1Ki 6:4-7 “Shew the house to the house of Israel”

[Study Aired September 30, 2021]

1Ki 6:4  And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
1Ki 6:5  And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:
1Ki 6:6  The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.
1Ki 6:7  And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

Last week’s study was about recognizing the temple which we are (1Co 3:16) that is being built “in a fitting and orderly way”. There are no more foundational words that describe where the foundation of our temple is to be built in a fitting and orderly way than the words of our Lord to Peter in Matthew 16:18.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Our Father and Christ are one in mind and purpose (Joh 10:29-30) and we are being built upon Christ and are as He is in this world, with one mind and purpose “which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (1Jn 4:17 1Co 2:16, 2Ti 1:7-9). God is love (1Jn 4:16), therefore we are being built up together as a holy temple so that through Christ, where we abide and are accepted (Joh 15:4-5 Eph 1:6), we can now reflect the love of God and worship our Father in spirit and truth as He gives us that increase which makes this possible (Joh 4:23, 1Co 3:6, Rom 5:5).

Joh 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one.

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

2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

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.

The cleansing of our heavens is a process we are going through when we are blessed to believe the words Christ speaks to us (Joh 6:28-29), and this is how the foundation is laid in our lives so we can then abide in Christ and bring forth much fruit (Joh 15:8-9). The fruit in our life is symbolized by the temple that is built upon the foundation of Christ, who is the chief cornerstone of the temple who stabilizes and bears the burden of all the temple through each joint that supplies (Mat 21:42, Eph 2:19-22, Gal 6:2).

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

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ [Col 1:24,27]

Only when we are given to become a hearer and a doer of the words of Christ are we being given the keys to the kingdom (Mat 16:19) to now grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Christ the rest of our lives (2Pe 3:18). We have that confidence through Him that what He has started in us as His body will be finished as we fill up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ for His body’s sake which is the church (Col 1:24). This section of the book of Kings will give us more insight through the type and shadows within the temple of what God’s workmanship can accomplish within us as we are built upon the foundation of Christ.

Jas 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

The Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven – Part 1

Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

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

God has called us to have confidence in what He has promised that He will start and finish in our lives through Christ, who is the author and the finisher of our faith (Php 1:6, Heb 10:35). With that faith being tried and tested, we can then bring forth the fruit of love that is described for us in these verses in 1Corinthians 13:3-10. We are the workmanship of God’s hand, and that love has been growing and maturing in each one of His children to His glory so that we can all come into the unity of the faith “and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (1Jn 5:4, Eph 4:13). That fullness of Christ is accomplished in the church, which is Christ’s body, as we learn together as one body that all things really do “work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” which is how the bride is going to be made ready (Rom 8:28, Rev 19:7-9, Php 4:4-7).

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

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.

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

With all these foundational verses in mind let’s now look at what God is building upon the foundation of our loving Saviour (Mat 16:18) and see how it applies to each and every one of our own day-to-day dying daily walks in the Lord which is being refined or sanctified so that we can one day, Lord willing, be raised in the first resurrection and judge the mount of Esau, which is what we will be doing when we “shew the house to the house of  Israel” and are given to “measure the pattern” today (Eze 43:10, 1Co 15:31, 1Jn 1:5-7).

1Jn 1:5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1Jn 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

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

1Ki 6:4  And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.

After the foundation of any building is laid, which consequently is the part that takes the longest, then things begin to happen rapidly. Christ is that foundation and the rock upon which Peter, who represents all of God’s elect, is going to be built. All the prophesies in God’s word point back to our Saviour and how each man in his order will be dragged to Him of our Father (Joh 6:44) in order to become a new creation through Him (1Co 8:6, Col 1:15-17, Php 4:13). If we are as Christ (1Jn 4:17), then Christ must have had a typical event of being in Babylon or Egypt and then been called out of it, just as we have our time in Babylon which is represented by this later verse we will look at later (1Ki 6:7) which tells us there is a place where preparatory work is being done in the life of the elect, before the temple of God is-was-will be, built without hands (Hos 11:1).

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

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Hos 11:1  When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

This first verse, “And for the house he made windows of narrow lights“, tells us something about our perception of our Father and Christ while we are in this fleshly temple that looks through a glass darkly (1Co 13:12).

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.

The light enters in through “windows of narrow lights” because today we have this relationship with our Father and Christ in earnest and not in the fullness, and have been told by Christ that broad is the path which represents our flesh that leads to destruction and cannot inherit the kingdom of God, but narrow is the way that leads to life (Mat 7:13-14).

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it [Mat 22:14].

Christ is the one who makes it possible for us to endure through this life seeing he is the one who gives us light and life (Joh 14:6) through God’s holy spirit that makes it possible for us to see and understand what is going on in the temple of God (1Co 2:10) that we are so blessed to be part of today (Eph 1:14, Psa 119:105).

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

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.

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

Psa 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

This word narrow^H331 [aw-tam’], which means ‘to shut’ or ‘to stop’, is used in a few other areas of the temple’s construction and elsewhere in the bible…

“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth^H331 his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Pro 17:28)

…is one such verse that reminds us that as the temple of God we must be very discreet ambassadors in this life who are learning to let our speech be seasoned with salt (Col 4:6), and, Lord willing, we will be given that bridle on our tongue that we need in this world which vexes us with its filthy communication, knowing how to answer those who opppose and resist the truth (2Ti 4:14-16), and knowing when we should not answer others even to their being marvelled at our conduct in doing so (Joh 19:11, Psa 141:3-4, 2Pe 2:7, Mar 15:5). Also, we must know when enough is enough, and no further witness is needed (Tit 3:10). As God’s ambassadors we are always to be striving for the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ (Php 3:13-14) which is found by staying above the fray of this society.

