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

Book of Jeremiah – Jer 42:1-22 My Fury [Shall] be Poured Forth Upon You, When Ye Shall Enter into Egypt

Mike Vinson — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 21:51:58 +0000

Jer 42:1-22 My Fury [Shall] be Poured Forth Upon You, When Ye Shall Enter into Egypt

[Study Aired June 12, 2022

Jer 42:1 Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near,
Jer 42:2 And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)
Jer 42:3 That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
Jer 42:4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.
Jer 42:5 Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.
Jer 42:6 Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.
Jer 42:7 And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.
Jer 42:8 Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,
Jer 42:9 And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him;
Jer 42:10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.
Jer 42:11 Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
Jer 42:12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.
Jer 42:13 But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,
Jer 42:14 Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:
Jer 42:15 And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;
Jer 42:16 Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.
Jer 42:17 So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.
Jer 42:18 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.
Jer 42:19 The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.
Jer 42:20 For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.
Jer 42:21 And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.
Jer 42:22 Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn.

This chapter of Jeremiah demonstrates how we can and do fall when we think we are standing in the Lord while being disobedient to His commandments:

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.
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

All those who refused to go forth and place themselves under the yoke of the princes of Babylon felt they had overcome the enemy, and that God was on their side even as they refused His counsel. Johanan, the son of Kereah, was just such a person, and when He rescued those who had been carried away as captives to Amon, his self-righteousness and iniquity become even greater, as we will learn for our own admonition:

Being informed later in this chapter that after seeking the Lord’s counsel through the Lord’s certified, proven prophet, “all the people” reject that counsel and declare that Jeremiah is not the Lord’s prophet, brings these verses of Ezekiel to mind:

Eze 14:1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
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?

These two stories, first in Jeremiah 42 and then here in Ezekiel 14, happened to these two prophets of God, and they are written for our admonition:

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.
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

It is the Lord who “makes us to err from His ways and hardens our hearts from His fear”, yet every time He does so, it makes the words “Wherefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” come alive. When the Lord does that, it strengthens “the fear of God” within those who are given to benefit from reading these stories and receiving the admonition they give us.

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.

It should be clear that a “hardened heart” is the same as being made to err from the Lord’s ways as the story of Pharaoh demonstrates:

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.

Paul contrasts a hardened heart with the Lord’s mercy:

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

The Lord has mercy on whom He will, and whom He will He hardens. Our own will has nothing to do with what He is doing except that our will is turned by the Lord where He wants it to go. He causes us to either receive His mercy or be given a hardened heart:

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

When God hardens our hearts, He does so before we come to His prophet or His Words to enquire of Him. In other words, we come to Him, His Word, and the leaders, elders and counselors He has placed in His body, with our minds already made up, and with no regard at all for the words of the Lord through His leaders, elders, and counselors.

Having their hearts hardened to all these commandments and admonitions means nothing to these remnant Jews of this chapter:

Pro 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Pro 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Pro 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

When the Lord gives us just such a hardened heart, this is how He will answer us:

Eze 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
Eze 14:5 That I may take the house of Israel [the “harlot” of Isaiah 1:21 and the “whore” of Revelation 17:1] in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.
Eze 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel [the harlot], Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Eze 14:7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
Eze 14:8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

As the Lord would have it, that is exactly what is taking place within the hearts and minds of this Jewish remnant:

Jer 42:7 And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.
Jer 42:8 Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,
weight: 400;”>Jer 42:9 And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him;
Jer 42:10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

We see the Lord repenting several times in scripture:

Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Gen 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

Jdg 2:18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

1Sa 15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
1Sa 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

2Sa 24:16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

The sum of God’s word reveals that “He is not a man that He should repent” as the holy spirit informs us in the same 15^th chapter of 1 Samuel. We are told, “It repented the Lord that [He] had set up Saul to be king.”

1Sa 15:28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
1Sa 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

The vast weight of the Words of God reveal that He knows the beginning from the end…

Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

…because He IS the beginning and the end.

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

Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

The Lord tells us that His understanding is infinite:

Psa 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

If indeed the Lord is the beginning and the end and His understanding is infinite, then there is nothing He does not know – past, present, or future:

Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Nevertheless, there is one more principle which characterizes the Words of God. That principle is that there are qualifying statements which must always be accepted. If the Lord tells us anything and then makes a qualifying statement, then we must accept that qualifier.

For example, the Lord told Abraham to sacrifice His only son, but then He told Him not to do so:

Gen 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Later the Lord qualified that commandment:

Gen 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
Gen 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
Gen 22:11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
Gen 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Verse 12 qualifies verse 2, and Abraham did not slay his only son, even though the Lord had told him to do so at first.

Another example of how this principle works is how Pharaoh in Genesis gave all power over all Egypt to Joseph with one qualifying statement:

Gen 41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
Gen 41:41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

The words “only in the throne will I be greater than thou” qualify the extent of Joseph’s power over Egypt.

Another example of this principle is the anti-type of this story here in Genesis. Joseph, in this account of how he is made the ruler over all Egypt, typifies how God has given Christ all power in heaven and in earth:

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

However, the scriptures qualify the extent of Christ’s power:

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.
1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he [the Father] is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

This statement speaks to the time of the destruction of “the last enemy… death”, and we are told that at that time “the Son also Himself [shall] be subject unto Him [the Father] who did put all things under [the Son].”

Just as an aside, that statement nullifies the false doctrine of a trinity of three equal parts of the Godhead.

Our point in all of this is that God is not a man that He should repent, and all those statements telling us that He did repent of making man, of chastening His people during the dispensation of the various judges, and of setting up Saul to be king over Israel, etc. are all being used in what is called an ‘anthropopathic’ (human feeling) manner. How else can He convey how His nature is so very opposed to the nature of His very own creatures? How else can He make us this offer?

Jer 42:10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

The Lord really is all knowing, He is all powerful, and He is omnipresent. He is everywhere at the same time because:

Col 1:16 …by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Therefore, when our Lord tells us…

Jer 42:11 Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
Jer 42:12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.

…we need to believe that He who has “all power in heaven and in earth” is very much able to make good on His word and to cause even our enemies to be at peace with us:

Pro 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

When our ‘ways’, our customs and traditions included, as we will see in this story, do not “please the Lord” the very opposite it true, and our own wickedness reproves us:

Jer 2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

At this point all we know about these Jews is that they did not put their necks under the yoke of the princes of Babylon. Other than that, we have not yet been explicitly told what ‘ways’ of these remnant Jews so displeased the Lord. We don’t yet know what it is they were still doing which separates them from their own God and drives them to go into the land of Egypt.

Jer 42:13 But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,
Jer 42:14 Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:
Jer 42:15 And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;
Jer 42:16 Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.
Jer 42:17 So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.
Jer 42:18 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.
Jer 42:19 The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.

The reason we want to go into Egypt is that we feel safe and at home there. The Truth is that Israel never really wanted to leave Egypt, and after they left they wanted to go back there and serve again as slaves to the Egyptians:

Num 14:2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
Num 14:3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
Num 14:4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

Hundreds of years later, the Lord’s people were of the same mind and refused His counsel from His prophet:

Jer 42:20 For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.
Jer 42:21 And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.
Jer 42:22 Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn.

In the Old Testament the Lord spoke through His patriarchs, and His prophets, and He certified His prophets by demonstrating for the whole world that those through whom He spoke were indeed speaking for Him in this manner:

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.
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 13:5 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.

These verses inform us that there will be false prophets whose prophecies will come to pass and then those same false prophets will encourage us to be disobedient to the Lord’s commandments. In such circumstances we are told that the Lord made the prophecy to come to pass “for the Lord your God proves you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Nevertheless, His true prophets are made known by the accuracy of their prophecies in conjunction with their dedication to obeying His commandments, as we are told in:

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

Hananiah prophesied falsely in the name of the Lord that Judah’s captivity would only last two years after which King Jehoiachin would return with all the vessels of the house of the Lord. In boldly making this false prophesy, Hananiah was labeling the Lord’s true prophet a liar for saying the captivity would last seventy years and Jehoiachin would never return to Jerusalem.

Jeremiah also prophesied that Hananiah would die that same year, and in just a few months Hananiah was dead. Here are both prophecies:

Jer 28:1 And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,
Jer 28:2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
Jer 28:3 Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD’S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:
Jer 28:4 And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Those are the words of a false prophet with no proof of his standing with the Lord. On the other hand, here are the words of the Lord’s already proven prophet:

Jer 28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
Jer 28:16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.
Jer 28:17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

From “the fourth month” to “the same year in the seventh month” is at the very most three months, signifying the time needed to complete the judgment of Hananiah the false prophet.

