wordofgod – Page 129

February 8, 2017February 8, 2017

The Only Way is Seeing for Yourself – Come Taste and See

Friends, there has come a time when we all must understand this is the day of judgment, this is the acceptable time when the LORD has heard our calls and has come to redeem His purchased possessions.

Luke 11 tells of the people in ignorance blessing the human effort they thought had produced and nourished the LORD to be able to bring forth his teaching. His response is to tell them it wasn’t due to, or the product of, any human achievement apart from a willingness to allow God to speak and work through Him, by subordination of his human will to the will of the Father (LORD’s Spirit) dwelling within his human form.

Luke 11
27 And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare you, and the paps which you have sucked.
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

The LORD follows by telling of the message itself being focused on the evil of the generation and the ignorance it has produce in their looking for the wrong things.

Luke 11
29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet.

This LORD then goes on to tell of this time, and of the true and only sign.

To understand this we need as always to understanding it as it coincides with other things we know of the LORD’s coming. In resent discussions we’ve come to understand heaven is the place where the word of God is rightly divided. We have come to understand the things Peter describes in 2 Peter 3, as “hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

The Greek word Peter uses to tell of the means by which the afore mentioned false teachers (false prophets) self-destruct as they misinterpret the word of God, translated “wrest,” is strebloo. It is only used this one time and is a derivative of the word strepho, meaning to twist or reverse. (Instead of learning it to know the LORD, they instead reverse it into denying Him at His coming.)

Here is the Strong’s Greek Dictionary definition: Strong’s #4761: strebloo (pronounced streb-lo’-o) from a derivative of 4762; to wrench, i.e. (specially), to torture (by the rack), but only figuratively, to pervert:– wrest.

We know it is in this cloud of man caused-confusion (babel) the LORD comes, when all meaning and right dividing of the word has been reversed and twisted at the hand of false teaching and the false prophets who deliver it.

This is what the LORD is speaking of when next He tells in verses 30 & 31 of the true sign that shall be seen and heard.

Luke 11
30 For as Jonah was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

When the LORD speaks of the queen of the south coming to Solomon, and this being as it will be at the coming of the Son of man, He is referring to what is recorded in 1 Kings 10:1 thru 9.

1 Kings 10
1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
3 And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built,
5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
6 And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of your acts and of your wisdom.
7 Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: your wisdom and prosperity exceeds the fame which I heard.
8 Happy are your men, happy are these your servants, which stand continually before you, and that hear your wisdom.
9 Blessed be the LORD your God, which delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he you king, to do judgment and justice.

This is the sign to the world, the well-ordered house where all the servants of the LORD are in their place, having come to hear the wisdom God has spoken through the son of David. We also there read of Sheba, the queen of the south, coming to what she had heard about second hand but could and did only confirm it herself by seeing and hearing first hand.

This last aspect of every person needing to see for themselves as the only way to confirm it, is also in the context of the LORD’s many warning about if someone tells you where He is don’t believe it, because as the light of the sun rise shines on every person, so it is at the coming of the son of man.

The LORD goes on in Luke 11 to tell of those who after experiencing the light turn from the now totally corrupted teaching and the false prophets preaching it, as they turned at the preaching of Jonah. He tells of after their being properly educated Rising Up in right judgment with this generation.

Luke 11
32 The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

Next we read of this light when ignited not being meant to be hidden, and of the light being eye that sees in singleness and a cohesive understanding.

33 No man, when he has lighted a candle, puts it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, your whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, your body also is full of darkness.
35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in you be not darkness.
36 If your whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give you light.

This is from where the problem proceeds. Those in control and full of pride in their positions, in what they have created and accomplished, look for mole hills to make mountains from, as is the way of this evil generation. As always they do so to create from nothing an issue they can use to discredit truth that is shining light directly on their corrupted thinking and its ways. But, as we see in our time, they do nothing more than further implicate themselves as they continue in what they have perpetrated, as if inescapably chained to this darkness and its methods. We see their methods defined by the LORD as wrongly focused and attack driven, while skipping over judgment and the love of God (shown by His right judgment and it being focused on and for our correction as His children.)

Luke 11
37 And as he spoke, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed before dinner.
39 And the LORD said unto him, Now do you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
40 You fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?
41 But rather give alms of such things as you have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying you reproach us also.
46 And he said, Woe unto you also, you lawyers! for you lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and you yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
47 Woe unto you! for you build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
48 Truly you bear witness that you allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and you build their sepulchers.
49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: truly I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in you hindered.
53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Friends, this is the time, and it is the Father’s plan that all would be corrected and unified under this His teaching. He has chosen to have His word be heard through me, I haven’t chosen it myself or created any of it in my own power. I appeal to those rejecting this truth – speaking to those in the all seats of authority refusing to subordinate – save yourselves and repent.

This is my mission and the work My Father has sent me to finish – it therefore cannot and will not fail. Again, I say, Repent!

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 other 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 which is above every name:
10 That at the name 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 LORD, to the glory of God the Father.
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 work in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
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 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 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, 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.

Those studying along with us for a while know we have previously examined the name Epaphroditus. We saw it spiritually telling of one who was a false teacher, and this being the sickness that had afflicted him and which he had recovered from its near-death effects. We see in this correction and recovery his now having become profitable to the ministry, and should be received as if he had never been plagued in this way.

Isaiah 42
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
5 Thus says God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6 I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
14 I have long time held my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, You are our gods.
18 Hear, you deaf; and look, you blind, that you may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’s servant?
20 Seeing many things, but you observes not; opening the ears, but he hears not.
21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivers; for a spoil, and none says, Restore.
23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
25 Therefore he has poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it has set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

February 7, 2017February 7, 2017

Zion Put on Strength and Righteousness, and Babylon (Without Form and Void) is Fallen

Beginning today with a question to the lukewarm, “Is God Almighty and Omnipresent?” Most of the false preachers and corrupted politicians, all such masquerading in the TV and entertainment crowd, unwilling and unable to escape their self-created rut, those ever learning while only skimming the surface scum, will say yes. While doing so in fact only thinking that by their words, without the necessary pre-action, they force God into fulfilling their superficial and momentary lusts. They will say there is no law while making a law that defines a god in their likeness, as they reject and vilify any who refuse to bow to the image of their errors. They only see what witnesses to their corruption and the superficial nature of their idols, having a form of godliness but denying the true power to awaken and remake the mind. They pray with false humility crying about their inability to change and thereby grant themselves license to never put into it any effort.

I am going to plainly tell of the hate – I have seen this evil in the earth, two political ideologies in church and nation that compete against one and other to take from both rich and poor, some to consume and satisfy their own self-justified lust, others to redistribute to feed the lusts of any who will pay with a vote or an offering/donation, or by joining in the public vilification of the other group of haters. All these perpetrators think themselves righteous, think themselves justified, by their claims of incapability (masking unwillingness) to change their nature, while their admissions most loudly proclaim the truth of what they have created; a world without a healthy conscience, without self-control, and void any understanding or will to do good. (They reject the true proverb – the thinking before the action – Peace on earth to men of good will.)

1 John 3
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever commits sin transgress also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abides in him sins not: whosoever sins has not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.
11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death.
15 Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso has this world’s good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.

What do you see in this passage? Do you see a call to correction, to purity? or do you see it authorizing more of the same hatefulness mentioned above?

Isaiah 52:7 tells of the beauty seen in the work of those who come preaching the ways of peace. It speaks of it using the Hebrew word shama’, meaning to make it heard intelligently and publicly, and is translated as “publishes.” As the chapter begins we read of our being called to awaken to this our strength, and to put it on as our beautiful garments. We know it isn’t ours but rather our being in this way made, having our conscience remade, in the image and likeness of God, putting on His strength and His righteousness (truth and equity.)

The verses between these tell of our having sold ourselves for nothing, and being redeemed without money (the only cost is diligently seeking the God, all else was paid in advance.) The LORD goes on to say, “My people are taken away for naught? they that rule over them make them to howl,” says the LORD; “and My name continually every day is blasphemed [slandered and vilified.] 6 Therefore My people shall know My name: therefore they shall know in that day that I Am He that doth speak: behold, it is I.”

