[Study Aired February 3, 2022]

1Ki 9:1  And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do, 
1Ki 9:2  That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 
1Ki 9:3  And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. 
1Ki 9:4  And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: 
1Ki 9:5  Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel. 
1Ki 9:6  But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: 
1Ki 9:7  Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: 
1Ki 9:8  And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house? 
1Ki 9:9  And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil. 

God’s word helps us gain the right spiritual perspective as to what these type and shadow events we are reading of in 1 Kings 9:1-9 reveal about ourselves as the body of Christ today (1Pe 1:12), and in order to receive these truths for what they mean for us personally, we are told in the next two verses what we must do:

1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pe 1:14  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

We are fashioning ourselves through Christ’s grace (Php 2:12-13), which favour manifests through the chastening and scourging we endure in this life (Heb 12:6), teaching us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts in this age (Tit 2:11-12). He gives us the power and wisdom to be able to see all these physical events of which we read in the word of God, comparing spiritual with spiritual, using the physical as we overcome, fighting a good fight of faith (1Co 2:13, 1Ti 6:12). That exercise takes the girding up of our minds, along with hope within that the grace of God will continue to be brought to God’s elect, which favor is to receive the wedding garments, the righteousness of Christ, the increase that comes from God (1Co 3:6), with which we must be found and are being found with “at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev 1:3, Rev 19:8).

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. 

1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

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

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 

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

The title of this study is taken from 1 Kings 9:8 where the question is asked “Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?” speaking of what God will do to us:

1Ki 9:6  But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: 

These words: “Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?” have their counterpart explanation in Romans 9:1-24, and when we consider Romans 11:1-11 and layer that message over Romans 9:1-24, it becomes clear that everyone was meant to turn from following God, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23) and there is none righteous, no, not one: (Rom 3:10). What we have to conclude is that everyone must go into Babylon, but only a few in this age have been called to go into Babylon and then be dragged “out of her my people” (Rev 18:4, 2Co 6:17, Mat 22:14).

The types and shadows we learn from the temple Solomon built come from the blue prints that were inspired from the mind of God, and so our Lord says this: “And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: [Mat 6:8, Pro 16:1] I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually” meaning Solomon may have physically built this house [typical of working out your own salvation with fear and trembling just as Noah with the ark (Php 2:12-13, Heb 11:7)], but it was the Lord who inspired the plans and all the architecture that have great spiritual significance for us today.

Mat 6:8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

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

By looking at God’s word and continuing in it as doers of the word we will be saved (Joh 8:31-32), and that was the type and shadow message being given to Solomon whose life reveals a pattern of our journey of wanting to worship God in spirit and in truth in a church or temple we have built at great cost and God has hallowed for His purpose. God’s purpose is revealed for humanity through the body of Christ that is represented by the temple Solomon built, but whether any one of us continues in the truth (Joh 8:31-32), worshiping God in spirit and in truth within the temple that represents our bodies (1Co 3:16), is entirely up to God (2Ti 3:15, Joh 4:22-23, Rom 2:28).

2Ti 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures [old covenant scriptures], which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

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. 

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

In this section of Kings we will look at “Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?” and see that losing our first love was not something that was optional for Solomon or for any one of us, but was a prophecy of what is going to happen to our first man Adam resulting in God’s correction. The joy of salvation comes when we come to realize that God is faithful and He will continue to finish what He has started in the body of Christ who are the firstfruits who are blessed to trust in God as we are redeemed from the earth through Christ, a redemption that is occurring for the salvation of all the world (Rom 8:38-39, Heb 12:2, Php 1:6, Eph 1:11-12, Oba 1:21).

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

[This list in Romans 8:38-39 represents the powers and principalities we wrestle against (Eph 6:12), and the reason why we are assured victory over those principalities is found in Ephesians 1:21.]

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [“things present, nor things to come“]

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 
Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

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

1Ki 9:1  And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do, 

God’s word reveals to us who was doing all the doing here in Solomon’s life and fulfilling the “desire which he was pleased to do” (Php 2:12-13), just as it was God’s power that manifested all the things that were created in the garden of Eden, all things consisting through Christ (Col 1:17) and having been created for a very good purpose (Gen 1:31).

Gen 1:31  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. 

