In this fifth chapter of the first book of Kings, we will look at the story of King Solomon’s anointing to rule over Israel and at the significance of the temple he was given to build. That anointing of the king typifies the unction (1Jn 2:20) that God’s elect have in this age which will make it possible for us, through Christ, to endure until the end and reign in the next age (Rev 20:6).

1Jn 2:20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Our initial temple does not know God (Mat 7:22-23) and cannot see the wretched condition of self-righteousness which just naturally inhabits the temple (Rev 3:17). It is only when God opens our eyes that this spirit defiling the temple of God can begin to be taken and destroyed, which is what God’s judgments are doing in the body of Christ today (1Pe 4:17, 1Co 3:17, Col 1:24).

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:[Joh 17:3] depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

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:

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?

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.

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:

We can answer the question in the title of this study “Know you not that you are the temple of God” if God will permit us to do so, by maturing in Him so we can bring forth fruit that will identify the tree that we are (Luk 6:43-45).

Luk 6:43  For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luk 6:44  For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luk 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

We understand that we naturally defile the temple of God with the mind of Adam (Rom 7:24, 1Jn 1:8) and believe that if God is working with us in this life, that first man Adam will be crushed (Mat 21:44) and overcome through our acknowledgement of what God causes in our lives for our good (Isa 63:17, 1Co 11:31-32, Rom 2:4). We must lose our life in order to gain it, in other words, and the first temple that defiles must be destroyed so the new temple can be formed, the temple which represents the body of Christ we are and that can only be formed through the chastening and scourging process (Heb 12:6) into which we have been called (1Co 3:17, Mat 16:25, Col 1:24).

Mat 21:44  And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [“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” (Luk 18:19, Joh 9:41)].

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.

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. [In order to lose our life we must be granted to see that this flesh is “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind” and that we are continually in need of our hope of glory within us Who gives us eyes to see so we can lose our life for His sake (Col 1:27)].

No one who does not have God’s spirit within them (Rom 8:9) can say they are that temple which represents the body of Christ (1Jn 4:6). Although many naturally want to lay claim to that relationship, it is God alone Who drags us to Christ (Joh 6:44) to purify the temple and make that relationship one that is holy and acceptable through “the beloved” (Eph 1:6, Joh 8:36).

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

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

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

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

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

The natural relationship with which we all start by knowing Christ after the flesh (2Co 5:16) is the important first step that can only advance through judgment, destroying that which still defiles the temple of God which we are. That judgment will befall the rest of the world in the great white throne judgment that will purify the hearts and minds of all of God’s creation (1Co 15:28).

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.

In this study we will be looking at King Solomon and his reign in particular, which is a type and shadow of how the elect who will rule and reign over the kingdoms of this world, setting the stage for the great white throne judgment at the end of that reign which will bring life^G2222 (Rev 11:15, Rev 20:11-13, Rev 20:6).

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.

Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened (Oba 1:21), which is the book of life^G2222: (Joh 14:6, Joh 6:53-56, 1Co 10:16) and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life^G2222: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 6:53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life^G2222 in you.
Joh 6:54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life^G2222; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him (Joh 14:20).

1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (Col 1:24)

1Ki 5:1  And Hiram^H2438 king of Tyre^H6865 sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

The noble [Hiram^H2438] were sacrificed for the elect and “Hiram king of Tyre” represents one of those noblemen with whom God’s elect, represented by Solomon, will work during the thousand-year reign (1Co 1:26).

Tyre means a rock, not the rock that Christ is, but rather the negative example of the word rock which represents the foundation upon which the world puts Christ during the thousand-year reign, rather than the stone being put upon the only true “rock” that can bring lasting peace and life^G2222 our corner stone and rock Jesus Christ (Mat 16:18).

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

Hiram is someone who loves David, typifying the love and adoration that people have for Christ in their flesh, and this statement “Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David” is a shadow for our sakes that explains there will be people like the humble centurion of Matthew 8:8-10 who will have great faith and recognize the anointing which has come upon God’s elect, just like John the baptist who knew Christ, as this man in this section of kings loved David, but even still with all that understanding of Solomon’s father, he, like the centurion and John the baptist, is yet carnal and the least who have God’s spirit within are greater than these men because of that indwelling of God’s spirit which is typified by the statement “they had anointed him king in the room of his father” (Mat 11:11).

Mat 8:8  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
Mat 8:9  For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Mat 8:10  When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Mat 11:11  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Christ tells us with this story in Matthew 8:8-10 that great faith is accompanied with an understanding of God’s plan, but faith in God’s plan is not enough. We must be anointed as kings and priests, typified by Solomon’s anointing, to follow through and accomplish the work of God, which is what is happening to God’s elect as our faith is tried with fiery trials in this life that is precious to God for that reason (1Pe 1:7, 1Pe 4:12).

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

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:

1Ki 5:2  And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
1Ki 5:3  Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

What amazing order there is in God’s plan, and these verses reflect that order of salvation once again. It’s Solomon who typifies God’s elect who “sent to Hiram” just like that centurion we read of earlier who had people under him doing his bidding, and what Solomon tells Hiram is this: “Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God“, reminding us that David, who was a type of Christ when he was on this earth, did not convert anyone, did not “build an house unto the name of the LORD his God“, leaving humanity in that vain condition of not truly knowing God and Jesus Christ until the comforter was sent (Psa 127:1, Joh 16:7, Joh 17:3).

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

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

David, who typifies Christ, could not build a house unto the name of the LORD his God “for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet” (Psa 47:3, 1Co 15:27). God does not need the approval of the world to “choose our inheritance for us”. In other words, the elect whose inheritance it will be to rule the nations that are under us is what “until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet” means (Mat 19:28).

Psa 47:3  He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet [Rom 12:4].
Psa 47:4  He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

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.

Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

These wars, “for the wars which were about him on every side“, represent the wars inside us that only Christ can conquer through the power of God’s holy spirit “until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet“, meaning the powers and principalities that Christ is far higher than (Eph 6:12, Eph 1:21) will be overcome when God’s holy spirit is given (Joh 8:36-38, Rom 8:37-39).

Initially we’ll be dominated in our thinking by the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, being yet carnal (1Jn 2:16, 1Co 3:3), and all our labours will seemingly be in vain not being able to build a house that is going to contain true worship in spirit and in truth. However, if God has determined from the foundation of the world that we overcome by His holy spirit, the comforter which is sent will lead us into all truth, and our continuing in it and enduring to the end through Christ will lead to our salvation (Joh 4:23, Joh 8:31-32, Mat 24:13).

