Word XP

Continuing from yesterday and further seeing the coinciding context of 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5 speaking of the resurrection.

At this point I should warn the reader that from here on will be seen things not known and therefore contradicting convention. Please don’t expect to understand if you haven’t done the work and studied along.

The entire premise of the above mentioned passages is to tell of death as what we have been born into and the resurrection as our awakening to understand the immortal nature existing dormant in our human flesh (as in a seed).

Let’s begin in 1 Corinthians 15:29 and it asking he questions, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”

The Hebrew word translated “rise” is egeiro, meaning to be aroused from sleep. Here is the full definition from the Strong’s Greek Dictionary: Strong’s #1453: egeiro (pronounced eg-i’-ro) probably akin to the base of 58 (through the idea of collecting one’s faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence):–awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-)rise (again, up), stand, take up.

The word is used nineteen times in 1 Corinthians 15 of both the LORD’s rising and of ours. If you study along you know we have recently looked at the Greek word anastasis, translated resurrection. Egeiro tells in its deconstructed meaning of the state we rise from as does the anastasis tell of our resulting position. The word egeiro is from en + eirene, the two words meaning in joined in a state of peace. It is telling of Jerusalem (meaning taught and founded in the ways of God’s peace). The word eiro is also related to the words rheo and ereo, meaning to flow from, as an utterance. It is telling of the source of this teaching coming directly from the LORD. This tells of the destination reached in anastasis, meaning up standing from death’s sleep, in New Jerusalem. All of this is what is stated in Hebrew 12 where we are first corrected out of our stupor as sons of God, risen in New Jerusalem, told of this being spoken from one risen (first-fruit) in heavenly Jerusalem, and of the removal of the erroneous counsel that has kept us sleeping.

Hebrews 12
22 But you are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.
25 See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speak from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.

This counsel of God that joins us to Him and others in peace, His foundation standing us on our feet in resurrection, is as pure water flowing from the throne.

Revelation 22
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the LORD God gives them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the LORD God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.
9 Then said he unto me [as I say unto you], See you do it not: for I am your fellow-servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he said unto me [as I say unto you], Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers [those using words crafted to manipulate others to do evil], and those selling themselves and others, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, LORD Jesus.
21 The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Here is the passage from 1 Corinthians 15 in context.

1 Corinthians 15
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he has put all things under his feet. But when he says all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our LORD, I die daily.

Verses 30 is asking the question, Why stand we in danger of death every hour? Verse 31 is actually translated with its parts reversed. Immediately following verse 30 31 says, Daily I die, truly pertaining to your glory, which I have in Christ Jesus the LORD of us. The Greek words translated as “daily” are kath’ hemeran, meaning according to, or just as, and a period of time (age). It is telling of Paul imparting this part of his own life (in Christ) into them, and of this as if he is dying in them until they come to life (glory). It is his life being poured out to water the seed and in it sprouting is not only life from what was sleeping but also his life renewed in them.

The same word translated “rejoicing” here is used twelve times, one of those in this context is 1 Thessalonians 2:19. The chapter begins with telling of the battle that Paul had in bringing the true message, and just prior to telling of this “rejoicing” he defines it (the opposition) as being hindered by Satan (the messengers of the rebellion and death). Verse 19 actually begins a statement that continues well into the next chapter. The context is the contrasting messenger sent to them and in whose presence they are.

1 Thessalonians 2
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our LORD Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians 3
1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
2 And sent Timothy, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-laborer [fellow-servant] in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
4 For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and you know.
5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain.
6 But now when Timothy came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the LORD.
9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11 Now God himself and our Father, and our LORD Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12 And the LORD make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may establish your hearts un-blamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ with all his saints.

This is the full context in which yesterday’s post is to be understood. In seeing we understand both the sleep and the corruption we must rise from. There is no death to those accepting the gift of life. Therefore we exhort all to wake and join the living.

This takes us again to Isaiah 8 and it speaking telling us what defines the living from the dead, as it asks if a people seeking God should seek him by asking the dead where He might be found. I tell you I am alive and I know the way.

Isaiah 8
O Immanuel.
9 Associate yourselves, O you people, and you shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all you of far countries: gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces.
10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
11 For the LORD spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
12 Say you not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear you their fear, nor be afraid.
13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwells in mount Zion.
19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

Isaiah 9
1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before you according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For you have broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
8 The LORD sent a word into Jacob [the rebellious leaders], and it has lighted upon Israel [those who will reign with God].
9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars [the destroyers say they will rebuild what they themselves have destroyed].
11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;
12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth [with words causing them run away in fear]. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13 For the people turns not unto him that smites them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts [curse their king and their God].
14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
15 The ancient and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teaches lies, he is the tail.
16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
17 Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18 For wickedness burns as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm [they will consume themselves]:
21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Matthew 4
10 Then said Jesus unto him, Get you hence [behind me – see yesterday’s post, Isaiah 30:22], Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the LORD your God, and him only shall you serve.
11 Then the devil leaves him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum [those content in corruption – see yesterday’s post], which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Continuing: among the many chapters and verse we have studied in recent days is Isaiah 30, and it in the context of the judgment of those teaching and leading counter to God’s will and plan for His people. We have also looked at the same idea from the perspective of what is written in Amos 3:3 asking, “Can two walk together, accept they be agreed?” This is again referring to a time set for judgment as it tells of the corresponding analogous signs of this meeting occurring unexpectedly and only seen by those understanding and accepting what they are seeing. It is what is meant as Amos 4 speaks of those rejecting what is seen and the LORD proclaims His continuing regardless of their lack of acknowledgement.

Amos 4: 11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD.
12 Therefore thus will I do unto you, O Israel: and because I will do this unto you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel.

The meeting in judgment is describe generally in the verse prior to the LORD’s stating the fact this is the arranged time and place.

The verse prior (Amos 4:10) says, “I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD.” This, as does Isaiah 30, speaks of horses to tells those who think they have the strength and means to escape this time of judgment. It also speaks of the stink in the camp to tell of the rotting and filth that can’t be denied even if it isn’t seen. And yet they still refuse to return. The next verse tells of this as “overthrowing,” those refusing correction and choosing to be destroyed as Sodom and Gomorrah, and of those seeing it being as firebrands “plucked” from the burning – yet not seeing who it is bringing it about.

The word here translated “overthrown” is the Hebrew word haphak, meaning to turn over or turn around, also meaning and translated, change. This is the change all will undergo, some to self-chosen destruction and others plucked from the burning. The word translated “plucked” is natsal, meaning to snatch (catch or seize) away.

Here lays dormant the meaning of the following two coinciding passages telling of the change we all must undergo, and of the snatching away to the LORD. Yesterday we saw the change spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15:52, in a chapter that speaks of our resurrection from corruption and death. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 speaking of being “caught up” using the Greek word said to be harpazo, meaning to seize, and is also translated as pluck. The original text actually writes the word as harpagesometha, literally translating to (pillage) seized (to life) from what is intoxicating them – from what is causing their sleep (drunken stupor). This is why 1 Thessalonians 5 immediately speak of this as the sleeping and drunken in the night. The words translated there in verse 7 as “drunken” are methuo and methusko.