When the garden of Eden was completed by the Lord, the stage was now set to show mankind [Adam and Eve] what was in their and our hearts. In like manner when the temple was completed, “And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king’s house“, an environment was created where God was going to put his “name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually” (1Ki 9:3). God’s eyes and heart being there continually is like the sword in the garden of Eden that turns every way and is ever present judging the earthly creation of Adam and Eve just as Israel of old was being judged by their interaction in and around the temple of God (Gen 3:24). Solomon hadn’t been driven out of the presence of God yet as Adam and Eve were driven out in due time, but the stage was set to demonstrate what is in the heart of man once again, only this time on a much larger scale than just two people, and at the end of the age an even larger scaled up demonstration will unfold via Gog and Magog (Rev 20:10). This is the needful and necessary pattern God uses to humble all mankind in our flesh, each man in his order, so that a new heaven and a new earth can be created as the old one flees away (Rev 20:11).

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. 

Rev 20:10  And the devil that deceived them [Rev 12:9, 1Jn 5:19] was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night 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. 

Of all of humanity there is only a little remnant represented by “the king’s house” who will be used to redeem the rest of God’s creation having become permanent fixtures in “the house of the LORD“.

1Ki 9:2   That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.

The “second time” that the Lord appeared to Solomon is a witness to him that God is faithful to fulfill what He had promised him earlier in Solomon’s dream (1Ki 3:5-15). In 1 Kings 3:14 we see the parallel words being spoken of by God to Solomon at that time as they were stated later in 1 Kings 9:4. Whenever we see the word if regarding keeping God’s commands, we know it’s not telling us something we are going to be able to accomplish in our flesh, but rather is said to remind us that we can’t help but be that person in our flesh who is not going to walk after God’s commands. God already knows the answer to these two ifs that were spoken to Solomon in two instances, and they were written for our admonition (1Pe 1:12).

1Ki 3:14  And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. 

1Ki 9:4  And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: 

1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 

The dream is one for God, and the prophecies are fulfilled showing us that singleness (2Co 11:3) which is in our Lord revealing God’s purpose for mankind to deliver these weak vessels of clay through initially pouring out ten plagues in Egypt. Then He shows our natural state of rebellion unfold against God ten times in the wilderness (Num 14:22), eventually overcoming through Christ who is represented by Caleb (Exo 23:29 , Num 14:24). The two series of tens are a witness that is given against our flesh, and the two times Solomon is visited is a witness as well of the work God is working with our flesh which has a natural enmity against God that will rebel until it doesn’t (Gal 5:17, 1Ki 11:9).

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity^G572 that is in Christ.

G572 haplotēs hap-lot’-ace

From G573; singleness, that is, (subjectively) sincerity (without dissimulation or self seeking), or (objectively) generosity (copious bestowal): – bountifulness, liberal (-ity), simplicity, singleness.

Gal 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

1Ki 11:9  And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

The beast has to be driven out of our lives little and by little otherwise we would become pride-filled thinking that our overcoming had something to do with us and not God Who is the one who must drive the beasts out of our temple through Christ (Joh 2:15). God has appeared a second time to Solomon as He did at “Gibeon“, and yet in both instances of His appearing to Solomon by the hills that the word “Gibeon” means, we are being reminded what was in Solomon’s heart is also in ours (1Jn 1:8). In time these hills will grow into rebellious pride-filled mountains as they do in all flesh (Gen 16:15) until God begins to judge us and humble us through that judgment (Rev 13:14-15, 1Ki 11:9).

Joh 2:15  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

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

Rev 13:14  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 
Rev 13:15  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 

1Ki 11:9  And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

1Ki 9:3  And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

When Christ was created, he had no choice in the matter (Rev 3:14) and neither do we as we are recreated and die daily enduring through Christ that process of being sanctified (Joh 17:17) or hallowed of God through Christ who builds the spiritual house (Psa 127:1). It is all typified by this statement: “I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually“. If Christ did not have the words of eternal life, we could not be sanctified with the word of God, and in like manner if Solomon did not have God’s blessing to build the temple of God and be given the wisdom and resources to do so, it would not have happened (1Ki 3:5-15)

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;

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 

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. 

