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

Numbers 8:1-26 The Lighting of the Seven Lamps

Ato Barnes — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 15:37:53 +0000

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vmtczbtl1hyslzt/20230619-Study_AtoB-LightingLamps.m4a?raw=1

Numbers 8:1-26 The Lighting of the Seven Lamps

[Study Aired June 19, 2023]

Num 8:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 8:2 Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
Num 8:3 And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Num 8:4 And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
Num 8:5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 8:6 Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
Num 8:7 And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.
Num 8:8 Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin offering.
Num 8:9 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together:
Num 8:10 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:
Num 8:11 And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD.
Num 8:12 And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.
Num 8:13 And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for an offering unto the LORD.
Num 8:14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
Num 8:15 And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering.
Num 8:16 For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
Num 8:17 For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
Num 8:18 And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
Num 8:19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.
Num 8:20 And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.
Num 8:21 And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.
Num 8:22 And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.
Num 8:23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 8:24 This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:
Num 8:25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:
Num 8:26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.

Chapter 8 concerns the lighting of the seven lamps to give light in front of the candlestick, the cleansing of the Levites, the age requirement for service in the tabernacle of the congregation and retirement age of the Levites.

The seven lamps represent the complete words of the Lord which give light in front of the lampstand or candlestick. According to the word of the Lord, the candlestick or lampstand represents the church. This means that it is the complete words of the Lord which guide the path of the elect in this world.

Psa 119:105 Nun Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Rev 1:20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

As indicated, the candlestick is to give light to the space in front of it in the Holy place in the tabernacle. What is insightful to note is the fact that the light given by the candlestick is not seen outside the Holy place. It is to give light for the priest to perform his duty. In this dispensation, although we are the light of the world, we are not seen that way by many (the world). It is only the elect who see our light and use it to perform their duty – that is, live a life worthy of the Lord.

In verse 2, it was Aaron the High Priest who lit the seven lamps. Here Aaron signifies the Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest. Before a lamp is lit, it must be filled with oil. As we know, the oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, sent to us by the Lord Jesus Christ to guide us into the truth of His word.

Exo 27:20 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Num 8:4 And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.

It is very insightful to note that the candlestick was made of beaten gold. This is to let us know that the church is formed by those who are being tried or going through the judgment of their old man.

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Paul sums up our being beaten like the work of gold in order to give light as follows:

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2Co 4:8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
2Co 4:9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
2Co 4:10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies [providing light for the priest to function].
2Co 4:11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

As indicated in verse 4, the candlestick is to be built according to the pattern which the Lord showed Moses. The pattern shown to Moses is Christ. This implies that the church must reflect Christ in everything.

Num 8:5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 8:6 Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
Num 8:7 And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

If we are to serve in the house of the Lord, then we must be cleansed from all kinds of contamination such as false doctrines, worldly ways and traditions and deeds of the flesh. Verse 7 prescribes three ways of cleansing – sprinkling of the water of purification, the shaving of all their flesh, and the washing of clothes with water. The water of purification is a symbol of the word of the Lord. It is the truth of the word of the Lord that washes our mind of all the false doctrines that have become idols of our hearts, worldly wisdom and the traditions of men.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
Eph 5:26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
Eph 5:27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

In the Bible, the hair on the body is a symbol of our natural strength. Thus, the shaving of all the flesh signifies the cutting off of all our natural strength. This implies that in our service to the Lord, we must not depend on our natural strengths and abilities.

Jdg 16:17 And he told her all his heart, and said to her, “A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.”

Clothes are a symbol of righteousness. Dirty or torn clothes therefore refer to unrighteousness, which could be the result of contamination or self-righteousness, which is iniquity.

Lev 15:6 And whoever sits on anything on which the one with the discharge has sat shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening.

Isa 4:1 And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.

Clean clothes (white linen) are the righteousness of the saints which is imputed by the Lord.

Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

The washing of our dirty clothes therefore signifies the truth of the word of the Lord which cleanses us of all unrighteousness.

Num 8:8 Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin offering.
Num 8:9 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together:
Num 8:10 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:
Num 8:11 And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD.
Num 8:12 And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.

The foundation for our cleansing is the sacrificial offering of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a meat offering and a sin offering for us. Christ therefore represents the young bullocks and the fine flour mingled with oil. Remember that the fine flour mingled with oil represents His word, and His word is the same as Christ.

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

The putting of the hands of the children of Israel upon the Levites in verse 10 is to show that they are the same as the Levites and therefore are represented by the Levites in the presence of the Lord. In this regard, we, His elect, are representing the whole world in the presence of the Lord. Our victory will ultimately result in the victory of humanity in the fullness of time.

2Co 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Num 8:13 And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for an offering unto the LORD.
Num 8:14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
Num 8:15 And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering.

In verse 13, the Levites were to be offered as an offering to the Lord. As the elect, we are to be offered wholly to Christ for humanity’s sake. Being offered to Christ is offering our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to the Lord.

2Co 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The Levites being separated from among the children of Israel is another way of saying that we should not be conformed to the standards of this world but be renewed in our minds.

Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

In another perspective, the Levites represent the elect, and the children of Israel stand for our brothers and sisters in Babylon. In that sense, the Levites being separated from the children of Israel is a type of the command by the Lord to leave Babylon.

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

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

As we are offered to Christ and are separated wholly from the world, we can do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation as shown in verse 15 concerning the Levites.

Num 8:16 For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
Num 8:17 For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
Num 8:18 And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.

As we saw earlier in the Book of Numbers, the Levites were to replace the firstborn of Israel. The reason why they were to replace the firstborn of Israel was that at the time of Passover in Egypt, all the firstborn were condemned. However, it was only the firstborn of Egypt who were slain. As a result of the Passover, all the firstborn of Israel were redeemed or saved or replaced by the Passover lamb, who is Christ our Lord who came to serve. The firstborn therefore lost their position and were to be replaced by the Levites who were called to serve. This means that we, who have been redeemed by the Lord, are called to serve.

Mar 10:42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
Mar 10:43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
Mar 10:44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
Mar 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The Levites replacing the firstborn of the children of Israel is a foretaste of the fact that the Lord’s election is no longer dependent on a person’s pedigree or his or her birth. Paul made this clear when, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he made the statement that it is not one who is born a Jew that counts, but a Jew is a person who worships the Lord in truth and in spirit.

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.

Num 8:19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.
Num 8:20 And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.

On a negative note, the Levites represent our brothers and sisters in Babylon who are also of Abraham’s seed. However, they are not counted as the seed of promise and therefore are not to be given any inheritance. This is not because we, the elect, deserve any inheritance. It is through the hardening of their hearts to believe that we are privileged to receive mercy to believe. In the final analysis, this mercy we have received will be extended to the whole of the human race.

Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

The Levites are given to the elect as a gift to help them minister to the Lord. They do the initial leg work of using the law of Moses as our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ. After we get to know Christ through faith, we are no longer under their influence or the law of Moses. Today’s Levites represent the Christian religion. They are focused on building and taking care of physical churches (tabernacle of testimony). In other words, they are protecting the legacy of the Christian religion.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

In verse 19, the Levites being given as a gift to Aaron and his sons positively signifies the elect being given wholly to Jesus, our High Priest, to assist Him to subdue all things so that God may be all in all.

1Co 15:25 For he [Jesus] must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

On a positive note, the Levites symbolized the elect who are given the charge of serving in the tabernacle of the congregation as well as making atonement for the children of Israel so there will be no plagues among the children of Israel, as indicated in verse 19. Atonement is the process by which a person removes obstacles to his reconciliation with God. In the lake of fire age, the elect will help the whole of humanity, represented here as the children of Israel, by making atonement for them. This means that the elect will help the whole of humanity to see what the Lord has done for them and in so doing, remove every obstacle to their reconciliation with God. This is what will make every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that Jesus is Lord!!

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

It is insightful to note that in verse 20, Moses, Aaron and the whole of the congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites according to all that the Lord commanded Moses. Moses, Aaron and the whole of the congregation of Israel represent all humanity. It is at the end of the lake of fire age that all humanity will obey our Lord Jesus Christ, who is represented here by Moses.

Num 8:21 And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.
Num 8:22 And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.

It is when we are purified that we can offer a service pleasing to the Lord in the temple of the Lord. We know that the process of purification involves being judged. Verses 21 and 22 therefore means that we cannot offer pleasing service to the Lord with our bodies as a temple of the Lord unless we have been purified through the seven plagues. The verse below is therefore a rendition of verses 21 and 22.

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

Num 8:23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 8:24 This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:

To be enrolled in the army of the Lord, it is required that one is twenty years old or above. Being part of the army of the Lord does not mean that one has obtained maturity. In the physical, those who have gone through the ranks of the military are well-versed in the strategies of enemies. In a similar vein, it takes some time after being part of the Lord’s army to know the strategies of the enemy. It took a lot of experience for Paul to say the following:

2Co 2:10 To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
2Co 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

In verse 24, the required age to wait upon the tabernacle of the congregation is twenty-five. Although we are enrolled into the Lord’s army at the symbolic age of twenty years, it takes a while for us to be effective in performing the services pertaining to the house of God. The symbolic age of twenty-five, which is required for us to work in the house of the Lord, signifies the period when we have come out from tutors and governors at the appointed time of the Lord.

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

In the Bible, the number twenty-five signifies the time that we start to reign as kings over our flesh.

2Ch 25:1 Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2Ch 27:6 So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
2Ch 27:7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
2Ch 27:8 He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.

2Ch 29:1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.
2Ch 29:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.

Num 8:25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:
Num 8:26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.

According to verse 25, at the age of fifty years, the Levites are required to retire from active service in the tabernacle of the Lord. The number fifty symbolizes the liberty we have in Christ when we are set free from sin. Retiring at the age of fifty spiritually implies the period of our lives where we do not depend on our own strength to do the work of the Lord, but rather depend on Christ to do the work for us. In other words, we come to rest completely in Him.

Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

May the Lord continue to help us retire from our own works so we can come to rest wholly in Him. Amen!!

Studies in Psalms – Psa 147:1-6, Part 1 (“Great is Thy Faithfulness” – Lam 3:23)

Tony Cullen — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 23:26:45 +0000

Studies in Psalms – Psa 147:1-6, Part 1 (“Great is Thy Faithfulness” – Lam 3:23)

[Study Aired March 12, 2020]

Psa 147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
Psa 147:2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
Psa 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Psa 147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Psa 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Psa 147:6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

There are three logical breaks in this psalm, with the start of the first section simply declaring “praise ye the Lord” (vs 1), the second section starting off with “sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving” (vs 7), and the third section declaring who it is that should “praise the Lord” (vs 12).

In every case, after each of these verses, the answer is then given as to why we praise/sing unto the Lord, as we come to recognize His grandeur and greatness more and more in all that he does, has done, and will do, throughout all the ages.

God’s elect praise Him for the mercy which He will extend to all of the world in due time, being the ones to whom He is showing mercy first in this age of grace and faith that leads to our salvation, in a day of salvation as it is called (Rom 11:32, 2Co 6:2).

Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

2Co 6:2 For He is saying, “In a season acceptable I reply to you, And in a day of salvation I help you. Lo! Now is a most acceptable era! Lo! Now is a day of salvation!” [CLV]

Here are some of the reasons, taken from the verses of our study, why we “praise ye the Lord”, “sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving” and “praise the Lord”:

The LORD doth build up Jerusalem
He healeth the broken in heart
He telleth the number of the stars
The LORD lifteth up the meek
Who covereth the heaven with clouds
He giveth to the beast his food
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates
He maketh peace in thy borders
He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth
He giveth snow like wool
He casteth forth his ice like morsels
He sendeth out his word
He sheweth his word unto Jacob
He hath not dealt so with any nation

Below are the four ways in which the word “praise” is used in this Psalm 147, and I want to focus in on the first word that brings out the point that this praise is to be continual, as opposed to the other definitions that describe how we make that continual praise unto God.

