Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Those above said to be “grieved” are “the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees [the religious who deny there’s a resurrection from death].”
The word “grieved” is the twice-used Greek word diaponeo; from dia, meaning the channel through which comes an act; and ponos, a three times used word, always rendered “pain.” It (ponos) only appears in Revelation, there, in Revelation 16:10 & 11, telling of it as the response to the angel pouring out the vials of God’s wrath; and in Revelation 21:4 telling of when this “pain” is ended.
In the latter verse (21:4), it comes just after Isaiah 25:8 is quoted, saying it is when God wipes away all tears from our eyes, which Isaiah says is when death is swallowed up in victory.
These deeper references are to what is occurring in the title verse, Acts 4:2, in the churches (synagogues), when those controlling them, teaching the creations of men, are pained by their own words (tongues). Their words are opposing God’s, when He comes to lead His people into all truth, in His angel, His messenger, the LORD of hosts, unknown as the man of war. He comes to lead us into all truth, with His one message, which is the comfort of those who receive Him and wrath to His enemies who refuse to repent, who choose darkness because their deeds are evil.
The word in the title verse rendered “preached” is the seventeen times used word kataggello, from the word kata, meaning down, and aggelos, meaning “a messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication, a pastor:–angel, messenger.” The word rendered “through” is the Greek word en, meaning “in, at, (up-)on, by, etc.” These words are speaking of the risen LORD bringing His “message down,” from heaven (full understanding) in His messenger, His angel, teaching (comfort and wrath).
Only the willfully blind, with eyes full of tears, cannot clearly see the cohesion in these verses. The LORD has come to wipe away all tears. But the wicked, whose deeds are evil, will, by choice, remain in ignorance and dead.
Isaiah 57
1 The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart: and merciful men are taken away [from the corrupt house of God], none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
3 But draw near hither, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.
4 Against whom do you sport yourselves? against whom make you a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are you not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood.
5 Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the cliffs of the rocks?
6 Among the smooth stones of the stream is your portion; they, they are your lot: even to them have you poured a drink offering, you have offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?
7 Upon a lofty and high mountain have you set your bed: even thither went you up to offer sacrifice.
8 Behind the doors also and the posts have you set up your remembrance: for you have discovered yourself to another than me, and are gone up; you have enlarged your bed, and made you a covenant with them; you loved their bed where you saw it.
9 And you went to the king with ointment, and did increase your perfumes, and did send your messengers far off, and did debase yourself even unto hell.
10 You are wearied in the greatness of your way; yet said you not, There is no hope: you have found the life of your hand; therefore you were not grieved.
11 And of whom have you been afraid or feared, that you have lied, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and you fear me not?
12 I will declare your righteousness, and your works; for they shall not profit you.
13 When you cry, let your companies deliver you; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that puts his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
14 And shall say, Cast you up, cast you up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
16 For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
17 For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on forwardly [twisting and perverting truth] in the way of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Isaiah 25
1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things; your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
2 For you have made of a city a heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
3 Therefore shall the strong people glorify you, the city of the terrible nations shall fear you.
4 For you have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
5 You shall bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.
6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the LORD God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD has spoken it.
9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab [the gates of hell] shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.
11 And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swims spreads forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.
12 And the fortress of the high fort of your walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.
Ezekiel 32
2 Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt [the great house, family, of the oppressors], and say unto him, You are like a young lion of the nations, and you are as a whale in the seas [your ever open mouths, swallowing the people of the world and carrying them into the belly of hell]: and you came forth with your rivers [that carried your words to the sea], and troubled the waters with your feet [by your ways you clouded the waters, so your evil intention in it wasn’t seen], and fouled their rivers [you corrupted all discourse with your lies].
3 Thus says the LORD God; I will therefore spread out my net over you with a company of many people; and they shall bring you up in my net [the snare upon all the earth, from which you will not escape].
4 Then will I leave you upon the land [in plain sight where all can see your evil ways], I will cast you forth upon the open field, and will cause all the fowls of the heaven to remain upon you, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with you.
5 And I will lay your flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with your height.
6 I will also water with your blood the land wherein you swim, even to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of you.
