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.
Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

In this study we will concentrate on how “the last enemy… death, is destroyed.” We will begin by demonstrating who and what “the Israel of God” is. “The Israel of God” is His instrument for the destruction of death.

Revelation 7 and Revelation 14 tell us that “the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb” consist of 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The identity of who the 144,000 are totally relates to the destruction of death and hell, and who will and who will not be in the lake of fire.

Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Rev 7:5  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. [etc.]

Rev 14:1  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
Rev 14:2  And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
Rev 14:3  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

These verses have led many to believe that God’s elect are indeed physical Jews. After all, chapter 7 names the 12 tribes, each contributing 12,000 “servants of our God” (Rev 7:3):

Rev 7:3  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

It is that very phrase, “the servants of our God” in Revelation 7:3 which will help us to understand who these 12 tribes truly signify. They signify “the servants of our God”, and that manifestly excludes the physical nation of Israel which has rejected their own Savior.

Who then is “the Israel of God”? If we can demonstrate that being an ‘Israelite’, from the Lord’s perspective, has nothing at all to do with being physically descended from Abraham, and instead it has everything to do with being one of the “servants of our God”, and that being a servant of God is now a spiritual matter only, then we will know who the Israel of God is.

The first New Testament revelation that being an Israelite is not necessarily connected to being a physical descendant of Abraham comes to us from John the Baptist when he says this to the Israelites of his day:

Luk 3:8  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

If indeed ‘stones’ can be used by the Lord to become “children unto Abraham” then it would be no problem at all for the Lord to “raise up children unto Abraham” out of “those who are called uncircumcision by those who are called the circumcision”, which is exactly what the apostle Paul tells us He is doing, as we will soon see (Eph 2:11-22).

Before we look at who the holy spirit reveals to be the true “commonwealth of Israel”, let’s first look at whom the Lord Himself reveals to be His true ‘servants’ (Rev 7:3) and who He considers to be a true ‘spiritual’ Jew and a true ‘spiritual’ Israelite. This is what Christ Himself told a Gentile, Samaritan woman about who He was seeking to be His true servants:

Joh 4:5  Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Joh 4:6  Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Joh 4:7  There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
Joh 4:8  (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
Joh 4:9  Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Samaritans were apostates who had intermarried with Gentiles brought from Babylon. Samaritans were therefore considered to be worse than Gentiles. Therefore it was Christ who first took the gospel to the Gentiles. Peter was the first of the twelve to preach the gospel to the Gentiles when Peter was made to speak to the Gentiles in the home of Cornelius, the Roman centurion. Shortly thereafter Paul was struck down on the road to Damascus. Christ had preached the gospel to the entire Samaritan city of Sychar many years before either Peter or Paul.

It is here in John 4 that the gospel was first preached to the Gentiles:

Joh 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Joh 4:11  The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Joh 4:12  Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Joh 4:13  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
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.
Joh 4:15  The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
Joh 4:16  Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
Joh 4:17  The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
Joh 4:18  For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
Joh 4:19  The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Joh 4:20  Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Joh 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. [“The Jews” of Romans 2:28-29 as the next verse makes clear]
Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers [true Jews, (Rom 2:28-29)] shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit [God is not descended from Abraham]: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Joh 4:25  The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Joh 4:26  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
Joh 4:27  And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

It would be years later before these very apostles would be given the strength and spiritual maturity to follow Christ’s example and “call no man common or unclean.”

Act 10:25  And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
Act 10:26  But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
Act 10:27  And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
Act 10:28  And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Joh 4:28  The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
Joh 4:29  Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Joh 4:30  Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
Joh 4:31  In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
Joh 4:32  But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye [with your carnal mind] know not of.
Joh 4:33  Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
Joh 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me [to save the world, (Joh 3:17)], and to finish his work.
Joh 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Joh 4:36  And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
Joh 4:37  And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
Joh 4:38  I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
Joh 4:39  And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
Joh 4:40  So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
Joh 4:41  And many more believed because of his own word;
Joh 4:42  And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

What both John the Baptist and Christ are telling us is that the day is coming, and is now here, where physical pedigree is no longer a factor in determining who is and who is not the seed of Abraham. As we said, John the Baptist told the Israelites of his day:

Luk 3:8  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Christ told the Samaritan woman:

Joh 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
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.

