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Isa 63:1-6 – I Have Trodden the Winepress Alone

[Study Aired July 19, 2020]

Isa 63:1  Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Isa 63:2  Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
Isa 63:3  I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
Isa 63:4  For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
Isa 63:5  And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
Isa 63:6  And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

We have in this chapter a series of questions which the Lord Himself answers for us.

The Lord does this for our admonition and edification. It is the Lord Himself… “I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save” who answers His own questions, so we will not become confused about who is doing what to whom. These verses are referring to the day of [the Lord’s] vengeance (vs 4), and He wants us to know that this vengeance is coming from God Himself. Men are used of the Lord for both good and evil, but when the Lord does that, it is still Christ alone who has worked it, be it good or evil:

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

Psa 17:13  Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

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

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

Later in this very same chapter of Isaiah we will read:

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

With all these verses in mind consider the first question the Lord poses in this chapter:

Isa 63:1  Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Bozrah is Esau, and Esau is the ‘Edom’ of this verse. As we will later see, Esau (Edom) throughout the Old Testament typifies the ‘Babylon’ of the New Testament, which ‘Babylon’ the Lord has predestined to be destroyed. It is Esau whom the Lord hated while he was yet in his mother’s womb having done neither good nor evil:

Rom 9:10  And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
Rom 9:11  (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.)
Rom 9:12  It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Rom 9:13  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Rom 9:14  What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
Rom 9:15  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Gen 25:30  And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

Gen 36:8  Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.

“I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save” is He who ‘comes from Edom’ and from Bozrah, the capital of Edom, with clothes dyed red in the blood of those whom He has judged and destroyed. The Lord wants us to know that the destruction of Babylon is a work He is personally overseeing and doing. To that end He poses the question:

Isa 63:2  Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

This is what we read of in Revelation 14:

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Rev 14:8  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Rev 14:19  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
Rev 14:20  And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Look at what the Old Testament has to say about the ultimate fate of “Edom [who] is Esau”, who typifies “Babylon”:

Psa 137:7  Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
Psa 137:8  O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
Psa 137:9  Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

Here the holy spirit reveals Edom (Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, Israel) to be a type of Babylon the great, the mother of harlots! We are told, “Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.”

The children of Babylon are the enemies of “the children of the kingdom” meaning the doctrines of Babylon are the enemies of the doctrines of Christ:

Mat 13:24  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mat 13:25  But while men slept, his enemy [the king of Babylon] came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Mat 13:36  Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
Mat 13:37  He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mat 13:38  The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

The previous parable of the sower in this same 13^th chapter established that the ‘seed’ sown by the ‘sower’ is “the word of the kingdom”:

Mat 13:18  Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
Mat 13:19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

It is not the Lord’s intention in this age to save the whole world. Instead it is His intention for Babylon to rule over the kings of this world and then through His elect, the ‘seven angels of Revelation 15, to pour out His wrath upon Edom, the type of Babylon:

Isa 63:3  I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

“Blood… even unto the horse bridle” (Rev 14:20) would indeed “stain all [ones] raiment”.

“Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones” (Psa 137:9) is speaking of each of us utterly destroying the doctrines of Babylon, the doctrines of Jacob’s twin brother, Esau… Edom… who, though he was the firstborn in the flesh, he was  the rejected firstborn of the flesh. “The little ones” of Babylon are actually ravening wolves in sheep’s clothing posing as angels of light while speaking as a dragon.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Rev 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

We will “dash [her] little ones against the lively stones which we are, only after we are delivered from ravening wolves posing as angels of light:

Eze 22:27  Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
Eze 22:28  And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

The “untempered morter” of Babel is the false doctrines and lies, which are typified by “slime” which is used for mortar to hold together the inferior bricks which are used for stones in the foundation of and the establishing of Babel.

This is what we are told of the construction materials for the tower of Babel:

Gen 11:3  And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

Bricks burned thoroughly are still just as inferior to the Lord’s granite stones, as slime is inferior to mortar. Both typify just how inferior the lies and rebellions of Babel are to the Truths of the doctrines of Christ and obedience to those Truths.

Read again how the Lord contrasts the fruit of the lies and false doctrines of Edom… the fruit of Babylon, with the fruit of “Jerusalem above”:

Psa 137:7  Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
Psa 137:8  O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
Psa 137:9  Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

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.

We must not tolerate any of the doctrines of Babylon. As we encounter them, we are to “destroy everything that breatheth” because those doctrines are just as determined to “rase” and destroy us, and they will “teach [us] to do after their abominations”:

Deu 20:16  But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
Deu 20:17  But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:
Deu 20:18  That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.

In the same manner that the Lord speaks to us as if we could “work out our own salvation”, so here He speaks as if we choose of ourselves to refuse to help Him ‘tread out the grapes of Edom’.

Isa 63:3  I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

“Of the people there was none with me… their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments” demonstrates that the Lord is speaking of our carnal-minded old man and not of “the last Adam” who is in the process of becoming a “new man”, which “new man” is Christ Himself “and His Christ” who ‘treads the winepress alone’. Only Christ can be Christ, and all impostors and “false Christs” in this world can never fool the Lord who “Knows [His] sheep [and is] known of His:

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

Joh 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Before we are given to discern the Lord’s voice, we will all “fall seven times… lose [our] first love” and let that woman Jezebel become our teacher. Because of our complete failure, the Lord will use that total failure as an occasion to pour out “the seven last plagues which fill up [His] wrath” upon the Babylonian, kingdom of Edom within us:

Pro 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Rev 2:20  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

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

Rev 15:6  And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
Rev 15:7  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

“No man” means that even the flesh of Christ cannot inherit the spiritual kingdom of God and Christ had to endure His wrath for a little moment:

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

Mar 15:34  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

If we are granted by the Lord’s predestined mercy to be judged and to “fulfill… the seven plagues of the seven angels” in “this present time”, we will be judged in ‘this present time’ and will be given to rise up from the dead in “the resurrection to life” as opposed to “the resurrection to damnation (Greek: krisis, judgment) at the post-thousand year reign, great white throne judgment:

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Joh 5:27  And [the Father] hath given him [Christ and His Christ (Rev 20:1-6)] authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life [prior to the thousand year reign]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [Greek: ‘krisis’ judgment… great white throne judgment (Rev 20:11)].

