17 – 24 December 2025
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
A deeper examination of the above verse, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, and its surrounding context, reveals a much more complex imparting of necessary understanding. The following verse says, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
The word “commanded” is paragello (para angel), meaning passing on this message as received from the LORD who possesses the speaker. The word rendered “disorderly” is the twice used word ataktos (814), from the once used ataktos (813, with a different “o”), said to mean “from 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of 5021 [tasso – orderly arranged]; unarranged, i.e. (by implication) insubordinate (religiously):–unruly.” The (LORD’s) intended affinity of these words is to the words ater, meaning “aloof, i.e. apart from (literally or figuratively),” and ktaomai, meaning “to get, i.e. acquire (by any means; own).”
In context, the word ataktos speaks of these individuals not being possessed by the LORD, and therefore (having not done the work) have not acquired the knowledge needed to discern good and evil (words), and who (without it) shouldn’t eat the teaching of others, nor should they be teachers spuing their own ignorant opinions from their disordered (sleeping and dead) minds.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly [akribos] that the day of the LORD [the expected end reached, when the light again shines] so comes as a thief [unknown] in the night [this time when the earth is covered by the darkness of man’s ignorance of Him].
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety [asphaleia – meaning certainty, speaking of when men are saying they are certain what they believe is true, and it isn’t]; then sudden [aiphnidios – literally meaning it’s when the light of the day is not shining] destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child [which is the pangs of the LORD’s coming from the belly of the earth, the hell in which it, thd earth, is held by the wicked misleaders in the government of church and state]; and they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet [guarding the mind], the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesying.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the LORD that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Friends, we have often discussed the great paradox for the sleepers: that they are willingly led by and put their trust in the very men who keep them from rising (awakening). As we know from 2 Thessalonians 2, only when these men are taken out of the way, will the sleeping rise. Paul goes on in chapter 3 to tell us to pray that we will be delivered from these wicked men (who aren’t listening to reason) so that this glorious gospel will (then) have free course. The course is though us. It is the glory of the LORD seen in us: we who have been baptized in the cloud, and have come out of the old air (into which these men’s words are sent), away from the power that now works in these children of disobedience. They are those preaching their own ways: their same old corrupt fables. The gospel is the truth that is the way to peace and life.
The claims of safety that precede the sudden destruction of these men are further explained by the other two instances in which the word asphaleia appears. Both are by Luke, first in Luke 1:4, speaking of the things he knows with “certainty,” and in Acts 5:23, telling of the presumed “safety” of the shut prison into which the apostles were cast (to silence them).
Luke 1
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order [anatassomai] a declaration of those things which are most surely believed [plerophoreo – meaning “to carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish”] among us,
2 Even as they [those who’ve received them from the LORD] delivered them unto us [as received], which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word [of the LORD they received];
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect [akribos] understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto you in order [kathexes – meaning afterward, after understanding, “to lay out in order”], most excellent [strengthened by receiving this understanding from the LORD] Theophilus [friends, loved, christened of God],
4 That you might know the certainty [asphaleia – the true security in knowing the truth] of those things, wherein you have been instructed [here, in this writing, taught by the present LORD].
The following, ending with Hebrews 6, is the post of 9 February 2018, with today’s additions in double brackets.
For when they Shall Say, “Peace and Safety;” then Sudden Destruction Comes upon them, as Travail Upon a Woman with Child; and they Shall Not Escape.
Continuing: the above quote is from 1 Thessalonians 5:3 and uses many specific words, which, when expanded, reveal the idea the message is meant to convey at this time. (As we know, the expansion [[the firmament]] of very little to nourish the masses is the LORD again taking a few fish [[the life below the surface]] and several loaves [[leavened with truth]] and with it feeding those who’ve come to hear Him.)
Paul’s focus in writing the above verse is to tell of the moment the LORD appears (is realized) and its resulting in the end of the control darkness and sleep have over those then born into the light. We see this fruit in Zechariah 3:10, as it tells us of when the priesthood is raised from corruption and cleansed, and every man is called (to sit and eat it) under the vine and the fig tree [[though which flows life, which produced good fruit]].
Zechariah 3 begins by defining those who are resisting the angel (messenger) of the LORD, and we know the word here translated “resist” is the Hebrew word satan, who is also then named. We know from what follows that the message resisted is one that plucks out those who were in the fire. The plucking out [harpazo [[rendered “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 – the Greek equivelant of the Hebrew word natsal, which appears here]]] is what Paul has just spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which we know these men, [[the resisters]] in Zechariah, are defined as Satan [[who possesses their minds]], have by this same filth defiled the meaning into one that denies the LORD at His appearing.