Now we will add one more to our list of New Testament “replacement theologians.” ‘Replacement theologians’ is an epithet given by the ministers of Babylon to those who fear and tremble at The Word of God. ‘Replacement theologians fear and tremble at these inspiried Words of God:

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.

Being a ‘Jew’ is now in Christ no longer a matter of physical pedigree. Rather in Christ being a ‘Jew’ is now “of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter” and “he is not a Jew which is one outwardly”!

Do the scriptures teach the same principle concerning who is now counted as “part of the commonwealth of Israel”, the twelve tribes of Israel? Yes, as a matter of fact that is exactly what the scriptures teach, and it matters not how many Rabbis and ministers are upset with these words concerning who is part of “the commonwealth of Israel.”

Gal 6:15  Certainly, it doesn’t matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.
Gal 6:16  Peace and mercy will come to rest on all those who conform to this principle. They are the Israel of God.

“This principle” is the principle which states that being an Israelite “doesn’t matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.” This is such an important principle to the doctrine of Christ that He repeats this principle using the phrase “commonwealth of Israel” in:

Eph 2:11  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth [the twelve tribes] of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
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.

Someone will surely ask, if all this is true, then why go to the trouble of naming all the twelve tribes of Israel in Revelation 7? The answer to that question is that Israel was composed of twelve tribes for the purpose of becoming the foundation of the Lord’s physical kingdom on this earth. Read the study on the number 12: The Number Twelve

The Lord wants us to know that the spiritual foundation of His kingdom which will rule over “the kingdoms of this world… for a thousand years” is not connected to anything in this physical realm. Nevertheless, that kingdom is founded on the twelve spiritual tribes who are “the Israel of God… walking according to this rule [that] neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” avails as now becoming the twelve spiritual tribes of “the commonwealth of… the Israel of God”:

Gal 6:15  Certainly, it doesn’t matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.
Gal 6:16  Peace and mercy will come to rest on all those who conform to this principle. They are the Israel of God. (GWV)

This next point was made by the Lord Himself at the time of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding the colt of an ass. Remember as we read of these events that the Lord calls Israel “My fig tree” in the Old Testament:

Hos 9:10  I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

Joe 1:7  He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.

As Christ was making His entry into Jerusalem the people “spread their garments in the way… and cut down branches of the trees and strawed them in the way”:

Mar 11:9  And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Mar 11:10  Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Mar 11:11  And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

The next day as Christ was returning to Jerusalem from Bethany, even though it was not yet time for a fig tree to have figs, Christ approached a fig tree and cursed it:

Mar 11:12  And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
Mar 11:13  And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
Mar 11:14  And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

This story signifies the fact that from that moment on the Lord was seeking only those who would worship Him in spirit and in Truth:

Joh 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the [spiritual] Jews.
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 2:28-29]

Immediately after cursing the fig tree Christ enters into the temple and cleanses it of the “den of thieves” physical Israel had become.

Mar 11:15  And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
Mar 11:16  And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
Mar 11:17  And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye [“My fig tree”, (Joel 1:7)] have made it a den of thieves.
Mar 11:18  And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
Mar 11:19  And when even was come, he went out of the city.
Mar 11:20  And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Mar 11:21  And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
Mar 11:22  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Mar 11:23  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain [physical, natural Israel where Christ stood], Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith [Rom 2:28-29].

This fig tree was completely withered… “dried up from the roots”. The branches, the leaves, “the fig tree dried up from the roots.” Christ is both “the branch” and “the root.” He is “the root” of His fig tree. This “dried up from the roots” signifies the He has rejected “[His] fig tree” (Joel 1:7). This tree, signifying physical Israel, has no root of Christ in it.

Isa 11:10  And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Rom 15:12  And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

Notice that Isaiah does not say “to it shall Israel seek”, nor “In Him shall Israel trust.” To the contrary, this is what He says will happen to “Israel… according to the flesh.”

Eze 16:55  When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate.

That is one of the most overlooked verses in all of the Bible. When we put that verse together with what Paul tells us in Romans 11, then we will know when “all Israel shall be saved.”

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

The sins of the Jews who believed on Christ and yet wanted to kill Him will be taken away only “when Sodom… returns to her former estate” at the great white throne judgment/lake of fire/second death when all men of all time are resurrected to be judged:

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.
Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

The phrase, “the second death” has nothing to do with anyone dying for a second time. “It is appointed unto [all] men once to die.”