David typifies Christ who does not build any spiritual house [converts no one] while in the flesh, but when Solomon reigns, who is a type of the elect, greater works than these are then accomplished as Christ promised would happen first within the body of Christ and then one day when the rest of humanity will be saved by God’s elect who will be blessed to judge and bring God’s creation to perfection in the second resurrection (Oba 1:21). Those in the second resurrection will not marry “neither marry, nor are given in marriage”, but they will be witnessed to by those who have married Christ, which is where “the power of God” is being manifest in our lives today (Joh 14:12, Joh 5:20, 1Co 6:3, Mat 22:29-30).

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.

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Joh 5:20  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

Mat 22:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Mat 22:30  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

1Ki 5:4  But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

Because we are as Christ was on the earth, we will also build a house during the thousand-year reign that will not bring about any conversion, just as none of His disciples in Christ’s life were converted after spending all the time He did with them teaching them, sowing the seed (1Jn 4:17, Joh 14:26). That house is the natural relationship that preceded the spiritual one Christ had with His disciples, just as our relationship with the world during the symbolic thousand-year reign will be the natural relationship that precedes the spiritual (1Co 15:46), when all the carnal-minded temples of mankind will be torn down and made anew in the lake of  fire (Joh 2:19, Jer 18:4, Joh 12:24).

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 [now and during that reign].

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

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

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

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.

God will give us, His elect, “rest on every side” during this reign (Rev 20:6) as Solomon was granted during his reign, and that rest for us is typified by these words: “God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent“. However, that superimposed rest will be taken away when the adversary is “loosed a little season” (Rev 20:3).

Rev 20:3  And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

1Ki 5:5  And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.

Solomon purposes to build a house unto the name of the LORD, and yet we know that “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps”, as God did with Solomon whose steps were directed of the Lord for our sakes. David, who typifies Christ, did not build that house, just as Christ did not convert any soul during His ministry on earth (Pro 16:9, Jer 10:23, 2Co 4:15).

All things are for our sakes for a specific reason and that is so “that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God”. The story we are reading of this temple being built by Solomon is a type and shadow of the work that God will give the body of Christ to do through that period of time we will, Lord willing, rule and reign as kings and priests under Christ (Rev 20:6).

Solomon’s reign is typical of the reign of God’s saints on earth which will be like the time of the seven churches of Asia that are yet carnal and that are rich and increased with goods but not able to see the sin of iniquity within themselves (Rev 3:17, Rev 1:4). The only temple that will have been cleansed and measured by Christ is the body of Christ which comes to see the fullness of that relationship of being cleansed in the first resurrection (1Co 13:12). That temple is typified by the temple Zerubbabel built, and that Christ is building today in His elect (2Co 6:17, Zec 4:9-10, Hag 2:23).

1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; [Eph 1:14] but then face to face: [Rev 20:6] now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
Zec 4:10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

Hag 2:23  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet^H2368: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts [Eph 4:30, Exo 28:21, Luk 15:22].

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Exo 28:21  And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet^H2368; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

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:

God’s elect are the first to be able to worship God in spirit and in truth (Joh 4:24), and this is possible because of the promise of Christ who is typified by David who knew that it was his son Solomon, who is a type of the elect, who would build the temple upon the desire that was in David’s heart, who is a type of Christ.

The desire to build that temple was put there in Solomon as it was in Christ and his Christ by God (Joh 4:23, Joh 5:30, Joh 15:5) who “seeketh such to worship him”, and Christ was consumed for the temple as we are consumed for God’s temple today. The consummation of our age within this temple that cannot inherit the kingdom of God, being flesh (1Co 15:50), is typified in the story of the prodigal son who comes back and is given “a ring on his hand”. God’s elect must experience and overcome with God’s holy spirit, as was typified by the story of the prodigal son, making it possible for us to bring the rest of humanity home to our heavenly Father (Joh 4:22-24).

Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
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.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Christ did not begin building the church until He was resurrected and sent the spirit on pentecost, and He is building it upon the rock within us, our hope glory within, Jesus Christ (Col 1:27). “Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name” is telling us this very thing; that God’s elect are seated “upon thy throne in thy room“, which is what it means to be raised in heavenly places where we are seated in order to fulfill God’s will on this earth, which is to build the church that the gates of hell won’t prevail against (Eph 2:6, Mat 16:18).

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

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.

When we come to know that we are the temple of God, then in like manner as Christ, we will be demonstrating the fruits of our Lord that will have us visiting the fatherless  and widow in their affliction and remaining unspotted from this world (Jas 1:27). The tree that is known by its fruit is something that must take time to grow and mature.

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at how many trees were sacrificed for the elect’s sake so “that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God”.

1Ki 5:6  Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
1Ki 5:7  And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.
1Ki 5:8  And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
1Ki 5:9  My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
1Ki 5:10  So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
1Ki 5:11  And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
1Ki 5:12  And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
1Ki 5:13  And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
1Ki 5:14  And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.
1Ki 5:15  And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; 
1Ki 5:16  Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
1Ki 5:17  And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
1Ki 5:18  And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

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“The House of Prayer” – Part 4

Vessels of mercy

Posted September 28, 2014

In the previous three studies we have covered a range of considerations when learning how we are to pray, when we are to pray, and why we are to pray according to the new man in us.

In the first study we covered who the “house of prayer” is and the many things we are to do as being this house or temple of God.

In the second study, we covered the contrast of the “house of prayer” with those which are the “den of thieves”. Of course, we have all been the den of thieves any time we take the Word of God and turn it into the idols of our hearts.

In the third study, we covered the biblical admonitions of how not to be as the hypocrites are and how to pray in a closet to be rewarded openly of our Father. We also covered how to pray without ceasing and how this is a lifestyle change, being the new man in downpayment and how we are to live out our “life of prayer”.

In this final part of the series, we are going to see how we are not left comfortless and how we have a champion praying on our behalf. With the comforter on our side who can be against us and prevail?

“Can anyone be against us”

I am going to start off reading some familiar verses to all of us, but I am going to read it out of the CEV translation.

Rom 8:22  We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth.
Rom 8:23  The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children. This means that our bodies will also be set free.
Rom 8:24  And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping.
Rom 8:25  However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it.
Rom 8:26  In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.
Rom 8:27  All of our thoughts are known to God. He can understand what is in the mind of the Spirit, as the Spirit prays for God’s people.
Rom 8:28  We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,
Rom 8:29  and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children.
Rom 8:30  God then accepted the people he had already decided to choose, and he has shared his glory with them.
Rom 8:31  What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?
Rom 8:32  God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else?

We have the Spirit praying for us in ways we cannot understand. The conclusion of the matter we are talking about in these verses we read is that God is on our side, and no one can be against us.

