Power – Is, Was and Will Be – The Unknown Character of Christ and His Word https://www.iswasandwillbe.com Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:53:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/cropped-headerlogo-32x32.png Power – Is, Was and Will Be – The Unknown Character of Christ and His Word https://www.iswasandwillbe.com 32 32 Rev 12:10-13 – Part 2 – Now Is Come The Kingdom https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/rev-1210-13-part-2-now-is-come-the-kingdom/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rev-1210-13-part-2-now-is-come-the-kingdom Sun, 22 Dec 2024 05:14:17 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=31661 Audio Download

Rev 12:10-13 – Part 2 – Now Is Come The Kingdom

[Study Aired Dec 22, 2024]

Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

True to its “is, was and will be” nature, in this verse we again see ourselves both as those who “dwell in the heavens” as well as those who were once “inhabiters of the earth and of the sea… unbelievers, abiding in God’s wrath”. Paul makes clear that both parts of this verse are ours in Eph 2.

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

… the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

By whom does the Lord try and tempt mankind?

Jas 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.
Jas 1:13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:
Jas 1:14  but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. (ASV)

“Enticed” by whom? Who incites man to lust after the things which the Lord has forbidden? We need not guess.

Gen 3:1  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Gen 3:2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Gen 3:3  But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Gen 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5  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.
Gen 3:6  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.

By whom did the Lord try Job?

Job 1:6  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
Job 1:7  And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Job 1:8  And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Job 1:9  Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Job 1:10  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Job 1:11  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Job 1:12  And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

“Put forth Thine hand” shows us that Satan is nothing more or less than a tool of our Lord to “create evil”, and to “work all things after the counsel of His own will.” Satan could not touch Job without the Lord’s direction to do so. Do we think this is an exception to the rule? It is not. This is the rule of Him “of whom are all things”, all the good and all the evil.

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

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.

Who was “the Lord’s” instrument to tempt King David? It is in “the sum of God’s word [that we will find the] Truth”. When we add up “the sum of God’s word” in these two verses we find that the Lord used the same adversary to tempt King David that He used to tempt Adam and Eve and Job.

2Sa 24:1  And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

1Ch 21:1  And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

The result of this provocation was that 70,000 men died as “the anger of the Lord” was poured out on Israel through the agency of Satan, who, as “an evil angel, was sent among them” to tempt King David to number Israel.

Who was sent to tempt our Lord?

Mat 4:1  Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Mat 4:2  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Mat 4:3  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

If we are “as He is in this world” would not we also be tempted by “the tempter… the devil?

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

How are the seven last plagues of God’s fierce wrath administered upon us all in our own time? Is it not the same for all? Here are the verses that answer both of those questions respectively:

Psa 78:49  He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

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

What does “All things come alike to all” mean? What that means is that “there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked”, that is what that means. That “one event” includes the seven last plagues of God’s wrath being pour out on the wicked and on the righteous alike, in the day when we are all “made wicked for the day of evil” which comes to us all alike, and in the day when mankind will live by those words which have proceeded out of the mouth of God.

Satan comes to us with great wrath, but as we have seen in Job, Satan is nothing more than “thy hand”, and like all of us, Satan has no wrath except as it is given Him from God:

Job 1:11  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Job 1:12  And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Joh 19:11  Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Let’s summarize what we have seen here: “the Lord Himself tempts no man…” Satan is specifically called “the tempter”, is called “God’s hand”, and God ‘casts the fierceness of His anger, wrath and indignation and trouble, by sending evil angels among us’. What does it all mean? What it all means is “… the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time”. That is why this chapter is placed between the introduction of the seventh trumpet in Rev 11, and the revelation that the seven plagues of the seventh trumpet fill up the wrath of God against our ungodliness and unrighteousness in chapter 16.

… because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

The scriptures reveal that the time of our trials really is nothing more than “a small moment” and “a little wrath”. I know from experience that what God calls “a small moment” seems like an eternity when it is being endured, but as the example of our Lord demonstrates, it is only after God has forsaken us for that “small moment” that we will be raised up to sit with Him in the heavens as He has been raised to sit with His Father in His throne in the heavens.

Isa 54:7  For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Isa 54:8  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:

Rev 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

Have you and I ever lived these “words which have proceeded out of the mouth of God [in this] revelation of Jesus Christ”?

Who among us has not felt defrauded, lied to, played for a fool and robbed of the fruit of our efforts by men who at best were deceived and in many cases were proven charlatans. And who among us has not to some degree been embittered when we discovered that all our lives have been wasted by a woman who is nothing more than a great harlot, who despises her true Husband and despises His words. Here is what Satan does in us to “the woman” at that moment, with the power he gives to the beast in the horns upon that beast:

Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

What we are being told here is that this woman who is bringing forth this manchild here in chapter 12, is the same harlot woman we discover here in chapter 17. Do you doubt that God’s “man child” comes out of “the woman which… is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth”? Here is the scripture which tells us from whence come the Lord’s people. Speaking of this same woman, we read this:

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

As redundant as it is to do so, we must remind ourselves that the only way to avoid death is to first die, the only way to see is to first be blind, and the only way to be healed of our sickness is to first be sick.

Mat 10:39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Joh 12:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Joh 9:39  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Joh 9:40  And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

In like manner, if there is anything we should be learning about living by every word of God, all things being ours, and keeping the things written in this prophecy, is that the only way to come out of Babylon, is to be in Babylon. The only way to avoid partaking of her sins is to confess that we ourselves have been the chief of sinners, and the only way to avoid receiving of her plagues is to fulfill within ourselves the seven plagues of the seven angels.

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

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

It is because the spirit of Babylon is still in us that we, as the ten horns on the beast, turn on the woman and “burn her with the fiery” words of God of which we, as carnal babes in Christ, have only recently become aware.

It is we who persecute the woman who brought forth the man child, and we do so as we are coming out of her, because the ten horns that burn her with fire are us as “carnal… babes in Christ” who, in our immaturity, are bitter toward a woman who has deceived us and has taken advantage of our ignorance.

Where do the beast and his ten horns get their power?

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

By giving the beast his power, it can rightly be said “when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child”.

Summary

We have seen that this twelfth chapter, as well as chapters 13, 14 and 15, are all introductory and preparatory chapters to the revelation of the seven plagues of the seventh trumpet, which was first mentioned in chapter 10.

Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

We have seen once again that when “the mystery of God is finished” we will finally realize that “all things come alike to all, that all things are ours, things present and things to come”, and that it is we who are instructed to “keep the things written in this book”. So we have seen that we are first the woman who brings forth this man child before we are made to become this man child who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron.

We have seen that “all the nations” within us must be subdued to the mind and thoughts of our Lord, before we will be found worthy to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection. We must “bring every thought into subjection to God” before we will be entrusted to rule the nations of this outward world or judge angels in the lake of fire.

We saw that our “strength and salvation” comes through our recognition that Christ died for our own sins, and through our testimony to that effect, and our willingness to die to the things of this world to obtain life in the next age.

We have seen that the “war in heaven” of this chapter is the same “warfare” spoken of by the apostle Paul in 2Co 10:4-5, and the “casting down of the accuser of our brothers” is nothing more or less than “the casting down of imaginations and every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” spoken of by Paul in these same verses.

2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

That is the “casting down of the accuser of our brothers.”

We saw the three different verses in the New Testament which specifically speak of “our Lord and His Christ”, and we saw that we are our Lord’s Christ, and the salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God and the power of His Christ is NOW. It is in down payment form through “the spirit of promise”, but nevertheless the salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God is ours here and now.

We saw that the strength we are given gives us power and dominion over the power of the dragon who gives our beast his power over us with all his sinful desires within us. We have seen that sin no longer has dominion over us, because God, through Christ in us, no longer imputes sin to us because we have “suffered in the flesh” with Him.

We have seen that the short time given the dragon to persecute the woman is the time he spends trying us, because we saw where Job reveals that Satan is nothing more or less than God’s own hand, to create the wicked man for the day of evil.

Job 1:11  But put forth thine hand now [Lord], and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Job 1:12  And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

We also saw that the wrath given to Satan to persecute the woman is the same wrath God gives Satan to pour out “the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels” among us because “these things are all ours”.

Psa 78:49  He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

Finally we saw that the dragon’s persecution of the woman is accomplished through us, as the ten horns who agree to give their power to the beast we are at that time and upon which the ten horns are found. We do this at the time we, as carnal babes in Christ, are coming out of Babylon, because we are not yet mature enough to appreciate the fact that all the lies and all the hypocrites of Babylon are nothing less than an integral part of “His wonderful works to the children of men”.

Next week, Lord willing we will finish this twelfth chapter and we will see what it means for this woman to be in the wilderness, and we will learn how the dragon goes about “casting water as a flood out of His mouth, to cause the woman to be carried away of the waters.” We will also see how the earth can help the woman by swallowing up the flood, and we will see what happens when the dragon is “wroth with the woman”.

Rev 12:14  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Rev 12:15  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Rev 12:16  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Rev 12:17  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

]]> Rev 12:10-13 – Part 1 – Now Is Come The Kingdom https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/rev-1210-13-part-1-now-is-come-the-kingdom/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rev-1210-13-part-1-now-is-come-the-kingdom Fri, 20 Dec 2024 05:12:03 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=31644 Audio Download

Rev 12:10-13 – Part 1 – Now Is Come The Kingdom

[Study Aired Dec 20, 2024]

Rev 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev 12:12  Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Rev 12:13  And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child].

This carnal physical realm was created to be the enemy of God and God is a worthy opponent of this realm of corruption:

Exo 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

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

1Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Remember as we begin this study, that chapters 12-15 are all interjected, with good reason, between the introduction of the seventh trumpet and the revelation of what that seventh trumpet is. The reason these chapters follow the introduction of the seventh trumpet in:

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

…The reason is the seventh trumpet is the pouring out of the seven last plagues which fill up the wrath of God upon all of our ungodliness and sins, “and no man can enter into the temple of God until the seven plagues of the seven angels is being fulfilled” in that man’s life. Let us never forget that it is the overcomers who will “keep the things written in this book”. Chapters 12, 13, 14, and 15, are one and all concerned with and are an integral part of the seventh trumpet:

Rev 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

These are called “the seven last plagues” because they fill up the wrath of God against all unrighteousness and ungodliness within each of us.

It is not given to the multitudes of Christianity to see and understand these mysteries of the kingdom of God. Keeping those mysteries hidden from the multitudes of Christianity is the very function of all of Christ’s parables:

Mat 13:10  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them [the multitudes] in parables?
Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mat 13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, 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.

How few it is who are given to see and understand that ‘all things come alike to all… all things present and to come are ours, and all of ‘man[kind] shall’… live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’:

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.

In these verses concerning the woman and the manchild here in Revelation 12, the Lord is showing us to ourselves as we are when we first begin to realize that Babylon is not the true body of Christ as we were once led to believe it was. It is in these verses that we learn both to hate the doctrines of Babylon as the doctrines of the great harlot, and it is in these verses that we also come to realize that Babylon with all her false doctrines is still an essential and integral part of coming to be a part of the true body of Christ. But just as the law of Moses is so often mistaken for the law of God, so too, those who subscribe to that law of bondage are easily mistaken for the body of Christ. The Truth is that when we were in Babylon we hated the doctrines that Christ taught, doctrines like… “love thine enemies… turn the other cheek… resist not evil”, etc.

Here is a section of scripture which comes as a bombshell for anyone who is not aware that the titles of ‘believer’ and ‘disciple’ are not necessarily referring of a true ‘believer’ nor a true ‘disciple’ any more than the words ‘bread from heaven’ refers to the “true bread from heaven”.

Joh 8:30  As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33  They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed [‘We are Christians’], and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Joh 8:37  I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.[We reject His Doctrine]

Joh 6:30  They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
Joh 6:31  Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Joh 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

So chapters 12-15 are interjected between the introduction of the seventh trump and the revelation of the pouring out of the seven vials or bowls of God’s wrath, which are that seventh trumpet, in chapter 16, because we, as carnal babes in Christ, abide in God’s wrath as long as we “believe not” and as long as we act in any manner which demonstrates our lack of faith. These chapters show us what we are as we are shedding these vessels of clay through the process of decreasing our old man as Christ in us increases. This twelfth chapter also concerns the revelation of a great red dragon who is identified as our first spiritual father (Joh 8:44), “that old serpent the devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world”:

Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
Joh 8:44  Ye [Jews who believe on Me but do not do the things I say, Luk 6:46] are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

This chapter is also concerned with the woman who “brings forth a manchild who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron”. Therefore this chapter will involve both of those parts of our walk. We will see behind us that part of our walk which finds us as this woman, out of whom God’s elect, pictured by this “man child” must come, and then, Lord willing, we will see ourselves as this “man child” who is seated in the heavens in Christ.

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Rev 12:5  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Is this ‘man child’ speaking of Christ Himself? Inasmuch as it is He who does the overcoming, and the ruling with a rod of iron through us… Yes. This “man child” signifies all of the Lord’s people who all “come out of her”… come out of Babylon.

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

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

But the emphasis here is on “Our Lord AND His Christ, because we are Christ’s Christ, and the word ‘Christ’ means ‘anointed’:

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

2Co 1:21  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

There are two verses which specifically tell us that we ‘uihos’, adult sons, who are presently seated with Christ in the heavens, and we will be “sitting with Christ in His throne”:

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

It is very instructive that even though we are told that the dragon seeks to devour the ‘man child… as soon as He is born’(Rev 12:4), the Greek word translated ‘child’ in Rev 12:5, is ‘uihos’, meaning a mature son, as opposed to the Greek word ‘nepios’, which means an infant or a toddler. This “man child” signifies the Lord’s elect who have matured to the point of being prepared to “rule all nations with a rod of iron”.