Now, read the following in this light and their coinciding context.

1 Corinthians 15
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he has put all things under his feet. But when he says all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our LORD, I die daily.
32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
36 You fool, that which you sow is not quickened, except it die:
37 And that which you sow, you sow not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 But God gives it a body as it has pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the LORD from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the LORD.

1 Thessalonians 4
7 For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who has also given unto us his holy Spirit.
9 But as touching brotherly love you need not that I write unto you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10 And indeed you do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia [seeing the blessing]: but we beseech you, brethren, that you increase more and more;
11 And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That you may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that you may have lack of nothing.
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the LORD himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the LORD so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

The “pestilence” spoken of in Amos 4:10 is in context referring to burning carcasses dead as a result of the pestilence and is what Amos 6:10 is speaking of. Amos 6:10 is in telling of those who choose to remain in the house they should have left, and seeing it, still outlawing speaking the name of the LORD (telling from where this judgment comes).

In yesterday’s post we looked at Matthew 11 and the LORD’s proclaiming the destruction of those who seeing His works but refused to understand and return. We saw one of the places He calls out by name is Capernaum and the name’s meaning being, they were content and comfortable in their corruption. “23 And you, Capernaum [corrupt and content in it], which are exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to h*ll [the place of eternal self-inflicted torment]: for if the mighty works, which have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you. 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, LORD of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes.”

This context of comfort and content in their corruption is where Amos 6 begins. It goes on to end with telling of these people thinking this is where their strength and security comes from.

Amos 6
1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
2 Pass you unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go you to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?
3 You that put far away the evil day [thinking it far off], and cause the seat of violence to come near;
4 That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;
5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David;
6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph [the one separated from his brothers – the one thought dead who came from imprisonment of false accusation to reign].
7 Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.
8 The LORD God has sworn by himself, says the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob [the rebellion of their rulers], and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.
9 And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die.
10 And a man’s uncle shall take him up, and he that burns him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with you? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold your tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.
11 For, behold, the LORD commands, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.
12 Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for you have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:
13 You which rejoice in a thing of naught, which say, Have we not taken to us horns [power] by our own strength?
14 But, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, says the LORD the God of hosts; and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hemath [to join – as a walled place of protection] unto the river of the wilderness.

This takes us back to the Greek word harpagesometha and it meaning to (pillage) seized from what is intoxicating them – causing their sleep (drunken stupor), as it relates to the further definition found in Isaiah 30. The Greek word harpazo has the meaning of caught away, as in to seize upon, or pluck from. The word used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is more accurately seen as the derivative word harpage, meaning to pillage. The insinuation is the deeper meaning of wealth and comfort having intoxicated those possessing it into a death like stupor, and of the distraction of comfort being disrupted to wake us from our sleep.

This is what Isaiah 30 says as it tells of those who want only those teachers who will allow them to stay in their comfort and reject all the who reprove them for their corruption and inactivity. They are spoken of as going back into an Egypt of a different kind and therein their power is to sit still. Here is the LORD’s address found in verses 1 thru 22.

Isaiah 30
1 Woe to the rebellious children, says the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
4 For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.
5 They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.
8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
12 Wherefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:
13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.
14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a shard to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.
15 For thus says the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and you would not.
16 But you said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall you flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall you flee: till you be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.
18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: you shall weep no more: he will be very gracious unto you at the voice of your cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer you.
20 And though the LORD give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not your teachers be removed into a corner any more, but your eyes shall see your teachers:
21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.
22 You shall defile also the covering of your graven images of silver, and the ornament of your molten images of gold: you shall cast them away as a menstruous cloth; you shall say unto it, “Get you hence [behind me]”.

The word used to tell of the thing cast behind is the Hebrew word daveh, translate “menstruous cloth.” The word literally means sick, and is also translated, faint, she that is sick, and having sickness. The Interlinear Bible translates the word as filthy rag, and there we see the deepest meaning in what is written in Isaiah 64:6 using the two Hebrew words ‘ed, meaning a reoccurring period of filthiness, and beged, meaning a covering, as a covert treachery or pillage, translated, rags. It is telling of the reoccurring cycle of increase and prosperity under God’s ways in His will, and the inevitable decline produced by complacency in the accompanying comfort, and the ensuing rebellion. This is the corruption we must rise from and in returning become vigilant and watchful, because the enemy is always there, seeking whom he might devour.

Isaiah 64
1 Oh that you would rend [tear] the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might flow down at your presence,
2 As when the melting fire burns, the fire causes the waters to boil, to make your name known to your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at your presence!
3 When you didst terrible things which we looked not for, you came down, the mountains flowed down at your presence.
4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen, O God, beside you, what he has prepared for him that waits for him.
5 You meet him that rejoices and works righteousness, those that remember you in your ways: behold, you are wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
7 And there is none that calls upon your name, that stirs up himself to take hold of you: for you have hid your face from us, and have consumed us, because of our iniquities.
8 But now, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and we all are the work of your hand.
9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech you, we are all your people.
10 Your holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
11 Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised you, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
12 Will you refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? will you hold your peace, and afflict us very sore?

James 5
1 Go to now, you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. You have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, cries: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the LORD of Sabaoth [LORD of the Armies of Heaven].
5 You have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; you have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and killed the just; and he does not resist you.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the LORD. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be you also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the LORD draws nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest you be condemned: behold, the judge stands before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the LORD, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the LORD; that the LORD is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest you fall into condemnation.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the LORD:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the LORD shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converts [changes] the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Continuing from yesterday’s post and my telling of the LORD speaking to and through me, and of the response, in the pattern of those in Jeremiah 42 & 43, rejecting what is heard because it isn’t according to their opinions. In the prior post we also looked at Amos 3 wherein verse 3 asks the question, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” The verse is telling of meeting the LORD, and the way to the meeting is to agree to a time and a place. The chapter goes on to tell of different analogous events that show evidence of some other greater point.

Verse 7 then tells of these analogies being the LORD revealing His secrets to His prophets, and verse 8 asks the question to those hearing these things, “the LORD has spoken, who can [do anything] but prophecy?”

Amos 3 ends with telling of the LORD striking the winter house with the summer house, and we saw this as meaning the fires of contention that burn constantly in the house in winter, will be put out as they are in the summer house where no fire burns.

It is telling of ending the murmuring, as we have also looked at in resent posts where we read of Aaron’s rod that budded. The account is written in Numbers 17 telling of the leaders over God’s people murmuring and rebelling against God, as they questioned Moses’ alone being who God was speaking to, and that Aaron was speaking for him. If you remember, the LORD told all the rebels, and Aaron to bring their rods (dead wood) and lay them before the testimony, in the house of witness, and the LORD would show by whom He was speaking by whose rod blossomed – with life from the dead. The validation was that only Aaron’s rod, not only budded, but blossomed and brought forth almonds (fruit).

For those that haven’t seen or heard it yet, this is what is happen here and now before our eyes.

