Month: November 2018

If you haven’t read along, you should just pass on by. There is nothing for you to see here.

Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, “Go unto this people, and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive: 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.”

The above passage is from Acts 28:25 thru 27 and speaks of the blindness that was and remains upon those who call themselves God’s people. These are the same people, the same ignorance, Paul speaks of in Roman 10, where he says it comes from lacking the knowledge of God. He says these are those who are going about to prove themselves right (righteous) instead of seeking to find God’s rightness in what He is telling them – through those He has chosen. As we have seen, it is the confession of God’s rightness that brings life: the quickening: resurrection, from death resulting from a darkened mind.

Paul says, “for with the heart (reason) man believes unto righteousness (rightness), and with the mouth confession (that God’s is right and correct) is made unto salvation.” He is speaking of Christ in him as the preacher, and believing God has in this way raised Christ in him from the dead, which is evidenced by knowing the voice. “For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.”

This last quote appears in Romans 10:11 and is from Isaiah 28:16 where Isaiah is describing the LORD teaching precept upon precept, line upon line, to those who had made a covenant with death. He says those hearing have rejected the rest and refreshing His teaching would produce as the LORD in this way raised them out of their agreement with death. As we know, the chapter goes on to say, “From the time that it goes forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.”

Isaiah, in Isaiah 29:8, says this is as when a man dreams he has attained something and awakes to realize it was his mind deceiving him. This refers to what is written earlier in Isaiah 28:16, which Paul quotes in Romans 10:11, being ashamed and fleeing away for this same reason: awakening to see the expected doesn’t materialize, because of a mind strayed from God and His Truth.

We know God’s people were blinded in Isaiah’s time and identically in the time of Paul, as His people now remain blinded by the same cause.

Luke, earlier in Acts 28 tells us the cause is confusion: blindness that keeps God’s people from understanding. His description is of the same as above, men teaching God’s people things opposing God and then contradicting His correction when it comes. In Acts 28:4 & 5 it is the venomous beast that leaped from the fire and fastened to Paul’s hand as he burned the dead wood.

The hand is the same hand we have discussed as it appears in Habakkuk 3, from where the light (understanding) comes as rays from God’s hand, wherein His power is hidden. It is Luke describing Paul’s hand (what he has written with it) in the same sense as what Peter says in 2 Peter 3 of Paul’s writing and the men (false teachers) who wrestle with it and the other scripture to their own destruction. In Acts 28 Paul shakes them off into the fire, to burn with the dead wood from where they leaped. This shaking off into the fire is what is referred to Habakkuk where those spoken to are asking dead wood and dumb stones to rise and teach. This occurs when the knowledge of God is covering the earth (in light), as water (His word) covers the sea (the masses).

Habakkuk 2
13 Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labor in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
15 Woe unto him that gives his neighbor drink, that puts your bottle to him, and make him drunken also, that you may look on their nakedness!
16 You are filled with shame for glory: drink you also, and let your foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD’s right hand shall be turned unto you, and shameful spewing shall be on your glory.
17 For the violence of Lebanon shall cover you, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
18 What profits the graven image that the maker thereof has graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusts therein, to make dumb idols?
19 Woe unto him that says to the [dead] wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath [no life being exhaled] at all in the midst of it.
20 But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Here is what Peter says of these same venomous beasts, alive as if worms in the fires of Gehenna, whose works are burning up, and whose ideas (stoicheion – elements) melt ways.

2 Peter 3
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition [the destruction] of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [these men’s ideas] shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements [these men’s ideas] shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrestle, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

The word Luke uses in Acts 28:4 & 5, rendered “venomous beast” and “beast,” is therion, meaning a dangerous animal. It is from the one time used word thera, rendered trap in Romans 11:9, which is a quote from Psalms 69:22. In both it tells of the blindness that has come on those who think they are the “true believers” and because if it, what should have been for their welfare becomes the trap in which they have fallen. [See Luke 6:39]

This fall is the case with all those who oppose this Plan of God and who reject His corrective teaching. “But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”

These men, now caught in (the fires) the trap, have become as panicked animals attempting to escape the inescapable truth.

