Spiritual Significance of Numbers – The Number Fifteen

[Study Aired February 22, 2026]

If fourteen signifies spiritual  progression towards spiritual completion, then fifteen, being fourteen plus one, signifies the fruit and the outcome of that spiritual progression toward completion. The number one signifies unity in “the holy spirit of God” (Eph 4:3, 30). When the unity of the spirit is added to our spiritual progression, we are given the outcome of the work of the holy spirit in our progression.

Fifteen is three fives. Three signifies process, and five signifies grace through faith. Here are the links to the studies on those two numbers:

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-spiritual-significance-of-numbers-number-three/

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-spiritual-significance-of-numbers-number-5/

When the process of judgment, signified by the number 3, is multiplied by 5, God’s chastening grace through faith, the product of those two numbers or ‘factors’ is our salvation which that judgment of chastening grace through faith produces:

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith [5x 3]; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God [plus 1]:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship [#1], created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God [#1] hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Now we will look at where this number appears in scripture beginning with the Old Testament. The first appearance of this number is:

Gen 5:8  And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.
Gen 5:9  And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:
Gen 5:10  And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:

Eight hundred is a multiple of 8, the number of new beginnings and the new man. Fifteen is a multiple of 5 which signifies grace through faith. Enos was of the line of Seth, whose name means ‘instead of’. Eve named him ‘Seth’ because she said that God had given her another son “instead of Abel…”:

Gen 4:25  And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

The “eight hundred and fifteen years which Enos lived after he begat Cainan point to the salvation which will come out of all the work which the Lord is doing, including the flood of Noah who was a grandson, five generations removed from Seth, Enos, and Cainan.

There were ten generations from Adam to Noah, as recorded in Genesis 5. The lineage is:

– Adam
– Seth
– Enosh
– Kenan [Cainan]
– Mahalalel
– Jared
– Enoch
– Methuselah
– Lamech
– Noah

The next time we see this number fifteen concerns how high the waters of the flood of Noah prevailed above the highest mountains of that time.  The fossil-rich sedimentary layers found at Everest’s summit… marine fossils, trilobites and crinoids, demonstrate beyond any doubt that the peak of Mount Everest was once under the ocean, not the towering mountain it is today.

Here is what we are told about how high the waters prevailed over the highest mountains of that time:

Gen 7:18  And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.
Gen 7:19  And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
Gen 7:20  Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.

The height which the waters prevailed above the mountains has a message of hope for those who can see and receive it. Three fives signifies the process of salvation “by grace through faith” (Eph 2:8-10).

The height of the curtains on either side of the gate of the court was to be 15 cubits:

Exo 27:14  The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
Exo 27:15  And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.

15 cubits is 22 feet high or 6.7 meters. That is the height which signifies the sacred boundaries with which the Lord keeps the adversary and our own rebellious carnal mind, “the law of sin in our members”, from robbing us of our reward.

The fifteenth day of the first month is the first day of the Days of Unleavened Bread, and the fifteenth day of the seventh month is the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles:

Exo 12:5  Your [Passover] lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
Exo 12:6  And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

The fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover. The next day is the first day of the Days of Unleavened Bread, the fifteenth day of the first month:

Lev 23:5  In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S passover.
Lev 23:6  And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

It is the fifteenth day of the first month that signifies the day when we begin to put sin, signified by leaven, out of our lives. This fifteenth day signifies the beginning of our deliverance from the power of “the law of sin and death… in [our] members”:

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [This “law of sin in my members”]
Rom 7:25. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

This fifteenth day signifies the time in our life when we begin putting sin out of our lives. It signifies the day when “the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus” begins to deliver us from “the law of sin which is in our members” as a result of the experience of evil the Lord has given every man to humble us by that experience of evil which we cannot of ourselves overcome.

Here is the very next verse in the book of Romans:

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

The Truth of Romans 8:2 is signified in the Old Testament by the first day of unleavened bread on the fifteenth day of the first month. It was on that day, the fifteenth day of the first month, that Israel came up out of Egypt and was delivered from Egyptian slavery, signifying our deliverance from “the law of sin in our members [by] the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” The concept of deliverance is definitely connected to this number fifteen.

King Hezekiah was delivered from a deadly affliction and had 15 years added to his life.

2Ki 20:1  In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
2Ki 20:2  Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,
2Ki 20:3  I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
2Ki 20:4  And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
2Ki 20:5  Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
2Ki 20:6  And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

This story of Hezekiah demonstrates how this number 15 is associated with deliverance, but it also demonstrates an association with the Lord’s compassion and mercy. Fifteen is three fives, and the number five signifies grace through faith. Therefore, this number fifteen signifies the progression and deliverance of the work of grace in our lives, as this story of Hezekiah’s deliverance from this deadly sickness and having 15 years added to his life, demonstrates. Here again are the links to the studies on the numbers 3 and 5:

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-spiritual-significance-of-numbers-number-three/

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-spiritual-significance-of-numbers-number-5/

In demonstration of the Lord’s mercy on our sins, and His deliverance from those sins, the prophet Hosea bought back his unfaithful wife for 15 shekels of silver:

Hos 3:1  Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.
Hos 3:2  So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:
Hos 3:3  And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.

Hosea 3:1–2 signifies God’s willingness to restore us to Himself, in spite of our spiritual infidelity.