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

God’s elect are the first to ‘die daily’ in this age even as they live in these dying vessels of clay:

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.

God’s elect are the first to be judged in this present time:

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

It is the Lord’s elect who will be the first to be raised up in “the resurrection of life” as our Lord tells us:

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 [by dying daily in this present time], unto the [first] resurrection of life; and they that have done evil [did not die to their old man in this present time], unto the [second] resurrection of damnation [Greek ‘krisis’, judgment, the great white throne judgment/ lake of fire/ second death].

It is that fact, the fact that natural, physical Israel will not return to her former estate until Sodom returns to her former estate, that explains how death and hell are cast into  the lake of fire at the time of the second death. That ‘fire’ is the Word of God in the mouths of “the Israel of God” (Gal 6:15-16 GWV).

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 [the lake of fire], and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Rev 11:5  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies [in the lake of fire]: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

Paul tells us that it is through the mercy of Gentile converts, the true ‘Israel of God’, that all apostate Israel will receive mercy:

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [until “Sodom returns to her former estate” in the lake of fire]
Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved [when Sodom is saved]: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins [at the great white throne judgment/lake of fire/ second death].

Rom 11:30  For as ye [Gentiles] in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their [physical Israel’s] unbelief:
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed [physical Israel], that through your mercy [Gentiles, Romans, (Rom 1:13)] they also may obtain mercy.

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.

Lest anyone miss this fact that physical Israel is no longer the sole object of the Lord’s affections Paul and Barnabas told the Jews of Pisidian Antioch:

Act 13:46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

It was not just the Sadducees who hated Christ and wanted Him dead, as some ministers and rabbis are falsely teaching. This false doctrine teaches that the Sadducees were nothing more than an arm of the Romans and that it was the Romans who wanted to kill Christ while Jews for the most part loved Christ. That is not at all what the New Testament teaches. John 8 tells us that it was “those Jews which believed on Him… [who] wanted to kill [Him]:”

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, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

Speaking to these same “Jews that believed on Him” Christ answers in the very next verse:

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.
Joh 8:38  I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

There is no mention of the Sadducees in John 8. Both John and Peter makes it clear that “Pilate would have let Him go”:

Joh 19:12  And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews [no mention of Sadducees] cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

Act 3:13  The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

Placing the death of Christ upon any particular group alone is to miss the whole point of Christ’s death. The doctrine of both the Old and New Testaments is that He came to bear the sins of all men, and it is the sins of all men which put Christ to death. Natural, physical Israel served as the instrument to reject their own Savior. Their rejection signifies what all but a remnant of Christianity has done and is doing to Christ and His doctrine until this very day. Being that physical nation the Lord has chosen to signify what we have all done, it is expedient that natural Israel be rejected of God and that the gospel must go to the Gentile Christians who have also rejected Christ and His doctrines, except for a very small remnant:

Act 13:46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

So the twelve thousand from each tribe simply signify “the foundation of the apostles and prophets of the New Testament times.

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye [Gentile Christians] 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;

In conclusion we see now that ‘the great white throne judgment’ is ‘white’ because it is a throne of mercy because “when [God’s] judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness”:

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
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.

The judgments of the great white throne will be the ‘fire in the mouths’ of the Lord’s elect, which will judge every man according to his works and will burn up all the wood, hay and stubble in the lives of all men of all time, “but [they themselves] shall be saved yet so as by  fire.”

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire [the lake of fire].

When “fire comes down from God out of heaven” and “devours… the nations in the four quarters of the earth”, then there will be no more flesh and blood to continue procreating more carnal-minded flesh and blood. The resurrection of all men of all time is the casting of death and hell, Greek, ‘hades’, the grave, into the lake of fire, which is the destruction of the last ememy… death (1Co 15:26):

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.
Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire [to be judged]. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life [1,000 years earlier] was cast into the lake of fire.