Rev 12:5  And she brought forth a man child [G5207. ‘uihos’], who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Here is who this ‘man child’ signifies:

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

We saw last week that the man child who comes out of the woman is “caught up to God and to His throne, while the woman herself, who brings Him forth, flees into the wilderness where she has a place “prepared of God” where she is “fed of God” for 1,260 days, or three and one half years. Those who are not “seated with Christ in the heavens” (Eph 2:6), are of necessity being “fed of God” in a “place prepared for them” with “manna from heaven” which is “not that true bread from heaven”, but is rather bread from God which does not give life, but which does produce “carnal… babes in Christ”:

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The Lord loves and provides for both the righteous and the wicked:

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.

Here is why the woman who brought forth the man child is not caught up unto God and to His throne with the manchild who came out of her:

Num 14:22  Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

This ‘woman’ signifies the unfaithful wife of our Lord and this is what she does within us even as He is in the process of delivering us from our own bondage to sin:

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.

The woman being taken to the wilderness signifies us as we rebel against our husband, Christ. Yet that rebellious part of our walk is as much a work of God as our coming out of her and becoming her man child and being caught up to God and to His throne.

“All things are of God”:

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Four times in the first four verses of 1Co 3, we are taught that there is such a thing as “carnal… babes in Christ” and as always, these are words which we each must be the first to live and keep, before we are capable of becoming mature sons of God, a man child [G5207, ‘uihos’, a mature son]. No one who is “under the law” is a spiritually mature son:

Gal 4:1  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child [G3516, ‘nepios’, an immature toddler], differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Gal 4:2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

There is only one set of “statutes… and judgments” given by God to Israel in the Old Testament, and according to Christ they were not “the true bread from heaven” (Joh 6:32). Peter calls those statutes and judgments “a yoke which neither we nor our parents could bear”.

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

Paul in the very next verse of Galatian 4 is so bold as to call them “bondage under the [weak and beggarly, vrs 9-10] elements of the world”

Gal 4:3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

It is with good reason that the woman is not “caught up to God and to His throne.” There is a very big difference between being in the wilderness, in “a place prepared of God”, and being seated with Christ in the heavens. The story of Israel coming up out of Egypt is a forerunner of us coming up out of Babylon, thinking that being Abraham’s spiritual seed makes us immediate spiritual adults, while in reality we are still spiritually “children… in bondage under the elements of the world”. Here is what we all first do according to Hosea, and here is what we must do according to the revelation of Jesus Christ.

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.

Rev 12:5  And she [the carnal “church in the wilderness”, Act 7:38] brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Rev 12:6  And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

None of this will ever make any sense to us until we learn that it “is all ours, things present and things to come… every word… of the things written therein”. It is our own “old man” who is consumed by God’s wrath, and it is our infidelity and forsaking of our God as our rightful husband, which made us the harlot we once were, while we were still “in the wilderness”. It is while we are “in the wilderness” that we are still struggling against all the false doctrines instilled in us while we were in Egypt, the forerunner of Babylon. While this wilderness experience is where we learn how to approach God and how to worship Him, it is also where we rebel against Him ten times, and it is “in the wilderness” that we “abide in His wrath”and we begin to experience the pouring out of His wrath upon our sins and our “ten rebellions”.

Num 14:22  Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
Num 14:23  Surely they [our own ‘old man’] shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

Exo 32:10  Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

2Ki 22:17  Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.

We are in no condition to be fighting a “war in the heavens” while we are yet in the wilderness. This is all given us, in type, in the account of Israel’s rebellions against God even as He was calling them out of Egypt.

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.

The only child who has never rebelled against His Father is Christ:

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The adversary makes certain that the Lord is aware of this fact:

Rev 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

In this verse we have gone past God’s wrath and we no longer abide in it (Joh 3:36). This is one of three verses in the New Testament where we see this phrase “the Lord and His Christ”.

Act 4:26  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

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

Rev 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

“The casting down of the accuser of our brothers which accused them day and night” signifies that we have at long last been given the dominion over sin in our lives.

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

Rom 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

But as the story of King David demonstrates, the ‘sword’ of the Lord’s chastening grace will always be in our house. After being given the throne of Israel, King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, and murdered her husband to cover up his adultery and the Lord chastened and scourged him all “for our admonition” (1Co 10:11). That all happened to King David “and it is written for our admonition”, to show us that His chastening hand will minister to us, even as those who are seated with Christ on His throne in heaven (Eph 2:6). When we need God’s chastening, it will always be there, and the pain of that chastening will always bless us. It is because He loves us that the sword of His word will never depart from us even after we are no longer “abiding in His wrath”.

2Sa 12:10  Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

Psa 118:23  This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

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

Until we can see ourselves as “chief of sinners”, no better than a Pharisee who looks down on the publican, we will never understand what the Lord meant by telling us that “man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Mat 4:4 and Luk 4:4). The few chosen will be those who acknowledge that even after being placed on the throne of Israel, they can and will commit sins which will demonstrate that “all things are theirs, things present and things to come, all are theirs” (1Co 3:21).

But in this verse of Rev 12 we have gone beyond abiding in God’s wrath, and have been given salvation, strength and a kingdom. The “inheritance… of the purchased possession” is yet to come, but we are already an older son, and we have been granted strength and have been given dominion over sin in our lives.

1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

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

Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

What does “free from sin” mean? Does it mean we are no longer in corruptible flesh? Absolutely not, and yet we can truly claim that “sin no longer has dominion” over us because:

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

That is what “ceased from sin” means, and the Lord knows those who have “suffered in the flesh… for His name’s sake”. That is those who are always being “accused by the accuser of our brothers”, the great red dragon. It is out of their heavens that the great dragon has been expelled, and they are now free to serve their God and to suffer with their Lord as He carries on “His wonderful works to the children of men”.

Psa 107:24  These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
Psa 107:25  For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
Psa 107:26  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Psa 107:27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
Psa 107:28  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:29  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psa 107:30  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psa 107:31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The “they” of this verse is the Lord’s Christ, and the “him” of this verse is the great red dragon, that old serpent called the devil and Satan.

This has nothing at all to do with physical warfare, and all who take up a physical sword have at that moment lost any hope of overcoming their enemy. The weapons of the Lord’s Christ are not carnal, but are powerful to the “pulling down of strong holds” which no physical sword can reach.

2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

“The power of the Christ of our God” by which they overcome the great red dragon and cast him out of heaven is “by the word of their testimony”, and by the fact that they value spiritual life over this physical life. “They loved not their lives unto death” tells us that Christ’s Christ is willing to die with Him instead of spitting on His doctrine while claiming to be fighting for Him.

Mat 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
Mat 26:52  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

“All they that take the [physical] sword shall perish with the sword”, which proceeds from the mouth of the Lamb.

Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Rev 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

This is the sword that will outlive and destroy every other sword which comes against it. This is the weapon of choice of our Lord with which He wages war.

Exo 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

We will pause here and continue our study of the spiritual significance of this woman and her man child son in our next study.

]]> Rev 11:5-6, Part 1 – The Power Of The Two Witnesses https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/rev-115-6-part-1-the-power-of-the-two-witnesses/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rev-115-6-part-1-the-power-of-the-two-witnesses Sun, 20 Oct 2024 09:01:11 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=30970 Audio Download

 

Rev 11:5-6, Part 1 – The Power Of The Two Witnesses

[Study Aired Oct 20, 2024]

 

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.
Rev 11:6  These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Introduction

In our last study we learned that the two olive trees signify the same thing signified by the “four beasts”, the “four cherubims”, and the two candlesticks. They, one and all, signify Christ within His elect who are destined to be kings and priests who will rule with Him over the kingdoms of this world for a thousand years followed by the judging of all men of all time at the great white throne judgment.

If we were to take these verses at face value as the natural man does, then they would be telling us that if any man attempts to hurt God’s elect, “fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies, and must be killed in this manner”, and furthermore God’s elect also have the power to “shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy, and they have power over waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will.”

The producers of the movie ‘Left Behind’ presented all of this as literal, physical events with literal fire coming out of the mouths of the two witnesses, killing those who would do them harm. It is the mantra of most seminaries that if any prophecy can be taken in a literal sense, then that is the way to take it. That is the doctrine which produced the film entitled ‘Left Behind’ in which the two witnesses literally breathed fire upon their enemies and killed them, literally!

But wait a minute. How can God’s elect do any of these things as His witnesses with the testimony of Jesus Christ, considering the very doctrines of Christ teach the very opposite of what we have just read?

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;

Remember how disgusted Christ was with James and John when they wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village which had refused to accommodate them for one night:

Luk 9:51  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
Luk 9:52  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
Luk 9:53  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
Luk 9:54  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Luk 9:55  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of [The spirit of the law of Moses].
Luk 9:56  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Didn’t His apostles teach the very same doctrine of loving our enemies? Here is what Paul taught.

Rom 12:14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Here are John’s own words in His first epistle:

1Jn 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1Jn 4:21  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

The Truth is that no one in whom Christ has taken up His abode would ever think of “killing his enemies with [literal] fire”. Nor would he ever even think of literally “smiting his [neighbor or his enemies] with all plagues” or literally “turning his [neighbor’s] water into blood”.

It is obvious, considering the sum of God’s Word (Psa 119:160), that those who have been given eyes that see, and ears that hear the hidden wisdom of God, will understand that these two verses are not to be understood as outward literal statements. This is a book which has been signified, with signs and symbols of things which are intended to be ‘kept’, and inwardly “kept” by those who are given to “read, and to hear, and to keep the things which are written and signified in 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.

Only those who are sincerely asking, “How do I personally “live by every word” (Mat 4:4), and how do I personally “keep the things written therein” (Rev 1:3)”, will have any hope of understanding how God’s two witnesses can burn up their enemies within, with the armies of the nations within, with fire from their mouths. Only the few chosen will be granted to understand how the Lord’s witnesses can “smite the sinful earth within, with all plagues, and turn the waters within, into blood, and still love their enemies and do good to those who persecute them”.

What then is the meaning of…

The symbols of these two verses?

The symbols of verse 5 are: 1) if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of the mouths of God’s two witnesses, and 2) and they kill those who would hurt them with the fire from their mouths.

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.

The symbols of verse six are: 3) the two witnesses have the power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy, 4) to turn waters to blood, and 5) to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Rev 11:6  These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

So let’s begin by asking, What is the spiritual meaning of…

1) If any man will hurt them fire proceeds out of their mouth?

Here is the Biblical definition of what is being discussed when scripture speaks of fire in one’s mouth.

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

This is the exact same wording we find in:

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.

That is the ‘manner’ in which their enemies are “killed”. They are killed with the words of God, in the mouths of those who are faithful to those words. “In this manner…”  is not at first an outward statement for any man. Remember this admonition at the very beginning of this prophecy:

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.

True servants of the Lord are never violent nor vengeful:

2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

If we are to “keep those things which are written therein” then it is we who first “oppose ourselves”, and who place ourselves in opposition to the words of Christ. If we see ourselves only as ‘the two witnesses’ with the fire of the Lord’s words in our mouths and do not take these words as an admonition against our own self-righteous and rebellious ‘first man Adam’, then we are no better than the self-righteous Pharisees who asked Christ if He considered them to be spiritually blind:

Joh 9:39  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Joh 9:40  And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

The message for all of us in John 9, is that we are all born spiritually blind by default:

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

If we are granted to see ourselves first as the wood, hay, and stubble fuel for the fire of the Lord’s words, then we can confess that we really are born spiritually blind, and are by nature fuel for the fire of the Lord’s words which burn up our wood, hay, and stubble, and will kill our rebellious, self-righteous, old man, then in time through that dying process we will be born again as Christ’s fire-breathing two witnesses having “kept [all] the things written therein” (Rev 1:3).

No “servant of the Lord”, no “disciple indeed” would ever literally kill anyone with literal fire coming from their mouths. Only the most spiritually blind would fail to remember that this prophecy is a “signified” prophecy, designed to be kept a secret from the multitudes who come to Christ (Mat 13:10-15). Far from literally killing anyone, this is the doctrine of Christ and His apostles:

2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2Ti 2:26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

So when you hear a “great man of God” say “The first thing I’m going to do at the resurrection is walk up to Adam and punch him in the face”, you should be able to discern that this is not “the gentle, meek… servant of the Lord” that Paul is speaking of here. Yet that is a word for word quote from the mouth of a big name minister with a mega church in Houston, Texas, here is the United States.

“The gentle… meek servant of the Lord” remembers that it is not someone else who was first taken by the snare of the devil. “That man” (2Sa 12:1-10) was you and me. It is we who first withstand the words of Christ, then it is you and I who later, after we repent, we become those who “instruct those who oppose themselves” to the words of Christ and are taken in “the snare of the devil.” As a repentant sinner we have no interest in being anything but “gentle unto all men… that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil”.

If we allow ourselves to forget for one moment the fact that God’s kingdom comes first within and that we “live by every word” (Mat 4:4), and that we are commanded to “keep the things written” in this prophecy (Rev 1:3), then we will automatically do what the natural man always does, and think of ourselves only as the two witnesses, and we will see ourselves only as those with the fire in our mouths devouring our enemies. But the truth, which is the sum of God’s word, is that “all these things must come to pass in this generation”, and that they are “all ours”.

Psa 119:160  The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever. (ASV)

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

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

Like the spiritually blind Pharisees, until we are given to see that we are all first spiritually blind, then we will remain as spiritually blind as those who want to harm the Lord’s elect. If ever we are granted to see our own culpability, only then are we granted the privilege of becoming the Lord’s elect who are being hurt by the men of this world. So it is with all the symbols of verse 6 of this 11th chapter of Revelation, and with the rest of the symbols of all scripture.