The number 15 is the sum of the first five natural numbers (1+2+3+4+5 = 15), signifying the sum of the work of each of those numbers. I will briefly review each number at this time, and I will include the links to each study on each of those numbers:

One signifies unity in the spirit of the Lord:

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-spiritual-significance-of-numbers-the-number-one/

Two signifies the witness of Christ and His Father, the witness of the Old and New Testaments, and the witness of the two witnesses:

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-spiritual-significance-of-numbers-number-two/

Three signifies process, especially the process of the three steps in the revelation of Jesus Christ, the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven vials:

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?s=the+number+three

Four signifies the whole of whatever is under consideration:

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-spiritual-significance-of-numbers-number-four/

Five signifies the fruit of the work of the Lord’s chastening grace through His faith:

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-spiritual-significance-of-numbers-number-5/

The sum of these first five natural numbers is this number 15 which signifies the fruit of the work of the sum of the work in our lives of what these first five numbers signify. 1+2+3+4+5=15.

God miraculously delivered Israel’s firstborn from the death angel just as Passover began after sunset (Nisan 14). Then, 24 hours later (just as the sun was setting to begin the fifteenth day of Nisan, the first month of the year, the children of Israel began to leave Egypt (Exodus 12:40 – 41). This night is referred to as the “night to be much observed”:

Exo 12:41  And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
Exo 12:42  It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.

I asked my Brave search, ‘How many years passed between the first Passover and the Passover of Christ’s betrayal?’ and this is the answer I was given:

“The first Passover occurred in 1451 B.C., according to the Biblical Timeline, marking the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. The Passover of Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion is traditionally dated to 30 A.D. or 33 A.D., depending on the chronology used.

“Using the 30 A.D. date for Jesus’ crucifixion:

From 1451 B.C. to 1 A.D. is 1,451 years.
From 1 A.D. to 30 A.D. is 29 years.
Total: 1,480 years passed between the first Passover and the Passover of Jesus’ betrayal.

“Thus, approximately 1,480 years had passed from the first Passover to the Passover of Christ’s betrayal.” (End Quote, Emphasis is AI’s)

I am not quoting AI as scripture, and I am not asserting those figures as being exact. However, they do give us a general idea of how many years passed between the two ‘nights to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing [us] out of Egypt.’ The ‘night to be much observed’ for the eleven apostles who had just vowed to die with Christ, just before they left Him to His fate to save their own skins, and to show us what we also are of ourselves, began that very night when Judas betrayed Christ, and it extended until the day of Pentecost, fifty days later, when Christ Himself, via His Father’s spirit, entered into each of them and gave them the strength and resolve which carnal flesh and blood of itself simply does not have. The apostle Paul’s ‘night to be much observed’ began on the road to Damascus where the Lord demonstrated in a very graphic way just how blind and helpless this great ‘slaughter of the saints’ was in his own power. Each of us and every saint who is, was, or will be will experience his own ‘night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing us out of Egypt’ and giving us His own power over ‘the law of sin in our members.’ This time in our lives is signified by the fifteenth day of the first month:

Num 33:3  And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.
Num 33:4  For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.

Not one person in a million is given eyes to see that coming out of Egypt necessitates that we acknowledge that we were in Egypt and we are part of and a slave to Egypt. Not one person in a million is given the spiritual eyesight to see that the death of the firstborn of Egypt signifies the death of our own firstborn ‘old man… the first man Adam.’ It is a very trying time in our lives which Christ refers to as being ‘dragged to [Himself] by His Father’s spirit’:

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw [G1670: ‘helkuo’, to drag] him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Exo 12:40  Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
Exo 12:41  And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
Exo 12:42  It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.

It was fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar that John the Baptist’s ministry began:

Luk 3:1  Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
Luk 3:2  Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
Luk 3:3  And he came into all the country about Jordan,  preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

Repentance for the remission of sins is the first of the six milk doctrines of Hebrews 6. Repentance is the very first step we take toward our deliverance from the sins of our rebellious, carnal-minded old man:

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

The number fifteen is mentioned regarding redeeming a person who is “sixty years old and above”. This is what we are told:

Lev 27:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev 27:2  Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation.
Lev 27:7  And if it be from sixty years old and above; if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

Both the metal silver and the number 5 and its multiple of three, signify the Lord’s work of delivering us from the law of sin in the members of our rebellious carnal-minded old man.

I will close with Paul telling us that he spent 15 days with Peter when he first returned to Jerusalem, after his conversion and three years of preaching the gospel in Damascus.

Gal 1:13  For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Gal 1:14  And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Gal 1:15  But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
Gal 1:16  To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen [G1484: ‘ethnos’, Same Greek word translated as ‘Gentiles’ in Acts 15:7]; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Gal 1:17  Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Gal 1:18  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Gal 1:19  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

Paul spending fifteen days with Peter, as with “all things” (Eph 1:11), was a work of the Lord who already knew that Peter would later be given the honor of being the first apostle to take the gospel to the Gentiles as he reminded the “apostles and elders” at the Jerusalem conference of Act 15:

Act 15:5  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
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. [Not ‘they as us’]

These two men, Peter and Paul, were the most prominent characters in the New Testament in taking the gospel to the Gentiles. Spending 15 days with Peter gave Paul time to share the story of his conversion and the calling Paul had been given with Peter. Here is what The Lord had a man named Ananias to tell Paul when he came to give Paul back his physical sight, which the Lord had taken from Paul for three long days when he struck him down on the road to Damascus:

Act 9:13  Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
Act 9:14  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Our deliverance from the law of sin in our members comes only through “suffering for [Christ’s] name sake.” “All things work together for good to them who love God and are the called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). Clearly that includes the fifteen days Paul spent with Peter when he first returned to Jerusalem after his three years of preaching the gospel in Damascus.