Matthew 11
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And said unto him, Are you he that should come, or do we look for another?
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which you do hear and see:
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9 But what went you out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you.
11 Truly I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if you will receive it, this is Elijah, which was for to come.
15 He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and you have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and you have not lamented.
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a devil.
19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
21 Woe unto you, Chorazin [those above piping for Him to dance (choros)]! woe unto you, Bethsaida [the house of the fishers]! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum [corrupt and content in it], which are exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to h*ll [the place of eternal self-inflicted torment]: for if the mighty works, which have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, LORD of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in your sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

This once again brings us to the question, why would anyone listen to any of these others once hearing the voice of he LORD and seeing His glory? I don’t care how many tens of thousands give their opinion, I have seen and heard and therefor I speak as I am instructed.

Here again is Isaiah 8 telling of those refusing the waters of Shiloah that go softly. If you study along you know these waters as those secretly flowing under Zion and Jerusalem. The analogy tells us of God’s counsel that flows directly uncorrupted from the source, and this as the only way to peace on earth (as in heaven) to men of good will. We see in the chapter that rejecting this brings in the foreign rule and alien ways, and this counsel without light leads to what is described in the last verses as darkness and distress upon the earth – even to the point of cursing God. We see as these men curse their king and God they look up to heaven. If we read on into chapter 9 we read of the the contrast, to those looking to the heavens and cursing God, as the light is seen shining on the earth. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined.”

Isaiah 8
6 Forasmuch as this people refuse the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son;
7 Now therefore, behold, the LORD brings up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:
8 And he shall pass through Judah [the leaders]; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.
9 Associate yourselves, O you people, and you shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all you of far countries: gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces.
10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
11 For the LORD spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
12 Say you not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear you their fear, nor be afraid.
13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwells in mount Zion.
19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

Yesterday’s post is titled, The False Prophets Surprised by the Expected End. The “expected end” is what the LORD tells us He brings about by His revelation (appearing by being revealed). This is mentioned in Jeremiah 29, which we also looked at yesterday, and is spoken against the contrary counsel coming from the false prophets who prophecy in the name of the LORD, and He tells us He hasn’t sent them. They are dead wood and there is no life in them.

Jeremiah 29
8 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.
9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, says the LORD.
10 For thus says the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall you call upon me, and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, says the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, says the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
15 Because you have said, The LORD has raised us up prophets in Babylon;
16 Know that thus says the LORD of the king that sits upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwell in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
17 Thus says the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

Matthew 11:10 tells us of this coming upon the false prophets and leaders of God’s people unexpectedly by quoting from Malachi 3:1. The quote is, “Behold, I send My messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you.” The full verse goes on to immediately follow by saying, “and the LORD, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, he shall come, says the LORD of hosts.”

The Hebrew word translated “suddenly” is pith’owm, meaning instantly. It is from the seven times used word petha’, meaning to open (the eye).

Here is the full definition from the Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary: Strong’s #6621: petha` (pronounced peh’-thah) from an unused root meaning to open (the eyes); a wink, i.e. moment (compare 6597) (used only (with or without preposition) adverbially, quickly or unexpectedly):–at an instant, suddenly, X very.

The Greek word used in 1 Corinthians 15:52 to tell of our being changed in the “twinkle” of eye, is the one time used word rhipe (wink), from the word rhipto.

Strong’s #4493: rhipe (pronounced hree-pay’) from 4496; a jerk (of the eye, i.e. (by analogy) an instant):–twinkling.

The word rhipto means to cast something down suddenly. It is used in Acts 27 to first tell of things “cast out” of the ship to lighten it, and then of the anchors that were cast out to keep the ship from crashing on the rocks. This is the story of the Paul and the ship, sailing against his advice, caught in the storm, and of these measures being taken in panic to try to save the doomed ship. The ship is the corrupted institutions of church and state, and this analogy is of the same we see now, doing everything possible to save what will not survive. The unexpected end is that all that abandon the ship are saved but the institutions not so. The suddenness is the moment of realization it must be abandoned or perish with it.

1 Corinthians 15
51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?

Malachi 3
1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, he shall come, says the LORD of hosts.
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appears? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, says the LORD of hosts.
6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.
7 Even from the days of your fathers you are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, says the LORD of hosts. But you said, Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings.

Another place where both the Hebrew words pith’owm and petha’ are very descriptively used is in Isaiah 30:13 to tell of this sudden unexpected collapse. This is a passage we’ve looked at as telling of those only wanting to hear smooth things and words of deceit from their (false) teachers.

Isaiah 30
1 Woe to the rebellious children, says the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
4 For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.
5 They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.
8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
12 Wherefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:
13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.
14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a shard to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.
15 For thus says the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and you would not.
16 But you said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall you flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall you flee: till you be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.
18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: you shall weep no more: he will be very gracious unto you at the voice of your cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer you.
20 And though the LORD give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not your teachers be removed into a corner any more, but your eyes shall see your teachers:
21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.
22 You shall defile also the covering of your graven images of silver, and the ornament of your molten images of gold: you shall cast them away as a menstruous cloth; you shall say unto it, Get you hence.
23 Then shall he give the rain of your seed, that you shall sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall your cattle feed in large pastures.
24 The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which has been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.
25 And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.
26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD binds up the breach of his people, and heals the stroke of their wound.
27 Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:
28 And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.
29 You shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeswith a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.
30 And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.
31 For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.
32 And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it.
33 For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he has made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, does kindle it.

Yesterday we briefly looked at Luke 17 ending with the LORD answering the question of where. Today let’s begin with a deeper look at this as it relates to what the LORD said in earlier verses 20 & 21 that the kingdom of God doesn’t come by “observation,” but rather the kingdom of God “is within you.” The word parateresis, meaning take hold of (teresis), and something outside of you (para), is here translated “observation.” The words written as “within you is” are the Greek words, entos humon esti. The words literally mean, inside you exists; entos, telling of the position, humon (human) telling of it pertaining to one’s own self, and esti meaning present tense existing.

What the LORD is saying is that within those he was speaking to already existed the kingdom of God. This takes us to the point we looked at yesterday about the meaning of the words used to describe the LORD’s answer to the question of where.

Luke 17
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, LORD? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the dead carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Here is the explanation from yesterday’s post:

“The original text shows the word translated “be gathered together” to be sunachthesontai. It is said to be the word sunago, meaning to be led together. It is more accurately translated as being from the words sunecho and thesauros, meaning, “there is the breath of God (as eagles) ‘held in deposit.'” The carcass is the seemingly dead root, here as the whole body (soma) without life, from where life shoots forth as lightning, and as light shining from One to another, so is its effect on one and not the other. This is the deeper meaning of God’s wisdom taking hold one person at a time, as the day spring in their mind.”

The point being made is life is inside us, deposited there by the LORD GOD Almighty, The LORD God of hosts, waiting to be awakens as the LORD Himself speaks to this inner subsistence (continuation) and wakes us as His army (hosts). It is telling of reviving what lay sleeping inside us, this state of unawares being what defines us as if dead, and the revitalizing being the resurrection spoken of by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:18. There he speaks of those who concerning truth missed the mark, saying the resurrection has already past, and in doing overthrow the faith of many.

The word there translated “resurrection” is anastasis, meaning to stand up again. The implication is movement from the opposite position, and more specifically of returning to a former position after having assumed one contrary.