The only way to know how any of the eight different symbols of these two verses are to be understood is to remember how we are instructed to view this prophecy at the very beginning of this book. As we have so often said, the first three verses of chapter one are the key to understanding this entire prophecy. Here are those verses:

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

If we fail to apply those verses to our understanding of the words of our study today, we will be forced to ignore and to violate the doctrine of Jesus Christ who told us to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us.

Luk 6:27  But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Luk 6:28  Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Seeking to harm God’s two witnesses is something we all, as natural men, do and keep within our own selves when we reject and withstand the words of God’s witnesses. We do and keep these words, by rejecting those who first bring to us this witness of God’s fiery, spiritual, purifying words.

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.

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

So it is we who first persecute and “hurt” God’s elect, because we are all “first natural” before we, by God’s grace, become those same elect witnesses who are on the receiving end of this “hurtful… daily dying” experience which is “written therein”. This is all us because “all things, things present and things to come, are all are ours”:

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

Those two verses of 1Co 3 never made sense to me when I believed that there was a physical “place of safety” for God’s elect where the things written in this prophecy could be avoided. Those two verses cannot make sense to anyone who believes in any form of exemption from the things which are written in this prophecy because “things present and things to come” would certainly include these “things which must shortly come to pass”, of which we were told in the first chapter of “the book of prophecy”, “All [these] things… are ours… to read, hear, and keep”.

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.

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

None of us are born believing on Christ, so we really are “shapen in iniquity, conceived in sin” with “the wrath of God abiding on us”, as we “hurt” God’s two witnesses.

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

2) The two witnesses kill those who would hurt them with the fire from their mouths

So here we are as the first man, as the natural man. It is these words which pronounce us as dead and kill us. The apostle Paul agrees with the apostle John.

1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1Co 15:48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course [Greek, aion, age] of this world [Greek, kosmos, world], according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation [Greek, way of life] in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Col 3:5  Mortify [“kill”, Rev 11:5] therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Col 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Col 3:7  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

“Afterward that which is spiritual”:

Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
1Co 15:31  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

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

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, [We have been killed by the fire in the mouths of the two witnesses] and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Those verses overlap, but we are first to see ourselves as “children of wrath, even as others… having walked… as children of disobedience” before coming to be “dead and buried with Christ… killed” by the fire that proceeds out of the mouths of the two witnesses.

To those in Babylon, we are said to be “the smell of death” and not even worthy of being buried.

2Co 2:16  To the one [the many called of Babylon] we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? [“but Christ { who} lives in me”]

Rev 11:8  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Rev 11:9  And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Isa 1:21  How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers [of the two witnesses].

1Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

“Three days and an half” and three and one half years or “a thousand two hundred and threescore days”, here in this same chapter, “are one” just as the cows and the corn in Pharaoh’s dream “are one”.

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, [three and one half years] clothed in sackcloth.

Gen 41:26  The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.

We will pause our study at this point and continue with the significance of these two verses in our next study.

 

]]> Zec 5:1-11 Ye are Cursed with a Curse: for ye have Robbed Me https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/zec-51-11-ye-are-cursed-with-a-curse-for-ye-have-robbed-me/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=zec-51-11-ye-are-cursed-with-a-curse-for-ye-have-robbed-me Thu, 29 Jun 2023 22:37:16 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=27859

Zec 5:1-11 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me

[Study Aired June 29, 2023]

Babylon is “cursed with a curse” because they have robbed God, and what they have robbed Him of is a life of dedication and fidelity to His word, which is impossible to accomplish without God’s spirit within us (Rom 8:9). It’s ridiculous to think that we could actually rob God of anything, seeing He owns everything (Psa 50:10). Mankind’s thieving ways demonstrate the spiritual condition of our hearts which are naturally against the spirit of God (Gal 5:17). With such a nature, we will rob and take that which is not ours to take, as demonstrated from the very get-go with Adam and Eve, but again these outward actions in the garden just demonstrate how we naturally misappropriate God’s word inwardly (Gen 3:6, Rom 1:20).

Gal 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

Gen 3:6  And when the woman [typifying the spirit of the churches of Babylon] 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 [demonstrating our need to be under the law of Moses at first, the schoolmaster, which the tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents until we are dragged to the tree of life representing Christ (Joh 1:17, Rom 3:20, Rom 7:7)].

Zec 5:1  Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
Zec 5:2  And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
Zec 5:3  Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
Zec 5:4  I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. 
Zec 5:5  Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. 
Zec 5:6  And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. 
Zec 5:7  And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. 
Zec 5:8  And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. 
Zec 5:9  Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. 
Zec 5:10  Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
Zec 5:11  And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base. 

This section of Zechariah specifically shows us how we naturally go into Babylon, and only by the grace and faith of Christ, ‘come out of her my people’ (2Co 6:17). The imagery of a flying roll (Zec 5:1) and two women with the wings of a unclean bird called a stork, demonstrate how at first we carry the lies of Babylon throughout all our earth within, and outwardly we are all initially witnesses of another Jesus whose false gospel is made known, loud and clear from the abundance of our deceived hearts throughout the world. This is done via the churches that have been given power to do that. Those churches of Babylon are represented by the two women that have wings of a stork (Zec 5:9) and the flying roll is the word of God they bring to the great unwashed masses (Zec 5:1).

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

We all must first go into Babylon, and by God’s great power be dragged out of her, presenting our bodies a living sacrifice through Christ (Rom 12:1-2) which is what the book of Malachi points to. Christ and His body are the means by which we will overcome all the lies that have been perpetrated by the devil throughout the years, in the land of Shinar (Zec 5:11), which represents the place where Mystery Babylon, the mother of harlots, thrives. The place where we ‘come out of her’ to be caught up to God in heaven is by the power of Christ in His people that is far higher than the powers and principalities that ruled us in Babylon; the wings of the unclean stork (Rev 12:5, Eph 2:6, Eph 1:19-21).

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

Rev 12:5  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 

Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, [What the greatness of his power toward us produces  (Col 4:5-6, Jer 23:24, 1Th 5:16-18)]
Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Zec 5:1  Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

Right after we learn of the two witnesses who witnessed against Babylon (Zec 4:12-14), Zechariah says “then I turned.” This action of Zechariah turning symbolizes for God’s people that we know who we are, as our function in the Christ is to witness of these things (Luk 24:48), being those who observe and see and understand the lies that we’ve come out of by the grace and faith of Christ (Eph 2:8), which is what Zechariah’s statement “then I turned” typifies. 

Luk 24:48  And ye are witnesses of these things.

It is a lifelong journey coming out of Babylon and cleansing our heavens as we are sanctified by the spirit of God. We don’t turn once, say a ten-second sinner’s prayer and it’s all over. Rather we keep turning where the Lord would have us go to be His witnesses of these things in the earth, our whole life that has many seasons which concludes in our turning to dust again (Joh 17:17, Joh 6:63, Ecc 3:20). All that process of turning and seeing who we are, or where we were, is prophesied for us in Ezekiel 21:27 which shows us what God is doing with our old man who will be abased so that a new creation can increase and come forth (Eze 21:26-28).

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

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.

Eze 21:26  Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high [take off the false way by which you misappropriated the word of God, which can only happen through a process of judgment symbolized by the three overturnings].
Eze 21:27  I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him [Rev 4:10, Luk 17:10].
Eze 21:28  And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering: 

With this in mind, we see the prophet Zechariah, who represents the elect turning and lifting up his eyes and looking and beholding a flying roll. That roll is not another gospel. It is the word of God (Gal 1:5-7), but it is wrapped around the idol of carnal hearts that naturally pervert the truth manifesting in a divided Christ. There are two gospels flying around in the heavens – one that is coming from the manifold wisdom of God made known by the church (Eph 3:10), and another that is a “flying roll” filling the world with lies, and must be overcome in our own heavens (Rev 9:2-3, Rev 12:14, 2Pe 2:19-20). 

Gal 1:5  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Gal 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 

Rev 9:2  And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 
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 12:14  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle [the same symbolism as the unclean stork], that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent  [for an in-depth description on this symbolism, see Mike’s studies on Revelation 12, Rev 12:1-5 and Rev 12:14-17 in particular].

2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 
2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

The negative smoke rises from the pits of Babylon (Rev 9:2) that we come out of, and the positive smoke ascends up to God “with the prayers of the saints” (Rev 8:4). A  review of the word rollH4039 will help us see the negative and positive use of this word. 

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

Rev 8:4  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

In Zechariah it represents the negative way in which we use God’s word at first in Babylon. In every instance it is talking about something that is written down, and more specifically, the word of God which is likened to the ephah in Zechariah 5:10. This “roll” talked about in the book of Zechariah is the word of God as Psalm 40:7 attests to in its use of this Strong’s number. What does a thief do but rob you of your possessions, which is what Babylon does with the words of God that are carried on unclean wings, the stork, that represents the carnal mind which can’t rightly divide the word of truth (Lev 11:13, Lev 11:19).

Zec 5:10  Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephahH374?

BDB Definition: Definition: a. a dry measure of quantity; b. the receptacle for measuring or holding that amount 

Strong’s Definition: an ephah or measure for grain; hence a measure in general

Psa 40:7  Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volumeH4039 of the book it is written of me, 

BDB Definition: Definition: 1. roll, book, writing 

Strong’s Definition: From H1556; a roll: – roll volume. 

Zec 5:2  And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.

The roll’s dimensions, “the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits”, reveals that this is the word of God that is going forth, actually ‘flying forth’ in the heavens of mankind, typifying what God’s quick and sharp two-edged sword of His word (Heb 4:12) can and will ultimately accomplish against the flesh of all mankind. It will not go forth in vain, and it will accomplish that which God has sent it out to do, and will not return void (Isa 55:11). What God has sent it to do is witness [2×10 = length of 20 cubits] against the flesh of mankind [10 cubits = breadth of 10 cubits] via a process of judgment [20 cubits + 10 cubits = 30 cubits], each man in his order (Isa 26:9, 1Co 15:22-27).

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

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Zec 5:3  Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.

When the word goes forth, it is the light which reproves the darkness of our heart and shows us that we have stolen from God, “for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it“; and we have sworn falsely by God’s word as well, “every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.” The very subject of Malachi chapter three is about the curse that is upon all flesh for not being able to present our bodies a living sacrifice to God (Mal 3:8-9). When we try to gain our own salvation only knowing Christ after the flesh, we are crucifying Christ afresh by not seeing our need to follow Christ’s exemplary not substitutionary sacrifice by filling up what is behind of His afflictions for His body’s sake in our own lives (Col 1:24). That is when our old man becomes cursed in the positive sense as we are given to read, hear and keep the sayings of the prophecy (Rev 1:3), being crucified with Christ, our flesh being cursed for hanging on that tree of life, Christ, as our new man is blessed to now live by the faith of Christ (Gal 2:20, Deu 21:23).

Mal 3:8  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 
Mal 3:9  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 

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

Deu 21:23  His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Zec 5:4  I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

The word of God comes forth into our lives, and then it begins its work of convicting us of our thieving ways, our falsehoods and lies, and it “shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.” This is all telling us that when we defile the temple of God, He will destroy the first temple with the timber and stones thereof and make it anew in the Potter’s hand (1Co 3:16-17, Jer 18:4). These are prophecies Zechariah is seeing of what God is going to do to all the world, each man in his own order, and for God’s elect today they reassure us of God’s power to burn up the wood, hay and stubble so that, Lord willing, we will go onto perfection on the third day, if He will permit (1Co 3:12-13, Heb 6:3).

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

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Zec 5:5  Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. 
Zec 5:6  And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. 
Zec 5:7  And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.

The angel of the Lord, who is talking to Zechariah, provokes him to love and good works in type and shadow by telling him “Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.” Zechariah, who represents the young babe in Christ, says once again “What is it?” and the angel of the Lord who represents the church tells him, this is the word of God that is going forth into the whole world via the churches of Babylon, “This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth” (Php 1:15-19).

Php 1:15  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 
Php 1:16  The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 
Php 1:17  But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 
Php 1:18  What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. [“This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth“]
Php 1:19  For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

The ephah is the measure of grain that goes forth from God’s hand (Mar 4:14), and it goes out to this woman who represents Babylon who is in the midst of it, and it is “a talent of lead” that is being lifted up, which is a base metal representing all that the world can get out of God’s word, without the discerning spirit of God within them, or the trials of God that burns away those base metals and purifies the precious stones God is creating within the elect (Mal 3:17-18).

Mal 3:17  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 
Mal 3:18  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Zec 5:7  And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
Zec 5:8  And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. 

The woman who represents Babylon is “cast into the midst of the ephah.” That ephah represents the measure of God’s word which has “the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.” The word of God is a curse to our old man while under “tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father” (Gal 4:1-7). The lead cast upon the mouth thereof is the law for the lawless and disobedient of (1Ti 1:9) under which we all must be until our mouths are purified with fiery trials that take us from the basest of metals, lead understanding, to precious words that have been purified in the fiery trials of life by which we are received of God (Isa 6:6-7, 1Pe 1:7, Heb 12:6). The lead covers the mouth of this basket which has the woman and the ephah within it, symbolizing how the word of God is closed off through spiritual blindness from Babylon for an appointed time (Mat 13:10-11, Rom 11:20,  Rom 11:30). 

For an in-depth look at this base metal, please read Mike’s study on Lead. Here are a few excerpts: 

Gal 4:1  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 
Gal 4:2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 
Gal 4:3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 
Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 
Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 

Isa 6:6  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 
Isa 6:7  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Zec 5:9  Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephahH374 between the earth and the heaven. 

