Lazarus is sick and we also start out sick within.

Isa 1:2-6 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Lazarus’ sickness represents the iniquities within us. This sickness is causes death.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus (whom God helps), of Bethany,

Bethany

BTSCTVM+ Definition: Bethany = house of dates or, house of misery

a village at the Mount of Olives, about two miles (3 km) from Jerusalem, on or near the normal road to Jericho 2. a town or village on the east bank of the Jordan, where John was baptising

– Origin: of Aramaic origin

Hitchcock Definition – the house of song; the house of affliction

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus (whom God Helps), of Bethany (the house of misery and affliction),

Remember the Kingdom of God is within? Remember these things are for our understanding?

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

Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

We are the house of God and these judgments (afflictions) begin at the house of God.

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

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?

What is affliction?

Ezr 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

Lev 23:26-29 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

(ERV) Lev 23:26-29 The LORD said to Moses, “The Day of Atonement will be on the tenth day of the seventh month. There will be a holy meeting. You must not eat food, and you must bring an offering as a gift to the LORD. You must not do any work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement. On that day the priests will go before the LORD and perform the ceremony that makes you pure. “Anyone who refuses to fast on this day must be separated from their people. If anyone does any work on this day, I will destroy that person from among the people. You must not do any work at all. This is a law that continues forever for you, wherever you live. It will be a special day of rest for you. You must not eat food. You will start this special day of rest on the evening following the ninth day of the month. This special day of rest continues from that evening until the next evening.”

The afflictions are the results of a fast. Mike just did a study of this, and here is the link if you have not reviewed it yet. Is not This the Fast that I Have Chosen?

Isa 58:1-7 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus (whom God Helps), of Bethany (the house of misery and affliction), the town of Mary

Mary

BTSCTVM+ – Definition: Mary or Miriam = their rebellion

Mary the mother of Jesus 2. Mary Magdalene, a women from Magdala 3. Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha 4. Mary of Cleophas the mother of James the less 5. Mary the mother of John Mark, a sister of Barnabas 6. Mary, a Roman Christian who is greeted by Paul in Romans 16:6

– Origin: of hebrew origin H4813

What does Mary represent?

Psa 107:8-12 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

Pro 17:11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus (whom God Helps), of Bethany (the house of misery and affliction), the town of Mary (their rebellion) and her sister Martha.

Martha

BTSCTVM+ – Definition: Martha = she was rebellious

was the sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany

– Origin: probably of Aramaic origin (meaning mistress)

Hitchcock – who becomes bitter; provoking

Pro 5:1-4 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.

Lam 3:15-19 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood. He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes. And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: Remembering mine, affliction and my misery the wormwood and the gall.

Rev 8:10-11 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Jesus

BTSCTVM+ – Definition: Jesus = Jehovah is salvation

Jesus, the son of God, the saviour of mankind, God incarnate 2. Jesus Barabbas was the captive robber whom the Jews begged Pilate to release instead of christ 3. Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor (Act_7:45, Heb_4:8) 4. Jesus, son of Eliezer, one of the ancestors of christ (Luk_3:29) 5. Jesus, surnamed Justus, a Jewish Christian, an associate with Paul in the preaching of the gospel (Col_4:11)

– Origin: of hebrew origin H3091

Hitchcock – savior; deliverer

Isa 43:1-3 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

Isa 43:10-12 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.

Luk 2:8-11 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus (whom God Helps), of Bethany (the house of misery and affliction), the town of Mary (their rebellion) and her (their rebellion) sister Martha (the rebellious and bitter one). (It was that Mary (the rebellion) which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his (the savior and deliverer) feet with her (the rebellion) hair, whose brother Lazarus (whom God Helps) was sick.) Therefore his sisters (the rebellious and bitter ones) sent unto him (the savior and deliverer), saying, Lord, behold, he (whom God Helps) whom thou (the savior and deliverer) lovest is sick. When Jesus (the savior and deliverer) heard that, he (the savior and deliverer) said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus (the savior and deliverer) loved Martha (the rebellious and bitter one), and her sister (their rebellion), and Lazarus (whom God Helps). When he (the savior and deliverer) had heard therefore that he (whom God Helps) was sick, he (the savior and deliverer) abode two days still in the same place where he was.

In the same place he was (Aenon)

BTSCTVM+ – Definition: Aenon meaning springs

the name of a place near to Salim at which John baptised

– Origin: of hebrew origin, a derivative of G5869

Hitchcock – a cloud; fountain; his eye

Strong’s – H5869

ah’-yin

Probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy a fountain (as the eye of the landscape): – affliction, outward appearance, + before, + think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, + displease, eye ([-brow], [-d], -sight), face, + favour, fountain, furrow [from the margin], X him, + humble, knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open (-ly), + (not) please, presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, + think, X us, well, X you (-rselves).