Here is the definition from the Strong’s Greek Dictionary: Strong’s #386: anastasis (pronounced an-as’-tas-is) from 450; a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (moral) recovery (of spiritual truth):–raised to life again, resurrection, rise from the dead, that should rise, rising again.

This begs the question: Is the church what it once was? Is humanity what it once was, or has it devolved into a lessor state? The correct answers bring the next question: WHERE does the answer lay sleeping?

Are you ready to hear some heavenly things? You must be born again, after being born into the flesh.

John 3
11 Truly, Truly, I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

After the statement Paul makes in 2 Timothy 2:18 above he defines those doing so by the names Hymenaeus and Philetus. Here is a portion of the recent post titled, “Apocalypse – Revealing the Rod and Crown, the Expected End,” explaining the meaning of the names:

“Hymenaeus is from Hymen the Greek god of weddings. It was said he attended all weddings and if he didn’t the marriage would be unsuccessful. In mythology he presided over weddings and there was a wedding song the Greeks sung called the Hymenaios. Philetus is a false friend or someone who pretends friendship – as in those asking questions that will produce strife.”

This relates the true friend’s response from John the Baptist, which is written following the above passage from John 3. The true friend comes to the wedding and stands with his friend, and not in objection.

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

In yesterday’s description of this awakening it was defined as, “the deeper meaning of God’s wisdom taking hold one person at a time, as the day spring in their mind.” The place where John is baptizing, prior to his being cast into prison, is said to be, “Aenon near to Salim.” Aenon means, place of springs, and is from the Hebrew word, ‘ayin, meaning an eye (understanding), as a fountain (of life). The word Salim has a superficial meaning as agitated, toppled and destroyed; and the deeper meaning seen is in its original spelling as saleim, which is Salem with an I added.

The meaning I see is in removing the “I,” Salem, meaning peace (as in Jerusalem), is again found upon the ruble of the destruction produced by inserting “I” into a relationship meant to be between the LORD and every individual. This is why John the Baptists says, “I must decrease.” The wedding, and the baptism, is the direct connection the LORD must have with each and every individual. The interference of men into this relationship is what is symbolized by telling of John’s eventual imprisonment – meaning the true friend who knows when to get out of the way (decrease) had become a dead understanding and action, and what replaced it was peace turned into agitation and destruction.

To the preachers and politicians: your place is to get out of the way and let people live an abundant life. Lead them to this place of awakening, and then set them free from your control.

2 Peter 2
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceptions while they feast with you;
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: by the dumb donkey speaking with man’s voice forbidding the madness of the [false] prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Beginning with the “donkey” reference in verse 16, through the “dog returning to His own vomit,” this passage is speaking of the stopping the mouths of fools, who in their own pride and conceit refuse to get out of the way, or more accurately, as Balaam refuse to see (blinded to) who is standing in the way they think they should be going.

Again, from Yesterday’s post: “The Greek word idios is the word translated “private” in 2 Peter 1:20 in telling us no prophesy of Scripture came into being by its own unloosing, but Holy men of God spoke as the Spirit of God produced it through them. The word literally means it isn’t their own – to do with as they will, as in finding their own way to the door while in fact proving they are the blind leaders of the blind.”

Proverbs 26:3 speaks of the “bridle for the donkey” in a passage telling of when to and not to answer the fool, both being to correct the way they are going. Later in verse 11 we read of the dog returning to his own vomit, symbolizing the fool [after being corrected] returning to his own foolishness.

Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that give honor to a fool.
9 As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed [remaining laying down, and going nowhere by his movements].
15 The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and says, Am not I in sport [I was just playing around]?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross [holding nothing and covered with trash].
24 He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
25 When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Amos 3:15 say the LORD, in this time, will strike the winter house with the summer house. The winter house is referring to the house where a fire was always burning. It is speaking of the agitation and the fires mentioned above in Proverbs 26, the contentions and strife that come from meddling in other people’s business. 2 Peter 3 tells of these fires that consume the world as it now is, full of conflict and agitation. Striking it with the summer house, as the place where no fire is and is instead cool, is telling of putting the fires out, and of a contrary condition.

The book of Wisdom ends telling of the same fires and their effect on the calming waters. Chapter 19 verse 20 thru 22 tell us the fire had an effect on the water, and the water forgot its soothing nature, both elements becoming contrary to their nature. We are then told of the fire having no burning effect on the corrupted flesh things though they walked in it, and it neither melted the icy kind of heavenly things. This is telling of continuing on in the fire, contrary to what should by nature be happen, and of the preserved and protected things of heaven being locked as frozen waters, as if ice impervious to fire and reversing nature. This is then said to be the LORD in all things magnifying His people, and never lightly valuing them, and with them at all times and through all things.

Amos 3
1 Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed [unless they have agreed to an appointed time and place]?
4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city [shall the city become worthless], and the LORD has not done it?
7 Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets.
8 The lion has roared, who will not fear? the LORD God has spoken, who can but prophesy?
9 Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria [the places of oppression], and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
10 For they know not to do right, says the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
11 Therefore thus says the LORD God; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down your strength from you, and your palaces shall be spoiled.
12 Thus says the LORD; As the shepherd takes out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear [as a remnant]; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.
13 Hear you, and testify in the house of Jacob, says the LORD God, the God of hosts,
14 That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel [the house of God where the idol was set up]: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
15 And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, says the LORD.

Amos 4
1 Hear this word, you kine [heifers] of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
2 The LORD God has sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
3 And you shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and you shall cast them into the palace, says the LORD.
4 Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression[with your idols]; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
5 And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven [with your corruption], and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this like you, O you children of Israel, says the LORD God.
6 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread [of heaven] in all your places: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD.
7 And also I have withheld the rain [waters of heaven] from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
8 So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD.
9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD.
10 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD.
11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD.
12 Therefore this will I do unto you, O Israel: and because I will do this unto you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel.
13 For, lo, he that formed the mountains, and created the wind, and declares unto man what is his thought, that makes the morning darkness, and treads upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.

Today a deeper examination of the book of Wisdom and its inspired authority seen in its being complimented by other God inspired writers. The book ends telling of Lot’s being delivered from Sodom and this as an example of the LORD’s altering/melting the elements. We will see its meaning further understood in the context of the LORD’s use of this same event, described in Luke 17, and in Peter’s like description in 2 Peter.

Beginning with Wisdom 19:14 and it telling of the men of Sodom not receiving those they knew not when they came. Those remembering the story know these were two angels of the LORD who had come to deliver Lot and His family. The Sodomites where trying to force their way into the house and were blinded so they couldn’t see the way to the door.

Genesis 19
10 But the men [angels] put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

Wisdom 19:17 only defines Lot as “the righteous man” as it tells of those at his door being blinded as they tried to find their own way to the door. This is where Peter begins His description of the false prophets, each in their own blindness trying to find their OWN way. The door being Christ and Peter going on to tell these men bringing in damnable heresies even denying the LORD that bought them. Peter also defines Lot by this unique description as “that righteous man.” The description tells of his being vexed by the conversation of the wicked men as he likens it to the false prophets and further describes it.