The word therion is used forty-six times, all except eight of those appear in Revelation where it is always translated “beast” in telling of what we know is confusion (which reduces man to acting on animal instinct rather than his intellect and reason).

Do you hear the LORD’s voice over the noise from the fires? If you are in the fires, calm down, use your mind, and take the hand reaching to pull you out (harpazo – as in Jude 23).

Acts 28
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, “Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles [those who don’t call themselves Christian or Jew], and that they will hear it.
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews [now those who claim to be Christians and Jews] departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

Romans 10
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is [all God’s people, Christian and Jew alike], that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.
5 For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what says it? The word is nigh you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the LORD Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed [whosever believes on Him shall reach the expected end – those who don’t and refuse this correction, will never reach the end they’ve seen – because they are lies of men].
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same LORD over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, LORD, who has believed our report?
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes truly, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses says, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Isaiah is very bold, and says, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he says, All day long I have stretched forth my hands [into the fires they have created with their own ideas] unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Romans 11
1 I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God has not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot you not what the scripture says of Elijah? how he makes intercession to God against Israel saying,
3 LORD, they have killed your prophets, and digged down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what says the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 (According as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap [thera], and a stumbling-block, and a recompense unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always.
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

Isaiah 28
5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sits in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus says the LORD God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then you shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goes forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.

Paul speaks of these evil “beasts,” the therion who are trapped by their own words and in their own confusion, in Titus 1:12, saying they are always liars. He continues, saying, “13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish [and Christian] fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate [show themselves as unapproved by God].”

Psalms 69
16 Hear me, O LORD; for your lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of your tender mercies.
17 And hide not your face from your servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.
19 You have known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: mine adversaries are all before you.
20 Reproach has broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
24 Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your wrathful anger take hold of them.
25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom you have smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom you have wounded.
27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into your righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let your salvation, O God, set me up on high.

Psalm 108
1 O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
3 I will praise you, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto you among the nations.
4 For your mercy is great above the heavens: and your truth reaches unto the clouds.
5 Be you exalted, O God, above the heavens: and your glory above all the earth;
6 That your beloved may be delivered: save with your right hand, and answer me.
7 God has spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem [rightly divide the word that has become the burden upon their shoulders], and mete out the valley of Succoth [where Jacob built His first house and booths for his livestock – and there fed them – see Genesis 33:17].
8 Gilead [the fountain {mountain of water} of this testimony] is mine; Manasseh is mine [that which you have forgotten]; Ephraim [the second {double} blessing] also is the strength of mine head; Judah [the leader God shows as approved] is my lawgiver;
9 Moab is my washpot [the entrance {gateway} is in these cleansing waters]; over Edom [those who have sold their birthright] will I cast out my shoe [I will take possession {of their gates}]; over Philistia [those wallowing in the mire of their own confusion] will I triumph.
10 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
11 Will not you, O God, who have cast us off? and will not you, O God, go forth with our hosts?
12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. [Selah. Remember Psalms 81 & 2]

Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

Psalms 120
1 In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given unto you? or what shall be done unto you, you false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech [in the midst of the enemy sown among us, who the LORD has drawn into the light], that I dwell in the tents of Kedar [darkness]!
6 My soul has long dwelt with him that hates peace.
7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

The title is Psalms 81:13, which was discussed in the previous post, and adding context to Revelation 10, both describing the secret place of thunder. In Psalms 81 the LORD likens it to when His people were tempted into not believing He was speaking, and ending the temptation His word flowed like water from a Rock. We saw in 1 Corinthians 10 Paul says this Rock was Christ, and we know the water is the word of God.

In Revelation 10 we saw the rainbow appearing in the cloud, referring to Genesis 9 when the LORD made a covenant with Noah and gave the bow as a token seen in the cloud. In Revelation 10 we understand the bow is depicting the divided light as the rightly divided word of God, and each of the seven colors, and voices of the seven thunders, as understanding coming from each of these shades of light. The chapter then continues into describing the book, which is the written word of God, opened and read. It is shown as what we understand from 2 Peter 3 as the word reserved in heaven and overthrows the corrupted world and replaces it with the new, wherein dwells righteousness. We saw Revelation 10 describe this word poured out as the voice of the seventh angel and when he is heard “the mystery of God is finished.”