Joh 10:40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

Joh 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

Gen 3:4-7 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Pro 8:27-31 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

Rev 21:5-8 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Next study we will finish looking at the names and towns in this story.

Joh 11:1-16 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Isa 28:9-18 The Word of the Lord Was Unto Them Line Upon Line…

Mike Vinson — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 01:48:32 +0000

Isa 28:9-18 The Word of the Lord Was Unto Them Line Upon Line…

Isa 28:9-18 The Word of the Lord Was Unto Them Line Upon Line... - Discussion

1 file(s) 3.72 MB

Download

Isa 28:9-18 - The Word of The Lord Was Unto Them Line Upon Line... That They Might... Be Snared"

Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Isa 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
Isa 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Isa 28:14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
Isa 28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
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.
Isa 28:18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

We return to our studies here in Isaiah today, and I have been looking forward to this study for several weeks now because it concerns one of the essential keys to the kingdom of God (Mat 16:19). This 'key to the kingdom of God' is the principle of line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. That is just another way of saying "proof texting", a practice used consistently by all of the Old Testament prophets and by the New Testament writers also. 'Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little' is actually a scriptural basis and justification for the habit of the prophets and the writers of the New Testament to "proof text", and actually take a line here and a line there and put them together to draw a spiritual conclusion and make a spiritual point, which none of us would just naturally conclude.

For example, look at these verses of scripture:

Hos 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Hos 11:2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

Here we have the Lord reminding us that He had called Israel out of Egypt and that as He was in the process of bringing them out of Egypt, they were in the very process of apostatizing from Him and sacrificing to Baalim. However, notice how the holy spirit inspires the writers of the New Testament to apply these words to Christ being taken into Egypt by Joseph:

Mat 2:13 And when they [the wise men] were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Mat 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
Mat 2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

The New Testament writers do the same thing with these words in this prophecy of Isaiah:

Isa 7:1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
Isa 7:2 And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.

Isa 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
Isa 7:11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
Isa 7:12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
Isa 7:13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Here we have King Ahaz being attacked by Israel and Syria, the two nations to the north of Judah. The Lord sends Isaiah to King Ahaz telling him to choose any sign he may wish, and the Lord will make that sign come to pass so the king will know that those two nations will be destroyed and will not conquer Judah. King Ahaz refuses to choose any sign and the Lord tells him:

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The Hebrew word translated 'virgin' here is:

H5959
עַלְמָה
‛almâh
al-maw'
Feminine of H5958; a lass (as veiled or private): - damsel, maid, virgin.

Total KJV occurrences: 7

Here is the breakdown of how this Hebrew word 'almah' is translated in the King James Version:

H5959
עלמה
‛almâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 7
maid, 2
Exo_2:8, Pro_30:19
virgin, 2
Gen_24:43, Isa_7:14
virgins, 2
Son_1:3, Son_6:8
damsels, 1
Psa_68:25

In the very next chapter we are told of Isaiah:

Isa 8:3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz [hasting to the booty, swift to the prey].
Isa 8:4 For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.

The context of this prophecy in Isaiah 7 makes clear the Lord was telling King Ahaz that before Isaiah's new son could "cry, my father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria [would] be taken away [by] the king of Assyria". The context of this prophecy has nothing at all to do with a Savior coming to take away the sins of the people hundreds of years after King Ahaz. What difference would that have made to King Ahaz? Yet the writers of the New Testament 'proof text' this statement in Isaiah 28:14 and apply it to Mary and the birth of Christ:

Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Luk 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

Oh, how such an application of the Word of God is despised by those who hate this concept of "line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little"! The established religions of this age have always preferred the letter of God's Word and what it says, as opposed to the spiritual meaning of God's Word. Yet it is beyond any doubt that Christ and all of His Words mean what they mean rather than meaning what they say. The spirit of the Lord's words do not mean what they physically speak of, rather they mean what they mean, and "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little" is a very clear demonstration of how "God has given [the natural man] eyes that they cannot see and ears that they cannot hear... the things of the spirit, "but blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear... the things of the spirit:

Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Rom 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

"The holy spirit teaches comparing spiritual things with spiritual", and the natural man simply is not equipped to receive the things of the spirit. The things of the spirit are foolishness to him.