This context actually begins in 2 Peter 1 and precedes all the above by telling of the “entrance” into the kingdom that shall be (is now) ministered unto us. He goes on to tell of the authority of scripture by describing its origin in God and for His purpose. He then says no scripture is of any private interpretation, which leads him into telling of the false prophets that shall be among us (each telling of his own way to find the door while being unable to find it themselves).

Wisdom 19 then goes on to tell of the element melting as the fires burn only what is corrupted. As we know this is the same unique description 2 Peter 3 then goes on to tell us of.

What we see are those blinded by their own ways and therefore unable to accept those they don’t recognize. In 2 Peter 2 we read of these being those denying the LORD that bought them, and bringing upon themselves swift destruction. This is later told of using the pattern of Sodom being destroyed as soon as Lot and his family left the city. It is in this context the LORD tells us in Luke 17, after telling us of this time being as the days of Lot, to leave the house, as Lot was told.

Wisdom 19
14 For the Sodomites did not receive those, whom they knew not when they came: but these brought friends into bondage, that had well deserved of them. 15 And not only so, but peradventure some respect shall be had of those, because they used strangers not friendly: 16 But these very grievously afflicted them, whom they had received with feastings, and were already made partakers of the same laws with them. 17 Therefore even with blindness were these stricken, as those were at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compassed about with horrible great darkness, every one sought the passage of his own doors.

18 For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony, like as in a psaltery notes change the name of the tune, and yet are always sounds; which may well be perceived by the sight of the things that have been done. 19 For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things, that before swam in the water, now went upon the ground. 20 The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue: and the water forgot his own quenching nature. 21 On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of the corruptible living things, though they walked therein; neither melted they the icy kind of heavenly meat that was of nature apt to melt. 22 For in all things, O LORD, you did magnify your people, and glorify them, neither did you lightly regard them: but did assist them in every time and place.

The Greek word idios is the word translated “private” in 2 Peter 1:20 in telling us no prophesy of Scripture came into being by its own unloosing, but Holy men of God spoke as the Spirit of God produced it through them. The word literally means it isn’t their own – to do with as they will, as in finding their own way to the door while in fact proving they are the blind leaders of the blind.

The unique words used by Peter aren’t his; they are words of the LORD kept in store for this time and our knowing His voice, as the unseen things witness to the things that are seen.

John 10
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 cometh 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, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches 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 doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man takes 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.

Before pasting the book of 2 Peter I am going to paste the referenced part of Luke 17. The chapter is telling of the end time events and telling of not following those who have been falsely claiming they know the way (saying, “God said,” when He hasn’t said anything to them). It is telling instead of seeing the light rising in the darkness. In the passage I am posting I am removing words that don’t actually appear in the original text, because their addition obscures the truer meaning.

Luke 17
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when you shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you shall not see.
23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after, nor follow.
24 For as the lightning, that lightens out of the One under heaven, shines unto another under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed all.
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32 Remember Lot’s wife.
33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, LORD? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the dead carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

The original text shows the word translated “be gathered together” to be sunachthesontai. It is said to be the word sunago, meaning to be led together. It is more accurately translated as being from the words sunecho and thesauros, meaning, “there is the breath of God (as eagles) ‘held in deposit.'” The carcass is the seemingly dead root, here as the whole body (soma) without life, from where life shoots forth as lightning, and as light shining from One to another, so is its effect on one and not the other. This is the deeper meaning of God’s wisdom taking hold one person at a time, as the day spring in their mind.

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

2 Peter 2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [out of their own imaginations] shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their malicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The LORD knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the LORD.
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceiptions while they feast with you;
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: by the dumb a** speaking with man’s voice forbidding the madness of the [false] prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

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.
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 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 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.

Continuing today with a look at the meaning of the LORD saying in Matthew 25:26, “His LORD answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed…”

The meaning is very clear, the LORD is saying, I reap where others have sown. This is why it is necessary for us to work. It is from our work on his behalf that the LORD reaps.

Picking up in the Book of Wisdom with the last verses from the previous post [bracketed areas are my additions for clarification]:

Wisdom 9
13 For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the LORD is? 14 For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain. 15 For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things. 16 And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labor do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out? 17 And your [the LORD’s] counsel who hath known, except You give wisdom, and send your Holy Spirit from above? 18 For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto you, and were saved through [your] wisdom.

Wisdom 10
1 She [your wisdom] preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall, 2 And gave him power to rule all things.

3 But when the unrighteous [man] went away from her [wisdom] in his anger, he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother. 4 For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, [the LORD’s] wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value [Ark, as well as later a cross]. 5 Moreover, the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded, she found out the righteous, and preserved him blameless unto God, and kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son.

6 When the ungodly perished, she [wisdom] delivered the righteous man, who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities [Sodom, Gomorrah and other cities around them]. 7 Of whose wickedness even to this day the waste land that smoketh is a testimony, and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness: and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul. 8 For regarding not wisdom, they gat not only this hurt, that they knew not the things which were good; but also left behind them to the world a memorial of their foolishness: so that in the things wherein they offended they could not so much as be hid. 9 But wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her.

10 When the righteous [Jacob – Israel] fled from his brother’s wrath she guided him in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied the fruit of his labors. 11 In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she [the LORD’s wisdom] stood by him, and made him rich. 12 She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that he might know that goodness is stronger than all.

13 When the righteous [Joseph] was sold, she forsook him not, but delivered him from sin: she went down with him into the pit, 14 And left him not in bonds [imprisoned by false accusation], till she [the LORD’s wisdom] brought him the scepter of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as for them that had accused him, she showed them to be liars, and gave him perpetual glory.

15 She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from the nation that oppressed them.

16 She entered into the soul of the servant of the LORD, and withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs; 17 Rendered to the righteous a reward of their labors, guided them in a marvelous way, and was unto them for a cover by day, and a light of stars in the night season; 18 Brought them through the Red Sea, and led them through much water: 19 But she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep. 20 Therefore the righteous spoiled the ungodly, and praised you holy name, O LORD, and magnified with one accord thine hand, that fought for them. 21 For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of them that cannot speak eloquent.

Chapter 11
1 She prospered their works in the hand of the holy prophet. 2 They went through the wilderness that was not inhabited, and pitched tents in places where there lay no way. 3 They stood against their enemies, and were avenged of their adversaries. 4 When they were thirsty, they called upon you, and water was given them out of the flinty rock, and their thirst was quenched out of the hard stone. 5 For by what things their enemies were punished, by the same they in their need were benefited. 6 For instead of a fountain of a perpetual running river troubled with foul blood, 7 For a manifest reproof of that commandment, whereby the infants were slain, you gavest unto them abundance of water by a means which they hoped not for: 8 Declaring by that thirst then how you hadst punished their adversaries.

9 For when they were tried albeit but in mercy chastised, they knew how the ungodly were judged in wrath and tormented, thirsting in another manner than the just. 10 For these you didst admonish and try, as a father: but the other, as a severe king, you didst condemn and punish. 11 Whether they were absent or present, they were vexed alike. 12 For a double grief came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past. 13 For when they heard by their own punishments the other to be benefited, they had some feeling of the LORD. 14 For whom they respected with scorn, when he was long before thrown out at the casting forth of the infants, him in the end, when they saw what came to pass, they admired.

