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ἀναγεννήσας Beget again, from on high
HELPS Word-studies 313 anagennáō (from 303 /aná, "up, again," which intensifies 1080 /gennáō, "give birth") – properly, born-again or "born from on high." 313 /anagennáō ("born again, from above") is used twice in the NT (1 Pet 1:3,23) – both times referring to God regenerating a believer (giving a supernatural, new birth). [313 (anagennáō) "does not occur in classical or Septuagintal Greek. Any use elsewhere (i.e. outside the NT) is disputed (cf. Moulton-Milligan; Selwyn, First Epistle of St. Peter, 122)" (CBL). This underlines the importance of its two occasions in the NT (1 Pet 1:3,23).]
Revelation 4:4,9-11 ESV Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. [9] And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, [10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, [11] "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
2 Corinthians 5:1-9 ESV For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, [3] if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. [4] For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened-not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. [5] He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. [6] So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are *at home* in the body we are away from the Lord, [7] for we walk by faith, not by sight. [8] Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and *at home* with the Lord. [9] So whether we are *at home* or away, we make it our aim to please him.
ἐνδημέω To be at home; to be among one's *demographic* (kind, peers, people)
Psalm 34:2 ESV My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, [24] but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 ESV But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, [18] because we wanted to come to you-I, Paul, again and again-but Satan hindered us. [19] For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? [20] For you are our glory and joy.
Philippians 4:1 ESV Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Revelation 6:2 ESV And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.
Revelation 3:10-12 ESV Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. [11] I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. [12] The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
2 Timothy 2:5 ESV An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 ESV Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. [25] Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
Romans 8:36-37 ESV As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
The Victor's Crown belongs to the Child of God, who trusts in Christ to overcome every adversary. Remember that flesh and blood is not our enemy. Christ overcomes all of these adversaries:
False doctrines
1 John 4:1-6 ESV Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, [3] and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. [4] Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. [5] They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. [6] We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 5:1-5 ESV Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. [2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. [3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. [4] For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Worldly (and false) Principalities
Of righteousness
Galatians 5:1-5 ESV For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. [2] Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. [3] I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. [4] You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. [5] For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
Philippians 3:8-9 ESV Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-
1 Timothy 1:8-11 ESV Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, [9] understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, [10] the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, [11] in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Hebrews 10:1 ESV For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
Acts 13:38-39 KJVS Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: [39] And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Romans 8:1-4 ESV There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. [3] For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 4:22-25 ESV That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." [23] But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, [24] but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, [25] who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Romans 5:16-19 ESV And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. [17] For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. [18] Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. [19] For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
Job 32:2 ESV Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. Job 40:8 ESV Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?
Of Government
Romans 13:1-2 ESV Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
1 Samuel 8:7-8 ESV And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. [8] According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you.
Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Of health
Healing principles (Copied from Healing Miracles)
Of life
True principal: Christ
False principal: the body
Food that perishes vs the unseen mana
Matthew 16:6-12 ESV Jesus said to them, "Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." [7] And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, "We brought no bread." [8] But Jesus, aware of this, said, "O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? [9] Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? [10] Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? [11] How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." [12] Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Matthew 4:3-4 ESV And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." [4] But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Luke 4:3-4 ESV The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." [4] And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"
John 6:26-29 ESV Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. [27] Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." [28] Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" [29] Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." John 6:32-35,47-51 ESV Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." [34] They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." [35] Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. ... [47] Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. [48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. [50] This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. [51] I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
John 4:32-34 ESV But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." [33] So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him something to eat?" [34] Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58 ESV I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. [51] Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. [53] For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. [54] When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." [55] "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:42-49 ESV So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. [43] It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. [45] Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. [46] But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. [47] The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. [48] As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. [49] Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:36-40 ESV You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. [37] And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. [38] But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. [39] For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. [40] There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.
1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
ὑπερνικάω Super-Conqueror
HELPS Word-studies 5245 hypernikáō (from 5228 /hypér, "beyond" and 3528 /nikáō, "conquer") – properly, exceedingly conquer, being "more than a conqueror," i.e. "super-conqueror" who is "completely and overwhelmingly victorious" (L & N, 1, 39.58). 5245 (hypernikáō) is used only in Ro 8:37. [The intensive prefix (hyper) adds the idea, "surpassing victory" (i.e. of a pre-eminent conqueror).]
Matthew 13:41 ESV The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all **causes of sin** and all law-breakers,
To remove every cause of sin, is to remove sin. For, how can there be sin, if there is no cause of sin? Nothing occurs without a cause.
This tracks with the second law from infinite proportions: Q/0 = INFINITY Translated: when finite creation is opposed by nothing, the result is sanctification.
Division, in divine math, represents the characteristic operation of adversarial agency. So, to be divided by zero is to be opposed by nothing. To be divided by quantity is to be opposed by a finite created thing. To be divided by infinity is to be opposed by God.
On the other hand, multiplication represents the characteristic operation of positive agency. So, to be multiplied by zero is to be operated on by nothingness. To be multiplied by Q is to be operated on by a finite created thing. To be multiplied by infinity is to be operated upon by God.
Q stands for "Quantity," and represents corporeal reality, or the material creation.
Sin is the privation of righteousness. To remove sin, is to remove the privation of righteousness. To remove privation is to effectuate perfection. Thus follows emanation from immersion.
Note how the immersion of righteousness effectuates the emanation of righteousness.
"Shall be satisfied" Comes from Greek χορτάζω, which means the same thing as the word "pastured" in the sentence, "The good shepherd watched over His sheep while they pastured." In other words, those who hunger for righteousness will find their food (righteousness) all around them. They will be surrounded by righteousness.
χορτάζω Pasture, satisfy (with food)
1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Awarded to "all who have loved [Christ's] appearing."
Matthew 27:27-29 ESV Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. [28] And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, [29] and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Mark 15:17-19 ESV And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. [18] And they began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" [19] And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. John 19:1-2 ESV Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. [2] And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.
Galatians 6:7 ESV Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
The crown of thorns was given to Jesus in mocking, but we know God is not mocked. The Crown of Thorns is truly an aspect of God's character, representing God's love, which is willing to lay down all for His lost sheep.
No Greater Love: Emanation
The natural man loves in response to goodness found in his object. The Spiritual man loves without regard for the object's deserving, but instead loves because God is Love, and the Spirit seeks to know and show God's character. To know and to show God's Character is God's purpose. When we are called according to His purpose, all things work out for our benefit.
All things beneficial to those who are called according to God's purpose
Spirit seeks to know and show God's Character
ὄνομα Name, Character, Essence
John 17:3-4,6 ESV And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. [4] I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do... [6] "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
"I have manifested your name" When did Jesus teach about the name of God? According to our corrupted modern notions, a "name" is just a series of sounds or letters by which a particular person can be called. But Jesus never once taught such a name of God. But Jesus did manifest the *character* of God. He taught God's perfect law, illuminated God's triunity, and demonstrated the no-greater-love of God for the world. Thus, to know God's character is, in the Christian sense, to know God's name. To trust in His name, is to trust in His character. To speak in His name, is to speak in His character.
We can also "put on Christ" by "playing the role" of Christ. Remember that, after the resurrection, and prior to the Ascension, Jesus appeared in "different forms." Pretend that you are secretly Jesus Christ. Say what He said, and do what He did. If we confess (say the same thing as) the Christ, then Christ will say the same thing as us before His Father in Heaven.
Confess Christ
Remember that the Greek word for "confess" literally means "say the same thing." But, there is also false profession. Merely parroting the words of Scripture, while not without benefit, will never deliver the full payload of Gospel power. The "say" part of confess is one of several "say" words in the Greek. "Lego" carries the distinctive connotation of rational discourse. You should not only, and not merely, use the same Words as Christ, but endeavor to understand the logical wholeness of the Gospel, so that you can deliver its ideas in words that every individual conversant can understand ("fitting the occasion").
Example: God is Truth
God's Word is Truth
Therefore, God is Truth.
God is God's Word.
John 19:23-24 ESV When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, [24] so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, "They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." So the soldiers did these things,
Garments and righteousness
Revelation 19:7-8 ESV Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; [8] it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Revelation 7:13-14 ESV Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" [14] I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 3:4-5 ESV Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. [5] The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
Isaiah 64:6 ESV We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.
It is obvious that a person, even an unbeliever, can simply parrot the words "Jesus is Lord". Paul did not mean that the words cannot be spoken out loud without the Holy Spirit. But in the sense of rational discourse, no one can rationalize the Lordship of Christ, except in the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 15:8-9 ESV "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; [9] in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
They say what God says with their lips, but with their heart they do not understand. The evidence of their lack of understanding is that they trust in the commandments of men, holding to them instead of, and contrary to, the Word of God.
2 Peter 2:17-22 ESV These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. [18] For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. [19] They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. [20] For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. [21] For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. [22] What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire."
2 John 1:9 ESV Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
Matthew 10:32-33 ESV So everyone who *acknowledges* me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, [33] but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. 32 Πᾶς οὖν ὅστις *ὁμολογήσει* ἐν ἐμοὶ ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὁμολογήσω κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς ·
ἑτέρᾳ μορφῇ Different form
Mark 16:12 ESV After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 12 Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα δυσὶν ἐξ αὐτῶν περιπατοῦσιν ἐφανερώθη ἐν ἑτέρᾳ μορφῇ πορευομένοις εἰς ἀγρόν ·
To speak and act in God's Character: We "put on Christ" like one puts on a costume. We are clothed in His righteousness.
Galatians 3:27 ESV For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have *put on* Christ.
ἐνεδύσασθε To clothe
Romans 13:14 ESV But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Matthew 10:40-42 KJVS He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. [41] He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. [42] And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 18:4-5 KJVS Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [5] And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
What does it mean to "receive a prophet in the name of a prophet?" "Name," Here, has the sense of "character." So, if God sends a prophet to you, and you "receive him," that is, you regard him as a prophet, considering his words carefully and testing them for their agreement with Scripture, you will receive the prophet's reward.
Consider the alternative: when a man speaks to you in the character of a prophet (someone who is speaking from above), and instead of receiving him in the character of a prophet, you treat him as a worldly or naturally minded person (someone speaking from below). As an example, this is how Christ was received by his family, his hometown, and the religious leaders of the Jews.
John 8:23-29 ESV He said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. [24] I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins." [25] So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. [26] I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him." [27] They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. [28] So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. [29] And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him."
John 10:24-26,30-38 ESV So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." [25] Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, [26] but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. ... [30] I and the Father are one." [31] The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. [32] Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?" [33] The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God." [34] Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'? [35] If he called them gods to whom the word of God came-and Scripture cannot be broken- [36] do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? [37] If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; [38] but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
Luke 4:22-29 ESV And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" [23] And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, '"Physician, heal yourself." What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.'" [24] And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. [25] But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, [26] and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. [27] And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." [28] When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. [29] And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.
Mark 6:1-6 ESV He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. [2] And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? [3] Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. [4] And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household." [5] And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. [6] And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.
Matthew 13:54-58 ESV and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? [55] Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? [56] And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" [57] And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." [58] And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
The prophet's reward
The reward which God gives through His prophets
Disclosure of secrets of the heart
Calling to account (Exposure to light of glory)
Conviction, persuasion
1 Corinthians 14:3 ESV On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
Consolation
Encouragement
1 Corinthians 14:31 ESV For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,
Learning
Upbuilding
The reward which God holds in reserve for His prophets
Matthew 25:21 ESV His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
As long as you are testing the prophet's doctrines for agreement with Scripture, there is no danger of receiving a false prophet in the *character* of a prophet.
1 Corinthians 14:32 ESV and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
HELPS Word-studies 3686 ónoma – name; (figuratively) the manifestation or revelation of someone's character, i.e. as distinguishing them from all others. Thus "praying in the name of Christ" means to pray as directed (authorized) by Him, bringing revelation that flows out of being in His presence. "Praying in Jesus' name" therefore is not a "religious formula" just to end prayers (or get what we want)! ["According to Hebrew notions, a name is inseparable from the person to whom it belongs, i.e. it is something of his essence. Therefore, in the case of the God, it is specially sacred" (Souter).]
God loves without regard for deserving
Isaiah 65:1-2 ESV I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here I am, here I am," to a nation that was not called by my name. [2] I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;
Romans 5:8-10 ESV but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. [10] For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
1 John 4:7-12 ESV Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
No Greater Love: Immersion
In order to immerse us in a love like His, God gives His Word. God's Word teaches the brethren to love like He loves.
Correcting with gentleness, rather than with railing accusations
Galatians 6:1 ESV Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Bearing each other's burdens
1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Galatians 6:2 ESV Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Leaving all to deliver God's Word to the lost sheep
Luke 15:4,8 ESV "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ... [8] "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?
Enduring persecution, slander, insults
Romans 8:16-17 ESV The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
2 Timothy 2:12 ESV if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
Matthew 5:10-12 ESV "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 15:13 ESV Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Revelation 2:10 ESV Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Faithful unto death
To be "faithful unto death" has layers of meaning:
In the spiritual sense, Bodily life is spiritual death. Through faith in God's Word, we know that we are like Christ, sent into the world, even as He was sent into the world.
Bodily life is spiritual death: All life is self seeking. God's life is God-seeking. Bodily life is body-seeking. Spiritual life is God's gift of God's life. Spiritual life is therefore God-seeking; And, since bodily life is not God-seeking, Bodily life is not spiritual life. Therefore, bodily life is spiritual death.
Now, since spiritual life is eternal, all spiritual life precedes bodily life. Thus, our bodily lives began when we laid down our spiritual life, emptying ourselves of our divine inheritance. This emptying was a kind of dying. We embodied saints have died, and await our return to spiritual life. The first resurrection is blessed. Seek God, and Live.
John 17:18 ESV As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
Philippians 2:5-8 ESV Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Mystical death, believing that the unseen death of the self is already accomplished in the death of Jesus Christ. The crown of life is given to those who claim to have died already, on the basis of thir faith in the teaching of Jesus Christ. Literally, these are "faithful unto death."
Bodily death, as the martyrs.
2 Timothy 2:11-13 ESV The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; [12] if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; [13] if we are faithless, he remains faithful- for he cannot deny himself.
James 1:12 ESV Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
The notion of "that which surrounds," as the root of meaning for the word "crowns," opens the mind to two means by which we will be "surrounded" by God's graces:
Surrounding by emanation
To "emanate" means "to come out from a source" (Merriem-Webster sense 1a).
Interesting sense 1b (for "emanation"): the origination of the world by a series of hierarchically descending radiations from the Godhead through intermediate stages to matter
The series of "stages" which ends with matter, begins with the most fundamental, universal, and basic principles of existence.
Note the connection between the word "basics" and the Greek βασιλεία. Consider in connection to the "great things of God," the μεγαλεῖος.
μεγαλεῖος Great things
From μέγας, meaning "great"
Acts 2:11 ESV both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians-we hear them telling in our own tongues **the mighty works** of God."
The great things of God draw people in. Contrarily, the basic things of God send people out.
Since "God is a consuming fire," we might say that "τὰ μεγαλεῖα τοῦ θεοῦ" is like the warmth of the fire (which is the aspect of flame that draws), and "ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ" is like the light (the aspect of flame that sends, because it lights the path).
βασιλεία Lit. "Basic things" Usu. Transl. "Kingdom"
From βάσις, meaning "basis," or "footing, grounding". Also a word used for "foot".
Washing of feet = Washing of Bases Rather than focusing conversation on application of the word to individual circumstances, Christ's example to us directs us towards the focus on fundamentals, rather than applications.
John 13:3-10,12-17 ESV Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, [4] rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. [5] Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. [6] He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" [7] Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand." [8] Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." [9] Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" [10] Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you." ... [12] When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? [13] You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. [14] If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. [16] Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Acts 3:7 ESV And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his **feet** and ankles were made strong. 7 καὶ πιάσας αὐτὸν τῆς δεξιᾶς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτόν · παραχρῆμα δὲ ἐστερεώθησαν αἱ **βάσεις** αὐτοῦ ⸃ καὶ τὰ σφυδρά,
In hand-to-hand combat, the power of a punch is primarily drawn from and through the feet and legs, rather through the upper body. In like manner, the power of Christian doctrine flows from and through the fundamental, basic doctrines. If your footing is firmly established on the Rock of God's Word, then not only will you be able to stand against the attacks of the enemy, but you will be empowered to strike back.
βασιλεία, translated as "kingdom," is subject to a dangerous sense. Modern ears understand the "kingdom of God" to be a place, the place over which God rules. Essentially, the dangerous sense corresponds to Merriem-Webster's sense 1.
The word "kingship" (see Merriem-Webster's #5 definition, which they label as "archaic") would be more effective for expressing the idea of βασιλεία to the modern ear. You see, "basic things" are things depended on, things which form the foundation of the rest. Hence, basicness and kingship are conceptually linked, and, spiritually speaking, they are one and the same.
John 18:36 ESV Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world."
"My kingdom is not of this world" = "My right to rule does not depend on any worldly authority" Jesus never sought permission or approval from any human authority before He began to preach, teach, or work in the name of God.
Luke 22:28-30 ESV "You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, [29] and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, [30] that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 1:32-33 ESV He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
From Merriem-Webster sense #1 for "kingdom" a politically organized community or *major territorial unit* having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen
Matthew 4:23 ESV And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the **kingdom** and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Matthew 13:41,43 ESV The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, ... [43] Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
First comes the immersion, then the emanation.
Ephesians 5:13 Berean Study Bible But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself.
Surrounding by immersion
"Rubbing" and the Transference of Character
Rubbing in fellowship and conversation
Christ as mediator
1 Timothy 2:5-6 ESV For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Matthew 18:19-20 ESV Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Proverbs 27:17 ESV Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
The archaic sense of "diatribe"
See the laying on of hands
διατρίβω Lit. "Thoroughly Rub" To spend quality time with
Acts 14:27-28 ESV And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. [28] And they **remained** no little time with the disciples.
John 3:22 ESV After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he **remained** there with them and was baptizing.
From Merriem-Webster: Sense 3: archaic : a prolonged discourse
Anointing is mediated rubbing. The usual medium of anointing is oil. The purpose of the rubbing is to transfer something of the character or essence of the one anointing (whether it is the one rubbing, or the medium) to the one being anointed. Sometimes the one rubbing has the character to be transfered, and sometimes the medium has the character to be transfered. In our case, God uses His Word (and other Christians, acting and speaking in obedience to the Word) to "rub" His own Character onto us. His Spirit is called the "Oil of Gladness," and Joel prophesies about how God "pours out His Spirit on all flesh". It is because we are destined to bear His rubbed-upon Character (Christ), that He calls us by His name.
Transfer of Character
Matthew 10:25 ESV It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
1 John 2:27 ESV But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie-just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1 John 3:5-7 ESV You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. [6] No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. [7] Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
Romans 13:13-14 ESV Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. [14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Oil as icon of Holy Spirit
Exodus 30:25-33 ESV And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. [26] With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, [27] and the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, [28] and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils and the basin and its stand. [29] You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them will become holy. [30] You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. [31] And you shall say to the people of Israel, 'This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations. [32] It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. [33] Whoever compounds any like it or whoever puts any of it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people.'"
"Whatever touches them will become holy" Note how holiness is transfered by contact, according to the law. If an instrument of the temple were to brush against your hand, the law would call you Holy. The evidence of your holiness would be the unique scent of the oil. Even so with the Holy Spirit, which is the oil poured out and rubbed into us, as we read and seek to understand God's self-revelation in His Word. The character of God begins to shine through your life and relationships. The pleasant scent of the anointing oil is analogous to the pleasant attitude of gladness which accompanies God's anointed ones.
2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 1:9 ESV You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."
He calls us by His name
Isaiah 43:7 ESV everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
χρίω Anoint
Christ means "Anointed One"
Χριστός
HELPS Word-studies 5548 xríō – to anoint by **rubbing or pouring** olive oil on someone to represent the flow (empowering) of the Holy Spirit. Anointing (literally) involved rubbing olive oil on the head, etc., especially to present someone as divinely-authorized (appointed by God) to serve as prophet, priest or king, etc. See 1 Ki 19:16; Lev 8:12; Ps 133:2; 1 Sam 10:1, 16:13; 2 Sam 2:4, 5:3.
Matthew 13:33 ESV He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."
"Every good work"
Note that the apostle does not say "every *kind* of good work." Not only does the Spirit prepare us for every kind of good work, but for every good work! Within every category of good works, there are those works which are "easy," and those which we would call wonderful or marvelous. The Spirit prepares us, not only for "easy works," but also for the most mighty, the most marvelous, the most wonderful works that can be conceived.
Examples:
Fasting
Wonderful: Abandonment of Claims
Romans 13:8 ESV Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Isaiah 58:6-7 ESV "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Matthew 6:17-18 ESV But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, [18] that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
According to Justice, God could claim our whole lives and being, demanding obedience, and punishing every disobedience. Instead, He laid those claims down in the person of Jesus Christ. We must also be willing to lay down our claims, foregoing all that we are "owed," trusting only in God's grace. Especially, that is, for the benefit of others.
2 Peter 3:9 ESV The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Easy: Denial of the flesh
Isaiah 58:3-5 ESV 'Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?' Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. [4] Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. [5] Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD?
Matthew 6:16 ESV "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Prayer
Hard and wonderful prayers
Intercessory prayer
Prayer for all men
1 Timothy 2:1-4,8 ESV First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, [2] for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. [3] This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ... [8] I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
Private prayer
Matthew 6:6 ESV But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
James 5:14-18 ESV Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. [16] Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. [17] Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. [18] Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
Easy Prayers:
Prayer for those who love us
Matthew 5:44-46 ESV But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Public prayer
Public prayer is easier than private prayer, because public prayer results in a personal reward that can be seen: the praise of men.
Matthew 6:5 ESV "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Visiting widows and orphans in their affliction
Wonderful: Visiting those who do not know God as Father
Romans 8:14-23 ESV For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. [19] For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. [20] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. [23] And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Easy: Visiting the widows and orphans of this world
James 1:27 ESV Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Almsgiving
Wonderful: Spiritual Almsgiving
The greatest treasure is the Word of God. Therefore the greatest poverty is the need for understanding of God's Word. The Spiritual Gifts of explanation and prophecy allow the believer to give alms of that which is within.
Acts 3:6 ESV But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
Luke 11:41 ESV But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.
Easy: Material Almsgiving
Note that there is a whole spectrum between the easy and the wonderful. Sacrificial and anonymous giving is harder than showy generosity.
Mark 12:41-44 ESV And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. [42] And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. [43] And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. [44] For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
James 2:15-16 ESV If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
The "easy" works are those that can be done by a "natural" (unspiritual) person. While we should not neglect the easy or natural works, God is unimpressed (and so are unbelievers) with those who only seek to do what is easiest. Note that the easy works are those which are done by those who put on a show of piety.
Matthew 6:1-4 ESV "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. [2] "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [3] But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Luke 11:42-44 ESV "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. [43] Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. [44] Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it."
John 5:19-20 ESV So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. [20] For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, [12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:21-22 ESV Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. [22] So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
1 Timothy 4:6-10 ESV If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. [7] Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; [8] for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. [9] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. [10] For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
1 Corinthians 4:20 ESV For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, [4] and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24 ESV but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Romans 1:16 ESV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Mark 11:22-25 ESV And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. [23] Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. [24] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. [25] And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
Power limiting factors:
Observation changes the outcome: The effect of unbelieving witnesses:
Mark 6:4-5 ESV And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household." [5] And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.
The modern miracle worker must be wary of recording devices. Recording devices bring unseen and potentially unbelieving witnesses into the gathering.
Failure to forgive
The part of you that regards any man as deserving of any punishment whatsoever, is then revealed to be under the cursed law of self-justification, rather than under the perfect law of liberty. Let it be not you, but sin in you. Disown it. Lift up undefilable hands of love for all men. See with the all-forgiving eyes of Holy Spirit. Put away the pointing of the finger, and your healing will flow from you.
Put away the pointing of the finger
Isaiah 58:8-9 ESV Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. [9] Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
Lift up undefilable hands for all men
1 Timothy 2:8 ESV I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting *holy* hands without anger or quarreling;
ὅσιος Pious, not subject to defilement because intrinsically pure
Sin in you, disowned, cut off
Matthew 5:29-30 ESV If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Romans 7:16-25 ESV Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. [17] So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [18] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. [19] For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [21] So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22] For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Perfect law of liberty
James 1:25 ESV But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Woe to you who judge any man
Romans 2:1 ESV Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
Matthew 6:14-15 ESV For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, [15] but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Error
Matthew 10:32-33 ESV So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, [33] but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
1 John 2:20-23 ESV But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. [21] I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. [22] Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. [23] No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
Confession means "say the same thing," or "speak together." Denial is the antithesis of confession. In denial, we say a different thing than Christ.
Example: Christ said "Blessed are the poor." Do you confess? Do you say the same thing as your Lord? Not just with your lips, but with your life? Do you seek wealth, and devote all of your time in this world to the generation of material wealth? If so, then you are not speaking together with Christ. You are denying Him.
ὁμολογέω Lit. "Same-speak" Usu. Transl. "Confess"
HELPS Word-studies 3670 homologéō (from 3674 /homoú, "together" and 3004 /légō, "speak to a conclusion") – properly, to voice the same conclusion, i.e. agree ("confess"); to profess (confess) because in full agreement; to align with (endorse). [3670 /homologéō ("confess") means to speak the same thing, i.e. "assent, agree with, confess, declare, admit" (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 120).]