It may seem obvious, but if someone is against us, isn’t it the Lord Himself who has placed them against us?

Wasn’t it Joseph’s brothers who were against Him? Wasn’t it Saul against David? Wasn’t it Haman against Mordecai?

Likewise, isn’t it the Lord who has placed in us the law of sin which so easily besets us? Hasn’t the Lord sent an adversary to reign in our mortal flesh to be used to tempt us all our days?

How, then, do we gain victory in such adverse conditions?

We pray! We pray believing we will receive ACCORDING to the Lord’s will. We pray that the Lord’s will is merciful upon us. Only, we are not ALONE in prayer!

We are a HOUSE of prayer. We are wood, hay and stubble. We are brick, mortar and stone. We are also a temple which cannot be made with hands.

We have been shaped in inquity and conceived in sin, but we have also been shapened into a vessel of honor meant to be USED in our Father’s house with all sins washed away. We are NOW vessels of mercy!

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Rom 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Rom 9:22  What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Rom 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24  Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Rom 9:25  As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Rom 9:26  And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; THERE shall they be called the children of the living God.

Eze 16:9  Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

There was a time that the Lord looked upon our old man, which we were all created naturally to be, and told us that we are not His people, but NOW we are vessels of mercy.

I say to you, vessels of mercy, what is your calling in Life? What are your prayers now, and do you believe in their power? Do you believe?

Rom 9:29  (CEV) Isaiah also said, “If the Lord All-Powerful had not spared some of our descendants, we would have been destroyed like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.”
Rom 9:30  What does all of this mean? It means that the Gentiles were not trying to be acceptable to God, but they found that he would accept them if they had faith.
Rom 9:31  It also means that the people of Israel were not acceptable to God. And why not? It was because they were trying to be acceptable by obeying the Law instead of by having faith in God. The people of Israel fell over the stone that makes people stumble,
Rom 9:32  (SEE 9:31)
Rom 9:33  just as God says in the Scriptures, “Look! I am placing in Zion a stone to make people stumble and fall. But those who have faith in that one will never be disappointed.”

I know I have read a lot of verses already today, but I am hoping they grip the strands of your minds and stir up in you a mindfulness of WHO YOU ARE in Christ Jesus.

We have been given a Spirit, a comforter, which prays on behalf of us. Knowing the Lord says He sends such a comforter to us, we should have confidence in our petitions to the Lord.

I hope you all understand that I am not saying we always get what we want when we pray. What we get is what is appointed for us to receive according to the Lord’s will.

The adversary we are facing tells us that prayer doesn’t matter. The adversary that screams from the rooftops to us is the adversary who will show no mercy to you.

However, we are vessels of mercy and vessels of honor to the Lord. His honor is made manifest when we pray to Him in Faith. We must believe we will be answered in order to be acceptable to our Lord.

When we pray without faith are we heard by the Lord?

Pro 28:9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

It is easy to conclude that this is talking about the law in the letter or the law of Moses, but I am supposed to tell you that we are dealing with a different law in the spirit.

Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom 3:27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom 3:28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Gal 6:1  (CEV) My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don’t be tempted yourself.
Gal 6:2  You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand.
Gal 6:3  If you think you are better than others, when you really aren’t, you are wrong.

Now, we see there is a law of faith and a law of Christ (the anointed). What are we to do with this liberty found in Jesus Christ and the Faith of Jesus?

Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jas 1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jas 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Where this all fits into prayer is that we are commanded to be doers of the Word, and we are told to pray and how to pray. Important to remember though is that we have the Spirit praying for us, making intercession for us in ways we do not even know to pray for ourselves.

A simple way to understand the concept of having intercession made for us is to consider that when we pray for something, it may not be for our spiritual good to receive the things for which we prayed. However, we know the spirit will pray according to the will of God and pray on our behalf.

This should give us bold confidence that we are doing what we are commanded to do when we pray “thy will be done”.

We are to pray and worship in spirit and truth, and we know the Words spoken by the Lord are Spirit.

So then, it is important for us to understand that we can be heard by the Lord when we worship Him in prayer.

When we do this, we are directly countering and working against “another Jesus” in us all. Yes, we all have another Jesus which constantly wants to have us look away from the real Jesus who has come in the flesh…. NOT OF THE FLESH.

1Jn 4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh 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.

2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

How then, do we worship and have our prayers be heard? We must “hear the law” and do it.

Again, we must do the opposite of Proverbs 28:9.

Pro 28:9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Here is worshipping in Hebrew:

H7812
shâchâh
BDB Definition:
1) to bow down
1a) (Qal) to bow down
1b) (Hiphil) to depress (figuratively)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself
1c1a) before superior in homage
1c1b) before God in worship
1c1c) before false gods
1c1d) before angel

Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive root
Same Word by TWOT Number: 2360

And here is worshipping in the Greek:

G4352
proskuneō
pros-koo-neh’-o

From G4314 and probably a derivative of G2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): – worship.

G4314 means to be toward or against (as in close to something, right against it) and G2965 translates to “dog”, as in 2 Peter 2:22.

2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog^G2965 is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Anyone having ever owned a dog or having seen a dog and its master can relate to just how much a dog loves its master.

It is unfeigned, it is unconditional and it is unwavering. That love is ALWAYS there.

We are told in Hebrews to BOW, which would be the relation by which slaves and masters would understand one another.

We are told in Greek to be as a dog, which is ALREADY lower than the master while standing on all fours, and to lick and reference the HAND of our Master.

This is how we worship. We worship this way only in Spirit and Truth. When we worship in spirit and truth, we are doing so by reading and hearing the Word of God and mixing that with Faith.

We worship in spirit and truth as a dog who loves its master simply because He is our Master.

This is the importance of prayer in our lives and how it is we are to pray.

When we pray in this manner and keep our mind focused on the will of God, we will be vessels of mercy and honor to the Lord.

Who can be against us when we pray in such a way? We are the house of prayer which the Lord alone has setup.

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Study Aired April 1, 2012

Job 15:1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
Job 15:2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
Job 15:3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
Job 15:4 Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.
Job 15:5 For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.
Job 15:6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
Job 15:7 Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills?
Job 15:8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
Job 15:9 What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us?
Job 15:10 With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.
Job 15:11 Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?
Job 15:12 Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,
Job 15:13 That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth?
Introduction

Eliphaz asks Job, “Have you heard the secret of God?” The Jews sought to stone Christ because Christ said that God was His Father’s Son. There is nothing that will make you more hated by more people than for you or me to say that we know God and we know the voice of the True shepherd and we know the Truth. Is it really possible to know the Truth, the voice of the True Shepherd, and thereby know God?
According to the mother of the orthodox Christian world, Pharisaical Judaism, and according to the orthodox Christian world, it is not possible to know that you know the Truth. But what do the scriptures themselves teach us concerning this question “Do you know the secret of God?”
Here are Christ’s own words in answer to this question:

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

Joh 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

In his first epistle, the apostle John is not shy about telling us that he too, knew the Truth and was able to ‘try the spirits’ to see whether they were of God and His Truth:

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.