Hence the message of the first verses of our study today:

Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Isa 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
Isa 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Here are but a very few examples of the spiritual meaning of the words of scripture among the hundreds found throughout the Bible:

"The Lamb of God" is not a literal lamb; His "bride" is not a physical bride; "the leaven of the Pharisees is not literal leaven; the cross we are to bear daily is not a literal cross; the death we are to die daily is not a literal death, "the mountain of the Lord's house" is not a physical mountain; His temple is not a physical temple; the great harlot is not a physical harlot, and "that old serpent" is not a physical serpent, etc., etc. Every number, every color, every beast, and all the different metals mentioned in scripture have a spiritual meaning and a spiritual significance which will never be known if all we are granted to see are the physical letters before our physical eyes and their primary physical meaning. The words of Christ were never intended to be understood in their primary physical meaning.

I was once told by a brother who was exasperated with the way I was applying the phrase "the words I speak to you are spiritual". He said to me, "Mike, sometimes the Bible simply means what it says. If Christ told Peter 'cast your net on the right side, and you will find fish' then all He is saying is 'cast your net on the right'. It is not some spiritual mystery being imparted!"

When I pointed out the spiritual meaning of "the right hand", and the fact that that phrase signifies the power and righteousness of God, to that brother's credit, he actually reconsidered what he had said:

Exo 15:6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

Exo 15:12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

The fish themselves which Peter caught when he cast his net on the right side signify the men Peter would bring into the kingdom of God:

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.

As a testament of just how truly "God has given them... eyes that should not see, and ears that they should not hear", it is a maxim in almost every seminary "If it can be taken literally, then that is how to best interpret the scriptures.' Nothing could be further from "the words that I speak to you, they are spirit..."

This chapter and our study today will deal with our old man who always just naturally prefers the natural meaning of the letter over the spirit of the Lord's Words. That mindset is the very definition of "a covenant with death":

Isa 28:14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
Isa 28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

Paul agrees with these verses of Isaiah when he tells us:

2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

An example of how the letter kills is Christ telling His disciples they had to eat His flesh and drink His blood, while at the same time He tells them that He was the "true bread from heaven" and that if any man would eat his flesh, he would live forever. Not one word of His words here was meant to be taken literally:

Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Here we have our Lord telling us that any who cannot receive the spiritual meaning of the words He is speaking "you have no life in you". And this is what we are told of those listening to His words:

Joh 6:52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

Christ did not bother to stop and explain the spiritual meaning of these words, but immediately after speaking these words to His disciples Christ does say this about every word that proceeds out of His mouth:

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

What does the phrase "the words that I speak to you, they are spirit" mean? Do His words simply mean just what they say physically? If that were the case then why does Christ bother to tell us, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit..." Christ was obviously not speaking of literally cannibalizing His flesh. He had no interest in having anyone to literally drink His blood, and He is not telling us that He is literal bread which has been sent down from heaven to become His literal flesh in our mouths and stomachs. The words He was speaking, "they [were] spirit." Christ's words are His spiritual flesh which we are to spiritually eat. His Words are His very spiritual life, and His blood is what we are to spiritually drink, and He and His words and His doctrine are both our spiritual bread from heaven, and they are our spiritual drink, if we given to partake of His spiritual life. The words He was speaking, "they [were] spirit." Christ's words are His spiritual flesh which we are to spiritually eat. His Words are His very spiritual life, and His blood is what we are to spiritually drink, and He and His words and His doctrine are our spiritual bread from heaven if we given to partake of His spiritual life. "The [literal, physical] flesh profits nothing: the words [He] speaks to [us], they are spirit and they are life".

Yet until this very day, millions of Christians firmly believe that a physical wafer becomes the physical flesh of Christ, and a drink of physical wine is transmuted into the physical blood of Christ. That is a perfect example of "the letter [which] kills", and the doctrine of the transmutation of the body of Christ is nothing less than a covenant with death:

2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Yet the multitude to whom Christ spoke and to whom He ministered could not receive or understand the spiritual meaning of His words. This is their reaction, and this is the reaction of all flesh, our flesh included, to "the things of the spirit":

Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Joh 6:52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

Joh 6:59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
Joh 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

These disciples symbolize most of Christ's disciples until this very day, and this is what happens with such "carnal... babes in Christ" (1Co 3:1-4):

Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

The Old Testament is also His Words:

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

But the Lord's words are a light unto the path only of God's elect, "and the rest were blinded".

Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
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.
Isa 28:18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

Here is how verse 16 is quoted in the New Testament:

Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

So the words of our study today are His words, and if we believe them we will not be ashamed, but we must realize 'they are spirit and they are life', including these His Words:

Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Are we really being told that God is only teaching knowledge and giving the understanding of doctrine to physically mature humans, only after they are weaned from their mother's physical breasts? This is what we just read. You will not be given knowledge or the understanding of doctrine until you are "weaned from milk and drawn from the breasts". The fact is that these are words which are 'proceeding from the mouth of God', and therefore "they are spirit" (Joh 6:63), and as such they have a meaning which is portrayed to us by words which do not mean what they say, but which do mean what they mean. The fact that these words are proceeding out of the mouth of God makes them applicable to every one of us:

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

The 'milk' from which we must be weaned refers to 'milk doctrines' which are revealed to us at the end of Hebrews 5 and the beginning of Hebrews 6, which uses this same word and then tells us exactly what constitutes spiritual 'milk'.

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

We are told that the invisible things of the spirit realm, the things of God, are understood by the things that are made.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

That being the case, we can observe how a spiritual babe must first be nourished only on milk, "and not [on] strong meat". A physical baby cannot digest "strong meat", and will choke to death if he is fed steak instead of milk. A physical baby cannot even chew up a piece of meat, and even if a foolish adult were to put the steak in a blender and chew it up for the baby, so it does not choke as it swallows it, that little infant still does not have the means of digesting strong meat. All a babe is able to digest is milk, and that milk is very nourishing for that infant until it develops teeth.

It is also very instructive for us to carefully note that the teething process itself is very painful for a baby, but that painful experience signals that a child is now beginning to become capable of eating some more substantial food than just its mother's milk. At long last this baby in Christ can now begin little by little to eat certain vegetables, but that child still cannot receive "strong meat". It must spend many months and sometimes years, eating pureed peas, sweet potatoes, beans and bananas. But it will still be a while before this "babe in Christ" will be capable of eating and receiving spiritually "strong meat. In time we will all become mature enough that we are no longer an infant, and we can now begin to eat and digest and be strengthened by "strong meat". All of these "things that are made" are the letter of the Word of God, which the holy spirit uses to speak to us of physical adults who are spiritual babes in Christ. It is of utmost importance that "we which are [spiritually] strong... bear with the infirmities of the [spiritually] weak".

Part of the admonition to "bear with the weak" is to realize that all physical babies think they can do the work of an adult long before they can do so. I tell the story of my eldest son as a toddler watching my brother and I driving metal fence posts into the ground with a 16 pound sledge hammer. He was just three years old, and he asked, "Daddy can I do that?". I said, "Sure son, go right ahead." The poor little boy could not even lift 16 pounds off the ground, much less swing it and drive a stake into the ground with it. He had no idea of his limitations. He can certainly do so now, but that was 44 years ago.

In spiritual terms that little 3 year old was "such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat... unskillful in the word of righteousness for he [was yet] a babe", not yet ready to digest spiritually "strong meat", as we just read there in the last few verses of Hebrews 5. Now let's read the very next verses of scripture and discover exactly what constitutes spiritual "milk... of the Word":

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.

Those six doctrines are 'the milk of the word', and they include "eternal judgment" which mean universal salvation (Isa 26:9), and we are told that universal salvation is a milk doctrine and not strong meat at all.

"If God permit" we will "leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ [and we will] go on unto perfection", not remaining the spiritual babes which "have need that one teach [us] again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." Here we have these six milk doctrines laid out before us as the very things which will prevent us from "going on to maturity" as the word 'perfection' is better translated.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

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:

We will not belabor the point that we are plainly told that we are all called "according His purpose", that "His will [is] according to His good pleasure which He has purposed in Himself, [and that we are all] predestinated according to the purpose of Him who [is] working all things after the counsel of His own will." (http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/after-the-counsel-of-his-own-will/)

Acknowledging that God creates both good and evil is essential to knowing who He is. Later in this same prophecy of Isaiah we are very clearly told:

Isa 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Earlier the holy spirit told us this:

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

The Psalms tell us the same thing:

Psa 90:3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

Then lest we still fail to get the extent of the sovereignty of God over all things, "Yes, even the wicked", we are again plainly told:

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

The apostle Paul tells us the same thing Joseph told his brothers (Gen 45:4-8). Paul and Joseph both tell us that when we sin it is not really us sinning but that our sins are the product of a law which God Himself has placed within our members. That law is called "the law of sin and death", and James tells us there is but one law giver. This message of God's sovereign hand in all things is a major theme of the scriptures from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.