Doubt
Righteousness is imputed because of faith! Therefore, believe and doubt not!
Mark 9:23 ESV And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes."
Galatians 3:5-6 ESV Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith- [6] just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"?
John 14:12-17 ESV "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. [13] Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. [15] "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, [17] even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
(Repeat from "Faith Towards God" section) The power of doubt flows from fear of error. Many doubts cannot be disproven, yet even they can be disarmed. In order to eliminate the fear of error, the believer considers how the belief might be put into practice. Some beliefs are impracticable or inactionable (they cannot be put into action). For example, the belief that "truth cannot be known" cannot be put into action, for every action is based on a belief about what is true.
To doubt a proposition is to fear the possibility that it's opposite might be true. But not all propositions are to be feared.
The proposition, "God is evil," is not to be feared. If it were true, then nothing we could do would change our fate. For, if God is evil, then all are damned. But, "God is good," is a proposition to be feared. For, all are accountable to God; and, God's Word has told us that God is good.
"Have faith in God" is better translated, "Have God's faith."
Virginity
The pleasure of sex is supreme among bodily pleasures. A virgin is one who is deprived of that pleasure, or, importantly, one who is receiving that pleasure for the first time (the bridal virgin). For, virginity does not cease until the first sexual union is completed.
The Supreme spiritual pleasure is the beatific vision. When the believer receives this vision, it is never taken away from him. Thus, the Supreme spiritual pleasure is unending. The believer is thus a bridal virgin in perpetuity.
Bridal virginity is worth celebrating
Revelation 19:7-9 ESV Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; [8] it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. [9] And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."
Virginity of deprivation is worthy of mourning.
Judges 11:37 ESV So she said to her father, "Let this thing be done for me: leave me alone two months, that I may go up and down on the mountains and weep for my virginity, I and my companions."
Revelation 14:1,4 ESV Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads... [4] It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb,
To be a new creation means that the past is not weighed against us. Therefore, Christians have the privilege of "forgetting the past." Forgetting the past is beneficial for two reasons:
Secrecy of alms
Upper limit of an honest self-examination: I am an unprofitable servant.
Matthew 6:3-4 ESV But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
The good conscience
Philippians 3:13-16 ESV Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Ensemination, Impregnation, and Fruitfulness
Romans 7:4 ESV Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
The egg that awaits ensemination in the female body, is like the written words of the Bible. The believer possesses those words for a while before they come to life, and become Life in the believer. The Words of Scripture come alive in us when we receive understanding and conviction from God.
Luke 1:35 ESV And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy-the Son of God.
The penetration of knowledge
When one person knows another person, the knowledge of the known comes to be in the knower. The true nature of the knowledge (that which enters into and resides in the knower) is exposed by the fact that God is His own self-knowledge.
As God's knowledge of Himself is in Himself and is Himself; even so: God's knowledge of the believer is in Himself and is the believer. We truly are as God knows us to be. This bodily life is an appearance of who we are; but we do not judge by appearances.
1 John 1:5-7 ESV This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 3:2 ESV Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:5 ESV You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
Romans 7:17-25 ESV So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [18] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. [19] For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [21] So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22] For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
God's knowledge of God (Christ) is in God.
This is what it means to receive true knowledge of God. A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from Heaven. And, every good and perfect gift comes from above. Therefore, there is no true knowledge of God, except for God's knowledge of God (which is Christ, who is God), which God gives freely to those who seek Him with all of their hearts.
Thus, in revealing Himself to us, God is penetrating right into our innermost being, and there He makes a home for Himself.
Revelation 21:3 ESV And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
John 3:27 ESV John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
It is because God is in God, and because God is God-in-God, that God can be God-in-Man. If God was not in Himself, then He could not be in us.
John 10:38 ESV but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
But also, God is in God's knowledge of God (Christ).
John 1:1 ESV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The sexual union is referred to in Scripture by the verb "to know." By the sexual union, a lover receives experiential knowledge of his partner's body; notably, those parts of the body which are kept hidden for the sake of marriage.
As the sexual union is that whereby hidden and sacred knowledge of the body comes to be known, so the beatific vision is that whereby hidden and secret knowledge of the Spirit comes to be known.
1 Samuel 1:19-20 ESV They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. [20] And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD."
Genesis 24:16 ESV The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up.
Genesis 4:1 ESV Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, "I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD." Genesis 4:17 ESV Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. Genesis 4:25 ESV And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, "God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him."
Sex is the supreme bodily pleasure, as The beatific vision is the supreme spiritual pleasure.
Psalm 16:8-11 ESV I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. [9] Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. [10] For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. [11] You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Matthew 18:10 ESV "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Luke 8:16-18 ESV "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. [17] For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. [18] Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away."
Hope of God: To the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away. Those who seek to know God, seek God. Be on guard against the false idea that God cannot be completely known ("take care how you hear..."). To the extent that God cannot be known, He cannot be hoped for. Christ promises us that the hope of God is precisely the hope that God can be known, and that God always rewards those who seek Him with their whole heart. This hope will never be disappointed, because God is able and willing to give His Eye (the Holy Spirit) and His Mind (Christ). Transcendentalists, as they are sometimes called, are they who deny that God can ever be truly known, since His essence, they rightly say, is so far beyond the capacity of any created mind. They err greatly, not knowing the Scriptures, and thus fail to obtain the promises therein, including the promise that we will know God because God will know Himself in and for us, by His very own Spirit, being given freely.
Hope and Purity, giving and taking away that which is had
There is a fire coming: a judgment of fire. It is one fire, but it has two appearances. To the pure, the fire is restoration and perfection of purity. For, the fire promises to take away the dross that clings to the body. The judgment of fire gives more purity to those who are pure. But to the impure, that same fire is destruction and death. The fire of judgment promises to debase, diminish, and ultimately destroy every impurity.
The consuming fire of jealous God
Removal of dross
Proverbs 25:4-5 ESV Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; [5] take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Dross and "skandalon" God's promise to remove every cause of sin
Matthew 13:41-43 ESV The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, [42] and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
σκάνδαλον Trigger (of a trap)
Romans 14:13 ESV Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
Here we see one way that God will remove "skandalon" from our surroundings: by teaching our neighbors to love us as He loves us, with a will intent on never causing us to stumble.
HELPS Word-studies 4625 skándalon – properly, the trigger of a trap (the mechanism closing a trap down on the unsuspecting victim); (figuratively) an offense, putting a negative cause-and-effect relationship into motion. 4625 /skándalon ("the means of stumbling") stresses the method (means) of entrapment, i.e. how someone is caught by their own devices (like their personal bias, carnal thinking). ["4625 (skándalon) is the native rock rising up through the earth, which trips up the traveler, hence, of Jesus the Messiah, to the Jews who refused him" (Souter); "properly, the bait-stick of a trap, a snare, stumbling-block" (Abbott-Smith); "the stick in the trap that springs and closes the trap when the animal touches it" (WP, 1, 46).]
Jeremiah 6:27-30 ESV "I have made you a tester of metals among my people, that you may know and test their ways. [28] They are all stubbornly rebellious, going about with slanders; they are bronze and iron; all of them act corruptly. [29] The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed by the fire; in vain the refining goes on, for the wicked are not removed. [30] Rejected silver they are called, for the LORD has rejected them."
Ezekiel 22:18-22 ESV "Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me; all of them are bronze and tin and iron and lead in the furnace; they are dross of silver. [19] Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. [20] As one gathers silver and bronze and iron and lead and tin into a furnace, to blow the fire on it in order to melt it, so I will gather you in my anger and in my wrath, and I will put you in and melt you. [21] I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of my wrath, and you shall be melted in the midst of it. [22] As silver is melted in a furnace, so you shall be melted in the midst of it, and you shall know that I am the LORD; I have poured out my wrath upon you."
Psalm 119:119 ESV All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.
Isaiah 1:24-26 ESV Therefore the Lord declares, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: "Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes. [25] I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy. [26] And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city."
Isaiah 30:27-33 ESV Behold, the name of the LORD comes from afar, burning with his anger, and in thick rising smoke; his lips are full of fury, and his tongue is like a devouring fire; [28] his breath is like an overflowing stream that reaches up to the neck; to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction, and to place on the jaws of the peoples a bridle that leads astray. [29] You shall have a song as in the night when a holy feast is kept, and gladness of heart, as when one sets out to the sound of the flute to go to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel. [30] And the LORD will cause his majestic voice to be heard and the descending blow of his arm to be seen, in furious anger and a flame of devouring fire, with a cloudburst and storm and hailstones. [31] The Assyrians will be terror-stricken at the voice of the LORD, when he strikes with his rod. [32] And every stroke of the appointed staff that the LORD lays on them will be to the sound of tambourines and lyres. Battling with brandished arm, he will fight with them. [33] For a burning place has long been prepared; indeed, for the king it is made ready, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it.
This end-of-the-world prophecy was literally addressed to Assyria, which was the foreign kingdom which eventually carried away Israel into captivity. The Assyrian kingdom stands as an allegorical figure of the Satanic kingdom, which would be bound for a prophetic period of a thousand years, and then loosed upon the earth for a short time, deceiving the nations once more (carrying the world into captivity thereby), and then utterly thrown down and destroyed by the breath of Christ at His coming.
Revelation 20:7-10 ESV And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison [8] and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. [9] And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, [10] and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, [29] for our God is a consuming fire.
Now recall that we are purified in and by our hope of seeing God.
1 John 3:2-3 ESV Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. [3] And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
God rewards those who seek Him
Isaiah 45:19 ESV I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek me in vain.' I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right.
Scriptural Ignorance Leads to Error
God is a God who hides Himself, but He will not always be hidden, according to this promise.
Isaiah 45:15-19 ESV Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. [16] All of them are put to shame and confounded; the makers of idols go in confusion together. [17] But Israel is saved by the LORD with everlasting salvation; you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity. [18] For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other. [19] I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek me in vain.' I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right.
Although the worldly mind is incapable of knowing God, we will be able to know Him fully, because then we will see with the eyes of the Holy Spirit, and perceive by the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:9-10,12 ESV For we know in part and we prophesy in part, [10] but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. ... [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Ephesians 4:13 ESV until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
"Fullness of Christ" Since Christ is God's knowledge of God, we are assured by this verse that we shall know God fully, and not merely in part.
Since "exorcise" uses the "from, out of" prefix, and "adjure" uses the "to, towards" prefix, there is a sense of exorcise which does not overlap with "adjure". In the "adjure" sense, an action is arising "out of" some obligation or oath. In another sense, one who exorcises another, moves the other "out of" a position of obligation. So, if I release you from an obligation, I exorcise you (in this second sense).
This sense may also have application in spiritual warfare, and is worthy of investigation. For, there are true obligations, and false obligations. Those who act under false obligations are, in a very real sense, under slavery. Christians are sent to set the captives free.
False obligations
Serve the flesh, to follow after its desires, and to assuage its fears and anxieties
True obligations
Give thanks
Acceptable sacrifice
Colossians 3:15-17 ESV And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Forgive every sin
Colossians 3:12-13 ESV Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13] bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Love one another
Colossians 3:14 ESV And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
To "exorcise", upon inspection, means to compel some action or speech which is the subject of some obligation. This sense of the word is basically synonymous with "adjure".
In order for an exorcist to successfully exorcise his subject, his subject must confess or agree with the obligation. For of course there are false claims, as well as false claimants. I can be exorcised to military service, but I cannot be exorcised to quarter soldiers.
In what manner does this obligation arise?
Satan and his children are called "demons", because this transliterated word meant "one who distributes destiny". But, nothing gives what it does not have. The demons themselves are under damnation. Damnation is their destiny, and thus it is the only destiny they are able to give.
Luke 8:31-33 ESV And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. [32] Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. [33] Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.
See how the demon and the destiny of destruction go hand in hand? The word "abyss" is even the name for the deepest part of a sea or ocean. Legion's ultimate destiny is the spiritual abyss; and so when Legion entered into the herd, they ran into the material abyss!
Matthew 12:33-37 ESV "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. [36] I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, [37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Isaiah 65:11-12 ESV But you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny, [12] I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in."
Matthew 25:41-46 ESV "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' [44] Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' [45] Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' [46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Genesis 3:13-14 ESV Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." [14] The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.
Read this as Jesus addressing lies: false doctrines about God, and His relation to Himself and Creation. Our enemy is not flesh and blood, but our weapons are formed against arguments and lofty opinions that oppose the knowledge of God.
Cursed is κατηραμένοι Lit. "prayed down"
Matthew 23:31-33 ESV Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. [32] Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. [33] You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?
When is Satan obligated (he and his children)? For, one may appeal to an obligation that is authentic, but not yet due. I have an obligation to pay my taxes, but not until tax day.
Matthew 8:28-29 ESV And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. [29] And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"
There is a Day of Judgment.
Remember that God calls the light "day". If you are in Christ, then you are in the Day of Judgment, for Christ is the Judge.
This also accords with the idea that Eternity is One Perfect Day. So, whatever day men say it is, God says that Today is Judgment Day. Let God be true, and every man a liar.
This also accords with the teaching, "today is the Day of Salvation." For, Christ, The Light, The Day, The Judge: He is also Salvation.
Revelation 21:23-27 ESV And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. [24] By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, [25] and its gates will never be shut by day-and there will be no night there. [26] They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. [27] But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
No night means uninterrupted day. That means it is always the first and last day in this city.
This city is the New Jerusalem, which comes down from Heaven. New Jerusalem means "new teaching of peace"; and that teaching of peace is the Gospel. The Gospel is God's teaching about God. The knowledge of God is Eternal Life. Life in Eternity as a citizen of God's Kingdom, written in the Lamb's book of life, means where I come from-in my Father Land and my Mother City-it's always Judgment Day.
1 John 1:5-9 ESV This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. [8] If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
John 1:4-5,9-10 ESV In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... [9] The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
Matthew 12:36 ESV I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
καιρός Time, in the sense of fitting, or appointed
HELPS Word-studies 2540 kairós – time as opportunity. 2540 /kairós ("opportune time") is derived from kara ("head") referring to things "coming to a head" to take full-advantage of. 2540 (kairós) is "the suitable time, the right moment (e.g. Soph., El. 1292), a favorable moment" (DNTT, 3, 833).
To what action or speech is Satan obligated (he and his children)?
To bend the knee, and confess the Christ
Mark 1:24 ESV "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God."
To come out from a son of God, and to go into the abyss
Mark 5:8 ESV For he was saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"
Mark 1:25 ESV But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"
Matthew 13:49 ESV So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
Isaiah 65:13-15 ESV Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame; [14] behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for pain of heart and shall wail for breaking of spirit. [15] You shall leave your name to my chosen for a curse, and the Lord GOD will put you to death, but his servants he will call by another name,
Die
Leave your name to my chosen for a curse
Cry out for pain of heart Wail for breaking of spirit
Mark 1:26 ESV And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.
Matthew 13:50 ESV and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Be put to shame
1 Peter 3:16 ESV having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
1 Corinthians 1:26-27 ESV For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
Luke 13:15-17 KJVS The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? [16] And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? [17] And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Romans 10:11 ESV For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."
Be thirsty
John 7:37-39 ESV On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" [39] Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
John 4:10-14 ESV Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." [11] The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? [12] Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." [13] Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, [14] but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
Luke 16:24 ESV And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'
Be hungry
John 6:35 ESV Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
Luke 6:21,24-25 ESV "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.... [24] "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. [25] "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
Psalm 34:8-10 ESV Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! [9] Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! [10] The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Luke 1:53 ESV he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
To whom is Satan obligated (he and his children)?
The Twelve Apostles
Mark 3:13-15 ESV And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. [14] And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach [15] and have authority to cast out demons.
Mark 6:7,13 ESV And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.... [13] And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Matthew 10:1 ESV And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. Matthew 10:8 ESV Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
Matthew 8:16 ESV That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
λόγος Usu. Transl. "Word" Here: that which is imparted from a lucid teacher to an apt student
So, speaking light over the words of Christ (His teachings about God and God's relation to Himself and to creation) however you can in conversation could lead to the breaking of a yoke, a captive set free.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3056: λόγος 4. in an objective sense, what is communicated by instruction, doctrine
The Finger of God
Also called the "Spirit of God" in the Matthew 12 account. It was posited that "finger" was a reference to God as "teacher", and the Spirit of God is called the Spirit of Truth, whom Christ said would guide us into all the truth.
Acts 19:13 ESV Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims."
ἐξορκιστής One who binds under obligation of an oath
ὁρκίζω To bind under obligation of an oath
HELPS Word-studies 3726 horkízō (from 3727 /hórkos, "an oath") – properly, make someone swear (as in Xenophon, Polybius); to adjure (Abbott-Smith), i.e. to bind under the obligation of oath.
ὅρκος An oath
Matthew 5:33-37 ESV "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' [34] But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, [35] or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. [37] Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
Hebrews 6:13-20 ESV For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, [14] saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." [15] And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. [16] For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. [17] So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, [18] so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. [19] We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, [20] where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin akin to erkos (fence, enclosure)
HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1845 eksorkistḗs – an exorcist; a person expelling demons, adjuring (binding) them by using oaths ("God-formulas," religious incantations). See 1844 (eksorkizō).
HELPS Word-studies 1844 eksorkízō (from 1537 /ek, "completely out from," intensifying 3726 /horkízō, "adjure") – properly, to adjure, putting someone under strict oath (used only in Mt 26:63).
Matthew 26:63 ESV But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 63 ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἐσιώπα. καὶ ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς εἶπεν αὐτῷ · Ἐξορκίζω σε κατὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος ἵνα ἡμῖν εἴπῃς εἰ σὺ εἶ ὁ χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ.
"Adjure" breaks down into "to the juror, or jury". The idea of adjure is approximately the same as the idea of ἐξορκίζω. If I adjure you, then I have "sent you to the jury" in a manner of speaking. I am speaking to you as though you have taken an oath to do or say what I am adjuring you to do or say.
δαίμων Usu. Transl. "Demon"
So, a "demon" is one who causes another to have a certain destiny. God has sometimes been called the "protodemon", because He is the First and Primary distributor of destinies. Hence, the usual word used to refer to Satan and his children is the diminutive, δαιμόνιον.
Put this together with the exhortation to guard our hearts, "for from it proceed the springs of life.
δεισιδαιμονία Lit. Dread of deity, respect of divinities Has a negative sense approximately equal to "superstition"
Acts 25:19 ESV Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
See note in LSJ: "More probably the Root of δαίμων (deity) is δαίω to distribute destinies;; cf. Alcm. 48.)"
δαίω As per above, to distribute destiny; to destine. Also, to light up, make burn, kindle (This word is not used in the Bible)
NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin perhaps from daió (to distribute destinies)
LSJ #2: The power controlling the destiny of individuals
δαιμόνιον Diminutive form of the word usually translated "demon"
HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1140 daimónion (a neuter, diminutive noun) – a demon, i.e. fallen angel. 1140 (daimónion) always refers to demons in the NT – the only exception being Ac 17:18 (which refers to heathen gods). See 1139 (diamonizomai).
δάκτυλος Finger
The Greek word for finger is related to the Greek words for teaching and learning. The finger points, directing attention to a subject matter. Jesus casts out demons with the finger of God, because Satan is the father of lies, and Christ is Truth, and the Teacher of truth. By teaching what is true, Christ displaces the lies that cling to our inward being, the Spiritual Body. Not only does Christ teach what is true, He teaches us how to form true beliefs: by agreeing with Him.
διδάσκω To teach
HELPS Word-studies 1321 didáskō (from daō, "learn") – to teach (literally, "cause to learn"); instruct, impart knowledge (disseminate information). In the NT, 1321 /didáskō ("teach") nearly always refers to teaching the Scriptures (the written Word of God). The key role of teaching Scripture is shown by its great frequency in the NT, and the variety of word-forms (cognates).
δάω To learn
Making
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis Page 157, Making and Begetting But when you make, you make something of a different kind from yourself. A bird makes a nest, a beaver builds a dam, a man makes ... a statue.
Begetting
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis Page 157, Making and Begetting To beget is to become the father of: to create is to make. And the difference is this. When you beget, you beget something of the same kind as yourself. A man begets human babies, a beaver begets little beavers and a bird begets eggs which turn into little birds.
Righteousness
Innocence
Not guilty
Guiltless, because the penalty of the trespass has been paid
Claim vs grievance
When one sins against another, the victim has a grievance. The victim may take his grievance to a judge, and if the judge agrees with the grievance, the victim has a just claim against the sinner. There are false grievances (slander) and false claims (oppression, injustice), but the blood of Christ has satisfied all true claims once and for all.
Hebrews 7:26-27 ESV For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. [27] He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
Guiltless, because without trespass
w
Gift: the Undeserved Benefit
Motivated by Generosity and Love
Note that there is no obligation to dispense generosity with equality. A gift is always freely given, and neither arises from obligation, nor produces obligation. "Fairness", in that sense, is a lie. Satan is the father of lies.
Romans 5:15-17 ESV But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. [16] And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. [17] For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Wage: The Deserved Benefit
A "wage" is something that the payor is obligated to pay. God cannot be put under obligation by man. God can only be put under obligation by God. For example, should God promise that something will be done, then one can know with certainty that it will be done. God acts from eternity. The giving of the promise and the fulfillment of the promise are One, Perfect Act, carried out with Supreme wisdom and art, in a single masterful motion.
1 Timothy 5:18 ESV For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
Luke 10:7 ESV And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.
Motivated by Justice, for Justice is violated when a deserved benefit is withheld.
Deuteronomy 24:14-15 ESV "You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns. [15] You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets (for he is poor and counts on it), lest he cry against you to the LORD, and you be guilty of sin.
Leviticus 19:13 ESV "You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning.
This distinction allows the growing Christian to redirect moral understanding from the wrong purpose to the right purpose.
The right purpose of moral understanding is therapy.
Our pains are not punishments, but are tiny (finite) versions of the (infinite) punishments which would have been due to us, had Jesus Christ not taken all of our punishment upon the cross. The pain that remains in our lives are directed at drawing us into repentance.
Psalm 119:71 ESV It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
Job 33:19-30 ESV "Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones, [20] so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food. [21] His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out. [22] His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death. [23] If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, [24] and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom; [25] let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor'; [26] then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. [27] He sings before men and says: 'I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me. [28] He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.' [29] "Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, [30] to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.
Behavior flows from belief. Thus, the specific nature of a sinful habit can tell a mature Christian healer the nature of the false beliefs which still cling to an initiate's spiritual body.
Matthew 12:33-35 ESV "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
Proverbs 4:20-23 ESV My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. [21] Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. [22] For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. [23] Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
James 1:14-15 ESV But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. [15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
The wrong purpose of moral understanding is justification and condemnation.
These are the purposes to which the world puts its moral understanding. Remember that friendship with the world is enmity with God.
Romans 2:15 ESV They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
Condemnation - the pointing of the finger
Isaiah 58:9-11 ESV Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, [10] if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. [11] And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Justification - "present Jerusalem"
The mystical body of Christ is the Church. The Church is unified by the doctrine of Jesus Christ. The doctrine is the spirit of the mystical body, and is the spiritual body of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14,18-20,27 ESV For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and all were made to drink of one Spirit... [14] For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ... [18] But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. [19] If all were a single member, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, yet one body... [27] Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Philippians 1:27 ESV Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
John 6:33,35,50-51,53-55,58,63 ESV For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." ... [35] Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. ... [50] This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. [51] I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." ... [53] So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. [55] For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. ... [58] This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." ... [63] It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Being obedient to observe the sacraments, the believer gains understanding of the spiritual realities to which those sacraments were meant to point us.
1 Corinthians 11:29-30 ESV For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. [30] That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
So "mysticism" refers to the experiences by which God's Holy Spirit inducts the believer into the mysteries of the Word.
Joel 2:28 ESV "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
Isaiah 28:9-10 ESV "To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast? [10] For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."
At the beginning of the process, spiritual reality is completely mysterious. The completion of this good inner-work is the complete revelation of the spiritual reality.
That veil has been torn. In the current age, God's Holy Spirit is being poured out on believers. Through the Holy Spirit, we gain access to the realities behind the veil.
Matthew 27:50-51 ESV And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. [51] And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
2 Corinthians 3:15-18 ESV Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. [16] But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Spiritual realities are not perceived by the bodily senses. They are behind the veil.
In relation to breath: The Spirit is the "higher", and soul is the "lower" breath. The soul-breath is that which is used to blow out a candle, or cool a cup of hot tea. The spirit-breath is that which is used to feed a campfire. It is the breath which mimics the power of the wind.
1 Corinthians 15:44-49 ESV It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. [45] Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. [46] But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. [47] The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. [48] As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. [49] Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
By way of the higher/lower relation of spirit/soul, we can say that the soul is the indwelling principle of life which animates the first/natural man. It belongs to his bodily, animal nature. The Spirit is then the indwelling principle of life which animates the second/spiritual man.
1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 14 **Ψυχικὸς** δὲ ἄνθρωπος οὐ δέχεται τὰ τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ θεοῦ, μωρία γὰρ αὐτῷ ἐστίν, καὶ οὐ δύναται γνῶναι, ὅτι **πνευματικῶς** ἀνακρίνεται ·
Understanding of spiritual things is a power that belongs to Spirit, but is lacking in the soul. This capacity is the specific difference which divides the class of indwelling vital principles. The Spirit has the capacity to understand spiritual words by which mature Christians may impart the secret and hidden wisdom of God. The Soul lacks this capacity, and is limited to understanding only what appears to the senses.