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The Spiritual Significance of the Holy Days, Part 4

The Third Holy Day:  The Day of Pentecost

 [Study Aired September 5, 2025]

Lev 23:15  And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
Lev 23:16  Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
Lev 23:17  Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.
Lev 23:18  And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD.
Lev 23:19  Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
Lev 23:20  And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.
Lev 23:21  And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
Lev 23:22  And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.

Before we get into our study on the spiritual significance of the Day of Pentecost, let’s remind ourselves what all these holy days are intended to accomplish.

Here are some of Paul’s thoughts concerning the holy days and the law of which they are a part:

Col 2:16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Col 2:17  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Heb 10:1  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

This third feast, Pentecost, and all that is revealed about this feast, signifies “the true tabernacle, the church which is the Lord’s body” with all that is revealed about who we are and all the functions we perform in service to the Lord and the fulfilling of His plan for mankind.

This feast of Pentecost is the day on which the New Testament church was born:

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This is the only feast in all the year when an offering is made with leaven.

Lev 23:15  And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
Lev 23:16  Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
Lev 23:17  Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.

A “meat offering… baken with leaven” was indeed “a new offering” with ‘new’ significance. This is the only day a meal offering was to be “baken with leaven.” That ‘leaven’ in this offering on this holy day signifies the fact that while Christ, our spotless sacrifice, “was made sin which knew no sin”, His body, His firstfruits are not spotless, and they do ‘know sin’ and are all guilty of trespassing against our Lord’s words. That is the spiritual significance of the “two loaves baken with leaven” which were offered only on the day of Pentecost.

This is the only harvest which includes the instructions to leave the gleanings and the corners of your fields for “the poor and the stranger.”

Lev 23:22  And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.

These instructions which make provision for the less fortunate in Israel are mentioned many times in relation to “the fatherless and the widow and the poor”, but this is the only feast where “the poor and the stranger” are singled out for making provision for them.

It was on the day of the first Pentecost after the death and resurrection of our Lord that “strangers” are mentioned as those who heard the gospel of our Lord for the first time:

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Act 2:5  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

Act 2:10  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Pentecost is the only holy day which specifically makes provision for “the poor and the stranger”, for ‘poor’ Lazarus who ate of the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table and for ‘the strangers’, the Samaritan woman at the well, and Cornelius the Roman centurion.

Deu 10:19  Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

This is the only holy day which foreshadows the fiftieth year of jubilee, the year of release when all debts are forgiven and every man returns to his inheritance. This is a ‘blessed and holy’ holy day, because it signifies and celebrates the birth and the work of the ‘Saviors on Mount Zion’ (Oba 1:21).

To begin to understand and appreciate the great spiritual significance of the day of Pentecost, we must first realize that the root number of this holy day is the number five which signifies grace through faith.

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

Here is the link to that study:

The Number Five

The gift of grace through faith is first given to the Lord’s firstfruits. That is why Pentecost is also called “the feast of the firstfruits of thy labors.” Pentecost is the holy day which celebrates those who, with our Lord, are “a kind of firstfruits”.

Jas 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Exo 23:14  Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
Exo 23:15  Thou shalt keep [1] the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
Exo 23:16  And [2] the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and [3] the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
Exo 23:17  Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

Exo 34:22  And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end.

The wave-sheaf offering on the first day after the sabbath during the days of unleavened bread foreshadows and signifies the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our offering being accepted by His Father as first of ‘the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in Christ’:

1Co 15:20  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  

Christ was intended by His Father to be given preeminence in all things including being the first of the firstfruits. He was never intended to be the only ‘firstfruit.’

While there was no leaven in the offering of the wave sheaf, there is leaven in the offering of the firstfruits of the “two loaves” of the Pentecost offering. Both are of “finely ground flour”, but the Pentecost offering is “baken with leaven.”

Lev 23:15  And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; [signifying Christ as the first of the firstfruits] seven sabbaths shall be complete:
Lev 23:16  Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
Lev 23:17  Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.

“The church which is His body” (Col 1:14) is referred as “firstfruits” by Paul and James and John:

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.

Jas 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Paul alludes to himself and other members of the church as those “which have the firstfruits of the spirit”:

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.

He refers to Epaenetus and Stephanas as “the firstfruits of Achaia”:

Rom 16:5  Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

1Co 16:15  I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

Psa 107:2  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

Finally John also calls the church of this present time, signified by the number 144,000, “the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb.”

Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

 ‘The church, which is the body of Christ (Col 1:24) was birthed “when the day of Pentecost was fully come” (Act 2:1). This holy day signifies those who are the first to believe on Christ and who are referred to as “firstfruits unto God and the Lamb” here in Revelation 14:4 and throughout the New Testament where those who are first are always mentioned as being  special to the Lord.

Both Paul and John emphasize the exceptional blessing and favor placed by the Lord upon those “who first trusted in Christ.”

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
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:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11  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.

It is those “who first trusted in Christ” who will come up in “the resurrection of life” and be given to have a part in that “blessed and holy… first resurrection.”

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 [at the beginning of the thousand year reign, (Rev 20:6)]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [at the great white throne judgment, (Rev 20:11-15)]

Pentecost is the only feast to specifically make provision for the fatherless and the poor, both of which signify the New Testament Gentile church which has now become part of the commonwealth  of Israel because Christ has broken down the middle wall of partition between the Jewish and Gentile Christians and has made of both one new man, so making peace (Eph 2:15).