God says the same thing to us as He said to Solomon: “I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me“, and He wants us to know that He is speaking of things that are not as though they were regarding “this house” (Rom 4:17) especially in regards to Him putting His “name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually“. That is especially true of God’s elect today who have God’s spirit within them (Rom 8:9), but this does not exclude the rest of humanity who will be saved at an appointed time (1Ti 4:10).

Rom 4:17  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 

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. 

1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 

1Ki 9:4  And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: 
1Ki 9:5  Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel. 

Is Solomon going to walk as “David thy father walked“? In the positive view of that statement where Solomon represents our new man the answer is, “Yes, because he is a son of David who represents Christ.” In the negative sense, if Solomon does not walk as “David thy father walked” then he is understood to be the rejected anointed in type and shadow who was not of us and could not inherit the promises (1Jn 2:19). In both instances it is written to admonish us to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Php 3:14). Lord willing, we are His in this age, and we are persuaded better things of you, as Paul said in Hebrews 6:9, the ‘better thing’ being that we are sons of God who miraculously hear His word today and read and keep it (Mat 13:11, Act 28:27, Mat 13:16, Rev 1:3).

1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 

Heb 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 

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. 

Act 28:27  For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words [1Jn 4:6] of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 

The end result of being bound to the altar as a living sacrifice (Psa 118:27, Gal 2:20) unto God is that God “will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel“. That promise to Solomon is the type and shadow promise to the one seed God determined from the foundation of the world to rule and reign under Christ for a thousand years (Gal 3:16, Rev 20:6).

Gal 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 

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.

1Ki 9:7  Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: 

Everything we’ve looked at in this study has culminated into these last three verses which, as was mentioned at the onset of the study, have questions within them that are all answered in these two sections of scripture:  (Rom 9:1-24, Rom 11:1-11).

We all in our appointed time are “cut off” from “Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name“ and cast out of God’s sight (“will I cast out of my sight“) losing our first love and becoming a “proverb and a byword among all people” like a dog returning to our own vomit where greasy grace lays hold of our yet carnal minds (Pro 26:11).  However, if God is working with us in this life after we are brought to that low estate, we will be brought to our senses and dragged back to our Father through His chastening grace which was described for us in the parable of the prodigal son (Luk 15:17-18).

1Ki 9:8  And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house? 
1Ki 9:9  And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil. 

These last verses of our study will only benefit us if we see how they apply to us inwardly today which reads “at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?” This is speaking, in type and shadow, of the astonishment we have over Babylon continually falling in our own lives as we come to see ourselves as the chief of sinners (Rev 14:8). We are the ones who come to see that we have naturally forsaken “the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil.“

If God is working with us in this age, then He brings upon us all that evil so that we are crushed (Ecc 1:13) and come to see how we are nothing of ourselves and, like the prodigal son, have wasted our understanding of God’s word [our inheritance in Christ], which actions parallel the life of the rich young ruler who thinks, like we do in our appointed time, that we’ve done so many wonderful things from our youth up [symbolizing our own righteousnesses] not being able to acknowledge that only Christ can be Christ (Luk 18:20-22). All glory and honour is His in every aspect of our lives, including how He causes the light and dark to manifest in our heavens to bring us to trust in Christ (Isa 45:7, Eph 1:12). It takes a lifetime of our being brought very low to be able to rightly divide the words of God and apply all that we read to our own man of sin who daily needs to be judged (1Co 11:31-32). If God will grant that we do that, we will through that exercise of evil be matured in Christ and be able to answer with all assuredness the question posed in the title of our study: “Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?” with the answer revealed in Romans 9:18-24.

Ecc 1:13  And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 

Luk 18:20  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 
Luk 18:21  And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 
Luk 18:22  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 

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

1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves [Jer 3:13, 1Jn 1:9], we should not be judged. 
1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord [Heb 12:6], that we should not be condemned with the world. 

Rom 9:18  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 
Rom 9:19  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? [nobody has resisted his will (Eph 1:11, Php 2:12-13)]
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? [“Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?“]
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?

