Apocalypse – Fires Burn the Earth and the Elements Melt

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.