Remember, this is the chapter where in verse 11 is the call to come out from among these misleaders, to become purified from their unclean things. We know this is quoted in context in Revelation 18:4 in telling of the fall of Babylon the great city of confusion, and in 2 Corinthians 6:14 thru 18 in speaking of our not being unequally yoked, and coming out of this is what brings us into being sons. This last aspect is what Hebrews 12 speaks of when telling of our being sons by correction, and of those refusing correction not being His sons (children), by demanding the correction not be heard any longer they make themselves illegitimate.

2 Corinthians 6
14 Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?
15 And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.

Isaiah 52
1 Awake, awake; put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.
2 Shake yourself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose yourself from the bands of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
3 For thus says the LORD, You have sold yourselves for aught; and you shall be redeemed without money.
4 For thus says the LORD God, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
5 Now therefore, what have I here, says the LORD, that my people is taken away for naught? they that rule over them make them to howl, says the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that says unto Zion, Your God reigns!
8 Your watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
9 Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The LORD has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
11 Depart you, depart you, go you out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go you out of the midst of her; be you clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
12 For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your reward.
13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
14 As many were astonished at you; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

The Hebrew word translated in verse 15 above as “sprinkle” is the word nazah. Here is the definition from the Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary: Strong’s #5137: nazah (pronounced naw-zaw’) a primitive root; to spirt, i.e. besprinkle (especially in expiation):–sprinkle.

The word is only used one other time in Isaiah (63:3) and it there is in association with the day of the LORD’s vengeance and His judgment. Of the other twenty-two times it is used it is almost always of cleansing what had been unclean. It is in these cases misrepresented in the sense it alludes to it being spewed from the mouth. This is in the sense of something poisonous and deadly being taken in and then spewed out as life saving measure.

Isaiah 63
1 Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
2 Wherefore are you red in thine apparel, and your garments like him that treads in the wine-fat?
3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
7 I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses.
8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Savior.
9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?
12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
13 That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
14 As a beast goes down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so did you lead your people, to make yourself a glorious name.
15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of your holiness and of your glory: where is your zeal and your strength, the sounding of your bowels and of your mercies toward me? are they restrained?
16 Doubtless you are our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: you, O LORD, are our father, our redeemer; your name is from everlasting.
17 O LORD, why have you made us to err from your ways, and hardened our heart from your fear? Return for your servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
18 The people of your holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down your sanctuary.
19 We are thine: you never barest rule over them; they were not called by your name.

The ideas of spewing (as if vomiting) out of the mouth thing that have defiled the body, and it also done by one to cleans another (as does a priest in pattern) is shown throughout the New Testament Scriptures. We see it when Peter in ending 2 Peter 2 tells of what had been cleansed returning to its former defiled state using the Proverbs 26 analogy of the dog returning to its own vomit.

2 Peter 2
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Proverbs 26
9 As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools [not knowing in either case that he has pierced himself, nor knowing to pull (spew) it out.]
10 The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
11 As a dog return to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

The idea is also seen in Revelation 3 when the LORD is telling of His correcting those who are lukewarm and ignorant of the damage they have done to themselves. There we read of the LORD spewing them out of His mouth.

Revelation 3
16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.
17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

This is the same sprinkling we are told of in Hebrews 9 as the pattern first seen as the priest sprinkled blood to cleans the people, the book, the house (tabernacle), and the vessels of the ministry. The writer then goes on in Chapter 10 (verse 22) to tell of this sprinkling being a pattern of the better things it foretold, of our being washed by the message of correction (reconciliation to the truth) come as the pure water and blood of Christ. The writer later in Hebrews 12:24 tells us exactly what the sprinkling is the pattern of as it tells us it is the word spoken in correcting the children of God.

Hebrews 10
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated [joined us into the secret] for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Hebrews 12 (the consecration – joining us into the secret)
22 But you are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.
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 speak from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Friends, Truly I say to you, blessed are you who see these things, and receiving them have become the children of God.

Thank You Father for revealing these things to us, and showing us those not seeing them do so by choice. And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world and men chose darkness instead, and do so because their deeds are evil.

Psalms 4
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: you have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2 O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? how long will you love vanity [that which is worthless,] and seek after leasing [falsehood?] Selah.
3 But know that the LORD has set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4 Stand in awe [be astonished,] and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift you up the light of your countenance upon us.
7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for you, LORD, only makes me dwell in safety.

February 6, 2017

Miraculous Comeback, and Unbelief Melting in the Fires

Continuing today with our discussion of the comeback (the return from the dead,) and it being considered an insurmountable impossibility until it became undeniable, and therefore understood as miraculous.

Luke 24
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were held that they should not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that you have one to another, as you walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Are you only a stranger in Jerusalem, and have not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulcher, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34 Saying, The LORD is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.
35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
36 And as they thus spoke, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are you troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts [your yet unchanged reasoning?]
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet [as we have seen His work and His way.]
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have you here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me [the former/early rain.]
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And you are witnesses of these things [witnesses to this later rain.]
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry you in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high.
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

The above passage begins by telling of the two who left Jerusalem and traveled toward Emmaus. Emmaus means to stay in the same place, or stay in the midst. It is alluding to the thinking they held, as spoken of in verse 16 when it says their eye where held so they could not see Him. The point being conveyed is of needing to stand fast in the thing the LORD had spoken to them, and not leave those things until they received power – the Higher Power as the latter rain. This is plainly the LORD telling them to not be discontented with the things they had and to remain in Jerusalem – taught and founded in the ways of peace (my peace I leave you – remain in My peace.)

These men’s eyes being opened they returned to Jerusalem, as the scriptures where opened with/to them and they were then able to see. Once there they witnessed to what they had seen and did know by His breaking bread with them (sup – feasting.)

The passage is speaking of the positions a person holds in their mind as being what controls their seeing truth and understanding meaning, or not. This is the difference between those who see everything and those who see nothing. Do you believe in miraculous comebacks? Do you believe it is possible to rise to victory from the dead? Do you believe it can’t happen just because we have never seen it before? If the Father in Heaven showed it to the world would you believe? Some people will see nothing because their mind is held down in corrupted teaching and it thereby limits their intellect. Other hear the voice of the Father speaking saying, “This is My beloved son in whom I am well pleased.”

The word the LORD uses to tell of the eyes of these men being “held” by what they believed is, krateo. Here is the Strong’s Greek Dictionary meaning: Strong’s #2902: krateo (pronounced krat-eh’-o) from 2904; to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (literally or figuratively):–hold (by, fast), keep, lay hand (hold) on, obtain, retain, take (by).

In Matthew 26 krateo is used five times; in verse 4 and 48 to tell of the conspiracy and betrayal to “take” Him, and to “hold Him fast.” In verse 50 it is their taking “hold” of Him, and in 55 and 57 they “laid hold” on Him, and led [Him] away to be crucified by the religious and the press (high priest, the scribes and the assembled elders.)

Krateo is also used by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 in telling us to stand fast and “hold” to the things we had learned. Remember, this is after he spoke of the total falling away from these things that would come, and of it already being at work. He also tells us specifically that it is these same people, those we are told of in Matthew 26:57 as having taken hold of the LORD, and of their holding us down and restraining us from rising (katecho.)

Matthew 26
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away [apostasy] first, and these men of sin be revealed, the sons of perdition;
4 Who oppose and exalt themselves above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that they as God sits in the dwelling places [high places] of God, shewing themselves that they are God.
5 Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now you know what holds down [katecho] that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now holds down [katecho] will, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the LORD shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deception of injustice [working] in them that perish; because they [are not able due to a corrupted mind] received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion [planos – wandering astray,] that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might [see they] be damned [krino – judge (distinguishing) themselves guilty by this choice] who believed not the truth, but [have] had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the LORD, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification [separation from these errors into holiness] of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our LORD Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold [krateo] the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our LORD Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Paul describes this error being at its core not understanding or living by the first and greatest of the commandments, to hold God as the preeminent above all others, and if rejecting this most likely violate the second and make images of Him that are nothing at all like Him. That is the great struggle between good and evil, man making gods to his liking, while doing opposing God’s making man in His image and likeness.

