Spiritual with Spiritual
Hello again, Mike.
Last night I e- mailed you this question:
“Anyway, in Gen 13:14-15, the Lord tells Abram (not yet called Abraham, I believe) to look northward, southward, eastward, and westward, and tells Abram that all of that land belongs to him and his seed “forever” (is that an accurate translation, or no?). In verse 16, we are told that the number of Abraham’s seed is as the number of the dust of the earth. In verse 17, the Lord tells Abram to walk through the length and the breadth of the land.
My question is: Did Abram walk through just the land of Canaan, or did he walk throughout the entire world, seeing as his seed will eventually include all of humanity (as you re- affirm to another reader in a posted e- mail of yours, “If Few Are Chosen, How Can Abraham’s Seed Be ‘As The Dust Of The Earth?'”)? I guess I’m just confused as to whether Abraham’s seed was promised only the land of Canaan, or the land of the whole world.”
I think I’ve figured out the answer to my own question, so there’s no need for you to respond to it, unless of course I’m wrong. The answer, I believe, is that God had only promised Abraham and his seed the land of Canaan, since only “this land” (the land Abram was in after leaving Ur, presumably Canaan) was under discussion
in Gen 15 (where the Lord’s promise to Abram was again being discussed), and not the whole world.
Take care.
J____
Hi J____,
Thank you for your question.
What you are struggling with is exactly what is keeping the whole Christian world in darkness. You have not yet learned what Paul means when he talks about “comparing spiritual with spiritual.” And until you do, you will not understand the prophecies of God’s Word.
Here is the scripture that tells us that this is the way the holy spirit teaches:
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [ them], because they are spiritually discerned.
With your present approach to God’s Word, you will never come to see how Abraham’s seed can be as the sand of the sea. Abraham’s physical seed is but a small portion of mankind, but “in Christ” Abraham’s seed will one day include every man who has ever been born. The reason for this is that Abraham’s physical seed are not Abraham’s seed at all:
Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [ are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. [ of Abraham]
This is just reiterating what Paul has already told us earlier in this same epistle:
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [ is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he [ is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [ is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [ and] not in the letter; whose praise [ is] not of men, but of God.
I have said this many times before; it takes a miracle from God to keep the entire orthodox Christian community from seeing that Jews “are not Jews” in God’s eyes. It takes a miracle from God to keep the entire orthodox Christian community from seeing that the fleshly children of Abraham “are not counted for the seed, but the children of promise are counted for the seed of Abraham.” Paul comes right out and tells us of this spiritual Truth:
Gal 4:28 Now we [ Gentile Galatians], brethren, as Isaac was , are the children of promise.
Being a Jew, being “as Isaac was,” being “Abraham’s seed are all true only in spirit. That means that all the promises made to and about “Abraham’s seed” are “NOT” applicable to the fleshly descendants descendants of Abraham:
2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises [ promises made to Abraham- see the last few verses of chapter six], dearly beloved [ Gentile Corinthians], let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
“Comparing spiritual with spiritual” means that you must come to see the truth of this fact:
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then [ and only then] are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. [ And if you are not “in Christ” then you are neither Abraham’s seed nor are you a Jew]
Comparing spiritual with spiritual means that you have come to see that all the physical things of the Old Testament are merely spiritual types of New Testament spiritual realities. The Old Testament types are not the reality. In other words, Christ is the real father of the faithful, not physical Abraham. Being in Christ is what makes us a Jew. Being in Christ is what makes us an Israelite etc. That is what is meant by “comparing spiritual with spiritual.” I have no Syrian blood in me. Abraham was a Syrian. Yet I am “Abraham’s seed”, and I am an Israelite. There are only two types of people in this world. Those two types are Jews and Gentiles, or Israelites and Gentiles. I am no longer a Gentile. I am now, in Christ, an Israelite:
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye [ being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [ between us];
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [ even] the law of commandments [ contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [ so] making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
I will urge you to read How To Rightly Divide The Word Using A Principle Only The Apostles Understood. That article will open your eyes to understand who and what is a Jew and who and what is an Israelite, etc.
Comparing spiritual with spiritual means that “the land” is our spiritual bodies where we are waging war with the “inhabitants of the land.” Those inhabitants are “giants that make us look like grasshoppers.” Those ‘giants in the land’ are our fleshly weaknesses, and passions which we must overcome if we ever want to take possession of “the land.”
I hope this is all of some help to you in understanding what promises “have been freely given you of God.”
