Thanks unto the Father, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
The above is from Colossians 1:12 and is part of an encouragement from Paul and Timothy, in the name of the LORD in them, to those in Colosse. The name Colosse is from the Greek word kollao, meaning glue or to stick, as in joining self to, and is speaking of those who have joined themselves to the LORD. As we have seen in previous studies, kollao is the origin of the word kollourion, which is only used one time and is translated “eye-salve” in Revelation 3:13. It describes the remedy the LORD prescribes for the Laodiceans, the cure for their blindness, by joining with Him – which brings sight/understanding. This comes after he encourages them to buy from Him gold tried in the fire, that they would be rich, and white raiment, so they are not found naked and ashamed, the latter speaking of disappointment that comes when what is expected doesn’t come.
Revelation 3
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you wert cold or hot.
16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.
17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye-salve [kollourion], that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.
As we have seen through previous discussions, the above describes a ministry that raises the Elect Remnant from among this seventh lost church. This separates them from Babylon, which is the eighth entity, the beast. She is both the unfaithful women (the church that is the whore, or mother of harlots), who is also part of Babylon, meaning joined with the world in confusion and sin (worshipping idols their false teachers have set in God’s place calling them God). We know, as we see before our eyes, all the governments of the world (the ten horns or kings) hate this church, even though she is fallen, and do all they can to destroy her.
Revelation 17
16 And the ten horns which you saw upon the beast [the heads of government confusion], these shall hate the whore [the fallen and confused church], and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
17 For God has put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
18 And the woman which you saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.
We see earlier in Revelation 17, these groups, united by one confused mind, all make war against the Lamb, who we know from Revelation 14 is the one the elect remnant, whose minds have not been defiled by the woman, is following.
Revelation 17
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is LORD of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Revelation 14
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads [in their minds].
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile [no words of deception – because they have done what is written in 2 Corinthians 4:2 – see below]]: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
We have seen in prior studies, the fire spoken of in Revelation 3:18, wherein has been refined the gold the Elect Remnant buy, is the same fire mentioned in Revelation 17:16, which has made the unfaithful church naked and desolate. We have seen these as the same fire Peter speaks of in 2 Peter 3, by which melts away the elements, the stoiceion, the corrupted ideas of men, meaning the foundational ideas upon which the unfaithful rely.
From our studies, we understand these are the fire Jude 23 speaks of, calling us to warn those therein that they should fear, because if they hold on to these ideas they will burn up with them. We understand, the Holy Spirit in Jude uses the Greek word harpazo to tell of, by this warning, “pulling” out those perishing from this fire, saving and delivering them from those choosing perdition in them – by rejecting repentance.
We have seen the word harpazo is rendered “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, and is what these same sons of perdition have twisted into their false doctrine of the rapture. We have seen this doctrine is one of the damnable heresies Peter warns us against, saying that because of them, not only will this truth be evil spoken of, but it will also cause those not receiving the love of this truth to deny the LORD when He comes to them with it.
This takes us back to Colossians 1:12 saying the Father has made us “meet” to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. The word “meet” is the Greek word hikanoo, meaning to enable, or to qualify. It is from the word hikanos, which is akin to the word heko, meaning to arrive, or to come, as in to be present.
Hikanoo is only used one other time, rendered in 2 Corinthians 3:6 as “made us able” in describing our ability as ministers of life. It is describing the power that is eventually seen as God in us, as the veil removed and the blindness to this is healed. It is speaking to, and of, you, the elect remnant who have received this word as the word of God, who have become the epistles to be read by all men. It is speaking of the power of the LORD, which effectually worked in you and brought you out of the fire and into His marvelous light, which we know is understanding by the revelation of His word.
2 Corinthians 3
1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3 Forasmuch as you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5 Not that we are sufficient [hikanos] of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [hikanotes] is of God;
6 Who also has made us able [hikanoo] ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.
7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraved in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels.
11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart [they still cannot see it is the LORD in us speaking, and is the manifestation of His undeniable presence/glory].
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn [epistrepho – revert or return] to the LORD, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the LORD is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the LORD, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the LORD; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
The word epistrepho, from 2 Corinthians 3:16 above, is probably best understood by its uses in 1 Thessalonians 1:9, James 5:19 & 20, 1 Peter 2:25, and Revelation 1:12.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:9 it is telling of those who “turned” to God from idols. We know, Paul is speaking to the same people he then describes in chapter 2, first as having received his preaching as the word of God, which it is, and then as by this being in the presence of the LORD Jesus Christ at His coming.
James says, “19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert [epistrepho] him; 20 Let him know, that he which converts [epistrepho] the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 2:25 For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned [epistrepho] unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
John, in Revelation 1:12, tells us he heard the voice of the LORD and turned [epestrpho], and by turning [epistrepho] he saw.
Revelation 1
7 Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the LORD, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the LORD’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12 And I turned [epistrepho] to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned [epistrepho], I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Friends, we are the LORD’s work and meant to be read by all men who look for the LORD, and in reading the LORD will remove the veil from their eyes in His perfect time.
This is the war we fight, against those who by errors make war against this truth. These men, the gods of this world, sitting in the place of the holy, oppose and contradict the LORD at His appearing and His kingdom. They should be proclaiming this good news from the housetops, but instead, they continue in their own corruption, going their own way, with their same feckless ideas. They have made their choice, and have, instead of Salvation and Deliverance from themselves, chosen perdition and eternal fire.
2 Timothy 2
1 Thou 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 shew yourself 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 does a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus [names meaning they are forbidding joining with the LORD, and hiding their deceptions under the sheep’s clothing of {false} love];
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 strife [they aren’t asking questions to find truth, but rather to produce an endless argument that muddies waters and confuses those listening].
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 [those who think they are the brightest], lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof [see Colossians 1:29 below]: 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 [the priests of Egypt] 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.
Colossians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints,
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
7 As you also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That you might walk worthy of the LORD unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made us meet [hikanoo] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working [power], which works in me mightily.
Psalms 29
1 Give unto the LORD, O you mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thunders: the LORD is upon many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; yea, the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion [those who have been purified and covered with white raiment] like a young unicorn [rhino].
7 The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh [holiness].
9 The voice of the LORD makes the hinds to calve, and discovers the forests: and in his temple does every one speak of his glory.
10 The LORD sits upon the flood; yea, the LORD sits King for ever.
11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