[Study Aired February 12, 2023]

Act 8:1  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Act 8:2  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Act 8:3  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Act 8:4  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Act 8:5  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Act 8:6  And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Act 8:7  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
Act 8:8  And there was great joy in that city.
Act 8:9  But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Act 8:10  To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Act 8:11  And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Act 8:12  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Act 8:13  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Act 8:14  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Act 8:15  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Act 8:16  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:18  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:20  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

In our last study, Stephen had been stoned to death and became the first Christian to die for His faith in Christ. That stoning was supervised by a young man named Saul:

Act 7:58  and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

This chapter begins by pointing out that the young man, Saul, consented to Stephen’s death, and then we are informed that the church came under great persecution at the time of Stephen’s stoning:

Act 8:1  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

The whole church was still all Jewish and was still believing that physical Israel was God’s chosen nation. The first question they asked after Christ’s resurrection reveals that they believed Christ would very soon appear in power and deliver physical Israel from her Roman oppressors and establish physical Israel as the chief nation on earth. There was yet no concept of a spiritual seed of Abraham which included the Gentiles. This question reveals just how spiritually immature the apostles themselves were at the time of the resurrection of Christ:

Act 1:3  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Act 1:4  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
Act 1:5  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Act 1:6  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

The apostles were not yet given the understanding of the things of the spirit, and when Christ spoke to them “of things pertaining to the kingdom of God”, they were conflating “the kingdom of God” with the carnal nation of physical Israel.

These Christians who “were all scattered abroad” were not yet scattered beyond Israel. They were scattered “throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria”, and the apostles themselves were not scattered at all. They were all still in Jerusalem, still believing that physical Jerusalem was to be the capital of the coming kingdom of God they had been commissioned to proclaim:

Luk 8:1  And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,

Luk 9:1  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Luk 9:2  And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

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

When the Pharisees had asked Christ about this coming kingdom, He had told them that His kingdom was an inward kingdom, but neither the Pharisees nor His disciples had a spiritual bone in their bodies at that time, and they were still looking for a physical kingdom:

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.

Christ certainly was not telling the Pharisees that the kingdom of God was within them. What He was saying is that the kingdom of God is within those it is within.

In the very next verse He is speaking to His disciples, and if any of us had heard these words with no spiritual insights we, too, would have been led to believe that soon after His death and resurrection the kingdom of God would come to this earth:

Luk 17:22  And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
Luk 17:23  And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
Luk 17:24  For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
Luk 17:25  But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

It is true that Christ did not say, “Immediately after I suffer many things and immediately after I am rejected of this generation the Son of Man will appear to establish His kingdom as the lightning lightens out of one part under heaven and shines unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.” His words would certainly lead one to believe that His kingdom was imminent. Indeed, His kingdom did come on the day of Pentecost when the holy spirit for the first time ever entered into and took up residence within the one hundred and twenty people who were in the upper room on that day. However, even after the holy spirit had come into the disciples, it would still be several years before they understood that being a physical Jew without Christ did not make one a ‘Jew’ at all:

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.

Christ had made these statements also:

Mar 9:1  And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

Mar 14:25  Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

The apostles Peter, James and John, “saw the kingdom of God come with power” the very next week as the very next verse explains with the conjunction ‘and’:

Mar 9:2  And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
Mar 9:3  And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
Mar 9:4  And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
Mar 9:5  And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Mar 9:6  For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
Mar 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Mar 9:8  And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
Mar 9:9  And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
Mar 9:10  And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

The apostles did not understand the meaning of “rising from the dead”. How could they possibly understand what “the kingdom of God is within you” meant?

There is no doubt the disciples and the apostles all thought the physical kingdom of God was imminent in their day. They were not yet given to understand the full meaning of “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21).

Judaea and Samaria are both within Israel, and there is yet no understanding of the gospel going to the Gentiles. Peter has not yet been sent to the house of Cornelius the Gentile Roman Centurion, and Saul of Tarsus has not yet been converted. In fact, it is at this point Saul makes the persecution of all Christians his life’s occupation:

Act 8:2  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Act 8:3  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Act 8:4  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where [within Israel] preaching the word.
Act 8:5  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Christ had earlier told His disciples they were not to go to the Samaritans. He commissioned them to tell only the house of Israel that “The kingdom of heaven is at hand”:

Mat 10:5  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Mat 10:6  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

This is the first time anyone has gone to speak to the Samaritans since Christ spent a few days with them when He witnessed to the woman at Jacob’s well:

Joh 4:28  The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
Joh 4:29  Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Joh 4:30  Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

Joh 4:39  And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
Joh 4:40  So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
Joh 4:41  And many more believed because of his own word;
Joh 4:42  And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Christ had been well received by the Samaritans, and Philip capitalized upon the work Christ had done:

Act 8:6  And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Act 8:7  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
Act 8:8  And there was great joy in that city.