Notice Joseph's words to his brothers concerning the evil they had perpetrated upon him:

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

Now notice how Paul's words in the New Testament confirm this principle which, by God's sovereign design, is at work in the flesh of all men of all time:

Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Applying the principle of "line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little" we discover there is but "one Lawgiver":

Isa 33:22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

Jas 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Our "one Lawgiver" is able to save and to destroy. But that decision does not depend on our fabled 'free will'. What the scriptures teach from Genesis to Revelation is that the Lord Himself makes that decision "after the counsel of His own will". So who are we to judge another for what the Lord is doing in the life of another brother or sister?

Exactly which things are done "after the counsel of His own will"? This is not a guessing game. The Lord wants us to know the Truth of this matter, so He tells us in very clear and plain language:

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

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

We even have a verse which explicitly states that nothing is done because of our will:

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
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.

Yet in the face of all of these scriptures which declare that it is God who creates evil (Isa 45:7), that if there is evil in the city the Lord has done it (Amo 3:6), that He makes the wicked for the day of evil (Pro 16:4), that He leads us to destruction (Psa 90:3), that He makes us to err from His ways (Isa 63:17), and that it is He who "leads [us] into temptation" (Mat 6:13), we have the leader of the largest single Christian church in the world this past December telling us that the Lord's prayer needs to be rewritten, "Because it disagrees with the doctrine of the church".

Here is a quote from the L.A. Times of December 8, 2017:

"Pope Francis has called for a rewriting of the Lord’s Prayer, saying the current translation gives God a bad name and, essentially, does not give the devil his due."

Later in this same article the Pope continues explaining why he wants to change the wording of the Lord's prayer:

"... In a TV interview this week, Pope Francis said that the line asking God to “Lead us not into temptation,”... should be changed because it has been translated badly.

“It’s not a good translation,” he told TV2000, a channel belonging to Italy’s conference of bishops, because it implies God actively pushes people into temptation.

“I am the one who falls,” Francis said. “It’s not Him pushing me into temptation to then see how I have fallen. A father doesn’t do that; a father helps you to get up immediately,” he added.

This Pope would correct Joseph when Joseph told His brothers that it was not they who sold him into Egypt, but God. He would tell the wisest man who ever lived, other than Christ, that God does not make the wicked for the day of evil. This Pope would deny that the Lord leads men to destruction, that He creates evil, or that He makes us to err from His ways and hardens our hearts from His fear. And it goes on and on and on. But the fact is that most all Christendom agrees with this Pope. It is few indeed who have not bought into the false, unbiblical doctrine of mankind's fabled 'free will'. The false doctrine of mankind having been given a will that is free from the providence of God is a lie by which the man of sin chuckles as he sits upon the throne of Christ in our hearts telling himself that he is the god we should worship, and that his will is the deciding factor in our salvation. He laughs at us as we point our fingers at anyone but ourselves as 'the man of sin'. This false doctrine nullifies the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice, and it would have you and me to rewrite Romans 9 to say, 'For He says to Moses, I will have mercy only on those who choose to obey me of their own free will, and I will have compassion only on those who choose to follow me of their own free will. So then it is only of him that wills and of him that runs and it is not solely of God's mercy... Therefore He has mercy only on those who choose of their own free will to serve Him, and He hardens only those who of their own free will choose not to obey Him.'

What a blatant lie when contrasted with the Truth:

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
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.

That is our study for today. I will close repeating our Lord's own words regarding your eyes and your ears, if so be you have been given to know His voice:

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

These are the verses we will be covering in our next study. I am repeating verse 18 to remind us of the context. As you are witnessing before your very eyes, "I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth."

Sandi and I are planning to be doing our next study in Boca Raton, Florida where we will be meeting our brother Beranger in the clay for the first time, along with our sister Selina from England. I hope there might be others also there in Boca Raton whom Sandi and I have never met before face to face. Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels.

Isa 28:18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
Isa 28:19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
Isa 28:20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
Isa 28:21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
Isa 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
Isa 28:23 Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Isa 28:24 Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?
Isa 28:25 When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?
Isa 28:26 For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.
Isa 28:27 For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.
Isa 28:28 Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.
Isa 28:29 This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

Some More Symbols In Revelation

Mike Vinson — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Since these questions were first posed, we have begun the series on the book of Revelation which will completely answer these questions. Simply click on ‘Revelation’ in the upper left corner of the home page to peruse the chapters and topics.

If possible, I would like to study revelation with you, if you are not occupied with other things. I have a couple of things to ask starting with 1.) What about the moon turning as blood, sun as black as sackcloth, 144,000, and Rev 6:16,17 and the locust.