Praise^H1984 [1Th 5:18, Eph 5:20, Mat 5:14-16]
Praises^H2167
Praise^H8416
Praise^H7623

H1984 haw-lal’

A primitive root; to be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence to make a show; to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively to celebrate; also to stultify: – (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool (-ish, -ly), glory, give [light], be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, [sing, be worthy of] praise, rage, renowned, shine.

PraiseH1984 from BTSCTVM+

to shine

(Qal) to shine (fig. of God’s favour)

(Hiphil) to flash forth light

to praise, boast, be boastful

(Qal)

to be boastful

boastful ones, boasters (participle)

(Piel) H1984 [H8761] (“Praise” of verse 1)

Stem -Piel See [H8840] usually expresses an “intensive” or “intentional” action

Mood -Imperative See [H8810] This verb class indicates an order or a command

to praise [1Pe_2:9 , Mat_5:14 , Joh_9:5 , Joh_11:9]

My comments: [knowing the true gospel prevents us from spiritually stumbling and that is only possible by walking or having the true light of the world within us Jesus Christ – 2Co 4:4 , Rom 8:9]

to boast, make a boast [Psa_44:8 , Joh_11:9]

My comments: [all the day long we praise God, we glorify God continually with Christ in us: Psa 44:8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. Joh 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.]

(Pual)

to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise

(Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one’s boast

(Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool

(Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman

The first time the word praise^H1984 is used in this psalm is in verse one, and this word can have a negative or positive connotation as we can either boast^H1984 in the Lord or we can be boasting in our flesh, which is what we do when we’re not given the power to overcome our naturally boastful flesh described in verse 1 (Psa 97:7, 1Co 4:7).

Psa 97:7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast^H1984 themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

1Co 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

The same idea is expressed in (Rom 3:27) where the word boasting^G2746 can also have a negative or positive sense to it. While we are operating under the law of sin, we are by nature boasting in our flesh (Rom 7:23-25). These verses in Romans explain why we naturally make our boast in our flesh, but thanks be to God, praise God, make your boast in God, for we can through Christ “delight in the law of God after the inward man” (Rom 7:22, Rom 8:9). That law in which we are delighting “after the inward man” is “the law of Christ” that puts an end to the law for the lawless “for righteousness to every one that believeth” as Christ the “inward man” our hope of glory within (Col 1:27) gives us dominion over our sinful flesh that is exposed by the law for the lawless (Gal 6:2, 1Ti 1:9, Rom 10:4, Rom 7:13).

G2746 kow’-khay-sis

From G2744; boasting (properly the act; by implication the objective), in a good or a bad sense: – boasting, whereof I may glory, glorifying, rejoicing.

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

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. [Joh 6:28-29]

Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

God has called the elect “the outcasts of Israel” to make our boast in the Lord who “healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds“. God’s elect boast, or give thanks and praise, that God has called us unto the marriage supper of the lamb as Christ’s bride is made ready through judgment.

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

Act 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Rom 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
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.

2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

In Psalm 78:63 we learn the positive sense of being given in marriage as opposed to Matthew 24:38, and this ties into why we boast in the Lord and do all that we do to the glory of God giving honour to him (Rev 19:7), with the end goal in mind that we have been called to this blessing (1Pe 3:9) to be in this blessed and holy first resurrection as the bride of Christ (Rev 19:9).

Psa 78:63 The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.

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,

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.

1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. [“great is thy faithfulness“]

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.

As we go through this life, as we go through this study, let’s ask God to help us keep this verse in our hearts: “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“, giving glory unto God as we continue to offer up the sacrifice of thanksgiving to our Father whose faithfulness is great toward each of us.

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lam 3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. [Col 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:

Psa 147:1 Praise^H1984 ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises^H2167 unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise^H8416 is comely.

Christ tells us it is good to shine [“to shine; hence to make a show; to boast“], to let our light [Christ (Joh 8:12)] shine as we “Praise ye the LORD” throughout this life (Mat 5:16). That first use of the word praise^H1984 as we have seen means to shine. It is Christ that is working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure which is to glorify our Father in heaven, shining as the light of this world that we are (Php 2:13 , Mat 5:14-15).

When we “sing praises^H2167 unto our God”, “it is pleasant^H5273 and praise^H8416 is comely^H5000 (Psa 33:1, Jer 6:2).”

Another way of saying this is when we present our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1) or instruments to be used to His glory, it is like a sweet savour (2Co 2:15) unto the Lord as we offer up the sacrifice of thanksgiving which before God is the fruit of our lips that we offer up to Him through Christ.

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

“Praises” – H2167 zaw-mar’

A primitive root (perhaps identical with H2168 through the idea of striking with the fingers); properly to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, that is, play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music: – give praise, sing forth praises, psalms.

[touch the strings – make music – celebrate in song – remind us of these scriptures: Rom 2:13, 1Jn 3:18, Tit 3:8]

“Pleasant”^H5273 naw-eem’

From H5276; delightful (objectively or subjectively, literally or figuratively): – pleasant (-ure), sweet.

“Praise” – H8416 teh-hil-law’

From H1984; laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn: – praise.

[The object is to be believing by the faith of Christ, and it is by those works of faith that we are justified. Even when we can’t physically move we can still be doing a great work of service via the faith of Christ (Gal 2:20) as we praise our Father through those actions of faith that are either “objectively or subjectively, literally (concretely) or figuratively” unfolding in our lives (Heb 11:19). We believe we are being received, or accepted in the beloved, being raised in heavenly places together Eph 1:6, Eph 2:6 and as such are emboldened to choose rather “to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb 11:25)].

Now that we’ve look at the meaning of the words PraiseH1984, PraisesH2167, and PraiseH8416, in this first verse of our study and what it means for us as God’s elect today, it will help us better understand the next series of verses that describe how God uses our life of shining or praising Him to build up the body of Christ. We are not shining to draw attention to ourselves (1Co 4:7) as the Pharisees did in Christ’s day (Mat 6:2), but rather shining or praising God through Christ, boasting in that positive sense, to bring glory to the One who is worthy of all our praise and thanksgiving in every age, the One who is building the church (Psa 127:1, Mat 16:18).

Psa 147:2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.

Our Father’s modus operandi, and Christ’s, is to build up the church “build up Jerusalem” Jerusalem above (Joh 5:17, Mat 16:18) and he is doing this vis-a-vis “the outcasts of Israel“, the Israel of God who we are (Gal 6:16), the weak of the world, the not many noble brethren (1Co 1:26).

Joh 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

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.

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

1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

It is this work of building up the church, in particular, that is the work that glorifies God on the earth today. As we are about our Father’s business, as Christ was (1Jn 4:17), we are learning to be fishers of men who will, in time, save the rest of God’s creation that our Father has devised a means to redeem through the church, the body of Christ (2Sa 14:14, Oba 1:21).

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.

2Sa 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

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

Psa 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Christ builds the church up by tearing down all the old false doctrines that leave us feeling broken and unfulfilled (Luk 15:17), and it is through that process that He shows us what we are and how great our need is for a Saviour to deliver us from ourselves (Pro 14:12).

We need to go through this breaking process, the much tribulation of (Act 14:22), the judgment upon us of (1Pe 4:17), the many afflictions of (Psa 34:19), the chastening and scourging of (Heb 12:6), all in order to learn of His great power that is able to destroy the marred clay vessel and make something new (Jer 18:4). That newness in Christ (Rom 6:4) is the “binding up their wounds” that we all need, and is that “poor and of a contrite spirit” we read of in (Isa 66:2).

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.

God’s faithfulness is great in regard to this process of breaking and healing, of wounding and binding, and he tells us as much with the following verses that we’re given for our comfort and admonition at this time: (Eze 34:16, 2Co 1:4, 2Ti 3:15, 2Pe 1:4).

Eze 34:16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

It is His faithfulness that should be the object of our praise (our boasting) as we come to see more clearly and rejoice more and more for the witness of his power working in our heavens to deliver us from the adversary who, if it were possible, would deceive the very elect; but we know it is impossible for God to lie, and he has told us that nothing shall separate us from his love. Here are some more confirming verses that reveal this very truth!

Psa 118:27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

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.

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

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:

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

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.

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:

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.

Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Psa 147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Psa 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

Great is his faithfulness, shown to us in the details that describe what our Father is doing right now, how he is wakeful over his word to carry it out continually (Jer 1:12). “He telleth the number of the stars” means that as we go through this life, God can and does by his great power, control and run the whole creation, within and without (Eph 1:11).

He numbers all our days, as His stars, and has them written in a book that declares the end from the beginning (Psa 139:16, Isa 46:10). “He calleth them all by their names“, meaning that we are all, in our appointed time, called what we are, whether we see ourselves as such or not. Christ knew the Pharisees of his age were of their father the devil, but also knew that they considered themselves to be accepted with God because of the patriarchal relationship with Abraham (Mat 3:9). That of course is a shadow of how we were confident in our own unbelief while we were steeped in the Babylonian traditions of this world.

God’s “understanding is infinite” and His ways past finding out does not mean that we should not put forth every effort to know Christ and the power of His resurrection (Php 3:10) as we die daily (1Co 15:31). No, God wants us to acknowledge (boast/shine/praise) that His words of eternal life that He is wakeful over, are being understood by those who are given to heed the admonition to seek him out with all their heart, mind and strength in this life (Jer 29:13, Mar 12:30).

It is what we pursue that matters as well as how much we pursue it, because we know that God requires that we fight a good fight of faith and labour to enter into the rest that we are called unto (1Ti 6:12, Heb 4:11). There are those that God has caused to be blinded by the god of this world (2Co 4:4) who still ‘labour’, but because the Lord is not building their house in this age (Psa 127:1), they are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2Ti 3:7), by God’s design.

God is so great that he can blind or open the eyes of anyone of us in an instant, but there is an order to how we come to know our Father and Jesus Christ, and God has orchestrated that order in such a manner as seems wise to Him (Mat 11:25-27). It is in that order that all flesh will be humbled, starting with the first fruits who are the first to be judged and purified by His word and built into a holy temple that glorifies our Father and serves his purpose of one day bringing in the rest of his creation (Rom 11:30-31). When we contemplate the grandeur of it all it truly is unsearchable, especially in regard to the incredible mercy that He is showing to all of his creation at every moment. For those things God’s elect are caused to say “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite” expressed this way in the same chapter of Romans (Rom 11:33-34).

Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Mat 11:26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

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

Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? [1Ch 29:14]
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Psa 147:6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

This verse tells us why we ought to take pleasure in “infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2Co 12:10).

We were made marred in the hand of Potter for that very reason, to raise up Pharaoh in our hearts and have him destroyed “he casteth the wicked down to the ground” (Rom 9:17).

We will be humbled by his mighty hand in this age if we are his (Mat 23:12), and we will be received through those evil experiences we must endure through this life, and then “The LORD [will] lifteth up the meek” because of those plagues that He will pour out, resulting in our being that blessed watchman who keeps his garments, and does not walk about spiritually naked so others can see our shame, because great is his faithfulness that has made the bride ready (Rev 16:1-15, Rev 19:7).

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

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 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.

Studies in Psalms – Psa 135:13-21 “Praise ye the LORD” – Part 2

Tony Cullen — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:21:50 +0000

Psa 135:13-21 “Praise ye the LORD” – Part 2

Psa 135:13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
Psa 135:14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
Psa 135:15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
Psa 135:16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
Psa 135:17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
Psa 135:18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
Psa 135:19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
Psa 135:20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
Psa 135:21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

The first verse of this second part of our study with Psalm 135 sets the stage for the rest of the verses we will be looking at which tell us why we ought to “Praise ye the Lord” for these wonderful works He is doing to the children of men. Christ is only truly being exalted “in the congregation of the people” and in “the assembly of the elders” where His spirit is given to those who are blessed to have been dragged to Christ to worship our Father in spirit and in truth.

Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

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.

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.

We are told in verse 13 “Thy name, O LORD, for ever^H5769; thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations“, reminding us that God’s purpose for mankind is an age-abiding one that will save all men (1Co 15:22), and His purpose being fulfilled within His children, and all of His creation has stages or degrees, starting with His kind of first fruits who ultimately resolves in saving all those other generations which will be part of “thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations“.