The dream is one principle applies here (Gen 41:25), and the flying roll and the two women with the wings of a stork are telling us the same thing with different details. Zechariah representing the elect who has his eyes open to see in type “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH”, not one harlot, harlots plural, two women flying to witness there are many churches that have gone out with “the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork” representing those who have come out of the sea of humanity and are now “between the earth and the heaven” filling it with every foul spirit, every false doctrine symbolized by them doing this “and they lifted up the ephahH374 between the earth and the heaven.”

When you are between the earth and the heaven and not in the third heaven, representing where God’s elect are raised in heavenly places (2Co 12:2-4, Eph 2:6), then you are at a stage where you are a “beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon” (Rev 13:11). Having the words of God and casting them behind us is what it means to have horns like a lamb, but speak as a dragon. Not resisting evil, condoning war, hating our enemies while saying we are Christians is what must be burned out of all those who are going to be in the blessed and holy first resurrection, and this love toward our enemy is connected to those who are blessed to develop “the patience and faith of the saints” (Rev 13:10)

2Co 12:2  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2Co 12:3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 
2Co 12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 

Rev 13:10  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Rev 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 

Zec 5:10  Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?

When we start seeing the hypocrisy in Babylon, we start seeing it in ourselves as well, and we start asking questions like, “Why do these churches “bear the ephah”?” We learn that Babylon, who is represented by the court in the temple, has been sacrificed for our sakes to do the heavy lifting of bearing the ephah so that the word can go forth to all nations, thus a few chosen out of those many called can emerge by God’s grace (Mat 22:14, Eph 2:8-9).

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

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

Zec 5:11  And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of ShinarH8152: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

What these two women with the stork wings do is fly into “the land of Shinar“, which is another word for Babylon, where they establish their own righteousness “upon her own base” which is where we all go at first (Php 3:9). 

Only the Lord can build the true spiritual house (Psa 127:1) so building “an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base” all represents our own righteousness, our many wonderful works which are really just a house build upon sand, and we have talents buried within the earth (Mat 7:24-27). When we operate in our flesh, we are cursed and robbing God of His glory that can and will be manifest in those who are blessed to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” knowing it is “God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Otherwise our talents are just being buried in the earth (Php 2:12-14).

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

Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: [Rev 1:3, Psa 127:1] 
Mat 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

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

]]> Zec 4:1-14  “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/zec-41-14-not-by-might-nor-by-power-but-by-my-spirit-saith-the-lord-of-hosts/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=zec-41-14-not-by-might-nor-by-power-but-by-my-spirit-saith-the-lord-of-hosts Thu, 22 Jun 2023 19:32:42 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=27813 https://www.dropbox.com/s/24jhjp0k67gxeh8/20230622-Study_TonyC-ByGodsSpirit.m4a?raw=1

Zec 4:1-14  “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts”

[Study Aired June 22, 2023]

Zec 4:1  And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 
Zec 4:2  And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 
Zec 4:3  And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 
Zec 4:4  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 
Zec 4:5  Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 
Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Zec 4:7  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
Zec 4:8  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 
Zec 4:10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Zec 4:11  Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 
Zec 4:12  And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 
Zec 4:13  And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 
Zec 4:14  Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

We have to go back to Zechariah 3:6 to understand that this is the same angel of the Lord who represents the body of Christ who is going to come to Zechariah to spiritually awaken him, “as a man that is wakened out of his sleep” in this first verse of chapter four. The angel visiting us typifies the body of Christ that is come to us if we are dragged to Christ and His body in this age (Joh 6:44, Col 1:24, Eph 5:30) “to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.“

The church is the first to know and understand these mysteries which have been hidden from the world for the purpose that, in time, all will see “what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ”. Ultimately the entire world will be awakened out of their spiritual sleep, and there is an order to that awakening of humanity starting with God’s elect (2Co 4:14-18) who are represented by Zechariah, who is going to be shown these mysteries which were not for his sake but for ours (Eph 3:9-10, Psa 8:4, 1Co 15:22-26, 1Co 10:11, 1Pe 1:12). 

2Co 4:14  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you [“wakened out of his sleep“]. 
2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes [1Co 10:11, 1Pe 1:12], that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 
2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day [Zec 4:1 “wakened out of his sleep“]
2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory [Rom 8:18]; 
2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen [“hid in God” of Ephesians 3:9]: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

This mystery of our relationship with Christ is only made possible “by the faith of him” (Eph 3:12) and revealed “by the church” and likened to our physical marriages in the earth (Eph 5:27-33, Eph 1:17-23) of which Christ is the Head. Our Father, who is Christ’s head (1Co 11:3), states of this relationship which we have with Him and Christ, that it is “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” (Eph 2:10, Joh 17:3)

Eph 3:12  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them [how we walk in them (Rom 1:17)].

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent [3Jn 1:4].

These words of the apostle Paul found in Ephesians 3:9-12 are foundational thoughts upon which the following statements he makes are founded in Ephesians 3:13-21, and they reflect for us the strength and power God can give to those whom He has purposed to be His witnesses in this life by His power and not ours (Rev 11:3, Zec 4:6). This fourth chapter of Zechariah reveals, in type and shadow imagery, the means by which God is going to bring this relationship with Christ and His bride to its predestined conclusion in the first resurrection, and how His strength will be made perfect through those who are given to overcome in this age, not by might nor by power but by God’s holy spirit (Zec 4:6).

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

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

Zec 4:1  And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 

These verses (1Co 15:33-34, Eph 5:13-16) confirm to us what the spiritual meaning of being woke up by the angel means:

1Co 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 
1Co 15:34  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 

Eph 5:13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light [1Pe 4:17]: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light  [It is through that reproving that the light of Christ is made manifest (1Pe 1:7, Mat 25:7-9, Rev 3:18, Heb 12:6)]. 
Eph 5:14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 
Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil [Psa 90:12]. 

We have the example of Paul who was a messenger or angel of God sent to awaken the church to the righteousness of Christ. It is with the light of God’s word that we are awakened to Christ’s righteousness, and if God’s spirit is within us and being stirred up (2Pe 3:1, 2Ti 1:6-7) then we will be that light to one another in the body of Christ, and to all men, each joint supplying in love what the other needs (Gal 6:2) in order to have spiritual vision (Pro 29:18) which is given to those who receive that light and don’t reject it (Eph 4:16, Joh 1:10-12, Joh 3:19-21). 

2Pe 3:1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2Ti 1:6  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind [Zec 4:6].

Joh 1:8  He was not that Light [John the baptist], but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 
Joh 1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world [Act 17:28]. 
Joh 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not [The camp of Israel can  symbolize the world that knew him not]. 
Joh 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not [The Jewish religion of his day typifies the churches of Babylon – “He came to his own” – that reject the true gospel message of Christ today  (Isa 3:1)]. 
Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power (Rev 11:3, Zec 4:6) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [believed on his word [“his name” (Pro 22:1)] in order to do the work of God as His witnesses (Joh 6:28-29)]

Zec 4:2  And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 
Zec 4:3  And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 
Zec 4:4  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 
Zec 4:5  Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 

Zechariah can describe the vision he had, just as Pharaoh could describe the dreams that are found in Genesis 4:1-7, but it took Joseph, a man of God who typifies those who have God’s holy spirit within them, to interpret the dreams that are one (Rom 8:9, Gen 41:12, Gen 41:15-16, Gen 41:25). 

Gen 41:12  And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.

Gen 41:15  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. 
Gen 41:16  And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. 

In the same manner as the Ethiopian eunuch who, when asked if he understood what he was reading declared, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” (Act 8:31), so, too, was Zechariah’s humble answer to the angel that talked to him, “Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.” (Psa 69:32, Mat 18:4, 1Pe 5:5)

Act 8:31  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

1Pe 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Zechariah looked and what he saw was “a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof” which represent the body of Christ that Christ is in the midst thereof (Rev 1:4, Rev 1:11-13). 

Rev 1:11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 
Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 
Rev 1:13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

We are told there is “a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it“, which candlestick represents the elect of God who have been tried in this life to become a candlestick made of pure gold that continues to be tried and purified (Act 14:22, 1Pe 4:12,  Mat 25:7-13) so that we are able to provide light to the house of God and be a light in this dark world (Php 2:15, Mat 5:14-16) because of the store of God’s word, which is spirit (Joh 6:63) found in our heavens, our minds, which are set on things above (Col 3:2). Our sufficiency is in Christ (2Co 3:5) who is our Head, represented as “a bowl upon the top of it” atop the candlestick the body of Christ (Rev 11:4).

There are “seven pipes to the seven lamps” and they are “upon the top thereof“. The seven pipes represent the complete church, each joint that supplies (Eph 4:16) what is needed for the building up of the body of Christ in love, and the pipes run to the “seven lamps” that represent where the whole store, or the complete (7) “stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water” of Isaiah 3:1 is obtained, “upon the top thereof“, meaning from the Giver of every good and perfect gift from Jerusalem above, the “the Father of lights” (Jas 1:17, Gal 4:26).

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Zec 4:7  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 

In the physical event “in the second year of Darius” (Zec 1:1), it was the prophets Haggai and Zechariah who “prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel” to stir them up, with Zerubbabel and Jeshua leading them, “to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem” (Ezr 5:1-2) (after being stalled by their enemies – see Ezra chapters 1 and 4).

Ezr 5:1  Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. 
Ezr 5:2  Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

Here in Zechariah 4:6, we are told that it is “the LORD of hosts” who speaks to Zerubbabel via the angel of the Lord. As mentioned at the beginning of this study ‘the angel of the Lord’ here is a type of those who have Christ’s spirit in them as their hope of glory within (Col 1:27). It is therefore they who are able to confidently answer the question, “Who can make war with the beast”? (Rev 13:4), which is the same question being asked here, “Who art thou, O great mountain?” The answer to the question is the same in both instances, and it is Christ in us who will save us by grace through faith (Eph 2:8, Rom 7:24-25). 

Our old man will be abased through our trials and much tribulation in this life and so it is written, “before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plainH4334…”

Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 
Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straightH4334, and the rough places plain: 
Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Isa 42:15  I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. 
Isa 42:16  And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straightH4334. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Psa 143:10  Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightnessH4334.

…and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.“ (grace said twice, as a witness of it being Christ who is doing the work in us as “the head-stone“ – Php 2:12-13, 1Co 11:3).

Christ is our cornerstone, or “head-stone” (Job 38:5-6, Isa 28:16, Eph 2:18-22) as translated in the KJV and many other versions (AFV, AKJV, BBE, Cepher, CLV, Darby, EWB, EJ, EVI, ERR, GEN, IH+, IAV, JST, JUB, LBP, LOT, NSB, RNK, REB, RV, WCB, WoY). However, it is instructive to also look at other translations of these combined Strong’s numbers H68 H7222 that make up the english words “head stone”

“capstone” – HNV, ISV, LITV, NET, NAA, NWT, TLV, TS, VW, WEB
“top stone” – ACV, ASV, ESV, JPS, JPA, LEB, LSV, MKJV, YLT
“topmost stone” – GW, ULB, UPD
 “first stone” – COV, MST, TRC
“most important stone” – CEV, ERV, NIRV
“stone of inheritance” – Brenton, CTB, CAB, ABP+
“chief stone” – DRB
“keystone” – NJB
“stone of the main architect” – JPT
“crowning stone” – LHB
“last stone” – GNB

Job 38:5  Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 
Job 38:6  Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 

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. 

Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 
Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The favor or grace we are receiving in this age in advance of all the world “with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it” is to decrease through the chastening grace of God, the much needed tribulation in our lives so we can become abased, “a plain“, and Christ in us can increase, “he shall bring forth the headstone.” If we endure that process, it will be something God will make possible through Christ (Rom 5:10, Php 4:13), preparing the bride to begin to work with the nations of this world who are represented by mount Esau, another “O great mountain” which will be judged by the same measures by which we have been judged in our lives (Oba 1:21, Eze 43:10).

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

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

Eze 43:10  Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. 

Zec 4:8  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 

In Babylon we separated Christ from His body all the time and considered that Zerubbabel was Christ alone and not His body, just as we considered “THE BRANCH” to represent only Christ and not Christ working within His own body. It is with that faulty mindset that we miss the incredible promise being made to those who have eyes to see it, and that promise is that Christ will build the church through the body stated this way, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.” It is the LORD of hosts who is doing the work within us as we move with fear and work out our own salvation knowing it is Christ working mightily in us to this good end (Heb 11:7, Luk 12:5). We are filling up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ for His body’s sake, the church (Col 1:24), and we are filling up the second half of Christ’s ministry as the scapegoat, and second dove, represented by the two witnesses who complete the ministry of Christ (3.5 years Christ’s ministry, and 3.5 years with the two witnesses who represent the ministry of the church in this life (Rev 11:3), which adds up to that complete ministry of seven years.)

Zec 4:10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

We all have despised the day of small things at our appointed time, and grow into a greater and greater appreciation of how we must possess our souls patiently as we fill up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ (Luk 21:19). In doing that, our joy will increase as Paul said, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Col 1:24). 

This parable in Matthew 16:2-3 says the exact same thing. We have trials our whole life, the red skies in the morning part of our life and the red skies in the evening part, but at the end of the day (Joh 11:9) in the evening we rejoice having filled up what is behind of Christ’s affliction and see those red skies at that point in our life as a great indicator that we are truly more than conquerors through Christ, who are going to be blessed and delighted to rule and reign under our LORD. “When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red” is the confirming message that those who are enduring through this life in Christ should take from our Lord’s parable regarding sailing conditions, that also concluded with another parable that assures us that this prior parable is speaking about what is happening within the body of Christ (Mat 16:4).