15 But for the foolish devices of their wickedness, wherewith being deceived they worshipped serpents void of reason, and vile beasts, you didst send a multitude of unreasonable beasts upon them for vengeance; 16 That they might know, that wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same also shall he be punished. [Self-inflicted torment come from rejecting the LORD’s wisdom and counsel, digressing into self-destructive error of man’s ways.]

17 For your Almighty hand, that made the world of matter without form [the pre-creation state “without form, and void” under man’s rule of tyranny], wanted not means to send among them a multitude of [men as beasts in nature] bears or fierce lions, 18 Or unknown wild beasts, full of rage, newly created, breathing out either a fiery vapor, or filthy scents of scattered smoke, or shooting horrible sparkles out of their eyes: 19 Whereof not only the harm might dispatch them at once, but also the terrible sight utterly destroy them.

20 Yea, and without these might they have fallen down with one blast, being persecuted of vengeance, and scattered abroad through the breath of you power: but you have ordered all things in measure and number and weight. 21 For you can show your great strength at all times when you will; and who may withstand the power of thine arm?
22 For the whole world before you is as a little grain of the balance, yea, as a drop of the morning dew that falleth down upon the earth.
23 But you hast mercy upon all; for you canst do all things, and winkest at the sins of men, because they should amend. 24 For you lovest all the things that are, and abhorrest nothing which you hast made: for never would you have made anything, if you hadst hated it. 25 And how could anything have endured, if it had not been you will? or been preserved, if not called by you? 26 But you sparest all: for they are thine, O LORD, you lover of souls.

Chapter 12
1 For your incorruptible Spirit is in all things. 2 Therefore chastenest [correct] you them by little and little that offend, and warn them by putting them in remembrance wherein they have offended, that leaving their wickedness they may believe on you, O LORD. 3 For it was your will to destroy by the hands of our fathers both those old inhabitants of your holy land, 4 Whom you hated for doing most odious works of witchcrafts [by manipulating words of deception], and wicked sacrifices; 5 And also those merciless murderers of children, and devourers of man’s flesh, and the feasts of blood, 6 With their priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crew, and the parents, that killed with their own hands souls destitute of help: 7 That the land, which you esteemedst above all other, might receive a worthy colony of God’s children.

8 Nevertheless even those you spared as men, and didst send wasps, forerunners of your host [army], to destroy them by little and little. 9 Not that you were unable to bring the ungodly under the hand of the righteous in battle, or to destroy them at once with cruel beasts, or with one rough word: 10 But executing you judgments upon them by little and little, you gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a naughty generation, and that their malice was bred in them, and that their cogitation [right perception of reality] would never be changed. 11 For it was a cursed seed from the beginning; neither didst you for fear of any man give them pardon for those things wherein they sinned. 12 For who shall say, What hast you done? or who shall withstand your judgment? or who shall accuse you for the nations that perish, whom you made? or who shall come to stand against you, to be revenged for the unrighteous men?

13 For neither is there any God but you that cares for all, to whom you mightest shew that you judgment is not un-right.

14 Neither shall king or tyrant be able to set his face against you for any whom you have punished. 15 Forsomuch then as you are righteous yourself, you order all things righteously: thinking it not agreeable with thy power to condemn him that hath not deserved to be punished. 16 For your power is the beginning of righteousness, and because you are the LORD of all, it maketh you to be gracious unto all. 17 For when men will not believe that you are of a full power, you shewest thy strength, and among them that know it you make their boldness manifest. 18 But you, mastering your power, judgest with equity, and orderest us with great favor: for you mayest use power [to perfect men’s perception of your will and plan] when you will.

19 But by such works hast you taught your people that the just man should be merciful, and have made your children to be of a Good Hope that you give repentance for sins. 20 For if you did punish the enemies of your children, and the condemned to death, with such deliberation, giving them time and place, whereby they might be delivered from their malice: 21 With how great circumspection did you judge thine own sons, unto whose fathers you hast sworn, and made covenants of good promises? 22 Therefore, whereas you dost chasten us, you scourgest our enemies a thousand times more, to the intent that, when we judge, we should carefully think of thy goodness, and when we ourselves are judged, we should look for mercy.

23 Wherefore, whereas men have lived dissolutely and unrighteously, you have tormented them with their own abominations. 24 For they went astray very far in the ways of error, and held them for gods, which even among the beasts of their enemies were despised, being deceived, as children of no understanding. 25 Therefore unto them, as to children without the use of reason, you didst send a judgment to mock them. 26 But they that would not be reformed by that correction, wherein he dallied with them, shall feel a judgment worthy of God. 27 For, look, for what things they grudged, when they were punished, that is, for them whom they thought to be gods; now being punished in them, when they saw it, they acknowledged him to be the true God, whom before they denied to know: and therefore came extreme damnation upon them.

Chapter 13
1 Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God, and could not out of the good things that are seen know him that is: neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the workmaster; 2 But deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be the gods which govern the world. 3 With whose beauty if they being delighted took them to be gods; let them know how much better the LORD of them is: for the first author of beauty hath created them. 4 But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them understand by them, how much mightier he is that made them.

5 For by the greatness and beauty of the creatures proportionably the maker of them is seen. 6 But yet for this they are the less to be blamed: for they peradventure err, seeking God, and desirous to find him. 7 For being conversant in his works they search him diligently, and believe their sight: because the things are beautiful that are seen. 8 Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned. 9 For if they were able to know so much, that they could aim at the world; how did they not sooner find out the LORD thereof?

10 But miserable are they, and in dead things is their hope, who call them gods, which are the works of men’s hands, gold and silver, to show art in, and resemblances of beasts, or a stone good for nothing, the work of an ancient hand. 11 Now a carpenter that felleth timber, after he hath sawn down a tree meet for the purpose, and taken off all the bark skilfully round about, and hath wrought it handsomely, and made a vessel thereof fit for the service of man’s life; 12 And after spending the refuse of his work to dress his meat, hath filled himself; 13 And taking the very refuse among those which served to no use, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, hath carved it diligently, when he had nothing else to do, and formed it by the skill of his understanding, and fashioned it to the image of a man; 14 Or made it like some vile beast, laying it over with vermilion, and with paint coloring it red, and covering every spot therein; 15 And when he had made a convenient room for it, set it in a wall, and made it fast with iron: 16 For he provided for it that it might not fall, knowing that it was unable to help itself; for it is an image, and hath need of help:
17 Then makes he prayer for his goods, for his wife and children, and is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life. 18 For health he calleth upon that which is weak: for life prayeth to that which is dead; for aid humbly beseecheth that which hath least means to help: and for a good journey he asketh of that which cannot set a foot forward: 19 And for gaining and getting, and for good success of his hands, asketh ability to do of him, that is most unable to do anything.

Wisdom 14
1 Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more rotten than the vessel that carried him. 2 For truly desire of gain devised that, and the workman built it by his skill. 3 But your providance, O Father, governeth it: for you have made a way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves; 4 Shewing that you can save from all danger: yea, though a man went to sea without art. 5 Nevertheless you would not that the works of your wisdom should be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved.
6 For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world governed by your hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages a seed of generation. 7 For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh.