Peter tells us the same thing in these words:

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

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?

The trials by which the fiery words of God are designed to try us are common to all men of all time. What is not common to all men is ruling and reigning with Christ a thousand years prior to the “sorer punishment…” which shall come upon all who “obey not the gospel of God [in] this present time”:

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27  But a certain fearful looking for of [the great white throne] judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28  He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Heb 10:30  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

All men will endure the day of the Lord’s vengeance. We will all groan in pain and be tormented day and night in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb, but those who do so in “this present time” will be given a crown of life to rule with Christ in the resurrection to life, while all others will be ruled over, judged and eventually shown mercy by “the Lord and His Christ… the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb”:

Mat 25:31  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
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.
Mat 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire [“The lake of fire (which) is the second death], prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Nowhere in scripture are our “fiery trials [of] this present time” ever referred to as “everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels”, and no one in the first resurrection is ever referred to by the Lord as “Ye cursed”. It seems incredible that such a point must be made but there are so many Preterists who are teaching the false doctrine that, “Everything is within, and if you see anything ordinally then you can and you will miss the spiritual meaning.” That false doctrine is in direct contradiction to this ordinal statement which tells us the exact opposite is true:

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

If you have been led to believe that the natural is within and therefore “that which is natural is [not] first” but is simply within, then it is you who have missed the “spiritual” message of scripture which is:

1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1Co 15:48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

“The first man… the second man” are ordinal words. “As we have borne… we shall also bear”, are also ordinal terms. “As we have borne” is in the aorist tense, but “we shall also bear” is in the future tense, another ordinal statement. “We shall be changed” is also in the future tense. The words “when [and] then” are expressing the order in which the Lord is working all things.

“The consummation of the ages are come” upon us, but death is not yet destroyed prior to the thousand-year reign.

1Co 10:11 Now all this befalls them typically. Yet it was written for our admonition, to whom the consummations of the eons have attained.

“He must reign till… The last enemy to be destroyed is death” are both ordinal statements which cannot be fulfilled as long as flesh and blood exist.

1Co 15:25  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

“No more sea”, the ‘sea’ out of which the beast arises (Rev 13:1), means there will be no more flesh.

Rev 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

The destruction of death requires that the source of death must first be destroyed, and that is exactly what we are told will take place when “fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours… the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth.” “The four quarters of the earth” signifies the whole natural realm:

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

Then what do we see in the very next verse. Is it not “a great white throne” where all the dead, all men who have ever lived and were not judged in this time, will be judged?

Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the [first] earth and the [first] 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.

These verses are fulfilled only “when the thousand years are expired”. There can be no white throne judgment until after the thousand years “are expired”. All sermons to the contrary will not cause the Word of God to fail. Those cast into the lake of fire at the great white throne judgment “shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” [the eons of the eons] just like those who were judged in “this present time” and were raised up in “the resurrection to life” over a thousand years prior to “the resurrection to damnation” (Greek: ‘krisis’, judgment):

Joh 5:26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
Joh 5:27  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life [prior to the thousand year reign (Rev 20:1-6)]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [Greek: ‘krisis’, judgment at the great white throne].

So the differences between those who are in “the first resurrection… the resurrection of life” and those who are in “the resurrection of judgment… when the thousand years are expired” is that those who are given to have part in “the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Rev 20:6). Additionally, they “which have the firstfruits of the spirit [and are the first to] read, hear, and keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book” will then be used by Christ to “judge angels” and become the conduit of the mercy to be extended to all men of all time:

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

1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? [For a thousand years (Rev 20:6)] and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? [At the great white throne judgment/lake of fire/second death (Rev 20:14-15)] how much more things that pertain to this life?

“All things come alike to all men” (Ecc 9:2) simply means that all men of all time will be judged by the very same fiery words of God, including being ‘tormented with the fire and brimstone of the Words of God day and night for ever and ever in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.’

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Rev 14:8  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Rev 14:9  And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Rev 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Rev 14:11  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Rev 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Therefore, these words also apply to us:

Isa 63:4  For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

It is the seven last plagues which fill up the wrath of God which, in this present time, are the Lord’s judgments upon the house of God. We are not of “the house of God” if that judgment does not “begin at us”:

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?
1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Rev 15:7  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Therefore, if we are the temple of God (1Co 3:16), the time is come that judgment must begin at us, and the Lord Himself must be treading the grapes of His judgment in our lives, to the point that He identifies with us as being Himself… to the point of being able to say:

Isa 63:5  And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
Isa 63:6  And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

Here is what Jeremiah tells us the Lord does to us “with [His] own arm” when we “lose [our] first love”:

Jer 21:5  And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.

Jer 21:6  And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.

This revelation comes to us only through those who have repented of all the sins of the seven churches of Revelation 2-3. In other words, the words of Christ come to us only through His Christ, “he that overcomes”:

The church in Ephesus:

Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Rev 2:6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The church in Smyrna:

Rev 2:9  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

The church in Pergamos:

Rev 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Rev 2:15  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

The church in Thyatira:

Rev 2:20  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Rev 2:21  And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Rev 2:22  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Rev 2:23  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Rev 2:24  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Rev 2:25  But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

The church in Sardis:

Rev 3:1  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Rev 3:2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Rev 3:4  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Rev 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

The church in Philadelphia:

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Rev 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Rev 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

The church in Laodicea:

Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

He that overcomes all these weaknesses and sins inwardly in “this present time” will be used of the Lord to rule the nations with a rod of iron for a thousand years:

Rev 20:1  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Rev 20:2  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Rev 20:3  And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

If we want to do something about the state of things in this obviously perverted and dying earth, then we must overcome the weaknesses and sins of the seven churches, and we will be used by the Lord in this manner:

Jer 51:19  The portion of Jacob [the Lord’s elect] is not like them [those in Babylon]; for he [the Lord] is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod [of iron] of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name.
Jer 51:20  Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
Jer 51:21  And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;
Jer 51:22  With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;
Jer 51:23  I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.
Jer 51:24  And I will render unto Babylon [Esau, Edom] and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.