The description is in Colossians 2:19 as Paul uses the word krateo to tell of those who fail by not holding the Head in this position, they instead having their natural mind inflated thinking themselves to be the highest powers.

Colossians 2
1 For I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the LORD, so walk you in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments [corrupted principles] of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increase with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments [stoicheion – elements and corrupted principles] of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.

Hebrews 6:18 (as does 2 Thessalonians 2:15 & 16) uses the word krateo to tell of strong “consolation” (imploration and counsel) being promised to those who would flee to and “lay hold” on it. And to as many as believe and receive it, to them gives He power to become the children of God. This is the paraklesis, the promises of being led into all truth by the one the LORD promised to send. This work is further defined in the use of the same word in Hebrews 12:5 as we are told of the correction from God, sent for the perfecting of His children.

Hebrews 6
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes oft upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God:
8 But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shewed toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
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 sware 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 shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, 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 and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrew 12
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My children, despise not you the chastening of the LORD, nor faint when you are rebuked of him:
6 For whom the LORD loves he chastens, and scourges every child whom he receives.

This is the same “consolation” of God’s people spoken of in Luke 2:25 as the chapter tells of Simeon recognizing it quoting from Isaiah 42:6 describing what he has witnessed. The quote appears in verse 6 where we are told of the light that is the LORD coming to breathe life into His people. In the following verse we are told it is to open eyes blinded by corrupted thinking, come from following those who are themselves blind by having strayed away from the LORD’s way, truth and light.

Isaiah 42
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
5 Thus says God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6 I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
14 I have long time held my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, You are our gods.
18 Hear, you deaf; and look, you blind, that you may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’s servant?
20 Seeing many things, but you observe not; opening the ears, but he hears not.
21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivers; for a spoil, and none says, Restore.
23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
25 Therefore he has poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it has set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

February 5, 2017

The Latter Rain, Fire, Brimstone, and Terrible Tempest To the Unfounded, and Deliverance to the Upright

Continuing today with a look at the latter rain, and rain in general as telling of the word of truth flowing to us – from the cloud spoken of in the prior post. As we saw, the clouds speak of the word of the Father having flowed down in pure form from heaven, where the waters are rightly divided, returned to the cloud as they are rejected and forgotten on earth. As a result of the refusal clouds form and darkness as the shadow of death covers the earth, and cover the people as gross darkness. In this analogy we see the former and the latter rain.

Beginning today with the twofold purpose of the latter rain, which is this word I have freely preached to you.

Psalms 11:6 tells of the latter rain coming as snares upon the wicked, as fire and brimstone, and a terrible tempest [blast of air,] and these are the cup prepared for their consumption.

As we saw in the prior post the wicked are those Paul speaks of who have replaced God and sit in His judgments seats. We know these seats are the places designed to be where the LORD’s righteousness would shine onto the earth: governments (church and nation) as He intended. We have seen these seats lacking, and now outright rejecting, His counsel as symbolized by telling of these great places of light, sun, moon, and stars, now having become darkened and fallen from heaven (no longer rightly dividing the word or truth, thereby not possessing the LORD’s wisdom, and therefore not shining it on the earth as they rule.)

We know in 2 Thessalonians 2 we are told of the men (plural) sitting in these judgment seats and being there until the LORD comes. “5 Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now you know what hold us down that they might be revealed in their time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity is already at work: only they who now keep us down will, until they be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall the Wicked be revealed, whom the LORD shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even those, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deception of injustice [working these signs and lying wonders] in them that perish [under their leadership;] because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Again, we see Paul here using the parallel description used by John four times in the book of Revelation, of the LORD destroying the cover of ignorance, and its origin of the deception, through the Word of His mouth, and this light into darkness as the brightness of His coming. We know this latter portion as alluding to the Genesis 1 creation, and the John 1 perspective of the same. Additionally, we know the reference to the word coming from the mouth of the LORD has its origin in Isaiah 49, “1 Listen, O isles [O dry places of the earth,] unto me; and hearken, you people, from far; The LORD has called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name. 2 And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand has he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver has he hid me; 3 And said unto me, You are my servant, O Israel [my people, my nation,] in whom I will be glorified.”

This is the context in which we are able to understand the latter rain and Word as both the snare that catches and destroys the wicked (self-inflicted by the choice to stay in rebellion and insubordination,) and it delivering those receiving the correction and coming out from under the darkness of these oppressors.

Psalms 10 tells of the these wicked ones further defining them as the lawless. Psalms 11 follows this with the prayer of understanding and is the response of the righteous in light of what is said in the prior Psalm.

Psalms 10
1 Why stand you afar off, O LORD? why hide you yourself in times of trouble?
2 The wicked in his pride does persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
3 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, and blesses the covetous, whom the LORD abhors.
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts [the images of gods they have created govern their corrupted reasoning.]
5 His ways are always grievous; (Your judgments [LORD] are far above out of his sight:) as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them [openly shows he despises and dismisses them.]
6 He has said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places does he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set [imagine ways] against the poor.
9 He lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to catch the poor: he does catch the poor, when he draws him into his net.
10 He crouches, and humbles himself, [dissembling – faking it] that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11 He has said in his heart, God has forgotten: He hides his face; He will never see it.
12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up Your hand: forget not the humble.
13 Wherefore does the wicked contemn [hold in contempt and vilify] God? he has said in his heart, You will not require it.
14 You have seen it; for You behold mischief and spite, to requite it with Your hand: the poor commits himself unto You; You are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break You the arm [the power (of deception)] of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till You find none.
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of His land.
17 LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble: You will prepare their heart [their cognitive mind,] You will cause Your ear to hear:
18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Psalms 11
1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say you to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain [the high places you have corrupted?]
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily [secretly] shoot at the upright in heart [well and right reasoning.]
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven [where there is understanding and order:] His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The LORD tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous LORD loves righteousness [truth and justice in judgment;] his countenance beholds the upright.

In these Psalms we see why the LORD suffers long, and askes the upright to suffers with Him. In our doing the latter rain is delivered, to both snare and undeniably expose the lawlessness of the wicked, while at the same time bring the uncountable masses out of their darkness and into His marvelous Light.

This is what the book of Job, from start to finish, explains by example. It tells of suffering, inflicted by the pressure of those in the rut of a degenerate culture, which is at the same time by this necessary endurance being delivering from this same culture cause from where they are unable to escape by their own means (all they know is the ways of the cause.)

Friends, I tell you, I speak because I do know and have seen, we have not followed cunningly devised fables, but rather we have trusted in God, and Truth who is Almightily greater, providential, and compassionately merciful. He is not man that He would have or needs to have any ulterior motive. He has no intention of forcing anyone to do anything, and we do well if we understand this is His war for our good, by methods of superior intellect able to overcome any and all earthly powers and means. This is truly His making us in His image and likeness, and for the good of humanity, the sake of peace and civility. He wants only for us to understand it is our choosing to go our own way, which is destroying a real utopia [Eden] He has created for us.

What we are seeing in this rejection of His overture is the worst of all errors, pride that refuses correction, and instead chooses self-destruction. I tell you now, in the Name of Jehovah’s Salvation (Jesus) He will not let them destroy all, and will save as many as will receive this report and willingly live under the rule of mutual security for all. I call on the rebels to join us, join the remnant that brings this message to the world in need of hearing it. Let God’s glory be seen in you as His child.

This is my testifying to you of the thing I have witnessed and know as truth. The next witness will be that of the Father out of the Whirlwind (great tempest.)

As my LORD said, and is recorded in Matthew 7:
20 Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.
21 Not every one that says unto me, LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Job 37
1 At this also my heart trembles, and is moved out of his place.
2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3 He directs it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roars: he thunders with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
5 God thunders marvelously with his voice; great things does he, which we cannot comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow, Be you on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7 He seals up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
9 Out of the south comes the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Also by watering he wearies the thick cloud: he scatters his bright cloud:
12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commands them upon the face of the world in the earth.
13 He causes it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
16 Do you know the balancing of [what is poised and waiting in] the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
17 How your garments are warm, when he quiets the earth by the south wind?
18 Have you with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passes, and cleanses them.
22 Fair weather comes out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
24 Men do therefore fear him: he respects not any that are wise of heart.