ψυχή Breath, Soul
HELPS Word-studies 5590 psyxḗ (from psyxō, "to breathe, blow" which is the root of the English words "psyche," "psychology") – soul (psyche); a person's distinct identity (unique personhood), i.e. individual personality. 5590 (psyxē) corresponds exactly to the OT 5315 /phágō ("soul"). The soul is the direct aftermath of God breathing (blowing) His gift of life into a person, making them an ensouled being.
πνεῦμα Breath, Wind, Spirit
HELPS Word-studies 4151 pneúma – properly, spirit (Spirit), wind, or breath. The most frequent meaning (translation) of 4151 (pneúma) in the NT is "spirit" ("Spirit"). Only the context however determines which sense(s) is meant. The Hebrew counterpart (rûach) has the same range of meaning as 4151 (pneúma), i.e. it likewise can refer to spirit/Spirit, wind, or breath.]
The Living Instruments of Scripture
Any believer who will refrain from speaking what is worthless, and only speaking what is precious, the Instrument (Mouth) of God
Jeremiah 15:19 ESV Therefore thus says the LORD: "If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.
Any believer who is called upon to give an account before the unjust judges of this world, the Instrument of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 10:19-20 ESV When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. [20] For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Phillip, the Instrument of the Holy Spirit
Acts 8:26,29-31,35-36,38-40 ESV Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place. ... [29] And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot." [30] So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" [31] And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. ... [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. [36] And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" ... [38] And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. [39] And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. [40] But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Simon, the instrument of Satan
Luke 22:31-32 ESV "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
Matthew 16:22-23 ESV And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." [23] But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
Simon Peter, the Instrument of God, who only is the Rock
Matthew 16:15-19 ESV He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" [16] Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [17] And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. [18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
This is a tricky passage. "The Rock" is an interesting Divine name, because Scripture repeatedly affirms that God is the only Rock. This indicates that Jesus is pivoting His attention from Simon to the Heavenly Blessing, His Father. Jesus had just revealed God's principal position within the present conversation, and was now directing His words *to the Father*. The pivot occurs in verse 18, with the words, "And I tell you..."
Note the nature of Simon's instrumentality: by revelation, God caused a man to confess Christ in the world. Bodily agents bring about bodily effects through bodily instruments. Spiritual agents bring about spiritual effects through spiritual instruments.
Man moves stick -> Stick moves Rock God gives Revelation -> Revelation produces confession God gives Spirit -> Spirit leads to Christ
2 Samuel 22:32 ESV "For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?
Isaiah 44:8 ESV Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any."
Psalm 62:2,6 ESV He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. ... [6] He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
God is the only Principle of all reality; everything that happens, happens according to His Eternal Plan, accomplishing His eternal purpose.
False principalities rob Christians of power.
John 5:19 ESV So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
If a believer mistakes an instrument as a principality (for example, thinking that medicine heals, rather than God), then, in a literal sense, the believer has not seen the Father doing the action which has been ascribed to an instrument. Because they do not see the Father acting, they cannot do what He does. The Christian who believes that medicines heal, but does not credit God for the healing, the same will not be able to heal until he repents. But those who see (that is, understand) that the Father is the the true Principle, will themselves become instruments of His works. Rather than using medicine to heal people, God is able to use Christians, who are careful to believe and do His Word.
Spiritual Growth also makes it easier to trust that unpleasant circumstances also belong to God's providential plan to glorify Himself. Even in times of trouble, the mature Christian sees by faith God's worthiness to be praised.
Romans 8:28 ESV And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Christian growth involves learning to credit all virtue and blessing to God, without holding back any credit for His instruments.
God may choose to share His merit with an instrument, but that is God's prerogative. In our own thinking, we must give all praise directly to God.
1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Romans 2:29 ESV But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Luke 17:10 ESV So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"
Isaiah 45:5-7 ESV I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, [6] that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. [7] I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.
Isaiah 2:11 ESV The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
Our material/temporal origin is that which appears. Jesus told us not to judge by appearances, and then promised us eternal life, which must include a spiritual/eternal origin. Jesus even goes as far as to command us to deny our material origin. We are born of spirit and water, not of the will or blood of man.
Matthew 23:8-9 ESV But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
John 3:5-8 ESV Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' [8] The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
This is how it is with everyone who is born of the spirit: you do not see where they come from, and you do not see where they go.
Immortal life is life that is not subject to death. Since death is a kind of change, eternal life includes immortal life. But, an immortal life need not be an eternal life. An eternal life has its origin in eternity, which is essentially prior to time. But an immortal life may have its origin in time. An immortal life is subject to all kinds of change, though. In fact, an immortal life may endlessly approach death, even if it doesn't ever fully reach what would then be a sweet release.
Matthew 26:24 ESV The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."
Eternal life is permanent and unchanging in itself. The activity of an eternal life proceeds always, but exhibits changingly in changing mediums, like the present world.
James 1:17 ESV Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
All life involves activity
Studies In Words, C.S. Lewis Page 226, World For [Plato the Greek aion] means 'eternity' in the strictest sense; not indefinite nor even infinite time but the timeless. The Creator, he says, made a 'movable model' of aion and this model is what we call time. Time is a model of aion because it attempts, by incessantly replacing its 'present moments', to compensate for this transience and symbolize, or parody, the actual plenitude of the changeless reality-like trying to imitate omnipresence by visiting as many places as possible in rapid succession. Hence in Shakespeare time is 'thou ceaseless lackey to eternity'.
The Mind: A Place for Truth
John 4:23-24 ESV But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. [24] God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
The Seven Heavens of the World
Seventh Heaven: the Heaven of Heavens
In the Heaven of Heavens, the shift of focus is from Highest to All. The infinite expanse of space is such that it is all center, for every point is surrounded by infinitude on every side.
Sixth Heaven: the Realm of the Unseen Power
Moving from the Fifth to the Sixth Heaven once again involves a shift of focus. All eyes are on the Father, who none but the Son have ever seen (and those to whom He shows Him).
Matthew 11:27 ESV All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Also, the Great Power of the Fifth Heaven, the Sun, finds itself among an innumerable family in the Sixth Heaven. The stars are all subject to the great power at the center of the galaxy.
Romans 8:29-30 ESV For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Hebrews 11:12 ESV Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
Psalm 147:4-5 ESV He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. [5] Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
Genesis 15:5-6 ESV And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." [6] And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
As a body moves upward and outward from the Sun's sphere of influence (its domain), the body finds itself yet within the domain of an even greater power: the power that holds the galaxy together. This power is unseen, but by its effects, we know it must be very great.
1 Corinthians 15:27-28 ESV For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. [28] When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
John 16:23-28 ESV In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. [24] Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. [25] "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. [26] In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; [27] for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. [28] I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father."
Isaiah 57:17 ESV Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart.
Isaiah 45:15 ESV Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
Fifth Heaven: the Realm of the Greater Power
The "spheres" of the first Four Heavens are concentric. That is, they share a center: the center of the earth. In the Fifth Heaven, there is a new center: the center of the Sun.
A change in center, then, means a change of focus. Christ did not come into the World to be served, but to serve. God loves us first. Then, Christ returns to the Father, and the Father sets Him at His right side while He, the Father, makes the enemies of Christ into the footstool of Christ.
The second focus is on the Christ.
The suggestion of the focal analogy is this: The Spirit ascends into the Fifth Heaven by taking the focus off of the earth, the self, and the Lost Sheep; and instead, the Spirit focuses on Christ.
Does that mean we should forget about the Lost Sheep? No. Focusing on Christ must involve acknowledging and praising Him for His wonderful deeds. Since the Spirit sees with eternal eyes, the whole story is seen in one perfect glance. In this vision, the Lost Sheep has been saved. The Fifth Heaven is where the celebration takes place.
John 10:27-29 ESV My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
Matthew 18:14 ESV So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Psalm 19:4-5 ESV Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, [5] which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Isaiah 2:17 ESV And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
Hebrews 10:12-13 ESV But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, [13] waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.
Hebrews 1:1-9,13 ESV Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. [3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, [4] having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. [5] For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? [6] And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." [7] Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire." [8] But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. [9] You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." ... [13] And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?
Psalm 110:1 ESV The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."
The first focus is on the world. This is for the benefit of the Lost Sheep.
Romans 6:8-11 ESV Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. [9] We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. [10] For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. [11] So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:16-17 ESV The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
1 John 4:9-10,19 ESV In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins... [19] We love because he first loved us.
Luke 15:4-7 ESV "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' [7] Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:8-10 ESV "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Matthew 10:6 ESV but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:24 ESV He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Matthew 20:28 ESV even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
1 Corinthians 15:45-49 ESV Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. [46] But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. [47] The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. [48] As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. [49] Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
The center of a circle is a "focus", because a focus is any point where rays (straight lines) of any kind converge. A radius is a ray that is defined by perpendicularity to the tangent line at some point of the circumference of a circle. It is the essence of a circle that every radial line converge upon the same point: the center. Since the center is a point at which radial lines converge, it is a focus.
Fourth Heaven: the Realm of the Lesser Power
Genesis 37:9-10 ESV Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, "Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me." [10] But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?"
Note Jacob's interpretation of Joseph's dream: The Moon represents Joseph's mother.
The Moon As Mother and Bride
One side of the moon is always facing towards the earth, while the other side is always facing away from the earth.
The Moon's downward face: The Whore, the False Bride, exposed The Apostate Church
Revelation 2:9 ESV "'I know your tribulation and your poverty ( but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
If a true Jew is one inwardly circumcised, then this may not only be referring to those we now call "Jews". This can also refer to those who represent themselves as inwardly circumcised, but who are not.
Romans 2:28-29 ESV For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. [29] But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Romans 9:6-8 ESV But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, [7] and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." [8] This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
Revelation 3:18 ESV I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
Isaiah 24:21-23 ESV On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. [22] They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished. [23] Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders.
Facing the Earth represents worldly mindedness, which is a characteristic of Satan, and symptomatic of idolatry of the heart. Israel's idolatry was allegorized as wholesome all throughout Hosea.
Hosea 1:2 ESV When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, "Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD."
Matthew 16:23 ESV But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
The Moon's outward face: The True Bride, hidden and safe
Revelation 12:1-6 ESV And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. [2] She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. [3] And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. [4] His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. [5] She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, [6] and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.
The woman as the church: The Moon is at her feet, because the moon represents the church during its tribulation period. As Christ had His passion, the church has hers. But when she has endured the tribulation, she becomes like the sun. The church ascends through the person of Christ (the Fifth Heaven)(hence, clothed with the sun, which also represents the Christ-righteousness which God imputes because of faith) and becomes represented by the stars in the Sixth Heaven. So, the church ascends through allegory: first the moon (reflecting the light of Christ), then the sun (life in Christ), then the stars (True Christ-likeness, emanating, rather than merely reflecting, the Life of Christ).
Note that the church has no direct representation in the Fifth Heaven.
Galatians 3:27-28 ESV For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 30:26 ESV Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the LORD binds up the brokenness of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow.
The light of seven days: Seven represents perfection, completion, wholeness. The light of seven days is thus the light of the perfect, complete, whole Day, which is eternity. So, the church (represented by the moon) will emanate with life and righteousness, just as we have seen Christ. This is effectuated by the reception of Spiritual Light from Eternity, which shines from within us.
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Remember the Good Work of God:
Matthew 13:43 ESV Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
The Moon reflects the Light of the Sun.
The Fourth Heaven is the first Heaven which lies outside of the air. The pattern of the first Three-smaller beings (wingeds), greater beings (clouds), then unseen beings-is found in the second Three: the Moon is the Lesser Power which rules the Fourth Heaven, the Sun is the Greater Power which rules the Fifth Heaven, and whatever is at the center of the Galaxy is the Unseen Power which rules the Sixth Heaven.
Light is instead of air in the Fourth Heaven and beyond.
The wingeds and clouds are numerous. The moon and the sun are singular. This signifies a distinction, similar in nature to the pattern of the temple: an outer sanctuary and a most Holy inner place. So, in the Most Holy Heavens (Fourth through Seventh), there is but One God: the Bride, the Son, the Father, and the Mother. These correspond to the Moon, the Sun, the Galactic Center, and the Universe.
The Most High Heavens: The Divine Household
Holy Spirit Bride & Mother
Mother
The Mother is the Holy Spirit, considered as the "first home" of God. She is the uncreated place, which God fills, without being contained.
Mary is an allegorical figure of the Divine Mother, in that her womb was the first worldly home of Jesus Christ.
Bride
Song of Solomon 6:9-10 ESV My dove, my perfect one, is the only one, the only one of her mother, pure to her who bore her. The young women saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines also, and they praised her. [10] "Who is this who looks down like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, bright as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?"
Luke 1:46-48 ESV And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, [47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, [48] for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
Son
Father
This would suggest that the only way to enter the Most Holy Heavens is by being drawn up into the persons who stand in those positions.
The inward movement into the Most Holy Heavens requires the believer to deny the self, and confess God. That is, we are to give over the whole mind to God, thinking and praying in the character of God. Let God be your "I Am". Thinking and praying in the character of God will lead to speaking and doing in the character of God, through the power and spirit of Christ.
John 12:23-26 ESV And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. [24] Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. [25] Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:32 ESV And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
John 7:33-34 ESV Jesus then said, "I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. [34] You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come."
Matthew 16:24-28 ESV Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [25] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [26] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? [27] For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. [28] Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
Then our eye will be one-fold, and thus our body full of light.
The believer becomes a son of God, because the Son of God comes to dwell in us. Christ in the believer, and the believer in Christ. It is with His mind that we will know the mind of God.
Revelation 3:21 ESV The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Hosea 1:10 ESV Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," it shall be said to them, "Children of the living God."
Romans 8:14-16 ESV For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
John 1:12-13 ESV But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
The Church becomes the Bride of Christ, because the Bride of God, the Holy Spirit, comes to dwell in us. She in us, and then, we in Her. She is the Eye through which we will see God as God sees Himself.
Isaiah 30:20 ESV And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.
John 16:13-16 ESV When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. [14] He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. [15] All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. [16] "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me."
John 15:26 ESV "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
Matthew 23:10 ESV Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:9-12 ESV But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"- [10] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. [11] For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
1 Corinthians 15:40-41 ESV There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. [41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
The Moon has a phase cycle of twenty seven days. A lunar calendar has thirteen months, with 28 days per month. Each month will have its full moon shifted one day earlier than the month preceeding it. So, every month has a unique lunar profile. So, we can say that the moon runs a race of thirteen laps per year, with a shortfall of thirteen days. Because of leap years, the moon runs through a cycle of 55 years, before the moon will begin its 13 lap race from the same position again. Now, the 55 year cycle has two parts: after the first 28 years, the lunar profile comes close, but does not match the beginning profile. Because of leap years, the moon "misses the mark". It takes another 27 years to finally return to its starting position rightly. This parallels the prophetic story of the church, which begins aiming towards unification, then falls away into apostasy, and then is revived and rescued by Christ.
Genesis 1:14-19 ESV And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, [15] and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so. [16] And God made the two great lights-the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night-and the stars. [17] And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, [18] to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. [19] And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
Signs and seasons
Psalm 104:19 ESV He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.
Ruler of the Night
Joel 1:13 ESV Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Go in, pass the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! Because grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God.
Psalm 136:9 ESV the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Psalm 89:36-37 ESV His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. [37] Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies." Selah
The true church is prophesied to be faithful witnesses of Christ, and also to dwell with Him in the sky.
The true church will be sky-dwellers
John 6:39-40 ESV And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. [40] For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."
Revelation 12:14 ESV But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.
2 Kings 2:11 ESV And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Revelation 11:12 ESV Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 ESV Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Daniel 7:13-14,16,18 ESV "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. [14] And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. ... [16] I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. ... [18] But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.'
The "one like the Son of man" is not the Christ, but one like Him: the true church, and every member of the true church.
The true church is a faithful witness
Luke 12:8-12 ESV "And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, [9] but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. [10] And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. [11] And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
Acts 23:11 ESV The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."
1 John 1:3-4 ESV that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. [4] And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Acts 10:43 ESV To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Revelation 2:13 ESV "'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
The true church is established forever
Third Heaven: the Realm of the Higher and Hidden Aerials
The air in the Third Heaven is less dense than the air of First and Second Heaven.
Weightiness vs Levity
βάρος Weight
HELPS Word-studies 922 báros – properly, a weight; (figuratively) real substance (what has value, significance), i.e. carries personal and eternal significance.
ἐλαφρός Light, easy to bear
HELPS Word-studies 1645 elaphrós (from mikros, "least, little," J. Thayer) – properly, of little weight (light); (figuratively) easily managed (carried) because easy to bear (move with).
ἐλαφρία Lightness, feckless, levity
2 Corinthians 1:17 KJVS When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1644 elaphría (from 1645 /elaphrós, "least, little/small") – properly, of little weight (light), used only in 2 Cor 1:17.
As the highest aerial heaven, the Third Heaven is a heavenly crown. And, the air of the Third Heaven is that upon which the light of the sun shines unmitigated. The higher airs receive and absorb light from the sun, which the lower airs do not taste. Thus, the Third Heaven is literally a crown of glory, since glory can be taken to mean luminosity, when considered in a bodily sense.
Crown of Glory and Honor (Branch copied from the Seven Crowns)
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 ESV I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. [3] And I know that this man was caught up into paradise-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows- [4] and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
When God sends secret knowledge to men, whether by mystical experiences or by the Scriptures, it is called "revelation".
Ephesians 3:1-3 ESV For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles- [2] assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, [3] how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
ἀποκάλυψις Lit. "Out from covering" Uncovering, unveiling, revelation
What God has obscured by the clouds of Second Heaven, He has done so by the counsel of His goodness. What a man sees in the Third Heaven and beyond, he may not be able to speak (whether because God commands it, or because God prevents it by confusing speech).
Daniel 12:7-10 ESV And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. [8] I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?" [9] He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. [10] Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.
Daniel 12:1-4 ESV "At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. [2] And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. [3] And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. [4] But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
Daniel 8:26-27 ESV The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now." [27] And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king's business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.
The Third Heaven is above the clouds. That is, it is beyond the veil. The higher heavens are opened to the one who ascends beyond the Second Heaven. In the Third Heaven, there is clarity.
Inside the cloud: Induction into Mystery
Hebrews 12:1 ESV Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 11 tells us who is in this cloud of witness, and how they got there: they believed God. And that is how we get into the cloud. Without faith, no one can enter the mysteries which God has reserved for the faithful.
Matthew 17:5 ESV He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." Mark 9:7 ESV And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." Luke 9:34-35 ESV As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. [35] And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!"
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Remember, physical ascension is upward, and spiritual ascension is inward. To enter the cloud, that is, to be inducted into mystery, is to ascend from the Second to the Third Heaven.
Second Heaven: the Nebulous Realm
The dust of God's feet
Nahum 1:3 ESV The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
Putting these verses together, it seems that the obscurity of Heavenly things (represented by clouds) is a testimony against the world, that the world would not listen to God.
And yet it is by the clouds that God sends rain on the earth. And, mark this: His rain is sent to the ungrateful and unjust.
Luke 6:35 ESV But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Matthew 5:44-45 ESV But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
John 3:19 ESV And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Riding on a cloud
Revelation 14:14-16 ESV Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. [15] And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe." [16] So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.
Revelation 11:3,7-9,11-12 ESV And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."... [7] And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, [8] and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. [9] For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, ... [11] But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. [12] Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.
Revelation 1:7 ESV Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
Matthew 26:64 ESV Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." Mark 14:62 ESV And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
Psalm 104:1-4 ESV Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, [2] covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. [3] He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; [4] he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.
Thunder and the voice of God
Psalm 97:2,4,6,8 ESV Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. ... [4] His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. ... [6] The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. ... [8] Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O LORD.
A man on the ground breathes the same air through which the wingeds fly. But the nebulous region is beyond our reach. Clouds thus represent transcendence, unreachableness.
Ezekiel 31:3 ESV Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade, and of towering height, its top among the clouds. Ezekiel 31:10-11,14 ESV "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height, [11] I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations. He shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves. I have cast it out... [14] All this is in order that no trees by the waters may grow to towering height or set their tops among the clouds, and that no trees that drink water may reach up to them in height. For they are all given over to death, to the world below, among the children of man, with those who go down to the pit.
Psalm 36:5 ESV Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 57:10 ESV For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 108:4 ESV For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Job 37:9-16 ESV From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds. [10] By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. [11] He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. [12] They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. [13] Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen. [14] "Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. [15] Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? [16] Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge,
Job 35:5-7 ESV Look at the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you. [6] If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? [7] If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
God appears and leads His people in clouds
Daniel 7:13 ESV "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
2 Samuel 22:11-15 ESV He rode on a cherub and flew; he was seen on the wings of the wind. [12] He made darkness around him his canopy, thick clouds, a gathering of water. [13] Out of the brightness before him coals of fire flamed forth. [14] The LORD thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered his voice. [15] And he sent out arrows and scattered them; lightning, and routed them.
Isaiah 19:1 ESV An oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them.
Leviticus 16:2 ESV and the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.
Exodus 34:5-7 ESV The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. [6] The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, [7] keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."
Exodus 33:9 ESV When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.
Exodus 19:9,16 ESV And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the LORD, [16] On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.
Exodus 14:19-20 ESV Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, [20] coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.
The Bow of God
Genesis 9:13 ESV I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
Ezekiel 1:28 ESV Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Whirlwind, storms, and lightning: Wrath from the Second Heaven
Isaiah 30:30 ESV And the LORD will cause his majestic voice to be heard and the descending blow of his arm to be seen, in furious anger and a flame of devouring fire, with a cloudburst and storm and hailstones.
Psalm 77:17-18 ESV The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. [18] The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.
Clouds without rain: words without understanding
Proverbs 25:14 ESV Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
Jude 1:10-13 ESV But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. [11] Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion. [12] These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; [13] wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
Clouds are "gatherings of water", and by them God sends rain on the earth.
Zechariah 10:1 ESV Ask rain from the LORD in the season of the spring rain, from the LORD who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.
Isaiah 45:8 ESV "Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the LORD have created it.
righteousness down, righteousness up: The Pasture of Righteousness, where the hungry are pastured
Matthew 5:6 ESV "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Hunger AND THIRST for righteousness! Rain and wheat!
χορτάζω Lit. "to pasture" as in the sentence, "The shepherd pastured his flock."
imputed righteousness
Job 36:27-33 ESV For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain, [28] which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly. [29] Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? [30] Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the roots of the sea. [31] For by these he judges peoples; he gives food in abundance. [32] He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. [33] Its crashing declares his presence; the cattle also declare that he rises.
Clouds cover and conceal
Also, concealment or covering from the heat and light of the sun.
Darkness: Irrationality and Confusion of Thought
Ezekiel 32:7-8 ESV When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light. [8] All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on your land, declares the Lord GOD.
Consider these verses in connection with end-times prophecies:
Zephaniah 1:14-15 ESV The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. [15] A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Matthew 24:29-31 ESV "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [30] Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [31] And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Mark 13:24-27 ESV "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, [25] and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. [26] And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. [27] And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. Luke 21:25-27 ESV "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, [26] people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [27] And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Joel 2:1-2 ESV Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, [2] a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. Joel 2:30-31 ESV "And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. [31] The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.
Ezekiel 34:12 ESV As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.
Ezekiel 30:2-3 ESV "Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: "Wail, 'Alas for the day!' [3] For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.
Compare to the judgment upon King Nebudchenezzer
Daniel 4:31 KJV While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. Daniel 4:34 KJV And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
In order to understand the gratuitous nature of understanding (rationality), that power that makes us distinct from the beasts, we can consider the calamity of Nebuchadnezzar. The calamity was not something that was done to him, but something that was taken away from him. In verse 31, the kingdom is "taken away." In verse 34, understanding "returned to" him.
Shade: Protection from the buring heat of the sun The good cloud
Isaiah 4:5 ESV Then the LORD will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy.
Acts 1:9-11 ESV And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
Ezekiel 1:4 ESV As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal.
Lamentations 2:1 ESV How the Lord in his anger has set the daughter of Zion under a cloud! He has cast down from heaven to earth the splendor of Israel; he has not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger. Lamentations 3:44 ESV you have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through.
Here, the cloud stands for the same as the veil, which covers the eyes of apostate Israel. The cloud conceals the mystery of God's will: salvation through righteousness by faith. Without this knowledge, no man can stand before God with an innocent conscience. Thus, the concealment of the mystery of God's will prevents prayers from "passing through".
Revelation 10:1-4 ESV Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. [2] He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, [3] and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. [4] And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down."
First Heaven: the Realm of the Wingeds
πετεινόν Lit. "Winged" Usu. Transl. "Bird"
Recall that the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus on the form of a dove. The initial growth of the life of the Spirit is slow, consisting in a long and continual reaching towards the light. But when we seek God with all our hearts, He sends His Helper to us; He will not leave us helpless.
Matthew 13:4,19 ESV And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them... [19] When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
There are of course good wingeds, but note that here the wingeds are compared to Satan. The good wingeds (angels, usually called) include those that are from the higher heavens. They are expressions of the higher being, transposed into the lower heaven. The most extreme instance of this downward instantiation is Jesus Christ. God emptied Himself of the honor and glory that is His Right; He has the power to lay it down, and the power to take it back up again. In that instance, we call the downward transposition "incarnation" or "embodiment". We may call the lesser descendings by the same names.