Thanks,

R____

Hi R____,

Thank you for your questions. I appreciate your enthusiasm for knowing the mind of God.

I have an article entitled ‘Who Are The 144,000?’ on the web page. Be sure to read that paper. As far as the locusts are concerned, here is their description in Revelation:

Rev 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
Rev 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
Rev 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
Rev 9:6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
Rev 9:7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were] as the faces of men.
Rev 9:8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
Rev 9:9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
Rev 9:10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

It takes very little spiritual perception to see that anything that cannot affect those with the mark of God, must then affect those who do not have that protective mark. They torment and hurt those without God’s mark. They have hair like a woman, teeth like a lion and their power to inflict pain is in their tails. Just being shown in scripture what these ‘tails’ represent will make all the other symbols come into clear focus. Look at what we are scripturally told “is the tail” in God’s Word:

Isa 9:15 The ancient and honourable [ in the church], he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, [ in the church] he is the tail.

“The prophet that teaches lies HE IS THE TAIL.” God does not want His people to be the tail. God’s people should never be guilty of teaching lies. Yet that is exactly what is in God’s church. God’s church has “that woman Jezebel,” “the seat [ Gk- throne] of Satan,” the “Nicolaitans,” etc. It is these numerous locusts with heads like a woman, the constant symbol for God’s church, that blot out the light of the sun, the symbol of Christ and the Truth.

Another Biblical symbol for these false prophets whose lies blot out the light of the Sun of God, is a devouring lion. These false prophets “devour widows homes.”

It is the false fallen church of God, which is the moon, which “rules the lesser light of the night.” It reflects some of the sun’s light and rules over the night, but God’s fallen harlot church does not have the light of the sun within it. Its description as “turning to blood,” indicates the sad spiritual condition of a church so full of so many false prophets that the light of the sun is as “black as sackcloth of hair.” Part of Egypt’s destruction was turning what should have been nourishing waters into destructive blood.

The sad truth is that ‘the children of the night’ are these very false prophets and their followers, right in God’s church, which make the sun as “black as sackcloth of hair.” The “sun shall be turned into darkness” is the same as saying that “the sun became black as sackcloth of hair.”

If you want to know how God’s word is to be understood type in ‘understanding Revelation’ in the Google search engine at the top of the web page, and you will be given several letters dealing with this book. Be sure to read the letters on Preterism. They are very revealing as to how God’s Word is to be understood.

I hope this is of some help to you. Revelation is not a book about end time events an commonly understood. It is a book whose “sayings and prophecies we are to keep.” Here it is in the front of this book:

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

And here is how it ends:

Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Mike

Biblical Words

Mike Vinson — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:38:00 +0000

The following bible study was given at Marshall, MI on April 22, 2006 by Mike Vinson

Get the audio here!

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

Can we not just get a good dictionary and understand God’s Word? What say the scriptures in answer to this question?

1Co 2:7 … We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, unto our glory: but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [ them], because they are spiritually discerned.

Meaning:

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.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 13:3 And he spake many things unto them [ the multitudes] in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

How Does God Teach His elect?

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 purpose for parables:

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 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

Again, What is the purpose for parables?

Mat 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

So what is the two fold purpose for parables?

Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because 1) it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but 2) to them it is not given.

So it is the “hidden wisdom,” hidden in the parables of God’s Word which reveals God to us.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

What do we know about the words of God?

Psa 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

So Moses tells us:

Deu 29:4 Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
2Co 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

… and Christ quotes Isaiah who repeats Moses:

Mat 13:14 And in them [ the multitudes who come to hear Christ’s teachings in His parables] 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:
Rom 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Here is Webster’s definition of a parable.

PAR’ABLE, n. [ L. parabola;] A fable or allegorical relation or representation of something real in life or nature, from which a moral is drawn for instruction; [ such as the parable of the trees choosing a king, Jdg 9; the parable of the poor man and his lamb. 2Sa 12; the parable of the ten virgins, Mat 25.]

So the “hidden wisdom” of God’s words are hidden in parables and in types and in “shadows of better things:”

Mat 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
Mat 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Some Key Words

Angels – Messengers – Read ‘fallen angels’ on the site.
Stars – Angels
Candlesticks – Churches
Seals – Hiding Of The Things Of The Spirit
Trumpets – Warnings Of An Impending Battle
Vials – Bowls – The Wrath Of God

We simply do not have time to go into all of the symbols of the book of Revealation but we will cover seven words at this time.

The Parable Of The Tares Of The Field.

Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Mat 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
Mat 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Mat 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
Mat 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mat 13:38 The field is the world; t he good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

“The children of the wicked one… in HIS field.” To whom are these word directed? “Ye are of your father the devil?” They are directed to “the children of the wicked one… those Jew which believed on Him.”

Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Is this an act of love? Is not God love?

Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The Parable of the vineyard:

Isa 5:1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
Isa 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Isa 5:3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
Isa 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
Isa 5:5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; [ and] break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:
Isa 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
Isa 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts [ is] the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

By what means does “The enemy that sowed them [ who] is the devil,” sow tares and wild grapes?

Jer 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

These ‘pastors,’ are also called ‘husbandmen.’ The pastors and husbandmen always withstand their Lord’s “servants.”

Luk 20:1 And it came to pass, [ that] on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon [ him] with the elders,
Luk 20:2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
Luk 20:3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
Luk 20:4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
Luk 20:5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
Luk 20:6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
Luk 20:7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence [ it was].
Luk 20:8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Luk 20:9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
Luk 20:10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent [ him] away empty.
Luk 20:11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
Luk 20:12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast [ him] out.
Luk 20:13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

Old Testament – Joseph

Gen 37:2 … Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
Gen 37:13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.
Gen 37:14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
Gen 37:18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
Gen 37:19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
Gen 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Luk 20:14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
Luk 20:15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
Luk 20:16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
Luk 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
Luk 20:18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Luk 20:19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

So let me ask you, should we speak against the “husbandmen and many pastors” who have “an evil report” today? Is that an unloving thing to do? If you think it is, are you willing to tell that to Jesus Christ?

Again, These husbandmen are “many pastors” in God’s ‘vineyard’ or ‘field.’ “The field is the [ church] world.”

Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom
Jer 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

Gen 1:1 In the beginning [ Heb. reshiyth-7225-firstfruit] God created the heaven and the earth.
Lev 2:12 As for the oblation of the firstfruits [7225], ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Tree of knowledge of good and evil:

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [ of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Gen 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Gen 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

What is this tree of the knowledgeof good and evil? What is it that shows all of us what is evil?

Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

That is why the law of Moses cannot save us. When the Lord calls the law of Moses “My laws…” they are His laws just as “Israel according to the flesh” was his ‘Israel.’ They were His laws in just the same way as the first ‘Adam’ was the ‘son of God.’ The law of Moses was ‘My laws…’ only in the same way that manna was “bread from heaven.” The law of Moses was “My laws…” only in type and shadow. And all shadows are a blocking of the light:

Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Rom 9:4 (a) Who are Israelites;
Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Exo 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
Exo 16:28 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?
Luk 3:38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

3) Fire

fiery-

Deu 33:2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [ went] a fiery law for them

fire

Jdg 9:19 If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, [ then] rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
Jdg 9:20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Luk 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not [ himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [ stripes].
Luk 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [ stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Luk 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

4) burning

Rev 8:8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fir e was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
Rev 8:10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Isa 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

5) Bow – Archers- Teachers

Exo 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach [3384- yarab yara] thee what thou shalt say.
Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain [3384-yarab yara] righteousness upon you.

I couldn’t help but notice that in some applications the ‘teaching,’ the ‘rain,’ affects the rejected anointed as a “wound.” The “archers,” or “teachers,” “wounded” king Saul. That is what the Truth does to those who reject it.

1h 10:3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers [ same word – yarab yara- 3384- teachers] hit him, and he was wounded of the archers [ teachers].

That is how the ‘two witnesses’ “torment they that dwell upon the earth [ God’s fallen people]”. The “fire that comes out of the mouth” of these witnesses is the Truth of the Word of God. That Truth either ‘teaches’ us or else it ‘wounds’ and ‘torments’ us.

6) Water- The Word Of God

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.\
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Heb 6:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
Heb 6:8 But that which [ receives the rain and yet] beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Conclusion

So we are right back where we started:

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [ them], because they are spiritually discerned.

A Letter Asking About How To Study

Posted October 23, 2005

Hi Mike,

I downloaded e- Sword and several translations. When I look at the Strong’s definition of everlasting (aeon), it doesn’t give a good definition. Just wondering what you recommend for using with e- Sword to help with studies. Thanks.

L____

What I recommend for using with e- Sword is the spirit of God. Without God’s spirit, all the time in the world will not bring one to the knowledge of the Truth. The spirit of God, of course, is not something that I or any man can give to you.

I do not recommend relying on Strong’s definitions when using either e- Sword or Wigram’s. The only way to know what a word means is to see how it is used in scripture. When you see that the words “bread from heaven” actually refer to Christ, then you never allow that Truth to be taken from you. The bread is Christ. It may become “leavened” and be made into “another Christ,” but it is still a symbol for Christ.