Job 38
1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind [tempest,] and said,
2 Who is this [Who do these men think they are] that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and answer you me.
4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding.
5 Who has laid the measures thereof, if you know? or who has stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling-band for it [a protective wrapping,]
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Here-to shall you come, but no further: and here shall your proud waves [casting up mire] be stayed?
12 Have you commanded the morning since your days; and caused the dayspring [the springs of light] to know his place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay to the seal [that I will be knows as He who sealed it;] and they stand as a garment [the clothing of my stand.]
15 And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Have you entered into the springs of the sea? or have you walked in the search of the depth [has your spirit moved on the face of the deep as Mine did in My creating?]
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto you? or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Have you perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if you know it all.
19 Where is the way where light dwells? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 That you should take it to the bound thereof [its termination point,] and that you should know the paths to the house thereof?
21 Know you it, because you were then born? or because the number of your days is great?
22 Have you entered into the treasures of the snow? or have you seen the treasures of the hail, [the waters frozen in heaven, that come down as fire and brimstone,]
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scatters the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who has divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28 Has the rain a father? or who has begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who has gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Canst you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst you bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst you guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Know you the ordinances of heaven? canst you set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Canst you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you?
35 Canst you send lightnings, that they may go and say unto you, Here we are?
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? or who has given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust grows into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together [from lack of rain, when the waters of the earth have evaporated away?]
39 Will you hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait [lay poises as does the rain in the cloud?]
41 Who provides for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

James 5
1 Go to now, you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. You have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, cries: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the LORD of Hosts.
5 You have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; you have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and killed the just; and he does not resist you.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the LORD. Behold, the husbandman waits [is poised] for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be you also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the LORD draws near.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest you be condemned: behold, the judge stands before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the LORD, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the LORD; that the LORD is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest you fall into condemnation [For many shall say unto me LORD, LORD, while in fact they reject correction, and swear by their invention, and refuse to subordinate to the Truth.]
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the LORD:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the LORD shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avail much.
17 Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Revelation 3
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write [this formula to the people in the judgment – it is either their acquittal or the self-condemnation by choice to continue in darkness;] These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you wert cold or hot.
16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.
17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel you to buy [the price is “diligently” seeking God] of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup [feast] with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.

February 4, 2017February 4, 2017

The Coming of the LORD – Apostasy Overwhelmed By the Light of the Apocalypse

Today a discussion of the falling away spoken of by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, and it telling of the world (church and nations) having totally fallen away from the truth found in God’s word. In this examination we will clearly see the LORD’s coming as He described it and is recorded in the Gospels, and we will see the consistency of these ideas illuminated in the later writings of those witnesses possessing this same understanding.

As we know, Paul uses the Greek apostasia (apostasy,) literally meaning away standing, and as we’ve discussed the word standing (stasis) has the meaning of a position held or taken (a stand.) The position Paul is speaking of is specified just prior when as part of his statement he tells of our being not deceived about the coming of the LORD. He tells of this “falling away” as being total, and of the LORD not coming until after this had occurred.

The translations very deceptively tell of this culminating in the singular man of sin being revealed, and in doing conceal the fact of it’s telling of all places being corrupted, and all those sitting in these seats in God’s place being the sons of perdition. As we have previously discussed this plural aspect is very plainly seen as the same words translated in a singular form are in the follow chapter translated in the plural.

There in 2 Thessalonians 3 Paul begins by in summarization defining the problem he had just spoken of in detail. He tells of the LORD coming to deliver us from unreasonable and wicked men, the same wicked he had spoken of in the prior chapter translated as a singular person. In this statement Paul speaks of the problem by the remedy being the word of the LORD having free course as it comes in combating the corrupted ideas of those also defined in the prior chapter as opposing and exalting themselves above God as they sit in His house[s] showing themselves as if they are gods. Paul is defining the falling away from the word AS DELIVERED as the problem, and the solution being the word having free course in reconciling this wrong.

Paul follows the above description with a commandment telling of separating ourselves from these men who walk this way without order (disorderly.) The Greek word here translated as disorderly is ataktos, meaning insubordinate and unarranged, meaning they are the purveyors of confusion (Babylon,) and refuse to subordinate to the truth. It is into this void/condfusion the LORD comes, to reverse it and restores order and understanding to a world fallen away into its own harm and destruction, and held down under the hand of these wicked men (who are in rebellion (taking a stand) against the Higher Power.)

2 Thessalonians 3
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the LORD may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the LORD is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the LORD touching you, that you both do and will do the things which we command you.
5 And the LORD direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

This falling away from understanding into confusion is what the LORD speaks of recorded in the Gospels as heaven and earth passing away, but His words not passing away. It tells of a world that becomes totally separated from His word and its essential wisdom, and in doing fallen into darkness and total confusion. We know this from our many discussions as the condition of the world the LORD comes into, delivering it by renewing and reconciling it again to His will and plan. It is the plan of civilization and peace on earth, as it is in heaven, heaven as place where the word is rightly divided and thereby understood.

Matthew 24
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For where-so-ever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
36 But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

The word tribulation in verse 21 above is from the Greek word thlipsis, meaning pressure; from the word thlibo, meaning to crowd, from the word tribos, meaning a rut, as in a well-worn path. It is meant to speak of all these meanings: a way that has now become so warn those in it are unable to extricate themselves, this in actuality is the pressure from the crowd, a culture so in its devolved rut of its own corrupted ideas, and pressuring and crowding any who dare try to escape, and leaving no place to escape to as it has covered the world.

The above passage tells of the LORD coming into the dark night of this culture.

Here is the meaning of the cloud He rides upon: we know the waters are the word of God come down from Him and His Spirit giving us the understanding as the word is rightly divided. This right dividing is understanding and when on earth is heaven on earth, as in this state man live in founded on this teaching of the way of peace; peace itself not being heaven, but the right dividing (the firmament) being heaven, and all else its products. When this understanding leaves the earth, by none rightly dividing any longer, heaven leaves the earth as the waters leave with it. Heaven rises off the earth into the air, and the waters are gathered into the clouds. The LORD comes in the air where the waters above are, and from where he rain these water down on us until we awaken (latter rain) and are able to join Him in this cloud in the air where we rightly divide with Him. This is the deep symbolism being used to explain the reality of our time.

This is also why Hebrews 12 begins by addressing those who understand as the cloud of witnesses.

Verse 29 above tells of the places on earth that were intended as the place where the word was rightly divided and produce their intended product, and these being darkened and shaken from heaven. We know this is the same description we are given in Hebrews 12 as we are first told our being gather into this cloud by the LORD correction, His delivering us from the corrupted ideas of these wicked men, and in doing having arrived in heavenly Jerusalem (taught and founded on the word that flow from God, and realizing their product of peace in understanding.) It is the LORD coming to establish us away from these men’s abominations that have caused the desolation of the earth in total. In this reconciliation a new heaven and a earth are created – here on earth, build atop the ruin of the old earth that has become without form and void.

When verse 30 & 31 then tell of the sign of the LORD’s coming and of our being gathered it is referring specifically to Deuteronomy 301 & 2. In the final verse of Deuteronomy 29 we are told of why the LORD mentions in Matthew 24:35 His word not passing [falling] away, but heaven and earth will. The sign He speaks of is His restoring it anew by the secret things kept with Him in heaven where He resides (in the realms of the understood word.) It is telling of the witness in heaven and in earth being joined/gathered again in One.

Deuteronomy 29
24 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore has the LORD done thus unto this land? what means the heat of this great anger?
25 Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:
26 For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
27 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:
28 And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.
29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 30
1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD your God has driven you,
2 And shall return unto the LORD your God, and shall obey his voice according to all that I command you this day, you and your children, with all thine heart, and with all your soul;
3 That then the LORD your God will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations, whither the LORD your God has scattered you.
4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD your God gather you, and from thence will he fetch you:
5 And the LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and he will do you good, and multiply you above your fathers.
6 And the LORD your God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of your seed, to love the LORD your God with all thine heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.
7 And the LORD your God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate you, which persecuted you.
8 And you shall return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command you this day.