The Last Battle, C.S. Lewis Page 195, Further Up and Further In ...that was not the real Narnia. that had a beginning and an end. It was only a shadow or a copy of the real Narnia which has always been here and always will be here: just as our own world, England and all, is only a shadow or copy of something in Aslan's real world. You need not mourn over Narnia Lucy. All of the old Narnia that mattered, all the dear creatures, have been drawn into the real Narnia through the Door. And of course it is different; as different as a real thing is from a shadow or as waking life is from a dream."
Matthew 6:26 ESV Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
The seven heavens of the world point us to the inward heavens. The essential characteristics of the heavens of the world are reflections of heavenly things.
Worldly ascension: Go up. Spiritual ascension: Go in.
The Last Battle, C.S. Lewis Page 181, Night Falls On Narnia They had seen strange things through that Doorway. But it was stranger than any of them to look round and find themselves in warm daylight, the blue sky above them, flowers at their feet, and laughter in Aslan's eyes. He turned swiftly around, crouched lower, lashed himself with his tail and shot away like a golden arrow. "Come further in! Come further up!" he shouted over his shoulder. But who could keep up with him at that pace?
The following chapter is called "Further Up and Further In", but the initial beckoning call is first in, then up. Only once you have gotten into the real Narnia, can the upward journey begin.
Acts 1:10-11 ESV And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
Yes, Jesus was moving through space, upward towards the sky as he left; and thus we can expect He will come moving downward through space. But, He was also teaching, commanding, and making promises. This manner of His departure is far more important than the merely physical facts of His ascension. We can expect that Christ will come to us through hearing and believing His teaching, obeying His commands, and hoping in His promises.
Acts 1:2-5 ESV until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [3] He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. [4] And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Mark 9:1 ESV And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."
He will "come with power." Did He go with power? Yep.
Luke 17:21 KJVS Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Space, and the perfection of space, which is Heaven
Local presence vs omnipresence
Presence and perspective
The omni-perspective and Orthogonal Vision
Orthogonal: "Ortho-" means "right" "-gon" means corner So, "right-corner" Orthogonal vision is thus a vision of things which corresponds to the reality of the things: right angles appear as right angles.
The orthogonal vision is achieved through spiritual translation. Instead of judging *by* appearances, appearances are judged. That is, the appearance of things is not the truth of things, but when appearances are subject to judgment by one who judges rightly, the orthogonal vision of the world comes into view. Appearances are not to be instruments of judgment, but subjects of judgment.
The local perspective and The diminishment of vision due to distance
Perspectivized vision is characterized by the wrong appearance of angles: angles which are actually right angles, appear to the local observer as acute or obtuse angles.
To be omnipresent is to be present at all locations. This is the spiritual mode of presence.
To be "locally present" is to be at one location, while being absent at every other location. This is the bodily mode of presence.
Space contains things, and things fill space
The perfection of space is realized in the boundless capacity to be filled, and yet being filled with one perfect, boundless being.
Ephesians 1:18-23 ESV having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 4:6 ESV one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:10 ESV He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
2 Chronicles 6:18 ESV "But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built!
Nothing exists nowhere. That is, everything exists somewhere. So, if a thing exists, there must be some place in which it exists. Since God existed before all created places, then there must be an uncreated place in which He exists prior to all created places. Now, if this uncreated place was not God, then God would have depended on something other than Himself for His existence. But, God depends on nothing that is not Himself. Therefore, though it seems mysterious, we must accept that God is the uncreated place, in which He exists prior to all created places. The name we are given for God, considered as the uncreated abode in which God eternally dwells, is Heaven. God is Heaven.
Studies In Words, C.S. Lewis Page 236-237, World In the New Testament, the basileia, the reign or kingship, of God is frequently mentioned (Mark I. 15; iv. 11, et passim). No one doubts that this conception is closely connected-it is not for me to say just how-with that of the new aion. Sometimes, instead of 'the basileia of God', we find 'the basileia of heaven' (Matt. iii. 2; v. 10). These two phrases meant exactly the same, heaven being merely a reverential Hebrew euphemism for God. But it did not sound like that to people who were preoccupied with imaginations of 'the land of the dead'. It sounded like a place-the very same place, up in the sky, once occupied by Olympus or Asgard. As if that were not enough, the word basileia took on a new colour when it was turned into Latin or English. Regnum and Kingdom, perhaps from the first, and increasingly as time went on, carried a territorial implication. The 'basileia of God' had meant 'the aion, the State of Affairs, in which God's monarchy is undisputed'. The 'Kingdom of God' comes more and more to mean 'the region ... in which God is King'. Now substitute Heaven for God, and the territorial aspect almost extrudes every other.
Life, defined: The indwelling principle of activity that is characterized by the realization and perfection of the self.
Self-realization, clarified: "Realize," in the sense of "make fully real." When the self is fully realized, then every natural power is operating at maximum capacity, and every natural quality is fully displayed.
The doubtful seek certainty.
The Spiritual person seeks certainty through prayerful comparison and agreement to God's Word.
1 John 4:1-6 ESV Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, [3] and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. [4] Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. [5] They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. [6] We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Mark 9:23-24,28-29 ESV And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." [24] Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" ... [28] And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" [29] And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."
James 1:5 ESV If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
The carnal person seeks certainty through careful observation and measurement of worldly things.
The weak seek strength.
The spiritual person knows that strength comes from God. Since God is God's Word, the spiritual person trains in the words of the faith to increase his strength.
Strength does not only mean the ability to move heavy bodies. It does mean that - don't forget our faith can move mountains. But a Christian can also be strengthened in their spiritual bodies, for the moving of spiritual bodies which resist movement.
Kinds of spiritual "movement"
Removal of Veils
Enlightenment Unveiling the Mysteries of God
1 Corinthians 2:5-7 ESV so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. [6] Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. [7] But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
1 Corinthians 14:6 ESV Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
Prophecy as enlightening speech
Acts 15:32 ESV And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.
Awakening Unveiling the True Self in Christ
Discovery of the distinction between the manifest-self and the hidden-self or secret-self, which is hidden in Christ, and which is like him, equal-to-angels, and in right relation with the Father.
ἰσάγγελος Equal to Angels
Luke 20:36 ESV for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
ἴσος Equal, equivalent, identical
Christ-Like
1 John 3:2 ESV Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
Identity of self hidden in Christ
Colossians 3:3-4 ESV For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Romans 8:18-19 ESV For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. [19] For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
Ephesians 5:13-14 ESV But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, [14] for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Casting out demons
Acts 5:16 ESV The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Acts 8:6-7 ESV And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. [7] For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. Acts 16:18 ESV And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. Acts 19:12 ESV so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
Mark 16:17 ESV And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
"Heavy" objects resist movement. To move a heavy object, you have to *heave*. A "heavy" spiritual body is a body of weighty doctrine. It is doctrine that you don't want to get wrong, because the consequences are substantial. But removing substantial errors also requires spiritual might. Since Satan is the father of lies, removing the most substantial Doctrinal errors requires both spiritual might and training in the words of our faith.
2 Timothy 2:1 ESV You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 3:16-20 ESV that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [19] and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [20] Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Ephesians 6:10 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
The carnal person believes his strength comes from muscles, and so he exercises his muscles to increase his strength.
Jeremiah 17:5 ESV Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.
The sick seek health, And the wounded seek wholeness.
The spiritual person seeks healing from the only spiritual principle, which is God.
Psalm 147:3 ESV He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Exodus 15:26 ESV saying, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for **I am the LORD, your healer**."
The Lord heals all your diseases. No disease is ever healed, except by the Lord. Medicines do nothing. They are false principalities of health.
The carnal person seeks healing from material principles of healing, to heal his physical body.
φαρμακεία Transliterated "pharmacy" The use of drugs, medicines, or "spells" Usu. Transl. "Sorcery"
Revelation 18:23 ESV and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your **sorcery**.
Galatians 5:19-21 ESV Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, **sorcery**, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The use of drugs and medicines
Those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Works of the flesh
The obscure seek fame.
The spiritual person seeks the glory that comes from God only.
1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
1 Corinthians 8:3 ESV But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
The carnal person seeks the glory (the good opinion) of men.
John 5:44 ESV How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
The immature seek maturity.
Instead of seeking the maturity of our physical bodies, the spiritual person seeks maturity of faith.
Ephesians 4:13-16 ESV until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Luke 8:14 ESV And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
To be self seeking is death.
Luke 21:34 ESV "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
Luke 14:26 ESV "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 12:15 ESV And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Matthew 10:39 ESV Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
True life comes from God. God gives His own life to us. But God's life is God-seeking. Thus, we must be about our Father's business, lest we die.
1 John 1:2 ESV the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us-
John 11:25-26 ESV Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, [26] and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
John 5:26 ESV For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
John 1:4 ESV In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Matthew 19:16-17 ESV And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" [17] And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."
Christ accomplishes the righteous requirement of the law in us, for us.
Matthew 18:8-9 ESV And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. [9] And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
Jesus' teachings about *entering* life show that we are truly dead before Christ's life enters into us. Thus, biological life, which is manifest to us, is not true life, but only a temporal and corporeal figure of the true life, which is in Christ.
Matthew 7:14 ESV For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
John 10:7-10 ESV So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
1 John 5:20 ESV And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Jeremiah 29:23 ESV because they have done an outrageous thing in Israel, they have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and they have spoken in my name lying words that I did not command them. **I am the one who knows**, and I am witness, declares the LORD.'"
"Science" just means "knowledge", and God is "The One Who Knows." Therefore, they who speak in the name of "science," speak in the name of God. And today, they speak lying words, which God did not command them. God help us, for they lead your people astray!
On science: The physical scientific method of experiment and observation, when faithfully carried out, has the power to *disprove* certain explanations for physical phenomena. The method is not useful for building up knowledge, because it's only power is in disproving *testable* explanations. Man cannot account for all possible explanations, and not all explanations are testable. Spiritual explanations, for example, cannot be tested; and thus, the physical scientific method cannot tell us anything about spiritual things, or how they are related to physical things.
Remember also the role that money plays in the modern practice of science. Some of the things that false scientists want us to accept as true, cannot be verified, except with equipment that costs huge sums of money. Would God have hidden critical knowledge behind an obstacle which specifically blocks access to the poor?
The role of money in modern science means that it is corruptible. Whatever costs money, is controlled by economic forces (Mammon).
Luke 16:13 ESV No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
The physical scientific method requires careful observation and measurement of worldly things. Jesus told us that we would not need such methods to heal every kind of disease, and to live out the life of a disciple.
Luke 17:20 ESV Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, Berean Literal Bible And having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God is coming, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with careful observation
What God actually gives to build up our knowledge:
Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
The discernment that "God is Truth," entails more than the fact that God knows all truth, and is truthful, so that God's Word can always be trusted. That much is true, but there is more to the story than that. Truth is the being that a thing has in the mind of one who knows the being. God is being, itself; so of course He is inner being.
"God is Truth" entails that God is the truth that is within us. When we agree with God's Word in our beliefs, then Truth is in us and therefore with us, because Christ is Truth.
John 15:3-8 ESV Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
God knows Himself, and His knowledge is true. In fact, God's knowledge of Himself is so perfectly true, that God's knowledge of Himself actually is Himself.
John 17:17 ESV Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
There are many teachings which reveal relations between Spirit, truth, and life. Essentially, the Spirit is the heavenly "body". Flesh makes up a body, and the flesh of Spirit is truth. Hence, spiritual growth is growth in understanding the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Life is the activity that the Spirit engages in, which, of course, is the search or quest for the realization of God in the Self and the World.
Romans 8:6 ESV For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:10-11 ESV But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Note the antithetical treatment of flesh vs spirit: Life is self-seeking. Bodily life seeks the bodily self, which dies. Spiritual life seeks after God, who gives life.
1 Corinthians 15:44-45 ESV It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. [45] Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
Note that the nature of Spirit is illuminated by the Scriptures by way of antithetical and analogical comparisons to the physical body.
Analogical relations between body and spirit
Body grows through metabolic induction of milk and meat. Spirit grows through metabolic induction of spiritual milk and spiritual meat.
Spiritual growth represents advancement in understanding the doctrine of Christ. Understanding involves:
God is the First Mover giving both to will and to do these inner works. All understanding is given by the Lord; His Spirit of Truth guides into all truth.
Philippians 2:13 ESV for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Acts 2:17 ESV "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
Synthesis - Putting ideas together
συνίημι Lit. "Place-together" Usu. transl. "Understand"
The Bible does not say directly, all that it says. Some of the knowledge that comes from the Bible requires the reader to put its teachings together.
Synthesis is the mental act which is analogous to "building".
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 ESV According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. [11] For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw- [13] each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. [14] If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. [15] If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Matthew 15:10 ESV And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand:
"...Hear and put it together:..."
Matthew 13:23 ESV As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
Alternative translation: "...the one who hears the word and *puts it together*..."
HELPS Word-studies 4920 syníēmi (from 4862 /sýn, "together with" and hiēmi, "put, send") – properly, put together, i.e. join facts (ideas) into a comprehensive (inter-locking) whole; synthesize.
Rational Conviction Being able to form sound arguments from first principles of knowledge
Acts 5:32 ESV And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
πειθαρχέω Lit. "Persuaded-Principle" Usu. transl. "Obey"
HELPS Word-studies 3980 peitharxéō (from 3982 /peíthō, " persuade" and 746/arxē, "what comes first") – properly, persuaded of what must come first, i.e. what has priority (the higher authority).
John 1:18 ESV No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
ἐξηγέομαι Lit. "Out-lead-first" I.e. to "lead out by showing what is first or has priority"
HELPS Word-studies 1834 eksēgéomai (from 1537 /ek, "completely out of from" intensifying 2233 /hēgéomai, "to lead by showing priority") – properly, lead out completely (thoroughly bring forth), i.e. explain (narrate) in a way that clarifies what is uppermost (has priority). [1834 (eksēgéomai) is the root of the English terms, "exegesis, exegete."
Separating the useful aspects of analogical teachings (the likeness between the material image and the spiritual subject of the teaching) from the not-useful aspects of analogical teachings (the not-likeness between the material image and the spiritual subject of the teaching).
Mark 7:15,18-19 ESV There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him." [18] And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, [19] since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" ( Thus he declared all foods clean.)
Disregarding the unlikeness of an analogical teaching is analogous to the way our bodies separate the useful from the not-useful, and then expel the not-useful.
Matthew 13:47-48 ESV "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. [48] When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.
Break down teachings into individual propositions
Jeremiah 51:20 ESV "You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms;
Seeking, hearing, and carefully considering God's Word. Continual contemplation and application of the whole heart and all of one's resources to getting understanding.
The mental activity of seeking and hearing is described by Christ through the image of seeking hidden treasure in a field, or a merchant who seeks a single pearl of great price. Getting the prize requires total, all-in investment.
Matthew 13:44-46 ESV "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. [45] "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, [46] who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Proverbs 4:1-8 ESV Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, [2] for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. [3] When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, [4] he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. [5] Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. [6] Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. [7] The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. [8] Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Submissive obedience to God's Word
Acts 5:29 ESV But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
Meat represents the deeper mysteries of Christianity
1 Corinthians 2:6-7 ESV Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. [7] But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
Milk is first doctrines of Christianity, those attainable by initiates (babes in Christ)
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 ESV But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. [2] I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,
Antithetical relations between body and spirit
Body is "gathered together into one place" Spirit is omnipresent
We are manifestly local, but secretly omnipresent.
John 13:36 ESV Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward." John 14:3 ESV And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 17:24 ESV Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Body is subject to corruption and death. Spirit is not subject to corruption or death.
1 Corinthians 15:50-54 ESV I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. [51] Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. [53] For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. [54] When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
Body is temporal Spirit is eternal
Unseen = Spiritual
Key words related to "unseen" are hidden, covered, or secret. So we can call our bodily nature our "manifest nature," and our spiritual nature as our "hidden or secret nature." The manifest nature is that which covers or hides our secret nature. Those who only judge by appearances will never perceive their spiritual nature.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ESV But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"- [10] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
Divide rightly the riddle of the first and second man. The Order of Man's Knowledge, vs The Order of God's Knowledge
Jacob's Ladder - Ascension and Descent
John 8:58 ESV Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."
John 1:15 ESV ( John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") John 1:30 ESV This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.'
Jesus comes after John - in time. Jesus comes before John - in eternity.
Revelation 22:16 ESV "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the **root and the descendant of David**, the bright morning star."
It is like the word "metaphysics." "Meta-" means "after." "Metaphysics" is the body of knowledge which men attain *after* they have attained some physical knowledge. Nevertheless, physical truth depends on metaphysical truth. So, there is an important sense in which metaphysical knowledge comes *before* physical knowledge. Metaphysics is only *after* physical knowledge in the order of our attainment, or realization. In the same way, we first attain to knowledge of the bodily self, and then we attain to knowledge of our spiritual self in Christ. Hence, the one that is called "last" turns out to be first.
Revelation 22:13 ESV I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
To seek God, we must seek the knowledge of God, for:
Galatians 6:8 ESV For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
2 Corinthians 3:6 ESV who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
John 4:24 ESV God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
John 6:63 ESV It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
1 John 5:6 ESV This is he who came by water and blood-Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the *Spirit is the truth*.
One, as Whole, Simple, Undivided
ἁπλοῦς Single, Healthy Lit. "One-Fold"
Matthew 6:22 ESV "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,
Proverbs 20:27 ESV The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.
Proverbs 6:23 ESV For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
Matthew 22:37-40 ESV And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first commandment. [39] And "a second is like it": You shall love your neighbor as yourself. [40] On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
"A second is like it"
The mind that has Spiritual Discernment discovers the "One-Foldedness" of the two great commandments when he stands inside the Divine House in the Person of Christ, and beholds in Perfect Beatitude His Father and Bride.
Behold: The Mind of Christ
Therefore, the body that appears is not my body.
The body that appears is full of darkness.
Therefore, my body is full of light.
I have the Mind of Christ
Therefore, His Body is full of Light.
1 John 1:5 ESV This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
His Eye is One-fold.
The Commandment is One-fold.
The two commandments are, to Him, One.
Therefore, the Commandment is His Eye
The Commandment is His Lamp
His Eye is His Lamp
What the natural mind grasps is good, and it will urge them on to increase in love, which will lead them to investigate John's teaching that God is love.
To the natural mind, neither self nor neighbor are God, and so the likeness of the two commandments hangs only on the imperative to love.
The "Divine House" is comprised by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the Divine House, the two great commandments are practically identical. For each Person in the Divine House, Self and Neighbors are all God.
Psalm 119:105 ESV Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 18:28 ESV For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.
One, as Unique, Solitary, Holy As opposed to many, common
1 Corinthians 8:4-6 ESV Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." [5] For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"- [6] yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
What is said of God and also said of created things, is not said in the same sense. For whatever is said of God, is said in a sense which belongs *uniquely* to God.
A creature is "true" (if it appears or represents itself as it really is), but God is Truth.
A creature receives life, but God *is* Life.
There are many "lords," but only One Lord of All.
Isaiah 57:15 ESV For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Hosea 11:9,12 ESV I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. ... [12] Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.
Isaiah 12:6 ESV Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
John 10:30 ESV I and the Father are one."
One, as Primary, Principle (Source), First
Jeremiah 51:19 ESV Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of hosts is his name.
Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Jeremiah 31:35 ESV Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar- the LORD of hosts is his name:
Jeremiah 10:16 ESV Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of hosts is his name.
Isaiah 51:1 ESV "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.
Isaiah 41:4 ESV Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
1 Corinthians 11:12 ESV for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.
"God is Righteousness" therefore means that God is the correspondence between the Father and the Son. So, God is God-Father, God is God-Son, and God is the correspondence between them.
"God is our Righteousness" is the name by which New Jerusalem, our Spiritual Mother, is known.
"God is our Righteousness" means that God is our correspondence to Him.
This agrees with Christ's promise that His yoke would be light. He paid the price for our outward sins, and set us to work on believing Him. He has promised that His Word, when we understand it, will Live in and through us.
Our freedom comes from "God is our Righteousness," because we know that God is "meek" (see translation note). It is in His blessed character to be underestimated, underappreciated, and unrecognized. So, we can rest easy knowing that, when God wants to represent Himself by us in perfect Righteousness, He will be able to perfect us in the twinkling of an eye.
Isaiah 14:32 ESV What will one answer the messengers of the nation? "The LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge."
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ESV Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
πραΰς Usu. transl. "Meek"
Matthew 5:5 ESV "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4239 praýs (also listed as 4239a/praupathia in NAS dictionary) – meek. See 4236 (praótēs). This difficult-to-translate root (pra-) means more than "meek." Biblical meekness is not weakness but rather refers to exercising God's strength under His control – i.e. demonstrating power without undue harshness. [The English term "meek" often lacks this blend – i.e. of gentleness (reserve) and strength.]
Being God's people means we represent Him to the world. But we represent Him poorly. We all fall short of the Glory of God.
Romans 3:21-26 ESV But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- [22] the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
God has paid the price for our shortcomings in His own body, the body of Jesus Christ. He also purchased us for Himself, so that we would be His people, and He our God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Psalm 74:2 ESV Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.
Galatians 4:26 ESV But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
Jeremiah 33:16 ESV In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'
Jerusalem NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from yarah and shalem
shalem Peace
yarah Lit. to throw or shoot Fig. to teach
The Hebrew "jeru" was also used to mean "teaching"
"Jerusalem" means "Teaching of peace". The "New Jerusalem" that comes down from God, is thus the new teaching of peace which God sends into the world. The new is our Heavenly Mother, and in Her we are free; the old is the great prostitute that sits on many waters. Her children are enslaved. The old doctrine is the doctrine of self-justification by the law. The new doctrine is Christ's justification by grace.
Revelation 21:1-3,9-11 ESV Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [9] Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." [10] And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, [11] having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
Galatians 4:21-31 ESV Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? [22] For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. [23] But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. [24] Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. [25] Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. [26] But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. [27] For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband." [28] Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. [29] But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. [30] But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman." [31] So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
A false teaching sets the disciple in motion towards the destination of death and hell.
A true teaching sets the disciple in motion towards the destination of life, righteousness, and holiness.
The disciple who receives a teaching is the object set in motion.
Examples of other uses of "jeru" and "ballo"
Sending rain upon the earth
Hosea 6:3 KJVS Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord : his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
The earth is the rain drops' destination.
Rain drops are the objects that are set in motion.
Shooting an arrow at a target
1 Samuel 20:20 ESV And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.
The target is the arrow's destination.
The arrow is the object set in motion.
Nothing comes from nothing. There can be nothing in creation except what God has given of Himself. Since there is correspondence in creation, there must be correspondence in God.
Righteousness is correspondence to a standard.
Righteousness springs from faith. That is, if our beliefs correspond to God's Word, our actions will naturally tend to correspond to God's will. For, God's will is revealed in His Word.
Ephesians 1:9 ESV making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
Note the "respond" root, and think in terms of prompts and responses. Every time we are presented with a choice, we are being prompted. Our choosing is the response we give. Our choices are righteous to the degree that our response is equivalent to what God would choose, if He were in the same circumstance.
Correspondence is equivalence, matching.
Psalm 34:8 ESV Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
1 Chronicles 29:10-13 ESV Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. [11] Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. [12] Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. [13] And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
Goodness means "desirability"
A thing may also be good in and of itself. This kind of goodness is called "beauty". The beautiful is not desired for some use (except by the wicked), but rather its goodness is simply to be enjoyed. The beautiful is not made use of, but useful things are put to use in service to the beautiful: to guard it, keep it safe, and bring it into full maturity and flourishing.
Psalm 65:4 ESV Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
Psalm 45:2-3 ESV You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. [3] Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty!
Physical vs. Spiritual beauty
A thing may be "good" or desirable *for some purpose*. This kind of goodness is called "usefulness".
Psalm 21:1-7 ESV O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! [2] You have given him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah [3] For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head. [4] He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. [5] His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. [6] For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. [7] For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.
χρηστός Useful, serviceable, good
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Luke 6:35 ESV But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is *kind* to the ungrateful and the evil.
HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5543 xrēstós (an adjective, derived from 5530 /xráomai, "to furnish what is suitable, useful") – properly, useful (serviceable, productive); well-fitted (well-resourced); useful (beneficial, benevolent).
Psalm 145:9 ESV The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.
Psalm 119:68 ESV You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.
Matthew 19:17 ESV And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."
Psalm 136:1 ESV Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
John 15:9-13 ESV As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [10] If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. [11] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. [12] "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Romans 5:5 ESV and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:8 ESV but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God is our love. He is the source and principle of all love.
1 John 4:7-12,16 ESV Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us... [16] So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Love is the orientation of the free will towards the good of an object. Love wants the beloved to receive every good gift of God.
John 5:20 ESV For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.
Romans 8:32 ESV He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
"Go and sin no more" The importance of follow-up
Matthew 7:1-2 ESV "Judge not, that you be not judged. [2] For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
"Judge not" is a safe harbor. Disagreeing with God results in the experience of His wrath. But follow Job in saying, "I don't know; Lord, you know," and you will be saved. It is better to lead someone into full conviction about the truth, for then they will exhibit power and fruitfulness. But healing can come by just replacing a wrong conviction with humble submission to God's Word. Until the true conviction comes into the believer, the false conviction may return.
Matthew 12:43-45 ESV "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. [44] Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. [45] Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation."
John 5:14 ESV Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you."