Mat 16:2  He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
Mat 16:3  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Mat 16:4  A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. 

God’s elect are typified by “those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth“, and the earth is the church that has to go through a process of judgment now in order to grow to maturity (Jer 22:29). The “plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven” represents the word of God within the church, the words of eternal life that are used like a “plummet” to measure us up to the fullness and stature of Christ (Eph 4:13-14). The plummet must be “in the hand of Zerubbabel” who typifies those who have the mind of Christ who do not think above what is written (1Co 4:6). It takes the “hand of Zerubbabel” and “the eyes of the LORD” that run to and fro through the “whole earth” (Jer 22:29) to accomplish the complete judgment of Christ’s body so we can enter into the temple of God (Rev 21:9, Rev 15:8).

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

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

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

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

If we are blessed to endure until the end of this life and be found in Christ (Php 3:9), then God will use us to begin that process of judgment in the earth through the thousand-year reign of the saints (Rev 20:6). That symbolic period of time is the same as saying ‘O earth, earth, earth’, or 10x10x10=1000, or flesh, flesh, flesh, hear the word of God, hearing without understanding at first (Luk 6:46), the learning of righteousness (Isa 26:9), but no actual change with the inward man, seeing those waters that fill the earth have not yet been tried in the lake of fire which will sanctify the rest of humanity at that appointed time unto conversion (Hab 2:14, Rev 20:10).

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

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Zec 4:11  Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
Zec 4:12  And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 

Zechariah is being shown the source of what empowers and surrounds God’s elect on the left and right (Eph 1:1, Rom 8:28), “two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof.” That empowerment from God makes our predestined calling in Him possible as it gives us the ability to carry out His will in this manner, “with power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (Zec 4:6, 2Ti 1:7). That is the unction (1Jn 2:20) typified for us with the two witnesses in chapter eleven of Revelation that also represents the church, the body of Christ (Rev 11:3, Php 2:12-13).

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

2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

1Jn 2:20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 

Rev 11:3  And I will give power [1Jn 2:20] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 

Zechariah asks the question again “I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?” This asking a second time reminds us that it takes Christ’s life in us as the true witness to keep us in that state of mind which is questioning, ever searching and coming to the knowledge of the truth (Mat 6:33) by the grace and faith of God. We are olive branches (Zec 3:8) that have been grafted into Christ (Rom 11:23-25) who is the vine (Joh 15:5), and our function as a body is described as “two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves.” The olive oil represents the spirit of God which He gives to His children that is distributed through Christ’s life in us, represented by the “two golden pipes” (Col 1:27), and each joint operates in the measure of faith God gives, as His love is shed abroad in our hearts. That is how the church empties “the golden oil out of themselves” (Rom 12:3, Rom 5:5).

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

Zec 4:13  And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 
Zec 4:14  Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. 

Zechariah, who is a type of the elect, is asked by the angel of the Lord, “Knowest thou not what these be?” which reminds us of Paul’s question to the Corinthians, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1Co 3:16-17) 

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

Then the angel of the Lord speaks plainly and tells him “These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” Only Christ in us can stand as we’re given His spirit, the very faith of Christ, so that we may “stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” That standing before the Lord is only possible because of the anointing given to the “two anointed ones” representing the body of Christ (Rev 11:3, 1Jn 2:19-29).

1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1Jn 2:20  But ye have an unctionG5545 from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1Jn 2:21  I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 
1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 
1Jn 2:23  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
1Jn 2:24  Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father [Heb 6:3]. 
1Jn 2:25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life [Joh 17:3]. 
1Jn 2:26  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 
1Jn 2:27  But the anointingG5545 which ye have received of him abideth in you [Col 1:27], and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointingG5545 teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him [Joh 16:13]. 
1Jn 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; (Joh 8:31-32, 1Ti 6:12) that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 
1Jn 2:29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

]]> The Book of Romans – Part 2, The Just Shall Live by Faith https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-book-of-romans-part-2-the-just-shall-live-by-faith/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-book-of-romans-part-2-the-just-shall-live-by-faith Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:04:10 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=27823 https://www.dropbox.com/s/6hcbwtnhg7i9rb5/20230620-Study_AaronL-RomansPt2-JustLivebyFaith.m4a?raw=1

The Book of Romans – Part 2, The Just Shall Live by Faith

[Study aired June 20, 2023]

Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 
Rom 1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 
Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 
Rom 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 
Rom 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 
Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 
Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

In these verses from Romans 1:9-17, the apostle Paul continues his introduction to the Romans and expresses his deep concern and heartfelt longing for the believers in Rome. He begins by affirming that God is his witness, as he serves with his spirit in the declaration of the gospel of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Paul’s commitment to sharing the good news is evident as he mentions the believers in Rome without ceasing in his prayers.

Paul expresses his desire to visit the Roman believers. He desires to strengthen their faith and establish them firmly in their walk with God. His intention is not merely to satisfy personal curiosity or fulfill a casual desire, but rather to impart a spiritual gift to them. 

1Co 12:1-11 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Although Paul had intended to visit Rome on previous occasions, he was hindered thus far. Nevertheless, his purpose remains steadfast: to bear fruit among the believers in Rome, just as he had done among the Gentiles in other places. Paul recognizes his debt to all people, whether Greek or Barbarian, wise or unwise, emphasizing his obligation to spread the gospel to every person, without distinction.

In verse 16, Paul boldly declares his unwavering conviction in the power of the gospel. He proclaims that he is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the very power of God that brings salvation to all who believe. This message of salvation is not limited to a specific group but extends to both Jews and Greeks. It is through faith in Christ that this power is revealed, and it is through faith that the righteous shall live.

Verse 17 further expounds on the righteousness of God, which is unveiled through the gospel. The righteousness of God is made known from faith to faith, indicating a progression and deepening of faith. Paul references the Old Testament, quoting the prophetic words, “The just shall live by faith.” This serves as a foundational truth, emphasizing the significance of faith in our lives as believers.

In these verses, Paul’s deep love for the believers in Rome. His longing to visit them, share spiritual gifts is driven by his understanding of the power of the gospel and the righteousness of God revealed through faith. These verses set the stage for the message of Romans, highlighting themes of faith, the power of the gospel, God’s righteousness, and the universal reach of salvation.

The phrase “The just shall live by faith” is mentioned at least three times in scripture. Three signifies the process of spiritual completion through judgment. Paul’s message to the Romans is a message to the elect of God firstly and extends to all men in the ages to come. We as the elect are given to seek judgment now so that our process of spiritual growth will cause us to become a king and priest in the kingdom of heaven. Faith is the only way we will complete this process and this faith is not of our own but a gift of God.

Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

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

Rev 1:4-6 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

The above verses emphasize the theme of salvation by faith, rather than through our works or us follow the law. They highlight that true righteousness and a self-sacrificing life in God are not achieved through personal actions or self-righteousness. Instead, they emphasize the transformative power of faith in God and His regenerative work.

The righteous find life by living in faith and trust in God’s provision, not in our own abilities. Salvation and justification come solely through God’s grace, received as a gift by faith, and are not based on our efforts or boasting. These verses convey the essential truth that righteousness, justification, and a disciplined life in God are obtained through faith alone, emphasizing the central theme of salvation by faith in the face of God’s righteous judgment and the insufficiency of our works.

Galatians 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Philippians 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.

Galatians 3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Mark 8:34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This self-sacrificial life is a response to the grace of God and is characterized by presenting our bodies as living sacrifices to God. It is through faith in Christ that we are united with Him, crucified with Him, and transformed to live a new life in Him. The grace of God disciplines us, causing us to live a godly life.

Tit 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching [chastening] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1 Corinthians 11:32: But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

1 Timothy 1:20: Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.

Hebrews 12:6-7 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives. It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.

Revelation 3:19: Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

Even our Lord suffered in the flesh, setting the example for us to follow.

Act 26:22-23 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Let’s read our featured verse again.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Living by faith, according to Scripture, living with a deep trust in God, reliance on His promises, and obedience to His Word. It involves having complete confidence in God’s faithfulness and actively applying His principles in our daily life. Here are a few Scriptures that highlight the concept of living in faith:

Heb 10:31-39 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Hebrews 11:6: And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

These verses show how important faith is in our lives as believers. Living in faith means trusting in God’s goodness, relying on His promises, and showing our faith through obedience and good actions. It is an active and life-changing way of living that recognizes God’s control and depends on His guidance. Being obedient to the Law of Christ and expressing love for His body is the only way we will rise in the first resurrection.

John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.

Paul’s message to the Romans is a message of love. It is not the love of the world as taught in Babylon. The love we receive from the Father through Christ is filling up the afflictions in our bodies that are left behind of Christ. We will live a life of being hated by those who hate the doctrine of Christ and because we will not participate in the affairs of the world.

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

Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

2Ti 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 
2Ti 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Here are our verses for our next study:

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 
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: 
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

]]> The Book of Jeremiah – Jer 29:15-32  They… Have Spoken Lying Words In My Name https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-book-of-jeremiah-jer-2915-32-they-have-spoken-lying-words-in-my-name/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-book-of-jeremiah-jer-2915-32-they-have-spoken-lying-words-in-my-name Sun, 23 Jan 2022 02:59:24 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=25117 https://www.dropbox.com/s/gwq9210ro7sjpp8/20220123-Study_MikeV-LyingWords.m4a?raw=1

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

[Study Aired January 23, 2022

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

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

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

2Th 2:1  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, [We are made to realize that we are in bed with the great whore.] and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; [Our man of sin is revealed only after we acknowledge we are in bed with the great whore.]
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. [sitting on the throne of David]
2Th 2:5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6  And now ye know what withholdeth [G2722: katecho, hold back] that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [G2722: katecho, hold back]will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [that they need not go into Babylon nor fulfill the seven last plagues]
2Th 2:12  That they all [the “old man” in “every man”] might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jer 29:10  For thus saithH559 [H8804, Qal Stem] the LORDH3068, That afterH6310 seventyH7657 yearsH8141 be accomplishedH4390 [H8800, Qal Stem] at BabylonH894 I will visitH6485 [H8799, Qal Stem] you, and performH6965 [H8689, Hiphil] my goodH2896 wordH1697 toward you, in causing you to returnH7725 [H8687, Hiphil] to this placeH4725.

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

Here is the TVM definition of Hiphil:

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

Rev 15:8  AndG2532 the templeG3485 was filledG1072 [G5681, aorist tense] with smokeG2586 fromG1537 the gloryG1391 of GodG2316, andG2532 fromG1537 hisG846 powerG1411; andG2532 no manG3762 was ableG1410 [G5711, imperfect tense] to enterG1525 [G5629, aorist tense] intoG1519 the templeG3485, tillG891 the sevenG2033 plaguesG4127 of the sevenG2033 angelsG32 were fulfilledG5055 [G5686, aorist tense].

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

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

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

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

Rev 16:17  And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
Rev 16:18  And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth [Psa 107:27 – “wits’ end”], so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Rev 16:19  And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
Rev 16:20  And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Rev 16:21  And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

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

Rev 16:17  AndG2532 the seventhG1442 angelG32 poured outG1632 [G5656, aorist tense] hisG846 vialG5357 intoG1519 the airG109; andG2532 there cameG1831 [G5627, aorist tense] a greatG3173 voiceG5456 out ofG575 the templeG3485 of heavenG3772, fromG575 the throneG2362, sayingG3004 [G5723, present tense], It is doneG1096 [G5754, perfect tense].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No true prophet of Christ ever sets dates:

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

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

Mat 26:52  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deu 18:20  But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
Deu 18:21  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
Deu 18:22  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

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

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

2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [G430: anechomai, hold oneself up against] him.

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

Jer 29:15  Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;
Jer 29:16  Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
Jer 29:17  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jer 29:15  Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;
Jer 29:16  Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
Jer 29:17  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
Jer 29:18  And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christ words are spirit:

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

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

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

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

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

Deu 18:15  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
Deu 18:16  According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
Deu 18:17  And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
Deu 18:18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Deu 18:19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Deu 18:20  But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
Deu 18:21  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
Deu 18:22  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

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

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

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

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

Here are the verses for next week’s study:

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

]]> The Book of Kings – 1Ki 4:1-21 Every Good Gift and Every Perfect Gift is from Above https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-book-of-kings-1ki-41-34-every-good-gift-and-every-perfect-gift-is-from-above/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-book-of-kings-1ki-41-34-every-good-gift-and-every-perfect-gift-is-from-above Thu, 02 Sep 2021 21:53:44 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=24293 1Ki 4:1-34 Every Good Gift and Every Perfect Gift is from Above
[Study Aired September 2, 2021]

1Ki 4:1  So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
1Ki 4:2  And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
1Ki 4:3  Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
1Ki 4:4  And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: 
1Ki 4:5  And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king’s friend:
1Ki 4:6  And Ahishar was> over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.
1Ki 4:7  And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.
1Ki 4:8  And these are their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:
1Ki 4:9  The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan:
1Ki 4:10  The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:
1Ki 4:11  The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
1Ki 4:12  Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
1Ki 4:13  The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:
1Ki 4:14  Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:
1Ki 4:15  Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
1Ki 4:16  Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth:
1Ki 4:17  Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:
1Ki 4:18  Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:
1Ki 4:19  Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead, in the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer which was in the land.
1Ki 4:20  Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
1Ki 4:21  And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
1Ki 4:22  And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
1Ki 4:23  Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
1Ki 4:24  For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
1Ki 4:25  And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
1Ki 4:26  And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
1Ki 4:27  And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon’s table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. 
1Ki 4:28  Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
1Ki 4:29  And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
1Ki 4:30  And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
1Ki 4:31  For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
1Ki 4:32  And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
1Ki 4:33  And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
1Ki 4:34  And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

The title of our study comes from the book of James and notice the surrounding admonition, “Do not err, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

We err knowingly or unknowingly when we don’t acknowledge God’s sovereignty and the order of the gift of salvation that will be given to all men, each man in his own order (Eph 2:8). With God there is no “variableness, neither shadow of turning” meaning there are no ‘do overs’ in God’s plan. The books have been written and are unfolding as they were predestined to unfold (Psa 139:16 [ASV], Rev 20:4, Rev 20:12).