Gospels in Harmony – Mat 19:1-12 and Mar 10:1-12, Part 1

Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

[Study Aired October 13, 2020]

Mat 19:1-15 [Scriptures from Mark are in brackets] And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there [Mark 10:1 and taught them]. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, [Mark 10:3 What did Moses Command you?] Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses [Mark 10:5 wrote this precept] because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. [Mar 10:10-11 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. And he saith unto them,] And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given . For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

“He that is able to receive it, let him receive it” is another way to say, “he that has ears to hear and eyes to see, let them hear and see”. As with all of Christ’s words “they are spirit and they are life”.

In this study we will explore the meaning of Christ’s answer to the Pharisees and his disciples. Christ came to change the law. Moses said any reason was acceptable for putting away your wife. Christ says there is only one reason you can put away your wife and that is “except it be for fornication”.

Mat 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

The law of Moses is for the unrighteous and we must be changed in order to become righteous.

1Ti 1:3-11 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

The law was changed so that we can move on to “perfection”.

Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

The Pharisees tempt Christ by questioning His understanding of the law of Moses.

Mat 19:3  The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

Christ answers them by questioning their understanding.

Mar 10:3 What did Moses command you? 

Deu 24:1-4  When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Mat 19:4-6 Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Here is what the fathers of old and the Pharisees’ understanding of the law of Moses got them. This is also speaking to the elect of God telling us what we must guard against lest our understanding be corrupted.

Mal 2:1-16 And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts. And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

The ‘wife of our youth’ is Christ, our “first love”, yet we ‘put Him away’. This is the process we must experience in order to eat of the “tree of life”. First the “tree of life” is placed in the midst of the garden, the Kingdom of God is within us, and we are caused to eat of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” therefore “putting away” our “first love”.

Gen 2:9  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

This is what we are caused to do.

Mal 2:11 an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.

The “daughter of a strange god” are the doctrines of men given to us by our father the devil. This is an evil experience we must all endure, which God is working in us for good.

Gen 3:1-7 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Gen 3:22-24  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Ecc 1:13 I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it.

Rev 2:1-7 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Who is our wife we cannot put away?

Mat 19:4-6 Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

In the beginning God created man to become like him. God is One.

Gen 1:27 So God created [Qal Tense, is creating] man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 

Gen 2:21-24 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Gen 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

Why did create them to be one?

Mal 2:15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

(ERV) Mal 2:15 God wants husbands and wives to become one body and one spirit. Why? So that they would have holy children and protect that spiritual unity. Don’t cheat on your wife. She has been your wife from the time you were young.

What is the spiritual significance of this mystery?

Eph 5:30-32 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Christ’s answer to the Pharisees is not speaking of the first Adam as they think. He is talking to us, the elect of God, about the second Adam. We must cleave to Christ, as the shadow of Adam and Eve demonstrates, so that we can live.

Deu 4:1-4 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.

How do we cleave to our husband the Lord?

Deu 4:5-10 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart [lose our first love] from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, [our time in the wilderness] when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

This whole experience is so we can become teachers, in other words become the kings and priests unto God and his Father.

Rev 1:4-6 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev 5:9-10 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And <hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Deu 10:12-22 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Deu 11:22-23 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.

The wife that will not be put away is the elect of God, the true church.

Next study will answer the question, who is the wife that can be put away?

Psa 17:1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Psa 17:2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
Psa 17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Psa 17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
Psa 17:5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
Psa 17:6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
Psa 17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
Psa 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
Psa 17:9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
Psa 17:10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
Psa 17:11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
Psa 17:12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Psa 17:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
Psa 17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
Psa 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

The first three verses of this Psalm 17 set the stage for one of the major messages being given in this part of scripture. The Psalmist cries out “Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips”. Take away the words ‘that goeth’, which are not in the original context, and the message becomes clear that there is an acknowledgement being made that his lips are defiled and need to be purged in order to pray a prayer that is pleasing unto God.

Isa 6:7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

God causes and hears the prayers of his saints today that asks our Father “don’t let my words be false” because we know our words and our actions are predestined by God either for good or for evil, therefore we cry out, “Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal” in other words ‘judge me now, prove my heart and visit me in the night, and try me so that I will be purposed in my mouth to not transgress’.

1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Right away we see God’s sovereignty revealed in the process of being able to cease from sinning because we are judged of God, not because we are not judged; but because he is working his judgments in our earth so that we can learn righteousness (Isa 26:9). We keep asking God and keep crying out that he would show us that it is Christ doing the work in us, a work that destroys our “feigned lips” and brings us to a place of thanksgiving.