The fires are spoken of as Paul begins 2 Thessalonians 1:7 after he first tells of the LORD recompensing (rewarding) tribulation upon those who are troubling us. We know he goes on in the following chapter to define these men [[possessed by and the doing the work of Satan]] as the wicked one sitting in the seat of God, opposing [[resisting]] the truth as the LORD appears with it, in the same flaming fire [[against those resisting the cleansing]], taking vengeance on those who refuse to obey the gospel. Paul concludes in 2 Thessalonians 3 by urging all to pray for us, “that the word of the LORD may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you [[received as the word of God, as it is]]: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith [[that the LORD is with us, in us]]. 3 But the LORD is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.”
2 Thessalonians 1
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the LORD Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the LORD, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed [[to be the word of God with us, in us]]) in that day.
Zachariah 3
1 And he shewed me Joshua [[the priesthood]] the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke you, O Satan; even the LORD that has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you: is not this a brand plucked [[natsal – harpazo, “caught up”]] out of the fire?
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments [[spotted by the flesh]], and stood before the angel.
4 And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with change of raiment [[which is the LORD’s righteousness]].
5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments [[of the cleansed priesthood]]. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
6 And the angel of the LORD protested [[reiterated]] unto Joshua, saying,
7 Thus says the LORD of hosts; If you will walk in my ways, and if you will keep my charge, then you shall also judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you places to walk among these that stand by.
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you, and your fellows that sit before you: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch [[through whom comes this fruit]].
9 For behold the stone [[from where flows this word of God as life-giving waters from heaven]] that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes [[the church seeing as the LORD sees]]: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof [[writing this word from the mouth of the LORD]], says the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land [[‘erets – the earth]] in one day.
10 In that day [[this time when light has returned to the earth]], says the LORD of hosts [[who is a man of war – see Exodus 15:3]], shall you call every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree [[from where life flows, which produces good fruit]].
The Greek word translated “travail” in the 1 Thessalonians 5:3, is odin, and is only used three other times. In Matthew 24:8 and Mark 13:8, it is the word translated “sorrow” as the LORD defines the early indications of His appearing. In Matthew, the first of these precursors that the LORD describes is those who will come in His name and will deceive many. He tells us they will say, I am Christ, and use this claim as the way to deceive. It is speaking of those coming in the name of Jesus, saying they are anointed (christos) to teach His word, which the LORD says will deceive many. The word used there, translated as “deceive” is planao.
Here again is the Strong’s Dictionary definition: Strong’s #4105: planao (pronounced plan-ah’-o) from 4106; to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue):– go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.
As discussed in prior posts, planao is from the word planos, meaning roving, and by implication, an imposter or misleader. This idea becomes apparent when we realize it’s the origin of the English word planet, which appear in the night sky as stars, and is known as a planet when it doesn’t keep a fixed position. The stars [[God’s people enlightened by Him]] are fixed and therefore can be used to navigate at night, but if one uses a planet to navigate in darkness, they go astray. This is the deception the LORD is speaking of as He warns against those in pulpits in church and state, who claim to know the way when in fact all they offer is an accepted means [[flawed opinions]] of deception [[even if doing it with good intentions]].
In the one other use of the word odin we are told of these being the “pains” of death, which crucified the LORD but were unable to hold Him there, of which we are now eyewitnesses.
Acts 2
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit [[through the comforter: My presence unknown]] upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [[speak this word of God as received]], and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
20 The sun [[church as an institution]] shall be turned into darkness [[ignoirant of the LORD]], and the moon into blood [[civil governemtn drainin g the loife of those they govern]], before the great and notable day of the LORD come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name [[identity]] of the LORD shall be saved.
22 You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24 Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains [[odin]] of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
25 For David speaks concerning him, I foresaw the LORD always before my face [[knowing He is always with me, in me]], for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope [[in knowing that when I die He will raise me up again to life]]:
27 Because you will not leave my soul in hell, neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life; you shall make me full of joy with [[realizing]] your countenance [[Your presence with me, in me]].