God’s elect will drive the beasts out of the temple of mankind (Joh 2:15) during this ‘thousand year’ period (Rev 20:6), and that temple represents where we worship our idols or God (Rev 20:6, 1Co 3:16). The true worshippers know that driving beasts out of a temple and overturning tables does not fill the house with true worship but actually only sets the stage for seven spirits worse to enter in once Satan is loosed for a season (Mat 12:29, Mat 12:43-45, Rev 20:8). So, the ruling and reigning under Christ is what typifies the part of that process which tells us all of humanity must have their false doctrines spoiled, represented by the unclean spirit that is driven out in Matthew 12:43-45. However, it is only in the lake of fire that Satan’s influence upon humanity, along with all false worship, will finally come to an end because of the new creation formed through those fiery judgments that will justify people in the name of the Lord and by the Spirit of God (Joh 4:23, 1Co 6:11, Mat 23:39).

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

Mat 23:39  For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

This section of Kings is all about how the fatness of the land will increase during the period of time when God’s elect will rule for a symbolic thousand years. The number 1000 in the one thousand-year reign is significant in that it points to the flesh and the initial process of judging the world with a water baptism that will be followed by fiery a baptism which will occur in the lake of fire or great white throne judgment (10x10x10=1000).

The seed that is planted during the thousand-year period will bring about many wonderful works in the flesh, but the true spiritual fruit of those seeds will come to maturation in the great white throne judgment when true Godly repentance will be granted when all yet carnal-thinking beings will come to acknowledge the sovereignty of God and how without God’s spirit within us we naturally take credit for the works that God accomplishes through us, both good and evil. Prior to that repentance, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” This moment is typified in scripture at that point when Joseph’s brothers said we would never do this evil. “And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold? (Jer 25:28) With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen. And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.” (Mat 7:22, Isa 45:7, Pro 16:1, Isa 63:17, Gen 44:7-10, Joh 12:48).

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Joh 12:48  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

All flesh, all carnality must be judged, the self righteousness of mankind, the iniquity that will abound at the end of our age, as it will at the end of mankind’s age during that symbolic period of a thousand years. This is how mankind learns of God’s righteousness, by contrasting it with our own self-righteousness (Mat 24:12, Rev 20:9). That fullness of iniquity, also called the sins of the Amorites (Gen 15:16), must manifest creating the contrast that God uses to show mankind that no matter how well-intentioned we are in our flesh, we just naturally lose our desire to serve God and to be obedient unless the Lord is truly building the house giving us the power through Christ to endure unto the end overcoming self righteousness that will cause the love of many to wax cold (Mat 26:34-35, Mat 26:56, Psa 127:1).

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Rev 20:9  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Mat 26:35  Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Mat 26:56  But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

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

Learning of God’s righteousness happens through the contrast that God creates on the earth. There will be well-intentioned believers when God’s government is established on this earth, as we will see being typified during Solomon’s reign, but even the best of intentions are not the righteousness of God, that good and perfect gift which comes from above, but rather is the good that we think that God accepts when in fact it is those very acts that will witness against us and will be our own words which judge us if we are not judged in this life now. This experience of evil shows us that no one can continue in the truth, or abide in the truth, unless they are dragged to Christ (Mat 7:22, Joh 12:48, 1Co 11:31-32, Joh 8:31-32, Joh 6:44).

Joh 12:48  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

1Ki 4:1  So king Solomon was king over all Israel.

The corresponding verses in the new covenant are found in Revelation 5:10, 11:15 and 19:16. Solomon will learn one day that Christ is his head, and we have the privilege and honour to know that right now in this earnest relationship (Eph 1:14) which is preparing us to be kings and priests who will rule “over all Israel“, which in this instance in 1 Kings 4:1 represents all the world.

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

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

Rev 19:16  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

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

1Ki 4:2-19 And these were the princes which he had [‘which Solomon had’]… 

Keep in mind as we read through the names of these princesH8269 which Solomon had [1Ki 4:2 princesH8269: “prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain”] in verses 1 Kings 4:2-19 show the principle and first name that is named is “Solomon” whose name means ‘peace’, and for the most part during the time the saints reign on earth there will be peace, but it will be revealed to be the same peace spoken of in Jeremiah 6:14 which is not a lasting peace because it is not founded upon true conversion, which is founded upon Christ (Mat 16:18).

What we’re being shown with this example of Solomon’s reign is that during the reign of God’s saints, the “prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain” of the earth will be under us as these princes were under Solomon, who typifies the elect (Rev 11:15, 1Co 6:3).

The end result though, is always the same regardless of how many miracles people see, how many loaves and fishes are distributed. None of this will bring about the conversion that will only occur at the great white throne judgment. For those of this age, and every other age except for that blessed generation who are judged today, there will be no conversion on the earth (Rev 20:11-15, Mat 23:35-36).

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

1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Mat 23:35  That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Mat 23:36  Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

There are many positive names in the earth in the empire of Solomon as we can see via this large list who are “the princes which he had” (1Ki 4:2-19), and of all these names of which Solomon’s empire consisted, the least in the kingdom of God is greater than those particular names including Solomon and John the baptist themselves (Mat 11:11).

The lesson being shown is that when we are blessed to know God and Jesus Christ, this is eternal life (Joh 17:3) and the only way we can have a peace [Solomon] that passes all understanding is to have Christ rule and reign in our heavens, typified by Solomon who was king over all these princes of men. We are admonished by Christ to know this (Mat 11:11) and at the same time admonished to know that we are unprofitable servants who have only done that which was expected of us through Christ, and that it is the weak of the world that God uses to make His strength perfect through “both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Luk 17:10, 1Co 1:26, Php 2:12-13).

Mat 11:11  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

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

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

1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [not the list we see here in other words which is comprised of many names that are positive and point to that nobility being spoken of in 1 Corinthians 1:26 (1Ki 4:2-19).]

[definitions are from BDB/Strong’s]

1Ki 4:2
SolomonH8010 = “peace”
AzariahH5838 = “Jehovah has helped”
ZadokH6659 = “righteous” From  H6663; just;

1Ki 4:3
ElihorephH456 = “God of winter (harvest-time)” – From H410 and H2779;  God of autumn;
AhiahH281 = “brother of Jehovah (Yahu)”
ShishaH7894 = “Jehovah contends” – From the same as H7893; whiteness
JehoshaphatH3092 = “Jehovah has judged”
AhiludH286 = “child’s brother” – From H251  and H3205;  brother of one born;

1Ki 4:4
BenaiahH1141 = “Jehovah has built” or “Yahweh has built up”
JehoiadaH3077 = “Jehovah knows”
AbiatharH54 = “my father is great” – Contracted from H1  and H3498; father of abundance (that is, liberal)

1Ki 4:5
AzariahH5838 = “Jehovah has helped”
NathanH5416 = “giver”
ZabudH2071 = “given”

1Ki 4:6
AhisharH301 = “my brother sang” – From H251  and H7891; brother of (the) singer;
AdoniramH141 = “my lord is exalted” – From H113 and H7311; lord of height;
AbdaH5653 = “servant of Jehovah” –
From H5647; work;

1Ki 4:7-8  And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision. And these are their names:

1Ki 4:8
The son of HurH1133 (“son of whiteness”) in mount Ephraim: H669 (“double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful”)

1Ki 4:9
The son of DekarH1128 (“son of stabbing”) in Makaz, H4739 (“end”) and in ShaalbimH8169 (“place of foxes” – Plural from H7776;  fox holes) and BethshemeshH1053 (“house of the sun” or “sun-temple”) and ElonbethhananH358 (“oak of the house of grace” – From H356, H1004, and H2603; oakgrove of (the) house of favor)

1Ki 4:10
The son of HesedH1136 (“son of mercy” – From H1121  and H2617;  son of kindness😉 in ArubothH700 (“windows”) to him pertained  SochohH7755 (“bushy” – From H7753 to entwine, that is, shut in (for formation, protection or restraint): – fence. ([make an] hedge [up].) and all the land of HepherH2660 (“a well” – From H2658 or H2659; a pit  or shame)

1Ki 4:11
The son of AbinadabH1125 (“son of mercy”) in all the region of DorH1756 (“generation” – From H1755; dwelling😉 which had TaphathH2955 (“ornament” – Probably from H5197; a dropping (of ointment) the daughter of SolomonH8010 (“peace”) to wife.

1Ki 4:12
BaanaH1195 (“in the affliction”) the son of AhiludH286 (“child’s brother” – From H251  and H3205; brother of one born) to him pertained
TaanachH8590 (“sandy”) and MegiddoH4023 (“place of crowds” – From H1413; rendezvous) and all BethsheanH1052 (“house of ease”) which is by ZartanahH6891 (“their distress” – Perhaps for H6868 –  Apparently from an unused root meaning to pierce; puncture) beneath
JezreelH315 (“God sows”) from BethsheanH1052 (“house of ease”) to AbelmeholahH65 (“meadow of dancing”) even  unto the place that is beyond
JokneamH3361 (“gathered by the people” – From H6965  and H5971; (the) people will be raised)

1Ki 4:13
The son of GeberH1127 (“the son of a man” – From H1121  and H1397; son of (the) hero) in RamothgileadH7433 (“heights” – from the plural of H7413  and H1568; heights (as a seat of idolatry) of “rocky region”) to him pertained the towns of JairH2971 (“he enlightens”) the son of ManassehH4519 (“causing to forget”) which are in GileadH1568 (“rocky region”) to him also pertained  the region of
ArgobH709 (“heap of clods” – From the same as H7263; stony😉 which is in BashanH1316 (“fruitful”) threescore (60) great cities with walls and brasen bars

1Ki 4:14
AhinadabH292 (“my brother is liberal or noble” – From H251 (brother in the widest sense/kin) and H5068 (A primitive root; to impel; hence to volunteer (as a soldier), to present  spontaneously: – offer freely, be (give, make, offer self) willing (-ly)) the son of
IddoH5714 (“His witness” – From H5710; timely😉 had
MahanaimH4266 (“two camps”, a place east of the Jordan, named from Jacob’s encounter with angels)

1Ki 4:15
AhimaazH290 (“my brother is anger [wrath]”) was in NaphtaliH5321 (“wrestling”) he also took BasmathH1315 (“spice” – Feminine of the second form of H1314; fragrance) the daughter of Solomon to wife

1Ki 4:16
BaanahH1195 (“in the affliction”) the son of HushaiH2365 (“hasting” – From  -H2363; hasty) was in
AsherH836 (“happy”) and in AlothH1175 (“mistresses”)

1Ki 4:17
JehoshaphatH3092 (“Jehovah has judged”) the son of ParuahH6515 (“sprout” – Passive participle of H6524; blossomed😉 in
IssacharH3485 (“there is recompense” – From H5375  and H7939; he will bring a reward)

1Ki 4:18
ShimeiH8096 (“renowned” – From H8088;  famous) the son of
ElahH414 (“oak” – A variation of H424: Feminine of H352; an oak or other strong tree and the valley where David killed Goliath) in
BenjaminH1144 (“son of the right hand”)

1Ki 4:19
GeberH1398 (“warrior”) the son of UriH221 (“fiery”) was in the country of GileadH1568 (“rocky region”) in the country of SihonH5511 (“warrior” – From the same as H5477; tempestuous) king of the
AmoritesH567 (“a sayer” – Probably a patronymic from an unused name derived from H559 [A primitive root; to say (used with great latitude)] in the sense of publicity, that is, prominence; thus a mountaineer) and of OgH5747 (“long-necked” – Probably from H5746 [A primitive root; properly to gyrate; but used only as denominative from H5692, to bake (round cakes on the hearth): – bake] round) king of
BashanH1316 (“fruitful”) and he was the only officer which was in the land.

1Ki 4:20  Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

“Judah and Israel were many” is the symbolic language that reminds us that many are called and few are chosen (Mat 22:14), and it is those who are “as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry” who represent the unconverted masses who are not converted during this age and are the elect’s inheritance through Christ “as the sand which is by the sea in multitude“, also reminding us of Abraham who typifies Christ who is the head of God’s elect who find their inheritance in him: “his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself” (Eph 1:9-12, Gen 22:17). God alone can grant us the repentance that leads us to see that we are “Judah and Israel were many“, and in so doing repent of these two lands that symbolize the ‘sick head’ (“Judah” Oholabah) and ‘body’ (“Israel” Oholah) which we all have initially been until we were granted to repent of those harlotries.

1Ki 4:21  And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.

Solomon represents Christ’s elect who rule over a yet carnal world during the thousan- year reign (Rev-20:6) which we know is a symbolic number connected to flesh, and therefore Solomon “reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt“. It will always seem incredulous and impossible to the natural man to believe that God is the one who is ruling “over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt“. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that this is exactly the point being made; that God is sovereign over all flesh whether that person is in an obedient or disobedient state. He sets “the border of Egypt” and works all things according to the counsel of His own will, and in this instance through king Solomon, to accomplish His purpose for all those nations just as He will through the elect who will be prepared as the bride of Christ to accomplish this feat of being the first who trusted in Christ, doing so to the praise of his glory, ruling and reigning over the kingdoms of this world (Eph 1:11-12, Luk 18:28-30, Mat 19:28).