7 And when I shall put you out, I will cover the heaven [the place where understanding is], and make the stars thereof dark [the people at large have become ignorant]; I will cover the sun with a cloud [the church will not understand because the elements of understanding have been removed from the earth], and the moon shall not give her light [neither shall there be any understanding in the civil governments].
8 All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and set darkness [ignorance] upon your land, says the LORD God [as it is this day].
9 I will also vex the hearts of many people, when I shall bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries which you have not known [as it is this day].
10 Yea, I will make many people amazed at you, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for you, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at every moment, every man for his own life, in the day of your fall.
11 For thus says the LORD God; The sword of the king of Babylon [the sword of confusion now turned to mass delusion] shall come upon you.
12 By the swords [the word of God from my mouth] of the mighty will I cause your multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations, all of them: and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed.
13 I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them [the waters] any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them.
14 Then will I make their waters deep [as now, when the deep is uncovered and understanding has returned], and cause their rivers to run like oil [of this anointing], says the LORD God.
15 When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that whereof it was full, when I shall smite all them that dwell therein, then shall they know that I am the LORD.
16 This is the lamentation wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for her, even for Egypt, and for all her multitude, says the LORD God.
17 It came to pass also in the twelfth year, in the fifteenth day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
18 Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt [of the oppressors], and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.
19 Whom do you pass in beauty [na’em – who are those who are in agreement with your evil misleading]? go down, and be you laid with the uncircumcised [in the grave, in hell, in the flesh].
20 They shall fall in the midst of them that are slain by the sword [the word of God from my mouth]: she is delivered to the sword: draw her and all her multitudes.
21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell [Sheol – this habitation of the dead] with them that help [‘azar – “Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helps {‘azar} shall fall, and he that is helped {‘azar} shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.”] him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised [in the flesh in hell], slain by the sword.
22 Asshur [the communists] is there and all her company: his graves are about him: all of them slain, fallen by the sword:
23 Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit, and her company is round about her grave: all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which caused terror in the land of the living.
24 There is Elam [eternity] and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.
25 They have set her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword: though their terror was caused in the land of the living, yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit: he is put in the midst of them that be slain.
26 There is Meshech [those the LORD has drawn out into open sight], Tubal [who He has brought to this time and place], and all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them uncircumcised [the dead in the flesh, on the earth, in hell], slain by the sword, though they caused their terror in the land of the living.
27 And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.
28 Yea, you shall be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised, and shall lie with them that are slain with the sword.
29 There is Edom [the enemies mixed among us], her kings, and all her princes, which with their might are laid by them that were slain by the sword: they shall lie with the uncircumcised [in the flesh], and with them that go down to the pit [into the hell they’ve dug].
30 There be the princes of the north [darkness – ignorance cause by the truth they hide: censor], all of them, and all the Zidonians [those who hunt souls], which are gone down with the slain; with their terror they are ashamed of their might; and they lie uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword, and bear their shame [when they realize they haven’t reach the end they sought] with them that go down to the pit [of hell].
31 Pharaoh shall see them [all His people dead in the flesh], and shall be comforted [then shall he understand] over all his multitude, even Pharaoh and all his army slain by the sword [the word of God], says the LORD God.
32 For I have caused my terror in the land of the living: and he shall be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised [in the flesh] with them that are slain with the sword [this word of God], even Pharaoh and all his multitude, says the LORD God.
Ezekiel 47
1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward [from darkness], and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looks eastward [toward the light rising]; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
3 And when the man that had the line [assessing the condition of this generation] in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters [this word of God]; the waters were to the ankles.
4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
6 And he said unto me, Son of man, have you seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea [the people of the world at large – the nations]: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters [truth shall be restored to discourse and good leadership] shall be healed.
9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that lives, which moves, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river comes.
10 And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
11 But the miry places thereof and the marshes thereof shall not be healed [the waters fouled by the wicked]; they shall be given to salt.
12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
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 [understanding]: and they shall reign forever 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.