29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him [[to raise me from death and hell]], that of the fruit of his loins, [[his seed]] according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost [[His presence alive in me, unknown to the world]], he has shed forth this [[this word that witnesses to the LORD’s presence]], which you now see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he says himself, The LORD [[Jehovah]] said unto my LORD [[‘adown – Joseph, from whose seed came both David and Jesus]], Sit you on my right hand, [[1 Chronicles 5:1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons [seed] of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. 2 For Judah prevailed [gabar – referring to its use in Genesis 49:26, speaking of Josephe prevailing, by the LORD’s blessing of this deep understanding {abiding in Bethlehem Ephratah: an Ephraimite abiding in Judah, through the seed of the woman who brings forth the man child, as foretold by John in Revelation 12}] above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was [is] Joseph’s:)]]
35 Until I make your foes your footstool.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made the same Jesus [[Jehovah’s Salvation manifested in the flesh]], whom you have crucified, both LORD and Christ.
[[Genesis 49
22 Joseph [David’s ‘adown, LORD] is a fruitful bough [the Branch, from whom comes the fruit and seed], even a fruitful bough by a well [a tree of life by these waters of God]; whose branches run over the wall [the wall of lies men have created and teach]:
23 The archers [ba’al – the gods of this world whose teaching has blinded all from seeing the Father, in the son, who is the seed of the women who brings forth the man child – see Revelation 12:5] have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
24 But his bow [qasheth – the rightly divided light, by which we prevail] abode in strength [understanding in the cloud], and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands [this work] of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is [come] the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
25 Even by the God of your father, who shall help you; and by the Almighty, who shall bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies under [the deep meaning that lies below the surface], blessings of the breasts, and of the womb [seed, the son]:
26 The blessings of your father have prevailed [[gabar]] above the blessings of my progenitors [all those who have come before us, and were only blessed with part of what is perfected in our return to the LORD] unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they [these blessings] shall be on the head [in the minds] of Joseph [his seed], and on the crown of the head of him that was separate [nazar – as in Jesus of Nazareth mentioned in Acts 2:22 above] from his brethren.]]
When Paul tells of these men, the antichrists in church and state who have led all astray, saying, “Peace and safety,” the word he uses, rendered “safety,” is asphaleia, only used two other times. It means, will not fail. In the case of these men’s deception, it is their foundational ideas [[stoicheion – the elements in 2 Peter 3, which melt away in the fires they themselves have created]], spoken of in Acts 5:23, where the prison keepers found the cells shut with all “safety,” but there was no one inside. It is the false security of deception, which is nothing more than a locked cell with no one inside, and the angel of the LORD, these messages, have freed those it once held captive.
Acts 5
19 But the angel of the LORD by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life [[as received]].
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning [[the light of this new day come]], and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety [[asphaleia]], and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. [[Isaiah 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.]]
Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn [[leading into all truth those recognizing the fallen condition of the institutions of church and state]];
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD [[in the earth]], that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6 But you shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: you shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall you boast yourselves.
7 For your shame you shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD has blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the LORD God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
The only other time asphaleia is used is by Luke in Luke 1:4 as he describes the things he is teaching and passing on, so we will know with “certainty.”
Luke 1
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto you in order, most excellent Theophilus [loved of God],
4 That you might know the certainty [[asphaleia]] of those things, wherein you have been instructed.
Asphaleia is from the word asphales, a word only used five times, also meaning will not fail. It is used three times in Acts, all while telling of those not able to know for certain if the accusations made against those the LORD sent to speak in His name were true.
The other two times the word (asphales) is used, it is to tell us what we can be certain of.
The first is in Philippians 3:1 as Paul tells of writing the “same things” for our certainty. It is the word there translated “safe.” As we know from previous studies, in chapter 2, Paul speaks of Epaphroditus, a name translated into meaning he is one transformed from a deceiver into a now useful teacher. Infidelity [[not remaining faithful to the LORD]] is the near-death sickness once afflicting him, and of which he is now recovered and sent with Paul’s endorsement of health.
The commandment of the LORD and His will for all those who are deceived or teaching deception, is, “pulling [harpazo] them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 1:23 (See Zechariah 3:2)
2 Peter 3
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but [[He]] is [[always with us]] 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 [[unknown among us]] as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens [[the corrupted places where understanding should be found but isn’t]] shall pass away with a great noise [[this voice of the LORD]], and the elements [[stoicheion – the corrupt foundational ideas of men]] shall melt with fervent heat [[this same voice as fire from His mouth, against the fires these men have caused]], the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
1 Corinthians 3:15
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Philippians 2
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil you my joy, that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name [[Timothy, I Am, who is Jesus, Jehovah’s Salvation first manifested in the flesh, which is His and my identity]] which is above every name:
10 That at the name [[manifested identity]] of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is [[the]] LORD [[alive in us]], to the glory of God the Father [[with us: Immanuel]].