Psa 135:13 O Yahweh! thy Name, is age-abiding,—O Yahweh! thy memorial, is to generation after generation. (Rotherham)

H5769 o-lawm’, o-lawm’
From H5956; properly concealed, that is, the vanishing point; generally time out of mind (past or future), that is, (practically) eternity; frequentative adverbially (especially with prepositional prefix) always: – always (-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, [n-]) ever (-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world (+ without end).

Compare H5331, H5703.

H5331 neh’-tsakh, nay’-tsakh
From H5329; properly a goal, that is, the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objectively) confidence; but usually (adverbially), continually (that is, to the most distant point of view): – alway (-s), constantly, end, (+ n-) ever (more), perpetual, strength, victory.

H5703 ad
From H5710; properly a (peremptory) terminus, that is, (by implication) duration, in the sense of perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or without a preposition): – eternity, ever (-lasting, -more), old, perpetually, + world without end.

For more on why we understand H447774 to be better translated “age-abiding”, please see the study at IWWB of which I have taken the following excerpt: http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/prophecy-of-isaiah-isa-4514-25-part-2-every-knee-shall-bow-and-every-tongue-confess/

“When we acknowledge that the Hebrew words ‘olam’ and ‘ad’ are the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word ‘aion’ (the English word eon), which means simply a ‘period of time with a definite beginning and a definite ending’, then we must acknowledge that the Lord was indeed very longsuffering in keeping His promise to preserve King David’s physical throne for a very long ‘period of time’. Nevertheless, that period of time had a definite beginning when David was anointed king over all of Israel, and it had a definite ending when Zedekiah was taken off that throne to die in Babylon 586 years before Christ. The next king to sit on David’s throne would be Christ, who will give the kingdom to His Christ.

Luk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;” [End Quote]

It is for “mine own sake” or “for his great name sake” as we recently saw in the book of Isaiah (Isa 43:25) and these other verses (Sa 12:22, Psa 25:11, Psa 79:9) which remind us of God’s sovereignty that is making His memorial “throughout all generations” starting with that generation who are blessed to read, hear and keep the sayings of the prophecy and are blessed to receive that “age-abiding” reward that God has predestined from the foundation of the world for the elect first (Rev 1:3, Mat 24:34, Eph 1:5-6).

This truth that many are called and few are chosen (Mat 22:14) to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Rev 20:6) is hidden or concealed from the world (H5956), and when there is no stay of bread or water as we will see in verses (Psa 135:15-18), there is no judgment, and when there is no judgment in our heavens, the Lord has created the perfect breeding ground for the idols of our hearts that can only be destroyed through the life-giving words that are read, and heard and kept by God’s people first (Rev 1:3). As a result of God’s judgment, we are able to put off our flesh and be amongst those who are the first to trust in the living God and to be obedient to his every command, resulting in true worship and praise of our Creator from hearts that have no guile because of what He has done within our heavens through Christ.

H5956 aw-lam’ A primitive root; to veil from sight, that is, conceal (literally or figuratively): – X any ways, blind, dissembler, hide (self), secret (thing).

Joh 6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
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.
Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Php 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; [Mat 10:22]

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

Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Joh 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

God’s name, or his Word, which He sends to heal us first (Psa 107:20), is an “age-abiding” word, and so it is written “Thy name, O LORD, for ever [age-abiding]; thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations“. That memorial or testimony is demonstrated or witnessed through the judgment which first comes upon “his people,” and” he will repentH5162 himself concerning his servants” does not mean ‘repent’ as we initially think of that word. The three words that make up this definition [he will repentH5162] means that God will take vengeance on our man of sin within and redeem us through Christ by destroying the first man Adam with a “strong breath”, which is comforting to know because it is the Comforter or the spirit of God that is leading us into all truth and making this possible (Joh 16:13).

H5162 nâcham naw-kham’

A primitive root; properly to sigh, that is, breathe strongly; by implication to be sorry, that is, (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself): – comfort (self), ease [one’s self], repent (-er, -ing, self).

Here’s an excerpt from an FAQ on IWWB to further expound on this Strong’s number H5162 :

It is very revealing to see that the same word used to translate “repent” is also translated as “comfort”. Additionally, seeing the spirit behind the letter shows us that it is through the Lord’s “repentance”, grief with, or vengeance towards the old world (the shadow of our old carnal nature) that he delivers the comforter, Noah (the shadow of the new man, Christ in us). It is the double-edged sword of God’s word that both destroys the old man, and gives life to the new man. http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/does-i-change-not-contradict-it-repented-the-lord/

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

It is comforting to know that God is judging us, and we are being worked with now, because we know that what God has started in any one of us He will finish (Php 1:6), and He will show pity to us along the way, sparing us “as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Mal 3:16-17).

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:

Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Psa 135:15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
Psa 135:16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
Psa 135:17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
Psa 135:18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

These next verses show us what is being destroyed by the brightness of His coming into our heavens. God is destroying the idols of our hearts, the “silver and gold“, the “work of men’s hands,” the things in which we initially trust and don’t see as our own righteousnesses (Isa 64:6, Mat 19:21, Luk 12:32).

Isa 64:6 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.

Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

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

If we are not chastened and scourged of the Lord, we will continue to trust in the idols of our hearts, in the flesh, and believe that we have something to do with our own salvation which we don’t. If God is working with us in this age, then those idols are going to be destroyed by dragging us to the altar where our flesh is put off so that we can receive the blessing of being able to worship God in spirit and in truth as we are given the power to overcome in this life.

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. [Mal 3:17-18]

I cut and pasted this section from a previous Psalm study which discusses what it means for us to have mouths that don’t speak, and eyes that don’t see and ears that don’t hear:

“Psa 115:5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

As discussed earlier, the beast that represents our yet carnal relationship speaks and has influence over others and these following verses (Rev 13:15-16, Mat 24:24, 2Co 11:13-15) demonstrate the ultimate example of a Nicolaitan spirit that rules over the unsuspecting laity. These false prophets and apostles “have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not“.

Rev 13:15   And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. [This is where we want to be amongst those who “should be killed” Rev 11:8, Rom 6:11]

Rev 13:16   And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Mat 24:24   For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

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

Psa 115:6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

By now it should be very apparent to us that the idols that are being spoken of here in this Psalm are not specifically physical idols like a statue of Jesus or Buddha but rather it is a parable discussing the idols that are naturally attached to the heart of every man who does not yet know “THE UNKNOWN GOD” as Paul expressed to a group of men in Athens (Act 17:22-23). These men really did have physical idols and altars that were devotions to various gods, and they were outward expressions of their inward deception, and longing but were ever learning and not able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2Ti 3:7).

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

When the scripture says “They have ears, but they hear not” or “noses have they, but they smell not” we are simply being told what Paul said to the Athenians in regard to their current relationship “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” where he says “Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you”.

Christ cannot be defined with a carnal fleshly mind, and when we do he remains spiritually unknown unto us. With the mind of Christ we can discern the good and the evil, or judge matters in our heavens through God’s holy spirit, that gives us the ability to hear the voice of the true Shepherd, as the comforter leads us into all truth, and helps us try the spirits whether they are of God or not (Joh 10:27, Joh 16:13, 1Jn 4:1). The holy spirit gives us a mind that is described this way “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” and that spirit helps us judge righteous judgement, because we are not judging after the flesh, but seeking our Lord’s judgment continually, whose judgement is not affected by the appearance, which is why the scripture says the new creature in Christ can say “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more” (2Co 5:16-17). Judgement begins at the house of God, the temple that we are, as our Lord helps us examine ourselves to make sure that the plank is not in our own eye as we mature in our ability to judge righteous judgement that will have us not knowing any man after the flesh (2Co 5:16, Joh 5:3, 2Co 10:5, 1Jn 4:17, Joh 7:24).

“They have ears, but they hear not” because they can hear, but what anyone hears when they are deceived is a lying spirit which God sends to keep that person from hearing the voice of the true Shepherd (Eze 14:9-10, Joh 12:40).

Eze 14:9   And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Eze 14:10   And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him; [Psa 135:18]

Joh 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

“Noses have they, but they smell not” because they can smell, but what we initially smell from true believers is the smell of death, even as we cannot recognize our own odious spiritual condition that has yet to be healed (2Co 2:16, Rev 3:17). Lazarus and the rich man perfectly portrays this principle of how God’s elect are perceived by those who are “clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day” (Luk 16:19-25).

2Co 2:16   To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Rev 3:17   Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” [End Quote]

Just as we are commanded to go and preach the gospel to all nations as a witness, and know that God shows us in His Word that there is a very specific way we do that, starting with the lost tribes of Israel which represent God’s elect (Mat 15:24, Jas 1:1-4, Rev 14:12), so, too, the world and those who proselytize (Mat 23:15) are driven to spread another Jesus and a false gospel. They are compelled to do so by the powers and principalities over which they have no dominion in their lives at this time (Joh 8:44-47). We see in the following verses how the spreading of the true gospel is directly connected with “the patience of the saints” who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus”.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Jas 1:1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. [Mat 22:14, Luk 12:32]
Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

“They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them” of verse 18 of our study tonight tells us that this making of idols is something that is proliferated over the course of time and that the sins of the Amorites must come to their fullness “throughout all generations” (of verse 13) in order for the great day of “the supper of the great God” to come about (Gen 15:16, Rev 19:17-18).

Gen 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; [Rev 19:7]
Rev 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. [1Co 6:3]

Psa 135:19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
Psa 135:20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
Psa 135:21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

If God has made you His workmanship, I cannot think of any better reason to greatly rejoice because it means your names are written in heaven and that the ôlâm God is going to finish something that is holy and pure, which will be perfected on the third day and then be used to save the rest of the world (Luk 10:20-21).

Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Luk 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. [1Co 1:26-27]

We “bless the LORD” because Christ abides in this house, the house of Aaron, and we “bless the LORD” because we are chosen out of the “house of Levi” (Num 17:3-10) to blossom and grow, and we “Praise ye the LORD” because of the mercy God has shown to us in this age (Rom 11:30-32, Eph 2:7) which is revealed from Jerusalem above where we are raised together, blessing the LORD and praising His name for His wonderful works to the children of men that will in time have all men to be saved (Gal 4:26, Eph 2:6, 1Co 15:22).

Num 17:3 And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers…

Num 17:8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds…

Num 17:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.

Everything is “for his name’s sake” (Psa 106:8, Isa 48:9-12) as we fill up what is behind of His afflictions (Col 1:24) so that one day we can bring our brothers who “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes” into remembrance of His sovereign plan which caused all the circumstances in their life and our life to work according to the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11) and for his good purpose within us (Rom 8:28).

Psa 106:8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

Isa 48:9 For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
Isa 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Isa 48:11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
Isa 48:12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

We are His kind of first fruits who were first nourished and matured by being blessed to have His love shed abroad in our hearts, giving us the ability to believe all things (Rom 5:5-10, Php 4:13, Php 4:19) and hope all things and endure all things, which is what his love can do (1Co 13:7-8).

1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

We endure in seeing Him who is invisible (1Pe 1:8, Heb 11:27) by the grace and faith of Christ (Eph 2:8) as we “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (1Co 2:9, 1Co 13:12, Php 3:13-15), rejoicing, praising the Lord, and thanking Him, for this “joy unspeakable and full of glory” that is leading to our “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1Pe 1:8-12).