All disease has a spiritual principality in the spiritual body (the body of beliefs). Healing miracles are effected through mind-changes (repentance), removing the spiritual principle of the disease.
An example of a spiritual Principality is a rule. If you believe a rule, God will hold you to your belief, and judge you by that rule.
A material principality is that which is given power by the spiritual principality. For example, if someone believes the false rule, "If you step on a crack, you'll break your mother's back," then the believer of the false rule is placed under the power of every crack, which therefore becomes a material principality.
Now, science has made it possible to dispell the power of many spiritual principalities, such as the rule "step on a crack, and you'll break your mother's back." No one can be led to believe such a rule in the age of science. But in the age of sorcery, such deceptions may have been common.
No one can be made to believe, even today, that stepping on a crack will break his mother's back. But, when did God say that we need to take vitamins and medicines in order to be healthy? Hasn't He told us that Christ heals every kind of disease? But if you judge that you need vitamins and medicines to be healthy, God will judge it against you. You will thus be enslaved to the human industry of pharmaceuticals. And when you see that the pharmaceutical industry is corrupt, and cares not for your wholeness, but desires to keep you weak and dependent on them, who then will save you? You trusted in medicines, but now your trust in the medicine makers has been shaken. Your own judgments condemn you to perpetual and chronic sickness. Repent, and believe that God is the God who heals every disease. Even while you rejected His word, and sought healing from medicines; even while it seemed that medicines were healing you: behold, even then it was God who healed you.
Microbes = material principalities Viruses and bacteria only have power against those who submit to their spiritual principalities. The spiritual principalities which empower microbes are worldly rules of health and hygiene, which are not taught to us by the scriptures.
Other worldly rules which have no basis in Scripture (Subject to correction!)
With age comes pain, ugliness, bodily and mental weakness
Genesis 18:11-14 ESV Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. [12] So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" [13] The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' [14] Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
Luke 1:36-37 ESV And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. [37] For nothing will be impossible with God."
Job 33:23-26 ESV If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, [24] and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom; [25] let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor'; [26] then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness.
Worldly rules of health and hygiene:
Everything causes cancer. Therefore, you will get cancer.
James 4:7-8 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Your body needs vitamins to fight sickness. Therefore, if you do not take vitamins, you will get sick.
This rule rests on the belief that your body is deficiently made, so that it needs to be supplemented by expensive pharmaceutical products in order to function properly.
Since vitamins are expensive, dependence on them results in enslavement. See how the truth sets you free.
Christ preached that the poor are blessed. But if our health required expensive supplements, then the poor would be cursed, and Christ would be a liar.
Luke 6:20 ESV And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
The vitamins become material principalities of health in the mind of the one who submits to this rule.
Since God is the only true Principality of health, this belief is idolatry and abomination.
This rule makes the body itself a material principality of sickness. The body of the one who believes this rule will always tend towards sickness, unless they acquire and take vitamins.
The power of the body to make you sick (on the occasion that you do not take your vitamins) comes from the spiritual principality. Reject the rule (on the grounds that it has no Scriptural basis), and you will dispell the power of the body to make you sick if you don't take vitamins.
Psalm 139:14 ESV I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
If you have contact with a sick person, you will get sick.
Regarding Old Testament laws concerning leprosy: According to God's Word, God had not yet given the Jews a heart that understands. Therefore, God gave them rules to mitigate the pain of their ignorance. Lepers were separated from the people in order to reduce the occasions on which their worldly ideas of health would condemn them to sickness. Note this well: a false principality requires its material principality to obtain, before it can do any harm. Paul said that God "passed over" ignorance in the former times. One way in which God "passed over" their ignorance, by giving them a law that would allow them to avoid triggering the material principalities, by which demons (false spiritual principalities) ground their accusations.
Laws mitigate pain of ignorance
God had not given understanding to the Jews
Galatians 4:8-9 ESV Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. [9] But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
Galatians 3:24-27 ESV So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. [25] But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, [26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Note carefully: "until Christ came." Jesus not only approached lepers, He touched them, and allowed them to touch Him. We are judged under the law of liberty. Sick people are not material principalities of sickness to us, except when we go back to Egypt, into slavery to the those that are not gods, weak elementary principles of the world.
Titus 1:15-16 ESV To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. [16] They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Matthew 8:2-3 ESV And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." [3] And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Overlooked ignorance
Acts 17:30 ESV The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
OT laws concerning leprosy
Leviticus 13-14
Acts 28:8-9 ESV It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. [9] And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
If you do not wash your hands frequently enough or well enough, you will get sick.
Matthew 15:2-3,7-11 ESV "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat." [3] He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? ... [7] You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: [8] "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; [9] in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" [10] And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand: [11] it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person."
Mark 5:25-29 ESV And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, [26] and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. [27] She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. [28] For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well." [29] And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
Christ's power was even able to heal diseases which professional healers could not, after trying for years and years. And note this: He wasn't even trying.
2 Chronicles 16:12 ESV In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians.
Matthew 10:1 ESV And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
The power of sorcery comes by deception! Therefore, guard your heart, and see that you are not deceived! For the human institutions that act and speak in the name of science have become corrupt, and the Sorcerer has been set loose once again, and is deceiving the nations.
Luke 21:8 ESV And he said, "See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them.
Revelation 20:1-3,7-8 ESV Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. [2] And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, [3] and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while... [7] And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison [8] and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.
Note that the material principality only has power over the one who submits to the spiritual principality.
Deuteronomy 32:41 ESV if I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me.
Ignoring God's rules, and agreeing with the rules taught by the world, is enmity and hatred towards God.
James 4:4 ESV You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Romans 1:18,24-25,28 ESV For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth... [24] Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, [25] because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. ... [28] And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
Trust is a form of worship. Trust medicine, worship medicine. Medicine is a created thing. Therefore, trusting medicine is "worshipping and serving the creature, rather than the Creator."
2 Corinthians 1:9 ESV Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
Luke 18:9-14 ESV He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: [10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Philippians 3:3 ESV For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh-
Isaiah 12:2 ESV "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
Daniel 3:28 ESV Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
2 Kings 18:22-24 ESV But if you say to me, "We trust in the LORD our God," is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, "You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem"? [23] Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them. [24] How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master's servants, when you trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? Isaiah 36:7-9 ESV But if you say to me, "We trust in the LORD our God," is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, "You shall worship before this altar"? [8] Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them. [9] How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master's servants, when you trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
Ezekiel 7:3-4 ESV Now the end is upon you, and I will send my anger upon you; I will judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations. [4] And my eye will not spare you, nor will I have pity, but I will punish you for your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 7:8-9 ESV Now I will soon pour out my wrath upon you, and spend my anger against you, and judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations. [9] And my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the LORD, who strikes. Ezekiel 7:27 ESV The king mourns, the prince is wrapped in despair, and the hands of the people of the land are paralyzed by terror. According to their way I will do to them, and according to their judgments I will judge them, and they shall know that I am the LORD." Ezekiel 11:19-21 ESV And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, [20] that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. [21] But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD."
A man's "ways" are those indwelling principles which determine which *way* he will go, whenever he makes a decision. Basically any "way" which is not God's "way" is an abomination. When we go our own "way," we are doomed; when we go God's "way" (which is Christ), we are saved. And, as we know, the springs of life flow from the heart. Behavior flows from belief. Your beliefs are your "ways". Believe what God believes (Christ). Don't believe anything else, for what is not of faith is sin.
Ezekiel 20:23-26 ESV Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries, [24] because they had not obeyed my rules, but had rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were set on their fathers' idols. [25] Moreover, I gave them statutes that were not good and rules by which they could not have life, [26] and I defiled them through their very gifts in their offering up all their firstborn, that I might devastate them. I did it that they might know that I am the LORD.
Matthew 7:2 ESV For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Matthew 12:37 ESV for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
The false rules that you believe will present themselves in the form of condemnations, especially against others. When you say that so-and-so will get sick because he did such-and-such, then you can be sure that YOU will get sick when YOU do such-and-such; not because the rule is true, but because you believe it is true, and by your words you will be condemned.
Healing principles
Proverbs 10:24 ESV What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
It is often noted that "do not be afraid" is by far the most common command given in the New Testament. The more you come to understand the teachings of Jesus Christ, the more you will understand that there truly is nothing to fear, since our true life and nature are hidden in Christ.
If you fear microbes, it is because you don't yet understand that your health comes from God alone, and nothing in the world can take your health away, while God wills you to be healthy. If you seem to be "sick," remember that God is strong through our weakness. Instead of saying, "I am sick," say, "I am called to pray." But if you fear microbes, your fear will come upon you.
Hebrews 11:32-34 ESV And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets- [33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. [9] But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
1 Corinthians 15:42-45 ESV So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. [43] It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. [45] Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
Romans 8:26-28 ESV Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. [27] And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. [28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Isaiah 33:24 ESV And no inhabitant will say, "I am sick"; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity.
Deuteronomy 7:12-15 ESV "And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers. [13] He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you. [14] You shall be blessed above all peoples. There shall not be male or female barren among you or among your livestock. [15] And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you knew, will he inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. Deuteronomy 28:58-63 ESV "If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the LORD your God, [59] then the LORD will bring on you and your offspring extraordinary afflictions, afflictions severe and lasting, and sicknesses grievous and lasting. [60] And he will bring upon you again all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you. [61] Every sickness also and every affliction that is not recorded in the book of this law, the LORD will bring upon you, until you are destroyed. [62] Whereas you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, you shall be left few in number, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God. [63] And as the LORD took delight in doing you good and multiplying you, so the LORD will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. And you shall be plucked off the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
Note that Christ bore our afflictions upon His own body upon the cross.
Matthew 8:17 ESV This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases."
Isaiah 53:4-6 ESV Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one-to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Note that Christ fulfills the righteous requirement of the law in us and for us.
Romans 13:10 ESV Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore **love is the fulfilling of the law.**
Romans 5:5 ESV and hope does not put us to shame, because **God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us**.
Romans 8:3-4 ESV For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Exodus 15:26 ESV saying, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for **I am the LORD, your healer**." Exodus 23:24-26 ESV you shall not bow down to their gods nor serve them, nor do as they do, but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their pillars in pieces. [25] You shall serve the LORD your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you. [26] None shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
Hebrews 12:11-13 ESV For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. [12] Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, [13] and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Psalm 103:2-3 ESV Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, [3] who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
The Lord heals all your diseases. You seem to be healed by medicines, because you believe that medicines heal you, and God renders to every man according to his beliefs. But even when it seems that medicines are healing you, it is the Lord who heals all your diseases.
False wonders are those which evoke awe in the natural man, and yet is entirely accounted for by natural agents (in the eyes of natural man - for even natural agents receive their power from God).
Matthew 24:24 ESV For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
Technology and magic have this in common: the causal pathways between the user and the end-product is concealed, so that the ignorant can give no account for how the effect has been produced. However, in both cases of technology and magic, the causal pathway is entirely worldly.
Magic
It is commonly known that "magicians" are illusionists. They conceal the causal pathways of their actions through crafty deceptions, in order to produce the illusory impression that the magician wields the kind of powers which belong only to God.
Necromancy
Isaiah 8:19-22 ESV And when they say to you, "Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter," should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? [20] To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. [21] They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward. [22] And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.
Leviticus 19:31 ESV "Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 20:6 ESV "If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people. Leviticus 20:27 ESV "A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them."
Trans-substantiation Changing one thing into another kind of thing
John 2:9-11 ESV When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom [10] and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." [11] This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
Exodus 4:3-5 ESV And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. [4] But the LORD said to Moses, "Put out your hand and catch it by the tail"-so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand- [5] "that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." Exodus 7:9-12 ESV "When Pharaoh says to you, 'Prove yourselves by working a miracle,' then you shall say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.'" [10] So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. [11] Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. [12] For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs.
Fortune telling
Isaiah 41:26-29 ESV Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know, and beforehand, that we might say, "He is right"? There was none who declared it, none who proclaimed, none who heard your words. [27] I was the first to say to Zion, "Behold, here they are!" and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good news. [28] But when I look, there is no one; among these there is no counselor who, when I ask, gives an answer. [29] Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their metal images are empty wind.
Isaiah 46:8-10 ESV "Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, [9] remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, [10] declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'
There are many minds that know what might be, but there is only One who knows what will be.
Acts 19:19-20 ESV And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. [20] So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
Acts 13:6-10 ESV When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. [7] He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. [8] But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. [9] But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him [10] and said, "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?
Acts 8:9-11 ESV But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. [10] They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great." [11] And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
Technology
The hiddenness of a causal pathway is more easily conceived in the case of technology. Consider this general description of the causal pathways involved in the use of a remote control:
Closed circuit brings about the desired result in the receiver (manifest result)
Signal causes closure of another circuit in the receiver (unseen intermediate cause)
Electromagnetic signal received by receiver (unseen intermediate cause)
Closed circuit activates electromagnetic signal transmitter (unseen intermediate cause)
Button closes a circuit (unseen intermediate cause)
User pushes a button (manifest primary cause)
τέχνη Art, craft, trade
Revelation 18:21-22 ESV Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more; [22] and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any **craft** will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more,
Acts 17:29 ESV Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the **art** and imagination of man.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 ESV "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, [2] and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,' [3] you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Mark 13:1-2 ESV And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" [2] And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
A "wonder" is an act which has in its effect something which cannot be accounted for by the natural agents involved in the act. The act makes the witness *wonder* where the effect came from, and by this wonder, they are drawn to God.
Acts 3:12,16 ESV And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? ... [16] And his name-by faith in his name-has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Acts 3:6-10 ESV But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" [7] And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. [8] And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. [9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Joel 2:30-31 ESV "And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. [31] The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.
Daniel 4:2-3 ESV It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. [3] How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.
Isaiah 29:13-14 ESV And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, [14] therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden."
Psalm 136:3-4 ESV Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; [4] to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Psalm 77:11-20 ESV I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. [12] I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. [13] Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? [14] You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. [15] You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah [16] When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. [17] The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. [18] The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. [19] Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. [20] You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Judges 13:18-20 ESV And the angel of the LORD said to him, "Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?" [19] So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it on the rock to the LORD, to the one who works wonders, and Manoah and his wife were watching. [20] And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the LORD went up in the flame of the altar. Now Manoah and his wife were watching, and they fell on their faces to the ground.
Exodus 15:11 ESV "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
Another effect of a sign is the softening of hearts. To "soften a heart" means to make someone's mind changeable. In other words, a sign has the effect of forcing someone to seriously reexamine their beliefs.
Consider how many times God's signs softened Pharoah's heart. Each time Pharoah's heart was softened, God hardened his heart again.
#1 - Exodus 8:8,15 ESV Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, "Plead with the LORD to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD." ...[15] But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. #2 - Exodus 9:27-28 ESV Then Pharaoh sent and called Moses and Aaron and said to them, "This time I have sinned; the Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. [28] Plead with the LORD, for there has been enough of God's thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." #3 - Exodus 10:16-17,20 ESV Then Pharaoh hastily called Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. [17] Now therefore, forgive my sin, please, only this once, and plead with the LORD your God only to remove this death from me." ... [20] But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go. #4 - Exodus 10:24,27 ESV Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, "Go, serve the LORD; your little ones also may go with you; only let your flocks and your herds remain behind." ... [27] But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. #5 - Exodus 12:31 ESV Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, "Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as you have said.
One effect of a sign is that it increases the moral culpability of unbelief. When a sign is given to accompany a doctrine, that doctrine is confirmed by God, and those who contradict God's confirmed doctrine are doubly accountable, if they witnessed the sign.
God uses signs to confirm doctrines, and sometimes He gives signs to confirm the authority of a teacher.
Note also, though, that there are false signs and wonders, by which a false teacher may claim to be sealed with divine approval.
Matthew 7:22-23 ESV On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' [23] And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
Revelation 16:14 ESV For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.
Revelation 13:11-14 ESV Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. [12] It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. [13] It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, [14] and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Revelation 19:20 ESV And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 ESV The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, [10] and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Acts 2:22 ESV "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know- Acts 2:43 ESV And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. Acts 7:35-36 ESV "This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?'-this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. [36] This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. Acts 8:6 ESV And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. Acts 14:3 ESV So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
John 2:11 ESV This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2:23 ESV Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. John 3:2 ESV This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." John 7:31 ESV Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, "When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?" John 9:16 ESV Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them. John 11:47-48 ESV So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. [48] If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." John 12:37 ESV Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,
John 4:48 ESV So Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe."
This saying of Jesus is nearly a rebuke. One can grieve the Spirit of God by asking for signs, when signs have already been given. But he who believes without seeing is blessed; and to him who has (faith), more (faith) shall be given (through signs and wonders).
Ephesians 4:30 ESV And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Matthew 13:12 ESV For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
John 20:29 ESV Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Matthew 12:39 ESV But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Matthew 12:41-42 ESV The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. [42] The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. Matthew 16:1-4 ESV And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. [2] He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' [3] And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. [4] An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." So he left them and departed.
Hebrews 2:3-4 ESV how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, [4] while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Mark 16:20 ESV And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]
σημεῖον Sign That by which a thing is distinguished and known That which constitutes a sufficient basis for knowledge
Lying signs: That which results in the formation of a belief, but which is not, in truth, a sufficient basis for knowledge.
Probabilistic (instinctive) reasoning Arguments which lead to a "most probable conclusion"
A probable conclusion might be wrong; but we desire an unshakable kingdom!
Hebrews 12:26-29 ESV At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." [27] This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken-that is, things that have been made-in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. [28] Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, [29] for our God is a consuming fire.
Note that σημεῖον is also the Greek root for the word "semen".
Consider the use of the verb "to know" as a term for sex. This is not an expression of prudery. Spiritual knowledge comes only by unification with the Father of Lights. He gives the seed of life (the Gospel). He sends the water from heaven. He gives the faith, and He gives the growth. Our learning from His Spirit is a mystical union, conception, begetting, generation.
God gives growth
Mark 4:26-27 ESV And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. [27] He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.
God gives faith
1 Timothy 1:12-14 ESV I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, [13] though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, [14] and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:3 ESV For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
God gives water
John 4:10,13-14 ESV Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." ... [13] Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, [14] but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
Seed of life
Matthew 13:37-39 ESV He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. [38] The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, [39] and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
As false doctrines (lies) are children of Satan, true doctrines are the Children of God. Remember, ideas are active beings! Every one has a mind of its own. Hence, there is agreement between the parables in Luke and Marthew. The seed of Lk. 8:11 is the Word of God; and the seeds of Mt. 13 are the children of God; and God's Children are His Words. Or, as I have said elsewhere: As God is God's knowledge of God, so are we God's knowledge of us. God's idea of me is the real me, the eternal, unchanging me. Because God knows me, and God loves me, so shall I ever live.
Satan is the father of lies
God is Father of Spirits
Hebrews 12:9 ESV Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
Luke 8:11 ESV Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
"To know," meaning "to have sex with"
Luke 1:34 KJVS Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Matthew 1:24-25 ESV When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, [25] but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
1 Samuel 1:19 ESV They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.
Judges 19:25 ESV But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go.
You can think of the doctrine itself as the "egg" which contains the belief. But the belief doesn't become a living body until it is ensemenated, or until the believer finds a sufficient basis to hold to that belief.
A living belief requires a "sufficient basis". In order to hold together as one body, our beliefs need to be well founded upon certain principles. It is not enough to simply confess with the mouth, honoring God with the lips. One must be *fully convinced* of the truth, before the power of truth will manifest.
Romans 14:5 ESV One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
Romans 4:20-21 ESV No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, [21] fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Recall that Christ is God's belief about Himself. This belief literally became a living body within Mary, when the Spirit of God came upon her and conceived the child of God. Even so, every Christian is like the Mother Mary. God's ideas about Himself enter into us, and He conceives Himself within us. For, God is God's Word. He knows Himself so perfectly, that His idea about Himself is Himself. And this is the idea that comes to roost in us, when we place our trust and hope in Jesus Christ.
Luke 1:34-35 ESV And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" [35] And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy-the Son of God.
The spiritual body is the body of beliefs. A true belief is formed when a *sufficient basis* (a σημεῖον, sign) for belief is received. The *conception* of the spiritual body requires the ensemenating power of God's Word.
1 Peter 1:3,23 ESV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ... [23] since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
1 Corinthians 15:44 ESV It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
2 Corinthians 12:12 ESV The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
Romans 15:18-19 ESV For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience-by word and deed, [19] by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God-so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
Mark 16:17-18 ESV And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Acts 6:8-10 ESV And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. [9] Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. [10] But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
Note that a logical argument from certain premises is a sufficient basis for certain knowledge of the conclusion of the argument.
To be deficient in the use of reasoning is the essence of hypocrisy. The Greek root of "logic" is the same word that is translated "word" in many places. The sense of "reason" is clearly recognized by translators in various Scriptures. We are under command to reason rightly, and given instruction on how to do it.
λόγος Word, account, reason, idea
1 Peter 3:14-15 ESV But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, [15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a *reason* for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3056: λόγος II. Its use as respects the mind, alone,... i. e.: 1. reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating, etc.: once so in the phrase ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ, of the divine mind, pervading and noting all things by its proper force, Hebrews 4:12.
Example of Jesus's use of logical signs:
John 10:33-38 ESV The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God." [34] Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'? [35] If he called them gods to whom the word of God came-and Scripture cannot be broken- [36] do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? [37] If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; [38] but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
Jesus uses the following syllogism: Premise 1: Scripture cannot be broken. Premise 2: Scripture says those to whom the Word of God comes are gods. Conclusion: It is not blasphemy for a man to claim divinity, if the Word of God has truly come to him.
The fact that the Pharisees accused Jesus of blasphemy, shows that they either:
Are not aware of Premise 2.
Matthew 22:29 ESV But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
Don't believe Premise 1. Though they may not admit it out loud, in reality they have no faith in the inerrancy of Scripture.
Caution: You can never be more certain of conclusions than you are of your premises.
Revelation 19:10 ESV Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
A Christian is one who receives the testimony of Jesus Christ. Since the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy, every Christian receives the spirit of prophecy.
Jeremiah 1:5 ESV "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Qualified Disqualification
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 ESV But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.' [21] And if you say in your heart, 'How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?'- [22] when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.
Some take this passage to mean that if someone delivers a predictive prophecy, and it doesn't come to pass, that person is disqualified as a prophet. However, this verse is in the context of Moses' prophecy about the coming Christ. So, given that there is at least one Scriptural example of a true prophet that spoke presumptuously, we should understand that this passage disqualifies such a prophet from being a Christ-candidate. He is not *the* prophet (Christ). But he may still be *a* prophet.
1 Kings 13:8-12,15,18-24 ESV And the man of God said to the king, "If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, [9] for so was it commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.'" [10] So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel. [11] Now an old prophet lived in Bethel. And his sons came and told him all that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told to their father the words that he had spoken to the king. [12] And their father said to them, "Which way did he go?" And his sons showed him the way that the man of God who came from Judah had gone... [15] Then he said to him, "Come home with me and eat bread." ... [18] And he said to him, "I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.'" But he lied to him. [19] So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water. [20] And as they sat at the table, the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back. [21] And he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, "Thus says the LORD, 'Because you have disobeyed the word of the LORD and have not kept the command that the LORD your God commanded you, [22] but have come back and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which he said to you, "Eat no bread and drink no water," your body shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.'" [23] And after he had eaten bread and drunk, he saddled the donkey for the prophet whom he had brought back. [24] And as he went away a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his body was thrown in the road, and the donkey stood beside it; the lion also stood beside the body.
Deuteronomy 18:18-19 ESV I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. [19] And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.
προφητεία Prophecy, prophesying
πρό Before
Spatial sense: relative to audience A prophet takes the words of God *before* an audience
Matthew 15:24 ESV He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Jeremiah 35:2 ESV "Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers; then offer them wine to drink."
Isaiah 22:15 ESV Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts, "Come, go to this steward, to Shebna, who is over the household, and say to him:
Temporal sense: prediction
προλέγω Predict, foretell, forewarn
Romans 9:29 ESV And as Isaiah predicted, "If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah."
HELPS Word-studies 4302 prolégō (from 4253 /pró, "in advance" and 3004 /légō, "speaking to a conclusion") – properly, to say (conclude) beforehand, declaring in advance.
Some prophecy is predictive, but only accidentally. When a prophet speaks about eternal things, using temporal images to illustrate his subject, it sometimes happens that his prophecy will be "fulfilled" by a future event involving the temporal things which were used as mere illustrations. This is why some prophecies seem to be "fulfilled" over and over again: because the prophet was never referring to future events at all, but rather he was speaking of eternal realities.
Matthew 22:41-45 ESV Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, [42] saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." [43] He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, [44] "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet"'? [45] If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?"
Psalm 110:1-4 ESV The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool." [2] The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! [3] Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. [4] The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
"The day of your power": There is no night in eternity. Therefore, Eternity is One perfect Day.
Seven represents perfection, Therefore, the seven days of creation are analogous to Eternity, which is One perfect day.
Psalm 2:7 ESV I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
Always true in eternity, for the Day of eternity never ends.
Revelation 21:23-25 ESV And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. [24] By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, [25] and its gates will never be shut by day-and there will be no night there.
David is speaking about eternal realities within God Himself. Though this prophecy is also fulfilled in time (by Christ's Ascension), that fulfillment is just one more demonstration of something that is always true in eternity.