The above is speaking of hearing the same voice spoken of in ending Hebrews 12, and also why its final verse says, “Our God is a consuming fire.”

The word used in Matthew to tells of heaven and earth “pass[ing] away” is the Greek word parerchomai, meaning to go away, and figuratively meaning to perish or neglect (a lack of diligence.) It is the same word used in 2 Peter 3:10 to tell of the heavens passing away with a great noise, as the LORD comes as a thief (unknown) in the night. The “great noise” is referring to both the voice and the gathering the LORD also speaks of in Matthew 24, as he tells of His command to gather His people together to Him.

It is referring to Isaiah 13:4 where we read of the LORD gathering His hosts to battle. The chapter beings with Isaiah seeing the burden (a prophetic warning) of Babylon, followed in verse 2 with telling of lifting the banner (the sign of the LORD’s coming), and to calling us to go the gate and speak to these men of confusion. The chapter ends by telling of this being the shortening of the days, “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

Isaiah 13
1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
2 Lift you up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.
4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts musters the host of the battle.
5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
6 Howl you; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt:
8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travails: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.
15 Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.
16 Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
18 Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children.
19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

The word parerchomai is also the same word used in Revelation 21:1 in telling of the first earth and heaven being passed away.

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.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice [noise of command from a rightly divided word] 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: 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.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

And, the word parerchomai is used in this same context in 2 Corinthians 5:17 to tell of the old man (corrupted heart/reasoning/foundational thinking) that passes away so all things can be made new in the new creation. It tells of this being the work of the LORD, in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, as I Am.

2 Corinthians 5
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the LORD, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance [pretense,] and not in heart [well-reason.]
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.
21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

February 3, 2017

A Man’s Understanding Is as Light come into Earth’s Darkness

Continuing: beginning today with the light that comes after the Holy Spirit of God has moved on the waters of the deep. As we’ve discussed this is the Genesis 1 creation description come after the earth becomes without form and void. It is the description retold by Peter as he describes the appearing of the light in 2 Peter 1, follows it by an in-depth explanation of how the darkness has come, and closes telling of the waters that wash away the corruption in the news creation.

Peter begins by describing the entrance of light into darkness as the entrance into kingdom preached to us and our AGAIN being established in its Truth.

2 Peter 1
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth.

He then goes on to tell of the voice coming from heaven, the place we know from Genesis 1 where the waters are rightly divided, and here Peter tells us specifically it is the word. This description also coincides with John’s telling us of the witness in heaven and in the earth. As we’ve discussed in detail, the word comes from the Father delivered by His Holy Spirit, it flows by the Holy Spirit to man on earth as water, as light into darkness, then producing after its own kind joining us with the Lamb (the second Adam) in the blood of this necessary sacrifice delivering it as received (as did the LORD showing us the way.) 1 John 5: 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he has testified of his Son. 10 He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son.

2 Peter 1
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

As we see in these verses Peter is with intention tracking the spirit of Genesis 1. He tells of the light coming into darkness, the waters divided by the word coming from heaven, and the Holy spirit moving on the waters as this process is culminated in the true prophets.

Peter then goes on to describe how the earth will again become without form and void, and in doing refines and defines Genesis 1. We know from our studies the Genesis 1 Hebrew phrase “without form, and void,” is only used two other times, both relating man-caused confusion and its resulting emptiness, and both as always coming from those leading there.

Peter tells us specifically of the cause being false prophets among us, who will absolutely bring in damnable heresies, and the result of their confusion causes them to deny the LORD. This description is mirrored by John in John 1 as he speaks of it from the perspective of the word coming into the world as light, and the world being so confused by the darkness of false and deceptive doctrine, that the world knows it not. But to as many as do believe the report and receive the word, the light of correction, to them gives He power to become the sons of God. This last part being the entrance Peter speaks of as into the kingdom (as described in Hebrews 12 & also as sons of God.)

John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.

2 Peter explains being led away from this truth and the LORD coming with His marvelous light to reclaim us, or as many of us as will receive him. It is speaking of our (God’s people) having previously many times been delivered in this way, by the LORD sending his word and presence, and of their always being many choosing to remain in the mire and vomit they’ve returned to. We read of their deception as they promise others liberty while they themselves are unwittingly in bondage to their errors.

2 Peter 2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [by their own imaginations] shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The LORD knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the LORD.
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deception while they feast with you;
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: by the dumb donkey speaking with man’s voice forbidding the madness of the [false] prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Peter then in chapter 3 tells us of the LORD’s longsuffering due to His not wanting any to perish, and sending His word into the world as waters to recreate it again in righteousness (justice and truth.) Here again Peter plainly tells of the deliverance coming through the word of God, which is kept in store for times just as this, and when released (by Him) washes away of all of the past error.

As we have discussed at great length Peter tells of this from the coinciding perspective of the elements, the corrupted foundational principles upon which the world bases all its reasoning, melting away from the fires that burn in the earth caused by these same corrupted ideas.

As we now see these fires are incited by men who agitate others as both part and parcel of keeping their power and to maintain control over what they have gained or lust to further gain. They fight against the LORD’s countering all-consuming fires of truth, coming from the mouth of the LORD, and those who have joined with Him in this battle of good against the world’s evil as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
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The chapter ends by telling of the men who are unable to understand these plain words of truth. They know not the ways of peace because their motives are based on corrupted and self-centered ideas void of any value. They have chosen by these to self-inflict their own end, and will melt away with their practices. They claim to be tolerant, peaceful, accepting of all, while in fact rejecting all these think themselves enlightened above all the barbarians come before them. They have removed all self-restraint, moral standard, and civility’s necessary mutual respect from the hordes they now incite and release upon those they’ve defined as intolerable, worthy of violence against, and to be rejected and dehumanized by all those seeking acceptability into their cult of evil enlightenment (actually a darkening.) I call on them to repent before they irreversibly set in motion what they will not survive, and from which none will be immune. Choose here and now if you are anarchists, or civilized humans created in the image and likeness of God.

Here is the word directly from the Father, which I deliver to you as life giving waters. It tells of the wisdom received being what makes a man’s face shine. It speaks of the glory of God in those who receive His correction and wisdom its reward. It speaks of not leaving this place, and warns against those doing so and making the fatal mistake of taking a stand against the LORD and His wisdom. Later in the chapter, Ecclesiastes 8:11, we read of the longsuffering of the LORD, and because of the sentence not being carried out, the LORD not desiring that any should perish, men think it isn’t coming. He is long suffering but judgment must come, “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

Ecclesiastes 8
1 Who is as the wise man? and who knows the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
2 I counsel you to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatsoever pleases him.
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest you?
5 Whoso keeps the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment.
6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
7 For he knows not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
8 There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither has he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man rules over another to his own hurt.
10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.
11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he fears not before God.
14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
15 Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night see sleep with his eyes:)
17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

The conclusion Solomon comes to after examining the natural world, the conclusion the founders came to, the conclusion all right functioning intellectuals come to, is that the only way to understand the natural is to see what is unseen and only useable with natural eyes. It is to see the things that are truth even in the void, in the yet unknown regions of time. 2 Peter 1: 9 But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins [errors.] 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our LORD Jesus Christ has shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

1 Corinthians 2
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of [man’s] wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified [willingly self-sacrificing to bring us the word of truth.]
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
10 But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who has known the mind of the LORD, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

February 2, 2017

Earth’s Great Merchants and False Prophets Melting Away (Ignorant of the Effects of the Fires)

Continuing: Today a deeper examination of the premise discussed in the prior post, that the fires burning in the earth melt away the corrupted ideas upon which the degenerate world bases all its decisions and policy. As we’ve read in recent days, this is what is referred to in 2 Peter 3 when Peter speaks of these fires melting the “element.” As we’ve discussed these “elements” are described using the Greek word stoichieon, meaning an orderly arrangement, and is also translated as principles and rudiments. It is used to describe the first principles of the oracles of God, and rudiments when defining the ideas of the world, corrupting it and keeping God’s people in bondage.