Friends, Paul, speaking of preaching (kataggello) in Philippians 1:16, says there are some that teach Christ out of a desire to be “contentious.” The word there rendered “contention” is the seven times used Greek word eritheia, meaning “intrigue, i.e. (by implication) faction:–contention(-ious), strife.” It’s from a prolonged derivative of the word eris, meaning “a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling:–contention, debate, strife, variance.” It is speaking what Paul tells Timothy, in 2 Timothy 2:23, to avoid foolish and unlearned questions, “knowing that they do gender strife.”
When Paul speaks of “teaching Christ,” he is bringing attention to the obvious point, that if Christ is in Him, and presumed in those striving with Him, then He is denying Himself. He is speaking of the LORD’s approval, proving He is in us speaking, as masters of His making, against who all others should keep silent (because it becomes evident, by their errors in spiritual discernment, the LORD’s presence isn’t in them).
2 Timothy 2
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 [at His manifestation], he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not [that He is manifesting His presence speaking to us], yet he abides faithful [long suffering, not willing that any should perish, by that all should come to repentance]: [and when he awakens them] he [in them] cannot deny himself [in us].
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 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 [who hide behind the mask of spurious love, and forbid those who follow them from joining with the LORD, leaving their corrupt houses and coming into His ONE BODY];
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection [which comes when the sleeping awaken and we all rise with the LORD in His ONE BODY] is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The LORD knows them [the sleeping and the awake] 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 [taking out of the way the vessels that dishonor God], he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s [despotes – absolute ruler’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 [are intended to produce endless argument – because they will never admit I Am “meet” for the Master’s use].
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 [misleaders among them], who are taken captive by him at his will.
In 1 Timothy 6:1, Paul tells servants to count their masters (despotes) worthy of all honor, that the name of God and His doctrine (teaching) be not blasphemed. In verse 2, he says, to those who have masters that believe Christ is us, who are thereby brethren, to “do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.”
The Greek word rendered “partakers” is the three times used word is antilambanomai, meaning “to take hold of in turn, i.e. succor [rescue]; also to participate:–help, partaker, support.” It is from two words; anti, meaning to be opposite or instead of; and lambano, meaning to take hold of, or to remove or seize. Paul tells of the master as the One sent in to displace those who must be removed (because they have seized God’s people, hold them down, and will do so until displaced: taken out of the way).
It (antilambanomai), in context describing this definition, appears in Acts 20:35, where Luke documents Paul’s saying it, and the same in Luke 1:54. This latter passage is referring us to Isaiah 49, where the LORD speaks of hearing us, helping us, calling us His servants, to raise Israel to life in His ONE BODY.
Acts 20
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men [because I have warned you as the LORD commanded].
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed [be warned] therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock [warn them], over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased [redeemed] with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter [as they have, and scattered you into powerlessness] in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise [taking hold of you and holding you down], speaking perverse things, [putting themselves in God’s place] to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified [separated to God, rescued from the hold of wicked men].
33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shown you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support [antilambanomai – displace those holding down God’s people] the weak, and to remember the words of the LORD Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give [this word] than to receive [for giving it, which is charity and godliness].
Luke 1
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed [that God’s is in us]: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the LORD.
46 And Mary [who has now rebelled against the status quo] said, My soul does magnify the LORD,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden [raised up {nasa’} the handmaid who is heir to her mistress {the status quo} – Proverbs 30:21 thru 23]: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty has done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he has sent empty away.
54 He has helped [antilambanomai – freed from those holding down] his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spoke [promised] to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.
Isaiah 49
5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb [see Luke 1:44 above] to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered [into ONE BODY], yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
6 And he said, It is a light thing that you shouldest be my [your master’s] servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the Gentiles, that you mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth [the beginning of this new heaven and earth].
7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel [who bought him], and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose you.
8 Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you [as in Luke 1:54 above]: and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That you mayest say to the prisoners [held captives: held down], Go forth; to them that are in darkness [who were in ignorance], Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways [derek – see Luke 1:53], and their pastures shall be in all high places.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them [the fire in the churches, caused by corrupt elements: ideas and ways, of the men who’ve seized and hold them]: for he that has mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
11 And I will make all my mountains a way [derek, God’s ways of enlightening, and His just wrath, now willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance], and my highways shall be [the only way] exalted [ruwm – raised].