Wigram’s or e- sword will both give to you every single appearance of this word ‘bread’ in the scriptures. The only safe way to understand any word is to read those entries. It is through constant prayer and diligent study of how God’s spirit has seen fit to use a word that reveals the mind of the spirit in regards to any word or phrase used in God; s Word. This requires a divine miracle to remove the blinders which are equally miraculously given to us while we are still in the first Adam. We all are born with miraculous blinders that keep us from seeing the plain statement that “I am God… I create evil” (Isa 45:17). These supernatural blinders are aided with the lies of historical orthodox Christian doctrine. But for a very special, very few, God performs another miracle. He removes those supernatural blinders and gives to us divine revelation. He supernaturally gives to us “eyes to see and ears to hear… the things of the spirit.”

Some Symbols In Revelation

Mike Vinson — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 04:59:59 +0000

Explain why… if God runs all.. did 1/3 of the angels in heaven leave with Satan… this I can’t even find… is there scripture that says that 1/3 of the angels left or are fallen? I know all the twisting it takes the church to make Satan a fallen angel, and I agree he is not… but I’m not clear on how to answer this question?

The other question I can’t answer is… if the lake of fire is not eternal… is heaven?

Thank you sir.

Hi D____,

I know you want to be able to answer all the questions you are asked, but you will have to learn that heaven is not a geographical location before you will ever be able to answer this question. Heaven is where God dwells in the realm of the spirit in the hearts and minds of His people. This is a spiritual fact that is beyond the ability of the natural mind to comprehend. To those looking for a physical ‘mansion” in a physical ‘city’ on a physical planet called ‘heaven,’ the Truth of this fact is “foolishness unto him.”

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

With all this in mind let’s look at the verse that is used to substantiate your friends contention that one third of the angels followed Satan:

Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

The entire orthodox Christian world is unaware that this book is one we are to live and experience in our spiritual walk. For proof of this go to www. iswasandwillbe. com/ Type in ‘understanding revelation’ in the search box of the Google search engine at the top of the page. Read all the letters in the archives on that subject. Read also Spiritual Meaning oF Key Words. Pay special attention to the word ‘tail’ on Key Words. This is a book of signs and symbols which are all interpreted in the Old Testament.

You will see that even two thousand years ago “the time is at hand… keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”

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

If God gives you the ability to see that you live this book, and if He gives you the ability to see that heaven is where He dwells in His people, then you will come to see that the “third part of the stars of heaven” that Satan “casts to the earth” are messengers with their messages (read ‘doctrines’) which Satan casts to the ‘earth’ which is always to be understood as God’s fallen people.

God’s elect are “brought forth” of the “woman’ who rides the beast of Rev 17. This ‘woman’ always represents God’s fallen people. God’s elect “come out of her.” This is not the Catholic Church. It is not Judaism, neither is it Protestantism. This is all of these churches. They have one and all called God a monster who will torment his creation in eternal hell fire. They all teach a thousand false doctrines. The only reason only “one third” of these doctrines are mentioned here is because this book is an ongoing experience which God’s elect will live, and it is revealed and experienced in increments. Satan will eventually cast all of God’s truth’s down to the earth. In time he will wrest all truth out of God’s Word. Only God’s elect will be spared the deceit of the Adversary.

Here are the scriptures for those statements:

The ‘tail:’

Isa 9:15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

The ‘earth:’

Jer 22:1 Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word, Jer 22:2 And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:
Jer 22:29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

The ‘woman:’

Isa 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem… [ God’s fallen people]
Isa 1:21 How is the faithful city become an harlot!

There are many such scriptures that explain the hundreds of symbols used in this book. They all add up to the same message as the rest of God’s Word. God’s elect are to die to the false doctrines of this entire harlot system of religion, come out of it and “be hated of all men.” It has always been so. It is not less so in this end time, it is more so. Of course this all flies in the face of a religion that teaches that all that is needed to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection is to repeat the ‘sinner’s prayer.’

As for your last question:

The other question I can’t answer is… if the lake of fire is not eternal… is heaven?

Both the lake of fire and heaven shall pass away once they have served their function of bringing all to Christ.

Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

But like Christ’s words, we are given incorruptible and immortal bodies. The definition of “immortality” is “deathlessness”. So while the scriptures do not use the word “eternal,” eternity is alluded to in the use of the words “incorruptible” and “immortal.”

I hope this helps you to understand the “things of the spirit”.

Mike