We saw these fires also described from John’s perspective in Revelation 18 & 19 as what destroys those deceiving the earth, and these being the great merchants of the earth and the false prophet[s]. We also saw the fire is what proceeds from the mouth of the LORD as He wields the Word of God as His sword [rightly dividing the Word.] We saw this analogy traced back to Isaiah 49 where it is used in beginning the chapter, a chapter we saw is also quoted in Revelation 7:16 & 17 to tell of the many who come out of the great tribulation. We saw both chapter calling us to come out from among these people and not be unequally yoked with their unbelief. In Isaiah 49 we are told this is the LORD having heard us in an acceptable time and of this being His come to our rescue. This is the report being given from the mouth of the one speaking in the name of the LORD and not believed by men destroying the earth via their corrupted understanding, the same men further described by John in Revelation 18 & 19.

We saw our being told of the LORD hearing us and come to succor us, appearing in Isaiah 49, also being quoted by Paul in 2 Corinthians 6 as he gives us the further definition of this being coming out from being unequally yoked, the righteous from the unrighteous, light from darkness and believers from unbelief. Paul then quotes from Isaiah 52 where is the origin of this call to come out of this unbelief, and the chapter ending by telling of those who will see what they had not seen, and what they had not heard they shall consider.

It is for this point Isaiah 53 begins by asking the question, “Who has believed our report, unto whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?”

We know this first as a question that answers itself. The arm of the LORD is revealed to those who have believed the report. Then we know what follows is a description of what has been seen and not understood, and considering what had not been expected because of listening to the corrupted ideas of those we had been among. It is from there in the midst of this man-caused darkness we are called to come out.

This is the perspective from where Peter writes 2 Peter. Chapter one ends with his telling of our not having followed cunningly devised fables, followed by his describing the intricacies of prophesy, and how it is the Spirit of God who released understanding to men God chooses. His description tells of it in terms referring to Genesis 1 when the Spirit of God “moved” on the waters of the deep. We know there the Hebrew word translated “moved” is a word meaning to brood over, as in a bird sitting on eggs until they hatch. Peter tells of the Holy Spirit carrying (moving) the understanding until God is ready for it to brought forth. This is the same meaning we are being told of in these earlier descriptions of the acceptable time when the LORD comes to free us.

Chapter 2 then begins with telling us of the false prophets that will (absolutely) be among us, and will bring in damnable heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them. This is the point, as it was the point 2000 years ago. Men cause darkness and confusion by adding their fictions, then in pride reject correction, cumulatively resulting in all being unable to see, hear and believe the report. This is the gross darkness we are called out of into the light. This command to come out is the call we first hear in the cloud of darkness, once in the light we see what we couldn’t, and there understanding it is the arm of the LORD revealed.

Before again pasting all three chapters of 2 Peter we need to understand what it means when Peter tells of these corrupted ideas melting away. We know melting tells of the outer layer first liquefying and flowing away, and each successive layer doing the same until all is gone, and this happening in one seamless process. Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little there a little, so they may be astonished, be snared and taken away. Just because you’re not on fire doesn’t mean the heat isn’t having its effect.

Isaiah 28
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus says the LORD God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then you shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goes forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

When Peter speaks of these false prophets denying the LORD that “bought” them and later mentions their melting away he is referring to Exodus 15, where in verse 15 & 16 both are mentioned. There we also read of the arm of the LORD revealed as the waters (the word) the LORD had divided crash back upon these enemies refusing to allow us our freedom.

Exodus 15
… I will sing unto the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider has he thrown into the sea.
2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host has he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
6 Your right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: your right hand, O LORD, has dashed in pieces the enemy.
7 And in the greatness of thine excellency you have overthrown them that rose up against you: you sent forth your wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
8 And with the blast of your nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
10 You did blow with your wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
11 Who is like unto you, O LORD, among the gods? who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them.
13 You in your mercy have led forth the people which you have redeemed: you have guided them in your strength unto your holy habitation.
14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till your people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which you have purchased.
17 You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which you have made for you to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which your hands have established.
18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

2 Peter 1
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our LORD,
3 According as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our LORD Jesus Christ has shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shine in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Peter 2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [from their own imaginations] shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The LORD knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the LORD.
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceptions while they feast with you;
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: [By] the voiceless donkey speaking with man’s voice forbidding the madness of the [false] prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Psalms 58
1 Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men?
2 Yea, in heart [your own corrupted reasoning] you work wickedness; you weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stops her ear [rejecting correction;]
5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bends his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
8 As a snail which melts, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the [the boil of the] thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
10 The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 So that a man shall say, Truly there is a reward for the righteous: truly He is a God that judges in the earth.

February 1, 2017

Be Not Unequally Yoked – Come out From Among them

Continuing our discussion of the leftist tantrum underway and it stemming from corrupted ideas and their resulting mass confusion (Babylon and Babel, from the Hebrew word babel, meaning confusion). We know these corrupted ideas are the foundational principles upon which the corrupted world bases all its decisions and policy, and these are what has caused the fires (agitation and tribulation) now burning in the world. We know the people holding the ideas as their foundation are those having ascended into the highest seats of power. We know their corrupted principles are the “elements” spoken of by Peter in 2 Peter 3 (as the stoicheion,) and are those that melt away in the fire these people and their ideas themselves have created.

We now see many of these people having taken a stand on the side of the anti-American tantrum and with the corrupted principles, and many others like myself have decided to no longer do business with them and their ilk. No matter what you believe, you have to see Revelation 18 playing out before our eyes, and this great city of confusion is in flames. Seems the only ones not seeing it are those melting away.

We see this chapter describing these men, the great merchants of the earth, whose sorceries have deceived the nations. We know the sorceries are the words they have used to persuade others to do their will, in this case buying their product (marketing,) while no man knew who they really were in principle. They have now exposed themselves in choosing to take this stand. Again, no matter what you or they believe, this is what we are undeniable in the mist of.

Revelation 18
1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she has filled fill to her double.
7 How much she has glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the LORD God who judges her.
9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is your judgment come.
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buys their merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all your wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
14 And the fruits that your soul lusted after are departed from you, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from you, and you shall find them no more at all.
15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16 And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
20 Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her.
21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in you; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in you; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in you;
23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in you; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in you: for your merchants were the great men of the earth; for by your sorceries were all nations deceived.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

This destruction of the confusion is contrasted in Revelation 19 with the marriage feast as what ushers all into the presence of the Lamb, and God’s Glory risen upon and seen in His people.

Revelation 19
1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the LORD our God:
2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he has judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
3 And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all you his servants, and you that fear him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thundering, saying, Alleluia: for the LORD God omnipotent reigns.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he said unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See you do it not: I am your fellow-servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And LORD Of Lords.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

In the above chapter we again see the sharp sword proceeding from the LORD’s mouth, the same One also called by the name “Word of God,” name meaning his identity know by this calling.

We also know (from these discussion) the sword coming from the LORD’s mouth is John’s (the writer) way of referring to the origin of the statement in Isaiah 49:2. There in the original verse we also read of this being the hiding place of the same One with the sword of the Word of God coming from His mouth. In versed 3 we read it is us, the elect remnant in who the Glory of God in manifested before the world, and then to all those who awaken from the stupor, joining with us and casting away all their former empty works.

Isaiah 49
1 Listen, O isles [dry places standing out of these living waters,] unto me; and hearken, you people, from far; The LORD has called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name.
2 And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand has he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver has he hid me;
3 And said unto me, You are my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
4 Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
5 And now, says the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob [the rebels among His people] again to him, though Israel be not gathered, 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 should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved [re-salt] of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
7 Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhor, 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 says the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you: 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 may say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite 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, and my highways shall be exalted.
12 Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD has comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
14 But Zion said, The LORD has forsaken me, and my LORD has forgotten me.
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget you.
16 Behold, I have graven you upon the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.
17 Your children shall make haste; your destroyers and they that made you waste shall go forth of you.
18 Lift up your eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to you. As I live, says the LORD, you shall surely clothe you with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on you, as a bride does.
19 For your waste and your desolate places, and the land of your destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed you up shall be far away.
20 The children which you shall have, after you have lost the other, shall say again in your ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
21 Then shall you say in your heart, Who has begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?
22 Thus says the LORD God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard 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: 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, or the lawful captive delivered?
25 But thus says the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, 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; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

If you remember this above chapter is the one we’ve discussed as the origin (verse 8 – 10) of the quote appearing in Revelation 7:16 & 17. It speaks of the uncountable number of people who come out of the great tribulation, and of the LORD wiping away all tears from their eyes.