8 But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he, because he made it; and it, because, being corruptible, it was called god. 9 For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful unto God. 10 For that which is made shall be punished together with him that made it. 11 Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be a visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an abomination, and stumbling-blocks to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise.

12 For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life. 13 For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be forever. 14 For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world, and therefore shall they come shortly to an end.

15 For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he hath made an image of his child soon taken away, now honored him as a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those that were under him ceremonies and sacrifices. 16 Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings. 17 Whom men could not honor in presence, because they dwelt far off, they took the counterfeit of his visage [image and form] from far, and made an express image of a king whom they honored, to the end that by this their forwardness [perverse and twisted] they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were present. 18 Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition.

19 For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion. 20 And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, which a little before was but honoured. 21 And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, serving either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and stocks the incommunicable name.

22 Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace. 23 For while they slew their children in sacrifices, or used secret ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites; 24 They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: but either one slew another traitorously, or grieved him by adultery. 25 So that there reigned in all men without exception blood [life draining from humanity toward death], manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury, 26 Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless uncleanness. 27 For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil. 28 For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves. 29 For insomuch as their trust is in idols, which have no life; though they swear falsely, yet they look not to be hurt.

30 Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished: both because they thought not well of God, giving heed unto idols, and also unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness. 31 For it is not the power of them by whom they swear: but it is the just vengeance of sinners, that punishes always the offence of the ungodly.

Continuing from yesterday’s post: Wisdom 5
1 Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labors. 2 When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation, so far beyond all that they looked for. 3 And they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit shall say within themselves, This was he, whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach: 4 We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honor: 5 How is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints! 6 Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness has not shined unto us, and the sun of righteousness rose not upon us. 7 We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction: yea, we have gone through deserts, where there lay no way: but as for the way of the LORD, we have not known it.

8 What has pride profited us? or what good has riches with our vaunting brought us? 9 All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a post that hasted by; 10 And as a ship that passes over the waves of the water, which when it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the pathway of the keel in the waves; 11 Or as when a bird has flown through the air, there is no token of her way to be found, but the light air being beaten with the stroke of her wings and parted with the violent noise and motion of them, is passed through, and therein afterwards no sign where she went is to be found; 12 Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parts the air, which immediately cometh together again, so that a man cannot know where it went through: 13 Even so we in like manner, as soon as we were born, began to draw to our end, and had no sign of virtue to show; but were consumed in our own wickedness.

14 For the hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with the wind; like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm; like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest, and passes away as the remembrance of a guest that tarries but a day.

15 But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the LORD, and the care of them is with the most High. 16 Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the LORD’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.

17 He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies. 18 He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet. 19 He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. 20 His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.

21 Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark. 22 And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them.

23 Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty.

Wisdom 6
1 Hear therefore, O you kings, and understand; learn, you that be judges of the ends of the earth. 2 Give ear, you that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. 3 For power is given you of the LORD, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels. 4 Because, being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God; 5 Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places. 6 For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented. 7 For he which is LORD over all shall fear no man’s person, neither shall he stand in awe of any man’s greatness: for he has made the small and great, and cares for all alike. 8 But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.

9 Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall away. 10 For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer. 11 Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and you shall be instructed.

12 Wisdom is glorious, and never fades away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.

13 She prevents them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them. 14 Whoso seeks her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors. 15 To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watches for her shall quickly be without care. 16 For she goes about seeking such as are worthy of her, shows herself favorably unto them in the ways, and meets them in every thought. 17 For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love; 18 And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption; 19 And incorruption makes us near unto God: 20 Therefore the desire of wisdom brings to a kingdom.

21 If your delight be then in thrones and scepters, O you kings of the people, honor wisdom, that you may reign for evermore. 22 As for wisdom, what she is, and how she came up, I will tell you, and will not hide mysteries from you: but will seek her out from the beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not pass over the truth. 23 Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom. 24 But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people. 25 Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good.

Wisdom 7
1 I myself also am a mortal man, like to all, and the offspring of him that was first made of the earth, 2 And in my mother’s womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of ten months, being compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure that came with sleep. 3 And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do. 4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares. 5 For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth. 6 For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.

7 Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. 8 I preferred her before scepters and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. 9 Neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her. 10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for the light that cometh from her never goes out.

11 All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands. 12 And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goes before them: and I knew not that she was the mother of them.

13 I learned diligently, and do communicate her liberally: I do not hide her riches. 14 For she is a treasure unto men that never fails: which they that use become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts that come from learning.

15 God has granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as is meet for the things that are given me: because it is he that leads unto wisdom, and directs the wise. 16 For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship. 17 For he has given me certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the elements: 18 The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turning of the sun, and the change of seasons: 19 The circuits of years, and the positions of stars: 20 The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts: the violence of winds, and the reasoning of men: the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots: 21 And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know.

22 For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understanding spirit holy, one only, manifold, subtle, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good quick, which cannot be letted [restrained], ready to do good, 23 Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtle, spirits.

24 For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passes and goes through all things by reason of her pureness. 25 For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her. 26 For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness. 27 And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she makes all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she makes them friends of God, and prophets.

28 For God loves none but him that dwells with wisdom. 29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it. 30 For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail against wisdom.

Wisdom 8
1 Wisdom reaches from one end to another mightily: and sweetly does she order all things.

2 I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty. 3 In that she is conversant with God, she magnifies her nobility: yea, the LORD of all things himself loved her. 4 For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.

5 If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that works all things? 6 And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she? 7 And if a man love righteousness her labors are virtues: for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, as men can have nothing more profitable in their life. 8 If a man desire much experience, she knows things of old, and conjectures aright what is to come: she knows the subtleties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foresees signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.

9 Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she would be a counselor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief. 10 For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honor with the elders, though I be young. 11 I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men. 12 When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth.

13 Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me. 14 I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me. 15 Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war. 16 After I am come into mine house, I will repose myself with her: for her conversation has no bitterness; and to live with her has no sorrow, but mirth and joy.

17 Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality; 18 And great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good report; I went about seeking how to take her to me.

19 For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit. 20 Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled. 21 Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the LORD, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said,

Wisdom 9
1 O God of my fathers, and LORD of mercy, who have made all things with your word, 2 And ordained man through your wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which you have made, 3 And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart: 4 Give me wisdom, that sits by your throne; and reject me not from among your children: 5 For I your servant and son of your handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws.

6 For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if your wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.

7 You have chosen me to be a king of your people, and a judge of your sons and daughters: 8 You have commanded me to build a temple upon your holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein you dwells, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which you have prepared from the beginning. 9 And wisdom was with you: which knows your works, and was present when you made the world, and knew what was acceptable in your sight, and right in your commandments. 10 O send her out of your holy heavens, and from the throne of your glory, that being present she may labor with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto you. 11 For she knows and understands all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power. 12 So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge your people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father’s seat.