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputing:
15 That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights [[life and understanding]] in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice [[as the LORD is manifested present therein]] with you all.
18 For the same cause also do you joy, and rejoice with me.
19 But I trust in the LORD Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
22 But you know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he has served with me in the gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24 But I trust in the LORD that I also myself shall come shortly.
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus [[the cleansed priesthood]], my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that you had heard that he had been sick.
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
29 Receive him therefore in the LORD with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Philippians 3
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the LORD. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe [[aspahles – will not fail]].
2 Beware of dogs [[those barking ignorance in the darkness]], beware of evil workers, beware of the concision [[those claiming they are the true believers, who have no idea the things they are sure of are untrue]].
3 For we are the circumcision [[the true believers]], which worship God in the spirit [[who cannot fail]], and rejoice in [[the realization of]] Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the [[corruptible]] flesh.
The final use of asphales is in telling of the promises of the LORD, and of our hope in being “sure.” It appears in Hebrews 6:19, a chapter we know begins by telling of our going on into perfection. The Greek word there in verse 1, translated “let us go on unto,” is written as pherometha, literally and contextually meaning to be carried into the midst of perfection. We know it is the LORD carrying us by His Spirit, and warning against drawing back, failing to reach perfection.
The perfection and the hope are defined in Hebrews 7:19, when it says, “19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” Drawing near to God is what is spoken of in Hebrews 6:19 when it tells of our entering through the veil [[seeing what is veiled in flesh]], and says it is our hope, to go where [[into the Father’s presence]] the forerunner went.
What follows in Hebrews 7 tells us what our hope is in: the LORD, ever the priest who carries us to Himself. I am the one [[first]] risen from the dead, in the order of Melchisedec, the Spirit of the LORD risen in me, reconciling the world to Himself, bringing many sons to glory. It is our faith, hope, and, through the charity of the LORD, our perfection.
Hebrews 7
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The LORD swore and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 6
12 That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men truly swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable [[unchanging and unchangable]] things [[that cannot fail]], in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure [[asphales – will not fail]] and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Speaking of the “sudden” destruction that comes upon those thinking there is safety in the things they believe to be true, which aren’t, the word aiphnidios appears one other time, in Luke 21:34.
Luke 21
22 For these be the days of vengeance [ekdikesis – meaning “vindication, retribution,” from ek, meaning from where, or through, comes dike, meaning “right (as self-evident), i.e. justice (the principle, a decision, or its execution)”], that all things which are written may be fulfilled. [Referring to Deuteronomy 32:35 & 41, verse 30 there speaking of the LORD, our Rock, selling {makar} us into this moment, from where we are redeemed in His vengeance, vindication as a blessing upon the desolate, by which the new heaven and earth are blessed {makarios}]
23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath [this word rejected when it comes as a sword from His mouth] upon this people.
24 And they shall fall [as the stars from heaven: found to be without understanding of the moment] by the edge [stoma – the LORD’s mouth] of the sword [machaira, with affinity to makarios, refer to the Hebrew words mah charar, meaning what is forged in the fires, like a sword, of the LORD’s anger], and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles [those who don’t know the LORD, at His coming], until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled [pleroo – complete, when none know Him, as it is this day].
25 And there shall be signs [these are the signs, semeion, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, which are the deceptions and delusion that come by the work of Satan, which result in none knowing the LORD, and therefore refusing the love of His truth, this word from His mouth] in the sun [chruch found without understanding], and in the moon [civil government, draining life], and in the stars [God’s people who should have His light shining from them into the darkness]; and upon the earth distress of nations [of all who haven’t known Him with us, in us], with perplexity; the sea [humanity] and the waves [those risen over it, swelled with pride in what they think the know] roaring [speaking in the LORD’s name against Him];
26 Men’s hearts [minds] failing them for fear [of opposing these proud waves], and for looking after those things which are [unexpected] coming on the earth: for the [corrupt] powers of heaven shall be shaken [by his voice now shaking heaven and earth, to shake the wicked from them]. [Hebrews 12:25 See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven {this place of full understanding}: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made {by men}, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.]
27 And then [when the things men have created and put in the LORD’s place are removed] shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud [the place where understanding is in separated elements, from where they are brought together and now sent] with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass [as you now see them], then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh.