Here we are given another example of a Jew who believed in Christ but did not abide in His word as Christ told us in:

Joh 8:30  As he spake these words, many believed on him.

It certainly doesn’t happen overnight, but it is only in our patience that the words of Christ within us give us dominion over sin in our lives:

Luk 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls.

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.

We are now introduced to just such a Jewish believer; one who believes in Christ but is not given to abide in and “continue in [His] Word”:

Act 8:9  But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Act 8:10  To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Act 8:11  And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

These “sorceries” are the same “sorceries” associated with Babylon the great, the mother of harlots:

Isa 47:1  Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.
Isa 47:2  Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
Isa 47:3  Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.
Isa 47:4  As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 47:5  Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.
Isa 47:6  I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.
Isa 47:7  And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.
Isa 47:8  Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:

Rev 18:7  How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Isa 47:9  But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.

Rev 18:8  Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
Rev 18:9  And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

Isa 47:10  For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.
Isa 47:11  Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.
Isa 47:12  Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

Rev 18:23  And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
Rev 18:24  And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Isa 47:13  Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
Isa 47:14  Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
Isa 47:15  Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.

This is the spirit of this ‘Samaritan Simon’. He believed in Christ, but he did so for personal gain and not to glorify God and not for the benefit of his brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the spirit of all the prosperity ministers who cannot see that the apostle John says these words in Isaiah 47 are actually referring to Babylon the Great as “that great city wherein our Lord was crucified”, and Paul tells  us that “Jerusalem which now is and is in bondage with her children” is the anti-type of Hagar, the bondwoman and her son Ishmael:

Gal 4:24  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

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.

Physical Jerusalem typifies the Lord’s apostate church. This is what the Lord says of His apostate people:

Luk 13:33  Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following [I must get to Jerusalem]: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Rev 18:24  And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Act 8:12  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

This is physical water baptism, which is a mere ritual and like physical circumcision, does nothing to change the heart and mind. The church in this reformation dispensation is still living under the law of Moses as we all first do. We all know at the beginning of our calling that Christ has made all the changes He proclaimed in Matthew 5-7 where He quoted the law of Moses every time He said, “Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time… love your neighbor and hate your enemy… eye for eye and tooth for tooth… swear only by the name of the Lord your God.”  Then He reformed the law of Moses with the words of His New Covenant when He taught saying… “but I say unto you… love your enemy… swear not at all… resist not evil… turn the other cheek…” etc. Philip and all the apostles are aware of those changes, but if Christ had not spoken to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, they would have been hesitant to go in unto Samaritans who were Jews who worshipped in Bethel and in Dan where Jereboam, the son of Nebat, has erected two golden calves and had established a separate society with separate festivals to keep the people of Israel from worshipping at Jerusalem. “By little and by little” the Lord is opening the eyes and hearts of his Jewish disciples to accept the all-encompassing depth and width of His kingdom.

Act 8:13  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

There is all the proof needed to demonstrate that water baptism changes nothing. Simon the sorcerer “was baptized”, but as we will see in our next study, he was not at all converted and still had the same self-centered heart and mind. ‘Believing in Christ’ does not make one a “disciple indeed”. A true “disciple indeed” will continue in and abide and remain in the Lord’s words and His doctrines through thick and thin and through persecution and much tribulation:

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, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? [‘We are professing Christians, 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 [of sin] 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.

According to the BT+ the name ‘Simon’ is defined as ‘Peter’ or ‘petros’, meaning ‘stone’. As with every word, there is both a positive and a negative application. Simon Peter was a “lively stone” in the Lord’s house. Simon the sorcerer of Samaria has been given a “stony heart” which is not revealed to be changed to “a heart of flesh” in this age.

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

1Pe 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

This Samaritan ‘Simon’ is given the same name as ‘Simon Peter’, but as we will see, he is not at all Peter.

Like Ananias and Sapphira, who sold their land and lied about how much of the proceeds they had given to the church, this ‘Simon of Samaria’ is introduced to us with the conjunction ‘but’. Here are those introductions side by side:

Ananias the liar:

Act 5:1  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Act 5:2  And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Simon the sorcerer:

Act 8:9  But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

Both Ananias and Simon of Samaria sought preeminence among the Lord’s people without having a humble servant’s spirit, which is the spirit of Christ.