Pentecost signifies the salvation of the church in “this present time” (Rom 8:18), but the counting of seven sabbaths until the morrow after the seventh sabbath signifies the completion of the time needed as carnal babes in Christ, to bring us to true conversion on the day of Pentecost. This is what Christ said to Peter at the Passover meal the night he was apprehended of the Jews at the very beginning of time which is signified by these seven sabbaths which followed the Passover and culminated in the fiftieth day, the day of Pentecost:

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Luk 22:33  And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
Luk 22:34  And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Of course, Peter, who at this stage in maturing signifies us as “carnal babes in Christ”, did deny His Lord during this time of seven sabbaths until the day of Pentecost. Pentecost is Greek for ‘count fifty.’ ‘Pente’ is ‘fifty’, and ‘cost’ is ‘count.’ Seven sevens are required to bring us to acknowledge our part in the crucifixion of our Lord, to deny Him, to weep bitterly in repentance, to live in fear of our lives and to be tried of the Lord who raises up the stormy winds of life, and brings us to our wits’ end, as He did with the apostles during that period of time immediately following the Passover. Before the day of Pentecost and the gift of the holy spirit dwelling within us, we are all “carnal babes in Christ” (1Co 3:1-4), afraid for our lives, worried about what our families and friends will think of us, locking our doors and going fishing to avoid having to witness for the Lord. After the day of Pentecost and having the holy spirit now living within us, we are all as brave as a lion and do not let fear keep us from standing up and confessing that we do indeed know Christ and His Father, and we are not ashamed to say that we are His elect.

It was after Pentecost that Peter and all the apostles were dragged before the Sanhedrin, and this time none of them denied their Lord:

Act 5:17  Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
Act 5:18  And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
Act 5:19  But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
Act 5:20  Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
Act 5:21  And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Act 5:22  But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
Act 5:23  Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Act 5:24  Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
Act 5:25  Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
Act 5:26  Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
Act 5:27  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Act 5:28  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
Act 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

We have no idea how the Lord performed this miracle, but we know He did, and we know these apostles are not the same men who were hiding in fear behind locked doors before the day of Pentecost. Pentecost signifies the giving of the holy spirit, and the holy spirit gives us the mind of Christ who wants nothing but to please His Father and do the things He has given Him to do. Christ was sent to save the world and that the world through Him might be saved:

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Christ, with His Father’s approval has sent us to do what His Father sent Him to do:

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. [“That the world through [you] might be saved… [you in Christ are] the propitiation… for the sins of the whole world”]

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:

It is at Pentecost that we are given our backbone and are given to fear God rather than men (Act 5:29).

This concludes our study on the day of Pentecost. The next step in the Lord’s plan for our salvation is signified by the Day of Trumpets which will be the subject of our next study.

[The next study in this series can be found here.]

Mike,

I hear people, especially church folks, yell at the top of their lungs that they are saved. How can one be saved if one is still sinning? And to be totally cleaned, don’t we all have to go through the “Lake of Fire?” The Bible tells us that all sin. Please clear this up for me.

F____

Hi F______,

I challenge anyone to show me where anyone is already saved.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [ it is] the gift of God:

It is in the Greek ‘aorist’ tense, and it is what we would call the present progressive.

This is always the case in the Greek when it comes to our present spiritual standing. In the first three chapters of Revelation we are told that “he that overcometh…” will I give to “eat of the tree of life” etc.

The only thing offered to those who are not overcomers in this age is death. Salvation in the first resurrection is only offered to “he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.”

If we don’t ‘endure to the end, we won’t be saved.

When it comes to the phrase ‘lake of fire,’ we are never to apply this phraseology to the overcomers.

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.

The second death is ‘the lake of fire,’ and the lake of fire “is for the devil and his angels:”

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

We really need to keep these phrases scriptural. We endure a “fiery trial.”

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:

Yet we are promised that we will not be hurt of the 2nd death which is the lake of fire.

It is indeed the very same fire. But it really is important to maintain a “pattern of sound words.”

I hope I have cleared this up for you.

Your brother,

Mike

Mike,

I have been listening to Martin Zender lately (I’ve enjoyed it) until I came across your website. I do have a question though, and I just can’t seem to get this straight because I keep hearing different verses and viewpoints. Is salvation secured by works or faith of Jesus which he gives to us?

If he provides the faith and the works for us to do, isn’t it all his doing??

Please explain in layman terms thanks

J____

Hi J____,

‘Martin Zender’ sees grace as a dead noun describing Christ’s favor bestowed upon those who He elects to bestow it upon. God’s total sovereignty is the one thing ‘Martin’ has down pat. God really is totally sovereign over all – the good and the evil.

What ‘Martin’ is blinded to is the fact that Paul informs us that “grace chastens us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts” (Tit 2:11-12).

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12  Teaching [Greek: paidueo, chastens] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

We do nothing of ourselves, but a tree is known by its fruit, and if Christ is in us then he in us will “be careful to maintain good works.” If Christ is in us then Christ is what people who know us will see because, He in us will “be careful to maintain good works.” Here are the words of this same apostle Paul in this same epistle to Titus.