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

Pro 21:1  The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

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

1Ki 4:22-23  And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.

Like God’s elect during their reign under Christ (Rev 20:6), the world of Solomon’s time went through a process of being symbolically fattened up with the word of God: “thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl“. This “provision for one day” reminds us that it is not just any day that is going to bring about a changed and converted heart, but rather the day of the Lord which is when all mankind will be judged in the great white throne judgment. God has been laying up in store in the heavens of His elect so that one day we will be able to provide the spiritual provision that the world will need in the lake of fire, symbolized by these numbers and various food that also have spiritual significance for us: “thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore  measures of meal, Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl“.

1Ki 4:24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from TiphsahH8607 even to AzzahH5804, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.

Solomon having “had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from TiphsahH8607 even to AzzahH5804, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him” is a shadow of the truth that under Christ we will rule with a rod of iron for a season and “on this side the river” because there is a lot more judging yet to unfold on the other side of the river (1Co 6:3). Rivers are connected to life and death in scripture, and as we mentioned, it is the Lord Who is sovereign over the flow and direction of the river of man’s heart (Pro 21:1). So it is with those who are raised in the second resurrection who will be judged with a natural judgment that will precede the spiritual judgment, just as Christ told us all humanity must be baptized with water (natural) and then with the spirit (fire Joh 3:5).

King Solomon’s reign was accompanied with peace, representing a time of natural water baptism (1Ch 22:9) which always precedes the spiritual baptism of fire that must occur to all men who are not in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Rev 2:27, Rev 12:5, Rev 20:6). God’s elect will expose and destroy the false doctrines of this world during that time of rulership. However, anyone convinced of their own carnal will, ‘will be of the same opinion still’ (Jer 13:23, Eze 14:9). To bring about that truth, Satan will be released for a season to move mankind in the direction of that caused rebellion just like Judas who was an early type of that rebellion and betrayal of Christ (Rev 20:7-9, Joh 13:27).

1Ch 22:9  Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days:

These activities were happening in Solomon’s empire, and the word “TiphsahH8607” graphically explains to us what God’s elect will be doing with the false doctrines of this world during that time, knowing that doctrines are represented by children.

Original: u1468  u1505  par – Transliteration: Tiphcach
Phonetic: tif-sakh’
Definition: Tiphsah = cross over

1. a place at the northeast limit of Solomon’s empire; located on the Euphrates river
2. a place in the northern kingdom of Israel which king menahem attacked and where he ripped open all the pregnant women
a. might be the same as 1

Origin: from H6452
TWOT entry: None
Part(s) of speech: Proper Name Location

Strong’s: From H6452; ford;Tiphsach a place in mesopotamia: – Tipsah.

Total KJV Occurrences: 2
•Tiphsah, 2
1Ki_4:24; 2Ki_15:16

The word “AzzahH5804” reminds us that we will rule with a strong rod of iron that will break to pieces the vessels that represent mankind who need to be broken so that they can be made anew in the lake of fire (Rev 2:27, Jer 18:4)

Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

1Ki 4:25-26  And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

Judah and Israel were dwelling safely because of the provision of the king and the safety this empire of Solomon was providing. However having “every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon” creates the perfect breeding ground for self-righteousness without Christ truly ruling and reigning in our hearts. Therefore “every man” was  “under his vine and under his fig tree” symbolizes our own righteousness that manifests greatly when the hedge is not taken down, which is what is meant by “Judah and Israel dwelt safely“. The verses in Micah 4:2-5 allude to this time of judgment as well that was never meant to bring about conversion, all symbolically showing us the spiritual conditions that will be on the earth during that reign (Rev 20:6).

Mic 4:2  And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Mic 4:3  And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Mic 4:4  But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Mic 4:5  For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever [speaking of God’s elect walking in the name of the LORD our God from olam to olam].

Solomon’s empire represents a time of judgment as the name “DanH1835” [“judge“] tells us, but it is a type of water baptism and not the real salvation that is being waited upon which happens in the second resurrection in the lake of fire. “From “DanH1835” even to “BeershebaH884” [“well of an oath“]”, reminds us of the extent of the peace that Solomon’s empire had; a peace which typifies the thousand-year reign where there will be great peace (Isa 54:13) during the rule and reign of the saints, until sudden destruction occurs (1Th 5:3). This is all being accomplished to teach humanity that the only true peace which will ever be found is in the great white throne judgment where true conversion will occur. The expression “Dan even to Beersheba” is a time of judgment that does not have the world seeing they are guilty as God’s elect see themselves guilty of the blood of all the prophets “from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias” (Mat 23:35).

We are reminded that the rulership of Solomon, which was a type of the elect’s reign under Christ (Rev 20:6), was accompanied with “forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen“. It’s true Solomon should not have had those 40,000 stalls of horses, or the 12,000 horsemen as written in Deuteronomy 17:16, but we must remember that God’s elect, which are being typified at this juncture in Solomon’s life, has these horses for our sakes as God seeks an occasion against the flesh of all those who are trusting in the strength of Solomon, knowing him only after his flesh (2Co 5:16) which is all we can do until the holy spirit is given. So even though, Lord willing, we are going to rule one day as spirit beings, the world’s perception of us will be yet carnal, knowing Christ after the flesh symbolized by “forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen“.  This is also akin to Samson taking a wife of the Philistines but his parents did not know that God was seeking an occasion against them through these events, just as God’s elect will be used by God to seek an occasion against the flesh of all mankind (Jdg 14:4).

2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Jdg 14:4  But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

1Ki 4:27  And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon’s table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.

People will be coming down to make sacrifices and offering in Jerusalem to God and Christ and to His elect (Rev 3:9), giving back that which was given to them (1Ch 29:14) at “king Solomon’s table” which represents the table we have, and they have no right to eat at which serve the tabernacle (Heb 13:10). The reason being is that the altar or table that we’ve served is the cross, and the world cannot, as we could not without God’s holy spirit within (Rom 8:9), mortify the deeds of our flesh which is what must occur in order to eat at that table worthily (1Co 11:29).

What we do in our own efforts to please God, he has no pleasure in (Heb 10:6) even though we are outwardly going through the motions. God loves us while we are yet sinners and the provision that he makes for us through this life is shadowed in this statement: “every man in his month: they lacked nothing”. We are reminded through these exercises of sacrifice that God loves us and is already setting the stage in our lives through these physical events that will one day yield great spiritual lessons that will last for all eternity (Mat 5:45).

1Ki 4:28-30 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge. And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

These verses point again to the nourishing of mankind’s beastly nature that brings “Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries”, both unclean animals, being sustained during this time of king Solomon’s reign just as the yet carnal world will be sustained under God’s elect who will create order in the earth, which is what we are being shown when it says people “brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge”.

It will take the mind of Christ within each of us and the direction of our head, Jesus Christ, to accomplish this order throughout the earth which is what these two verses are a shadow of: “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.”

In order to rule all nations under Christ (Rev 11:15) as many “as the sand that is on the sea shore” we will need “understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart” which God has promised to supply for us through Christ (Php 4:19). All of this wisdom won’t puff us up as spirit beings, and we must not let it do that today, remembering that all of these good and perfect gifts given from above are to witness to the nations around us that we are Jesus Christ’s body, and the mind of Christ is only being typified by this statement: “And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.” The “east country” is just the beginning of wisdom, the sun of righteousness (Mal 4:2) that has to rise and course through our heavens and bring us to see that God’s word which is spirit and truth, is the excellency of the knowledge of Christ which is greater than “all the wisdom of Egypt” (1Jn 2:16) dwelling within us as our hope of glory within (Php 3:8, Col 1:27).

Php 4:19 And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

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

1Ki 4:31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.

A comparison is now made between Solomon’s wisdom and how “his fame was in all nations round about” versus the wisdom of these people whose names tell us something about all fleshly wisdom (1Jn 2:16) and how it stacks up against the mind of Christ: “EthanH387 the EzrahiteH250, and HemanH1968, and ChalcolH3633, and DardaH1862, the sons of MaholH4235: and his fame was in all nations round about”. Solomon’s wisdom supercedes the knowledge of all these wise people as it typifies the mind of Christ which is far above all powers and principalities (Eph 1:21).

This list reminds us that “The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s” (1Co 3:19-23). When we know this (1Co 3:19-23) by knowing our Father and Christ (Joh 17:3) it is because we have been given this gift, and again not so that we could be “wiser than all men” and get all puffed up but rather to show us, and eventually all the world, the great contrast between the loving sacrificial mind of Christ versus the mind of the first man Adam (Isa 55:8, 1Jn 4:8, Joh 3:16).

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah.

1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

hese last three verses of our study speak about the fruit of Solomon’s life which is a type of the fruit of God’s mind of love, a love that is shed abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5). When our lives are tried in the fiery trials God has promised us as His elect, we gain something more valuable than all the knowledge of the world; and even just having knowledge of God’s word is not enough if we are not doers of the word who are being received of God through trials which chasten and scourge us (1Co 13:2, Heb 12:6).

It is a lifelong process to become stablished, settled and strengthened in the Lord so we can speak the truth in love (1Pe 5:10, 1Pe 1:7, Eph 4:15-16). God knows that the mind that has suffered for His name’s sake is the mind that can rule under Christ (2Ti 2:12) and that those who lose their life in this age and endure through that suffering will be blessed to save the rest of the world through the gospel of Christ, “for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom 1:16-17).

To do the work of God we must believe that we are those living sacrifices who now “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” as we look “unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” and if God will grant us the faith by which we are saved then that is exactly what we are going to do (Act 20:35, Rom 12:1, Heb 12:1, 1Jn 5:4, Joh 18:9).

1Ki 4:32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

Speaking “three thousand proverbs” is a parable that tells us that the salvational knowledge of Christ, typified by Solomon’s “three thousand proverbs”, requires that mankind goes through a process of spiritual completion which is what three signifies.

His songs were 1000 and 5, and this is a parable in itself telling us that “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue” (1Co 14:19). The multiple of 10 that is in 1000 and 10,000 is the way God expresses the magnitude of the point being made as a number that has been multiplied. Five words represents the words of grace and faith that Paul wanted to speak knowing these were the words of eternal life that we need to hear in order to believe and be saved (Eph 2:8).

1Ki 4:33-34 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

Right after speaking about the knowledge God gave Solomon that typifies the manifold wisdom of God made known by the church (Eph 3:10), Solomon goes on to explain in type and shadow how that knowledge will be used to discern the heart of man which is likened unto trees, and beasts, fish, fowl, and creeping things like beasts of the forest: “And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes”. The “hyssop” reminds us that these words are being spoken through the church as a ministry of reconciliation (2Co 5:18) and healed by his stripes (Psa 51:7). God sends His word to heal us and then He sends us to heal the world with those words (Psa 107:20, Joh 20:21).

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Psa 107:20 He sendeth his word, and healeth them, And delivereth them from their destructions.

Joh 20:21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

God is the one Who gives every good and perfect gift that comes from above and does so for His elect that we might become fishers of men with this “ministry of reconciliation” (Mat 4:19, Mar 1:17) who will have the world drawn to Christ in us, in time (Joh 6:44), typified by this last verse of our study: “And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom”.

Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Mar 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

]]> Gospels in Harmony – The Abomination of Desolation https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/gospels-in-harmony-the-abomination-of-desolation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gospels-in-harmony-the-abomination-of-desolation Tue, 10 Aug 2021 21:01:45 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=24109 https://www.dropbox.com/s/lv5m5px266l74sw/20210810-Study_AaronL-AbominationDesolation.m4a?raw=1

Gospels In Harmony – The Abomination of Desolation

Mat 24:15-28, Mar 13:14-23, Luk 21:20-24

[Study Aired August 10, 2021]

Mar 13:14a But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, 
Mat 24:15 stand in the holy place, 
Mar 13:14b where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,)
Luk 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luk 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Mar 13:15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
Mar 13:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21a For then shall be great tribulation, 
Luk 21:23 and wrath upon this people.
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled,
Mat 24:21b and such as was not since the beginning of the world, 
Mar 13:19b the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
Mar 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24a For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders;
Mar 13:22 to seduce,
Mat 24:24b insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Our last study the disciples asked the following questions:

Mar 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mar 13:4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Christ continues to answer these questions in our verses in this study:

Mar 13:14a But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, 
Mat 24:15 stand in the holy place, 
Mar 13:14b where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,)

Mark 13:4 “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” According to Daniel the prophet, which Christ is referencing, here are the answers.

Dan 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

Dan 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Dan 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

Dan 12:10-11 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

The time and sign is when “the daily sacrifice shall be taken away” and “the abomination that maketh desolate set up”. What is “the daily sacrifice”?

Num 28:1-4 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even;

Two lambs without spot burnt by fire; one in the morning and the other in the evening are the daily sacrifice.

Two lambs without spot burnt by fire represent the witness of Christ and his christs being a sacrifice for the world.

Eph 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

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.

Heb 10:1-18 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

What is “the abomination that maketh desolate set up”? Here is Strong’s definition of abomination.

“The abomination that maketh desolate set up” an idol being placed within the temple of God. Paul explains what this is.

2Th 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

“Let him that readeth understand”. When we are given the ability to recognize that we have been set up in the temple of God and worship ourselves as a god, our understanding begins. First, we are sent into Babylon which is where the daily sacrifice ends by being convinced we have to save ourselves. We were being told that Christ died for us, and there is nothing else that must take place except that you must do “good works” to keep your salvation. Being carnal babes in Christ we do not see the need to be judged and die daily. We believe by doing the rituals of whatever form of “christianity” we believe, it will save us.

Christ continues to tell us what we must see to understand when the time of all these things is near.