I began this morning asking the LORD if the thoughts in my mind are His will and if I should say them in His name. Today those thoughts were of the title verse, and the additional context of Luke 4: 46, saying “And why call you me, LORD, LORD, and do not the things which I say?”

The LORD’s immediate supernatural external response was in the thundering sound of Ezekiel 33:32, which says, “32 And, lo, you are unto them as a very lovely song of one that has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear your words, but they do them not.”

Psalms 81
8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto you: O Israel, if you will hearken unto me;
9 There shall no strange god be in you; neither shall you worship any strange god.
10 I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt: open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.
16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied you.

Ezekiel 33
30 Also, you son of man, the children of your people still are talking against you by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that comes forth from the LORD.
31 And they come unto you as the people comes, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
32 And, lo, you are unto them as a very lovely song of one that has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear your words, but they do them not.
33 And when this comes to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet has been among them.

Luke 6
39 And he spoke a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? [Selah.]
40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
41 And why behold you the mote that is in your brother’s eye, but perceive not the beam that is in your own eye?
42 Either how can you say to your brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in your eye, when you yourself behold not the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of your own eye, and then shall you see clearly to pull out the mote that is in your brother’s eye.
43 For a good tree brings not forth corrupt fruit; neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
46 And why call you me, LORD, LORD, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever comes to me, and hears my sayings, and does them, I will show you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that hears, and does not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Habakkuk 3
1 A prayer of Habakkuk [taken by [God’s] hand] the prophet upon Shigionoth [those who have strayed into error].
2 O LORD, I have heard your speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive [quicken – bring to life] your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known [give us understanding – knowledge]; in wrath remember mercy [and it is so, My wrath is understanding, and those who forsake it reject mercy].
3 God came from Teman [the right hand (power) from looking toward the sun rise (for light)], and the Holy One from mount Paran [the cloud, where understanding of the knowledge is given by the light seen in it – see Numbers 10:11 thru 14 & Job 37:21 & 38:34 thru 38]. Selah [think about it]. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns [rays of light] coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow [all the place that have raised themselves up from the earth]: his ways are everlasting.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan [the houses of darkness] in affliction: and the curtains [separation] of the land of Midian [strife] did tremble [agitation as the product].
8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers [the means by which the waters of death flowed]? was your anger against the rivers? was your wrath against the sea [the people who became agitated by what flowed into them], that you did ride upon your horses [God’s people become His goodly horse in the battle – see Zechariah 10:3 for who the anger is against] and your chariots of salvation [the product of the LORD’s power raised in His people]?
9 Your bow was made quite naked [see Isaiah 52:10], according to the oaths of the tribes [see Genesis 49:8 thru 12, & 22 thru 26], even your word. Selah [see the prior post and think about it]. You did cleave the earth with rivers [this rightly divided pure word of God, flowing directly from Him].
10 The mountains [the high places of men – see Ephesians 6:12] saw you, and they trembled: the [these] overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands [the light coming from His hand, where is His power] on high.
11 The sun and moon [church and civil government] stood still in their habitation: at the light of your arrows they went, and at the shining of your glittering spear [this word coming from the hand of God].
12 You did march through the land in indignation, you did thresh the heathen in anger.
13 You went forth for the salvation of your people, even for salvation with your anointed [I am]; you wounded the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah [think about it].
14 You did strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
15 You did walk through the sea with your horses, through the heap of great waters.
16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he comes up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops [the enemy that has come and why there is no life or fruit, and why the herd is scattered].
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Isaiah 40
21 Have you not known? have you not heard? has it not been told you from the beginning? have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in:
23 That brings the princes to nothing; he makes the judges of the earth as vanity.
24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
25 To whom then will you liken me, or shall I be equal? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who has created these things, that brings out their host by number: he calls them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one fails.
27 Why say you, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
28 Have you not known? have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalms 121
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help.
2 My help comes from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper: the LORD is your shade upon your right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil: he shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalms 2
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD has said unto me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O you kings: be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

Today is one of those posts, the depth only fully seen (comprehended) by those who’ve studied along and learned the LORD’s language. The title is Psalms 37:34 and is speaking of the same people who “shall see” when the wicked are “cut off,” and understand it as the LORD said it would be.