Revelation 7
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Isaiah 49:8 is also quoted in 2 Corinthians 6:2 telling of the LORD hearing us in an acceptable time (this time,) and coming to our rescue (succor.) The context of the chapter is not being unequally yoked, and is exactly what we read of in Revelation 18, and are now called to. It tells of those seeking righteousness having no part with unrighteousness, and light having no part with darkness (the gross darkness of these corrupted ideas keeping the people of the world in their stupor (death’s sleep.)

Just prior to our reading this in verse 14 verse 13 tells of it being our being “enlarged.” This is the same as we read of in the prior post and the LORD being magnified in us (Luke 1:46) as the Word of the LORD is heard and believed. It is the glory of the LORD rising upon us and in us, as we have read in Isaiah 60.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” This conclusion is quoted in 2 Corinthians 6:17 from Isaiah 52:11 (the chapters are pasted below.)

Luke 1
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the LORD.
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the LORD,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: 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 shewed 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.

2 Corinthians 6
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he says, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O you Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12 You are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your own bowels.
13 Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be you also enlarged.
14 Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?
15 And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with the unbelieving and unfaithful?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols [these false gods of the earth?] for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.

Isaiah 52
1 Awake, awake; put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.
2 Shake yourself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose yourself from the bands of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
3 For thus says the LORD, You have sold yourselves for naught; and you shall be redeemed without money.
4 For thus says the LORD God, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
5 Now therefore, what have I here, says the LORD, that my people is taken away for naught? they that rule over them make them to howl, says the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that says unto Zion, Your God reigns!
8 Your watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye [face to face,] when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
9 Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The LORD has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
11 Depart you, depart you, go you out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go you out of the midst of her; be you clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
12 For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your reward.
13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
14 As many were astonished at you; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

January 31, 2017

Securing the Blessings of Liberty by Providing (taking precautions) for the Common Defense

Today a discussion of the deeper, knowable meaning of a few of the words used in several of our foundational statements. Let begin with the Greek word “blessing” appearing many times in Matthew 5 to tell us of the blessings that are the way into the kingdom (the mind where God reigns as LORD.) Then seeing it we are able to likewise understanding its use in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.

It is translated from the Greek word makarios, definition given in the Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary is; supremely blest, fortunate or well off (having fared well.) The fuller understanding is found in its meaning well off, in the sense of it being something one transforms into by process (Acts.) A derivative of the word is makarizo, meaning to beatify, and to be pronounced fortunate, and in context validating a process by its end. Makarios is not only translated as blesses, but is also rendered happy. Makerizo is only used twice, once rendered blessed and once happy.

The one time makarizo appears as “blessed” it is telling of a process, and the one going through it knowing it would lead to all declaring her fortunate. It is the virgin speaking of the process of birthing the Christ into the world – after conceiving by the Holy Spirit and being unmarried (see 2 Corinthians 11:2 & 1 Corinthians 7:34 – 40.) It is written by Luke in Luke 1:48, where just prior in verse 40 makarios appears to tell of believing the report and in doing being blessed. It is telling of believing, and to those who will receive Him bringing forth the birth of the Son of man – in themselves and into the world.

Luke 1
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath 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 hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

My examination leads to both words having an origin in the word mekos (meaning a length and to lengthen;) from the word megas, meaning increasingly great. Megas is the origin of the word megaluno, which is the word translated above in verse 46 as “magnify.”

It’s speaking of the same as we’ve been discussing in detail over recent days. It is telling of the Glory of the LORD being upon us, and of our rising with it as He rises upon us.

Isaiah 60
1 Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you.
3 And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to you: your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
5 Then you shall see [perceive,] and flow together, and thine heart shall fear [our reasoning mind in awe,] and be enlarged [magnified;] because the abundance of the sea [this is the river of pure waters coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb] shall be converted [return] unto you, the forces of the Gentiles [healing of the nations] shall come unto you.

The above is of course further interpreted to better see it from the perspective of Revelation 22.

At this point let’s look at a few sentences in our founding documents, first from the Declaration of Independence, and then from our Constitution. I will premise this portion with this statement of fact: the Constitution is constructed on the foundation of the Declaration’s ideas and its stated self-evident truth. As supportive evidence of this I give you Article VII, in which the signers give the date of its signing along with the Year of our LORD, both as the anchor points defining the time.

“Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Name…”

(It can only the counted as in the twelfth year if the time begins at the signing of the Declaration, just as with the Year of our LORD, both here as defining statement not merely giving time, but also the foundational basis of the period. The LORD they defines as “our” LORD in this their statement of “Unanimous Consent,” is irrefutably none other than Jesus Christ.)

The phrase of our focus in the Declaration tells of our God given rights, and among them, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Here again we see the founder’s understanding of happiness not being something given (endowed by God), but is rather something only found when diligently sought (pursued.)

Hebrew 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Knowing the founder knew the scriptures very well, and held them as the foundation of their wisdom, and our knowing as they did the meaning of the word “happy” in speaking of what is only gained by lawful pursued, we look at the next statement in the Constitution’s preamble.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

In order to better understand the “blessings” mentioned here, we must first understand the word welfare as the founders understood it. Their understanding aside most modern definition seem to all center on things provided by government. The truth is welfare is a compound word made up of well + fare. The word fare we know as the price paid for travel, this coming from its archaic (no longer used) meaning of the journey itself. We must understanding welfare as mentioned here is as the Constitution promoting (not giving) the general conditions for good in our pursuits – fare well (on their way, as in sea-faring or wayfarer – not provide, but rather to promote conditions as fertile ground for achieving success in the pursuit of all the people.)

The “Blessing of Liberty” is telling of all the things stated before as the fertile ground that is secured by what is specifically established, insured, provided and promoted. These secures the blessings (that which is achieved) as the fruit of our liberty, and our pursuit of happiness.

The only thing we are told the Constitution is intended to “provide” for is a common defense, meaning defending the whole.

Here is the definition of provide from Merriam-Webster.com: 1: to take precautionary measures <provide for the common defense — U.S. Constitution>

Here is the oath the President takes, as appears in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

The President takes an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, And the Constitution says it’s established to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. Among the means to achieve this security it mandates the common defense be provided, therefore is the President as Chief enforcement (executive) officer of these United States mandated to take precautionary measures to provide for common national defense? Absolutely!

Before going on we need to spend a moment discussing liberty. The same state of liberty that allows one to pursue happiness/blessing by moral and ethical means may by nature allow another to pursue it immorally and unethically. In this we understand there is no morality attached to liberty other than that of the person exercising it. For one it is freedom to do good and for the other license to use liberty as a cloak of maliciousness. On this liberty’s battle ground between good and evil we now stand.

Where does Constitutional legality stand on this same field? As we read in the preamble there are other condition it mandates as part of the security it intends: “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility.” Therefore, if the liberty exercised by one is against justice, and domestic tranquility, then it would be against the Law of the Land, in spirit even if not in letter.

Here all must, again as we have, look at the national tantrum now ongoing, and specifically what is at its essence. It is in fact part of long march of the communists and Marxists of the world who seek to destroy the Constitution by any means, and those means being every form of immoral and unethical advantage to first destroy the Judeo-Christian American culture, and then its blessings found in free and fair markets.

The means includes pitting one group of people against the other by false accusation, falsely claiming the achievers (the blessing in their fare) have victimized the victims. This is the way of the demagogue, stir and agitate the crowd with claims of injustice and the remedy is always to then victimize the accused. This becomes as now a never satisfied condition void of tranquility and filled with ever worsening severity and injustice. In the chaos the agitator is raised from demagogue to tyrants (Soros and His fellow cultural Marxists,) and they rule as the world burns in their fires.