Nevertheless, the work of the holy spirit through Philip was used by the Lord to begin to open the eyes of the apostles to the fact that physical Jerusalem was not the center of the universe, and Peter and John were sent to Samaria to further the Lord’s work among the apostate Jewish Samaritans. When I use the word ‘apostate’ here I am not referring to apostatizing from the faith of Christ. I use it to refer to the fact that the Samaritans had apostatized from keeping the holy days of Moses in Jerusalem as the woman at the well told Christ:

Joh 4:19  The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Joh 4:20  Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

The Samaritans were the despised outcasts of the people of God in Christ’s day, just as David was an outsider in the days when King Saul sought to kill him.

Act 8:14  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Act 8:15  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Act 8:16  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:18  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:20  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Without adding to or taking away from the words of scripture, we can observe that both Philip and the apostles, Peter and John, were gracious toward Simon, until his actions revealed what was actually in his heart. Simon had been baptized in water by Philip, but Peter and John did not lay hands on him to receive the holy spirit. Peter had discerned that Simon was not a man who had been dragged to the Lord by the Lord’s chastening grace. Rather this ‘Simon’ still possessed a “stony heart” which actually believed that he had something to offer the Lord, and he had no idea why the apostles were not the least bit interested in his money.

In our next study we will see that the apostle Peter tells Simon to repent of this presumptuous spirit and pray that the Lord will forgive him of “this wickedness”. Peter has learned and now knows the Truth of the Lord’s words which were spoken while He was still here in a body of flesh and blood, when He told His disciples:

Joh 6:41  The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
Joh 6:42  And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
Joh 6:43  Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw [G1670: ‘helkuo’, drag] him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:45  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Every part of the body of Christ is first “taught of God” and is “dragged [to] Him” before being brought into His corporate body. This principle applied to Peter himself:

Mat 16:13  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mat 16:14  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Peter knew and understood the truth of those words of the Lord, and he immediately rebuked this spirit which assumes it can buy off the God of Creation. “Thy money perish with you because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” is not a solicitous spirit one might have as he bears with the weak. The holy spirit has given Peter to understand that this person is not yet being shown who Christ is. Neither Christ nor His Christ will be bribed.

Php 3:18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19  Whose end is destruction [of their old man], whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Php 3:20  For our conversation [G4175: ‘politeuma’, citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Php 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

‘Enemies of the cross of Christ’ despise hearing of His judgments. They much prefer to hear smooth things (Isa 30:10), telling themselves they are ‘encouraging and helping others’ when the truth is they are doing others a disservice and spiritually spoiling those who are weak in the faith by failing to prepare them for the promised persecutions which come with being faithful to Christ and His doctrines.

Isa 30:10  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2Ti 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

The gospel of Christ is not the smooth-talking enchantments and sorceries of Simon of Samaria. Rather, the true gospel of Christ acknowledges that serving Christ in this present evil age entails “fiery trials… suffering with [Him] and much persecution”. The gospel of Christ also includes the promise of the reward of being manifested as the sons of God, a  promise which far outweighs all the hardships of our faithfulness in this present evil age:

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
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 [mankind] waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Who is cleansed?

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

[Study Aired August 11, 2020]

Luk 17:11-19 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

In our last study we reviewed how leprosy is cleaned. Leprosy represents sin, especially the sin of self-righteousness. Leprosy, therefore self-righteousness, is cleansed by patience, washing, burning and sacrifice. This study will show us who is cleansed in this age.

Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls. 

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

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

Heb 13:10-16 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 

The above story in Luke 17 tells us that all ten were cleansed, but only one returned to give thanks for being cleansed. The Samaritan was the only one to glorify God. Christ asked the questions “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”

There are three numbers mentioned or inferred by Christ. One which represents “unity”, nine which represents “God’s judgement”, and ten representing “completeness of the flesh”. Here are links to those studies.

Spiritual Meaning of Numbers – Number One
Spiritual Meaning of Numbers – Number Nine
Spiritual Meaning of Numbers – Number Ten

This story tells us part of the process of the judgment of the world. Who are those in this age that are cleansed and give glory to God? Remember all ten were cleansed but only one turned back, gave thanks, and glorified God. 

Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 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.

