The Spirit Moved on the Face of the Waters, and there was light – without the sun or the moon

Continuing with a further, deeper examination of Matthew18, today in association with Jonah chapter 2 and John chapter 3. We have recently discussed Matthew 18 as exemplifying consecutive events/analogies meant to be comprehensively understood as each complimenting and adding fuller context to the other. Today seeing the above mentioned, seemingly disconnect chapters, as speaking of common principles by distinct events conveying parallel characteristics.

Matthew 18 begins by telling of becoming as a little child, and no man entering the kingdom of heaven without becoming such. It therefore is logically telling of the opposite of the kingdom as not becoming as a little child (refusing to be purged;) it also tells of those offending the little ones as worthy of being cast into and sinking in the depths of the sea. The offenses warned of are those against the little ones seeking to enter, and therefor we can see the offense as teaching what causes them not to believe the entrance being preached. (This is the restraining and withholding – holding down those trying to rise – we are told of in 2 Thessalonians 2.)

The chapter goes on to next tell of cutting off things that offend and uses the analogy of even cutting of parts of the body if necessary. The reason given is it is better to enter into life without what was keeping us out, than to keep it in hell.

In overlaying these two analogies we see the kingdom of heaven is life, and the bottom of the sea, the place things are cast to, is hell. Becoming as a little child and believing is a way into life and teaching what is opposing belief is the offense and cutting it off is the way into the kingdom of heaven and out of the bottom of the sea.

Before going on we must see this also in the context of our recent discussions of leaving the house, and the city of our bondage, and going to meet the LORD in the kingdom of heaven, the high place where He is preeminent and our elevating Him their over our minds is life from the dead.

Matthew 18
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Truly I say unto you, Except you be converted [changed,] and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 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 receives me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence comes!
8 Wherefore if your hand or your foot offend you, cut them off, and cast them from you: it is better for you to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if your eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
10 Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

The above analogies are spoken of in John 3 seen from the perspective of being born again (as a little child) and of light as the life and darkness the hell outside the kingdom of heaven. Here we also read of the offenses as those choosing darkness and refusing to become as little children born again from the light and into light.

Here in John we understand that being born again happens by the Holy Spirit breathing on us, and we know in later chapters we are told of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter (Paraclete) that comes to lead us into all truth. In this context conversely we see the darkness as being anti-truth, not just a lie, but also that which offends by opposing the truth and thereby deceiving the little ones.

John 3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Truly, Truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus says unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Truly, Truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into 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 Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.
8 The [Holy Spirit] wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound thereof [His teaching,] but can not tell from where it comes, and to where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things?
11 Truly, truly, I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen [where they come from and where they go;] and you receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things [of the kingdom of heaven?]
13 And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. [Heaven and hell are entered while a man is alive in the flesh.]
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that does evil hate the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

The deceivers opposing this message now are the same as they have always been, those who crept in secretly claiming to be angel of light. They are those with the false gospel (of sloth) pretending they are in agreement with the message of truth. They preach that there is nothing that needs to be done except plant a seed in their pocket (in the form of many dollars,) and then wait for the blessing to pour down from heaven. After all, they say, it’s a free gift of grace, so why work: while they work as hard and as long as they can to get you to pay them.

The truth is the LORD doesn’t want your money; He does want us to work when he commands it. In both the above passages we read of definitive statements made by the LORD telling us what we must do to enter life and the kingdom of heaven.

John 3, after the above portion, tells of a question arising among John’s disciples (those only knowing the baptism by water, speaking of the word). We are told the question is about “purifying,” in context actually talking about what had already been said about the Holy Spirit baptism, of light. The question was about which of the two, water or light/Spirit, when it is both that are needed in order.

This takes us again to the LORD telling of the work of the Holy Spirit (The Comforter = Paraclete) leading us into all truth, the name of the LORD here as the Holy Spirit and the question of purifying, when seen together gives us the understanding. Holy is purity, and this is the work of the LORD in Spirit and Truth, to get us to holiness.

John 3
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you barest witness, behold, the same baptizes, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all.
32 And what he has seen and heard, that he testifies; and no man receives his testimony.
33 He that has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
36 He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.

This is the offense of the dark ones teaching, “No action needed,” as they stand in the way of (restraining) those that are seeking entry (to both the kingdom of life and holy of holies.) John knew to get out of the way and be happy to do so. There is little work needed to enter the kingdom and life, other than a willingness (as a little child or as being born again) to learn. After that we are called to diligently seek the LORD, and to be led to Him by His Holy Spirit into purity. This is the message Christ suffered to bring us, and the blood by which we are, our garments are, washed white. “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Think of it in the context of the swept house, needing to be filled with the right Spirit – of Holiness.)

1 Peter 1
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification [separated into holiness] of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which has called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy.
17 And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away:
25 But the word of the LORD endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Now to Jonah 2 again telling of his baptism by water, in it being purified/washed into being prepared for the mission of preaching repentance. The is the grace of God offering the same free gift to those who have offended. Become as a little child and be born again.

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, LORD of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in your sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jonah 2
1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly,
2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and you heard my voice.
3 For you have cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all your billows and your waves passed over me.
4 Then I said, I am cast out of your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.
5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet have you brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto you, into your holy temple.
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
9 But I will sacrifice unto you with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
10 And the LORD spoke unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

The word translated “purifying” in John 3:25 is the seven times used Greek word katharismos, meaning to wash off. The Divine purpose and meaning is telling of the same waters where in Elijah told Naaman to go wash seven times, as discussed in prior posts, in the Jordan where we cross from death into life, and coming up out of the waters into life in the kingdom of heaven. (See Matthew 3:2 John, Matthew 4:17 Jesus, both baptizing in the wilderness saying, Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. John into and out of the water of repentance, baptized in the Jordan confessing and removing errors/sins, the LORD baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire – Matthew 3:11 – into holiness/the means of judgment for continued purity – overwriting our minds.)

Katharismos is the same word translated “purged” in 2 Peter 1:9 in a chapter where Peter tells of our journey into holiness and our being purged of our errors. This is told of as the entrance now preached, as the chapter ends with telling of the same as when the Holy Spirit releases meaning of God’s word.

2 Peter 1
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our LORD,
3 According as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our LORD Jesus Christ has showed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost [borne along – as the Spirit moved on the waters in Genesis 1:2 – brood upon as a bird sitting on her eggs until they hatched, and brought/bought forth the light into the world.

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