Here’s a link to the study on The Number Three

In the Old Testament the Lord proved to the world who it was who spoke for Him by bringing their prophecies to pass and by the miracles He gave His prophets the power to perform.

In this dispensation of the New Testament church, God shows the world who are His spokespersons by making known their love of God, which means that He makes known those who tremble at His words, are obedient to His word, and follow in His steps:

The power to perform miracles, without being obedient to God and trembling at His words and walking in Christ’s footsteps, will be used by the beast to deceive the multitudes:

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.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

This beast which comes up out of the earth with two horns like a lamb but speaking as a lion, appears as an angel of light, but for those who know the voice of the True Shepherd, this beast speaks as a dragon. His doctrine is not the doctrine of Christ.

In contrast, here is how we discern those who are Christ’s True spokesmen:

1Th 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1Th 5:13  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
1Th 5:15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1Th 5:16  Rejoice evermore.

The Lord’s true shepherds of His sheep will be found doing all those things. They will be found admonishing you and warning the unruly, and at the same time telling you to “Rejoice evermore”. The Lord’s true shepherds will be comforting the feeble minded, supporting the weak and being patient with everyone, never returning evil for evil.

Those who speak as a dragon do not appear as a dragon, and they do not sound like a dragon. Instead, they speak “smooth things”, and “they appear as an angel of light”:

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:

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.

Here we have those who “have two horns like a Lamb, but [they] speak as a dragon.” The great red dragon does not prophesy right things; things like the judgments of God. Those who ‘speak as a dragon’ speak with a forked tongue, no doubt condemning sins which are common to all men while at the same time “speaking smooth things and prophesying deceits”. Some go as far as to tell you that Christ wants you to live a life of “coffee and doughnuts” and where the scriptures teach “whose end shall be according to their works” those who ‘speak smooth things… as a dragon’ will twist Paul’s words which inform us that our salvation has nothing to do with our works into saying that salvation has nothing to do with works of any kind.

Here is the Truth about the doctrine of the apostle Paul concerning our salvation and how it is achieved:

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of [our own] works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

How can any man, who is speaking for Christ, admonish a brother and warn the unruly if he is teaching a doctrine of ‘no works’ and speaks only “smooth words” about coffee and doughnuts? The Lord Himself tells us what to look for in those through whom He is speaking:

Isa 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Isa 66:3 He that killeth an ox [without verse 2] is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
Isa 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

In our next study we will be shown what plagued the Lord’s people throughout their entire history, and we will see that it does so to the church of Christ to this very day.

Study of the Book of Kings – 1Ki 20:1-21 “Whose fan is in his hand…”

Tony Cullen — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:10:34 +0000

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k0812cp6m2k0w81/20220602-Study_TonyC-FanInHisHand.m4a?raw=1

1Ki 20:1-21 “Whose fan is in his hand…”

[Study Aired June 2, 2022]

The title of this study is taken from Matthew 3:12 where we learn with this statement of John the Baptist what God will do through Christ via the unquenchable fire which represents God’s word that will actively and completely judge God’s people (Rev 15:8). The two things that will happen for those who are being judged in this age (1Pe 4:17, 1Pe 4:12, 1Jn 4:17) are described in these terms; wheat will be gathered into the garner and the chaff will be burnt up with unquenchable fire.

Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

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

It is “his floor“, our heavenly Father’s and Christ’s floor (Joh 16:14-15), where all this activity is taking place; where Christ and His body will stand upon it, and where Peter, who represents the church, will be built upon the cornerstone Jesus Christ (Mat 16:18). Christ is set upon that floor by God (1Co 12:18, 1Pe 2:5-6) as the first of the kind of first fruits and sure foundation (1Co 3:11) who endured great suffering (Isa 53:4, Isa 53:10) so that He, as our forerunner, could help His body endure the winnowing process we must all endure to be fitly framed into the temple of God (Heb 4:15, Eph 2:21-22).

Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Joh 16:15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

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.

1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

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 [1Co 12:18] a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

The scriptures we will look at in 1 Kings 20:1-43 were written for our admonition “upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1Co 10:11). The battles of which we will read between Syria and Israel, between Benhadad and Ahab, are very instructive in showing us how we will overcome our principle enemy within through Christ who is working in us both to will and to do God’s good pleasure (Php 2:12-13). His pleasure is to give us the kingdom of God in earnest within us today (Luk 12:32, Luk 17:21, Eph 1:14) as He thoroughly purges us day by day as we die daily (1Co 15:31). He is giving us what is needed to patiently possess our souls as doers of the word until the glorious day when we will inherit the kingdom in its fullness in the first resurrection, if we are granted to endure until the end through this process of judgment (Eph 6:12, Mat 6:34, Luk 21:19, Rev 11:15, Mat 24:13).

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

This battle between Syria and Israel, and all the lessons that Ahab the king of Israel had to learn, are all type and shadow events written for the elect’s sake (2Co 4:15) to teach us how to deal with sin in our members (Rom 7:23) as we learn to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts (Tit 2:12). As a result of the destruction of our man of sin, typified by Benhadad along with a long list of other evil kings who also attacked Israel at their appointed time (Amo 3:6), Israel, being a type of the Israel of God, is the apple of God’s eye even as we are Satan’s primary target whom he wants to kill and destroy spiritually (Zec 2:8, Psa 17:8,Joh 10:10).

Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Zec 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Psa 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

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 [“under the shadow of thy wings“].

1Ki 20:1 And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.
1Ki 20:2 And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Benhadad,
1Ki 20:3 Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine.
1Ki 20:4 And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.

Benhadad and all his host that have been gathered to battle against Israel represent the powers and principalities God’s people wrestle against all the time (Eph 6:12). Benhadad is God’s sword in His hand (Psa 17:13-14) who has “thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.” The 32 kings have all the right combination of numbers to witness [2] to us this process of judgment [3] upon Ahab who is learning for the elect’s sake one of many ways God’s grace is administered to us in this life – “by thy sword” [3+2=5].

Psa 17:13 Arise, O Jehovah, Confront him, cast him down: Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword;

None of “thy silver and thy gold”, “thy wives also and thy children, the goodliest”, were Benhadad’s, and yet by merely sending a seducing spirit via the messengers that Benhadad sent, Ahab very nearly gave up so much wealth to this evil king’s desire (Mat 4:9) saying, “My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.” The spiritual lesson for God’s elect is to know what is yours and to hold fast to it, as you cleave to God and resist the devil (2Pe 1:4, Rev 3:11, Jas 4:7).

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: [represented by “Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest“] that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

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

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1Ki 20:5 And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;
1Ki 20:6 Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away.

It took this second coming of the messengers sent from Benhadad to finally start to wake Ahab up to the treacherous and selfish spirit he was dealing with. It wasn’t good enough for Benhadad to know that Ahab was willing to give him all the things that he was asking of him, Benhadad needed to also send servants to investigate the merchandise of Ahab and take the best of the best, and take even “whatsoever is pleasant in thine [Ahab’s] eyes… and take it away”. This behavior of Ahab is one step worse than king Hezekiah who also had no comprehension of the proper decorum for a king of Israel, which is to not show all the treasures of the temple that represent God’s truth, the altar where we eat at which they are not worthy to eat [in this case king Benhadad and his entourage] (Heb 13:10, 1Jn 4:6). On the other hand, Ahab is even worse than Hezekiah willing to give away his typical birthright [“Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest“] in regard to this gentile king (Jud 1:11-12, Isa 39:2, 2Ki 20:13). Alas, God showed mercy to Ahab and made him reconsider enough that he would seek out safety that would soon be found in the multitude of counselors that were available to him (Pro 11:14, Pro 24:6).

Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

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

Jud 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jud 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

Isa 39:2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

1Ki 20:7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.
1Ki 20:8 And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent.

Finally, Ahab starts to demonstrate some spiritual backbone in type and shadow by going to the elders to mark this proud man (2Th 3:14) who was simply on the take, wanting what was not his from an unsuspecting Ahab, who at this point was symbolically becoming friends with the world (1Jn 2:15-17). He reminds the elders all the things he was willing to give to Benhadad (perhaps to keep peace with Syria; we’re not told), but we are told what his elders thought of all such actions, “And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent.”

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2Th 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

1Ki 20:9 Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Benhadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again.
1Ki 20:10 And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.
1Ki 20:11 And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

Now that Benhadad realizes he’s not going to get his way, seeing Ahab has had a spiritual wake-up call via the counsel of the elders, the real spirit of Benhadad starts to manifest with these murderous words that ironically sound a lot like the earlier words of Ahab’s wife Jezebel to Elijah “The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me“. Let’s compare those words to hers: “Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time” (1Ki 19:2). Ahab’s wicked and controlling wife represents Babylon that wants to call the shots and bring fear into our hearts through false accusations, threats and false doctrines (Rev 12:10, Rev 2:10, Luk 12:5). Benhadad represents Babylon who wants to rob us of all our spiritual riches, as stated earlier, to take our crown.

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

Rev 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.

Luk 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Verse 11 confirms that Ahab has awakened to Benhadad’s evil intent by telling him in so many words that he is a lame duck who has no armor on, regardless of his proud words of defiance against the king and nation of Israel. Ahab is starting to sound more like King David in this instance and realizes that this defiant spirit of Benhadad must be challenged (1Sa 17:4-8, 1Sa 17:26). The lesson for God’s elect is that He will always wake us up and prepare us for battle at the appointed time despite ourselves, because the battle is the Lord’s, and the preparation and answer of our tongues are also from him (Mat 25:6-10, 2Ch 20:15, Pro 16:1).

1Sa 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
1Sa 17:5 And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
1Sa 17:6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders.
1Sa 17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and his shield-bearer went before him.
1Sa 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

1Sa 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

1Ki 20:12 And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.

Pride comes before a fall, and these are the words of the pride-filled and spiritually drunken voice of the king of Syria. He and the kings in the pavilions are about to bring a great slaughter on their own people as a result of their haughty spiritually drunken spirits (Pro 16:18, Pro 14:34-35).

Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.

1Ki 20:13 And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
1Ki 20:14 And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the province. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
1Ki 20:15 Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

This prophet was prophesying for Ahab, but in fact it was a prophecy written for our sakes (1Pe 1:12, 1Co 10:11) to remind us of “this great multitude” of Revelation 7:9 and how Ahab, who represents the elect, will “by the young men of the princes of the province” order the battle (Rev 11:15). That order will be maintained by Ahab who shall order the battle, just as it will be ordered by God’s elect during the thousand-year reign under Christ’s direction. Likewise, there was order in the seven churches of Asia which all eventually forsook Paul (2Ti 1:15) as will all the world represented by Gog and Magog at the end of the thousand-year reign (Rev 20:8). The world needs to clearly see the order God has ordained in the church during the thousand-year reign, which is maintained by a rod of iron, and that in time will be rebelled against, as per the counsel of God’s will (Rev 20:6, Eph 1:11). Verse 15 confirms that these prophetic events of Ahab’s rulership point to a future event reminding us that all the leaders of this world and all their decrees and laws are to be superseded by the rulership of Christ and His bride. Because we have dominion over all the rulers who rule the kingdoms of this world, represented by the numbers 232 [2+3+2=7], by extension we also will have absolute authority over all people of the earth, represented by the statement, “all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.“

1Ki 20:16 And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

This above verse we’re reading describes the status of the world just before the return of Christ (Deu 28:29, Luk 17:26-29). They (the young men of the princes of the provinces) “went out at noon” sober and vigilant being about their Father’s business so to speak (Heb 11:7, Luk 2:49) as opposed to “he and the kings” who were not in a state of readiness but of drunkenness (Joh 6:44, Heb 11:7, 1Pe 4:7, 1Pe 5:8-9).

Deu 28:29 And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.

Luk 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
Luk 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Luk 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
Luk 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren^G81 [Jacob have I loved and Esau have I hated who were taken from the same womb (Rom 9:13)] that are in the world^G2889.

G81 adelphotēs ad-el-fot’- ce From G80; brotherhood (properly the feeling of brotherliness), that is, (the (Christian) fraternity: – brethren, brotherhood. Total KJV occurrences: 2

G80adelphosad-el-fos’ From G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like [H1]): – brother. Total KJV occurrences: 346

1Ki 20:17 And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Benhadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria.
1Ki 20:18 And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.
1Ki 20:19 So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them.
1Ki 20:20 And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen.
1Ki 20:21 And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.

The enemies of God always underestimate the power and resilience which is in the weak of the world, who are more than conquerors through Christ (1Co 1:26-29, Col 1:27, Eph 1:21, Eph 6:12, Rom 8:37) as confirmed with this ultra-confident statement of Benhadad in his flesh toward the young men of the princes of the provinces who went out first, “Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.“

This again was another example of a spirit of pride, high-mindedness and conceit (1Co 10:12, Rom 11:20-25) that God warns us about repeatedly in His word and that will always precede destruction, the end result being shown: “And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen. And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter” (1Ki 20:20-21).

During the thousand-year reign, the elect have no intention of being influenced by the perverted cultures of mankind who will still want to “take them alive” whether we come in peace or come to make war. In truth, we are coming in the name of the Lord to enforce peace for an appointed time and then to make war against the entirety of humanity by administering the judgments of God during the great white throne judgment that will destroy the last spiritual enemy, which the naturally rebellious carnal mind of man is (Rev 20:11, Luk 13:35, 1Co 15:26, Jer 17:9).

1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Rom 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
Rom 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

This victory that was given to Ahab and the nation of Israel is a representation of the victory God can give His children over sin if the Son of man sets us free (Joh 8:36). It is a process, as we all know, and so, although Ahab has won this battle, he is already being warned to keep fighting a good fight of faith in type and shadow at the hand of the prophet sent to him by God: “And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.”

It takes a lifetime of overcoming, in other words, and much tribulation (Act 14:22, Mat 24:13, Rev 3:21), to receive the full benefit of this verse, “Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Having done all through Christ, we will be able to “strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee” and you will by the grace of God be able to stand (Eph 6:11-18).

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

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

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.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [God’s elect are being winnowed now so that we can stand against the wiles of the devil.]
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

The Book of Ruth – Rth 3: 1 –18 He Will Tell Thee What Thou Shall Do

Ato Barnes — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 21:10:21 +0000

Rth 3: 1 –18 He Will Tell Thee What Thou Shall Do

[Study Aired October 18, 2021]

Rth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
Rth 3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
Rth 3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
Rth 3:4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
Rth 3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Rth 3:6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
Rth 3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
Rth 3:8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
Rth 3:9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
Rth 3:10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
Rth 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
Rth 3:12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
Rth 3:13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.
Rth 3:14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
Rth 3:15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
Rth 3:16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
Rth 3:17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
Rth 3:18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

This chapter shows us the process of becoming the bride of Christ. As we have learned in the previous chapter, Boaz represents the Lord Jesus, and Ruth signifies the church, which is the Lord’s bride.

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Rth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

Naomi, the mother-in-law, also represents the church or the bride of Christ. It is in the church of the first born that we hear our Lord speaks through His Christ which is us.

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,
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.
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:

As stated by Naomi, it is in finding rest that things go well with us. Thus, this rest is a prerequisite to become the bride of Christ. Rest here means ceasing from our works and coming to depend on the Lord for everything.

Heb 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Rth 3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

As we indicated in the previous chapter review, Boaz being our kindred means he is a close relative and is required to look after us.

Rth 2:20 “The LORD bless Boaz!” Naomi replied. “He has shown that he is still loyal to the living and to the dead. Boaz is a close relative, one of those who is supposed to look after us.” (CEV)

So, Boaz, who represents our Lord Jesus, is our close relative in the sense we all share the same body while He walked here on earth. In addition to being a close relative, Christ is supposed to look after us. The scripture says that He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters.

Heb 2:11 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 [Brothers and sisters],
Heb 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Heb 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Heb 2:17 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.
Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Verse 2 also addresses what our Lord is doing now in our lives. He is winnowing barley on the threshing floor. That means He is refining us so we can bring offerings in righteousness to Him.

Mal 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.
Mal 3:4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

This period of our being refined is like a night in our lives where we do not see clearly what the Lord is doing in our lives. However, the day is almost here with us when we shall see the handiworks of the Lord!!

Rom 13:12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Rom 13:13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (ESV)

Rth 3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

Getting down to the threshing floor is being in the furnace of affliction. The result of being judged is that we put on the raiment of Christ, or the righteousness of Christ, as we are washed clean by the word of God.

Isa 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

The statement “But make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking” is explained using the is, was and will be principle. This simply means that the word of God has a past reference, a present and a future application. The scripture says that our Lord’s food or meat is to do His Master’s will.

Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

So, Boaz eating and drinking is the same as our Lord fulfilling His Master’s will of going to the cross to die for our sins. Before this death on the cross, we could not go to Him for salvation. That is why Naomi admonished Ruth to wait until Boaz had finished eating and drinking. It is after the victory on the cross that we are making ourselves known to our Lord. According to the scripture, making ourselves known to Him is the same as our Lord making Himself known to us, as we have nothing to offer regarding our salvation. It is all the work of the Lord!!

Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Rth 3:4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

Marking the place where he shall lie and to go in to lie down there is another way of saying that as He is in this world, so are we!!

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.

Uncovering His feet is being given the ability to know His ways. The physical churches of this world only know His acts but not His ways, which is the prerogative of only the elect.

Psa 103:7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

Ruth was also instructed to lie down at His feet, which means we must humble ourselves before the Lord or submit ourselves to Him so that, in due time, He will lift us up. Humbling ourselves means we do not count on our own righteousness and that we do not forget where we came from. This is where we came from:

1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Laying down by His feet also means to rest in Him.

Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

It is as we lie down or rest in Him that we are instructed by Him as to what to do. Even believing on Him is the work of God. We therefore bring nothing to the table.

Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Rth 3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Rth 3:6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.

Ruth told Naomi that all that she said to her, she would carry out. This signifies that what we hear from the church, or the Heavenly Jerusalem, we must do. Refusal to pay attention to the words we hear will disqualify us from the reward. It is only through obedience that we become the bride of Christ.

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:

Rth 3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

As stated earlier, Boaz eating and drinking relates to our Lord’s sacrificial offering of Himself for our sakes. After His death and resurrection, His heart was merry, meaning He was satisfied with His sacrifice.

Isa 53:11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Boaz going to lie down at the end of the heap of corn means that we get to know our Lord after going through the heap of corn, which is the word of God. Going to lie down signifies our Lord sitting at the right hand of God after offering Himself for our sake.

Heb 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
Heb 10:13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. (ESV)

It is in this exalted position that we can come before Him to know His ways by uncovering His feet. That is when we find rest, symbolized by the laying down of Ruth at His feet.

Rth 3:8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
Rth 3:9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

It was not until midnight that Boaz took notice of Ruth. Our whole life is one long night. It is at the midnight of our walk with Christ that we begin to see His works in our lives. The midnight stands for a time in our walk with Christ when we begin to trim our lamps, that is, when we begin to walk by the word and therefore prepare ourselves as the bride of Christ to meet the bridegroom. That is the time when the bridegroom comes to us with His brightness to destroy the old man in us.

Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

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:

Midnight is also the time when we begin to put on the righteousness of Christ, as signified by Ruth requesting Boaz to extend his garment over her.

Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Isa 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Rth 3:10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

At this midnight stage of our walk with Christ, we are truly blessed as the rest of our walk is characterized by walking in the spirit, that is living by His words, and therefore do not fulfill the desires of the flesh. This means that we are now producing the fruit of the spirit which includes kindness!!

Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (ESV)

In commending Ruth for her kindness, Boaz also praised her for not following the young men. So, who are the young men? The young men are the physical churches of this world’s (Babylon) messengers of their gospel of another Jesus.

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.
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.

This is the result of their message that is wrecking the faith of many.

2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Rth 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

This verse is to assure us that whatever we ask in His name, He will answer. We therefore do not need to fear whatever situation we find ourselves in as the Lord will come to our aid.

Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

“For all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman” means that outwardly, a time is coming when the people of this world, including the Babylonians, will come to recognize that we represent the Heavenly Jerusalem or the church of the first born. That is when the whole world will be clamoring for the sons of God to be revealed to rule over them.

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.

Inwardly, as we walk in the light, our light will shine forth for all men to see.

Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Rth 3:12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
Rth 3:13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

We see here that Boaz informed Ruth that there is another kinsman who is closer than himself. A kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who has the responsibility to help a relative who is in need or in danger. In this context, we can say that Boaz here represents the new man who is after the image of Christ, and the other kinsman who is closer is the old man signified by the flesh. In the Jewish tradition, the older relative must take up the responsibility of a needy relative first, and if he fails to do so, then the onus rests on the younger relative. The old man or the flesh always comes first before the spirit or the new man comes.

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

The failure of the old man to bring us to our safe haven provided the opportunity for the new man to come.

In verse 13, Boaz instructed Ruth to tarry in the night until the morning came. Our whole lives here on earth are regarded as one long night, and so we basically tarry in the night for the morning to dawn.

Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Rth 3:14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

Ruth laying at Boaz’s feet signifies our submission to our Lord for the rest of our lives in the night until the morning dawns. The statement “Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor” is to let us know that what the elect are going through in the form of judgment (threshing floor) from our Lord, is not known to the people of the world including those in Babylon. Until the word of the Lord came, we, like Joseph, are being tried by the word. When the day finally dawns, we shall be crowned as rulers of the people just like Joseph. In the meantime, we are basically suffering in secret.

Psa 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
Psa 105:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
Psa 105:19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
Psa 105:20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
Psa 105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:

Rth 3:15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

When Ruth was leaving the threshing floor to go home, she was given six measures of barley. This signifies that through our fiery trials, we are given more insight into the word of the Lord, which is able to build us up and to give us an inheritance. The six measures of barley represent all that we need to know about the word of God as long as we are in this body of flesh.

Act 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Deu 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Rth 3:16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
Rth 3:17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

Our encounter with Christ through His words is not for us alone but also for the benefit of the church as we see Ruth share her experience with Christ with Naomi, her mother-in-law, who represents the church. We are also reminded of the two disciples who had an encounter with Christ when He was resurrected. After their experience with Christ, when their eyes were opened, they ran back the same day to tell the disciples their encounter with Christ. Sharing our experience with Christ through the word is what every joint supplies.

Luk 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
Luk 24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
Luk 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Luk 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
Luk 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
Luk 24:35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Rth 3:18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

Naomi admonished Ruth to sit still until she learns how the matter would turn out. The matter here is about who represents the elect, becoming the bride of Christ. So, the matter of us being prepared to become the bride of Christ is not in our hands. Everything is of the Lord. We do not play any role in our salvation. What Naomi said to Ruth is another way of saying that we should stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!!

Exo 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
Exo 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

A few days ago, I was reading something on the Internet and came across a quote from Max Lucado that we do not add anything to our salvation except our sins. The fact is, even our sins are not of us. It is all of the Lord!! So, we bring absolutely nothing to our salvation so that no flesh shall glory in His presence. To sit still means to find rest in Christ. This is what is rest means:

Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Our rest is ceasing from our own works and depending on Christ for everything!!

Naomi’s second statement to Ruth is also very insightful. She said that Boaz would not rest until he has resolved her kinsman redemption issue. Here we are being admonished that what our Lord starts, He is able to bring it to completion. He will not rest until He has made us, His bride, ready!!

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Isa 62:1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
Isa 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
Isa 62:3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
Isa 62:4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

May the Lord grant us the grace to know how to rest in Him!! Amen!!

Teacher’s Choice – “Having Done All, Stand”

Tony Cullen — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 17:31:25 +0000

“Having Done All, Stand”

[Study aired July 22, 2019]

It is inspiring to look back and see how God moved the hearts of men to accomplish the physical wonder of getting the first man to the moon, and then learn how that experience brought those who were involved to have deeper questions about their own existence after they journeyed so far from the earth.

This short google-doodle video celebrates the fiftieth year since the first man stepped foot on the moon July 20th, 1969 and sets the stage for our study tonight entitled “having done all, stand“, which is something that each one of God’s children will accomplish through Christ knowing that “God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons”.

https://youtu.be/t6VpHyKXHBM

I can gain perspective from the law for the lawless (1Ti 1:9) of how weak I am and in need of a Saviour (Rom 7:13), and it is only those who are shown this manner of love to be called sons in this age (1Jn 3:1) whom “God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” who can escape the pulls of the earth, and the pulls of the moon, that are more deeply revealed to us by the law for the lawless, because we are carnal and sold under sin (Rom 7:14). Through Christ we can go beyond them both [the earth and the moon] unto mature sons in Christ whom He is maturing in the heavenly realm today where we are gathered, predestined and sealed in the Lord to do just that.

1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

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

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

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

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: [those elements can be typified by the pull of the earth’s gravity that we can only break free from through Christ (Joh 6:63, Joh 8:36)]
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.

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

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

At the heart and core of these endeavours to put satellites out in space and to reach the moon there was an agenda that was premised on war, and it’s very easy to lose sight of that in the midst of such exciting events and technology at a time that was called the space race. This race to space was setting the stage for many of our existing technologies we have today, and as all things are for the elect’s sake (2Co 4:15), so these human endeavors were inspired and caused by our great Creator (Eph 1:11) and predestined to happen exactly when they did and for His overall purpose for mankind which is being revealed through the body of Christ (Eph 3:10, Col 1:27).

Knowledge has increased and men are going to and fro, but there still is no stay of bread or water in Babylon (Isa 3:1), and the knowledge and technology fo which we are grateful is a two-edged sword in the hand of Adam who has been caused to “shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end” (Dan 12:4, Jer 18:4).

Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

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.

We can learn great spiritual lessons from the moon landing which yielded great advancement in technology. If we tie these events back to our relationship with Christ as we contemplate the fact we have the mind of Christ (1Co 2:16), that far exceeds in value any physical endeavor we could experience in the flesh (Luk 10:24, Php 3:8). That mind of Christ gives us the ability to be raised in heavenly places where all earthly and lunar endeavors are transcended as He gives us peace that passes all understanding along with the ability to go from glory to glory as the veil of our heavens is ripped and we no longer have to ponder our existence and wonder why are we here on this relatively tiny blue orb called earth. It takes the power of God to rip that veil, which in turn is how we are liberated in our Lord (Eph 2:6-8, Php 4:7, 2Co 3:17-18). That physical knowledge which increases at the end of the age spoken of in Daniel is telling us what will happen spiritually in the body of Christ at the end of each of our ages, and outwardly how this will become more evident before Christ comes back (Joh 3:30, Mat 24:32-39).

1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Luk 10:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. [Dan_12:4]

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

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh [Rev 22:2]:
Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors [Joh 14:20].
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Like the astronauts, who were being prepared their whole lives to be lifted into the heavens, God’s elect have this parallel experience but in the spirit, and now having this knowledge of Christ we learn in 2Timothy 3:10-16 how we must “continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them“. We are learning and being assured as we “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2Pe 3:18) through the church, through the body of Christ (Eph 3:10, Col 1:24) that is the vehicle or vessel where we pray he will “grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph 3:17-19) and this is all possible only because “God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1Co 2:10-12).

Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

2Ti 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

With these verses in mind, let’s consider what the moon represents to us, as well as the earth and the sun, so we can draw some spiritual conclusion as to what our sojourning in this life is all about within the body of Christ and how it is that we must do all and stand.

Above all, as we sojourn in this world, we take the shield of faith (Eph 6:16) believing and being convinced at that day (Joh 14:20) that God will be faithful to finish what he has started in us (Joh 6:28, Php 1:29, Php 1:6), and no one can take us out of His hand (Joh 10:28). We also must be armed with the mind of Christ knowing that our journey in Him has been promised to be fraught with much tribulation and persecution (Act 14:22, 2Ti 3:12), and that these things are happening unto those sons and daughters who are being received and prepared (Heb 12:6) to be kings and priests so “that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Eph 1:10, 1Co 15:28).

That one small step which has already been taken on the moon by the astronauts, can be likened to the earnest relationship that we have with Christ today (Eph 1:14). We are only seeing the Sun of righteousness in part (1Co 13:9), as His kind of first fruits who are the first to trust in the living God and commit our ways unto him as unto a faithful creator who has raised us up together in this earnest relationship so that we are inspired by the heavenly perspective we have been given through Christ, a perspective that far exceeds the physical beauty and perspective we heard those brave astronauts describe in the video (Eph 1:21). We look to Him now, as the author and finisher of our faith, as we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling in him, keeping our eyes on Him, knowing He is faithful and will be found of those who diligently seek him, and strive for that mark. It is a lofty goal to obtain to say you have reached the physical moon, but that is still a physical race to space that is only a shadow of the high calling or spiritual race to which God has called each of us as the body of Christ.

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

These following verses show us more of the right perspective in regard to how the Lord would have us “run, that you may obtain”.

Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

1Co 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1Co 9:23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The lack of technology the Apollo 11 mission had by today’s standards did not prevent them from accomplishing the incredible feat of reaching the moon, finding themselves standing where no human had ever stood before. God’s elect are in this blessed position today to be founded upon a rock Jesus Christ (Mat 16:18) so that we can one day explain to all of the world of this blessed and incredible journey we pioneered together by the grace and faith of Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8-9, 1Co 1:26).

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

1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

We have the highest of all callings in the Lord (1Pe 2:9) and are called to go boldly where no man has gone before (Heb 4:16, Rev 15:8), being raised in heavenly places, where after we have suffered awhile, we can be established and settled in the Lord for the sake of those who will follow the footsteps of Christ in us after we endure unto the end (What was shut up from Daniel that he could not see is described in these verses that God has given the elect to be able to read, hear and keep Mat 24:13-15).

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand) [Rev 1:3]

To end this study I want to just look at these following scriptures that tell us a little more about the moon, and what God wants us to learn from this dead satellite that does not give off its own light and cannot be considered a planet because it does not orbit the sun. The moon described in the following verses of Genesis are a prophesy of the time when all the creation will one day be subject unto Christ, who is typified by Joseph as a type of the elect as well.

Gen 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
Gen 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? [Rev 21:1-4]
Gen 37:11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying [Luk 2:10-12, Luk 2:19]. The moon or mother or church typified by Mary who keeps all these things, and ponders “them in her heart” is blessed [Rev 1:3].

Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

The moon in us is now subject to Christ because we are “clothed with the sun” and not our own righteousness nor our own bread and clothing, and not just the name of Christ (Isa 4:1). We can truly identify with these scriptures talking about the body of Christ in Revelation 12:1-2 and Romans 8:21-23. There are two distinct groups being discussed: one moon which is positive and clothed with the Sun of righteousness “on that day” (Joh 14:20), and the other seven women “in that day” who lay hold of one man (Isa 4:1). The man of perdition who holds onto the idea of free moral agency and all the false doctrines that accompany “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH”, keep the world within us being found with our own righteousness, unless and until the Lord burns that out of us (Rev 17:4-5).

As always there is a process of coming out of the earth, earth, earth, or the old moon that had its own glory and was to be far surpassed by the glory that would come through Jesus Christ, and was typified by Moses when he had to cover his face with a veil (Exo 34:33). That veil is also represented by the veil in the temple that must be rent in two from the top to the bottom, representing our going from glory to glory as we go forward in Christ our hope of glory (Mat 27:51, 2Co 3:18, Col 1:27).

We see through a glass darkly (1Co 13:12) and the veil of Moses typifies how we see through a glass darkly, or in part, with our hope of glory within (Col 1:27) which is hidden from the world (Isa 6:2, Rom 11:32, Joh 12:40). Yet we believe because the spirit searches the deep things of God that one day the resurrection will occur and that glory will no longer be hidden, and we will see Christ face to face (1Co 13:9). All of the types and shadows of these heavenly bodies in discussion will be done away with when God is all in all and this verse in Isaiah and Revelation is fulfilled outwardly for all of His creation which groans together today. There are different glories and an order to how each man will come to know God the Father and Jesus Christ (Isa 60:19-21, Rev 21:23, 1Co 15:23-26).

Isa 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. [we are hidden in Christ as these verses declare, and this was also foreshadowed when Moses came down from the mount with a covering on his face which shone. The covering of our face at this stage is a reminder of the blindness that was always ours except for the grace and faith of Christ (Exo 34:29-33)]

Isa 60:19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
Isa 60:20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
Isa 60:21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

In order to have done all and stand, we must clearly see the need to put off our flesh, which is the veil that must be ripped if we are going to inherit eternal life that flesh and blood cannot inherit. These last few verses of our study are connected to the veil, and remind us that there is a process and precious judgment upon the body of Christ today so “that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” giving us the ability to stand, and preparing our hearts so that one day we can be those saviours that come up on mount Zion to help others to one day “having done all stand” (Luk 2:35, Oba 1:21).

Son 5:6 I opened to my beloved [Rom 11:28]; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
Son 5:7 The watchmen [God’s elect (Eze 33:7)] that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me. [the veil or the law can only be taken away with a deadly wound]
Son 5:8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love [1Pe 3:15, Col 1:28-29].

It is “within the veil” that we pray the Lord keeps us all under his wing and in His presence, and if we are predestined to be there, nothing shall separate us from our Father as these verses tell 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;

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

Luk 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh [Col 1:24];

2Co 3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
2Co 3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
2Co 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: [1Ti_1:9]
2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
2Co 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

We can stand in Christ alone who is working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 2:13). Now the just will live by faith and not by sight, and so we are encouraged to fight a good fight of faith knowing that we can and will be saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8).

Boasting is excluded by the law of faith God gives to his little flock, and it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom and to reassure us in our hearts that “having done all stand” is speaking of what God will do through the body of Christ for all of us today!

Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Studies In Psalms – Psa 104:30-35 “I Will Be Glad In The Lord”, Part 8

Tony Cullen — Fri, 04 May 2018 14:46:12 +0000

Psa 104:30-35 “I will be glad in the LORD”, Part 8

Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
Psa 104:31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
Psa 104:32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
Psa 104:33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Psa 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Psa 104:35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

This last section of our study entitled “I will be glad in the LORD” commences with the two verses that explain how that gladness is made possible in the lives of those with whom He is working. “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth” and “The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works“. It is God’s work, in which He delights within his creation, and he shares in that joyful process with us as we are shown in His word.

1Th 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1Th 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.

What could be more joyous and reassuring than to know that our all-powerful Father’s purpose is to take His workmanship and bring it unto perfection on the third day so that we can enter into His joy. These following verses remind us that we are God’s joy, and when we mature and share the gospel with others, that is our joy, knowing that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Luk 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation [cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow]; and uphold me with thy free spirit. [Rom 8:14, 2Co 3:17-18]

Notice that it is Christ and His body, the “I shall be perfected” part of Luke 13:32, who are being perfected on the third day [all in Adam in time in other words], and that the “I do cures to day and to morrow” is speaking symbolically (Mat 13:34) of the day of the Lord for the elect and the day of the Lord for the rest of the body of Christ, a witness (2) that all of humanity will come to see their need for a physician to cure them (Luk 5:31) and bring them unto perfection on the third day, the day that symbolically represents when we go unto perfection through the process of judgment (3).

Psa 43:4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God [After we are healed by God’s word, then we go “unto the altar of God” (Luk 15:17-18)]

Psa 45:13 The king’s daughter is all glorious within [Joh 17:13, 1Jn 2:16]: her clothing is of wrought gold [Rev 19:7].

Psa 45:14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework [Exo 36:35, Heb 10:20, Rev 21:2]: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
Psa 45:15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.
Psa 45:16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth (Isa 2:3, Mic 4:2, Oba 1:21, Isa 60:3).
Psa 45:17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever (Rev 2:17, Rev 3:9).

Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

It is an amazing reality to think about, to know that you will never be tired again, that we will never lack for energy and a desire to praise and serve God and each other, together with the body of Christ worshiping Him and experiencing this great gladness that will flow from us like rivers of living waters, even as it does in earnest today. The knowledge that He has shown us in mercy is sanctifying us and making us one body through His spirit, as He brings us unto perfection on the third day. We therefore say three times “Holy, holy, holy, [thankful for the process of sanctification] Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” knowing that it is more blessed to give, and to lay down our life today, and so we sing these praises toward God believing that our experience of being sanctified first will be used to help bring in the rest of humanity, and that these praises will continue on.

Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

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

Psa 145:1 David’s Psalm of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Psa 145:2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Chapter 17 of the book of Revelation speaks of the sealing process that the Israel of God will go through [God’s elect, are typified by Israel who is made up of Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Nepthalim, Manasses, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zabulon, Joseph and Benjamin who collectively make up the symbolic number of 144,000 which represents the foundation of God’s government (Rev 7:4)]. Ultimately all of humanity will be washed by the blood of the lamb and arrayed in white robes which typify His righteousness within us: “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:1-17).

Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

God’s elect must endure all that is written in chapter six of Revelation through Christ (Rev 6:1-17), and have all those seals poured out upon them, and as a result of that suffering they must endure, that much tribulation, that “washing of water by the word”, which is His judgment upon us, we can then know that we have been prepared of the Lord to rule and reign under Him (Eph 5:26, 2Ti 2:12).

Having done all and standing is to be wearing the whole suit of armour God provides so (Eph 6:13, Rev 19:7), we can be used by Christ to help wash the great unwashed masses of this world (Isa 1:16). Without the seals and the trumpets and the vials being poured out upon ourselves first, we could not put on the whole armour of God and stand or be that bride “his wife hath made herself ready” and therefore the question is asked “who shall be able to stand“? The answer is: those who have gone through the day of the Lord as explained in the verses in this chapter 6 that precedes verse 17 (Rev 6:1-16).

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Being able to stand is all connected to our joy in the Lord, our gladness in the Lord, knowing that in Him and through Him, we are more than conquerors (Rom 8:37) who are now able to minister His judgments on “the four corners of the earth” within ourselves first and ultimately as kings and priests on all the nations of this world one day (Rev 7:1, Rev 1:6, Rev 5:10). The number of angels that are doing this work are said to be standing in the same verse that comes after the judgments spoken of in Revelation chapter six, and so the Lord is telling us this is our inheritance in Him to bring the rest of the world into maturity just as He has already done in us, if we are blessed to endure unto the end and be found in the blessed and holy first resurrection where it will be more blessed to give this saving knowledge of our Lord that we have already received through the church.

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

The verses we will examine in this study point to the sovereign power of God which brings us to a place of spiritual healing where we can stand in Him and experience the joy and gladness of knowing that His purpose for us will stand, as it will for the rest of humanity.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Psa 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

God sends forth His word (Psa 107:20) which is spirit (Joh 6:63) and “they are created”. Now whether the “they” in this verse are Adam and Eve being physically created, or the “they” are the marred vessels being made anew in the Potter’s hands as the second Adam, both are created by God and for His purpose of showing us that He is the one who “renewest the face of the earth”.

When we hear the word of God, we are blessed (Mat 13:16) because we are becoming that renewed creation in him as we receive that word or seed that must die daily (Joh 12:24, 1Co 15:31). We are being given power to bring all our thoughts into subjection unto God through Christ (2Co 10:5). That is the sanctification process that we rejoice in and sing “holy holy holy” for: the Lord granting us eyes and ears in this age to come out of the “earth earth earth” or the world (Rev 18:4, Jer 22:29).

The same Strong’s number is used in Jer_22:29, Gen 1:1 and Gen 3:19:^G1093 — for earth and dust, telling us we are the marred vessel of dust and the earth that needs to have our heavens cleansed through a judgment (1Pe 1:1-8), which can only be effective if we are hearing the word of the Lord and abiding or continuing in those words (Joh 8:31-32).

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth^G1093. [and both were marred]

Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust^G1093 thou art, and unto dust^G1093 shalt thou return.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Psa 104:31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.

What God has started in us will have no ending because “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isa 9:7). As mentioned at the beginning of the study, part of our joy or gladness comes in knowing that we will never grow weary in the Lord in our newly resurrected bodies, and even today He brings us to a point where we can rejoice and be glad in the Lord for “his wonderful works”. He is doing those works within us both to will and to do (Php 2:13) so God’s elect can be blessed to have our eyes set on the prize of the mark of the high calling. The joy that is set before us is being able to share in the fulness of that relationship, seeing the Lord face to face in each other and no longer only in part.

Psa 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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

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.

1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Psa 104:32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.

The imagery presented in this verse explains the need for the Lord to look upon us in our weakened state so that we know how vulnerable we are in these weak vessels of clay that He is making his strength perfect through.

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly [“I will be glad in the LORD“] therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We tremble in our flesh at the prospect of disappointing our Father, and yet he tells us that’s exactly what we’re going to do (Isa 63:17), until we don’t (Joh 8:36), and then we have peace in knowing that he has worked the whole process both to will and to do as he brings us closer to Him through our weaknesses and trials which bring us to cry out for deliverance; a deliverance that he promises will come as these following verses tell us (we are the widow and the fatherless child in God’s eyes coming out of Babylon and being delivered.

Exo 22:22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
Exo 22:23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;

Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

God created the hills within us, and He “toucheth the hills, and they smoke” which symbolically represents the living sacrifice which we are being dragged to the altar (Rom 12:1), which is the cross where Christ gives us the power to put off our flesh through the fiery trials which humble us in this age (Exo 19:18, 1Pe 4:12, 1Pe 4:17).

Psa 104:33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

When we are convinced that God has “set his love upon me”, when we believe that we are the redeemed of the Lord, when his spirit bears witness that we are his sons (Rom 8:16), then we will “sing praise to my God while I have my being“, a praise which He is perfecting in the saints, in the elect, which is typified in these verses below and is another reason why Christ says we must become as children to inherit the kingdom of God; children who have perfected praise.

Mat 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
Mat 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

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

It is humbling to know that God looks at us as the weak of the world, the “not many noble” brethren, but that should only make us all the more grateful for His ways which don’t depend on the arm of man, and to know that we are in His care “while I have my being”. It should give us great reason to rejoice in the Lord, and “again I say rejoice” (Php 4:4), because you are the apple of His eye and the first to know of His great love within us, which makes our hope in him real and tangible and not something of which we are ashamed.

1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Ecc 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

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 (Ecc 9:11):
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

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

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Psa 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Our meditation of God is sweetest when we think about those things that are above (Col 3:2-3, Php 4:8-9), and that is one of the most important parts of our fighting a good fight of faith, not loving the world or the things that are in this world that are not of the Father (1Jn 2:15-17).

If God will grant that we continue to work together toward that goal of losing our life so that we may find it in him (1Co 3:9, Mat 10:39) as we die daily together, we will not only find and know God and Christ (Joh 17:3), but we will find each other in that blessed and holy first resurrection together as a family ready to be about our Father’s business of saving the rest of humanity, who will be saved through Christ and His Christ (1Co 15:22). I mentioned on a study some time ago that the saving of the physical world from destruction is a type and shadow of what we will do as the body of Christ for the rest of humanity, and that is the reason we have gladness in the Lord knowing that he loves all mankind that much and is giving us a joyous part in this incredible process of salvation.

Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

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

2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Psa 104:35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

The last verse in our study explains how “I will be glad in the LORD”: it is by having sins consumed out of my earth, and the wickedness no more, so that I can bless the LORD, and praise Him. The world without can’t experience this joy just yet, and it is this process of judgement upon us (1Pe 4:17) that brings joy to God’s kind of first fruits (that judgment ripens us Jas 1:18).

We will be instrumental in delivering the world from all the sadness, all the tears, and all the sorrow that we will be blessed to wipe away, and will have experience in our own life to various degrees so that we can fulfill our role of being saviours (Psa 30:5, Psa 126:5, Joh 6:44). The world will finally cry out to God and be saved by those humbled saviours who will come up on Mount Zion, and that is a great reason to be “glad in the LORD” (Oba 1:21).

We must be consumed out of the earth, along with the wicked who cannot be anymore (Eze 24:10, 2Ti 2:12, Act 14:22). We are the weak of the earth whom God has mercifully predestinated to save in advance of all the world (Rom 11:31-32, Eph 1:4), and that knowledge brings us to say “bless thou the LORD, O my soul” and “Praise ye the LORD” because of His unfathomable love toward us. It is His love shed abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5) which enables us to rejoice and say with all confidence “I will be glad in the LORD”.

Jos 3:17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

Jos 4:11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.

Eze 22:14 Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken it, and will do it.
Eze 22:15 And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee.

1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Next week, Lord willing, we will start a little mini-series compiled from all the emails which God gave us through our elders regarding the second resurrection, as I mentioned in a recent email I sent to the body.

To Be Ordained

Mike Vinson — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:00:01 +0000

Mike,

You will remember a couple of weeks ago Steven Crook gave a presentation on what it means to stand. The basic point is that one could be standing outside or inside, in the flesh or in Christ. The Greek word for stand is histemi, G2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position like standing
I have just finished reading your letter, recently posted, to E__ in which you make reference to Joh 15:16 while explaining When Is “My Father’s Kingdom” and What Is “The Fruit Of The Vine?” I enjoyed reading your response, especially how you encouraged the writer. I was prompted by the Lord to take a closer look at the verse, so I used e- Sword.

Joh 15:16 Ye5210have not3756chosen1586me,3165but235I1473have chosen1586you,5209and2532 ordained5087 you,5209 that2443 ye5210 should go5217 and2532bring forth5342fruit,2590and2532your5216fruit2590should remain:3306 that2443 whatsoever3748, 302ye shall ask154of the3588Father3962in1722my3450name,3686he may give1325it you.5213

One of the first things I noticed is that the verse has two hina (gk.) purpose clauses, the G2443 word ‘that’ or more properly ‘in order that’ or ‘so that’. You know they connect what is before with what comes after them.
Well, I’m pretty clear on being chosen (Aorist in this verse – am choosing) and you covered it in your response to the writer, so I decided to look at the word ‘ordained’. It appears that the Greek is tithemi and that it is a close cousin to histemi (stand), but in this case it is quite opposite in that the position is passive and/ or horizontal. Both words can be used to describe the setting or placing of something which is distinctly what Christ is doing here in this verse. The difference is to set (stand) something up (histemi) or to place (lay) something down (tithemi).

Strong G5087

τιθημι

tithe mi

tith’- ay- mee

A prolonged form of a primary word θεω theo(which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from G2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while G2749 is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate): – + advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.

Thayer Definition:

1) to set, put, place

1a) to place or lay

1b) to put down, lay down

1b1) to bend down

1b2) to lay off or aside, to wear or carry no longer

1b3) to lay by, lay aside money

1c) to set on (serve) something to eat or drink

1d) to set forth, something to be explained by discourse

2) to make

2a) to make (or set) for one’s self or for one’s use

3) to set, fix establish

3a) to set forth

3b) to establish, ordain

Part of Speech: verb

I then noticed the other, resulting side of the hina which is ‘should go’ and the Greek here is hupago, G5217. The verb is in the subjunctive mood which puts it in the potential, thus the ‘should’ part. But the ‘going’ is a little different that one might imagine in that it is ‘going away’ like withdrawing or retiring from someone or something.
Strong G5217

υπαγω

hupago

hoop- ag’- o

From G5259 and G71; to lead (oneself) under, that is, withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively: – depart, get hence, go (a-) way.

Thayer Definition:

1) to lead under, bring under

2) to withdraw one’s self, to go away, depart

Part of Speech: verb

And then I saw what the spirit is saying in using these two words: Christ has chosen those whom he would lay aside (utterly prostrate) in order that they could be going away (as if sinking out of sight – decreasing) and could be carrying fruit (as a branch of the vine).

It’s exactly like he said in Joh 12.24, the grain of wheat dying to bring much fruit and like Paul explained in Gal 2.20; crucified with Christ – nevertheless I live – but not I – but Christ lives in me.

And all this in order that (hina) I could be asking of the Father in Christ- like character, and He could be giving to, with and by us.

S____

Wow! What a marvelous revelation! It really is “not I, but Christ lives in me” only as I am dying daily.
Thanks for sharing this with me. Let’s share these things with others also.
Mike

Taking A Stand

Steven Crook — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:00:01 +0000

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What Do The Scriptures Reveal About Taking a Stand?

I will start by saying that when reading the scripture we must all keep in mind that each verse and word have both a positive and negative application as well as primarily being spiritual and secondarily having a physical meaning.

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

Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

I hope today to scripturally show what it is to mind the things of the flesh versus minding the things of the spirit in regards to taking a stance with the Word of God.

Every churchgoing member, at whatever level of membership and/ or duty they have, believes they stand on the Word of God. However, we need to make sure we are diligent to the Word of God in order for us to say such a statement.

I hope the Lord uses me today to show you what I have been shown.

Mat 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Here we have Christ who lets us in on a mystery that has been hidden since it was uttered the first time. Our mother and brother initially are the whore and our brothers that come from her. As with all the times Christ was asked a question or received a statement from someone, those who told Christ this too were making a physical statement about his physical family, yet Jesus gives them a spiritual answer.

Christ lets them know exactly what is most important to him. This also should be how we feel and handle all situations placed before us.

I want to focus on where these verses say our first mother and brother stand. They stand without or outside. Outside of what?

Mar 3:24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Mar 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

When we try to cling to any false doctrines or idols of our hearts which are contrary to the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, we will fall. There are only two places to stand. Either we stand on a foundation laid on a rock, or we stand on earth/ sand.

Luk 6:48 He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
Luk 6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Right before these verses, just a few verses, before Christ says, “Why call me Lord, Lord and do not the things I say.” It is amazing that once we understand the meaning of all parables, we can then apply that to everything we read in the Word of God. Here is another example. Jesus is telling us that we can either stand on the Word of God, or we can stand on the words of the earth…the church and/ or babylon.

Here is how the angel Gabriel states this:

Luk 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings.

The very idea that the “gospel” is paraded around as good news when most of christendom condemns most of humankind to hell is appalling. Yet, that is exactly what they do when they build their ideas, idols and thoughts upon the earth. Standing in the presence of God IS standing on the foundation God the Father laid, since the FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD – Jesus Christ.

Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Luk 13:25 (MKJV) And once the Master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us, and He shall answer and say to you, I do not know you; from where are you;

Those who are not standing on a rock are always those who are standing AT the rock knocking and trying to get passage to the other side. Those who are not knocking are those who ARE the ones who have already gone through the door and have BECOME THE DOOR that all others knock on.

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

It is through US that Jesus says, “Why call me Lord, Lord….” It is through and by Christ and Christ alone – the original door – that a stance is achieved by US – as a door.

It is Christ, the Word of God, who tells us to stand.

Act 5:19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
Act 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

In the verse right before Rom 14:4, we see this:

Rom 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

God has received who? God has received “him that eateth”. God is not the master of those who are knocking and asking for entrance. I believe that is clearly shown in the verses before.”To his own master…God is able to make him stand…. for God hath received him.”

1Co 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1Co 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1Co 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

Here we are clearly instructed that as a minister of Christ who ministers (serves) the mysteries of God to those who are “standing, knocking at the door…”, that we must be found faithful to the Word of God.

1Co 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

In 1Co 4:3 the word here translated judgment is used here and ONLY here as judgment. In every other place it is used, it is used to describe time or a period of time. To allow the spirit of God to tell you what Paul is saying here, please look at this list with me:

G2250

ημερα

he mera

Total KJV Occurrences: 390

day, 204

Mat_6:34, Mat_7:22, Mat_10:15, Mat_11:22, Mat_11:24, Mat_12:36, Mat_13:1, Mat_16:21, Mat_17:23, Mat_20:2, Mat_20:6, Mat_20:12, Mat_20:19, Mat_22:23, Mat_22:46, Mat_24:36, Mat_24:38, Mat_24:50, Mat_25:13, Mat_26:29, Mat_27:64, Mar_4:27, Mar_4:35, Mar_5:5, Mar_6:11, Mar_6:21, Mar_9:31, Mar_10:34, Mar_13:32, Mar_14:12, Mar_14:25, Luk_1:20, Luk_1:59, Luk_1:80, Luk_2:37, Luk_4:16, Luk_4:42, Luk_5:17, Luk_6:13, Luk_6:23, Luk_7:11, Luk_8:22, Luk_9:12, Luk_9:22, Luk_9:37, Luk_10:12, Luk_11:3 (2), Luk_12:46, Luk_13:14, Luk_13:16, Luk_13:31, Luk_14:5, Luk_16:19, Luk_17:4 (2), Luk_17:24, Luk_17:27, Luk_17:29-31 (3), Luk_18:7, Luk_18:33, Luk_19:42, Luk_21:34, Luk_21:37, Luk_22:7, Luk_22:66, Luk_23:12, Luk_23:54, Luk_24:7, Luk_24:13, Luk_24:21, Luk_24:29, Luk_24:46, Joh_1:39, Joh_2:1, Joh_5:9, Joh_6:39-40 (2), Joh_6:44, Joh_6:54, Joh_7:37, Joh_8:56, Joh_9:4, Joh_11:9 (2), Joh_11:24, Joh_11:53, Joh_12:7, Joh_12:48, Joh_14:20, Joh_16:23, Joh_16:26, Joh_20:19 (2), Act_1:2, Act_1:22, Act_2:1, Act_2:15, Act_2:20, Act_2:29, Act_2:41, Act_7:8, Act_7:26, Act_9:24, Act_10:3, Act_10:40, Act_12:18, Act_12:21, Act_13:14, Act_16:35, Act_17:31, Act_20:16, Act_20:18, Act_20:31, Act_21:7, Act_21:26, Act_23:1, Act_23:12, Act_26:7, Act_26:22, Act_27:29, Act_27:33 (2), Act_27:39, Act_28:13, Act_28:23, Rom_2:5, Rom_2:16, Rom_8:36, Rom_10:21, Rom_11:8, Rom_13:12-13 (2), Rom_14:5-6 (4), 1Co_1:8, 1Co_3:13, 1Co_5:5, 1Co_10:8, 1Co_15:4, 2Co_1:14, 2Co_4:16 (2), 2Co_6:2 (2), Eph_4:30, Eph_6:13, Phi_1:5-6 (2), Phi_1:10, Phi_2:16, Col_1:5-6 (2), Col_1:9, 1Th_3:9-10 (2), 1Th_5:2, 1Th_5:4-5 (2), 1Th_5:8, 2Th_1:10, 2Th_2:2, 2Th_3:8, 1Ti_5:5, 2Ti_1:3, 2Ti_1:12, 2Ti_1:18, 2Ti_4:8, Heb_3:8, Heb_4:4, Heb_8:7-9 (3), Heb_10:25, Jas_5:5, 1Pe_2:12, 2Pe_1:19, 2Pe_2:8-9 (3), 2Pe_2:13, 2Pe_3:7-8 (3), 2Pe_3:10, 2Pe_3:12, 1Jn_4:17, Jdg_1:6, Rev_1:10, Rev_4:8, Rev_6:17, Rev_7:15, Rev_8:12, Rev_9:15, Rev_14:10-11 (2), Rev_16:14, Rev_18:8, Rev_20:10, Rev_21:25

days, 154

Mat_4:1-2 (3), Mat_9:15, Mat_11:12, Mat_12:40 (2), Mat_15:32, Mat_17:1, Mat_23:30, Mat_24:19, Mat_24:22 (2), Mat_24:29, Mat_24:37-38 (2), Mat_26:2, Mat_26:61, Mat_27:40, Mat_27:63, Mar_1:9, Mar_1:13, Mar_2:1, Mar_2:20 (2), Mar_8:1-2 (2), Mar_8:31, Mar_9:2, Mar_13:17, Mar_13:19-20 (3), Mar_13:24, Mar_14:1, Mar_14:58, Mar_15:29, Luk_1:5, Luk_1:23-25 (3), Luk_1:39, Luk_1:75, Luk_2:1, Luk_2:6, Luk_2:21-22 (2), Luk_2:43, Luk_2:46, Luk_4:2 (2), Luk_4:25, Luk_5:35 (2), Luk_6:12, Luk_9:28, Luk_9:36, Luk_13:14, Luk_15:13, Luk_17:22 (2), Luk_17:26 (2), Luk_17:28, Luk_19:43, Luk_20:1, Luk_21:6, Luk_21:22-23 (2), Luk_23:29, Luk_24:18, Joh_2:12, Joh_2:19-20 (2), Joh_4:40, Joh_4:43, Joh_11:6, Joh_11:17, Joh_12:1, Joh_20:26, Act_1:3, Act_1:5, Act_1:15, Act_2:17-18 (2), Act_3:24, Act_5:36-37 (2), Act_6:1, Act_7:41, Act_7:45, Act_9:9, Act_9:19, Act_9:23, Act_9:37, Act_9:43, Act_10:30, Act_10:48, Act_11:27, Act_12:3, Act_13:31, Act_13:41, Act_15:36, Act_16:12, Act_16:18, Act_20:6 (3), Act_21:4-5 (2), Act_21:10, Act_21:15, Act_21:26-27 (2), Act_21:38, Act_24:1, Act_24:11, Act_24:24, Act_25:1, Act_25:6, Act_25:13-14 (2), Act_27:7, Act_27:20, Act_28:7, Act_28:12, Act_28:14, Gal_1:17-18 (2), Gal_4:10, Eph_5:16, 2Ti_3:1, Heb_1:2, Heb_5:7, Heb_7:3, Heb_8:8, Heb_8:10, Heb_10:16, Heb_10:32, Heb_11:30, Heb_12:10, Jas_5:3, 1Pe_3:10, 1Pe_3:20, 2Pe_3:3, Rev_2:10, Rev_2:13, Rev_10:6-7 (2), Rev_11:3, Rev_11:6, Rev_11:9, Rev_11:11, Rev_12:6

daily, 18

Mat_26:55, Mar_14:49, Luk_9:23, Luk_19:47, Luk_22:53, Act_2:46-47 (2), Act_3:2, Act_5:42, Act_16:5, Act_17:11, Act_17:17, Act_19:9, 1Co_15:31, 2Co_11:28, Heb_3:13, Heb_7:27, Heb_10:11

time, 4

Luk_9:51, Luk_21:37, Luk_23:7, Act_8:1

while, 2

Act_15:7, Act_18:18

years, 2

Luk_1:7, Luk_1:18

age, 1

Luk_2:36

alway, 1

Mat_28:20

day’s, 1

Luk_2:44

ever, 1

2Pe_3:18

judgment, 1

1Co_4:3

midday, 1

Act_26:13

Out of 390 times this word was used by the Holy Spirit, 358 times it was translated day or days. Wow!

So Paul is clearly stating that it is a very small thing that man’s days are what he is judged by. Paul is standing on the Word of God when he makes the statement that he has a judge and it surely isn’t man and what man has to say about how Paul spends his GOD- GIVEN day.

Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike.Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

It is not a stretch at all to say that we should have the same mind, the mind of Christ, and I don’t have to wonder what the mind of Christ says about each day being esteemed alike as all the rest. This spiritual concept applies to the entire bible. We are either taking a stand on the outside of the door (the Word of God) or we are, “as He is, so are we in this world”– the door for all of humanity. That is what is so important about making sure we are standing on the Rock because we are the medium used to glorify God the Father, by God’s own design.

Conclusion

In closing, I hope I have been used to briefly show what it means to stand within or without. God is very clear on which it is for us – outside or inside. We ALL have been on both sides, so we apply all these things to ourselves first and foremost.

Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
1Co 15:30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Th 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.