The word rendered above as “cut off” is the Hebrew word karath, meaning, “to cut (off, down, or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces).”

Karath is first used in Genesis 9:11 when the LORD says to Noah after the flood, “And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off [karath] any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.”

The word “covenant” is from briyth, “from 1262 (in the sense of cutting (like 1254)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh).” (Selah. Think – the veil, the flesh, rent in two.)

Here following are the words the Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary says briyth is “from” and “in the sense of cutting (like):”

[Briyth is from] Strong’s #1262: barah (pronounced baw-raw’) a primitive root; to select; also (as denominative from 1250) to feed; also (as equivalent to 1305) to render clear (Eccl. 3:18):–choose, (cause to) eat, manifest, (give) meat.

[Barah is from] Strong’s #1250: bar (pronounced bawr) or bar {bar}; from 1305 (in the sense of winnowing); grain of any kind (even while standing in the field); by extens. the open country:–corn, wheat.

[Briyth means cutting off in the sense of] Strong’s #1254: bara’ (pronounced baw-raw’) a primitive root; (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes):– choose, create (creator), cut down, dispatch, do, make (fat).

[Equivalent of barah and the origin of bar] Strong’s #1305: barar (pronounced baw-rar’) a primitive root; to clarify (i.e. brighten), examine, select:–make bright, choice, chosen, cleanse (be clean), clearly, polished, (shew self) pure(-ify), purge (out).

The conclusive meaning describes the flood as what cut down the standing crop to create the new, and at the same time enlightening by study and experience those separated from the destruction. The LORD makes this covenant, the first covenant, with Noah and all his sons after him, which is recorded using the word briyth seven times in Genesis 9.

Genesis 9
8 And God spoke unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant [briyth] with you, and with your seed after you;
10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.
11 And I will establish my covenant [briyth] with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off [karath] any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant [briyth] which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant [briyth] between me and the earth.
14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
15 And I will remember my covenant [briyth], which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant [briyth] between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant [briyth], which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

We know from Peter’s description the word of God is what is reserved in heaven to be loosed in judgment at this time, when the ideas of men have set the world on fire. We know these fires melt away the ideas that have caused them, and at the same time burn up the corrupt works done based on their unstable foundation. We know Peter is speaking of the false prophets and false teachers among us, who he later describes as those who wrestle with the word of God to their own destruction. He is describing the judgment as these men’s ways and words as what destroys them, because the LORD has a plan, “to deliver the godly out of temptations [questioning His word and presence], and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.”

2 Peter 3
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [these men’s ideas] shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works [of these men] that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements [these men’s ideas]shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrestle, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

This word of God, and the understanding that comes by study and experience, are the bow seen in the cloud, as John describes it in Revelation 10.

Revelation 10
1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head [see Genesis 9:14 & 15], and his face was as it were the sun [his presence shined understanding on the earth], and his feet as pillars of fire [where this light shinned the works of men burst into flame and melted away their ideas]:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices [the voice of the light rightly divided into the bow – each of the seven colors {lightening} having its own sound and heard from the cloud].
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not [until they themselves end the mystery].
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel [I am], when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he has declared to his servants the prophets.
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spoke unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which stands upon the sea and upon the earth.
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make your belly bitter, but it shall be in your mouth sweet as honey.
10 And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, You must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Friends the bow the LORD has put in my hand is His rightly divided word, and the arrows shot from it are the sound of His enlightening. This same lightening is what sets these men’s ideas on fire.

Exodus 19
16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that were in the camp trembled.
17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.

