Yesterday’s message, as many have, dealt with the issue of error in church teaching, and it being the result of compounding inaccuracies of many men through millennia. We saw this as creating the chaos and confusion responsible for the long devastating process of human moral decline resulting from these errors being preached while being deceptively labeled as the “word of God.” We’ve seen these same abominations as causing the total desolation, of leadership in church, of nation and now corruption of all human reality (truth in discourse). We have often looked at this from the perspective seen in 2 Thessalonians 2 and those holding us down as we are trying to rise out from under their hold. We have seen it described in Isaiah 28 as this being these men making a covenant with death because they’ve made lies their refuge, and falsehood the cover they hide under. This description is followed by telling of the foundation stone that the LORD sends to lay as the foundation. Earlier we are told of LORD’s teaching built upon this firm foundation, and that is principle upon principle, line upon line, and we see therein this is what washes away the lies.
Isaiah 28
5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sits in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with the place of eternal self-inflicted torment are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus says the LORD God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with the place of eternal self-inflicted torment shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then you shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goes forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
Yesterday’s message was titled, “Judgment, Begin in the House of God, the Battle to Reopen the Lines of Commination.” Isaiah 28:6 above defines this same point as turning the battle at the gate. The gateway to the mind is the ideas taught, and the ideas that are already in the mind are what must be overcome. The Hebrew word here translated as “turn” in the same word (shuwb) we looked at a few days ago (July 14) in the post titled, “The Last Trumpet is this Call to War, Our Weapon and Sword The Word of God.” There we saw it used in Zechariah 1:3 & 4, and here is the quote from the post that explains the word: “… “Turn” is the Hebrew word shuwb, meaning to return. In this we see it isn’t merely a call to turn away from evil, it is a call to return to the LORD from where we have fallen away. The verse ends telling the history of these ancestors seeing their error and in seeing it knowing the problem and the solution.”
The post goes on to plainly describe the origin of the problem: “As always the origin of the problem is found in whom we are listening to. We see in verse 6 above the LORD’s remembering (them as us) and taking hold (of them as us) by His word. The Hebrew word translated “take hold” is nasag, meaning to reach, as in getting to the point traveled to. It is the word translated “overtaken” in Psalms 18:37 in telling of the anointed overtaking the enemy. “37 I have pursued mine enemies [those opposing God’s word and advice], and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.”
Zechariah 1
1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
2 “The LORD has been sore displeased with your fathers.
3 Therefore say you unto them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts; ‘Turn you unto me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, says the LORD of hosts.
4 Be you not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts; Turn you now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings:’ but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, says the LORD.
5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so has he dealt with us.””
In this concept (pre-cept) we see the battle must begin with the ideas that led God’s House astray and to do that the lines of communicating God’s word must be reestablished (uncorrupted by men’s errors).
This is the message we see Paul communicating as he continues on into 2 Thessalonians 3. In verse 6 we see the remedy prescribed telling us to separate ourselves from those who refuse to follow the way Paul then defines. It is talking about the idea described over the past few days as the law of distribution of food as it relates to God loosing it (distributing as needed to nourish us – edify) as He decides and for His purposes. This is also telling of the idea of the talents and as we use them (put them to work – ideas into action) the LORD providing the increase (the further solving). (See the post from July 16, titled: “The War Against Death, Feeding the Hungry and Opening the Prison.”)
2 Thessalonians 3
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the LORD may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the LORD is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the LORD touching you, that you both do and will do the things which we command you.
5 And the LORD direct your hearts [reasoning mind] into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how you ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for naught; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our LORD Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13 But you, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
16 Now the LORD of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The LORD be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
18 The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
This is a time for soldiers willing to take the fight to the enemy and bear the reproach, battling through the attacks and slander, to victory over death. Our weapon is the word of God, our war and battle against all that oppose Him. “No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against us in judgment we shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, says the LORD.”
2 Timothy 2
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit you to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that labors must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the LORD give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abides faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the LORD that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The LORD knows them that are his. And, let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the LORD out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the LORD must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
2 Timothy 3
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10 But you fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the LORD delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue you in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them;
15 And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 4
1 I charge you therefore before God, and the LORD Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (analusis from analuo) is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
All things are loosed (lusis or luo) as the LORD comes, in His time and according to His purpose.
1 Corinthians 16
22 If any man love not the LORD Jesus Christ, let him be accursed (Anathema). Our LORD has come (Maranath)!
23 The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