Paul speaks a “great mystery”. He is describing “Christ and the church” also known as the “body of Christ”, the “head and the body” and as the “church of the living God”.

Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

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

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

Paul tells us in Ephesians 5 how we are cleansed and a sacrifice we must give in order to continue in the Christ.

Eph 5:22-33 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. 

In Colossians chapter 1, Paul describes the significance of what Christ is showing us in our story above.

Col 1:1-29 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 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: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. 

During the cleansing process of the leper and his house, waiting seven days is part of the cleansing. This represents our patience and time of longsuffering during tribulation.

Luk 8:9-15 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 

Rom 5:1-9 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 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. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 

Eph 4:1-6 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Now anything that cannot be saved must be burned.

2Sa 23:1-7 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.

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. 

Psa 140:9-10 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. 

Pro 6:20-26 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. 

Joh 15:1-10 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

A sacrifice must be given, but what is the true sacrifice we must give?

Psa 116:16-17 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. 

Joh 15:11-17 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Heb 13:15-16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 

Here once again are the verses in our study. 

Luk 17:14-19 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Earlier in the chapter the apostles said, “Increase our faith.”

Luk 17:5-6 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

We saw in our two previous studies that during the offerings of the leper, the only offering that was not mentioned was the peace offering. This Samaritan stranger, however, did perform this offering in type and shadow. Here is the peace offering commandment.

Lev 7:11-15 And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD. If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried. Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings. And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation for an heave offering unto the LORD, and it shall be the priest’s that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings. And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning. 

Finally, the Samaritan represents us, the priests of God. After being cleansed we must ensure we remain undefiled.

Lev 21:1-24 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:  But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother, And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled. But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God. Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, am holy. And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire. And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes; Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. And he shall take a wife in her virginity. A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife. Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy. Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them. And Moses told it unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel. 

I will end this study with the following scriptures of hope.

Joh 16:25-33 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Mike,
God’s own people are an unthankful lot. It is the outcasts, the Samaritans among them, who are grateful for what He is doing.  Sorry… I should have included the above sentence from your email below, in the previous message.  The Samaritans are the ‘outcasts’.  They are not us, and they are not the ‘church’, because they are called, just not chosen…. right?  So… are they the ‘world’?  Thanks…
J____

Hi J____,
You ask:
The Samaritans are the ‘outcasts’.  They are not us, and they are not the ‘church’, because they, the church, are called, just not chosen…. right?  So… are they the ‘world’?

The physical Samaritans are the descendants of the inhabitants of Samaria, and Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom called Israel after it broke away from Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, very shortly after the death of Solomon. The people had requested that Rehoboam lower their taxes after the death of Solomon, and Rehoboam had told them he intended to raise their taxes instead of lowering them. So the ten northern tribes broke away and established a separate nation with Jeroboam as their new king. In order to keep the 10 northern tribes from going back to Jerusalem for the annual holy days, Jeroboam established a temple and put a golden calf in the temple in Samaria, and instituted a festival in the eighth month instead of the seventh month.
For this reason Samaritans came to be looked down on as Judah’s and Jerusalem’s very worst enemy. A Samaritan was far more hated than the average foreigner. It is in that sense that God’s elect are symbolized by Samaritans and are so presented to us in the parable of the good Samaritan and in Christ’s experience with the ten lepers and the Samaritan woman with five husbands who was living with a man who was not her husband. Christ made it clear that He identifies Himself with all who are despised and rejected:

Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [ it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

What I hope you are coming to see is that we must live by “every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” Every word, good and bad, is us at our appointed time. At our time we are the Pharisee looking down on the publican. At our appointed time we are the publican. At our appointed time we are the woman with five husbands, living with a man who is not our husband. At our time we are sent to say “Come see a man who told me all I ever did.” At our appointed time we are the Jews who catch the woman in adultery and want her stoned, and at our appointed time we are the woman caught in adultery; we are all first the elder son, who hates the prodigal and then the prodigal, the tares and then the good grain; the ninety and nine who need no repentance, and then the lost sheep; the well who need no physician and then the sick who realize they need a physician; the Pharisees who say they are not blind and then the man born blind who is healed. Then, at our own appointed time we finally come to see ourselves as not just a despised Samaritan, but a leprous, despised Samaritan. It is all, each of us in our appointed time. First we are the self- righteous, then we are the despised. We will all live every word because it takes every word to comprise “the revelation of Jesus Christ:” “The sum of thy word is truth,” and Christ is that ‘sum.’

