Continuing: Seeing all we have seen what shall we do? We become witnesses to the blood of the martyrs. In doing we join ourselves to them as martyrs, testifying to the LORD’s message of salvation and peace to men of good will (conscience).
For those who read along here, studying at the feet of the LORD with me, you should by demonstration and examination understand the immense depth of these aforementioned statements. You know in our fulfilling them the LORD is manifesting His Spirit in our flesh, and through the process validating and confirming evidently to have become so in us with/as signs and wonders following.
We are not talking about the phony baloney, hyped up, superficial masks of theater we see in the modern mega churches, with their promises by newly created false doctrines, their faked signs and wonders, and stolen glory. We are talking about speaking what we have witnessed in the LORD’s revealing Himself in the mysteries of the wisdom of God; not as the world speaks with men’s wisdom, self-elevating, self-preserving, with formulas to tickle the ears of the ignorant.
Here again, as many times before, are the beginning points as we become as little children having come to the light of the LORD.
Matthew 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For truly I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca [without cause vilifying him], shall be in danger of the council [being diligently scrutinized (ekzeteo) at the gathering of the elect and saints in the Judgment]: but whosoever shall say, You fool [moros – categorizing them as mentally unable and therefor unworthy of hearing the mysteries revealed], shall be in danger of hell [Gehenna – the trash bump – making themself worthless and in danger of being cast away with the trash] fire.
Verse 8 above tells us, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” This may be among the greatest of the promises mentioned above in that it gives us insight into a mystery of its own. We know from our studies the heart is spoken of as the place in the mind where resides the foundational ideas upon which all our decisions are based. A pure heart insinuates the LORD’s character having so completely overwritten ours that in both our conscious and unconscious action/reactions we shine as He would have us: we evidently exhibit having the same mind that is in Christ. The Greek word translated “pure” is katharos, meaning clean, clear, or pure. In this we (again) see the idea of our flesh becoming as if transparent and what is inside is seen (Christ in us).
The same word is used many times to tell of the heart and what produces this state of clarity, and does so even when this meaning isn’t seemingly what is being spoken of.
It is the word translated “pure” in Hebrews 10:22 to tell of our drawing near to God by faith, having our bodies washed with “pure” water. (See Revelation 22 pasted below.)
Hebrews 10
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those [these] days, says the LORD, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins [what else can be said that hasn’t been said],
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, says the LORD. And again, The LORD shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The place the rulers stumble is at the flesh, unwilling to see what is behind the veil, and unable because they reject the washing, thinking themselves already clean.
This brings us to another of the uses of the word katharos; this time translated “clean” three times in John 13:10 & 11. There it tells of the LORD (as now) washing the feet of His disciples. As we have studied in the past this represents washing away all the filth we (the believing church/elect and saints) have picked up in our long journey over the time of the falling away from the LORD. We also see there Peter refusing to allow it thinking himself clean, and the LORD telling him that ALL must receive this cleaning and those who refuse it can have no part with/in Him.
John 13
6 Then comes he to Simon Peter: and Peter said unto him, LORD, do you wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do you know not now; but you shall know hereafter.
8 Peter said unto him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash you not, you have no part with me.
9 Simon Peter said unto him, LORD, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus said to him, He that is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and you are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, You are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know you what I have done to you?
13 You call me Master and LORD: and you say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your LORD and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
16 Truly, Truly, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his LORD; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.
18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.
19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, you may believe that I am he.
20 Truly, Truly, I say unto you, He that receives whomsoever I send receives me; and he that receives me receives him that sent me.
Before going on we must make a brief departure to the place where the LORD began our discussion today, as a warning to all who reject His word (as if they have taken His wife, and of those who have willfully left Him to gain the world).
Proverbs 6
1 My son, if you be surety for your friend, if you have stricken your hand with a stranger,
2 You are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, when you are come into the hand of your friend; go, humble yourself, and make sure your friend.
4 Give not sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.
5 Deliver yourself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provides her meat in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
9 How long will you sleep, O sluggard? when will you arise out of your sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall your poverty come as one that travels, and your want as an armed man.
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walks with a froward mouth [corrupted words speaking error].
13 He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers;
14 Frowardness [corruption/error] is in his heart, he devises mischief continually; he sows discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
16 These six things does the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.
20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of your mother:
21 Bind them continually upon your heart, and tie them about your neck.
22 When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you awake, it shall talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24 To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in your heart; neither let her take you with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goes in to his neighbor’s wife; whosoever touches her shall not be innocent.
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all te substance of his house.
32 But whoso commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding: he that does it destroys his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.
Returning to our diligent examination of Matthew 5:8 and now to the Greek word optanomai, translated “see.” The word as it appears in the original text is a more classical form (opseneo) that also appears in Hebrews 12:14 explaining who will “see” the LORD. The word is said to have also had the meaning of seeing by abstract thought, as in it also meaning “provision,” and a “wage” later paid for work performed, specifically a soldier’s pay. This idea of provision, and wages are clearly seen in verses 4 thru 11 of Proverbs 6 above.
Hebrews 12
11 Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
18 For you are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard demanded that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
The word above in verse 15 translated “Looking diligently” is written in the original text as episkotountes. It is said to be from epi + skopos, epi, meaning over, and skopos, meaning a penetrating examination (scope); in other words, from the outside looking to the inside. The deeper meaning telling of what is penetrated is found in the word skotos (written as skoto) later used in verse 18 to describe the “darkness.” In this meaning we see the writer telling us it is through a diligent search, seeing through the darkness; also described as what defiles, and as what causes Esau’s separation. We know this is written in Hebrews 12 in the context of our only being the children of God if we are affected by his correction. It is also what the LORD is speaking of in Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Now, if they persecute and revile you out of bitterness for correcting them, you have faithfully shouldered the yoke you are together joined with/in Christ.
Matthew 5
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Of the many other (twenty-eight total) uses of the word katharos we will close with an examination of its use in Revelation 22:1. There it is a “pure” river of water, clear as crystal, proceeding out from the throne of God, and of the Lamb (the ones sacrificing themselves to bring the world this word). We are told it is as “clear as crystal,” from the Greek words lampros krustallos. Lampros, meaning radiant and magnificent; from the word lampas (lamps), it is used later in verse 16 to tell of the “bright” and morning star, and earlier in Revelation 19:8 to tell of the clean (katheros) and “white” linen of the wife who has made herself ready. Krustallos is only used one other time, Revelation 4:6 to describe the sea of glass that is before the throne of God, where the seven lamps (lampas) are burning.
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, 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, 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, and whoremongers, 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.
