Today again continuing with our discussion of the new heaven and earth under God and it as men on the earth acting and governing, in church and state, according to His will. Today a deeper look at the LORD’s will and it being the major factor that determines outcome.
The word “will” as it appears in the LORD’s Prayer is from the Greek word thelema. It is from the word thelo or ethelo, meaning to determine. Thelema is used sixty-four times, translated as “will” all except once as “desire” and once as “pleasure.”
Here is the Strong’s Greek Dictionary definition: Strong’s #2307: thelema (pronounced thel’-ay-mah) from the prolonged form of 2309 [thelo]; a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination:– desire, pleasure, will.
As mentioned, thelema is the word we read in the LORD’s prayer when we are told to pray for the Father’s will to be done on the earth as it is in heaven. Here is the prayer from Matthew 6: “Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
This isn’t merely a prayer that should be meaninglessly repeated into a cliché, as it ironically has been even though the LORD just prior warns us against doing so. It is actually telling us where our inclinations should be as we rely on the LORD to lead us to accomplish His purpose, not only in our lives but also in the world in total.
The key is found in the first request for the bread from heaven (where the Father is). This is referring to man not living by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds (breathed) from the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3). With inclining ourselves in this way, daily, we are able to discern and enter into the Father’s will. This is also the way our mind are overwritten with His character as our mind is transformed into the same mind that is in Christ.
What follows in the prayer are our further inclinations when we are faced with choices and our determining (judging) the proper way (in His will). In this we find ourselves in a state of peace and security even when the physical circumstance may not appear so at the moment. This is our faith: knowing that all things work together for our good, and the eventual good of the world.
This isn’t something we face alone, although it is relational between God and us individually. The idea and work of the Holy Spirit of God is as the One who comes in external ways as He establishes coincidence with our thoughts as guidance, and also correction away from our straying into error; again, always to bring about the purpose of God in our lives and in the world.
This external influence also occurs by God breathing His will into His word being spoken and written by man. Rule one here: Understand it is very small thing for GOD to accomplish both causing man to project His word to whomever He determines, and to ensure that word comes and is maintained with the message that will bring about this same determined purpose and plan.
The word thelema is used to say just this in 2 Peter 1:21 where we are told of the word God being borne along by, (phero) and loosed to, holy men by the Holy Spirit. There we are told of the men who spoke for God not doing it by their own will, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will [thelema] of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved (phero) by the Holy Ghost.
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.
This is where we must also understand that when we request things that are to satisfy our own lust they may come but it is merely subterfuge to keep us from God’s purpose. This is why the LORD tells us (Matthew 7:21) not all those who call him LORD will enter the kingdom, but only those who do the “will” of the Father. In this we see there are many that call (empty words) Him LORD while not being in His will.
Matthew 7
13 Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.
21 Not every one that says unto me, LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
If the false prophets, and the other that have led the world into destruction, disagree with what I have said, take it up with God, because these are His words to you and He has sent me to make sure you hear and understand them. It is our choices that bring both consequence and reward, even if we don’t see it just yet (but soon, very soon).
Luke 12 (thelema is twice “will” in verse 47)
40 Be you therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when you think not.
41 Then Peter said unto him, LORD, speakest you this parable unto us, or even to all?
42 And the LORD said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his LORD shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his LORD when he cometh shall find so doing.
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My LORD delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 The LORD of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant, which knew his LORD’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Suppose you that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
When we have discussed the new heaven and new earth being when God has set up His rule and reign in men outside the corrupted church and national governments, it is in the context of the kingdom mentioned in Hebrews 12, and our then being called to the LORD outside the camp in Hebrews 13. We know in Hebrews 12 we are told we have arrived at heavenly Jerusalem, and later of the new heaven and earth as the kingdom that remains forever. Hebrews 13 then tells us He is outside the gate where we must go, knowing the reproach and willingly accepting it to be there with the LORD.
Hebrew 12
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 speaks 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.
Hebrew 13
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
6 So that we may boldly say, The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
To close I am going to paste Revelation 4 & 5 which tell of the kingdom and the king. The final time thelema is used is in Revelation 4:11 translated “pleasure.” These chapters tell of the LORD seen on His throne, and it tells of the twenty-four elders, showing the perfected government seen as the twelve Patriarchs and the twelve Apostles (twenty four elders). We also see the four beasts as the eyes of the uncorrupted (those seeing and reporting truth).
We also see in chapter 4 verses 9 & 10 a paraphrase of the quote we looked at yesterday as appearing in Revelation 11:15 and Exodus 15:18. Here it tells of the One who livers for ever and ever, and His reign is shown as the elders cast their crowns at His feet. In verse 11 we are told they do this because they declare all things have been created for His pleasure (purpose and will).
Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who lives for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that lives for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 You are worthy, O LORD, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 5
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And have made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that lives for ever and ever.