Luk 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Jerusalem being compassed with armies spiritually speaking is the people of God being overcome by the false doctrines of Babylon, and any truth that was present is polluted. At this point, idols of the heart control us.

Isa 3:1-8 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.

Everything we thought we had is gone, except we want to use the name of Christ to take away our shame. The problem is we want to have our idols of the heart that Babylon has convinced us are the treasures of God.

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

Psa 79:1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

Next, we are told what to do, where to go and why it is happening.

Luk 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Here is what is written.

Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

This all happens when Christ calls us out of Babylon. As we know, we are first put into Babylon in order to be called out.

Rev 18:1-5 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Next, we are warned, just as Lot was warned, to not return or look back.

Mar 13:15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
Mar 13:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Gen 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

There is nothing in the “house” (Churches of Babylon) that is worthy of keeping. The garments (our righteousnesses) are to also be left behind.

Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21a For then shall be great tribulation…
Luk 21:23 …and wrath upon this people.

These represent the called and chosen but who cannot endure until the end and will be treated as those condemned in the church of Thyatira.

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

Rev 2:18-23 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Only the elect are given to repent of their deeds. Next, Christ explains that the elect during this age will have their old man killed by the sword, the word of God, and will remain in the world until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled,
Mat 24:21b …and such as was not since the beginning of the world,
Mar 13:19b …the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
Mar 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

These days are shortened for the elect by the first resurrection.

Joh 5:25-29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

1Co 15:21-24 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

Once we have been given the ability to “come out of her” we are cautioned to aware of the false Christs and prophets.

Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24a For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders…
Mar 13:22 …to seduce…
Mat 24:24b …insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

We must try the spirits to see if they are of God. The elect cannot be deceived. Christ is not in the desert where there is no water, and he does not hide from His elect.

1Jn 4:1-3 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Here are the last verses of the study.

Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Christ appears in a moment, bright and powerful, and fills our heavens with light. He brings the eagles to devour our old man. As in the story of David and Goliath, our Lord will destroy the abomination of desolation with each of us.

1Sa 17:44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

We will end this study with Psalms 79.

How Long, O Lord?

Psa 79:1-13 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them. We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire? Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed. Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord. So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

]]> The Book of Jeremiah – Jer 15:1-9 I Will Destroy My People, Since They Return not From Their Ways https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-book-of-jeremiah-jer-151-9-i-will-destroy-my-people-since-they-return-not-from-their-ways/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-book-of-jeremiah-jer-151-9-i-will-destroy-my-people-since-they-return-not-from-their-ways Sat, 07 Aug 2021 19:55:23 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=24090 https://www.dropbox.com/s/1cr6vw76grn9o0h/20210808-Study_MikeV-MyPeopleDestroyed.m4a?raw=1

Jer 15:1-9  I Will Destroy My People, Since They Return Not From Their Ways

[Study Aired August 8, 2021]

Jer 15:1  Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
Jer 15:2  And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.
Jer 15:3  And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.
Jer 15:4  And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
Jer 15:5  For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?
Jer 15:6  Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.
Jer 15:7  And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy my people, since they return not from their ways.
Jer 15:8  Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.
Jer 15:9  She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.

Moses and Samuel were as close to the Lord as one could be in the Old Testament. The Lord spoke with Moses as a friend:

Exo 33:11  And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Samuel was the last judge of Israel, and was accepted by all as a prophet of the Lord:

1Sa 3:19  And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
1Sa 3:20  And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

Our study today begins with these somber words of warning:

Jer 15:1  Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
Jer 15:2  And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.

This is the message of:

Rev 22:10  And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Rev 22:11  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Both these prophecies are simply saying:

Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

That is what Christ told us to say when we pray to our heavenly Father. The prophets who prophesy things the Lord did not send them to prophesy do not want to hear a word about the Lord’s judgments upon their “smooth things” prophecies and their lying false doctrines. So, they will not pray as the Lord has instructed us to pray:

Mat 6:5  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mat 6:7  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

“The kingdom of God is within [us]” if Christ is living His life within us:

Luk 17:20  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:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

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

1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Christ never sought to be prominent. He simply sought to please His Father:

Joh 8:49  Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
Joh 8:50  And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

The spirit of a false prophet is without exception a very proud spirit which seeks the recognition and approbation of men. This is what the apostle John had to say about one of the early apostates of the New Testament church:

3Jn 1:9  I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

3Jn 1:10  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

This self-righteous, very proud spirit was at work upon the whole New Testament church before the death of the twelve original apostles. However, God’s judgments are, and always have been, working to demonstrate His power and His judgments upon the kingdom of our old man. We may fool men, but we do not for one second deceive the Lord:

Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

We “who have the firstfruits of the spirit” know that “all things are of God”, including the fact that the Lord “makes us to err from His ways and hardens our hearts from His fear”:

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.

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

The answer to Isaiah’s question, “Why have you made us to err from your ways”, is found in these verses:

Jdg 14:4  But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

Rom 9:13  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated [“being not yet born” vs 11].

Rom 9:14  What shall we say then? Is there  unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
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.
Rom 9:19  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Rom 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Rom 9:22  What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Rom 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24  Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

The Lord is “working all things after the counsel of His own will” to show His wrath against all flesh which was never intended to inherit His kingdom. That flesh prays to Him only to be seen of men, while this is what we are exhorted of the Lord:

Mat 6:8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Mat 6:9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

God’s name is “hallowed” when we acknowledge that He makes us to err from His ways, and then He drags us to Himself, after He reveals to us just how corrupt our flesh is:

1Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Revealing the corruption of our flesh to us is accomplished only through His judgments, and the Lord’s Word reveals that He is right now judging His elect, and He will judge all the rest of mankind at the great white throne judgment.

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?

Christ promised those who followed Him in “this present time” (Rom 8:18), that they would rule and reign with Him in His kingdom on this earth:

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

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

Peter asks, “…what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” Here is the answer to Peter’s question:

Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:  and they were judged every man according to their works.

From these verses we can see that only those who are being judged in “this present time”, will be in “the first resurrection… ruling and reigning with Him a thousand years” (Rev 20:6). Christ called the first resurrection “the resurrection of life”:

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

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God [At “the resurrection of life… the first resurrection”].

When the thousand years are finished, then all the nations rebel against the rod of  iron of  the Lord’s elect, and they are all destroyed by “fire… from  heaven”:

Rev 20:7  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8  And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:9  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. [“The nations in the four quarters of the earth… the number of whom is as the sand of the sea”]
Rev 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever [eons of the eons, the time needed to judge “every man… and angels” (1Co 6:3)].

1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? [‘This present time’ (Rom 8:18)]

All the rest of mankind who are not in “the resurrection of life… the first resurrection”, will be judged in the great white throne judgment/lake of fire/second death. This ‘judgment’ or this ‘death’ is the judgment of all whose names were not in the book of life. This ‘death’ is the second group to die to their old man, just as we are doing in “this present time… judgment… on the house of God” (1Pe 4:17). All whose names are in the book of life, are being judged “in this present time”, and we will rule with Christ for a thousand years. All the rest of mankind will be judged in the lake of fire/second death at the white throne judgment. This is “the end of them that obey not the gospel of God” (1Pe 4:17).

The ‘fire’ of the ‘lake of fire’ is the same ‘fire’ which “will try every man’s works, [including] “the house of God [of] this present time”:

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is [“Every man” in both resurrections and in both judgments… will be tried by the ‘fire’ of the Word of God (Jer 14:5). The judgment which “is now on the house of God” and the judgment of the “great white throne/lake of fire/ second death”, is effectuated by the same ‘fire… (but) each in his own order” (1Co 15:23)].
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward [“Rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years… judge angels [at the great] white throne judgment”].
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss [Miss out on “the marriage supper of the Lamb, a crown of life which entitles him to rule with Christ a thousand years and then “judge angels” in the great white throne judgment/lake of fire/second death]: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The scriptures go overboard to inform us of the fact that God is in the process of saving “all in Adam”. Here are but a few of the verses which boldly state this irrefutable Truth:

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

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

1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially [not ‘exclusively’] of those that believe.

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Self-righteous mankind would rather make God out to be a hate-filled monster, who will burn his adversaries in eternal torment, than to acknowledge:

Ecc 1:13 I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it.

1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

It is argued by those who are under the influence of the lying spirit of “free moral agency” that the word ‘will’ in 1 Timothy 2:4 would be better translated as ‘desires all men to be saved”. The argument is that our fabled ‘free will’ is capable of thwarting what God desires for us. If we were to agree that the word ‘desire’ would be better, what then do we make of this verse of scripture?

Job 23:13  But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

Later the Lord reveals just how deeply His sovereignty extends into His relationship with His creatures:

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

“The preparations of our heart”, the forming of a thought is “from the Lord”, and a couple of verses later this depth of His sovereign work with mankind is again proclaimed:

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

“All things… even the wicked” are made for the Lord’s “experience of evil” which He has given us to humble us before Himself. This truth relieves us all of a very great burden which is based upon the lie that God has given mankind a will that is free from any influence from Him.

Ecc 1:13 I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it.

Our old man always prefers church doctrine to these wonderful Truths, and therefore the Lord…

Jer 15:3  …will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.

These “four kinds [are] appointed over us” to humble us (Ecc 1:13), to bring us to our wits’ end (Psa 107:27) and to drag us to Himself (Joh 6:44).

Here is Strong’s definition of the Hebrew word translated as ‘kinds’ in this verse:

With the exception of this third verse here in chapter 15, and…

Gen 8:19  Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.

Except for these two verses, this word is consistently translated as either ‘family’ or ‘kindred’ in their singular or plural forms.

What this tells us is that each of these ‘kinds’ is a ‘family’ of judgments, and the fact that there are four of them indicates that ‘the whole’ of the kingdom of our old  man will be destroyed with the whole of these four families of judgments.

Jer 15:4  And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.

Manasseh is considered to be the most wicked king of all the kings of Judah. He was the son of the most righteous king of Judah, King Hezekiah:

Jer 15:5  For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?

We are all brought to our “wits’ end” by the Lord Himself:

Psa 107:24  These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
Psa 107:25  For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
Psa 107:26  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Psa 107:27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.

The Lord Himself brings us to a time when it seems that all our family and friends all turn their backs on us when we need them most. They may not do so overtly, but they will not tolerate the doctrine of Christ in our mouths. The Lord Himself forsakes us “for a moment”:

Isa 54:7  For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Isa 54:8  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

The Lord tells Jeremiah the same thing He told Isaiah about how He is dealing with His elect:

Jer 15:6  Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.
Jer 15:7  And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy my people, since they return not from their ways.

The Lord takes complete responsibility for the destruction of the corrupt flesh of His people for their rebellious, wicked ways. “I will destroy my people” are the Lord’s own words, and that is exactly what He does to the old man within His very elect.

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Our salvation hinges upon the dying of our old man, just as Christ had to die daily and literally.

Jer 15:8  Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.

As our judgment begins, the Lord removes our spiritual ‘husbands’ and renders us as spiritual ‘widows’ with no leadership and no head:

Rom 7:1  Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
Rom 7:2  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Rom 7:3  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Rom 7:4  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

As our judgment begins, and we begin to “come out of her…” our flesh then turns on our spiritual ‘mother’, ‘Babylon the great’, and we “spoil [her] at noonday”. This very same destruction of our harlot mother by our rebellious flesh is described in the book of Revelation in these words:

Rev 17:12  And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet;  but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Rev 17:13  These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Rev 17:14  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Rev 17:15  And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Rev 17:16  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Rev 17:17  For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
Rev 17:18  And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

The number ‘ten’ signifies the perfection of corruptible flesh at its peak of power in our lives. Here is a link to a study on the spiritual significance of the number ten:

The Number Ten

Isaiah makes clear who this harlot is. She is identified in the first chapter of his prophecy:

Isa 1:1  The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

“Judah and Jerusalem” signify the Lord’s own elect who have “left [their] first love” and have turned their back on their true spiritual husband and committed spiritual adultery and spiritual fornication with many others, and the Lord calls a spade a spade:

Isa 1:21  How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

Spiritual ‘murder’ and ‘beheading’ is defined Biblically in these words:

1Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Using that spiritual definition, combined with the physical murder committed by the religions of mankind against each other, man’s religion has killed more that all the atheistic communist governments of the past century combined, and the Lord will avenge His elect of those who have physically and spiritually murdered and beheaded them since the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ:

Rev 6:9  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Rev 6:10  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

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

These two verses are speaking of the same people. They are the Lord’s elect who were “slain [and] beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God”.

This destruction of the great harlot of the religions of mankind in rebellion against Christ and His Father is accomplished inwardly in everyone who is dragged out of the grasp of that great whore. However, there is always an outward, climactic, dispensational fulfillment to the words of prophecy, and we are all witnessing the secular humanists within this great harlot turning against her, destroying her with fire and eating her flesh:

Rev 17:16  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Rev 17:17  For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

Our last verse of our study for today is just an earlier version of Revelation 17:16-17:

Jer 15:9  She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.

The Lord’s elect are the latter-day temple in which He now dwells, and the temple in which the Adversary dwells is His latter-day people, who are being destroyed by the ten horns which are “on the beast”. They are the negative application of the words, “Come out of her My people”, and they will “eat her flesh and burn her with fire”, just as we are being tried with fire as we eat the flesh of Christ.

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 6:53  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.

That is our study for today and these are our verses for our next study:

Jer 15:10  Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.
Jer 15:11  The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
Jer 15:12  Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?
Jer 15:13  Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.
Jer 15:14  And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you.
Jer 15:15  O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
Jer 15:16  Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
Jer 15:17  I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
Jer 15:18  Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?
Jer 15:19  Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
Jer 15:20  And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Jer 15:21  And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.

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