Revelation 11
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our LORD, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
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 [this testimony of His rightly divided word]: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Zechariah 9
12 Turn you to the strong hold, you prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto you;
13 When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and made you as the sword of a mighty man.
14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.
16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

The mystery, the secret place of thunder, the voice from the cloud calling out now, is as it is written in Psalms 81:7, saying, “You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder: I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.”

Psalms 81
1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. [NOW IS THE TIME, TODAY IS THE DAY!]
4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. [Do you hear Him Speaking?]
6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder: I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah. [Study and think about it, in reference to Exodus 17:1 thru 7, when the water flowed from the Rock, proving the LORD was present and speaking to and through Moses.]
8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto you: O Israel, if you will hearken unto me;
9 There shall no strange god be in you; neither shall you worship any strange god.
10 I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt: open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.
16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied you.

Exodus 17
1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide you with me? wherefore do you tempt the LORD?
3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
4 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
5 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with you of the elders of Israel; and your rod, wherewith you smote the river, take in your hand, and go.
6 Behold, I will stand before you there upon the rock in Horeb; and you shall smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
7 And he called the name of the place Massah [the temptation to not believe], and Meribah [when the people contended with Moses, and caused strife {agitation} and temptation], because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us, or not?”

The answer is, “Yes, He is.”

1 Corinthians 10
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be you idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur you, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. [If you think you believe, but you are not believing this word, then you should think again. Do you hear the LORD asking, “And why call you me, LORD, LORD, and do not the things which I say?]
13 There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man [to not believe the LORD is speaking from behind the veil {the flesh}, which veil has now been ripped in two and what behind it is clearly seen]: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge you what I say.

This mystery ended when the LORD’s bow was made quite naked.

Habakkuk 3
4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns [rays of light] coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan [darkness] in affliction: and the curtains [the veil causing the darkness] of the land of Midian [the land of strife] did tremble.
8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was your anger against the rivers [was the LORD against the waters or the death secretly lurking in them – the means of delivering their word, or against the content that was draining the life and causing darkness]? was your wrath against the sea [the people you have come to save], that you did ride upon your horses and your chariots of salvation?
9 Your bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even your [rightly divided] word. Selah. You did cleave the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw you, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of your arrows they went, and at the shining of your glittering spear.
12 You did march through the land in indignation, you did thresh the heathen in anger.
13 You went forth for the salvation of your people, even for salvation with your anointed; you wounded the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck [the whole head of the wicked is what must be removed {cut off} and replaced]. Selah.

Isaiah 54
1 Sing, O barren, you that did not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you that did not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, says the LORD.
2 Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of your habitations: spare not, lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes;
3 For you shall break forth on the right hand and on the left; and your seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
4 Fear not; for you shall not be ashamed: neither be you confounded; for you shall not be put to shame: for you shall forget the shame of your youth, and shall not remember the reproach of your widowhood any more.
5 For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
6 For the LORD has called you as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when you were refused, says your God.
7 For a small moment have I forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you.
8 In a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, says the LORD your Redeemer.
9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with you, nor rebuke you.
10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, says the LORD that has mercy on you.
11 O you afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with fair colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
12 And I will make your windows of agates, and your gates of carbuncles, and all your borders of pleasant stones.
13 And all your children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of your children.
14 In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from oppression; for you shall not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near you.
15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against you shall fall for your sake.
16 Behold, I have created the smith that blows the coals in the fire, and that brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
17 No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, says the LORD.

Psalms 37
1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD: and he shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off [karath]: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, you shall diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes upon him with his teeth.
13 The LORD shall laugh at him: for he sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The LORD knows the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off [karath].
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lends; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the LORD loves judgment, and forsakes not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off [karath].
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off [karath], you shall see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off [karath].
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection!