φημί Speak
HELPS Word-studies 5346 phēmí (from phaō, "shine") – properly, bring to light by asserting one statement (point of view) over another; to speak comparatively, i.e. making effective contrasts which illuminate (literally, "produce an epiphany").
The effective contrasts of prophecy allow the prophet to illuminate truth in a few words, whereas the tongue-speaker must explain thoroughly his tongue, and thus takes much longer to illuminate the same truth. Hence:
There are several Greek words for speak, and each has its own connotation. φημί is speech, considered as a kind of light.
As a contrasting example, ῥέω means speak, but considers speech as something the flows from the speaker. A good "flow" requires points to be in order, deploying linear logic and rhetoric.
HELPS Word-studies 4394 prophēteía (from 4396 /prophḗtēs, "prophet," which is derived from 4253 /pró, "before" and 5346 /phēmí, "make clear, assert as a priority") – properly, what is clarified beforehand; prophecy which involves divinely-empowered forthtelling (asserting the mind of God) or foretelling (prediction).
1 Corinthians 14:24-25 ESV But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, [25] the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
Proper effects of prophecy (upon the receiver)
Secrets of his heart are disclosed
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
"Common to man"
Sinners want to believe that they are different from everyone else. They see uniqueness as the principle of their value. If they are not unique (judging by appearances), then they have no value in their own eyes. But a prophet knows that God is the principle, both of our individuality and our value. Neither of these are revealed to worldly minded people, who judge on the basis of appearances. Our trials and temptations are common between us. The word gives us confidence to speak boldly about the contents of the heart of man. The same heart in the one who speaks the Word, is in the one who hears the Word and does it.
1 Corinthians 2:11-12 ESV For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
Although God alone sees the heart of man, God gives us His eyes to see, by giving us His Spirit.
Jeremiah 17:10 ESV "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."
1 Kings 8:39 ESV then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways ( for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),
1 Samuel 16:7 ESV But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
Called to account
The Christian prophet is prepared to give reasons that ground his faith without fear of error. He can reason from first principles of knowledge to the conclusion that God should be trusted; and from there, to the conclusion that Christ is His only-begotten Son, also to be trusted. When an unbeliever first approaches Christianity, it seems like foolishness to him. His own system of worldly beliefs seems much more grounded in sound reasons. But when the reasons underlying our faith are illuminated, he is *called to account* for his own system of beliefs. And when he discovers that all of his beliefs were grounded in appearance based judgments, instinctive reasoning, and trust in human authorities, then "falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you."
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. [4] Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Matthew 7:26-27 ESV And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. [27] And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
Appearance based judgments, instinctive reasoning, and trust in man, are the sands upon which the unbeliever builds up his belief system. The unbeliever's repentance (change of mind) is the fall of that building. Great, indeed, is that fall!
1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Peter 3:14-15 ESV But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, [15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
ἀνακρίνω Lit. "Judge-up" Investigate, examine
HELPS Word-studies 350 anakrínō (from 303 /aná, "up, completing a process," which intensifies 2919 /krínō, "to select by separating/judging") – properly, to distinguish by vigorously judging "down to up," i.e. closely examining (investigating) through "the process of careful study, evaluation and judgment" (L & N, 1, 27.44); "to examine, investigate, question (so J. B. Lightfoot, Notes, 181f). [The prefix 303 /aná ("up") shows the process involved that takes krinō ("judging/separating") up to its needed conclusion. Accordingly, 350 (anakrínō) is often used in its forensic sense in the ancient world. It can even refer to "examination by torture" (see Field, Notes, 120f, Abbott-Smith).]
Convicted
ἐλέγχω Exposed, convinced
HELPS Word-studies 1651 elégxō – properly, to convince with solid, compelling evidence, especially to expose (prove wrong, connect).
Misconceptions about the gift of tongues
Babble or faith speech
The babble interpretation of tongues resulted from a correct conviction that cessationism is false. For, the gifts of God are irrevocable. Seymour and those walking with him sought to understand Scripture in a way which contradicted the loudest and most authoritative religious voices in the world, which were teaching that godliness is without power, and that believers should not be pursuing the spiritual gifts, since they have ceased to be poured out on the world.
Unfortunately, Seymour was too eager. He sought truly enough, but he was deceived by a false sign (of which we have been warned). There are multiple considerations which rule out babble as the gift of tongues.
Unspiritual people can babble. Thus, the babble interpretation opens the door to false spiritualists, naturally minded men who pose as spiritual.
There is no way to distinguish between "authentic" babblers, and fakers. But, true tongue-speakers are able to test the authenticity of charlatans. Charlatans parrot words, and speak from letters. But a tongue-speaker is speaking from understanding that is in them. The true tongue-speaker's understanding can be expressed in many different ways. He can be bold, flexible, open, and always powerful. But the charlatan is rigid, he maintains control of who is in his audience, because he fears opposition.
1 Corinthians 14:27-33 ESV If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. [28] But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. [29] Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. [30] If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. [31] For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, [32] and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. [33] For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
1 Corinthians 4:19-21 ESV But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. [20] For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. [21] What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
ματαιολογία Empty or vain speech, babble
If your speech is empty, then so is your heart; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. This is not the way in which Christ promised to lead us. But, whoever drinks the water He gives, the same would have living waters flowing from His mouth: that is, speech which enlightens the mind to the truth of Jesus Christ (who He is, what He taught).
Matthew 12:33-37 ESV “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. [36] I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, [37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Given all that Paul wrote against "empty talk," and fearing only God, I would fear to be among those who specifically teach the sheep of Christ to engage in babble, which is paradigmatically empty talk!
1 Timothy 1:5-6 KJV Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: [6] From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
Titus 1:10-14 ESV For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. [11] They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. [12] One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." [13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance vain jangling. From mataiologos; random talk, i.e. Babble -- vain jangling. see GREEK mataiologos
Romans 11:29 ESV For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Around the turn of the twentieth century, some began to teach and practice an interpretation of the gift of tongues, which exhibits itself in incoherent babbling. The good idea which holds up the babble interpretation is that the Spirit helps us when we pray, because we don't know what we need to pray for. So, the babbler entrusts his inarticulate utterances to the Holy Spirit, whose infinite intelligence is able to craft a whole language around them, so that our utterances become the prayer which we needed to have prayed for us.
Romans 8:26 ESV Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 26 Ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα συναντιλαμβάνεται τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ ⸃ ἡμῶν · τὸ γὰρ τί προσευξώμεθα καθὸ δεῖ οὐκ οἴδαμεν, ἀλλὰ αὐτὸ τὸ πνεῦμα ὑπερεντυγχάνει στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις,
ἀλαλήτοις Inexpressible, Unspeakable
στεναγμοῖς Groanings
The "groanings" that Paul is referring to are Spiritual, and therefore they are not seen or heard with physical eyes or ears. The groans of a woman in labor are analogous to something in the Spirit. These sorts of "utterances" are not for explaining doctrine, but for expressing our present needs. The gift of tongues, however, is something that is given to build up the church's understanding of Christ's doctrines.
Acts 7:34 ESV I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.'
HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4726 stenagmós – groaning (sighing), especially brought on by circumstances creating great pressure. See 4727 (stenazō).
στενάζω To groan
HELPS Word-studies 4727 stenázō (from 4728 /stenós, "compressed, constricted") – properly, to groan because of pressure of being exerted forward (like the forward pressure of childbirth); (figuratively) to feel pressure from what is coming on – which can be intensely pleasant or anguishing (depending on the context). [This term "denotes feeling which is internal and unexpressed" (J. Mayor, Js., 162), i.e. to sigh, moan (groan) with frustration.]
Evangelist William Seymour
"Following his lockout, Seymour was invited by the more spiritually sympathetic Mr. and Mrs. Richard Asberry to hold services at their home on North Bonnie Brae Avenue. It was at the Asberry home where Seymour finally experienced speaking in tongues for himself. Events leading up to his own glossolalia began on April 9, 1906, when his enthusiastic preaching caused several members of his congregation to start speaking in tongues. The religious fervency continued for three nights, and on April 12 Seymour began speaking in tongues as well."
Magical foreign language speaking Held by "cessationists"
This is the view held by Thomas Aquinas, and other "builders" that are held in high reputation among the early church. Some take their opinion as conclusive, on account of their reputation. However, the reputation of a man is insufficient basis for the formation of a belief; for, whoever trusts in man is cursed.
Summa Theologiae, Thomas Aquinas Second Part of Second Part, The Grace of Tongues (Question 176) I answer that, Christ's first disciples were chosen by Him in order that they might disperse throughout the whole world, and preach His faith everywhere, according to Matthew 28:19, "Going . . . teach ye all nations." Now it was not fitting that they who were being sent to teach others should need to be taught by others, either as to how they should speak to other people, or as to how they were to understand those who spoke to them; and all the more seeing that those who were being sent were of one nation, that of Judea, according to Isaiah 27:6, "When they shall rush out from Jacob [Vulgate: 'When they shall rush in unto Jacob,' etc.] . . . they shall fill the face of the world with seed." Moreover those who were being sent were poor and powerless; nor at the outset could they have easily found someone to interpret their words faithfully to others, or to explain what others said to them, especially as they were sent to unbelievers. Consequently it was necessary, in this respect, that God should provide them with the gift of tongues; in order that, as the diversity of tongues was brought upon the nations when they fell away to idolatry, according to Genesis 11, so when the nations were to be recalled to the worship of one God a remedy to this diversity might be applied by the gift of tongues.
Magical foreign language speaking would be very useful to a people who are commanded to take a message to all the nations of the world, as is the church. This is the basis of Aquinas' belief in the magical foreign language interpretation of the gift of tongues. While this is true, this interpretation clearly misses the mark for several reasons:
Finally, according to Paul's instructions regarding the use of tongues in the general assemblies in 1 Corinthians 14, we are told that tongues are unintelligible to initiates, but can be understood and explained by mature Christians. This fact definitively rules out the magical foreign language interpretation, for it is not the initiate of Christianity who doesn't understand a foreign language, but the foreigner.
1 Corinthians 14:16,23-24 ESV Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? ... [23] If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? [24] But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,
ἰδιώτης Initiate, lay-person
Magical foreign language speaking was not exhibited in the one case in which it definitely would have been useful!
Acts 28:1-10 ESV After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. [2] The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. [3] When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. [4] When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." [5] He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. [6] They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. [7] Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. [8] It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. [9] And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. [10] They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Paul was held in high esteem by the natives of Malta. They regarded him as a god, after he survived the bite from the viper. Paul healed their people. If ever there was an open window for making disciples, Paul had found it - if he could overcome the explicit language barrier which Scripture tells us was in place. And yet, Paul does not preach, nor does He make any disciples while on Malta. If the gift of tongues was really the magical ability to speak a foreign language that one never learned, this was the one time when we know that such a gift would have been useful. And yet, no such gift is exhibited.
βάρβαρος Lit. "barbarous" But, at the time the word simply meant, "one who doesn't speak Greek or Latin"
The gift of tongues was exhibited in circumstances in which no language barrier existed.
Acts 19:5-6 ESV On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Once again, the outpouring of tongues follows a successful delivery of gospel knowledge, rather than being the needful miraculous medium of the delivery, which Aquinas claimed that it was.
Acts 10:44-47 ESV While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. [45] And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. [46] For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, [47] "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
While there may have been a reason to think that the gift of tongues had to do with overcoming national language barriers based on the account from Acts Chapter 2, there is no hint of a language barrier needing to be overcome in Acts Chapter 10.
Acts 2:5-11 ESV Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. [6] And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. [7] And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? [9] Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, [11] both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians-we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."
Translation note on "language" in verse 8
διάλεκτος Lit. "manner of speaking", dialect Usu. transl. "language"
A national language can be a dialect, but a dialect may be many other "manners of speaking". Isaiah's "tongue of those who are learned" counts as a dialect. When a Galilean speaks in the dialect of those who are learned, their opponents were often astonished, because Galileans were expected to be unlearned.
The Fifteen Nations
The list of fifteen nations, along with imprecise translations, lead many into this false notion about the gift of tongues. It is automatically supposed that there are fifteen language barriers to be overcome, corresponding to the fifteen nations in the list. BUT, two points need to be carefully considered:
#2: The audience in Acts 2 was composed entirely of devout Jews. Therefore the speakers and the audience members were united in a common heritage. Even if some did not speak Koine Greek, it would still be possible to communicate with them in the language of their common heritage, Aramaic.
#1: All fifteen nations were Helenized in the first century AD. That means that Koine Greek was spoken as a common language in every one of those languages! The language barrier had already been overcome by worldly forces!
Compare to Map of Hellenized Nations in First Century AD
Map of the nations listed in Acts Chapter 2
Jeremiah 17:5-6 ESV Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. [6] He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
Table of Tongues
"Tongue of those who are taught"
Those who are taught by men are astonished when those who are not taught by men speak with "The tongue of those who are taught".
It is in God's character to use those of low esteem in the world to rebuke those who are exalted.
Matthew 21:42-43 ESV Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? [43] Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.
Who are the builders?
Acts 4:5-8,11 ESV On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, [6] with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. [7] And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" [8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, [11] This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
Luke 10:21 ESV In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
Psalm 8:2 ESV Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
James 2:5 ESV Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
1 Corinthians 1:19-20,26-29 ESV For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." [20] Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?... [26] For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; [28] God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, [29] so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 ESV Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness,"
Astonishment at the learned speech of unlearned men
Acts 2:7 ESV And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
John 7:52 ESV They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee."
Acts 4:13 ESV Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Matthew 23:8-10 ESV But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. [10] Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
The Difficulty Occasioned by Language Faith, Christianity and the Church, C.S. Lewis (Essay Collection) Page 35, God in the Dock In all societies, no doubt, the speech of the vulgar differs from that of the learned.
γλῶσσα Tongue, language, glossary
An act is often named after the usual instrument of the act. So, since the tongue is the usual instrument of language, γλῶσσα comes to mean language, speech, dialect.
By exaggeration, γλῶσσα also comes to mean remarkable language or speech. Thus, γλῶσσα has the sense of obscure or hard language, which needs to be explained. This is the sense which carries into English in the transliterated word "glossary."
Now, because the spiritual tongues are "remarkable," they need to be *fully explained* to those who are still developing their understanding of Christian doctrines, the initiates of the Christian body.
ἰδιώτης Initiate, one of low rank
1 Corinthians 14:16 ESV Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 1 Corinthians 14:23 ESV If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
By contrast, Paul notes that mature Christians are able to speak mysteries to one another, using the words taught to Christians by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:6-7 ESV Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. [7] But we impart a **secret** and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
μυστήριον Mystery
1 Corinthians 14:2 ESV For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters **mysteries** in the Spirit.
Compare with the statement, "I told everybody in the room, but no one understood me." In this case, whatever the speaker told the people in the room, it is clear that he understood himself. This very natural usage of language is ignored by those who believe tongue-speech to be mere babble.
"No one understands him" is sometimes taken to mean that the speaker does not understand himself. However, the passage in chapter 2 shows that this is not the case. Also:
1 Corinthians 14:4 ESV The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
How can he build himself up, if he does not even understand himself?
Behold Paul's concern for immature Christians. While he welcomes and encourages tongue-speech in the general assemblies of the church, he insists that tongue-speech be thoroughly explained, so as not to leave the initiates in the dark.
Consider how the intercourse between the rich (in understanding) and the poor (the initiates) can parallel the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus desired to eat from the scraps of the rich man's table, which would parallel the "five words easy to be understood."
The "dogs coming to lick his sores" could represent worldly helps, sought by worldly Christians, because they do not know or understand the power of God: money, medicine, psychological help, etc. This is consistent with Paul's lament over the worldliness of the Corinthian church. Refer also to the apostasy and unification diagrams. More error of belief means more sin, sickness, weakness. If the initiates are left sitting in the dark, then they will remain sinful, sick, and weak. If the church doesn't help them, doesn't even claim to be able to help them, then they will inevitably turn to worldly helps. But, explain the mysteries of Christianity thoroughly, and they will grow in holiness, wholeness, and power.
Unification
Apostasy
Christ, Paul, Peter, and John all agree: Before the return of Christ, there is an apostasy, a falling away of the church, due to false teachers who teach either licentiousness (the leaven of the Sadducees) or legalism (the leaven of the Pharisees).
The Three Prophetic Movements of the Church
Third: From error, towards unity
Unity is finally achieved at the end of the last movement of the church.
Second: Apostasy
First: From error, towards unity
The first movement of the church does not reach its goal of unity of the faith.
Legalism
Job 32:2 ESV Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.
1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, [2] through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, [3] who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Galatians 5:4 ESV You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
Licentiousness
2 Peter 3:1-4 ESV This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, [2] that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, [3] knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. [4] They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."
1 Corinthians 15:32 ESV What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
Matthew 22:23 ESV The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question,
Matthew 24:10-12 ESV And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. [11] And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. [12] And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
Acts 20:29-30 ESV I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; [30] and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Matthew 16:6,12 ESV Jesus said to them, "Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." ... [12] Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
ἀποστασία Lit. "Standing away" Apostasy
HELPS Word-studies 646 apostasía (from 868 /aphístēmi, "leave, depart," which is derived from 575 /apó, "away from" and 2476 /histémi, "stand") – properly, departure (implying desertion); apostasy – literally, "a leaving, from a previous standing."
A shepherd cannot claim to help, if he denies the power of godliness.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. [2] For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, [4] treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] **having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people**. [6] For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, [7] always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
Worldliness of Corinthian church Signs of worldliness in the believer
1 Corinthians 11:29-32 ESV For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. [30] That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. [31] But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. [32] But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
"Five words with my mind" could also be rendered "five words easy to be understood"
Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2399: ἰδιώτης ἰδιώτης, ἰδιώτου, ὁ (ἴδιος), very common in Greek writings from Herodotus down; properly, a private person, opposed to a magistrate, ruler, king; but the noun has many other meanings also, each one of which is understood from its antithesis, as e. g. a common soldier, as opposed to a military officer; a writer of prose, as opposed to a poet. In the N. T. an unlearned, illiterate, man, opposed to the learned, the educated
1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the *interpretation* of tongues.
ἑρμηνεία Interpret, explain, give the gist
Note that this form of "interpretation" is not specifically the kind which is practiced by a foreign language interpreter. One who "translates" specialized jargon into everyday speech is practicing ἑρμηνεία.
The Greek has another word which is often used for clear cases of interlingual translation:
μεθερμηνεύω Translate (from one language into another)
Mark 15:34 ESV And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Mark 15:22 ESV And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).
Mark 5:41 ESV Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."
John 1:41 ESV He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ).
Matthew 1:23 ESV "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
Acts 13:8 ESV But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
Spiritual tongues are remarkable because:
Angelic Tongue - the innermost word, which does not pass away
λόγος Focus here on the sense: Doctrine, that which is transmitted from a lucid teacher to an apt student. See Thayers sense I.4.
A doctrine can be transmitted using any human language. There are various images which can be deployed to illuminate the subject matter of a teaching. The doctrine itself, considered as prior to and independent of any of the words used to communicate or think about the doctrine, is a spiritual thing. This is the λόγος that never passes away. This is the λόγος which does not require fleshy mouth or lips to "speak".
Innermost Word
Generated by God, discovered by men
Proverbs 25:2 ESV It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
Does not pass away
1 Peter 1:23-25 ESV since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; [24] for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, [25] but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
Not only is God's Word abiding, but living. For, whatever is heard by spiritual ears is itself spiritual; and what is spiritual is living and life-giving. God's Words are living and active. Satan's lies, his children, oppose God's Words. Satan's lies are active, but neither life giving nor even living. They are unliving, death giving.
John 8:44 ESV You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Matthew 24:35 ESV Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Conceived, Understood, Meditated upon
"Spoken" with the spiritual mouth (angelic tongue) "Heard" with the spiritual ears
Matthew 11:15 ESV He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
He who has spiritual ears (that is, understanding), hears both what can be known about this world, and the world to come.
John 3:10-12 ESV Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? [11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. [12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. [15] The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. [16] "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
He who has only ears of flesh, hears only about this world.
John 8:42-43,47 ESV Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. [43] Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. ... [47] Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."
Psalm 51:4 ESV Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Psalm 51:6 ESV Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
The Mental Activity Prior to Thought Faith, Christianity and the Church, C.S. Lewis (Essay Collection) Pages 264-265, The Language of Religion Again, thinking seems to me something other than the succession of linked concepts which we use when we successfully offer our 'thought' to another in argument. That appears to me to be always a sort of translation of a prior activity: and it was the prior activity which alone enabled us to find these concepts and links. ... Finally, in all our joys and sorrows, religious, aesthetic, or natural, I seem to find things (almost indescribably) thus. They are about something. They are a by-product of the (logically) prior act of attending to or looking towards something... The very essence of our life as conscious beings, all day and everyday, consists of something which cannot be communicated except by hints, similes, metaphors, and the use of those emotions (themselves not very important) which are pointers to it.
Inner/Middle Word
Passes from conscious thought into memory. **Passes away** when memory fails, and the word is forgotten.
Memorization is directed towards understanding. The understanding of the Word brings healing, and is never lost. But memory is unreliable, corruptible, and can be lost. Besides, whenever we need to remember God's Word, we are promised that God's Holy Spirit will remind us.
Holy Spirit brings to memory
John 14:26 ESV But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Understanding, better than memory
Proverbs 4:3-9 ESV When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, [4] he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. [5] Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. [6] Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. [7] The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. [8] Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. [9] She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown."
Children are often tasked with memorization, because they are not yet equipped with understanding. Once they are "weaned", their memorization work will aid them in building up their understanding. But when we become men, we put away childish things.
1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
Imagined, or "Spoken" with the inner/middle mouth "Heard" with the inner/middle ears
Outer Word
Passes from mouth into the air, in the form of vibrations. **Passes away** when those vibrations diminish to the point of being indistinguishable from other vibrations in the air.
Psalm 144:4 ESV Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
Proverbs 21:6 ESV The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
Spoken with mouth of the flesh Heard with ears of the flesh
Spirits do not have flesh and bone, and therefore do not have mouths or tongues - at least, not in the sense that we have. Therefore, the angelic language makes no use of fleshly mouth or tongue.
Luke 24:39 ESV See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."
Analogical - use of material images to speak about spiritual things
Consider very carefully how Jesus often used material images to speak about spiritual things, and, as a result, he was often misunderstood by those who lacked spiritual discernment (because the Spirit was not yet being poured out).
John 2:18-22 ESV So the Jews said to him, "What sign do you show us for doing these things?" [19] Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." [20] The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?" [21] But he was speaking about the temple of his body. [22] When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Temple tongue - language based on masonic terms, used to speak about the mind and its development.
1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, [5] you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:9-17 ESV For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. [10] According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. [11] For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw- [13] each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. [14] If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. [15] If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. [16] Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? [17] If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Matthew 16:11-12 ESV How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." [12] Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Metabolic tongue - language based on metabolic terms (terms related to eating and digestion), used to speak and think about doctrine and the spiritual body.
ἄρτος Lit. "Joined" Bread, food
The root of the Greek word for Bread or food is the idea of joining, or that which is joined together. The same root enters the English language in the word "arthritis". The ἄρτος of doctrine is then understood according to the fact that a teacher presents doctrines together, illuminating the relations between ideas.
Because doctrine is ἄρτος, that is, put together, it needs to be broken down by the hearer. The breaking down process is analogous to chewing.
Job 34:2-3 ESV "Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know; [3] for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.
John 6:33,35,47-51,53-58,63 ESV For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." ... [35] Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. ... [47] Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. [48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. [50] This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. [51] I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."... [53] So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. [55] For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. [56] Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. [58] This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."... [63] It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Isaiah 6:3 ESV And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"
Taught by Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 ESV Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. [13] And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
Other words which have an exaggerated sense:
δόξα Lit. "Opinion" Usu. Transl. "Glory"
Glory is that in a thing which evokes an "opinion", always positive. It is clear from every context that glory is not what evokes an opinion of indifference or badness.
Sensible
Studies In Words, C.S. Lewis Page 158, Sense From the meaning 'able to feel', sensible proceeds to that of 'actually feeling', as in Johnson's 'I am not wholly insensible of the provocations'. There is often an overcharge of meaning so that the word signifies 'fully, or vividly, or excessively, aware of'.
Sense, Meaning
Studies In Words, C.S. Lewis Page 140, Sense When we say that an utterance is 'full of meaning' we do not merely claim that none of it is meaningless; we claim that it is profound, worth chewing on, 'significant'. Just in the same way, sententia can signify not bare 'meaning' but 'depth of meaning', meaningfulness, pith, profundity. Page 144, Sense By exaggeration sense (meaning) is often used loosely for important or pertinent meaning, so that, like sententia, it is equivalent to 'depth of meaing'.
Genius
Studies In Words, C.S. Lewis Page 88, Wit [Ingenium] originally meant the character or 'what-sortedness' of a thing... Elsewhere the word refers specifically to a man's intellectual quality... The same tendency which has made 'family' mean good family, and 'quality' good quality, brought it about that ingenium should usually mean not merely 'cast of mind' but 'cast of mind above the ordinary'.
"Same tendency" On page 144, C.S. Lewis calls this tendency "exaggeration". I had previously called it the principle of remarkability.
Quality
Studies In Words, C.S. Lewis Page 31, Nature When a man advertises his shop as 'the shop for quality', he ignores the fact that badness is just as much a quality as goodness; by 'quality' he means 'good quality'.