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

Martin and the entire Concordant Publishing Concern are, on the other hand, ‘careful that they do not affirm that we should be careful to maintain good works.’ While they say that they are “concordant” and consistent in translating the Bible, the truth is that when James uses the Greek word ‘ergon’ (which means work) they are more than willing to properly translate that Greek word as ‘works’, but their ‘two administration’ false doctrine bias forbids them from being honest and consistent in translating this Greek word as ‘works’ whenever Paul uses that Greek word. After all, according to the false doctrine of two administrations, the Jews are required to produce good works, but those who are “of the uncircumcision” are saved by grace through faith, and through the glasses of that false two administrations doctrine, grace means works have no place at all, not even if we acknowledge that our works are not our own but Christ in us. According to this false and damning doctrine, Paul would not be caught dead telling any one to “be careful to maintain good works.”  So with this doctrine, which in effect turns grace into lasciviousness, here is what the Concordant translators have done with Tit 3:8.

Tit 3:8 Faithful is the saying, and I am intending you to be insistent concerning these things, that those who have believed God may be concerned to preside for ideal acts. These things are ideal and beneficial for humanity.”

What an emasculated way of saying, “Be careful to maintain good works.” Such have they done in all of Paul’s epistles. The Greek word ‘ergon’ is forbidden to be translated as works unless it appears in the writings of the so-called circumcision apostles.

“Our righteousnesses are [indeed] as filthy rags” before God. But when we acknowledge that God is totally sovereign and that any good we do is Christ in us, that is not ‘filthy rags, but is rather a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is our reasonable service.”

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.
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.
Gal 2:21  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The doctrine of two administrations is a damnable lie. Paul never taught that we were not to have good works. He taught the exact opposite:

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

And James never said that works excluded grace:

Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Truth is not to be found in pitting one of Christ apostles against all the other apostles, but that is exactly what ‘Martin Zender’ et. al. do. Truth is only to be found in “the sum of thy word.”

Psa 119:160  The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.

‘Martin Zender’ is a student of A. E. Knoch’s Concordant Publishing Concern. Mr. Knoch teaches the false doctrine of two administrations; one administration for the physical Jews and one for the Gentiles. ‘Martin Zender’ simply does not believe that outward Jews are not really Jews. That is absolute foolishness to ‘Martin.’

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

You ask:

If he provides the faith and the works for us to do.. isn’t it all his doing?

The answer to your question is a resounding, yes!!! It is all His doing. But “we are His workmanship,” in no way conflicts with James’s statement that “Faith without works is dead.”

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.

Anyone who is “living by the faith of the Son of God… will be careful to maintain good works.”

I have a personal acquaintanceship with ‘Martin Zender.’ He has been to my home on several occasions, and we have had this discussion. He simply cannot bring himself to “affirm constantly that we should be careful to maintain good works.” It is all of God, and I love them all. I simply cannot agree when their doctrine is not “the doctrine of Jesus Christ.”

I have already written many letters on this topic, so I hope that you understand that because I receive so many letters that I simply must refer you to what has already been written and is posted on iswasandwillbe.com. Listed below are all the articles on iswasandwillbe.com which deal with these verses of scripture. Please look at this list of letters and pick the ones you think will best answer your question. You might want to start with The Teachings of Paul Versus The Teachings of A. E. Knoch.

I hope this is “in layman’s terms.”

Your brother in Christ.

Mike

What Was Paul’s ‘Thorn In The Flesh?’
Why Serve Christ Now If All Will Be Saved Anyway?
The Teachings of Paul Versus The Teachings of A. E. Knoch
Another Jesus

Dear Mike
As each day unfolds I find myself continuously reflecting on the truth you so eruditely bring to light. And the truth thrills me as line upon line and precept upon precept is brilliantly unwrapped and gifted to me. I feel like a little child when presented with the most precious sparkling treasure imaginable. Indeed you have been blessed with the commission to spend your life on behalf of your brothers and sisters and in my estimation you are doing a brilliant job. I feel blessed beyond measure for finally being permitted to know some of the mystery of the Kingdom of God. I do hope my education continues. GoD willing I too may be given the opportunity one day to serve my fellow man in a small way as you do in such an overflowing way.
I have been following your series on the symbols in the OT and NT as they relate to universal but hidden truths. Color, numerical values and of course simple ciphers characterized by word substitution i. e. ‘lake of fire” for judgment etc. Wonderfully enlightening. But I hunger for more. Have you or are you considering exploring further into God’s hidden meaning by examining biblical names both for place and people as well as considering the ‘mystical” portent of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet? I understand that The Pentateuch was originally composed of contiguous letter sequencing and that each letter has an alpha- numeric assignation. Am I overreaching here? Let me know and as much as it grieves me to pull my hand out of the cookie jar I will do so.
Love you Brother M____

Hi M____,
Thank you for your encouraging words and the gratitude you have for spiritual insights and spiritual vision. I am pleased that you are obviously aware of the need to avoid giving credit to the messenger for the message. Christ is the message and all of His true messengers will always insist that the focus be kept on Him.
Having said that, I am nevertheless grateful for every letter like yours which expresses gratitude for all that we at iswasandwillbe. com are privileged to be the messengers to those to whom it is given to receive the Truths we are so blessed with. I’m as effusive to my Lord as are you. It humbles me to realize the bounty of spiritual food which has been placed before us. We truly are those who are typified by Benjamin:

Gen 43:34  And he took [ and sent] messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
Gen 45:22  To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

‘Five’ is of course but the spiritual symbol of God’s grace and faith in the lives of God’s elect, and ‘three’ always represents the Is, Was, and Will Be process of salvation. Salvation is definitely a process which must be endured to the end:

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

You ask:
” Have you or are you considering exploring further into Gods hidden meaning by examining biblical names both for place and people as well as considering the ‘mystical” portent of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet?”
As as matter of fact I am considering a series on the spiritual significance of names in scripture. Many places are named for events which occurred there as the Patriarchs wandered through the promised land and as Israel wandered through the wilderness. It is all for our edification if we are given eyes to see and ears to hear.
But the names will come after we have covered animals and plants in scripture.
No, I am not considering doing a study on the significance of the numbers of the Hebrew alphabet. I have already covered the significance of the most often used numbers in scripture, so if you feel led to do such a study I would love to see and hear what the Lord gives to you. I tell everyone that I feel like the most blessed person in the world to sit here and absorb what so many of God’s children share with me.
As for your being used of God to share with others, that is the very reason for which we are called. We are all to share with others in whatever capacity we are given to share. Not everyone can speak and not everyone can write, but God uses the weak and poor and blind to confound those with sight and strength and wealth. It took over fifty years to bring me to the point of being prepared to be used in His service, but that was what He had planned for me. There are several young men in our fellowship who are being given much more at an earlier stage in their lives.
Thank you again for your encouraging words. I have no doubt that, in His time, you will be a shining light to many.
Mike

I UNDERSTAND!!
David had five stones (grace and faith) When David killed Goliath with a stone (one- Unity with God), then he could kill him again with the sword (word of God).
David slew his beast. Goliath was his own giant beast!
David was the 7th (complete) son that became the 8th (new man) son. (type and shadow of Christ).
Thanks,
Martha

Thank you Martha,
I think that it is no mistake that we are told that David killed Goliath with both a single one of five stones of grace and faith, and also with the sword of God’s word. They really do work together to get the job done.

1Sa 17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
1Sa 17:51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith…

Mike

Hi Mike,

Do you see grace (which chastens and disciplines) available (accessible) only to those who have come out of Babylon?

Seems to me, those who are under law, false doctrine of Christ, don’t have access to grace. The law hasn’t done its work yet of leading them to the true Christ. They do not have the faith of Christ.

In other words, is grace what brings us out of Babylon, or is grace (the chastening that causes daily death to self) a result of coming out of Babylon?

Seems to me that grace is given to all men, but it is only through faith that it is “accessed”.

Rom 5:2 through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace. (seems if sin no longer has dominion over one, then one is out of Babylon).

Thanks for your time and ministry.

L____

Hi L____,

I have pointed out on many occasions that grace and faith cannot be separated:

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Grace comes only “through faith.” Now, with that in mind, I want you to look at this verse of God’s Word:

Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

We are told “not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought.” And we are told to think “according to the measure of faith.” It is “by grace through faith” that we receive the “deadly wound by a sword” when we first come “to Christ” through the law-keeping “son of the bondwoman” church. That is the “measure of faith” given to us up to that time. But even though we have been “brought to Christ by the law,” even though we are “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints… coming behind in no gift,” we are nevertheless “yet carnal.”

1Co 1:1 Paul, called [to be] an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes [our] brother,
1Co 1:2 (a) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,
1Co 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
1Co 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1Co 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Babylon is “in everything enriched by Him, in all utterance and knowledge.” It is while still in Babylon that “the testimony of Christ is confirmed in us and we come behind in no gift.”

And yet we are told that with all of these blessings, those who are in Babylon are “yet carnal…[with] enmity against God.”

This is “the measure of faith” given to us at this point, and that faith is “by grace.” It is one of the hardest things in the world for us to see how we can come out of Babylon and yet not be part of the “body of Christ, which is His 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:

A letter has just been posted which explains this phenomenon. It is entitled ‘How Can We Come Out of The Church and Still Be In It?’ I will not rewrite that letter here, but you need to read it to understand how “grace is given to all men” and yet men can come out of Babylon and still be carnal.

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 law has done its work of bringing those in Babylon to Christ. Their beast within has received a “deadly wound with a sword.” They have been “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints.” Nevertheless “they are yet carnal.” This is all accomplished through the “many pastors” who will not enter into the kingdom and hinder those who would and make them two fold “more the child of hell than themselves.”

Jer 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

The “gold, silver and precious stones” of Babylon are real “gold, silver and precious stones.” But under the “many pastors” they are cankered gold and they are in need of purification of the fire of God’s Word.

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.

To answer your question directly, grace is available to all men – in and out of Babylon. But it is available only “according to the measure of faith” given to each man.

Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

I hope this has answered your question. Read that paper on ‘How We Can Come Out Of The Church and Still Be In It?’ Then if you still don’t understand how this is possible, drop me another e- mail.

Mike

Thank you Mike, I read tonight 1Co 1-10 again. I would appreciate your prayers, this has been one of the hardest areas for me to “come out of”, the ingrained belief that once we “accept Christ” we still are not there.

It is hard for me to accept (my flesh) that those sanctified in Christ (at least most) will have to go through the lake of fire along with those not sanctified, the non believers. I think I still struggle with the lake of fire as being punishment and unloving rather than God’s love in action. I mean this at a heart level, as I have knowledge of it, but all is a process.

Thanks again, L____

Hi L____,

I’m glad that you are at least struggling with this issue. Here is a scripture you will find helpful in understanding that the lake of fire is a work of grace. Paul is talking to Peter at Antioch when Peter and Barnabas had separated themselves from the Gentiles after having eaten with the Gentiles before. The only reason they were separating themselves was because some other Christian brothers from Jerusalem had come down to Antioch and were telling Peter and Barnabas that the law of Moses forbade them from eating with the Gentiles. This was true. If you believed that anything which has touched a piece of unclean meat was itself unclean, then you would indeed be obliged to separate yourself from eating with people who were comfortable eating unclean meats.