Jer 51:29  And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.
Jer 51:30  The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.

Jer 51:35  The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.
Jer 51:36  Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.
Jer 51:37  And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.
Jer 51:38  They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions’ whelps.
Jer 51:39  In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.

Jer 51:46  And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.

Jer 51:53  Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.
Jer 51:54  A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:

This is the fate of Babylon the great in the day of the Lord’s vengeance. Inwardly there is an order to the destruction of Babylon, and outwardly there is the same order… the natural destruction of Babylon for a thousand years must precede the spiritual destruction of Babylon in the lake of fire.

That is our study for today. Next week we will see that the Lord’s mercy always follows His wrath:

Isa 63:7  I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
Isa 63:8  For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.
Isa 63:9  In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
Isa 63:10  But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Isa 63:11  Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?
Isa 63:12  That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
Isa 63:13  That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
Isa 63:14  As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

Growing in Grace and Knowledge Through Obedience to Christ - Discussion

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Growing In Grace And Knowledge Through Obedience To Christ

Dealing In Obedience With Those Who "Transgress and Abide Not In The Doctrine of Christ"

Today is the day on which our elders have agreed that we must purge those who are teaching the doctrine of God's elect being hurt of the second death from the midst of those who do not accept that doctrine.

Christ made this statement:

Joh 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Joh 10:12  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Joh 10:13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Joh 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Just a few chapters earlier He also told us:

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

That is a clear and succinct statement. There are only two resurrections, and "all that are in the graves... shall come forth" unto one of these two resurrections. No one can be in both resurrections. Christ, who is the first of the firstfruits, along with His "firstfruits unto God and the Lamb" (Rev 14:4) will "execute judgment" upon all the rest of mankind who are not "firstfruits unto God and the Lamb".

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.

Here is another very clear statement upon which we should all just obediently and peacefully agree, and then in the love and obedience of Christ, go our separate ways and do as the Good Shepherd instructs us all:

2Jn 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jn 1:9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2Jn 1:11  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

The holy spirit has inspired the apostle John to give these instructions a sense of urgency. Apparently it is possible to "lose... the things we  have wrought [and not] receive a full reward". It is also possible to lose our "crown of life":

Jas 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

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

"The crown of life" is given only to those who are given tribulations and temptations by "the devil". So this "crown of life" is unique to those who are in the first resurrection, because the devil will be tempting no one while he himself is being tried and purified in the lake of fire.

But there are those with whom we have enjoyed sweet fellowship who do not think that being in the first resurrection makes us special in the Lord's eyes, and they actually teach that belief even though we are so special that we are told:

Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

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

These precious brothers still insist on teaching that we endure the lake of fire which is the second death in this age. Here is the title for the talk being given by those brothers today:

They wrote:

"Hello Everyone,

We will be doing a study this coming Sunday on Partakers of the Second Death which will explain how the elect partake of the lake of fire now."

For those of us who place obedience to the inspired instructions in 2Jo 1:7-11 above the love they have for their wayward brothers, today is the day we are being obedient to those very sober words. As of today, the body of Christ e-mail list will be removing all those who have told us they want to be taken off our mailing list. As any of you make known through your e-mails, phone calls, skype, etc. that you want to continue with the false teaching that you are now living your "resurrection of judgment, second death, lake of fire, white throne judgment..." and as you reveal to us that you have honestly concluded that our doctrine that we are "not hurt of the second death" and that "the elect [do not] partake of the lake of fire now" is heresy, we will be removing you from the Lord's house, as any "good shepherd" would and should do.

We are being accused of not giving the flock time to weigh these matters, but we all know that is not true and that no one has ever told anyone they must make an immediate decision on these very weighty matters. Certainly none of the seven elders who have remained faithful to the doctrine that the good and wise are resurrected to life, and the evil are resurrected to judgment, which is the second death; none of us are insisting on an immediate decision on this very important matter. The truth is that no one who is simply unsure of where they stand at this time is being excluded from our fellowship. Not one soul! It is only those who have made known that they think we are teaching heresy who are being taken out of the "[our spiritual] house" to be considered by us spiritually "as a heathen man and a publican" (Mat 18:15-17).

We have been told in no uncertain terms by our detractors that our calling does not make us a special people, and that if we think it does, then we are making ourselves better than those who are cast into the lake of fire. The fact of that matter is that everyone in both camps of this divide knows that we have never taken credit for even so much as our sins, much less our becoming an overcomer. But, as regards to being given a very special calling, Oh, yes indeed! We are guilty as charged!! Let it be known to all that if we are blessed to be in that first resurrection, we are indeed a "blessed and holy people" unto the Lord. The Lord, not us, has chosen us to be a special people, not someone who is raised to "the resurrection of judgment", to be cast into the lake of fire which is the second death. If we are given to be in that "resurrection of life", then we are a special people above all people that are upon the face of the earth".

Just how special is the resurrection to life?

Deu 7:6  For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. [Very special]

Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. [Very special]

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

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. [Very special]

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

Luk 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are [Firstborn: Heb 12:23] written in heaven. [Very special]

Heb 12:18  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Heb 12:19  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
Heb 12:20  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Heb 12:21  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, [Very special]
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. [Very special]
Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: [Those is the lake of fire do NOT receive a kingdom, and that makes us Very special]
Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

Now I want to share with you an e-mail from a brother in Nairobi, Kenya, which the Lord inspired him to write and which simply states the truth concerning how we are instructed to deal with brothers who "abide not in the doctrine of Christ". Let's read those instructions again:

2Jn 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jn 1:9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2Jn 1:11  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Here is that e-mail which was sent to the body e-mail list back on Oct 27th. Some of you have already read this:

​Nicholas Ondari

Dear Brethren. This is an admonition to the body and I am writing this mail passionately. I fear the road we are taking is absolutely unscriptural and will divide the family big time. There is no way, however much time we shall “take to listen to God” for a day, a week, a month etc, the verdict on this subject will ever be one or unanimous. It is like seeking for a democratic vote on a doctrinal matter.

It is human nature to take sides especially IF ONE HAS NOT PRACTICED LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF THE CHIEF SHEPHERD (Jesus Christ). One must not just listen to the elders but be able to hear our Lord and Savior talking through the elder. I can clearly hear the voice of The True Shepherd, in what Mike and the other elders are saying. Hearing that voice is instantaneously rightly dividing the word of truth. So this is not an affinity issue or emotional friendship thing.

Already the elders are not agreeing, and this is likely to spread down the entire body. I am shocked that there are those who cannot accept the simplicity of this elementary doctrine of Christ. With all these thousands of scriptures being floated in the mails, we are simply trying to mix un-mixable things. I am persuaded, the entire challenge boils down to accurate understanding of the elementary doctrines. I have taken time to read as carefully and attentively as I could and gone through the emails, etc., but it sometimes sounds like Babylon (total confusion). Merely dispensing verses is not necessarily prophesying forth the proceeding word! The letter killeth...! IF WE ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRIST'S DEATH, HOW COULD WE ALSO PARTAKE OF THE LAKE OF FIRE AT THE END OF TIME, WHICH TAKES PLACE AFTER THE WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT? IF THE LAKE OF FIRE AND FIERY TRIALS ARE ONE AND THE SAME THING, WHEN SHALL THOSE IN THE LAKE OF FIRE (2nd resurrection) ENDURE TO THE END THE FIERY TRIALS, SO THAT WE ARE THE SAME?

Although it sounds modern and likeable to float the matter to the whole body (typical Laodicean), it has shocked me. It is a clear indicator that the elders have not all heard from the chief shepherd, otherwise this will never be. If the elders cannot agree on a matter “after prayer and fasting”, please don’t assume the family will. Could possibly our Father have brought us to the ravine to test all of us by how we drink or lap, so as to separate the crowd?

Babylonian doctrine teaches that one day, all humans will rise from the dead and queue for God’s Judgment, one by one from Adam to the last baby to be born. Although they read the scriptures, they have no clue to separate between the current fiery trials, the judgment that has already begun in the Lord’s house, and the White Throne Judgment, where the saints shall form the bench. Most of the Christian religion do not understand the difference between Christ’s resurrection, spiritual resurrection, first resurrection and 2^nd resurrection, and as to who is involved.

It appears that there are also those among the family of God who unknowingly feel that if Christ rose from the dead, we have therefore all risen and need no future resurrection, conversely, since there will be a future resurrection, we shall all wait for that great final resurrection and we should not consider any other resurrection mentioned in the scriptures. Any difference with the traditional Christian religion?

Similarly, the judgments. Some feel (or are pushing it down our throat) that all men (anthropos), will be subjected to the same white throne judgment, whether then or now. Are we being forced to believe that God is so cruel, that despite what He says in His word, he will still punish Lazarus the beggar twice, instead of drawing Him to “Abraham’s bosom”. Luk 16:25  "But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish." 

If sincerely, all the elders listened to the echo of heaven, the voice of The Chief Shepherd, they would have spoken with one voice. For anyone to have even imagined that the matter must be floated to the flock, I humbly see the spirit of Nimrod, the fleshly ambition of Absalom, and the cunning heart of the false mother before Solomon! I pray not to hurt anyone, but I will feel guilty before God if I do not present the convictions the Lord is laying in my heart on this matter.  This request came to me like a bomb, and it is a bomb in the house. Here is one case study, the Lord placed in the NT for our admonition and encouragement, on tackling doctrinal differences;

CASE STUDY FOR DOCTRINAL DIFFERENCES.

Act 15:2  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, [My comment: the 'them here is not the entire church at Antioch. The 'them' here is "certain men" who came down from Judeah (vs 1).] they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Act 15:6  And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 

Act 15:7  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them,………………………………..

Act 15:12  Then all the multitude kept silence,…………………………………….

Act 15:13  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: ………………………………

Act 15:19  Wherefore my sentence is,………………………………..

Act 15:22  Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 

1. There is no doubt as to whether there were deep differences of opinion, understanding and conviction, both at Antioch and Jerusalem (verses 2 and 7).
2. Bear in mind that, at Antioch the apostles Paul and Barnabas, had accurate convictions and understanding initially according to the season on God’s move. The entire Antiochian church might have been dull in hearing and were relying on historical and divisive written word knowledge. Paul and Barnabas had decoded the voice of God for the season.
3. Perhaps Paul and Barnabas proposed to the Antiochian brethren that the matter be referred to the Apostles at Jerusalem instead of subjecting it to voting of democratic contributions.   Implicitly therefore, they absolutely subjected the verdict to the decision of the Apostles/Elders, and whatever the Elders and Apostles could be guided to decide, was the truth. They recognized ranking despite all of them being the body or equal. They could not reject the verdict and opt to democracy after the decision did not go their way!
4. At Antioch, they could as well have subjected the matter for debate and democratic vote. They did not. If they had done so, democracy could have carried the day because it was Paul and Barnabas against the entire church. (Act 15:2  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them,…). I believe the Lord led them this way for our learning. Doctrine CANNOT BE DETERMINED DEMOCRATICALLY! One man could be most accurate against many. Practically, there is need to listen to David(s), in our café. When all of us start to talk, argue, babble, debate etc God keeps silent!
5. When Paul and Barnabas floated the matter to the Jerusalem Council, see what the Father records for us (…Act 15:7  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them,…) Again, the Jerusalem Council did not subject the matter to majority opinion and knowledge. Do not lose focus as to who might have been here at the gathering. However, they allowed divine order and the leading of the Spirit to take pre-imminence. The “Set Men” [1Co 12:28], the ones among equals, like David at the Café [alluding to 1Ch 12:39] had the final word!
6.  Apparently, Paul ad Barnabas, simply presented their case. The verdict was made by Peter and James as they were led by the Spirit. The entire council wisely and in the spirit of humility took a back seat and stood behind these two men in prayer and support, and accepted their conclusions and guidance.
7. Act 15:12  Then all the multitude kept silence,…………………………………….Act 15:13  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: ………………………………Act 15:19  Wherefore my sentence is,………  Act 15:22  Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: Let us give weight to these scriptures;Php 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

   Gal 5:15  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

   I sincerely and wholeheartedly believe we have been hearing the voice of God all along. If one or so subjects were poorly prosecuted, the elders should have corrected it and in the spirit of meekness announced the error with brotherly love. That is why the word tells us “...let one or two prophesy... And let others judge”. Sometimes, doctrine could be prosecuted wrongly (partially or whole), that is why the Lord allows correction by others after one has already prophesied (spoken forth). When one or two prophesy and then vehemently refute the judging and correction by others, it is another spirit! One can easily see that spirit by the strong language being used in the mails. 1Co 14:29  Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 

   1Co 14:30  If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 1Co 14:31  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 1Co 14:32  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

   The fiery trials and judgment that is in the house of God might be erroneously construed to be similar to the Lake of Fire at the end of time, but both The White Throne Judgment and the Lake of Fire are specifically placed at the end for the multitudes that the saints will judge. The current fiery trials and chastenings are being administered by the Father to His children whom He loves. We are even given the chronology of who gets into the lake of Fire, and the elect are not named, but are instead implied to be administering the process. The question could be, can one administer a process one has not been through? The lake of fire is a far inferior process meant to bring all God’s children to the house. The ones invited from the by-ways and high ways! The fiery trials and judgment in the house of God is far superior meant to raise priests and kings. One is an ECD (early childhood development) course, and the other is to raise parents and patriarchs.

   I fully support the seven elders (who have taught true doctrine all along) on their stand in this matter, and I do not feel the other four should have personalized the matter to feel demeaned or even “very correct". To allege that the elders have given us heresy, is to say the least extremely dangerous and such allegation needs to be repented publicly since it would imply the other four elders let such heresy continue for so many years. If this was heresy, where shall we stop? What else is not? Hope no one feels hurt, BUT WHOEVER PROPOSED PUBLIC DEBATE SHOULD HAVE ANTICIPATED UNCOMFORTABLE STANDS.

   YbiC
   Nicholas Ondari [End of email]

Thank you for your inspired input. It has served to remind us that Paul was rejected of all the churches in Asia when he changed His doctrine from agreeing with the elders in Jerusalem to no longer living according to the words of that letter to all the churches telling them that the Gentiles need not keep the law of Moses, but the Jews must  still do so. As you pointed out, Peter and Paul agreed to what the apostles and elders of that time agreed to be the will of the Lord.

That entire story very much parallels what is now taking place in our fellowship. Let's examine closely exactly what was said and contrast what was said by Peter at that conference with what the apostles and elders agreed to. Here is what Peter said:

Act 15:5  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Act 15:6  And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Act 15:7  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Act 15:9  And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Act 15:11  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Act 15:12  Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

After declaring 'God put no difference between us and them' and after declaring the law of Moses was "a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear", both Peter and Paul and the holy spirit agreed with the apostles and elders that there really is a difference between Jews and Gentiles, that difference being that the Gentiles need not keep the law of Moses, but the Jews absolutely must do so:

Act 15:28  For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Act 15:29  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

This letter is addressed to the Gentiles only:

Act 15:23  And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
Act 15:24  Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

This Jerusalem conference took place after Paul and Barnabas returned from their first evangelical journey being sponsored by the church in Syrian Antioch. We know this is so because they are still together here at this Jerusalem conference. It was at the beginning of their second journey that they split up over whether to take John Mark with them again.

Paul made two other journeys before coming back to Jerusalem to be apprehended of the Jews. During all those years, he and Peter were living under the law of Moses, as is made clear by the fact that he circumcised Timothy in the very next chapter of Acts:

Act 16:1  Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Act 16:2  Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Act 16:3  Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Act 16:4  And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

Here we have the apostle Paul circumcising Timothy because his mother was a Jew, and therefore Timothy was considered to be a Jew also, and as such he must be circumcised according to the law of Moses, which Paul agreed the Jews must keep, even as he was teaching the Gentiles that they need not keep the law of Moses. It had to be a time of conflict in the heavens of both Paul and Peter, who had just told the apostles and elders that the Lord had "put no difference between us and them", and that "neither our fathers nor we" could keep the law of Moses.

Act 15:9  And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Peter did not say, "Why tempt ye God to put a yoke on the neck of the Jewish disciples?" He made it clear that he meant all the Lord's disciples by going on and saying, "which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear."

Lest there be any doubt whether Peter and Paul lived under the law of Moses during the years of Paul's next two missionary journeys, we read this in Acts 21, years later, just before Paul is imprisoned at Jerusalem:

Act 21:17  And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
Act 21:18  And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
Act 21:19  And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
Act 21:20  And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
Act 21:21  And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
Act 21:22  What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
Act 21:23  Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
Act 21:24  Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
Act 21:25  As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
Act 21:26  Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

That letter to the Gentiles was definitely the "wall of partition" of which Paul later speaks when he changes his doctrine to accord with his now more mature understanding of the curse of the law of Moses:

Gal 3:13  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1Ti 1:11  According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

"The glorious gospel... was committed to [Paul's] trust", and yet for many years he taught the Jews that they had to keep the law of Moses. When his understanding matured, just a couple of years after Acts 21, and he came finally to see that the more mature truth is that the priesthood of Christ was no longer Aaronic but is now "after the order of Melchizedek", he did not, as Nicholas correctly noted, go back to Jerusalem and seek a democratic vote as to whether he should show the churches the truths of Ephesian, Colossians, Timothy, Hebrews, etc. But there is another amazing parallel between what happened to Paul and Peter and John, when John finally wrote his gospel and referred to all the Jewish holy days as 'feast[s] of the Jews' throughout the gospel of John.

What happened to the very apostles of Christ when they changed their doctrine and began teaching the very opposite of what they had previously taught? This is what happened then, and it is happening even today:

To Paul:

Col 4:14  Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

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

Phm 1:24  Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

2nd Timothy was Paul's last epistle. Colossians and Philemon are both prison epistles. What this tells us is that Demas, Crescens, and even Titus, forsook Paul while Paul was still in prison but after writing Colossians, which has the same message of Ephesians. Paul is letting us all know that now not even the Jews are required to keep the law of Moses.

2Ti 1:15  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

2Ti 4:16  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
2Ti 4:17  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
2Ti 4:18  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

It had to be a great disappointment for Paul to see the very men he had mentored, Demas, Crescens, and Titus, men whom he had considered "my fellowlaborers", forsake him after he changed his doctrine while in prison in Rome. It had to be very disappointing for Christ to witness all of His own apostles forsake Him, and it had to be very disappointing to Paul when "all they in Asia" forsook him.

Now this is what happened to John when He started speaking of the holy days of God as "a feast of the Jews" distancing himself from the law of Moses:

3Jn 1:9  I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
3Jn 1:10  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Peter agreed with Paul's new revelation. After all, Paul's new revelation was exactly what Peter had said in Acts 15, so Peter tells us:

2Pe 3:15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2Pe 3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
2Pe 3:17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

That is what happened to the apostles when they were led to change their doctrine after teaching the exact opposite of the new revelation which was actually more in line with the scriptures.

If this is what happened to them, why would you or I expect anything different?

But the apostles, like Christ and Stephen before them, were magnanimous towards all who opposed them, while at the same time remaining faithful and firm in obedience to the Truth:

Luk 23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Act 7:60  And he [Stephen] kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

2Ti 4:16  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me:I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

That is how I feel toward all my brothers and sisters who think that the other six elders and I are teaching heresy. I know this is all of the Lord, and He is still working all things together for good (Rom 8:28).

There have been many e-mails demonstrating how I once taught that the seven last plagues are "our lake of fire". Some seem to think that if they can just find one more additional article where I taught that doctrine that it will prove what a hypocrite I am.

I confess openly once again, that it was wrong for me to agree that our fiery trials in this age are our lake of fire. The lake of fire is the resurrection to judgment, and that is not for any who are aspiring to know the power of the resurrection of Christ, who was not, nor ever will be, raised from the death in "the resurrection of judgment". Christ's flesh, His old man was judged before He ever went to the literal cross. We, too, if we are given to know "the power of His resurrection" will never be raised from the dead unto "the resurrection of judgment", and since there are only two resurrections, all men are in one or the other of these two resurrections:

Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life [first resurrection]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. [Greek: judgment, second resurrection, second death]

I have confessed to a lack of understanding when those FAQ's were written, and I confess again to day before you all to that lack of understanding at that time. But to demonstrate how I, just like Peter and Paul, was conflicted at that time, I want to share with you another FAQ which was sent to me by my brother Riquard Vreekamp, who has struggled mightily with this question of us, in this age, living through the very thing we are promised would have no power over us and would never hurt us:

Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

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

Here is Riquard's e-mail and that FAQ from the year just before Partakers of The Second Death was written. It is a question from someone whose first initial was 'F':

Mike, I...want to let you know that I found an article of you that plainly states that the lake of fire is not a term that should be used for the elect.

Mike, I hear people, especially church folks, yell at the top of their lungs that they are saved. How can one be saved if one is still sinning? And to be totally cleaned, don’t we all have to go through the “Lake of Fire?” The Bible tells us that all sin. Please clear this up for me.

F____

Hi F______,

I challenge anyone to show me where anyone is already saved.

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

It is in the Greek ‘aorist’ tense, and it is what we would call the present progressive.

This is always the case in the Greek when it comes to our present spiritual standing. In the first three chapters of Revelation we are told that “he that overcometh…” will I give to “eat of the tree of life” etc.

The only thing offered to those who are not overcomers in this age is death. Salvation in the first resurrection is only offered to “he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.”

If we don’t ‘endure to the end, we won’t be saved.

When it comes to the phrase ‘lake of fire,’ we are never to apply this phraseology to the overcomers.

Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

The second death is ‘the lake of fire,’ and the lake of fire “is for the devil and his angels:”

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

We really need to keep these phrases scriptural. We endure a “fiery trial.”

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

Yet we are promised that we will not be hurt of the second death, which is the lake of fire.

It is indeed the very same fire. But it really is important to maintain a “pattern of sound words.”

I hope I have cleared this up for you.

Your brother, Mike (End of FAQ)

I hope you have all been edified by this little history of what happened with the apostles Peter and Paul, and I pray you do not consider either the apostles or me or any of our other elders, who taught this immature understanding in the past, as hypocrites. Neither Peter nor Paul were hypocrites. Like me, their understanding was lacking until the Lord "enlighted the eyes of their understanding":

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [of the first resurrection, "the resurrection of life".
Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his powerto us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

I am not impugning the character of anyone. When the Lord blinds us, it is not of our own doing. When we sin it is not even of ourselves. This is all of the Lord, and my prayer is that the Lord will not lay to anyone's charge what He has wrought in that person's life (Rom 7:17-25).

That is our study for today. Today is the day that we are purging the Lord's house of the leaven He has placed within it, and we look forward to sweet fellowship with all whom the Lord gives to us. Let Steve Crook or Sandi know where you think you are hearing the voice of the True Shepherd, and we will either add you to our fellowship or purge you from our midst as you let us know. I will wrap this up by repeating again, there is no rush to judgment being exerted just because we are purging the Lord's house. Take all the time you need to determine whether you are raised up to the resurrection of life or to the resurrection of judgment, the second death, the lake of fire, the great white throne judgment to be judged with the whole world:

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

Next week, Lord willing, we will return to the study of our judgment in this age, as we continue our studies in Isaiah.

Hi Mike,

I would like to utilize you as a ‘sounding board’ regarding my thoughts on this scripture below (Php 1:12-18). It is a scripture that has been on my mind of late, and I have been meditating on it as well as studying it in the context of the sum of thy words is truth. Your comments are welcome.

It reminds me of the parable of the unjust steward. For years I thought it was the strangest way to get the primary point across, which is Christ exhorting us to diligence with all foresight in our Christian walk; ‘to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove’. It sure seemed like He was encouraging us to cheat our masters in order to protect our own hide (which I knew did not line up with the rest of scripture). Thank God He has opened my eyes to understand better, and likewise you have taught and commented on this parable to my edification already.

It seems Paul is saying in this verse and in the context of the rest of this chapter that all things (good and evil) work out for his good and the furtherance of the gospel including his chains (trials), so that whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this (Christ being preached) I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

It seems like he is saying regardless of the motivation or even the fullness of the truth being preached, he rejoices that Christ is being preached (in other words, it’s all of God, even the false doctrines preached in Babylon, all the evil being done, etc.); yet I am fully aware of all the scriptures that require a disciple to study to show oneself approved, test the spirits, to be like the Bereans, to not let false doctrine into your spiritual house, give a first and second admonition to those that teach heresy, to expose those that contradict, etc.

So I ask myself: Is Paul saying he is rejoicing in the fact that the words of Christ are being preached even by those not doing it out of Christian love (i.e. keep His commandments and teach rightly)? Is he saying, at least it’s better than the rest of the sea of humanity who have not even been given to have faith in the bible and outwardly hate Christ and His standards?

So, when I see high profile athletes give glory to Jesus Christ publicly, I do rejoice in their testimony. Even though I have not heard them teach or preach, I discern they believe in another gospel, another Christ (just like me not long ago since we come out of the same Babylonian system, and I certainly understand that God has them where they are). In my job, I often advise senior citizens on their Medicare and government options, and often they will share their testimony with me. I rejoice in their testimony, yet I realize they are not open to the True Gospel, and I am careful not to cast my pearls; so my enthusiasm is greatly diminished.

Yet when I see someone who claims to have come out of Babylon promote the web- sites of various Babylon ministers (which I once promoted myself), I do not rejoice, and I do feel compelled to ask why to them; and I do feel compelled to expose their contradiction, etc.

When I see a TBN minister, I don’t rejoice at their false teaching even though they are at least preaching Christ while at the same time teaching another Christ and another gospel.

My conclusion:

Regarding my personal scenarios and feelings, I believe it is the Spirit of God leading me with what to say and what to feel as I do not want to hurt a babe in Christ nor give more to someone than they can handle as I constantly try and judge my motives in each situation.

Regarding Paul to Philipians 1, I conclude that why he did not hesitate to judge the body (turn one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh and learn not blaspheme, exposed contradiction, and stand as a witness for the gospel even when his own under shepherds and disciples turned away from him, etc.), he still rejoiced over anyone’s attempt to preach Jesus, knowing God was in control and that gave him peace even when that preaching went against him.

Any thoughts?

M____

Christ Is Preached

Php 1:12 Now, brethren, I desire you should know that the things which have happened to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel:
Php 1:13 So that my bands are made manifest in Christ, in all the court and in all other places.
Php 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, growing confident by my bands, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.
Php 1:15 Some indeed, even out of envy and contention: but some also for good will preach Christ.
Php 1:16 Some out of charity, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.
Php 1:17 And some out of contention preach Christ not sincerely: supposing that they raise affliction to my bands.
Php 1:18 But what then? So that by all means, whether by occasion or by truth, Christ be preached: in this also I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. (DRB)

Wow, M____!,

You are right on target with this email. We all must believe in “another Jesus” and a false shepherd before we come to know “the true shepherd.”

2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him

I have said many times that Babylon is under the law and is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Being under the law, we differ nothing from a slave, but it is a necessary step which both the chosen elect and the many called must take at their own appointed time.

Gal 4:1  Now I say, [That] the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Gal 4:2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Gal 4:3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

“We when we were children were in bondage” in Babylon. It is true that God’s elect are still “carnal babes in Christ” even when we first think we have “come out of Babylon”. We want to expose Babylon, and we are bitter that they took our tithe money and fed us lies, and we want to make everyone see the Truth we now see. “Ye are yet carnal.”

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

All of that is necessary to bring us to see our own immaturity and repent and remember that we, too, only yesterday were where they are, and we are all  exactly where God has us by His own design.

I have also pointed out that God’s elect all come out of Babylon and are all “of the flesh” and are “the son of the bondwoman” before being transformed into the son of the freewoman.

Gal 4:23  But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman [was] by promise.
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.

It was in verse three of this same fourth chapter of Galatians that Paul revealed that “we were in bondage…” So God’s elect all come out of Babylon as the scriptures declare.

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

When the Lord reveals to us the vital part that Babylon plays in our being chosen, we cannot but love and appreciate those openly Christian athletes and even the ministers of Babylon. It is on their backs that God’s elect are His elect. All things truly are for the sake of God’s elect.

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

Thanks for sharing this with me. You have put this in very personal terms, and I will share this with our readers.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

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Introduction – ‘Sheep’ and ‘Lamb’ as Christ

As with every word of scripture, the word ‘sheep’ has a meaning behind it that has nothing at all to do with a four legged barnyard animal. What then does this word typify?

In answering this question we must remember that God’s Word is completely “Christ-centric.” We are told that the book of Revelation is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ.” It is a completely Christ-centered book. Now, since “the sum of Thy Word is Truth” (Psa 119:160 ASV), and since “Christ is that Truth” (Joh 14:6) and “is the Word” (Joh 1:1), that makes the entirety of God’s Word Christ-centered.

Psa 119:160  The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. (ASV, ESV, etc.)

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Since the sum of God’s Word is Truth and since Christ says “I am the Truth,” it adds not one Word to the Word of God to say that Christ is the sum of God’s Word and that the whole of the Bible is indeed ‘Christ-centric.’

What does all this have to do with the word ‘sheep’ in scripture? It tells us that this word ‘sheep’ is centered around Christ. If we can keep this in mind, we will much better understand what Christ means when we see the words, sheep, lamb or ram in scripture. If Christ is in us, then we, too, must identify with these words ‘sheep’ and ‘lamb.’

Who is “the lamb of God?

Joh 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Joh 1:32  And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
Joh 1:33  And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
Joh 1:34  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Joh 1:35  Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
Joh 1:36  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

If Christ is a lamb, what does that make us?

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

In what way are we sheep?

Psa 100:3  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Christ calls us His lambs and His sheep. He mentions the lambs first but only once. He mentions the sheep twice and last. Christ, through His elect sheep, feeds both His lambs and His sheep.

Joh 21:15  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Joh 21:16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Joh 21:17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

“Feed my sheep,” not ‘feed upon my sheep’ but “feed my sheep. When we see the sheep being abused, we take it to our Father:

Gen 37:2  These [are] the generations of Jacob. Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

Joseph was in Babylon when his eyes began to be opened to the fact that His brothers didn’t really care for the welfare of their Father as much as for themselves.

Joseph’s brothers were so interested in their own welfare that they later sold Joseph for two pieces of silver each – twenty pieces of silver (Benjamin was not involved in this betrayal).

What are a sheep’s natural enemies?

Many biblical animals prey upon sheep. Scripturally sheep are the natural prey for lions, leopards, bears, and wolves:

1Sa 17:33  And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
1Sa 17:34  And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
1Sa 17:35  And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
1Sa 17:36  Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

The true shepherd does not leave God’s sheep to the lions, leopards, bears or wolves. He fights for His flock, and He slays the lion, the leopard, the bear and the wolf, and takes God’s lambs “out of his (the lion’s) mouth.” David was a true shepherd who had laid his life down for His father’s sheep. It was that same spirit which led him to lay his life down for King Saul and to fight Goliath, the giant who defied God.

David’s service for His heavenly father, just like ours, also began in Babylon. Later David comes to see that God has a rejected anointed, who wants God’s elect dead:

Psa 17:11  They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
Psa 17:12  Like as a lion that is greedy [ kasaph] of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Psa 17:13  Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

All the beasts of the forest prey on God’s backslidden flock:

Jer 5:6  Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.

Eze 22:25  There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.
Eze 22:26  Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
Eze 22:27  Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

Zep 3:3  Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

Our prophets, priests and princes,  like lions, bears and evening wolves, all destroy God’s sheep.

Until the day that Christ delivers us from the lion, leopard, bear, and wolf

Joh 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Joh 10:12  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. [The ‘wolf’ comes in the hireling. The hireling is the wolf.]

Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

We are all “dumb sheep” who “follow strangers and go astray” before we become “wise as serpents” to be are “sent among wolves.”

Act 20:27  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

“To draw away disciples” means that these false prophets are willing to leave off part of “the counsel of God” which may be a little too hard to maintain a good sized congregation.

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:

“It takes a congregation of at least 30 regular attendees to make it worth while.” That is a quote from a minister friend of mine.

2Ti 4:14  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
2Ti 4:15  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
2Ti 4:16  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: [I pray God] that it may not be laid to their charge.
2Ti 4:17  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Even when ‘David delivers us out of the lion’s mouth’ we are still “sheep sent forth among wolves.”

The positive application of all of a sheep’s enemies

Num 23:23  Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
Num 23:24  Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
Num 23:25  And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.

It is only through our destruction as foolish sheep that “our own sins… evil men [as] God’s sword” judge us and crush us and humble us to be used of God.

Do you want to “be delivered out of the mouth of the lion?” The only way to do so is to go into the lion’s den. We all are in danger in the lion’s den and in the fiery furnace. No, we are willing to die, we actually lay our lives down for God, and in so doing are delivered out of the fire and out of the mouth of the lion.

Conclusion -“My sheep know My Voice…”

It is a wonderful truth that God’s true sheep know his voice:

Joh 10:1  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Joh 10:2  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Joh 10:3  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Joh 10:4  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Joh 10:5  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Joh 10:6  This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Joh 10:7  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Joh 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Joh 10:12  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Joh 10:13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Joh 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine.
Joh 10:15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Joh 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd.

Before we “know His voice” we “follow many strangers” and “go astray”.

Psa 119:176  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Isa 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jer 50:6  My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away [on] the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all [Isa 53:6] 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.

The Old Testament made it clear who that “lost sheep” was.

Mat 18:12  How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

If we can see that we are that lost sheep which has gone astray and been deceived by our own shepherds, then we just might be given ears to hear the voice of our true shepherd:

Joh 10:24  Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
Joh 10:25  Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
Joh 10:26  But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Christ is the “good shepherd.” He is also the door to the sheepfold, and He tells us, “He that enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”

Joh 10:2  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

So along with calling His elect “the light of the world” and “one bread”, we are now also called “the shepherd of the sheep” if we enter the sheepfold through the door to the sheepfold. “As He is, so are we in this world.”

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

One more thing Christ is that we also are is a lamb and a sheep. As John the Baptist said of Christ,

Joh 1:36  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

The world should see Christ in us. We are the lambs of the Lamb; what our Savior calls saviors:

Joh 21:15  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

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

Neh 9:27  Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest [them] from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.

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

In Christ, you are that fire of the lake of fire.

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

In Christ, you are Christ’s lambs who will also be “saviors on Mount Zion”.

There can be no greater calling. Lay hold upon that calling:

1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Heb 6:19  Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

I will close by reminding you that in this world you are as Christ is, and the world should be able to say of you:

Joh 1:36  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

[The next installment of this study can be found here.]