1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1Pe1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: [Jas 5:10-11]

Rejoicing or praising God and giving thanks for this spiritual healing He has given us is something we pray we never take for granted, and if God is working with us in this age, He will bring us into remembrance through judgment which will remind us of how indebted we are to our Lord for all He has done for us (Luk 17:17, Rom 11:18-20)

Luk 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
Luk 17:16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Luk 17:17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
Luk 17:18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
Luk 17:19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Rom 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Prophecy of Isaiah – Isa 45:14-25 Part 1 – Every Knee Shall Bow and Every Tongue Shall Confess

Mike Vinson — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 23:56:34 +0000

Isa 45:14-25 Part 1 – Every Knee Shall Bow and Every Tongue Shall Confess

Isa 45:14-25 Part 1 - Every Knee Shall Bow and Every Tongue Shall Confess - Discussion

1 file(s) 14.04 MB

Download

Isa 45:14-25 Part 1- Every Knee Shall Bow and Every Tongue Shall Confess

[Study Aired on September 1, 2019]

Isa 45:14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
Isa 45:15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
Isa 45:16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.
Isa 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
Isa 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD ; and there is none else.
Isa 45:19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
Isa 45:20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
Isa 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Isa 45:24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
Isa 45:25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

It is very easy to see and rejoice in the outward fulfillment of this first verse of our study today:

Egypt, Ethiopia and the Sabeans were the great nations of Isaiah's day, and they symbolize the strength of our flesh. Babylon and Syria, also symbols of the strength of our flesh, have already been prophesied against earlier in this prophecy. Chapter 14 is called "a parable against the king of Babylon":

Isa 14:3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
Isa 14:4 That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!

Chapter 17 is a prophecy against Syria and its capital, Damascus:

Isa 17:1 THE burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

The point being made is that all these nations are the enemies of the Lord's kingdom, Israel. They one and all are destined to be subdued by the Lord's kingdom. They are all prophesied to be subdued by "the Israel of God".

Zec 8:22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
Zec 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

It is true that all of this will take place outwardly at the Lord's appointed time. However, the outward nations will not bow down to any of us if those very nations have not first bowed down inwardly to Christ within us "in this present time" (Rom 8:18).

Let us keep the perspective Christ had and the perspective He gives to us. It is Christ Himself who informs us that His kingdom, His ‘Israel’, is "within [us]":

Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

"Comes not with observation" is not meant to be understood as never being a physical kingdom ruling over the kingdoms of this world. No, not at all:

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The words..."He was demanded of the Pharisees" tell us that Christ knew these men had no interest in the things of the spirit, and He was not about to try to give them the holy things of the temple of which they have no right to partake:

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

Am I telling you that all these enemies of Israel... "Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature" are within us? Yes, of course they are. If "the kingdom of God is within you", then it follows that the enemies of that kingdom are the false doctrines which are also within us, working with the passions of our flesh to destroy the kingdom of God.

If we are granted to hear the voice of the shepherd, then we will subdue our enemies within us and place them into the service of the Lord to the point that every knee will bow and every tongue “will confess that Jesus is Lord…”

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

…Which is a quotation from our next verse:

Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

"Swearing", which was permitted and required under the law of Moses, is changed to "confess" in the New Testament.

Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 14:11-12 makes clear that every knee bowing and every tongue confessing has to do with 'every one of us giving account of ourselves to God'. In other words, we are all to be judged. That is the "one event... to all" mentioned in:

Ecc 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Judgment has already begun at the house of God (1Pe 4:17), but judgment has not begun upon this world. When that time of judgment is accomplished and we are granted to take part in the resurrection to life, then and only then, are we even qualified to have the physical 'Egyptians, Ethiopians, and Sabeans come over and fall down to us and make supplication to us saying, "Surely God is in you: and there is none else..."’

Until that time, until “the resurrection of life” (Joh 5:28-29), these great strong nations are just symbols of our flesh, which is subdued and put into Christ’s service within us. Let’s read it again:

Isa 45:14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.

The Lord Himself is just naturally unknown to all of Israel's enemies both within and without:

Isa 45:15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

What this tells us about ourselves is that when we are deceived, we are totally unaware of our deception. We are not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and we are blinded and deceived by the Lord Himself (Eze 14:9 and Mat 13:11), and the adversary would have us believe that it is impossible to know the Truth:

Joh 18:33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
Joh 18:34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
Joh 18:35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Joh 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Pilate is our own flesh, judging and condemning our new man, Christ in us. Our flesh, our old man, does not believe it is possible to "know the Truth". Is it possible to "know the Truth"? Let God be true and every man a liar.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue [Greek: abide] 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.

Christ is the Truth:

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.

Christ did not say 'I know the way, I know the Truth, and I know the life'. He said, "I AM the Truth". Those who do know the Truth can discern the Truth, and in doing so they also can discern the voice and words which are not The Truth:

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

When Christ begins to purge His temple, His kingdom has begun to come to us and is beginning to take control of everything within His temple, "which temple [we] are" (1Co 3:15-16). As Christ told Pilate, when His kingdom comes, His servants will fight for Him. Therefore when He comes to reside within us “the… [subdued] Egyptians… Ethiopians and… Sabeans” within us “come over to us” and begin to fight for His throne within us. So while His kingdom is not of this age, its ambassadors are of this age, and every one of His ambassadors are being tried and tested to prove whether they are fit to be rulers in His coming kingdom which will rule over the kingdoms of this world with a rod of iron:

Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Many in the world will have us to believe that "divers temptations" excludes our own shameful sins and injustices. Nothing is further from the Truth. "Divers temptations" especially includes those shameful sins which humble and humiliate and crush us to powder. When Christ crushes our old man, He then harnesses all the energy of our sinful old man and puts that energy to work in His service. The apostle Paul is a perfect example of how the Lord does this:

1Co 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

‘The Egyptians, Ethiopians, and Sabeans’ have been subdued, conquered and overcome, and are now in the Lord’s service within us. Only the humble who feel they are not even worthy of lifting their eyes to the Lord will be honored with the highest seats at the marriage supper of the lamb:

Luk 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
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: every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

All of scripture is about these “two men”. Our very worst enemy is our own self-righteous old man who credits himself with his own righteousness as this Pharisee who took pride in his service to God. We are all this vain Pharisee before we are made to see ourselves as this humble publican. It is our old man inwardly, a Babylonian self-righteous Pharisee, who becomes the Egyptian, the Ethiopian and the Sabean who will be subdued to Christ within us. The new man who increases day by day is Christ within us as he overcomes and subdues all the enemies of “the kingdom of God… the Israel of God” within us.

Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

That is the inward application of our next verse:

Isa 45:16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.

We have all manufactured our own idols of our hearts and lived to please those false lying doctrines until the day we were brought to our wits’ end and we were "confounded" and humbled before the Lord and before the Truth of His word.

Isa 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

It is "the Israel of God" within us which is being "saved in the Lord with an everlasting [olam] salvation", and that salvation will remove all shame for "ad olam ad", as the Hebrew reads. Let's examine this phrase 'ad olam ad'.

There are actually three separate Hebrew words though it appears to be just two words, 'ad' and 'olam'. But the first 'ad' is H5704 and the second 'ad' is H5703. ‘Ad olam ad’ does not translate to “world without end”, and we will see why that is.

Here is Strong's definitions for the first 'ad' H5704:

H5704
עַד
‛ad
ad
Properly the same as H5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or conjugation; especially with a preposition); as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with): - against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for (-asmuch as), [hither-] to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

Never trust Strong’s definitions without comparing them to how any word is question is used elsewhere in scripture. Strong's definitions are many times the definitions given to the Hebrew and Greek by the mother of harlots, but we can always see through her lies when we examine how the holy spirit inspires any word to be used, and this is how the holy spirit uses this word:

Gen 8:5 And the waters decreased continually until ['ad', H5704] the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.

Gen 8:7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until ['ad', H5704] the waters were dried up from off the earth.

This word clearly has nothing to do with eternity or being perpetual. It means "until", and that is how it is most commonly translated. Here is how it is most commonly translated, and rightly so:

H5704
עד
‛ad
Total KJV Occurrences: 590
until, 297
Gen_8:5, Gen_8:7, Gen_24:19, Gen_24:33, Gen_26:13, Gen_27:44-45 (2), Gen_29:8, Gen_32:4, Gen_32:24, Gen_33:3, Gen_33:14, Gen_34:5, Gen_39:16, Gen_41:49, Gen_46:34, Gen_49:10, Exo_9:18, Exo_10:26, Exo_12:6, Exo_12:10 (2), Exo_12:15, Exo_12:18, Exo_12:22, Exo_16:20, Exo_16:23, Exo_16:35 (2), Exo_17:12, Exo_23:18, Exo_23:30, Exo_24:14, Exo_33:8, Exo_34:34-35 (2), Lev_7:15, Lev_8:33, Lev_11:24-25 (2), Lev_11:27-28 (2), Lev_11:31-32 (2), Lev_11:39-40 (3), Lev_12:4, Lev_14:46, Lev_15:5-7 (3), Lev_15:10 (2), Lev_15:16-19 (4), Lev_15:21-23 (3), Lev_15:27, Lev_16:17, Lev_17:15, Lev_19:6, Lev_19:13, Lev_22:4, Lev_22:6, Lev_22:30, Lev_23:14, Lev_25:22 (2), Lev_25:28, Num_4:3, Num_4:23, Num_6:5, Num_9:15, Num_11:20, Num_14:19, Num_14:33, Num_19:7-8 (2), Num_19:10, Num_19:21-22 (2), Num_20:17, Num_21:22, Num_21:35, Num_23:24, Num_24:22, Num_32:13, Num_32:17-18 (2), Num_32:21, Num_35:12, Num_35:28, Num_35:32, Deu_1:31, Deu_2:14-15 (3), Deu_2:29, Deu_3:3, Deu_7:20 (2), Deu_7:23-24 (2), Deu_9:7, Deu_9:21, Deu_11:5, Deu_20:20, Deu_22:2, Deu_28:20-22 (4), Deu_28:24, Deu_28:48, Deu_28:51-52 (3), Deu_28:61, Deu_31:24, Deu_31:30, Jos_2:15-16 (2), Jos_2:22, Jos_3:17, Jos_4:10, Jos_4:23 (2), Jos_5:1, Jos_6:10, Jos_7:6, Jos_7:13, Jos_8:24, Jos_8:26, Jos_8:29, Jos_10:13, Jos_10:26-27 (2), Jos_10:33, Jos_11:8, Jos_11:14, Jos_13:13, Jos_20:6 (2), Jos_20:9, Jos_22:17, Jos_23:13, Jos_23:15, Jdg_4:24, Jdg_5:7, Jdg_6:18 (2), Jdg_13:15, Jdg_18:30, Jdg_19:8, Jdg_19:25, Jdg_20:23, Jdg_20:26, Rth_1:19, Rth_2:7, Rth_2:17, Rth_2:21, Rth_3:3, Rth_3:13-14 (2), Rth_3:18, 1Sa_1:22-23 (3), 1Sa_3:15, 1Sa_7:11, 1Sa_9:13, 1Sa_11:11, 1Sa_14:9, 1Sa_14:24, 1Sa_14:36, 1Sa_15:18, 1Sa_15:35, 1Sa_17:52, 1Sa_19:2, 1Sa_19:23, 1Sa_20:41, 1Sa_25:36, 1Sa_30:4, 2Sa_1:12, 2Sa_4:3, 2Sa_5:25, 2Sa_10:5, 2Sa_15:24, 2Sa_15:28, 2Sa_17:13, 2Sa_19:7, 2Sa_19:24, 2Sa_21:10, 2Sa_22:38, 2Sa_23:10, 1Ki_5:1-3 (3), 1Ki_6:22, 1Ki_10:7, 1Ki_11:16, 1Ki_11:40, 1Ki_15:29, 1Ki_17:14, 1Ki_18:26, 1Ki_18:29, 1Ki_22:11, 1Ki_22:27, 2Ki_6:25, 2Ki_7:3, 2Ki_8:6, 2Ki_8:11, 2Ki_10:8, 2Ki_10:11, 2Ki_17:20, 2Ki_17:23, 2Ki_18:32, 2Ki_24:20, 1Ch_5:22, 1Ch_6:32, 1Ch_12:22, 1Ch_19:5, 1Ch_28:20, 2Ch_8:8, 2Ch_8:16, 2Ch_9:6, 2Ch_16:12, 2Ch_18:10, 2Ch_18:26, 2Ch_18:34, 2Ch_21:15, 2Ch_24:10, 2Ch_29:28, 2Ch_29:34, 2Ch_31:1, 2Ch_35:14, 2Ch_36:16, 2Ch_36:20-21 (2), Ezr_4:5, Ezr_4:21, Ezr_5:16, Ezr_8:29, Ezr_9:4, Ezr_10:14, Neh_8:3 (2), Neh_12:23, Job_14:13, Job_26:10, Psa_57:1, Psa_71:18, Psa_73:17, Psa_94:13, Psa_104:23, Psa_105:19, Psa_110:1, Psa_112:8, Psa_123:2, Psa_132:5, Pro_7:18, Son_2:17, Son_3:4, Son_4:6, Son_8:4, Isa_6:11, Isa_26:20, Isa_32:15, Isa_36:17, Isa_39:6, Isa_62:1, Jer_23:20, Jer_27:7-8 (2), Jer_27:22, Jer_30:24 (2), Jer_32:5, Jer_36:23, Jer_37:21, Jer_38:28, Jer_44:27, Jer_52:34, Eze_21:27, Eze_33:22, Eze_46:2, Dan_4:32, Dan_7:22, Dan_7:25, Dan_9:27, Hos_7:4, Mic_5:3, Mic_7:9
till, 91
Gen_3:19, Gen_19:22, Gen_38:11, Gen_38:17, Exo_15:16 (2), Exo_16:19, Exo_16:24, Exo_40:37, Num_12:15, Deu_28:45, Jos_5:6, Jos_5:8, Jos_8:6, Jos_10:20, Jdg_3:25, Jdg_6:4, Jdg_11:33, Jdg_16:3, Jdg_19:26, Jdg_21:2, Rth_1:13, 1Sa_10:8, 1Sa_16:11, 1Sa_22:3, 1Ki_14:10, 1Ki_18:28, 2Ki_2:17, 2Ki_4:20, 2Ki_7:9, 2Ki_13:17 (2), 2Ki_13:19, 2Ki_21:16, 2Ch_26:15, 2Ch_29:34, 2Ch_36:16, Ezr_2:63, Ezr_9:14, Neh_2:7, Neh_4:11, Neh_4:21, Neh_7:65, Job_7:19 (2), Job_8:21, Job_14:6, Job_14:12, Job_14:14, Job_27:5, Psa_18:37, Pro_7:23, Ecc_2:3, Son_2:7, Son_3:5, Isa_5:8, Isa_22:14, Isa_38:13, Isa_42:4, Isa_62:7 (2), Jer_9:16, Jer_23:20, Jer_24:10, Jer_49:37, Jer_52:3, Jer_52:11, Lam_3:50, Eze_4:8, Eze_4:14, Eze_24:13, Eze_28:15, Eze_34:21, Eze_39:15, Eze_47:20, Dan_2:9, Dan_2:34, Dan_4:23, Dan_4:25, Dan_4:33, Dan_5:21, Dan_6:14, Dan_7:4, Dan_7:9, Dan_7:11, Dan_10:3, Dan_11:36, Dan_12:9, Hos_5:15, Hos_10:12, Jon_4:5
long, 51
Exo_10:7, Exo_16:28, Num_14:11 (2), Num_14:27, Jos_18:3, 1Sa_1:14, 1Sa_16:1, 2Sa_2:26, 1Ki_18:21, 2Ki_9:22, Neh_2:6, Psa_6:2-3 (5), Psa_13:1-2 (4), Psa_35:17, Psa_62:3, Psa_72:7, Psa_74:9-10 (2), Psa_79:5, Psa_80:4, Psa_82:2, Psa_89:46, Psa_90:13, Psa_94:3-4 (3), Psa_104:33, Pro_1:22, Pro_6:9, Isa_6:11, Jer_4:14, Jer_4:21, Jer_12:4, Jer_23:26, Jer_31:22, Jer_47:5-6 (2), Dan_8:13, Dan_12:6, Hos_8:5, Hab_1:2, Hab_2:6, Zec_1:12
how, 49
Exo_10:3, Exo_16:28, Num_14:11 (2), Num_14:27, Jos_18:3, Rth_3:18, 1Sa_1:14, 1Sa_16:1, 2Sa_2:26, 1Ki_18:21, 1Ki_22:16, 2Ch_18:15, Neh_2:6, Job_7:19, Psa_6:2-3 (5), Psa_62:1-3 (5), Psa_74:9-10 (2), Psa_79:5, Psa_80:4, Psa_82:2, Psa_89:46, Psa_90:13, Psa_94:3 (2), Pro_1:22, Pro_6:9, Isa_6:11, Jer_4:14, Jer_4:21, Jer_12:4, Jer_23:26, Jer_31:22, Jer_47:5-6 (2), Dan_8:13, Dan_12:6, Hab_1:2, Hab_2:6, Zec_1:12
hitherto, 9
Exo_7:16, Jos_17:14, Jdg_16:13, 1Sa_1:16, 1Sa_7:12, 1Ch_9:18, 1Ch_12:29, Job_38:11, Psa_71:17
or, 9
Gen_31:24, Gen_31:29, Exo_11:7, Exo_22:4 (2), Lev_11:42, 2Ch_15:13 (2), Ecc_12:6
while, 9
Exo_33:22 (2), Jdg_3:26, 1Sa_14:19, Neh_7:3, Ecc_12:1-2 (2), Son_1:12, Nah_1:10
into, 8
Deu_1:31, Deu_11:5, Jdg_11:19, 2Sa_4:6, 2Sa_17:13, Job_38:16, Psa_108:9-10 (2)
very, 8
1Sa_25:36, 2Ch_16:14, Psa_71:19, Psa_119:107, Psa_147:15, Lam_5:22, Dan_8:8, Dan_11:25
yet, 8
Gen_15:16, Lev_26:18, Deu_12:9, 2Ki_13:23, Neh_2:16, Pro_8:26, Jon_4:2, Hag_2:19
so, 5
Exo_14:28, Jos_8:22, 1Sa_2:5, Isa_47:7 (2)
against, 4
Gen_43:25, Num_10:21, 2Ki_16:11, Eze_47:20
even, 4
Gen_14:23, Num_11:20, 1Ch_11:8, Est_4:2
never, 4
2Sa_12:10, Psa_49:19, Eze_27:36, Eze_28:19
toward, 4
Gen_13:12, Jdg_19:18, 1Ki_7:9, Eze_48:21
without, 4
Job_9:9-10 (2), Jer_33:12 (2)
at, 3
Jos_15:5, Neh_6:1, Jer_32:20
when, 3
Jdg_16:2, Psa_71:18, Jon_4:2
whilst, 3
Jdg_6:31, Job_32:11, Psa_141:10
within, 3
Lev_25:29-30 (3)
before, 2
Gen_48:5, Exo_22:9
much, 2
Exo_14:28, Deu_2:5
also, 1
Jdg_15:5 (2)
end, 1
Isa_45:17
ever, 1
1Ch_16:36
forasmuch, 1
Jos_17:14
mean, 1
1Ki_18:45
on, 1
1Ki_7:9
sore, 1
Psa_38:8
thither, 1
Job_6:20
whether, 1
Exo_22:4
yonder, 1
Gen_22:4-5 (2)

This word is translated as ‘until’ 297 times. It is translated as ‘till’ 91 times for a total of 388 entries which make it super clear that this word has to do with a period of time which comes to some kind of termination. This word clearly means 'till' or 'until’ and is not even remotely associated with the concept of endless time or eternity.

Here is Strong's definition for the Hebrew word, 'olawm':

H5769
עֹלָם עוֹלָם
‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm
o-lawm', o-lawm'
From H5956; properly concealed, that is, the vanishing point; generally time out of mind (past or future), that is, (practically) eternity; frequentative adverbially (especially with prepositional prefix) always: - always (-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, [n-]) ever (-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world (+ without end). Compare H5331, H5703.

Well, is 'olam' "practically eternity" or is it 'eternity'? Which is it? The answer is that it definitely is not 'eternity' neither is it "(practically) eternity". There are many passages in scriptures which contain this world, 'olam' in which the context is such as these two:

Deu 23:6 Thou shalt not seek their peace [the peace of Moab and Ammon, vs 3] nor their prosperity all thy days for ever. ['olam', H5769]

"Forever" is a terrible translation because we know that at the appointed time "all in Adam... shall all be made alive" (1Co 15:22).

Here is a second example of how this word, 'olam' is used in scripture:

Psa 49:6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
Psa 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Psa 49:8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) ['olam', H5769]

Again, we know that no one's life "ceases forever" because "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive". Here are three times we are told there is a resurrection of the dead leading to judgment and life.

Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

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

1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

As we will see in next week's study “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Christ is Lord" to the glory of God, and we are also told:

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

That is a Biblical equation… “If you confess with your mouth you will be saved…”, and then we are very clearly told, “Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to God”.

Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

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

We will stop at this point and make this Part One of the study of these verses. There were too many pages for a single study so we will finish this chapter of Isaiah next Sunday, Lord willing. Next week we will analyze what should be the proper translation of the Hebrew word ‘olawm’, H5769, and the proper translation of the second form of the Hebrew word, ‘ad’ H5703. Then we will put all three words together as the scriptures reveal they are properly translated, and we will see how ‘ad olam ad’ should have been properly translated.

Prophecy of Isaiah – Isa 32:1-8 By Liberal Things Shall He Stand

Mike Vinson — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 00:42:24 +0000

Isa 32:1-8 By Liberal Things Shall He Stand

Isa 32:1-8 By Liberal Things Shall He Stand

1 file(s) 12.97 MB

Download

Isa 32:1-8 By Liberal Things Shall He Stand

Isa 32:1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
Isa 32:2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
Isa 32:3 And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
Isa 32:4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.
Isa 32:5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.
Isa 32:6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
Isa 32:7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
Isa 32:8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.

Isaiah 30 and 31 make it very clear that we are all, by nature, rebellious against the mind and the laws of God. Even after we come out of the world we want to return to Egypt and rely on the world for our strength:

Isa 30:2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
Isa 30:3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.

Isa 31:1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

In this chapter we are given the cure for our rebellious nature:

Isa 32:1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

Inwardly the "King [who] reigns in righteousness" is Christ within us, destroying the old man of sin within us and ruling over the kingdom of God which is increasing as the kingdom of our old man is decreasing within us in down-payment form at this time:

Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Joh 3:30 He [Christ] must increase, but I must decrease.

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

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

It is not just anyone who "rules in judgment". The only people who "rule in judgment" are those who are blessed to be those "who first trusted in Christ" and who will be in the "blessed and holy first resurrection". They alone "rule in judgment". That judgment begins now within, judging themselves while in bodies of "mortal flesh", as opposed to being judged after being "raised a spiritual body" and being "condemned with the world" to the second death:

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

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2Co 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Co 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2Co 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

It is God's elect who "have this treasure in earthen vessels... in our mortal flesh". There is neither "earthen vessels" nor "mortal flesh" in the second death. Those who are granted to rule with Christ for a thousand years are "raised a spiritual body" having already been judged while they were in bodies of "mortal flesh". Those who are ruling with Christ during the thousand year reign have already overcome the wicked one while yet in earthen vessels of mortal flesh. If that were not the case they would not have been in the first resurrection. None of these things can be said of those who are raised a spiritual body which comes forth to judgment. None of these blessing bestowed upon those who are given to be in the "bless and holy... first resurrection" are bestowed upon them because of anything they did of themselves. It is all done "after the counsel of His own will". (Eph 1:11)

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

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.
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.

Not just anyone is predestinated to "be the firstborn among many brothers". Those over whom the second death has power are not nor ever will be "the firstborn among many brothers... also glorified" above their firstborn brothers. It is not possible to be both the firstborn among many, and also be the many who are not firstborn. Nothing is more basic to the promises of scriptures than the doctrine of a predestinated firstborn, who is rejected and hated of His brothers, all "according to [the Lord's] own purpose" to use the firstborn as the saviors of the many brothers. "Firstborn" is a spiritual word which means the Lord's few elect who will indeed be the first to be "born of the spirit" into "the redemption of the purchased possession", the resurrection of life, the "inheritance" of a kingdom reserved for the firstborn of God.