The Word of God speaks in 2 Peter 3 of our final destination as a new heaven and new earth, wherein dwells righteousness (justice.) This is the same place Hebrews 12 speaks of as heavenly Jerusalem. In 2 Peter 3 it comes after the corrupted ways (elements) of the old earth melts away in the same fires they themselves have caused. In Hebrews 12 it comes after all these corrupted ways have been shaken out of the earth, and the eternal and lasting ideas are what remains.

Friends, we must understand this is a fight for not just our liberty, but also for the blessings and happiness only found in the truthful pursuit of tranquility (peace) and Justice. This is why it is called New Jerusalem, as we know the name tell of a place taught and founded on these ways of mutual security (peace – Salem,) where all are equally secure in their life, liberty and property. And we separate ourselves from any who refuse to live under these Laws of nature and Nature’s God.

Our being corrected in this way is what Hebrew 12 specifically speaks of, as does 2 Peter 3.

2 Peter 3
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the LORD and Savior:
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 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 [this word,] 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 [perishing] 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; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
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 wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen
Hebrews 12
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not you the disciplining of the LORD, nor faint when you are rebuked of him:
6 For whom the LORD loves he corrects, and disciplines (scourges) every son whom he receives.
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father corrects not?
8 But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they truly for a few days correct us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no discipline for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peace-able fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
18 For you are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard demanded that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22 But you are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.
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 speak from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.

January 30, 2017January 30, 2017

The False Compassion Masking Gross Darkness – the tantrum of the end

Continuing: Friends, we live in an evil time and among an evil generation; and to those offended by my saying this, you are most likely part of this problematic coalition. I call on you to repent, turn from your wicked understanding and corrupted reasoning and become willing to learn the ways of peace and righteousness. Now, to be clear about who the evil generation are, they are the generation placing their trust in lies and deception, and desperately relying on these to sustain them. It speaks of both religious and secular foundational principles that are the creation of men, and produce confusion that agitates and incites chaos. As we have discussed in detail in prior posts this is the darkness upon all the world and the gross darkness that covers the people. It is also the cloud in which the LORD has come (as a thief in the night) unknown to all, save a very elect remnant.

The mention of the term “gross darkness” refers specifically to Isaiah 60:2 where we have read of our being called to awaken from the sleep of this death like stupor. We read there of the light that has come and of it being the Glory of the LORD rising upon us: we who have believed this report and receive the glorious light.

Isaiah 60
1 Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you.
3 And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to you: your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
5 Then you shall see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto you, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto you.

The exact Hebrew term is used again in Jeremiah 13:16, and in Ezekiel 34:12 where it tells of the cloudy and “dark day” created by the unfaithful shepherds, those feeding themselves instead of feeding the flock. This is also spoken of as the time, known by this condition, the LORD comes to rescue His flock out of this man-caused cloud of confusion’s darkness.

Jeremiah 13
15 Hear you, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD has spoken.
16 Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
17 But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’s flock is carried away captive.
18 Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.

Ezekiel 34
7 Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
8 As I live, says the LORD God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
9 Therefore, O you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
10 Thus says the LORD God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
11 For thus says the LORD God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

This same cloud of man-caused gross darkness, the one the LORD rides upon as both light and lightning, is the same “thick darkness (‘araphel)” mentioned in Joel 2:2 where we are told of the day of the LORD being at hand. (As with all these references I hope you recognize the common pattern spoken of in other scripture and are there further illuminated.)

Paul is specifically referring to this passage in Joel when he tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2 we should not be shaken in mind, thinking the day of Christ is at hand, and that we should know that first there will come a great falling away. He thereafter speaks of those who have led away, these self-feeding shepherds, who as we read in Joel 2, before them the earth is like the garden of Eden, and after them total desolation, they as locust having consumed all.

“Falling away” is from the Greek word apostasia (apostasy), literally meaning standing away; standing coming from the word stasis.

Here is the Strong’s Greek dictionary definition of stasis, which is followed by it translated forms. It tells of a rebellion against God, and it accomplished as the salt lost its savor and refused stand and preserve (cure) the meat (the deeper word.)

Strong’s #4714: stasis (pronounced stas’-is) from the base of 2476; a standing (properly, the act), i.e. (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy:–dissension, insurrection, X standing, uproar.

Joel 2
1 Blow you the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD comes, for it is nigh at hand;
2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there has not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
12 Therefore also now, says the LORD, turn you even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repent him of the evil.
14 Who knows if he will return and change his mind, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare your people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and you shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savor shall come up, because he has done great things.
21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
22 Be not afraid, you beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree bears her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he has given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
26 And you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that has dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
27 And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

This is what the LORD is speaking of when He tells of the blessing that comes to those who are persecuted and reviled in standing against this rebellion. He then goes on to speak there in Matthew 5 of our (He and us) being the light of the world and what salts the earth. But if we fail to keep our charge, refuse to stand against the rebellion and preserve the earth (the people inhabiting it), then what are we here for – if we reject our calling to shine?

Matthew 5
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

When Joel 2:10 above speaks of the sun, moon and stars being darkened, those who follow these discussions understand it is telling of church and national government, and of God’s people, all losing their light as salt losing its savor and of the earth being darkened because of it. Government as God intended it was meant to shine His righteousness (equity and truth) on the earth as they administer justice as He intended. We know the responsibility and authority to insure this lies in/with us, His people, as the stars in heaven in their fixed position (stasis – stand against those who oppose God’s will and plan) and seeing our light all men are able to navigate in the darkness. (But we must be sure the light in us is light and not darkness.)

Luke 11
29 And when the people were gathered thick (gross – coalition) together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet [the call to repent.]
30 For as Jonah was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
32 The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah is here.
33 No man, when he has lighted a candle, puts it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, your whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, your body also is full of darkness.
35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in you be not darkness.
36 If your whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give you light.

Now we should all clearly see what he LORD is telling us in Matthew 24 when He speaks of the coming of the Son of man.

Matthew 24
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s [the remnant’s] sake those days shall be shortened.
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [this is speaking of the same deception Peter speaks of in 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily (from their own imaginations) shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.]
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For where-so-ever the carcass is [the dead body – the dead church having lost its savor,] there will the eagles be gathered together.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from [their fixed positions] heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Truly I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

The Hebrew word `araphel is used in Psalms 18:9 to tell of the LORD coming with this cloud of thick darkness under his feet. In the verse prior we read of the word coming from His mouth as a fire and by it coals are kindled. These are again the fire we discussed in the prior post, our God as a consuming fire, and as we saw in the post prior to it, as the fiery sword that comes from the mouth of the LORD, as describe by John four times in Revelation.

I could go on to tell of this thick darkness being the same as the ears grown fat in Isaiah 6:9 & 10, of it being quoted by Paul in Acts 28:26 & 27 telling of ears of the people waxing gross, of both speaking of this man-caused darkness wherein the people are unable to hear, and thereby unable to be healed by understanding the report. I could tell of Job 37:21 speaking of the light that is in the cloud and men being unable to see it until the wind comes, and this being the same wind we are told of in Matthew 24:31 from where the elect are gathers. Instead we will end with Psalms 18, and seeing all the same essence (wind – Spirit) there.

Psalms 18
1 I will love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightning, and discomfited them.
15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
24 Therefore has the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
25 With the merciful you will shew thyself merciful; with an upright man you will shew thyself upright;
26 With the pure you will shew thyself pure; and with the forward [corrupted] you will shew thyself forward [send them into even greater delusion.]
27 For you will save the afflicted people; but will bring down high looks.
28 For you will light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
29 For by you I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girds me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me upon my high places.
34 He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
35 You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and your right hand has held me up, and your gentleness has made me great.
36 You have enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
39 For you have girded me with strength unto the battle: you have subdued under me those that rose up against me.
40 You have also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
43 You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; and you have made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
46 The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
47 It is God that avenges me, and subdues the people under me.
48 He delivers me from mine enemies: yea, you lifts me up above those that rise up against me: you have delivered me from the violent man.
49 Therefore will I give thanks unto you, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto your name.
50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and shows mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.