Mike
Other related posts
- You Shall Receive Power Part 2 (May 28, 2009)
- Wife of Isaiah and A Type and Shadow (April 25, 2008)
- Why We Are Hated of All Men? (April 7, 2008)
- Why Was Drinking Blood Taboo? (January 25, 2009)
- Why The Spiritually Blind Cannot See? (November 23, 2009)
- Why The Hardened Heart? (November 4, 2004)
- Why No Church Says What You Say? (July 21, 2005)
- Why Guard The Tree Of Life (May 13, 2011)
- Why Did God Command Israel to Kill Infants? (August 26, 2010)
- Why Christ Drove Out The Money Changers (December 16, 2010)
- Why Better For Judas if He Had Never Been Born? (November 24, 2011)
- Who Will See That They Have Pierced Christ? (September 7, 2010)
- Who Walks Up And Down Among The Stones Of Fire? (November 18, 2009)
- Who Walks To And Fro In The Earth? (November 18, 2009)
- Who Should We Hate Spiritually? (October 5, 2010)
- Who Is Zion? (November 18, 2009)
- Who Did King David Call Lord? (August 18, 2010)
- Who Crucified Christ? (November 12, 2008)
- Who Can Eat Of The Sin Offering? (October 15, 2008)
- Who Are the Poor? (May 4, 2012)
- Where Should I Start In Studying Revelation? (September 29, 2010)
- When is Wisdom Not Found in the Land of the Living? (May 13, 2011)
- When Did Christ Ever Sacrifice To Baalim? (July 24, 2007)
- What is the Soul? (August 6, 2009)
- What is the Glory of God? (October 20, 2006)
- What The Tabernacle Foreshadows (July 18, 2007)
- What Is Aionios Life? (August 3, 2007)
- What Does Endure to the End Mean? (November 12, 2010)
- What Becomes Of Our Flesh? Part 2 (March 28, 2009)
- Were Moses And Elias With Christ On The Mount? (July 11, 2005)
- Welcome (April 11, 2009)
- We Can Bind and Loose Things In Heaven? (May 13, 2011)
- Waters As Chastening Judgment (May 2, 2008)
- Was The Sabbath Observed From The Creation? (October 20, 2006)
- Was Man Made Upright? (September 30, 2008)
- Voting As A Christian And Never Die (October 28, 2010)
- Understanding The Bible (October 9, 2010)
- Types of The Mark of The Beast (October 8, 2007)
- Types And Shadows Of The New Testament (June 16, 2009)
- To Turn From The Holy Commandment (October 3, 2004)
- To Resist Or Not To Resist (June 13, 2010)
- To Be Ordained (August 4, 2008)
- Their Worm Dieth Not (July 18, 2007)
- The World Means Babylon The Church (October 28, 2004)
- The Word Keep (October 20, 2006)
- The Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil (March 23, 2008)
- The Time of Jacob's Trouble (August 21, 2009)
- The Teaching of Rain and Archers (June 20, 2004)
- The Sum Of Thy Word (September 21, 2011)
- The Spiritual Meaning Of Words (July 15, 2008)
- The Son of Perdition (June 17, 2008)
- The Scriptures Have Opened Up (October 3, 2008)
- The Real Meaning of In the Beginning (August 23, 2011)
- The Parting of His Raiment (July 25, 2007)
- The Parents of The Man Healed of Blindness (September 4, 2008)
- The Names Jacob And Israel And Judah (July 1, 2009)
- The Meaning Of Hated Of All Men (June 29, 2010)
- The Marriage Supper Furnished With Guests (July 6, 2006)
- The Mark of the Beast 2008 (June 25, 2008)
- The Mark Of The Beast 2005 (April 20, 2005)
- The Head of Christ Is God (November 16, 2006)
- The Greek Word For Drag (March 28, 2010)
- The First Tabernacle Have To Be Destroyed? (June 6, 2009)
- The Fatted Calf (June 10, 2007)
- The Father Ever Speak To The Disciples? (September 18, 2008)
- The Fate of Sodom (September 21, 2007)
- The Fast I have Chosen (August 1, 2007)
- The Fallen Angels (July 25, 2007)
- The Faith Of Christ (June 25, 2008)
- The Evil That is Mythical Creatures (August 4, 2012)
- The Eternal God (December 14, 2009)
- The Established Church Being Blinded (March 18, 2009)
- The Days Ordained For Us (November 6, 2008)
- The Canon of Scripture 2005 (March 12, 2005)
- The Blessings of a Healthy Family (May 13, 2011)
- Taking Up Arms (July 6, 2006)
- Suicide And The First Resurrection (April 18, 2010)
- Suffer Little Children To Come To Christ (May 3, 2010)
- Studying The Bible (July 9, 2006)
- Strong Delusion (November 30, 2008)
- Spiritually Eating and Drinking with the Drunken (May 13, 2011)
- Spiritual with Spiritual (July 14, 2007)
- Spiritual Significance of Picking the Snake up by the Tail (July 31, 2011)
- Spiritual Significance Of Ananias And Sapphira (November 26, 2009)
- Spiritual Sacrifices (April 11, 2007)
- Spiritual Meaning Of Words (October 5, 2005)
- Spiritual Drunkenness (December 4, 2009)
- Sovereignty and Giving An Account (July 21, 2005)
- Sovereignty And Held Accountable (June 10, 2007)
- Significance Of Herbs (June 25, 2009)
- Show Us Plainly of The Father (April 13, 2008)
- Should A Christian Fast? Study (June 12, 2007)
- Should A Christian Fast? (April 20, 2005)
- Short Sighted Christians and Healings or Miracles (July 13, 2006)
- Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God (May 28, 2009)
- Science In The Life Of The Believer (March 25, 2010)
- Satan Is Cast Out of Heaven? (October 12, 2006)
- Response Of Andrew And Peter To Christs Call (June 19, 2009)
- Providing and Relying On God To Provide (October 3, 2004)
- Praying for the Peace of Jerusalem (November 26, 2009)
- Possess Ye Your Souls (October 26, 2010)
- Plead With Your Mother (April 30, 2010)
- Overcoming The Wicked One (July 10, 2008)
- Our Heavenly War (October 5, 2005)
- Offering of Cain Was Not Accepted (November 14, 2004)
- No Perfect Translations Of The Bible (October 20, 2004)
- Neither Had Received His Mark (February 24, 2008)
- Need To Repent and For What (May 16, 2007)
- Names In Scripture (October 6, 2008)
- Nadab And Abihubr (September 18, 2008)
- Much Learning Does Make Us Seem Mad (May 4, 2010)
- More About The Lords Supper (October 20, 2006)
- Message of the Book of Jonah? (September 22, 2011)
- Melchisedec (October 17, 2010)
- Meaning Of Names Being Changed? (May 13, 2011)
- Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone (April 24, 2007)
- Man Shall Live By Every Word of God? (May 13, 2007)
- Lying Signs and Wonders (April 25, 2008)
- Let Us Be Making Man (November 18, 2009)
- Let Not Judah Offend (October 23, 2010)
- Leaving Babylon and Being Part of Christ's Body (June 12, 2007)
- Knowing The Voice of The True Shepherd (April 25, 2007)
- Keeping the Book of Revelation (October 20, 2011)
- Karma In The Bible (April 2, 2008)
- Jephthah and the Grafting In (February 26, 2009)
- Israel and Strangers (February 13, 2010)
- Is the Bible God's Total Reliable Truth? (June 22, 2009)
- Is There A Law of Circularity? (January 8, 2006)
- Is There A Gap Between Genesis 1:1 and 2 (November 25, 2007)
- Is The Son Of Man A Worm? (September 1, 2008)
- Is The Garden of Eden A Mere Parable? (July 14, 2010)
- Is The Bible The Only Word Of God? (April 6, 2008)
- Is Melchisadek Really a Priest of God? (June 24, 2011)
- Is Evil Good? (June 29, 2011)
- Instruction Upon Thy Bed (March 28, 2008)
- Initial Email Exchange Explaining Split (April 19, 2007)
- I Am That Woman! (May 13, 2011)
- I Am Crucified With Christ (May 3, 2008)
- How to Scripturally Study the Bible? (July 6, 2006)
- How To Use the Wigram Concordances? (March 10, 2006)
- How Do We Live By Every Word of God - Part 1 and Part 2 (March 14, 2010)
- How Can Scripture Be Trusted? (January 31, 2010)
- How Can God Kill And Still Love? (April 21, 2009)
- His Knowledge Of Who We Are? (August 12, 2009)
- His Anger and His Mercy (September 27, 2010)
- Hem of His Garment (April 3, 2009)
- He Shall Suffer Loss (July 29, 2004)
- He Left The Linen Cloth (July 18, 2007)
- Have We All Worshiped the Beast (August 16, 2011)
- Hated of Men Like Christ (August 1, 2010)
- Hated By Versus Peace With All Men (June 15, 2010)
- Handkerchiefs and Aprons (April 24, 2007)
- Grounds For Divorce (July 24, 2007)
- Gods Word As A Two Edged Sword (June 22, 2009)
- Gods True Name (November 18, 2009)
- Gods Left Hand (August 5, 2010)
- God So Loved The World (March 28, 2005)
- Generational Curses (October 20, 2004)
- From Whence Are His Elect? (September 10, 2007)
- Four Aspects About His Word (April 11, 2009)
- For Ever Ends (March 18, 2009)
- First Fruits To Babylon For Their Good (May 2, 2009)
- Faith By Hearing (June 23, 2008)
- El Olawm (February 10, 2008)
- Eating Locusts And Honey (March 1, 2010)
- E_Sword Wigrams And The Holy Spirit (February 25, 2009)
- Drinking His Blood (September 27, 2007)
- Does God Take Pleasure In Us, His Creation? (June 17, 2007)
- Does Calling Christ The Lord Prove A Trinity? (December 11, 2009)
- Do We Hate His Words While In Babylon? (July 14, 2010)
- Do I Contradict Myself? (July 23, 2007)
- Discerning Scriptures (April 2, 2009)
- Did Paul Say World Without End? (May 13, 2011)
- Did Michal, Daughter of Saul, Have Children? (May 13, 2011)
- Did Joseph Slander His Brothers? (August 4, 2012)
- Did Jephthah Commit Human Sacrifice? (October 12, 2010)
- Did God Make Man Upright? (June 19, 2008)
- Did Enoch And Elijah See Death? (December 22, 2004)
- Did Christ Teach Self Mutilation? (January 30, 2010)
- Did Christ Pick Corn on the Sabbath? (September 15, 2011)
- Definition of a True Christian (March 30, 2009)
- Death Hell And Eternity (January 24, 2009)
- Days of Creation and The Seventh Day (November 11, 2007)
- David And Bathsheba Not Stoned (July 10, 2008)
- Cutting Off The Hand Of The Wife (January 15, 2010)
- Cutting Off Her Hand (May 17, 2010)
- Crying and Mark of Eze 9_5_7 (October 5, 2011)
- Crooked Serpent represent Babylon? (March 30, 2009)
- Confessing Our Sins (January 3, 2009)
- Communicate With The Dead? (March 30, 2009)
- Christ and Melchisedec (May 3, 2008)
- Christ Having To Die (March 6, 2008)
- Choosing Evil And Dutch Translation Of Site (February 10, 2009)
- Chaste Conversation (June 20, 2008)
- Can Women Preach? (October 11, 2006)
- Can We Live Sinless Lives? (March 27, 2007)
- Can We Live By Every Word Of God? (September 5, 2011)
- Can We Know The Truth? (October 10, 2008)
- Can We Change God's Mind? (June 12, 2008)
- Can A Person Really Talk To Dead People? (December 28, 2009)
- Can A Christian Make A Graven Image? (June 23, 2009)
- Burning And The Book Of Life (June 12, 2005)
- Born Again_Gestation Mystery Solved! (July 10, 2008)
- Being Tempted Versus Being Tested (October 30, 2008)
- Being Sin Versus Sinning (October 17, 2008)
- Because He Could Swear By No Greater (August 30, 2007)
- Beast Accountability For Human Lifeblood? (December 15, 2010)
- Are We All Failures? (November 18, 2009)
- Are We All Blasphemers? (November 18, 2009)
- Are We A Sweet Savor Offering? (January 25, 2010)
- Are We A Sin Offering Like Christ? (May 5, 2008)
- Are Unbelievers Already Justified? (March 9, 2010)
- Are There Two Israels? (November 15, 2008)
- Are There Prophecies Only For The End Times? (March 26, 2009)
- Are The Writings of Paul More Important? (July 6, 2006)
- Are The Two Adams Both Trees? (November 1, 2010)
- Are The Seraphim Evil Spirits? (June 3, 2009)
- Are The Preparations of The Heart Really From Man? (October 21, 2010)
- Are The Book And The Books The Same? (December 21, 2009)
- Are Prayer Tongues Scriptural? (January 24, 2010)
- Are Parts of The Law Still To Be Kept? (August 20, 2007)
- Are Enoch And Elijah In Heaven? (October 11, 2010)
- Are Baby Dedications Scriptural? (December 18, 2009)
- Are Animals Resurrected? (October 29, 2008)
- Are All Things Really Ours? (July 18, 2010)
- Another Jesus and Another Gospel (May 17, 2008)
- And the Word Was God (September 1, 2010)
- An Infidel and Envy Versus Jealously (November 27, 2007)
- An Attitude of Gratitude (September 25, 2007)
- Amazed And Thankful (September 6, 2010)