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye [ all] 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.

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.
Luk 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Gal 1:12  For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.(ASV)
1Pe 1:7  that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: (ASV)

1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
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:

“The revelation of Jesus Christ” is not something that happens at the end of times eonian, except in the sense that each of us, in every generation of mankind, is living out his ‘aion.’
So “the revelation of Jesus Christ” is the “things which shortly come to pass,” simply because our lives are so very short.”

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

There is no “revelation of Jesus Christ, without being in that “first Adam.”

1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Yes, Christ is called ‘Adam.’ There can be no “last Adam” without a “first man Adam.” It is all “the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

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

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

Our Babylonian minds just naturally tell us that “keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book,” surely does not include the sins of the seven churches of the second and third chapters, the catastrophes which accompany the opening of the first six seals, culminating in the day of God’s wrath in the sixth chapter. Surely we are not, as God’s elect, expected to “keep those sayings.” All the catastrophes which accompany first four trumpet judgments of the seventh seal in chapter eight, the terrible judgments of the last three woes of chapter nine, the eating of the “little book” of chapter ten, the great city wherein our Lord was crucified in chapter 11, the woman and manchild and dragon of chapter 12, the three beasts of 13.
Even though we are told…:

Rev 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

… we still deny that any of the negative things of this chapter have any application to us. So also do we look at the seven plagues of chapter 15, and 16. Those two chapters certainly have nothing in them that would apply to God’s elect. Neither does the great harlot of chapters 17-18. We could never see ourselves doing battle with Christ in chapter nineteen, and the thousand years followed by a rebellion against God has absolutely no application for or to us. So, as the natural man in all of us, and as the doctrines of orthodox Christianity declare, there is very little indeed, where God’s elect would need to “keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book, and yet we are admonished to do so, both at the beginning…:

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

… and again at the end of this book of symbols:

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

But “this book” is never to be understood as simply the book of revelation. Revelation is but a part of “this book” and could never be understood apart from the sum of God’s word.”
We are to “live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God;” we are to live all of God’s word, because it is all “the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Now look at these words which have “proceeded out of the mouth of God:”

Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Which of these words which have “proceeded out of the mouth of God,” is Adam, and all who are in Adam, predestined to “keep?” That is right, it is ” every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God.” We are “in Adam,” and as such we are living “all that is in the world.”

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

All sins are wrapped up in those three sins and those three sins are in all flesh.
You say, ‘ I am not ungrateful, I am not an adulterer, a murderer, envious, jealous, hateful, etc. etc.’ O. K. I am willing to acknowledge that Christ in you, and Christ in me, is none of those things. But that is exactly what you and I ARE in and of ourselves.

1Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Mat 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye [ all] 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.
Ecc 3:18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

Our flesh is still flesh, still a beast being subdued by Christ on a daily basis:

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

So please don’t  take every word I say so personally. We are all still in this clay vessel. The only thing that separates you and me from the uncalled and the called but not chosen, is Christ in us. We have no reason to be upset that someone thinks we are, or are not anything. Sure, it hurts when others think we are not what they want us to be, but we have but one person to please and that person is our spiritual husband, Christ.
All outcasts in scripture, typify Jesus Christ. But for Christ to be cast out, He first has to create an Adam who will cast Him out, and even that first Adam is, according to scripture, a part of what is called “the revelation of Jesus Christ”:

Rom 5:14  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

You have made it abundantly clear that you do not like the way God is doing things, but you also admitted that it is He who made Adam sinful flesh when He could have made Adam perfect spirit to begin with. I have acknowledged that I myself could not put mankind through all the suffering that mankind has and is enduring, but we are not God and this is not our ‘show.’ It is His show. He has written the script for all men of all time, before the show ever began. He has picked the characters, and there will be no second takes.

Psa 139:16  Thine eyes did see mine [ and every man of every generation] unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.

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:

God’s “book” is the Bible. We all live every word in spirit. We are Adam, we are Cain, we are Abel; we are every character in scripture simply because we are “in Adam.” Abraham was “in Adam,” and that means that Christ too, was “in Adam.”

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:16  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

I hope this helps you to see that the good Samaritan and the leprous Samaritan, are both symbols of Christ’s few chosen who will be hated of all men.

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.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike