If you be Christ, Save Yourself

[Study Aired September 13, 2022]

Matt 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Luke 23:37 And (the soldiers) saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
Matt 27:36 And sitting down they watched him there;
Mark 15:25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
Matt 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, 
Luke 23:32 malefactors, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Mark 15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
Matt 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Matt 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest [it] in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Matt 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking [him], with the scribes and elders, said,
Matt 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save.
Mark 15:32 (a) Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. 
Matt 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Matt 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him
Mark 15:32 (b) reviled him.
Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee Today, shalt thou be with me in paradise.

In our last study Christ begged the Father to forgive His accusers. This was for our benefit as an example of how we are to think about our accusers. This study will continue to be an example of how our interactions with others will be our judge.

Matt 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, 

Luke 23:32 malefactors, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Mark 15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

Once again, the scriptures are fulfilled.

Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

We are a transgressor if we do not follow the law of Christ and the royal law.

Gal 6:1-5 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

Jam 2:1-13 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.  For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

The way we act toward others must follow the law of Christ. Christ’s accusers do not act according to His law.

Matt 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Matt 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest [it] in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Matt 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking [him], with the scribes and elders, said,
Matt 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save.

Mark 15:32 (a) Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. 

Matt 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Matt 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him

Mark 15:32 (b) reviled him.

Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

We all sought a sign to convince us that we would be saved. As carnal babes in Christ, we do not understand the things of the spirit and believe only what we see in the flesh. Christ did not come to save himself. He came to save the world through death.

Joh 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 12:44-50 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Heb 2:14-18 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

1Co 1:21-25 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The one thief was just like those in the crowd representing our old man. Now the other thief responds and he represents us when we realize we are sinful and must die for our wickedness.

Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee Today, shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Christ gives a promise to the thief, which is a promise to us. Our sins will be forgiven and remembered no more. If it is written in our book to be judged in this age, we are in paradise with Christ.

Heb 10:14-18 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Heb 2:1-18 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Exo 4:18 –31 Surely, a Bloody Huband art Thou to Me

[Study Aired April 4, 2022]

Exo 4:18  And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. 
Exo 4:19  And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life. 
Exo 4:20  And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. 
Exo 4:21  And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. 
Exo 4:22  And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: 
Exo 4:23  And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. 
Exo 4:24  And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 
Exo 4:25  Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 
Exo 4:26  So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. 
Exo 4:27  And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him. 
Exo 4:28  And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him. 
Exo 4:29  And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: 
Exo 4:30  And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. 
Exo 4:31  And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. 

All things come alike to us all. In other words, we all go through the same experience as the Lord’s elect, but the details are different from each other.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. 
Ecc 9:3  This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 

What this means is that what happened to Moses and all the prophets is our experience also. Thus, the story of Moses and the Israelites and their exodus from Egypt relate to our experience of our walk with Christ. With that in mind, it becomes easier to understand the details of the Lord’s encounter with Moses in the desert.

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

Today’s study is based on Moses’ journey back to Egypt to start the process of delivering the Lord’s people from their bondage in Egypt. Let’s now look at what happened to Moses after his encounter with the Lord as follows:

Exo 4:18  And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.

We must understand that the return of Moses to Egypt does not mean that as the Lord’s elect, we will return to the world. Not even the apostate church in the wilderness (the Israelites) returned to Egypt. What it means for Moses to return to Egypt is that after we encounter Christ, we must face the world with the devil as the prince of the power of the air. Our encounter with the Lord is to prepare us to face the world with all its tribulations.

Joh 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Moses going to Jethro, his father-in-law, to request to go back to Egypt is not the result of Moses’ own volition. It was the result of his encounter with the Lord in the desert and his adherence to the command of the Lord to go back to Egypt to deliver the Lord’s people. There is a popular adage in the world that “where there is a will, there is a way”. However, my failures in life, even though I had the will, has taught me that it is only where there is the Lord’s will, that there is a way. It is not about him that runs, or wills or desires. It is about the Lord showing mercy!!

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Moses’ own effort to deliver the people of Israel from bondage had failed woefully. He is now ready to depend on the Lord to do the work. The first challenge we face when the Lord visits us with His brightness (His words) is the call to leave Babylon to fulfill our destiny. This was what happened to Moses. He had to disengage with his father-in-law, Jethro, to pursue the Lord’s agenda. Jethro here negatively represents Babylon (the physical churches of this world), which we are admonished to leave.

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 

When the Lord visited Abraham, he was also told to leave his family behind and pursue the Lord’s agenda. Although the family Abraham left signifies that to do the Lord’s will, we must leave behind the flesh, it can also mean leaving Babylon. So, Abraham also had to leave Babylon. As indicated in the introductory part of this study, we all have the same experience.

Jethro’s willingness to let Moses go is to let us know that in any situation we come across, as long as it is in the perfect will of God, the Lord will make a way for us. He indeed creates rivers in the desert for us.

Isa 43:19  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Nobody leaves Babylon with a sending-off party. It usually comes with tribulation, but in the end, the Lord gives us the willingness and the capacity to respond to His call to leave.

Exo 4:19  And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life. 

The men who were seeking the life of Moses represent the beast or the old man within us. When Christ comes to us with His brightness, which is His words, the death of the beast within has begun in earnest. So, here we are being reminded that we need not fear whether we are going to be overcome by the beast within as the Lord has initiated the death process for the beast or the old man.

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

Exo 4:20  And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. 

Moses coming to Egypt to the Lord’s people sitting on an ass is a foreshadow of Christ coming to us (Jerusalem) to bring deliverance to the daughters of Zion (the elect).

Mat 21:5  Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 

Zec 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

The choice of a donkey is, itself, an important symbol. Horses are the ideal animals for war, so victorious warriors would present themselves atop a horse as they paraded. Our Messiah using an ass is to let us know that our deliverance by Him from our bondage in Egypt is not by might nor by power, but by the spirit and that His kingdom is not of this world. It also shows our Lord’s humility. Moses coming back to Egypt on an ass means that those the Lord is calling as His sons come to us in humility. They do not glory in His presence because they recognize that it was just by the mercies of the Lord that they had been chosen.

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

Joh 18:36  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 

This verse also demonstrates the victory the Lord has given us over the flesh.  Moses here represents the Lord whose wife is the New Jerusalem. The sons are the elect who are the product of the union between Christ and His wife, the New Jerusalem or the church of the first born.  As verse 20 indicates, Moses set them upon an ass on his return to Egypt. This means that after we have had an encounter with the Lord, our Lord Jesus Christ gives us the power to overcome the beast within which is symbolized by Moses’ family riding on top of an ass (beast).

1Jn 2:14  I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

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

Verse 20 also shows us how to overcome the beast within. It is when Moses took the rod of God in his hands that victory is assured. As indicated in the previous session, the rod here represents Christ who is from the root of Jesse. It is when Christ comes to us to do His work of putting to death the sinful deeds of the flesh or the beast that we become victorious.

Exo 4:21  And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. 

The Lord reminded Moses to do before Pharoah all the wonders that the Lord had shown him during his encounter with Him. In the previous study, we talked about the signs and their spiritual significance. Let’s revisit last week’s study to remind ourselves of the signs Moses is required to perform before Pharaoh.

The first sign

Exo 4:2  And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. 
Exo 4:3  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. 
Exo 4:4  And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: 

The rod here is the same as the staff. What is in our hands is what we cling to. In other words, what Lord was asking Moses pertains to what Moses was depending on. We are either depending on our strength or flesh, which is powered by the devil, or we are depending on the Lord alone. In the Bible, a rod is a symbol of discipline. However, the following verses show that a rod can represents Christ and His words or the devil and his lies, represented as serpent:

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse (christ), and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isa 14:29  Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken (the devil): for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

It is when we have an encounter with Christ, that is, when He comes to us and causes us to understand His words, that we are shown what we are depending on. It is when the Lord comes to us with His brightness and starts His work of destroying the beast within that we see who we have been dealing with all our lives – our father the devil, who is represented here as a serpent. Christ coming to us with His brightness is when our heavens are opened to begin to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 

Just as Christ stands for the word of Christ or truth, the devil or Satan or the serpent is synonymous with deception or lies. So, it is when the Lord opens our hearts and minds to understand His words that we begin to see how all our lives we have been deceived by the lies of the serpent. Nobody wants to entertain deception. One of the key factors that destroy marriages is when one partner sees that he/she had been deceived all along. Immediately we recognize deception, and we run away from it. This was what happened to Moses. Immediately when he saw that the rod had become a serpent, he realized that he had been deceived all along. That is when he started to flee from deception. That was exactly what happened to us!!  Until Christ came to us with His brightness, we thought we were serving the Lord. We come to see that what we have been holding on to or depending on is indeed deception by our father the devil, and we flee!!

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. 

Through the scriptures, we are able to know how to deal with the lies of the devil and his messengers. That is, we must put forth our hands and take the serpent by the tail. In the scriptures, the tail negatively symbolizes the false doctrines of false messengers of Satan.

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

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

The statement “And he put forth his hands, and caught it” means that Moses was able to seize, bind or restrain (Meaning of caught – H2388) the lies of the enemy, the devil. It is when we have dominion over the false doctrines in our heavens that we are able to hold on to Christ and His words, represented here by the serpent turning back to a rod. The rod is also a symbol of rulership. Thus, having this rod (Christ and His words) now in our hands is to assure us of our future inheritance as rulers, just as Moses ruled over the Lord’s people after this encounter with Christ with the rod in his hands.

Eze 19:14  And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation. 

The Second Sign

Exo 4:6  And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
Exo 4:7  And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. 

The Hebrew word “chôq”^H2436 is often translated as bosom, but it can also mean “within” as used in the following:

Job 19:27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within^H2436 me.

So, we can say that putting thy hand into thy bosom can mean looking within. As we are aware, within us is a repository of evil, signified by Moses’ hand turning leprous as snow. This is what Jesus had to say about what is within us:

Mar 7:21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 
Mar 7:22  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 
Mar 7:23  All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. 

Verses 6 and 7 present another way of saying that the vessel that our Lord made of clay was marred in His hands, and so He made it again into another vessel as it seemed good to Him.

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

During the Lord’s encounter with Moses, He told him that if they do not believe him after the first sign, then they will believe in him by the second sign. These two signs are what marks us out as the elect and makes those called and chosen who are in bondage believe in us. Without these two signs, we cannot impact anybody’s life.

Exo 4:8  And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. 

By telling Moses that he will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will not let go, the Lord is reminding us that dealing with the beast within is a lifelong process.

Exo 4:22  And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: 

The Lord describing Israel as His firstborn is to let us know about the election of Israel. The first-born son was the one who normally received a double inheritance and was the one who would inherit his father’s role as head of the family. As we are aware, Jesus is the first born among many brethren and is also the first born of every creature.

Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 

God sometimes reversed this order as he did with Jacob and Esau and as Jacob later did with Ephraim and Manasseh. Reuben was also the first born of Jacob, but his rights as the first born were taken away because of his sin.

Gen 35:22  And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: 
Gen 35:23  The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun: 

Gen 49:3  Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: 
Gen 49:4  Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. 

The term “firstborn” spiritually refers to our election before the foundations of the world. So, the Lord telling Moses to tell Pharaoh that Israel is His first-born is to let us know about Israel’s election which is a foreshadow of our election.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Exo 4:23  And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. 

Pharaoh here is a symbol of the old man or the beast within who resists us from being free to worship the Lord. The Lord saying that He will slay the firstborn of Pharaoh is to let us know that the Lord will destroy the basis of the strength of the beast within as firstborns represent the basis of our strength as used in the following:

Gen 49:3  Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: 

This means that the destruction of the beast, or the old man within us, is a process. As the story unfolds, we shall see that it takes time for the firstborn of Pharaoh to die. It is not accomplished in one day!! That is what Paul meant when he said that he dies daily.

1Co 15:31  I protest by that glorying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Exo 4:24  And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 

The Lord seeking to kill Moses means that the Lord has commenced the process to put to death the old man or the beast within Moses.

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

Exo 4:25  Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 
Exo 4:26  So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. 

Zipporah, Moses’ wife, represents the elect. Stone on a positive note in the word of the Lord stands for the elect. What this means is that it is through what every joint supplies in the New Jerusalem or the church of the firstborn that we are able to take away the flesh of our foreskin, that is, destroy the flesh or the old man. As Paul stated, we the elect are the spiritual Jews who are circumcised spiritually.

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

Col 2:10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 
Col 2:11  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 

Zipporah referred to Moses as a bloody husband. As we have indicated, Moses also represents the Lord and Zipporah the bride of Christ. Blood in the word of the Lord signifies life. So, calling our husband Christ, a bloody husband on a positive note is another way of saying that He has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

Lev 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. 

Joh 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 

Exo 4:27  And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him. 
Exo 4:28  And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him. 

As we showed in the previous session, the Lord brought Aaron to assist Moses to carry out the Lord’s work. This is what we said about Aaron in the previous study:

On a negative note, Aaron is a symbol of our brothers and sisters in Babylon who are joined to us. In this context, Aaron’s role can be looked at from a negative perspective. Here we see that Aaron was to attend or minister to Moses in bringing salvation to the people of Israel. Throughout the years, our brothers and sisters in Babylon’s work only pertain to the keeping of instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, but it is only Moses, Aaron and his sons (representing us) who are to minister before the Lord.

Num 3:5  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 3:6  Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. 
Num 3:7  And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:8  And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:9  And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel. 
Num 3:10  And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Num 3:38  But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 

We should also note that Aaron’s role is the same as all the prophets of the Old Testament who ministered to us but did not receive the promise.

1Pe 1:10  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 
1Pe 1:11  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 
1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 

Exo 4:29  And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: 
Exo 4:30  And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. 
Exo 4:31  And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. 

As indicated by the Lord Jesus, those called and chosen will respond to our call to be liberated from bondage when we show them the two signs.

Exo 4:8  And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

As indicated, the first sign relates to us being able to recognize that what we have depended on is in reality a deception. It is then that we learn how to deal with these false doctrines – by holding them by the tail. This first sign is basically inward, and it is not easily seen by others. However, the second sign relates to how we come to see ourselves as sinful, and through the grace of God, we come to shine forth His righteousness. It is this righteousness, which is like a lamp that cannot be hidden, we make others believe our voice.

1Pe 3:1  Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 
1Pe 3:2  when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 

Mat 5:14  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 
Mat 5:15  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 
Mat 5:16  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Verse 31 is to assure us that in the fullness of time, when all humanity has seen us demonstrate these two signs, they will come to believe. It is when humanity comes to see the lies of the evil, and their eyes are unveiled to the plan of God regarding the salvation of the world, that they will all bow down their heads and worship the Lord. At that time, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord!!

Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 
Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 
Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  

Audio Links

Awesome Hands – Part 146

“And the sign or wonder come to pass”

January 4, 2019

It is a common concept throughout Deuteronomy, and much of the scripture, that we are to keep the commandments of the Lord.

We ended the last chapter with this concept as it pertains to serving other gods, and this same theme will be what continues throughout chapter 13.

Deu 12:29  When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;
Deu 12:30  Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Deu 12:31  Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Deu 12:32  What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

In our study today, we are going to learn more about serving the Lord in the capacity which He demands and not serving in a capacity that permits us to do whatever we do and then call it worship.

We are going to cover the whole chapter, but it only contains 18 verses, so it should go quickly.

The first scenario we find ourselves reviewing is what we do when we are confronted with a prophet whom we know has dreamed a dream or tells us of a sign that comes to pass, but tells us to serve others gods.

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

I know these verses are familiar enough that you will have heard them discussed before. However, I want to mention a few points that I also used in my previous study.

“(ESV)  take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.”

If the Lord looked on these nations and their god worship, and then destroyed them for it, why would He treat us any differently? In fact, because we are His people and have been told His commandments, we will be held to a higher bar.

Luk 12:46  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
Luk 12:47  And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luk 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

The thing that should be screaming out to us all is how it is we can worship idols. Idols aren’t ONLY going to be something that we shape with our hands and place on a mantel to worship.

Far more insidious are those idols of the heart which we worship in ourselves and in OTHERS.

Notice, we are told several times in this chapter about idol worship and also about “eating meat”.

Where else are we told about “eating an idol”? This is the ESV translation.

1Co 10:26  For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”
1Co 10:27  If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
1Co 10:28  But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—
1Co 10:29  I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience?
1Co 10:30  If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
1Co 10:31  So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

This being offered to idols is not something that I have ever heard someone say. I would be a bit surprised to ever hear this come from anyone alive today.

However, when we know idols are of the heart, then we can know what we are being told spiritually.

Eze 14:2  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 14:3  Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

(BBE) “Son of man, these men have taken their false gods into their hearts and put before their faces the sin which is the cause of their fall: am I to give ear when they come to me for directions?”

These were notes taken from my previous study to show that we are not only concerned with “gods out there” somewhere. We are concerned with worshipping ourselves and others.

Instead, we need to hearken unto the message of Deut 13:4.

Deu 13:4  Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

What is very trying to us as humans is that the Lord has placed us into lives which cause us to seek out companions in this thing we call life. When seeking out companions, whether they be family, friends or loved ones, we tend to develop relationships with deep roots. This isn’t always the case with everyone of course, but we generally want to be around other humans with whom we are compatible.

Because this is something that comes naturally to us, we need to be careful of attaching ourselves so closely to someone that we do not obey the Lord in our lives because of the influence of those around us.

From our study today, a prophet would be someone we know and respect as being someone with some sort of history of dealing with the Lord. We know that spiritually speaking, prophecy itself is the testimony of Jesus Christ in one capacity or another.

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

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

Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Knowing what the spirit of prophecy is, we can now look at Deuteronomy in the spirit in which it was written for those for whom it was prepared.

We are told to cleave unto the Lord for a reason in Deut 13:4, and then we are told how to handle those that prophesy BUT also tell us to serve “other gods”. Again, stop thinking in only absolute terms of “gods out there somewhere” or a pagan god such as Zeus or Ra.

Listen closely to the decree of the One True God.

Deu 13:5  And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

When we know someone has the spirit of prophecy, but then we hear “their voice” and not the voice of the True Shepherd, a voice which tells us to turn away from the LORD our God, then we need to put that prophet to death.

For us today, we know that the sum of the Word is truth. Therefore, we are not talking about physically killing people.

However, we are talking about another type of death. This verdict and execution of death is to happen a certain way.

Deu 13:6  If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
Deu 13:7  Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;
Deu 13:8  Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:
Deu 13:9  But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.
Deu 13:10  And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

“Thou shalt surely kill him …..thine hand shall be first upon him…..thou shall stone him with stones.”

This doesn’t sound like the Lord wants us to play games with this person, or try to win them over to the Lord, or try to do anything other than put them to death. Again, we are not talking about physical death even though this was certainly the severity of what the Lord meant in the old testament.

Look at the category of people of whom we are talking about not to be playing around – “Prophets, dreamers of dreams, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives and friends” are all to be put to death when they entice us to SERVE OTHER GODS.

It sounds like the Lord takes this seriously, and it also appears that the Lord knows these temptations will potentially come from many different avenues in our lives. We must be on guard against serving other gods. Because the situation is so serious, and the consequences are so severe, the Lord does want us to diligently inquire of the exact situation and details of everything that is happening.

After all, physical death is very final in its judgment.

Deu 13:11  And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.
Deu 13:12  If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,
Deu 13:13  Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;
Deu 13:14  Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;
Deu 13:15  Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.

Now we see that stones and the sword are the two instruments of death used to kill those that would bring the wickedness of serving of other gods into our midst. Yet, while these two tools are used to slay the tempters, the spoil of the war and of the cities we have overthrown are to be purged with fire.

Deu 13:16  And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.
Deu 13:17  And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;

It should be plain to see that the Lord is very serious about His people serving other gods.

However, along with this serious stance, the Lord has also given us weapons (and clues) on how to make sure we are ourselves stay in the good graces of the Lord.

I obviously pointed out fire, the sword and stones as instruments used to execute the judgment of the Lord. All of these spiritual words should tell us a little bit about the spiritual message contained in Deuteronomy 13.

I will list a few familiar verses to rekindle your memories.

Deu 5:1  And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
Deu 5:2  The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
Deu 5:3  The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
Deu 5:4  The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
Deu 5:5  (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

Fire is feared by those who are not able to dwell in fire.

Isa 5:24  Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

If we obey the Lord, we will have no fear of His fire.

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

Though we do initially fear the fire, once we are put into it and cleansed by it, we can come out the other side able to handle dwelling in it. We are speaking about the fire of the Word of God.

2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The stone with which we stone others is, of course, Jesus Christ also.

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

1Pe 2:3  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1Pe 2:4  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:6  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We know the sword represents the sword of the word of God.

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

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

Indeed, those same prophets and dreamers of dreams who take up the sword will be die by the same. The truth is that those that dwell comfortably in the fire are those that have been consumed by the Fire.

What is really apparent in this chapter 13 of Deuteronomy is that the Lord does not want us being drawn away to serve other gods, but again this will not come in the form of serving Zeus for the majority of Christians.

It will come in the form of hearkening to the WORDS of OTHERS. Words are powerful i.e. see the Word of God to know how powerful words can be. Jesus Christ is the most powerful “word” every spoken.

However, there are always lessor “gods” or lessor “words” that desire to sit on the throne of God.

These lessor gods/words are those whom would drawn us away with their own ideas, thoughts and passions about what and who the Lord is and would have us do, VERSUS what we have learned to be the One True God and His doctrine.

The chapter, like many others, ends where it started.

Deu 13:3  Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deu 13:4  Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Deu 13:18  When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.