•narrow, 4 1Ki_6:4; Eze_40:16; Eze_41:16; Eze_41:26
•shutteth, 1
Pro_17:28
•stoppeth, 3
Psa_58:4; Pro_21:13; Isa_33:15

– Original: אu1496 םpar – Transliteration: ‘atam
– Phonetic: aw-tam’
– Definition:
1. to shut, shut up, close
a. (Qal) to shut, stop (of lips)
b. (Hiphil) of the wicked stopping their ears (fig.)

– Origin: a primitive root
– TWOT entry: 73
– Part(s) of speech: Verb
– Strong’s: A primitive root; to close (the lips or ears); by analogy to contract (a window by bevelled jambs): – narrow shut stop.

1Ki 6:5  And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:
1Ki 6:6  The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.

These chambers^H3326 that are spoken of in this section of the book of Kings represent the rest into which we labor to enter (Heb 4:11, Joh 6:27). That rest is “against the wall” meaning that when we have done all we can, stand, and others can then rest on us as we become walls, or pillars, where that rest can be found (Eph 6:13, Mat 11:28). The chamber is a couch or bed, and they were systematically placed throughout the temple “round about“, and symbolize the continual rest that can be found in God which He gives us in the Lord as we sojourn unto perfection on the third day as He prepares our hearts for each and every trial and restores us as at these resting points or chambers as we go further toward Christ who is in the oracle^H1687 which is the holy of holies.

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.

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Joh 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

It is when we look back that we see God’s mercy (Rev 1:10) that has taken us along the way and held us up throughout our walk that He guided as a shepherd of His little flock whom He led by still waters to restore our souls, never to try us beyond the measure we can endure (1Co 10:13) and always making a way where their often seems to be none.

(Psa 23:1-3, Psa 1:1-3, Luk 12:32 – ‘couches’ and ‘beds’ symbolize the mercy and rest we find in the Lord – Isa 43:19, Joh 5:8 – and picking up our bed is working out our own salvation with fear and trembling knowing that it is God who is working in us both to will and do of His good pleasure Php 2:12-13.)

Psa 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

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

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psa 23:2, Joh 15:16)

“The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad“: the five cubits like the five pillars at the entry into the temple symbolize how we enter into God’s rest by putting off our flesh by the grace and faith of Christ which causes us to be abased, or found in the nethermost chamber which is where we should always want to abide (Luk 14:8, Mat 23:12, Php 2:7, Luk 18:13-14, Isa 66:2).

Luk 14:8  When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, [Mar 10:18] and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross [Gal 2:20].

Luk 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted [1Jn 1:9].

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.

The “middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad” reminds us that God knows our form that originally is without form (Gen 1:2) as beasts, symbolized by six cubits who need rest that is found by casting all our cares upon the Lord (1Pe 5:7), as we labour in the word and pick up our bed (Joh 5:8) and go onto completion or perfection which the third area of couches represents being “seven cubits broad“.

Gen 1:2  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Joh 5:8  Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

We are told that “for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house”. They are not fastened to the temple because they represent those who are joined unto us like Levi and who God extends his mercy toward by giving them their good things (Luk 15:31) just as we should do good unto all men as the temple of God that we are, but especially unto the household of God (Gal 6:10, Mat 5:44-48).

Luk 15:31  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith [narrowed rests round about on the outside and couches on the inside of the temple].

Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

1Ki 6:7  And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

The Lord wants us to know this critical point:

“And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither:  so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building“

…which admonition is stated this way in the book of Psalms:

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

Unless the Lord has been the author and finisher of our faith from start to finish, or in other words unless we went into Babylon and were dragged out, we cannot be a stone that has been prepared by God and made meet for the master’s use in His temple that we are (2Ti 2:19-21).

2Ti 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

[depart from a mindset of taking glory unto yourself and believe that God is working all things, the light and darkness, the peace and the evil (Isa 45:7); if we are Christ’s, all such self-righteousness will be burnt out and the bride will be made ready]

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these [Joh 8:36], he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

God must grant us to hear the voice of the true Shepherd in each other so we can follow each other as we follow Christ (1Co 11:1) bearing each other’s infirmities in hope that we will hear less and less the “hammer” or the “axe” or the “tool of iron“, all symbols of our fleshly opinion and not the voice of the true Shepherd that we are learning to discern: “And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building” (Joh 10:27-28).

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

There are stages to the building of God’s temple which we are (1Co 3:16, Rom 8:9), and this seventh verse in type and shadow tells us that every part of the elects’ life from the first breath we draw until the last in this Adamic flesh was purposed by God to accomplish His work within us as was typified by Jeremiah (Jer 1:5, Gal 6:16, Rom 15:13).

Jer 1:5  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

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

Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

It is a true saying that the marriage of the Lamb is for a blessed few who are called unto this ‘arranged marriage’ (Rev 19:9) from the foundation of the world where God had willed that Christ’s bride would be born again and as such, all things would work out in our lives according to the counsel of God’s will for this good purpose of election (Joh 1:13, Rom 8:29-33). Part of God’s good purpose was to prepare the stones that we represent, off-site, only to later gather His elect from the four corners of the earth (Mat 24:31) to build His temple that we are (1Pe 2:9, Eph 2:20-22).

Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Joh 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren [1Jn 4:17].
Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

Mat 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (Rom 2:28-29):

We are being judged in this life so that all things can work together for good, which includes our being given to endure until the end and be found in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Rev 19:7, Rev 20:6, Mat 24:13). Being born of the will of God in this life is the same as saying we are born again (Joh 3:3), and we truly know that we cannot understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God unless Christ our hope of glory is born within us as our wisdom who reveals the very parables that God uses to blind the world (Eph 1:11, Rom 8:28, Mat 13:13, 2Co 5:17).

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

There always has to be a sense of urgency in regard to the work that God is doing within us (Luk 21:36, Psa 127:1) and all of the scriptures are ‘yes’ for us (2Co 1:20) and are filled with the exceeding great and precious promises that all point to the truth that we are more than conquerors through Christ. These promises are given to encourage us to not give up the good fight of faith as we “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”, forgetting those things that are behind and urgently pressing as Noah did in the building of the ark which represents the church, the body of Christ (2Pe 1:4, Rom 8:35-37, Joh 8:36, Php 3:14, Heb 11:7).

Luk 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

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

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.

We are seeing with our own blessed eyes and hearing with our own blessed spiritual ears, which is a gift of God (Mat 13:16), the building of the temple of God made without hands and so we do give all glory and honour to the One who is doing this work within us both to will and to do knowing that we, like Christ, must labor to enter into that rest being doers of the word (Jas 1:22). There must be a diligence that is formed in us through our trials and suffering in this life, and God can and will keep us motivated together as the body of Christ (Php 2:12-13).

As God gives us increase through the labour to which He has called us in His vineyard, the certainty of what Christ has started and will finish has already been declared (Php 1:6), and our job now is to be about our Father’s business (Luk 2:49, 1Jn 4:17) showing the house to the house to each other by staying unspotted from the world and coming together often “and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” to visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction (Heb 10:25, Jas 1:27).

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:

Mat 24:36-51, Mar 13:32-37, Luk 21:34-36

[Study Aired August 24, 2021]

Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the 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.
Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Mat 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mar 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Mar 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Mar 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
Mar 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

In our last study we were told about the abomination of desolation and the coming of the Son of man. This happens early in our walk as we go into Babylon, and then Christ comes into our hearts and begins to destroy the false doctrines we set up as idols in our hearts. In this study Christ give us a warning to be diligent about keeping the sayings of the prophecy of the book of life. We are not given to know when the next age will begin so Christ gives us the following message.

Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only.

Only the Father knows the day and hour He will send Christ to start the next age. We are given clues about how it will be at this time, but we are not given the exact date. Here is a clue:

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.

Today mankind is still eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage and does not know there is a flood coming. The elect are building the ark, which represents our work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope.

1Th 1:2-6 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 

Being in the ark represents our salvation. Next we are given some details of the outcome of our salvation.

Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

The “one shall be taken” is our old man and his ways which must be destroyed. The “other left” is our new man. Next we are told to “watch” which means to do the work of God until the Son of man returns. Here is the work of God we must do, and when I say the work we must do I mean the work God is doing in us.

Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Eph 1:9-11 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 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: 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: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

This is a commandment in the form of a parable. The commandment is to be diligent in all we do. Peter tells us about the coming of our Lord and being diligent.

2Pe 3:1-18 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Christ now tells us what our reward is for being diligent.

Mat 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Being the goodman of the house, we are given to be “ruler over all his goods”. The goods are the doctrines of Christ which destroy the mind of the old man in us. Next Christ warns us what will happen if we are given over to the doctrines of the world.

Mat 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Once again Christ told us that we do not know the time of his coming. Here are Mark and Luke’s versions saying the same thing.

Mar 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Mar 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Mar 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
Mar 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

If we are given the ability to ‘watch’ we will be accounted worthy to escape the judgment of the world. As we watch we are judged now. To end this study here are Paul’s thoughts of the return of Christ and what we should be doing until then.

1Th 5:1-28 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

[Next study in this series is here.]

Heb 9:6-10 – Part 4  “Until the time of Reformation”

[Study Aired December 17, 2020]

Heb 9:6  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 
Heb 9:7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
Heb 9:8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
Heb 9:9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 
Heb 9:10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

This next section of Hebrews 9 we will study concludes with the statement, “until the time of reformation.” The events that unfold in “the sanctuary” and within the “holiest of all” (Heb 9:1-5) are typical (1Co 10:11, 1Pe 1:12) of what is required for the elect to experience a true “time of reformation” that has yet to come to all the world and will manifest in its completion for those who will be blessed to be granted to be in the first resurrection (Rev 20:6-7, 1Jn 4:17, Luk 12:49).

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Rev 20:7  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

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 [Luk 13:32].

Luk 12:49  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Before the event of Gog and Magog being gathered to battle against the camp of the saints of Revelation 20:8-9, Christ shall “send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds” (Mar 13:27-37) which has an inward application at first on pentecost (Act 2:1) and an outward dispensational one as well at the time of the first resurrection (1Co 15:52). In other words, we have to do spiritual battle now against “the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog” within us if we are going to be part of “the camp of the saints…and the beloved city” spoken of in Revelation 20:9.

Rev 20:8  And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:9  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Mar 13:27  And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

The true process of spiritual reformation only happens with the elect at first once the holy spirit is given (Rom 8:9). The church is being gathered over and over since that time of pentecost in order to be prepared (Luk 3:4) for the first resurrection. Today, God’s elect are to keep ourselves ready for when “the master of the house cometh”. “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mat 13:35-37).

The marriage supper has yet to occur but our hearts are to always be ready in anticipation of the bridegroom who is at the door (Mat 25:6-10). If we are granted to endure until the end of our life with that readiness of mind, we will be of those who can say “the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready” (Rev 19:7). If we are physically watching for Christ to return at “at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning“, we are missing the point of the parable of the foolish and wise virgins who all had to be wakened out of sleep. It was only the elect who were granted that extra oil in order to see and be ready at every hour for when the bridegroom comes. That oil is what God grants His people to purchase at an appointed time (Rev 3:18, Eph 1:11) and witnesses to the world that the marriage supper was only meant to be for a specific small remnant whose trials and suffering are all working together for good because of the love of God being shed abroad in our hearts so His purpose can be accomplished within His workmanship which we are (Rom 8:28, Rom 5:5, Luk 12:32, Joh 13:35, Eph 2:10).

Any reformation that has happened to Israel of old, or to the world in general also, during the thousand year rule of the saints is only typical of the true spiritual reformation that will occur in the lake of fire. It will take God’s fiery words that will be accompanied with judgment of the world through God’s elect (1Co 6:3) at the great white throne judgment in order to bring about a time of true spiritual reformation at the second resurrection.

The offering of both “gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience” (of verse 9) represents the self-righteous works of our flesh which, although they were “a figure for the time then present“, that service we performed, like the rich wrong ruler (Mat 19:20-21), could not perfect us “as pertaining to the conscience“.

Mat 19:20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect [‘if you will be reformed‘], go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Regardless, the contrast was deemed necessary by our Creator just as the thousand-year period, which is an undetermined amount of time and is necessary for those who remain on the earth when Christ returns, to demonstrate that no matter how idyllic a relationship we may think we have with Christ in our lives, where we even gave gifts and sacrifices and did many wonderful works, at the end of the day the heart of man cannot be changed through those works, and therefore the conscience is not cleansed (Joh 8:31-32, Mat 19:22) resulting in rebellion which was the occasion against the flesh which God had predestined and sought out against the world from the beginning (Gen 3:6).

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.

Mat 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions [“gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience”].

During that symbolic thousand-year period of time the elect in type and shadow are represented by the manna that fell in the wilderness back in Moses’ day and was used to show Israel (the world) what God already knows is in their hearts, just like Adam and Eve in the garden (Mat 16:13-15, Exo 16:23-24, Joh 6:51, Rev 21:2). The ultimate time of reformation for which we long, is typified by the last great day of the feast and called the great white throne judgment, lake of fire or second resurrection (Rev 20:8, Deu 8:16-20, Rev 20:10-15).

(Israel of old asks the same question of the manna that was given by Christ [Mat 16:13], the true bread of life of John 6:32-35 and James 1:17)

Deu 8:16  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
Deu 8:17  And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth [Php 3:9].
Deu 8:18  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day [Php 3:9].

The only thing that can perfect us is the gift of being dragged to Christ where we will be saved by grace through faith (Joh 6:44, Eph 2:8-9) and Christ’s life is contrasted in the old covenant with “meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances” that were all imposed on Israel “until the time of reformation” which can only come about at that day (Joh 14:20) when the true reformer within us, Jesus Christ (Rom 8:9), works in us both to will and to do of God’s predestined work which He had purposed for us from the foundation of the world (Php 2:12-13, Eph 1:4).

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.

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 [Mat 7:22].

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

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

Going from those dead works and being cleansed in our conscience by our high priest Jesus Christ (Joh 8:36, 1Jn 2:1-2) is the difference between spiritual life and death, and it is offered to very few in this life (Mat 22:14) as typified by Joseph. The honor is to be in the blessed and holy first resurrection so we can explain to all of humanity, as Joseph did in type and shadow with his brothers, what God’s unwavering purpose has always been for everyone which was intimately connected with clearing the conscience, which Joseph was attempting to do for his brothers with this statement (Gen 45:5):

Gen 45:5  Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

In type and shadow, Joseph is that advocate for his brothers, of which we read in 1John 2:1-2 and 1John 3:20), just as we will be if we are blessed to endure until the end believing and enduring through the much tribulation of this life (Act 14:22, Php 1:29, 2Ti 2:12, Mat 24:13) so that we can be those saviours who come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau (Oba 1:21). These words of Joseph in Genesis 45:5 did not convert his brothers in type and shadow, but were more representative of the loaves and fishes Christ gave to his disciples in the early going (Joh 6:25-27, Tit 3:8). The manna (physical healings and needs met) that we will provide for the world during the thousand-year reign will likewise not be used to convert but rather set the stage for the lake of fire, which will be the true beginning point for the worlds “time of reformation“.

Heb 9:6  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
Heb 9:7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

When the Jews who believed on Christ met Him in “the temple” (Joh 8:2, Joh 8:31), it is somewhat akin to the works  of the “first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God” (the many good and wonderful works that we do for Christ [Mat 7:22]), in the sense that it is only through continuing in the truth (Joh 8:31-32) that the truth can set us free.  However, what we don’t understand (until such time we do) is that continuing in Christ can only ever be accomplished through Christ, which is why it is written: “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people“.

Joh 8:2  And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

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.

What Christ said to those Jews who believed on him was reiterated with this same principle of continuing with Christ but said differently in these verses:

Joh 6:53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you (which correlates with “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people“).
Joh 6:54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Joh 6:57  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
Joh 6:58  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Joh 6:59  These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
Joh 6:60  Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it (Mat 22:14)?
Joh 6:61  When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

[our flesh is offended by these words of Christ if the spirit of God is not in us giving us the power and the boldness to enter into the “holiest of all” places where we drink the blood and eat the body of Christ so we can overcome our corrupt flesh and Adamic blood which is against God’s spirit (Gal 5:17)]

The priest going into “the holiest of all” “alone once every year” “not without blood” “which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people” all symbolize for us what Christ has been doing since Pentecost for those with whom He has been working, cleansing our conscience as we die daily as He gives us the power through His blood [His word that quickens us (Joh 17:17, Joh 6:63)] to be washed with the word (Heb 9:14-23, Eph 5:24-26).

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth [Joh 16:7].
Heb 9:18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission [Joh 12:24, Gal 3:16, Rom 12:5, Col 1:27].
Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us [“holiest of all” (Eph 2:6)]:
Heb 9:25  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
Heb 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world [1Jn 2:16] hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church [Christ’s wife who is neither male or female (Gal 3:28)] is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing [both the church unto her husband Christ and wives unto their husbands as they follow Christ (1Co 11:1)].
Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Men are to lead in this washing process, and we are all to be subject unto Christ in order for it to be effective. (Joh 17:17)],

Christ made a way for us to enter into this “holiest of all” places so we could gain His peace  by putting away sin (Php 4:7), and it was done by the “high priest” “alone once every year” which symbolizes how it is through Christ and Christ “alone” (Joh 16:32-33) that we can overcome this first temple which is still standing (Heb 9:8) even now in this earnest relationship we have (Eph 5:24-26, 1Pe 3:7) where we can boldly come before the throne of grace to find help in time of need (Eph 1:14, Heb 4:16). Christ, or the high priest in type and shadow, goes into this most holy place “not without blood” which is why Christ said “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you”. Our dying daily process in the Lord (1Co 15:31) is another way of saying, “not without blood.”

Continuing or abiding with Christ is eating “the flesh of the Son of man” and drinking “his blood”. The new covenant promises are founded on this sacrifice of Christ, and unless this seed had died (Gal 3:16), we would have had no way to be reconciled to God so we can now die daily and be baptized into His death (Rom 6:3). The elect are dying daily for that very reason so that we can be saved and used to reconcile the rest of the world through Christ and His Christ (Heb 9:16, Joh 12:24, Rom 5:10).

Christ’s life was accepted by our Father, and when He offered his life and said “but I lay it down of myself”, He acknowledged whose power it was working in Him that was making this possible: “I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (Joh 10:2, Joh 10:11, Joh 10:18, Joh 5:30, Joh 15:5, 1Ch 29:14).

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

Joh 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep [Mat 10:39].

[“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” We have to conclude therefore that it is through the life of Christ that we partake of that we can be nourished and given the strength to lose “his life for my sake“],

Joh 10:18  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father [Psa 118:27].

Joh 5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

1Ch 29:14  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee [Joh 5:30, Joh 15:5].

Christ needed to be a spotless sacrifice which was made possible through the Father who gave Him the power to overcome and always do those things that were pleasing in His sight (Joh 8:29, 1Jn 3:22, what was pleasing to God was to always say “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” [Luk 22:42, Mat 20:23, Php 3:9]). This offering of himself by way of the blood represents the obedient life of Christ in His flesh (Eph 5:30) Who was tempted in all diverse manner yet without sin (Heb 4:15). This offering of blood is perfectly tied into the concept of the two goats and the two birds of Leviticus (Lev 16:8, Lev 14:5-7) which symbolize this symbolic moment that reads “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people“.

Joh 8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

1Jn 3:22  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Luk 22:42  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless [Php 3:9] not my will, but thine, be done.

Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Heb 9:8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

The world cannot eat at the altar to which God has given the body of Christ access (Heb 13:10), and it is only through the “Holy Ghost^G4151” (Rom 8:9, Eph 2:18) that we can gain access to the “holiest of all” places (Heb 9:14).

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit^G4151, if so be that the Spirit^G4151 of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit^G4151 of Christ, he is none of his.

Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit^G4151 offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

While we are “yet standing” in the “first tabernacle” as opposed to lying dead “in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified” (Rev 11:8-9), or “while as the first tabernacle was yet standing” meaning we are still being found “having mine own righteousness” (Php 3:9), we are not at those times entering into the “holiest of all” and that is the very reason we must fight a good fight of faith and keep under ourselves and die daily, so we can be reassured in our hearts through those works which we are admonished to be careful to maintain (Tit 3:8), that we are standing in Christ alone (1Ti 6:12, 1Co 9:27, 1Co 15:31, Eph 6:13).

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

[the world is focused on burying their own dead (Luk 9:60, Mat 23:23) and don’t see the need to be partakers of the burial of Christ as these woman who represent the church did did(Mar 16:1, Luk 23:56, Luk 24:1, Joh 19:40, Tit 3:8). Those burials which they perform in their flesh were predestined and meant to be contrasted with those who are blessed in this age to be the first to trust in God and be prepared by the Father through the works He ordained for us from the foundation of the world (Eph 2:10) so that we can rejoice now, and again I say rejoice, because the bride is making herself ready through those works that Christ is doing through us (Php 4:4, Rev 19:8)].

Luk 24:1  Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared [Rev 19:7, Mat 25:34], and certain others with them.

Tit 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Heb 9:9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 

Verse 9 of our study is at the heart and core of this chapter, as it reminds us that the works of man that are typical works, or “Which was a figure for the time then present“, do not make anyone perfect “as pertaining to the conscience“. It is only when we are granted to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in ^G1722 Christ Jesus” that our conscience can truly be cleansed as He shows us what needs to corrected in our thinking so we can fulfill his joy and be of one mind, the mind of Christ (Php 3:14, Act 17:28, Mat 24:13, Php 2:2, 1Jn 1:5-10, Rom 2:4, Heb 10:29).

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in^G1722 Christ Jesus.

Act 17:28  For in^G1722 him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in^G1722 the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? [Eph 2:18]

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

There are only two types of works in God’s eyes that are unfolding on this earth, the first being “only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation“. These represent the type and shadow reformation that we see happening over and over again in the churches of Babylon that have not been given to have their foundation built on the Lord who alone can reform our hearts and minds (Mat 16:18, Joh 2:19 – It is God’s good pleasure to reform His little flock today  – Luk 12:32).

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up [reformation defined for us by Christ].

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

The other work that God has ordained from the foundation of the world is also “in meats and drinks” which is typified by the body and blood of Christ (Joh 6:53-56, Mat 24:35) whose body (the church Col 1:24) is spoken of as being “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Joh 8:51, Rev 1:3). This is the true “time of reformation” that the first fruits of God are experiencing as the generation that will not pass away until all these things be fulfilled in their lives (Mat 24:34).

Joh 6:53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man [“in meats“], and drink his blood [“and drinks“], ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day [Rev 20:6].
Joh 6:55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in^G1722 him [Joh 14:20].

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in^G1722 my Father, and ye in me, and I in^G1722 you.

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Joh 8:51  Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Mat 24:34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

[Study Aired September 15,2020

Luk 18:9-14 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Christ speaks another parable. We all know and understand why our Lord speaks in parables. He speaks so they cannot understand and so we can understand.

Mat 13:10-15 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Once again, he mentions the “two men”. Who are the “two men”?
They are the men within each of us if Christ is in you. The Pharisee and the publican are within our heavens.

As with the other parables we reviewed earlier in this series one of the men must be taken and the other left. In this parable which will be taken, and which will be left? The Pharisee is not as “other men” he is better than them. He fasts and he gives. What more would God want from us? We are told to fast and we are told to give so it must be the Pharisee within us that will remain. We are all familiar with the following verses, but it answers the question of which man will be taken and which will be left.

Isa 58:3-5  Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 

The above verses are what the Pharisee within us in our parable is doing. The below verses are what the publican within us does and therefore will be justified.

Isa 58:6-7 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

When we properly come to the Lord as the publican, we will gain all the following within our heavens.

Isa 58:8-14 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

In Zechariah, with some additions the same thought is repeated. The first section of verses is the Pharisee’s way of life. Also, notice when this takes place spiritually and the meanings of the names involved.

Zec 7:1-7 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, [he that informs himself] that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah [Jehovah remembers] in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu; [confidence] When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer [prince of fire] and Regemmelech, [to stone the king] and their men, to pray before the LORD, And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years? Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain? 

Zec 7:8-14 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, [Jehova remembers] saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they [the Pharisee within] refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they [the Pharisee within] made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate. 

Only the publican within us can hear these warnings of our Lord. Paul tells us the same thing here in Romans 9.

Rom 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

The fasting and giving that the Pharisee brags about is not true fasting and giving. The Pharisee is doing all this with his own righteousness and following the law of the flesh and cannot serve God properly. We know what the Lord thinks of our righteousness’s.

Isa 64:6-7 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

That is the Lord speaking about the Pharisee within us. Our Pharisee within will go through the process of judgment: the baptisms of water, fire, and the holy spirit. Ultimately the publican will be born within us, and we will become humble and be able to truly fast and give as the Lord has commanded. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians what the publican within us will be able to accomplish once the Pharisee is overcome.

2Co 10:1-18 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they [those with the mind of a Pharisee] measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

We, with the publican within, are given the ability to strive after the righteousness of the Lord. We are given to act as the “publican standing afar off” and be justified among all men.

Luk 18:13-14 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

When we are given eyes to see and ears to hear the meanings of the parables Christ speaks to us, we will understand the reason for the process of judgement we are enduring until the end of this age. Though we feel at times this age will never end the Lord says differently.

Rev 3:10-13 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Rev 22:6-21 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

In conclusion, here are the thoughts of the publican within us if Christ be in us.

Psa 40:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. Let them [the Pharisee within] be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

A study with Matthew 24 Part 5 Verses 32-43

[Study Aired January 13, 2020]

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: 
Mat 24:33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 
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. 
Mat 24:40  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 
Mat 24:41  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 
Mat 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. [Mat 24:36] 
Mat 24:43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. [Rev 16:15]

This section of Matthew chapter 24, along with every other section of this prophecy, is telling us what is happening to this generation that shall not pass until all these things are fulfilled, said this way: “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

The “This generation” is speaking of those who are predestined to be judged first in this life (1Pe 4:17, Eph 1:12 , Joh 15:16, Rom 8:28-30), and that judgment is expressed through parables that hide Gods purpose and meaning from those who are not meant to understand these things that are hidden from the world at this time by God’s design (Mat 13:10-11).

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

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

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 
Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [1Jn 4:17, Eph 1:4]
Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 

Mat 13:10  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 
Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. [Psa 8:4 , Luk 19:44]

We can rejoice in knowing that Christ is associating “This generation that shall not pass” to a fig tree and his branch that is yet tender and putting forth leaves (Mat 24:32), making the point clear that this is an event happening to a small elect group who have been called to this blessing (Luk 12:32). The next comparative parable starting in verse 37 (Mat 24:37) that demonstrates God is dealing with a little flock at first declares: “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be“. Then for added confirmation this is talking about believing and blinded Christians, two women grinding at the mill are spoken of starting in verse 40 (Mat 24:40), one is taken the other is left; meaning one is caught unawares, that being the one who is taken, and the other being left representing the small remnant whom God has blessed and given eyes to see and ears to hear how this generation is to keep the sayings of this prophecy in every age, so that we are always ready and about our Father’s business as Christ was (1Th 5:4).

(The world is seeking Christ with blind hearts (2Ti 3:7) not knowing that He is found and understood by being about our Father’s business (Luk 2:49), a business that can only be accomplished within those who have God’s holy spirit within them (Rom 8:9) as Christ accomplishes that work within us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 2:13). That is why we are able to read, hear and keep the sayings of the prophecy today in this generation (Rev 1:3), with eyes that God has mercifully enlightened to see the truth (Mat 13:11).

2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

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? 

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

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 

We are told to “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” of Matthew 24:42, a verse that corresponds with Matthew 24:36). We are told to “know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up” in Matthew 24:43, a verse that corresponds with Revelation 16:15.

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 

Rev 16:15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 

Let’s now look at this second-to-last section of verses of this chapter of Matthew 24 keeping in mind, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

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: 
Mat 24:33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. [Hab 2:2-4]

The “yet tender” and “putteth forth leaves” time of this fig tree’s growth tells us “that summer is nigh“, and this parable as we will see is connected to the generation that “shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled“. The growth of that fig tree is given to those who are of that generation who are having their faith tried in the fire so that they can grow and go unto maturity in the Lord.

When we know that we are in sinful flesh (Psa 51:5), we will want to cover ourselves by dying daily (Rev 16:15 , 1Co 15:31), and when we understand the need for the sacrifice of Christ in our lives, for the need for a physician to heal us spiritually (Mar 2:17, Joh 9:39) “when ye shall see all these things“, it will be with the mindset that we will see the need to purchase gold tried in the fire so we can have eyes that see and ears that hear (Rev 3:18). It is when we are assured “that it is near, even at the doors“(Rom 8:16), meaning Christ our hope of glory is within (Col 1:27, 1Jn 4:2) and the holy spirit is working in us (Php 2:13), that we can fill up what is behind of His afflictions for his body’s sake which is the church, through this process of being spiritually healed by Christ’s word (Col 1:24 , Joh 17:17).

Adam and Eve covered themselves with the leaves of a “fig tree” that is symbolic of their own works of discerning good and evil without the burnt offering of Christ, symbolized by the skin of the lamb that was given to them for a covering (Gen 3:7 , Gen 3:21). 

The “fig tree” can be symbolic of both Israel of old (2Ki 18:31, Psa 105:33, Isa 36:16, Jer 5:17, Hos 9:10, Amo 4:9), and as it is in this parable, the “fig tree” (Mat 24:32) representing the new man in Christ, “the Israel of God” (Luk 13:6-9, Gal 6:16) who is covered by works of righteousness that are now attributed solely to Christ as he or she knows “that summer is nigh” and have been blessed to pray that their flight is not in the winter or during the sabbath where symbolically we are being told no spiritual work can be accomplished (Mat 24:20). Because we can see all these things for what these parables mean we can “know that it is near, even at the doors“. What is near? “That summer is nigh“, and that summer represents the life of Christ within us that can bring forth that growth, that tender branch that brings forth leaves for the healing of the nations within me today (Rev 22:2).

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.

“All these things” must be fulfilled in this generation with which Christ is working, and what must be fulfilled is the tearing down of the old temple within us (Mat 24:2) and the building up of the new temple that can only occur by being given a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1) which replaces the old heaven and earth that “shall pass away“. It passes away by the new creation being formed through the keeping of the sayings of the prophesy (Rev 1:3), which statement reveals the process of judgment that comes about that tears down the old temple, through reading, hearing, (Mat 13:16) and keeping (Joh 8:31-32) the saying of Christ, the words that “shall not pass away“. 

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” is just another way of showing us that “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” through His eternal words which will not pass away (Joh 6:68).

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.

Very specifically, Christ tells us of His return, both inwardly and dispensationally, “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels^G32 of heaven, but my Father only.” 

Inwardly we know God is the one who gives the increase (1Co 3:6) which comes at a time He has predetermined for us (1Pe 1:20, Eph 1:4, Eph 2:10), and so we are warned not to be presumptuous in regard to our labour in the Lord where we journey to a far city, Jerusalem above (Eph 2:6), and labour together for the meat that shall not perish (Joh 6:27), experiencing growth that comes about through Christ working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure of watering and planting, which all precedes the increase given from our Father in heaven (Jas 4:13-15).

Right after Christ declares “that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only“, He continues on with this parable pointing to the building of the ark which is the symbolic event of old representing how we must be working out our own salvation today, knowing that it is Christ who is working this work within us, even as we move with fear to the saving of our own and others’ spiritual houses (Heb 11:7, 2Pe 1:1)

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

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. [Psa 40:10, Isa 56:1, Rom 10:10]

2Pe 1:1  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 

We were all “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark“, which is a reminder that Noe, who represents Christ, has entered into our temple, represented by “the ark“. When this initially happened, we “knew not until the flood came, and took them (us) all away“, which is what God’s word does to the many beasts within us that need to be brought into subjection two by two by the grace and faith of Christ (Gen 7:9 , Eph 2:8). 

The flood that represents Christ’s words coming into our life systematically takes away all the false doctrines within God’s elect as we are baptized with the fire of His word that cleanses and sanctifies us in this age (Joh 17:17). That word is sweet in our mouth but bitter in our belly (Rom 6:3 , Rev 10:9, Eze 3:3). The world is not experiencing this fiery baptism by God’s word today [the bitter in the belly part] but will experience the water baptism of John during the rule and reign of Christ, and then the spiritual baptism of fire in the lake of fire at the end of the age where the rest of the world will learn it is a bitter thing “that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts”  (Mat 3:11, Rev 19:20 , Jer 2:19). We are admonished therefore in Revelation 2:24-25) to hold fast to God’s word until He comes.

Rev 2:24  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 
Rev 2:25  But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 

Mat 24:40  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 
Mat 24:41  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 

The elect of God and those who say they are spiritual Jews and are not (Rev 3:9) are represented by these two groups mentioned in this verses that simply tell us: “then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left“. 

That “synagogue of Satan” of (Rev 3:9) is initially within us and can only be destroyed by the brightness of Christ coming into our lives (2Th 2:8) so that we are not taken or “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph 4:14).

“Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left” reminds us that while we are “in the field“, which  represents the world (Mat 13:38), a work is being accomplished by God “grinding at the mill” within two folds, one that God has predestined to “be taken” [Joh 10:16] and “the other left“[Luk 12:32].

Joh 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

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

Mat 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. [Mat 24:36]
Mat 24:43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. [Rev 16:15]

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 

Rev 16:15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 

These last two verses of our study tonight focus on the urgency of staying spiritually awake and praying always that we may be counted worthy to escape those things that are going to come upon the earth (Luk 21:36, Hab 2:2-4).

Luk 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 

The angels^G32 or ‘messengers’ of God “know not what hour your Lord doth come“, as it is declared in Matthew 24:36.

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels^G32 of heaven, but my Father only. 

The lesson of urgency cannot be any brighter than it is in this last verse of our study tonight: “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up“. The confirming words of this scripture in the book of Revelation tells us the same thing (Rev 16:15) and describes that generation that “shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled“.

Rev 16:15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 

The “goodman of the house” is none other than Jesus Christ, our hope of glory within, who is the author and finisher of our faith (Php 1:6, Heb 10:35 , Heb 11:26), who knows how to bind all the powers and principalities within us “except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house” (Mar 3:27), so that we can and will overcome through him (Mar 3:27 , Eph 6:12, Eph 1:21). He is the reason we can be more than conquerors and be convinced we are truly “This generation [that] shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled“.

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: 

Heb 10:35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 
Heb 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 
Heb 10:37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 

Mar 3:27  No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

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 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 
Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. 

Could You Not Watch With Me?

[Study Posted June 6, 2006]

This study is entitled ‘Could you not watch with me?’ That’s what Christ asks his disciples when they go with him to the garden of Gethsemane to pray, right after the Lord’s supper, the passover.

Mat 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Mat 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

There’s something revealed here, if we pay attention to it, that is a truism to this very day. It is that Christ revealed more to certain of His disciples than He did to others. That’s just the way life is. Your more mature children can receive more than the less mature. This is a truism all through the gospels.

Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Christ, Peter, James and John are the only ones at the transfiguration. Then, at the instance of raising the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue from the dead, we are told:

Mar 5:35 While he yet spake [told her she was healed], there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

He was talking to the lady who had the issue of blood. He was already on his way to heal this ruler’s daughter. Christ didn’t pray for people, he just healed them. He gave the word, and it was done. He was on the way to do just that when this lady touched him, and he asked, “Who touched me?”

Mar 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Mat 5:37 And he suffered [allowed] no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

Those three disciples were the only ones he allowed to witness this raising from the dead of the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue. This is something that caught me off guard when I saw it several years ago. At the Olivet prophecy, the prophecy of ‘what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the world’ do you think that all of the disciples are there? No. Who was there? You have two sets of brothers here who asked him privately. This is just the five of them.

Mar 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mar 13:4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
Mar 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
Mar 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

The whole point of mentioning of Peter, James and John is that God works through, and reveals more to, certain disciples – James and John were the sons of thunder. They were the ones that asked to sit at Christ’s right hand and His left hand. Peter was the outspoken, gung-ho disciple. The thing you can say for all three of them is they were zealous. God put a spirit of zealousness in them. We need to pray for that same spirit, pray for the ability to hunger and thirst after righteousness and to know God and Jesus Christ. That’s what life is.

Mat 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

That’s all he wanted them to do; just be with him and watch with Him while He prayed.

Mat 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Every word that Christ spoke was the Father speaking. So, when he said, “Not my will but thine be done” that was the Father having him say it. It is the Father that gives us the ability to have that same prayer. Of course, we don’t know the Father except through Christ. That’s why we are told, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Just as the Father was in Christ, Christ is in us: ‘As my Father has sent me, so send I you.’ When we pray a prayer, do you know why we pray that prayer? Because Christ inspires us to pray that prayer. He brings us to pray the prayers.

Christ’s prayer, and His struggle with His flesh right at this moment, is all the work of God, putting these words in Him for us to learn. All is written for our admonition.

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

Mat 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

That is the purpose for Christ asking them, “Could you not watch?” He is telling us it was a rhetorical question. He knew they were going to be asleep when he got back. He knew they were going to be asleep when He told them to come and watch with him. He knows what our frame is, but we have all of these admonitions so that we will know what to expect of ourselves.

Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

This is a real thing with Christ. He is feeling the pulls of the flesh just like you and I would feel it under these conditions and do feel it under the conditions we face. We don’t think we can do it; we know we can’t. I pray to God every day. I know there are trials down the road. You and I will not, of ourself, be able to endure those fleshly pulls.

Mat 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
Mat 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Mat 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Who are these sinners? The church leaders of the day, God’s people, the many called, the very people he fed with physical food, healed with physical healings did not get a thing out of what He taught. Not even his own apostle, Peter, understood what Christ taught.

It doesn’t matter if it is in Christ’s agony or in his glory:

Luk 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Luk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

This is a spectacular thing! What do you think they are doing? They are sleeping.

Luk 9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
Luk 9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

You may wonder what Christ talked about with Moses and Elijah. There it is. They spoke about Christ’s impending death.

Luk 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

It seems that no matter what we are enduring for God, the tendency is to try and get some rest, take it easy, store up enough so we don’t have to worry about tomorrow. That’s the tendency. It does not fit in to your spiritual walk. Your spiritual walk needs to be one that you are in constant need of God’s help, constantly desperate for God.

The lesson of that whole story is watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. How long does it go on?

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

God does not want us to ever have an attitude of, “Hey, I’m the chosen, therefore, I don’t have to worry about tomorrow. My lamp is filled with God’s spirit.” If I don’t see myself as one of the five women who were short of oil, then I am not going to be one of the five who have it. We have to quit putting ourselves in the upper echelons and keep ourselves down at the bottom of the reception room.

Until you see that you have to face your blindness and acknowledge that you, literally, could not see your hand in front of your face, you will not be given spiritual sight. If you never see yourself as blind, your sin remains.

Outward things don’t change anything inwardly. What changes you is Jesus Christ in your heart. If He doesn’t come in, you can take all the dips in the water by being baptized you want, and you can fast twice in the week every week, it won’t change a thing. It is how you treat your brother that shows what you think of Jesus Christ.

Here is a proper spiritual perspective on the subject of who is God’s elect and who is chosen.

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

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.

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:

He knows that there is a purpose in what He is doing, and He knows who is doing it. Here’s what we are told by scripture: we are not to assume that we stand, but take heed lest we fall; we are to keep our bodies under subjection lest we become castaways; we are told that we should run to obtain the win and not run uncertainly. It almost sounds like there is a contradiction. Do we run with confidence? Do we run hoping we get there? It’s both, and there is no contradiction.

The message in the whole thing is: If you endure to the end, you shall be saved (Mat 10:22). You are not saved, past tense, you are being saved by daily dying to the flesh. “I die daily” is something that we have to learn as the process, accept as the process and rejoice in it. It is by enduring to the end that we are completed. There is no such thing as a completed person in the flesh. You have to, literally, drop the flesh off before your completion is accomplished.

The truth is that most people will not endure to the end. The majority of the people who came to Christ did not endure.

We are supposed to witness to, not save them, but to be a witness against them.

Mar 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Joh 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

The lesson we should get out of what we have read here is that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We will make it to the end, because we know that He who has begun a good work in us is able to finish it. We have been promised that. We can run with certainty, yet, we have to be vigilant.

Christ is able to finish the work He has begun in all of us. Yet, it is something that requires constant vigilance. If you recognize that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, you will see the need and understand why so many things in scripture are repeated over and again. That’s what flesh requires.