All who have the spirit of Christ within them will automatically “try the spirits to see whether they are of God” because all who have the spirit of Christ living within them will know His ‘voice’, His words, and will have no problem “knowing the spirit of truth and the spirit of error”. Such confidence they have that they will have no hesitation saying with the apostle John:

1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Christ and His words are the standard for what is and what is not 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 Truth.” He said “I AM… the truth”. Now if you and I claim that we know Christ, then we are saying we “know the Truth” and have been set free by that Truth, which is Christ within us. If we deny that we know the Truth, or if we say with the whole world that it is impossible to know the Truth, we will be denying Christ and saying with Peter “I know not the man”.

Mat 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Like Peter, we all live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. At our own appointed time, we all deny our Lord. By condemning God, Job in type, is denying Christ, even though he has never heard of Jesus Christ. What is the automatic result of denying Christ?

Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

When we say we do not and we cannot know the Truth, we are admitting that we do not know Christ or His Father and that we do not therefore have life eternal:

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

Such an ambivalent, fearful spirit will always lead us all in time to the ‘fire’ which will burn that timidity out of us. Peter, as a type of us all, felt those flames burning up the “wood, hay, and stubble” that was still in him the night he said he did not know the Man who told us “I am the… Truth”. Here is where saying we do not know the Truth will lead us all:

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.

Christ, who is the Truth, has promised this to all who would be His disciple and who would walk in His steps :

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.

Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Nothing will bring persecution and hatred upon a disciple of Christ quicker than for that disciple to affirm that he knows God and His Son, that he knows the secret of God, and that he is able to try the spirits to see whether they are of God and whether their words are the words of the true shepherd. Here is why they do so. The reason why is right here in the very next verse:

Joh 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Those who “know not” God will always tell you that you cannot know God or the Truth of His Word. This is made so clear as we see how both Job and his friends confess that they do not know the secret of God. The thought that one might think he knows more than any of the others will bring the wrath of all down upon the one who thinks he knows the truth or “the secret of God”. Bildad speaks for them all when he says:

Job 8:9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)

This 15th chapter is the second time we have heard from Eliphaz. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar have all had their turn attempting to show Job that he is a sinner who is obviously a worse sinner then they are. After all, it is Job who is suffering, and it is reasoned that God afflicts only sinners.
Even the disciples of Christ were of that same judgmental spirit.

Joh 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

The disciples of Christ, are also types of us while we believe the doctrines of Babylon, because Babylon teaches us that mankind responsible for his own sins.
So both Job and his ‘friends’ who think so little of him are types of us as we compare ourselves among ourselves in the wilderness of Babylon.

2Co 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

“Comparing ourselves among ourselves is not wise”, and yet that is exactly what we find ourselves doing through the types and shadows of Job and his friends. Instead of asking, “What is ideal according to scripture”, Job and his friends keep telling each other “I’m just as well informed or more so than you”. There is absolutely no edification for either side in such childish comparisons, nevertheless, this is who we are while we are dividing Christ and comparing ourselves among ourselves as Babylonian denominations of men do.
Look at how childish we appear:

Eliphaz:
Job 4:6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
Job 4:7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. [ Job]

Bildad:
Job 8:1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
Job 8:2 How long wilt thou speak these things? [ Job] and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
Zophar:
Job 11:1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
Job 11:2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should [ Job] a man full of talk be justified?
Job 11:3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
Job 11:4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
Job 11:5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

What is Job’s answer to these three men?

Job 12:2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
Job 12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

That 12th chapter is what we say to those who dare accuse us, when we know we are very righteous, Babylonians who have done “many wonderful works…”

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?

This is the second time Eliphaz tries to convince Job and all of us, that misfortune falls only upon those who commit particularly egregious sins. His target is Job of course. Eliphaz, who is showing us more about ourselves in this situation, is much more direct and aggressive in his attack upon Job’s assumed sins in this second time around. With absolutely no evidence of any particular wrongdoing on Job’s part, this is what Eliphaz has to say to ‘comfort’ his friend Job:

Job 15:1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
Job 15:2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
Job 15:3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
Job 15:4 Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.

Eliphaz does not call Job’s words in his own defense ‘lies’. What he does call them is “vain knowledge”. It is interesting that the Hebrew word translated ‘vain’ is ‘ruach’. This word appears 378 times in 348 verses. Of those 378 entries it is most commonly translated as ‘spirit’. It is so translated in the King Jas 227 times, according to e- sword’s King James Concordance.
The next most common translation is the English word ‘breath’, 27 times, and the word ‘winds’ 11 times, ‘mind’ 6 times, ‘side’ 5 times, ‘spirits’ 5 times, ‘blast’ 4 times, and ‘vain’ only two times. It is translated as ‘air, anger, cool, courage, quarters, sides, spiritual, tempest, whirlwind, [ and] windy’ all one time each.
Job, in the spirit of Babylon he portrays in us, throws this very thought back at Eliphaz in the next chapter:

Job 16:3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?

In that one sense, it becomes clear that none of these men nor Job at this point have any use for spiritual words. Notice how this Hebrew word ‘ruach’ is used in these verses of Ezekiel 11:

Eze 11:1 Moreover the spirit [ Hebrew – ruach] lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD’S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
Eze 11:2 Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city:
Eze 11:3 Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.
Eze 11:4 Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man.
Eze 11:5 And the Spirit [ Hebrew – ruach] of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind [ Hebrew – ruach], every one of them.

How does God “know the things that come into your mind” and mine and the minds of all men of all time? Here is how God does that:

Pro 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Our very thoughts are given to us “from the Lord”, via the ‘ruach’ the Lords sends upon us. For example:

1Sa 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.
1Sa 18:11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

Why did King Saul seek to kill David?

Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Pro 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

The hearts of Job, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, are also “in the hand of the Lord”. All these men are the types and shadows of how our own lives are “in the hand of the Lord”, and are being ‘worked’ by Christ Himself “after the counsel of His own will”.
So it is the Lord who through an evil spirit which has no compassion for Job’s wretched condition, takes Job’s humiliation as an opportunity to castigate him with these words…:

Job 15:4 Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.