22 Thus saith the LORD God, Behold, I will lift up [nasa’] mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up [ruwm – exalt] my standard [nec – the pole upon which the son of man must be, has been, lifted, as a master above all others] to the people: and they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
23 And kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers [the men in governments, in church and state, shall be your servants, as they should be]: they shall bow down to you with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty [powers of this world, and God’s people who are their prey], or the lawful captive [the mighty of this corrupt world, who hold you down] delivered?
25 But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away [from them], and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contends with you, and I will save your children.
26 And I will feed them that oppress you with their own flesh [their own corruption]; and they shall be drunken with their own blood [the life they drain from the world], as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
1 Timothy 6
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke [in work, bound together with] count their own masters [despotes] worthy of all honor [time – the highest place, the price paid to purchase {Tim}], that the name of God and his doctrine [didaskalia – this teaching] be not blasphemed.
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of [antilambanomai – displacers of those holding God’s people down] the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our LORD Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine [didaskalia – this teaching] which is according to godliness; [1 Timothy 3: 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit {revealed in the manifestation}, seen of angels {those who become His messengers – yoked together with Him in this work of teaching}, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up [above all others, as master, King of kings, and LORD of Lords] into glory.]
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmising,
5 Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain [of money, which they love] is godliness: from such withdraw yourself.
6 But godliness [God manifested in our flesh] with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition [apoleia – taken away in their own errors, melting away in the heat of the fires their ideas and ways have caused].
[2 Peter 2:15 And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrestle, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction {apoleia – unto their own melting away}.]
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, O man of God [only used {New Testament} of Timothy], flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give you charge in the sight of God, who quickens all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That you keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing [the manifestation in my flesh] of our LORD Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate [most mighty], the King of kings, and LORD of lords;
16 Who only has immortality, dwelling in the light [understanding] which no man can approach unto; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor [time – who bought His people with a price] and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good [lead as God leads], that they be rich in good works [yoked with Him], ready to distribute [freely giving as He has given us], willing to communicate [this word];
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to your trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called [avoiding pseudo-science that rules the day – errors which are at best ignorance, and in most cased outright known lies used to control and manipulate men, for the love of money]:
21 Which some professing [such ignorance and lies] have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
The word rendered “benefit,” in 1 Timothy 6:2 above, of which we are partakers (antilambanomai), is the twice used Greek word euergesia, meaning a good deed done (Divine beneficence). The one other time it appears is in Acts 4:9, where it’s “the good deed done,” teaching which, in the title verse, “grieved” the religious powers sitting in God’s seat. These men are those who deny the LORD who bought them, as He comes as light (understanding), which they reject, because their deeds are evil (misleading). They choose to perish in the darkness rather than repent.
Acts 4
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have you done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done [euergesia] to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by [en – through God in Him] the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by [en – in] him does this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders [the religious who are grieved by their own evil ideas and ways, and their refusal to repent], which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled [their eyes were opened]; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus [and His teaching was in them Him alive doing good deeds].
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing [risen] with them, they could say nothing against it.
Revelation 16
1 And I heard a great voice [of God] out of the temple saying to the seven angels [messengers, doing the work commanded by the master’s One voice], Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God [His word, light and comfort to the repentant and wrath and perdition to those who reject it] upon the earth.
2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast [confusion now turned mass delusion, which leads men into misery, death, and hell], and upon them which worshipped his image [marked by the same confusion].
3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea [all humanity]; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea [because they were led into it].
4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters [the words of intentional delusion, that flow now to all humanity]; and they became blood [what drained the life from this generation and keeps it down and dead].
5 And I heard the angel of the waters say [God’s word showing these things and calling all to repentance], You are righteous, O LORD, which are, and were, and shall be, because you have judged thus.
6 For they [the wicked exalted to power and sitting in Your place] have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, LORD God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.
8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun [the church]; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire [the fires caused by those whose ideas and ways have replaced God’s].