Now you will not find a command in the law of Moses which states clearly ‘you shall not sit down to eat with a Gentile’, but that is the message and force of the laws of the offerings. Any earthen utensil which has ever touched a piece of unclean meat was to be destroyed.

Lev 11:33 And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them [the meat of any unclean animal] falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.

With this understanding of why Peter and Barnabas and all of the Jews who were with them separating themselves from their Gentile brothers at Antioch, look at this admonition which Paul give to Peter “before them all:”

Gal 2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Now it was Paul who also revealed to us that grace comes through faith. Here we see that Paul is telling Peter that “no flesh” (not even Jewish flesh) shall be justified by the works of the law.”

What Paul is telling Peter is that salvation comes only by grace through faith. And this is true for “all flesh”, Gentile and Jew alike:

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

“Grace through faith” is the formula for salvation. And that faith is the “faith OF Jesus Christ.” It is the gift of God to give us His chastening grace through the faith of His Son Jesus Christ. And this will be done just as thoroughly through Christ as death passed upon all men through Adam without consulting any of us as to whether or not we would choose to be “in Adam:”

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

“As in Adam… so in Christ.” Now if two plus two equals four, and it does, then this equation means that just as all men are subjected to “the law of sin and death” and experience Adam’s experience of “doing that which we would not” even so “in Christ, all mankind will experience God’s chastening grace “chastening us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lust and to live godly lives…”

Some few will have this experience of God’s chastening grace while yet in these “marred… vessels of clay,” which Paul refers to as “the body of this death.” But it is God Himself who decided “before the world began” that He would choose these few out of the many He would call. The reason for choosing the ‘few’ out of the many is to use the ‘few’ to bring in the ‘many:’

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.

“God has concluded all in unbelief” not for the purpose of tormenting all for all eternity, but for the purpose of using His elect to also show mercy to the rest of mankind: “… That through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.”

That mercy will be the “free grace” of God’s greatest work of His chastening grace in the experience of mankind. It is called a “lake of fire.” And who is this ‘lake of fire but those who “are like Him” who is a “consuming fire.” Here are the scriptures for these statements:

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.

“We shall be like Him?” Then what is He like?

Heb 12:29 … Our God is a consuming fire.

And who is it that dwells in this “consuming… everlasting fire?” Is it the the wicked who are being tormented for all eternity, as the many called but not chosen “mother of harlots” and her daughter harlots teach? Is that who is to “dwell in” and comprise this lake of fire? What say the scriptures of those who are “like Him?”

Isa 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites [harlots]. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Isa 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

So you see, God’s decision to use His elect to bring in his called is no different than His choosing Christ to bring in His elect. God is not “loving and hugging His mature children while telling his immature children that He doesn’t love them,” as I have been accused of teaching. What God is doing is carrying out a plan which is in line with His own “purpose for the eons” which He sovereignly conceived “before the world began:”

Eph 3:11 in accord with the purpose of the eons, which He makes in Christ Jesus, our Lord;”(CLV)

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,

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

God determined “before the world began” who would receive eternal (eonian) life and therefore who would also receive eternal (eonian) punishment.” Neither, of course, have anything to do with the English word ‘eternity.” Both have to do with the “purpose of the aions.”

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 9:11 For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;

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:

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 [Greek: chronos aionios – times aionian],

I hope this helps you to see the lake of fire in its scriptural perspective. It is not the “mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.” But neither is it the unspeakable monstrosity which the “many pastors” of Babylon have made it out to be. It is a day of giving account for all whom God decided to “hate while they were in their mother’s womb having done neither good nor evil.”

Being “hated of all men” is what we simply must experience if we hope to be in the blessed and holy first resurrection.

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

Yet we must never be ashamed to confess with the apostle Paul what has been granted to us:

Eph 3:8 To me, less than the least of all saints, was granted this grace: to bring the evangel of the untraceable riches of Christ to the nations,
Eph 3:9 and to enlighten all as to what is the administration of the secret, which has been concealed from the eons in God, Who creates all,
Eph 3:10 that now may be made known to the sovereignties and the authorities among the celestials, through the ecclesia, the multifarious wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 in accord with the purpose of the eons, which He makes in Christ Jesus, our Lord;”

If the scriptures are reliable, and they are, then these words are truer today more than ever because we have been forewarned:

2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

“The administration of the secret” is still to this very day “sealed with seven seals” from all but the “seven angels of the seven churches.”

Rev 19:9 And he [the angel] 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.
Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Rev 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Rev 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Let’s simply believe what God has revealed to us about who we are and what is our calling and commission.

Mike

Hi Mike

I have a question

It concerns an email about Carlton Pearson’s doctrine or teaching on universal salvation

I really liked your reply because I’ve been really questioning this whole universal teaching and some things just don’t sit right with me but the scriptures they use are by one man sin entered and by one man obedience came and that we are all in Adam through sin and now we are all in Jesus so because of this they say that Jesus did it all and that nothing we do or don’t do will really matter I mean it’s good not to sin but that all sin is done away with

I hope I am making sense

Also the scripture where Jesus said “If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me” are we all in Jesus I believe we are, and this is what they use, but I have a hard time with all of this. Can you explain this? I know we are under grace, but I also beleive we have a part in it. I know our works are nothing in God’s eyes, but I am trying to put it all together

Thanks, Mike. There’s no rush to answer. I really enjoy your articles.