… and it is true. We cannot pray to God while we are in the process of ‘contending with, reproving and condemning’ our own Creator.

Job 15:5 For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.
Job 15:6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.

There are many things in life which are true, but not every truth must be uttered before the whole world at all times. When we see our brothers and sisters in Christ in severe straits, or our brothers and sisters who are not in Christ who are suffering severely, the best thing you and I can do at that moment is to simply commiserate with them as we would have them do with us under such circumstances.
God Himself agrees with Eliphaz. His own words condemn him. Job is all of us:

Job 40:1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
Job 40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
Job 40:6 Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Job 40:7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
Job 40:8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

Neither Eliphaz nor we are God, and even if our suffering friends are condemning their Creator, it is not necessarily our place to condemn our suffering friends. There is a time to ‘place our hands upon our mouths’ and simply commiserate with our suffering friends. It is words which are “fitly spoken” which are “as apples of God in pictures of silver”.

Pro 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Nothing is more harmful than the truth when it is being abused and misused by all of us at our own appointed time. If Peter’s sword represents the word of God, just look at how he was abusing that ‘word’:

Joh 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Joh 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Peter, too, typifies us all while we know of Christ but do not yet truly know the fellowship of His sufferings.

Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

While we are following Christ and are “yet carnal” (1Co 3:1-4), we all tend to cut off ears with the sword of Christ’s word. That is who we are as Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.
Eliphaz continues his assault on poor suffering Job:

Job 15:7 Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills?
Job 15:8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
Job 15:9 What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us?
Job 15:10 With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.

So now we can add these barbs by Eliphaz to our list of carnal comparisons of men with men. Let’s notice now how important it is to all of us that no one else knows more than we know. Let’s look again at just how childish we all are at this stage of our walk:

Eliphaz:
Job 4:6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
Job 4:7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. [ Job]

Bildad:
Job 8:1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
Job 8:2 How long wilt thou speak these things? [ Job] and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
Zophar:
Job 11:1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
Job 11:2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk [ Job] be justified?
Job 11:3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
Job 11:4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
Job 11:5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

Job’s answer to these three men is of the same self righteous spirit which keeps them from acting out of love for and commiserating with suffering Job. He tells them sarcastically:

Job 12:2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
Job 12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
Job 13:1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.
Job 13:2 What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

This is the childish fruit of the doctrine of ‘free moral agency’ hidden within a watered down confession of God’s sovereignty, which really does nothing less than deny that God is sovereign over the evils of our ‘free moral agency’. Remember Job and his friends are us as we “look behind us” to see the voice which is revealing all of this to us.

Rev 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

The very thought of someone knowing more than we know is an affront to our self righteous pride:

Job 15:8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
Job 15:9 What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us?
Job 15:10 With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.

Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar loath the very idea that Job might think that he knows more about God than they know. Job had been more highly regarded than they before his destruction:

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Job 1:2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
Job 1:3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Job feels the same toward them. What this reveals about us all is that if you or I say we know God and His son, or that we know Christ’s voice and His thought processes, then “Ye shall/ br />

Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

This world does not know God. They will tell you straight faced that you cannot know the Truth, and if you say you can and that you do then the world and its leaders will want you dead.
So have we “heard the secret of God”? Has that secret been revealed to you and me, but hidden from the multitudes who claim to be believers in Christ? What is the truth concerning this question posed by Eliphaz?

Job 15:8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

What do the scriptures teach us concerning this question?

Mat 13:9 Who hath [ been given, verse 16] ears to hear, let him hear.
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.
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
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.
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

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:

But Bildad, as the world within us, tells us that we know nothing and cannot know the truth:

Job 8:9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)

Eliphaz agrees telling Job that there are those with them who are older than Job’s father:

Job 15:9 What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us?
Job 15:10 With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.

But length of days does not equate to spiritual wisdom or having the mind of God. The scriptures actually tell us that God has revealed his secret to babes, and has kept it hidden from the wise of this world.

Mat 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and suckling s thou hast perfected praise?

Contrary to how Eliphaz thinks, this is what the scriptures teach about those who seem to be so prominent in this world:

1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
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.
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

That is what the scriptures reveal concerning what is given to God’s elect in answer to Eliphaz’s question:

Job 15:8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

So the answer to Eliphaz is Yes, we have “heard the secret of God”, and while we have not “restrained wisdom to ourselves… we [ do] speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory“.

Job 15:11 Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?
Job 15:12 Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,
Job 15:13 That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth?

“Are the consolations of God small with thee?” Eliphaz apparently thinks that his words, and the words of Bildad and Zophar, falsely accusing Job of imagined sins, is God’s words of consolation for Job. Yes, it is true that Job is just as carnal at this point as any of his “miserable comforters”. but this whole discourse has served to demonstrate that mankind, you and I, resent anyone who has been given favor by God to know “any secret thing.”
It was Able’s good standing with God that cost him his life, and the same murderous spirit was barely restrained by twenty pieces of silver, to sell Joseph instead of killing him, simply because his father loved him more than any of his other children:

Gen 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
Gen 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

“When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him”.
That is the spirit that is being displayed in all of these men, including Job, himself, who insists that he is as knowledgeable and anyone, and is inferior in knowledge to no one, even as he condemns his Maker. This is the spirit that was in the Jews and the Pharisees in Christ’s day, and this is the spirit with which God’s elect always have and always will be living if ever they dare to proclaim that they “know the Truth”:

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Joh 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Conclusion

So there is a reason why Christ has fairly warned all who will follow Him:

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.

It is the claim of simply knowing Christ and His Father, of knowing what is and what is not Truth, that will cause this world to want to stone us:

Joh 10:23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
Joh 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
Joh 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
Joh 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Joh 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Next week, if the Lord wills, we will hear a little more of Eliphaz as he “comforts” his friend, Job.

Job 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
Job 15:15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
Job 15:16 How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?
Job 15:17 I will shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare;
Job 15:18 Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it:
Job 15:19 Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.
Job 15:20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.
Job 15:21 A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
Job 15:22 He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.
Job 15:23 He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
Job 15:24 Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
Job 15:25 For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.
Job 15:26 He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:
Job 15:27 Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.

Hi Mike,

I read your document and found it very compelling, but have a question as to what you believe the nature of Jesus Christ is. Do you believe in the dual nature, and so believe that Jesus is God? I have recently come out of the belief in the trinity, and have some thoughts on this, but would be very interested in hearing what you believe. Thank you in advance for your time.

J____

Hi J____,
Thank you for your question.
You ask:

I… have a question as to what you believe the nature of Jesus Christ is. Do you believe in the dual nature, and so believe that Jesus is God?