Luk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

Now let's read the words before and after that verse and discover what it means to have a kingdom appointed to us:

Luk 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
Luk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
Luk 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Those who continue with Christ in His trials are those who obey His words and who do the things He tells us to do in this life. Christ's trials were in a body of "mortal flesh.. made of a woman, made under the law... of the seed of Abraham." The scriptures make that very important distinction. It is presented to us as if it were a much greater struggle than "the nature of angels":

Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

It is those few who are given to overcome in this age while struggling against both "mortal flesh [and] the wicked one" who are "appointed a kingdom". Those who "come forth to judgment" are not "appointed a kingdom [to] judge the twelve tribes of Israel". Those who come forth to judgment do so in "the nature of angels" as "a spiritual body".

1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Being judged while in "a natural body" is much to be preferred to being judged in "a spiritual body" at "the resurrection of judgment" (Joh 5:28-29). The positive application of "the twelve tribes of Israel" is the judgment which begins at the house of God in this age.

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

The negative application of the twelve tribes of Israel is as "the camp of Israel" which is forbidden to touch the holy things within the temple of God or to eat at the altar of the kings and priests who are made to reign with Christ over the twelve tribes. It is Israel who is first in opposing their Savior, thereby symbolizing the whole rebellious world yet to be judged in the second death.

Isa 32:1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

Here is another way of describing these "princes":

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

All things are being worked after the counsel of His own will (Eph 1:11). Nevertheless, scripturally it is "those who first trusted in Christ" who are predestinated to be "also glorified... unto the praise of His glory":

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.

The love and compassion shown by Joseph to his brothers, who had despised and rejected him, is described in our next verse:

Isa 32:2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

This is a perfect description for how Christ has dealt with each of us. In our own time we have all hated and despised the mind of Christ. We have all denied we ever knew Him, and when our shame is revealed to us, we are definitely in need of a "hiding place from the wind, a covert from the tempest, water in a dry place, [and] as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."

Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

The night of Christ's apprehension by the Jews and the following morning were without a doubt the most miserable times of Peter's life, but it was at the same time the best day of Peter's life because it was the beginning of Peter being able to see himself and the whole world through the eyes and through the understanding of Christ:

Isa 32:3 And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.

This is how Christ repeats the message of this verse:

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.
Mat 13:12 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.
Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

"The eyes of them that see" do so only because "it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven", and the only reason all the others do not see is that "to them it is not given".

Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

We just naturally think that our own self-righteous deeds somehow make God indebted to us to bless us. Self-righteousness is the most insidious of sins, as demonstrated in Job 29 and in these New Testament verses:

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

When we, like Job and like Peter, are brought face to face with our own self-righteous, rebellious old man within us, then judgment has begun at the house of God, and then we can say:

Isa 32:4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.
Isa 32:5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.

We justify our sins and count ourselves as doing the Lord a service even as we destroy His people within and without in committing our sins:

Joh 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

Joh 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

We are really just serving our own flesh, Egypt, the world which is still within us. Our most natural desire to trust in Egypt will, in time, bring us to regret that we did so as it did Peter. But 'trusting in Egypt' is not so easy to discern spiritually for a babe in Christ as we are clearly told:

Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Any parent knows that an immature child cannot discern milk from strong meat. Everything that comes along is put straight into a baby's mouth. It takes "them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" to discern what is good spiritual food for the Lord's flock. None of us is an authority in spiritual matters unto himself. That is the very meaning of "the body is one body but many members':

1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
1Co 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

This 14th verse of Hebrews 5 indicates that our past understanding of "if they do not hear the church" has been in grave error. We now understand by the principle of "the sum of thy word", by putting Matthew 18:15-17 together with Hebrews 5:12-14, 1Corinthians 3:1-4 and Paul's words to the Corinthians, which we will read below, that carnal babes are not commissioned to "discern both good and evil" in complicated doctrinal matters. It was the elders who made such decisions. That is true in Matthew 18:15-18. That is what was done in Acts 15, and that is true here in Hebrews 5.

This was the spiritual state of the church in Corinth:

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

The immature church in Corinth could not bring themselves to do so much as put out of their midst a blatant fornicator. Had that matter have been taken to the church without the admonition of the elders such as Paul, that fornicator would have been voted most popular, and the Corinthians would have continued to stay puffed up over their supposed 'loving' tolerance of his fornication in their midst. Let's read what kind of fruit was produced by letting the church decide how we ought to deal with either physical or spiritual fornication:

1Co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
1Co 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1Co 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
1Co 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1Co 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

We will be ashamed of trusting in ourselves, which is trusting in Egypt and leaning to our own understanding. That is the exact opposite of trusting in the Lord and being obedient to His Words. An example is our current trial. If we reject "a multitude of counselors", as many have done, we are simply 'returning to Egypt', and it has brought us to shame. It is the word of the Lord which instructs us that our safety is in a multitude of counselors. The apostles agreed to the counselors in Jerusalem and lived for many years by that counsel. It is by the Lord's design Samson's parents gave their son a Philistine wife, and it was by the Lord's design that the apostles all lived under the law of Moses, making blood sacrifices and taking vows and keeping holy days, for many long years after the death and resurrection of Christ and after the giving of the holy spirit. This was all done as seemed good to the holy spirit for that time:

Act 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

It was the holy spirit who determined that the Jewish part of the body of Christ could not yet at that time receive the words of Peter right there in Acts 15:

Act 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Act 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Act 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

In a letter to the Gentile part of the body of Christ at that time, the Gentiles were informed that only the Jews needed to keep the law of Moses. But it was also the holy spirit which opened the eyes of the apostles themselves, as a multitude of counselors, to later acknowledge the truth of Peter's words when many years later the holy spirit inspired Paul to affirm Peter's words in Acts 15 in his epistle to the Ephesians:

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:

Both in Acts 15 and in Ephesians 2, along with "the sum of [God's] Word, it was by the multitude of counselors the Lord's purposes were established. It was and it is by that same multitude of counselors that the apostles waged spiritual warfare, and it is only by the multitude of counselors that we have any spiritual safety today.

But if and when we reject the Lord's words, we will be brought to shame, and these are the Lord's words which will keep us from being brought to shame. Three times we are told all the benefits of seeking to know the Lord's mind through "a multitude of counselors":

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

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

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

These are first and foremost words of instruction to the kingdom of God within us. They are instructing us on how we are to establish purposes, make war and keep the Lord's flock safe from the snares of the wicked one. Peter and Paul were of the same mind, and in time, the words of Peter became the words of other apostles.

Here is just how aligned with the mind of Paul was the apostle Peter:

2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
2Pe 3:18 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.

Peter did not align himself with Phygellus, Hermogenes, Alexander and Hymaneaus and Philetus. Both Peter and John heard the voice of Christ in the words of Paul, even though they were a 180 degree change in doctrine.

If we are given to accept the new doctrine of Christ, then we are given to see how the holy spirit has always waited to give greater revelation, which at times contradicted earlier revelation. It is only with this knowledge that we can acknowledge the reformation of our Lord who told Moses "save alive nothing that breathes" and then reformed those words into "love thine enemies". These words were both spoken by the same Lord:

The law of Moses:

Deu 20:16 But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

Christ's new doctrine in "the times of reformation":

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
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;

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.

The congregation, the camp of Israel, was not permitted to handle the holy things of the temple. The camp of Korah wanted to do so to the extent they turned on Moses and Aaron, and would have taken over the leadership of the Lord's people had the Lord not stepped in when He did and made the earth to swallow up those who opposed His ways and those who had opposed the God-given leadership of Israel. That is exactly what has happened in our midst of late. The Lord Himself is working to keep His people from returning to Egypt by giving up their crown of life and denying that the second death has no power over them. It was the Lord who stepped in and brought those heresies out into the open to be swallowed up by the earth.

Here is just how much the Lord, until this very day, distinguishes between those who can enter into the holy place and those to whom that honor is not given:

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

Heresies brought into our midst are simply "they [who] have no right to eat" with us at our altar.

The obvious contradictions in the two Testaments served to help the Jews turn the multitudes against Christ, in spite of all of Christ's miracles and healings. To this day the multitudes hear the gospel, but very few indeed are given to accept a message from a God who tells one generation to hate its enemies and then tells the next generation to love its enemies. In the same manner, the holy spirit led the apostles to keep the law of Moses for many years after the death and resurrection of Christ and then the same spirit had them to reform their doctrine to say the exact opposite and tell the Jewish Christians that they no longer needed to offer blood offerings, pay tithes, keep holidays or consider themselves as in any way being different from the Gentile believers.

It was all foretold by the Lord Himself:

Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

The principle of these words apply to all of us as we "grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord" day by day. The wicked one will have us to believe that we are being carried about by every wind of doctrine when we turn away from the law of Moses, the law of the Gentiles and turn to the law of the Christ and the law of the spirit. Our friends and families will forsake us when we give up the doctrines of the trinity, the immortality of the soul, and its attendant doctrine of eternal torment and all the other doctrines of Babylon. That same evil spirit will also try to convince us that when we make needed corrections in our doctrine, we are being led astray of the adversary. But Christ's sheep know His voice, and a stranger they will not follow.

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

Even when we come out of Babylon we are still facing even more insidious false doctrines, emanating from within our very midst, which are called in the scriptures "heresies", and we are told that they are actually needful for the purpose of manifesting who is and who is not "approved among you":

1Co 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

This brings us to our next verse here in Isaiah:

Isa 32:6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

Heresies appeal to many, as the heresy of Korah and the 250 elders appealed to "the whole congregation, as Korah "uttered error against the Lord" in accusing Moses and Aaron of "taking too much upon themselves":

Num 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
Num 16:2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
Num 16:3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?

How very familiar are the words, "Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?" Is that not exactly what has taken place in our very midst? The faithful among the Lord's people are always accused of the same thing, and it is always justified in the same way... "the congregation is holy, every one of them... why then do you lift up yourselves above the congregation?" This is the exact same spirit which had raised its ugly head in Israel just a few months earlier when Miriam and Aaron had done the very same thing to the Lord in rejecting the leadership the Lord had ordained:

Num 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
Num 12:2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

"The man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth", and yet the accusation against him is the same. Moses is falsely accused of exalting himself above others simply because the Lord did not place the others above Moses.

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram took 250 princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation who were men of renown, and they took it upon themselves to falsely accuse the leader the Lord had given them of exalting himself above the people, claiming that everyone was just as qualified as Moses was to lead the Lord's people. It is obvious that none of these men were perceived by the people as being churlish or evil or guilty of devising wicked devices which would destroy the poor with lying words. Nevertheless, this is exactly what took place when Korah and company falsely accused the leaders whom the Lord had placed over His flock:

Isa 32:7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.

The true shepherds of the Lord's flock are not taken away "with lying words". The net effect of Korah's message was that all the congregation were on the same spiritual level. Does that not have a very familiar ring to it? Is that not the exact same message being foisted off on the Lord's flock by those who want to take our crown and give it to those over whom the second death is given power? Is that not the exact same spirit which teaches us that "the rest of the dead" are sins which still dominate the lives of the Lord's elect who are given to reign with Him during the millennium? Korah and company were promising all of Israel liberty from the leadership of Moses and Aaron who were in reality mere instruments in the Lord's hands to be a very liberal and generous blessing to all Israel.

So it is to this very day:

Isa 32:8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.

The Lord's true shepherds want nothing more than to be a blessing to His flock. We constantly remind you:

2Co 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

We are quick to admonish us all to be aware that the devil is at large and wants nothing more than to rob the Lord's elect of the crown of life they have been given. Notice our crown of life is twice mentioned as something to be highly prized, and not to be considered as something which is being given to just everyone:

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

Just as the Lord distinguished between Moses and Aaron and Korah and company, His promises also distinguish between those who are favored as His people today. Look at what is promised to those whom He gives to overcome the wicked one in this age. Notice carefully what the devil attempts to do to the Lord's flock, and notice also the promises given to those who overcome the wicked one in this age:

Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

In both of these churches, the purveyors of heresy are called "the synagogue of Satan", and we are told they want to take our crown from us. Like Korah saying 'the congregation is holy every one of them', that is exactly the same effect the false doctrine that those in the second death will experience the first resurrection has upon us today. It takes our crown of life and gives it to "every one of them" in the whole congregation of those over whom the second death is given power.