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

Psa 119:171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes^H2706.
Psa 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Psa 119:173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts^H6490.
Psa 119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
Psa 119:175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments^H4941 help me.

H2706 statutes
חק
chôq
khoke

From H2710; an enactment; hence an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage): – appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree (-d), due, law, measure, X necessary, ordinance (-nary), portion, set time, statute, task.

H6490 precepts
פּקּד   פּקּוּד
piqqûd piqqûd
pik-kood’, pik-kood’

From H6485; properly appointed, that is, a mandate (of God; plural only, collectively for the Law): – commandment, precept, statute.

H4941 judgments
משׁפּט
mishpâṭ
mish-pawt’

From H8199; properly a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (particularly) divine law, individual or collectively), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly justice, including a particular right, or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style: – + adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just (-ice, -ly), (manner of) law (-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.

It is God’s determination or disposing of His judgments upon us that make it possible for us to continue in the faith (Joh 8:32). The choosing of His precepts (Joh 15:16) is only the starting point of what He is able to do and will do with all of humanity one day.

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:

Pro 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

In tonight’s study we will look more closely at the work that God is doing in His people who He choose in him “before the foundation of the world” to understand “the mystery of his will” and how “his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself” cannot be known unless we are being saved today by the grace through faith process that we’ve been called unto.

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

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

Psa 17:1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Psa 17:2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
Psa 17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

As mentioned in the introduction, David is a man of unclean lips like Isaiah (Isa 6:5) who is asking God to change that situation so that his cry and prayer can be heard through the purging out of the old sinful nature (Isa 6:6-7).

God is in the midst of proving David’s heart to show him that he is the man (2Sa 12:7). All of this trying happens in the night which is symbollic of the darkness of our hearts and is where God works with the light and the darkness of our hearts to bring us to a place where we are purposed within our minds through Christ to not transgress (Joh 8:36, Psa 6:6, Psa 127:2).

After we go through the fiery trials, we say confidently, not in our flesh (Php 3:3, Joh 4:23) but in our spirits, that we are more than conquerors through Him, being fashioned and formed into a new vessel of honour who will live these words “and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress”, which is a type and shadow of those who are granted in this age to be “the true worshippers [who] shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”

Psa 17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
Psa 17:5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

Here it is again a couple of gray words added to throw the believer off from the fact that we all had our former conversation in this world, and kept “the paths of the destroyer”. It is by the word of God’s lips that we are marred in the Potter’s hand (Jer 18:4) and must first be of our father the devil, walking in “the paths of the destroyer”.

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

If God holds up our goings in His path, then and only then will “my footsteps slip not”.

Psa 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Psa 35:6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.

Jer 23:12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

Psa 73:18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

The relation of the one day in the court rather than a thousand without of Psa 84:10 is a parallel verse that witnesses to the need for judgment, or the day of the Lord to be ongoing and happening if we are to have peace in the house of God and no longer find ourselves slipping in this world. Having said that, God gives us this spiritually slip-free environment through a complete process of falling seven symbolic times in the wilderness of which we are coming out. Notice the context of these following verses and how they have to do with God “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”.

Psa 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; [here is the context of this ‘one day is as a thousand’ statement] but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Pro 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Psa 17:6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
Psa 17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

God’s “marvellous lovingkindness” is something we just read. Last week we looked at the meaning of “thy right hand”, and we’re reminded that God’s elect are His right hand that He uses to protect against “those that rise up”. Even today we are saviours to one another in training, being prepared to save the rest of humanity in due course.

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them [Joh 8:31-32]: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

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

Psa 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

The apple of the eye^{H380 H1323} and the shadow of thy wings are speaking of God’s daughter, Christ’s wife the church, the cherubim who cover the altar, the mercy seat, and minister to those who are granted to take shelter under her wings. The Lord provides the mercy and truth that we long to have bound about our necks for the sake of those who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb and for all of those who will one day be partakers of this great joy of knowing God and Jesus Christ.