I am not certain what “dual nature” means, but to answer your question directly, yes, Jesus is God, as He said:

Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Joh 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Joh 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
Joh 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Joh 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
Joh 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
Joh 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

So yes, Christ did have a “dual nature”, in the same sense that we all have a dual nature when once we are “sealed with the holy spirit of promise”, and we too take on the “divine nature”.

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.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

But the difference between Christ, who never sinned, and us, who do sin, is that Christ was not given the spirit “by measure” whereas we are all given a “measure of faith”.

Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
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.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Christ doesn’t claim to be God the Father, from whom He came.

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

Christ said, “If He called them gods… say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?”
Before Christ came into this realm of death, we are told in Joh 10:36, that His Father “sanctified and sent” Him here, and since we are also told…

Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

… it is therefore clear that even before Christ came to this earth, His Father was “greater than [ He].”

Joh 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

This explains why Christ’s defense for claiming to be God’s son was ‘Ye are [ also] ‘gods’, so why are you upset with me for saying that I too, am a son of God?’
Notice He says in Joh 10:30, “I and my Father are one”. If indeed there were a third person of equal rank in the Godhead, Christ just gave him a slap in the face by totally ignoring him. But of course such is not the case. There is not one word of scripture to establish the holy spirit as a separate individual in the Godhead. The use of the pronoun “he’ is no more reason to say there is therefore a third person than Christ saying His words “are spirit”.

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.

Does the fact that Christ’s words “are spirit” make them a separate person from Christ? What an absurd thought! But it is no more absurd than calling “the holy spirit of God” a separate person, simply because Christ personifies that spirit with the pronoun ‘he’ while explaining to His disciple how He, Christ, will be with and in them all after His death and resurrection.

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

“My Father… ye… and ye in Me”. No mention of another part of the god head. Again, Christ Himself denies such a doctrine:

Joh 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

The trinitarians argue this was true only while Christ was in the flesh. But as we noted above, it was the Father who “sanctified” and “sent” Christ, before He was in the flesh. Besides all of that, the scriptures reveal that the holy spirit is simply “the holy spirit of God”.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The scriptures also reveal that even now God the Father is “the head of Christ”, and Christ is not “co- equal” with His Father.

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
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.
Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Joh 16:15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

So the “comforter… spirit of Truth” is the Father’s spirit which He has given to Christ to give to “reveal… the Father… to whom the Son will reveal Him”.

Luk 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

Father and Son, but where is the holy spirit? Well, again, here he is:

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

That is where and what “the holy spirit” is. It is “the holy spirit of God”. But notice that the word ‘holy’ is not capitalized by the King James translators simply because they are blinded by their false trinitarian doctrine, and to capitalize the word ‘holy’ here would reveal their false doctrine.
So is Christ now equal with His Father, now that He is no longer in the flesh? Absolutely not. Many years after Christ’s death and resurrection we are told this about Christ’s relationship to His Father, now that He is back in a body of spirit:

1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Christ’s head is God, His Father. God is not Christ’s Father simply because Christ came in the flesh. The Father is said to be “the Father of spirits”:

Heb 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto t he Father of spirits, and live?

So Christ was “of… the… one God, the Father… the Father of spirits”, before He ever came into this dying realm of the flesh. That is why He tells us plainly that He is “the beginning of the creation of God [ His Father]:”

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Let’s get it all together and see what we have:
Christ was “sanctified… and sent” of His Father.

Joh 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

He tells us “My Father is greater than I”…

Joh 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

… and He tells us He is “the beginning of the creation of God”:

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Add to all those Truths the fact that He “subjects” Himself to His Father at the end of the ages:

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.

That years after His resurrection from the dead, we are told that “the head of Christ is God”:

1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

That the holy spirit is said to be “the holy spirit of God”:

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Then we, with Christ, must agree that He is “the son of God” in the very same manner that “Ye are gods”.

Joh 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
Joh 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
Joh 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

 In conclusion we must also agree with the apostle Paul that:

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

The word ‘by’ in that verse is the Greek word ‘dia’, and it means ‘through’ Him, through Christ.
I hope all these verses of scripture serve to make clear how the scriptures reveal the godhead to us. They reveal that Christ was “the beginning of the creation of God”, “the image of the invisible God”, created by His Father, who we are told is “the Father of spirits”, and that then “in… by… [ and] through Christ” all the rest “of the creation of God” came into being and “consists… in [ Christ]”:

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

“It please the Father”. If indeed there were a “third and equal” member of the godhead, both Christ and His apostles missed every opportunity to reveal that to us. But this all just serves to reveal clearly that there is no such thing as a trinity, and it also reveals clearly that Christ is the “image of the invisible God”, and no “image” is the actual thing it portrays.
Your brother in His service,
Mike

[Audio added October 5, 2021]

Dear Mike,

How are you? Hope things have been good with you! I am having doubts about whether or not I am one of the elect! I understand the Bible studies and all the lessons on the site when I read them, but when I read the Bible itself, I don’t get the same understanding unless you’re spoon-feeding it to me. This has me very concerned. Where am I in my life? If you are always interpreting everything for me, is that really me understanding it?

In Christ, D____

Hi D____,

Thank you for your honest question. You say:

“I understand the Bible studies and all the lessons on the site when I read them, but when I read the Bible itself, I don’t get the same understanding unless you’re spoon-feeding it to me. This has me very concerned. Where am I in my life? If you are always interpreting everything for me, is that really me understanding it?”

The first thing I want to do is congratulate you for reading the Bible itself, at least enough to realize that you don’t understand it without the study notes. Reading the Bible for yourself is the first step to becoming able to understand the spiritual symbolism that is part of the very nature of scripture:

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.

Christ here is telling us that HIS words are spirit. The words of Herod or the high priest and the scribes were not spirit, but all of Christ’s Words “are spirit”, and if you and I speak for Him, then we have to be careful to repeat His words or else our words will be no better than Herod’s, the high priests and the scribes. Here is how we should be speaking:

1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

“The demonstration of the spirit and of power” is not great physical miracles. That is not what is being said here by the apostle Paul.

John the baptist performed no miracles at all, and yet this is what the scriptures say of John:

Luk 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Paul was not referring to physical miracles when he gave the Corinthians this admonition concerning the fornicator in their congregation:

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.

“The power of Elias, [and] the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,” are both referring to “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit…”

What is being said when Paul says that his words were “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” is that Paul’s words are the same as Christ’s words. That is why He says:

1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

I have witnessed you discern a false spirit, and I saw you withstand that spirit, and you did not need my help to do so. I have no doubt that if I were to tell you that you should go fight for God and country, you would withstand me also. So don’t make the mistake that Korah and 250 of the most popular leaders in Israel made, along with Miriam and Aaron just a few week earlier, and compare yourself with others. It is God who has set teachers in “His body, the church.”

