Continuing with our discussion of when and how the mystery of God is finished: which is in an exposition of prophesy spoken, then uncovered, and in its occurrence is revealed the meaning’s super-naturally defining the condition of the fallen and the means to recovery. Again a warning, against attempting to fully comprehend the meaning contain in these successive postings, without having laid the necessary foundation by following along with them; also an encouragement and invitation to any and all to join us, and in doing so acquire the foundation as we move forward (remaining until it is apprehended).
In priors posts we’ve discussed prophesy as words spoken, inspired by the Spirit of God, to those who have so far removed themselves from God, His words are heard by them as if an un-comprehendible language. We know these words are continued, articulated until comprehension takes hold, and persist until full understanding is realized. We’ve seen this in the pattern of the Genesis creation, as light’s first rays partially light the darkness, then progressively become the fullness of the day, and all is seen in full daylight. We saw these “days” occurring as the same illumination continues, increasing knowledge through the “week,” until man’s mind has been remade, as God, by this means, breathing His life/mind into him. (FYI: this in pattern is why each new day begins with the night, in darkness, and the morning comes enlightening us out of the darkness – as does the LORD.)
In the prior post, we saw this in Revelation 10 where we are told of John hearing the word spoken from heaven; as is the same word he writes of in John 12 when it is heard from the Father, and which glorifies the Son. In both of these instances the words are heard as thunder by those not understanding them, and we saw this metaphor meaning they did not comprehend the noise (words) that accompanies the lightning (which would later be seen as words enlightening minds, which had been darkened by the ignorant imaginations taught by the imposters). This enlightenment and comprehension are the Glory that is revealed, as the Father glorifies the Son, as He promised in John 12:28, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
In Revelation 10:7 we are told that in the day of the seventh angle begins to sound (speaking the words that begin the enlightenment), “the mystery of God should (shall have been) finished.” This both speaks of the words to this point not being understood, and of this ending with understanding coming (in the glory of the sun); the Greek word used to tells this termination point, translated “finished,” is the Greek word teleo, meaning the conclusion of an act or a state (of confusion and ignorance).
The word teleo is used seven other times in book of Revelation (twenty-six times in all), the first is mentioned above, and the second in chapter 11, verse 7, where it tells of this same process in the two witnesses (so, rather than trying to figure out who they are we understand the wisdom being imparted in their pattern).
The chapter begins with measuring the temple, and this aspect should be understood in the context of what we have studies in Isaiah 34, as it, as does Genesis 1:2, describes the earth’s condition of total desolation (become without any understanding). We know in Genesis 1 the words describing this are, “without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” In Isaiah 34:11 we are told of this as the condition of all the world (using the same Genesis 1:2 Hebrews words), having come as a result of her palaces (those ruling in them) being measured out with a “line of confusion,” and build with “stones of emptiness.”
The Greek word here in Revelation 11, translated “measure,” is metreo, meaning to ascertain (comprehend) by comparing it to a fixed standard. The fixed standard is the word of God, as delivered from Him, not the ever moving and wandering (planos) of the false prophets, teachers of corrupted information and their fake news reports (lying signs and wonders).
The witnesses are preaching the unadulterated word of God, and pay the price for it, as their LORD has showed them by example. They are in pattern raised from death before the eyes of all the world as the Spirit of God breathes life into them, all seeing the truth in their afore un-comprehended teaching.
Here below is the chapter (Revelation 11), to be read in this context, understanding the condition of the world when compared to God’s fixed standard. Into this darkness the Father sends the light, un-comprehended, as was Isaiah sent, and as we are later told in John 1 of LORD’s coming.
Isaiah 6
8 Also I heard the voice of the LORD, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear you indeed, but understand not; and see you indeed, but perceive not.
10 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.
11 Then said I, LORD, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them [as life remaining in their root during the long night of winter], when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof [the life that will remain among God’s people to spring forth by water and light: the life giving word understood].
John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Are you Elias? And he said, I am not. Are you that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yourself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the LORD, as said the prophet Esaias.
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptize you then, if you be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara [house of our crossing over] beyond Jordan [our fall into death], where John was baptizing.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Revelation 11
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit [the never ending fall] shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our LORD was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindred and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe comes quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our LORD, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give you thanks, O LORD God Almighty, which are, and was, and are to come; because you have taken to you your great power, and have reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and your wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that you should give reward unto your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear your name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightning, and voices, and thundering, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Above was briefly mentioned those who have led God’s people away from Him, as those who preach and teach an ever moving and wandering standard, against which God’s fixed standard is contrasted showing the fallen condition. The word used in God’s word to describe these types, above appearing in parentheses, is planos, meaning a wanderer, and therefore a misleader or an imposter. It is the word we have studied in the past as the origin of the English word planet. The planets were associated with deception because they appeared in the night sky as if stars, but instead of having dependable fixed positions one could use to navigate through the night, the planets moved in the sky and any relying upon them were led astray.
The word planos is only used five times, the first two telling of the false accusations, as first the LORD was called a “deceiver,” and then when Paul tells of those of us who follow in Christ’s example, also being called “deceivers,” yet true.
The next time is in 1 Timothy 4:1 in telling of this time when God’s people have been led away from Him, giving heed to “seducing spirits,” and the doctrines of devils. This is the spirit we have studied, and are told of in Ephesians 2:2, as the ruling power of the air (the cultural condition of being misled into ignorance and confusion), the spirit that is now at work in these children of disobedience.
Paul goes on in 1 Timothy 4 to tell of continuing in sound doctrine and of suffering reproach for believing in the Living God. The chapter ends with Paul telling Timothy, “14 Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy [words spoken about him and yet to be understood], with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you.”
1 Timothy 4
1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly [rhetos – very distinctively], that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto you have attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise your youth; but be you an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you.
The final two times planos is used are in 2 John 1:7, wherein John begins by addressing the church as the “elect lady,” who has taught her children the truth, which he also addresses and speaks of it as all those who love and believe the truth. John uses the word to describe those who oppose the truth and have led away from it, and are by this both deceivers and antichrists, denying the LORD [I AM] has come in the flesh.
We know from our studies that these are the same false teachers we are told on in 2 Peter 2, who are among us and have brought in damnable heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them; and in 2 Thessalonians 2, as those who opposes the LORD at His coming, and choose to be destroyed, because the refuse to accept the self-sacrificing love of truth being reported to them. They refuse the corner stone, because their pride doesn’t allow them to accept the truth being told about their condition, even though it is being witnessed to in the evidence seen in what their ways have produced in the world – become without form, and void.
2 John
1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2 For the truth’s sake, which dwells in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the LORD Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of your children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5 And now I beseech you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto you, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