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which has power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast [the powers of the world, in church and state, united in Babylon, meaning mass confusion and delusion]; and his kingdom was full of darkness [ignorance]; and they gnawed their tongues for [their words that are the cause of their] pain [ponos],
11 And blasphemed the God of heaven [they vilified God and His word of full understanding] because of their pains [ponos] and their sores [the cause of their wounds], and repented not of their [evil misleading] deeds.
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up [so the evil misleading hidden below the surface of their waters {word} are seen], that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [that were before hidden in their words {waters}] come out of the mouth [words] of the dragon [devouring all who follow them], and out of the mouth [words] of the beast [Babylon – of confusion now turned mass delusion], and out of the mouth [words] of the false prophet [telling people, broadcasting to the world, lies saying they know what is coming, meant to manipulate, deceive, and destroy the earth with fear of imaginary monsters, misleading away from the salvation in God’s word, His good deeds in His good leading].
14 For they are the spirits of devils [misleaders], working miracles [lies they say they see, created illusions], which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief [unknown in the night; to the ignorant who aren’t watching]. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments [purity, so you will understand the LORD at His appearing and kingdom, which these misleaders hide in the ignorance they spew], lest [they take away your purified mind, and] he walk naked, and they see his shame [when he doesn’t reach the expected end].
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon [this mountain, the high place of the LORD where his voice is heard, of the arranged time and place, of our comfort and the enemy’s perdition].
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air [to clear it, so we plainly see and understanding all things]; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven [full understanding], from the throne, saying, “It is done.”
18 And there were voices, and thunders [voices of understanding], and lightnings [and understanding]; and there was a great earthquake [and the earth is shaken, so the wicked are shaken from it], such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon [the rule of confusion] came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away [all the places without this word of God], and the mountains [the corrupt high places that have risen over the earth] were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail [this word of God, that was frozen, reserved in heaven, with God who only has full understanding, sent as fire to the earth to destroy the current crop of misleaders] out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God [vilified His word] because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Friends, the despotes (master) is the LORD coming and revealing Himself, in His king, as His chosen supreme ruler of the earth. Of the ten times, the word appears, five its rendered “master,” and the others it’s rendered “LORD.”
Acts 4
23 And being let go [by those hold them down, not permitting them to speak this word of God openly], they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, LORD [despotes – master, who rules this world], you are God, which have made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of your servant David have said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the LORD, and against his Christ [the master He has chosen over this world, the one in the same Psalm {Psalms 2} declares the LORD has declared him His son].
27 For of a truth against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever your hand and your counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, LORD, behold their threatening: and grant unto your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word,
30 By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together [into ONE BODY]; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Revelation 21
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea [there are only those in heaven with God and those in hell with devils].
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride [the heir] adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain [ponos]: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Earlier, in Revelation 6:10, we are told of those who’ve died (the first and their only death), who died for the word of God, and their testimony. They are asking the LORD, who they know is the master (despotes), when He is going to avenge them. He tells them to have patience, and then clothes them with white (pure) garments.
Revelation 6
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O LORD [despotes – the ruler, master, that LORD appoints over all the earth], holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white [pure] robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
2 Peter 2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [secretly, from their own imaginations, create lies] shall bring in damnable [apoleia – that cause them and those who follow their ways to perish] heresies [hairesis], even denying the LORD [despotes – the master, the ruler the LORD has chosen over all the earth] that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction [apoleia – perdition].
2 And many shall follow their pernicious [aploeia – the ways that lead to their own destruction] ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of [as it is this day].
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned [fraudulent] words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation [apoleia – perishing, perdition] slumbers not.
2 Peter 3
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God [this same word of God] the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition [apoleia] of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night [unknown, in the ignorance of men]; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [stoicheion – the corrupt foundational ideas and ways of men] shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Jude 1
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered [by this word] unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only LORD [despotes – the master chosen and sent to rule the world] God, and our LORD Jesus Christ.
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you once knew this, how that the LORD, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left [apoleipo] their own habitation [forgot they were created to give God’s word, not their own], he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness [in ignorance – having forgotten what was once known by the faithful] unto the judgment of the great day.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the LORD comes with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speak great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember you the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our LORD Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling [harpazo – “caught up”] them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted [defiled] by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Psalms 2
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD has said unto me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O you kings: be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