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth [as does His word here], you see and know of your own selves that summer [as in the quwts, the awakening] is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass [the LORD’s words here come and grown into a great tree], know you that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 Truly I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled [ginomai – “to cause to be (“gen”-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being)”].
33 [The old and corrupt] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words [this word] shall not pass away [parerchomai – referring us to its use in 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night {unknown in the darkness, ignorance that covers the world}; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise {the voice of the LORD heard from His mouth}, and the elements {stoicheion – the corrupt foundational ideas of man, only knowing a small part of the bigger picture} shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.].
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts [minds] be overcharged with surfeiting [kraipale – only used here, meaning “a headache (as a seizure of pain) from drunkenness”], and drunkenness [methe – meaning an intoxicant, as in minds confused by what they have consumed], and cares of this life, and so that day [this time when light, understanding, has] come upon you unawares [asphnidios].
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Deuteronomy 32
28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end [‘achariyth – this after effect now come]!
30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them [makar – made them surrender], and the LORD had shut them up [cagar – let them surrender]?
31 For [they must see] their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies [as false rocks] themselves being judges.
32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom [flames], and of the fields of Gomorrah [ruin]: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:
33 Their wine is the poison [words] of dragons [tanniyn – men as serpents and whales, devouring their prey with wide open mouths], and the cruel venom [words] of asps.
34 Is not this laid up in store [kamac – stored away] with me, and sealed up [chatham – made apparent, uncovered] among my treasures?
35 To me belongs vengeance [in this word revealed] and recompence [a just reward to those who’ve refused it]; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself [nacham – He has come as the comforter to lead us into all truth, to change our minds by His correction] for his servants, when he sees that their power [yad – to work their own way out] is gone, and there is none shut up [‘atsar – none who retain His knowledge], or left [with the understanding to refuse evil and choose good].
37 And he shall say, Where are their [false] gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
38 Which [false teacher and false prophets] did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.
39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no [false] god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand [yad – from this work].
40 For I lift up my hand [yad – this work] to heaven, and say, I live forever.
41 If I whet my glittering sword, and my hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to my enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
42 I will make my arrows [My people I send with this word] drunk with blood, and my sword [this word from My mouth] shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.
43 Rejoice, O you nations [all who haven’t known Me], with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land [‘adamah – this first generation of My new creation], and to his people.
The “snare” spoken of by the LORD, in Luke 21:35 above, is from the five times used Greek word pagis, which speaks of this word of God, with which men who refuse the LORD’s teaching and are therefore unlearned and unstable, wrestle to their own destruction (forever learning things that aren’t true and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth).
Psalms 104
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty.
2 Who covers yourself with light [understanding] as with a garment: who stretches out the heavens like a curtain:
3 Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters [His word]: who makes the clouds [where understanding is kept when it is removed from the earth] his chariot: who walks upon the wings [kanaph] of the wind:
4 Who makes his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled; at the voice of your thunder [the sound of understanding] they hastened away.
8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which you have founded for them.
9 You have set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
10 He sends the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
13 He waters the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your works.
14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
15 And wine that [changes minds] makes glad the heart of man, and oil [that fuels the light] to make his face to shine [paniym – His presence giving us light, understanding], and bread [God’s word expanded upon] which strengthens man’s heart [rational mind].
16 The trees [upright] of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon [purity], which he has planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
19 He appointed the moon [civil governments] for seasons: the sun [the church] knows his going down.
20 You make darkness [ignorance], and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21 The young lions [the second face of the unfolding presence of the LORD God] roar [His word] after their prey, and seek their meat [this deep understanding] from God.
22 The sun [the church] arises, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goes forth unto his work and [like an ox, the third face in the wheel within a wheel] to his labor until the evening.
24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! in wisdom have you made them all: the earth is full of your riches [the treasure from His storehouse].
25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships [in the church institution]: there is that leviathan [the priesthood], whom you have made to play therein.
27 These wait all upon you; that you may give them their meat [this deep understanding] in due season.
28 That you give them they gather: you open your hand, they are filled with good.
29 You hide your face [paniym – His presence], they are troubled: you take away their breath, they die, and return to their dust [‘aphar – the ashes of the earth’s ruin without Him].
30 You send forth your spirit, they are created [again from the ashes]: and you renew the face of [paniym – by Your presence] the earth.
31 The glory of the LORD shall endure forever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
32 He looks on the earth, and it trembles [ra’ad]: he touches the hills, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless you the LORD, O my soul. Praise you the LORD.