I was reading the old testament vs the new testament that opened my eyes big time and answered so many questions, and the Holy Spirit really made it fit.

Thanks so much.

J____

Hi J____,

It is good to hear from you again.

The scriptures certainly do reveal that “as in Adam all die SO in Christ shall all be made alive.” Carlton Pearson, Mike Farmer, Harold Lovelace, A. E. Knoch, Gary Amirault, Jeff Priddy (AKA Martin Zender) and many others have come to see this wonderful Truth. What all these men that I have named fail to see is how this is accomplished. They all agree that we are “saved by grace through faith. They all understand that neither the grace nor the faith is of ourselves. What none of these teachers see is what the scriptures reveal ‘grace’ to be. These men are all quick to quote:

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

They are one and all very slow to quote the scriptures that demonstrate how it is that “grace did much more abound.” It is encouraging to me that there are those out there like yourself, who are shown by God’s spirit that there is something vital missing in this ‘Christ did it all for you’ message.

I have written much on this subject, so I am going to take the liberty to simply cut and paste a portion of ‘The Law of Moses Versus The Law of The Spirit’ that shows what the function of ‘grace’ is in the life of a true believer.

“The grace of God… chastens us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world” (Tit 2:11-12).

Yes, the King James Version has “teaching” where I have “chastens”, but while it is true that teaching can involve discipline, “teaching” is not the best word to convey the seriousness with which God deals with “ungodliness and worldly lusts…” Chastening is the scriptural function of Grace.

The Greek is paideuo (Strong’s #3811). It is the same word translated “chasteneth” in Heb 12:6: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth (paideuo) and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” “When we are judged, we are CHASTENED of the Lord…” (1Co 11:32).

This is how “where sin abounds grace [ in the form of corrective chastening] does much more abound” (Rom 5:20 and Rom 6:1 and 2). Anyone who believes that they can come and stay ‘just as I am’, doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘Father’, nor the scriptural definition of grace. “Grace… chastens us [ to] deny ungodliness and worldly lusts…” (Tit 2:11, 12).

We may certainly come ‘just as I am’, but we had better “go and sin no more lest a worse thing (discipline from a loving Father) come unto thee” (Joh 5:14).

Joh 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Not one of the men mentioned above have any personal use for this verse of scripture. They all to a man, believe that this verse tends to ‘rob grace of its power’ as I was personally told. This statement reveals that these folk have not a clue of the chastening function of grace that is revealed in Tit 2:10-12.]

This is surely a ‘wet blanket’ to all those who want only to hear about the outcome of the process of the salvation of all but “not one word,” about the process itself. Unfortunately for these brothers in Christ, there is no way around Mar 9:45 and Heb 12:6. It is ” EVERY SACRIFICE” and ” EVERY SON”. There are NO EXCEPTIONS! The doctrine of universal reconciliation, through a false definition of grace, is just as nourishing to the Adversary as the false doctrines of eternal death or eternal torment. What do we think the word ‘dragged’ means? Chastening IS certainly a ‘dragging’. No child goes willingly and cheerfully to be disciplined.

Mar 9:49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
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.

We are “justified freely by his grace” (Rom 3:24). There is no charge, and there is nothing we can do to earn the chastening and scourging [ of] “EVERY son whom He receiveth” (Heb 12:6). It is given freely. [ And ‘grace’ will always out perform sin simply because God’s chastening is much more than a match for the greatest and most stubborn false prophet or sinner that has ever existed.]

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

The mystery of the gospel that has been hidden for so long is not ‘Christ did it for you’, but rather:

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 To 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:

What is the fruit of “Christ in you?”

Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God [ Christ] dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ [ God], he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit [ is] life because of righteousness.

Christ did not ‘die to the flesh,’ so that we could ‘live in it.’ Christ died to the flesh so that we could “fill up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ…”

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:

The only thing that is “behind of the afflictions of Christ” is to let Him live His life in us.

Also the scripture where Jesus said “If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me” are we all in Jesus? I believe we are and this is what they use, but I have a hard time with all of this. Can you explain this? I know we are under grace, but I also believe we have a part in it. I know our works are nothing in God’s eyes, but I am trying to put it all together.

Here is the answer to that question:

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Here is where all the “inclusionists” such as Carlton Pearson, and all those I’ve listed with him, have missed the message of scripture. To these brothers and teachers of God’s Word, the “called” and the “chosen” are all one and the same. The Truth of the scriptures is that those in the first resurrection are a very exclusive group. It is this exclusiveness that Carlton and all the others so despise, but it is nevertheless the Truth of the scriptures:

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy [exclusively] is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death [ which includes all others] hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

It is ‘the lake of fire,’ that is the ‘inclusive’ part of the gospel. It is in this ‘lake of fire’ that the final part of “If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me” will be accomplished. Those who teach the doctrine of ‘inclusivism,’ one and all, want to ignore all these plain scriptures regarding the difference between those in whom Christ is now, and those who will not be drawn to Christ until “thy sisters Sodom and her daughters” are drawn to Christ. All who have “Christ in them” while they are still ‘in the flesh’ are living His life of “forsaking ungodliness and worldly lusts and living godly lives in this present world,” (Tit 2:10-12).

To these men such talk ‘robs grace of it’s power.’ If only they knew what ‘grace’ is! Please take the time to read ‘Strong Delusion.” That paper points out what the differences between the ‘called’ and the ‘chosen’ are.

I hope this helps to clarify the subject of ‘grace’ and its function in the life of God’s ‘chosen.’

Mike