The title is from Hebrews 6:1, and tells of the foundation of Christ (the mind of God coming alive in us), then enumerated, and the chapter from there describing moving into perfection. We’ve seen in prior posts, what completes us is seeing the Father (see John 14:8 thru 11), which comes when Christ is formed in us and we see Him who is invisible, as did Moses (see Hebrews 11:26 & 27) and all elders described with Him. We know Hebrews 11 ends tell of all these having seen the promises far off by their faith, meaning through study and experience their minds were able to see the abstract (future) they had been promised, and knowing acted. The chapter ends saying of those who by faith accomplished these works, “39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

Here is what Hebrews 6 goes on to describe as the foundation we have already been taught, from where we are now able to continue into perfect, which we understand is the promise spoken of later in Hebrew 6 and in the verse above from Hebrews 11. “1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

Hebrews 11 beginning with “therefore” telling us what is said above is referring to what was said in ending chapter 5. There the writer spoke of the LORD being a priest forever in the order of Melchisedec, and through His suffering with those suffering, to glorify them, became the Author and Finisher of their faith. This is telling of the work of the LORD, as a High Priest in leading us into the presence of the Father, perfecting us and then leading us into the promise.

These ideas are what John 14 tells as it records the LORD describing how he will manifest himself to those who love Him and keep His word (which we have learned means to protect and preserve it in the form it was deliverer – undefiled by the hand of man).

Hebrews 5 speaks to those who are dull of hearing by thinking they already knew it all, and were in reality in need of being taught. It appears, then as now, some heard and were willing to continue on with the Author and Fish their faith into reaching the promise. Hebrews 6 goes to tell of those who had tasted and were enlightened, but were unwilling to continue into what it says is the “powers of the world [aion- age] to come.”

This world to come is the beginning of the new creation, spoken into existence by the power of the word of God, which the same verse in Hebrews 6 describes with the powers of the world to come. We know this creation by the word of God, the same word reserved in heaven for this moment, is what Peter describes in 2 Peter 3:6 & 7. Peter tells of it as the perdition (destruction) of ungodly men, who are the mockers he earlier describes, who think this moment is a myth.

This time and place is the place the LORD said he was going to prepare it for the awakening of all His saints, who have arrived and now wait for His appearing in His kingdom. This arrival is what Jude speaks of saying:

“Behold, the LORD comes with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speak great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember you the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our LORD Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”

Here is first 2 Peter 3, then John 14, followed by the portions of Hebrews 5 & 6.

2 Peter 3
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the LORD and Savior:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation [the end of the former age and the beginning of this one].
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of [and wrestle with to their own destruction – perdition], that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world [age] that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [the ideas of these ungodly men – the false teachers among us spoken of in 2 Peter 2: 1 thru 3, who speak evil of this truth] shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works [the dead works of these men] that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements [these men’s ideas – the idols they have created and put in God’s place] shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

John 14
1 Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
4 And whither I go you know, and the way you know.
5 Thomas says unto him, LORD, we know not whither you go; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.
7 If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from henceforth you know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip said unto him, LORD, show us the Father, and it suffices us [seeing the Father, in the son, is what makes us compete].
9 Jesus said unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?
10 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
12 Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15 If you love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also.
20 At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
21 He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas said unto him, not Iscariot, LORD, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loves me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, you might believe.
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence [forward into perfection and His promises].

Hebrews 5
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, You are my Son, to day have I begotten you.
6 As he saith also in another place, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 6
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes oft upon it [speaking of the same waters/word as does Peter, which the sons of God and the sons of perdition are manifested] , and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God:
8 But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shewed toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men truly swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us [the end of what we have had faith in]:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil [into the presence of God];
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec [who leads us here].

The promise is referred to in verse 14 above when it quotes Genesis 22:17, which gives the full content saying, “17 That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice.”

The word rendered “gates” telling of our possessing the gates of our enemies, is from the Hebrew word sha’ar, meaning an opening. The deep meaning is found in the one time the identical word it is derived from is used: Proverbs 23:7 where it is translated “thinks.” “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, says he to you; but his heart is not with you.”

Here is the Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary definition: Strong’s #8176: sha`ar (pronounced shaw-ar’) a primitive root; to split or open, i.e. (literally, but only as denominative from 8179) to act as gate-keeper (see 7778): (figuratively) to estimate:–think.

It is telling of the gatekeeper, those who have taken God’s people captive and hold them as the gates of Hades/Sheol.