That is exactly what we are told the synagogue of Satan will attempt to do. It is the synagogue of Satan which wants to take our crown of life, and give it to everyone in the second death. I will conclude by pointing out that another thing the synagogue of Satan is doing is denying that we will not be hurt of the second death.

The voice of the True shepherd is a liberal, gracious voice with promises to the overcomers which make the sufferings of this present age pale in comparison to the glory to be revealed in the Lord's faithful elect overcomers of this age:

Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

This promise will never be made to those who are hurt of the second death. They will be given life, but they will never know "the glory which shall be revealed in us" if we are those few by whom the Lord "in the ages to come [will] show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward US through Christ Jesus".

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

These are just some of the very "liberal" words which are for those who are suffering in "this present time". It is not for those over whom the second death is given power. Truly the Lord intends to show all men of all time just how special to Him are His elect overcomers of this age.

1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
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:

Next week, if the Lord wills, we will continue our study of this 32nd chapter of Isaiah with these verses of warning against the churches which are at ease:

Isa 32:9 Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.
Isa 32:10 Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come.
Isa 32:11 Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins.
Isa 32:12 They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.
Isa 32:13 Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:
Isa 32:14 Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;
Isa 32:15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.
Isa 32:16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Isa 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Isa 32:18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;
Isa 32:19 When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.
Isa 32:20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.

What Does You Are Ever With Me Mean?

Mike Vinson — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 21:10:33 +0000

Greetings Mike,

If the law of circularity is false, then what does the parable of the prodigal son signify?
Secondly, what happens when a person receives Christ considering that man was created in iniquity?

Regards, M____

Hi M____,

Thank you for your questions:
The significance of the story of the prodigal son is that the firstfruits are hated by those who are not firstfruits. In other words, the elder son signifies those who are still in Babylon.
“The first will be last” is the lesson of the the story of the prodigal son. It certainly is not ‘the first shall be first’ as the so called ‘law of circularity’ teaches.
Here is the parable of the prodigal son:

Luk 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
Luk 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
Luk 15:3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
Luk 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Luk 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luk 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luk 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
Luk 15:9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
Luk 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Luk 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
Luk 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
Luk 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Luk 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
Luk 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
Luk 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Luk 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luk 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luk 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Luk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Luk 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Luk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Luk 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
Luk 15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
Luk 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
Luk 15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
Luk 15:29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
Luk 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
Luk 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Luk 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

“You are ever with me” in no way tells us ‘You have always been with me”. That doctrine of circularity, according to these verses, is a lie:

Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

According to the so- called “law of circularity”, Paul is lying to us when he tells us that the first man is of the earth. But Paul is not lying, and the spirit of that doctrine of circularity is the lying spirit in the mouths of all who subscribe to that doctrine.
I hope all these verses of scripture give you Biblical eyes to see the Truth of this matter.
If you still have a question, then please feel free to get back to me.
Your second question was:

“Secondly, what happens when a person receives Christ considering that man was created in iniquity?”

The answer to this question is found in 1Pe 4 where we are told that we begin to have fiery trials which begin the judgment and destruction of the first man Adam within us all. From that point on the old Adam in you and me begins to decrease while the new man begins to increase:

Joh 3:30 He [ Christ] must increase, but I must decrease.
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1Pe 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
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?

Our “fiery trials” are our “judgment” which “begins at us. That “judgment is the keeping of every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God:

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

That judgment is the dying daily, being crucified with Christ, daily, filling up in our flesh what is behind of the afflictions of the Christ, in our bodies for His bodies sake which is the church:

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

All is this is the burning of the first judgment which is lived by all who are blessed to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection:

1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

The first man Adam in all of us has “defiled the temple of God” and will be destroyed by the fire that is the Word of God:

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

We have got to understand that “every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” means that we are all the wood first before we become those who have the fire of God in their mouth:

Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

It means that we are all those who “hurt” God’s witnesses before we become those who have that fire coming from their mouths destroying the old man within us all.
So once again, the Truth is that “All things come alike to all” and there is “one event” to all. That “one event” is this “judgment [ which] begins at the house of God” and tries the works of those who are are destined to be in the blessed and holy first resurrection.

Ecc 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Just realize that this “one event” judgment is a daily dying and a daily presenting of our bodies as a living sacrifice to be crucified with Christ and to fill up what is behind of His afflictions in my flesh for His bodies sake which is the church (Col 1:24) until the day we, along with our Lord, draw our last breath in these vessels of clay.
I hope this has answered your question and that you have a much better understanding of what Christ meant when He old Nicodemus “You must be born again”.

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
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.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

We all “bear the image of the earth” first before we “bear the image of the heavenly”. But we will all do both “each in his own order”.

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

All of this is “what happens when a person receives Christ considering that man was created in iniquity.”
Your brother in Christ,

Mike

When Does Christ Begin to Live in Us?

Mike Vinson — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:36:34 +0000

Hi Mike and Sandi,

Just dropping by to say hello…. and mention something that crossed my mind while reading an article on the website.

Mat 24:3 b: Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

The word ‘world’ as you know, is translated from aion, an age. The coming of Christ means the end of an age. What I understand from this is that for the chosen ones in this lifetime, the aion ends at the moment Christ takes his rightful place within. At that moment we do not longer belong to the people of whom Christ said “let the dead bury their dead”, but we belong to the group who are dragged out of darkness into His wonderful light.

Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Luk 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
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:

The end of the world, of this age already ended for God’s chosen ones the moment God’s grace opens their eyes for His truths. Does this mean that we are home free? Nope, on the contrary… then God will start his burning of our wood, hay and stubble. The moment Christ takes His rightful place is when the burning begins. This is exactly what will happen to the rest of humanity in the second resurrection. Christ (The Word) takes His rightful place, and the burning will begin. You and I know already that this burning only brings forth good, although it is hard sometimes on the inside. The rest of humanity will in time, in that lake of spiritual fire, realize also that this burning is a good thing… a very, very good thing, because when it is finished, we all will be as He is.

Give my best to the family.
Your brother in Christ,
R____

Hi R____,

It is good to hear from you and to share your insights.
Yes, the coming of Christ is the beginning of His fiery judgments within our hearts and minds. The beginning of the mystery of Christ in us is the ending of the mystery of the man of sin who, up to that time, has been standing in the temple of our hearts and minds declaring himself to be God. That is the battle ground, and that is where the torments of that fire rage.

Luk 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

If we felt we had it made, we would not be hoping for salvation. On the other hand, if we are required to remain diligent, sober, vigilant and zealous, then we will continue to hope with confidence that He who has begun a work in us will perform it until the day of the Lord.

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:
Php 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

So “the day of Jesus Christ” is both present spiritually, and it is future dispensationally. We all partake of the same grace… until the day of Jesus Christ. So “the day of the Lord” has both a spiritual, inward, present application, as well as an outward, dispensational, future application for the end of the age.
The phrase “end of the age” itself has both an inward and an outward application, and both are valid and essential to understand if we believe in a consummation of the ages.
Most people will never understand the inward application at all in this age and will never understand how Christ could say:

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

These “nations” are all seen only outwardly by the multitudes who come to Christ and not as inward “powers and principalities”.

Eph 6:12 Because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world- rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual [ forces] of the wickedness in the heavenlies [ or, heavenly [ realms]]. (ALT)

That is where the nations and rulers reside to whom we must take the gospel before the end will come. The multitudes of Christianity simply are not yet given to see or hear these spiritual matters. So they are dumbfounded by Christ declaring that the generation in which He lived would not pass until all these things were fulfilled, including the gospel going to all nations, and the end of the world.

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.

What does this mean? It means that even though ‘the mystery of God… Christ in you the hope of glory… should not be finished… until the seven plagues of the seven angels is fulfilled’, nevertheless, the opening of the seven seals and the blowing of the seven trumpets are all part of and must precede the fulfilling of the seven plagues of the seven angels.

Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27 T o whom God would make known what [ is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Rev 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

So while Christ is already in us in “earnest” and we are “saved by hope” and while we are even now His Sons, we still look forward to “the redemption of the purchased possession”.

1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

So “we are Sons now”, and He is living in us now, and yet “it does not yet appear what we shall be”. In other words, the reason the seals, trumpets and vials are so closely and inseparably connected is because they are all those words which “are, were and will be” and which will “gather us all together” in sharing the one mind of Christ”, and they are those words of Christ which “will never pass away.”

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.
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.

When is all of this “near, even at the doors”? It is always so, because Christ’s Words do not pass away. You are right in that the burning out process does not begin until Christ comes into our lives, but that is simply a matter of perspective. Again, this is the fact of the matter even for those who are unaware of the chastening they are receiving at the hand of God:

Luk 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Hag 2:17 I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye [ turned] not to me, saith the LORD.

I hope this helps you to see that the groaning and travailing is being experienced by “the whole creation”, while only a few are given to understand and benefit from understanding the hope these birth pains gives us and the purpose for the pain we all endure.
Your brother in Christ,

Mike

Aionian Life is not Eternal

Mike Vinson — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Dear Mike

I just recently talked with a friend about Universal Salvation and he is really excited. After talking with him about certain scriptural and philosophical aspects, I directed him to sites such as J Preston Eby, and of course, your site to understand the doctrine and other subjects that surround it. I was hoping you could explain to me Mat 25:46 and how the word aion is used in that passage. I understand it to a degree but my friend says it is the only thing he cannot reconcile to fully grasp the Universal Salvation Doctrine. If aion is an age (as I believe it is), then our eternal life that is spoken of is not really eternal. I know that salvation is a process throughout our lives, so being saved should be termed as a duration of being saved, a process of saved if you will. I hope I am making sense. Any thoughts you have on this subject will be greatly appreciated.

Thanx

K____

Hi K____,

You say:

If aion is an age (as I believe it is) then our eternal life that is spoken of is not really eternal.

This is the reasoning of every mind that has been reared with the doctrine that teaches that the Greek word ‘aion’ means ‘eternal.’ I asked this same question when I was first learning that God is a loving Father.

Okay, Let’s look at this verse:

Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting [166- aionian] punishment: but the righteous into life eternal [166- aionian].

Now I am going to assume that you and your friend are both aware of the scriptures that prove conclusively that this word aion cannot mean eternity:

Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? [165- aion-“of the ‘aion.'”]
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 [165- aion- ‘Before the aion began.’]

Now with that fact firmly in mind, let me point out that being resurrected and given life during the aions is what separates the ‘overcomers,’ the ‘few who are chosen,’ from those who do not overcome while still in the flesh. Those who hear the gospel and do not overcome, are what Christ refers to as the ‘many are called.’ The ‘many called’ are not in the first resurrection and are not given rulership while the aions continue. But they are judged and reconciled to God in the ‘lake of fire’ by those who are ruling over them at that time.

Oba 1:21 And saviours [ The ‘overcomers’ who will “judge the world … and angels” (1Co 6:2-3)] shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection [ the “overcomers”]: 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.

But this will all be done during these ‘aions.’

Any connection between our immortality and the end of the aions has to be read into the text by our misinformed doctrines, which have pre- conditioned us to think that aion means eternal. It does not!

If I were to tell you that “God owns the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psa 50:10), am I telling you that God does not own the cattle on hill one thousand one? No, I am not! “The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof.” If I tell you that God is “the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob,” am I denying that He is not the God of Job, David, all the prophets, and you and me? No, of course not! That is absurd.

Likewise, when Christ tells us that the righteous “shall depart into life aionian,” it is absurd to suggest that He is denying them of their promised “incorruption,” or their promised “immortality,” their ‘deathlessness.’ ‘Incorruption’ means ‘not subject to corruption.’ ‘Immortality’ means ‘not subject to death.’ This is the common lot of all men because of the sacrifice of Christ.

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

The second ‘all’ is the same ‘all’ as the first ‘all.’ Immortality, not aionian life, is the common lot of all men whether or not they are “counted worthy” of rulership in Christ’s “aionian kingdom.” Those who receive ‘aionian punishment’ are certainly alive during their punishment. But this is contrasted in the gospels with the “abundant life” given to those who receive “aionian life.” “Aionian life” is opposed to “aionian punishment.”

Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, [ only] until he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

I hope this helps you and your friend.

Mike

Age For Discovering His Truth Varies

Mike Vinson — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the understanding. I’m learning more and more each day. I was taught some of what you said but not broken down like that. It really is true how so many people even me at a point did not look at Christ as something to desire. It’s so amazing how wonderful he is though. Me rejecting him just makes me want to cry because of me loving the world and not my Lord. Thank God he had already separated me from my mother’s womb by his grace to reveal Christ in me. But we now know all the evil he means for good. I used to always be saying to myself “why didn’t he open my heart and eyes at an earlier age; like 10 or 12 and not at 21?” I’m grateful he did open my eyes now because many who think they see and say they see are really blind, so their sin remains. Some will never have such an opportunity in this lifetime to see spiritually, so I can’t complain; just being grateful and with fear and trembling.

Yours in Christ,
J____

Hi J____,

It does appear that what you were taught was often from a spiritual perspective. What seems to be lacking is an adherence to “the sum of God’s Word” approach to scripture, which you are now applying. When we finally do apply that principle, we will also be careful to acknowledge the “will be” future application and not fall into the false, “fullness now” doctrine, which sees no need for our outward life to reflect the fact that there is still an order in the family and in the church, and even in the dispensations of “this world and the world to come.”

Mar 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Heb 2:5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

I used to feel just like you do about learning these things before I was almost 50. But when I finally saw this verse, I realized that God had that all predetermined, and my understanding comes at the exact moment He has already determined.

Psa 139:16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

So take heart. You are very young, and take it from me, there are still many trials and tribulations to be endured in preparation for being counted worthy to rule with Christ “in the world to come”.

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

But never become discouraged because the best time for each of us to understand God’s Word is the time that has all already been decided. So for all those who will not “endure to the end”, there is nothing we can do to change what God has predetermined, and for those who are given to endure to the end, there is nothing in this life that can separate us from the love of God.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I know you already know this, but it is good for us to remind each other of these things.
So God bless you as you come to know Him better with each passing day.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Are We All Blasphemers?

Mike Vinson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000

Mike,

Do you understand why blasphemy against Christ can be forgiven in this age, but against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven in this age?

J____

Hi J____,

Thanks for your question. It allows me to explain how “all things” things past, present and future in Christ, are all ours. This is a two-edged statement, inasmuch as we are all to “live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” What that means is that we live by both the good and the evil which are in the Words of Him who creates both good and evil and has it all written in His book before we are even born.

1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

How is that possible? Here is how that is possible:

1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

… and it is “in Christ” that God does all He does. Including this:

Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

When was all of this done?

Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.

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.

So according to both 1Corinthians 3 and 2Timothy 1, it is all done, and it is all made possible “In Christ Jesus…”

You ask:

… why blasphemy against Christ can be forgiven in this age, but against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven in this age?

Here is the verse in question:

Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

This is just one more verse of God’s word which proves Christ identified himself with His creation as well as with His Father. Christ was “made of a woman, made under the law, made sin.” So blaspheming against Christ’s body of Adamic flesh and blood is not to be compared with blaspheming against the Words of His Father.

Christ calls Himself “the son of man [Greek: son of anthropos],” which is the Greek translation of ‘son of man’. Since “anthropos”, ‘man’ or ‘mankind’ all come from Adam Christ is identifying Himself with those in Adam every time He calls Himself “the Son of Man,” and He is called “the Son of Man” nearly twice as much as He is referred to as the Son of God. This is not because Christ is any less the Son of God, but because it is so difficult for us to believe that the Son of God is also the Son of man (Adam). So while we try to protect Christ from His own words, Christ Himself “is not ashamed to be called our brother” in Adam. In fact the scriptures actually say that Adam “is the figure of Him that was to come.”

Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [ are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Heb 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Heb 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

What is it that “I and the children God has given Me… My brethren” have in common? Here is what Christ had in common with you and me. Here is the reason why you can blaspheme the Son but not the spirit.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

This phrase “son of man” also appears in this verse of Psalms and in another 107 verses in the Old Testament. It is from this oft used Old Testament phrase that Christ takes His title “the Son of Man.”

Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man [Hebrew: adam], that thou visitest him?

What is the distinction Christ is making? That distinction is between Christ’s Words as the words of His Father, and Christ as a man in Adam. Christ’s Words are not His words but His Father’s Words. So it is His Father’s Words of which He is speaking when He tells us:

Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Notice the word “wherefore” which connects these two verses to the preceding verses where Christ is being accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. This is a warning that we are to never make the mistake which was being made by those who were falsely accusing Christ of casting out demons by the prince of the demons, when in reality He was casting them out by the power of the spirit of God.

Demons are unclean and false spirits. Therefore, when we free a person from the bondage of the lies of Babylon, that is a form casting out demons and false spirits. But as long as he continues in those lies he will not be forgiven.

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Denying that Christ was made “the same” sinful flesh is a false spirit which is dealt with by John right here in the very next verse. Denying this Biblical truth is denying what the words of Christ clearly state to be true.

1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the [“same”] flesh [of “the son of Adam”] is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

If Christ was too holy to be in Adamic flesh when He was in the flesh, why would he not be too holy to be in our Adamic flesh now? But Christ was not too holy to humble Himself to take on “not the nature of angels but the seed of Abraham,” even as He now does in our bodies of sinful flesh and blood (Heb 2:14-17).

Notice, too, that the word ‘Holy’ is not in the Greek in Matthew 12:31. It actually reads “but the blasphemy against the Ghost [Greek: pneuma, spirit] shall not be forgiven unto men.” What is the spirit? Yes, it is in the very next verse, but the point is that “the spirit” and the holy spirit are one and the same when speaking of God and His words.

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

Now what are “the words that I speak unto you?” Read Is The Bible The Only Word of God? in the FAQ section of iswasandwillbe.com. Christ’s words begin in Genesis 1:1 and end in Revelation 22:21, and we are strictly warned to use those words to “try the spirits to see whether they are of God… search the scriptures daily to see whether these things be so… and not think above what is written.”

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another [The words “of men” are not in the Greek].

So what part of “the things written therein” are not for us? Are these words of Christ concerning blaspheming the spirit not for us? Here in 1Co 3:20-23 is the scriptural answer apart from all the speculations of men:

1Co 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

The supposed “wise men” of this Babylonian world cannot see how the following words can possibly be true, but “the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain,” and these words are the only Truth.

1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

Who will dare to add to these inspired words ‘except for the blaspheming of the spirit?’ I for one will not “think above what is written.” In Christ we are “all things… life and death… things present and things to come…”, and it is He who “creates good and evil” in us, and yet tells us we “will never die.”

Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

But how can we possibly be both “dead in Christ… buried with Him… crucified with Christ” and yet “not hurt of the second death?” How can we possibly both “lose our life” and at the same time be told that if we believe in Christ, we “shall “never die?” How can we possibly “abide in the wrath of God” and at the same time be “not appointed unto wrath?”

Finally, how can we possibly be both those who do not blaspheme the spirit, and at the same time say that all things are ours, which would include blaspheming the spirit?” The answer to all these seemingly contradictory questions is right here in the very next verse in 1Corinthians 3. Let’s read it all together so we can get in one more apparent contradiction for the supposedly “wise men of this world.” Here is how we all experience and live all things. Here is how all things are ours, all things present and all things to come. Here is how we can be both wise and foolish, unforgiven blasphemers and forgiven blasphemers against the Words of Christ, which are spirit.

1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1Co 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

Let’s all become fools and agree that “if we fall into the ground and die… we will never die.”

Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

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

Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

If we can agree on that, then we should have no trouble seeing through all of what the wise of this world call Biblical contradictions. There is the answer to our dilemma right there in 1Corinthians 3:23. We are Christ’s, and we are “in Christ.” It is “in Him” in whom are all things of which “all things are ours” including being both unforgiven blasphemers of the spirit and forgiven blasphemers of the spirit. Here is how that is done if it is given you to receive these words.

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

Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

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.

The “wise in this world” cannot understand how we can be in Christ or how Christ can be in His Father. However, the man with the mind of Christ has no such problem. By “becoming a fool” he can now understand clearly how he can both “be crucified with Christ” [and yet] “never die”… lose his life to find it… be blind so he can see, abide in God’s wrath, so as not to be appointed to wrath… be a blasphemer who will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come… and at the same time be a forgiven blasphemer who was “chief of sinners” guilty of blaspheming against the words of and the children of God.

1Ti 1:13 Who [Paul] was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

We all do what we do “ignorantly and in unbelief.” We are all merely “clay in the Potter’s hand,” and “of Him, through Him and to Him are all things.” It is all about God’s sovereignty which He insists we all must acknowledge. When we do that, then we are simply “giving an accounting” of all the good and evil that He has done through us. Like Joseph’s brothers, we are not accountable, we simply must “give an accounting.”

Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

The point Christ is making is that if we “give account… of every idle word” how much more will we “give account thereof” for all of our actions?

All Joseph wanted from his brothers was for them to tell their father that they had lied about Joseph’s death and admit to their father that they had sold him into Egypt. Joseph even told His brothers that what they had done was not really them doing it, but it was God who had done it.

Gen 45:3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I [am] Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. [“Tormented in the presence of the Lamb” in Old Testament type]
Gen 45:4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
Gen 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
Gen 45:6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet [there are] five years, in the which [there shall] neither [be] earing nor harvest.
Gen 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Gen 45:8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

“You sold me… now it was not you, but God.” Just one more apparent contradiction for those who cannot see how we can, in Christ, claim that “all things… things present and things to come, are ours” and at the same time be forgiven as blasphemers in this age. Remember Paul’s words concerning himself.

1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

I pray that it is given to you to see yourself as “chief of sinners, as having blasphemed God, as guilty of the blood of all the prophets from Abel to Zacharias,” as guilty of the blood of Christ Himself, and that you can, at the same time, see yourself as cleansed of all sins in that very blood which you and I have shed through God’s sovereign work in us all.”.

1Ti 1:15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The vast majority of all of mankind will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come. We all, like Paul, are blasphemers who, but by the grace of God, “will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come.” For more on those words, go to the FAQ section of iswasandwillbe. com and read the letters under the Unpardonable Sin section of the FAQs. Here is the URL for one of those letters:

Do God’s Elect Partake of the Second Death/Lake of Fire?

I hope this all helps you to find the comfort that is in all these words of the Scriptures.

Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime [including Mat 12:31-32] were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

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

Numbers 8:1-26 The Lighting of the Seven Lamps

Numbers 8:1-26 The Lighting of the Seven Lamps

[Study Aired June 19, 2023]

Studies in Psalms – Psa 147:1-6, Part 1 (“Great is Thy Faithfulness” – Lam 3:23)

Studies in Psalms – Psa 147:1-6, Part 1 (“Great is Thy Faithfulness” – Lam 3:23)

[Study Aired March 12, 2020]

Studies in Psalms – Psa 135:13-21 “Praise ye the LORD” – Part 2

Psa 135:13-21 “Praise ye the LORD” – Part 2

Prophecy of Isaiah – Isa 45:14-25 Part 1 – Every Knee Shall Bow and Every Tongue Shall Confess

Isa 45:14-25 Part 1 - Every Knee Shall Bow and Every Tongue Shall Confess - Discussion

Isa 45:14-25 Part 1- Every Knee Shall Bow and Every Tongue Shall Confess

[Study Aired on September 1, 2019]

Prophecy of Isaiah – Isa 32:1-8 By Liberal Things Shall He Stand

Isa 32:1-8 By Liberal Things Shall He Stand

Isa 32:1-8 By Liberal Things Shall He Stand

Isa 32:1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

Isa 32:2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

Isa 32:3 And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.

Isa 32:4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly. Isa 32:5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.

Isa 32:6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

Isa 32:7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.

Isa 32:8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.

What Does You Are Ever With Me Mean?

When Does Christ Begin to Live in Us?

Aionian Life is not Eternal

Age For Discovering His Truth Varies

Are We All Blasphemers?

Isa 32:4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.
Isa 32:5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.