If a thing has "quality," then we understand that the thing has good quality. All things have quality of some kind, and therefore, without the remarkable sense, it would be completely uninteresting to say that a thing has "quality."
Family
Studies In Words, C.S. Lewis Page 30-31, Nature If genus is a stock or lineage, gerosus ought in logic to mean 'pertainingh to, or having, a lineage'. But in that sense it would be a useless word, and to call a man generosus would be to say nothing; for every man has a lineage of some sort. In fact, generosus means well-born, noble, having a good lineage. Similarly when the Germans call a man geboren they mean hoch-geboren, well or nobly born. In just the same way the adjective kind means not 'having a family or kind' but 'noble'. ...'a man of family' means, or used to mean, 'a man of good family'.
To say that a man "comes from family" means that he comes from *good* family. For, all men come from some family. Without the remarkable sense of "family," the statement, "This man comes from family," wouldn't be worth saying.
1 Corinthians 14:22 ESV Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.
There is an initial gift which the Spirit allots to each as He will.
AND: Christ invited us to ask the Father, and He would give us the good gifts that we ask of Him.
Luke 11:9-13 ESV And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. [11] What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; [12] or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Matthew 7:7-11 ESV "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. [9] Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? [11] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
BUT: Paul exhorts us to pursue the greater gifts (and reminds us that our excellence is consummated in the building up of the church.
1 Corinthians 12:31 ESV But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 14:1 ESV Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
These passages establish the fact that the Spiritual gifts can be pursued. But, how can a believer go about pursuing them? The answer should be obvious: do the work of God, which is to believe the One God sent.
Paul also tells us that training in the words of our faith is profitable for all things. If that is true, then training in the words of our faith must be profitable for the pursuit of Spiritual Gifts.
1 Timothy 4:6-12 ESV If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. [7] Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; [8] for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. [9] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. [10] For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. [11] Command and teach these things. [12] Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
To the end, or with the aim of helping us in our work of belief - and it was promised to us by Christ that we would both need and receive Help - the Holy Spirit teaches us words (logos) that the world does not teach.
John 16:13-14,31-33 ESV When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. [14] He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you... [31] Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? [32] Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. [33] I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
John 14:15-18,23-24 ESV "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, [17] even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. [18] "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ... [23] Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. [24] Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
The word for "keep" here is the same word used for the keeping of prisoners and treasures. The men who prize the treasures of this world can be an example to us, for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.
The children of this world place their treasures under security. They want to always know where their treasures are, so they can always get them whenever they have need of them. In the same way, the children of light ought to train in season and out of season, so that we can always bring out what is needful or useful in hastening to the day of Christ come.
Philippians 3:16 ESV Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Matthew 13:52 ESV And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
2 Timothy 4:2 ESV preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 11:21-22 ESV When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; [22] but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
The children of this world keep accounts of their treasures. They always want to know what is in their possession.
Luke 16:1-2 ESV He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. [2] And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.'
Luke 16:8 ESV The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
τηρέω Watch, guard
HELPS Word-studies 5083 tēréō (from tēros, "a guard") – properly, maintain (preserve); (figuratively) spiritually guard (watch), keep intact.
1 Corinthians 2:9-13 ESV But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"- [10] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. [11] For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. [13] And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
The work of belief is greatly profited and expedited by the development of mental and communicative capacities. These are the capacities or abilities that allow us to consider, break down, ramify, and render judgments upon doctrines, concepts, and ideas about God, God's relation to Himself, creation, God's relation to creation, the self, God's relation to the self, the neighbor, and God's relation to the neighbor.
Rendering judgment upon the spirits (doctrines)
1 Corinthians 6:2-3 ESV Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? [3] Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
Ideas need to be ramified, that is, branched out. What does the idea say, when it is full grown? Does it confess the Christ (say the same things that He said)? How would the idea affect the behavior of someone who believed it? A tree can be known by these fruits.
Matthew 13:31-32 ESV He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. [32] It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."
Matthew 13:24-30 ESV He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, [25] but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. [26] So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. [27] And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?' [28] He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' [29] But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, "Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn."'"
If you reject an idea too soon, you may uproot some true doctrines along with the false. Some true doctrines are so shocking, that the natural man vehemently rejects them. They are foolishness and blasphemy to the one who only has physical ears.
1 Corinthians 1:18-19 ESV For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
John 10:34-36 ESV Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'? [35] If he called them gods to whom the word of God came-and Scripture cannot be broken- [36] do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?
Ideas need to be broken down into individual propositions. This is analogous to chewing.
Job 34:2-4 ESV "Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know; [3] for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. [4] Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.
John 6:53-58 ESV So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. [55] For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. [56] Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. [58] This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."
Ideas must be carefully considered
Jeremiah 29:8-9 ESV For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, [9] for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the LORD.
1 John 4:1-3 ESV Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, [3] and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
We are called to God's unchanging purpose: to glorify God. That is, to know God, and make Him known. Love God, and make Him loved. Our gifts are useful for this purpose, which is His purpose. They help us soften hearts, so that ears will hear us. They help us to speak Gospel truth from a heart of understanding. This allows us to speak in terms that each listener or group of listeners can understand.
Ephesians 4:29 ESV Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 ESV Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. [2] You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. [3] Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit. [4] Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; [5] and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; [6] and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. [7] To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. [8] For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10] to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
Matthew 25:31-34,41,46 ESV "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. [34] Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ... [41] "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ... [46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Revelation 20:10-15 ESV and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. [11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. [12] And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. [13] And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. [14] Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. [15] And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Daniel 12:2-3 ESV And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. [3] And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Pre-millennial Resurrection vs Post-millennial Resurrection
ἀνάστασις Lit. Stand up, or stand again
We "stand again" or "rise again" into life, by the power of Christ. The first resurrection or anastasis that appears to our understanding is the return to bodily life, for all who have bodily died. This is the resurrection that Mary understood without being consoled about her brother's bodily death.
The second resurrection that appears to our understanding is the first resurrection that we actually experience. The return to spiritual life by those who were spiritually dead. To seek self is spiritual death, and to seek God is spiritual life. The truly first resurrection is the rebirth that we experience in Christ, dying to self, and living to God.
John 3:3,5-6,13 ESV Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." [5] Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ... [13] No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
Ephesians 4:8-10 ESV Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." [9] ( In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? [10] He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Romans 6:5-11 ESV For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. [6] We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. [7] For one who has died has been set free from sin. [8] Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. [9] We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. [10] For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. [11] So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
John 12:24-25 ESV Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. [25] Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 11:25 ESV Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
To be in Christ is to be in the resurrection.
John 15:3-9 ESV Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. [9] As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
Sense of "stand again":
Acts 26:14,16 ESV And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' ... [16] But *rise* and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
Romans 14:4 ESV Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Revelation 20:4-6 ESV Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. [5] The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
John 5:25-29 ESV "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. [26] For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. [27] And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. [28] Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice [29] and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
"All who are in the tombs"
Spiritual tombs, spiritually dead
Luke 1:76,79 ESV And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,... [79] to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
Matthew 4:16 ESV the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned."
Physical tombs, physically dead
John 6:44-51 ESV No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. [45] It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me- [46] not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. [47] Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. [48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. [50] This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. [51] I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
"The last day"
The last day of eternity, Which is also The first day of eternity
Romans 13:11-12 ESV Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. [12] The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
From Barne's Notes on the Bible: The day is near, or the time when they shall be admitted to heaven is not remote. This is the uniform representation of the New Testament; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 4:7; James 5:8; Revelation 22:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6; Philippians 4:5. That the apostle did not mean, however, that the end of the world was near, or that the day of judgment would come soon, is clear from his own explanations; see 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6; compare 2 Thessalonians 2.
Paul did not mean that the "day of judgment" would come soon:
1 Timothy 4:1 ESV Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
2 Thessalonians 2:3 ESV Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
The time when believers shall be admitted to heaven is not remote:
Philippians 4:5 ESV Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 ESV For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. [3] While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. [4] But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. [5] For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. [6] So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
Revelation 22:10 ESV And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
James 5:8 ESV You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
1 Peter 4:7 ESV The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
Hebrews 10:25 ESV not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Light=Day Christ=Light Therefore, Christ=Day
John 1:4-5,9-10 ESV In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... [9] The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
Genesis 1:5 ESV God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Revelation 1:17 ESV When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last,
Matthew 20:16 ESV So the last will be first, and the first last."
The last day of the world "Judgment Day"
Luke 14:13-14 ESV But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, [14] and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
Matthew 22:30-32 ESV For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. [31] And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: [32] 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living."
Luke 20:34-38 ESV And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, [35] but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, [36] for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. [37] But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. [38] Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him."
"Laying on" in the sense of "bestowing"
The blind and the physician investigate by touch, using their hands. Those who prepare the bread of doctrine must knead the dough of doctrine (use their understanding to *form* appropriate words, as befits the occassion). Before any of this can be done, we need the Holy Spirit to bestow upon us our spiritual hands. This can sometimes be done by an apostle (one who is sent), if he is received as an apostle. Whoever receives a prophet in the character of a prophet, receives a prophet's reward.
The spiritual hands
The bodily instrument of formation
Formation of plans
Formation of parables, analogies
Formation of arguments, syllogisms
Formation of thoughts, beliefs
Luke 12:56-57 ESV You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? [57] "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
Ephesians 4:28 Douay-Rheims Bible He that stole, let him now steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
Paul was careful about giving his life, a living sacrifice. He carried out in bodily form, that which we need to carry out spiritually. And spiritually speaking, whoever does not do the work of belief, the same will not truly eat the bread of doctrine; and thus, he will not grow.
The context of this verse is Paul's exhortation to mutual upbuilding through Christian conversation: speaking truth with love. The "thief" is the plagiarizer. Each of us is responsible for building up our understanding of Christ's teachings. The work of explaining in one's own words is critical to spiritual growth. To "steal" another person's explanations (regardless of whether you are crediting the source), is a cheat, and will not lead to growth.
Remember, none of us can have a conversation with Augustine, Aquinas, or C.S. Lewis. We cannot ask them clarifying questions, or challenge them with Scriptures that they seem to be contradicting. We cannot truly get to the root of their *reasons* for the hope that is in them, because doing that requires conversation. We can and should be practicing this form of conversation with the brothers who will gather with us today, to do the work of God: believing Jesus Christ. For when we do that, Christ is among us in a way that He is not promised to be, when we isolate ourselves with mere letters.
Matthew 18:20 ESV For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Plagiarize, according to Merriem-Webster: to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (another's production) without crediting the source
To the world "passing off as one's own" is part of the act of intellectual theft. However, spiritual theft involves the use of words which do not flow from the understanding which is in you. If they do not flow from your understanding, then they are flowing from letters. You read it, it "sounded good", and now you are repeating it.
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 ESV Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, [6] who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Spiritual discernment: That by which we "feel about," investigate spiritual matters
Psalm 32:8-9 ESV I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. [9] Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
ἐπιτίθημι Lit. "Place-upon"
This is the word used in every instance of the laying on of hands in Scripture. In order to understand the full range of meaning suggested by the phrase "lay on hands," we must understand that this word for "laying" is also used for the bestowal of surnames, the infliction of wounds, and the laying of the cross upon Simon the passerby.
Laying of objects upon the body
Matthew 27:29 ESV and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
Luke 23:26 ESV And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.
Infliction of wounds
Luke 10:30 ESV Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and *beat* him and departed, leaving him half dead.
"Beat"
Bestowal of surnames
Mark 3:16 ESV He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he *gave* the name Peter);
The physically blind "see" faces by the laying on of hands. At present, God's children have a (torn) veil over our eyes, so that our spiritual vision is dim, incomplete. Therefore, like the blind, we can lay hands on a patient's *spiritual body*, in order to *get a feel* for their beliefs and vocabulary. The spiritual laying on of hands is thus best practiced through conversation.
It is not only the blind that investigate by touch. A physician also investigates the condition of his subject by laying hands on them. The essence of spiritual healing is the removal of false beliefs through communication of gospel truth. Successful communication requires the speaker to speak truth in the vocabulary of the listener. Observe how essential this spiritual sense of "laying on hands" is to this practice of spiritual healing.
Getting a feel for a patient's beliefs
Galatians 3:5 ESV Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith-
Romans 10:17 ESV So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
The answer to this question must be: "He who supplies the Spirit to us and works miracles among us, does so by hearing with faith." Thus, the Christian spiritual healer operates on the infallible basis of this Scripturally founded premise: "God works miracles among us by hearing with faith." Replace a false belief about God with a true belief about God, and God Himself will celebrate the occasion by an outpouring of His benefits.
Getting a feel for a patient's vocabulary
Hebrews 6:20 ESV where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
τάξις Order, arrangement, ranking
HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5010 táksis (a feminine noun, derived from 5021 /tássō, "to arrange, order") – properly, an arrangement (a brand of ordering), placing one member over another in rank, approval, etc. See 5021 (tassō). [5010 /táksis ("orderly array") was a military term in ancient Greece and thus **used as a ready "metaphor in Paul's conversation with the soldiers in His confinement**" (WS, 904). 5010 (taksis), as an ancient military term, describes an ordered troop ("cohort") – arranged in descending rank. This term suggests a detailed ordering rather than simply a general disposition of an army (as also in Thucydides, etc.).]
Don't underestimate the value of the simple and direct truths of Scripture
1 Peter 2:2 ESV Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-
1 Corinthians 14:19 ESV Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Luke 16:19-21 ESV "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. [20] And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, [21] who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
Consider this parable through the lense of spiritual wealth:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ESV If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ESV And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
The Difficulty Occasioned by Language Faith, Christianity and the Church, C.S. Lewis (Essay Collection) Page 35, God in the Dock In all societies, no doubt, the speech of the vulgar differs from that of the learned. The English language with its double vocabulary (Latin and native), English manners (with their boundless indulgence to slang, even in polite circles) and English culture which allows nothing like the French Academy, make the gap unusually wide. There are almost two languages in this country. The man who wishes to speak to the uneducated in English must learn their language. It is not enough that he should abstain from using what he regards as 'hard words'. He must discover empirically what words exist in the language of his audience and what they mean in that language: e.g., that potential means not 'possible' but 'power', that creature means not 'creature', but 'animal', that primitive means 'rude' or 'clumsy'...
Isaiah 50:4 ESV The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
Acts 17:26-27 ESV And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, [27] that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
ψηλαφάω Feel, touch, handle
HELPS Word-studies 5584 psēlapháō – properly, touch lightly, "feel after" to discover (personally investigate). [5584 (psēlapháō) comes from a root meaning, "to rub, wipe"; hence, to feel on the surface (see Gen 27:12,21,22 in the LXX).]
Isaiah 25:7 ESV And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.
2 Corinthians 3:14-18 ESV But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. [15] Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. [16] But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Genesis 27:1,12,22 ESV When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, "My son"; and he answered, "Here I am." ... [12] Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing."... [22] So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau."
Isaiah 1:16-17 ESV Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, [17] learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.
Matthew 3:11 ESV "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
The baptism of fire and the trial of fire are one. The spiritual body is the body of beliefs, and the spiritual baptism is the cleansing of the spiritual body.
False beliefs are consumable and dead. They are the impurities which are revealed and destroyed by the trial and baptism of fire. To the impure portion of the spiritual body, the trial of fire is destruction. The heart that is impure fears the consuming fire of God.
There will come a time when all who call on the name of the Lord will be made perfect in the twinkling of the eye. During the last days, sanctification is progressive. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, but does not simply drop the truth in your lap. Personal bias and blind spots will hinder us as we walk with the Lord, but loving conversation, speaking truth with love among the brethren, is useful for exposing the errors that cling to us, which we cannot remove on our own.
Isaiah 28:13 ESV And the word of the LORD will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little, that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
The pattern of going, then falling backwards, is consistent with all prophecy concerning the unity and influence of the church during the last days. First, there is a period of blessed striving towards unity of the faith (implying that the church did not begin with unity). Then, wolves in sheep's clothing will enter in, and there will be an apostasy, in which the "man of lawlessness" is revealed. But, then there is revival and restoration. All of this was made possible by the price which was paid for the world upon the cross.
Note that the Hebrew word for "idol" also meant "log".
Isaiah 44:14-20 ESV He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it. [15] Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it. [16] Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, "Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!" [17] And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, "Deliver me, for you are my god!" [18] They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. [19] No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, "Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?" [20] He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
Deuteronomy 4:24 ESV For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
John 3:19-20 ESV And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
True beliefs are precious and pure. The trial and baptism of fire removes the impurities that cling to the spiritual body. To the pure portion of the spiritual body, the trial of fire is purifying. The heart that is pure longs for the baptism of fire.
John 3:21 ESV But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."
Proverbs 25:11 ESV A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, [23] and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [24] and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
John 15:1-2 ESV "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
βαπτίζω Baptize Lit. Submerge; hence, wash
Acts 8:36-39 KJVS 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? [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. [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. [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.
Acts 8:14-17 ESV Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, [15] who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19 ESV Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
1 Timothy 1:5 ESV The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
"The aim of our charge," in other words: The reason that the apostles charged the church with certain things, was to cultivate genuine love; and since such love proceeds from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith, those charges are directed towards producing these underlying fundaments of love.
Sincere faith
ἀνυπόκριτος Lit. "Without hypocrisy"
Hypocrisy, in turn, is deficiency in judgment.
Good conscience
Romans 5:1 ESV Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Since no one can be justified by the (outward) works of the law, the only way any man can be justified before God is through faith. Specifically, faith regarding the fact that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
Romans 4:22-25 ESV That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." [23] But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, [24] but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, [25] who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Pure heart
What defiles the heart: "what comes out of a man"
Mark 7:20-23 ESV And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. [21] For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, [22] coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. [23] All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
What purifies the heart: Hope in Jesus
1 John 3:3 ESV And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Because love issues from sincere faith, and since the greatest commandments are to love, it becomes a matter of primary importance to seek conviction regarding the truth. The inner work of understanding and believing Christian doctrine is preparatory to living out the faith in love.
Faith is the capacity by which we hold firmly to a rational belief, especially when irrational forces would tend to make us waiver.
βέβαιος Lit. "Walkable" Firm, unshakable, secure
HELPS Word-studies 949 bébaios (an adjective, derived from bainō, "to walk where it is solid") – properly, solid (sure) enough to walk on; hence, firm, unshakable; (figuratively) absolutely dependable, giving guaranteed support (security, surety). 949 /bébaios (literally, "what can be tread upon") then refers to what is fully dependable, i.e. worthy of confidence because on "solid footing." This describes what is fully secure (stable), and therefore can be trusted to give full support.
Hebrews 2:1-4 ESV Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. [2] For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, [3] how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, [4] while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 3:6 KJVS But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope *firm* unto the end. Hebrews 6:17-20 ESV So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, [18] so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. [19] We have this as a sure and *steadfast* anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, [20] where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Romans 4:16 ESV That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be *guaranteed* to all his offspring-not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
Jesus Christ is both a person and a belief (God's belief about Himself). Faith in Christ is therefore both the firm conviction that God's self-revelation is true, as well as an abiding trust in the person of Jesus Christ as an authority over our beliefs.
2 Corinthians 10:5-6 ESV We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, [6] being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
James 1:6-8 ESV But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. [7] For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The power of doubt flows from fear of error. Many doubts cannot be disproven, yet even they can be disarmed. In order to eliminate the fear of error, the believer considers how the belief might be put into practice. Some beliefs are impracticable or inactionable (they cannot be put into action). For example, the belief that "truth cannot be known" cannot be put into action, for every action is based on a belief about what is true.
Fear God only
1 John 4:18 ESV There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Jeremiah 1:5-8 ESV "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." [6] Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." [7] But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. [8] Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD."
Isaiah 51:12-13 ESV "I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, [13] and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor?
Isaiah 8:11-14 ESV For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: [12] "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. [13] But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. [14] And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Luke 12:4-5 ESV "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. [5] But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
The fear of loss is a sign of love. "Love not the world or the things in the world," therefore means we must not act from fear of losing worldly things.
We should not fear loss of worldly goods, even though God has not yet removed the possibility of suffering such losses, because we are promised rewards which far, far surpass our losses.
1 Peter 1:5-7 ESV who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Job 42:10,12 ESV And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before... [12] And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.
Romans 8:18 ESV For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. [17] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Matthew 19:29 ESV And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
To be fearless does not mean trying to believe that your fear will not come upon you. It means pursuing God's unchanging purpose regardless of your circumstances.
Daniel 3:16-18 ESV Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. [17] If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
1 Peter 3:13-17 ESV Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? [14] But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, [15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, [16] having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. [17] For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:6 ESV as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
Matthew 19:21-23 ESV Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." [22] When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. [23] And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.
1 John 2:15-16 ESV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world.
Psalm 62:5-8,10 ESV For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. [6] He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. [7] On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. [8] Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah... [10] Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
Strong Man parable
The Strong Man and his armor The Stronger Man and His armor
Luke 11:20-23 ESV But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. [21] When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; [22] but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. [23] Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
The Stronger Man is Christ. The Strong Man is disarmed by the Christian who walks and speaks in the character of Christ, as he reveals Himself through His Word.
Matthew 12:28 ESV But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
His "full armor" is the opposite of the Christian's "full armor"
Ephesians 6:13-17 ESV Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
The Spirit is the One who guides into all truth. Thus, the Christian can be disarmed of his sword through the false conviction that anything other than God's Holy Spirit can guide into truth.
1 John 2:27 ESV But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie-just as it has taught you, abide in him.
You need no man to teach you. This is consistent with many passages of Scripture indicating the untrustworthiness of men, that God prefers to give revelations to the world through babes, those who are humble in their thinking, and who therefore do not take upon themselves the title of teacher.
Isaiah 40:3-5 ESV A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [4] Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. [5] And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
ALL of the truth a Christian needs to live a glorifying life can be found in the Bible. In the Spiritual Baptism, the Christian allows His old body of knowledge (his body of death) to die, and rising in its place is the body of Christ, the Word of God. Thenceforward, the born again believer's only knowledge will be that which is drawn from Scripture, building his understanding up according to the methods of building which are taught in the Scriptures. Judging nothing by appearances, even the believer's self knowledge will be obedient to what Scripture says about the believer.
Crossing the waters requires you to take your feet off of dry ground. In the Way of Christ, we keep our feet firmly planted on the Rock. We abide in Him. Man's philosophies are streams that run cross-ways to God's paths of truth. The many, babbling voices of man agree neither with God, nor with one another.
Psalm 69:1-3 ESV Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. [2] I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. [3] I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.
Raising valleys that lie in your path, means that your journey will not require you to cross rivers or streams, which run through the valleys. God leads us beside the waters, not across them.
Even when it seems like following the Lord must require you to cross the torrential waters of man's doctrines, wait on the Lord. He has shown that He is able to divide the waters, making the dry land appear.
Christ also showed that He is able to walk upon the waters. Peter showed that we can too - provided we doubt not.
Matthew 14:22-31 ESV Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. [23] And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, [24] but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. [25] And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. [26] But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. [27] But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." [28] And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." [29] He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." [31] Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
It seems that to walk on the waters belongs to Christian maturity. To doubt is to sink. Christ may call you out upon the waters. Remember, he exalts the humble, but debases the haughty. Beware of embarking into cross-ways waters, banking presumptuously on your own maturity.
Joshua 3:17 ESV Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.
Exodus 14:21-22 ESV Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. [22] And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
Psalm 23:2-3 ESV He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. [3] He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Isaiah has many passages like this, in which he prophesies about how God's plan involves the removal of obstacles, difficulties, and intermediaries from the path of righteousness. Man shall be taught by God, rather than by man.
Hebrews 8:1-2,6-8 ESV Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, [2] a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man... [6] But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. [7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. [8] For he finds fault with them when he says: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, ... For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [11] And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. ... Jeremiah 31:31-34 ESV "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, [32] not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. [33] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [34] And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Isaiah 54:13 ESV All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 57:14 ESV And it shall be said, "Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way."
John 6:45 ESV It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me-
Isaiah 40:13-14 ESV Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? [14] Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?
1 Peter 2:4-8 ESV As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, [5] you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [6] For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." [7] So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," [8] and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
Isaiah 28:14-16 ESV Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem! [15] Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter"; [16] therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'
Psalm 118:22 ESV The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
1 Corinthians 2:6,8,12-16 ESV Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away... [8] None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory... [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. [13] And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. [14] The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. [15] The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. [16] "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Matthew 21:16 ESV and they said to him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, "'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise'?"
Jeremiah 17:5-8 ESV Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. [6] He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. [7] "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. [8] He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
The sword of the Spirit is forged in fire from precious materials. Therefore, it is able to withstand the trial of fire. When the devil leads a Christian into buying into man's philosophies, he is replacing a precious instrument with a non-precious instrument: a silver sword for a wooden one. Such a Christian will feel prepared for battle, but when the trial of fire comes upon him, his sword will be burned up, and he will be left defenseless.
Trial of fire
1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 ESV Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw- [13] each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. [14] If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. [15] If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
John 16:13 ESV When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
John 14:15-17 ESV "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, [17] even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
The believer is disarmed of his sword of Spirit when he is not training in the words of our confession.
1 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. [7] Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; [8] for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
The Word of God is likened to a Sword, but also to a hammer.
Jeremiah 51:19-20 ESV Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of hosts is his name. [20] "You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms;
Jeremiah 23:29 ESV Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Helmet of salvation, hope of salvation
Salvation, the hope of salvation, is frustrated when the believer believes himself condemned. Condemnation comes by the law. The law gives knowledge of sin. Thus, Satan frustrates the believers hope of salvation through misuse of the law. That is, the substance of the law is divorced from its proper purpose (to reveal God's character), and brought into adulterous union with the false purpose of self-justification. The Strong Man is disarmed of this weapon through the remembrance that we are saved by grace, and not because of our own works.