The gatekeeper in a pattern is the butler who was in prison with Joseph, whose dream Joseph interpreted. In it were seen three branches, which Joseph told him were three days until he would be restored to his position. We know this is the butler that later remembered Joseph, and his words opened the prison and Joseph was released.

Genesis 41
9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker [symbolizing those who have added the leaven to God’s word]:
11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.

In this same context the gatekeeper is called the “porter” in John 10, who opens the door when he hears the LORD’s voice from beyond the door: the words from the flesh, which must be understood – comprehended, as God’s words.

John 10
1 Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door [in the flesh] into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that enters in by the door [in the flesh] is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice [they do not know by seeing his body – which is the door that must be opened to see what is behind]: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out [from the gates of Hades].
4 And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spoke Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spoke unto them. [Do you now comprehend?]
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Truly, truly, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches [harpazo] them, and scatters the sheep.
13 The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and cares not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He has a devil, and is mad; why hear you him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that has a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? [The powers of the world {age} now come, to rise and raise from the dead, and to open blind eyes.]

The LORD’s flesh as the door that must be opened is described in Hebrews 10:20 as the veil of His flesh, which we know was torn open at His death, into two. We know this is the veil that must be gone through to enter the presence of God. The chapter tells of the new and living way, which comes as the same enemies whose gates we now possess are made the LORD’s footstool – after He has corrected us away from their errors and sins, by writing His law in our minds and making them the foundation of our reasoning (heart).

Hebrews 10
5 Wherefore when he comes into the world, he says, Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a [flesh] body have you prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure [because He seek the knowledge of God in us – which does take away sin/error].
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do your will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you would not, neither had pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do your will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool [as He comes in the order of Melchisedec].
14 For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified [purified and made holy].
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together [into one body], as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, says the LORD. And again, The LORD shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Psalm 110
1 The LORD said unto my LORD, Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.
2 The LORD shall send the rod of your strength out of Zion: rule you in the midst of your enemies.
3 Your people shall be willing in the day of your power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: you have the dew of your youth.
4 The LORD has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 The LORD at your right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

Proverbs 23
1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you:
2 And put a knife to your throat, if you be a man given to appetite [try the spirits, because many false prophet are in the world].
3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
4 Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom.
5 Will you set your eyes upon that which is not [on the deceptions – what these false teachers among us say the see]? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6 Eat you not the bread of him that has an evil eye, neither desire you his dainty meats:
7 For as he thinks [sha’ar] in his heart, so is he [lies are His gates – the mind in sin/error that holds in Sheol those that follow them]: Eat and drink, says he to you; but his heart is not with you.
8 The morsel which you have eaten shall you vomit up, and lose your sweet words.
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with you.
12 Apply your heart unto instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.
13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if you beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 You shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from hell.
15 My son, if your heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when your lips speak right things.
17 Let not your heart envy sinners: but be you in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
18 For surely there is an end; and your expectation [the expected end] shall not be cut off.
19 Hear you, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart in the way.
20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags [speaking of the things these men are feeding their people, which create the ignorance and confused mind].
22 Hearken unto your father [God] that begat you, and despise not your mother [the true church of believers faithful to God] when she is old.
23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begets a wise child shall have joy of him.
25 Your father and your mother shall be glad, and she that bare you shall rejoice.
26 My son, give me your heart [make God’s ways the foundation of reason], and let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a whore [the unfaithful] is a deep ditch; and a strange woman [the ways that are not God’s] is a narrow pit.
28 She also lies in wait as for a prey [to devour man], and increases the transgressors among men.
29 Who has woe? who has sorrow? who has contentions? who has babbling [confused words]? who has wounds without cause? who has redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine [the words {fake news} of the false prophets and false teachers among us]; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Look not you upon the wine when it is red, when it gives his color in the cup, when it moves itself aright.
32 At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes shall behold strange women, and your heart shall utter perverse things.
34 Yea, you shall be as he that lies down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lies upon the top of a mast. [violently tossed and turned – and unable to see an end]
35 They have stricken me, shall you say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake [come out from under the ignorance of their lies]? I will seek it yet again. [As a dog returning to his own vomit, so does a fool return to his folly.]