Rth 2:12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

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

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

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

Psa 17:9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
Psa 17:10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
Psa 17:11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
Psa 17:12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

When we are God’s daughter or the apple of His eye, then we can be kept “from the wicked that oppress me” and from “my deadly enemies, who compass me about”. God willing, we don’t forsake the assembling of the body of Christ (Heb 10:25), who supplies what we need in these spiritual battles that are meant to make us stronger together as one body (Eph 4:4,16, 1Co 12:12).

Those spiritual powers that we are up against “are inclosed in their own fat” meaning they are well nourished in their own false doctrines and “speak proudly” and contemptuously against the righteous (Psa 31:18). We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices, and are told to remain vigilant because the adversary has one main goal in mind and that is to destroy the elect spiritually (2Co 2:11, 1Pe 5:8, Mat 24:24).

“They have now compassed us in our steps” has both an inward application (Luk 21:20) and outward fulfillment (Mat 24:22) that God will allow to manifest to declare His glory throughout all the earth as the world comes to see our salvation draw near (Rev 1:7, Luk 21:28). God’s elect will witness through the confidence given to us by God to “then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh”.

The scripture declares that Christ “cometh with clouds” which clouds we know to be the elect, and declares the same message of armies in heaven that are following Christ on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Rev 19:14). Those horses are symbolic of the power that has now been given to the elect who are clothed in white linen, which is the righteousness of the saints (Rev 19:8). Today the world has “set their eyes bowing down to the earth” as they see God’s two witnesses lying dead in the street, not perceiving or understanding the spiritual work that God is accomplishing within as we are “dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rev 11:8-9, Rom 6:11).

The spiritual condition of the world promises to become less and less tolerant of all those who are of “this way…binding and delivering into prisons both men and women”. If God will permit, this will unfold in each of our lives “like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places”. I hope and pray we all see that it is not a hard thing for God to provide for us through these difficult and fiery trials that have come and will come upon His people. We will, like Samson in shadow and type, be given super natural spiritual strength to rip the lion (Satan) as if it were a kid (a young goat) as mentioned in Jdg 14:6. This ripping of the kid tells us that God has always predestined us to be a living sacrifice who lay down our lives for one another and go without the camp with Christ so that we can overcome the adversary by the strength that God will provide for us through the offering that we are blessed to partake of in Christ.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Act 22:4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

Jdg 14:6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

Lev 1:10 And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.
Lev 1:11 And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward [our old man is destroyed by judgement that comes from the north] before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar.

Heb 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

The lurking in secret places tells us who it is that will be our greatest spiritual foes at the end of this and any age in Christ, and that will be those who are looking without themselves for the man of perdition, and for Christ to return, not being given to see that we are Jesus Christ (Joh 14:9), and that the man of perdition is being destroyed by the brightness of his coming, today.

Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Psa 17:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

Now we come to the last part of our study and see right away how God has always intended to “disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked” the man of perdition within. That wicked man within is God’s sword, and that wicked man without is God’s sword. It is all His to do whatever he has predestined according to the counsel of his own will.

1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

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

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:

Psa 17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

Ours is a calling and unction that is hidden from the world, and God has used the things of this life to blind the masses, to keep their bellies full so they have no appetite for the things of the spirit. Being “full of children” and being able to provide for “their babes” is how God “inclosed [them, us in our time] in their own fat:” and with this abundance and finding of their life by their power and own free moral agency (I speak as a fool) “with their mouth they speak proudly”.

It is this pride of life that God allows and accomodates for in each man’s life so that in the day of visitation an accounting will be given of what we were and how we worked toward preserving our flesh leaving the rest of our substance to our babes, because it was all we could do without the mind of Christ which tells us to lay up treasure in heaven and lose our life to find it and don’t leave the other undone either as Christ commnanded.

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Psa 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

We have been with each other long enough to “behold thy face in righteousness” and know that it is Christ’s righteousness and not our own.

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

When we wake up in the morning, dead to sin and alive in Christ, knowing God has a perfect plan for all of His creation that will save all. We rejoice because we already see this salvation unfolding in earnest in each of our lives as we go unto perfection and the joy set before us. It is because of Christ’s righteousness alone that we “shall be satisfied” and it will continue to require that we remain “awake” spiritually if we are going to continue to see “thy likeness” in each other.

1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?