You are exactly where God wants you at this moment. Don’t become discouraged because you are not yet a spiritual giant who can expound the deep spiritual meaning of every word of God. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging your need for a teacher. That is the very lesson we are given in the example of the Ethiopian eunuch:

Act 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
Act 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Act 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Act 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Act 8:30 And Philip ran thither to [him], and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Act 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him [and “guide him”].

What a wonderful humble attitude to have! “He desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him” and give him guidance in the scriptures.

That is the very attitude Christ is looking for in you and in me. He actually insists that we “humble ourselves… and become as a little [teachable] child” before we can enter into the kingdom of God. That is the very attitude which will make you “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

So instead of allowing the Adversary to enter in and make you doubt your standing with Christ, turn this experience around and simply “become as a little child” and do what that Ethiopian eunuch did, and be thankful for what God has given you through your brothers and sisters around you who are following Christ. That was the attitude taken by that Ethiopian eunuch:

Act 8:34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Act 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Act 8:36 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Act 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Act 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

Be thankful for what you have been given, and “go on your way rejoicing” in its nourishing abundance.

Continue to read the studies, and continue to have a Berean attitude. Try the spirits to see whether they be of God. That is the proper positive attitude to have. Look at how John words this admonition:

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.

Yes, “many false prophets are gone out into the world,” but John does not say ‘To prove they are not of God.’ Instead he says “to see whether they ARE of God.” That was the attitude with which the Bereans examined the teachings of Paul and Silas:

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.

Like you, these Berean converts were not receiving the revelations God had given Paul and Silas, but they were “searching the scriptures daily, whether these thing were so.”

I hope this helps you to be grateful for what you have been given, and I hope this will help to keep you from “comparing yourself” with others who might seem to know more than you at this time. It is not the great scholars who are promised greatness in the kingdom of heaven. It is the student who “humbles himself and becomes as a little child” who receives the promises.

2Co 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2Co 10:13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

There is nothing wrong with needing a teacher. The body of Christ needs teachers, and they have been placed in His body by God.

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

You are an inspiration to many more than you know. Be thankful that you have been given a teachable Berean attitude. Search the scriptures daily to see whether these things be so, and with the Ethiopian eunuch “go on your way rejoicing.”

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Hi Mike,

Again I must say thank you to yourself and your wife and family for all the effort you go through to answer our questions.

I was reading one of the e- mails you have responded to and posted on your site, and it contained this verse.

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.

Now I have seen this verse many times, but since reading and learning from your site this verse has caused me some confusion. My question was going to be: why are the 99 left in the WILDERNESS?

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?

My carnal mind is screaming out: NOT me. I’m not going to leave 99 sheep out in the WILDERNESS just to find one that is lost. That’s silly, while I’m out looking for the lost sheep, wolves could get in among the flock, killing and maiming some in my herd and scattering the rest into smaller herds (Churches). Or some could just wander off and become lost sheep themselves, or again split into many herds eating the grass that is sweetest to their own taste. So to my carnal mind I don’t see the benefit of saving one to lose many. So “WHAT MAN OF YOU…” well, not me and not any farmer I know. And if they did go looking for the lost sheep, they certainly would not leave the 99 in the wilderness. They would bring them back to a corral or something like that or get another shepherd to look after them.

So I decided to try and think like Mike would as I have heard him many times on the audios.

So who are the sheep… ME

Who is the shepherd … Christ.

So “WHAT MAN OF YOU…” .. it can be only Christ, “my words are spirit”

But that’s all external and Mike said everything has an internal or self application, so what is it? Well, if it’s internal then the sheep have to represent false DOCTRINE and the lost sheep then becomes a true DOCTRINE and the Shepherd then becomes ME. Wait, I’m not going to leave my 99 sheep to save one! The carnal versus the spiritual.

Luk 15:5  And when he hath found [ it], he layeth [ it] on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Why does he lay it on his shoulders? Why doesn’t he let it walk and guide it? Is he afraid it will get lost again or hurt? Well, two things strike me about this; one is the sheep (ME outwardly) is being carried (a nice way of being DRAGGED) back to the flock. Secondly, I have the image of the man made of gold, silver, copper, iron and clay. Now where is that sheep or true doctrine being carried? Around the neck so it’s below the gold head but resting on the silver shoulders. This to me reinforces that the sheep represents a true Doctrine of GOD. I have many images colliding in my head right now with that connection and I’m unable to explain them all, but I’m seeing the Gold as representing Christ (incorruptible and pure Doctrine) while the Silver is God’s Elect and true Doctrine being given to them. The Gold head also represents God giving the Sheep (Christ) to the elect the Silver shoulders. The rest of the flock make up the other metal components of the metal man and false or corrupted doctrine. And internally to me what does it mean? This is the hardest part – applying the scriptures to myself. Well, I’m the shepherd, and I have found a true doctrine and I’m not willing to let it go. I will chase or follow that one doctrine until I have it secured and safe; losing or risking all my other doctrines to do so.

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.

Notice in this verse when he finds the sheep he does not take it back to the 99 in the wilderness. He takes it home and calls his friends and family to celebrate. Strange… What about the 99 now lost in the wilderness? This guy won’t make a good farmer. Anyway, I can see how this applies to me; wrong – I can’t see; I have been shown how this applies to me. I don’t know how many times I read Mikes e- mails and read were he tells us not to go out and tell others what you have learned unsolicited. I read it lots, but of course like the man above, as soon as I found a truth in God’s word that was shown to me, I raced out to share it with as many people as I could thinking they would all see and feel the same way I did about the doctrine of God. And Mike was right. They didn’t get it because they don’t have eyes to see or ears to hear at this time. So I can see how the above verse applies to me. I have received a true Doctrine of God and I want to share it with all.

Well, Mike, I started this e- mail to you to ask a question, but I think while typing this message someone has shown me the meaning. I’m not comfortable with saying I may have already been shown the meaning as I’m not convinced yet that I have been given eyes to see or ears to hear as there is still a lot of sin in my life.

Well, God bless you all and keep safe.

O____

Hi O____,

It is gratifying to me to see that God is giving you eyes that see spiritual matters through the physical words of scripture.

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Do not allow the Adversary to make you doubt what God is doing in your life simply because “there is still a lot of sin in my life.” If we had to be completely sinless before God started opening our eyes, then none of us would even begin to understand the spiritual lessons behind Christ’s parables. We must start somewhere, and God’s work on our behalf starts with us all while “we are yet sinners.”