Ephesians 2:8 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Shield of faith
Faith is shaken threatenings and by slandering the one believed. Threatenings and slanderous accusations are the fiery darts that Paul's warns about. A shield is only as firm as the one holding it. The shield resists, because the man's feet are firmly planted on the ground. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Standing firm, without fear, is the way to disarm the Strom Man's darts. His time is running out, but Christ Life is eternal.
1 Peter 5:6-11 ESV Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. [8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. [10] And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. [11] To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
James 4:6-10 ESV But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." [7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Philippians 1:28 ESV and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
Shoes of preparation of the Gospel of peace
Preparation is thwarted by laziness and distraction. The Strong Man is un-shoed by zeal and focus.
There are many mysteries in Scripture. The mature have access, by the Holy Spirit, to those mysteries, and great joy is found in exploring them. However, a Christian is not to please himself, but to seek the good of his brethren. That means being intentional about maintaining familiarity with the first principles of Christianity, so that milk can be given whenever it is needed.
Milk vs. Meat, and first principles
1 Corinthians 14:18-19 NIV I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. [19] But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 ESV But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. [2] I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, [3] for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
Do not please self, but others
Romans 15:1-3 ESV We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. [3] For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."
Philippians 2:4-7 ESV Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Revelation 3:15-19 ESV "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! [16] So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. [17] For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. [18] I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. [19] Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Focus requires conviction concerning our goal, aim, or purpose. All the focus in the world is not helpful, if you are focused on the wrong thing.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. [25] Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. [26] So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. [27] But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Peter 3:13-15 ESV Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? [14] But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, [15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
2 Corinthians 9:2-3 ESV for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. [3] But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
Romans 12:11 ESV Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Breastplate of righteousness
Righteousness is thwarted by the desires of the flesh. The strong man is disarmed of his breastplate by the righteousness that is imputed by faith. Also, remember Christ bought for us the privilege of forgetting the past. The Devil cannot touch you with accusation if you are faithful in forgetting the past. So, forget the past, and claim Christ's righteousness as your own, not even attempting to self-justify. In so doing, your breastplate of righteousness will be securely affixed to your spiritual body, and the devil's breastplate will be rendered impotent.
Philippians 3:12-14 ESV Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Belt of truth
Satan's belt is of that which frustrates the growth and fruition of truth: confusion. Satan twists the words of Scripture, equivocating between different senses of words, especially substituting the worldly senses which men attach to words, in place of spiritual senses of God's Word. The Strong Man is disarmed of his belt by thorough explanation.
Examples of Satan twisting the words of God:
Matthew 4:5-7 ESV Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple [6] and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" [7] Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Genesis 3:1-5 ESV Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" [2] And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, [3] but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" [4] But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. [5] For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Galatians 1:6-9 ESV I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- [7] not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. [9] As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
2 Peter 3:15-16 ESV And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, [16] as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
Isaiah 27:1 ESV In that day the LORD with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.
1 Corinthians 14:27-28 KJVS If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. [28] But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
The word "interpret" has a dangerous sense, as Lewis has called it. Many people approach the this passage with an understanding of the gift of tongues as having to do with the supernatural ability to speak a foreign language that one never had to learn. With this misconception in mind, "interpret" is taken in the sense of interpreting from one ethnic language into another. But the context of this passage is about how to effectively instruct the initiates so that they can be inducted into the mysteries of the faith. No one needs to be told to teach in the ethnic language which your student understands! But when an unlearned person is suddenly gifted with the Heart of Understanding (the Holy Spirit), they do need to be reminded that religious jargon (as it sounds to the unbelievers' ears) has little, nebulous meaning to those just coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ. They are using the same ethnic language, but they are using unfamiliar words, and familiar words in unfamiliar senses.
That was then. This is now. Now we have the mind of Christ, and His Spirit, which searches the deep things of God. This is what has been prepared for us since before the foundation of the world!!
1 Corinthians 2:9-16 ESV But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"- [10] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. [11] For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. [13] And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. [14] The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. [15] The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. [16] "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Studies in Words, C.S. Lewis Page 12-13, Introduction, III. The Dangerous Sense When a word has several meanings historical circumstances often make one of them dominant during a particular period... The dominant sense of any word lies uppermost in our minds. Wherever we meet the word, our natural impulse will be to give it that sense. When this operation results in nonsense, of course, we see our mistake and try over again. But if it makes tolerable sense our tendency is to go merrily on. We are often deceived. In an old author the word may mean something different. I call such senses dangerous senses because they lure us into misreadings.
Recall the dangerous sense of λόγος
διερμηνεύω Usu. Transl. "Interpret" Can mean interpretation from one ethnic language to another, but core meaning is "thorough explanation".
From root: ἑρμηνεύω Interpret, explain
From Hermes (also called Mercurius), the name of the messenger of the Greek deities; who was held to be the god of speech, writing, eloquence, learning).
1 Corinthians 12:10 KJVS To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the *interpretation* of tongues:
HELPS Word-studies 2058 hermēneía – an interpretation, giving the gist of a message rather than a strict translation; an equivalent meaning, rather than a "word-for-word" rendering.
I have sometimes referred to this gift as the Gift of Gist.
HELPS Word-studies 1329 diermēneúō (from 1223 /diá, "thoroughly across, to the other side," which intensifies 2059 /hermēneúō, "interpret") – properly, thoroughly interpret, accurately (fully) explain.
Hosea 4:6,10-11 ESV My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. [10] They shall eat, but not be satisfied; they shall play the whore, but not multiply, because they have forsaken the LORD to cherish [11] whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.
Pain and destruction are a consequence of lacking knowledge and understanding. Healing does not come by hearing only, but by hearing, understanding, and turning (repenting, changing one's mind, and acting on the basis of the new understanding). So: Give understanding to a brother, and you will take away his pain (if he will do the Word).
Isaiah 6:10 KJVS Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Matthew 13:15 KJVS For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. John 12:40 KJVS He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. Acts 28:27 KJVS 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.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 ESV But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
The different name of the breastplate is related to the other passages. Ephesians and Isaiah call the breastplate righteousness, and 1Thessalonians calls it faith and love. God imputes righteousness of Christ to those who are faithful. Love fulfills the law.
Romans 13:8-10 ESV Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [10] Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 4:13 ESV For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Isaiah 59:17 ESV He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
Satan's instruments are opposed to the Christian's instruments. Not opposed by way of privation, but opposed by way of negation. That is, Satan's instruments are those which cause privation. Privation of virtue is not the instrument of Satan, but the goal or aim of Satan. His instruments are those by which virtue is neutralized; their development, frustrated.
πανοπλία Lit. "Every-Instrument"
HELPS Word-studies 3833 panoplía (from 3956 /pás, "every" and 3696 /hóplon, "weapon") – properly, a complete set of defensive and offensive armor (weapons), i.e. everything needed to wage successful warfare; (figuratively) the full resources the Lord gives to the believer so they can successfully wage spiritual warfare. In this way they do not fight for victory – but from His victory!
The Greek word for instrument, ὅπλα, is used for any instrument or implement by which any action is carried out. ὅπλα includes both weapons and armor pieces. Thus, the "full armor" of God includes pieces of clothing, armor, a weapon, and a shield. πανοπλία is thus the full load-out taken by anyone in carrying out a specific activity.
His palace and his goods are those held captive under sin, believing his various lies (his children).
The Strong Man is Satan
To doubt a proposition is to fear the possibility that its opposite might be true. But not all propositions are to be feared.
The proposition, "God is evil," is not to be feared. If it were true, then nothing we could do would change our fate. For, if God is evil, then all are damned alike, whatever we do. But, "God is good," is a proposition to be feared. For, all are accountable to God; and, God's Word has told us that God is good.
So, since "God is good" is worthy to be feared, while its opposite, "God is evil," is not worthy to be feared, then no one need doubt the proposition, "God is good."
Deuteronomy 18:19 ESV And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.
Mark 10:18 ESV And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
The proposition, "Truth cannot be known," is not to be feared. If it were true, then we could not know it; nor indeed could we know anything at all. Therefore, no one need doubt the proposition, "Truth can be known."
The Silver Chair, C.S. Lewis Page 182, The Queen of Underland Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things-trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies plang a game can make a play-would which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the platy-world. I'm on Aslan's side, even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can, even if there isn't any Narnia.
This is my favorite passage in all of The Chronicles of Narnia. In it, the gloomy character Puddleglum demonstrates why he is able to act, in the following moments, without any fear of error, concerning the existence and worthiness of Aslan (an allegorical representation of the Christ). The mere idea of Him outshines every dubious promise that the world is able to make. No matter what enchantments may be brought against Christ followers, evil designs to make them doubt, we can act without fear of error when we live by faith in a loving God who saves, because we have no other hope of salvation.
Hebrews 4:14 ESV Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 10:23 ESV Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 11:6 ESV And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Romans 4:16 ESV That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring-not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
Outer works
Behavior flows from belief. If you change your beliefs, your behavior will change over time. Old habits can be hard to break, and new habits can take time to form. But, He who begins the good work in you will surely bring it to completion.
Proverbs 4:23 ESV Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Consider in connection to demon-kind, which are lies; for, Satan is the father of lies.
The "springs of life" are the various kinds of activity which flow from our beliefs.
1 Corinthians 15:32-33 ESV What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” [33] Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Translation note: "Bad company" is more accurately translated "bad intercourse or conversation." This much is clear, given the context, in which the belief that "the dead are not raised" leads to the corruption of habits descending to the imperative, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
ὁμιλία Intercourse, association, conversation (root of English "homily")
Matthew 15:18-19 ESV But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. [19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Matthew 12:34-37 ESV You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. [36] I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, [37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Your "heart" is your innermost being. This points us to the spiritual body. The spiritual body is that which is grown by spiritual milk and meat. Spiritual milk and spiritual meat (or bread) are both kinds of doctrines, or teachings. Accordingly, your spiritual body is a body of beliefs.
Colossians 1:9-10 ESV And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10] so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Paul prays that we would be filled with the knowledge of God's will. The reason Paul prays this, is so that we would walk worthily. With knowledge = worthy walking Without knowledge = unworthy walking
Matthew 12:33 ESV "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.
Philippians 1:6 ESV And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 12:41 ESV The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
The repentance of the men of Nineveh gives us a good picture of what repentance looks like on the outside. We need to do likewise on the inside, with our beliefs.
Jonah 3:5-10 ESV And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. [6] The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. [7] And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, [8] but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. [9] Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish." [10] When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Ephesians 4:19-22 ESV They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. [20] But that is not the way you learned Christ!- [21] assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, [22] to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
Inner works
Ephesians 4:23-24 ESV and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [24] and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
1 Corinthians 15:49 ESV Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
Ephesians 4:17-18 ESV Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. [18] They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.
Colossians 1:21-23 ESV And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, [22] he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, [23] if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
James 5:19-20 ESV My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, [20] let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Truth is a thing that we can wander from. The truth is a way, and it is a narrow way; few there be that find it. In this sense, the mind is either in the way (if it's thoughts are obedient to truth), or out of the way. One who brings a wandering mind back, saves a soul from death. "Admonishment" is a spiritual act involving the placement of the mind.
John 14:6 ESV Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Matthew 7:13-14 ESV "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [14] For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
νουθετέω Lit. "Mind-place" (verb) Usu. Transl. "Admonish"
1 Corinthians 4:14-17 ESV I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. [15] For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. [16] I urge you, then, be imitators of me. [17] That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
Romans 15:14 ESV I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to *instruct* one another.
Matthew 10:14 ESV And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Mark 6:11 ESV And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." Luke 9:5 ESV And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." Luke 10:10-11 ESV But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, [11] 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.' Acts 13:50-51 ESV But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. [51] But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.
HELPS Word-studies 3560 nouthetéō (from 3563 /noús, "mind" and 5087 /títhēmi, "to place") – properly, to place the mind, i.e. reasoning with someone by warning (admonishing) them. 3560 /nouthetéō ("admonish through instruction") especially appeals to the mind, supplying doctrinal and spiritual substance (content). This "exerts positive pressure" on someone's logic (reasoning), i.e. urging them to choose (turn to) God's best. [This root (nouthe-) does not strictly mean "chastise," though this can be involved – i.e. with needed admonishing, correcting, exhortation, etc.]
ἐνεργέω Lit. "inner-work" Usu. transl. "work"
HELPS Word-studies 1754 energéō (from 1722 /en, "engaged in," which intensifies 2041 /érgon, "work") – properly, energize, working in a situation which brings it from one stage (point) to the next, like an electrical current energizing a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb.
The inner work of belief is what energizes the Christian for mighty works, by which God can be glorified, and the world turned upside down. Disagreeing with Christ is fatal to your spiritual power. Work on agreeing with Him only. Examine the body of your beliefs for beliefs which are founded upon appearance based judgments, instinctive (probabilistic) reasoning, and trust in man. These are improper foundations for beliefs, and whatever you build upon them will cause you to fall. The spiritual baptism is the grace by which your body of beliefs is destroyed, and renewed through trusting, understanding, and agreeing with the Bible.
Jeremiah 17:5-8 ESV Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. [6] He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. [7] "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. [8] He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Jude 1:10 ESV But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.
John 7:24 ESV Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."
μετανοέω Lit. "change-mind" Usu. transl. "repent"
HELPS Word-studies 3340 metanoéō (from 3326 /metá, "changed after being with" and 3539 /noiéō, "think") – properly, "think differently after," "after a change of mind"; to repent (literally, "think differently afterwards").
Many Christians focus on trying to change their outer works, without undergoing the painful self-death involved in changing their inner works (their beliefs). This is futile, and leads to frustration and disillusionment.
John 12:24-26 ESV Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. [25] Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
John 6:28-29 ESV Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" [29] Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
Revelation 3:5 ESV The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
John 10:16 ESV And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
Romans 8:1 ESV There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:38-39 ESV For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
σῴζω
This word σῴζω is also used of those who are healed, because in healing, a person is delivered from the evil condition of sickness.
Mark 10:52 ESV And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Matthew 9:22 ESV Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
HELPS Word-studies 4982 sṓzō (from sōs, "safe, rescued") – properly, deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions (safety). [4982 (sṓzō) is the root of: 4990 /sōtḗr ("Savior"), 4991 /sōtēría ("salvation") and the adjectival form, 4992 /sōtḗrion (what is "saved/rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety").]
The Power of Sin
John 8:34 ESV Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
The power of sin to enslave comes from the law.
The serpent beguiled Eve into thinking she could make herself like God, apart from God's will. The law was not given so that men could justify themselves before God. The law was given to mitigate the pain of ignorance, until the time came when God would pour out His Spirit on the world.
Christ came to give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf. He poured out His heart so that we would understand: God is Love.
Isaiah 32:15-17 ESV until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. [16] Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. [17] And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
Isaiah 29:18-19 ESV In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. [19] The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.
Luke 7:22-23 ESV And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. [23] And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."
Joel 2:28-29 ESV "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. [29] Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
God had not yet given the Spirit, which is the Heart of Understanding
Romans 11:7-8 ESV What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, [8] as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day."
Isaiah 63:17 ESV O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.
Isaiah 6:9-10 ESV And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' [10] Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."
Deuteronomy 29:4 ESV But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.
Pain of ignorance
Isaiah 5:13 ESV Therefore my people go into exile for lack of knowledge; their honored men go hungry, and their multitude is parched with thirst.
Hosea 4:6 ESV My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Purpose of the law
Romans 3:20 ESV For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Romans 10:3 ESV For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
Romans 9:30-33 ESV What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; [31] but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. [32] Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, [33] as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
Matthew 19:8 ESV He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
Galatians 3:19,23-26 ESV Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. [23] Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. [24] So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. [25] But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, [26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
The Cursed Serpent's Deception
Ezekiel 28:2 ESV "Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because your heart is proud, and you have said, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,' yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god-
Isaiah 14:13-14 ESV You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'
Genesis 3:4-5 ESV But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. [5] For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 ESV The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 7:7-11 ESV What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." [8] But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. [9] I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. [10] The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. [11] For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.
Romans 8:2 ESV For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
What it means to be enslaved to sin:
What it means to be delivered from sin:
Galatians 5:22-24 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:16-21 ESV But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 7:14-25 ESV For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. [15] For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. [16] Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. [17] So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [18] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. [19] For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [21] So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22] For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
The Penalty of Sin
Blood to Drink
Revelation 16:6 ESV For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!"
1 Corinthians 11:25 ESV In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
See how Jesus takes our punishment in a different direction. While still fulfilling the just requirements of the law, His Mercy repays good for evil, and so He overcomes the believer's evil heart.
Luke 6:27-36 ESV "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. [29] To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. [30] Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. [31] And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. [32] "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. [35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. [36] Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
This is how to imitate God. This is what God is like. Pray to God who gives to everyone that begs from Him. And when your Crown of Glory and Honor come to you, remember that God Himself does to others, as He wishes they would do to Him. That Crown, as all Crowns, are to be cast right back at Jesus' feet!
Crown of Glory and Honor (copied from the Seven Crowns, in the Final Revelations)
1 Peter 5:1,4 ESV So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:... [4] And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Psalm 8:4-8 ESV what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? [5] Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. [6] You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, [7] all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, [8] the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
Hebrews 2:6-10 ESV It has been testified somewhere, "What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? [7] You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, [8] putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. [9] But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. [10] For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Revelation 4:4,9-11 ESV Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. [9] And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, [10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, [11] "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
Romans 12:21 ESV Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
John 6:53-56 ESV So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. [55] For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. [56] Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
Shame
Daniel 12:2 ESV And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Hell of Fire Burning and Torment
Isaiah 66:24 ESV "And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."
Luke 16:23-26 ESV and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. [24] And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' [25] But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'
Matthew 5:22 ESV But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.
Matthew 10:28 ESV And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Wrath of God
Revelation 14:9-11 ESV And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, [10] he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. [11] And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name."
John 3:36 ESV Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Death
Romans 6:23 ESV For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The dead are raised.
The way things have always been, is not the way things will be.
2 Peter 3:4 ESV They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."
And, by the way, things have not always been the way things are.
2 Peter 3:5-7 ESV For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, [6] and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. [7] But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
Luke 20:37-38 ESV But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. [38] Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him."
Raised from the dead
Resurrection Accounts
John 20:1-9 ESV Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. [2] So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." [3] So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. [4] Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. [6] Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, [7] and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. [8] Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; [9] for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Luke 24:1-12 ESV But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. [2] And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, [3] but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. [5] And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? [6] He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, [7] that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." [8] And they remembered his words, [9] and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. [10] Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, [11] but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. [12] But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
Mark 16:1-8 ESV When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. [2] And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. [3] And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" [4] And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back-it was very large. [5] And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. [6] And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. [7] But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you." [8] And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Matthew 28:1-10 ESV Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. [2] And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [4] And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. [5] But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. [6] He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." [8] So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
1 Corinthians 15:20-21 ESV But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:12-19 ESV Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. [15] We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. [17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
God
Romans 9:5 ESV To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Ephesians 6:23 ESV Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Exodus 3:14 ESV God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
Genesis 1:1 ESV In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Colossians 1:16 ESV For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Lord
κύριος Lord
Exodus 20:1-2 ESV And God spoke all these words, saying, [2] "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
When God gave the Law to Moses, His first words established His Lordship, which is the basis for His authority as law-giver.
God is able to do whatever He wants with us, and no one can resist Him, or call Him unrighteous for the way He makes use of us, because He owns us. We are His property, because He created us.
Matthew 20:12-15 ESV saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' [13] But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? [14] Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. [15] Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?'
Romans 9:19-23 ESV You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" [20] But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" [21] Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? [22] What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, [23] in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory-
God's Lordship is the basis for the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom.
Acts 10:34-38 ESV So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, [35] but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. [36] As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all), [37] you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Proverbs 1:7 ESV The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 9:10 ESV The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 15:33 ESV The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
HELPS Word-studies 2962 kýrios – properly, a person exercising absolute ownership rights; lord (Lord).
Jesus Christ
Savior of the world
John 3:16-17 ESV "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
God's knowledge of Himself, which is Himself
John 1:1-2 ESV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God.
λόγος Usu. Transl. "Word"
This is one of the most important words you can study, and it will come up in several places throughout your investigation of Christian doctrine.
λόγος can also mean "reason"
Reason, as the faculty of the mind judging ideas as either true or false
Christ can be understood as God's capacity for the formation of true ideas. God's faculty of reasoning is perfect. Man's faculty of reasoning is imperfect, leading us into error, and therefore death. Once our reason leads us to trust God only, we should trust God's Word to reason for us, and in us. "Judging with right judgment" means agreeing with God's Word.
John 7:24 ESV Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Hebrews 4:12 ESV For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Reason, as the grounds for believing something
When someone asks you why you believe what you believe, the account that you give is a "λόγος".
Can this sense be read sensibly into John 1:1? Yes. Christ is the grounds that God gives the world for trusting in Him. The life and teaching of Jesus Christ constitute a sufficient and demonstrative account of reason. Whoever rejects that reason is culpable for their unbelief.
Matthew 7:24-27 ESV “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. [26] And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. [27] And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Christ, the Word of God, is often compared to a Rock. There are at least three ways in which God's Word is like the rocks of our experience in the world, and they are well worth noting. But, it will also be important to note one mysterious way in which the spiritual Rock of Christ is unlike the rocks of this world!
The Rock of Christ is unlike the rocks of this world:
John 7:37-39 ESV On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” [39] Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
John 4:10-14 ESV Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” [11] The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? [12] Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” [13] Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, [14] but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 ESV For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, [2] and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, [3] and all ate the same spiritual food, [4] and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
Exodus 17:6 ESV Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
The rocks of this world are dry. No one turns to the rocks of this world to quench their thirst. But the Rock of God gives living waters from His belly.
This point is so important to remember, because it will affect your motivation to engage in the intellectual rigor involved in the "work of belief". The systems of knowledge which are taught by this world require intellectual rigor to learn. The process is dry, boring, and leaves the disciples of the world right where they were: in darkness, sin, death, and in hunger and thirst for righteousness. But the system of knowledge which God teaches through His Word give living waters. The process of intellectual rigor by which we grow in our knowledge and understanding of the Bible brings us to a place where we find victory over sin, sickness, and death!
The Rock of Christ is like the rocks of this world:
Destruction: The greater rocks of this world are able to crush the lesser rocks of this world. The Rock of God is the greatest Rock of all, and is able to crush all that oppose Him. Keep this in mind if you ever find yourself reasoning against God!
Daniel 2:34-35 ESV As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. [35] Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
Matthew 21:44 ESV And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
Permanence: The stones of this world resist corruption better than any other material in this world. If you want a writing to survive many generations, the stone tablet is the best option. This is why the Commandments were etched into stone tablets. This is also why the oldest known constructions are those that were constructed out of stones, such as the Pyramids and Ziggurats.
Hebrews 13:8 ESV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Numbers 23:19-20 ESV God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? [20] Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.
Malachi 3:6 ESV “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
Foundations: The rocks of this world are suitable for supporting great structures. The Rock of Christ, as God's Reason for Belief, supports the spiritual structure of the knowledge of God.
Isaiah 28:16 ESV therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
1 Corinthians 3:9-11 ESV For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. [10] According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. [11] For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 12:7 ESV The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.
John 3:18 ESV Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
1 Peter 3:15 ESV but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
The modern mind has a tendency to jump to, and stick to, the first sense given by Thayer's Lexicon: The embodiment of a concept or idea.
Just as it is possible to mistake the body as the true self, it is also possible to mistake the embodiment of an idea for the idea itself. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the λόγος of God, but more importantly, He is the idea or concept which is embodied. That is why "the Word became flesh".
The idea or concept itself is the fourth sense which Thayer's gives to λόγος: "what is communicated by instruction, doctrine."
Now, an idea or concept is something that exists in a mind. We say that an idea or concept is "true" to the degree that the idea or concept corresponds or agrees with the reality outside of the mind, which the idea or concept is about. Christ is the idea or concept which God has of Himself. His idea or concept of Himself is so perfectly perfect, that His idea doesn't merely correspond to Himself, but it literally is Himself. Christianity teaches that God's knowledge of Himself, His Word the Christ, is the only source of true knowledge of God. The only way we can truly know God, is for God to enter into us, and then know Himself in us and for us.
This is why eternal life is hidden in the Christ: for the knowledge of God is eternal life.
John 17:3 ESV And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
My Song, "Read Your Bible"
Immaterial Concepts versus Material Expressions Five Proofs of the Existence of God, Edward Feser Page 88, The Augustinian Proof If someone writes "Snow is white" on a marker board, you can see the sentence, but you cannot literally see the proposition it expresses. (After all, the same proposition is expressed by the written sentence "Schnee ist weiss", which looks very different from the sentence "Snow is white.") You can erase the sentence, but you cannot thereby destroy the proposition.
I have sometimes explained this sense as "that which is transmitted from a lucid teacher to an apt student."
John 1:14 ESV And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
See note from C.S. Lewis on the "dangerous sense" of words.
An idea or concept can be embodied in a written word or a spoken word, but these are not the only ways that ideas and concepts can be embodied. An idea may be embodied in a dance, or even in a whole bodily life.
God's only-begotten Son; the original image of God, which is still God, for God is original.
Colossians 1:15 ESV He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