13 For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the LORD is? 14 For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain. 15 For the corruptible body presses down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weighs down the mind that muses upon many things. 16 And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labor do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who has searched out? 17 And your counsel who has known, except you give wisdom, and send your Holy Spirit from above? 18 For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto you, and were saved through wisdom.

Today a few words about one of the greatest distortions in the modern church saying, salvation is by faith and grace alone apart from works means we aren’t supposed to have or seek to do works. Here it is in other words of truth, faith is the statement of intentions based on what is believed, and what proves faith is the result that comes as we work out our faith. The LORD tells us over and over that a man will be judged based upon his works.

Matthew 25 tells of the judgment based on works and of those that have used the talents given them and filled their lamps with the oil of His wisdom. To them the LORD says, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Here is the rest of the story:

He says to them, What did you do with what I have endowed you with? Did you pour your oil onto the sick anointing them with My wisdom? Did you impart what I have given you to release those imprisoned by the corrupted teaching of an unjust and evil world? Did you clothe them with My ways of justice, and peace to all men of good will (righteousness)?

And these will say, “No LORD, because my preachers told me all I had to do is have faith and I would receive earthly riches just as they had.”

And He asks, what about your works?

The deceived answer, “We voted for men who took from other men to give to us and others who also refused to make any effort to pursue those things by working.”

And He says, what about clothing the poor in spirit, and visiting those imprisoned in darkness, and healing disease by my ways of peace?

And these evil men will say, “We healed them by voting for those who allowed them to kill their children, and forced them to buy insurance that would pay for it. We set them free by voting for those who removed Your standard of morality and allowing them to commit every evil act, and we condemned those who didn’t agree with us. We cloth them and fed them by voting for those who made laws taking from the working people what they earned and giving it to us and others who refused to work.”

And He says to them, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

And they say again to him, “But our preachers told us it was OK and we wouldn’t be judged for our works.”

And the LORD says to them, they aren’t My preachers. My preachers make sure it is perfectly understood, no man is saved by his own good works. Good works merely elevate those doing them to be given more to work with. Even the evil ones have faith, so a man is not saved by faith alone. All men have been taught and founded on a teaching so it isn’t by the grace only. It is by faith in the one the Father sends with His teaching, and this is the grace of God that saves us. Acts upon these are what produce works validating the truth of what we believe and that we are doing God’s will.

John 6
27 Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him has God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what dost you work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Truly, Truly, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and gives life unto the world.
34 Then said they unto him, LORD, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

In the past we have briefly discussed the Septuagint, which is the original Greek translation and compilation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and includes what is called the Apocrypha. Apocrypha means things kept apart in secret. They are also books excluded from the Protestant Bible. They remain in the Catholic Bible, but their reliance on traditions of their denomination over the Scripture, along with the exclusion from most Bibles, has resulted in the books being unknown to most people.

I am hereafter posting portions of the book of Wisdom from the Septuagint. The posting will have more meaning for those who study along, as they will see and understand it in the context of our discussion.

Wisdom 1
1 Love righteousness, you that be judges of the earth: think of the LORD with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him. 2 For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and shows himself unto such as do not distrust him. 3 For froward [twisted and perverse] thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproves the unwise.

4 For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin. 5 For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.

6 For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer [slanderer] of his words: for God is witness of his reins [perception], and a true beholder of his heart [reasoning], and a hearer of his tongue [the true meaning of his words]. 7 For the Spirit of the LORD fills the world: and that which contains all things has knowledge of the voice.

8 Therefore he that speaks unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it punishes, pass by him. 9 For inquisition [investigations] shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the LORD for the manifestation of his wicked deeds. 10 For the ear of jealousy hears all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid.

11 Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall go for naught: and the mouth that belies [is false] slays [deadens] the soul.

12 Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands. 13 For God made not death: neither has he pleasure in the destruction of the living. 14 For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth: 15 (For righteousness is immortal:) 16 But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to naught, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it.

Wisdom 2
1 For the ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not aright, Our life is short and tedious [long, dull and boring], and in the death of a man there is no remedy: neither was there any man known to have returned from the grave. 2 For we are born at all adventure [hazard]: and we shall be hereafter as though we had never been: for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke, and a little spark in the moving of our heart: 3 Which being extinguished, our body shall be turned into ashes, and our spirit shall vanish as the soft air, 4 And our name shall be forgotten in time, and no man shall have our works in remembrance, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away with the beams of the sun, and overcome with the heat thereof.

5 For our time is a very shadow that passes away; and after our end there is no returning: for it is fast sealed, so that no man cometh again.

6 Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present: and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth. 7 Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments: and let no flower of the spring pass by us: 8 Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered: 9 Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness [the fullness of excess]: let us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place: for this is our portion, and our lot is this.

10 Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow, nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged.

11 Let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is feeble is found to be nothing worth.

12 Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings: he upbraids us with our offending the law, and objects to our infamy the transgressing of our education. 13 He professes to have the knowledge of God: and he calls himself the child of the LORD. 14 He was made to reprove our thoughts. 15 He is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not like other men’s, his ways are of another fashion. 16 We are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstains from our ways as from filthiness: he pronounces the end of the just to be blessed, and makes his boast that God is his Father.

17 Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him. 18 For if the just man be the Son of God, he will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies. 19 Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience. 20 Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he shall be respected.

21 Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own wickedness has blinded them. 22 As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not: neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls.

23 For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity. 24 Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.

Wisdom 3
1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3 And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 4 For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.

5 And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6 As gold in the furnace has he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.

7 And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. 8 They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their LORD shall reign for ever. 9 They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he has care for his elect. 10 But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the LORD.

11 For whoso despise wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labors unfruitful, and their works unprofitable: 12 Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked:

13 Their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren that is undefiled, which has not known the sinful bed: she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls.

14 And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands has wrought no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God: for unto him shall be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the LORD more acceptable to his mind. 15 For glorious is the fruit of good labors: and the root of wisdom shall never fall away.

16 As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to their perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out. 17 For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and their last age shall be without honor.

18 Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the day of trial. 19 For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation.

Wisdom 4
1 Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue: for the memorial thereof is immortal: because it is known with God, and with men. 2 When it is present, men take example at it; and when it is gone, they desire it: it wears a crown, and triumphs for ever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards.

3 But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take deep rooting from b^st^rd [reprobate] slips, nor lay any fast [firm] foundation. 4 For though they flourish in branches for a time; yet standing not last, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out. 5 The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for nothing. 6 For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial. 7 But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.

8 For honorable age is not that which stands in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. 9 But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.

10 He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated. 11 Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. 12 For the bewitching [manipulative words] of naughtiness does obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence [lust and strong desire] does undermine the simple mind. 13 He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: 14 For his soul pleased the LORD: therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. 15 This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he has respect unto his chosen.

16 Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living; and youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous. 17 For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand what God in his counsel has decreed of him, and to what end the LORD has set him in safety. 18 They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them to scorn: and they shall hereafter be a vile carcass, and a reproach among the dead for evermore. 19 For he shall rend [tear] them, and cast them down headlong, that they shall be speechless; and he shall shake them from the foundation; and they shall be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial shall perish. 20 And when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they shall come with fear: and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face.