Rom 5:6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

So it is “sinners… without strength… lost sheep… in need of a physician… and blind from their mother’s womb” in whom Christ begins His work.

The story or parable itself is never the point of any of Christ’s parables. The story is physical, but the point is spiritual. If this is not so then Christ would be commending all “unjust stewards,” who rip off their master’s possessions. But the unjust steward is not the point. What is the point is the ingenuity, foresight and resourcefulness of the unjust steward. He saw the inevitable future and took the necessary steps to prepare for that inevitability. The unjust steward is plainly labeled a “child of this world.” The only thing we should have in common with the unjust steward is our desire “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”, and to do what is necessary to be prepared for our inevitable trials.

Luk 16:8  And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

It was Jacob, God’s elect in type, who stole Esau’s blessing and who tricked Esau out of His birthright. We are not to steal or trick anyone out of anything, but that story does tell us that unseen promises should mean more to us than red pottage which can be seen.

Gen 25:30  And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red [ pottage]; for I [ am] faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
Gen 25:31  And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
Gen 25:32  And Esau said, Behold, I [ am] at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
Gen 25:33  And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
Gen 25:34  Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

That story is a parable of how we should value the things of the spirit. It is not an example of how we should go about obtaining them. Now the image you reference is the image of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream concerning the various kingdoms of the beast:

Dan 2:28  But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
Dan 2:29  As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came [ into thy mind] upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
Dan 2:30  But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for [ any] wisdom that I have more than any living, but for [ their] sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
Dan 2:31  Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness [ was] excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof [ was] terrible.
Dan 2:32  This image’s head [ was] of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
Dan 2:33  His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
Dan 2:34  Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet [ that were] of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
Dan 2:35  Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
Dan 2:36  This [ is] the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
Dan 2:37  Thou, O king [ of Babylon], art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
Dan 2:38  And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
Dan 2:39  And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
Dan 2:40  And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all [ things]: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
Dan 2:41  And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
Dan 2:42  And [ as] the toes of the feet [ were] part of iron, and part of clay, [ so] the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
Dan 2:43  And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
Dan 2:44  And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [ but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Dan 2:45  Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Dan 2:46  Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

“That you might know the thoughts of your heart,” means that we must all come to see ourselves for the beasts that we are. So the gold and silver of that image represents the gold and silver of  Babylon.

Rev 18:11  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
Rev 18:12  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

It is of utmost importance that we realize that Babylon also has “gold, silver, and precious stones, within her. But her gold is cankered and it is used to cover idols of the heart instead of the doctrines of Christ.

Having said all of that, all of your analogies to the true and positive applications of gold and silver are very scriptural. Christ and His doctrines are our ‘golden head,’ in the stead of the image of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Every one of your analogies used the positive application of the words you deal with, but there is no iron or iron mixed with clay, in Christ. But His feet, which mean, His walk, or His life in us, is “as brass in a furnace.”

Rev 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

The “brass, as if they burned in a furnace” is not silver or gold because it is Christ in our bodies of sinful flesh. This is the five brass sockets of the five pillars of the first door of the tabernacle. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom so it is typified by “brass in a furnace,” of fiery trials, judging us and purifying us and transforming us as we enter into the tabernacle, where we are transformed into the silver and gold which we see within the door of the tabernacle, in the temple of God, as the four silver sockets upon which the four pillars of gold stand, between the holy place and the holy of holies. Salvation is a process that goes on and grows “from glory to glory.”

Exo 36:36  And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim [ wood], and overlaid them with gold: their hooks [ were of] gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.
Exo 36:38  And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass.
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.
2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Scripturally we are all dust, changed into lead, then tin, then iron, then copper (mistranslated in KJV as ‘brass’), then silver, and finally into pure “tried in the fire” gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [ that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

All metals are purified by fire, which typifies all the trials of life.

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:

These “fiery trials” are common to all men, and all men first build with inferior materials, as they “live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
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.
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.

Your application of the symbols of scripture is right on. Do not be discouraged that you are still struggling against the flesh and the principalities that feed upon your flesh.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [ places]. [ Greek, ‘the heavens’ of our hearts and minds].

Be patient and endure to the end. “All things [ including your doubts and trials] are of God.”

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
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:

He is doing His work in your life, and He is doing it on His schedule. He that endures to the end, and overcomes will be made a pillar in the door of His temple through which all of mankind will come to God.

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.

It is the greatest honor which can be bestowed upon mankind, and the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which will be revealed in us.

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.

Your brother in Christ,

Mike

Hi mike,
Hope you and your family are well. I was just watching the easter celebrations on the T. V. and wondering as I watched their joyous faces worshiping, how most of them are entwined in Babylon. Are we not to worship in spirit and in TRUTH (Joh 4:23). I guess what I’m asking: is all that mass showing out and backslapping preaching to the masses acceptable to God? I suppose it’s part of my maturing that I no longer am part of all that. It all just was a show for the itching ears brigade.
Thanks Mike.
J____

Hi J____,

Yes, we are to worship in spirit and in TRUTH. But in spite of all the talk about love and truth, there is neither one in Babylon. It has been replaced with mere rhetoric. “Love thine enemies” will not be tolerated in Babylon. And the Truth of God’s sovereignty over both good and evil will not be tolerated in Babylon. Confessing to God’s sovereignty is to dethrone the beast, and the beast receives his power and great authority from the dragon. And the dragon will not be dethroned without an earthshaking struggle.

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.

That is plain language and yet it is so very few who are willing to be “separated from their brothers in Christ. “We need to just all love one another” is what they say. And they say it for the purpose of annulling words like these:

Deu 33:16 (b) … Let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.

“Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” has been replaced with “Love is all that matters.” And this is the argument in our own midst all too often. Heb 6:1-2 is not written in vain. Eternal judgment is but milk, and yet it is as far as most want to go. Separation in any real sense is just not comfortable.
Joseph knew that his brothers “hated him and could not speak peaceably unto him.” And yet when his father sent him to check out how his brothers were doing with their father’s flocks, Joseph’s words were “Here am I.”

Gen 37:8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
Gen 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
Gen 37:10 And he told [ it] to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
Gen 37:11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Gen 37:12 And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.
Gen 37:13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.
Gen 37:14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
Gen 37:18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
Gen 37:19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
Gen 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

Christ tells us the rest of the story in the parable of the evil husbandmen:

Mat 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Mat 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
Mat 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Mat 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
Mat 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Mat 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Mat 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Being separated and hated is just simply more than most in this time are able to bear. It has not been given to them. Let us pray that we are able to be “separated from our brothers” and receive the blessing of Joseph.
Mike